bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Daytime Alertness, Mood, Psychomotor Performances, and Oral Temperature during Ramadan Intermittent Fasting
Authors: Roky Rachida , Iraki Leila , HajKhlifa Rachida , Ghazal Nouria Lakhdar , Hakkou Farid 
Published: April 2003

During the month of Ramadan, Moslems abstain from drinking and eating daily between sunrise and sunset. This change of meals schedule is accompanied with changes in sleep habit, which may affect diurnal alertness. This study examined the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on the diurnal alertness and oral temperature in 10 healthy young subjects. The cognitive task battery including movement reaction time (MRT), critical flicker fusion (CFF) and visual analogue scale, was administered at 6 different times of the day: 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 16.00, 20.00 and 23.00 h on the 6th, 15th, and 28th days of Ramadan. The baseline day was scheduled one week before Ramadan, and the recovery day 18 days after this month. Oral temperature was measured prior to each test session and at 00.00 h. During Ramadan oral temperature decreased at 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 16.00 and 20.00 h and increased at 23.00 and 00.00 h. Subjective alertness decreased at 09.00 and 16.00 h and increased at 23.00 h. Mood decreased at 16.00 h. MRT was increased at the beginning of Ramadan (R6) and CFF was not changed. These results showed that daytime oral temperature, subjective alertness and mood were decreased during Ramadan intermittent fasting.
Effect of Increasing Sucrose Concentrations on Oral Lactic Acid Production
Authors: Linke Harald A.B. , Birchmeier Ruth I. 
Published: April 2003

Oral lactic acid production was studied on 11 healthy dental student volunteers (5 males and 6 females) during clearance of five solutions containing 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30% of sucrose. Oral fluid samples were collected at times zero, immediately before taking the sucrose solutions (‘baseline’), and 15 min following intake of the solutions. The samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of lactic acid and remaining sugars using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicate that the amount of lactic acid in oral fluid significantly increased with increasing sucrose concentrations, up to 15% sucrose. With the higher sucrose concentrations (20 and 30%) equivalent or lower amounts of lactic acid were obtained. The threshold level for maximum lactic acid production was found to be between 10 and 15% sucrose. Statistical analysis of the data (Student’s t test) indicated a significant difference in lactic acid production between the 5 and 10% sucrose solutions versus the 15, 20 and 30% sucrose solutions tested (p < 0.05). <i>Clinical Significance:</i> Ingestion of solutions with higher sucrose concentrations (>15%) produced similar amounts or less of lactic acid during oral clearance than solutions containing lower sucrose concentrations (<15%).
Appearance of Nephrotic Syndrome following Interferon-α Therapy in a Patient with Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection
Authors: Endo Morito , Ohi Hiroyuki , Fujita Takayuki , Ohsawa Isao , Kanmatsuse Katsuo , Yamaguchi Yutaka 
Published: April 2003

A 59-year-old woman with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C viral (HCV) antibody presented with proteinuria and hematuria. The patient was treated with interferon-alpha (INF-α) because plasma aminotransferase levels had been elevated and a liver biopsy had showed chronic active hepatitis. Her urinary protein excretion decreased as liver function normalized and her serum HCV-RNA was negative during treatment. Eleven weeks after completion of INF-α treatment, she suddenly presented with nephrotic-range proteinuria, although an improvement in the hepatic function was maintained. Renal pathologic findings were consistent with membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), and HBsAg was detected in the glomeruli but not HCV. After treatment with prednisolone, her 24-hour protein excretion was below 0.7 g/day. To our knowledge this is the first report on hepatitis B virus MGN with nephrotic syndrome following IFN-α therapy for HCV. This suggests that treatment with INF-α might affect the immune processes and may be associated with the pathogenic mechanism in this patient.
Effect of <i>L</i>-Carnitine and Palmitoyl-<i>L</i>-Carnitine on Erythroid Colony Formation in Fetal Mouse Liver Cell Culture
Authors: Matsumura Masami , Hatakeyama Syuichi , Koni Ichiro , Mabuchi Hiroshi 
Published: April 2003

The administration of <i>L</i>-carnitine to patients undergoing hemodialysis increases hematocrit and improves the response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). This suggests a contribution by carnitine to erythrocyte membrane function or erythropoiesis. We investigated the effect of <i>L</i>-carnitine and palmitoyl-<i>L</i>-carnitine on erythropoiesis by assessing erythroid colony formation in in vitro fetal mouse liver cell cultures. <i>L</i>-Carnitine or palmitoyl-<i>L</i>-carnitine was added with rhEPO to fetal mouse liver cell cultures. Doses of <i>L</i>-carnitine of up to 200 µmol/l to the culture had no effect on colony formation. In contrast, the addition of above 12.5 µmol/l palmitoyl-<i>L</i>-carnitine into the culture increased colony formation significantly. These results suggest that long-chain acyl carnitine may have an effect on erythropoiesis.
Oxalate Kinetics and Reversal of the Complications after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Primary Hyperoxalosis Type 1 Awaiting Renal Transplantation
Authors: Bastani Bahar , Mistry BhargavM. , Nahass GeorgeT. , Joh Jung , Dundoo Gayathri , Solomon Harvey 
Published: April 2003

We present the case of a young woman with end-stage renal disease secondary to primary hyperoxaluria type 1, who after 3 years and 6 months of maintenance hemodialysis, and despite intensification of the dialytic treatment, developed severe livedo reticularis in her extremities leading to ischemic cutaneous ulcerations, necessitating continuous intravenous infusion of narcotics for pain control. She received a liver transplant after native hepatectomy. However, due to positive crossmatch, she could not receive a kidney from that donor. After transplantation, following serial serum oxalate levels, the hemodialysis regimen was safely reduced from 4 h daily to 3 h three times weekly. Over the course of 6 weeks after liver transplantation, her livedo reticularis resolved, the ischemic ulcers markedly improved, she was weaned off all pain medications, and her erythropoietin-resistant anemia resolved. Our results suggest that in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1, who have received a liver transplant and are on maintenance hemodialysis, after serial serum oxalate determinations, some may safely be changed to a thrice-weekly maintenance hemodialysis regimen. Moreover, with this regimen the complications of systemic oxalosis can reverse.
Effect of Usual Doses of Folate Supplementation on Elevated Plasma Homocyst(e)ine in Hemodialysis Patients: No Difference between 1 and 5 mg Daily
Authors: Spence J. David , Cordy Peter , Kortas Claude , Freeman David 
Published: April 2003

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia is a probable contributor to the excess atherosclerosis of patients with chronic renal failure on dialysis. Although treatment with folate 2 mg daily is usually effective in normalizing plasma homocyst(e)ine (H(e)) in patients with normal renal function, higher doses of folate or other approaches to treatment may be necessary in renal failure. There is no agreement among dialysis units regarding the ‘correct’ dose of folate supplementation; routine doses range from 1 to 5 mg daily. To determine whether one of these doses is more effective, we compared H(e) in 55 hemodialysis taking 1 mg folate versus 73 patients taking 5 mg folate daily at two dialysis units. In the group as a whole, mean H(e) was 28.23 ± 17.49, significantly higher than in a group of 290 volunteers with normal renal function 12.31 ± 6.17 (p = 0.0001). H(e) levels were 28.93 ± 16.79 μmol/l on 5 mg folate and 27.31 ± 18.49 on 1 mg; p = 0.61. There was no significant relationship between adequacy of dialysis (K<sub>t</sub>/V) and H(e). In a small group of peritoneal dialysis patients, H(e) was significantly lower at 18.8 ± 7.89 (p = 0.026), but further study is required in a larger sample to confirm that observation. It appears that routine doses of folate in use in dialysis units are not sufficient to reduce H(e) to levels associated with average cardiovascular risk; new approaches to treatment of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in dialysis patients are required.
Intradialytic Dobutamine Therapy in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients with Persistent Hypotension
Authors: Anand Urmila , Bastani Bahar , Dhanraj Padubidri , Ballal Sudarshan H. 
Published: April 2003

Intradialysis hypotension is a common problem, especially in patients with poor left-ventricular function. We studied 6 patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis with left-ventricular ejection fraction of <40%, whose dialysis sessions were often complicated with severe hypotension (systolic blood presure <90 mm Hg). Dobutamine infusion during dialysis significantly reduced the number of hypotensive episodes, increased left-ventricular ejection fraction, and decreased the number of emergency admissions to the hospital.
Relapsing Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Suki Wadi N. , Trimarchi Hernan , Frommer J. Pedro 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Although controversial, treatment of membranous nephropathy appears to yield a reduction in the degree of proteinuria and conservation of renal function. <i>Methods:</i> We report herein our experience with the treatment with steroids alone (group II, n = 13), or in combination with immunosuppressants (group III, n = 19) of patients with membranous nephropathy and the nephrotic syndrome, with a mean follow-up of 8.37 years. <i>Results:</i> All patients underwent a first remission, with 24-hour urine protein excretion falling to 0.63 ± 0.25 g in group II and 0.62 ± 0.26 g in group III (p = NS) after 12.69 ± 10.94 months of treatment in group II and 18.95 ± 13.17 months in group III (p = NS). Three patients from group II (23%) and seven patients from group III (36.8%) experienced four and eight relapses, respectively (proteinuria in 24 h 4.0 ± 0.80 g in group II relapsers and 4.4 ± 0.87 in group III relapsers; p = NS). On treatment, all relapses remitted (second remission) after 7 ± 6.93 months of therapy for group II and 8.6 ± 6.70 months of treatment for group III (p = NS). Thereafter, no patients from group II, but 3 patients from group III (33.3%) had a second relapse. After treatment, all relapses remitted (third remission) in 3.3 ± 1.53 months of therapy. <i>Conclusions:</i> These studies show that relapses, which occur in one-third of patients, respond favorably to treatment albeit remitting in approximately half the time, and that the duration of remission gets progressively longer in the later compared to the earlier remission.
Risk Factors for Hospitalization in Well-Dialyzed Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Becker Bryan N. , Coomer Roger W. , Fotiadis Chris , Evanson James , Shyr Yu , Hakim Raymond M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Hemodialysis (HD) patients are hospitalized more frequently than patients with other chronic diseases, averaging 11.5 hospital days/patient/year. Hospital costs attributable to renal failure in the US exceed $2 billion per year. The present healthcare climate continues to force dialysis providers to focus on these issues in order to optimize patient care while limiting cost. <i>Methods:</i> We used a novel method for analyzing hospitalization risk, a multiple-event Cox proportional hazards model, to identify factors that influenced hospitalization in a HD unit population over a two-year period. This model allows individual patients to contribute multiple failure events to the model while controlling for the serial dependency of events. <i>Results:</i> 178 HD patients were retrospectively examined. There were 381 hospitalizations during the study period, averaging out to 1.9 hospitalizations and 10.5 hospital days/patient-year. Substance abuse and diabetes conveyed the largest risks for hospitalization (diabetes RR: 2.09; substance abuse RR: 2.24) in the study cohort, exposing the necessity for examining practice patterns and behavioral interventions as means for improving HD patient care. <i>Conclusion:</i> Despite the small numbers of patients in this single-center HD population, the model achieved adequate statistical power. Therefore, it has the potential to serve as a continuous quality improvement (CQI) tool in particular HD patient sub-groups, or in individual HD units.
Renal Myofibroblasts Contract Collagen I Matrix Lattices in vitro
Authors: Kelynack Kristen J. , Hewitson Tim D. , Pedagogos Eugenia , Nicholls Kathy M. , Becker Gavin J. 
Published: April 2003

Myofibroblasts, cells with both fibroblastic and smooth muscle cell features, have been implicated in renal scarring. In addition to synthetic properties, contractile features and integrin expression may allow myofibroblasts to rearrange and contract interstitial collagenous proteins. Myofibroblasts from normal rat kidneys were grown in cell-populated collagen lattices to measure cell generated contraction. Following detachment of cell populated collagen lattices, myofibroblasts progressively contracted collagen lattices, reducing lattice diameter by 42% at 24 h. Alignment of myofibroblasts, rearrangement of fibrils and β<sub>1</sub> integrin expression were observed within lattices. We postulate that interstitial myofibroblasts contribute to renal scarring through manipulation of collagenous proteins.
Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Block the Stimulatory Actions of Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitors to Increase Cell Proliferation, Alkaline Phosphatase Activity, and Collagen Synthesis in Normal HumanBone Cells
Authors: Yoon Hyun Koo , Baylink David J. , Lau K.-H. William 
Published: April 2003

The present study sought to test whether inhibition of phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) would stimulate proliferation and differentiation of normal bone cells, and whether the PTP inhibitor-mediated effects would be blocked by protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors. Three inhibitors [phenylarsine oxide (PAO), orthovanadate (VO<sub>4</sub>), and molybdate (MoO<sub>4</sub>)] and two normal human bone cells with different basal differentiation status (i.e., mandible- and vertebra-derived bone cells) were used. Cell proliferation was determined with [<sup>3</sup>H]thymidine incorporation, and confirmed by cell counting. Bone cell differentiation was assessed by increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) specific activity and collagen synthesis. The three test PTP inhibitors each stimulated [<sup>3</sup>H]thymidine incorporation in both human bone cell types in a biphasic, dose-dependent manner with optimal doses of 20 n<i>M</i> PAO, 1 μ<i>M</i> VO<sub>4</sub> and 2 μ<i>M</i> MoO<sub>4</sub>, respectively. These PTP inhibitors at mitogenic doses each significantly and reproducibly increased ALP specific activity and collagen synthesis. To determine whether the stimulatory effects of PTP inhibitors could be blocked by PTK inhibitors, the effects of tyrphostin A51 and erbstatin, two potent PTK inhibitors, on the actions of PTK inhibitors on [<sup>3</sup>H]thymidine incorporation and ALP specific activity were evaluated. Both tyrphostin A51 and erbstatin, which by themselves alone significantly inhibited human bone cell proliferation and increased ALP specific activity, completely abolished the stimulatory effects of each of the three test PTP inhibitors on bone cell proliferation and ALP specific activity. In conclusion, these findings confirm the premise that inhibition of PTP activities in normal human bone cells could lead to increases in cell proliferation and differentiation, effects that are independent of basal differentiation status of the cells. More importantly, this study demonstrates for the first time that the stimulatory actions of the PTP inhibitor on bone cell proliferation and ALP could be blocked by a PTK inhibitor, suggesting that the osteogenic effects of PTP inhibitors may depend on PTK activities, presumably to increase basal tyrosyl phosphorylation level. Accordingly, one should interpret results of studies using PTK inhibitors with caution in that an inhibition by a PTK inhibitor does not necessarily indicate the requirement of PTK activities, as it could also suggest involvement of an inhibition of PTPs.
Tod in der Frauenklinik
Authors: Petersen Peter 
Published: April 2003

Aufgrund umfangreicher Studien der letzten 70 Jahre in den westlichen Industrieländern und aufgrund eigener psychotherapeutischer Erfahrungen in 36 Jahren lassen sich bei der seelischen Verarbeitung des Schwangerschaftsabbruchs vier Dimensionen des Erlebens unterscheiden. 1. Normalpsychologische Bewältigung (seelische Stabilisierung mit tiefenpsychologisch kennzeichenbaren Abwehrformen); 2. Durchbruch destruktiver Tiefenerlebnisse (Panik, archaische Ängste); 3. Akzeptieren individueller Verantwortung und existentieller Wirklichkeit, und 4. Zwischenmenschlichkeit in der Beziehung zum toten Kind. Ihre Unterscheidung ist hilfreich zum besseren Verständnis in Therapieprozessen und in der Beratung, abgesehen vom wissenschaftlichen Wert.
A ‘Neural’ Response with 3-ms Latency Evoked by Loud Sound in Profoundly Deaf Patients
Authors: Kato Toshihiko , Shiraishi Kimio , Eura Youich , Shibata Kensuke , Sakata Toshifumi , Morizono Tetsuo , Soda Toyoji 
Published: April 2003

A large negative deflection with a latency of 3 ms was observed in the auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveforms of some patients with peripheral profound deafness. This deflection was termed the N3 potential. In this paper, we review patients with the N3 potential and discuss the characteristics of abnomral ABR waveforms. The origin of the N3 potential was also discussed, especially with respect to vestibular evoked potentials. In most of the patients, audiograms showed no response to the maximum output of an audiometer in the high-frequency range and a residual response in the low-frequency range. The N3 potentials were noted at intensities of 80 dB nHL or greater. As the stimulus intensity increased, the amplitude of the potential increased and the latency decreased. A high repetition rate (83.3/s) of the click stimulus influenced the latency and amplitude of the N3 potential. The potential was replicated on retest within less than a month, and had a consistent latency and amplitude over the scalp. The results indicate that the N3 potential is not an electrical artifact but a physiological neural response evoked by a loud sound. The N3 potential is most likely not an auditory evoked response from cochlear or a response from a semicircular canal, because it has a 3-ms latency, a sharp waveform, and is unassociated with vertigo. The results suggest that the N3 potential may be a saccular acoustic response.
A Study of Tea Tree Oil Ototoxicity
Authors: Zhang Si Yi , Robertson Donald 
Published: April 2003

Tea tree oil shows promise as an effective treatment for a number of micro-organisms commonly associated with otitis externa and otitis media, but its possible ototoxicity has not been previously assessed. The ototoxicity of tea tree oil was examined in the guinea pig by measuring the thresholds of the compound auditory nerve action potential (CAP) to tone bursts before and after instillation of the oil into the middle ear. After 30 min of instillation, 100% tea tree oil caused a partial CAP threshold elevation at 20 kHz. A lower concentration of oil [2% tea tree oil dissolved in saline using 0.5% detergent (Tween-80)] did not cause any significant lasting threshold change after middle ear instillation for the same period of time. The latter concentration of oil is greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration reported for most micro-organisms in the effective spectrum of the oil and this suggests that this concentration may be safe and effective provided only short exposures (about 30 min) are used. The results suggest that high concentrations of tea tree oil applied to the round window for a relatively short time are to some extent ototoxic to the high-frequency region of the cochlea. Hence further study is needed to establish whether tea tree oil can be used with safety in the treatment of external and middle ear infections.
Trace Elements in Hemodialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Zima Tomáš , Mestek Oto , Němeček Karel , Bártová Veronika , Fialová Jana , Tesař Vladimír , Suchánek Miloslav 
Published: April 2003

Alterations in blood and tissue concentrations of trace elements in patients with chronic renal failure have been extensively investigated. Selenium, zinc and copper are elements which play an important role in biological systems as components of proteins, enzymes and antioxidants. The concentrations of selenium, zinc and copper were determined in the plasma, erythrocytes and whole blood of patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment using the method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysis of isotopes <sup>77</sup>Se, <sup>66</sup>Zn and <sup>65</sup>Cu was performed. Methodology presents the major limitation to valid studies on trace element levels in biological materials. One of the widely used contemporary techniques is ICP-MS. It is the most sensitive one and has a high dynamic range. The selenium concentration in the studied compartments (plasma 46.1 ± 3.0 vs. 78.0 ± 3.4 μg/l, p < 0.001; erythrocytes 90.4 ± 6.5 vs. 134.2 ± 7.6 μg/l, p < 0.01; whole blood 67.3 ± 3.1 vs. 106.4 ± 3.4 μg/l, p < 0.001) was significantly lower in HD patients compared to healthy controls. The same result was observed in plasma (63.2 ± 5.8 vs. 78.0 ± 3.4 μg/l, p < 0.05) and whole blood (82.7 ± 7.4 vs. 106.4 ± 3.4 μg/l, p < 0.01) from CAPD patients, but the selenium level of erythrocytes in CAPD patients was the same as in the control group (126.0 ± 8.8 vs. 134.2 ± 7.6 μg/l). The cooper content of erythrocytes was lower in HD patients than in controls (0.55 ± 0.02 vs. 0.66 ± 0.01 mg/l, p < 0.01) and CAPD groups (0.55 ± 0.02 vs. 0.68 ± 0.02 mg/l, p < 0.001). There were no differences in copper content in plasma (HD 1.02 ± 0.06; CAPD 1.11 ± 0.09; controls 1.02 ± 0.05 mg/l) and whole blood (HD 0.87 ± 0.04; CAPD 0.90 ± 0.05; controls 0.85 ± 0.02 mg/l) in HD and CAPD patients and healthy controls. The zinc concentration was increased in the whole blood of CAPD patients (6.68 ± 0.36 vs. 5.52 ± 0.11 mg/l, p < 0.001) and erythrocytes of HD (12.30 ± 0.23 vs. 10.11 ± 0.42 mg/l, p < 0.001), and CAPD groups (13.71 ± 0.56 vs. 10.11 ± 0.42 mg/l, p < 0.001) compared to controls. However, the plasma zinc concentration was lower in HD patients compared to blood donors (0.69 ± 0.03 vs. 0.92 ± 0.03 mg/l, p < 0.001) and CAPD patients (0.69 ± 0.03 vs. 0.95 ± 0.04 mg/l, p < 0.001). We did not find a significant increase in trace elements in whole blood after HD. These results suggest differences between plasma, erythrocytes and whole blood concentrations of the studied trace elements. The levels of trace elements are altered by HD and CAPD. A modern precise method with high accuracy, ICP-MS, which was used in our study, eliminated analytical errors and possible interferences.