bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Nitric Oxide in Hypoxia-Induced Changes in Newborn Rats
Authors: Kiliç İlknur , Kiliç B. Alper , Güven Cengiz , Demirpençe Ediz , Akşit M. Arif 
Published: April 2003

In order to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in hypoxic tissue damage in newborns, we studied the effects of systemic administration of an inhibitor of NO synthase, N<sup>G</sup>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine (<i>L</i>-NNA), and the precursor for the synthesis of NO, <i>L</i>-arginine (<i>L</i>-ARG), on the biochemical and histological changes in brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, intestine, and skeletal muscle tissues. Four groups of 1-day-old Wistar rat pups were used: control, hypoxic, <i>L</i>-ARG, and <i>L</i>-NNA groups. <i>L</i>-ARG 100 mg/kg or <i>L</i>-NNA 2 mg/kg was administered as a bolus intraperitoneally 1.5 h before hypoxia. Hypoxia increased lipid peroxidation in all tissues except muscle; this increase was prevented by <i>L</i>-NNA and <i>L</i>-ARG in brain, heart, lung, kidney, and liver tissues. <i>L</i>-NNA in intestine and <i>L</i>-ARG in muscle tissue increased lipid peroxidation. The tissue-associated myeloperoxidase activity was decreased in the liver by <i>L</i>-NNA and <i>L</i>-ARG. Histopathological changes in intestines were villous epithelial separation and hyperemia in hypoxic and <i>L</i>-NNA groups which were not observed in control and <i>L</i>-ARG groups. In lungs, pulmonary hemorrhage was observed only in the hypoxic group. These data suggest that NO acts both as a destructive and a protective agent in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-reoxygenation injuries.
Transient Effect of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Allo-Immune Neonatal Neutropenia
Authors: Girlando Pietro , Zuppa Antonio Alberto , Romagnoli Costantino , Tortorolo Giuseppe 
Published: April 2003

The effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) administration at 10 μg/kg/day for 15–30 min over 3 consecutive days in 3 preterm neonates with allo-immune neonatal neutropenia (ANN) is reported. Patients 1 and 2 had antibodies against antigen NA2, while patient 3 had antibodies against NA1. All neonates developed a rapid increase in absolute neutrophil count which reached the normal range within 48 h (from 75–640/mm<sup>3</sup> to 2,520–4,700/mm<sup>3</sup>). However, 23–25 days later, all 3 neonates relapsed into a second phase of severe neutropenia (408–870/mm<sup>3</sup>). Antibodies against neutrophil antigens were still positive during this period. This second-phase neutropenia persisted for 20–30 days and resolved spontaneously. It may be possible that when rhG-CSF is administered within a short time after birth in neonates with ANN, its effect is exhausted before the concentration of circulating antibodies decreases, with the result that a second phase of neutropenia can be expected.
Modulation of Neutrophil Apoptosis by Uremic Plasma during Hemodialysis
Authors: Jaber Bertrand L. , Balakrishnan V.S. , Cendoroglo Miguel N. , Perianayagam Mary C. , King Andrew J. , Pereira Brian J.G. 
Published: April 2003

During hemodialysis (HD), blood-membrane interactions lead to activation of several circulating cells and plasma proteins. The resultant activation and/or release of mediators can modulate the structure, function and survival of circulating neutrophils. Little is known of plasma factors that influence apoptosis of neutrophils in hemodialyzed patients. Hence, we investigated the effect of uremic plasma obtained during HD on the survival of neutrophils obtained from healthy volunteers. Neutrophils harvested from healthy volunteers were incubated in ultrafiltered culture medium supplemented with either 50% heterologous normal plasma obtained from healthy volunteers (n = 15) or 50% uremic plasma collected from long-term HD patients dialyzed with cuprophan (CU) (n = 8), cellulose triacetate (CTA) (n = 8) or polysulfone (PS) (n = 8) dialyzers. Plasma samples were drawn predialysis, 15 min after starting dialysis, and postdialysis. After 24-hour incubation, neutrophil aliquots were processed for quantification of apoptosis by flow cytometry, using propidium iodide DNA staining. In addition, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in normal and predialysis uremic plasma samples. Neutrophils from healthy volunteers exposed to heterologous normal plasma samples exhibited 10.3 ± 1.2% apoptosis. In contrast, the proportion of apoptosis was significantly higher among neutrophils exposed to predialysis (28.5 ± 2.3%, p < 0.0001), 15 min (23.0 ± 2.4%, p < 0.0001), or postdialysis uremic plasma samples (25.7 ± 2.3%, p < 0.0001). Compared to neutrophils exposed to predialysis uremic plasma samples, a significantly lower proportion of apoptosis was observed in neutrophils exposed to the 15-min plasma samples among patients dialyzed with CU (26.4 ± 2.9 vs. 18.2 ± 3.5%; p < 0.001) but not with CTA or PS dialyzers. Futher, CU membranes induced the greatest percentage decrease in neutrophil apoptosis at 15 min. There was a direct correlation between neutrophil apoptosis and plasma levels of TNFα (r = 0.424, p = 0.02) and IL-10 (r = 0.744, p < 0.0001). The results of the study suggest that normal neutrophils exposed to uremic plasma undergo accelerated in vitro apoptosis compared to those incubated with normal plasma. Further, during HD, the apoptosis-inducing activity of uremic plasma is modulated by the use of dialyzers with different degrees of biocompatibility. The identification of soluble factors that are responsible for the increased apoptosis-inducing activity of uremic plasma needs to be further investigated.
Plasma C-Reactive Protein in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional, Longitudinal Clinical Survey<sup>1</sup>
Authors: Panichi Vincenzo , Migliori Massimiliano , De Pietro Stefano , Metelli Maria Rita , Taccola Daniele , Perez Rafael , Palla Roberto , Rindi Paolo , Cristofani Renza , Tetta Ciro 
Published: April 2003

In hemodialysis patients, C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase reactant, is a sensitive and independent marker of malnutrition, anemia, and amyloidosis. The aim of the present studies was to evaluate CRP and interleukin 6 levels in plasma samples from long-term hemodialysis patients on different extracorporeal modalities associated with or without backfiltration. Two hundred and forty-seven patients were recruited in eight hospital-based centers. All patients had been on their dialytic modality for at least 6 months. At enrollment, 46 hemodialysis patients out of 247 (18.6%) had clinical evidence of pathologies known to be associated with high CRP values. The 201 remaining patients were defined as clinically stable and were on conventional hemodialysis (34%), hemodiafiltration with infusion volumes <10 liters/session (10%), hemodiafiltration with infusion volumes <20 liters/session (32%), and double-chamber hemodiafiltration with infusion volumes <10 liters/session (22%). Analysis of CRP values in the clinically stable patients showed that an unexpectedly high proportion (47%) of the patients had CRP values higher than 5 mg/l (taken as the upper limit in normal human subjects). The values of CRP and interleukin 6 were significantly higher in hemodiafiltration with infusion volumes <10 liters/session than in hemodiafiltration with infusion volumes >20 liters/session, in hemodialysis and in double-chamber hemodiafiltration. The same pattern occurred after 6 months of follow-up in 171 out of 201 clinically stable patients. Hemodialytic conditions that expose to the risk of backfiltration such as low exchange volume hemodiafiltration may induce a chronic inflammatory state as reflected by increased plasma values of both CRP and interleukin 6, thus suggesting the need for hemodialytic strategies that reduce (hemodialysis with low-permeability membranes or hemodiafiltration with infusion volumes >20 liters) or eliminate (double-chamber hemodiafiltration) backfiltration of bacteria-derived contaminants.
Chromosomal rearrangements in a Somali wild ass pedigree, <i>Equus africanus somaliensis</i> (Perissodactyla, Equidae)
Authors: Houck M.L. , Kumamoto A.T. , Cabrera R.M. , Benirschke K. 
Published: April 2003

Chromosome analyses were conducted on 15 animals in a pedigree of Somali wild ass, <i>Equus africanus somaliensis</i>. G- and C-banded karyotypes are presented for the first time on this endangered species. The diploid number ranged from 62 to 64. Numerical chromosomal variation was the result of a centric fission which was accompanied by a heterochromatic deletion. The fission polymorphism involved acrocentric elements 19 and 21 as determined by G-banding. These autosomes are homologous to those involved in centric fission/fusion polymorphisms in other equids: <i>E. asinus</i> (domestic donkey), <i>E. hemionus</i> (onager), <i>E. kiang </i>(kiang), and <i>E. burchelli </i>(common zebra). Banding analyses also revealed a paracentric inversion polymorphism in submetacentric chromosome pair 2 of <i>E. a. somaliensis.</i> Both the centric fission and paracentric inversion polymorphisms involved heterochromatic regions. One individual was found to be heterozygous for two de novo chromosomal rearrangements: a centric fission (involving acrocentric elements 19 and 21) and a heterochromatic deletion of chromosome 2.
Evolution by fusion and amplification: the murine <i>Sp100-rs</i> gene cluster
Authors: Weichenhan D. , Kunze B. , Traut W. , Winking H. 
Published: April 2003

<abstitle>Abstract. <i>Sp100</i> is a single-copy gene in the human and the mouse. A related gene, <i>Sp100-rs</i>, occurs in multiple copies and forms a conspicuous cluster in the mouse chromosome 1. Murine <i>Sp100</i> and <i>Sp100-rs</i> are homologous from the promoter up to a position in intron 3, but they differ 3′ of that position. In the genus <i>Mus</i>, <i>Sp100-rs</i> is present in one phylogenetic branch, represented by the house mouse, <i>M. musculus</i>, but probably does not exist in another branch, represented by <i>M. caroli</i>. Thus, <i>Sp100-rs</i> arose relatively late in the evolution of the genus <i>Mus</i>, whereas <i>Sp100</i> existed in the common ancestor of the human and the mouse. The <i>Sp100-rs</i> gene cluster probably evolved by gene fusion followed by amplification and diversification.
The karyotype of the Iberian imperial eagle <i>(Aquila adalberti)</i> analyzed by classical and DNA replication banding
Authors: Padilla J.A. , Martinez-Trancón M. , Rabasco A. , Fernández-García J.L. 
Published: April 2003

We report here for the first time the karyotype of the Iberian imperial eagle <i>(Aquila adalberti).</i> All eagles examined had a diploid number of 82 chromosomes and a greater number of microchromosomes (12 pairs) than has been found in all other species of the Accipitridae family. This karyotypic evidence corroborates the recent separation of <i>A. adalberti</i> from <i>A. heliaca</i> on the basis of molecular data. RB-FPG banding induced a specific banding pattern that allowed us to identify homologous chromosome pairs and revealed features about late and early replicating regions. Several chromosome banding techniques (C-, CMA<sub>3</sub>-, and restriction endonuclease banding and silver staining) were used to characterize the karyotype more accurately. Two GC-rich, late-replicating heterochromatin regions were found in the W chromosome. These regions are <i>Alu</i>I resistant and can be used for sex determination in this species. All microchromosomes were heterochromatic, GC rich, and late replicating. Silver staining revealed active nucleolus organizing regions on a pair of microchromosomes that were entirely heterochromatic and stained intensely after CMA<sub>3</sub>-banding. Different chromosome rearrangements are discussed in order to establish the phylogenetic relationship between <i>A. adalberti </i>and its most closely related species, <i>A. heliaca.</i>
Comparative cytogenetics of tapirs, genus <i>Tapirus</i> (Perissodactyla, Tapiridae)
Authors: Houck M.L. , Kingswood S.C. , Kumamoto A.T. 
Published: April 2003

Chromosomes of the four species of <i>Tapirus</i> were 2n = 52 in <i>T. indicus,</i> 2n = 76 in <i>T. pinchaque,</i> 2n = 80 in <i>T. bairdii,</i> and 2n = 80 in <i>T. terrestris.</i> The number of autosomal arms was 80–94. G-banded karyotypes indicated that a heterochromatic addition/deletion distinguished chromosomes 2 and 3 of <i>T. bairdii</i> and <i>T. pinchaque,</i> respectively. There were at least 13 conserved autosomes between the karyotypes of <i>T. bairdii</i> and <i>T. terrestris,</i> and at least 15 were conserved between <i>T. bairdii</i> and <i>T. pinchaque.</i> In G- and C-banded preparations, the X chromosomes of <i>T. bairdii, T. indicus,</i> and <i>T. terrestris</i> were identical, whereas the X chromosome of <i>T. pinchaque</i> differed from the X of the other species by a heterochromatic addition/deletion. The Y chromosome was a medium-sized to small acrocentric in <i>T. bairdii, T. indicus, </i>and <i>T. pinchaque,</i> but it was not positively identified in <i>T. terrestris.</i> There appeared to be fewer homologies between <i>T. indicus </i>and the three species occurring in Central and South America. Future cytogenetic studies of tapirs from the entire range of each of the four species might provide additional insight into their evolutionary biology and aid wildlife conservation efforts aimed at these threatened mammals.
Role of a Stroke Data Bank in Evaluating Cerebral Infarction Subtypes: Patterns and Outcome of 1,776 Consecutive Patients from the Besançon Stroke Registry
Authors: Moulin Thierry , Tatu Laurent , Vuillier Fabrice , Berger Eric , Chavot Didier , Rumbach Lucien 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency of various risk factors, courses and outcome of infarct subtypes in a large hospital-based stroke registry. <i>Methods:</i> From 1987 to 1994, 1,776 stroke patients with a first-ever infarction were included in the Besançon Stroke Registry. All patients were evaluated by a standard protocol (risk factors, stroke onset, stroke courses, clinical characteristics, neuroimaging, Doppler ultrasonography and cardiac investigations). Outcome was evaluated at 30 days using the Rankin scale. <i>Results:</i> There were 1,012 men (mean age 67.2 ± 13.7 years) and 764 women (mean age 71.4 ± 15.6 years). At least two neuroimaging examinations were performed in 81.4% (n = 1,446) of the patients and an infarct was visible in 80.9% (n = 1,436). The second neuroimaging examination (CT or MRI) was performed after 8.2 ± 1.6 days. 85.4% of patients were admitted on the first day of the stroke: 28.3% within 3 h and 48.4% within 6 h. In addition, stroke severity was well correlated with the short time interval between stroke onset and admission. Past medical history of hypertension was the major risk factor occurring in 57.5% of all types of infarction. While diabetes was more frequently found in small deep infarct, atrial fibrillation and history of heart failure were found in anterior circulation infarcts. The distribution of clinical presentations was conventional. Hemorrhagic transformation was found in 14.9% of the patients, especially in MCA and PCA infarcts. In all patients, logistic regression analysis determined independent predictive factors for death: clinical deterioration at the 48th hour (OR 7.5, 95% CI 4.9–11.3), initial loss of consciousness (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.1–4.9), age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.06), complete motor deficit (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7–3.8), history of heart failure (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–3.0), lacunar syndrome (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10–0.60) and regressive stroke onset (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.10–0.52). However, the outcome was clearly correlated with the infarct location. The in-hospital mortality rate was lowest in patients with small deep infarct (2.9%) or border zone infarcts (3.4%) and the highest in patients with total middle cerebral artery infarct (47.4%) or multiple infarcts (27.6%). <i>Conclusion:</i> Our registry appears to be a useful tool to understand the course and outcome of a large group of nonselected patients with subtypes of infarction. It can also help to analyze the influence of specific stroke management in the different categories of stroke types.
Stroke as the First Manifestation of Calcific Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Massaro Ayrton R. , Yamamoto Fábio , Bustamante Luiz , Scaff Milberto 
Published: April 2003

Heart valve calcifications are rarely recognized as a potential source for cerebral embolism. Previous studies have identified mitral, but not aortic, valve calcifications to be risk factors for stroke. Based on these studies, heart surgery is unlikely to be indicated in patients who present with a stroke and an ‘incidental’ aortic valve calcification. We report a case of a 46-year-old man presenting with acute onset of left-sided weakness and numbness. A previous smoking history was the only cardiovascular risk factor found. Head CT scan revealed a right middle cerebral artery territory infarct and an adjacent high-density lesion. CT angiography demonstrated the presence of calcific embolic material in the middle cerebral artery. A search for embolic sources revealed a calcific aortic stenosis (CAS). Initially placed on coumadin, the patient developed silent myocardial infarction 2 months later, presumed to be also embolic in origin from the CAS. After aortic valve replacement, the patient has been symptom-free during a 2-year follow-up. In conclusion, CT angiography may be the method of choice for detecting calcific cerebral emboli, and demonstration of a causal relationship between CAS and an embolic stroke by CT angiography may be an important adjunct in surgical decision-making.
Phase II Clinical Trial of Sipatrigine (619C89) by Continuous Infusion in Acute Stroke
Authors: Muir Keith W. , Holzapfel Laurent , Lees Kennedy R. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The sodium channel blocker sipatrigine (619C89) prevents ischemia-induced glutamate release and is neuroprotective in animal models of stroke. Previous clinical experience found neuropsychiatric effects attributed to sipatrigine that may have been related to peak plasma concentrations of the drug. <i>Methods:</i> Patients within 12 h of clinically diagnosed stroke were randomized to placebo or sipatrigine at total doses of 10, 18, 27, or 36 mg/kg by continuous intravenous infusion over 65 h. Pharmacokinetic and routine laboratory analyses were undertaken. The outcome at 30 days or 3 months was assessed by Barthel and Rankin scores. <i>Results:</i> Twenty-seven patients were recruited: 7 of 21 patients stopped the sipatrigine infusion early due to adverse events as compared with none of 6 placebo patients. Neuropsychiatric effects (reduced consciousness, agitation, confusion, visual perceptual disturbance, or frank hallucinations) occurred in 16 of 21 patients receiving sipatrigine and in no placebo patients. Nausea, vomiting, infusion site reactions, and hyponatremia were also commoner in sipatrigine patients. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those observed previously. No effects on outcome measures were demonstrated. <i>Conclusions:</i> Continuous infusion of sipatrigine is associated with neuropsychiatric effects. No difference in the nature of these events was evident between this regimen and repeated short infusions, but it was possible to administer higher doses.
Rat Model of Achilles Tendon Disorder
Authors: Messner Karola , Wei Yuzhi , Andersson Britt , Gillquist Jan , Räsänen Tuomas 
Published: April 2003

Three-month-old male rats were subjected 3 times weekly for 1 h to eccentric exercise of one triceps surae muscle (30 stimulations/min) under general anesthesia in order to induce Achilles tendon disorder corresponding to paratenonitis and tendinosis in man. Net muscle work during the sessions ranged between 0.67 and 4.37 mJ (mean 1.72, SD 0.77). After 9 and 13 sessions, respectively, 2 rats started to show gait alterations during the functional test which was performed 2–3 times weekly. These rats were killed after additional sessions which showed a worsening of the limp. The other trained rats and controls did not limp and were killed after 7–11 weeks. Histologic evaluation of the Achilles tendons from the exercised limb showed in the majority of the cases hypervascularization, increased number of nerve filaments and increased immunoreactivity for substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The tendons from the nonstimulated limb looked normal. The distribution of collagen types I and II appeared normal in the tendon and its insertion to the calcaneus. Inflammation of the epi- and paratenon could be provoked in the rat, but tendon changes corresponding to chronic tendinosis did not develop within 11 weeks with the used training regime. The clinical relevance of this model for chronic tendon disease needs to be evaluated further.
Muscle Sizes and Moment Arms of Rotator Cuff Muscles Determined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Juul-Kristensen B. , Bojsen-Møller F. , Finsen L. , Eriksson J. , Johansson G. , Ståhlberg F. , Ekdahl C. 
Published: April 2003

Biomechanical models which require information on, e.g., joint torque and muscle force are useful in the estimation of when and how mechanical overload of the musculoskeletal system may lead to disorders. The aim was to study the reliability and validity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify muscle sizes and moment arms by MRI and to test selected anthropometric measures as predictors of muscle sizes and moment arms. A total of 20 healthy Scandinavian women (age 22–58 years) participated in an MRI scanning of their dominant shoulder. With a PC-based program the reliability and the validity of the MRI measurements was estimated to be high, and mean anatomical cross-sectional areas (ACSA) and muscle lengths were measured to be 4.0, 9.8 and 12.1 cm<sup>2</sup> and 12.0, 12.6 and 12.8 cm for m. supraspinatus, m. infraspinatus and m. subscapularis, respectively. Volumes were calculated to be 48.8, 125.1 and 153.6 cm<sup>3</sup>. Moment arms were measured with the upper arm in a neutral position and in a functional position of 34° abduction for m. supraspinatus only, and were 2.4 and 2.6 cm. Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and its fiber force component were estimated from dissected fiber length and pennation angle. MRI volume and PCSA were 1.4–1.7 times higher than dissection data, primarily because of age differences. No external anthropometric measures were found to be predictors of volumes or moment arms.
Regional Hypometabolism Related to Language Disturbance in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Hirono Nobutsugu , Mori Etsuro , Ishii Kazunari , Ikejiri Yoshitaka , Imamura Toru , Shimomura Tatsuo , Ikeda Manabu , Yamashita Hikari , Takatsuki Yoko , Sasaki Masahiro 
Published: April 2003

To elucidate the nature of language disturbance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the cerebral area involved in it, we studied 65 AD patients with the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and with <sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography. Partial correlations were evaluated between the Aphasia Quotient of WAB and regional cerebral glucose metabolism normalized by the mean metabolic rate in the bilateral primary sensorimotor areas after controlling age, sex, education and severity of illness. Language disturbance in AD is accounted for by deficits in the semantic processing of language and is related to glucose hypometabolism in the inferior temporal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule, especially in the dominant side. These results offer further evidence suggesting that the lexico-semantic processing system is mediated in these regions.