bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stretch-Induced Collagen Synthesis in Cultured Smooth Muscle Cells from Rabbit Aortic Media and a Possible Involvement of Angiotensin II and Transforming Growth Factor-β
Authors: Li Qing , Muragaki Yasuteru , Hatamura Ikuji , Ueno Hikaru , Ooshima Akira 
Published: April 2003

Mechanical strain reportedly stimulates the synthesis of collagen in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The present study was designed to investigate a possible involvement of angiotensin II (Ang II) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in stretch-induced collagen synthesis of cultured SMCs derived from the rabbit aortic media. SMCs were cyclically stretched at a rate of 10% elongation and 30 cycles/min for 24 h using the Flexercell<sup>®</sup> strain unit (Flexcell International Corp., McKeesport, Pa.). A two-fold increase in collagen synthesis and a concurrent increase in total protein synthesis were noted in stretched SMCs. Concentration of immunoreactive Ang II in the conditioned medium was elevated under the mechanical strain. Stretch-induced collagen and total protein synthesis were inhibited by either a selective antagonist to Ang II (saralasin), an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) or an antisense oligonucleotide for angiotensinogen mRNA. An elevated secretion of TGF-β, both active and latent forms, was found in the medium of stretched SMCs. Saralasin inhibited the stretch-induced secretion of TGF-β from SMCs. Stretch-induced collagen and total protein synthesis was further inhibited by either an anti-TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody or an adenovirus-mediated transfer of a truncated TGF-β type II receptor. Elevated expression of collagen α1(III) chain and TGF-β1 mRNAs, and its reversal by saralasin were also demonstrated in stretched SMCs. Results indicate that the stretch-induced collagen and total protein synthesis appears to be mediated via an autocrine-paracrine mechanism of Ang II and TGF-β released from SMCs.
Isolation and Characterization of Coagulase-Negative Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> from Patients in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Al Obaid Inaam A. , Udo E.E. , Jacob L.E. , Johny M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To report the isolation and characterization of four coagulase-negative methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> isolated from patients admitted to the ICU of a Kuwait hospital by bacteriological and molecular methods. <i>Methods:</i> The isolates were characterized by cultural characteristics, Gram stain, catalase, coagulase, DNase and biochemical tests and typed by a combination of antibiogram and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to evaluate their relatedness. <i>Results:</i> These isolates were gram-positive cocci in clusters, catalase, DNase and slide coagulase-positive but tube coagulase-negative. They gave negative results for ornithine decarboxylase and pyrrolidonyl-arylamidase tests, which indicated that these were not <i>Staphylococcus lugdunensis</i> or <i>Staphylococcus schleiferi</i>, and were identified as <i>S. aureus</i> by API Staph. They had identical antibiograms and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns which suggested that they had a common origin. <i>Conclusion:</i> The results highlight the need to complement the coagulase tests with other tests such as DNase and biochemical tests to correctly identify <i>S. aureus</i>. Coagulase-negative <i>S. aureus</i> appears to be an increasing problem that clinical laboratories should be aware of. They are as virulent as those producing coagulase and can colonize, cause infections and spread among patients.
Rapid Progesterone Actions on Thymulin-Secreting Epithelial Cells Cultured from Rat Thymus
Authors: Head Gail M. , Downing James E.G. , Brucker Cosima , Mentlein Rolf , Kendall Marion D. 
Published: April 2003

Many soluble factors of neural, endocrine, paracrine and autocrine origin are present in the thymus and modulate its function. Long-term effects of sex steroids have been documented for thymocytes and cells of the thymic microenvironment. In this report we examine rapid actions of progesterone upon aspects of epithelial cell physiology. Progesterone (0.1–10 µM) was applied to cultured thymulin-secreting thymic epithelial cells (TS-TEC) and changes in transmembrane potential, transmembrane current, intracellular calcium levels and thymulin secretion were assessed. Rapid changes in electrophysiology and intracellular calcium provide evidence for a membrane-bound progesterone receptor in these cells, in addition to classical cytoplasmic receptors. Application of progesterone to TS-TEC caused electrophysiological changes in 56% of cells (n = 40), activating an inward current (–24 ± 9 pA at 1 µM, n = 7, p < 0.02) and dose-dependent depolarization (7.1 ± 1.8 mV at 1 µM, n = 19, p < 0.01). Intracellular calcium levels, monitored by the ratiometric fluorescent calcium indicator fura-2, increased within seconds of progesterone (1 µM) application. Progesterone (1 µM) increased thymulin levels in supernatant, as measured by ELISA, above the levels in the preapplication period (142 ± 16% of the preapplication period, n = 3, p < 0.02). This effect was reduced in the presence of cobalt chloride which blocks voltage-dependent calcium channels. In addition, TS-TEC in culture were immunoreactive to antibody AG7. This antibody was raised to a membrane-bound antigen involved in calcium influx subsequent to progesterone binding in sperm. Thus we suggest that progesterone acts upon many aspects of TS-TEC physiology through both cytoplasmic and membrane-bound receptors.
Effect of Transmitters and Co-Transmitters of the Sympathetic Nervous System on Interleukin-6 Synthesis in Thymic Epithelial Cells
Authors: von Patay Birte , Kurz Bodo , Mentlein Rolf 
Published: April 2003

In the thymus, sympathetic nerves run in septa in close connection to subcapsular/perivascular thymic epithelial cells (TEC). Since TEC are supposed to create a microenvironment of cytokines necessary for the development of thymocytes to T cells, we investigated the influence of sympathetic transmitters and co-transmitters on interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis in cultivated rat TEC that express markers of perivascular/subcapsular TEC. Noradrenaline and ATP stimulated IL-6 production in the culture supernatants 14- and 23-fold over basal values after 24 h. Co-stimulation with noradrenaline and ATP yielded an additive effect. Synthesis of IL-6 was concentration-dependent upon ATP and appeared to be mediated by P<sub>2</sub> purinoceptors. During 24 h stimulation with 1 mM ATP, two thirds of the ligand was degraded mainly to ADP, production of AMP and adenosine was minor or negligible. Thus, in TEC, transmitters and co-transmitters of the sympathetic nervous system have a co-stimulatory effect on synthesis of IL-6 that is an important factor for thymocyte differentiation and proliferation.
Metabolic, Neuroendocrine and Immune Functions in Basal Conditions and during the Acute-Phase Response to Endotoxic Shock in Undernourished Rats
Authors: Giovambattista Andrés , Chisari Andrea N. , Corró Lucrecia , Gaillard Rolf C. , Spinedi Eduardo 
Published: April 2003

Chronic malnutrition is one of the most important causes of several metabolic, immune and neuroendocrine dysfunctions. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of chronic food restriction on basal neuroendocrine, immune and adipocyte functions and during the acute-phase response to endotoxic shock in female rats. The effect of refeeding of undernourished rats on the above-mentioned functions was also investigated. For these purposes, plasma total protein, glucose, triglycerides, ACTH, corticosterone, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) and leptin (LEP) levels were determined in basal condition and 2 h after endotoxin (LPS; 180 µg/kg body weight, i.p.) administration in 3 different groups: (1) well-nourished (WN) controls; (2) undernourished (UN) rats as a consequence of chronic food restriction, and (3) UN rats re-fed to restoration of their body weights in the WN rat range. The results indicate that UN rats, in comparison with WN controls, developed an arrest in body weight gain as well as in basal hypoglycemia, hypotriglyceridemia, hypoleptinemia, hypercorticosteronemia and enhanced adrenal glucocorticoid content; however, no changes in basal total protein, ACTH and TNF plasma levels and in anterior pituitary ACTH concentrations were found. When endotoxic shock was induced, the LPS-induced hypoglycemia developed in WN rats was abolished in UN animals, and both ACTH and TNF plasma concentrations after endotoxin, albeit significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the respective basal values, were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in UN than in WN control rats. Despite the high basal plasma corticosterone concentration in UN vs. WN rats, the LPS-induced glucocorticoid release was similar in WN and UN rats. Additionally, LPS treatment did not modify basal plasma LEP levels, regardless of the group. Interestingly, UN rats fed ad libitum for 15 days restored their body weight to WN rat range values, and the various metabolic dysfunctions seen in UN rats in both basal and post-LPS conditions were fully normalized. Our results clearly indicate that chronic undernutrition not only affects, as earlier described, reproductive function but also metabolic, neuroendocrine, immune and adipocyte functions, and that the effects induced by undernutrition can be fully reversed after recovery of normal body weight. The present study strongly supports the involvement of the metabolic status in the effectiveness of the defense mechanisms developed in patients in inflammatory stress conditions.
Scopolamine-Induced Impairment of Delayed Recognition of Abstract Visual Shapes
Authors: Rosier Annemie , Cornette Luc , Orban Guy A. 
Published: April 2003

Since the limbic system, whose involvement in cognitive processes is well documented, constitutes a major central cholinergic area, the effect of cholinergic drugs on cognitive tasks has been studied extensively. In the present study, we used a long-term visual recognition task to evaluate the persistence of the scopolamine-induced anterograde amnesia beyond drug clearance intervals. Following memorization of a list of abstract shapes, subjects were evaluated on recognition performance immediately after encoding, and after a 3-day interval. Administration of scopolamine (0.4–0.8 mg) 70 min prior to encoding induced a significant (8–16%) deficit in delayed recognition performance. In contrast, a scopolamine challenge on delayed recognition following a drug-free encoding did not influence memory performance. In contrast, even at peak levels, scopolamine did not alter immediate recognition, detection or visual discriminative performances. Hence, the presence of scopolamine during the encoding of the shapes induced a significant long-term memory deficit that persisted after scopolamine clearance. Therefore, this paradigm is useful for imaging regional brain activation during impaired recognition without the confounding direct effects of scopolamine on cerebral blood flow or metabolism, two physiological variables underlying the indirect measurement of brain activation.
A Major Review of Antimetabolites in Glaucoma Therapy
Authors: Loon Seng Chee , Chew Paul T.K. 
Published: April 2003

Antimetabolites have been used in combination with filtering surgery to improve surgical results for more than 10 years. Based on research published since the introduction of antimetabolites right up to date, we discuss the various forms of antimetabolites that have been used, including drugs and irradiation. Among the drugs used, mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil are the most prominent. We discuss the background of these agents, the progress in the use of antimetabolites and the research done on these drugs. These agents have been used both intra-operatively and perioperatively. We discuss the indications for their use, their mode of action, the techniques of usage, their variations as well as the complications and the treatment of complications.
Benign Pleomorphic Adenoma Arising from the Palpebral Lobe of the Lacrimal Gland Associated with Elevated Intraocular Pressure
Authors: Yamada Tetsuya , Kato Tsuyoshi , Hayasaka Seiji , Hayasaka Yoriko , Kadoi Chiharu 
Published: April 2003

A 46-year-old man complained of a painless mass in the left upper eyelid. At age 51 years, the patient complained of dull pain in the left eye and diplopia. His left intraocular pressure had increased to 33 mm Hg. No proptosis was noted. The nontender mass in the eyelid was palpable. Computed tomography showed a mass anterior to the orbital rim compressing the globe. The lesion was removed en bloc by a transconjunctival approach. Histopathologic examination of the excised mass showed myxomatous stroma and highly cellular epithelial areas. Postoperatively, the left intraocular pressure normalized. To our knowledge, benign pleomorphic adenomas arising from the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland associated with elevated intraocular pressure, as demonstrated in our patient, may be rare.
Inflammatory Response in Experimental <i>Staphylococcus</i> and<i>Pseudomonas</i> Endophthalmitis
Authors: Kim In Taek , Park Sung Kyu , Lim Jung Hoon 
Published: April 2003

<i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> [2.0 × 10<sup>4</sup> colony-forming units (CFU)/0.1 ml] and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (2.0 × 10<sup>3</sup> CFU/ml) were inoculated in the vitreous humor of rabbits. In <i>S. epidermidis</i> endophthalmitis, the numbers of microorganisms reached a maximum (4.1 × 10<sup>7</sup> CFU/ml) at day 2 after inoculation and then declined spontaneously. However, clinical scores were observed to be worst at day 5. In <i>P. aeruginosa</i> endophthalmitis, the numbers of microorganisms reached a maximum (9.3 × 10<sup>6</sup> CFU/ml) 36 h after inoculation. However, culture results were persistently positive until day 15. Electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave amplitudes in <i>S. epidermidis</i> endophthalmitis continued to decrease from day 3 (>24%) until day 5, and then recovered to the preinoculative level of amplitudes at day 7. ERG b-wave amplitudes in <i>P. aeruginosa</i> endophthalmitis continued to decrease after 24 h (>24%). ERG b-wave amplitudes from day 7 to day 15 were flat. The inflammatory response continued under the absence of microorganisms in <i>S. epidermidis</i> endophthalmitis. The time in which a maximum in the number of microorganisms was reached was earlier than that in the clinical examination scores in both <i>S. epidermidis</i> and <i>P. aeruginosa</i> endophthalmitis.
Risk Factors in Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Seiberth Volker , Linderkamp Otwin 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To analyze risk factors in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). <i>Patients and Methods:</i> Four hundred forty-seven surviving very-low-birth-weight infants (birth weight ≤1,500 g) were enrolled in a retrospective study. Clinical data underwent multivariate analysis using stepwise logistic forward regression. <i>Results:</i> For 402 of the babies a complete dataset of 38 possible risk factors was available. Multivariate analysis showed 10 factors to be independently significant variables. Low birth weight, low gestational age, artificial ventilation for more than 7 days, high volume of blood transfusion and surfactant therapy were risk factors associated with higher rates of ROP. Necrotizing enterocolitis, maternal pre-eclampsia, lung maturation by antepartum betamethasone application, vitamin E and phototherapy were accompanied by a lower incidence of ROP. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study confirms several risk factors recognized by previous statistical analysis. In addition, this study reveals maternal pre-eclampsia, which is associated with chronic intrauterine stress, as a statistically independent factor and as having an influence on the incidence of ROP.
Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy in the Newborn Rat: Morphological and Immunohistological Findings in Animals Treated with Topical Timolol Maleate
Authors: Ricci Benedetto , Ricci Francesco , Maggiano Nicola 
Published: April 2003

Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) similar to that seen in premature infants can be produced in newborn rats by exposure to 80% oxygen for the first 5 days of life, with subsequent recovery for 7 days in a room air environment. Previous studies have shown that the latter phase is associated with degeneration of retinal astrocytes. In the absence of astrocytes, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced by the neurons of the inner retina. In this study, immunohistochemical methods were used to assess retinal expression of VEGF protein in ratlings exposed to the above protocol, with and without simultaneous treatment with topical timolol maleate. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and arterial pressure were measured. The severity of OIR was also evaluated in retinal flat mounts after India ink perfusion. The mean IOP was 8.25 ± 0.32 mm Hg in untreated ratlings and 5.15 ± 0.24 mm Hg in timolol-treated animals. OIR in retinas from the timolol group was less severe than that seen in untreated ratlings. VEGF protein expression was almost completely absent in the latter group. Retinas from timolol-treated animals expressed VEGF protein, though the level was inferior to that found in controls raised under room air conditions. In conclusion, these data seem to indicate that experimental OIR can be attenuated by a reduction of the IOP during and after oxygen supplementation. It is possible that these effects are due to improved ocular perfusion pressure, which would mitigate the hypoxic insult to the retina during the room air recovery period.
Melanoma-Associated Retinopathy versus Abnormal Retinal Function due to Interferon-α/Isotretinoin Therapy in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Feigl Beatrix , Faschinger Christoph , Soyer Peter 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> To analyze whether an abnormal retinal function in patients with a cutaneous malignant melanoma was due to paraneoplastic retinopathy or due to isotretinoin or interferon-α. <i>Methods:</i> We studied 15 patients with malignant melanoma in stage IIa and IIb who are all participants in a randomized, multicentered, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing interferon-α/isotretinoin versus interferon-α/placebo performed by the Department of Dermatology, University of Graz. Our assessment included a full ophthalmic history and examination, electrophysiological testing (ERG, EOG), dark adaption, color vision and visual field testing. <i>Results:</i> The most prevalent ocular symptom patients complained about was ocular dryness (8 patients). Electrophysiological as well as psychophysical testings showed no abnormalities in 12 patients. In 1 patient the therapy was stopped because of electrophysiological and psychophysiological pathology. This patient suffered from severe reduction of night vision and visual disturbances. Another patient had had night blindness since childhood which remained stable. <i>Conclusions:</i> We postulate that in 1 of 15 patients, visual complaints are caused with a high probability by melanoma-associated retinopathy although, in the literature, isotretinoin is described to show similar effects on retinal function.
A CT Study of the Course of Growth of the Maxillary Sinus: Normal Subjects and Subjects with Chronic Sinusitis
Authors: Ikeda Atsuko , Ikeda Motohisa , Komatsuzaki Atsushi 
Published: April 2003

We measured the maxillary sinus volume of normal children and those with bilateral chronic sinusitis by coronal CT scan of the paranasal sinus, and compared the results with findings previously obtained from adult patients. The distribution of mean maxillary sinus volume by age group from 4–9 to 70–79 years exhibited a monomodal pattern with a peak in the 20s in both the normal group and the surgical therapy group. The maxillary sinus volumes of children aged 10–15 years and adults tended to be smaller in the surgical therapy group than in the normal group; this tendency was more prominent in the adult group. These findings appear to support the hypothesis that the ethmoid infundibulum and middle meatus are narrowed by inflammation of the ostiomeatal complex and by various bony anatomic variations in the nasal cavity, leading to impaired pneumatization of the maxillary sinus.
Successful Treatment of Angioimmunoblastic Lymphadenopathy with Dysproteinemia by Local Irradiation
Authors: Okamura Hiro-oki , Misawa Takanori 
Published: April 2003

We report an 85-year-old man presenting with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) of the palatine tonsil with cervical and axillary lymph node enlargement, pleural effusion and hypergammaglobulinemia. The patient was treated in Internal Medicine with combined chemotherapy with steroids which resulted in a complete remission. However, he returned almost 1 year later with an ulcerative lesion in the left palatine tonsil, with no lymph node involvement. Considering that the patient was an elderly person, chemotherapy had been administered during the initial admission, tumor cells appeared to originate from T cells and relapse occurred only in the local lesion, the lesion was treated by local irradiation using <sup>60</sup>Co at a dose of 40 Gy, which produced a complete resolution. Radiotherapy appeared to be effective for the treatment of localized lesions of AILD.
Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Expression of Reactive Oxygen Species and Peroxynitrite in the Guinea Pig Vestibular Organ
Authors: Takumida Masaya , Popa Raul , Anniko Matti 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of reactive oxygen species and peroxynitrite in the vestibular organ of the guinea pig following inoculation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The animals were injected transtympanically with 1 mg of LPS 24 h after the intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mg LPS. Forty-eight hours after the inoculation, varying degrees of degeneration of the vestibular end organs were observed. Immunohistochemical study revealed immunoreactivity to xanthine oxidase (which generates O<sup>–</sup><sub>2</sub>) in the vestibular organ after inoculation with LPS. Immunohistochemical investigation with a specific antinitrotyrosine antibody also showed intense staining of sensory epithelium, fluid transporting cells and the endolymphatic sac, suggesting formation of peroxynitrite in the vestibular organ through the reaction of NO with O<sup>–</sup><sub>2</sub>. On the basis of these data, it can be concluded that NO together with O<sup>–</sup><sub>2</sub>, which form more reactive peroxynitrite, may be the most important pathogenic agents in LPS-induced labyrinthitis in the guinea pig.
Intracellular Calcium Suppresses Mechano-Electrical Transduction Current in Chick CochlearHair Cells
Authors: Kimitsuki T. , Taira T. , Komune S. , Komiyama S. 
Published: April 2003

Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub>) was elevated by photolysis of the caged calcium compound, Nitr-5, and by use of the intrapipette perfusion technique in hair cells dissociated from the chick cochlea. An increase in [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> induced an outward-going current at a membrane potential of –40 mV, as recorded with an intracellular medium of 160 m<i>M</i> KCl. This current was carried by the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated K<sup>+</sup> current. In contrast, an increase of [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> induced an inward-going current at –50 mV with a 160 m<i>M</i> CsCl-based intracellular medium. This inward-going current was carried by the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated non-selective cation current. The amplitude of the mechano-electrical transduction current was suppressed by the increase of [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub>, achieved both by photolysis and by use of the intrapipette perfusion method.