bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of SK-1080 on Intimal Thickening and Impaired Vascular Relaxation after Ballon Injury in Rats
Authors: Lee Byung Ho , Yoo Sung-Eun , Shin Hwa Sup 
Published: April 2003

We investigated the effects of SK-1080, a novel angiotensin AT<sub>1</sub> receptor antagonist, on neointimal proliferation in the rat carotid artery after balloon injury, together with its effects on the impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. SK-1080 (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg/day) was orally administered in balloon-injured rats for 21 days (from 6 days before to 14 days after balloon injury). SK-1080 (1 mg/kg) exerted significant effects on three important parameters associated with the intimal thickening induced by balloon injury (50.0% reduction in neointimal area, 42.7% reduction in stenosis ratio and 69.1% increase in lumen/total area ratio). Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly reduced in the balloon-injured carotid arteries (64.0 ± 9.1%), and this impairment of acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly restored by SK-1080 (maximal relaxation: 87.1 ± 6.5 and 88.6 ± 1.9% at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg, respectively, p < 0.05). However, the endothelial-independent, sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was clearly demonstrated and did not differ in carotid arteries from all treatment groups. Furthermore, acetylcholine-induced relaxation was completely inhibited by <i>L</i>-NAME but not by indomethacin. SK-1080 caused a slight hypotension 1 day before balloon injury (8.7%), which gradually returned to the baseline 6 and 13 days after balloon injury. These results suggest that SK-1080 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular diseases such as restenosis and atherosclerosis.
Hypothermia Reduces Neurological Damage in Asphyxiated Newborn Infants
Authors: Compagnoni G. , Pogliani L. , Lista G. , Castoldi F. , Fontana P. , Mosca F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Perinatal asphyxia remains one of the most devastating neurologic processes. There is experimental and clinical evidence that cerebral cooling may suppress the biochemical cascades leading to delayed cerebral damage. <i>Objective:</i> To determine if hypothermia started soon after delivery reduces cerebral damage in term infants. <i>Design/Methods:</i> Retrospective chart analysis with historical controls. Ten asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia between October 1998 and October 1999 were compared to 11 asphyxiated newborns admitted from September 1997 to September 1998. Characteristics at birth of infants of the two groups (control and hypothermia) were comparable. After obtaining parental consent, whole-body hypothermia was induced before the 6th hour of life by placing a cold blanket (Polar Air, Augustine Medical Inc., model 600) around the body of the patients. Rectal temperature was maintained between 32 and 34°C for 72 h. Outcome was assessed by neurological evaluation at birth and every 3 months up to the 12th month. Brain MRI was performed in the 2nd month. We had no evidence of severe adverse events related to hypothermia. In the hypothermic group there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of major neurologic abnormalities at follow-up and abnormal MRI findings. <i>Conclusions:</i> Hypothermia appears to be safe. Our results on morphological damage evaluated by brain MRI and neurological outcome are encouraging: randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this experience.
Influence of Uremia on Cell Viability and Cytokine Release of Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells
Authors: Plum J. , Fleisch M.C. , Razeghi P. , Fusshöller A. , Lordnejad M.R. , Grabensee B. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> There is still no evidence whether human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) from patients with end-stage renal failure are altered in cell viability or show a different pattern of the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Also the serum of patients with uremia may contain substances stimulating the cytokine release of HPMC. <i>Study Design:</i> The IL-1β-induced IL-6/IL-8 release of HPMC from healthy donors and from patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were measured before the start of chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) and during PD therapy. Additionally the influence of uremic and non-uremic serum on IL-6 and IL-8 release of normal HPMC was studied. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and by the measurement of intracellular ATP (chemoluminescence assay). HPMC were obtained from the following patient groups: (1) non-uremic control patients (n = 7); (2) patients with ESRD undergoing PD catheter implantation for the first time (n = 7), and (3) patients on PD undergoing catheter exchange for noninfectious reasons (n = 6). Pooled human serum from PD patients and normal controls were used for stimulation experiments. HPMC from different donors were grown to confluence (second passage) and then stimulated with IL-1β (1,000 pg/ml in M199) for 24 h. IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were measured in the supernatant by ELISA. Additionally uremic and non-uremic sera were incubated with HPMC from normal donors for 24 h with a subsequent 24-hour IL-1β stimulation. Mesothelial cell protein mass was determined by the Bradford reagent. <i>Results:</i> Non-uremic patients and ESRD patients did not differ with regard to the global cell viability of HPMC according to MTT assay activity or the intracellular ATP concentration. However, HPMC from uremic patients produced more IL-8 on IL-1β stimulation than the non-uremic controls (group 2, 53.5 ± 15.7 pg/µg; group 3, 70.5 ± 27.3 pg/µg vs. group 1, 24.0 ± 11.8 pg/µg). HPMC from patients on chronic PD additionally released significantly more IL-6 (30.5 ± 13.8 pg/µg) on IL-1β stimulation than uremic patients before the onset of PD (6.2 ± 2.6 pg/µg; p < 0.01). Incubation of normal HPMC with the serum from uremic donors produced an enhanced stimulated IL-8 release compared to the exposition with normal control serum (50.6 ± 6.1 vs. 20.8 ± 2.9 pg/µg; p < 0.01). <i>Conclusion:</i> HPMC from uremic patients more readily release IL-8 on stimulation with IL-1β. On chronic PD treatment IL-6 release was further enhanced. Not further classified serum components in uremia also enhance IL-6 and IL-8 release of HPMC.
Eradication Therapy with Rabeprazole versus Omeprazole in the Treatment of Active Duodenal Ulcer
Authors: Catalano F. , Terminella C. , Branciforte G. , Bentivegna C. , Brogna A. , Scalia A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Rabeprazole has been demonstrated to be a potent antisecretory agent and has been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of acid-related diseases. <i>Aims:</i> It was to determine the efficacy of rabeprazole at 20 and 40 mg in addition to amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the treatment of active <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>-positive duodenal ulcers compared with omeprazole 40 mg. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> One hundred and twenty-seven patients were randomised into three treatment groups: 40 patients were treated with rabeprazole 40 mg daily, 42 patients with rabeprazole 20 mg daily and 45 patients with omeprazole 40 mg daily for 10 days. All patients received amoxicillin 1 g twice a day and clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for 5 days. All patients were re-assessed at least 4 weeks after the end of the treatment. <i>Results:</i> According to the intention-to-treat (ITT) protocol, ulcer healing was observed in 90% of patients in the rabeprazole 40 group, in 85.7% in the rabeprazole 20 group and in 93.3% in the omeprazole 40 group. We observed <i>H. pylori</i> eradication in 90% ITT in the rabeprazole 40 group, in 80.9% ITT in the rabeprazole 20 group and in 88.8% ITT in the omeprazole 40 group. Statistical analysis did not show significant differences among the three groups. <i>Conclusions:</i> A 10-day rabeprazole 20 mg regimen represents an efficacious and safe regimen for <i>H. pylori</i> eradication and ulcer healing.
Comparative Single- and Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Levodopa and 3-O-Methyldopa following a New Dual-Release and a Conventional Slow-Release Formulation of Levodopa and Benserazide in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Crevoisier C. , Monreal A. , Metzger B. , Nilsen T. 
Published: April 2003

The objective was to assess the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of levodopa and 3-O-methyldopa following administration of a new dual-release and conventional slow-release formulation of levodopa/benserazide in the dose ratio of 4:1. In an open-label, two-way cross-over study, 20 healthy volunteers were randomized to receive first either Madopar<sup>®</sup> DR or Madopar<sup>®</sup> HBS for 8 days. Then they crossed over to the other formulation. A first dose of 200 mg levodopa and 50 mg benserazide (‘250’ mg) was given on day 1, ‘125’ mg t.i.d. on the subsequent 6 days (days 2–7), followed by ‘250’ mg on day 8. The two treatment periods of 8 days were separated by a wash-out period of at least 7 days. Blood samples were taken at specific times over a 12-hour period (day 1) or a 36-hour period (day 8). Plasma concentrations of levodopa and 3-O-methyldopa were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography for pharmacokinetic evaluation. The pharmacokinetics of levodopa after a single-dose administration (day 1) of Madopar DR and Madopar HBS were significantly different as reflected by the respective mean values of maximum plasma concentration (C<sub>max</sub> 1.99 vs. 0.82 mg·l<sup>–1</sup>), time to reach maximum concentration (t<sub>max</sub> 0.7 vs. 2.6 h) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC<sub>0–∞</sub> 4.52 vs. 3.18 mg·h·l<sup>–1</sup>). The respective values after multiple doses (day 8) were: C<sub>max</sub> 1.98 vs. 0.93 mg·l<sup>–1</sup>, t<sub>max</sub> 0.7 vs. 2.3 h and AUC<sub>0–∞</sub> 4.84 vs. 3.96 mg·h·l<sup>–1</sup>. The relative bioavailability (Madopar DR vs. Madopar HBS) was 1.73 on day 1 and 1.32 on day 8. Bioequivalence could not be demonstrated for log-transformed data of AUC and C<sub>max</sub> within a predefined range of 80–125 and 70–143%, respectively. In conclusion, the observed differences in C<sub>max</sub>, t<sub>max</sub> and AUC are consistent with a faster rate and higher extent of levodopa absorption after administration of Madopar DR. Statistical evaluation of these kinetic data showed that Madopar DR is not bioequivalent to Madopar HBS.
Protective Action of Nipradilol against Ischemia-Induced Retinal Damage in Rats
Authors: Taniai Mariko , Sato Eiju , Mizota Atsushi , Adachi-Usami Emiko 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether nipradilol, a β-blocker having both vasodilating and α<sub>1</sub>-blocking activities, can protect retinal cells from the injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion. Rats were anesthetized and, after an intravitreal injection of nipradilol, the intraocular pressure was raised for 45 min to induce retinal ischemia and reperfusion. Before, and 3 and 7 days after the ischemia, electroretinograms were recorded. After the ischemia, the mean amplitude of the b-waves in rats receiving 5 µl of 1.0 × 10<sup>–6</sup> <i>M</i> nipradilol was significantly larger than of controls (injected with phosphate-buffered saline). Histologically, the reduction in the number of retinal ganglion cells (1.0 × 10<sup>–6</sup> <i>M</i>), and the thickness of the inner and outer plexiform layers and the inner nuclear layer (1.0 × 10<sup>–6</sup>, 10<sup>–7</sup> and 10<sup>–8</sup> <i>M</i>) was suppressed by nipradilol. These results indicate that nipradilol protected the retina against retinal ischemia and reperfusion and should be considered for therapeutic use in cases of transient retinal ischemia.
Pattern Visual Evoked Potentials in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Ikejiri Mitsuya , Adachi-Usami Emiko , Mizota Atsushi , Tsuyama Yoshihiko , Miyauchi Osamu , Suehiro Shintaro 
Published: April 2003

To evaluate the characteristics of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) in traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) compared with optic neuritis (ON), we retrospectively studied 47 patients with TON and 64 patients with unilateral ON. PVEPs elicited by the stimulation with 3 reversals/s were recorded in all patients. A PVEP could be recorded in 29.8% of the TON patients and 49.6% of the ON patients at their first visit. In the 14 patients with TON and recordable PVEPs, the mean amplitude ratio (affected/fellow eye) was 0.29 ± 0.03 (SE) and the mean delay of the peak latency was 17.9 ± 2.9 ms. In the 30 patients with ON and recordable PVEPs, the mean amplitude ratio was 0.48 ± 0.04 (SE) and the mean delay of the peak latency was 23.5 ± 2.5 ms. The amplitude ratio was significantly lower in patients with TON than in those with ON.
Ostiomeatal Complex in Normal Semitic Adults
Authors: Al Muhaimeed Hamad , Hashash Yasser , Shafy A. , Hashash Mustafa 
Published: April 2003

This is a clinicoradiological study of six components in the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) of normal adult Saudis of both sexes. It presents them through the mean values of the osseous components of the computed tomographic coronal cuts of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The maximum mean value of the maxillary ostium in males and females was 0.22 and 0.21 cm, respectively. The maximum height of the uncinate process was 1.27 and 1.26 cm, the largest surface area of bulla ethmoidalis was 0.69 and 0.52 cm<sup>2</sup>, the maximum width of the infundibulum was 0.22 and 0.21 cm, the largest width of the middle tubinate was 1.47 and 1.44 cm and the maximum width of the middle meatus was 0.83 and 0.79 cm, respectively. Their standard deviation and p value were calculated. The measured units of OMC did not show any significant variation between the two sexes as well as between the different age groups except for the bulla ethmoidalis where there was significant variation between males and females in the age group of 15–31 years. This study was done to provide endoscopic rhinologists a set of reference distances of OMC.
Adrenomedullin Concentrations in Early 2nd-Trimester Amniotic Fluid: Relation to Preterm Delivery and Fetal Growth at Birth
Authors: Yamashiro Chizu , Kanenishi Kenji , Akiyama Masashi , Tanaka Hirokazu , Shiota Atsuko , Hata Toshiyuki 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid predict preterm delivery or fetal growth at birth. <i>Methods:</i> The adrenomedullin concentrations in early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid were measured in 70 pregnancies with term delivery and in 3 pregnancies with preterm delivery. Total and free adrenomedullin concentrations were measured from early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid samples using an immunoradiometric assay. <i>Results:</i> The amniotic fluid total adrenomedullin concentrations in women with preterm delivery were significantly higher (129.7 ± 19.6 fmol/ml) than those in women with term delivery (92.5 ± 28.2 fmol/ml; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences for amniotic fluid free adrenomedullin concentrations and free/total adrenomedullin ratios between the two groups. Total or free adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid showed an inverse correlation both with birth weight (r = 0.27, p < 0.05, and r = 0.21, p < 0.05) and height (r = 0.30, p < 0.05, and r = 0.28, p < 0.05). There were no correlations between placental weight and total or free adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid. <i>Conclusions:</i> These results suggest that adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid might be related to further in utero fetal growth and that high levels of adrenomedullin in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid may be involved in the occurrence of preterm delivery.
Gonadectomy Eliminates Endothelium-Dependent Diethylstilbestrol-Induced Relaxant Effect in Rat Aorta
Authors: Martínez Carmen , López Covadonga , Hidalgo Agustín , Sánchez Manuel , García de Boto María José 
Published: April 2003

The effects of gender and castration of rats on diethylstilbestrol-induced, endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation in rat aorta strips were studied. For this, male and female control and castrated rats were used. Diethylstilbestrol elicited a concentration-dependent (1–30 µmol/l) relaxation of isolated rat aorta. The effect was significantly higher in the presence of endothelium in aorta strips of the control group and also in female as compared with male rats. This effect is NO-dependent, since it is inhibited by N<sup>G</sup>-methyl-<i>L</i>-arginine. Castration of the rats suppressed the endothelium-dependent relaxation, and it was similar to that induced in the absence of endothelium. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not suppressed by castration. The acetylcholine-induced relaxation was decreased in aorta strips previously relaxed by diethylstilbestrol. There are no gender differences in the diethylstilbestrol-induced, endothelium-independent component of the relaxation, nor is it modified by the hormonal environment. Therefore, diethylstilbestrol-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aorta strips is modulated by the hormonal status of the rats.
A Kinetic Model of Inorganic Phosphorus Mass Balance in Hemodialysis Therapy
Authors: Gotch Frank A. , Panlilio Froilan , Sergeyeva Olga , Rosales Laura , Folden Tom , Kaysen George , Levin Nathan W. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> There is growing evidence that inorganic phosphorus (iP) accumulation in tissues (dTiP/dt) is a risk factor for cardiac death in hemodialysis therapy (HD). The factors controlling iP mass balance in HD are dietary intake (GiP), removal by binders (JbiP) and removal by dialysis (JdiP). If iP accumulation is to be minimized, it will be necessary to regularly monitor and optimize GiP, JbiP and JdiP in individual patients. We have developed a kinetic model (iPKM) designed to monitor these three parameters of iP mass balance in individual patients and report here preliminary evaluation of the model in 23 HD patients. <i>Methods:</i> GiP was calculated from PCR measured with urea kinetics; JdiP was calculated from the product of dialyzer plasma water clearance (K<sub>pwiP</sub>) and time average plasma iP concentration (TACiP) and treatment time (t); a new iP concentration parameter (nTAC<sub>iP</sub>, the TACiP normalized to predialysis CoiP) was devised and shown to be a highly predictable function of the form nTAC<sub>iP</sub> = 1 – α(1 – exp[–βK<sub>pwiP</sub>· t/ViP]), where the coefficients α and β are calculated for each patient from 2 measure values for nTAC<sub>iP</sub>, K<sub>pwiP</sub>·t/ViP early and late in dialysis; we measured 8–10 serial values for nTAC<sub>iP</sub>, K<sub>pwiP</sub>· t/ViP over a single dialysis in 23 patients; the expression derived for iP mass balance is ΔTiP = 12(PCR) – [K<sub>pwiP</sub>(t) (N/7)][CoiP(1 – α(1 – exp[–β(Kt/ViP)]))] – k<sub>b</sub>·Nb. <i>Results:</i> Calculated nTAC<sub>iP</sub> = 1.01(measured nTAC<sub>iP</sub>), r = 0.98, n = 213; calculated JdiP = 0.66(measured total dialysate iP) + 358, n = 23, r = 0.88, p < 0.001. Evaluation of 10 daily HD patients (DD) and 13 3 times weekly patients with the model predicted the number of binders required very well and showed that the much higher binder requirement observed in these DD patients was due to much higher NPCR (1.3 vs. 0.96). <i>Conclusion:</i> These results are very encouraging that it may be possible to monitor the individual effects of diet, dialysis and binders in HD and thus optimize these parameters of iP mass balance and reduce phosphate accumulation in tissues.
Cloning and Molecular Characterization of a cDNA from <i>Blomia tropicalis</i> Homologous to Dust Mite Group 3 Allergens (Trypsin-Like Proteases)
Authors: Flores Idhaliz , Mora Carlos , Rivera Elizabeth , Donnelly Robert , Montealegre Federico 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Exposure to the house dust mite <i>Blomia tropicalis</i> is increasingly being implicated as a major risk factor for asthma exacerbations in sensitized individuals. The objective of this study is to clone and characterize <i>B. tropicalis</i> allergens in order to better define their role in allergic asthma. <i>Methods:</i> A λgt22A cDNA library was constructed from <i>B. tropicalis</i> mRNA and screened using specific DNA probes. A full-length cDNA (Bt2-3) was isolated, subcloned, and sequenced. <i>Results:</i> Sequence analysis showed that clone Bt2-3 encodes the full-length serine protease preproenzyme from <i>B. tropicalis</i>. The predicted Bt2-3 protein consists of a 15-amino-acid signal peptide, a 20-amino-acid propeptide and a mature protein of 231 amino residues. BLAST analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence showed high homology (48–54%) between clone Bt2-3 and serine proteases (group 3 allergens) from domestic dust mites. Both the serine active site (DACQGDSGGPVA; amino acids 214–225) and the histidine active site (LTAAHC; amino acids 71–76) of serine proteases were highly conserved. The estimated molecular weight of the preproenzyme is 27.5 kD and its theoretical pI is 8.7. The mature protein contains a putative tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site (amino acids 24–31) and several N-myristoylation sites. Sequence alignment shows that the serine protease active sites are highly conserved among the clinically important mite species, including <i>B. tropicalis</i>. <i>Conclusion:</i> We report the cloning and molecular characterization of a <i>B. tropicalis</i> cDNA clone encoding a trypsin-like protease, with a possible major role as an allergen. Expression and further characterization of the recombinant product will help determine the role of proteolytic enzymes in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma.
Total Calcium Content of Sacs Associated with Inguinal Hernia, Hydrocele or Undescended Testis Reflects Differences Dictated by Programmed Cell Death
Authors: Tanyel F. Cahit , Ulusu N. Nuray , Tezcan E. Ferhan , Büyükpamukçu Nebil 
Published: April 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> Inguinal hernia and hydrocele are suggested to result from the persistence of smooth muscle (SM) which should undergo programmed cell death (PCD) after presenting transiently to propel the testis. Since Ca<sup>2+</sup> is involved in PCD, the Ca<sup>2+</sup> contents of the peritoneum and sacs associated with undescended testis, inguinal hernia and hydrocele were determined and compared. <i>Materials and Methods: </i>Sacs were obtained from boys with undescended testis (n = 11), inguinal hernia (n = 22) and hydrocele (n = 10), and girls with inguinal hernia (n = 7). The calcium content of the sacs and peritoneal samples (n = 6) was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Calcium contents were compared according to their sources using the Mann-Whitney U test and p values of <0.05 were considered significant. <i>Results:</i> While revealing similar Ca<sup>2+</sup> contents as the peritoneum, sacs associated with undescended testis and hydrocele contained more Ca<sup>2+</sup> contents than the sacs of boys and girls with inguinal hernia (p < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> Sacs associated with inguinal hernia, which are known to contain SM all around the mesothelial layer, contain the least Ca<sup>2+</sup>. Despite the decrease in SM, sacs associated with hydrocele contain more Ca<sup>2+</sup>. Since PCD is associated with Ca<sup>2+</sup> overload and inhibition of Ca<sup>2+</sup> load inhibits PCD, differences in Ca<sup>2+</sup> content may reflect the inhibition of PCD at different stages and for different reasons in inguinal hernia or hydrocele of childhood.