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Saline Injection (saline + injection)
Selected Abstracts"Hands-Free" Continuous Transthoracic Monitoring of Pericardiocentesis Using a Novel Ultrasound TransducerECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2003F.R.C.P., P.A.N. Chandraratna Background: Pericardiocentesis can be monitored with a hand-held transducer. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of monitoring pericardiocentesis using a novel ultrasound transducer, which can be attached to the chest wall, developed in our laboratory (CONTISON). Methods: We studied nine patients with large pericardial effusions. The 2.5-MHz transducer is spherical in its distal part and mounted in an external housing to permit steering in 360 degrees. The external housing is attached to the chest wall using an adhesive patch. The CONTISON transducer was placed at the cardiac apex and an apical four-chamber view obtained. Pericardiocentesis was performed from the subcostal position. The pericardial effusion was continuously imaged. Mitral inflow velocity signals were recorded before and after pericardiocentesis. When fluid was first obtained, 50 mL of fluid were discarded after which 5 mL of agitated saline was injected through the needle. Results: In the first patient the pericardiocentesis needle was seen in the left ventricular cavity. Saline injection produced a contrast effect in the left ventricle. The needle was gradually withdrawn until contrast was seen in the pericardial sac. A total of 1100 mL was removed without further complications. The second patient had clear fluid followed by blood stained aspirate. The echocardiogram revealed gradual appearance of granular echoes within the pericardial sac, suggestive of intrapericardial clot that was subsequently surgically evacuated. In the remaining seven patients, agitated saline produced a contrast effect in the pericardial sac indicative of proper needle position. Mitral flow velocity paradoxus was noted in five patients, and it resolved after pericardiocentesis in four patients. No adjustment of the transducer was required. Conclusion: The CONTISON transducer permitted continuous monitoring of pericardiocentesis. This technique could potentially facilitate pericardiocentesis. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, August 2003) [source] Ethanol Preference Is Inversely Correlated With Ethanol-Induced Dopamine Release in 2 Substrains of C57BL/6 MiceALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2007Vorani Ramachandra Background:, The C57BL/6 mouse model has been used extensively in alcohol drinking studies, yet significant differences in ethanol preference between substrains exist. Differences in ethanol-induced dopamine release in the ventral striatum could contribute to this variability in drinking behavior as dopamine has been implicated in the reinforcing properties of ethanol. Methods:, A 2-bottle choice experiment investigated the difference in ethanol preference between C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NCrl animals. Microdialysis was used to determine dopamine release and ethanol clearance in these 2 substrains after intraperitoneal injections of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg ethanol or saline. Results:, C57BL/6J mice exhibited significantly greater ethanol preference and less ethanol-stimulated dopamine release compared with C57BL/6NCrl mice. The intraperitoneal injections of ethanol caused a significant increase in dopamine in both substrains at all 3 doses with significant differences between substrains at the 2 highest alcohol doses. Saline injections had a significant effect on dopamine release when given in a volume equivalent to the 3 g/kg ethanol dose. Ethanol pharmacokinetics were similar in the 2 substrains at all 3 doses. Conclusions:, Ethanol-induced dopamine release in the ventral striatum may contribute to the differences in alcohol preference between C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NCrl mice. [source] THE TECHNICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF ENDOSCOPIC MUCOSAL RESECTION IN THE COLON: OUR METHODDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2004Yasushi Oda ABSTRACT Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the technique used to resect flat or depressed tumors or larger tumors such as laterally spreading tumors with marginal normal mucosa. Recently, endoscopic mucosal dissection technique has been rapidly accepted, mainly in early gastric cancer in Japan. We need to have firm knowledge of EMR technique in the colon for recovery as we advance this new technique. We describe our conventional EMR method practically. EMR should be performed to locate the target lesion at down side to perform sure EMR. The ideal shape of upheaval by saline injection is hemisphere. The needle sheath and snare should be taken out a little of the endoscopy to manipulate firmly. Another technique of secure EMR is the snare manipulation. We prefer that the shape of the snare is circular and the snare is hard. It is important while trapping to press the target lesion with both the whole snare circle and the end of the sheath. With these fundamental procedures we could resect the target lesions at will. [source] Effect of a dose of ethanol on acute tolerance and ethanol consumption in alcohol drinker(UChB) and non-drinker (UChA) ratsADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Lutske Tampier Acute tolerance that develops within minutes of ethanol exposure appears to influence the apparent acute behavioral sensitivity of laboratory animals to ethanol actions. The existence of a correlation between voluntary ethanol consumption and the speed of acquiring acute tolerance has been proposed. In the present paper we investigated the effect of an acute dose of ethanol on tolerance development and on ethanol voluntary consumption in our two selected bred strains, UChA (low ethanol drinker) and UChB (high ethanol drinker) rats. Acute tolerance developed to motor impairment induced by a dose of ethanol of 2.3 g/kg. administered intraperitoneally was evaluated by the tilting plane test. Voluntary ethanol consumption was compared in rats receiving the ethanol dose, to rats receiving a saline intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. The results show that UChB rats receiving an intoxicating dose of ethanol develop more tolerance and they significantly increased their ethanol consumption compared to the same line that received a saline injection, while no change in acute tolerance and voluntary ethanol consumption were obtained in UChA rats. In conclusion, a possible mechanism by which UChB rats drink high amounts of ethanol appears to be the development of tolerance to the pharmacological effects of ethanol. [source] Role of gap junctional coupling in astrocytic networks in the determination of global ischaemia-induced oxidative stress and hippocampal damageEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2006Jose L. Perez Velazquez Abstract While there is evidence that gap junctions play important roles in the determination of cell injuries, there is not much known about mechanisms by which gap junctional communication may exert these functions. Using a global model of transient ischaemia in rats, we found that pretreatment with the gap junctional blockers carbenoxolone, 18,-glycyrrhetinic acid and endothelin, applied via cannulae implanted into the hippocampus in one hemisphere, resulted in decreased numbers of TUNEL-positive neurons, as compared with the contralateral hippocampus that received saline injection. Post-treatment with carbenoxolone for up to 30 min after the stroke injury still resulted in decreased cell death, but post-treatment at 90 min after the ischaemic insult did not result in differences in cell death. However, quinine, an inhibitor of Cx36-mediated gap junctional coupling, did not result in appreciable neuroprotection. Searching for a possible mechanism for the observed protective effects, possible actions of the gap junctional blockers in the electrical activity of the hippocampus during the ischaemic insult were assessed using intracerebral recordings, with no differences observed between the saline-injected and the contralateral drug-injected hippocampus. However, a significant reduction in lipid peroxides, a measure of free radical formation, in the hippocampus treated with carbenoxolone, revealed that the actions of gap junctional coupling during injuries may be causally related to oxidative stress. These observations suggest that coupling in glial networks may be functionally important in determining neuronal vulnerability to oxidative injuries. [source] A Double-Blind Comparison of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) and Topiramate (TOPAMAX®) for the Prophylactic Treatment of Chronic Migraine: A Pilot StudyHEADACHE, Issue 10 2009Ninan T. Mathew MD Background., There is a need for effective prophylactic therapy for chronic migraine (CM) that has minimal side effects. Objective., To compare the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) and topiramate (TOPAMAX®, Ortho-McNeil, Titusville, NJ) prophylactic treatment in patients with CM. Methods., In this single-center, double-blind trial, patients with CM received either onabotulinumtoxinA, maximum 200 units (U) at baseline and month 3 (100 U fixed-site and 100 U follow-the-pain), plus an oral placebo, or topiramate, 4-week titration to 100 mg/day with option for additional 4-week titration to 200 mg/day, plus placebo saline injections. OnabotulinumtoxinA or placebo saline injection was administered at baseline and month 3 only, while topiramate oral treatment or oral placebo was continued through the end of the study. The primary endpoint was treatment responder rate assessed using Physician Global Assessment 9-point scale (+4 = clearance of signs and symptoms and ,4 = very marked worsening [about 100% worse]). Secondary endpoints included the change from baseline in the number of headache (HA)/migraine days per month (HA diary), and HA disability measured using Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), HA diary, Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire, and Migraine Impact Questionnaire (MIQ). The overall study duration was approximately 10.5 months, which included a 4-week screening period and a 2-week optional final safety visit. Follow-up visits for assessments occurred at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Adverse events (AEs) were documented. Results., Of 60 patients randomized to treatment (mean age, 36.8 ± 10.3 years; 90% female), 36 completed the study at the end of the 9 months of active treatment (onabotulinumtoxinA, 19/30 [63.3%]; topiramate, 17/30 [56.7%]). In the topiramate group, 7/29 (24.1%) discontinued study because of treatment-related AEs vs 2/26 (7.7%) in the onabotulinumtoxinA group. Between 68% and 83% of patients for both onabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate groups reported at least a slight (25%) improvement in migraine; response to treatment was assessed using Physician Global Assessment at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Most patients in both groups reported moderate to marked improvements at all time points. No significant between-group differences were observed, except for marked improvement at month 9 (onabotulinumtoxinA, 27.3% vs topiramate, 60.9%, P = .0234, chi-square). In both groups, HA/migraine days decreased and MIDAS and HIT-6 scores improved. Patient-reported quality of life measures assessed using MIQ after treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA paralleled those seen after treatment with topiramate in most respects. At month 9, 40.9% and 42.9% of patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate groups, respectively, reported ,50% reduction in HA/migraine days. Forty-one treatment-related AEs were reported in 18 onabotulinumtoxinA-treated patients vs 87 in 25 topiramate-treated patients, and 2.7% of patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA group and 24.1% of patients in the topiramate group reported AEs that required permanent discontinuation of study treatment. Conclusions., OnabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate demonstrated similar efficacy in the prophylactic treatment of CM. Patients receiving onabotulinumtoxinA had fewer AEs and discontinuations. [source] HIP/PAP accelerates liver regeneration and protects against acetaminophen injury in mice,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Hanh-Tu Lieu Human hepatocarcinoma-intestine-pancreas/pancreatic-associated protein HIP/PAP is a secreted C-type lectin belonging to group VII, according to Drickamer's classification. HIP/PAP is overexpressed in liver carcinoma; however, its functional role remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that HIP/PAP is a paracrine hepatic growth factor promoting both proliferation and viability of liver cells in vivo. First, a low number of implanted hepatocytes deriving from HIP/PAP-transgenic mice (<1:1,000) was sufficient to stimulate overall recipient severe combined immunodeficiency liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. After a single injection of HIP/PAP protein, the percentages of bromodeoxyuridine-positive nuclei and mitosis were statistically higher than after saline injection, indicating that HIP/PAP acts as a paracrine mitogenic growth factor for the liver. Comparison of the early events posthepatectomy in control and transgenic mice indicated that HIP/PAP accelerates the accumulation/degradation of nuclear phospho,signal transducer activator transcription factor 3 and tumor necrosis factor , level, thus reflecting that HIP/PAP accelerates liver regeneration. Second, we showed that 80% of the HIP/PAP-transgenic mice versus 25% of the control mice were protected against lethal acetaminophen-induced fulminate hepatitis. A single injection of recombinant HIP/PAP induced a similar cytoprotective effect, demonstrating the antiapoptotic effect of HIP/PAP. Comparison of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione reductase-like effects in control and transgenic liver mice indicated that HIP/PAP exerts an antioxidant activity and prevents reactive oxygen species-induced mitochondrial damage by acetaminophen overdose. In conclusion, the present data offer new insights into the biological functions of C-type lectins. In addition, HIP/PAP is a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of liver failure. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;42:618,626.) [source] Inhibition of accelerated tumor growth by blocking the recruitment of mobilized endothelial progenitor cells after chemotherapyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2009Junichi Murakami Abstract It has been suggested that immature progenitor cells mobilize from bone marrow into the peripheral blood in response to the chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. We investigated how the mobilization of immature progenitor cells affects tumor growth after chemotherapy. We found significantly increased numbers of CD34+/Flk-1+ endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of mice 1 week after the administration of 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide vs. a saline injection (0.39 ± 0.09% vs. 0.20 ± 0.10%, respectively; p < 0.05). Tumor growth in the mice given chemotherapy was almost 1.3-fold faster than that in the mice given saline (268 ± 66 mg vs. 210 ± 3 5 mg, respectively; p < 0.05). Histological examination of tumor tissue revealed significantly higher microvessel density and more Ki67-positive cells, but significantly fewer apoptotic cells, in the mice given chemotherapy than in those given saline (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we detected significantly more bone marrow-derived cells, some of which stained positively for CD34 and were localized in the vessels, in tumor tissue from the mice given chemotherapy than in that from the mice given saline. However, the transient disruption of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis by the antibody neutralization of CXCR4, which occurred over 1 week, blocked the recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells into the tumor tissue, and resulted in complete inhibition of accelerated tumor growth after chemotherapy. Our results show that chemotherapy induced the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells and accelerated tumor growth, but that transient disruption of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis could prevent accelerated tumor growth by blocking the recruitment of mobilized endothelial progenitor cells after chemotherapy. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Perception of hunger to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in anorexia nervosaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2001Yoshikatsu Nakai Abstract Objective We studied the effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on changes of hunger ratings in anorectic patients before and after cognitive-behavioral therapy. Method The subjects were 17 females with restricting anorexia nervosa at low body weight (AN-R), 6 anorectic patients whose weight was restored after cognitive-behavioral therapy (AN-T), and 11 age-matched female controls. All subjects gave hunger ratings by linear visual analog technique before and after insulin or saline injection. Results Hunger ratings increased significantly 45 min after insulin injection in control females. However, ratings paradoxically decreased after insulin injection in AN-R females. They increased slightly after insulin injection in AN-T females, but the difference was not statistically significant. One-factor analysis of variance for the peak values of hunger ratings was significant. These values in control females were significantly higher than those in AN-R and AN-T females. Discussion These results suggest that perception of hunger to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in AN patients is disturbed. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 354,357, 2001. [source] Contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography of ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas: Correlation with digital subtraction angiography findingsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 4 2004Chien-Hua Chen MD Abstract Purpose The purpose of this prospective study was to utilize contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography to evaluate the enhancement characteristics of ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas and correlate them with the tumor vascularity observed on digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Methods Twenty consecutive patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent power Doppler sonography and DSA. Tumor vascularity was assessed using unenhanced and contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography. The contrast agent Levovist was administered intravenously by bolus injection of a dose of 2.5 g at a concentration of 350 mg/mL; saline was administered immediately thereafter. The patients were asked to hold their breath for 30 seconds (for the period 15,45 seconds after saline injection) while the early phase of enhancement was studied; the delayed phase of enhancement was observed between 60 and 120 seconds after saline administration, while patients breathed gently. Results None of the 20 pancreatic carcinomas showed any color signals on power Doppler sonography before administration of the contrast medium. Seventeen (85%) of the 20 pancreatic carcinomas also showed no enhancement in the early and delayed phases of contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography. However, in the early phase of contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography; 1 lesion showed pronounced enhancement and 2 showed mild enhancement. On DSA, the 17 carcinomas showing no enhancement on power Doppler sonography were found to be hypovascular, whereas the remaining 3 carcinomas with contrast enhancement on power Doppler sonography were found to be hypervascular. Conclusions The enhancement characteristics of the ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas correlated well with the tumor vascularity observed on DSA. However, further study is needed to determine the accuracy of contrast-enhanced sonography in the diagnosis of pancreatic masses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:179,185, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20018 [source] Detection of changes in articular cartilage proteoglycan by T1, magnetic resonance imagingJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Andrew J. Wheaton Abstract The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of T1, -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantitatively measure changes in proteoglycan content in cartilage. The T1, MRI technique was implemented in an in vivo porcine animal model with rapidly induced cytokine-mediated cartilage degeneration. Six pigs were given an intra-articular injection of recombinant porcine interleukin-1, (IL-1,) into the knee joint before imaging to induce changes in cartilage via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction. The induction of MMPs by IL-1 was used since it has been extensively studied in many systems and is known to create conditions that mimic in part characteristics similar to those of osteoarthritis. The contralateral knee joint was given a saline injection to serve as an internal control. T1, -weighted MRI was performed on a 4 T whole-body clinical scanner employing a 2D fast spin-echo-based T1, imaging sequence. T1, relaxation parameter maps were computed from the T1, -weighted image series. The average T1, relaxation rate, R1, (1/T1,) of the IL-1,-treated patellae was measured to be on average 25% lower than that of saline-injected patellae indicating a loss of proteoglycan. There was an average reduction of 49% in fixed charge density, measured via sodium MRI, of the IL-1,-treated patellae relative to control corroborating the loss of proteoglycan. The effects of IL-1,, primarily loss of PG, were confirmed by histological and immunochemical findings. The results from this study demonstrate that R1, is able to track proteoglycan content in vivo. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Proopiomelanocortin Peptides Are Not Essential for Development of Ethanol-Induced Behavioral SensitizationALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2009Amanda L. Sharpe Background:, Behavioral sensitization is a result of neuroadaptation to repeated drug administration and is hypothesized to reflect an increased susceptibility to drug abuse. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) derived peptides including ,-endorphin and ,-melanocyte stimulating hormone have been implicated in development of behavioral sensitization and the reinforcing effects of alcohol and other drugs of abuse. This study used a genetically engineered mouse strain that is deficient for neural POMC to directly determine if any POMC peptides are necessary for the development of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization. Methods:, Adult female mice deficient for POMC in neurons only (Pomc,/,Tg/Tg, KO) and wildtype (Pomc+/+Tg/Tg, WT) littermates were injected once daily with either saline or ethanol (i.p.) for 12 to 13 days. On ethanol test day (day 13 or 14) all mice from both treatment groups received an i.p. injection of ethanol immediately before a 15-minute analysis of locomotor activity. Blood ethanol concentration (BEC) was measured on ethanol test day immediately following the test session. Baseline locomotor activity was measured for 15 minutes after a saline injection 2 days later in both groups. Results:, There was no significant difference in BEC between genotypes (WT = 2.11 ± 0.06; KO = 2.03 ± 0.08 mg/ml). Both WT and nPOMC-deficient mice treated repeatedly with ethanol demonstrated a significant increase in locomotor activity on test day when compared to repeated saline-treated counterparts. In addition, mice of both genotypes in the repeated saline groups showed a significant locomotor stimulant response to acute ethanol injection. Conclusions:, Central POMC peptides are not required for either the acute locomotor stimulatory effect of ethanol or the development of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization. While these peptides may modulate other ethanol-associated behaviors, they are not essential for development of behavioral sensitization. [source] Pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities in liver transplant candidatesLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 9 2002Rosmawati Mohamed Abnormal diffusing capacity is the commonest pulmonary dysfunction in liver transplant candidates, but severe hypoxemia secondary to hepatopulmonary syndrome and significant pulmonary hypertension are pulmonary vascular manifestations of cirrhosis that may affect the perioperative course. We prospectively assessed the extent of pulmonary dysfunction in patients referred for liver transplantation. A total of 57 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease were evaluated. All patients had a chest radiograph, standing arterial blood gas on room air, pulmonary function testing, and Doppler echocardiogram. Those patients with arterial hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 10 kPa) also underwent 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin lung scan, and nine patients had agitated normal saline injection during echocardiography to define further the existence of pulmonary vascular dilatation. Reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide less than 75% of the predicted value was found in 29 of 57 (51%) patients. Although elevated alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference was detected in 35% (20/57) of the patients, only four (7%) patients had hypoxemia. We were unable to find evidence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatation either on the lung scan or saline-enhanced echocardiography in any of these patients. Reduction in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was noted in 75% (18/24) of patients who were transplanted for primary biliary cirrhosis and was accompanied by widened alveolar-arterial oxygen tension in 10 out of 18 (56%) of patients. This study shows that in liver transplant candidates, diffusion impairment and widened alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference were frequently detected, especially in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. [source] Phased-Array Intracardiac Echocardiography for Guiding Transseptal Catheter Placement: Utility and Learning CurvePACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002SUSAN B. JOHNSON JOHNSON, S.B., et al.: Phased-Array Intracardiac Echocardiography for Guiding Transseptal Catheter Placement: Utility and Learning Curve. The utility of a new intracardiac 64-element, phased-array, longitudinal ultrasound imaging system for guiding transseptal catheterization was assessed during 69 crossing attempts in 45 dogs because of the inherent limitations of fluoroscopy and mechanical ultrasound. Multifrequency (7.5,8.5 MHZ) imaging of the membranous fossa ovalis, posterior left atrium, and left atrial appendage was conducted from the right atrium. Contact of the Brockenbrough needle with the interatrial septum as reflected by membranous fossa ovalis "tenting" was uniformly identified. Transseptal crossing and advancement of the dilator and sheath were adequately imaged because of deeper ultrasound tissue penetration. Transseptal catheterization was successfully accomplished in 44 of 45 dogs: on the first attempt in 40 and with additional attempts in 4 and confirmed by direct far-field imaging of nonagitated saline injection via the sheath. Total transseptal catheterization time was 3.0 ± 1.8 minutes. Unsuccessful first attempts and/or subsequent sheath pullback into the right atrium with catheter manipulation were also readily recognized. Insertion of the transseptal needle beyond the ultrasound imaging plane resulted in perforation of the posterior left atrial wall in three attempts. Accompanying effusions in these animals and three others related to subsequent intracardiac ablation catheter manipulation were readily identified and monitored echocardiographically. In conclusion, phased-array intracardiac imaging provides a highly reliable means of guiding transseptal access to the left atrium. In addition, inadvertent complications such as perforation and pericardial effusion development can be readily recognized. [source] Pre-operative forced-air warming as a method of anxiolysisANAESTHESIA, Issue 10 2009R. J. Wen Summary We tested the hypothesis that pre-operative forced-air warming is as effective for anxiolysis as intravenous midazolam, using a blinded, placebo controlled factorial design. One hundred and twenty patients were randomly assigned to cotton blanket and saline injection (n = 30), forced-air warmer and saline injection (n = 30), midazolam 30 ,g.kg,1 and cotton blanket (n = 30), and forced-air warmer and midazolam 30 ,g.kg,1 (n = 30). Patients completed visual analogue scales for anxiety and thermal comfort, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, at baseline and after 20 min. The estimated effect of midazolam on visual analogue scores for anxiety was ,10 (95% CI ,3 to ,18; p = 0.007) and on state anxiety was ,5 (95% CI ,7 to ,4; p = 0.03). Warming had no influence on visual analogue scores for anxiety (p = 0.50) or state anxiety (p = 0.33), but its estimated effect on thermal comfort was +23 (95% CI 19,27; p < 0.0001). There was no interaction between midazolam and warming. Pre-operative warming was not equivalent to midazolam for anxiolysis and cannot be recommended solely for this purpose. [source] Injections of Blood, Thrombin, and Plasminogen More Severely Damage Neonatal Mouse Brain Than Mature Mouse BrainBRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Mengzhou Xue MD The mechanism of brain cell injury associated with intracerebral hemorrhage may be in part related to proteolytic enzymes in blood, some of which are also functional in the developing brain. We hypothesized that there would be an age-dependent brain response following intracerebral injection of blood, thrombin, and plasminogen. Mice at 3 ages (neonatal, 10-day-old, and young adult) received autologous blood (15, 25, and 50 ,l respectively), thrombin (3, 5, and 10 units respectively), plasminogen (0.03, 0.05, and 0.1 units respectively) (the doses expected in same volume blood), or saline injection into lateral striatum. Forty-eight hours later they were perfusion fixed. Hematoxylin and eosin, lectin histochemistry, Fluoro-Jade, and TUNEL staining were used to quantify changes related to the hemorrhagic lesion. Damage volume, dying neurons, neutrophils, and microglial reaction were significantly greater following injections of blood, plasminogen, and thrombin compared to saline in all three ages of mice. Plasminogen and thrombin associated brain damage was greatest in neonatal mice and, in that group unlike the other 2, greater than the damage caused by whole blood. These results suggest that the neonatal brain is relatively more sensitive to proteolytic plasma enzymes than the mature brain. [source] Tolerance and safety of ocular use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO).ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009Neuroprotective effects in ocular hypertension/glaucoma Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of monthly intravitreal injections of rhEPO in a rabbit model. Methods Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: control (no injection), saline injection, or rhEPO injections of 500 U and 1000 U (N=4 per group). The right eye of each animal was injected monthly over a period of 7 months. Fundus examination and electroretinography (ERG) were performed at 1 day prior, and 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after the initial injection. After the final ERG, animals underwent fluorescein angiography and sacrifice one week later. Scotopic and photopic ERG amplitude and implicit times were analyzed by calculating a ratio between the right and the left eyes. Angiograms were graded for the presence of neovascularization or leakage. Statistical analysis was carried out using two-way ANOVA. Results Fifteen animals were used for this experiment (1 developed a traumatic cataract and was excluded). Between all groups and time points, there were no statistically significant differences in the computed right eye:left eye ratios for the scotopic or photopic ERG components (p>0.05). No evidence of neovascularization or fluorescein leakage was seen on angiography. There were no visible differences in retinal architecture or thickness in the rhEPO groups when compared to uninjected controls. Conclusion Monthly 0.1 ml intravitreal injections of rhEPO at a dose of up to 1000 U over 7 months is well-tolerated and does not cause adverse effects on retinal function, architecture, or vasculature in a rabbit model. A review of published data on rhEPO and Glaucoma will also be presented. [source] CONTINUOUS FLUOXETINE ADMINISTRATION PREVENTS RECURRENCE OF PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND PROLONGS SURVIVAL IN RATSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Shao-Ping Zhu SUMMARY 1The serotonin transporter (SERT) is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients and animal models. Inhibitors of SERT have been reported to attenuate or reverse experimental PAH, which makes them potential therapeutic options for the treatment of PAH in humans. However, little is known about pathophysiological features after reversal or attenuation of PAH; moreover, the long-term therapeutic effects of SERT inhibitors on PAH remain undetermined. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of fluoxetine on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH and associated pathophysiological changes in PAH models. 2Rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: (i) an M + F group, in which rats received a single injection of MCT (60 mg/kg, s.c.) and then after 3 weeks were given fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) once daily by gavage from Week 4 to Week 12; (ii) an M/F group, in which 3 weeks after a single MCT (60 mg/kg, s.c.) injection, rats were given fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) by daily gavage from Week 4 to Week 6 and were then given an equivalent volume of saline once daily by gavage from Week 7 to Week 12; (iii) an MCT group, in which 3 weeks after a single MCT (60 mg/kg, s.c.) injection rats were given an equivalent volume of saline by gavage from Week 4 to Week 12; and (iv) a saline group, in which rats received an equivalent volume of saline injection or gavage over the 12 week treatment period. Morphometric changes, pulmonary arterial pressure, percentage wall thickness, right ventricular hypertrophy index and SERT expression were detected at various times during the 12 week treatment period. Survival analysis was performed in each group. 3After 12 weeks treatment, it was found that even through fluoxetine treatment resulted in complete reversal of PAH, PAH recurred after fluoxetine withdrawal. In contrast, continuous administration of fluoxetine prevented the recurrence of PAH and prolonged survival. Analysis of SERT protein levels in rat lung indicated that, compared with values obtained at Week 0, SERT protein increased significantly after discontinuation of fluoxetine but continuous fluoxetine administration inhibited this increase. 4In conclusion, SERT overexpression correlates with the recurrence of PAH after withdrawal of fluoxetine in rats. Continuous fluoxetine administration prevents recurrence of PAH and prolongs survival. [source] Pain Sensation during Intradermal Injections of Three Different Botulinum Toxin Preparations in Different Doses and DilutionsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2006GOTTFRIED KRANZ MD BACKGROUND Pain sensation associated with injections of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is commonly reported. To date differences in pain sensation between the commercially available products containing BoNT have not been quantified. OBJECTIVES The pain sensations during injection of Dysport, Botox, Neurobloc, and pure saline (control) were compared. In addition, the nociceptive effect of different volumes used for the dilution of the same BoNT dose was investigated. METHODS In a prospective, double-blind, controlled trial, 10 healthy subjects were injected intradermally with Dysport (12 U), Botox (3 and 4 U), Neurobloc (150 and 300 U) reconstituted in 0.9% saline, and pure saline. Pain sensation was quantified during injections. RESULTS Neurobloc injections caused significantly more injection pain than Botox, Dysport, and saline. No significant differences between Dysport, Botox, and saline were found, although there was a trend toward less pain with pure saline injections. Higher pain levels with higher volumes could not be demonstrated significantly. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that BoNT type B injections are associated with substantial pain. There is a considerable difference between the commercially available BoNT type B compared to the two BoNT type A preparations. Therefore, considering mitigation of injection pain seems necessary when using BoNT type B. [source] Alcohol tolerance and nicotine cross-tolerance in adolescent miceADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Marcelo F. Lopez The present experiment was designed to evaluate the development of tolerance to alcohol and cross-tolerance to nicotine in adolescent mice. C57BL/6J mice (30,40 days old) were injected IP with alcohol (2.5 g/kg) for 4 consecutive days. A control group received four saline injections. On the test day, all subjects received an alcohol injection. Tolerance to alcohol's hypothermic effect was observed. Mice (male and female) exposed to alcohol for the 4 previous days showed less hypothermic response to an alcohol challenge than animals injected for 4 days with saline and then challenged with alcohol. Tolerance to alcohol's motor incoordinating effects and differences in blood alcohol concentrations were not observed. Thirty days following alcohol treatment, the same mice received a single nicotine injection (1 mg/kg) to assess cross-tolerance. Nicotine's effect on locomotor activity (open field test) and rectal temperature varied as a function of prior adolescent alcohol exposure and gender. Specifically, female mice who had been exposed to alcohol administrations were more resistant to nicotine's effect on locomotion and temperature than saline-treated animals. In summary, these data demonstrate that adolescent mice develop tolerance to some, but not all, alcohol-induced responses, and that female mice are cross-tolerant to nicotine's effects on temperature and activity. [source] Marker-assisted dissection of genetic influences on motor and neuroendocrine sensitization to cocaine in ratsGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2009L. F. Vendruscolo This study investigated genetic influences on behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to cocaine sensitization. We used male and female rats of the inbred strains Lewis (LEW) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which display genetic differences in stress-related responses. The influence of two quantitative trait loci (QTL; Ofil1 and Ofil2 on chromosomes 4 and 7), which modulate stress reactivity in rats, on the effects of cocaine was also investigated through the use of recombinant lines (derived from a LEW × SHR intercross) selected by their genotype at Ofil1 and Ofil2. Animals were given repeated cocaine or saline injections and tested for locomotion (induction of sensitization). Two weeks later, all animals were challenged with cocaine, and locomotion and corticosterone levels were measured (expression of sensitization). Results indicated that male SHR rats showed more behavioral sensitization than LEW rats, whereas no strain differences in sensitization were seen among females. When challenged with cocaine, LEW and SHR rats of both sexes pretreated with cocaine showed behavioral sensitization compared with saline pretreated animals; however, only LEW rats displayed an increase in the corticosterone levels. Ofil1 was found to influence the induction of sensitization in males and Ofil2 modulated the locomotor effect of cocaine in females. This study provides evidence of a genotype-dependent relationship between the induction and expression of cocaine sensitization, and between the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses induced by cocaine. Moreover, the Ofil1 and Ofil2 loci may contain one or more genes that control the behavioral effects of cocaine in rats. [source] A Double-Blind Comparison of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) and Topiramate (TOPAMAX®) for the Prophylactic Treatment of Chronic Migraine: A Pilot StudyHEADACHE, Issue 10 2009Ninan T. Mathew MD Background., There is a need for effective prophylactic therapy for chronic migraine (CM) that has minimal side effects. Objective., To compare the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) and topiramate (TOPAMAX®, Ortho-McNeil, Titusville, NJ) prophylactic treatment in patients with CM. Methods., In this single-center, double-blind trial, patients with CM received either onabotulinumtoxinA, maximum 200 units (U) at baseline and month 3 (100 U fixed-site and 100 U follow-the-pain), plus an oral placebo, or topiramate, 4-week titration to 100 mg/day with option for additional 4-week titration to 200 mg/day, plus placebo saline injections. OnabotulinumtoxinA or placebo saline injection was administered at baseline and month 3 only, while topiramate oral treatment or oral placebo was continued through the end of the study. The primary endpoint was treatment responder rate assessed using Physician Global Assessment 9-point scale (+4 = clearance of signs and symptoms and ,4 = very marked worsening [about 100% worse]). Secondary endpoints included the change from baseline in the number of headache (HA)/migraine days per month (HA diary), and HA disability measured using Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), HA diary, Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire, and Migraine Impact Questionnaire (MIQ). The overall study duration was approximately 10.5 months, which included a 4-week screening period and a 2-week optional final safety visit. Follow-up visits for assessments occurred at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Adverse events (AEs) were documented. Results., Of 60 patients randomized to treatment (mean age, 36.8 ± 10.3 years; 90% female), 36 completed the study at the end of the 9 months of active treatment (onabotulinumtoxinA, 19/30 [63.3%]; topiramate, 17/30 [56.7%]). In the topiramate group, 7/29 (24.1%) discontinued study because of treatment-related AEs vs 2/26 (7.7%) in the onabotulinumtoxinA group. Between 68% and 83% of patients for both onabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate groups reported at least a slight (25%) improvement in migraine; response to treatment was assessed using Physician Global Assessment at months 1, 3, 6, and 9. Most patients in both groups reported moderate to marked improvements at all time points. No significant between-group differences were observed, except for marked improvement at month 9 (onabotulinumtoxinA, 27.3% vs topiramate, 60.9%, P = .0234, chi-square). In both groups, HA/migraine days decreased and MIDAS and HIT-6 scores improved. Patient-reported quality of life measures assessed using MIQ after treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA paralleled those seen after treatment with topiramate in most respects. At month 9, 40.9% and 42.9% of patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate groups, respectively, reported ,50% reduction in HA/migraine days. Forty-one treatment-related AEs were reported in 18 onabotulinumtoxinA-treated patients vs 87 in 25 topiramate-treated patients, and 2.7% of patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA group and 24.1% of patients in the topiramate group reported AEs that required permanent discontinuation of study treatment. Conclusions., OnabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate demonstrated similar efficacy in the prophylactic treatment of CM. Patients receiving onabotulinumtoxinA had fewer AEs and discontinuations. [source] Role of the Ventromedial Hypothalamic Orexin-1 Receptors in Regulation of Gastric Acid Secretion in Conscious RatsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 3 2009A. Eliassi Orexins play an important role on the central nervous system to modulate gastric acid secretion. The orexin receptors are distributed within the hypothalamus, and expression of orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) is greatest in the anterior hypothalamus and ventromedial nucleus. Therefore, we hypothesised that ventromedial hypothalamic OX1R may be involved in the control of gastric acid secretion. To address this question, we examined the effects of orexin-A and a selective OX1R antagonist, SB-3345867, on gastric acid secretion in pyloric-ligated conscious rats. Intraventromedial injection of orexin-A (0.5,2 ,g/,l) stimulated gastric acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner. This stimulatory effect of orexin-A persisted over 3 h. In some experiments, SB-3345867 (10 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 30 min before orexin-A or saline injections. We found that i.p. injection of SB-334867 suppressed stimulated gastric acid secretion induced by orexin-A (2 ,g/,l). Atropine (5 mg/kg) also inhibited the stimulatory effect of central injection of orexin-A on acid secretion. In conclusion, the present study suggests that endogenous orexin-A acts on the ventromedial hypothalamus to stimulates acid secretion. This stimulatory effect is probably mediated through OX1R. [source] Inhibition by Lipopolysaccharide of Naloxone-Induced Luteinising Hormone Secretion Is Accompanied by Increases in Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Immunoreactivity in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Neurones in Female RatsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2005D. He Abstract We have recently reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin, inhibits steroid-induced as well as naloxone-induced luteinising hormone (LH) secretion in ovariectomised oestrogen-primed rats. In the present study, we examined whether corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) may be involved in the LPS-induced inhibition of LH secretion. Unanaesthetised rats were treated with an intravenous (i.v.) injection of LPS (10 µg) or saline, followed by an i.v. injection of naloxone (20 mg/kg). After sequential blood samples were collected for determination of serum LH concentrations, the brains were fixed and CRF-immunoreactivity was examined histochemically. In control rats receiving saline injections, only a small number of CRF-immunoreactive (ir) cells were found in the parvocellular portion of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and naloxone significantly increased serum LH concentrations within 10 min. By contrast, in LPS-treated rats, the number of CRF-ir cells was significantly greater than that in control rats, and the effect of naloxone was completely abolished. In a separate experiment, an intracerebroventricular injection of 5 µg CRF inhibited naloxone-induced LH release, mimicking the effect of LPS. These results suggest that LPS stimulates production of CRF in PVN neurones, which in turn inhibits LH secretion without opioidergic mediation. [source] Neonatal nociceptive somatic stimulation differentially modifies the activity of spinal neurons in rats and results in altered somatic and visceral sensationTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Adrian Miranda The role of intramuscular, low pH saline injections during the neonatal period in the development and maintenance of visceral hyperalgesia has not been systematically studied. We aimed to investigate alterations in visceral sensation and neural circuitry that result from noxious stimuli in early life. Neonatal male Sprague,Dawley rats received sterile saline injections of pH 4.0 or 7.4 in the gastrocnemius muscle starting at postnatal day 8. Injections were given unilaterally every other day for 12 days ending on postnatal day 20. A third group received needle prick only on the same shedule as the second group, while a fourth group was left naïve. At 2 months of age, rats underwent assessment of cutaneous and deep somatic sensitivity using von Frey filaments and gastrocnemius muscle pinch, respectively. A visceromotor response (VMR) to graded colorectal distension (CRD; 10,80 mmHg for 30 s with 180 s interstimulus intervals) was recorded. Extracellular single-unit recordings from the thoracolumbar spinal neurons (T13,L1) were performed in adult pH 4.0 injected and naïve controls. There was no difference in the threshold for response to mechanical stimulation of the paw in rats injected with pH 4.0 saline compared to all other groups. Conversely, rats treated with pH 4.0 saline showed a significant bilateral reduction in withdrawal threshold to muscle pinch as adults (P < 0.05). At colorectal distensions , 20 mmHg, an increase in the VMR was observed in the pH 4.0 injected group compared to all other groups (P < 0.05). Spinal neurons were classified as short latency abrupt (SL-A) or short latency sustained (SL-S). Spontaneous firing of SL-S (20.6 ± 2.2 impulses s,1), but not SL-A neurons (5.3 ± 0.9 impulses s,1) in the pH 4.0 treated rats was significantly higher than in control rats (SL-S, 2.6 ± 0.8 impulses s,1; SL-A, 3.1 ± 0.7 impulses s,1). The response of SL-S neurons to CRD in the pH 4.0 group was significantly higher at distension pressures , 20 mmHg. Nociceptive somatic stimulation in neonatal rats results in chronic deep somatic and visceral hyperalgesia in adulthood. Colorectal distension-sensitive SL-S neurons are primarily sensitized to neonatal somatic stimulation. [source] Cochlear Preservation After Meningitis: An Animal Model Confirmation of Adjunctive Steroid Therapy,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2006John Addison MA Abstract Objective/Hypothesis: The objective of the present study was to determine whether treating pneumococcal meningitis with a combined antibiotic and steroid regime will prevent cochlear damage, a common pneumococcal meningitis side effect. Study Design: This was a prospective animal study. Methods: Gerbils were randomly assigned to three experimental groups. Animals in group 1, the control animals, received intrathecal saline injections. Animals in groups 2 and 3 received intrathecal injections of Streptococcus pneumoniae to induce meningitis. Although group 2 solely was treated for 7 days with intraperitoneal penicillin injections (48,0000 units), group 3 received, in addition to the antibiotic for 4 days, 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal dexamethasone injections. Three months after the meningitis was induced, the animals' cochlear function was determined using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Fifteen frequencies were tested, five octaves at three steps per octave between 2 and 50 kHz. Results: ABR thresholds were significantly elevated only in group 2. When compared with group 1, ABR thresholds were 19 dB higher (P < .05). Frequencies at the low-frequency end of the hearing range were affected more than the midfrequencies. Animals that received dexamethasone had 2-dB higher thresholds than the control group (P > .05). Conclusions: Dexamethasone therapy in conjunction with antibiotic therapy preserves cochlear function in cases of S. pneumoniae meningitis in the Mongolian gerbil model. [source] Clinical Pathology Alterations in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Rats following Scorpion EnvenomationBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Hmed Ben Nasr Existing diagnostic criteria are not sufficiently specific to allow antivenin administration in the absence of a confirmed scorpion sting. This study was performed to evaluate conventional haematological and serum chemical measurements as potential indices of scorpion envenomation. Adult, cycling nulliparous and near-term primiparous, white Wistar rats received a single subcutaneous injection of crude venom (600 µg/kg) from the Buthidae scorpion (Buthus occitanus tunetanus). All envenomed rats were observed for external signs and symptoms of toxicity until necropsy, which entailed terminal blood collection at either 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 hr after venom administration (n = 6 per reproductive state per time-point) for evaluation of selected clinical chemistry and haematological analytes. Control cohorts (matched for age and reproductive state) received saline injections subcutaneously and were necropsied at 0.5 hr. Almost all envenomed rats but no control animals displayed physical symptoms of intoxication, including agitation, mastication with hypersalivation, and/or vocalizing. Reproducible alterations in clinical pathology parameters were lacking in venom-treated rats regardless of reproductive status, although modest but significant Rho correlations suggested that mild haemoconcentration, haemolysis, renal function deficits and possibly coagulation difficulties developed over time. [source] The effect of ginkgo biloba on the rat retinal ganglion cell survival in the optic nerve crush modelACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 5 2010Ke Ma Abstract. Purpose:, To investigate the effect of ginkgo biloba on the retinal ganglion cell survival in a rat optic nerve crush model. Methods:, Twenty-four Sprague,Dawley rats were divided randomly into a study group of 12 animals receiving intraperitoneal injections of ginkgo biloba and a control group of 12 animals receiving intraperitoneal saline injections. All injections were performed 1 hr before the optic nerve crush and daily afterwards. For each animal, the right optic nerve was crushed closely behind the globe for 60 seconds using a microclip with 40 g power. The left optic nerve was kept intact. At 23 days after the optic nerve crush, the retinal ganglion cells were labelled retrogradely by injecting 3% fluorogold into both sides of the superior colliculus of the brain. At 4 weeks after the optic nerve crush, the animals were killed. Photographs taken from retinal flat mounts were assessed for the number and density of the retinal ganglion cells. Results:, The survival rate, defined as the ratio of the retinal ganglion cell density in the right eye with the optic nerve crush divided by the retinal ganglion cell density in left eye without an optic nerve trauma, was significantly (p = 0.035) higher in the study group with ginkgo biloba than in the control group (60.0 ± 6.0% versus 53.5 ± 8.0%). Conclusion:, The results suggest that intraperitoneal injections of a ginkgo biloba extract given prior to and daily after an experimental and standardized optic nerve crush in rats were associated with a higher survival rate of retinal ganglion cells. [source] |