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Sap
Kinds of Sap Terms modified by Sap Selected AbstractsEffects of phlebotomy on haemodynamic characteristics during exercise in Standardbred trotters with red cell hypervolaemiaEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2001P. FUNKQUIST Summary Five Standardbred trotters with red cell hypervolaemia (RCHV) were compared before and after removal of approximately 22% (36 ml/kg bwt) of the total blood volume in order to evaluate the haemodynamic responses, haemorheological alterations and oxygen transport during exercise to fatigue. Data were recorded during submaximal exercise at 4 different speeds on a treadmill and then during continued running at the highest speed step until fatigue. Oxygen uptake (V,O2), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), systemic artery pressure (SAP), heart rate (HR), haematocrit and haemoglobin concentrations (Hb) were measured. Arteriovenous O2 content difference (C(a-v,)O2), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and total systemic resistance (TSR) were calculated. Whole blood and plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation tendency were determined with a rotational viscometer. Endoscopy was performed after exercise. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Phlebotomy resulted in a decrease in haematocrit and Hb during the course of exercise. Blood and plasma viscosity were lower and erythrocyte aggregation tendency was higher after phlebotomy. Throughout exercise, including submaximal work and continued running to fatigue, PAP, SAP, PVR, TSR and C(a-v,)O2 were lower after phlebotomy. HR was higher after phlebotomy during submaximal exercise. Oxygen delivery and VO2 were lower after phlebotomy in the period from submaximal exercise to fatigue. Run time to fatigue was shorter after phlebotomy. Four horses showed exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) before phlebotomy and the degree of bleeding was diminished but not abolished after phlebotomy. The reductions in PVR, TSR, PAP and SAP after phlebotomy were probably a result of reduced blood viscosity. In conclusion, although a 22% reduction in blood volume improved the haemodynamic and haemorheological parameters and the degree of EIPH, it was found that RCHV trotters have to rely on high oxygen delivery to the working muscles for maintenance of maximal performance. [source] Modulation of 2B4 (CD244) activity and regulated SAP expression in human NK cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Johanna Endt Abstract The adapter protein SAP is important for the signal transduction of the family of SLAM-related receptors (SRR), which have important immune-modulating functions. The importance of SAP and SRR for a functional immune reaction becomes obvious in patients suffering from X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, which is characterized by non-functional SAP. Here we investigate the regulation of SAP expression in human NK cells. We demonstrate that SAP mRNA expression and protein levels are low in freshly isolated resting NK cells. IL-2 stimulation leads to an up-regulation of SAP expression, which can be enhanced by IL-12, the stimulation of TLR3 by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))and to a lesser extent by IFN-,. EAT-2, a SAP-related adapter protein, is already detectable in resting NK cells and does not change its expression after IL-2 stimulation. The regulation of SAP has functional consequences for the stimulation of NK cell cytotoxicity by 2B4. In resting NK cells, 2B4 stimulation can only enhance NK cell lysis when co-triggered with other activating NK cell receptors. In IL-2-activated NK cells with high SAP expression the triggering of 2B4 alone is sufficient to induce NK cell cytotoxicity, demonstrating a correlation between the regulated SAP expression and the function of 2B4. [source] Mini-review SAP: a molecular switch regulating the immune response through a unique signaling mechanismEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2003André Veillette Abstract No Abstracts [source] Molecular and cellular pathogenesis of X-linked lymphoproliferative diseaseIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2005Kim E. Nichols Summary:, X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an inherited immune defect caused by mutations in the Src homology 2 domain-containing gene 1A, which encodes the adapter protein, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP). SAP is expressed in T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and NKT cells, where it binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the surface receptor SLAM (CD150) and the related receptors, 2B4 (CD244), CD84, Ly9 (CD229), NK-T-B-antigen, and CD2-like receptor-activating cytotoxic T cells. SAP also binds to the Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn and recruits it to SLAM, which leads to the generation of downstream phosphotyrosine signals. While the roles of the SLAM family receptors are only beginning to be understood, experiments suggest that these molecules regulate important aspects of lymphocyte function, such as proliferation, cytokine secretion, cytotoxicity, and antibody production. Thus, in XLP patients who lack functional SAP, the SLAM family receptors may not signal properly. This property likely contributes to the phenotypes of XLP, including fulminant infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Further studies of SAP and the SLAM family receptors will provide insights into XLP and elucidate the signaling events regulating lymphocyte ontogeny and function. [source] Role of 2B4-mediated signals in the pathogenesis of a murine hepatitis model independent of Fas and V,14 NKT cellsIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1pt2 2009Hiroshi Furukawa Summary Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis is a T-cell-mediated murine experimental model of autoimmune hepatitis. Mice lacking V,14 NKT cells were found to be less sensitive to this hepatitis and the MRL/Mp- Faslpr/lpr (MRL/lpr; i.e. Fas deficient) mice were also less sensitive. We report herein that MRL/Mp- Faslpr/lpr - Saprpl/, (MRL/lpr/rpl) mice lack V,14 NKT cells and are deficient in the Fas antigen but sensitive to Con A-induced hepatitis. The signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP) is an adaptor molecule containing a Src homology 2 (SH2) domain. We previously reported new mutant mice found among MRL/lpr mice and revealed that SAP deficiency led to the regression of autoimmune phenotypes in mutant MRL/lpr/rpl mice. It was also revealed that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were effector cells and that blockade of 2B4, one of the SLAM family receptors, inhibited the induction of hepatitis in MRL/lpr/rpl mice. These data suggest that signals mediated by molecules other than SAP from 2B4 in T cells played important roles in the induction of hepatitis in MRL/lpr/rpl mice. [source] Prospering in a transition economy through information technology-supported organizational learningINFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007Marius Janson Abstract., This paper presents the findings of a longitudinal study of the Slovenian company Sava during its 1995,2004 transition period when it adapted to and prospered in a free market economy. The company is particularly interesting because of its successful transition from a socialist company operating in a protected market to a privatized company operating in a capitalist global market, as well as the pivotal role of information technology (IT)-supported organizational learning that brought about radical change and successful transition. Our investigation of Sava's experiences demonstrates how the company's increasing attention to organizational learning, integration of working and learning, and its constant innovation of products and processes created new needs for IT support that motivated the adoption of new IT systems (such as Lotus Notes, document management systems, SAP), which in turn increased Sava's capacity to learn. Furthermore, our study reveals how the role of IT systems in organizational learning depends on the nature of learning (single-loop, double-loop or triple-loop learning) and the organizational level at which learning takes place (individual, group/department or organization). By providing insight into the emergence of distinct types of IT-supported learning and their vital role in Sava's successful transition, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between IT and organizational learning that is relevant and inspiring to other companies, especially those operating in transition economies. [source] Abdominal compartment syndrome: a new indication for operative intervention in severe acute pancreatitisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2005K. Wong Summary The current management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is maximal conservative therapy within an intensive care environment. The only commonly accepted indication for operative intervention is the presence of infected pancreatic necrosis. We present a case wherein a laparotomy performed for treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) arising in the setting of SAP in the absence of pancreatic necrosis prevented early mortality and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of ACS as a new indication for operative intervention in SAP. [source] Screening for personality disorder: a comparison of personality disorder assessment by patients and informantsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Dr Paul Walters Abstract The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SCID-II Version 2.0) is becoming the most favoured instrument to measure personality disorder but takes up to an hour to complete. The Standardized Assessment of Personality (SAP), an informant-based measure, takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Both instruments have been validated independently. This study aimed to determine whether the SAP is a suitable screening instrument for personality disorder as measured by the SCID-II. Fifty-seven psychiatric patients were assessed for personality disorder using both the SAP and the SCID-II. The SAP assessments were conducted blind to the results of the SCID-II assessments. Agreement between the two instruments in this population was low (kappa = 0.3). The level of agreement differed between personality disorder categories, ranging from kappa = 0.4 (antisocial) to ,0.1 (narcissistic). In this population of patients, the SAP proved to be a poor screen for the SCID-II. The study highlights the discrepancy between informant and self-report assessments for personality disorder. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Captan: Transition from ,B2' to ,not likely'.JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2007How pesticide registrants affected the EPA Cancer Classification Update Abstract On 24 November 2004 EPA changed the cancer classification of captan from a ,probable human carcinogen' (Category B2) to ,not likely' when used according to label directions. The new cancer classification considers captan to be a potential carcinogen at prolonged high doses that cause cytotoxicity and regenerative cell hyperplasia. These high doses of captan are many orders of magnitude above those likely to be consumed in the diet, or encountered by individuals in occupational or residential settings. This revised cancer classification reflects EPA's implementation of their new cancer guidelines. The procedures involved in the reclassification effort were agreed upon with EPA and involved an Independent Transparent Review as it related to four components that formed the basis of the original 1986 B2 classification: mouse tumors; rat tumors; mutagenicity; and structural similarity to other carcinogens. A Peer Review Panel organized and administered by Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment (TERA) met on 2,3 September 2003. The Panel concluded that captan acted through a non-mutagenic threshold mode of action that required prolonged irritation of the duodenal villi as the initial key event. EPA's Cancer Assessment Review Committee (CARC) met on 9 June 2004 and endorsed the Peer Review findings. EPA intended to have the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) consider the basis for this reclassification but found the science was robust and judged that a SAP review was not warranted. Using the revised classification, the margin of exposure is approximately 1,200,000, supporting the ,not likely' characterization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] In GERD patients, mucosal repair associated genes are upregulated in non-inflamed oesophageal epitheliumJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009D. R. De Vries Abstract Previous studies addressing the effects of acid reflux and PPI therapy on gene expression in oesophageal epithelium concentrated on inflamed tissue. We aimed to determine changes in gene expression in non-inflamed oesophageal epithelium of GERD patients. Therefore, we included 20 GERD patients with pathological total 24-hr acid exposure of 6,12% and SAP , 95%. Ten patients discontinued PPI treatment (PPI-), 10 took pantoprazole 40 mg bid (PPI+). Ten age/sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Biopsies were taken from non-inflamed mucosa 6 cm and 16 cm proximal to the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). Gene expression profiling of biopsies from 6 cm was performed on Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays (Affymetrix). Genes exhibiting a fold change >1.4 (t-test P -value < 1E, 4) were considered differentially expressed. Results were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. In PPI- patients, 92 microarray probesets were deregulated. The majority of the corresponding genes were associated with cell,cell contacts, cytoskeletal reorganization and cellular motility, suggesting facilitation of a migratory phenotype. Genes encoding proteins with anti-apoptotic or anti-proliferative functions or stress-protective functions were also deregulated. No probesets were deregulated in PPI+ patients. QPCR analysis of 20 selected genes confirmed most of the deregulations in PPI- patients, and showed several deregulated genes in PPI+ patients as well. In the biopsies taken at 16 cm QPCR revealed no deregulations of the selected genes. We conclude that upon acid exposure, oesophageal epithelial cells activate a process globally known as epithelial restitution: up-regulation of anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and migration associated genes. Possibly this process helps maintaining barrier function. [source] Candida albicans aggravates duodenal ulcer perforation induced by administration of cysteamine in ratsJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Tetsuya Nakamura Abstract Background:,Candida sp are frequently isolated from the ascitic fluid of patients with perforated ulcers. The present study was performed to examine whether Candida infection may be involved in the process of ulcer perforation. Methods:, Male Wistar rats were divided into a saline group (n = 15) and a Candida group (n = 17). Cysteamine-HCl (Sigma; 31 mg/100 g) was administered thrice on day 1 to both groups of animals. Candida albicans at a density of 108 in 0.5 mL of saline was administered 1 h before, and 12 h and 24 h after the first administration of cysteamine in the Candida group. Results:, Perforated duodenal ulcers were observed in 94.1% of the rats in the Candida group, but only 26.7% of the rats in the saline group (P < 0.01). The area of the duodenal ulcers in the Candida group was 40.89 ± 33.07 mm2, whereas that in the saline group was 16.53 ± 20.4 mm2 (P < 0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the Candida group than in the saline group. In the Candida group, colonization by C. albicans was recognized at the ulcer base, surrounded by marked granulocytic infiltration. The number of eosinophils infiltrating the ulcer base was also significantly greater in the Candida group than in the saline group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the expression of secretory aspartyl protease (SAP) in the region of the ulcer showing colonization by C. albicans in the Candida group. Conclusion:,Candida albicans aggravates duodenal ulcer perforation in the experimental model of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer perforation. The present findings suggest that SAP and host,parasite relationships, including granulocyte-dependent mechanisms, may be involved in the aggravation of ulcer perforation by C. albicans. [source] Increased arterial pressure is not predictive of haemodynamic instability in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytomaACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2009C. LENTSCHENER Background: Pre-operative hypotensive drugs are assumed to have dramatically decreased operative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing phaeochromocytoma removal only in non-controlled studies. We evaluated the predictive value of pre-operative high systolic arterial pressure (SAP) on intra- and post-operative haemodynamic instability, in 96 patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma. Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma. Pre-operative SAP was not systematically normalised, provided that increased SAP was clinically tolerated. Intravenous nicardipine, esmolol and norepinephrine were intraoperatively titrated to treat SAP increase >150 mmHg, tachycardia >90,110/min, arrhythmia or SAP decrease under 90 mmHg, respectively. Volume expanders were not systematically administered. Patients with increased and normal pre-operative SAP were compared with respect to (a) nicardipine, esmolol and norepinephrine requirement, (b) highest intraoperative SAP and heat rate, (c) lowest intraoperative SAP, (d) duration of surgery and (e) norepinephrine requirement following tumour removal. Results: Groups did not differ significantly with respect to data defined as being indicative of perioperative haemodynamic instability (all P values>0.05). Discussion: As previously demonstrated, in patients undergoing phaeochromocytoma removal, perioperative haemodynamic changes are mainly due to catecholamine release during tumour manipulation, and to the decrease in catecholamine level following tumour removal. Whether pre-operative hypotensive drugs are likely to alter these changes remains questionable. Conclusion: For most patients scheduled for laparoscopic phaeochromocytoma removal, surgery can be carried out without systematic pre-operative arterial pressure normalisation. [source] Alpha2 macroglobulin elevation without an acute phase response in depressed adults with Down's syndrome: implications,JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2000J. A. Tsiouris Abstract Studies of immune function during depression in persons without intellectual disability (ID) have revealed elevated levels of ,2 macroglobulin (,2M) and an acute phase protein (APP) response. Clinical observation suggests that people with Down's syndrome (DS) may have associated genetic abnormalities in their immune systems. The APP response and ,2M changes in depressed versus non-depressed adults with DS was the subject of the present study. The serum pan-proteinase inhibitor ,2M, and the AP proteins c-reactive protein (CRP), ,1 antitrypsin (,1AT), ceruloplasmin (Cp), ,2 Macroglobulin (,2M), transthyretin (Trans), serum amyloid protein (SAP), and albumin (Alb) were measured in 38 adults with DS, 19 of whom were diagnosed with and 19 without depression using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The DSM-IV criteria were used for diagnoses. Medical and neurological examinations excluded medical disorders associated with APP response. Only ,2M and CRP were significantly different in the depressed versus non-depressed groups. The ,2M was higher, a response similar to one observed in depressed people without ID, but the CRP was lower in the depressed group, especially in those subjects not on psychotropic medications, contrary to the expected APP response to depression. The results suggest that ,2M elevation in depressed adults with DS is independent of the APP response. An alternative explanation for its elevation is proposed linking the core symptom of depression with the mammalian dormancy/hibernation process. Further studies are needed to confirm that ,2M elevation is specific to depression and that it might provide a helpful marker for the diagnosis of depression in people with ID. [source] Complement component C1q inhibits ,-amyloid- and serum amyloid P-induced neurotoxicity via caspase- and calpain-independent mechanismsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008Karntipa Pisalyaput Abstract Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss, ,-amyloid (A,) plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Complement protein C1q has been found associated with fibrillar A, deposits, however the exact contributions of C1q to Alzheimer's disease is still unknown. There is evidence that C1q, as an initiator of the inflammatory complement cascade, may accelerate disease progression. However, neuronal C1q synthesis is induced after injury/infection suggesting that it may be a beneficial response to injury. In this study, we report that C1q enhances the viability of neurons in culture and protects neurons against A,- and serum amyloid P (SAP)-induced neurotoxicity. Investigation of potential signaling pathways indicates that caspase and calpain are activated by A,, but C1q had no effect on either of these pathways. Interestingly, SAP did not induce caspase and calpain activation, suggesting that C1q neuroprotection is in distinct from caspase and calpain pathways. In contrast to A,- and SAP-induced neurotoxicity, neurotoxicity induced by etoposide or FCCP was unaffected by the addition of C1q, indicating pathway selectivity for C1q neuroprotection. These data support a neuroprotective role for C1q which should be further investigated to uncover mechanisms which may be therapeutically targeted to slow neurodegeneration via direct inhibition of neuronal loss. [source] Differential distribution of voltage-gated potassium channels Kv 1.1,Kv1.6 in the rat retina during developmentJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007M. Höltje Abstract The discharge behavior of neurons depends on a variable expression and sorting pattern of voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channels that changes during development. The rodent retina represents a neuronal network whose main functions develop after birth. To obtain information about neuronal maturation we analyzed the expression of subunits of the Kv1 subfamily in the rat retina during postnatal development using immunocytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. At postnatal day 5 (P5) all the ,-subunits of Kv1.1,Kv1.6 channels were found to be expressed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), most of them already at P1 or P3. Their expression upregulates postnatally and the pattern and distribution change in an isoform-specific manner. Additionally Kv1 channels are found in the outer and inner plexiform layer (OPL, IPL) and in the inner nuclear layer (INL) at different postnatal stages. In adult retina the Kv 1.3 channel localizes to the inner and outer segments of cones. In contrast, Kv1.4 is highly expressed in the outer retina at P8. In adult retina Kv1.4 occurs in rod inner segments (RIS) near the connecting cilium where it colocalizes with synapse associated protein SAP 97. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy we showed a differential localization of Kv1.1-1.6 to cholinergic amacrine and rod bipolar cells of the INL of the adult retina. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Anxiety and Sensitivity to Ethanol and Pentobarbital in Alcohol Withdrawal Seizure-Prone and Withdrawal Seizure-Resistant MiceALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2000Alison L. Atkins Background: Withdrawal Seizure-Prone (WSP) and Withdrawal Seizure-Resistant (WSR) mice were selectively bred for high and low handling-induced convulsions, respectively, after chronic ethanol treatment. Withdrawal severity is one factor that may contribute to the development of alcoholism and/or substance abuse, and anxiety is another. We sought to explore whether these factors are genetically related. Methods: WSP and WSR mice of two replicate pairs of selected lines were tested for anxiety-related behaviors on the canopy stretched-attend-posture apparatus 20 min after intraperitoneal injection of ethanol (2 g/kg, 20% v/v), pentobarbital (20 mg/kg), or an equivalent volume of saline. Dependent measures of anxiety included number of stretched attend postures (SAP) and time spent in the exposed area of the apparatus. Number of line crossings, which measures overall activity, was also scored. Results: WSP mice given saline exhibited more SAP than WSR mice given saline, which indicated greater baseline anxiety. Ethanol and pentobarbital both reduced SAP and increased time spent in the exposed area of the apparatus, which indicated that both drugs exerted an anxiolytic effect. Despite baseline differences in SAP between selected lines, both anxiolytic drugs reduced SAP to similar levels in WSP and WSR mice. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that WSP mice are more sensitive than WSR mice to the anxiety-reducing effects of ethanol and pentobarbital. Some genes that influence this difference are likely to be the same as those that influence ethanol withdrawal severity. Thus, higher basal anxiety and greater genetic sensitivity to anxiolytic drug effects may relate to a greater genetic predisposition to the development of severe alcohol withdrawal signs. [source] ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN DIABETIC PATIENTSJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2000B. Lanzillo We studied 476 patients affected by diabetes: 166 male (mean age 61.6 ± 10 years, range 27,91) and 310 female (mean age 61.5 ± 8.4 years, range 25,82). Mean disease duration was 11.3 ± 7.6 years, range 0.3,37). All patients underwent surface motor and sensory nerve conduction along median, popliteal, and sural nerve. Results. Median nerve: in 3.1% of subjects sensory action potentials (SAP) was absent; sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) was reduced in 41.8% in distal segment and in 27.5% in the proximal segment. Motor nerve conduction (MNCV) was reduced in 29.9% of the subjects. Sural nerve: SAP was absent in 24.4% and SNCV was reduced in 32.7%. Popliteal nerve: MNCV was abnormal in 30.4% of the subjects. Combining electrophysiological data we observed that: 1. 28.6% of the subjects resulted normal 2. 12.8% were affected by a lower limbs sensory neuropathy 3. 0.2% had a lower limbs motor neuropathy 4. 5.9% had a lower limbs sensory-motor neuropathy 5. 6.1% had a diffused sensory neuropathy 6. 30.2% had a diffused sensory-motor neuropathy 7. 16.2% had a carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients were divided in 2 groups: patients with and patients without neuropahy: the latter showed a significantly shorter disease duration (12.7 ± 8.1 vs 9.0 ± 6.3; p < 0.0001). In addition, we observed a significant correlation between disease duration and distal latency, median and popliteal MNCV, and SNCV in median and sural nerve (Regression test; p < 0.0001). Patients on insulin showed a longer disease duration and more severe electrophysiological abnormalities. [source] Cardiovascular effects of desflurane following acute hemorrhage in dogsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 1 2003Paulo S.P. Santos DVM Abstract Objective: To determine the cardiovascular effects of desflurane in dogs following acute hemorrhage. Design: Experimental study. Animals: Eight mix breed dogs. Interventions: Hemorrhage was induced by withdrawal of blood until mean arterial pressure (MAP) dropped to 60 mmHg in conscious dogs. Blood pressure was maintained at 60 mmHg for 1 hour by further removal or replacement of blood. Desflurane was delivered by facemask until endotracheal intubation could be performed and a desflurane expiratory end-tidal concentration of 10.5 V% was maintained. Measurements and main results: Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP, DAP and MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2), and arterial pH were recorded before and 60 minutes after hemorrhage, and 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after intubation. Sixty minutes after hemorrhage, SAP, DAP, MAP, CVP, CO, CI, SV, PaCO2, and arterial pH decreased, and HR and RR increased when compared with baselines values. Immediately after intubation, MAP and arterial pH decreased, and PaCO2 increased. Fifteen minutes after intubation SAP, DAP, MAP, arterial pH, and SVR decreased. At 30 and 45 minutes, MAP and DAP remained decreased and PaCO2 increased, compared with values measured after hemorrhage. Arterial pH increased after 30 minutes of desflurane administration compared with values measured 5 minutes after intubation. Conclusions: Desflurane induced significant changes in blood pressure and arterial pH when administered to dogs following acute hemorrhage. [source] Management of customer and project knowledge: solutions and experience at SAPKNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 2 2001Dieter Blessing The following article describes how project knowledge can contribute to an improved relationship with the customer, looking at two related projects at the software company SAP. The first project focuses on the global utilization of project information and an early reaction to possible project risk escalations. The emphasis of the second project is on gaining previously undocumented knowledge from project experience, making it accessible to employees through role-specific portals and subsequently to customers and partners. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Improved diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with unexplained chronic coughALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2007K. BLONDEAU Summary Background Symptoms, oesophageal pHmetry and proton pump inhibitor treatment are used for diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux-related cough. Weakly acidic reflux is now increasingly associated with reflux symptoms such as regurgitation or chest pain. Aim To study the association between weakly acidic reflux and cough in a selected, large group of patients with unexplained chronic cough. Methods A total of 100 patients with chronic cough (77 ,off' and 23 ,on' a proton pump inhibitor) were studied using impedance-pHmetry for reflux detection and manometry for objective cough monitoring. Symptom Association Probability (SAP) Analysis characterized the reflux,cough association. Results Acid reflux could be a potential mechanism for cough in 45 patients (with either heartburn, high acid exposure or +SAP for acid reflux). Weakly acidic reflux could be a potential mechanism for cough in 24 patients (with either increased oesophageal volume exposure, increased number of weakly acidic reflux or +SAP for weakly acidic reflux). Reflux could not be identified as a potential mechanism for cough in 31 patients. Conclusion A positive association between cough and weakly acidic reflux was found in a significant subgroup of patients with unexplained chronic cough. Impedance-pH-manometry identified patients in whom cough can be related to reflux that would have been disregarded using the standard diagnostic criteria for acid reflux. [source] Single-dose dexmedetomidine attenuates airway and circulatory reflexes during extubationACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 8 2005G. Guler Background:, The alpha agonist dexmedetomidine, a sedative and analgesic, reduces heart rate and blood pressure dose-dependently. We investigated whether it also has the ability to attenuate airway and circulatory reflexes during emergence from anaesthesia. Methods:, Sixty ASA I,III patients received a standard anaesthetic. Five minutes before the end of surgery, they were randomly allocated to receive either dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg (Group D) (n = 30) or saline placebo (Group P) (n = 30) intravenously (i.v.) over 60 s in a double-blind design. The blinded anaesthetist awoke all the patients, and the number of coughs per patient was continuously monitored for 15 min after extubation; coughing was evaluated on a 4-point scale. Any laryngospasm, bronchospasm or desaturation was recorded. Heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SAP, DAP) were measured before, during and after tracheal extubation. The time from tracheal extubation and emergence from anaesthesia were recorded. Results:, Median coughing scores were 1 (1,3) in Group D and 2 (1,4) in Group P (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between the groups in the incidence of breath holding or desaturation. HR, SAP and DAP increased at extubation in both groups (P < 0.05), but the increase was less significant with dexmedetomidine. The time from tracheal extubation and emergence from anaesthesia were similar in both groups. Conclusion:, These findings suggest that a single-dose bolus injection of dexmedetomidine before tracheal extubation attenuates airway-circulatory reflexes during extubation. [source] Monitoring of end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure changes during infrarenal aortic cross-clamping: a non-invasive method to predict unclamping hypotensionACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2001G. Boccara Background: To assess the variations in end-tidal CO2 in response to aortic cross-clamping and the relationship with systolic arterial pressure (SAP) changes induced by unclamping. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing infrarenal aortic abdominal aneurysm repair by aorto-aortic prothetic bypass were prospectively studied. All patients were anesthetized with iv midazolam (0.05 mg · kg,1), thiopentone (3,5 mg · kg,1), fentanyl (5 ,g · kg,1), pancuronium (0.1 mg · kg,1) and the maintainance of anesthesia used was 1,1.5% end-tidal isoflurane and iv fentanyl. The perioperative management was standardized. End-tidal CO2 and SAP were measured 5 min before (Pre-XAA), 15 min after infrarenal aortic cross-clamping (XAA), 5 min before (Pre-UXAA) and immediately after unclamping (UXAA). Results: A total of 16 (48.5%) from 33 patients presented decrease in SAP following aortic unclamping, and 13 out of these patients had arterial hypotension defined as SAP <90 mmHg. End-tidal CO2 variation (PreXAA,PreUXAA) induced by aortic clamping was correlated with SAP variation (PreUXAA,UXAA) induced by unclamping (r=0.763; P=0.0001). An end-tidal CO2 reduction above 15% after aortic cross-clamping was found to have a 100% sensitivity to detect a SAP decrease greater than 20% after unclamping, with a 100% specificity and a negative predictive value of 1.0. Complete aortic occlusion duration was not correlated to SAP unclamping variation (,SAP). Intraoperative characteristics (fluid loading, hematocrits, urinary output) were comparable, although blood loss was higher in patients experiencing ,SAP>20%. Conclusions: End-tidal CO2 variation monitoring during aortic cross-clamping may provide a reliable and non-invasive method to predict unclamping hypotension. When the aortic clamp was released, systolic hypotension (>20%) occurred in those subjects who had a decrease in end-tidal CO2 greater than 15% during aortic cross-clamping. [source] IL-1,, IL-1ra and IL-8 are differentially induced by Candida in experimental oral candidiasisORAL DISEASES, Issue 4 2007JAMS Jayatilake Objective:, To investigate the expression of interleukin-1, (IL-1,), IL-1ra and IL-8 by the oral epithelium challenged by various Candida species. Materials and methods:,In vitro candidiasis was induced by C. albicans wild type SC5314, its EFG1, CPH1 and secretory aspartyl proteinase (SAP) mutants and, ATCC isolates of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. dubliniensis using a reconstituted human oral epithelium (RHOE) model. IL-1,, IL-1ra and IL-8 levels in culture media were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 12, 24 and 48 h. Fungal invasion and IL-1ra expression in RHOE were detected by periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemistry. Results:, Overall, the invasive Candida induced relatively higher levels of IL-1,, IL-1ra and IL-8 in the culture media than the noninvasive isolates. IL-1, and IL-1ra levels induced by Candida with hyphal invasion were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those induced by the isolates without hyphal invasion at 12, 24 and 48 h. Candida albicans SC5314 induced IL-1ra expression in RHOE at 12 and 24 h but not at 48 h consistent with its hyphal invasion; while the noninvasive mutants and non- albicans Candida induced IL-1ra expression at 48 h. Conclusions:, The cytokine expression profiles in experimental oral candidiasis may be associated with the invasive potential of Candida. [source] Secondary bacterial infection in plasma endotoxin levels and the acute-phase response of mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei bruceiPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2009R. NGURE Summary Murine Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection leads to elevated plasma endotoxin-like activity levels not related to parasitaemia levels accompanied by the development of acute-phase response and increased plasma levels of serum amyloid P (SAP) and haptoglobin (Hp). To determine the source of the endotoxin-like activity and role of secondary bacterial infection in the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis, infected mice were treated with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Plasma endotoxin-like activity levels, irrespective of treatment, were elevated three- to fourfold, beginning 7 days after infection. Plasma protein concentrations increased markedly following infection from 7 days after infection (DAI). Peak Hp and SAP concentrations in ciprofloxacin-treated and -untreated infected mice were attained 7 and 14 DAI, respectively. Thereafter, both protein levels gradually declined until the end of the experiment, but Hp levels for non-treated mice declined up to 21 DAI and thereafter significantly increased on 28 and 35 DAI. Whole-trypanosome lysate and the membrane-enriched fraction demonstrated endotoxin-like activity, with the former having higher levels. The results suggest that the endotoxin-like activity in trypanosome fractions and plasma of infected mice is due to the trypanosome. Further elevation of haptoglobin during the late stages of infection in non-treated mice suggests the involvement of secondary bacterial infection. [source] The Chinese herbal preparation Qing Yi Tang (QYT) improves intestinal myoelectrical activity and Increases intestinal transit during acute pancreatitis in RodentsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2007Yong-Yu Li Abstract The aim was to investigate alterations of intestinal motility in models of acute pancreatitis and to investigate the effects of the Chinese herbal preparation Qing Yi Tang (QYT) on these alterations. Upper gastrointestinal transit was evaluated in mice following induction of mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) using caerulein. Myoelectrical activity was recorded in rats after induction of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) using sodium deoxycholate (SDOC). The contractility of jejunum segments was evaluated in the presence of SDOC, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and trypsin. QYT accelerated the transit in MAP mice in a concentration dependent manner. Slow wave activity of smooth muscle in rat stomach and jejunum remained unchanged following SAP, but the spiking activity was significantly decreased, with bursts of 7.2 ± 2.6/10 min compared with 47.9 ± 13.2/10 min without SAP (p < 0.01). QYT reversed this decrease. Additionally, the amplitudes of slow waves and spikes were enhanced by QYT in SAP rats. The tension and amplitude of spontaneous contractile activity was reduced by SDOC and LPS and increased by trypsin. Gastrointestinal (GI) transit is altered by SAP but not by MAP. The Chinese herbal preparation QYT improves disturbed motility in AP by stimulating myoelectrical activity and accelerating GI transit. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Trends in the management of severe acute pancreatitis: interventions and outcomeANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2004Richard Flint Background: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex and challenging problem. The aim of the present study was to identify trends in management of SAP patients admitted to a tertiary level ICU, and to relate these to changes in interventions and outcome. Methods: Patients admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine (DCCM), Auckland Public Hospital with SAP from 1988 to 2001 (inclusive) were identified from the DCCM prospective database, and data were extracted from several sources. Results: One hundred and twelve patients (men 69, women 43, mean age (±SD) 57.3 years ± 14.3) were admitted with SAP to DCCM in the 13-year period. Aetiology was gallstones (42%), alcohol (29%), or idiopathic (29%). At admission to DCCM the median duration of symptoms was 7 days (range 1,100) and the mean (±SD) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 19.9 ± 8.2. Ninety-nine patients (88%) had respiratory failure and 79 (71%) had circulatory failure. The number of necrosectomies peaked between 1991 and 1995 (17/35 patients (49%) compared to 4/22 (18%) prior 1991; ,2 = 6.90, P = 0.032). Abdominal decompression, enteral nutrition, percutaneous tracheostomy, and the use of stents in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were introduced over the study period. The length of stay in DCCM did not alter (median 4 days, range 1,60) but there was a reduction in the length of hospital stay (median 36 days to 15 days; anova= 6.16, P = 0.046). The overall mortality was 31% (35/112) and did not alter over the study period. Conclusions: SAP remains a formidable disease with a high mortality despite a number of changes in intensive care and surgical management. [source] Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity as a dynamic measure of cardiac anticholinergic drug effectAUTONOMIC & AUTACOID PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2001J. Penttilä 1,In this study, the analysis of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was applied to the dynamic assessment of cardiac anticholinergic drug effect in healthy male volunteers. 2,The anticholinergic effects of single intravenous (i.v.) injections of atropine (10 ,g kg,1), glycopyrrolate (5 ,g kg,1) and scopolamine (5 ,g kg,1), as well as a 2-h infusion of glycopyrrolate (5 ,g kg,1 h,1) were investigated. Baroreflex sensitivity, a validated measure of cardiac parasympathetic reflex regulation, was repeatedly measured from 5-min recordings of electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous blood pressure by using the sequence technique, a method based on detection of spontaneous fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate. 3,Single injections of atropine, glycopyrrolate and scopolamine decreased the mean BRS by 71 ± 32, 68 ± 23 and 27 ± 45%, respectively, whereas the slow glycopyrrolate infusion gradually decreased BRS (up to 83 ± 11% reduction) and increased both systolic (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressures (DAP) (on an average, by 9 mmHg). 4,During the withdrawal of the parasympathetic blockade (indicated by increasing BRS), the proportion of baroreflex sequences in the recordings increased transiently from 10 up to 20,25%, probably reflecting the restoration of the baroreflex integrity and the baroreflex-induced attempt to counteract the blood pressure increase. 5,The sequence method to study BRS seems to be feasible in the assessment of cardiac anticholinergic drug effects, and it also provides good time resolution for the dynamic measurements. [source] Pentraxins: Multifunctional proteins at the interface of innate immunity and inflammationBIOFACTORS, Issue 2 2009Livija Deban Abstract Pentraxins are a family of multimeric pattern recognition proteins highly conserved in evolution. On the basis of the primary structure of the protomer, pentraxins are divided into two groups: short pentraxins and long pentraxins. C reactive protein, the first pattern recognition receptor identified, and serum amyloid P component are classic short pentraxins produced in the liver in response to IL-6. Long pentraxins, including the prototype PTX3, are expressed in a variety of tissues. PTX3 is produced by a variety of cells and tissues, most notably dendritic cells and macrophages, in response to Toll-like receptor (TLR) engagement and inflammatory cytokines. Through interaction with several ligands, including selected pathogens and apoptotic cells, pentraxins play a role in complement activation, pathogen recognition and apoptotic cell clearance. In addition, PTX3 is involved in the deposition of extracellular matrix and female fertility. Unlike the classic short pentraxins CRP and SAP, PTX3 primary sequence and regulation are highly conserved in man and mouse. Thus, gene targeting identified PTX3 (and presumably other members of the family) as multifunctional soluble pattern recognition receptors acting as a nonredundant component of the humoral arm of innate immunity and involved in tuning inflammation, matrix deposition, and female fertility. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. [source] Shuttling Gold Nanoparticles into Tumoral Cells with an Amphipathic Proline-Rich PeptideCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 6 2009Sķlvia Pujals Abstract Golden bullets: The amphipathic proline-rich cell-penetrating peptide sweet arrow peptide (SAP) is able to transport 12 nm gold nanoparticles efficiently into HeLa cells, as observed by three microscopy techniques: transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). Multiconjugation to such nanoparticles may provide a convenient method for unifying the key drug properties of high activity, capacity to home onto targets and delivery to therapeutic places of action. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a potential tool for intracellular delivery of different kinds of cargoes. Because of their growing use in nanobiomedicine, both for diagnostics and for treatment, metal nanoparticles are an interesting cargo for CPPs. Here, gold nanoparticles (AuNps) and the amphipathic proline-rich peptide SAP have been used. Conjugation of the peptide onto the AuNps was achieved by addition of a cysteine to the SAP sequence for thiol chemisorption on gold, and the attachment was confirmed by visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), ,-potential (ZP), stability towards ionic strength (as high as 1,M NaCl), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) coupled to electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). AuNp-C-SAP internalization in HeLa cells was observed by three different microscopy techniques,TEM, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM),and all of them have confirmed the effective intracellular delivery of AuNps by SAP. [source] 4354: Relationship between flicker FDF perimetry and standard automated perimetryACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010P CALVO PEREZ Purpose To compare the main indices of flicker FDF perimetry (FDF, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) with standard automated perimetry (SAP). Methods Twenty healthy subjects and twenty-three glaucoma patients were prospectively and consecutively selected. Glaucomatous patients had an intraocular pressure higher than 21 mmHg and glaucomatous optic disc appearance. All of them underwent at least one reliable perimetry with each device. SAPs were performed with a FDF perimeter (24-2 ASTA-Standard test) and Humphrey perimeter (Carl Zeiss (24-2 SITA standard algorithm). The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was applied to check that the data were normally distributed. Only one eye per subject was included in the study. Pearson correlations were calculated between both devices : mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field index (VFI). Results Mean age was 58.41±12,4 years. MD of SAP was -2.82 ± 4.8 dB, and MD of FDF was -4.47 ± 4.8 dB (p=0.123); PSD of SAP was 3.11 ± 3.1, and PSD of FDF was 3.14 ± 1.4 (p = 0.953). The correlations between MDs were 0.521 (p<0.001) and between PSDs were 0.350 (p<0.001) Conclusion Moderate correlations were found between main visual field indices both devices. Altough no differences were found, FDF tends to present MD values lower than Humphrey. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||