'Induction of inflammatory gene expression by THP-1 macrophages cultured in normocholesterolaemic hypertensive sera and modulatory effects of green tea polyphenols'.

Hypertension is a disorder controlled by multiple genes and inflammation and vascular remodelling of arteries have been implicated in pathogenesis of this disease. Green tea polyphenols (GrTPs) are rich in antioxidants and are known to inhibit inflammatory responses. A significant time-dependent increase in mRNA expression of both IL-6 and MMP-9 were observed in THP-1 macrophages when cultured in normocholesterolaemic hypertensive sera (P<0.

Bimodal effects of chronically administered neurokinin B (NKB) on in vivo and in vitro cardiovascular responses in female rats.

The in vivo cardiovascular effects of acutely administered neurokinin B (NKB) have been attributed both to direct effects on vascular tone and to indirect effects on central neuroendocrine control of the circulation. We proposed: 1) that a modest long-term increase in plasma NKB levels would decrease mean arterial pressure (MAP) due to attenuated peripheral vascular tone, and 2) that chronic high-dose NKB would increase MAP, due to increased sympathetic outflow which would override the peripheral vasodilation. We examined the in vivo and in vitro cardiovascular effects of chronic peripheral NKB.

Changes in network activity with the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with abnormal activity in spatially distributed neural systems mediating the motor and cognitive manifestations of this disorder. Metabolic PET studies have demonstrated that this illness is characterized by a set of reproducible functional brain networks that correlate with these clinical features. The time at which these abnormalities appear is unknown, as is their relationship to concurrent clinical and dopaminergic indices of disease progression.

A retrospective analysis of 154 arterialized venous flaps for hand reconstruction: an 11-year experience.

Background: The purpose of this study was to present the authors' 11-year clinical experience involving 154 cases of arterialized venous flaps for hand reconstruction.

Methods: The authors classified the venous flaps based on their size and composition. According to their size, flaps smaller than 10 cm were classified as small (n = 48), flaps larger than 25 cm were classified as large (n = 42), and those in between were classified as medium (n = 64).

Tissue engineering of an implantable bioartificial hemofilter.

The first step in the tissue engineering of an implantable bioartificial kidney is the development of an implant that produces ultrafiltrate to replace glomerular function. A fabricated device containing synthetic hollow hemofiltration fibers was placed around the femoral vascular pedicle in rats, which initiated new tissue formation with a mature and durable neocapillary bed. The transudate fluid produced by this newly formed capillary bed accumulated through the hollow fibers into a subcutaneous port to allow evaluation of the fluid.

Detection of nitros(yl)ated metabolites of nitric oxide (NO) in vivo by gas-phase chemiluminescence assay.

There are several methods utilized for detection of nitric oxide (NO) and its various metabolites in biological systems. These include spectrophotometric analysis, high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrophotometry, electro-paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and gas-phase chemiluminscence. Of these, the gas-phase chemiluminescence technique is perhaps the most sensitive, with a limit of detection in the femtomole range.

Regional metabolic changes in parkinsonian patients with normal dopaminergic imaging.

Dopaminergic imaging has been found to be normal in approximately 15% of parkinsonian patients enrolled in neuroprotective trials. We used (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) to determine the metabolic basis for this finding. We reviewed scans from 185 patients with clinical signs of Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent (18)F-fluorodopa PET imaging for diagnostic confirmation.

Genetic aspects of restless legs syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Ekbom syndrome, is a common movement disorder with sensorimotor symptoms occurring during sleep and quiet wakefulness. The underlying cause for RLS is unknown but genetic influences play a strong part in the pathogenesis of RLS, particularly when the condition starts at a young age. This review explores the genetic basis of RLS and related phenotypic variations.

Correlates of movement initiation and velocity in Parkinson's disease: A longitudinal PET study.

Limited data exist concerning the mechanisms that underlie the different motor features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and their course over time. Our aims were (1) to identify longitudinal changes in PD patients and (2) to determine the neural correlates of the changes in movement initiation and velocity that occur in the course the disease. Thirteen early stage PD patients were scanned twice off antiparkinsonian medication with H(2)15O PET.

Network modulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

It has been proposed that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) and dopaminergic therapy ameliorate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease through similar functional mechanisms. We examined this notion using PET to compare the metabolic effects of these treatment approaches. Nine Parkinson's disease patients (age 61.

Abnormal metabolic network activity in Parkinson's disease: test-retest reproducibility.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with an abnormal pattern of regional brain function. The expression of this PD-related covariance pattern (PDRP) has been used to assess disease progression and the response to treatment. In this study, we validated the PDRP network as a measure of parkinsonism by prospectively computing its expression (PDRP scores) in (15)O-water (H(2)(15)O) and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scans from PD patients and healthy volunteers.

The range and nature of sleep dysfunction in untreated Parkinson's disease (PD). A comparative controlled clinical study using the Parkinson's disease sleep scale and selective polysomnography.

In this study we have explored the nature and range of sleep dysfunction that occurs in untreated Parkinson's disease (PD) comparing data obtained from the use of the Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS) in an untreated PD patient group compared to advanced PD and healthy controls. 25 untreated (drug-naive, DNPD) PD patients (mean age 66.9 years, range 53-80, 18 males) completed the validated Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS), mean duration of PD was 2.

Role of C-C chemokines in Takayasu's arteritis disease.

Background: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic obliterative inflammatory disease. Inflammatory cell infiltration and destruction of the vessel wall in TA strongly suggest that cell mediated immunological mechanisms play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Therefore, in the present study our aim was to focus on the role of chemokines and adhesion molecules in patients with Takayasu's disease.

Sleep-related problems of Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To define the epidemiology, characteristics and aetiology of nocturnal symptoms and sleep disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and evaluate the available methods for their diagnosis and management.

Methods: A review of the English-language literature pertaining to sleep disturbances associated with PD, using the Medline database and bibliographies in relevant articles.

Results: Sleep-related problems specific to PD may occur early and even predate the diagnosis of the disease but are generally more frequent and more severe in patients with advanced PD.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y4 receptor selective agonists based on NPY(32-36): development of an anorectic Y4 receptor selective agonist with picomolar affinity.

We have previously shown [Cys-Trp-Arg-Nva-Arg-Tyr-NH(2)](2), 1, to be a moderately selective neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y(4) receptor agonist. Toward improving the selectivity and potency for Y(4) receptors, we studied the effects of dimerizing H-Trp-Arg-Nva-Arg-Tyr-NH(2) using various diamino-dicarboxylic acids containing either di-, tri-, or tetramethylene spacers. These parallel dimers, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A, and 4B, and the corresponding linear tandem dimer and trimer analogues, 5 and 6, had enhanced selectivity and affinity for Y(4) receptors compared to 1 (Table 1).

International multicenter pilot study of the first comprehensive self-completed nonmotor symptoms questionnaire for Parkinson's disease: the NMSQuest study.

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD) are not well recognized in clinical practice, either in primary or in secondary care, and are frequently missed during routine consultations. There is no single instrument (questionnaire or scale) that enables a comprehensive assessment of the range of NMS in PD both for the identification of problems and for the measurement of outcome. Against this background, a multidisciplinary group of experts, including patient group representatives, has developed an NMS screening questionnaire comprising 30 items.

The wrap-around flap in thumb reconstruction.

The wrap-around flap became the most popular technique for reconstruction of an amputated thumb, because it can create an aesthetic and functional replica of missing thumb without losing any toes. It provides length, stability, and adequate sensibility for a functional pinch and grasp. Nevertheless, long-term results revealed complications of donor site and reconstructed thumb.

Randomized controlled trial of intraputamenal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor infusion in Parkinson disease.

Objective: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) exerts potent trophic influence on midbrain dopaminergic neurons. This randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to confirm initial clinical benefits observed in a small, open-label trial using intraputamenal (Ipu) infusion of recombinant human GDNF (liatermin).

Methods: Thirty-four PD patients were randomized 1 to 1 to receive bilateral continuous Ipu infusion of liatermin 15 microg/putamen/day or placebo.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of a series of N-substituted naproxen glycolamides: nitric oxide-donor naproxen prodrugs.

A series of glycolamide naproxen prodrugs containing a nitrate group as a nitric oxide (NO) donor moiety has been synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity, naproxen release, and gastric tolerance. Compounds 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 7b, and 7c exhibited anti-inflammatory activity equivalent to that of the parent NSAID, naproxen-Na, in the rat carrageenan paw edema model.

Antioxidant status in children with homozygous thalassemia.

The status of enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidants was evaluated in 41 patients with transfusion dependent beta-thalassemia. An additional 20 age-matched children, with non-hemolytic anemia, served as controls. Fresh blood samples, obtained in the morning, were processed immediately.

Garlic supplementation prevents oxidative DNA damage in essential hypertension.

Oxygen-free radicals and other oxygen/nitrogen species are constantly generated in the human body. Most are intercepted by antioxidant defences and perform useful metabolic roles, whereas others escape to damage biomolecules like DNA, lipids and proteins. Garlic has been shown to contain antioxidant phytochemicals that prevent oxidative damage.

Anticholinesterase effect on motor kinematic measures and brain activation in Parkinson's disease.

Anticholinesterase (AChE) drugs are being prescribed off label for nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Theoretically, these drugs can impair motor function. A small literature suggests AChE therapy has little effect on clinical motor evaluation; however, no study has made objective motor kinematic measures or evaluated brain function.

Selective nitros(yl)ation induced in vivo by a nitric oxide-donating cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor: a NObonomic analysis.

Nitric oxide (NO) enhances anti-inflammatory drug action. Through a metabonomics approach termed "NObonomics," the effects of a prototypic NO donor (organic nitrate)-cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor hybrid (NO-coxib), NMI-1093, on the NO metabolite status of the circulation and major organs have been profiled in vivo in the rat. An oral anti-inflammatory NMI-1093 bolus elicited acute tissue-, time-, and dose-dependent changes in oxidative and nitroso/nitrosyl NO metabolites.