Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: relationships with age, medication, duration, and severity.

Heart rate variability at rest, during deep breathing, or standing up and with the Valsalva manoeuvre did not differ significantly between 67 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 31 healthy age matched controls. Blood pressure (BP) responses to standing up and sustained handgrip revealed diminished autonomic function in the PD group. In a preliminary analysis of the PD group older age, anti-Parkinson medication and higher Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stages were each associated with poor autonomic responsiveness.

Possible neuroprotective properties of flunarizine infused after asphyxia in fetal lambs are not explained by effects on cerebral blood flow or systemic blood pressure.

Neuroprotective properties of the calcium channel blocker flunarizine have been reported after hypoxic-ischemic insults in immature, infant, and adult rats. However, its effect on fetal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and systemic blood pressure after severe asphyxia is not known. In 15 fetal lambs (3 to 5 d after surgery; gestational age at the experiment, 123.

Biocompatibility of leukocyte removal filters during leukocyte filtration of cardiopulmonary bypass perfusate.

To evaluate the biocompatibility and the efficacy of leukocyte removal filters, we performed a prospective study by using the cardiopulmonary bypass perfusate taken from the heart-lung machine for 20 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and were randomly divided into four groups according to the filters used. A leukocyte removal filter was installed in the transfusion line while the perfusate was transfused to the patients. No increases of C3a, C5a, elastase, and thromboxane were found during leukocyte filtration by polyester filters (Optima, Sepacell R500, and Pall RC100).

Distribution and activity of glutamine synthase and carbamoylphosphate synthase upon enlargement of the liver lobule by repeated partial hepatectomies.

Glutamine synthase and carbamoylphosphate synthase show a strikingly heterogeneous and fully complementary distribution in the rat liver. In the human liver, however, there is a midlobular zone where both enzymes are absent. The diameter of the human liver lobule is approximately twice the size of the rat lobule.

Umbilical artery flow velocity waveform analysis and assessment of fetal oxygenation.

Assessment of the fetal condition is an important but also difficult problem. During the last decades a number of new fetal monitoring techniques have been introduced into clinical practice without proper evaluation regarding its value for clinical practice beforehand. The last fetal monitoring technique introduced into clinical practice in such a way is the assessment of the fetal condition with umbilical artery flow velocity waveform analyses.

The effect of adenosine transport inhibition on cardiovascular function and survival after severe asphyxia in fetal lambs.

When the energy demand exceeds the energy supply, anaerobic metabolism takes over and the ATP catabolite adenosine is generated. Adenosine acts as a coronary vasodilator, thereby increasing the oxygen supply to the heart. Its potential, however, is poorly exploited due to extensive catabolism.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in four dogs.

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to diagnose degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in four dogs that had physical and neurologic signs consistent with a cauda equina lesion. Nerve root displacement by protruding disc material and loss of epidural fat were identified. In all dogs, the diagnosis was confirmed by dorsal laminectomy of the lumbosacral area.

Early stage cervical cancer: aborted versus completed radical hysterectomy.

In a retrospective study, the treatment results of patients with stage IB and IIA cervical cancer were evaluated. In 26 patients radical hysterectomy was discontinued after intra-operative finding of positive lymph nodes. These patients received radiotherapy.

[Coma polyneuropathy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

A 60 year old female patient developed an acute polyneuropathy a few days after a successful cardiopulmonary reanimation followed by coma for several days. Recovery was good as demonstrated at one year follow-up. Residual damage consisted in very mild myoclonic jerks (abortive Lance-Adams syndrome).

Amino acid release from cerebral cortex in experimental acute liver failure, studied by in vivo cerebral cortex microdialysis.

Both increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic and decreased glutamatergic neurotransmission have been suggested relative to the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy. This proposed disturbance in neurotransmitter balance, however, is based mainly on brain tissue analysis. Because the approach of whole tissue analysis is of limited value with regard to in vivo neurotransmission, we have studied the extracellular concentrations in the cerebral cortex of several neuroactive amino acids by application of the in vivo microdialysis technique.

Alzheimer's disease and hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis-Dutch type share a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid beta-protein precursor.

The amyloid beta-protein is a 39-42 amino acid peptide that is deposited in senile plaques and in cerebral vessel walls in individuals with Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis-Dutch type (HCHWA-D), and, to a much lesser extent, normal aging. It is derived from abnormal proteolytic processing of its parent protein, the amyloid beta-protein precursor. Here we show that individuals with the HCHWA-D mutation and clinically manifesting the disease have markedly decreased cerebrospinal fluid levels of soluble amyloid beta-protein precursor (0.

Leukocyte activation with increased expression of CR3 receptors during cardiopulmonary bypass.

The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the expression of leukocyte adhesive receptors, ie, complement receptor type 3 (CR3), were studied in 16 patients. The CR3 expression on leukocytes was determined by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay on a standardized number of cells isolated from blood samples taken during various times during CPB. The results demonstrated that CR3 expression on leukocytes increased immediately after the start of CPB (p less than 0.

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase mRNA and enzyme activity, and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, increases with aging in murine brains.

To protect against reactive oxygen species, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have developed an antioxidant defence mechanism where O2- is converted to H2O2 by superoxide dismutase (Sod), and in a second step, H2O2 is converted to H2O by catalase (Cat) and/or glutathione peroxidase (Gpx). If Sod levels are increased without a concomitant Gpx increase, then the intermediate H2O2 accumulates. This intermediate could undergo the Fenton's reaction, generating hydroxyl radicals which may lead to lipid peroxidation in cells.

Investigation of gait in elderly subjects over 88 years of age.

To evaluate senile gait patterns in octagenarians and nonagenarians, we provided a standardized questionnaire on gait disabilities to 153 elderly subjects over 88 years of age. Subjects represented a relatively healthy subgroup of noninstitutionalized residents who participated in a gerontological survey of all inhabitants of the city of Leiden who were 85 years of age or older. Of the 142 subjects who responded to this questionnaire, 87 persons (61%) claimed distinct diseases as a cause of gait impairment.

Calcium crystal-associated arthropathy (pseudogout) in a dog.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (Ca2P2O7.2H2O) crystal-associated arthropathy (pseudogout) was diagnosed in a dog. Clinical signs included non-weightbearing lameness, signs of pain on joint manipulation, and high rectal temperature.

Preliminary studies on the interaction of TNF alpha and IFN gamma with alpha 2-macroglobulin.

The binding of 125I-labelled recombinant human TNF alpha and IFN gamma to isolated human blood alpha 2-macroglobulin has been investigated using molecular sieving procedures and non-denaturing PA gel electrophoresis in combination with autoradiography. These studies revealed that both cytokines readily bind to the electrophoretically fast form of alpha 2M generated by methylamine or protease treatment of this protein. PAGE/SDS gel investigations indicated that TNF alpha bound non-covalently while the IFN gamma interaction was covalent in nature.

Oestrogen and progesterone receptor immunocytochemistry in human hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium.

Proliferative disorders of the endometrium may be associated with autocrine and paracrine actions between stromal and epithelial cells. To determine whether the stromal-epithelial relation with respect to oestrogen receptor (OR) and progesterone receptor (PR) is disturbed in (pre)malignant endometrium immunocytochemical OR and PR expression was quantitated by computerized image analysis. This was studied in the stromal and epithelial cells of endometrial specimens diagnosed as hyperplasia (n = 14), atypical hyperplasia (n = 16), and adenocarcinoma (n = 33).

The acute response of the umbilical artery pulsatility index to changes in blood volume in fetal sheep.

This experimental study was designed to test the effects of acute changes in fetal circulating blood volume on the umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI). Six fetal sheep were provided with an electromagnetic flow meter for measurement of umbilical venous blood flow, with catheters for determination of arterial blood pressure and umbilical venous pressure, and with a 5 MHz Doppler transducer around one umbilical artery for flow velocity waveform analysis. A catheter in the inferior vena cava was used to infuse 50 ml of maternal blood (hypervolemia) into the fetal circulation or to withdraw 50 ml of fetal blood (hypovolemia) after volume correction.