Intranasal noninhaled carbon dioxide for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Background: Noninhaled intranasal carbon dioxide (CO2) has been shown to be effective in the abortive treatment of migraine headache. Migraine headache is associated with trigeminal neuronal activation and release of calcitonin gene-related peptide, events also implicated in allergic rhinitis. Intranasal CO2 might inhibit trigeminal neuronal activation and suppress the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Restricting magnetic interaction pathways in polyoxometalate salts of cationic nitronyl nitroxide free radicals.

Salts 1 and 2 that combine the [W6O19]2- Lindqvist anion with the cationic nitronyl nitroxide (NN) free radicals p-MepyNN+ and (n)Bu3NCH2NN+, respectively, have been synthesized and their structural and magnetic properties have been studied.

CR-6 protects glutathione peroxidase activity in experimental diabetes.

Antioxidants can be useful as a supportive therapy in diabetes, and we try to elucidate some of the mechanisms by which these compounds are able to protect from diabetic complications. For this purpose we have assayed, in vitro and in vivo, the ability of CR-6 (3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-1(2H)-benzopyran), an antioxidant able to scavenge nitrogen reactive species, to protect glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Glucose, in vitro, inhibited GPx activity in a concentration-dependent manner; CR-6 was able to protect GPx activity from glucose-induced inactivation.

Oncologic outcomes of extravesical stapling of distal ureter in laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and oncologic efficacy of extravesical laparoscopic stapling of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy for pelvicaliceal transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with primary pelvicaliceal TCC and no history of TCC of the bladder or ureter who underwent extravesical laparoscopic control of the bladder cuff were compared with a similar group of patients submitted to the open transvesical approach. Operative results and oncologic outcomes were compared.

Acquisition of visuomotor abilities and intellectual quotient in children aged 4-10 years: relationship with micronutrient nutritional status.

Lethargy, poor attention, and the high rate and severity of infections in malnourished children affect their educational achievement. We therefore studied the association between visuomotor abilities and intelligence quotient (IQ) and their relationship with iron, zinc, and copper. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 89 healthy children (age range, 4-10 years).

Laparoscopic treatment of anterior sacral meningocele.

Background: Anterior sacral meningocele is a rare congenital malformation, whose open surgical treatment is well accepted. We present a laparoscopic approach as an adjunctive approach.

Methods: Five women who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal surgery were clinically, radiologically, and surgically evaluated.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of salt-dependent hypertension.

Changes in salt intake are associated in general with corresponding changes in arterial blood pressure. An exaggerated increment in blood pressure driven by a salt load is characteristic of salt-sensitive hypertension, a condition affecting more than two thirds of individuals with essential hypertension who are older than 60 years. In the last decade, significant insight was gained about the role of the kidney in the increment in blood pressure induced by sodium retention.

Value of soluble CD30 in liver transplantation.

Introduction: CD30 is a membrane glycoprotein that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. It is expressed on activated T cells. After activation of CD30(+) T cells, a soluble form of CD30 (sCD30) released into the bloodstream, can be measured in the serum.

Laparoscopic treatment of simultaneous tumors in the liver and kidney.

Background/aims: To report our experience with laparoscopic treatment of liver tumors during right-sided transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Methods: Two patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy on the right side each had a concomitant tumor in the right lobe of the liver. The first patient was incidentally found to have a lesion suspicious for metastatic disease.

Protective effect of viscoelastics against retina lipid peroxidation.

Viscoelastics or ophthalmic viscosurgical devices are routinely used during anterior segment surgery and also in posterior segment surgery. Studies of the harmful effects of phacoemulsification on corneal endothelial cells suggest that much of this damage is mediated by free radicals. In this study, we compare the possible effects against lipid peroxidation in the retina of three different viscoelastic substances: Viscoat, Healon and Visiol.

High-dose infliximab prophylaxis in endotoxin-induced uveitis.

Purpose: The aim of this study to analyze the preventive effect of high-dose infliximab in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rabbits.

Methods: An experimental study was conducted on 64 rabbits. Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide endotoxin was intravitreally injected.

Dynamics of the Davydov-Scott monomer in a thermal bath: comparison of the full quantum and semiclassical approaches.

The quantum state diffusion equation is applied to the problem of energy transfer in proteins. Lindblad operators, capable of coupling the full quantum Davydov-Scott monomer to a thermal bath, are derived. Numerical simulations with the QSD equation show that the Lindblad operators derived do recreate the exact equilibrium ensemble for the Davydov-Scott monomer.

Antifungal activity of strawberry fruit volatile compounds against Colletotrichum acutatum.

Eight volatile products characterizing strawberry aroma, which is generated from the oxidative degradation of linoleic and linolenic acids by a lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway, were examined because of their antifungal activity against Colletotrichum acutatum, one of the causal agents of strawberry anthracnose. In this study, the effects of aldehydes, alcohols, and esters on mycelial growth and conidia development were evaluated. (E)-Hex-2-enal was found to be the best inhibitor of mycelial growth [MID (minimum inhibitory doses)=33.

Structure-activity relationships of alpha-ketooxazole inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase.

A systematic study of the structure-activity relationships of 2b (OL-135), a potent inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), is detailed targeting the C2 acyl side chain. A series of aryl replacements or substituents for the terminal phenyl group provided effective inhibitors (e.g.

Within the hidden epidemic: sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Objectives: To review the epidemiology, research, and prevention programs for sexually transmitted diseases in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).

Study Design: We reviewed the current national and regional trends in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) for AI/ANs from 1998-2004, peer-reviewed studies from January 1996, through May 2006, and reports, unpublished documents, and electronic resources addressing AI/AN STD prevention and control.

Results: STD prevalence among AI/ANs remains high.

Experimental and analytical validation of a modular acetabular prosthesis in total hip arthroplasty.

A finite element model has been developed to predict in vivo micro motion between a modular acetabular cup and liner after cement less total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to experimentally validate the model. Six LVDT sensors were used to monitor the micromotion of the liner when subjected to loading conditions ranging from 250 N to 5000 N.

Treating the metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome (MS), a cluster of metabolic abnormalities with insulin resistance as its central component, is increasing in prevalence and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Current evidence supports an aggressive intervention approach that comprises lifestyle modification in conjunction with drug treatment of the MS components. Healthier eating and regular exercise greatly reduce waistline and body mass index, lower blood pressure and improve lipid profile.

Low glutathione peroxidase in rd1 mouse retina increases oxidative stress and proteases.

Malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and cysteine protease cathepsins at postnatal (PN) days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 in controls (wt) and the retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mouse model for retinitis pigmentosa retinas were measured to determine oxidative stress. In PN28 wt and PN2 rd1 retinas, elevated malondialdehyde and low glutathione peroxidase activity indicate higher oxidative load, despite higher reduced glutathione in PN2 rd1 retinas. This is due to physiological exposure to light and retinal vascular/neural restructuring, respectively.

Laparoscopic heminephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma in cross-fused ectopic kidney.

Crossed renal ectopia is a rare congenital malformation. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma in a 51-year-old man with right-to-left crossed fused renal ectopia. The patient was treated with ultrasound-guided laparoscopic heminephrectomy.

Efficacy and tolerability of prolonged linezolid therapy in the treatment of orthopedic implant infections.

The aim of the study presented here was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of linezolid in the treatment of orthopedic implant infections (OII). Eighty-five patients with an OII treated with linezolid were prospectively followed up for a minimum of 12 months from the end of antibiotic therapy. Outcome was evaluated in relation to the duration and type of symptoms (acute or chronic) and the retention or removal of the implant.

Metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor to the kidney.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the kidney are rare neoplasms that may mimic renal cell carcinoma, especially in the presence of locally advanced or metastatic disease. Although several cases have been identified as primary renal tumors, this is the first report of metastatic spread of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor to the kidney.

Oxidative stress in rat retina and hippocampus after chronic MDMA ('ecstasy') administration.

The effects of MDMA administration on oxidative stress markers in rat eye and hippocampus, and the neuroprotective effects of the antioxidant 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-1(2H)-benzopyran (CR-6) have been studied. MDMA effects on liver were used for comparison with those in eye and hippocampus and to test CR-6 protective effects. Another goal was to test for apoptosis in retinal cells, as it is known that happens in liver and brain.