Effects of pregnancy on maternal work tolerance.

This review summarizes current information on the tolerance of healthy pregnant women and their fetuses to acute strenuous exertion. Maximal aerobic power, expressed in L x min(-1), is not significantly affected in women who maintain an active lifestyle, whereas values expressed in ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) decline with advancing gestational age in relation to maternal/fetal weight gain. Efficiency during standard exercise testing and the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (Tvent) also appear to be unaffected by pregnancy, but the ability to utilize carbohydrate and exercise anaerobically during brief strenuous exercise may be reduced.

Hantzsch synthesis of pyrazolo[1',2':1,2]pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines: partial agonists of the calcitonin receptor.

Small molecule calcitonin receptor agonists are of potential utility in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Bicycloeneamine 1 was a useful intermediate in the synthesis of pyrazolopyridine calcitonin receptor partial agonists 2a-f. Dihydropyridines 10a-c were conveniently prepared by reaction of 1 with Knoevenagel adducts 9a-c, or in the case of 10d, by a three component reaction with 1, beta-ketoester 7b, and aldehyde 8c.

Postoperative complications are not increased in super-super obese patients who undergo laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: It has been suggested that super-super obesity (body mass index [BMI] > or =60 kg/m2) increases the risk of complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LapRYGB). We hypothesized that a higher BMI does not increase risk the morbidity or mortality rate.

Methods: Complication rates for patients with a BMI > or =60 kg/m2 were compared to those for patients with a BMI <60 kg/m2 who underwent LapRYGB during the same time period.

Cystic fibrosis patients have poor sleep quality despite normal sleep latency and efficiency.

Study Objectives: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients may be predisposed to poor sleep quality due to upper and lower airway abnormalities and impaired gas exchange. Previous sleep investigations of CF patients using single-night polysomnography have reported conflicting results. We hypothesized that sampling sleep for a prolonged period in a patient's normal environment may give a more representative assessment of sleep quality than a single-night polysomnogram, and that impaired sleep quality would correlate with pulmonary disease severity and self-assessed sleep quality.

Stability of melatonin and temperature as circadian phase markers and their relation to sleep times in humans.

Circadian rhythms of core body temperature and melatonin are commonly used as phase markers of the circadian clock. Melatonin is a more stable marker of circadian phase when measured under constant routine conditions. However, little is known about the variability of these phase markers under less controlled conditions.

Initiation and progression of physical activity after laparoscopic and open gastric bypass surgery.

This study compared postoperative physical activity participation among patients who underwent laparoscopic (LGBS) or open gastric bypass surgery (OGBS). Postoperative physical activity participation is considered important for achieving optimal weight loss and maintenance after gastric bypass surgery. However, no study has examined the relationship between surgery type and postoperative physical activity.

Effects of human pregnancy on the ventilatory chemoreflex response to carbon dioxide.

This study examined the effects of human pregnancy on the central chemoreflex control of breathing. Subjects were two groups (n=11) of pregnant subjects (PG, gestational age, 36.5+/-0.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of flower scent in Silene latifolia.

The quantitative and qualitative variability in floral scent of 98 specimens of the dioecious species Silene latifolia belonging to 15 European and 19 North American populations was determined. Floral scent was collected from single flowers using dynamic headspace methods, and analysed by Micro-SPE and GC-MS methods. The flowers showed a nocturnal rhythm, and scent was emitted only at night.

Optimization of conditions for clinical human hepatocyte infusion.

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis are common problems in the isolation and storage of human hepatocytes. In vitro environments of hepatocytes during cell infusion may be critical to reducing cellular damage and enhancing cell viability. We examined the effects of donor liver histology (40-50% steatosis vs.

The role of regular physical activity in preeclampsia prevention.

Preeclampsia affects 2-7% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive study, the etiology of preeclampsia is poorly understood. Abnormal placental development, predisposing maternal constitutional factors, oxidative stress, immune maladaptation, and genetic susceptibility have all been hypothesized to contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

Chemoreflex control of breathing during wakefulness in healthy men and women.

This study used a modified CO(2) rebreathing procedure to examine the effect of gender on the chemoreflex control of breathing during wakefulness in healthy men (n = 14) and women (n = 14). Women were tested in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. During rebreathing trials, subjects hyperventilated to reduce the partial pressure of end-tidal CO(2) (Pet(CO(2))) below 25 Torr and were then switched to a rebreathing bag containing a normocapnic hypoxic or hyperoxic gas mixture.

Impact of self-reported physical activity participation on proportion of excess weight loss and BMI among gastric bypass surgery patients.

Habitual physical activity is an important component of successful weight loss programs for morbidly obese individuals. This study examined self-reported physical activity (PA) participation in relation to excess weight loss and body mass index (BMI) reduction among gastric bypass surgery patients (GBS). PA participation was hypothesized to contribute to both greater excess weight loss (% EWL) and a greater reduction in BMI at 2 years postsurgery.

Heart rate variability following coronary artery bypass graft surgery as a function of recovery time, posture, and exercise.

This study examined the claim made by Niemela et al. (1992) that the decline in heart rate variability after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is irreversible. We tested six women and 16 men six and 12 weeks postoperative in three postures: in the supine position, in the standing position, and during low-intensity steady-state exercise.

Immobilization of mule deer with thiafentanil (A-3080) or thiafentanil plus xylazine.

We evaluated thiafentanil oxalate (A-3080) for the immobilization of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) under laboratory and field conditions. In a crossover experiment comparing recommended (0.1 mg/kg) and 2x recommended thiafentanil doses in captive deer, both produced rapid induction and immobilization.

Non-resective ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: effectiveness measured by intention-to-treat and dropout from liver transplant waiting list.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely accepted, and the usefulness of local ablation techniques as a bridge for liver transplantation is still under investigation.

Methods: From December 1997 to February 2003, patients with cirrhosis and T0-T1-T2-T3 stage HCC received multi-modality ablative therapy (MMT) for the treatment of their HCC and were evaluated for OLT; listed, and transplanted when an allograft became available. MMT included radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and/or Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolization (TACE), and alcohol (EtOH) ablation, followed by Trans-Arterial Chemo-Infusion (TACI), with repeated treatments based on follow up hepatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the waiting period for OLT.

Effect of cyclooxygenase inhibition on serotonin-induced chloride secretion from rat distal colon.

Background: Serotonin is a well-known mediator of intestinal chloride secretion. The effects of exogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) can be demonstrated experimentally by a rise in short-circuit current, which is proportional to active electrogenic chloride secretion. Prostaglandin E2 is also an intestinal secretagogue and has been implicated in certain diarrheal illnesses.

Effects of bariatric surgery in older patients.

Objective: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in older patients.

Background: Because of an increased morbidity in older patients who may not be as active as younger individuals, there remain concerns that they may not tolerate the operation well or lose adequate amounts of weight.

Methods: The database of patients who had undergone bariatric surgery since 1980 and National Death Index were queried for patients <60 and >/= 60 years of age.

Four-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial of mycophenolate mofetil with cyclosporine microemulsion or tacrolimus following liver transplantation.

Background: This is a 4-yr follow-up of a trial using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) induction in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The goal of this study was to evaluate a multidrug approach that would reduce both early and long-term morbidity related to immunosuppression while maintaining an acceptable freedom from rejection.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, intent to treat study designed to compare the primary endpoints of rejection and infection, and secondary endpoints of liver function, renal function, bone marrow function, cardiovascular risk factors, and the recurrence of hepatitis C.

Environmental sources of prion transmission in mule deer.

Whether transmission of the chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion among cervids requires direct interaction with infected animals has been unclear. We report that CWD can be transmitted to susceptible animals indirectly, from environments contaminated by excreta or decomposed carcasses. Under experimental conditions, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) became infected in two of three paddocks containing naturally infected deer, in two of three paddocks where infected deer carcasses had decomposed in situ =1.

Multivariate analysis of risk factors for death following gastric bypass for treatment of morbid obesity.

Objective: To identify the factors that increase mortality for either open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Summary Background Data: Perioperative mortality is the most feared outcome of bariatric surgery, reported to occur in between 0.5% and 1.

Experience with over 3,000 open and laparoscopic bariatric procedures: multivariate analysis of factors related to leak and resultant mortality.

Background: Intestinal leak is a potentially lethal complication of Roux en-Y gastric bypass (GBP). Identification of patients at high risk for leak may reduce complication rates of surgeons early in the procedure learning curve.

Methods: A total of 3073 patients who underwent GBP were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of the following preoperative factors: hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), sleep apnea (SA), age, gender, weight, body mass index (BMI), and surgery type.

Experience with validation of clinical trial materials: an inspector's viewpoint.

The new EU directive now states quite clearly that GMP applies to Clinical Trials Manufacturers and implicit in this is process validation. Although it is generally accepted that full process validation may not be possible at Clinical Trails, there are many areas which can and should be validated, and certainly when a product is administered to patients. It is also noteworthy that Annex 13 is currently being revised and this has implications with regard to validation, especially of equipment and facilities.

Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity after coronary artery bypass graft surgery as a function of gender and age.

The effects of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on spontaneous baroreflex (SBR) sensitivity and heart rate variability were examined in 11 women and 23 men preoperatively and 5 days postoperatively. Electrocardiograph R-R interval and beat-by-beat arterial blood pressure data were collected continuously for 20 min in the supine and standing postures. Coarse graining spectral analysis was performed on the heart rate variability data.

Plasma osmolality and the strong ion difference predict respiratory adaptations in pregnant and nonpregnant women.

This study tested the hypothesis that plasma osmolality and the strong ion difference ([SID]) predict PaCO2 during rest and during exercise in physically active pregnant (n = 22; gestational age 37.0 +/- 0.2 weeks) and nonpregnant (n = 17) women.