Hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic activity of some novel morpholine derivatives with antioxidant activity.

In this investigation, we study the synthesis and the evaluation of antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activity of a number of 2-biphenylyl morpholine derivatives, which are structurally similar to some substituted morpholines possessing antioxidant activity, as well as to hypocholesterolemic 3-biaryl-quinuclidines. The novel derivatives are found to inhibit the ferrous/ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation of microsomal membrane lipids, the most potent derivative, 2-(4-biphenyl)-4-methyl-octahydro-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ol (compound 7), having an IC(50) value of 250 microM. In addition, these compounds demonstrate hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic action.

Concentration of 3 tetracyclines in plasma, gingival crevice fluid and saliva.

Background: Systemically-administered tetracyclines have been used widely for treatment of periodontal diseases with little understanding of their delivery characteristics to periodontal tissues. This study was designed to measure concentrations of 3 tetracyclines in gingival crevice fluid (GCF), plasma and saliva of following systemic administration.

Method: The concentration of tetracycline (TC), minocycline (MN) and doxycycline (DX) was measured in gingival crevice fluid (GCF), plasma and saliva of 20 subjects following single sequential standard oral systemic doses.

Intrasphenoidal encephalocele and spontaneous CSF rhinorrhoea.

Intrasphenoidal encephalocele is a rare clinical entity. In the international literature only 16 cases have been reported up today, with female predominance. Clinically they manifest at middle and advanced ages (40-67 years), when spontaneous CSF rhinorrhoea or recurrent meningitis occurs.

Our experience in laparoscopic diagnosis and management in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) still remains a serious problem in everyday gynecological practice. The aim of this study was to prospectively estimate the occurrence of pelvic varicosities in women with CPP and also to report our experience in the establishment of diagnosis and management of patients with CPP. We examined 264 premenopausal women aged 18 to 42 years referred to us for chronic constant pelvic pain of at least 6 months duration and with incomplete relief by previous treatments.

Bronchodilatory responses to formoterol, ipratropium, and their combination in patients with stable COPD.

We studied 27 patients with stable chronic obstuctive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a randomised, single-blind, within-patient, placebo-controlled clinical study. Each patient was assigned on six separate days to receive one of the following drug regimens in random order: A. 40 micrograms ipratropium bromide (Atrovent MDI, 20 micrograms/puff) plus 2 puffs placebo; B.

Phantom sensations in a patient with cervical nerve root avulsion.

This case study reports detailed phantom sensations in a 35-yr.-old man who had his C5 and C6 cervical nerve roots avulsed from the cord during a motorcycle accident at the age of 22 years. The subject, who was left with a paralyzed right deltoid muscle, anesthetic sensation along the upper lateral portion of the right arm, and absent right biceps reflex, became aware of phantom right arm and hand sensations a few months after the original injury.

Complications after vertical gastroplasty with artificial pseudopylorus in the treatment of morbid obesity: a 7-year experience.

Background: Vertical gastroplasty with artificial pseudopylorus (VGAP) was designed to reduce the complication rate of other forms of gastroplasty. The purpose of this study was to analyze the complications of this approach for 7 years of surgical practice.

Methods: A total of 156 morbidly obese patients (BMI 41-81 kg/m2) who underwent VGAP were analyzed retrospectively in terms of early and late complications and gastroplasty failure.

Myoelectric assessment of large bowel viability: an experiment in dogs.

Objective: To design a device for myoelectric assessment of intestinal ischaemia and compare it with every day surgical experience and Doppler signals recorded on the bowel wall.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Thessaloniki university hospital, Greece.

The effects of carbaryl and trichlorphon on differentiating mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells.

The ability of the carbamate pesticide carbaryl (CB) and the organophosphate pesticide trichlorphon (TCL) to inhibit the outgrowth of axon-like processes was studied using mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells induced to differentiate by serum withdrawal. At concentrations of 1 and 2 microg/ml (4.97 and 9.

Psychiatric comorbidity in Greek patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

From a total sample of 1,448 psychiatric outpatients, 81 (5.6%) received a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) according to DSM-III-R criteria. Fifty-three (65%) of them had another Axis I diagnosis, while this percentage increased to 78% (63/81) when lifetime psychiatric diagnoses were recorded.

The occurrence of fungi in hospital and community potable waters.

The prevalence of fungi was investigated in 126 potable water samples (84 hospital and 42 community samples), in parallel with the standard pollution indicator micro-organisms. Filamentous fungi were isolated from 104 of 126 (82.5%) samples and yeasts from 14 (11.

Growth hormone response to oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests in patients with PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by its heterogeneity. This is the reason for the diversity in the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings. In this study we examined the serum levels of growth hormone (GH) in 15 women with PCOS and 5 healthy volunteers following oral administration of 75 gr glucose (OGTT) and intravenous administration of insulin (ITT).

SR protein-specific kinase 1 is highly expressed in testis and phosphorylates protamine 1.

Arginine/serine protein kinases constitute a novel class of enzymes that can modify arginine/serine (RS) dipeptide motifs. SR splicing factors that are essential for pre-mRNA splicing are among the best characterized proteins that contain RS domains. TwoSRprotein-specifickinases, SRPK1 and SRPK2, have been considered as highly specific for the phosphorylation of these proteins, thereby contributing to splicing regulation.

Transplenic and transtumoral in vivo immunostimulation: effect on cellular immunity parameters.

Background/aims: It has been shown that IL-2 and gamma-IFN own an additive immunostimulatory effect against tumors. Moreover, it has been suggested that the locoregional route of administration of immunopotentiating agents has substantial advantages compared to the systemic route. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immune response of patients with advanced unresectable liver and pancreatic malignant disease who were submitted for transplenic and transtumoral IL-2 and gamma-IFN combination immunotherapy.

Bone mineral density of patients with thalassemia major: four-year follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) of 50 patients aged 9-28 years, with thalassemia major and to assess the alterations of bone density in a 4-year follow-up study. They were measured with a DPX densitometer at the lumbar spine and femur area and divided into three groups: preadolescents, adolescents, and adults. All patients received calcium and vitamin D supplements, and 8 of the 50 received hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

SRPK1 and LBR protein kinases show identical substrate specificities.

Arginine/serine protein kinases constitute a novel class of enzymes that can modify arginine/serine (RS) dipeptide motifs. SR splicing factors that are essential for pre-mRNA splicing and the lamin B receptor (LBR), an integral protein of the inner nuclear membrane, are among the best characterized proteins that contain RS domains. Two SR Protein-specific Kinases, SRPK1 and SRPK2, have been shown to phosphorylate specifically the RS motifs of the SR family of splicing factors and play an important role in regulating both the spliceosome assembly and their intranuclear distribution, whereas an LBR-associated kinase, that specifically phosphorylates a stretch of RS repeats located at the NH2-terminal region of LBR, has been recently purified and characterized from turkey erythrocyte nuclear envelopes.

Antibiotic susceptibilities of Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. intermedia isolates from aquatic environments.

Of 37 Yersinia isolates from various aquatic environments, seven were Y. enterocolitica and 30 Y. intermedia.

In vivo effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon combination on monocyte-macrophage and T-lymphocyte functions in chronic hepatitis B leukocytopenic patients.

Background/aims: Both rhGM-CSF and IFN-gamma have antiviral and immunoregulatory effects. Furthermore, GM-CSF has the advantage of increasing WBC in leukocytopenic patients.

Methodology: We investigated a) the antiviral effects of rhGM-CSF and INF-alpha combination treatment in 12 chronic hepatitis B patients with leukocytopenia as a result or not of previous interferon therapy, b) the in vivo effects of these agents on monocyte-macrophage and T-lymphocyte functions and, c) their correlation to HBV infection outcome.

Buspirone augmentation of antidepressant therapy.

Thirty outpatients meeting DSM-III-R or DSM-IV criteria for major depression, single or recurrent episode, and failing to respond to an adequate trial of an antidepressant (>6 weeks at recommended dosage) received buspirone (20-30 mg/day) for 4 or 5 weeks in addition to their existing antidepressant. Of the 22 patients who had buspirone added to their selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant regimen (fluoxetine, paroxetine, or citalopram), 59% (13/22) showed complete or partial remission of their depressive symptomatology. Similarly, 63% (5/8) of patients treated with buspirone in addition to clomipramine showed complete or partial remission.

Effect of natural zeolite on yolk:albumen ratio in hen eggs.

1. The egg yolk: albumen (Y:A) ratio during the laying year was investigated in a commercial strain (Hisex) when natural zeolite was added to a layer's diet. 2.

The use of titanium mesh sheet in the fronto-zygomatico-orbital region. Case reports.

Six cases reconstructed in the zygomatico-fronto-orbital region with titanium mesh are reported and a discussion of the use of this material in oral and maxillofacial surgery is presented.