Direct assessment by electron spin resonance spectroscopy of the antioxidant effects of French maritime pine bark extract in the maxillofacial region of hairless mice.

Flavangenol, one of extract of French maritime pine bark, is a complex mixture of bioflavonoids with oligometric proanthocyanidins as the major constituents. These constituents, catechin and procyanidin B(1), are water-soluble derivatives of flavangenol. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of flavangenol on reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and singlet oxygen using electron spin resonance and spin trapping.

Direct assessment of the antioxidant properties of midazolam by electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Some antioxidant anesthetics directly inhibit lipid peroxidation mediated via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To date, the scavenging effects of midazolam on ROS have not been directly assessed. We investigated the inhibitory effect of midazolam on ROS [hydroxyl radical (HO(·)) and superoxide (O (2) (·-) )] by in vitro X-band electron spin resonance with the spin-trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide.

Trandolapril, but not verapamil nor their association, restores the physiological renal hemodynamic response to adrenergic activation in essential hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of antihypertensive drugs on renal hemodynamics in hypertensive patients during an adrenergic activation by mental stress (MS), which induces renal vasoconstriction in healthy subjects. Renal hemodynamics was assessed twice in 30 middle-aged essential hypertensive patients (57±6 years)-after 15 days of pharmacological wash-out and after 15 days of treatment with Trandolapril (T, 4 mg, n=10), Verapamil (V, 240 mg, n=10), or both (T 2 mg+V 180 mg, n=10). Each experiment consisted of 4 30-min periods (baseline, MS, recovery I and II).

Direct assessments of the antioxidant effects of the novel collagen peptide on reactive oxygen species using electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant effects of a pepsin-treated novel collagen peptide (P-NCP) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radical (HO(•)), superoxide anion radical (O(2)(•-)), and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)), and the effects on cell viability after ultraviolet ray (UV) irradiation of human fibroblasts. We confirmed, using electron spin resonance, that P-NCP directly inhibited HO(•) and (1)O(2). Furthermore, addition of P-NCP to fibroblasts inhibited cell death induced by UVA (400-315 nm) irradiation in a dose-dependent manner.

Comparative effects of verapamil, nicardipine, and nitroglycerin on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The aim of this experiment was to establish whether verapamil, nicardipine, and nitroglycerin have (1) infarct size-limiting effects and (2) antiarrhythmic effects in in vivo rabbit hearts during ischemia/reperfusion. Rabbits received regional ischemia by 30 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 hours of reperfusion under ketamine and xylazine anesthesia. The animals were randomly assigned to the following 4 treatment groups: a control group, a verapamil group, a nicardipine group, and a nitroglycerin group.

Application of gum elastic bougie to nasal intubation.

Gum elastic bougie (GEB), a useful device for difficult airway management, has seldom been used for nasotracheal intubation. Among 632 patients undergoing dental procedures or oral surgery, GEB was used successfully in 16 patients in whom conventional nasal intubation had failed because of anatomical problems or maldirection of the tip of the tracheal tube. We recommend that GEB should be applied from the first attempt for nasal intubation in patients with difficult airways.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduce the expression of BRAK/CXCL14 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

The present study investigated the effects of oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and hydroxyl radical (HO(*)), on the expression of both BRAK , which is also known as non-ELR motif angiostatic CXC chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14), in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. When HNSCC cells were cultured in the presence of ROS, the expression of BRAK was significantly decreased whereas that of IL-8 was increased. Interestingly, the effects on the expression of both genes in HNSCC cells were much greater with HO(blacksquare, square, filled) than with H(2)O(2).

Perioperative management of obstructive sleep apnea with nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

The high risks associated with general anesthesia in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients have been reported. Many authors have suggested that the intraoperative administration of opioids and sedatives should be limited or avoided because these drugs selectively impair muscle activity in the upper airway. We report the case of an OSAS patient who was managed with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and treated safely in spite of the use of conventional anesthetic and analgesic agents typically used for patients without OSAS.

Direct assessments of the antioxidant effects of propofol medium chain triglyceride/long chain triglyceride on the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats using electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Background: Antioxidant anesthetics such as propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) directly inhibit lipid peroxidation via the generation of reactive oxygen species. Currently, there are no other studies regarding the direct effects of propofol medium chain triglyceride/long chain triglyceride (MCT/LCT) on reactive oxygen species generation or in experimental models of reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress in the brain.

Methods: The authors investigated the effects of propofol MCT/LCT on reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radical or superoxide) by electron spin resonance spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide.

Usefulness of noninjectable anesthetic gel for intraperiodontal gingival retraction.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of local anesthesia using Oraqix for gingival retraction in 35 healthy adult patients. The median visual analogue scale value was 20.5 +/- 24.

[Biomedical application of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy--assessment of antioxidant property for development of drugs].

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with oxidative stress-mediated alterations under pathophysiological conditions, and particularly brain ischemia, brain tumor, and neurodegenerative diseases. Electron spin resonance (ESR) is recognized as one of the most powerful techniques available for the detection of ROS in tissues and cells. We previously developed an in vitro ESR-based technique for the detection of free radical reactions in biological systems.

Hypothermic, but not normothermic, ischemia causes a drastic increase in cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactive granule cells in rat dentate gyrus after 4 hours of ischemic reperfusion.

We investigated cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus of Sprague-Dawley rats at 4 h after the induction of normothermic and hypothermic ischemia and reperfusion. Under the normothermic condition, Cox-2 immunoreactive cells showed more intense staining and clearer proximal dendrite configurations as compared with the control animals, whereas the numbers of immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus were not remarkably increased. In contrast to the normothermic condition, long-term (pre- and intra-ischemic) and short-term (exclusively intra-ischemic) hypothermic conditions caused a drastic increase in immunoreactive cells in the dentate gyrus.

Successful treatment of atlantooccipital luxation in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

A 7-mo-old male alpaca (Lama pacos) presented with an abnormal lowered posture of the head and neck and reluctance to walk. Cervical radiographs demonstrated atlantooccipital luxation. Successful manual closed reduction was achieved while the animal was anesthetized, resulting in complete return to normal gait and posture.

Leptospirosis in Wied's marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii).

Two adult Wied's marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii) presented with jaundice, anemia, and weight loss. Death of one individual was attributed to renal tubular necrosis; liver and kidney were positive for Leptospira antigen by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The second animal was negative for antigen by IHC staining, but serologically positive for Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar ballum with an eightfold titer increase in paired samples, and was euthanized because of unresponsiveness to treatment.

Preliminary evaluation of blood lipid profiles in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Published serum cholesterol values in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are much higher than human ranges, with a national mean of 7.36 mmol/L (284 mg/dl, n = 863). Complete blood lipid profiles were examined in 15 captive gorillas.

Reactive oxygen species generation in gingival fibroblasts of Down syndrome patients detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Oral manifestations of Down syndrome include high susceptibility to gingival inflammation with early onset and rapidly progressive periodontitis. The influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on periodontitis of Down syndrome is unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize ROS formation in Down syndrome-gingival fibroblasts (DS-GF) using electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping with 5,5-dimetyl-1-pyrolline-N-oxide (DMPO), and to determine whether ROS generation plays a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis in Down syndrome patients.

Cardiovascular toxicities of performance-enhancing substances in sports.

Athletes commonly use drugs and dietary supplements to improve athletic performance or to assist with weight loss. Some of these substances are obtainable by prescription or by illegal means; others are marketed as supplements, vitamins, or minerals. Nutritional supplements are protected from Food and Drug Administration regulation by the 1994 US Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, and manufacturers are not required to demonstrate proof of efficacy or safety.

Evidence of reactive oxygen species generation in synovial fluid from patients with temporomandibular disease by electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of temporomandibular disorders. In the present study, we provide the first evidence of ROS generation in the synovial fluid from human temporomandibular disorder patients, as shown by electron spin resonance (ESR) and spin trapping. Three distinct ESR spectra of DMPO spin adducts were observed in the synovial fluid.

Characterization by electron spin resonance spectroscopy of reactive oxygen species generated by titanium dioxide and hydrogen peroxide.

The influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the surface modification of titanium implants and osseointegration is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of titanium dioxide (TiO2) to generate ROS in the presence of H2O2 and to determine whether any ROS thus generated play a role in osseointegration, as measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrolline-N-oxide (DMPO). We demonstrate that TiO2 together with H2O2 generated hydroxyl radicals (HO*), as shown by a time-dependent increase in the spin concentration of the ESR signal for the DMPO-OH spin adduct, indicating HO* generation.

Assessment of oxidative stress in the spontaneously hypertensive rat brain using electron spin resonance (ESR) imaging and in vivo L-Band ESR.

This study examined the blood brain barrier (BBB)-permeable nitroxyl compound, 3-methoxycarbonyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl (MC-PROXYL), as a spin probe for the assessment of oxidative stress in the brain by electron spin resonance (ESR) imaging and in vivo L-band ESR. Preliminary comparisons were made by ESR imaging of MC-PROXYL in the isolated brains of normal Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and stroke prone SHR (SHRSP). The decay of the ESR images of MC-PROXYL in the isolated brains was faster in SHR than in normal WKY, but was only moderate in SHRSP.

Comparing the health status of VA and non-VA ambulatory patients: the veterans' health and medical outcomes studies.

The purpose of this study was to compare health status and disease profiles of ambulatory patients in specific Veterans Administration (VA) and civilian healthcare settings. A random sample of 2425 male veterans seeking care at 4 Boston-area VA outpatient clinics, who took part in the Veterans Health Study (VHS) in 1993-1995, were compared to 1318 male patients seeking civilian outpatient care in 3 major metropolitan areas covered in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) in 1986. The MOS sampled patients who had 1 of 5 conditions--hypertension, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, recent myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or depression.

Chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: a pooled analysis of community-based studies.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem. Conflicting evidence exists among community-based studies as to whether CKD is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. After subjects with a baseline history of cardiovascular disease were excluded, data from four publicly available, community-based longitudinal studies were pooled: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Cardiovascular Health Study, Framingham Heart Study, and Framingham Offspring Study.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury: incidence, pathophysiology, and relationship to vasopressor dependence and peripheral interleukin-6 levels.

Objective: To investigate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in patients requiring mechanical ventilation for traumatic brain injury and to assess the relation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities with vasopressor dependence and peripheral cytokine levels.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: General intensive care unit in a university teaching hospital.

Infectious disease serologic survey in free-ranging Venezuelan anacondas (Eunectes murinus).

Reptiles can harbor pathogenic microorganisms asymptomatically and serve as potential reservoirs of infection for humans, domestic animals, and other reptiles. Infectious diseases are also problematic for free-ranging reptile populations and are an important consideration in reptile reintroduction and translocation projects. There have been limited serologic studies of free-ranging reptiles for evidence of exposure to potential pathogens.