Effect of systemically administered low potassium dextran solution on oxidative stress in a rat model of lung ischemia.

Systemic administration of the low-potassium dextran solution on the peripheral oxidative stress was evaluated in an animal model of lung ischemia-reperfusion in rats. In one experiment, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n=5): one received intravenous saline, whereas in the other the animals were given intravenous low potassium dextran solution. In another experiment, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=5): control, ischemia, saline and low potassium dextran.

TNF-alpha as a molecular target in bipolar disorder.

The pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD) is poorly understood. An emerging body of evidence points to impairments in neuroplasticity, cell resilience and neuronal survival as the main neuropathological correlates of BD. It has been suggested that inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF-alpha may play a critical role in this process.

A synaptic reinforcement-based model for transient amnesia following disruptions of memory consolidation and reconsolidation.

The observation of memory recovery following post-training amnestic interventions has historically caused controversy over the meaning of this finding, leading some authors to question the paradigm of a consolidation period for memories. Similarly, recent demonstrations of transient amnesia caused by interventions following memory reactivation have been used to question the existence of a retrieval-driven reconsolidation process. The present work aims to approach the phenomenon of transient amnesia following disruptions of consolidation and reconsolidation, discussing how memory recovery might be explained within a framework of systems consolidation, persistent synaptic reinforcement, and multiple memory traces.

Risk factors for recurrence of tuberculosis.

Objective: To identify risk factors for recurrence of tuberculosis.

Methods: We studied a cohort of 610 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis who were enrolled for treatment between 1989 and 1994 and cured using a three-drug treatment regimen of rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide (RHZ). The risk factors studied were age, gender, race, duration of symptoms, lesion cavitation, extent of disease, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, HIV infection, delayed negative sputum conversion, treatment compliance, and medication doses.

Interrater agreement for the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia epidemiological version for school-age children (K-SADS-E).

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the interrater agreement for the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Epidemiological version for School-Age Children (K-SADS-E).

Methods: Four interviewers being trained with the K-SADS-E scored independently 29 videotaped interviews performed with psychiatric outpatients in the ADHD Outpatient Clinic at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Interrater agreement analysis was performed using the kappa coefficient (k).

Beneficial effect of alpha-tocopherol in renal ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

We evaluated the effects of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) on the products of lipid peroxidation and serum creatinine levels in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion. The animals were submitted to sham operation or renal ischemia-reperfusion, and they were pretreated with alpha-tocopherol or the vehicle saline. In four groups, we analyzed the lipid peroxidation products by measuring malondialdehyde and chemiluminescence levels.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is related to cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the study was to define the relationship between the presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy with objectively defined autonomic neuropathy in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. The research design used was a cross-sectional, case control study. A cohort of NIDDM patients was classified, according to five cardiovascular autonomic tests described by Ewing, as: (1) no involvement--no abnormal tests (n = 17); (2) cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy--two out of five abnormal tests (n = 18).