Effects of Passiflora edulis (yellow passion) on serum lipids and oxidative stress status of Wistar rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener (yellow passion) juice on the lipid profile and oxidative stress status of Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided in two groups (n=8 animals per group): the control group, which received water, and the treated group, which was given P. edulis juice (1,000 mg/kg). Both groups received by gavage treatment twice a day for 28 days. The treated group showed an increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level and decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and free fatty acid levels compared with the control group. Levels of triglycerides and and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, superoxide dismutase activity, and total glutathione concentration were not statistically different between the two groups, but the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration (indicating lipid peroxidation) decreased in the treated group. These findings suggests that P. edulis juice in the experimental conditions used showed beneficial effects on lipid profile and improved lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats.     

Mercury exposure evaluation among Pakaanóva Indians,Amazon Region,Brazil

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate mercury (Hg) exposure among 910 Pakaan va Indians from the counties of Guajar Mirim and Nova Marmor , Rond nia State, Brazil. Individual hair samples were taken from the occipital region, and Hg was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry with cold vapor generation. Mean Hg in hair samples was 8.37 micro g/g (range 0.52-83.89), indicating high exposure. Young children (< 2 years old) showed a mean Hg of 10.54 micro g/g, and children from 3 to 5 years old had a mean Hg of 9.34 micro g/g. Mercury levels in women (8,91 micro g/g) were higher than in men (7.55 micro g/g), and this difference was significant (t = 3.26; p < 0.01). These results indicate the need for surveillance programs and complementary studies including the Pakaan va Indians in Rond nia State.     

Efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole 40 mg versus 80 mg in patients with reflux oesophagitis.

BACKGROUND: Pantoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which is a potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion by its action upon H+, K+- ATPase. METHODS: Pantoprazole 40 mg and 80 mg were compared in a randomized double-blind study in 192 out-patients with stage II or III (Savary-Miller classification) reflux oesophagitis. Patients received either pantoprazole 40 mg (n = 97) or pantoprazole 80 mg (n = 95), once daily before breakfast for 4 weeks. Treatment was extended for a further 4 weeks if the oesophagitis had not healed. RESULTS: After 4 weeks complete healing of the reflux oesophagitis was seen in 78% of protocol-correct patients given pantoprazole 40 mg daily (n = 86), and in 72% in the 80 mg (n = 87) group. The cumulative healing rates after 8 weeks were 95 and 94%, respectively (P > 0.05, Cochran-Mantel- Haenszel), and time until healing of oesophagitis comparable in both groups. Differences between doses were also not significant in an intention-to-treat analysis. Both dosing schedules were well tolerated and the patients experienced remarkable symptom relief. No adverse event or changes in laboratory values of clinical significance could definitely be ascribed to the trial medication. CONCLUSION: The 40 mg pantoprazole dosage is comparable to 80 mg in reflux oesophagitis, both in efficacy and tolerability.     

Progressive left ventricular dilatation following anterior myocardial infarct as a determinant for the development of heart failure

35 consecutive patients were studied prospectively with respect to echocardiographic left ventricular size after anterior myocardial infarction. In 25 patients sufficient follow-up was possible. Another 57 patients and volunteers were examined to prove accuracy in comparison to angiocardiography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and reproducibility as well as to define normal values. While two-thirds of all patients did not develop left ventricular dilation, one-third showed marked dilation with left ventricular size being 41% above mean normal value. All patients who subsequently developed congestive heart failure or died were in this group. Two-thirds showed no left ventricular dilation and had an uneventful follow-up. Mean left ventricular dilation for all infarcts was 22% within 4 weeks and 26% within 6.3 months, but some patients showed marked left ventricular dilation beyond 4 weeks. We conclude that serial echocardiography is very useful for stratification of risk for CHF after myocardial infarction, and left ventricular dilation is a major risk factor for CHF.     

Alcohol oxidation by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus EB 104--a n-alkane-utilizing and cytochrome P-450-producing strain

A soluble, NADP+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) with a pH optimum at 8.7 was found in A. calcoaceticus EB 104 after growth on different carbon sources. n-Alkanols with short and medium chain length were employed as test substrates. The Km values decreased with increasing chain length. The Vmax values remained nearly unchanged. The activities determined were independent of the carbon source. Furthermore, a n-alkanol-dependent reduction of DCPIP was measured in membrane fractions of cells grown on different carbon sources. The optimum pH for this reaction was at 7.5. Further proof for the presence of a pyridine nucleotide-independent ADH was derived from the oxidation of 14C-decanol in the absence of NADP+ or NAD+.     

Endovaskuläre Therapie der stumpfen traumatischen thorakalen Aortentranssektion

Traumatic thoracic aortic transection (TTAT) results from a high positive or negative G force exerted on the body. It is associated with a high rate of lethality. Precipitating events are especially traffic accidents in which the patients have usually sustained multiple injuries, and traumatic rupture of the aorta represents the second most frequent cause of death after head injuries. While clinical examinations and conventional diagnostic radiology only suggest the presence of TTAT, it can be reliably diagnosed with the aid of multidetector-row computed tomography (CT). Consequent to the successful introduction of implantable endovascular stent grafts to repair various forms of aortic aneurysms, this method has become an established approach to treating traumatic transections and has to a large extent replaced open surgery with its inherently high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular therapy has been successfully performed at the UKB in eight patients with TTAT since 2006. While one patient died from septic multiorgan failure, no procedural complications were observed. An occurrence of endoleak could be excluded in all cases based on CT monitoring.     

Venous clots: evaluation with MR imaging

In vitro and in vivo studies were performed to determine the proton relaxation and imaging characteristics of static blood and acute and organized clot in canine jugular veins. In vivo, it was found that two inversion recovery sequences using a short inversion time (100 msec) demonstrated better differentiation of signal intensity of intravascular clot from surrounding soft tissues than did standard T1- and T2-weighted sequences. In vitro, quantitative measurements showed marked reduction of both T1 and T2 relaxation time of acute clot compared with stagnant blood. In addition, the T1 relaxation time, and to a lesser extent the T2 relaxation time, shortened as the clot aged, indicating a potential role for magnetic resonance imaging in determining the age of venous thrombi.