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PubMed1979

Clinical trial of six-month and four-month regimens of chemotherapy in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

In a study in Singapore, Chinese, Malay, and Indian patients with pulmonary tuberculosis received 2 months of daily treatment with streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide followed either by daily treatment with isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide (SHRZ/HRZ regimen) or by daily administration of isoniazid and rifampin (SHRZ/HR regimen) allocated at random. Both regimens were given for either 6 or 4 months by random allocation. All 330 patients with drug-sensitive tubercle bacilli before treatment had a favorable bacteriologic response during chemotherapy. During the first 6 months after the end of chemotherapy, there was only a single bacteriologic relapse among 84 SHRZ/HRZ and 80 SHRZ/HR patients treated for 6 months, but 8 (10 per cent) of 80 SHRZ/HRZ and 4 (5 per cent) of 74 SHRZ/HR patients treated for 4 months relapsed. Of a total of 33 patients with bacilli resistant to isoniazid, streptomycin, or both drugs before treatment, only one had an unfavorable response during chemotherapy, and none of 31 patients relapsed during the first 6 months after stopping chemotherapy. The incidence of adverse reactions was low; 11 (3 per cent) of 397 patients had hepatitis, but not all episodes were attributable to drug toxicity, and one patient had thrombocytopenic purpura.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Long-term follow-up of a clinical trial of six-month and four-month regimens of chemotherapy in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Singapore Tuberculosis Service/British Medical Research Council.

In a study in Singapore, patients of Chinese, Malay, or Indian ethnic origin with sputum-smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis received 2 months of daily treatment with streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide followed by daily isoniazid and rifampin, either with or without pyrazinamide, allocated at random. Both regimens were given for a total duration of either 6 or 4 months by random allocation. As previously reported, all 330 patients with drug-susceptible strains of tubercle bacilli pretreatment had a favorable bacteriologic response during chemotherapy, and only 2 (1%) of 158 in the 6-month series, compared with 15 (10%) of 156 in the 4-month series, relapsed bacteriologically during the 30 months after the start of chemotherapy. A long-term follow-up assessment has been conducted 5 to 8 yr after admission to the study. The excellent results in the 6-month series were maintained; only 1 of the 138 patients assessed relapsed after 30 months, compared with 5 of the 131 in the 4-month series. Of 33 patients with bacilli resistant to isoniazid, streptomycin, or both drugs pretreatment, 1 had an unfavorable response during treatment, and none of 9 in the 6-month series and 2 of 22 in the 4-month series relapsed bacteriologically by 30 months, but none of the nine 6-month and eighteen 4-month patients assessed relapsed subsequently.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Substrate utilization in porcine embryos cultured in NCSU23 and G1.2/G2.2 sequential culture media.

Embryo metabolism is an indicator of viability and, therefore, efficiency of the culture medium. Currently, little is known regarding porcine embryo metabolism. The objective of our study was to evaluate glucose and pyruvate uptake and lactate production in porcine embryos cultured in two different media systems. Oocytes were matured and fertilized according to standard protocols. Embryos were allocated randomly into two culture treatments, NCSU23 medium or G1.2/G2.2 sequential culture media 6-8 h post-insemination (hpi). Embryo substrate utilization was measured at the two-cell (24-30 hpi), 8-cell (80 hpi), morula (120 hpi), and blastocyst (144 hpi) stages using ultramicrofluorimetry. Glucose uptake was higher (P < 0.05) in two-cell embryos cultured in G1.2 than in NCSU23 medium (4.54 +/- 0.71, 2.16 +/- 0.87 pmol/embryo/h, respectively). Embryos cultured in G1.2/G2.2 produced significantly more lactate than those in NCSU23 at the eight-cell stage (9.41 +/- 0.71, 4.42 +/- 0.95 pmol/embryo/hr, respectively) as well as the morula stage (11.03 +/- 2.31, 6.29 +/- 0.77 pmol/embryo/hr, respectively). Pyruvate uptake was higher (P < 0.05) in morula cultured in G1.2/G2.2 versus NCSU23 (22.59 +/- 3.92, 11.29 +/- 1.57 pmol/embryo/h, respectively). Lactate production was greater (P < 0.05) in blastocysts cultured in G1.2/G2.2 (38.13 +/- 15.94 pmol/embryo/h) than blastocysts cultured in NCSU23 (8.46 +/- 2.38 pmol/embryo/h). Pyruvate uptake was also greater in blastocysts cultured in G1.2/G2.2 (24.3 +/- 11.04) than those in NCSU23 (11.30 +/- 2.70). When cultured in NCSU23 medium, two- and eight-cell embryos utilized less glucose than morulae and blastocysts, and two-cell embryos produced less lactate than blastocysts (P < 0.05). In G1.2/G2.2 media, two-cells took up less pyruvate than morulae or blastocysts, while blastocysts produced more lactate and utilized more glucose than two-cell, eight-cell and morula stage embryos (P < 0.05). As in other species, glycolysis appears to be the primary metabolic pathway in post-compaction stage porcine embryos. Culture medium composition affects not only substrate uptake, but also metabolic pathways by which these substrates are utilized in porcine embryos at several developmental stages.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effect of immediate versus slow intrauterine reduction of congenital diaphragmatic hernia on lung development in the sheep: a morphometric analysis of term pulmonary structure and maturity.

The incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is 1:1,200-5, 000, and the condition is associated with high mortality and morbidity attributed principally to associated pulmonary hypoplasia. One treatment approach has been for intrauterine intervention to induce lung growth to a sufficient level to allow survival at birth. Repair of the hernia in utero has been attempted, using a method of immediate reduction and repair of the hernia (patch) compared to a slow reduction method using a silastic "silo" sewn over the diaphragm defect to contain the hernial contents. In animal studies, this second method has been associated with lower fetal morbidity and mortality. This study, utilizing the sheep model of CDH, focuses on analysis of lung structural development and maturation, comparing the efficacy of the immediate vs. slow methods of hernial repair in preventing/reversing pulmonary hypoplasia. We hypothesized that: a) Both the immediate (patch) and slow (silo) methods of hernia repair performed in the lamb model of CDH will stimulate lung growth and structural development and restore lung structure and maturity towards normal levels by term gestation; b) Effects will be detectable by morphometric measurement of the following parameters: lung volume; parenchyma to nonparenchyma tissue ratio; volume density of connective tissue in nonparenchyma; gas exchange tissue to airspace ratio; gas exchange surface area; capillary loading; alveolar/airspace density; and alveolar perimeter; c) Effects will be seen in all lobes of the lung; and d) There will be no significant difference in lung size or structural parameters between the two groups. Forty-four pregnant ewes were allocated randomly to one of four groups. Fetal lambs in three groups (n = 36) underwent CDH creation at days 72-74 of gestation. Of surviving lambs showing an adequate hernia, 9 were not operated on further, 11 underwent "repair" using a silastic chimney around the hernial contents (slow reduction), and 11 underwent "repair" by a silastic patch over the diaphragmatic defect (immediate reduction). The fourth group were normal controls. All surviving lambs (n = 8 in each group) were delivered by Cesarian section at 141-143 days (term = 145-149 days). Lungs were obtained at autopsy, inflation-fixed, divided into lobes, and sampled, and morphometric analysis was performed. Comparisons were made between these groups and with matched normal controls and CDH untreated animals prepared in conjunction and previously reported. The lungs from the CDH animals treated by both methods of fetal hernia repair showed significant lung growth and structural development and maturation, although they remained significantly hypoplastic compared to normal. There were minor differences in the lung parameters between these two groups, with a tendency for the slow method to provide more normal parameter values. An exception was the increase in lung volume that was greater for the immediate (patch) method, particularly in the left lower lobe. In conclusion, intrauterine hernia repair by both methods is capable of partially reversing total lung and lobar structural hypoplasia and immaturity. The slow reduction method, with reduced potential for mortality and morbidity, is at least as good at reversing pulmonary hypoplasia as the immediate method. Alternative intrauterine interventions to prevent or reverse pulmonary hypoplasia are discussed and compared with the hernia repair methods used in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Intravenous immunoglobulin for preventing infection in preterm and/or low-birth-weight infants.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm and/or low birth weight infants. Maternal transport of immunoglobulins to the fetus mainly occurs after 32 weeks gestation and endogenous synthesis does not begin until several months after birth. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin provides IgG that can bind to cell surface receptors, provide opsonic activity, activate complement, promote antibody dependent cytotoxicity, and improve neutrophilic chemoluminescence. Intravenous immunoglobulin thus has the potential of preventing or altering the course of nosocomial infections. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness/safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration (compared to placebo or no intervention) to preterm (< 37 weeks gestational age at birth) and/or low birth weight (LBW) (< 2500 g BW) infants in preventing nosocomial infections. SEARCH STRATEGY: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Reference Update Databases were searched in November 1997 using keywords: immunoglobulin and infant-newborn and random allocation or controlled trial or randomized controlled trial (RCT). The reference lists of identified RCTs, personal files and Science Citation Index were searched. No language restrictions were applied. SELECTION CRITERIA: The criteria used to select studies for inclusion in this overview were: 1) DESIGN: RCTs in which administration of IVIG was compared to a control group that received a placebo or no intervention. 2) POPULATION: preterm (< 37 weeks gestational age) and/or LBW (<2500 g) infants. 3) INTERVENTION: IVIG for the prevention of bacterial/fungal infection during initial hospital stay (8 days or longer). (Studies that were primarily designed to assess the effect of IVIG on humoral immune markers were excluded as were studies in which the follow-up period was one week or less). 4) At least one of the following outcomes was reported: sepsis, any serious infection, death from all causes, death from infection, length of hospital stay, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently abstracted information for each outcome reported in each study, and one researcher (AO) checked for any discrepancies and pooled the results. Relative risk (RR) and Risk Difference (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the fixed effects model are reported. When a statistically significant RD was found the number needed to treat (NNT) was also calculated with 95% CIs. The results include all accepted studies in which the outcome of interest was reported. When statistically significant heterogeneity was found for an outcome, secondary (sensitivity) analyses were performed including only studies of the highest quality. MAIN RESULTS: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. These included 5,054 preterm and/or LBW infants and reported on at least one of the outcomes of interest for this systematic review. When all studies were combined there was a statistically significant reduction in sepsis, one or more episodes [RR 0.83 (95% CI 0.72, 0.97); RD -0.028 (95% CI -0.006, -0.051); NNT 36 (95% CI 20, 167)]. There was significant between-study heterogeneity. When, in a sensitivity analysis, the high quality studies were combined, the results remained significant [RR 0.78 (95% CI 0.62, 0.98); RD -0.031(95% CI -0.003, -0.059); NNT 32 (95% CI 17, 333]. For this analysis there was no statistically significant between-study heterogeneity. A statistically significant reduction was also found for any serious infection, one or more episodes, when all studies were combined [RR 0.85 (95% CI 0.75, 0. 95); RD -0.032 (95% CI -0.010, -0.054,); NNT 31 (95% CI 19, 100). There was statistically significant between-study heterogeneity. When, in a sensitivity analysis, the high quality studies were combined the results remained statistically significant [RR 0.80 (95% CI

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2000

Intravenous immunoglobulin for suspected or subsequently proven infection in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Congenital and nosocomial infections are important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal transport of immunoglobulins to the fetus mainly occurs after 32 weeks gestation and endogenous synthesis does not begin until several months after birth. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin provides IgG that can bind to cell surface receptors, provide opsonic activity, activate complement, promote antibody dependent cytotoxicity, and improve neutrophilic chemoluminescence. Theoretically infectious morbidity and morbidity could be reduced by the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to reduce mortality/morbidity caused by suspected infection in newborn infants. In secondary analyses to assess the effectiveness of IVIG to reduce mortality/morbidity in those neonates who entered into the studies with suspected infection and who later were confirmed as being infected. SEARCH STRATEGY: Medline, Embase, and Reference Update Databases were searched in November 1997, and the Cochrane Library in July 1998 using the following keywords: immunoglobulin and infant-newborn, and random allocation, or controlled trial, or randomized controlled trial (RCT). The reference lists of identified RCTs and meta-analyses, personal files and Science Citation Index were also searched. No language restrictions were applied. Unpublished data were requested from authors and information has been obtained from one author to date. SELECTION CRITERIA: The criteria used to select studies for inclusion were: 1) DESIGN: RCT (including quasi-randomized trials) 2) Newborn infants (< 28 days old) 3) INTERVENTION: IVIG for treatment of suspected (and in some infants subsequently proved) bacterial/fungal infection compared to placebo or no intervention. Suspected infection was defined as clinical symptoms and signs consistent with infection without isolation of causative organism. Proved infection was defined as: clinical symptoms and signs consistent with infection in association with isolation of causative organism from either blood culture, cerebrospinal fluid culture, urine culture (urine obtained by suprapubic tap) or a normally sterile site (e.g., liver, spleen, meninges, lung) at autopsy. 4) At least one of the following outcomes was reported: mortality during initial hospital stay; length of hospital stay; side effects; psychomotor development/growth at follow up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently abstracted information for the outcomes of interest and one researcher (AO) checked for any discrepancies and pooled the results. Relative risk (RR) and Risk Difference (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the fixed effects model are reported for dichotomous outcomes and weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous data. NNT was calculated for outcomes that showed a statistically significant reduction in RD. Data from quasi-randomized trials were excluded in sensitivity analyses. MAIN RESULTS: Study quality was generally poor. Four of 7 identified studies (n = 208), reported on the outcomes of all randomized patients with clinically suspected infection. Mortality was reduced [RR 0.52 (95% CI; 0.28, 0.98), RD -0.102 (95% CI; -0.005, -0.199, NNT 10 (95% CI; 5, 200]. When, in a sensitivity analysis (n = 126), the results from a quasi-randomized trial (n = 82) were excluded, RR and RD remained similar, [RR 0.53 (95% CI; 0.25, 1.15), RD -0.106 (-0.232, 0.021)] but statistical significance was lost. Treatment with IVIG (six trials, n = 234) in cases of subsequently proved infection did not result in a statistically significant reduction in mortality [RR 0.62 (95% CI; 0.34, 1.12, RD -0.074 (95% CI; -0.163, 0. 014)]. Excluding in a sensitivity analysis (n = 199) a quasi-randomized trial (n = 35) changed the results slightly [RR 0. 68 (95% CI; 0.36, 1.29), RD -0.059 (-0.152, 0.035)]. There was no statistically significant between-study

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Effect of folic acid supplementation on small-for-gestational-age infants born at term.

The effect of 250 micrograms folic acid (FA)/day or placebo given to 21 small-for-gestational-age infants born at term was studied during the first 3 months of life. The design of the study was double blind with random allocation. No randomization was performed in respect of breast-feeding or formula-feeding with a folate content of 60-70 micrograms/l. No significant differences were observed in haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, weight and length between FA-supplemented and non-supplemented infants. A negative correlation was demonstrated between gestational age and erythrocyte folate (E-folate) concentration at 1 week. E-folate content was higher when no supplement was given in breast-fed than in formula-fed infants.

Bottle Feeding↗
PubMed1993

Effects of TRH and high-dose corticosteroid therapy on evoked potentials, and tissue Na+,K+ and water content in experimental spinal injury.

The therapeutic effects of continuous infusion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and methylprednisolone (MP) in experimental spinal cord injury were studied in Swiss albino rats. Thirty rats received a 53-g clip-compression injury on the cord at T1, then were allocated randomly and blindly to one of three treatment groups (ten animals in each): (1) control; received equal volumes of saline solution; (2) MP; received 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone i.v. 1h after trauma, followed by infusion of 5.4 mg/kg/per hour i.v. for 3h; (3) TRH; received 2 mg/kg TRH i.v. 1h after trauma, followed by infusion of 1 mg/kg/per hour i.v. for 3h. MP and TRH treatments significantly improved somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs; P < 0.001). Both treatments significantly reduced water content, decreased Na+ content and increased the K+ content of the cord segment that included the centre of the impact (P < 0.01). Our data provide evidence for the beneficial effects of high-dose corticosteroid and TRH in promoting electrophysiological recovery and preserving spinal cord tissue following experimental injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Histopathology of experimental spinal cord trauma. Comparison of treatment with TRH, naloxone, and dexamethasone.

The results of treatment with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), naloxone and dexamethasone treatments albino rats with experimental spinal cord injury were compared. All the animals were made paraplegic by the application clip method of Rivlin and Tator. Treatment was administered i.p. as bolus injections in two doses, at 45 and 120 min after the injury. Animals were allocated randomly to four experimental groups: (1) TRH (0.6 mg per dose), (2) naloxone (0.8 mg per dose), (3) dexamethasone (0.6 mg per dose), and (4) control (saline). TRH-treated rats showed significantly better histopathological scores than either naloxone or dexamethasone-treated ones (Kruskal Wallis: 24.058 P less than 0.001).

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Parasites as stressors: plasma cortisol responses of goats infected with the stomach worm Haemonchus contortus to exogenous corticotropin (ACTH).

Ten male, juvenile pigmy goats of similar age and weight were allocated randomly to two groups. Goats in one group were each inoculated with 20,000 infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus. The other group served as uninfected controls. Goats were housed together, and precautions were taken to avoid the creation of differential, between group, stressogenic circumstances. Body weights, nematode egg production, hematocrits, and clinical signs were monitored over a 61-day period following inoculation of larvae. On Days 59 and 61, adrenal response tests (ART) were conducted by measuring the levels of plasma cortisol before and 2 h after administration of porcine ACTH at the rate of 0.35 I.U. kg-1 body weight on Day 59 and 2.2 I.U. kg-1 on Day 61. Although the infections did not reduce body weights, they were 'heavy' on the basis of egg production, and led to significant reductions in packed erythrocyte volumes. There was no significant difference between the groups of goats in the responses to ART, indicating that the infections did not produce sufficient stress to reduce the ability of the adrenal cortex to respond to exogenous ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2005

Effects of oestradiol and some of its esters on gonadotrophin release and ovarian follicular dynamics in CIDR-treated beef cattle.

Three experiments were conducted to: (1) compare the effect of three oestradiol formulations on gonadotrophin release in ovariectomised cows; (2) compare the effects of either oestradiol-17beta (E-17beta) or oestradiol benzoate (EB), given at two doses, on the synchrony of ovarian follicular wave emergence in CIDR-treated beef cattle; and (3) determine the timing of ovulation of the dominant follicle of a synchronised follicular wave following administration of E-17beta or EB 24h after progesterone withdrawal. In Experiment 1, ovariectomised cows (n = 16) received a once-used CIDR on Day 0 (beginning of the experiment) and were allocated randomly to receive 5mg of E-17beta, EB or oestradiol valerate (EV) plus 100mg progesterone i.m. The CIDR inserts were removed on Day 7. There were effects of time, and a treatment-by-time interaction (P < 0.0001) for plasma concentrations of both oestradiol and FSH. Plasma oestradiol concentrations peaked 12h after treatment, with highest (P < 0.01) peak concentrations in cows given E-17beta; estradiol concentrations subsequently returned to baseline by 36 h in E-17beta-treated cows and by 96 h in EB- and EV-treated cows. Plasma FSH concentrations decreased by 12h after oestradiol treatment in all groups (P < 0.0001), reached a nadir at 24h, and increased by 60 h in all groups; plasma FSH reached higher (P < 0.02) concentrations in E-17beta-treated than in EB- or EV-treated cows. In Experiment 2, non-lactating Hereford cows (n = 29) received a new CIDR on Day 0 (beginning of the experiment), and were assigned randomly to receive 1 or 5mg of E-17beta or EB i.m. on Day 1. On Day 8, CIDR were removed and PGF was given. Transrectal ultrasonography was done once daily from 2 days before CIDR insertion to 2 days after CIDR removal, and then twice-daily to ovulation. Although there was no difference among groups in the interval from oestradiol treatment to follicular wave emergence (4.2 +/- 0.3 days; P = 0.5), 5mg of E-17beta resulted in the least variable interval to wave emergence (P < 0.005), compared with the other treatment groups which were not different (P = 0.1). For the interval from CIDR removal to ovulation, there were no differences among groups for either means (P = 0.5) or variances (P = 0.1). In Experiment 3, beef heifers (n = 32) received a once-used CIDR on Day 0 (beginning of the experiment) plus 100mg progesterone i.m. and were assigned randomly to receive 5mg E-17beta or 1mg EB i.m. On Day 7, CIDR were removed and all heifers received PGF. On Day 8 (24h after CIDR removal), each group was subdivided randomly to receive 1mg of either E-17beta or EB i.m. There was no effect of oestradiol formulation on interval from treatment to follicular wave emergence (4.1 +/- 0.2 days; P = 0.7) or on the median interval (76.6h; P = 0.7) or range (72-120 h; P = 0.08) from CIDR removal to ovulation. In summary, oestradiol treatments suppressed FSH in ovariectomised cows, with the duration of suppression dependent on the oestradiol formulation. Both E-17beta and EB effectively synchronised ovarian follicular wave emergence and ovulation in CIDR-treated cattle, and the interval from CIDR removal to ovulation did not differ in heifers given either E-17beta or EB 24h after CIDR removal.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Immunocytochemical study on endothelial integrity of saphenous vein grafts harvested by minimally invasive surgery with the use of vascular mayo stripers. A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the endothelial integrity of saphenous vein grafts harvested by minimally invasive surgery and veins harvested conventionally for coronary artery bypass surgery in 200 participants who were assigned to interventions by using random allocation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. Methods. Immunocytochemistry with anti-CD 31 antibodies and anti-nitric oxide synthase (NOS) antibodies were employed to identify the endothelial integrity. RESULTS: The CD 31 immunostaining showed that the endothelial cell integrity of the minimally invasive harvested veins was preserved in 82+/-13% of the circumference of luminal endothelium, while in conventionally harvested grafts it was reduced to 64+/-15% (p=0.05).> This was associated with the lack of CD 31 expression in vasa vasorum (10 and 18%) in both groups, respectively, (p=0.02). The NOS immunostaining revealed that the endothelial integrity of the minimally invasive harvested grafts was preserved in 96+/-4% of the luminal endothelium circumference as compared to 74+/-10% in conventionally harvested grafts (p=0.05). The percentage of cases with the lack of NOS expression in all vasa vasorum was 12 and 21%, in G1 and G2, respectively, (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The endothelial integrity of saphenous vein grafts harvested by minimally invasive surgery is better preserved than with the grafts obtained by the conventional manner. This could play an important role in improving vein graft patency rates.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The effects of local and sustained release of fibroblast growth factor on testicular blood flow and morphology in spermatic artery--and vein-ligated rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of local and sustained release of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on testicular blood flow and morphology in spermatic artery--and vein-ligated rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar albino rats weighting 300 +/- 20 g were allocated randomly into 5 groups consisting of 8 in each as follows: G-S (sham); G-C (control); and G-T0.85, G-T1.70, G-T2.55. After the ligation of the left spermatic artery and vein, 1 cm2 of unloaded and 0.85 microg, 1.70 microg, and 2.55 microg of FGF-loaded gelatin films were sutured on the left epididymis in G-C, G-T0.85, G-T1.70, and G-T2.55, respectively. After 30 days, bilateral capsular (CBF) and intratesticular (IBF) blood flows were evaluated by colored Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and testicular blood flow (TBF) by 133Xe clearance technique. Tunica albuginea and intertubular tissues were studied for the increase of peritesticular and intratesticular vessels. Mean intertubular vascular structure counts, seminiferous tubular diameters, testicular biopsy scores, and Leyding cell scores of each group were recorded and compared. RESULTS: CBF was present in all animals of G-S, G-T0.85, G-T1.70, and G-T2.55 groups in CDUS, and it was detected in 62% of the G-C rats (P < .05). However, IBF was present in only 25% of the G-C rats, and this percentage was increased from 50% up to 87.5% for treatment groups, and 100% for G-S rats, respectively. 133Xe clearance showed that TBF was significantly decreased in G-C compared with G-S (P < .05). In G-T2.55, TBF was significantly increased, but still could not reach the level of G-S. Although mean testicular weights were significantly decreased for controls (G-C), G-T0.85, and G-T1.70, almost no difference was observed between G-T2.55 and G-S. Although a slight increase in the vascular structures of tunica albuginea was present in G-C rats, a significant increase was observed in treatment groups. The mean number of intertubular vascular structures was significantly increased in treatment groups when compared with G-S and G-C (P < .05). Mean seminiferous tubular diameters and Leydig cell scores were decreased in G-C but significantly increased in treatment groups (P < .05). Mean testicular biopsy scores were increased in treatment groups compared with G-C but could not reach to sham levels. CONCLUSIONS: Ligation of the spermatic artery and vein has detrimental effects on the ipsilateral testicular blood flow and morphology. These effects may be reversed by local application of FGF.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of dietary organic versus inorganic selenium in laying hens on the productivity, selenium distribution in egg and selenium content in blood, liver and kidney.

We investigated the effect of organic versus inorganic dietary selenium in laying hens on the productivity, selenium distribution in egg and selenium content in blood, liver and kidney. Sixty Leghorn laying hens were fed a basic diet containing 0.23mg Se/kg DM (dry matter) for 2 weeks and then were allocated randomly into three groups. Thereafter, the hens were given the same basic diet without supplementation, or with 0.51 mg Se/kg DM as sodium selenite (SS) or Se-malt (SM). During the experiment, egg rate and dietary intake were recorded, blood was sampled on days 10 and 20, and six eggs were sampled on days 8, 16 and 24 from each treatment group for Se content determination. At the end of the experiment, 10 hens from each treatment were slaughtered, and liver and kidney were sampled for the determination of Se content. The result showed that with the increase of dietary Se level, the Se content in egg, blood, liver and kidney was elevated (P < 0.05), but the hens' productivity was not affected. SS increased liver Se content more than SM (P < 0.05), while the Se content both in blood and kidney did not differ significantly between the SS and SM treatments. Se from SM and SS mainly deposited in the egg yolk. This suggests that the metabolic route of Se from SM is similar to that of Se from SS in laying hens.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of GnRH treatment 12 days after AI in the reproductive performance of dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of GnRH administered at Day 12 post-AI on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n=103) on a large Hungarian dairy farm were allocated randomly to treated (n=54) or control (n=49) groups. Twelve days after AI, treated cows received a GnRH agonist i.m., while the control group received a placebo (physiological saline). Progesterone radioimmunoassay was used to determine the correct timing of artificial insemination (Day 0) and the incidence of luteal insufficiency on Day 12. Ultrasonography and radioimmunoassay for pregnancy-associated glycoprotein were used to detect pregnancy and late embryonic/fetal mortality between Days 32 and 55 after AI. Three cows from each group were inseminated when progesterone concentrations were >1.0 ng/mL, and six cows (four from the treated and two from the control group) had luteal insufficiency (progesterone<1.0 ng/mL) on Day 12. Late embryonic/fetal mortality occurred in three treated cows and in two control cows. When these cows were removed from the model, calving rates after first service were 59.6% (28/47) and 59.1% (26/44) for treated and control cows, respectively (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between treated and control cows when they were inseminated before or after Day 100 from calving. In summary, administration of a GnRH agonist on Day 12 after AI did not improve reproductive performance in dairy cows. However, our approach may be used for the field evaluation of different treatment protocols.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Lung transplantation from ventilated non-heart-beating donors: experimental study in a neonatal swine model.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: A shortage of transplantable lungs is a constant and frustrating reality. The use of organs retrieved from ventilated non-heart-beating donors (VNHBD) may alleviate this problem. The purpose of this work was to assess lung function of donor grafts subjected to different time lengths of in situ warm ischemia (WIT). METHODS: Twenty piglets weighing between 6 and 8 kg were allocated randomly to the following study groups: Sham (n = 5), heart-beating donors, non warm ischemia; I-30 (n = 5), I-60 (n = 5) and I-90 (n = 5), VNHBD-WIT of 30, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively. Recipients were rendered dependent on the single left transplanted lung by clamping right pulmonary artery and bronchus 1 hour after transplantation. Assessment of pulmonary function was monitored hourly by hemodynamic, oxygenation, and pulmonary mechanic measurements during a period of 6 hours after reperfusion. Lung grafts were weighed pre- and posttransplantation. RESULTS: Final mean lung weight was significantly greater in VNHBD (92.5+/-3.1 v Sham values 75.6 g+/-2.4; P < .01). Cold ischemic time averaged 80.1+/-2.7 minutes. After right lung exclusion, hemodynamic changes consisted of a sustained increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and a reduction in cardiac output. Lung mechanics also deteriorated with a gradual rise in airway resistance and a fall in compliance. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that posttransplantation lung graft function from VNHBD with up to 90 minutes of WIT, is preserved and equivalent to those achieved by grafts harvested after heart-beating donation.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1984

Single-day treatment with trimethoprim for asymptomatic bacteriuria in the elderly patient.

Recent reports have demonstrated an association between bacteriuria and excess mortality. Therefore, 40 inpatients 60 or more years old with asymptomatic bacteriuria participated in a double-blind trial to assess the effect of 1-day treatment with trimethoprim. The patients were allocated randomly to receive 100 mg. trimethoprim (20 patients) or placebo (20 patients) to be taken in the morning and evening for 1 day. All patients treated with trimethoprim obtained sterile urine, whereas all patients treated with placebo remained bacteriuric (p less than 0.002). No side effects were recorded. However, many of the cured patients suffered rapid reinfection. Of the 20 initially cured patients 14 (70 per cent, 95 per cent confidence limits 46 to 88 per cent) had recurrent bacteriuria after 6 weeks, indicating that although this treatment is effective immediately it imparts no long-term effect.

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PubMed2005

[Common and specific methodological features of checklists].

As medical aims, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and prevention benefit from scientific method, although they have specific characteristics requiring distinct types of design and statistical analysis. The present article aims to provide definitions of the common and differential features of checklists for the main study designs. Distinctions are made between statistical inference and decision, systematic and random error, confirmation and exploration, prediction and intervention, observation and experimentation, and random allocation and random selection. In addition, the main tools available to researchers to control random and systematic errors are described. How all of these elements are contained in the main types of design is discussed. Importantly, checklists are not a measure of the quality of a study but rather represent minimum requirements that aim to improve the quality of scientific reports.

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