INFLUENCE OF AGE-RELATED ANDROGEN DEFICIENCY ON THE RISK FACTORS ЕOF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN MEN WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM.

The long-term androgen deficiency (AD) in men with hypothyroidism is an important problem due to the fact that it leads to concomitant cardiac pathology, which remains the leading cause of mortality in the world. The presence of different points of view on the problem of AD and its effect on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with hypothyroidismattracts attention. The aim of the study is to assess the clinical signs of age-related androgen deficiency and their association with cardiovascular risk factors in men with hypothyroidism. 84 patients were examined, 38 of them - with hypothyroidism and age-related androgen deficiency, 46 patients with hypothyroidism and normal testosterone levels. The control group was formed of 20 men without hypothyroidism. The lipid and carbohydrate metabolism status, the presence and type of obesity, the level of depression, daily blood pressure monitoring were determined. AD was verified by decrease the total testosterone concentration in serum (<12 nmol/L). The level of total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay analysis. The decrease of testosterone level in men with hypothyroidism is accompanied by an increase in the frequency of abdominal obesity, triglycerides and glucoseescape, and is associated with subclinical depression. In men with hypothyroidism and AD, the average blood pressure in the daytime significantly exceeds the similar rates in patients with hypothyroidism and normal levels of testosterone. The presence of androgen deficiency negatively affects the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in men with hypothyroidism.

THE INDICES OF ENDOGENOUS INTOXICATION IN RATS WITH CARRAGEENAN SOLUTION CONSUMPTION.

With changing lifestyle and dietary transition, there is an increase in intake of processed and packaged foods which tend to have a number of food additives. This has increased our consumption of these chemical substances. One of such additives is carrageenan (CGN) - E407. This paper reports the effect of 0.5 % carrageenan solution consumption on the main indices of endogenous intoxication in rats. Experimental studies were conducted on 48 non-linear, male, white rats weighing 180-200 g. The experimental animals had free access to 0.5% carrageenan solution (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) in drinking water. Control group of animals received pure water. Syndrome of endogenous intoxication was evaluated using measurement of the middle mass molecules contents in blood serum. We have found that even the minimal intake of carrageenan, triggers the mechanisms of endogenous intoxication in rats, starting in 2 weeks of consumption. 1 month consumption of carrageenan with drinking water in concentration of 0.5% is associated with significant increase in endogenous intoxication, manifested by increased contents of middle mass molecules (both the chain amino acids and the aromatic amino acids) in blood serum. From these facts, one may conclude that although carrageenan has been used widely in food as an emulsifier, a stabilizer, and a thickener for more than 50 years, some questions of its safety are still opened.

Remote-control of the enantiomeric supramolecular recognition mediated by chiral azobenzenes bound to human serum albumin.

Three novel tyrosine-conjugated azobenzene molecules were designed and their ability to target a natural chiral host matrix (human serum albumin, HSA) was investigated. We found that the interplay between the spatial configuration of the chiral substituents and the change in local symmetry resulting from the photoisomerization process strongly affects the optical activity of the bound photochromes. In particular, the different signal amplification obtained upon binding of the photoswitches to the biopolymer enables obtaining a chirooptical system tunable over a wide range of wavelengths.

Electronic energy and electron transfer processes in photoexcited donor-acceptor dyad and triad molecular systems based on triphenylene and perylene diimide units.

We investigate the photophysical properties of organic donor-acceptor dyad and triad molecular systems based on triphenylene and perylene diimide units linked by a non-conjugated flexible bridge in solution using complementary optical spectroscopy techniques. When these molecules are diluted in dichloromethane solution, energy transfer from the triphenylene to the perylene diimide excited moieties is evidenced by time-resolved fluorescence measurements resulting in a quenching of the emission from the triphenylene moieties. Simultaneously, another quenching process that affects the emission from both donor and acceptor units is observed. Solution ultrafast transient absorption measurements provide evidence of photo-induced charge transfer from either the donor or the acceptor depending upon the excitation. Overall, the analysis of the detailed time-resolved spectroscopic measurements carried out in the dyad and triad systems as well as in the triphenylene and perylene diimide units alone provides useful information both to better understand the relations between energy and charge transfer processes with molecular structures, and for the design of future functional dyad and triad architectures based on donor and acceptor moieties for organic optoelectronic applications.

Photophysical, amplified spontaneous emission and charge transport properties of oligofluorene derivatives in thin films.

We investigate the photophysical and amplified spontaneous emission properties of a series of monodisperse solution-processable oligofluorenes functionalized with hexyl chains at the C9 position of each fluorene unit. Thin films of these oligofluorenes are then used in organic field-effect transistors and their charge transport properties are examined. We have particularly focused our attention on the influence of oligofluorene length on the absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectra, on the HOMO/LUMO energy levels, on the photoluminescence lifetime and quantum yield as well as on the amplified spontaneous emission properties and the charge carrier mobilities. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that, among all oligofluorene derivatives used in this study, only the structure and morphology of the pentafluorene film is significantly modified by a thermal treatment above the glass transition temperature, resulting in a 9 nm blue-shift of the fluorescence spectrum without significant changes in the photoluminescence quantum yield and in the amplified spontaneous emission threshold. In parallel, hole field-effect mobility is significantly increased from 8.6 × 10(-7) to 3.8 × 10(-5) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) upon thermal treatment, due to an increase of crystallinity. This study provides useful insights into the morphological control of oligofluorene thin films and how it affects their photophysical and charge transport properties. Moreover, we provide evidence that, because of the low threshold, the tunability of the amplified spontaneous emission and the photostability of the films, these oligofluorenes are promising candidates for organic solid-state laser applications.

The prevalence of hypertension in children with spina bifida.

AIM: To determine whether children with spina bifida (SB) have a higher prevalence of hypertension (HTN) than population-based controls. METHODS: Charts of all patients (n=123) seen in the Spina Bifida Clinic at Shriners Hospital in Houston, Texas, were reviewed for age, gender, ethnicity, type and level of neural tube defect, height, weight and blood pressure (BP). HTN was defined as a systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure≥95th percentile for age, gender and height on ≥3 occasions. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and from a Houston-based study were used for comparison. RESULTS: Fifty-one (41.5%) patients were hypertensive. This was significantly higher than the 3% prevalence in the national controls, p<0.001 and the 4.5% prevalence in the Houston controls, p<0.001. Maximum body mass index increased the risk for HTN [odds ratio, 1.018; 95% confidence interval (1.005, 1.031); and p=0.005]. CONCLUSION: Children with SB have a significantly higher prevalence of HTN than children in the general population. Age-, gender-, and height-based norms are important for the early identification and treatment of HTN in children.

Specific directions of ultrasound propagation in double potassium tungstates for light modulation.

Acousto-optical characteristics of double potassium tungstates are analyzed and specific directions for light modulation are found. First, an important subgroup of elasto-optic coefficients of KYb(WO4)2 and KLu(WO4)2 crystals are calculated with use of experimental data. It is revealed that with proper choice of ultrasound direction the acousto-optical figure-of-merit approximately 2 times exceeds the maximum value detected in previous experiments. Another unique direction is determined, which permits modulation of randomly polarized light. The elasto-optic characteristics of KYb(WO4)2 and KLu(WO4)2 crystals are compared to those of previously investigated materials of the same crystal group: KY(WO4)2, KGd(WO4)2.

Radioprotective action of extracellular adenosine on bone marrow cells in mice exposed to gamma rays as assayed by the micronucleus test.

The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) in mouse bone marrow was assessed after administration of dipyridamole and/or adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to nonirradiated mice or to mice irradiated 15 min later with a sublethal dose of 6.5 Gy gamma rays. In nonirradiated mice, the administration of the drugs increased the frequency of micronucleated PCEs significantly (by 108%). In contrast, in irradiated mice, the number of radiation-induced micronucleated PCEs was significantly decreased if the mice had been pretreated with dipyridamole or AMP alone (by 24% after administration of each of the compounds) and in particular after administration of the drugs in combination (by 36%).

Use of folk remedies in a Hispanic population.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the types of home remedies used for common pediatric problems in a Hispanic population and to study traditional folk illnesses and their cures. DESIGN: Survey of 51 Hispanic caregivers, mostly mothers. SETTING: A pediatric primary care facility in an urban Hispanic neighborhood in Houston, Tex. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Remedies used for common pediatric illnesses and for the traditional folk illnesses: mal ojo (evil eye), empacho (blocked intestine), mollera caida (fallen fontanelle), and susto (fright). RESULTS: A combination of herbs and pharmaceuticals was used for many illnesses. Teas were most commonly used for colic, upper respiratory tract symptoms, and abdominal pain. Pharmaceuticals were most commonly used for upper respiratory tract symptoms, fever, and diarrhea. Belief in folk illnesses was common: 36 (70%) had experience with mal ojo, 33 (64%) with empacho, 27 (52%) with mollera caida, and 19 (37%) with susto; 10 (20%) had taken their children to curanderos (traditional healers) for treatment of folk illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural health beliefs were widely maintained in this Hispanic population. Many patients integrated cultural health practices with reliance on medical practitioners. Knowledge and acknowledgement of these practices are important for physician-patient communication and may affect compliance with other medical procedures and treatments.

Weight-training injuries. Common injuries and preventative methods.

The use of weights is an increasingly popular conditioning technique, competitive sport and recreational activity among children, adolescents and young adults. Weight-training can cause significant musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, dislocations, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disk herniation, and meniscal injuries of the knee. Although injuries can occur during the use of weight machines, most apparently happen during the aggressive use of free weights. Prepubescent and older athletes who are well trained and supervised appear to have low injury rates in strength training programmes. Good coaching and proper weightlifting techniques and other injury prevention methods are likely to minimise the number of musculoskeletal problems caused by weight-training.

Effects of GSH and WR-2721 on induction of micronuclei by cyclophosphamide.

The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was assessed in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of adult male Swiss mice treated with reduced glutathione (GSH) and/or S-2-/3-aminopropylamino/ethyl phosphorothioic acid (WR-2721), at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, and/or with cyclophosphamide (CP), at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. GSH was given 60 or 15 min and/or WR-2721 was applied 30 min before CP administration. The number of MNPCEs was determined at 24 h after the drug application. After treatment of mice with CP, the frequency of MNPCEs was distinctly increased. The stronger chemoprotective effect against CP-induced cytotoxicity was obtained following GSH administration than after WR-2721 injection. WR-2721 characterized greater cytotoxicity than GSH. The combination of GSH and WR-2721 given alone, or before CP administration resulted in the most cytotoxic and chemoprotective effects, compared with the respective single-thiol treatment of mice. The most effective protection against CP-induced genotoxicity was observed in the case of treatment of mice with WR-2721and GSH, respectively, 30 and 15 min before CP administration. The most cytotoxic effect of the thiols was found when GSH given 30 min prior to WR-2721 application. The chemoprotection and cytotoxicity caused in the mouse erythroblasts by GSH and WR-2721, as indicated by the number of MNPCEs were dependent on the thiol(s) given, and the time intervals between the drug administration. The modulatory effect of the thiols GSH and WR-2721 on 'delayed apoptosis' induced in the erythropoietic system by cyclophosphamide was shown.

Induction of micronucleated erythrocytes by MEA, AET, WR-2721 and X-rays.

The induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was assessed in the bone marrow of adult male Swiss mice treated with MEA (cysteamine HCl), AET (2-aminoethylisothiouronium Br.HBr), or WR-2721 (S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl phosphorothioic acid), at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, and/or exposed to 6 Gy X-rays. MEA, AET, or WR-2721 was given alone or 15 min prior to X-ray exposure, and the frequency of MNPCEs was determined 24 h after the aminothiol treatment and X-irradiation of mice. A genotoxic effect was shown for MEA, AET, WR-2721, and X-rays, as well as a protective effect of the aminothiols against X-ray-induced genotoxicity in the mouse erythropoietic system. The aminothiol drugs given alone, without subsequent X-irradiation, elevated the frequency of MNPCEs, and WR-2721 appeared to be less toxic than AET and MEA. After exposure of mice to X-rays, the number of MNPCEs was distinctly increased. MEA, AET, or WR-2721 administration prior to X-irradiation resulted in a reduction of the X-ray-induced elevation of the frequency of micronuclei, but a stronger radioprotective effect was obtained following WR-2721 and AET treatment than after MEA application. So, the genotoxic and radioprotective effect of the aminothiols was dependent on the compound applied.

Radioprotective effects of the thiols GSH and WR-2721 against X-ray-induction of micronuclei in erythroblasts.

The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was assessed in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of adult male Swiss mice treated with reduced glutathione (GSH) and S-2-/3-aminopropylamino/ethyl phosphorothioic acid (WR-2721), at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, and exposed to 6 Gy X-rays. GSH or WR-2721 was applied alone, or 60 and 30 min, respectively, prior to X-ray-exposure. The number of MNPCEs was determined at 24 h after the thiol treatment and X-irradiation. The radioprotection and toxicity caused in the mouse erythroblasts by GSH and WR-2721, as indicated by the number of MNPCEs were dependent on the thiol applied. The stronger radioprotective effect is obtained following WR-2721 administration than after GSH application. WR-2721 showed greater toxicity than GSH. The combination of GSH and WR-2721 given before X-ray-exposure resulted in the most radioprotective effect as compared to the respective single-drug treatment of mice. Application of the both thiols, without subsequent X-irradiation appeared to be the most toxic, compared with administration of WR-2721 or GSH alone. The effective radioprotection by the combined action of GSH and WR-2721 against genomic instability induced in the mouse erythroblasts by X-rays was shown.

Inhibition of the clastogenic effect of cyclophosphamide by WR-2721 in the bone marrow of mice.

The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of Swiss mice treated with WR-2721, at a dose of 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg body weight, 15 or 30 min prior to cyclophosphamide (CP) administration, at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, was determined 24 h after CP treatment. In mice injected with CP, the number of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes was significantly increased in comparison with the controls, and in mice treated with WR-2721 and CP, the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was distinctly decreased in comparison to those given CP alone. The protective effect of WR-2721 against cyclophosphamide-induced clastogenicity was shown. The effect was dependent on the dose of the thiol agent given, and it was more expressed when WR-2721 was applied at the higher dose, 400 mg/kg body weight. However, the protection by the aminothiol appeared not to depend on the time intervals between WR-2721 and CP administration to the mouse organism.

Immunocytochemical analysis of apoptotic bone marrow cells after treatment of mice with WR-2721 and chemotherapeutic drugs.

The effects of the aminothiol WR-2721 (Amifostine) and the chemotherapeutic drugs, cyclophosphamide (CP) and cisplatin (CDDP) on induction of apoptosis in bone marrow cells of adult male Swiss mice were studied. The mice received intraperitoneal injections of WR-2721 (400 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg), and cisplatin (10 mg/kg). WR-2721 was administered alone, or 30 min before treatment of mice with CP or CDDP. The number of apoptotic bone marrow cells was determined at 7 h and 24 h after the agent(s) administration. The In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, AP based on TUNEL technique, and Fast Red Substrate System were used for microscopic analysis of immunocytochemically stained apoptotic cells. Application of cyclophosphamide and cisplatin resulted in a distinct increase of the number of apoptotic cells in the mouse bone marrow. After treatment of mice with WR-2721 prior to administration of CP or CDDP, as compared to the chemotherapeutic treatment only, the tendency to a decrease--albeit statistically insignificant--in the number of apoptotic cells was observed. Application of WR-2721 alone, without subsequent administration of the chemotherapeutic agents caused an inconsiderable increase in the number of apoptotic cells. The degree of apoptotic DNA cleavage in cells of the mouse bone marrow varied depending on the agent(s) given and the time interval after the drug administration.

Anticlastogenic effect of S-2-(3-aminopropylamino) ethylphosphorothioic acid against X-rays in mice.

The anticlastogenic effect of the aminothiol agent S-2-(3-aminopropylamino) ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721) against X-rays was assessed by in vivo mouse micronucleus assay. The frequency of micronuclei in the bone marrow of adult male Swiss mice treated with WR-2721, at a radioprotective dose of 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg body weight, 15 or 30 min before exposure to a sublethal dose of 6 Gy X-rays, was determined 24 h after X-irradiation. The protective effect of WR-2721 against X-ray-induced clastogenicity was shown in the erythropoietic system. WR-2721 administration prior to X-ray exposure was found to decrease the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes elevated by X-irradiation. The protection against the clastogenic activity of X-rays by WR-2721 was least evident when the thiol had been administered in the lower dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, 15 min before X-irradiation, and was most effective when giving WR-2721 in the higher dose, 400 mg/kg body weight, 30 min prior to exposure of mice to X-rays. Thus, the radioprotective effect of S-2-(3-aminopropylamino) ethylphosphorothioic acid against genotoxicity by X-rays appeared to depend on the dose given and the time intervals between WR-2721 administration and X-irradiation of mice. A novel clinical application of the drug could be in its use to protect against radiation-therapy-induced genotoxic damage to normal cells.

Flow cytometric detection of apoptotic bone marrow cells with fractional DNA content after application of WR-2721, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and exposure of mice to gamma rays.

Little is known about the mechanisms of apoptosis triggered in normal cells of the haemopoietic system by the aminothiol WR-2721 (Amifostine), chemotherapeutic drugs, and ionizing radiation; thus, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of WR-2721, cyclophosphamide (CP), cisplatin (CDDP), and 60Co gamma rays on induction of apoptotic DNA degradation in bone marrow cells. Adult male Swiss mice were treated with WR-2721 (400 mg/kg b.wt.), CP (200 mg/kg b.wt.), and CDDP (10 mg/kg b.wt.), and exposed to 6 Gy 60Co gamma rays. Alterations in the number of apoptotic cells with fractional DNA content and also the cell cycle position of the non-apoptotic cells were determined in the bone marrow at 7 and 24 hours after treatment of mice with these agents, using flow cytometric assay of the controlled extraction of low-MW DNA from apoptotic cells. The chemotherapeutic drugs CP and CDDP and 60Co gamma rays triggered apoptosis and affected the cell cycle position of the non-apoptotic cells in the mouse bone marrow. The pretreatment of mice with WR-2721 resulted in the modulatory action of the aminothiol on induction of apoptotic cell death and changes in the cell cycle distribution of the non-apoptotic cells caused by the DNA-damaging agents. The patterns of changes in the frequency of apoptotic cells and the cell cycle position of the non-apoptotic cells, observed in the bone marrow, were dependent on the agent(s) applied and the time interval after application of the drug(s) and exposure of mice to gamma rays. Understanding of the mechanisms responsible for triggering of apoptotic cell death and disturbing of the cell cycle by the DNA-damaging agents, and modulation of the apoptotic and cell cycle pathways by the aminothiol WR-2721, can lead to more effective therapy and chemo- and radio-protection of normal cells.

A guide to the pediatric patient with "difficult" asthma.

Patients whose asthma symptoms are poorly controlled with the therapies usually recommended for this disease are considered to have "difficult" asthma. Although such patients represent a small proportion of patients with asthma, children who have difficult asthma are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Once the diagnosis of asthma is established, caregivers must appropriately categorize and treat the asthma according to the patient's level of symptom severity. The purpose of this article is to present an approach to the management of patients with difficult asthma by (a) searching for alternative diagnoses or conditions that are often associated with asthma, (b) investigating environmental issues, (c) reviewing inhalation techniques, and (d) determining the patient's level of compliance with the prescribed treatment plan and simplifying it whenever possible.

What is causing your patient's sexual dysfunction? Uncovering a connection with hypertension and antihypertensive therapy.

Arterial hypertension is associated with structural and functional alterations of the vessel walls. Because vascular endothelium plays a central role in the control of vascular tone, endothelial dysfunction can also cause certain types of erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is also a common side effect of certain drugs, including many antihypertensive agents. Physicians should be aware of potential sexual side effects of such drugs and take appropriate steps to alleviate persistent problems. Most important, physicians need to ask patients about sexual function and discuss the possibility of erectile dysfunction caused by antihypertensive therapy. Erectile dysfunction can be effectively treated in most patients, and many treatment options are available. Sildenafil therapy has revolutionized the management of this disorder, but this agent should be used with caution in certain patients taking nitrates.

Frequency of micronuclei in mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes following WR-2721 application and X-irradiation.

The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) in the mouse peripheral blood was assessed after WR-2721 (S-2-/3-aminopropylamino/ethyl phosphorothioic acid) application and X-irradiation. A genotoxic effect was demonstrated for X-rays and WR-2721, as well as a protective effect of the thiol drug against X-ray-induced genotoxicity in the erythropoietic system. After X-irradiation of the mice, the number of MNPCEs was distinctly increased. WR-2721 administration prior to X-irradiation resulted in a reduction of the X-ray-induced rise in the frequency of micronuclei. WR-2721 given alone, without subsequent X-irradiation, increased the number of MNPCEs. The genotoxic and radioprotective effect of WR-2721 depended on the dose applied and the time interval between the thiol agent treatment and exposure of the mice to X-rays.