Chronic administration of aluminum-fluoride or sodium-fluoride to rats in drinking water: alterations in neuronal and cerebrovascular integrity.

This study describes alterations in the nervous system resulting from chronic administration of the fluoroaluminum complex (AlF3) or equivalent levels of fluoride (F) in the form of sodium-fluoride (NaF). Twenty seven adult male Long-Evans rats were administered one of three treatments for 52 weeks: the control group was administered double distilled deionized drinking water (ddw). The aluminum-treated group received ddw with 0.5 ppm AlF3 and the NaF group received ddw with 2.1 ppm NaF containing the equivalent amount of F as in the AlF3 ddw. Tissue aluminum (Al) levels of brain, liver and kidney were assessed with the Direct Current Plasma (DCP) technique and its distribution assessed with Morin histochemistry. Histological sections of brain were stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), Cresyl violet, Bielschowsky silver stain, or immunohistochemically for beta-amyloid, amyloid A, and IgM. No differences were found between the body weights of rats in the different treatment groups although more rats died in the AlF3 group than in the control group. The Al levels in samples of brain and kidney were higher in both the AlF3 and NaF groups relative to controls. The effects of the two treatments on cerebrovascular and neuronal integrity were qualitatively and quantitatively different. These alterations were greater in animals in the AlF3 group than in the NaF group and greater in the NaF group than in controls.

Screening of urinary coproporphyrin using cloud point extraction and chemiluminescence detection.

A simple screening test was developed for the sensitive and selective measurement of urinary coproporphyrin. In this screening test, efficient and selective extraction/pre-concentration of coproporphyrin from the aqueous medium(urine) into a much smaller volume phase containing a common non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) and ethyl acetate was accomplished by the addition of a relatively large amount of a cloud point depressing electrolyte (K(3)PO(4)) into the sample solution to effect cloud point separation. Sensitive and selective detection of coproporphyrin in the mixed Triton X-100 and ethyl acetate phase was performed via chemical excitation using the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction. The effects of surfactant and cations (from the cloud point depressing electrolyte) on the chemiluminescence intensity of coproporphyrin were briefly investigated. Furthermore, the spectrum of urinary coproporphyrin obtained using the present chemiluminescence method was briefly compared with that obtained from fluorescence method.

Salting-out surfactant extraction of porphyrins and metalloporphyrin from aqueous non-ionic surfactant solutions.

A number of cloud point temperature-depressing electrolytes have been investigated for the separation of a non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) from aqueous solutions and the corresponding extraction of the organic solutes into the smaller volume surfactant-rich phase using the salting-out method. High extraction efficiencies and preconcentration factors were obtained at room temperature for the extraction of several hydrophilic and hydrophobic metal-free porphyrins (uroporphyrin, coproporphyrin, protoporphyrin and hematoporphyrin) and one metalloporphyrin (iron-protoporphyrin) that were dissolved in the aqueous non-ionic surfactant solutions. Possible mechanisms responsible for the efficient extraction of these important biological molecules into the surfactant-rich layer are discussed.

[Documentation of hemodynamic parameters in collateral circulation]. / Zur Dokumentation hämodynamischer Parameter an Umgehungskreisläufen.

By adding phase-differences of serial angiographies in contrasting colours, combination-images are produced, which show the functional way of perfusion without loosing significant morphologic details. Using this technique it is possible to document the direction of blood flow and other hemodynamic parameters and to estimate the average flow rate in a single picture. Finally own results in patients with obliterations and collaterals are given and discussed.

[Automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy (APLD): the early and late changes in the CT with a clinical correlation]. / Automatisierte perkutane lumbale Diskektomie (APLD): Früh- und Spätveränderungen im CT mit klinischer Korrelation.

In 52 out of 162 patients treated, CT changes were measured at early and late stages and correlated with clinical findings. Reduction in height of discs was measured by digital radiography. During early stages 9.6% showed gas collections peripherally and 3.8% centrally. Early and late examination showed uniform reaction in the area of the prolapse: no changes (type I), return to normal findings (type II), diffuse reduction of a broadly based lesion (type III), reduction in focal changes based on a broad lesion (type IV). Early results: 94.3% type I, 3.8% type III, 1.9% type IV. Late results: 55.7% type I, 3.8% type II, 21.2% type III, 19.3% type IV. Maximal reduction of the height of the disc of 10% occurred in 32.6% of cases. There was no meaningful correlation between CT appearances and clinical status.

[The peripheral macroembolism as a complication of laser angioplasty of the arteries of the extremities--therapy using interventional radiologic measures]. / Die periphere Makroembolie als Komplikation der Laserangioplastie von Extremitätenarterien--Therapie mit radiologisch-interventionellen Massnahmen.

From 1987 to 1989 in the Barmherzige Brüder Hospital in Linz/Austria 160 arteries of extremities were treated with laser-assisted balloon dilatation. During these interventions peripheral macroembolism occurred 8 times. The mean length of the recanalised segment was 8.7 cm and thus longer than average (6.5 cm). All 8 cases were successfully treated by aspiration or aspiration combined with local lysis. No adverse effects on long-term results were noted. In 4 cases an early occlusion of the recanalised segment was diagnosed within 48 hours after laser-assisted angioplasty, three times accompanied by embolism. These emboli, too, were removed by aspiration and lysis. To reduce the risk of embolisation strict rules of indication concerning the age of an occlusion have to be observed and mechanical trauma has to be minimised.

[Laser versus rotation angioplasty in the recanalization of chronic femoropopliteal arterial occlusions]. / Laser- versus Rotationsangioplastie bei der Rekanalisation chronischer femoropoplitealer Arterienverschlüsse.

Between June 1987 and July 1989 laser angioplasty, and between July 1989 and December 1991 rotation angioplasty was used as the method of choice for the recanalisation of chronic (minimal duration 3 months) arterial occlusions in the femoro-popliteal region. The technical success rate and final results following supplementary balloon dilatation were identical and there was no significant difference between the two groups (laser 87%, rotation 87.7%). For long occlusions (more than 150 mm), the success rate for rotation angioplasty was 60% and significantly higher than for laser angioplasty at 40%. Complication rates for rotation angioplasty were 24.3%, higher than laser angioplasty with 20.3%. This was due to the higher incidence of emboli of 12.1% compared with the laser technique of 7.3%. Cumulative patency rates after two years showed no significant difference (uncorrelated/correlated: laser 53.4%/67.8%; rotation 56.6%/67.5%). Using lytic and aspiration techniques, the higher incidence of embolisation during rotation angioplasty had no adverse effect on final outcome. If both methods are available, it is advisable to treat long occlusions by rotation angioplasty because of the high immediate success rate, whereas short occlusions are best dealt by laser angioplasty because of the lower incidence of embolisation.

Impact of atherosclerotic risk factors on the anatomical distribution of peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine predictors of hemodynamically relevant atherosclerosis (HRA) in different segments of lower limb arteries in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study 106 hospitalized consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD and 52 asymptomatic control subjects were studied. All patients underwent distal aortofemoral angiography. The arteries of the lower limbs were divided into three sections: in the aorto-iliac and femoro-popliteal segments HRA was defined as one or more stenosis of over 50%. In the crural segment it was considered if at least two arteries of one lower leg had occlusions/stenoses of over 50%. RESULTS: In 106 patients, there were 132 cases of hemodynamically relevant lesions, and in 26 patients in two segments. We separately compared 23 cases with aorto-iliac, 82 with femoro-popliteal and 27 with crural manifestation to the 52 control subjects. Calculating age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios, we found that current smoking status and plasminogen levels were significantly associated with HRA in the aorto-iliac and femoro-popliteal segments, whereas in diabetes mellitus the association was found to be in the crural and femoro-popliteal segments. However, there was no such association for lipid profiles and fibrinogen. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the anatomic distribution of HRA in patients with PAD is different according to the risk factor profile. The aorto-iliac and crural segments show specific risk profiles while the femoro-popliteal segment seems to be a transition zone. Smoking and high plasminogen levels may be related to atherosclerosis of proximal segments, diabetes to that of the distal segments.

Association between erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume and peripheral arterial disease in male subjects: a case control study.

Elevated serum total homocysteine, an established risk factor for peripheral arterial disease, is influenced by the vitamin B12 and folate status. Since these vitamins are inversely correlated with erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, an investigation of whether mean corpuscular volume is higher in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease than in healthy subjects was performed. Furthermore, a determination of predictors of increased mean corpuscular volume levels in this population free of symptomatic coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus was carried out. From 469 consecutive patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, 100 fulfilled study inclusion criteria. Peripheral arterial disease was confirmed by angiography. One hundred age-matched subjects without peripheral arterial disease as verified by ankle-brachial index measurements >0.9 served as control subjects. Patients with PAD displayed a significantly higher mean corpuscular volume level (94.5 fl) than control subjects (90.9 fl, p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that current smoking status (p<0.001) and mean corpuscular volume (p=0.009), but not total homocysteine or lipid parameters discriminated case control status. In addition, logistic regression analysis revealed a relationship of mean corpuscular volume with smoking (p=0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (p<0.001), and total homocysteine (p=0.012). This model predicted mean corpuscular volume values with an accuracy of 83%. Elevated mean corpuscular volume is a predictor of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease in the sample studied. A deficiency of folate and/or vitamin B12 may be responsible for this observation, as indicated by the correlation of mean corpuscular volume with total homocysteine. Due to the additional association of mean corpuscular volume with smoking and gamma-glutamyltransferase, an unhealthy lifestyle with low vitamin intake may cause elevated mean corpuscular volume values in patients with PAD.

[Neurogenic appendicopathy--long-term results following appendectomy]. / Die neurogene Appendicopathie--Langfristige Ergebnisse nach Appendektomie.

The neurogenic appendicopathy is a disease which is caused by proliferation of nerve fibres and hyperplasia of endocrine cells in the submucosa of the appendix. It is to be diagnosed surely only histologically. 28 patients in which appendectomy specimens solely changes of neurogenic appendicopathy type were present have been traced. Following statements can be made: 1. The disease is curable in 96% by simple appendectomy. 2. Concerning this diagnosis about 60% of so-called "negative" appendectomies will find a reasonable explication. 3. At the same time a facultative precurser disease of appendiceal carcinoid tumor is removed.

Health locus of control and self-esteem as related to adolescent health behavior and intentions.

A health behavior and attitudes questionnaire was administered to 246 fifth-grade and 265 sixth-grade students during class time. The questions included 20 children's health locus of control (CHLC) items reported by Parcel and Meyer (1978), 17 children's self-esteem (CSE) items modified from those reported by Coopersmith (1967), and questions concerning past and current behavior and future intentions with respect to cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and marijuana use. The results indicate that the relationships between dimensions of children's health locus of control and self-esteem and their behaviors and intentions are not large enough to suggest that intervention programs directed at the prevention of detrimental health behaviors focus on the enhancement of self-esteem or the internal locus of control. An appropriate test of the efficacy of such an approach requires a longitudinal rather than a cross-sectional study, monitoring changes in the levels of self-esteem and health locus of control and associated changes in health behavior.