Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0432222 (SEM)
 47,337 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

1. Body weight and total body potassium were measured in 23 hyperthyroid patients before and at various stages during treatment and in 19 athyreotic patients who were being treated with high-dose L-thyroxine. 2. In the hyperthyroid patients the total body potassium rose by 23 +/- 2.8% (SEM) within a few weeks of restoring the blood thyroid hormone levels to normal. The body potassium values after treatment were close to that expected in these individuals if they were healthy indicating that a considerable loss of body potassium is usual in hyperthyroidism. 3. The gain of total body potassium in hyperthyroidism averaged 71 +/- 8 mmol for each kg of body weight gained (compared with muscle potassium concentration of about 92 mmol/kg). In contrast, weight loss produced by dietary treatment of obesity caused very little change of body potassium (maximum averaged was 14 +/- 4 mmol/kg wt. loss). 4. Among the patients with hyperthyroidism, the greatest muscular weakness was present in those with the greatest body potassium loss and these patients regained a large amount of potassium relative to weight on recovery. 5. Total body potassium changes were closely related to total plasma tri-iodothyronine concentrations but unrelated to the thyroxine levels.
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PMID:Total body potassium in relation to thyroid hormones and hyperthyroidism. 723 44

Measurements of fenestrations (or windows) in the internal elastic lamina at the bifurcation of human cerebral arteries, were obtained from photomicrographs (scanning electron microscope). Thirteen of 28 bifurcations revealed regions of enlarged fenestrations among the normal fenestrations in the vicinity of the apex. The mean diameter of the enlarged fenestrations (7.0 +/- 0.34 SEM micrometer) was significantly greater than the mean diameter (2.1 +/- 0.13 SEM micrometer) of the normal fenestrations. The number of fenestrations per sq mm was less (2606 +/- 284 SEM per sq mm) for the enlarged fenestrations than for the normal fenestrations (4518 +/- 397 SEM per sq mm). The proportion of the area of internal elastic lamina comprised of fenestrations increased to 15.0 +/- 1.1 SEM percent for the enlarged fenestrations from a mean of 1.8 +/- 0.16 SEM percent for the normal fenestrations. Fenestrations from bifurcations without enlarged fenestrations, demonstrated characteristics similar to the normal fenestrations. More than 80% of the specimens exhibited a gap in the internal elastic lamina in the apical region of the bifurcation. Based on a comparison of stress concentration factors, we propose that the presence of enlarged fenestrations represents a weakness in the internal elastic lamina at the bifurcation apex which may contribute to the initiation of microaneurysms.
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PMID:Fenestrations in the internal elastic lamina at bifurcations of human cerebral arteries. 731 71

In a previous study performed by us, functional alterations in the inspiratory muscles were evaluated in patients receiving corticosteroids for diseases other than respiratory. We have shown that patients who received high-dose steroids for several weeks developed inspiratory muscle weakness that was reversible following withdrawal of the drug treatment. The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of specific inspiratory muscle training (SIMT) to prevent the effects of a therapeutic dosage of corticosteroids on inspiratory muscle function in patients receiving the drug for diseases other than pulmonary, with no underlying respiratory or muscular disease. Twelve patients, 5 men and 7 women, with ages ranging from 19 to 41 years, who received corticosteroids for diseases other than respiratory were recruited into two groups: 6 patients were assigned to the control group and got sham training and 6 patients received SIMT while receiving corticosteroids in a single-blind group-comparative trial. In both groups, there was no difference between the post-treatment and pretreatment values as regard to the FEV1/FVC relationship. However, in the control group but not in the training group, there was a small but significant decrease, from 99.2 +/- 3.0 to 94.3 +/- 2.8 (mean +/- SEM, p < 0.01) in FEV1 (percent of predicted normal values) and from 103.5 +/- 4.0 to 88.7 +/- 3.1 (p < 0.001) in the FVC, following treatment. All subjects had normal inspiratory muscle strength, as expressed by the maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) at residual volume, and inspiratory muscle endurance as expressed by the relationship between peak pressure and the PImax before treatment. Following administration of corticosteroids, there was a gradual decrease in both inspiratory muscle strength (from 117.5 +/- 9.4 to 80.5 +/- 3.3 cm H2O, p < 0.005) and endurance (from 82.7 +/- 2.6 to 40.2 +/- 1.7%, p < 0.001) in the control group. On the contrary, despite corticosteroid therapy, there were no significant changes in the inspiratory muscle function in the patients whose inspiratory muscles were specifically trained. We conclude that corticosteroids have a significant deteriorating effect on respiratory muscle function in humans. This weakness is preventable by using SIMT during corticosteroid treatment.
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PMID:Inspiratory muscle training during treatment with corticosteroids in humans. 770 13

Using a stereoscopic clearing protocol and scanning electron microscopy, we investigated the extent and nature of microleakage in a total-etch, current-generation dentin adhesive by a wet-bonding technique under different handling conditions. The hypotheses were that inadequate light curing of the primer or incomplete drying of the primer solvent might adversely affect the sealing ability of an acetone-containing adhesive system. The study consisted of three experimental groups: (I) a control group with an adequate light source and with the primer solvent completely dried; (II) an "inadequate-light" group; and (III) an "incomplete evaporation of primer solvent" group. The extent of microleakage after silver staining and clearing of the specimens was scored based on a modified five-point scale. Nonparametric statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) followed by a multiple comparison test (Dunn test) indicated significant differences among the three groups (p < 0.05). SEM examination of the restorative interface revealed that microleakage appeared to be initiated from the bonding resin-hybrid layer interface in all three groups, representing the weak link in the adhesive system. In addition, microleakage was characterized by 5 zones, each delineating a stage in a continuous array of progressively deleterious microleakage patterns variously distributed among the three groups. It was suggested that, while the bonding resin-hybrid layer interface represented the intrinsic weakness in an already much improved dentin adhesive, extrinsic factors such as the adequacy of the curing light and, more importantly, complete removal of the primer solvents can and should be avoided to preserve the structural integrity of the marginal seal.
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PMID:Variability in microleakage observed in a total-etch wet-bonding technique under different handling conditions. 779 May 94

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the ACE inhibitor quinaprilat have been studied in six chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients and in six patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) after a single oral dose of 2.5 mg quinapril. Mean tmax and Cmax values (SEM) for quinaprilat in interdialytic HD patients were 4.0 (0) h and 84 (8.4) ng.ml-1 respectively, and they did not differ significantly from those in CAPD patients (4.7 (0.7) h and 64 (5.7) ng.ml-1). Elimination half lives were 30 (10.1) h (HD) and 34 (7.3) h (CAPD). Cmax, tmax, t1/2, and AUC were increased and CL was decreased compared to data reported previously after giving 2.5 mg to healthy subjects. Peritoneal clearance was calculated as 0.1 (0.1) ml.min-1, thus less than 0.5% of the dose were removed within 24 h by CAPD. ACE activity was suppressed by more than 93% between 4 and 24 h postdose (P < 0.001). It decreased in both groups with increasing plasma quinaprilat levels. Angiotensin II concentration compared to baseline was significantly decreased at 4 hours (-30.4 +/- 10%) and 24 h (-30 +/- 9.9%) (P < 0.05, n = 11), while active plasma renin concentration was still significantly increased at 48 h postdose (+ 60.2 +/- 14.5%, P < 0.01). Mean arterial pressure 24 h postdose was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in HD (-12 mmHg) and CAPD patients (-20 mm Hg). Only two patients reported unwanted effects (fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and weakness). In conclusion, due to its long lasting effect on ACE activity and on blood pressure in terminal renal failure a starting dose of quinapril 2.5 mg o.d. may be used in hypertensive HD and CAPD patients.
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PMID:Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of quinaprilat after low dose quinapril in patients with terminal renal failure. 838 27

Sheathed microfilariae (mean length 278 +/- 10 microns SEM; mean width 7.2 +/- 0.8 microns) were detected in the blood of 7/14 housed camels (Camelus dromedarius). Microfilaraemic camels of either sex were inappetent, lethargic, reluctant to move and exhibited weakness in the hind limbs; some remained in sternal recumbency. Cardiac disorders, orchitis and skin nodules were conspicuously absent. The microfilariae showed a biphasic pattern in the blood that peaked at 20:00 and plateaued between 04:00 and 06:00. Adult filarial worms were recovered from the mesenteric and femoral arteries. Marked clinical improvement within 1-2 weeks was seen in three camels treated at 10:00 with a single subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mg/kg of ivermectin. These camels became amicrofilaraemic 2-5 days after treatment and remained so for the length of the observation period (133 days). Treatment of two camels at the time of high microfilaraemia (06:30) resulted in adverse reaction and death.
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PMID:An outbreak of cameline filariasis in the Sudan. 848 44

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) suffer from respiratory muscle weakness which may contribute to dyspnea. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) can improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduce dyspnea in patients with CHF and Cheyne-Stokes respiration with central sleep apnea (CSR-CSA) but its effects on respiratory muscle strength are not known. We therefore studied the effects of NCPAP on maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively), LVEF, dyspnea, and fatigue in patients with chronic CHF and CSR-CSA over 3 mo. Eight patients were randomized to control and nine to nightly NCPAP. There were no significant changes in any of these factors in the control group during the study. In contrast, among the NCPAP group, MIP increased from 79.3 +/- 8.1 to 90.7 +/- 10.4 cm H2O (mean +/- SEM; p < 0.02), LVEF increased from 24.0 +/- 4.0 to 32.6 +/- 6.6% (p < 0.02) and symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue were alleviated. However, MEP did not change. In addition, the number of apneas and hypopneas decreased from 49 +/- 11 to 17 +/- 7 per hour of sleep (p < 0.001) and mean low Sao2 during sleep increased from 87.9 +/- 1.0 to 93.0 +/- 1.0% (p < 0.01). Our data indicate that nightly application of NCPAP in patients with CHF and CSR-CSA improves inspiratory muscle strength and LVEF, and relieves dyspnea and fatigue.
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PMID:CPAP improves inspiratory muscle strength in patients with heart failure and central sleep apnea. 854 29

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine produced during the host defense against infection, is associated with fevers, weakness, and progressive weight loss. Thalidomide inhibits the synthesis of TNF-alpha both in vitro and in vivo and may have clinical usefulness. We therefore initiated a pilot study of thalidomide treatment in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated wasting with or without concomitant infection with tuberculosis. Thirty-nine patients were randomly allocated to treatment with either thalidomide or placebo in a double-blind manner for 21 days. Thirty-two patients completed the study. In patients with concomitant HIV-1 and tuberculosis infections, thalidomide therapy was associated with a reduction in both plasma TNF-alpha levels and HIV-1 levels. No significant reduction in either TNF-alpha or HIV- 1 levels was observed in patients with HIV-1 infection only. During the study period, patients receiving thalidomide treatment (n=16) showed a significant weight gain (mean +/- SEM: 6.5 +/- 1.2%; p<0.02) relative to placebo-treated patients (n=16). Patients with simultaneous HIV-1 and tuberculosis infections experienced a higher mean weight gain during thalidomide treatment than the group of patients with HIV-1 infection only. The results of this pilot study suggest that thalidomide may have a clinical role in enhancing weight gain and possibly reducing TNF-alpha and HIV-1 levels in patients with HIV-1 and concomitant mycobacterial infections.
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PMID:The effect of thalidomide on the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and M. tuberculosis infection. 860 61

Neuromuscular blocking drugs in intensive care units (ICU) may cause complications, including prolonged neuromuscular block as a result of overdosage and post-ventilation muscle weakness. These may be increased by using inappropriately high infusion rates for infants, in whom published studies are scarce, and by failure to monitor neuromuscular block. There is little ICU experience of acceleromyography, which may permit more reliable monitoring. To determine appropriate vecuronium infusion rates, 12 neonates/infants (median age 4 (interquartile range (IQR) 2-5) months) and 18 children (median age 3.07 (2-10 yr) were studied. The vecuronium infusion rate was adjusted to maintain train-of-four (TOF) at 1 response using the TOF guard accelerometer. Recovery time was measured from cessation of infusion until spontaneous TOF ratio recovery of 0.7. Neonates and infants required 45% less vecuronium (mean infusion rate 54.7 (SEM 4.23) micrograms kg-1 h-1) than older children (98.7 (7.07) micrograms kg-1 h-1) and had faster recovery to 70% T4/T1 (45 (IQR 20-51) min vs 65 (55-103) min), with no evidence of prolonged weakness. Routine monitoring of neuromuscular block in ICU is essential; acceleromyography is convenient and reliable.
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PMID:Vecuronium infusion requirements in paediatric patients in intensive care units: the use of acceleromyography. 867 74

We retrospectively evaluated the characteristics of adult patients admitted with thyrotoxic hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in Hong Kong. From 1984 to 1993, 45 Chinese adult patients were admitted with acute limb weakness, plasma potassium < or = 3.5 mmol/l and thyrotoxicosis confirmed by laboratory investigations. All but one were male. Seventy-five percent of attacks occurred between 9pm and 9am. Half of the attacks occurred between July and October (49.1%), most commonly in August (20%). Mean (+/- SEM) plasma potassium on admission was 2.17 +/- 0.08 mmol/l (range 1.1-3.5). In 15 episodes (27.3%), plasma potassium on recovery exceeded 5.0 mmol/l, while in three episodes (5.5%), potassium exceeded 6.0 mmol/l. No patient had a positive family history of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. Only 28.9% had a known history of thyrotoxicosis before their first presentation with periodic paralysis. Twenty-seven (60%) had clinical evidence of thyrotoxicosis. Although all were biochemically thyrotoxic, 11.4% had only a mild degree of thyrotoxicosis (suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone, high free thyroxine, but normal free triiodothyronine). One quarter of the patients had a normal erythrocyte zinc concentration, indicating either a short history of thyrotoxicosis or transient thyrotoxicosis. The diagnosis of thyrotoxic hypokalaemic paralysis should always be considered in Chinese patients with acute muscle weakness, especially in young males. Absence of clinical thyrotoxicosis does not exclude the diagnosis. Plasma potassium should be monitored carefully during treatment to prevent rebound hyperkalaemia.
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PMID:Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a Chinese population. 875 50


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