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Results for “oxidative balance score”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

A dietary oxidative balance score of vitamin C, beta-carotene and iron intakes and mortality risk in male smoking Belgians.

The purpose of this study was to investigate, in smokers, whether the oxidative balance of their dietary pattern affected mortality risk. To evaluate the oxidative balance of the dietary pattern, an oxidative balance score was constructed that summarized the combined intake of dietary antioxidants (vitamin C and beta-carotene) and a prooxidant (iron). The low oxidative balance score group included smokers with a diet high in vitamin C and beta-carotene and/or low in iron and the high oxidative balance score group included those with a diet low in vitamin C and beta-carotene and/or high in iron. Using the 10-y follow-up mortality data from the Belgian Interuniversity Research on Nutrition and Health (BIRNH) study, the association of this oxidative balance score with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total cancer mortality was investigated in 2814 male smokers. In multivariate-adjusted Cox models, men in the highest oxidative balance score group had a higher relative risk (RR) of all-cause [RR = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 1.82] and of total cancer mortality (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.45) compared with men in the lowest score group. This association was less pronounced for CVD mortality risk and was not significant (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.86, 2.00). The risk of all-cause and total cancer mortality was driven principally by the high score group, which suggested a threshold effect for risk rather than a linear trend. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the oxidative balance of the diet is associated with subsequent mortality. Smokers whose diet is unbalanced in terms of anti- and prooxidants may therefore benefit from a recommendation to consume more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables and less meat.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2026

Association between oxidative balance score and cardiovascular risk factors, aging, and incidence of dementia risk score: A prospective cohort study.

BackgroundOxidative stress is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The oxidative balance score (OBS), which reflects combined dietary and lifestyle exposure to pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors, serves as an integrated measure of oxidative stress burden.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between OBS and predicted late-life dementia risk using the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score.MethodsWe analyzed data from 5088 participants aged 40-69 years without dementia at baseline from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Participants were categorized by OBS tertiles. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for developing a high risk of late-life dementia, defined by a CAIDE score ≥8. Longitudinal changes in CAIDE scores were assessed using linear mixed-effects models.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 12.8 years, 1468 participants (28.9%) progressed to CAIDE-predicted high risk for late-life dementia. Compared with the lowest OBS tertile (T1), participants in the highest tertile (T3) had a significantly lower risk for developing high-risk late-life dementia (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.65-0.84) and exhibited the lowest CAIDE scores (p < 0.001). Each one-point increase in the OBS was associated with a 3% reduction in CAIDE-predicted dementia risk.ConclusionsA higher OBS was significantly associated with a lower predicted risk of late-life dementia. These findings suggest that maintaining an antioxidant-rich diet and a healthy lifestyle during midlife may be effective strategies for dementia prevention.

Alzheimer's disease↗

PubMed2006

Coronary artery calcification, systemic inflammation markers and mineral metabolism in a peritoneal dialysis population.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and to determine whether comorbidities such as inflammation, dyslipidemia and mineral metabolism disorders correlate with its development. METHODS: Forty-nine PD patients (45% male; median age, 52 years) were submitted to multislice computed tomography. Inflammatory markers, anti-oxidized LDL antibody, calcium-phosphate balance and lipid profiles were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (59.2%) presented CAC (median calcium score, 234.7 Agatston units). Patients with CAC were older than those without, more frequently presented a history of coronary artery disease or hypertension and had lower HDL cholesterol levels, as well as presenting higher levels of osteoprotegerin and LDL oxidation. The logistic regression revealed that the independent determinants of CAC were age (odds ratio = 1.12; p = 0.006) and number of prescribed anti-hypertensive drugs (odds ratio = 2.38; p = 0.048). When the population was stratified by calcium score quartile, soluble Fas levels were significantly higher in patients with severe calcification. In patients younger than 45, CAC correlated positively with phosphorus levels (r = 0.52; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In PD patients, CAC is highly prevalent. Our results indicate that conditions such as inflammation and mineral disturbances are associated with its development.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Relation between both oxidative and metabolic-osmotic cell damages and initial injury severity in bombing casualties.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We have recently reported the development of oxidative cell damages in bombing casualties within a very early period after the initial injury. The aim of this study, was to investigate malondialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and osmolal gap (OG), as a good indicator of metabolic cell damages and to assess their relationship with the initial severity of the injury in bombing casualties. METHODS: The study included the males (n = 52), injured during the bombing with the Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranging from 3 to 66. The whole group of casualties was devided into a group of less severely (ISS < 25, n = 24) and a group of severely (ISS > or = 26, n = 28) injured males. The uninjured volunteers (n = 10) were the controls. Osmolality, MDA, sodium, glucose, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin and total protein levels were measured in the venous blood, sampled daily, within a ten-day period. RESULTS: In both groups of casualties, MDA and OG levels increased, total protein levels decreased, while other parameters were within the control limits. MDA alterations correlated with ISS (r = 0.414, p < 0.01), while a statistically significant correlation between OG and ISS was not obtained. Interestingly, in spite of some differences in MDA and OG trends, at the end of the examined period they were at the similar level in both groups. CONCLUSION: The initial oxidative damages of the cellular membrane with intracellular metabolic disorders contributed to the gradual development of metabolic-osmotic damages of cells, which, consequently caused the OG increase. In the bombing casualties, oxidative cell damages were dependent on the initial injury severity, while metabolic-osmotic cell damages were not.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Substrate utilization in man: effects of dietary fat and carbohydrate.

In man there is evidence that the ability to adjust fat oxidation to fat intake is less effective than the ability to adjust carbohydrate and protein oxidation to carbohydrate and protein intake. The short-term (3-day) effects of a low-fat (LF), mixed (M), and high-fat (HF) diet on human substrate balances were studied using a respiration chamber. Subjects were 14 young female students classified by means of their scores on psychometric questionnaires as "restrained" or "unrestrained" eaters. Subjects were in energy balance, ie, the mean difference between energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE) was 86 +/- 85 kJ/d. The fat content of the food significantly influence the 24-hour respiratory quotient (RQ) and nonprotein respiratory quotient (NPRQ). For both the LF and M diets, the 24-hour RQ was significantly lower than the food quotient (FQ), whereas the RQ on the HF diet was not different from the FQ. Oxidation of fat and carbohydrate significantly increased with, respectively, an increasing fat and carbohydrate content of the diet for both restrained- and unrestrained-eating subjects. Restrained-eating subjects showed a decreased fat oxidation compared with unrestrained eaters in response to a HF diet, resulting in a positive fat balance for restrained-eating subjects. On a LF diet, fat balance was negative for both groups of subjects, indicating net endogenous fat oxidation. In conclusion, restrained-eating subjects have more difficulty in the handling of a HF diet, possibly explaining their higher susceptibility to becoming obese.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

The nutritional role of indispensable amino acids and the metabolic basis for their requirements.

Short-term balances and metabolic studies suggest that current estimates of adult indispensable amino acid (IAA) requirements are too low. In addition, the observed biological value of protein is less than that predicted from its amino acid score. We propose that these discrepancies reflect the fact that IAA requirements are complex, and can only be defined under specific artificial conditions. This is because consumption of protein usually results in oxidative losses of IAA and nitrogen, which are important to the organism and variable according to dietary composition. It is likely that the age-related fall in the current values for IAA requirement primarily reflects different dietary designs in the original balance studies, which induced different rates of oxidative losses. A new model for amino acid utilization is proposed which takes account of such losses, and factors that influence them are reviewed. We propose that dietary IAAs serve an important transient function prior to their oxidation, exerting a regulatory influence on maintenance and growth which we call the anabolic drive. The model also allows for diurnal cycling of body protein, in which oxidative losses of amino acids occurring during the postabsorptive phase must be balanced by net protein deposition during feeding if overall balance is to be attained. Diurnal cycling is likely to be nutritionally sensitive, influenced by the anabolic drive and could affect the relationship between total protein and IAA requirements. We argue that oxidative losses should be included in the requirement; this will account for apparent discrepancies in the observed efficiency of protein utilization. We propose that IAA requirements (R) can only be unambiguously defined in terms of Rmin, a value obtainable under artificial conditions when oxidative losses, Lr, are minimal (Lr min); current estimates of adult requirements may be close to this level. An operative requirement of practical value, Rop, will only be defineable when the value to the organism of the oxidative losses induced by usual diets, (Lr op), can be evaluated.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Intracuff pressure and tracheal morbidity: influence of filling with saline during nitrous oxide anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion of nitrous oxide into the cuff of the endotracheal tube results in an increase in cuff pressure. Excessive endotracheal tube cuff pressure may impair tracheal mucosal perfusion and cause tracheal damage and sore throat. Filling the cuff of the endotracheal tube with saline instead of air prevents the increase in cuff pressure due to nitrous oxide diffusion. This method was used to test whether tracheal morbidity is related to excess in tracheal cuff pressure during balanced anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II were randomly allocated to two groups with endotracheal tube cuffs initially inflated to 20-30 cm H(2)O with either air (group A) or saline (group S). Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and nitrous oxide. At the time of extubation, a fiberoptic examination of the trachea was performed by an independent observer, and abnormalities of tracheal mucosa at the level of the cuff contact area were scored. Patients assessed their symptoms (sore throat, dysphagia, and hoarseness) at the time of discharge from the postanesthesia care unit and 24 h after extubation on a 101-point numerical rating scale. RESULTS: Cuff pressure increased gradually during anesthesia in group A but remained stable in group S. The incidence of sore throat was greater in group A than in group S in the postanesthesia care unit (76 vs. 20%) and 24 h after extubation (42 vs. 12%; P < 0.05). Tracheal lesions at time of extubation were seen in all patients of group A and in eight patients (32%) of group S (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Excess in endotracheal tube cuff pressure during balanced anesthesia due to nitrous oxide diffusion into this closed gas space causes sore throat that is related to tracheal mucosal erosion.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

PubMed2006

[Effects of puberty on glucose-lipid balance during exercise in the obese child].

The aim of the present study was to investigate effect of puberty on substrate oxidation rates using a graded exercise test to exhaustion. Two groups of obese adolescent males (34 prepubertal: body mass index (BMI) = 25,94 +/- 2,63; Z-score = 4,43 +/- 1,83; and 26 postpubertal: BMI = 31,14 +/- 4,88; Z-score = 5,264 +/- 1,76) performed an exercise test on a cycle ergometer. The test consisted in a series of graded exercises on a cycle ergometer. Stage duration was 3 min 30 s. Fat and carbohydrate rates were calculated during the last 30 s of each stage using stoichiometric equations, and this permitted us to calculate substrate oxidation according to exercise intensity. Lipid oxidation rates are significantly higher in the postpubertal group. When the fat oxidation rates are reported relative to fat free mass, fat oxidation rates are higher in the prepubertal group. Puberty decreases significantly the capacity of fat free mass to oxidize fat for a same level of exercise.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Relative impact of oxidative stress on male reproductive function.

Impairment of normal spermatogenesis and sperm function are the most common causes of male factor infertility. Abnormal sperm function is difficult to evaluate and treat. There is a lack of understanding of the factors contributing to normal and abnormal sperm function leading to infertility. Many recent studies indicate that oxygen-derived free radicals induce damage to spermatozoa. The excessive generation of these reactive oxygen species (superoxide, hydroxyl, nitric oxide, peroxide, peroxynitrile) by immature and abnormal spermatozoa and by contaminating leukocytes associated with genitourinary tract inflammation have been identified with idiopathic male infertility. Mammalian spermatozoa membranes are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. This makes them very susceptible to oxygen-induced damage, which is mediated by lipid peroxidation. In a normal situation, the antioxidant mechanisms present in the reproductive tissues and their secretions are likely to quench these reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect against oxidative damage to gonadal cells and mature spermatozoa. During chronic disease states, aging, toxin exposure, or genitourinary infection/inflammation, these cellular antioxidant mechanisms downplay and create a situation called oxidative stress. Thus, a balance between ROS generation and antioxidant capacity plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of disease state. Recent efforts towards the development of new reliable assays to evaluate this oxidative stress status have resulted in the establishment of ROS-TAC score. Such assessment of oxidative stress status (OSS) may help in designing newer modes of male factor infertility treatment by suitable antioxidants.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2001

Insulin-like growth factors and leucine kinetics during exercise training in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the metabolic effects of exercise training in children with cystic fibrosis. The hypothesis for the current study was that in patients with declining clinical status, exercise increases circulating insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and improves protein kinetics. METHODS: This was a prospective intervention study in 10 children with cystic fibrosis who participated in a structured isoenergetic exercise (cycling) training program for 3 months. Measurements of IGFs, protein kinetics (using intravenous [13C]-1-leucine tracer infusions) and nutritional balance studies were conducted at baseline and after 3 months. RESULTS: Standard deviation scores of plasma IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF binding protein (BP)-3 were all decreased at baseline (mean +/- SE: -2.0+/-0.2, -2.0+/-0.2. -0.6+/-0.2, respectively). IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations were significantly higher after exercise training (standard deviation scores -1.4+/-0.3 and -1.3 +/-0. 1, respectively; compared with baseline: one-tailed t-test P = 0.03 and 0.002). The standard deviation score of the IGF-I/IGF BP-3 ratio, an indicator of free IGF-I in the circulation, normalized during exercise training (0.0+/-0.6 vs. -1.3+/-0.2 SD units at baseline, one-tailed t-test P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in protein intake and fasting protein breakdown, oxidation, and protein synthesis or in energy balance and fat absorption. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that isoenergetic exercise training can be safely recommended to patients with cystic fibrosis. It provides a positive anabolic stimulus to IGF status but is not sufficient to adequately augment protein accretion in patients with diminished nutritional status.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Impact of a multimodal anti-emetic prophylaxis on patient satisfaction in high-risk patients for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequent and unpleasant symptoms. This prospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of a multimodal approach to prevent PONV, and patient satisfaction using the willingness-to-pay method. Two validated risk scores were applied to forecast the individual risk for PONV in 900 consecutive patients of whom 108 were identified as high-risk patients (predicted risk: 79-87%). High-risk patients received multimodal anti-emetic prophylaxis: total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol, high fractional inspired oxygen (80%), omission of nitrous oxide, dexamethasone 8 mg, haloperidol 10 microg.kg(-1), and tropisetron 2 mg. Of the remaining patients with low or moderate risk for PONV, a random sample of 71 females received balanced propofol-desflurane anaesthesia without prophylactic anti-emetics. All patients were interviewed 2 and 24 h after surgery for occurrence of nausea and vomiting. Patient satisfaction was measured using the willingness-to-pay method. The incidence of PONV (95%-confidence interval) in the control-group was 41% (29-51%), slightly lower than predicted by the risk scores (53-57%). The multimodal anti-emetic approach reduced the predicted risk (79-87%) in the high risk-group to 7% (3-14%). This was associated with a high willingness-to-pay median (25th/75th percentile) of 84 UK pounds (33-184 UK pounds) in the multimodal anti-emetic group compared to 14 UK pounds (4-30 UK pounds) in the control group. A multimodal anti-emetic approach can considerably reduce the incidence of PONV in high-risk patients and is associated with a high patient satisfaction as measured by the willingness-to-pay method.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The balance between expression of intranuclear NF-kappaB and glucocorticoid receptor in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in SIRS patients.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported enhanced expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Inflammatory response, however, is not regulated only by stimulatory transcription factors. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been recently reported to play an important role in anti-inflammatory signal transduction. The objective of our study was to evaluate the balance between expression of intranuclear NF-kappaB and GR in PMNLs from SIRS patients. METHODS: In study 1, 29 patients with severe SIRS, who fulfilled the criteria for SIRS and had a serum C-reactive protein level of more than 10 mg/dL, were included. Expression of intranuclear NF-kappaB and GR in PMNLs was measured by flow cytometry with antibodies specific for NF-kappaB subunit p65 and GR. PMNL oxidative activity and serum cytokine levels were also measured. Study 2 included 13 patients with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score 24.6 +/- 12.2). We measured serial changes in expression of intranuclear NF-kappaB and GR in days 0 to 2, 3 to 6, and 7 to 14 after injury. RESULTS: In study 1, expression of both intranuclear NF-kappaB and GR in PMNLs was significantly higher in SIRS patients than in healthy controls. There was a strong correlation between expression of these two transcription factors (r = 0.78). Positive correlations were also found between PMNL oxidative activity and both transcription factors. In study 2, expression of both NF-kappaB and GR in PMNLs was markedly elevated on days 3 to 6 after injury and changed serially with strong mutual correlation. CONCLUSIONS: In activated PMNLs from SIRS patients, levels of both intranuclear NF-kappaB and GR were elevated and strongly correlated. In trauma patients, NF-kappaB and GR in PMNLs changed serially with strong mutual correlation. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of the balance of NF-kappaB and GR on PMNL activation and systemic inflammatory process.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Efficacy of two dentifrices on removal of natural extrinsic stain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 6-week effect on natural extrinsic dental stain from the use of a dentifrice containing 10% aluminum oxide, 1500 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate in a precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) base or a second dentifrice containing 0.5% calcium peroxide (CP), 1500 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate in a PCC base compared to a fluoride placebo dentifrice without stain removal ingredients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 subjects were entered in the study, and stratified into three balanced groups according to their baseline mean Lobene Stain Index scores. The three groups were randomly assigned to use one of the two test dentifrices or the placebo dentifrice. The three groups were well balanced with regard to their mean baseline stain index scores, gender and tobacco habits. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for 1 minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft bristled toothbrush. Extrinsic dental stain examinations, which included mean stain area and mean stain intensity, were conducted at baseline and 6 weeks. Examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner (F.A.) on the subjects at each examination. RESULTS: After 6 weeks' use of their assigned products, those subjects in the aluminum oxide/PCC dentifrice group and those subjects in the CP/PCC dentifrice group demonstrated statistically significant improvements, as compared to the fluoride placebo dentifrice group without stain removal ingredients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Reactivity of an active center analog of Cu2Zn2superoxide dismutase in murine model of acute and chronic inflammation.

The antiinflammatory efficacy of CuPu(Py)2 ([[N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethylene)-1,4-butanediamine] (N,N',N'',N''')]-Cu2+), a serum stable active center analog of Cu2Zn2superoxide dismutase (SOD), was tested in vitro and in vivo in male Wistar rats suffering from potassium peroxochromate-induced inflammation. Parameters including 99mTc gamma-scintigraphic imaging, the arthritis score, the plasma superoxide dismutase activity, the inhibition of plasma sulfhydryl depletion as well as mitogenic and phagocytic responses were used to quantify the disease activity. All parameters improved impressively during the treatment with CuPu(Py)2 and resembled those of healthy animals after 21 days. The arthritis score was inhibited by 80% (P > 0.001) and the plasma SOD activity enhanced by 380% (P > 0.001). The depletion of plasma sulfhydryls and the leukocytic responses to concanavalin A, tetradecanoylphorbolacetate, and lipopolysaccharide were significantly reduced (P > 0.001) and correlated well with the arthritis score. The collapse of antioxidant defenses in human plasma as well as the depolymerization of hyaluronic acid was mimicked in vitro and successfully inhibited by CuPu(Py)2. Oxidant-induced injury of plasma components during the aqueous decay of potassium peroxochromate were demonstrated to activate the oxidative burst of phagocytes in human blood. The role of impaired pro- and antioxidant balances in the etiology of inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1995

Postoperative hemodynamic and thermoregulatory consequences of intraoperative core hypothermia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the postoperative hemodynamic and thermoregulatory consequences of intraoperative core hypothermia. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Operating room and postanesthesia care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 74 healthy, ASA status I, II, and III patients (average age 58 yrs) undergoing elective colon surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to be kept normothermic or approximately 2.5 degrees C hypothermic during surgery. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, nitrous oxide, and fentanyl. Postoperatively, surgical pain was treated with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) opioid. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An observer blinded to group assignment and core temperatures evaluated shivering, thermal comfort, surgical pain, heart rates (HRs), and blood pressures (BPs) during the first six postoperative hours. Morphometric characteristics, oxygen saturation, fluid balance, PCA-administered opioid, and visual analog pain scores were comparable in the two groups. Hypothermic patients felt uncomfortably cold during recovery, and their postoperative core temperatures remained significantly less than in the normothermic patients for more than four hours. Peripheral vasoconstriction and shivering were common in the hypothermic patients but rare in those kept normothermic. HRs and BPs were comparable in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that the effects of intraoperative hypothermia on postoperative HR and BP are modest in relatively young, generally healthy patients. In contrast, intraoperative hypothermia caused substantial postoperative thermal discomfort, and full recovery from hypothermia required many hours. Delayed return to care normothermia apparently resulted largely from postoperative thermoregulatory impairment.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition in experimental Pseudomonas keratitis in rabbits.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitro-arginine-methyleser (L-NAME) in the treatment of experimental Pseudomonas keratitis. METHODS: Twelve young New Zealand white rabbits were given intrastromal injections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Twenty-four hours later, the rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: group 1 was treated with topical 0.3% ciprofloxacin drops and a single subconjunctival injection of L-NAME (150 mg/kg); group 2 received topical 0.3% ciprofloxacin drops alone; group 3 received a single subconjunctival injection of L-NAME alone; group 4, the control group, was treated with topical balanced salt solution (BSS) drops. One drop of either ciprofloxacin of BSS was applied at each treatment interval. Twenty-six hours after the start of treatment, the eyes were examined by slit lamp to assess inflammation. Aqueous humor specimens were collected from each eye to measure the nitric oxide concentration. Corneas were removed to count bacteria results. RESULTS: Slit lamp examination cell scores were significantly lower for groups 1 and 3 than groups 2 and 4 eyes (p = 0.002 to p = 0.004). No viable bacteria were detected in the corneas of groups 1 and 2. Group 3 corneas had significantly fewer bacteria (6.33 +/- 0.42 x 10(3)) than group 4 (5.94 +/- 0.16 x 10(4)) (p < 0.05). Nitric oxide levels in the aqueous humor were significantly lower for group 1 eyes than for groups 2, 3, or 4 (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may be a useful adjunct but are not a replacement for traditional antibiotic drop therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Source contributions to fine particulate matter in an urban atmosphere.

This paper proposes a practical method for estimating source attribution by using a three-step methodology. The main objective of this study is to explore the use of the three-step methodology for quantifying the source impacts of 24-h PM2.5 particles at an urban site in Seoul, Korea. 12-h PM2.5 samples were collected and analyzed for their elemental composition by ICP-AES/ICP-MS/AAS to generate the source composition profiles. In order to assess the daily average PM2.5 source impacts, 24-h PM2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) ambient samples were simultaneously collected at the same site. The PM2.5 particle samples were then analyzed for trace elements. Ionic and carbonaceous species concentrations were measured by ICP-AES/ICP-MS/AAS, IC, and a selective thermal MnO2 oxidation method. The 12-h PM2.5 chemical data was used to estimate possible source signatures using the principal component analysis (PCA) and the absolute principal component scores method followed by the multiple linear regression analysis. The 24-h PM2.5 source categories were extracted with a combination of PM2.5 and some PAH chemical data using the PCA, and their quantitative source contributions were estimated by chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model using the estimated source profiles and those in the literature. The results of PM2.5 source apportionment using the 12-h derived source composition profiles show that the CMB performance indices; chi2, R2, and percent of mass accounted for are 2.3%, 0.97%, and 100.7%, which are within the target range specified. According to the average PM2.5 source contribution estimate results, motor vehicle exhaust was the major contributor at the sampling site, contributing 26% on average of measured PM2.5 mass (41.8 microg m-3), followed by secondary sulfate (23%) and nitrate (16%), refuse incineration (15%), soil dust (13%), field burning (4%), oil combustion (2.7%), and marine aerosol (1.3%). It can be concluded that quantitative source attribution to PM2.5 in an urban area where source profiles have not been developed can be estimated using the proposed three-step methodology approach.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2001

[Determination of antioxidative-peroxidative balance in the cord blood of newborns delivered to mothers with diabetes type G1].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate antioxidant system activity and lipid peroxidations products as markers of oxidative stress in the cord blood of newborns delivered to mothers with diabetes type G1 in comparison to healthy pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 10 healthy and 10 diabetic mothers' newborns. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured using spectrophotometry. We compared also birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score and cord blood pH between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score and pH value between the groups. We found two cases of congenital malformations and two severe hyperbilirubinemia in diabetic mothers' newborns. We found also decreased level of TAS and higher level of TBARS in the cord blood of newborns delivered to mothers with diabetes type G1 in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that maternal diabetes G1 during pregnancy induces oxidative stress in the newborn.

Adult↗