Blood and tissue concentration of cesium after exposure to cesium chloride

Abstract   Context: Complementary alternative medicine therapies based on the use of cesium chloride preparations for the treatment of cancer and radiation poisoning, have generated therapeutic interest; but oral or intravenous administration of cesium chloride (CsCl) to cancer patients as an alternative mode of cancer therapy have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Objective: Cesium (Cs) levels from human tissue were measured to determine exposure to an alternative medical treatment. Cesium levels are reported from two patients who were administered cesium chloride in conjunction with aloe vera as part of an alternative cancer treatment.

Trends in Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus among Blood Donors over 16?Years in Turkey

Abstract   Background: We document in the present study the trends over the sixteen years in HBV and HCV seroprevalence among blood donors in Turkish populations. Methods: In this study, serologic test results of whole blood (n = 6.240.130) donors at 22 Red Crescent Centers between 1989 and 2004 were evaluated retrospectively. Results and conclusion: The overall prevalence was 4.19% for HBsAg and 0.38% for HCV antibody during the study period. The annual prevalence of HBsAg gradually increased from 4.92% in 1989 to 5.23% in 1991 (p=0.001, t=21.00, CI95, 17237–22490) and gradually decreased from that to 2.10% in 2004 (p=0.001, t=17.27, CI95, 12869–21342). The seroprevalence of HCV antibody gradually increased from 18 per 10.000 in 1996, to 56 per 10.000 in 1998 (p=0.073, t=3.81, CI95, 459.62–5721.23), while that decreased to 34 per 10.000 in 2004 (p=0.021, t=7.49, CI95, 743.98–3980.11). The seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C has decreased markedly between 1989 and 2004 in Turkey. This could be related to the significant increase in the number of volunteer blood donors that increased from 135,779 to 197,815.

Temporal and venepuncture-related decline in circulating endothelial cell capture from mixed venous blood

Abstract   Background: The quantification of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in whole blood has evolved as a novel method for the assessment of endothelial function, although major methodological issues remain. We hypothesized that there is a temporal decline in CEC counts in static venesected blood and that venepuncture itself may lead to increased CEC detachment. Methods: CEC isolation was performed using the immunobead method. For the temporal decline experiment, we included 52 patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We performed CEC counts immediately and at 4 and 24 h later. For the venepuncture decline experiment, we studied 40 patients with stable cardiovascular disease (CVD). CEC counts were determined from the first 4 mL of aspirated venous blood and compared with counts obtained from a subsequent 4 mL sample of blood after at least 7.5 mL of blood had been collected.

Effects of porta-systemic shunting and ammonia infusion on cerebral blood flow autoregulation in the rat

Abstract   Background: Portacaval shunting of blood, hyperammonemia, and impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation are assumed to be involved in the development of high intracranial pressure (ICP) in liver failure. In this study, we determined whether CBF autoregulation is impaired by portacaval anastomosis and hyperammonemia. Methods: Four groups of pentobarbital-sedated and mechanically ventilated rats were investigated after construction of a portacaval anastomosis or following sham operation. Half of the rats received either infusion of ammonia (55 μmol/kg/minute) or saline for 180 minutes. Arterial pressure and ICP was monitored, and lower limit of CBF autoregulation was determined.

Brief report: How well do clinic-based blood pressure measurements agree with the mercury standard?

Abstract   BACKGROUND: Obtaining accurate blood pressure (BP) readings is a challenge faced by health professionals. Clinical trials implement strict protocols, whereas clinical practices and studies that assess quality of care utilize a less rigorous protocol for BP measurement. OBJECTIVE: To examine agreement between real-time clinic-based assessment of BP and the standard mercury assessment of BP.

Neuropsychological characteristics of adolescent boys differing in risk for high blood pressure

Abstract   Background: Individuals with established hypertension have been found to display deficits in a number of neuropsychological abilities. In general, these are probably due to structural changes in the brain produced by sustained high blood pressure. However, a potentially important line of research suggests that some of these deficits may extend to younger individuals with less severe elevations of blood pressure, perhaps even children, and thus be related more to risk for hypertension than hypertension per se.Purpose: The objective was to examine the relationships between neuropsychological function and risk for hypertension in children.Methods: Measurements of blood pressure and parental history of hypertension were obtained in 88 French-Canadian 14-year-old boys and used to predict performance on a neuropsychological battery.Results: Boys at greater risk of hypertension by virtue of having a parental history of high blood pressure and normatively elevated systolic blood pressure had significantly lower scores on a verbal learning factor score compared to boys at lower risk. Boys with normatively elevated systolic blood pressure also had significantly lower scores on a spatial learning and memory factor score compared to boys with lower blood pressure. The results could not be attributed to differences in family socioeconomic status.Conclusions: Using a younger sample than typically employed in the area, the results support previous suggestions that some of the neuropsychological characteristics displayed by hypertensive individuals may predate the development of clinically elevated blood pressure and could be associated with risk for the disorder.

Blunted cardiovascular responses to daytime activities as related to reduced nocturnal blood pressure decline

Abstract   Background: Individuals showing less than a 10% decline in blood pressure at night (“nondippers ”) are known to be at increased risk for hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.Purpose: This research tested the assertion by R?ikk?nen et al. (1) that nondippers show blunted cardiovascular responses to activities during daytime hours.Methods: Ambulatory blood pressure and impedance monitoring was performed with 149 young adults in Singapore. At each daytime blood pressure reading, participants completed a computerized questionnaire indicating location, posture, physical activities, feelings, and social interactions.Results: Significant interactions between dipper status and feeling tired, location, posture, and physical activity provided qualified support for the blunting hypothesis. However, blunting of BP responses was not attributable to blunting of either cardiac output or total peripheral resistance responses.Conclusion: Nondippers appear to show blunted daytime responses to certain types of daytime activities. However, these effects are limited and appear to be the result of different mechanisms than those responsible for reduced nighttime blood pressure decline.