bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Double-Blind Trial: Vivalan against Placebo in Depressed Elderly Patients
Authors: Knorring Von L 
Published: January 2017

A double-blind controlled study of viloxazine against placebo in elderly depressed patients with a primary diagnosis of depressive illness records statistically significant improvements in depression ratings in the viloxazine group after three weeks. Viloxazine was effective and well tolerated at doses of 100 to 200 mg in depressed elderly patients, several of whom had concurrent cardiac disease.
The Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Out-Patients. A Double-Blind Comparison between Trimethoprim and Nitrofurantoin
Authors: Sander Jan , Aandahl Einar , Fellner Helga , Kalstad Steinar 
Published: January 2017

The rate of side-effects should today be more important for the choice of an agent for treatment of acute urinary tract infections than the cure rate, as this usually is above 90%. The side-effects with co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazol) have been viewed as caused mainly by the sulphonamide component. In this randomized, double-blind trial Group A has been treated with trimethoprim 200 mg x 2 and Group B with nitrofurantoin 50 mg x 4 for a duration of 10 days. There was no difference in cure rate between the two groups. The rate of side-effects was 26% in Group A and 12% in Group B. In Group A 12% had skin eruptions, mostly appearing on Day 7 or later, in Group B 1.3% had eruptions. These differences are statistically significant (p < 0.05). This result, together with a survey of the literature, indicates that the frequency of these rashes might be related both to dosage and duration of treatment. The origin of the side-effects caused by co-trimoxazole should be reconsidered. The in vitro sensitivity against trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin was tested using a disc diffusion method in 98 infecting strains from patients in this study. Two per cent were resistant against trimethoprim and 81% against nitrofurantoin. We found no correlation between the size of the inhibition zone and bacteriological cure rate. This makes the value of the disc diffusion method in out-patients with acute urinary tract infections questionable.
Bran Diet for an Earlier Resolution of Post-Operative Ileus
Authors: Sculati Oliviero , Giampiccoli Gustavo , Gozzi Bartolomeo , Minissale Vito , Zambetti Nella , Iapichino Gaetano , Ipezzoli Carlo , Giacomelli Maurizio , Lazzari Patrizia , Franzosi Maria Grazia 
Published: January 2017

The effect of a pre-operative high fibre diet on the resolution of ileus following cholecystectomy has been evaluated. The time needed to restore canalization of the gastro-intestinal tract has been compared in two random groups of patients (a total of thirty-eight) one treated with wheat bran and the other as control without the diet supplementation. The average persistence of ileus was 24 hours in the treated group and 54 hours in the control group. These results suggest that a bran-enriched diet could be an inexpensive and simple treatment to shorten the duration of ileus after abdominal surgery.
Retrospective Post-Marketing Surveillance of Transiderm-Nitro 5 in General Practice in the United Kingdom
Authors: Tattersall A B , Bridgman K M , Obst D , Carr M 
Published: January 2017

A retrospective post-marketing surveillance of Transiderm-Nitro 5 was undertaken in 1803 general practice patients with various degrees of severity of angina. Over half the patients were assessed more than 3 months after starting treatment. At the time of assessment two-thirds of the patients were continuing with their Transiderm-Nitro therapy. Only a small proportion (3·8%) of the total patient population were withdrawn after 3 months' usage. This suggests the continuing benefit of longer-term Transiderm-Nitro therapy. Subjective assessment of a reduction in the number of anginal attacks and an improvement in exercise capacity occurred, respectively, in 76·2% and 62·6% of the patients. Although 16% of patients experienced problems specifically related to patch use, only 6·4% withdrew for these reasons. The incidence of headache decreased with time of usage of Transiderm-Nitro to give an over-all withdrawal of 7% The death rate observed during the surveillance lies between that for the United Kingdom population as a whole and that for a population with angina pectoris. This surveillance shows that both patients and doctors perceived clinical benefit from Transiderm-Nitro when used in the treatment of angina.
Double-Blind Comparison of Prenylamine and Penbutolol in Patients with Angina Pectoris
Authors: Slegers L C , Vermeulen A , Sumajow A 
Published: January 2017

This study was performed to re-evaluate the clinical position of prenylamine in the management of angina pectoris. After 1 week withdrawal of all anti-anginal agents, followed by another week of placebo administration, seventeen patients were allocated at random to 6 weeks treatment with either Penbutolol 40 mg once a day or prenylamine 60 mg t.i.d. Clinical examination, exercise test and anginal attack rate were recorded every 2 weeks. Both drugs reduced the anginal attack rate. None of the drugs caused a significant increase in maximal workload or a significant change in ST-segment depression. Beside a substantially lower rate-pressure product at maximal comparable workload in the Penbutolol group (p < 0·001), no significant differences were observed between the two drugs. No adverse reactions were reported. From these results one can conclude that prenylamine and Penbutolol do not differ in their anti-anginal effect. Therefore we are of the opinion that prenylamine has a place in the therapeutic armamentarium for the management of angina pectoris, particularly inpatients where beta-blocking agents are contraindicated or in patients who have experienced side-effects of beta-blocking or calcium-entry blocking agents.
Zolpidem in Insomnia: A 3-Year Post-Marketing Surveillance Study in Switzerland
Authors: Ganzoni E , Santoni J Ph , Chevillard V , Sébille M , Mathy B 
Published: January 2017

A multicentre post-marketing surveillance study was conducted in Switzerland in routine practice and involved 1972 insomniac patients treated with zolpidem, an imidazopyridine hypnotic agent. The patients were representative of the general insomniac population (65% women; mean age 55 years; 29% over 65). Of the patients, 87% were treated with a zolpidem dosage of 10 mg/day and the median treatment duration was 30 days. All adverse events were collected through spontaneous reporting. A total of 175 patients (8.9%) reported 343 adverse events, and 102 (5.2%) of them discontinued treatment. CNS (central nervous system)-related adverse events accounted for 66% of the total, the most common events being residual daytime sedation and insufficient efficacy in 3.7% and 1.6%, respectively; confusion, disorientation, nervousness, nightmares, amnesia, impaired concentration and anxiety were observed in a lower proportion. Gastro-intestinal symptoms, headache and skin reactions were the most frequent non-CNS related effects. No serious adverse event was reported and no new risk factors or at-risk populations were identified. The safety profile of zolpidem is thus consistent with its known pharmacological properties, the results of previous clinical trials, and the cumulative international experience gained with this short-acting hypnotic drug. Eine multizentrische c in der Schweiz durchgeführt. 1972 Patienten mit Schlafstörung wurden mit Zolpidem, einem Imidazopyridin-Hypnotikum, behandelt. Die Patienten waren für die schlafgestörte Population repräsentativ (65% Frauen; mittleres Alter 55 Jahre; 29% der Patienten älter als 65 Jahre). 87% der Patienten erhielten pro Tag 10 mg Zolpidem und der Median der Therapiedauer betrug 30 Tage. Alle spontan berichteten Symptome wurden zusammengestellt. Bei 175 Patienten (8.9%) traten insgesamt 343 unerwünschte Wirkungen auf und 102 Patienten (5.2%) brachen die Therapie deswegen ab. Zwei Drittel der unerwünschten Ereignisse betrafen das zentrale Nervensystem (ZNS), am häufigsten anhaltende morgendliche Sedation und mangelhafte Wirkung in 3.7% resp. 1.6%; Konfusion, Orientierungsstörung, Nervosität, Alpträume, Amnesie, Konzentrationsstörung und Angst wurden seltener berichtet. Gastrointestinale Symptome, Kopfschmerzen und Hautreaktionen waren die häufigsten organisch bedingten Symptome. Es traten keine schwerwiegende unerwünschte Wirkungen auf, ebenso wurden keine neuen Risikofaktoren oder Risikopopulationen festgestellt. Somit ist das Verträglichkeitsprofil von Zolpidem mit den bekannten pharmakologischen Eigenschaften gut vereinbar und entspricht den Resultaten aus bisherigen klinischen Studien und den internationalen Erfahrungen, die mit diesem kurzwirksamen Hypnotikum erworben worden sind.
Nutrition Status of Primary School Students in Two Rural Regions of Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Saltzman Edward , Schlossman Nina , Brown Carrie A. , Balan Ionela , Fuss Paul , Batra Payal , Braima de Sa Augusto , Shea Mary Kyla , Pruzensky William M. , Bale Carlito , Roberts Susan B. 
Published: January 2017

Background: The nutrition status of primary schoolchildren in Africa has received relatively little attention in comparison to that of younger children. We surveyed primary school students in Guinea-Bissau, a nation that is among the poorest in the world. Objective: Anthropometry and prevalence of anemia and vitamin A deficiency were assessed in schoolchildren participating in International Partnership for Human Development’s school feeding program in 2 regions of Guinea-Bissau. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 32 schools in the regions of Cacheu and Oio was conducted in November 2011. Variables included age, gender, weight, height, hemoglobin, and retinol-binding protein concentrations. Z scores for height for age (HAZ), body mass index for age (BAZ), and weight for age were calculated using World Health Organization reference data. Results: Anthropometric assessment of 4784 students revealed stunting (HAZ < −2) in 15.5%, thinness (BAZ < −2) in 13.2%, and anemia in 42.0%. Stunting, thinness, and anemia were significantly more common in males, in students from Oio, and in older students. Vitamin A deficiency, detected in 21.5% of the population, was the only assessment that did not demonstrate significant differences between genders or regions. About 61.1% of all children had 1 or more indicators of undernutrition. Conclusion: There are substantial rates of stunting, thinness, underweight, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency in primary schoolchildren in Guinea-Bissau, even among those participating in a school lunch program and particularly among males and older students. The results suggest the need for evaluating feeding programs and other methods to improve nutrition status in primary school students, especially in older students.
Steroid and Antihistamines Modulate Rantes Release in Cultured Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Atopic Patients
Authors: Di Gioacchino M. , Verna N. , Cavallucci E. , Paolini F. , Caruso R. , Grana M. , Schiavone C. , Di Iorio A. , Ramondo S. , Reale M. , Paganelli R. , Theoharides T. C. 
Published: January 2017

RANTES plays a crucial role in cell recruitment in allergic inflammation. We investigated the pharmacological modulation of RANTES release in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from allergic patients with active asthma. Chemokine production was assessed before and after 15 day treatment with histamine-1 receptor antagonists (Loratadine or Cetirizine) and a steroid (Deflazacort), both in unstimulated and PHA-stimulated cell cultures. Results were compared with those obtained from placebo-treated patients. During the treatment period, patients recorded morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) by mini-Wright. PEF absolute values and diurnal variability significantly improved respect to the pre-treatment in steroid-treated patients, in comparison to the placebo and antihistamine-treated groups (p<0.001 and 0.01, respectively). PEF diurnal variability in the antihistamine-treated group were lower than placebo-treated group without statistical significance (p=0.06). No differences could be found in RANTES levels in supernatants of all cultures between the two antihistamines. RANTES release significantly decreased in supernatants of all cell cultures from steroid (p<0.01) and antihistamine (p=0.03 and 0.04) groups after treatments, compared to the basal values; whereas it increased slightly in controls. Co-variance analysis on RANTES levels, adjusting for pre-treatment values, showed a significant reduction of RANTES release by PHA-stimulated PBMCs from steroid (p=0.003) and anti-histamine (p=0.03) groups, with respect to the placebo group. The same statistical tool applied between the steroid and the antihistamine groups showed, after therapy, the lowest levels of RANTES to be associated with steroid treatment (p=0.005). The study shows that steroid is the most effective drug in modulating RANTES release from PBMCs. However, antihistamines, which are able to reduce cell recruitment due to chemokine release, avoiding important side effects, may be useful in long term therapy in controlling and preventing allergic inflammation.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid: A Functional Food?
Authors: D'Orazio N. , Ficoneri C. , Riccioni G. , Conti P. , Theoharides T.C. , Bollea M.R. 
Published: January 2017

Scientific interest in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) started in 1987 when Michael Pariza's team of Wisconsin University observed its inhibitory effects on chemically induced skin tumors in mice. Numerous studies have since examined CLA's role in cancer, immune function, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, lipid and fatty acids metabolism, bone formation and composition, obesity, and diabetes. Still it's not clear yet either through which mechanisms CLA produces its numerous metabolic effects. We now know that CLA contents in cow milk fat can be enriched through dry fractionation, but this knowledge doesn't allow sufficient certainty to qualify this nutrient, as a functional food, capable of increasing well being and reducing the risk of disease.
Analysis of T Lymphocytes Cloned from Rejected Kidney Allograft: High Frequency of Cytotoxic T Cell Precursor
Authors: Benvenuto R. , Bachetoni A. , Franco A. , Cinti P. , Sallusto F. , Balsano C. , Malajoni E. Renna , Barnaba V. 
Published: January 2017

A high proportion of CD8 positive cells and inverted CD4/CD8 ratio were found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in freshly isolated kidney-graft infiltrating cells in two patients who underwent irreversible acute rejection. Seventy seven T cell clones were generated from the T cell blasts infiltrating rejected kidney allografts. The majority of T cell clones obtained showed CD8 phenotype in accordance to uncloned graft infiltrating cells. All clones (both CD8 and CD4) displayed cytolytic activity evaluated by lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and natural killer (NK) activities. None of the clones presented lymphokine activated killer phenomenon. These data suggest that the graft infiltrate is characterized by T cell clones with cytolytic potential and that these T cell clones may be responsible for the killing of graft cells by a CTL or NK type mechanism.
Differential Sensitivity of CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocytes to Phorbol Myristate Acetate upon Anti-CD3 Stimulation: Evidence for a Distinct Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chouaib S. , Mahe Yann , Mechri Salah , Andreeff M. , Welte K. 
Published: January 2017

The effects of suboptimal concentrations of Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA) in combination with submitogenic concentrations of OKT3 antibody on CD4+ and CD8+ cell activation were investigated. Upon stimulation with OKT3 (25 pg/ml) and PMA (0.25 – 0.75 ng/ml), the majority of CD4+ cells entered the cell cycle whereas most of CD8+ cells remained in G0/G1 phase. Under the same conditions of OKT3 stimulations, both CD4+ and CD8+ cells failed to produce IL2 in the absence of PMA. In the presence of PMA (0,25 ng/ml), CD4+ produced measurable amounts of IL2 (0,5 – 2,3 U/ml) whereas IL2 production by CD8+ cells remained below the detection limit. Expression of TAC antigen (CD25) was found to parallel IL2 production and cell proliferation in both subsets whereas changes in [Ca2+] mobilization following OKT3 stimulation were similar in both subsets. Interestingly, the elevation of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3':5' monophosphate (cAMP) was not equally distributed between CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations. Furthermore, the kinetics of protein kinase (PKC) translocation was markedly prolonged in membranes of CD4+ cells compared with CD8+ cells suggesting a differential involvement that may operate under distinct regulatory signaling mechanisms.
Comorbidity in Juvenile Obsessive—Compulsive Disorder: A Report from India
Authors: Reddy YC Janardhan , Reddy P Srinivas , Srinath S , Khanna S , Sheshadri SP , Girimaji SC 
Published: January 2017

Objective: Using minimal exclusion criteria, to assess systematically the psychiatric comorbidity in children and adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and compare the findings with those of previous studies. Method: Fifty-four children and adolescents who satisfied DSM-III-R criteria for OCD were assessed using a structured interview schedule, the Children's version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), and the questionnaire for tic disorders. All 54 subjects were recruited from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) services of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, South India. Diagnoses were determined consensually after a review of all the available data. Results: Comorbidity was found in 69% of the sample: 22% were diagnosed with disruptive disorders; 20% met criteria for mood disorders; 19% had anxiety disorders; and 17% had tic disorders. Only 1 subject had bipolar disorder, and none had psychosis. The rates for individual diagnoses—in particular, the rates for disruptive disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis—were considerably lower than those reported in previous studies. Conclusions: Patterns of comorbidity in this study differed from those previously reported. Novel patterns of comorbidity with disruptive disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis reported in a few recent studies were not replicated in this study. These differences are probably due to different ascertainment methods. Comorbidity needs to be assessed in large epidemiological samples before definite associations can be made between certain comorbid disorders and juvenile OCD.
Measuring Depression in Canada's Elderly Chinese Population: Use of a Community Screening Instrument
Authors: Lai Daniel WL 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of a 15-item Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to measure depression in Canada's elderly Chinese population. Method A random sample of 96 elderly Chinese in a Canadian city was surveyed by telephone. The measure of depression used was the 15-item Chinese version of the GDS. In addition, the physical and mental health of the respondents was assessed by a Chinese version of the SF-12, questions on self-perceived general health, and questions on self-reported illnesses and health concerns. Results The prevalence rate of depression in the elderly Chinese who participated in this study is approximately 20%, which is much lower than that of elderly Chinese in the United States (US). Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability coefficients were 0.88 and 0.89 respectively. GDS scores are significantly correlated with the mental health component (r = −0.74) of the SF-12, indicating a strong convergent validity. GDS scores are also correlated with the physical health component of the SF-12 (r = −0.41), self-perceived general health (r = −0.26), and illnesses (r = 0.52), demonstrating concurrent validity. Conclusions: The 15-item Chinese GDS has good internal consistency and both convergent and concurrent validity. It can help to identify depression among the elderly Chinese, allowing early identification and prevention of this problem. Further research is required to support its use in clinical settings.
Estrogen Receptor Activation and Tardive Dyskinesia
Authors: Turrone Peter , Seeman Mary V , Silvestri Simone 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To undertake a selective review of the epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), with emphasis on the potential influence of estrogen in its expression. Method: Both Medline and Psycinfo databases were used to search for articles with the following key words: tardive dyskinesia, humans, animals, dopamine, estrogen, estrogen replacement therapy, antioxidants and oxidative stress. Results: The studies reviewed here suggest that estrogen modulates dopamine-mediated behaviours and that it protects against oxidative stress-induced cell damage caused by long-term exposure to antipsychotic medication. Conclusions: Estrogen's multimodal role in the central nervous system may prove useful for the amelioration or prevention of TD. All the evidence suggests that a placebo-controlled, randomized trial with safer forms of estrogen should be conducted in postmenopausal women with TD.
Toward Effective Early Intervention and Prevention Strategies for Major Affective Disorders: A Review of Antecedents and Risk Factors
Authors: Duffy Anne 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To review critically the literature pertaining to riskfactors and antecedent symptoms and syndromes in order to determine an empirically based strategy for early treatment and prevention of major mood episodes. Method: The relevant literature is summarized, with particular emphasis on early-onset (child and adolescent) mood disorders. Results: A complex interaction between biological, psychological, and sociological factors contributes to the development of a major mood disorder. Having a positive family history of mood disorder (bipolar and unipolar) and being female (unipolar) are the strongest, most reliable risk factors. There is continuity between adolescent and adult mood disorders, and subsyndromal mood disturbance in adolescents has clinical and public health significance. However, more longitudinal study is required to reliably map the course and predictive importance of mood disorders in very young children. Conclusions: Substantial evidence supports the effectiveness of early intervention and prevention efforts in children at risk for mood disorders (identified as having affected family members) and in adolescents manifesting significant mood symptoms and syndromes (especially if associated with a positive family history). However, the current level of understanding regarding the etiological significance and mechanism of risk factors associated with mood disorders does not support broad community-based primary prevention strategies in unselected populations.