bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antidepressant‐like effect of carvacrol (5‐Isopropyl‐2‐methylphenol) in mice: involvement of dopaminergic system
Authors: Melo Francisca Helvira Cavalcante , Moura Brinell Arcanjo , de Sousa Damião Pergentino , de Vasconcelos Silvânia Maria Mendes , Macedo Danielle Silveira , Fonteles Marta Maria de França , Viana Glauce Socorro de Barros , de Sousa Francisca Cléa Florenço 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCarvacrol (5‐isopropyl‐2‐methylphenol) is a monoterpenic phenol present in the essential oil of many plants. It is the major component of the essential oil fraction of oregano and thyme. In this study, the effect of carvacrol was investigated in two behavioral models, the forced swimming and tail suspension tests in mice, to investigate the possible antidepressant effect of this substance. Additionally, the mechanisms involved in the antidepressant‐like effect of carvacrol in mice were also assessed. Carvacrol (cvc) was administered orally at single doses of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg. The acute treatment of cvc decreased the immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests without accompanying changes in ambulation in the open‐field test. The anti‐immobility effect of carvacrol (25 mg/kg) was not prevented by pretreatment of mice with p‐chlorophenylalanine, prazosin and yohimbine. On the other hand, the pretreatment of mice with SCH23390 or sulpiride completely blocked the antidepressant‐like effect of carvacrol (25 mg/kg) in the forced swimming test. These results show that carvacrol presents antidepressant effects in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests; this effect seems to be dependent on its interaction with the dopaminergic system, but not with the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems. Keywords: Carvacrol; Antidepressant; Forced swimming; Tail suspension; Dopaminergic system.
Role of drugs and devices in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death
Authors: Boriani Giuseppe , Diemberger Igor , Valzania Cinzia , Biffi Mauro , Martignani Cristian , Raschi Emanuel , Mantovani Valentina , Ziacchi Matteo , Bertini Matteo , De Ponti Fabrizio , Branzi Angelo 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe search for effective treatment for preventing sudden cardiac death (SCD) initially started with anti‐arrhythmic agents in high‐risk patients, but the use of randomized controlled trials clearly led to the conclusion that an approach based on anti‐arrhythmic agents is not useful, and sometimes potentially harmful (the risk of arrhythmic death was increased up to 159% in CAST study). Today the approach to SCD prevention includes considering both the setting of patients who have already presented a cardiac arrest or a malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias (secondary preventions of SCD) and the much broader setting of primary prevention in patients at variable degrees of identifiable risk. For secondary prevention of SCD, implantable cardioverter defibrillation is now the standard of care (the risk of overall mortality may be reduced by 20–31%), and anti‐arrhythmic agents, specifically amiodarone, have only a complementary role (for reducing device activations or for preventing atrial fibrillation). For primary prevention of SCD in high‐risk patients, cardioverter defibrillators have nowadays specific indications in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (often in combination with cardiac resynchronization therapy), where the risk of overall mortality may be reduced by 23–54%. For the large number of subjects who have some risk of SCD, but are not identified as at high risk of SCD, a series of drugs could exert a favorable effect (beta‐blockers, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blocker agents, statins, omega‐3 fatty acids and aldosterone antagonists), and for some of them evidence is emerging, from subgroup analysis, of possible SCD prevention capabilities.
On the role of operations research practice in strategic environmental impact assessment
Authors: Clímaco João , Craveirinha José 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAs emphasized in the Resource Manual to Support Application of the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on environmental impact assessment in a Transboundary Context) in complex contexts, the SEA process has great potential in the development and comparison of alternatives. In this work, we discuss some roles and implications of operations research practice in the framework of this type of process. A case study, currently topical in Portugal, will be used to motivate and illustrate the presentation.
Le secteur informel en Inde: effets de la mondialisation et des réformes
Authors: Siggel Eckhard 
Published: June 2010

Résumé.La mondialisation et les réformes économiques ont habituellement une incidence sur le secteur formel, tandis que le secteur informel fonctionne en marge de la réglementation. Cependant, les liens multiples qui existent entre eux affectent ce dernier de diverses manières. La segmentation du marché du travail et les migrations étaient traditionnellement utilisées pour expliquer ces effets: les travailleurs licenciés du secteur formel augmentent l'offre de travail informel, d'où une diminution des salaires et un accroissement de la pauvreté. L'auteur examine si cette hypothèse se vérifie en Inde, suite aux réformes économiques des années quatre‐vingt‐dix, et il trouve un modèle plus adapté, reposant à la fois sur l'augmentation de l'offre et de la demande de travail, sous l'action de l'externalisation, des transferts de compétences et de la création d'entreprises.
Potential oral manifestations of cardiovascular drugs
Authors: Habbab KM , Moles DR , Porter SR 
Published: June 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 769–773Objective:  The aim of this work was to determine the frequency and nature of oral manifestations secondary to use of cardiovascular drugs.Methods:  Five hundred and thirty one patients attending an adult cardiology clinic in Saudi Arabia were questioned about the occurrence of oral dryness, dysgeusia, or burning sensation and were clinically evaluated for the presence of oral mucosal or gingival disease. Data were statistically analyzed with chi‐squared tests, odds ratios and Student’s t‐test.Results:  Oral symptoms and/or signs were recorded in 75 (14.1%) patients with xerostomia being the most common (7.5%), followed by lichenoid (lichen planus‐like) lesions (3.6%) and dysgeusia (1.9%). Xerostomia was significantly more frequent in patients with a history of diabetes mellitus and in female patients (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between patients with or without oral manifestations when age, gender, cardiovascular risk factor, cardiac disease, type of cardiac drug used or the number of medications were assessed. There was a trend for xerostomia to be less frequent in patients receiving therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and a slight trend of xerostomia to be more likely with increased number of non‐cardiac and total number of agents per subject. The number of non‐cardiac and total medications taken by patients with potential oral manifestations tended to be greater than that of patients without oral manifestations.Conclusions:  The frequency of potential oral manifestations in patients receiving cardiovascular agents was 14.1%. The occurrence and character of the oral manifestations had no significant relation with individual cardiac drugs, although there was a trend for oral manifestations to be likely with increasing number of drugs.
Frequency of germline hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer gene mutations in patients with multiple or early onset colorectal adenomas
Authors: Beck N E , Tomlinson I P M , Homfray T F R , Frayling I M , Hodgson S V , Bodmer W F 
Published: June 2010

Background—The hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome is caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair genes and predisposes individuals to cancers of the colon and other specific sites. On theoretical grounds, it is expected that patients with HNPCC also develop more colorectal adenomas than the general population. In essence, if the mutation rate is raised owing to mutations at a mismatch repair locus, more mutations are expected at loci such as APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) and more adenomas will start to grow. Not all data support this expectation, however.Aim—To search for germline mutations at HNPCC loci in patients with multiple adenomas.Subjects—Twenty five patients (without known APC mutations) who have developed colorectal adenomas in unusually large numbers and, in some cases, at an early age.Methods—Germline APC mutations were excluded using the protein truction test for exon 15 and mismatch chemical cleavage analysis for remaining exons. Germline HNPCC mutations were detected by using PCR and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis.Results—Just one germline HNPCC mutation was found (4% of cases) and this was of uncertain functional effect.Conclusions—In general, germline HNPCC mutations are not responsible for the phenotype of patients with multiple colonic adenomas. It is possible that patients with HNPCC tend to develop adenomas more frequently and earlier than the general population, but that this effect is relatively subtle. These results suggest that individuals with colorectal adenomas only should not strictly be classified as “affected” in HNPCC families (although they should certainly not be classified as “unaffected” either and may warrant intensive screening). In the absence of a personal or strong family history of colorectal cancer, it is probably not worthwhile performing diagnostic or predictive genetic testing for HNPCC mutations in subjects with colorectal adenomas. Although undetected APC mutations may be responsible for some of the phenotypes in this sample, as yet uncharacterised adenoma predisposing genes probably exist.
Atropine inhibits gastric distension and pharyngeal receptor mediated lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation
Authors: Mittal R K , Chiareli C , Liu J , Holloway R H , Dixon W 
Published: June 2010

Background—Atropine decreases the frequency of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation (TLOSR) through an unknown mechanism. Gastric distension and pharyngeal receptor excitation are two possible sources for the afferent stimulus responsible for TLOSR.Aims—To determine whether atropine affects gastric distension induced TLOSR and pharyngeal receptor mediated lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) relaxation.Methods—Oesophageal manometry and pH recordings were performed in 10 healthy volunteers on two separate days in the postprandial setting, following either atropine (15 μg/kg intravenous bolus and 4 μg/kg/h as a maintenance dose) or placebo. Pharyngeal receptor mediated LOS relaxation was studied in nine subjects by rapid injection of minute amounts of water (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 ml) in the pharynx before and after atropine. Gastric distension mediated TLOSR was studied in eight subjects by insufflating the stomach with 300, 600 and 900 ml of CO2 before and after atropine.Results—Atropine reduced the frequency of spontaneous gastro-oesophageal reflux and TLOSR compared with placebo (p<0.05). Pharyngeal stimulation resulted in bolus volume dependent LOS relaxation. Atropine decreased the frequency and amplitude of pharyngeal receptor mediated LOS relaxation at bolus volumes of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 ml. Gastric distension resulted in intermittent episodes of TLOSR. The frequency of gastric distension induced TLOSR was significantly decreased by atropine.Conclusion—(1) Atropine reduces the frequency of spontaneous reflux and TLOSR in normal subjects; and (2) gastric distension induced TLOSR and pharyngeal receptor mediated LOS relaxation is inhibited by atropine.
Sleep and gastric function in irritable bowel syndrome: derailing the brain-gut axis
Authors: Orr W C , Crowell M D , Lin B , Harnish M J , Chen J D Z 
Published: June 2010

Background—Recently, several studies have shown an alteration in bowel function during sleep in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a recent study also suggests a remarkable increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These studies have suggested that an alteration in CNS function may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBS.Aims—To confirm the presence of an alteration in REM sleep in patients with IBS and to assess the relation between sleep and a non-invasive measure of gastric functioning, the electrogastrogram (EGG).Patients—Ten patients with IBSand 10 age and sex matched normal volunteers.Methods—All subjects slept one night in the sleep laboratory and underwent polysomnographic monitoring to determine sleep patterns, and recording of the EGG from surface electrodes.Results—The IBS group had a notable and significant increase in the percentage and duration of REM sleep (p<0.05). The control group had a decrease in the amplitude of the dominant EGG frequency from waking to non-REM sleep (p<0.05), and a subsequent increase in the amplitude from non-REM to REM sleep (p<0.05). No such changes were noted in the patients with IBS.Conclusions—Results confirmed the enhancement of REM sleep in patients with IBS and suggested an intrinsic alteration in autonomic and CNS functioning in patients with IBS.
Acute hyperglycaemia affects anorectal motor and sensory function in normal subjects
Authors: Russo A , Sun W M , Sattawatthamrong Y , Fraser R , Horowitz M , Andrews J M , Read N W 
Published: June 2010

Background—The pathogenesis of anorectal dysfunction, which occurs frequently in patients with diabetes mellitus, is poorly defined. Recent studies indicate that changes in the blood glucose concentration have a major reversible effect on gastrointestinal motor function.Aims—To determine the effects of physiological changes in blood glucose and hyperglycaemia on anorectal motor and sensory function in normal subjects.Subjects—In eight normal subjects measurements of anorectal motility and sensation were performed on separate days while blood glucose concentrations were stabilised at 4, 8, and 12 mmol/l.Methods—Anorectal motor and sensory function was measured using a sleeve/sidehole catheter incorporating a balloon, and electromyography.Results—The number of spontaneous anal relaxations was greater at 12 mmol/l than at 8 and 4 mmol/l glucose (p<0.05 for both). Anal squeeze pressures were less at a blood glucose of 12 mmol/l when compared with 8 and 4 mmol/l (p<0.05 for both). During rectal distension, residual anal pressures were not significantly different between the three blood glucose concentrations. Rectal compliance was greater (p<0.05) at a blood glucose of 12 mmol/l when compared with 4 mmol/l. The threshold volume for initial perception of rectal distension was less at 12 mmol/l when compared with 4 mmol/l (40 (20–100) ml versus 10 (10–150) ml, p<0.05).Conclusions—An acute elevation of blood glucose to 12 mmol/l inhibits internal and external anal sphincter function and increases rectal sensitivity in normal subjects. In contrast, physiological changes in blood glucose do not have a significant effect on anorectal motor and sensory function.
Antigastric autoantibodies in Helicobacter pyloriinfection: implications of histological and clinical parameters of gastritis
Authors: Faller G , Steininger H , Kränzlein J , Maul H , Kerkau T , Hensen J , Hahn E G , Kirchner T 
Published: June 2010

Background—It has recently been shown that humoral antigastric autoreactivities occur in a substantial number ofHelicobacter pylori infected patients.Aims—To analyse the relevance of such antigastric autoantibodies for histological and serological parameters of the infection as well as for the clinical course.Methods—Gastric biopsy samples and sera from 126 patients with upper abdominal complaints were investigated for evidence of H pylori infection using histology and serology. Autoantibodies against epitopes in human gastric mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical techniques. Histological and clinical findings of all patients were then correlated with the detection of antigastric autoantibodies.Results—H pylori infection was significantly associated with antigastric autoantibodies reactive with the luminal membrane of the foveolar epithelium and with canalicular structures within parietal cells. The presence of the latter autoantibodies was significantly correlated with the severity of body gastritis, gastric mucosa atrophy, elevated fasting gastrin concentrations, and a decreased ratio of serum pepsinogen I:II. Furthermore the presence of anticanalicular autoantibodies was associated with a greater than twofold reduced prevalence for duodenal ulcer.Conclusion—The data indicate that antigastric autoantibodies play a role in the pathogenesis and outcome of H pylori gastritis, in particular in the development of gastric mucosal atrophy.
Efficacy and safety of the peripheral kappa agonist fedotozine versus placebo in the treatment of functional dyspepsia
Authors: Read N W , Abitbol J L , Bardhan K D , Whorwell P J , Fraitag B 
Published: June 2010

Background—Peripheral kappa receptor agonists may provide a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of functional dyspepsia.Aims—To evaluate, in a large multicentre trial, the use of the kappa receptor agonist fedotozine to improve symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia.Methods—Two or more of the following persistent symptoms were required for inclusion: epigastric pain, early satiety, epigastric fullness or distension, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of slow digestion. On completing a two week placebo washout, 271 patients were randomised into two groups to receive 30 mg fedotozine three times daily or placebo for six weeks under double blind conditions.Results—The improvement in the overall intensity of dyspeptic symptoms (main efficacy criterion) was significantly more pronounced in the fedotozine group (p=0.002) compared with placebo, as was epigastric pain (p=0.004) and nausea (p=0.01); the improvement in postprandial fullness was nearly significant (p=0.052). Inability to finish a meal and slow digestion were unaffected. The patient global score, the average of the five individual symptoms, was notably ameliorated with fedotozine (p=0.021). The safety of fedotozine was excellent.Conclusions—Fedotozine at 30 mg three times daily is safe and more effective than placebo for the relief of key symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia.
The effect of octreotide on gastric emptying at a dosage used to prevent complications after pancreatic surgery: a randomised, placebo controlled study in volunteers
Authors: van Berge Henegouwen M I , van Gulik Th M , Akkermans L M A , Jansen J B M J , Gouma D J 
Published: June 2010

Background—Octreotide is used in many centres to prevent complications after pancreatic surgery. Delayed gastric emptying is a another complication occurring in around 30% of patients after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and causes prolonged hospital stay. The influence of octreotide on this complication is doubtful.Aims—To assess the effect of octreotide, at the clinical dosage used after pancreatic surgery, on gastric emptying in healthy volunteers.Subjects and methods—Eight healthy male volunteers (mean age 22.5 years) participated in this double blind, placebo controlled study. On day 1 subjects received 100 μg of octreotide or placebo subcutaneously, three times daily and on day 2, one hour after the fourth injection, gastric emptying, postprandial cholecystokinin (CCK) release, and mouth to caecum transit time (MCTT) were measured. This protocol was repeated after one week, in a crossover design. On the test day subjects received a liquid test meal (1.57 MJ/300 ml) and gastric emptying measurements were performed with applied potential tomography, a non-invasive, validated technique which measures gastric emptying through impedance differences. From the gastric emptying curves, lag time, t50, and postlag emptying rate were measured. MCTT was measured using the hydrogen breath test.Results—Lag time decreased from 29.6 (6.3) (mean (SEM)) to 12.2 (4.6) minutes (p<0.05) during octreotide treatment; t50 decreased from 87.8 (12.0) to 47.5 (8.2) minutes (p<0.02) and there was a trend towards an increased postlag emptying rate (0.8 to 1.6% per minute; p=0.07). MCTT increased from 150 (12.7) to 229 (17.9) minutes during octreotide treatment (p<0.01). Octreotide suppressed postprandial CCK release (p<0.05).Conclusions—MCTT was delayed by octreotide, suggesting impairment of small bowel transit. Octreotide administered at the clinical dosage for pancreatic surgery accelerates gastric emptying, mainly by shortening the lag time. Suppression of postprandial CCK release may be involved in this process. Octreotide administration is therefore not a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of delayed postoperative gastric emptying after PD and might even play a role in preventing this complication.
Hepatitis G virus infection in chronic liver disease
Authors: Guilera M , Sáiz J C , López-Labrador F X , Olmedo E , Ampurdanés S , Forns X , Bruix J , Parés A , Sánchez-Tapias J M , de Anta M T Jiménez , Rodés J 
Published: June 2010

Background—The hepatitis G virus (HGV), a recently identified member of the Flaviviridae family, can cause chronic infection in man but the role of this agent in chronic liver disease is poorly understood.Aims—To evaluate the prevalence and meaning of HGV infection in a large series of patients with chronic liver disease.Subjects—Two hundred volunteer blood donors, 179 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 111 with chronic hepatitis B, 104 with alcoholic liver disease, 136 with hepatocellular carcinoma, and 24 with cryptogenic chronic liver disease were studied.Methods—HGV RNA was investigated in serum samples by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 5′ non-coding region of HCV and hybridisation to a specific probe. The main features of HGV RNA seropositive and seronegative patients were compared.Results—The prevalence of HGV infection was 3% in blood donors, 7% in chronic hepatitis C, 8% in chronic hepatitis B, 2% in alcoholic liver disease, 4% in hepatocellular carcinoma, and 8% in cryptogenic chronic liver disease. HGV infected patients tended to be younger than non-infected patients but no differences concerning sex, possible source of infection, clinical manifestations, biochemical and virological parameters, or severity of liver lesions were found.Conclusions—The prevalence of HGV infection in chronic liver disease seems to be relatively low in our area. Infection with HGV does not seem to play a significant pathogenic role in patients with chronic liver disease related to chronic HBV or HCV infection or to increased alcohol consumption, or in those with cryptogenic chronic liver disease.