bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysing psychiatric side‐effects of beta‐blockers using large computerized data bases
Authors: Isacson Dag , Bingefors Kerstin , Carlson Gunvar 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective — To use a large computerized data base to evaluate the relationship between beta‐blockers and psychiatric side‐effects.Design — The hybrid design included retrospective cohort and case‐control studies.Setting — A Swedish municipality of around 20,000 inhabitants during 1980–1982.Participants — All new users of beta‐blockers (N = 542) were identified. Unexposed individuals without previous use of cardiovascular drugs were assigned from the data base through category matching by age and sex.Main outcome measure — Prescriptions of sedatives, hypnotics, and antidepressants filled in the 365 days preceding or following the index date.Results — The case‐control analysis showed that previous use of sedatives, hypnotics or antidepressants was common among new users of beta‐blockers, demonstrating a history of psychiatric problems.The cohort analysis showed that new users started using sedatives, hypnotics, or antidepressant drugs to a greater extent than those who were not exposed to beta‐blockers, after controlling for three confounding variables: previous use of sedatives, hypnotics, or antidepressants; heavy use of physician visits; and heavy use of prescription drugs. There were no statistically significant differences in psychotropic use between users of propranolol and users of other beta‐blockers.Conclusions — In spite of the positive finding, we did not establish a causal relationship between beta‐blockers and psychiatric side‐effects. Our data base lacked information to control for confounders like personality, stress, life events, or working environment. Neither could we control for confounding by indication, which must be important, considering the strong relationship between prior use of psychotropics and new use of beta‐blockers. The methodological problems in this study illustrate some of the difficulties of using large computerized data bases for analysing adverse drug effects.
Patient self‐monitoring: A challenging approach to pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Fisher Seymour 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis paper reports the development over the past 10 years of an innovative patient self‐monitoring method of (1) signalling possible adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and unexpected beneficial drug reactions, and (2) providing incidence estimates and relative risks. The system's validity has been well documented in a series of published papers. There is no other existing postmarketing surveillance method that can obtain early reliable and accurate patient reports about possible side‐effects. We thought that, having successfully developed and validated the method, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the pharmaceutical industry would recognize the need to support its application as an important complementary approach to existing postmarketing surveillance methods. Despite our repeated requests, however, neither FDA nor industry has shown any interest in helping to sustain this research, in part because pharmacoepidemiologists tend to focus on the detection of serious ADRs as defined and diagnosed by physicians, but also because it has become patently clear that the US pharmaceutical industry does not want its new drugs to be monitored for possible ADRs. Thus there is virtually no systematic attention being paid to the possible importance of less serious ADRs as inferred from accurate patient reports of behavioural and subjective symptoms — which, especially with CNS‐acting drugs, may often be essential for obtaining reliable ADR profiles.
Ring‐opening polymerization of the cyclic dimer of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Pang Kyeong , Kotek Richard , Tonelli Alan 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPoly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was prepared by the ring‐opening polymerization of its cyclic dimer. Antimony(III) oxide, titanium(IV) butoxide, dibutyltin oxide, and titanium(IV) isopropoxide were used as catalysts. Among the catalysts, titanium(IV) butoxide was the most effective for the same reaction conditions. A weight‐average molecular weight of 63,500 g/mol was obtained from ring‐opening poly merization at 265 °C for 2 h in the presence of 0.5 mol % titanium(IV) butoxide. The PTTs obtained from the polymerization catalyzed with increasing amounts of antimony(III) oxide showed increasing weight‐average molecular weights and reaction conversions. When 1 mol % antimony(III) oxide was used, the weight‐average molecular weight was 32,000 g/mol and the conversion was 82% after 1 h of polymerization at 265 °C. In the case of the polymer catalyzed by titanium(IV) butoxide under the same conditions, the weight‐average molecular weight and conversion were 40,000 g/mol and 77% when 0.25 mol % was used, whereas 0.5 mol % catalyst produced a weight‐average molecular weight of 27,000 g/mol and a conversion of 95%. To get an acceptable molecular weight and relatively high reaction conversion, a catalyst concentration of at least 0.5 mol % was found to be necessary, in contrast to conventional condensation polymerizations, which require only about one‐tenth of this amount of the catalyst. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6801–6809, 2006
Jatropha curcas: Use as a traditional Tswana medicine and its role as a cause of acute poisoning
Authors: Mampane K. J. , Joubert P. H. , Hay I. T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractJatropha curcas, although not indigenous to South Africa is found widely and has become incorporated into traditional Tswana medicine as a laxative. During the first 10 months of 1986, 50 cases out of a total of 442 admitted to Ga‐Rankuwa hospital with acute poisoning were due to accidental ingestion of the seeds. All cases were children. They presented with nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps and 10 needed intravenous fluid replacement. Out of 43 cases of acute poisoning with traditional medicines, 31 presented with a similar clinical picture. Interviews with traditional healers have indicated that the toxic effects of Jatropha curcas are known and that misuse appears to be uncommon. In the light of our findings an educational poster campaign is planned for 1987.
Recent advances in clinical studies of Chinese medicinal herbs 1. Drugs affecting the cardiovascular system
Authors: Peigen Xiao , Keji Chen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn this paper, recent advances concerning clinical studies of Chinese medicinal herbs, used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, have been reviewed. These include plants and preparations found to be useful for the treatment of coronary heart diseases, thrombotic disease, hyperlipidemia and arrhythmia. The sources, structure of active principles and the results of clinical observations in patients are presented together with pharmacological and biochemical data where available.
Assay method for antihepatotoxic activity using macrophage‐mediated cytotoxicity in primary cultured hepatocytes
Authors: Kiso Yoshinobu , Kato Shinsuke , Kawakami Yutaka , Hikino Hiroshi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractConditions were examined to establish an in vitro assay method for antihepatotoxic activity using macrophage‐mediated cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse liver cells. Satisfactory assay procedure was achieved utilizing 3 h preincubated mouse hepatocytes and 18 h lipopolysaccharide‐activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Some natural products known to exert liver‐protective effects in experimental liver damages were screened for antihepatotoxic activity by this assay method to reveal that cynarin, desoxypodophyllotoxin and silybin showed significant antihepatotoxic activity but at high concentrations cytotoxic effects were observed in desoxypodophyllotoxin and silybin. The utility of this assay method is discussed.
Evaluation of the effects of environmental factors on molluscicidal properties of Aridan (Tetrapleura tetraptera), Lapalapa pupa (Jatropha gossypyfolia), Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) and Bayluscide
Authors: Adewunmi C. O. , Marquis V. O. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEffects of environmental factors on the molluscicidal activities of Aridan (Tetrapleura tetraptera), Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra), Lapalapa pupa (Jatropha gossypyfolia) and Bayluscide have been determined in the laboratory and in the field. Organic materials such as river mud and weeds reduced the molluscicidal potency of all the molluscicides. Bayluscide has a good residual effect, a property which is not shown by any of the vegetable molluscicides assayed. Although the methanolic extract of the fruit of Jatropha gossypyfolia has shown some promise, its traditional use cannot be recommended from the results of these experiments.
Effects of gossypol on guinea pig airway responsiveness: in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Touvay Caroline , Vilain Béatrice , Mencia‐Huerta Jean Michel , Braquet Pierre 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe actions of the naturally occurring polyphenol, gossypol, on guinea pig lung parenchymal strip preparations, bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized guinea pigs and platelet aggregation were examined. At concentrations between 0.2 and 20 μg/ml gossypol markedly inhibited contraction of lung parenchymal strips induced by LTB4 and LTD4, but was less effective against histamine‐induced contraction. Gossypol also inhibited contraction induced by platelet‐activating factor‐acether (PAF‐acether) but was not as effective as BN52021, a specific PAF‐acether antagonist. In addition, gossypol failed to antagonize PAF‐acether‐induced bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized guinea pigs or the histamine‐dependent bronchoconstriction response to ovalbumin in passively sensitized animals. Gossypol was minimally effective in inhibiting PAF‐acether‐induced platelet aggregation. This polyphenol displays a similar spectrum of effects to the radical scavenger NGDA, suggesting that, in common with other phenolic antioxidants, it may interfere with the formation of cyclo‐oxygenase products in the guinea pig lung.
Gastrointestinal actions of garlic oil
Authors: Joshi D. J. , Dikshit R. K. , Mansuri S. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effect of garlic oil on gastrointestinal propulsion of charcoal meal and castor oil‐induced diarrhea in mice was studied. It was found to depress both these parameters significantly. It is concluded that garlic oil may act as a potent relaxant of the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract and that it should be further evaluated in patients exhibiting hypermotile intestinal disorders.
Anti‐trypanosomal activity of Alchornia cordifolia
Authors: Agbe S. A. O. , Oguntimein B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractExtracts of the leaves and fruits of Alchornia cordifolia (ACL2 and ACF2) were found to inhibit the growth of Trypanosoma brucei brucei in rats. Purification of ACL2 and ACF2 yielded fractions ACL3, ACL4 and ACF3, ACF4, respectively, which were inactive. However fractions ACF3 and ACF4 were found to be toxic in rats. The trypanocidal activity of these extracts were compared to suramin.
Recent advances in clinical studies of Chinese medicinal herbs 2. Clinical trials of Chinese herbs in a number of chronic conditions
Authors: Peigen Xiao , Keji Chen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn Part 2 of recent advances in clinical studies of Chinese Medicinal Herbs, plant drugs used in a number of chronic diseases are discussed and the results of clinical trials reviewed. These include, plants used in the treatment of cancer and tumours, nervous diseases and senility, parasite infections including malaria, hepatitis and drugs which have demonstrated effects as hemostatic agents in immunoregulation as leukocyte proliferating agents.
Effect of short‐term administration of cocaine on select organs and the hemopoietic system of B6C3F1 mice
Authors: Valentine J. L. , Paulsen Robert , Faith Robert , Miller‐Hardy Dianne , Stephen P. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCocaine was administered to B6C3F1 female mice at doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days. Body weight of the cocaine treated animals compared to saline controls demonstrated dose related decreases that were significant at higher doses. Comparison of relative organ weights demonstrated significant increases in liver weight at all dose levels whereas thymus and spleen weight decreased significantly at higher doses. No significant changes were found in adrenal weights. Pathological changes were consistently noted in livers with doses of 30 mg/kg or greater using light microscopy. Electron microscopy studies performed on animals receiving 50 and 60 mg/kg showed hepatocytes in various stages of degenerative vacuolization, which were restricted to centrilobular areas of livers. Numbers of hepatocytes with such changes were dose related. Significant changes in the hemopoietic system were noted at doses of 50 mg/kg for hematocrit, 60 mg/kg for RBCs, 50 and 60 mg/kg for mean corpuscular volume, 40, 50 and 60 mg/kg for hemoglobin, and dose independent changes for the ratio of segmented neutrophils to lymphocytes.
Investigations of the cytoprotective effect of the gut stimulating principle of Croton penduliflorus hutch. Seed oil in rats
Authors: Asuzu I. U. , Shetty S. N. , Anika S. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIndomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used to induce gastric and duodenal ulcers of varying severity (scored as 1–9) in albino rats. Croton penduliflorus seed oil crystals (CP crystals) were administered to groups of rats at varying doses (6, 12, and 18mg/kg, p.o.). The ulcers observed in groups treated with indomethacin and CP crystals consisted mainly of the hyperemic conditions with one or two lesions (scored as 1–3) and medium sized lesions of moderate depth (scored as 4–6). Severe lesions with large diameter and depth (scored as 7–9 severity) observed in the control group treated with indomethacin only were absent in indomethacin and CP crystals treated groups. CP crystals offered significant (p < 0.05) protection against gastric ulcers when given at 12 mg/kg and against duodenal ulcers when given at 6, 12 and 18 mg/kg. The maximum cytoprotection against duodenal ulcers was observed in rats treated with 18 mg/kg of CP crystals.
Immunotherapeutic modification of experimental infections by Indian medicinal plants
Authors: Thattet U. M. , Dahanukar S. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSecondary infections are the most common cause of mortality in the immunocompromised host. A recent therapeutic approach has aimed at bolstering the host's defence mechanism to assist in eradication of infection, using naturally occurring and synthetic substances like BCG, C. parvum, muramyl dipeptide and glucans. Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Asparagus racemosus (AR) and Withania somnifera (WS) are plants prescribed in Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, as agents to strengthen host defence mechanisms. The present article reviews the effects of TC, AR and WS in diverse experimental infections. TC, AR and WS protected rats against caecal ligation induced abdominal sepsis and mice against Escherichia coli peritonitis. This was associated with a faster bacteremia clearance. Myelosuppression induced by single and multiple doses of cyclophosphamide was reversed. Mortality due to Staphylococcus aureus sepsis in neutropenic and hemisplenectomized mice was reduced in treated animals. Candida albicans sepsis induced mortality was also reduced by the plants. The plants induced leucocytosis with predominant neutrophilia associated with stimulation of phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils and macrophages. In view of their oral efficacy and relative lack of adverse effects, AR, TC and WS show promise as useful immunomodulators.
Comparative hypotensive and respiratory stimulation effects of ripe and unripe fruit mucilage of Cordia myxa and Cordia obliqua in guineapigs and rabbits
Authors: Abou‐Shaaban R. R. A. , Al‐Angari A. A. , El‐Tahir K. E. H. , Al‐Khamis K. I. , Mirghani O. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe comparative pharmacological activity of Cordia fruit mucilage at different stages of maturity was investigated to determine the stage at which active substances were present in high proportions. The fruit mucilage of ripe and unripe Cordia myxa (RCm and URCm) decreased rabbit arterial blood pressure in a dose dependent manner without affecting the respiratory rate. Mucilage from both ripe and unripe Cordia obliqua (RCo and URCo) decreased rabbit blood pressure and stimulated the respiratory rate. RCm is 12.37‐fold more potent as a hypotensive agent than RCo. However the respiratory stimulant effect of RCo is 7‐fold more than its own hypotensive effect. Investigation of the mode of action revealed that the hypotensive effect was more likely due to activation of parasympathetic ganglia and dilatation of peripheral blood vessels, whereas the respiratory stimulant effect may partly be due to activation of chemoreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid body. In addition, a subeffective dose of the ripe fruit mucilage specifically antagonized nicotine‐induced hypotensive effect on rabbit and nicotine ganglionic stimulant effect on the isolated guineapig ileum.
Effects of onion and garlic extracts on spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Kivirantat Jari , Huovinen Keijo , Seppänen‐Laakso Tuulikki , Hiltunen Raimo , Karppanen Heikki , Kilpeläinen Mikko 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of ethanolic extracts of onion and garlic, on blood pressure and plasma fatty acid composition were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Oral administration of the extracts for up to 7 weeks during a normal salt diet or during a high salt diet did not influence the blood pressure. The percentage of two fatty acids in platelet‐rich plasma changed following garlic supplementation. The increase in the relative amount of linoleic acid and the simultaneous decrease in arachidonic acid were statistically significant. In the case of onion only the decrease in arachidonic acid was statistically significant. The changes in lipid metabolism could be responsible for the apparent beneficial effects of onion and garlic on the inhibition of platelet aggregation.
Identification of antibacterial principles against Streptococcus mutans and inhibitory principles against glucosyltransferase from the seed of Areca catechu L
Authors: Hada L Sumitra , Kakiuchi Nobuko , Hattori Masao , Namba Tsuneo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDuring the course of our studies on dental caries prevention by traditional medicines, fatty acids (myristic and oleic acids etc.) and procyanidins from betel nuts (the seed of Areca catechu L.) were respectively revealed to be the major antibacterial principles against a primary cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans, and the major inhibitory principles against glucosyltransferase from S. mutans.
Antibacterial activities of the leaf extracts of Eugenia uniflora Linn. (Synonym Stenocalyx michelli Linn.) Myrtaceae
Authors: Fadeyit M. O. , Akpan U. E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe aqueous, organic, and volatile oil extracts of leaves of Eugenia uniflora Linn. Family Myrtaceae were investigated for antibacterial properties using agar dilution techniques. The aqueous extract was the most active against the organisms compared to the organic and volatile oil extracts. The extracts were found to inhibit Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and Gram negative Escherichia coli and Shigella dysentcriae. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniac, and Salmonella typhi were not inhibited.
Comparative examination of two Zanthoxylum benzophenanthridine alkaloids for effects in rabbits
Authors: Addae‐Mensah Ivan , Munenge Rahab , Guantai Anastasia N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCardiovascular activities of nitidine chloride from Zanthoxylum chalybeum have been compared with those of 9‐methoxychelerythrine. Whereas nitidine chloride was found to show significant hypotensive activity in rabbits, 9‐methoxychelerythrine chloride showed no hypotensive activity. The effect of nitidine chloride on isolated rabbit heart was also compared with those of adrenaline and acetyicholine. 9‐Methoxychelerythrine, which has hitherto been regarded as an artefact formed by recrystallization of chelerythrine base from methanol, has been shown in this work to be a true natural constituent of Zanthoxylum chalybeum.
The medicinal uses of cannabis and its constituents
Authors: Formukong E. A. , Evans A. T. , Evans F. J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractRecent work contributing towards an understanding of the mechanism of action of cannabis and its constituents is described and the known therapeutic and pharmacological activities of these substances reviewed, together with synthetic drugs derived from tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ1‐THC). The medical uses discussed include the actions of cannabinoids in the treatment of glaucoma, asthma, emesis, hyperthermia, convulsion, muscle spasticity, anxiety, hypertension, pain and inflammation.
Zizyphus sativa fruits: Evaluation of some biological activities and toxicity
Authors: Shah Arif H. , Ai‐Bekairi Abdullah M. , Qureshi Shoeb , Ageel Abdulrehman M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe ethanolic extract of Zizyphus sativa Gaertn (Syn. = Z. jujuba Mill.) fruit has been screened for anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, bronchodilator and antimicrobial activities. It has been found to produce significant inhibition of carrageenan‐induced paw oedema and cotton pellet‐induced granuloma pouch and a significant analgesic activity. It did not produce any significant effect on body temperature and isolated guinea pig tracheal chain. It inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtills. During acute toxiciry, test observations were made for 24 h while the animals were treated for 3 months in chronic treatment. External morphological changes, visceral toxiciry, haematological changes, spermatogenic dysfunction, besides effects on average body weight and vital organ weight were recorded. This crude drug was found to be devoid of any significant toxic effects.
Structure/activity analysis of resiniferatoxin analogs
Authors: Szallasi Arpad , Sharkey Nancy A. , Blumberg Peter M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractResiniferatoxin (RTX), unlike the structurally related phorbol esters, acts as an ultrapotent analog of capsaicin, the pungent principle of the red pepper. A homovanillyl group is an essential structural feature of capsaicin and the most prominent feature distinguishing resiniferatoxin from typical phorbol‐related compounds. In this report, we examine the RTX‐like activity of two 20‐homovanillyl esters of diterpene derivatives with particular similarities to RTX. The potency of 12‐deoxyphorbol 13‐phenylacetate 20‐homovanillate (dPP‐HV) was comparable to RTX for local induction and desensitization of chemical pain but was 2–4 orders of magnitude less potent for the other RTX responses tested (stimulation and desensitization of neurogenic inflammation and hypothermia). Mezerein 20‐homovanillate (Mez‐HV) displayed very weak activity in pain induction and was inactive in the other assays. The parent derivatives ‐ resiniferonol orthophenylacetate, 12‐deoxyphorbol 13‐phenylacetate and mezerein ‐ were inactive in inducing RTX‐like effects. Reciprocally, the presence of the 20‐homovanillate ester reduced binding affinities to protein kinase C by 11‐, 130‐ and 690‐fold for RTX, dPP‐HV and Mez‐HV, respectively. Our findings provide further evidence for heterogeneity among capsaicin‐sensitive pathways. Most significantly, our results demonstrate that esterincation of phorbol‐related diterpenes with homovanillic acid can yield capsaicin analogs with unique activities.