bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geschichte der Therapie des Morbus Parkinson: Fast 200 Jahre keine kausale Therapie
Authors: Götz Wolfgang 
Published: April 2006

AbstractDie Geschichte der Behandlung von Parkinson‐Patienten ist bis heute davon geprägt, dass die Ursache der Erkrankung unbekannt ist. Alle Bemühungen sind deshalb darauf ausgerichtet, den Betroffenen und ihrem Umfeld zu einer optimierten Lebensqualität zu verhelfen. Mit dem wachsenden Verständnis über die biochemischen Veränderungen im Gehirn der von dieser Krankheit Betroffenen gelang es bald, hochwirksame Mittel bereitzustellen. Auf diesem Weg sind in den letzten 40 Jahren, beginnend mit der Einführung von L‐DOPA in den Arzneischatz, große Erfolge erzielt worden. Die einzelnen Stationen – die Entwicklung der Agonisten vor allem, aber auch die der NMDA‐Rezeptorantagonisten, der MAO B‐ und der COMT‐Hemmer – werden beschrieben. Die nicht‐medikamentösen Therapien spielen eine bedeutende Rolle, die aus Patientensicht wichtiger ist als es die bisherigen Darstellungen widerspiegeln. An vielen Stellen, auch bei der Besprechung der neurochirurgischen Möglichkeiten, sollte zumindest andeutungsweise sichtbar werden, dass die Geschichte der Parkinson‐Therapie eine Geschichte der Anwendung des “Prinzips Hoffnung” ist.
Indian Primary Hyperparathyroidism Patients with Parathyroid Carcinoma do not Differ in Clinicoinvestigative Characteristics from Those with Benign Parathyroid Pathology
Authors: Agarwal Gaurav , Prasad Kaushal K. , Kar Dilip K , Krishnani Narendra , Pandey Rakesh , Mishra Saroj K. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIntroductionNo foolproof preoperative diagnostic indicators of parathyroid carcinoma (PC) exist in absence of nonskeletal metastases. Palpable parathyroid tumor, advanced skeletal and renal manifestations, and very high serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels are considered strong predictors. Most of these features are common in Indian primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients although only few have PC. The aim of this study was to identify dependable clinicoinvestigative predictors of PC in Indian PHPT patients.Materials and MethodsClinical, biochemical, radiological, and densitometric attributes of 100 PHPT patients who underwent successful parathyroidectomy (1990–2004) were studied. Various parameters of patient groups with parathyroid adenoma (n = 84), primary hyperplasia (n = 12), and carcinoma (n = 4) were compared using ANOVA, with P value < 0.05 considered significant.ResultsMean age of patients was 37.4 years, with no difference in the 3 groups (P = 0.92). Patients in 3 groups had comparably severe bone disease; 36 had coexistent renal disease. Two patients with PC and 27 (32%) with adenoma had palpable parathyroid tumor. None of the biochemical parameters predicted malignant pathology. Mean tumor weight (milligram) in carcinoma patients (15,080 ± 5,638.02) was significantly higher than those with adenoma (5,724 ± 1,257.9) (P = 0.002). Postoperative course and recovery in carcinoma patients were similar to those with adenoma. In follow‐up (mean: 33 months), none of the adenoma patients were found to have persistent/recurrent PHPT attributable to missed PC.ConclusionIndian patients with parathyroid adenoma, hyperplasia, and carcinoma were not found to differ in their clinical, biochemical, and pathological characteristics except for significantly higher tumor weight in the carcinoma group.
Short‐term effects of thinning and liming on forest soils of pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations in central Korea
Authors: Hwang Jaehong , Son Yowhan 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe influences of thinning (50% of standing density) and liming (Ca+Mg, 2 Mg ha−1) on soil chemical properties were investigated for 2 years (2001, 2002) in 40‐year‐old pitch pine (Pinus rigidaMill.) and 44‐year‐old Japanese larch (Larix leptolepisGord.) plantations established on similar soils. In general, soil properties varied significantly among plantations and treatments. For both plantations, thinning significantly increased soil organic C (SOC) concentrations whereas there were no significant changes in soil pH and Ca and Mg concentrations. In addition, thinning increased total soil N and Na concentrations for the pitch pine plantation and available P concentration for the Japanese larch plantation in the second year after the treatment. Liming did not affect soil chemical characteristics for the pitch pine plantation except for Na concentration. However, for the Japanese larch plantation, liming significantly increased soil pH and K, Ca and Mg concentrations and decreased SOC and total soil N concentrations. For both plantations, soil Al concentration did not change after thinning and liming and decreased exponentially with increased pH values. The increases in SOC and total soil N concentrations after thinning were possibly due to increases in decomposition of organic matter and root death. Although differences were not statistically significant, soil available P concentration tended to increase at early stages of liming for both plantations. These results suggested that thinning and liming seemed to regulate soil chemical properties for pitch pine and Japanese larch plantations established on similar soils.
School level at 10 years of age in children who required neonatal intensive care in 1980–1989
Authors: JENNISCHE MARGARETA , SEDIN GUNNAR 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSchool level at age 10 was studied in two cohorts of children who had required neonatal intensive care (NIC): cohort 1, children born 1980–1985 (n=310); and cohort 2, children born 1986–1989 (n=245); and two control groups. More than 80% of all NIC children of both cohorts attended the appropriate mainstream grade 3 or 4; 12.9% of cohort 1 and 6.8% of cohort 2 were in mainstream grade 2. Six per cent of both cohorts received special education. Among very preterm children (23–31 gestational weeks), 73.5% of cohort 1 and 80.3% of cohort 2 attended grades 3 and 4, while 22.9% and 12.1%, respectively, were in grade 2. Assistance (remedial teaching, personal assistant or special teaching group) was given to 42.4% of cohort 1 in the mainstream (grades 2, 3 and 4) and to 38.2% of cohort 2 in the mainstream. In cohort 2, more very preterm girls than matched controls received assistance (p<0.05); no corresponding difference was found in very preterm boys. Most children with congenital malformations received assistance in mainstream education or received special education. Conclusion: Most NIC children are in mainstream school classes at age 10. Twelve to 23% of very preterm children are 1 y behind. Many NIC children in the school mainstream need assistance at school, but the proportion of children in mainstream education increases markedly with time.
A comparative clinical study between 2 weeks of luliconazole 1% cream treatment and 4 weeks of bifonazole 1% cream treatment for tinea pedis
Authors: Watanabe Shinichi , Takahashi Hisashi , Nishikawa Takeji , Takiuchi Iwao , Higashi Nobuhiko , Nishimoto Katsutaro , Kagawa Saburo , Yamaguchi Hideyo , Ogawa Hideoki 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of luliconazole 1% cream and bifonazole 1% cream as applied in the treatment of tinea pedis (interdigital‐type and plantar‐type). A multi‐clinic, randomised single‐blind, parallel group study with 34 hospitals and 11 clinics formed the study design. Five hundred and eleven patients with mycologically confirmed tinea pedis were included. Of the 489 evaluable patients, 247 were randomised to luliconazole, and 242 to bifonazole. Luliconazole 1% cream applied once a day for 2 weeks, followed by a placebo cream for 2 weeks, thereafter. Bifonazole 1% cream applied once a day for 4 weeks. Mycological effect (negative result on microscopy) and improvement of skin lesions were measured at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. Safety frequency and severity of adverse reactions were also measured. The improvement of skin lesions after 4 weeks was comparably good with rates of 91.5% vs. 91.7% (luliconazole vs. bifonazole). The mycological effect was characterised by high negative rates of 76.1% vs. 75.9% (luliconazole vs. bifonazole). The progression of tinea‐related signs and symptom scores differed insignificantly between evaluated luliconazole and bifonazole treatment groups comprising a total of 500 patients. Both substances appeared to be comparably safe and well‐tolerated.
Duration and outcome of persistent candidaemia in newborn infants
Authors: Levy Itzhak , Shalit Itamar , Askenazi Shai , Klinger Gil , Sirota Lea , Linder Nehama 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe aims of the study were to define the duration of candidaemia in newborn infants and to determine the incidence of persistent hospital‐acquired candidaemia and its associated morbidity and mortality compared with non‐persistent candidaemia. This retrospective study, included 56 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from 1996 to 2000 who had one or more positive blood cultures for Candida spp. The most prevalent pathogen was Candida albicans (64.3%). Mean disease duration was 6.9 ± 5.5 days (median 6 days). Twenty‐nine patients (52%) had a positive blood culture for >5 days (persistent candidaemia). There were no statistically significant differences between the infants with persistent and non‐persistent candidaemia in background or predisposing clinical factors. Fungal endocarditis was present in four patients (13.7%) with persistent disease and one patient (3.7%) with non‐persistent disease (odds ratio 4.19), and uveitis developed in one patient. Ten patients (17.8%) died – five with persistent and five with non‐persistent disease (P = 1.0). These findings indicate that persistent neonatal candidaemia may be associated with an increased risk of Candida endocarditis, but not with other complications or increased mortality.
Orchestrating interdependence in an international online learning community
Authors: Hudson Brian , Hudson Alison , Steel John 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper focuses on research into the student experience as participants in the development of an international online community. The background context for this is an international master’s programme and the specific context for the research is a module on Digital Media Applications (DMA), which are outlined. The programme design emphasises peer and formative assessment practices and the pedagogical approach aims to foster group collaboration in international teams. Following an overview of the research methods adopted, a number of emergent themes from the data analysis of student diaries are discussed, including issues of language, culture and identity. In conclusion, we offer some reflections on these issues and discuss the underpinning assumptions (in relation to assessment practices in particular) that have given direction to our subsequent ongoing research and development.
Identification of phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase gene expression in stellate ganglia and its modulation by stress
Authors: Kubovcakova L. , Micutkova L. , Bartosova Z. , Sabban E. L. , Krizanova O. , Kvetnansky R. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPhenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PNMT, EC 2.1.1.28) is the terminal enzyme of the catecholaminergic pathway converting noradrenaline to adrenaline. Although preferentially localized in adrenal medulla, evidence exists that PNMT activity and gene expression are also present in the rat heart, kidney, spleen, lung, skeletal muscle, thymus, retina and different parts of the brain. However, data concerning PNMT gene expression in sympathetic ganglia are still missing. In this study, our effort was focused on identification of PNMT mRNA and/or protein in stellate ganglia and, if present, testing the effect of stress on PNMT mRNA and protein levels in this type of ganglia. We identified both PNMT mRNA and protein in stellate ganglia of rats and mice, although in much smaller amounts compared with adrenal medulla. PNMT gene expression and protein levels were also increased after repeated stress exposure in stellate ganglia of rats and wild‐type mice. Similarly to adrenal medulla, the immobilization‐induced increase was probably regulated by glucocorticoids, as determined indirectly using corticotropin‐releasing hormone knockout mice, where immobilization‐induced increase of PNMT mRNA was suppressed. Thus, glucocorticoids might play an important role in regulation of PNMT gene expression in stellate ganglia under stress conditions.
Antipsychotic‐like profile of thioperamide, a selective H3‐receptor antagonist in mice
Authors: Akhtar Mohd , Uma Devi P. , Ali Atif , Pillai K.K. , Vohora Divya 
Published: April 2006

AbstractExperimental and clinical evidence points to a role of central histaminergic system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The present study was designed to study the effect of histamine H3‐receptor ligands on neuroleptic‐induced catalepsy, apomorphine‐induced climbing behavior and amphetamine‐induced locomotor activities in mice. Catalepsy was induced by haloperidol (2 mg/kg p.o.), while apomorphine (1.5 mg/kg s.c.) and amphetamine (2 mg/kg s.c.) were used for studying climbing behavior and locomotor activities, respectively. (R)‐α‐methylhistamine (RAMH) (5 μg i.c.v.) and thioperamide (THP) (15 mg/kg i.p.), per se did not cause catalepsy. Administration of THP (3.75, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg i.p.) 1 h prior to haloperidol resulted in a dose‐dependent increase in the catalepsy times (P < 0.05). However, pretreatment with RAMH significantly reversed such an effect of THP (15 mg/kg i.p.). RAMH per se showed significant reduction in locomotor time, distance traveled and average speed but THP (15 mg/kg i.p.) per se had no effect on these parameters. On amphetamine‐induced hyperactivity, THP (3.75 and 7.5 mg/kg i.p.) reduced locomotor time, distance traveled and average speed (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with RAMH (5 μg i.c.v.) could partially reverse such effects of THP (3.75 mg/kg i.p.). Climbing behavior induced by apomorphine was reduced in animals treated with THP. Such an effect was, however, reversed in presence of RAMH. THP exhibited an antipsychotic‐like profile by potentiating haloperidol‐induced catalepsy, reducing amphetamine‐induced hyperactivity and reducing apomorphine‐induced climbing in mice. Such effects of THP were reversed by RAMH indicating the involvement of histamine H3‐receptors. Findings suggest a potential for H3‐receptor antagonists in improving the refractory cases of schizophrenia.
Preclinical Differentiation between Apparently Safe and Potentially Hepatotoxic Applications of TRAIL Either Alone or in Combination with Chemotherapeutic Drugs
Authors: Ganten Tom M. , Koschny Ronald , Sykora Jaromir , Schulze-Bergkamen Henning , Büchler Peter , Haas Tobias L. , Schader Manuela B. , Untergasser Andreas , Stremmel Wolfgang , Walczak Henning 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPurpose: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis–inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) exhibits potent antitumor activity on systemic administration in nonhuman primates without deleterious side effects for normal tissue. However, there is a controversy about the potential toxicity of TRAIL on human hepatocytes. The use of different recombinant TRAIL forms only partially explains the contradicting reports on TRAIL sensitivity in primary human hepatocytes (PHH).Experimental Design: To clarify this issue, we comprehensively tested four different recombinant forms of TRAIL for their apoptosis-inducing capacity on PHH obtained from a total of 55 human livers between day 1 and day 8 of in vitro culture.Results: One day after single-cell isolation, all but one recombinant form of TRAIL [i.e., an untagged form of TRAIL (TRAIL.0)] induced apoptosis in PHH. Apoptosis induction by TRAIL in these cells could only be fully inhibited by concomitant blockade of TRAIL receptor 1 and TRAIL receptor 2. At day 4 of in vitro culture, when surrogate markers indicated optimal hepatocyte in vitro function, only high doses of cross-linked FLAG-TRAIL killed PHH whereas the other three recombinant TRAIL forms did not. Strikingly, cotreatment of day 4 PHH with cisplatin sensitized for TRAIL-induced apoptosis whereas 5-fluorouracil, etoposide, gemcitabine, irinotecan, or oxaliplatin, which are commonly used in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, did not.Conclusion: Our data show that whereas TRAIL alone or together with selected chemotherapeutic drugs seems to be safe, the combination of TRAIL with cisplatin is toxic to PHH.
Role of T Lymphocytes and Interferon-γ in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yilmaz Gokhan , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Stokes Karen Y. , Granger D. Neil 
Published: April 2006

Background—Although lymphocyte recruitment and activation are associated with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, the contributions of specific lymphocyte subpopulations and lymphocyte-derived interferon-γ (IFN-γ) to stroke remain unknown. The objectives of this study were to define the contribution of specific populations of lymphocytes to the inflammatory and prothrombogenic responses elicited in the cerebral microvasculature by I/R and to investigate the role of T-cell–associated IFN-γ in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke.Methods and Results—Middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced for 1 hour (followed by 4 or 24 hours of reperfusion) in wild-type mice and mice deficient in lymphocytes (Rag1−/−), CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, B cells, or IFN-γ. Platelet and leukocyte adhesion was assessed in cortical venules with intravital video microscopy. Neurological deficit and infarct volume were determined 24 hours after reperfusion. Rag1−/−, CD4+T-cell−/−, CD8+T-cell−/−, and IFN-γ−/−mice exhibited comparable significant reductions in I/R-induced leukocyte and platelet adhesion compared with wild-type mice exposed to I/R. Infarct volume was reduced and I/R-induced neurological deficit was improved in immunodeficient Rag1−/−mice. These protective responses were reversed in Rag1−/−mice reconstituted with either wild-type or, to a lesser extent, IFN-γ−/−splenocytes. B-cell–deficient mice failed to show improvement against ischemic stroke injury.Conclusions—These findings indicate that CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes, but not B lymphocytes, contribute to the inflammatory and thrombogenic responses, brain injury, and neurological deficit associated with experimental stroke. Although IFN-γ plays a pivotal role in stroke-induced inflammatory responses, T lymphocytes appear to be a minor source of this cytokine.
Bayesian Approach to Decision Making Using Ensemble Weather Forecasts
Authors: Katz Richard W. , Ehrendorfer Martin 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe economic value of ensemble-based weather or climate forecasts is generally assessed by taking the ensembles at “face value.” That is, the forecast probability is estimated as the relative frequency of occurrence of an event among a limited number of ensemble members. Despite the economic value of probability forecasts being based on the concept of decision making under uncertainty, in effect, the decision maker is assumed to ignore the uncertainty in estimating this probability. Nevertheless, many users are certainly aware of the uncertainty inherent in a limited ensemble size. Bayesian prediction is used instead in this paper, incorporating such additional forecast uncertainty into the decision process. The face-value forecast probability estimator would correspond to a Bayesian analysis, with a prior distribution on the actual forecast probability only being appropriate if it were believed that the ensemble prediction system produces perfect forecasts. For the cost–loss decision-making model, the economic value of the face-value estimator can be negative for small ensemble sizes from a prediction system with a level of skill that is not sufficiently high. Further, this economic value has the counterintuitive property of sometimes decreasing as the ensemble size increases. For a more plausible form of prior distribution on the actual forecast probability, which could be viewed as a “recalibration” of face-value forecasts, the Bayesian estimator does not exhibit this unexpected behavior. Moreover, it is established that the effects of ensemble size on the reliability, skill, and economic value have been exaggerated by using the face-value, instead of the Bayesian, estimator.
Enhancing the comparability of costing methods: cross-country variability in the prices of non-traded inputs to health programmes
Authors: Johns Benjamin , Adam Taghreed , Evans David B 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
National and international policy makers have been increasing their focus on developing strategies to enable poor countries achieve the millennium development goals. This requires information on the costs of different types of health interventions and the resources needed to scale them up, either singly or in combinations. Cost data also guides decisions about the most appropriate mix of interventions in different settings, in view of the increasing, but still limited, resources available to improve health.
Many cost and cost-effectiveness studies include only the costs incurred at the point of delivery to beneficiaries, omitting those incurred at other levels of the system such as administration, media, training and overall management. The few studies that have measured them directly suggest that they can sometimes account for a substantial proportion of total costs, so that their omission can result in biased estimates of the resources needed to run a programme or the relative cost-effectiveness of different choices. However, prices of different inputs used in the production of health interventions can vary substantially within a country. Basing cost estimates on a single price observation runs the risk that the results are based on an outlier observation rather than the typical costs of the input.

Methods
We first explore the determinants of the observed variation in the prices of selected "non-traded" intermediate inputs to health programmes – printed matter and media advertising, and water and electricity – accounting for variation within and across countries. We then use the estimated relationship to impute average prices for countries where limited data are available with uncertainty intervals.

Results
Prices vary across countries with GDP per capita and a number of determinants of supply and demand. Media and printing were inelastic with respect to GDP per capita, with a positive correlation, while the utilities had a surprisingly negative relationship. All equations had relatively good fits with the data.

Conclusion
While the preferred option is to derive costs from a random sample of prices in each setting, this option is often not available to analysts. In this case, we suggest that the approach described in this paper could represent a better option than basing policy recommendations on results that are built on the basis of a single, or a few, price observations.
Structure and Conducting Properties of BDT-TTP Salts
Authors: Misaki Yohji , Fujiwara Hideki , Yamabe Tokio , Mori Takehiko , Mori Hatsumi , Tanaka Shoji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Many cation radical salts of BDT-TTP (2,5-bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene) showed metallic conducting behavior down to 0.6–1.2 K. X-Ray crystal structure analysis of (BDT-TTP)2SbF6 revealed that this salt has a two-dimensional “β-type” arrangement of donor molecules in the conducting sheet.