bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aphasia, Depression, and Non-Verbal Cognitive Impairment in Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Kauhanen M.-L. , Korpelainen J.T. , Hiltunen P. , Määttä R. , Mononen H. , Brusin E. , Sotaniemi K.A. , Myllylä V.V. 
Published: April 2003

Aphasia, depression, and cognitive dysfunction are common consequences of stroke, but knowledge of their interrelationship is limited. This 1-year prospective study was designed to evaluate prevalence and course of post-stroke aphasia and to study its psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive correlates. We studied a series of 106 consecutive patients (46 women and 60 men, mean age 65.8 years) with first-ever ischaemic brain infarction. The patients were clinically examined, and presence and type of aphasia were evaluated during the 1st week after stroke and 3 and 12 months later. Psychiatric and neuropsychological evaluations were performed 3 and 12 months after stroke. Aphasia was diagnosed in 34% of the patients during the acute phase, and two thirds of them remained so 12 months later. Seventy percent of the aphasic patients fulfilled the DSM-III-R criteria of depression 3 months and 62% 12 months after stroke. The prevalence of major depression increased from 11 to 33% during the 12-month follow-up period. The non-verbal neuropsychological test performance in the aphasic patients was significantly inferior to that of the patients with dominant hemisphere lesion without aphasia. One third of the patients with ischaemic stroke suffer from communicative disorders which seem to increase the risk of depression and non-verbal cognitive deficits. Although the prevalence of depression in aphasic patients decreases in the long term, the proportion of patients suffering from major depression seems to increase. We emphasize the importance of the multidimensional evaluation of aphasic stroke patients.
Extracranial Aneurysms of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery
Authors: Abrahams John M. , Arle Jeffrey E. , Hurst Robert W. , Flamm Eugene S. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> Extracranial aneurysms of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are extremely rare and sometimes difficult to diagnose without an adequate angiogram. We present the first series of 3 patients who were evaluated by the senior author and treated surgically. <i>Methods and Results:</i> All 3 patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Clincial symptoms, included occipital headache, nuchal rigidity, abducens nerve palsy and rapid neurologic deterioration. A unilateral injection of the vertebral artery failed to show the distal contralateral PICA and the aneurysm in 1 patient. All patients underwent aneurysm clipping through a posterior fossa craniectomy and C-1 laminectomy. The aneurysms were located on the tonsillomedullary segment of the PICA, 10–12 mm below the level of the foramen magnum. <i>Conclusions:</i> It is important to adequately visualize the distal extent of both PICAs or these aneurysms may not be seen. Patients who present with SAH must have the entirety of both vertebral arteries evaluated to avoid missing these aneurysms. The aneurysms were located adjacent to the atlas necessitating an upper cervical laminectomy for adequate surgical exposure. In general, the patients did well postoperatively and none of the patients developed cerebral vasospasm.
Reprogenetics Policy:Three Kinds of Models
Authors: Nordgren Anders 
Published: April 2003

In any discussion about genetics and the future of society, a distinction must be made between two different questions: (1) How will genetics affect society, in the short run and in the long run? (2) How should genetics be allowed to affect society? The first question is a matter of anticipation, the second a matter of choice. In the present paper, the primary focus is on the second question. The aim is to discuss from an ethical perspective which applications of genetics we should try to realize in society and which we should try to avoid. Special attention is given to the role of governments in reproduction. Three different kinds of models for governmental policy concerning application of genetics to reproduction (‘reprogenetics’) are presented: (1) governmental steering of reproduction; (2) radical reproductive autonomy, and (3) reproductive autonomy with certain restrictions. It is argued that a disease-centered version of the third kind of model is to be preferred. Genetic intervention concerning nondisease traits should be discouraged by governments.
Intraepithelial Leucocytes in the Bovine Uterine Tube
Authors: Abughrien Badia M. , Dore Michael A.P. , McGeady Thomas A. , Fitzpatrick Eamonn 
Published: April 2003

The epithelium of the uterine tube consists of ciliated cells and secretory cells. Basal cells are a third cell type observed in tubal epithelium and they are located principally in the basal part of the epithelium. The objectives of this study were to characterize these basal cells in normal and superovulated heifers and to determine whether they participate in the replacement of the ciliated and secretory cell populations. All heifers received cloprostenol (PG) to induce oestrus (day 0). Superovulated heifers received 24 mg pFSH at doses of 4.5, 3.5, 2.5 and 1.5 mg given twice daily. Control and superovulated heifers were slaughtered on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 of the oestrous cycle. Another group of normal cycling heifers was slaughtered on days 2–3 and 11–13 of the oestrous cycle and used for immunocytochemistry. Samples from ampulla, pre-isthmus and isthmus of the uterine tube were collected and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. Quantitative examination by light microscopy showed that there was a significant difference in the number of basal cells between the regions of the heifers’ uterine tube. On the basis of ultrastructure two populations of basal cells were observed. One (type I) had a nucleus with much condensed heterochromatin and very sparse cytoplasmic organelles. The second cell (type II) had a nucleus with heterochromatin typically clumped around the nuclear envelope. Its cytoplasm contained many organelles including a number of lysosomes. The ultrastructural features of these cells were similar in all regions and at all days of the oestrous cycle examined. Immunocytochemistry revealed that type I basal cells were lymphocytes and type II basal cells were macrophages.
Muscle Spindle Reinnervation following Phenol Block
Authors: Wolf Joshua H. , English Arthur W. 
Published: April 2003

Infusion of phenol into peripheral nerves is used clinically to manage spasticity. It produces relief of symptoms by chemical denervation. We simulated the clinical procedure by bathing the lateral plantar nerve of rats in 7% phenol solution for 20 min. We studied the innervation of muscle spindles in the plantar lumbrical muscles of untreated rats and in rats 4 and 6 weeks after a single phenol block. Spindles were identified by the immunoreactivity of nuclear bag<sub>1</sub> fibers to slow tonic myosin (antibody ALD 19). The integrity of the sensory and motor reinnervation of spindles was evaluated using a monoclonal antibody specific for a high molecular weight neurofilament protein. Four weeks after phenol block, muscle spindles were difficult to find, as their immunoreactivity to antibody ALD 19 was reduced. In those spindles studied, most (>80%) were completely denervated. The remainder of which were innervated by afferents only. None received efferent (gamma) innervation. After 6 weeks, spindles were readily identified and nearly all (>90%) received recognizable afferent innervation. A much smaller number (38%) received gamma innervation. Phenol block thus results in a complete denervation of muscle spindles, followed by a fairly rapid sensory reinnervation. Reinnervation by gamma motor neurons is either incomplete or significantly delayed.
The Lumbosacral Ligament
Authors: Hanson Patrick , Sørensen Henrik 
Published: April 2003

The lumbosacral ligament (LSL), situated between the L5-vertebra and the sacrum, was studied in autopsy material. Twenty-eight cadaveric specimens from 12 black and 16 white persons aged 17–30 years were studied during routine forensic autopsies. The ligaments were measured and determined in situ. Thereafter, the ligaments were removed for histologic preparation. The ligament in the black subjects was thicker compared with the white (7.5 ± 1.4 vs. 5.7 ± 1.2 mm), and wider (11.7 ± 1.6 mm in the black vs. 9.2 ± 0.5 mm in the white), yielding a greater cross-sectional area in the black group (70.7 ± 22.8 vs. 34.5 ± 11.4 mm<sup>2</sup>, p < 0.001). However, no histological differences were noted. The previously described fibro-osseus tunnel could not be detected in any of the subjects. In all instances, the ligament was situated medial to the L5 nerve. Compression of the L5 nerve under the previously presented fibro-osseus tunnel could not be confirmed.
Enhancement of Toluidine Blue Staining by Transforming Growth Factor-β, Insulin-Like Growth Factor and Growth Hormone in the Temporomandibular Joint of Aged Mice
Authors: Blumenfeld I. , Gaspar R. , Laufer D. , Livne E. 
Published: April 2003

Osteoarthritic lesions appear in the articular cartilage of the temporomandibular joint of mice aged 7 months and older. Reduced rate of proteoglycan (PG) synthesis leading to destruction of the articular cartilage was observed in this joint. The purpose of the present study was to test the ability of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH) to induce PG synthesis in joint cartilage of aged animals and to compare it with the effect of interleukin-1α (IL-1α). Mandibular condyle explants from 18-month-old mice were cultured up to 72 h in serum-free medium, supplemented with IL-1α (TGF-β1 (0.1–5.0 ng/ml), TGF-β1 (1.0 ng/ml) + IGF-1 (2 ng/ml) or GH (10 ng/ml). The incorporation of <sup>35</sup>S-SO<sub>4</sub> into sulfated PG was tested. Cartilage samples were processed for histomorphometry using sections stained with 0.1% toluidine blue (TB), pH 1.8. Results indicated that in cultures supplemented (48 h) with either TGF-β, TGF-β + IGF-1 or with GH, an increased height and area of TB-positive staining as well as increased incorporation of <sup>35</sup>S-SO<sub>4</sub> into sulfated PG were observed. In contrast, the cytokine IL-1α exerted an inhibitory effect on TB staining and on <sup>35</sup>S-SO<sub>4</sub> incorporation. The present study demonstrated that in vitro supplementation of IL-1α to mandibular condyle cartilage reduced the height and area of TB staining and incorporation of <sup>35</sup>S-SO<sub>4</sub>, whereas TGF-β1, TGF-β1 + IGF-1 or GH increased the height and area of TB staining and increased incorporation of <sup>35</sup>S-SO<sub>4</sub>. The two parameters used to identify increased PG synthesis were shown to reveal similar results and were useful for studying the dynamic events taking place in cartilage destruction and repair in osteoarthritis.
Structure of the Middle Ear and Auditory Tube in the House Musk Shrew, <i>Suncus murinus</i>
Authors: Yoshida Mitsuharu , Kitoh Junzoh , Yanagita Noriyuki 
Published: April 2003

Anatomical features of the middle ear and auditory tube (AT) in the house musk shrew, <i>Suncus murinus</i>, were examined by dissection and light microscopy. The tensor veli palatini (TVP) and tensor tympani (TT) have no connections with the wall or cartilage of the AT although they are connected by the intermediate tendon. None of the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle bundles are attached to the AT. The salpingopharyngeus (SA) alone has its origin on the caudal edge of the tubal cartilage. The origin extends to the pharyngeal two thirds of the cartilage. The SA originates perpendicular to the AT and runs caudomedialward. Some SA muscle bundles intermingle with those of the palatopharyngeus to end on the dorsal wall of the pharynx. The observations provide no evidence that the TVP, LVP and TT have any role in AT function. The only muscle affecting the AT function in <i>S. murinus</i> is the SA, and it would be the AT dilator.
Further Evidence of Cholinergic Impairment of the Neuroendocrine Control of the GH Secretion in Down’s Syndrome
Authors: Beccaria L. , Marziani E. , Manzoni P. , Arvat E. , Valetto M.R. , Gianotti L. , Ghigo E. , Chiumello G. 
Published: April 2003

There are data indicating that cholinergic activity is precociously impaired in Down’s syndrome (DS). On the other hand, acetylcholine as well as arginine (ARG) play a major stimulatory role in the neural control of growth hormone (GH) secretion in humans, likely acting via the inhibition of hypothalamic somatostatin release. The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of pyridostigmine (PD, 120 mg p.o.), a cholinesterase inhibitor, and ARG (0.5 g/kg i.v.) on the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (1 µg/kg i.v.)-induced GH rise in 15 adult patients with DS (M/F: 8/7; age 26.5 ± 2.2 years; body mass index, BMI: 25.7 ± 1.0 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) in which the potentiating effect of PD on GH secretion has been reported to be reduced. The results in DS were compared to those in 15 normal subjects (NS) (M/F: 8/7; age: 30.0 ± 1.3 years; BMI: 21.4 ± 0.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Basal GH and insulin growth factor I (IGF-1) levels in DS (1.8 ± 0.7 and 206.5 ± 21.0 µg/l) were similar to those in NS (1.4 ± 0.3 and 179.4 ± 11.0 µg/l). The GH response to GHRH alone in DS (526.5 ± 120.1 µg/l/h) was lower (p < 0.05) than that recorded in NS (895.4 ± 153.7 µg/l/h). The GHRH-induced GH rise was potentiated by PD both in DS (1,138 ± 184.2 µg/l/h; p < 0.02 vs. GHRH alone) and in NS (2,213.8 ± 212.8 µg/l/h; p < 0.005 vs. GHRH alone); however, as the percent potentiating effect of PD was similar in both groups (215 and 247%, respectively) the GH response to GHRH+PD in DS was lower (p < 0.005) than that in NS. The GHRH-induced GH rise was also potentiated by ARG in both DS (2,243 ± 362.4 µg/h; p < 0.001 vs. GHRH alone) and NS (2,764.3 ± 325.7 µg/l/h; p < 0.005 vs. GHRH alone). As the percent potentiating effect of ARG in DS was more marked than in NS (425 vs. 308%, respectively), the GH response to GHRH+ARG became similar in both groups. No sex-related difference was found in the GH response to various stimuli both in DS and NS. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the potentiating effect of PD but not that of ARG is impaired in adults with DS in whom a reduced somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH is present. These findings indicate that in DS the pituitary GH releasable pool is fully preserved while an impairment of the tuberoinfundibular cholinergic pathways could lead to somatostatinergic hyperactivity and low somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Donepezil on Cognitive and Global Function in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Homma Akira , Takeda Masatoshi , Imai Yukimichi , Udaka Fukashi , Hasegawa Kazuo , Kameyama Masakuni , Nishimura Tsuyoshi 
Published: April 2003

This study evaluated efficacy and safety of donepezil hydrochloride (donepezil) at 5 mg/day in patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease for 24 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative trial. In this study, 268 patients were enrolled and 39 of these (15%) were withdrawn. In the evaluable population of efficacy, Protocol-Compatible (PC) analyzed patients (n = 228), better effects than that of placebo were confirmed using two primary efficacy measures: a cognitive performance test, the Japanese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale (ADAS-J cog, p = 0.003) and a clinical global assessment, the Japanese version of the Clinical Global Impression of Change (J-CGIC, p = 0.000). The superiority of donepezil was also shown by secondary measures: the Sum of the Boxes of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR-SB), the Mental Function Impairment Scale (MENFIS) and the caregiver-rated modified Crichton scale (CMCS). The same results were obtained in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (n = 263). The incidence of drug-related adverse events was 10% (14/136) in the donepezil and 8% (10/131) in the placebo group; no significant difference was seen between the two groups. The main adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms, and these were almost all mild, and they all disappeared with continued administration or temporary discontinuation of donepezil. These results indicate that the donepezil appears to be effective and well tolerated in patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Lactate Transport by Cortical Synaptosomes from Adult Rat Brain: Characterization of Kinetics and Inhibitor Specificity
Authors: McKenna Mary C. , Tildon J. Tyson , Stevenson Joseph H. , Hopkins Irene B. , Huang Xueli , Couto Renee 
Published: April 2003

Since lactate released by glial cells may be a key substrate for energy in neurons, the kinetics for the uptake of <i>L</i>-[U-<sup>14</sup>C]lactate by cortical synaptic terminals from 7- to 8-week-old rat brain were determined. Lactate uptake was temperature-dependent, and increased by 64.9% at pH 6.2, and decreased by 43.4% at pH 8.2 relative to uptake at pH 7.3. Uptake of monocarboxylic acids was saturable with increasing substrate concentration. Eadie-Hofstee plots of the data gave evidence of two carrier-mediated uptake mechanisms with a high-affinity K<sub>m</sub> of 0.66 m<i>M</i> and V<sub>max</sub> of 3.66 m<i>M</i> for pyruvate, and a low-affinity system with a K<sub>m</sub> of 9.9 m<i>M</i> for both lactate and pyruvate and V<sub>max</sub> values of 16.6 and 23.1 nmol/30 s/mg protein for lactate and pyruvate, respectively. Saturable uptake was seen in the presence of 10 m<i>M</i> α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate. Lactate transport by synaptic terminals was much more sensitive to inhibition by sulfhydryl reagents than transport in astrocytes. Addition of 0.5 and 2 m<i>M</i> mersalyl decreased the uptake of 1 m<i>M</i> lactate by synaptic terminals by 59.3 and 66.37%, respectively. Pyruvate moderately decreased lactate transport, whereas 3-hydroxybutyrate had little effect. Quercetin, an inhibitor of lactate release, had little effect on the content of <sup>14</sup>C lactate in synaptic terminals, supporting the concept that the majority of lactate produced within brain is from glial cells. Oxidation of <i>L</i>-[U-<sup>14</sup>C]lactate by synaptosomes was saturable, and yielded a K<sub>m</sub> of 1.23 m<i>M</i> and a V<sub>max</sub> of 116 nmol/h/mg protein. Overall the studies show that synaptic terminals from adult brain have a high capacity for transport and oxidation of lactate, consistent with the proposed role for this compound in metabolic trafficking in brain. Furthermore, the data provide kinetic evidence of two carrier-mediated mechanisms for monocarboxylic acid transport by synaptosomes and demonstrate that uptake of lactate by synaptic terminals is regulated differently than transport by astrocytes. Uptake of lactate by synaptic terminals also has differences from the systems described for neurons.
Glutathione Restoration as Indicator for Cellular Metabolism of Astroglial Cells
Authors: Dringen Ralf , Hamprecht Bernd 
Published: April 2003

The restoration of glutathione in astroglia-rich primary cultures derived from the brains of newborn rats was used to indicate metabolic properties of astroglial cells. At a culture age of 14–21 days these cultures contain an average total glutathione content of 32.8 ± 3.2 nmol/mg protein and a cytosolic volume, estimated with the 3-<i>O</i>-methylglucose method, of 4.1 ± 0.1 µl/mg protein. Therefore, cells of astroglial cultures have a cytosolic glutathione concentration of about 8 m<i>M</i>. In order to investigate glutathione synthesis in astroglial cultures the cellular glutathione content was reduced by starvation in a minimal medium lacking glucose and amino acids. Resynthesis of glutathione depended on the presence of glucose and the three constituent amino acids glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Absence of glucose reduced the amount of net glutathione restoration found after 4 h of incubation by about 50%. Of known substrates of astroglial energy metabolism, mannose could fully and fructose, lactate, pyruvate or sorbitol could partially replace glucose during glutathione restoration. In contrast to these compounds, galactose, 5-thioglucose and 2-deoxyglucose failed to substitute for glucose during glutathione restoration. Astroglial cells are able to use as precursors for the three constituent amino acids of glutathione a variety of amino acids and dipeptides. The results presented demonstrate that glutathione restoration can be used as an indicator for amino acid as well as energy metabolism of astroglial cells.
<sup>15</sup>N-NMR Spectroscopy Studies of Ammonia Transport and Glutamine Synthesis in the Hyperammonemic Rat Brain
Authors: Shen Jun , Sibson Nicola R. , Cline Gary , Behar Kevin L. , Rothman Douglas L. , Shulman Robert G. 
Published: April 2003

Ammonia transport and glutamine synthesis were studied in the hyperammonaemic rat brain in vivo using <sup>15</sup>N-NMR spectroscopy at a plasma ammonia level of approximately 0.39 m<i>M</i> raised via an intravenous [<sup>15</sup>N]-ammonium acetate infusion. The initial slope of the time course of the summed cerebral <sup>15</sup>N-labelled metabolites was used to determine the rate of ammonia net transport during hyperammonemia as 0.13 ± 0.02 µmol/min/g (mean ± SD; n = 5). Based on the total accumulation of glutamine and the 1:2 stoichiometric relationship between fluxes of four-carbon skeletons and nitrogen atoms, the rate of de novo glutamine synthesis through anaplerosis and subsequent glutamate dehydrogenase action was calculated to be 0.065 ± 0.01 µmol/min/g. The rate of total glutamine synthesis was estimated to be 0.20 ± 0.06 µmol/min/g (n = 5) by fitting the [5-<sup>15</sup>N]glutamine time course to a previously described model of glutamate-glutamine cycling between astrocytes and neurones. A large dilution was also observed in [2-<sup>15</sup>N]glutamine, which supports the glutamate-glutamine cycle as being an important pathway for neuronal glutamate repletion in vivo.
Hippocampal T<sub>2</sub> Abnormalities Correlate with Antecedent Events and Help Predict Seizure Intractability
Authors: Jackson G.D. , Kim S.E. , Fitt G.J. , Mitchell A.L. , Syngeniotis A. , Berkovic S.F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> We performed hippocampal T<sub>2</sub> relaxometry as part of a routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination in 50 normal controls and 127 consecutive patients referred because of suspected seizures. <i>Methods:</i> On the basis of T<sub>2</sub> values in controls (100.2 ± 4.2 ms) we defined normal as <110 ms (<mean + 2 SD), borderline as 110–113 ms (mean + 2 SD to mean + 3 SD) and abnormal as >113 ms (>mean + 3 SD). <i>Results:</i> After detailed investigation, 103 of these 127 patients had epilepsy and 24 did not. In the nonepilepsy group, none had abnormal hippocampal T<sub>2</sub> values. Twenty-seven of the 103 patients in the epilepsy group had abnormal values, 7 were borderline and 69 were normal. Only 5 patients with abnormal T<sub>2</sub> values did not have temporal lobe epilepsy: 1 had extratemporal lobe epilepsy, 1 had generalized epilepsy and 3 had unclassified epilepsy. Twenty-two of 27 (81%) patients with abnormal hippocampal T<sub>2</sub> values had intractable epilepsy [compared with 32 of 69 (46%) patients with normal values; p < 0.05, χ<sup>2</sup> test]. Two thirds of patients with abnormal values had a history of a major antecedent event (compared to only 7% of those with normal values, p < 0.05, χ<sup>2</sup> test). <i>Conclusion:</i> Abnormal T<sub>2</sub> relaxometry is significantly associated with intractable epilepsy as well as with major antecedent events.