bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in bipolar disorder: retrospective data from the first 500 STEP‐BD participants
Authors: Baldassano Claudia F , Marangell Lauren B , Gyulai Laszlo , Nassir Ghaemi S , Joffe Hadine , Kim Deborah R , Sagduyu Kemal , Truman Christine J , Wisniewski Stephen R , Sachs Gary S , Cohen Lee S 
Published: September 2005

Objective:  To examine gender differences in a large sample of patients with bipolar illness.Methods:  Exploratory analysis of baseline data from the first 500 patients in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP‐BD), a multi‐center NIMH project. Participants are allowed to have medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and to enter in any mood state, thus making the population more generalizable than many research cohorts. Diagnoses and history were assessed using structured clinical instruments administered by certified investigators. Given the exploratory nature of these analyses, there is no correction of for multiple comparisons. However, we emphasize findings that are statistically significant at the more stringent p < 0.01 level.Results:  Compared with men, women had higher rates of BPII (15.3% M versus 29.0% F, p < 0.01), comorbid thyroid disease (5.7% M versus 26.9% F, p < 0.01), bulimia (1.5% M versus 11.6% F, p < .0.01) and post‐traumatic stress disorder (10.6% M versus 20.9% F, p < 0.01). Women and men had equal rates of history of lifetime rapid cycling and depressive episodes. Men were more likely to have a history of legal problems (36% M versus 17.5% F, p < 0.01).Conclusions:  Potentially important gender differences in certain illness characteristics were found in our study; however, in contrast to other reports, we did not find higher rates of lifetime depressive episodes or rapid cycling in women. Although our study is limited by its retrospective study design, its results are strengthened by our large sample size and use of structured interviews.
Neuroanatomical abnormalities as risk factors for bipolar disorder
Authors: Hajek Tomas , Carrey Normand , Alda Martin 
Published: September 2005

Objective:  Neuroimaging studies show structural brain abnormalities in bipolar patients. Some of the abnormalities may represent biological risk factors conveying vulnerability for the disease. This paper aims to identify neuroanatomical risk factors for bipolar disorder (BD).Methods:  We reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in populations in which the effects of the disease or treatment are minimal or where the chances of finding genetically coded risk factors shared within the families are increased. Such populations include unaffected relatives of bipolar patients, first‐episode patients, children or adolescents with BD and patients with familial BD.Results:  MEDLINE search revealed 30 relevant scientific papers. Abnormalities in the volume of the striatum, left hemispheric white matter, thalamus and anterior cingulate as well as quantitative MRI signal hyperintensities were identified already in unaffected relatives of bipolar patients. Subjects in the early stages of the disease showed volume changes of the ventricles, white matter, caudate, putamen, amygdala, hippocampus and the subgenual prefrontal cortex. Reduction in the subgenual prefrontal cortex volume was replicated in three of four studies in patients with familial BD.Conclusions:  Possible candidates for neuroanatomical risk factors for BD are volumetric abnormalities of the subgenual prefrontal cortex, striatum, white matter, and probably also the hippocampus and amygdala. Qualitative finding of white matter hyperintensities was already utilized as an endophenotype.
Burden and marital and sexual satisfaction in the partners of bipolar patients
Authors: Lam Dominic , Donaldson Catherine , Brown Yael , Malliaris Yanni 
Published: September 2005

Objectives:  Bipolar disorder can be traumatic for both patients and patients’ partners. Hence, partners’ stress, burden, marital and sexual satisfactions are important areas to investigate. However, there have been problems with past attempts to identify the determinants of marital satisfaction in bipolar patients and their partners. The present study aimed to address these issues and provide an accurate description of relationship functioning in these couples.Methods:  The sample involved 37 partners of bipolar patients. A semi‐structured interview assessed the impact of bipolar disorder on aspects of everyday functioning and partners’ attributions for patients’ disturbing behaviour. Standardized instruments assessed partners’ sexual and marital satisfaction across the different affective states.Results:  Despite couples staying together, significant numbers of partners reported strain as a result of socioeconomic and household changes. More male partners reported premature ejaculation and female partners reported sexual infrequency when patients were depressed. Overall, partners were less sexually satisfied when the patient was ill. Marital disharmony was greater when patients were ill and worse during manic than depressed phases. Marital disharmony was also more likely when partners believed the patient could control their illness; they had increased domestic responsibilities; or were sexually dissatisfied.Conclusion:  Reductions in sexual satisfaction during affective episodes may be the result of illness‐related changes in sexual interest, responsiveness and affection. Partners who attribute control for the illness to the patient may use strategies to influence behaviour that disrupt marital harmony. Interventions involving education, problem‐solving strategies and sex therapy components may help to reduce marital dissatisfaction.
Toward a clinical delineation of dysphoric hypomania – operational and conceptual dilemmas
Authors: Akiskal Hagop S , Benazzi Franco 
Published: September 2005

Objective:  Unlike dysphoric mania, we are unaware of any formal studies of dysphoric hypomania (DH). For this reason, DH is not formally recognized by DSM‐IV and ICD‐10. Analogous to the DSM‐IV approach in the diagnosis of manic mixed state, in this exploratory study we operationalized DH as coexisting full syndromal hypomanic and major depressive states.Methods:  In an Italian outpatient private practice setting, 320 BP‐II outpatients [meeting DSM‐IV criteria except for shorter (≥2 days) floor duration for history of hypomanic episodes] were further interviewed with the modified SCID‐CV for the simultaneous presence of hypomanic and depressive signs and symptoms during the index presenting affective episode or its exacerbation. Hypomania always included irritable mood plus at least four hypomanic signs and symptoms. Such non‐euphoric hypomania had to last at least 1 week.Results:  Only 45 (14.0%) met our proposed criteria for DH. Less stringently defined depressive mixed states (DMX) were excluded from further analyses. When compared with 120 of the 320 (37.5%) ‘pure’ BP‐II (i.e., not meeting mixed state criteria), DH emerged as an irritable affective state, demonstrated a significantly higher rate of females, mood lability, racing/crowded thoughts, distractibility, increased talkativeness, psychomotor agitation, and increased goal‐directed drives. Psychomotor agitation/activation had a specificity of 87% and sensitivity of 94%, correctly classifying 92% of cases of DH.Conclusions:  The DSM‐IV concept of dysphoric manic mixed state can be extended to DH. In the latter, eutrophic exuberance is replaced by irritable‐labile mood, and the hypomanic expansiveness finds expression in mental, psychomotor and behavioral activation that could involve increased drives (e.g., travel, substances, and sex) and social disinhibition. It is useful to contrast the foregoing picture of DH as hypomanic exuberance muted by leaden paralysis, with that of our previous work on DMX as a major depressive mixed state with more subtle excitatory hypomanic intrusions. We discuss methodologic, theoretical and practical implications of categorical (DH) and dimensional (DMX) conceptualizations of mixed states beyond mania.
INVESTIGATING THE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL HYPOTHESIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
Authors: Rehn Alexandra E , Rees Sandra M 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. An optimal intra‐uterine environment is critical for normal development of the brain. It is now thought that abnormal development in a compromised prenatal and/or early postnatal environment may be a risk factor for several neurological disorders that manifest postnatally, such as cerebral palsy, schizophrenia and epilepsy.2. The present review examines some of the effects of abnormal prenatal brain development and focuses on one disorder that has been hypothesized to have, at least in part, an early neurodevelopmental aetiology: schizophrenia.3. The key neuropathological alterations and changes in some of the neurotransmitter systems observed in patients with schizophrenia are reviewed. Evidence in support of a neurodevelopmental hypothesis for schizophrenia is examined.4. A summary of the animal models that have been used by researchers in an attempt to elucidate the origins of this disorder is presented. Although no animal model of a complex human disorder is ever likely to emulate deficits in all aspects of structure and function observed in patients with a neuropsychiatric illness, our findings and those of others give support to the early neurodevelopmental hypothesis.5. Thus, it is possible that an adverse event in utero disrupts normal brain development and creates a vulnerability of the brain that predisposes an already at‐risk individual (e.g. genetic inheritance) to develop the disorder later in life.
EFFECTS OF CANNABINOID RECEPTOR ACTIVATION ON RABBIT BISECTED VAS DEFERENS STRIPS
Authors: Barun Süreyya , Vural Ismail Mert , Dileköz Ergin , Ercan Zeynep Sevim , Sarioglu Yusuf 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. In the present study, the effects of anandamide and WIN 55,212‐2, cannabinoid receptor agonists, were investigated on electrical field stimulation (EFS)‐induced biphasic twitch responses obtained from the epididymal and prostatic portions of rabbit vas deferens strips.2. Anandamide and WIN 55,212‐2 dose‐dependently inhibited both the first and second phases of the EFS‐induced twitch responses recorded from epididymal and prostatic portions of the vas deferens over the concentration range 10−9 to 3 × 10−6 mol/L.3. The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM 251 (10−6 mol/L) and the cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist AM 630 (10−6 mol/L) had no effect on the inhibitory action of anandamide on the biphasic twitch responses in the prostatic and epididymal portions of the rabbit vas deferens.4. In both the prostatic and epididymal portions of the rabbit vas deferens, AM 251 significantly, but not completely, reversed the inhibitory effect of WIN 55,212‐2 on the first phase of the twitch response. In contrast, AM 630 did not have any effect on the inhibitory action of WIN 55,212‐2 in the rabbit vas deferens strips.5. The inhibitory effects of anandamide or WIN 55,212‐2 on EFS‐induced twitch responses of both the prostatic and epididymal portions of the rabbit vas deferens were not altered in the presence of 10−5 mol/L naloxone.6. These results suggest that cannabinoid receptors may have a modulatory role in the regulation of sympathetic transmission in the rabbit vas deferens. However, further investigation is required to characterize the receptors involved.
MECHANISMS UNDERLYING RELAXATION OF RABBIT AORTA BY BAY 41‐2272, A NITRIC OXIDE‐INDEPENDENT SOLUBLE GUANYLATE CYCLASE ACTIVATOR
Authors: Priviero Fernanda BM , Baracat Juliana S , Teixeira Cleber E , Claudino Mário A , De Nucci Gilberto , Antunes Edson 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. The compound BAY 41‐2272 (5‐cyclopropyl‐2‐[1‐(2‐fluoro‐benzyl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridin‐3‐yl]‐pyrimidin‐4‐ylamine) has been described as a potent, nitric oxide (NO)‐independent, stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase. In the present study, the mechanisms underlying the relaxant effect of BAY 41‐2272 in endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded precontracted rabbit aortic rings were investigated.2. Male New Zealand white rabbits were anaesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Aortic rings were transferred to 10 mL organ baths containing oxygenated and warmed Krebs' solution. Tissues were connected to force‐displacement transducers and changes in isometric force were recorded. Aortic rings were precontracted submaximally with phenylephrine (1 µmol/L).3. The addition of BAY 41‐2272 (0.01–10 µmol/L) to the organ bath produced concentration‐dependent relaxations of the aortic rings with a higher potency in endothelium‐intact (pEC50 6.59 ± 0.05) compared with endothelium‐denuded (pEC50 6.19 ± 0.04; P < 0.05) preparations. No differences in maximal responses were observed in either preparation. The NO synthesis inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (100 µmol/L) produced a 2.1‐fold rightward shift in endothelium‐intact (P < 0.01) rings, but had no effect in endothelium‐denuded rings. The soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ; 1 µmol/L) caused significant rightward shifts of the concentration–response curves to BAY 41‐2272 of 4.9‐ and 2.6‐fold in endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded rings, respectively. The phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor sildenafil (0.1 µmol/L) significantly potentiated the relaxant effects of BAY 41‐2272 in both endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded rings.4. At 1 µmol/L, BAY 41‐2272 significantly elevated the aortic cGMP content above basal levels in both endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded rings. Furthermore, ODQ reduced BAY 41‐2272‐elicited increases in cGMP content by 17 and 90% in endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded rings, respectively (P < 0.01).5. In conclusion, BAY 41‐2272 potently relaxes endothelium‐intact and ‐denuded rabbit aortic rings. The basal release of endothelium‐derived NO enhances BAY 41‐2272‐induced relaxations, suggesting a synergistic effect of BAY 41‐2272 and NO on soluble guanylate cyclase. In addition, the endothelium‐independent relaxation involves both GMP‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms.
EFFECT OF SEED COAT EXTRACT FROM BLACK SOYBEANS ON RADIAL MAZE PERFORMANCE IN RATS
Authors: Shinomiya Kazuaki , Tokunaga Shin , Shigemoto Yuki , Kamei Chiaki 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. In the present study, we tested the effect of seed coat extract from black soybeans on eight‐arm radial maze performance in rats.2. Rats were fed a diet containing 5% seed coat extract from black soybeans or a normal diet for 40 days.3. One week after the start of feeding, rats were tested for learning ability related to two types of memory, reference memory and working memory, with a partially (four of eight) baited eight‐arm radial maze.4. A significant decrease in the total number of errors was observed 30 (mean value of five trials of 26–30 days) and 35 days (30–35 days) after the intake of the diet containing seed coat extract compared with the control group. In addition, the mean number of days taken to reach this criterion was significantly decreased after the intake of the diet containing the seed coat extract.5. The number of reference memory errors was significantly decreased 30 and 35 days after the intake of the diet containing seed coat extract. However, no significant decrease was observed in the number of working memory errors.6. From these results, it is concluded that the intake of seed coat extract from black soybeans effectively enhances memory and learning ability, especially long‐term memory, in rats.
HIGH GLUCOSE‐INDUCED HUMAN UMBILICAL VEIN ENDOTHELIAL CELL HYPERPERMEABILITY IS DEPENDENT ON PROTEIN KINASE C ACTIVATION AND INDEPENDENT OF THE Ca2+–NITRIC OXIDE SIGNALLING PATHWAY
Authors: Dang Lei , Seale J Paul , Qu Xianqin 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. Endothelial barrier dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. The precise molecular mechanisms by which hyperglycaemia causes the increased permeability in endothelial cells are not yet well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether high concentrations of glucose induce endothelial permeability through the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and/or the calcium–nitric oxide (NO) signalling pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).2. Endothelial permeability was measured by albumin diffusion across endothelial monolayers under the stimuli of high glucose (HG; 20 mmol/L), 100 nmol/L phorbol‐myristate‐acetate (PMA) or 100 nmol/L histamine. The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was detected in HUVEC using the fluorescent probe fura‐2 AM. The effects of PKC inhibitors (LY379196 and hypocrellin A) and the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA) on endothelial permeability and [Ca2+]i were determined.3. High glucose and PMA increased endothelial permeability associated with decreased [Ca2+]i, whereas histamine triggered significant increases in endothelial permeability, accompanied by increases in [Ca2+]i in HUVEC. Hypocrellin A (HA) and LY379196 reversed both HG‐ and histamine‐induced endothelial permeability. The NOS inhibitor l‐NMMA only abolished histamine‐ and not HG‐induced endothelial permeability. Neither LY379196, HA nor l‐NMMA had any significant effects on alterations in [Ca2+]i caused by HG and histamine.4. These results indicate that increased endothelial permeability in HUVEC induced by HG is dependent on PKC activity and is independent of the [Ca2+]i–NO pathway. Increased endothelial permeability due to other inflammatory factors, such as histamine, may also be mediated by the PKC pathway. Thus, PKC inhibitors would be a potential therapeutic approach to endothelial dysfunction induced by hyperglycaemia, as well as other inflammatory factors, in diabetes.
Facial nerve function and hearing preservation after retrosigmoid excision of vestibular schwannoma: Christchurch hospital experience with 97 patients
Authors: Darwish Balsam S. , Bird Philip A. , Goodisson Derek W. , Bonkowski Janusz A. , MacFarlane Martin R. 
Published: September 2005

Background:  Between January 1988 and December 2002, 97 patients underwent surgery for excision of vestibular schwannoma via the retrosigmoid approach at Christchurch Hospital.Methods:  A retrospective review was undertaken of the clinical notes with emphasis on facial nerve function and hearing preservation postoperatively.Results:  Of patients with small and medium‐sized tumours, 81% had good facial nerve function at 1 year (House−Brackmann grade 1 and grade 2), 16% had moderate function (grade 3 and grade 4) and 3% had poor function (grade 5). Of patients with large tumours, 22% had good facial function (grade 1 and grade 2), 37% had moderate function (grade 3 and grade 4) and 41% had poor function (grade 5 and grade 6). Useful postoperative hearing was preserved in 21% of the 47 patients with tumours <3 cm and useful preoperative hearing. In the last 5 years the authors have been operating in conjunction with an ear, nose and throat surgeon (PAB) trained in base‐of‐skull surgery. Over this period, useful hearing was preserved in 32% of patients with small and medium‐sized tumours and useful preoperative hearing.Conclusions:  Tumour size was an important predictor of the postoperative facial and cochlear nerve function. The multidisciplinary approach to these tumours offers better results. These results compare well with other published series.
Management of elderly patients with breast cancer: the time for surgery
Authors: Rai Sajal , Stotter Anne 
Published: September 2005

Introduction:  Most patients with breast cancer are likely to benefit from local treatment (surgery and/or radiotherapy). Historically an arbitrary cut‐off of 70 years has been widely used, above which women were considered for tamoxifen‐only treatment. We looked at the proportion of our patients who did not have early surgery for breast cancer to see if this cut‐off might have been used too rigidly, resulting in suboptimal treatment of some patients over 70 years of age. A step change in the rate of surgical treatment around age 70 was sought as evidence.Method:  A total of 2209 consecutive patients with confirmed histological diagnosis of breast cancer were identified; 677 of these did not have surgery within 3 months of diagnosis. Analysis determined age group distribution and the reasons for no surgery or delayed surgery.Results:  A step increase in the number of patients not undergoing early surgery was clearly seen at 70 years of age.Conclusion:  Age may have been used too rigidly to decide local treatment for elderly patients with breast cancer. Comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment is needed to make informed decisions and to optimize management of elderly patients.
Popliteal artery injury: Royal Perth experience and literature review
Authors: Yahya Mazri M. , Mwipatayi Bibombe P. , Abbas Manzoor , Rao Suhakar , Sieunarine Kishore 
Published: September 2005

Background:  Popliteal artery injury is uncommon but poses a significant challenge in Australian trauma care. Blunt trauma and knee dislocations appear to be associated with higher amputation rates. The aim of the present study was to review the authors’ experience with this condition and discuss the best approach to investigation and management.Methods:  The medical records of all patients with popliteal artery injury (n = 19) who were entered prospectively onto the Royal Perth Hospital Trauma Registry from 1995 to 2003 were reviewed. Their demographic data, investigations, primary operative procedures, fasciotomy, primary and secondary amputation rates and mortality were determined.Results:  There were 17 male and two female patients with a median age of 34 years (range 17−62 years). Most patients (84%) were under 40 years in age. Blunt trauma was the commonest cause of popliteal artery injury (68.4%), and 84.6% of the patients had associated skeletal injury. The amputation rate in the present study was 26.3% (5/19). There were no intraoperative or in‐hospital deaths. Three of 13 patients (23%) with blunt trauma underwent amputation, compared to two of six (33.3%) with penetrating injury. Two of three amputee patients in the blunt trauma group had dislocated knees.Conclusion:  Despite technical improvements in management of popliteal artery injury, a high amputation rate is still seen, especially in patients with one or more of the following factors: extensive soft‐issue injury, associated skeletal trauma, knee dislocation, and prolonged ischaemia time. Measures to reduce the amputation rate, ranging from more prompt diagnosis to modified surgical treatment techniques, are discussed.