bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plants with Hypotensive, Antiatheromatous and Coronarodilatating Action
Authors: Petkov V. 
Published: November 2004

However great the success in the therapy of hypertension, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease has been gained today by recent efficient drugs, the definite healing of patients is not yet attained. The late discovery of reserpine, such an efficient drug of plant origin against hypertension, convinced so far reluctant scientists to consider the chemical compounds of the plant world. With respect to this traditional medical knowledge, it seems to define more accurately the specificity of these healings-sometimes recommended unspecifically for a whole branch of medicine. This experimental verification should not use inconsiderably the present-day classification of diseases; there should be an awareness that conventional experimental methods in pharmacology are often unsuitable for revealing the real biological activity of one or another medicinal plant. The interest in the mellennial empirical field of health care is acknowledged by the World Health Organization which promotes research and development of traditional medicine, along with investigations into its psychosocial and ethnographic aspects. These studies cover a number of plants growing in Bulgaria that have a healing effect in hypertension, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease according to the data of traditional medicine. Using screening methods, extracts and chemically pure substances were investigated; extraction was done with solvents such as water, ether, chloroform, dichloretan, ethanol, methanol, and acetone. Most of the experiments were carried out on anesthetized cats, rabbits and dogs. The substances tested were applied mainly intravenously, and in some experiments orally. Chronic experiments were also carried out on wakeful dogs with induced hypertension, on animals fed on an atherogenic diet, and on animals with induced arrhythmia and coronary spasm. Data are presented of clinical examination of some plants of active substances isolated from them. Major results of these studies are presented for the following plants: Garlic; Geranium; Hellebore; Mistletoe; Olive; Valerian; Hawthorn; Peucedanum arenarium; Periwinkle; Fumitory. For another 50 plants growing in Bulgaria and in other countries the author presents his and other investigators' experimental and clinical data about hypertensive, antiatheromatous and coronarodilatating action.
The Effects of Ba-wei-wan (Hachimijiogan) on Plasma Levels of High Density Lipoprotien-cholesterol and Lipoperoxide in Aged Individuals
Authors: Yoshida H. , Kusukawa R. , Watanabe N. , Ohtsuki G. , Sakamoto T. , Haranaka R. 
Published: November 2004

Ba-wei-wan was administered for 7 months to 24 aged, non-hospitalized subjects. Laboratory examinations showed an improvement in serum or plasma levels of total lipid, LPO and HDL-C. Other blood examinations were shown to be unaffected by the treatment. To reconfirm the effects of Ba-wei-wan on lipid metabolism, the three step adiminstration of the drug was employed. The elevation of HDL-C levels and the decrease of LPO levels were obtained by this treatment. The discontinuation of this drug induced the converse effect on the plasma levels; decreased HDL-C and increased LPO. It could be concluded from these results that Ba-wei-wan administration improved the lipid metabolism in the aged subjects.
Effects of Moxibusting Point Kuan-Yuan on Cardiovascular and Renal Responses to Histamine-Induced Shock
Authors: Chen Ho-Chan , Brattberg Gunilla 
Published: November 2004

Moxibustion of the Point Kuan-Yuan is said by some Chinese herb doctors to have "anti-shock" effect. Using histamine-induced shock in anesthetized dogs, we studied the cardiovascular and renal effects of moxibusting Point Kuan-Yuan. We found that it significantly increased cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and mean blood pressure but it did not significantly increase heart rate. Moxibustion also significantly increased renal plasma flow, golmerular filtration rate, urine flow, and Na+ Cl–K+ excretions. Whether moxibusting Kuan-Yuan may be useful as an adjunct in treating clinical shocks deserves more extensive studies in well-controlled situations. It may be helpful in clinical situations in which elevation of the sympathetic activity may be beneficial.
Representation of Number in Animals and Humans: A Neural Model
Authors: Verguts Tom , Fias Wim 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
This article addresses the representation of numerical information conveyed by nonsymbolic and symbolic stimuli. In a first simulation study, we show how number-selective neurons develop when an initially uncommitted neural network is given nonsymbolic stimuli as input (e.g., collections of dots) under unsupervised learning. The resultant network is able to account for the distance and size effects, two ubiquitous effects in numerical cognition. Furthermore, the properties of the network units conform in detail to the characteristics of recently discovered number-selective neurons. In a second study, we simulate symbol learning by presenting symbolic and nonsymbolic input simultaneously. The same number-selective neurons learn to represent the numerical meaning of symbols. In doing so, they show properties reminiscent of the originally available number-selective neurons, but at the same time, the representational efficiency of the neurons is increased when presented with symbolic input. This finding presents a concrete proposal on the linkage between higher order numerical cognition and more primitive numerical abilities and generates specific predictions on the neural substrate of number processing.
Neural Bases of Cognitive ERPs: More than Phase Reset
Authors: Fell Juergen , Dietl Thomas , Grunwald Thomas , Kurthen Martin , Klaver Peter , Trautner Peter , Schaller Carlo , Elger Christian E. , Fernández Guillén 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Up to now, two conflicting theories have tried to explain the genesis of averaged event-related potentials (ERPs): Whereas one hypothesis claims that ERPs originate from an event-related activation of neural assemblies distinct from background dynamics, the other hypothesis states that ERPs are produced by phase resetting of ongoing oscillatory activity. So far, this question has only been addressed for early ERP components. Late ERP components, however, are generally thought to represent superimposed activities of several anatomically distinct brain areas. Thus, the question of which mechanism underlies the genesis of late ERP components cannot be easily answered based on scalp recordings. In contrast, two well-investigated late ERP components recorded invasively from within the human medial temporal lobe (MTL) in epilepsy patients, the so-called MTL-P300 and the anterior MTL-N400 (AMTL-N400), are based on single source activity. Hence, we investigated whether the MTL-P300 and the AMTL-N400 are based on an event-related activity increase, a phase reset of ongoing oscillatory activity or both. ERPs were recorded from the hippocampus and rhinal cortex in subjects performing a visual oddball paradigm and a visual word recognition paradigm. With wavelet techniques, stimulus-related phase-locking and power changes were analyzed in a frequency range covering 2 to 48 Hz. We found that the MTLP300 is accompanied by both phase reset and power increase and that both effects overlap partly in time. In contrast, the AMTL-N400 is initially associated with phase locking without power increase and only later during the course of the AMTL-N400 we observed an additional power increase. In conclusion, both aspects, event-related activation of neural assemblies and phase resetting of ongoing activity seem to be involved in the generation of late ERP components as recorded in cognitive tasks. Therefore, separate analysis of event-related power and phase-locking changes might reveal specific insights into the mechanisms underlying different cognitive functions.
Default-Mode Activity during a Passive Sensory Task: Uncoupled from Deactivation but Impacting Activation
Authors: Greicius Michael D. , Menon Vinod 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Deactivation refers to increased neural activity during low-demand tasks or rest compared with high-demand tasks. Several groups have reported that a particular set of brain regions, including the posterior cingulate cortex and the medial prefrontal cortex, among others, is consistently deactivated. Taken together, these typically deactivated brain regions appear to constitute a default-mode network of brain activity that predominates in the absence of a demanding external task. Examining a passive, block-design sensory task with a standard deactivation analysis (rest epochs vs. stimulus epochs), we demonstrate that the default-mode network is undetectable in one run and only partially detectable in a second run. Using independent component analysis, however, we were able to detect the full default-mode network in both runs and to demonstrate that, in the majority of subjects, it persisted across both rest and stimulus epochs, uncoupled from the task waveform, and so mostly undetectable as deactivation. We also replicate an earlier finding that the default-mode network includes the hippocampus suggesting that episodic memory is incorporated in default-mode cognitive processing. Furthermore, we show that the more a subject's default-mode activity was correlated with the rest epochs (and “deactivated” during stimulus epochs), the greater that subject's activation to the visual and auditory stimuli. We conclude that activity in the default-mode network may persist through both experimental and rest epochs if the experiment is not sufficiently challenging. Time-series analysis of default-mode activity provides a measure of the degree to which a task engages a subject and whether it is sufficient to interrupt the processes—presumably cognitive, internally generated, and involving episodic memory—mediated by the default-mode network.
Reference Frames for Spatial Cognition: Different Brain Areas are Involved in Viewer-, Object-, and Landmark-Centered Judgments About Object Location
Authors: Committeri Giorgia , Galati Gaspare , Paradis Anne-Lise , Pizzamiglio Luigi , Berthoz Alain , LeBihan Denis 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare the neural correlates of three different types of spatial coding, which are implicated in crucial cognitive functions of our everyday life, such as visuomotor coordination and orientation in topographical space. By manipulating the requested spatial reference during a task of relative distance estimation, we directly compared viewer-centered, object-centered, and landmark-centered spatial coding of the same realistic 3-D information. Common activation was found in bilateral parietal, occipital, and right frontal premotor regions.
The retrosplenial and ventromedial occipital–temporal cortex (and parts of the parietal and occipital cortex) were significantly more activated during the landmark-centered condition. The ventrolateral occipital–temporal cortex was particularly involved in object-centered coding. Results strongly demonstrate that viewer-centered (egocentric) coding is restricted to the dorsal stream and connected frontal regions, whereas a coding centered on external references requires both dorsal and ventral regions, depending on the reference being a movable object or a landmark.
Aristotle on the Firmness of the Principle of Non-Contradiction
Authors: Wedin Michael 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn Metaphysics Gamma 3 Aristotle declares that the philosopher investigates things that are qua things that are and that he therefore should be able to state the firmest principles of everything. The firmest principle of all is identified as the principle of non-contradiction (PNC). The main focus of Gamma 3 is Aristotle's proof for this identification. This paper begins with remarks about Aristotle's notion of the firmness of a principle and then offers an analysis of the firmness proof for PNC. It focuses on some key assumptions of the proof and on the range and force of the proof. Aristotle closes Gamma 3 with the claim that PNC is ultimate in the sense that all other principles somehow rest on it. This, rather controversial, claim is given a defensible reading and shown to be central to the chapter's effort to establish PNC as the firmest principle of all. As such it completes the firmness proof and is not simply an appended remark.
A Chiastic Contradiction at Euthyphro 9e1-11b5
Authors:   Kim
Published: November 2004

AbstractOne of Euthyphro's proposed de finitions of to hosion says: '[T]he pious is what all the gods love . . .'. Scholarly analyses of Socrates' refutation of this de finition have focused on its validity or even its 'truth'. By contrast, this paper restricts itself to the refutation's logical structure, particularly the way Socrates juxtaposes the agreed-upon premises to derive a double or 'chiastic' contradiction. In this article, I lay out the details of Socrates' ingenious logical construction, without regard to its validity or fallaciousness, and argue that the chiastic contradiction alone makes possible Socrates' refutation of Euthyphro's claim to expertise in the realm of to hosion.
Ecological associations between asthma prevalence and potential exposure to farming
Authors: Elliott L. , Yeatts K. , Loomis D. 
Published: November 2004

Farming and exposure to livestock have been proposed as protective against the development of asthma in children. An ecological study was conducted to examine the support for these relationships in the USA.County-specific aggregate measures were used to examine the relationship between the prevalence of asthma and wheeze in 7th and 8th grade school children (aged 12–14 yrs) and selected measures of potential exposure to farming in the state of North Carolina. Binomial regression models were fitted to quantify these relationships, with adjustments for parental smoking, socioeconomic status, sex and race. Regression coefficients were reported for an increment of one interquartile range (IQR) in each indicator of exposure.The prevalence of asthma showed decreasing trends for most indicators of farm exposure. Regression results suggested that the largest decreases in asthma prevalence were associated with the number of farms (−5.0% per IQR increment), acreage of hay (−7.2% per IQR increment) and beef cattle (−7.8% per IQR increment). The pattern of results was similar for wheezing.In conclusion, the findings of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that certain farm exposures are protective against childhood asthma. Further research with individual-level data is needed to identify the specific protective exposures.
Combination therapy with bosentan and sildenafil in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Hoeper M.M. , Faulenbach C. , Golpon H. , Winkler J. , Welte T. , Niedermeyer J. 
Published: November 2004

It has been proposed that targeted treatments should be combined for patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) responding insufficiently to monotherapy.This study followed the clinical course of nine patients with severe IPAH, in whom the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan caused transient clinical improvement, eventually followed by a decline in exercise tolerance, who received adjunct treatment with the phospodiesterase-5-inhibitor sildenafil. Measurements included the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).The 6MWD at baseline was 346±66 m and improved to 403±80 m 3 months after introduction of bosentan treatment. However, this effect was not sustained and, after an interval of 11±5 months, the walk distance had declined to 277±80 m. At this point, sildenafil was added to bosentan. Three months later, the 6MWD had increased to 392±61 m and the patients remained stable throughout the median follow-up of 9 months (range 6–12). Measurement of the maximum oxygen uptake during CPET confirmed these results. The combination of bosentan and sildenafil was well tolerated by all patients.These preliminary data suggest that combining bosentan and sildenafil may be safe and effective in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The immune response to resistive breathing
Authors: Vassilakopoulos T. , Roussos C. , Zakynthinos S. 
Published: November 2004

Resistive breathing is an “immune challenge” for the body, initiating an inflammatory response consisting of an elevation of plasma cytokines, and the recruitment and activation of lymphocyte subpopulations. These cytokines do not originate from monocytes, but are, instead, produced within the diaphragm, secondary to the increased muscle activation.Oxidative stress is a major stimulus for the cytokine induction, secondary to resistive breathing. The production of cytokines within the diaphragm may be mediating the diaphragm muscle fibre injury that occurs with strenuous contractions, or contributing towards the expected repair process. These cytokines may also compromise diaphragmatic contractility or contribute towards the development of muscle cachexia. They may also have systemic effects, mobilising glucose from the liver and free fatty acid from the adipose tissue to the strenuously working respiratory muscles. At the same time, they stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to production of adrenocorticotropin and β-endorphins.The adrenocorticotropin response may represent an attempt of the organism to reduce the injury occurring in the respiratory musclesviathe production of glucocorticoids and the induction of the acute phase-response proteins. The β-endorphin response would decrease the activation of the respiratory muscles and change the pattern of breathing, which becomes more rapid and shallow, possibly in an attempt to reduce and/or prevent further injury to the respiratory muscles.
Assessments for oxygen therapy in COPD: are we under correcting arterial oxygen tensions?
Authors: Dheda K. , Lim K. , Ollivere B. , Leftley J. , Lampe F.C. , Salisbury A. , Dilworth J.P. , Rajakulasingum R.K. 
Published: November 2004

There is little data about the use of different oxygen sources during assessment for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and how this impacts upon blood oxygen tensions and prescribed flow rates.Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), n=30, had assessments for LTOT using both an oxygen-concentrator and piped hospital oxygen (wall-oxygen) as supply sources. In addition, a random survey of 64 hospitals was conducted to determine what source of oxygen supply was used during assessments.Wall-oxygen was used by 89% of hospitals to perform assessments. During assessments, the median oxygen flow required to achieve an arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2) >8 kPa was significantly greater for an oxygen-concentrator than for wall-oxygen, with a median difference (range) in flow of 1 (0–3) L. This difference was most likely in those with an forced expiratory volume <30% of predicted. At an oxygen flow of 1 L·min−1, the meanPa,O2using an oxygen-concentrator was significantly lower than that of the wall-oxygen value, with a difference of 1.32±1.19 kPa (mean±sd).The common practice of using wall-oxygen to perform assessments significantly underestimates the required oxygen-concentrator flow rate. This may have implications for the long-term effect of domiciliary oxygen therapy.
Night-to-night variation of the oxygen desaturation index in sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Fietze I. , Dingli K. , Diefenbach K. , Douglas N.J. , Glos M. , Tallafuss M. , Terhalle W. , Witt C. 
Published: November 2004

The current study investigated the night-to-night variability and diagnostic accuracy of the oxygen desaturation index (ODI), as measured by ambulatory monitoring, in the diagnosis of mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome.To assess the variability of the ODI, 35 patients were monitored at home during 7 consecutive nights by means of a portable recording device, the MESAM-IV®. The ODI variability factor and the influence of age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol, and body position were assessed. Furthermore, the diagnostic accuracy of the MESAM-IV was measured by comparison with polysomnographical outcomes in 18 patients.During home recording, the median ODI was 10.9 (interquartile range: 5.8–16.1) across the patients. Although the reliability of the ODI was adequate, the probability of placing the patient in the wrong severity category (ODI ≤15 or ODI >15) when only one single recording was taken is 14.4%. ODI variability was not significantly influenced by age, BMI, time spent in a supine position, or mild dosages of alcohol. A good correlation was found between the apnoea–hypopnoea index and the ODI.In conclusion, the findings suggest that the diagnostic accuracy of the MESAM-IV is strong, since the oxygen desaturation index is correlated with the apnoea–hypopnoea index. In most obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome patients, oxygen desaturation index variability is rather small, and screening could be reliably based on single 1-night recordings.
Predictive value of BAL cell differentials in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Welker L. , Jörres R.A. , Costabel U. , Magnussen H. 
Published: November 2004

The current authors aimed to quantify how the likelihood for a given diagnosis changes with the knowledge of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell differentials.As an initial estimate (a prioriprobability), frequencies of final diagnoses were taken. Using categorisations for cell differentials,a posterioriprobabilities were then derived for each disease, according to Bayes. The analysis was performed in three of five groups of diagnoses suspected prior to BAL: interstitial lung disease (ILD; n=710), inflammatory disease (n=583), or lung tumour mimicking ILD (n=455).Overall, out of 1,971 patients, 18.3% had sarcoidosis, 7.7% usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), 4.4% extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA), and 19.0% tumours. In the group with suspected ILD, the likelihood for sarcoidosis increased from 33.7 to 68.1% when lymphocyte numbers were 30–50% and granulocyte numbers were low; the likelihood for UIP increased from 15.8 to 33.3% when lymphocyte numbers were <30% with granulocytes elevated. CD4/CD8 was informative, especially in sarcoidosis and EAA. Despite considerable increases, the likelihood of rare diseases rarely reached appreciable values. Similar results were obtained in the other two groups of suspected diagnoses.In conclusion, these data suggest that bronchoalveolar lavage cell countsper seprovide substantial diagnostic information only in relatively frequent diseases, such as sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonia, and are less helpful in infrequent diseases.