bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical trials update and cumulative meta‐analyses from the American College of Cardiology: WATCH, SCD‐HeFT, DINAMIT, CASINO, INSPIRE, STRATUS‐US, RIO‐Lipids and cardiac resynchronisation therapy in heart failure
Authors: Cleland John G.F. , Ghosh Justin , Freemantle Nick , Kaye Gerry C. , Nasir Mansoor , Clark Andrew L. , Coletta Alison P. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis article continues a series of reports on recent research developments in the field of heart failure. Key presentations made at the American College of Cardiology meeting, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in March 2004 are reported. These new data have been added to existing data in cumulative meta‐analyses. The WATCH study randomised 1587 patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction to warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel. The study showed no difference between the effects of these agents on mortality or myocardial infarction, but hospitalisations for heart failure were higher on aspirin (22.2%) compared to warfarin (16.1%). The SCD‐HeFT study showed that ICD therapy reduced all‐cause mortality at 5 years by 23% in patients with predominantly NYHA class II heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, but amiodarone was ineffective. The DINAMIT study showed that ICD therapy was not beneficial in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after a recent MI, even in those with risk factors for arrhythmic death. In CASINO, levosimendan improved survival compared with dobutamine or placebo in patients with decompensated heart failure. INSPIRE showed that SPECT imaging can be used to assess risk early after acute MI safely and accurately. Rimonabant was shown to be safe and effective in treating the combined cardiovascular risk factors of smoking and obesity. An overview of new developments in cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in heart failure is also reported.
Manual removal or spontaneous placental delivery and postcesarean endometritis and bleeding
Authors: Dehbashi S , Honarvar M , Fardi F.H 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjectives: To compare the effect of manual removal and spontaneous delivery of placenta on postcesarean bleeding and endometritis. Methods: In this prospective study 400 pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were randomly assigned to two groups: spontaneous placental delivery (200 women) and manual placental delivery (200). No antibiotic prophylaxis was administered in either group. The significance of blood loss due to cesarean delivery was defined by a drop in hemoglobin concentration of more than 1 g/dl 24 h after delivery in comparison with preoperative hemoglobin concentration. Endometritis was diagnosed in patients who developed clinical signs of fever and suprapubic tenderness 48 h after delivery. We analyzed the data using a t‐test. Results: The overall endometritis rate was 27%, in 40 women in the spontaneous placental delivery group (20%) and 68 women in the manual placental removal group (34%). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.001). Significant blood loss was experienced by 52 women (26%) in the spontaneous placental delivery group vs. 100 women (50%) in the manual placental delivery group. There was a statistically significant difference in blood loss between the two groups (P=0.000; RR=1.92). Conclusion: Endometritis and blood loss in cesarean delivery is increased by manual removal of the placenta compared with the spontaneous method of placental removal.
Chronic hypertension and the risk for adverse pregnancy outcome after superimposed pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Vanek M , Sheiner E , Levy A , Mazor M 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjective: To determine the risk factors and pregnancy outcome of patients with chronic hypertension during pregnancy after controlling for superimposed preeclampsia. Method: A comparison of all singleton term (>36 weeks) deliveries occurring between 1988 and 1999, with and without chronic hypertension, was performed. Stratified analyses, using the Mantel–Haenszel technique, and a multiple logistic regression model were performed to control for confounders. Results: Chronic hypertension complicated 1.6% (n=1807) of all deliveries included in the study (n=113 156). Using a multivariable analysis, the following factors were found to be independently associated with chronic hypertension: maternal age >40 years (OR=3.1; 95% CI 2.7–3.6), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.6; 95% CI 3.3–4.1), recurrent abortions (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.3–1.8), infertility treatment (OR=2.9; 95% CI 2.3–3.7), and previous cesarean delivery (CD; OR=1.8 CI 1.6–2.0). After adjustment for superimposed preeclampsia, using the Mantel–Haenszel technique, pregnancies complicated with chronic hypertension had higher rates of CD (OR=2.7; 95% CI 2.4–3.0), intra uterine growth restriction (OR=1.7; 95% CI 1.3–2.2), perinatal mortality (OR=1.6; 95% CI 1.01–2.6) and post‐partum hemorrhage (OR=2.2; 95% CI 1.4–3.7). Conclusion: Chronic hypertension is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, regardless of superimposed preeclampsia.
The course of PTSD symptoms among Gulf War veterans: A growth mixture modeling approach
Authors: Orcutt Holly K. , Erickson Darin J. , Wolfe Jessica 
Published: May 2004

AbstractRelatively little is known about the course of PTSD symptoms over time following trauma exposure. Accordingly, this study utilized a specialized structural equation modeling approach, growth mixture modeling, to examine the trajectory of PTSD symptoms across three time points in a sample of Gulf War veterans (nat Time 1 = 2,949,nat Time 2 = 2,313, andnat Time 3 = 1,327). Results were most consistent with a two‐group model suggesting that the course of PTSD symptoms following the Gulf War was best characterized by two distinct growth curves: (1) low levels of PTSD symptoms with little increase over time and (2) higher levels of initial symptoms with a significant increase over time. Thus, it appears that response to Gulf War experiences is not homogeneous, and that a subset of individuals may experience relatively more PTSD symptoms over time. In addition, men, Whites, those reporting more education, and those reporting less combat exposure had a significantly higher probability of being classified into the less symptomatic group.
Adult sexual assault: Prevalence, symptomatology, and sex differences in the general population
Authors: Elliott Diana M. , Mok Doris S. , Briere John 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe prevalence and impact of adult sexual assault (ASA) were examined in a stratified random sample of the general population. Among 941 participants, ASA was reported by 22% of women and 3.8% of men. Multivariate risk factors for ASA included a younger age, being female, having been divorced, sexual abuse in childhood, and physical assault in adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse was especially common among sexually assaulted men and women (61 and 59%, respectively). ASA victims were more symptomatic than their nonassaulted cohorts on all scales of the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; J. Briere, 1995), despite an average of 14 years having passed since the assault. Assaulted men reported greater symptomatology than assaulted women, whereas nonassaulted men reported less symptomatology than nonassaulted women.
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom checklist: Factor structure and English–Spanish measurement invariance
Authors: Marshall Grant N. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis study used confirmatory factor analysis to compare alternative models of the structure of posttraumatic distress symptoms as measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist—Civilian version (PCL‐C; F. W. Weathers, B. T. Litz, D. S. Herman, J. A. Huska, & T. M. Keane, 1993). Data were derived from English‐ (N = 299) and Spanish‐speaking (N = 120) samples of young adult survivors of community violence recruited following hospitalization for physical injuries. The best fit to the data was a four‐factor model measuring correlated dimensions of reexperiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. English‐ and Spanish‐language versions of the PCL‐C showed general measurement equivalence.
Characteristics and content of intrusive memories in PTSD and their changes with treatment
Authors: Hackmann Ann , Ehlers Anke , Speckens Anne , Clark David M. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAlthough intrusive reexperiencing is a core symptom of postraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), relatively little is known about its phenomenology. The present study assessed the characteristics and content of intrusive trauma memories in 22 patients with PTSD, and followed their changes in the course of cognitive behavioral treatment. Patients had a small number of different intrusive memories (1–4, M = 2.2) that occurred in an invariable, repetitive way. The intrusions were distressing and had a vivid perceptual content. They appeared to the patient to be happening in the “here and now.” With therapy, the frequency, vividness, distress, and nowness of the intrusions faded gradually. There was no exacerbation with imaginal reliving. The content of intrusions was classified by raters to test A. Ehlers et al.'s (2002) hypothesis that intrusive memories are usually of warning stimuli that signalled the moments with the greatest emotional impact. The results were consistent with this hypothesis.
A concise measure of anger in combat‐related posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Forbes David , Hawthorne Graeme , Elliott Peter , McHugh Tony , Biddle Dirk , Creamer Mark , Novaco Raymond W. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThere is a need for a brief specific measure of anger for use in assessment of posttraumatic mental health problems. One unpublished short scale is the Dimensions of Anger Reactions (DAR; R. Novaco, 1975). This study examined the psychometric properties of the DAR using intake and 12‐month data for 192 Australian Vietnam veterans with combat‐related PTSD. Results showed the DAR to be unidimensional, reliable, and sensitive to change over time, and removal of two items improved the scale's properties. The DAR measures anger disposition directed towards others. Assessment of convergent validity indicated that the DAR primarily measures Trait Anger. Results suggest that the DAR is a psychometrically strong measure, potentially useful for the evaluation of anger in PTSD.
Identification of a potent and highly efficacious, yet slowly desensitizing CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonist
Authors: Luk Terry , Jin Wenzhen , Zvonok Alexander , Lu Dai , Lin Xin‐Zhong , Chavkin Charles , Makriyannis Alexandros , Mackie Ken 
Published: June 2004

The relationship of agonist efficacy to the rate of G protein‐coupled receptor signaling desensitization is controversial.
Expressing inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) in Xenopus oocytes, we have devised a signaling assay that clearly identifies CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonists with low intrinsic efficacy.
In this assay, the synthetic CB1 agonists, AM411, AM782, AM1902, AM2233 and WIN55,212‐2 and the endogenous cannabinoid, 2‐arachidonoyl ester, were full agonists.
The synthetic CB1 agonist AM356 (methanandamide), the endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide and 2‐arachidonoyl ether, and the phytocannabinoid, Δ9THC, were partial agonists.
The rate of desensitization of CB1 was independent of agonist efficacy. WIN55,212‐2, AM782, AM1902, AM2233, and 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol ester all desensitized quickly, with desensitization rates varying from 14% min−1 to 10% min−1. AM356, AM411, anandamide, and Δ9THC all desensitized considerably slower, at a rate of 5% min−1.
Despite high potency and efficacy, AM411 desensitized as slowly as anandamide and Δ9THC.
CB1 agonist efficacy and rate of desensitization are not necessarily related.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 495–500. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705792
Piracetam and TRH analogues antagonise inhibition by barbiturates, diazepam, melatonin and galanin of human erythrocyte D‐glucose transport
Authors: Naftalin Richard J , Cunningham Philip , Afzal‐Ahmed Iram 
Published: June 2004

Nootropic drugs increase glucose uptake into anaesthetised brain and into Alzheimer's diseased brain. Thyrotropin‐releasing hormone, TRH, which has a chemical structure similar to nootropics increases cerebellar uptake of glucose in murine rolling ataxia. This paper shows that nootropic drugs like piracetam (2‐oxo 1 pyrrolidine acetamide) and levetiracetam and neuropeptides like TRH antagonise the inhibition of glucose transport by barbiturates, diazepam, melatonin and endogenous neuropeptide galanin in human erythrocytes in vitro.
The potencies of nootropic drugs in opposing scopolamine‐induced memory loss correlate with their potencies in antagonising pentobarbital inhibition of erythrocyte glucose transport in vitro (P<0.01). Less potent nootropics, D‐levetiracetam and D‐pyroglutamate, have higher antagonist Ki's against pentobarbital inhibition of glucose transport than more potent L‐stereoisomers (P<0.001).
Piracetam and TRH have no direct effects on net glucose transport, but competitively antagonise hypnotic drug inhibition of glucose transport. Other nootropics, like aniracetam and levetiracetam, while antagonising pentobarbital action, also inhibit glucose transport. Analeptics like bemigride and methamphetamine are more potent inhibitors of glucose transport than antagonists of hypnotic action on glucose transport.
There are similarities between amino‐acid sequences in human glucose transport protein isoform 1 (GLUT1) and the benzodiazepine‐binding domains of GABAA (gamma amino butyric acid) receptor subunits. Mapped on a 3D template of GLUT1, these homologies suggest that the site of diazepam and piracetam interaction is a pocket outside the central hydrophilic pore region.
Nootropic pyrrolidone antagonism of hypnotic drug inhibition of glucose transport in vitro may be an analogue of TRH antagonism of galanin‐induced narcosis.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 594–608. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705798
Experimental hypothyroidism modifies specific binding of A1 and A2A analogues to adenosine receptors in the rat kidney
Authors: Franco Martha , Galicia Othir , Quintana Alicia , Martínez Flavio 
Published: June 2004

Binding kinetic studies with the adenosine analogues [3H]CPA (0.250–50 nM) and [3H]CGS21680 (0.1–100 nM) were performed in renal tissue from control (NL) and thyroidectomised (HTX) rats. We propose that the low renal adenosine content reported in hypothyroid rats may induce changes in the density and/or affinity of adenosine receptor, distributed in the cortex (C), outer medulla (OM), and inner medulla (IM) of the kidney.
[3H]CPA and [3H]CGS21680 binding saturation isotherms were fitted by nonlinear regression analysis and evaluated by Furchgott's method. These results revealed high (KH) and low (KL) affinity (KD) sites for both compounds. As expected, a heterogeneous pattern was observed for Bmax and KD values.
Bound [3H]CPA and [3H]CGS21680 were displaced by increasing concentrations of nonlabelled DPCPX and NECA, respectively, indicating the presence of A1 and A2A adenosine receptors distributed in the renal segments studied.
The relative intrinsic efficacy (ɛ) for [3H]CPA and [3H]CGS21680 showed extreme values (far from 1.0), 0.5 in IM NL and 2.70 in IM HTX for [3H]CGS21680.
Our results indicate that A2A adenosine receptor is predominant in IM from HTX, but A1 receptors are expressed preferentially in C in NL.
We conclude that the changes observed in number, affinity, and ɛ for the A2A receptor in IM from HTX might be responsible from alterations in medullary function, that is, incapacity for urine concentration as observed in the hypothyroid kidney.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 461–468. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705799
The leaf extract of Ginkgo Biloba L. suppresses oxidized LDL‐stimulated fibronectin production through an antioxidant action in rat mesangial cells
Authors: Akiba Satoshi , Chiba Masahiro , Mukaida Yuki , Tamura Akira , Sato Takashi 
Published: June 2004

The leaf extract of Ginkgo Biloba L. exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects through an antioxidant action. We examined the effects of the leaf extract (Ginkgolon‐24) on the production of fibronectin induced by oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in rat mesangial cells.
Stimulation with oxLDL accelerated the production of fibronectin with the preceding generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pretreatment with Ginkgolon‐24 inhibited the oxLDL‐induced fibronectin production as well as ROS generation.
oxLDL also elicited the activation of SP‐1, nuclear factor‐κB, and cAMP response element‐binding protein, which are transcription factors involved in the fibronectin production. Among these activated transcription factors, Ginkgolon‐24 inhibited the activation of SP‐1 only.
Furthermore, 7‐ketocholesterol, an oxidized lipid in oxLDL particles, induced the production of fibronectin and the activation of SP‐1, which were also suppressed by Ginkgolon‐24.
These results suggest that the leaf extract of Ginkgo Biloba L. inhibits the oxLDL‐induced production of fibronectin probably through inhibitory effects on ROS generation and SP‐1 activation in rat mesangial cells.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 419–424. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705805
Identification of the active metabolite of ticlopidine from rat in vitro metabolites
Authors: Yoneda Kenji , Iwamura Ryou , Kishi Hiroko , Mizukami Yoichi , Mogami Kimiko , Kobayashi Sei 
Published: June 2004

Ticlopidine is a well‐known anti‐platelet agent, but is not active by itself in vitro. We identified a metabolite with anti‐platelet activity, which was generated after incubation of 2‐oxo‐ticlopidine with phenobarbital‐induced rat liver homogenate in vitro.
An active moiety (UR‐4501) was isolated by high‐performance liquid chromatography after large‐scale preparation of metabolites.
The chemical structure of UR‐4501 was determined by a combination of liquid chromatography mass/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis.
UR‐4501 produced a concentration‐dependent inhibition (3–100 μM) of ADP (10 μM)‐induced human platelet aggregation, whereas 2‐oxo‐ticlopidine (3–100 μM) did not elicit inhibitory responses.
UR‐4501 (10–100 μM) strongly inhibited ADP‐ and collagen‐induced aggregation and slightly inhibited thrombin‐induced aggregation.
The inhibition of rat washed platelet aggregation by UR‐4501 (100 μM) persisted, even after the platelets had been washed twice.
These results suggest that UR‐4501 is the molecule responsible for the in vivo activities of ticlopidine.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 551–557. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705808
3′,4′‐Dihydroxyflavonol reduces infarct size and injury associated with myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion in sheep
Authors: Wang Sheng , Dusting Gregory J , May Clive N , Woodman Owen L 
Published: June 2004

The antioxidant properties of flavonols in vivo and their potential benefits in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have been little investigated. We evaluated the ability of a synthetic flavonol, 3′,4′‐dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) to scavenge superoxide in post‐I/R myocardium and to prevent myocardial I/R injury.
Anaesthetized sheep were studied in four groups (n=5–6): control, ischaemic preconditioning (IPC), vehicle and DiOHF (before reperfusion, 5 mg kg−1, i.v.). The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded distal to the second diagonal branch for 1 h followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Infarct size, myocardial function, NADPH‐activated superoxide generation and biochemical markers of injury were measured.
DiOHF (10−8–10−4 M) incubated in vitro with post‐I/R myocardium from the vehicle group suppressed superoxide production dose‐dependently. DiOHF administered in vivo also significantly reduced superoxide generation in vitro.
DiOHF and IPC markedly reduced infarct size, which was 73±2% of the area at risk in vehicle, 50±4% in DiOHF, 75±5% in control and 44±4% in IPC. Post‐I/R segment shortening within the ischaemic zone was greater in DiOHF (2.3±0.7%; P<0.01) and IPC (1.7±0.5%; P<0.01) than those in corresponding controls (−1.7±0.4; −2.1±0.4%).
DiOHF and IPC improved coronary blood flow to the ischaemic area and preserved higher levels of nitric oxide metabolites in the venous outflow from the ischaemic zone.
DiOHF attenuated superoxide production in post‐I/R myocardium, and significantly reduced infarct size and injury following I/R in anaesthetized sheep. The extent of protection by DiOHF is comparable to that afforded by IPC. Thus, DiOHF has clinical potential for improving recovery from acute myocardial infarction and other ischaemic syndromes.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 443–452. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705815
Long‐Term Outcome of Patients Who Received Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators for Stable Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: GLIKSON MICHAEL , LIPCHENCA IGOR , VISKIN SAMI , BALLMAN KARLA V. , TRUSTY JANE M. , GUREVITZ OSNAT T. , LURIA DAVID M. , ELDAR MICHAEL , HAMMILL STEPHEN C. , FRIEDMAN PAUL A. 
Published: May 2004

Introduction: Evidence is inconclusive concerning the role of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to treat patients with hemodynamically stable ventricular tachycardia (VT). The goal of this study was to estimate future risk of unstable ventricular arrhythmias in patients who received ICDs for stable VT. Methods and Results: We reviewed complete ICD follow‐up data from 82 patients (age 66.1 ± 11.3 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 32.3%± 11.2%; mean ± SD) who received ICDs for stable VT. During the follow‐up period of 23.6 ± 21.5 months (mean ± SD), 15 patients (18%) died, and 10 (12%) developed unstable ventricular arrhythmia, 8 of whom had the unstable arrhythmia as the first arrhythmia after ICD placement. Estimated 2‐ and 4‐year survival in the whole group was 80% and 74%, respectively. Estimated 2‐ and 4‐year probability of any VT and unstable VT was 67% and 77% and 11% and 25%, respectively. There were no differences in age, ejection fraction, sex, underlying heart disease, cycle length, symptoms, baseline electrophysiologic study results, or QRS characteristics of qualifying VT between patients who developed unstable ventricular arrhythmia and patients who did not. Twenty‐nine patients (35%) had at least one inappropriate shock, and 11 (13%) underwent further surgery for ICD‐related complications. Conclusion: Patients who present with hemodynamically stable VT are at risk for subsequent unstable VT. ICD treatment offers potential salvage of patients with stable VT who subsequently develop unstable VT/ventricular fibrillation, although complications and inappropriate shocks are considerable. No predictors could be found for high and low risk for unstable arrhythmias. These findings support ICD treatment for stable VT survivors. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 658‐664, June 2004)