bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of anemia in persons 65 years and older in the United States: evidence for a high rate of unexplained anemia
Authors: Guralnik Jack M. , Eisenstaedt Richard S. , Ferrucci Luigi , Klein Harvey G. , Woodman Richard C. 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Clinicians frequently identify anemia in their older patients, but national data on the prevalence and causes of anemia in this population in the United States have been unavailable. Data presented here are from the noninstitutionalized US population assessed in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). Anemia was defined by World Health Organization criteria; causes of anemia included iron, folate, and B12 deficiencies, renal insufficiency, anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI), formerly termed anemia of chronic disease, and unexplained anemia (UA). ACI by definition required normal iron stores with low circulating iron (less than 60 μg/dL). After age 50 years, anemia prevalence rates rose rapidly, to a rate greater than 20% at age 85 and older. Overall, 11.0% of men and 10.2% of women 65 years and older were anemic. Of older persons with anemia, evidence of nutrient deficiency was present in one third, ACI or chronic renal disease or both was present in one third, and UA was present in one third. Most occurrences of anemia were mild; 2.8% of women and 1.6% of men had hemoglobin levels lower than 110 g/L (11 g/dL). Therefore, anemia is common, albeit not severe, in the older population, and a substantial proportion of anemia is of indeterminate cause. The impact of anemia on quality of life, recovery from illness, and functional abilities must be further investigated in older persons.
Hospitalized cancer patients with severe sepsis: analysis of incidence, mortality, and associated costs of care
Authors: Williams Mark D , Braun Lee Ann , Cooper Liesl M , Johnston Joseph , Weiss Richard V , Qualy Rebecca L , Linde-Zwirble Walter 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Introduction
Infection is an important complication in cancer patients, which frequently leads to or prolongs hospitalization, and can also lead to acute organ dysfunction (severe sepsis) and eventually death. While cancer patients are known to be at higher risk for infection and subsequent complications, there is no national estimate of the magnitude of this problem. Our objective was to identify cancer patients with severe sepsis and to project these numbers to national levels.

Methods
Data for all 1999 hospitalizations from six states (Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Washington) were merged with US Census data, Centers for Disease Control vital statistics and National Cancer Institute, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results initiative cancer prevalence data. Malignant neoplasms were identified by International Classification of Disease (ninth revision, clinical modification) (ICD-9-CM) codes (140–208), and infection and acute organ failure were identified from ICD-9-CM codes following Angus and colleagues. Cases were identified as a function of age and were projected to national levels.

Results
There were 606,176 cancer hospitalizations identified, with severe sepsis present in 29,795 (4.9%). Projecting national estimates for the US population, cancer patients account for 126,209 severe sepsis cases annually, or 16.4 cases per 1000 people with cancer per year. The inhospital mortality for cancer patients with severe sepsis was 37.8%. Compared with the overall population, cancer patients are much more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 2.77–2.78) and to be hospitalized with severe sepsis (relative risk, 3.96; 95% confidence interval, 3.94–3.99). Overall, severe sepsis is associated with 8.5% (46,729) of all cancer deaths at a cost of $3.4 billion per year.

Conclusion
Severe sepsis is a common, deadly, and costly complication in cancer patients.
Comparison of two percutaneous tracheostomy techniques, guide wire dilating forceps and Ciaglia Blue Rhino: a sequential cohort study
Authors: Fikkers Bernard G , Staatsen Marieke , Lardenoije Sabine GGF , van den Hoogen Frank JA , van der Hoeven Johannes G 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Introduction
To evaluate and compare the peri-operative and postoperative complications of the two most frequently used percutaneous tracheostomy techniques, namely guide wire dilating forceps (GWDF) and Ciaglia Blue Rhino (CBR).

Methods
A sequential cohort study with comparison of short-term and long-term peri-operative and postoperative complications was performed in the intensive care unit of the University Medical Centre in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In the period 1997–2000, 171 patients underwent a tracheostomy with the GWDF technique and, in the period 2000–2003, a further 171 patients with the CBR technique. All complications were prospectively registered on a standard form.

Results
There was no significant difference in major complications, either peri-operative or postoperative. We found a significant difference in minor peri-operative complications (P < 0.01) and minor late complications (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
Despite a difference in minor complications between GWDF and CBR, both techniques seem equally reliable.
Contrasts in Infant Classical Eyeblink Conditioning as a Function of Premature Birth
Authors: Herbert Jane S. , Eckerman Carol O. , Goldstein Ricki F. , Stanton Mark E. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe impact of premature birth on associative learning was evaluated using simple delay eyeblink conditioning in which a tone conditional stimulus was paired with an air puff unconditional stimulus. Fourteen preterm (28–31 weeks gestation) and 11 full‐term infants completed at least 3 conditioning sessions, 1 week apart, at 5 months of age (corrected age). Preterm and full‐term groups demonstrated associative learning, as confirmed by comparison with an unpaired control group. Preterm infants, however, exhibited more variability in their learning rates. The majority of full‐term infants and half the preterm infants exhibited rapid acquisition and gradual extinction of conditional responding. A greater proportion of preterm than full‐term infants failed to acquire conditional responding within 2 training sessions. Differences in associative learning rates were not the result of differences in arousal or attentional processes. Diversity in acquisition rates exposed an increased risk for disrupted infant learning due to premature birth.
Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor, attenuates airway smooth muscle contraction in the rat trachea
Authors: Yoshimura Maki , Shibata Osamu , Saito Masataka , Yamaguchi Masakazu , Nishioka Kenji , Makita Tetsuji , Sumikawa Koji 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Selegiline is widely used for Parkinson's disease and sometimes for Alzheimer's disease. It is reported to affect intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Since intracellular Ca2+ is partly regulated by phosphatidylinositol (PI) response and is important for smooth muscle contraction, selegiline may affect airway smooth muscle tension. We examined the effects of selegiline on acetylcholine (ACh)- and KCl-induced contractile and PI responses in rat trachea. The trachea was cut into 3-mm-wide ring segments or 1-mm-wide slices. ACh (3 μM, 50% effective dose) or KCl (40mM) was added, and ring relaxation was induced by the addition of selegiline. Tracheal slices were incubated with [3H]myo-inositol and 3 μM ACh in the presence of selegiline, and [3H]inositol monophosphate (IP1) was measured. Selegiline dose-dependently attenuated ACh- and KCl-induced tracheal ring contractions. Fifty-percent inhibitory doses (ID50) of selegiline against ACh- and KCl-induced contraction were 120±30 μM and 80±20 μM, respectively. Basal and ACh-induced IP1 accumulation were 2.20±0.20 Bq and 7.88±0.23 Bq, respectively, and selegiline at a dose of 1000 μM attenuated ACh-induced IP1 accumulation (5.44±0.30 Bq). These results suggest that selegiline inhibits contractile responses through the inhibition of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and the PI response.
Transport of deslorelin, an LHRH agonist, is vectorial and exhibits regional variation in excised bovine nasal tissue
Authors: Koushik Kavitha N , Kompella Uday B 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
The nasal route is a non-invasive alternative route for the delivery of a number of macromolecules, including peptides, proteins and vaccines. The purpose of this study was to determine the regional variation in excised bovine nasal tissue permeability to deslorelin, a nonapeptide luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, and to further elucidate its mechanisms of transport. To this end, this study determined the permeability of deslorelin across different regions of freshly excised bovine nasal mucosa, including the medium turbinate anterior (MTA), medium turbinate posterior (MTP) and the inferior turbinate posterior (ITP) regions. At 37°C, mucoal-to-serosal (m-s) transport of deslorelin across excised bovine nasal mucosa exhibited regional variation, with the % cumulative transport in 6 h being in the order: MTA (0.2 ± 0.06%) &lt; MTP (1.6 ± 0.1%) &lt; ITP (2.85 ± 0.3%). In addition, at 37°C, deslorelin transport across all these nasal regions was vectorial and the mucosal-to-serosal:serosal-to-mucosal (m-s:s-m) transport ratios across MTA, MTP and ITP regions were 1.5, 5.4 and 3.7, respectively. At low temperature (4°C) and at 37°C in the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol, an energy depletor, the m-s deslorelin transport across the MTP region decreased to 0.32 ± 0.12 and 0.13 ± 0.05%, respectively, and the directionality was abolished. Sodium fluorescein transport also exhibited regional variation but no directionality. Histology and scanning electron microscopy studies indicated non-ciliated columnar epithelium in the MTA region and ciliated respiratory epithelium in the MTP and ITP regions. The thickness of the various regions, as visualized using histology, was in the order: MTA &gt; MTP &gt; ITP. Thus, deslorelin transport across excised bovine nasal mucosa is vectorial, temperature- and energy-dependent and exhibits regional variation. The regional differences in s-m transport are likely due to differences in the passive transport. Differences in m-s:s-m flux ratios may be due to differential expression of carriers.
Effects of the phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor rolipram on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice
Authors: Yamaki Kouya , Li Xiaojuan , Uchida Hiroyuki , Alam A H M Khurshid , Hossain Md Aslam , Yanagisawa Rie , Takano Hirohisa , Taneda Shinji , Hayashi Hideyuki , Mori Yoki , Yoshino Shin 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor rolipram on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice. Mice were immunized subcutaneously at the base of the tail with ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (day 0) and were treated daily with oral administration of various doses of rolipram from days 0 to 20. On day 21, production of anti-OVA IgG and proliferative responses to the antigen were determined. Anti-OVA IgG2a and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicators of Th1 responses, and anti-OVA IgG1 and interleukin-10 (IL-10), as indicators of Th2 responses, were also measured. The results showed that treatment with rolipram failed to affect the production of OVA-specific IgG but decreased the proliferation of spleen cells to the antigen. Its inhibitory effect on these immune responses was correlated with a marked decrease in IFN-γ but not IL-10 production, although neither anti-OVA IgG2a nor IgG1 production was affected by rolipram. These results suggest that rolipram may preferentially inhibit Th1 responses more effectively than Th2 responses. Administration of rolipram resulted in suppression of antigen (OVA)-induced arthritis in mice. The suppression of joint inflammation by rolipram was associated with the inhibition of the OVA-specific proliferative responses of spleen cells and IFN-γ secretion. These results indicate that rolipram may be effective in regulating Th1-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Inhibitory effect of pyridyloxy- or phenoxylphenoxyalkanate derivatives on rat lens aldose reductase and rat platelet aggregation
Authors: Lim Soon Sung , Shin Kuk Hyun , Jung Sang Hoon , Shin Kye Jung , Kim Dong Chan , Park Sang Woo , Shin Hyun Kyung , Keum Sam Rok 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
The therapeutic potential of aldose reductase inhibitors for the prevention of the secondary complications of diabetes has been extensively reported. On the other hand, the hyperaggregability of platelets in diabetic patients has also been reported as a cause of chronic diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to develop new compounds with these dual effects from pyridyloxy- or phenoxylphenoxyalkanate synthesized derivatives and examine the effect of their structure-activity relationships on the inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR) as well as on platelet aggregation. 2-[4-(2,6-dichloro-3-methyl-phenoxy)-3-nitro-phenoxy]-propionic acid (3) exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect (IC50 = 3.0 ± 0.21 μM), comparable to tetramethylene glutaric acid (IC50 = 6.1 ±0.2 μM), which is used as a positive control on RLAR, and showed potent inhibitory activities on rat platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen (IC50 = 0.093 ± 0.01 and 0.032 ± 0.01 μM, respectively) comparable with aspirin (IC50 = 0.15 ± 0.05 and 0.047 ± 0.01 μM, respectively), used as a positive control.
Vasorelaxant activities of the putative endocannabinoid virodhamine in rat isolated small mesenteric artery
Authors: Ho W-S Vanessa , Hiley C Robin 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Virodhamine is a recently identified novel endocannabinoid. Cannabinoids may evoke vasorelaxation through novel receptors in the vasculature and/or through release of vasodilator peptides from sensory nerve endings. Virodhamine induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in the rat isolated small mesenteric artery mounted in a myograph and precontracted with methoxamine. Desensitization of vanilloid receptors by capsaicin did not affect relaxation responses to virodhamine. The CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A (3 μM), but not the more CB1-selective blocker AM 251 (1 μM), attenuated the response, while two CB2 receptor antagonists, SR 144528 (1 μM) and AM 630 (10 μM), had no effect. The novel antagonist for the putative endothelial ‘abnormal-cannabidiol receptor’, O-1918 (30 μM), inhibited virodhamine relaxations. Hence virodhamine may activate this novel receptor, which might also recognize SR 141716A. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME 300 μM) did not affect relaxation to virodhamine but the responses were markedly reduced when tone was induced with 60 mM KCl, suggesting a role for the activation of K+ channels. The Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCa) blockers, apamin (50 nM) and charybdotoxin (50 nM), inhibited virodhamine vasorelaxation. Combination of these blockers with SR 141716A (3 μM) caused no further inhibition. It was concluded that virodhamine relaxes the rat small mesenteric artery by endothelium-dependent activation of KCa, perhaps via the putative abnormal-cannabidiol receptor.
Nanosuspensions: a promising drug delivery strategy
Authors: Patravale V B , Date Abhijit A , Kulkarni R M 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Nanosuspensions have emerged as a promising strategy for the efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs because of their versatile features and unique advantages. Techniques such as media milling and high-pressure homogenization have been used commercially for producing nanosuspensions. Recently, the engineering of nanosuspensions employing emulsions and microemulsions as templates has been addressed in the literature. The unique features of nanosuspensions have enabled their use in various dosage forms, including specialized delivery systems such as mucoadhesive hydrogels. Rapid strides have been made in the delivery of nanosuspensions by parenteral, peroral, ocular and pulmonary routes. Currently, efforts are being directed to extending their applications in site-specific drug delivery.
Effect of punch tip geometry and embossment on the punch tip adherence of a model ibuprofen formulation
Authors: Roberts Matthew , Ford James L , MacLeod Graeme S , Fell John T , Smith George W , Rowe Philip H , Dyas A Mark 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
The sticking of a model ibuprofen-lactose formulation with respect to compaction force, punch tip geometry and punch tip embossment was assessed. Compaction was performed at 10, 25 or 40 kN using an instrumented single-punch tablet press. Three sets of ‘normal’ concave punches were used to evaluate the influence of punch curvature and diameter. The punches were 10, 11 and 12 mm in diameter, respectively. The 10-mm punch was embossed with a letter ‘A’ logo to assess the influence of an embossment on sticking. Flat-faced punches (12.5 mm) were used for comparison with the concave tooling. Surface profiles (Taylor Hobson Talysurf 120) of the upper punch faces were obtained to evaluate the surface quality of the tooling used. Following compaction, ibuprofen attached to the upper punch face was quantified by spectroscopy. Increasing punch curvature from flat-faced punches to concave decreased sticking. Altering punch diameter of the concave punches had no effect on sticking when expressed as μg mm−2. The embossed letter ‘A’ logo increased sticking considerably owing to the probable concentration of shear stresses at the lateral faces of the embossed logo.
Cardioprotective effect of tincture of Crataegus on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Jayalakshmi R , Devaraj S Niranjali 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Tincture of Crataegus (TCR), an alcoholic extract of the berries of hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha), is used in herbal and homeopathic medicine. The present study was done to investigate the protective effect of TCR on experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats. Pretreatment of TCR, at a dose of 0.5 mL/100g bodyweight per day, orally for 30 days, prevented the increase in lipid peroxidation and activity of marker enzymes observed in isoproterenol-induced rats (85 mg kg−1 s.c. for 2 days at an interval of 24h). TCR prevented the isoproterenol-induced decrease in antioxidant enzymes in the heart and increased the rate of ADP-stimulated oxygen uptake and respiratory coupling ratio. TCR protected against pathological changes induced by isoproterenol in rat heart. The results show that pretreatment with TCR may be useful in preventing the damage induced by isoproterenol in rat heart.
Cytotoxicity studies of Dynasan 114 solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) on RAW 264.7 macrophages—impact of phagocytosis on viability and cytokine production
Authors: Olbrich Carsten , Schöler Nadja , Tabatt Kerstin , Kayser Oliver , Müller Rainer Helmut 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) based on Dynasan 114 (D114) were tested using RAW 264.7 cells. The influence of different surfactants on the cytotoxicity of this type of SLN was examined, expressed as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability and the production of cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Results were compared with previously obtained data when peritoneal mouse macrophages were used. SLN produced with stabilizers/surfactants such as poloxamer 188, sodium cholate, Lipoid S75, Tween 80, Poloxamine 908 and sodium dodecylsulfate were shown to be nontoxic towards RAW 264.7 cells. Cytokine production was reduced and stimulation, expressed in elevated cytokine levels, could not be found. Using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) as stabilizing surfactant, SLN became cytotoxic in a concentration-dependent manner. Not only were the viabilities reduced but also cytokine production. Cytotoxic effects of CPC stabilized SLN could be antagonized using cytochalasin B to block phagocytosis. D114-SLN produced with pharmaceutically accepted surfactants for intravenous injection (poloxamer 188, Lipoid S75, sodium cholate, Tween 80) were very well tolerated by the cells. Even sodium dodecylsulfate-stabilized D114-SLN did not exert toxic effects. Comparison of the RAW 264.7 data with previously obtained data from toxicity studies of D114-SLN towards peritoneal mouse macrophages showed similar results. This offers the possibility of using the RAW 264.7 cell line for cytotoxicity studies of colloidal drug carrier systems, rather than using laboratory animals as source of macrophages for these kinds of studies.
Post-stroke atorvastatin treatment reduces neurological deficits and mortality rate in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Hayashi Aska , Suzuki Masanori , Ogawa Yumiko , Sonoda Rie , Sasamata Masao 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors decreased the incidence of stroke independently of their cholesterol-lowering effect. We have investigated the effect of post-stroke treatment with atorvastatin on neurological deficits and mortality in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). The vehicle-treated group showed significantly aggravated neurological deficits compared with those observed on the first day of stroke. In contrast, the post-stroke oral administration of atorvastatin at 3 or 30 mg kg−1/day significantly ameliorated these neurological deficits. Atorvastatin improved the survival rate in a dose-dependent manner, with this effect being significant at 30 mg kg−1/day. Atorvastatin did not affect blood pressure, heart rate or total cholesterol in SHR-SP at either dose. In contrast, it significantly increased plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels at both doses. These results indicated that post-stroke administration of atorvastatin ameliorated neurological deficits and prolonged survival, which might have resulted from increased plasma NO, apart from its effect on cholesterol level and blood pressure in SHR-SP. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the protective effects of post-stroke administration of atorvastatin against stroke in SHR-SP.