bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atenolol improves ventricular function without changing plasma noradrenaline but decreasing plasma atrial natriuretic factor in chronic heart failure
Authors: Gabrielli O. , Puyó A. M. , De Rosa A. , Armando I. , Barontini M. , Levin G. 
Published: December 2004

Summary1 There is good evidence that β‐blockers improve ventricular function, disease progression and survival in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of atenolol therapy on the sympathetic nervous system at rest and after ergometric exercise, on left ventricular function and on baseline plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). 2 Twenty‐two patients [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <36%; New York Heart Association II–III] were studied before atenolol treatment. Because of cardiac events (new Hospital admission or death) only 13 patients completed 1 year of treatment. Baseline noradrenaline (NE) concentrations were similar in patients and controls while ANF was higher in patients than in controls (328 ± 35 pg ml−1vs. 37 ± 3 pg ml−1; P < 0.01). 3 Patients with events showed higher NE (540 ± 87 pg ml−1vs. 303 ± 44 pg ml−1; P < 0.01) and ANF (460 ± 70 pg ml−1vs. 291 ± 44 pg ml−1; P < 0.03) at rest; and greater NE response to exercise (2.003 ± 525 pg ml−1vs. 694 ± 121 pg ml−1; P < 0.005). Atenolol treatment improved LVEF (19.5 ± 1.9%vs. 33 ± 3.9%; P < 0.001), increased exercise tolerance (9 ± 3.2 min vs. 17 ± 4.8 min; P < 0.001) and decreased plasma ANF (292 ± 42 pg ml−1vs. 133 ± 35 pg ml−1; P < 0.01). 4 Reduced basal dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG)/NE ratio (3.4 ± 0.46 vs. 4.3 ± 0.35; P < 0.01) was observed in patients compared with healthy volunteers. Atenolol increased DHPG plasma levels (1.398 ± 129 pg ml−1vs. 913 ± 86 pg ml−1; P < 0.005) but the DHPG/NE ratio during exercise was not modified after treatment, suggesting that re‐uptake of released NE is not changed by β‐blocker treatment. 5 In conclusion, the fact that atenolol treatment improves ventricular dysfunction and clinical status without changing plasma NE levels in CHF patients, suggests that plasma NE is a poor surrogate measurement for cardiac sympathetic activity in this pathology. In addition, decrease in plasma ANF produced by atenolol treatment may reflect the improvement of ventricular function.
Histamine receptor type coupled to nitric oxide‐induced relaxation of guinea‐pig nasal mucosa
Authors: Bockman C. S. , Zeng W. 
Published: December 2004

Summary 1 The aim of this study was to characterize the histamine receptor type mediating relaxation of the vascular bed of the nasal mucosa from the guinea‐pig, and to determine the role of cyclo‐oxygenase products and nitric oxide in this relaxant response to histamine. These studies were performed in isolated nasal mucosae examined in vitro to obtain potencies of histamine receptor‐type selective agonists in causing vasorelaxation and to determine affinities of histamine receptor antagonists for inhibiting histamine‐induced relaxation. 2 After contraction of nasal mucosae with noradrenaline, histamine caused a maximal relaxation response that was 75 ± 6% of the contraction caused by noradrenaline with a mean EC50 value of 4.3 ± 0.5 μm. Neither dimaprit (H2‐receptor selective) nor R‐α‐methylhistamine (H3‐receptor selective) caused significant relaxation of nasal mucosae. In contrast, betahistine (H1‐receptor selective) caused an 81 ± 7% relaxation of noradrenaline‐induced tone with an EC50 value of 15 ± 1 μm. 3 pA2 experiments were performed to obtain KB values of chlorpheniramine (H1‐receptor selective) and diphenhydramine (H1‐receptor selective) for blocking histamine‐stimulated relaxation of nasal mucosae. KB values for chlorpheniramine (0.87 nm) and diphenhydramine (7.4 nm) were consistent with their interaction at the H1‐receptor type. Additionally, neither 10 μm cimetidine (H2‐receptor selective) nor 1 μm thioperamide (H3‐receptor selective) had any effect on the relaxation curve for histamine. 4 In the presence of 10 μm indomethacin (cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor), histamine caused a maximal relaxation response of 73 ± 5% of the noradrenaline‐induced tone with an EC50 value of 2.9 ± 0.2 μm, which was not different from control values (EC50 = 5.0 ± 0.4 μm; maximal relaxation = 71 ± 6%). In contrast, 200 μm NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) completely inhibited histamine‐induced relaxation of nasal mucosae. 5 In conclusion, data from the present study suggest only the H1‐receptor type mediates relaxation of nasal mucosal blood vessels to histamine, and histamine‐induced relaxation of nasal mucosae is entirely dependent on nitric oxide production.
Effects of lipopolysaccharide on vascular reactivity and mortality in rats
Authors: Nunes J. P. L. 
Published: December 2004

Summary 1 The effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) lipopolysaccharide on vascular reactivity to noradrenaline in rat aorta under different conditions of passive tension, as well as on mortality in normotensive and hypertensive rats, were studied. 2 Concentration–response curves to noradrenaline were obtained in aorta rings, at two levels of passive tension: 3 and 0.5 g, from control and lipopolysaccharide‐treated Wistar rats. Contractile responses were expressed as percentage of the maximal response to noradrenaline obtained in the beginning of the experiment at a resting tension of 2 g. The maxima were significantly larger (P < 0.05) at 3 g than at 0.5 g in both groups of rats: 117.8 vs. 62.3%, respectively, for control animals; 85.8 vs. 32.5%, respectively, for lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats. 3 The 24‐h mortality after the i.p. administration of lipopolysaccharide was lower in spontaneously hypertensive rats (1/12; 8%), when compared with control Wistar–Kyoto rats (5/11; 45%). However, mortality was higher in Wistar–Kyoto made hypertensive by 8‐day administration of corticosterone (6/6; 100%). 4 We conclude that a differential sensitivity to noradrenaline of aortic smooth muscle at two different levels of passive tension is still present in lipopolysaccharide‐treated animals. Chronic hypertension in SHR rats is associated with resistance to the lethal effects of lipopolysaccharide, whereas abrupt‐onset hypertension induced by corticosterone leads to an increased mortality. 5 These results are compatible with the myofibrillary hypothesis, which explains vascular hyper‐reactivity in chronic arterial hypertension, by postulating that a more favourable relative position (and/or proportion) for actin and myosin occurs, whereas in states of vascular hypo‐reactivity, such as vasodilatory shock, the opposite phenomenon may exist.
Alpha2‐adrenoceptor and NO mediate the opioid subsensitivity in isolated tissues of cholestatic animals
Authors: Demehri S. , Samini M. , Namiranian K. , Rastegar H. , Mehr S. E. , Homayoun H. , Roushanzamir F. , Jorjani M. , Dehpour A. R. 
Published: December 2004

Summary 1 Our previous report showed that in acute cholestasis, the subsensitivity to morphine inhibitory effect on electrical‐stimulated contractions develops significantly faster in guinea‐pig ileum (GPI) and in mouse vas deferens (MVD) (45.2 and 29.9 times, respectively) compared with non‐cholestatic subjects. 2 The possible contribution of α2‐adrenoceptor and nitric oxide (NO) pathways on the development of tolerance was assessed in GPI and MVD of cholestatic subjects. 3 Daily administration of naltrexone (20 mg kg−1), yohimbine (5 mg kg−1), and Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) (3 mg kg−1) to cholestatic animals significantly (P‐value < 0.05) inhibited the process of subsensitivity in all groups. 4 Consistent with the literature, it was concluded that both the α2‐adrenergic system and NO have close interaction with the opioid system and may underlie some of the mechanisms involved in the subsensitivity development to opioids in acute cholestatic states.
Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha‐ vs. growth factor deprivation‐promoted cell death: different receptor requirements for mediating nerve growth factor‐promoted rescue
Authors: Pappas Todd C. , Decorti Francesco , Macdonald Nancy J. , Neet Kenneth E. , Taglialatela Giulio 
Published: December 2004

SummaryPhysiological and pathological aging of the central nervous system (CNS) is characterized by functional neuronal impairments which may lead to perturbed cell homeostasis and eventually to neuronal death. Many toxic events may underlie age‐related neurodegeneration. These include the effects of beta amyloid, Tau and mutated presenilin proteins, free radicals and oxidative stress, pro‐inflammatory cytokines and lack of growth factor support, which can be individually or collectively involved. Taken individually, these toxicants can induce very diverse cell responses, thus requiring individually targeted corrective interventions upstream of common cell death (apoptotic) pathways. Recent preliminary evidence suggests that the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and growth factor withdrawal can both activate a common apoptotic pathway in nerve growth factor (NGF)‐responsive PC12 cells involving caspase 3, albeit through very distinct upstream pathways: the former through active signalling and the latter through passive or lack of survival signalling. Here, we show that NGF can rescue PC12 cells from both growth factor withdrawal‐ and TNFα‐promoted cell death. However, NGF rescue from growth factor withdrawal requires NGF signalling through the high‐affinity tyrosine kinase receptor (TrkA), while NGF rescue from TNFα‐promoted cell death requires NGF signalling through the low‐affinity p75NTR receptor. These results strengthen the idea that prevention of age‐ or pathology‐associated neurodegeneration may require varied molecular approaches reflecting the diversity of the toxicants involved, possibly acting simultaneously.
Transcriptional outputs of the Caenorhabditis elegans forkhead protein DAF‐16
Authors: McElwee Joshua , Bubb Kerry , Thomas James H. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn Caenorhabditis elegans, the forkhead protein DAF‐16 transduces insulin‐like signals that regulate larval development and adult lifespan. To identify DAF‐16‐dependent transcriptional alterations that occur in a long‐lived C. elegans strain, we used cDNA microarrays and genomic analysis to identify putative direct and indirect DAF‐16 transcriptional target genes. Our analysis suggests that DAF‐16 action regulates a wide range of physiological responses by altering the expression of genes involved in metabolism, energy generation and cellular stress responses. Furthermore, we observed a large overlap between DAF‐16‐dependent transcription and genes normally expressed in the long‐lived dauer larval stage. Finally, we examined the in vivo role of 35 of these target genes by RNA‐mediated interference and identified one gene encoding a putative protease that is necessary for the daf‐2 Age phenotype.
Mitochondria and aging: a role for the permeability transition?
Authors: Crompton M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWhen mitochondria are subjected to oxidative stress and relatively high [Ca2+], they undergo a ‘permeability transition’ in which the inner membrane becomes freely permeable to low‐molecular‐weight solutes. This phenomenon reflects reversible deformation of the adenine nucleotide translocase, the loss of its native gating properties and the stabilization of the deformed state by cyclophilin‐D. The permeability transition may be a factor in cell dysfunction associated with aging. This can manifest in a number of ways ranging, in the most severe, from impaired energy transduction and compromised viability to more subtle influences on the propagation of Ca2+ signals. This article critically examines data relevant to this issue.
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial function with aging – the effects of calorie restriction
Authors: Merry B. J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAccumulated oxidative stress resulting from a gradual shift in the redox status of tissues is now considered to be a key mechanism underlying the aging process. Calorie‐restricted (CR) feeding, an experimental protocol to extend survival and delay aging in rodents, is recognized to slow the rate of accrual of age‐related oxidative stress. This conclusion is based on the increase in tissues with age of the oxidation products of proteins, lipids and DNA. The functional consequence, however, of the accumulation of these non‐specific oxidative markers is more difficult to determine. A shift in the redox status of tissues with age and calorie restriction feeding may have a greater impact on cell function through activation of redox sensitive transcription factors than through the accumulation of these non‐specific oxidative markers. Activation of such transcription factors will stimulate signalling pathways that will lead to a change in the gene expression profile and cell functioning. Little research has been conducted in this area. It has been proposed that CR feeding slows the rate of accrual of oxidative damage because mitochondria in these animals have a lower rate of superoxide generation when compared with mitochondria from control animals. This proposal is based on in vitro observations using isolated mitochondria and clearly requires further confirmation in isolated cells or using an in vivo approach. The application of metabolic control analysis to identify in isolated mitochondria the mechanism underlying this response has suggested one possible explanation for the lower superoxide production rates observed.
Do olfactory reference syndrome and Jiko‐shu‐kyofu (a subtype of Taijin‐kyofu) share a common entity?
Authors: Suzuki K. , Takei N. , Iwata Y. , Sekine Y. , Toyoda T. , Nakamura K. , Minabe Y. , Kawai M. , Iyo M. , Mori N. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) in the Western literature is characterized as preoccupation with the idea that the body emits a foul odor. Japanese patients with a feature similar to ORS have long been recognized as jiko‐shu‐kyofu, which is believed to be a culture‐bound syndrome and specific to Japan. The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between the two separate syndromes that had independently been recognized in culturally different settings.Method:  The phenomenology and treatment of seven patients with jiko‐shu‐kyofu were described. A feature of jiko‐shu‐kyofu was then compared with that of ORS.Results:  In our cases, clinical characteristics of jiko‐shu‐kyofu such as symptomatology, insight, and pharmacotherapy response were found identical to those of ORS except for the onset at relatively younger ages.Conclusion:  Jiko‐shu‐kyofu and ORS may share a common clinical entity, hence the former is not a culturally distinctive disorder.
Psychotic disorders and gonadal function: evidence supporting the oestrogen hypothesis
Authors: Huber T. J. , Borsutzky M. , Schneider U. , Emrich H. M. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  The aim of this study was to further evaluate the oestrogen hypothesis of schizophrenia, which postulates low oestradiol levels to be a risk factor for these disorders. A possible influence of neuroleptic‐induced hyperprolactinaemia was to be addressed.Method:  Sex hormones were measured and cycle phase assessed in 50 acutely psychotic women on admission and for four consecutive weeks as well as in three control groups.Results:  Psychotic women were more likely to be admitted during a low oestrogen phase of their cycle and exhibited markedly reduced oestradiol levels, compared with 23 healthy controls, as well as 50 women suffering from other psychiatric disorders. Oestradiol variability was reduced over the menstrual cycle in women suffering from psychotic disorders.Conclusion:  These results support the oestrogen hypothesis. Hyperprolactinaemia due to neuroleptic treatment does not appear to account for the findings.
Is the season of birth association with psychosis due to seasonal variations in foetal growth or other related exposures? A cohort study
Authors: Fouskakis D. , Gunnell D. , Rasmussen F. , Tynelius P. , Sipos A. , Harrison G. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  To investigate the association between season of birth and psychosis, and to assess whether any association is caused by seasonal fluctuations in foetal growth or other related exposures.Method:  Cohort of 747 432 Swedish males and females born between 1973 and 1980 and followed up from 16 years of age to 31 December 1999. Psychiatric admissions were identified using the Swedish Inpatient Discharge Register. The analysis is based on the 696 025 subjects with complete data.Results:  A total of 506 (0.07%) subjects developed schizophrenia and 879 (0.13%) non‐affective non‐schizophrenic psychoses. There was a moderate increased risk of schizophrenia amongst winter births, hazard ratio 1.23 (95% confidence interval 0.96–1.59), but this did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. There was no association with non‐affective psychoses. We found no evidence that associations were confounded by measures of foetal growth or maternal socioeconomic position. There was no evidence that seasonal effects on schizophrenia differed in men and women.Conclusion:  Season of birth associations with schizophrenia do not appear to be confounded by birth‐related exposures.
Studying personality characteristics in bipolar depressed subjects: how comparator group selection can dictate results
Authors: Parker G. , Parker K. , Malhi G. , Wilhelm K. , Mitchell P. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  To examine the extent to which identification of any distinct personality characteristics in bipolar subjects are influenced by selection of the comparison diagnostic group.Method:  Scores were compared on several general measures of personality style and, additionally, the prevalence of disordered personality functioning was examined in a sample of 198 non‐psychotic depressed subjects, 39 with bipolar depression and 159 with unipolar depression.Results:  When the bipolar subjects were separately compared with unipolar subjects, and to sub‐sets of those with clinically and DSM‐IV defined melancholic and non‐melancholic depression, quite differing results were suggested. In essence, clinically‐defined melancholic subjects had the least personality psychopathology in comparison with the non‐melancholic and bipolar subjects.Conclusion:  Whether subjects with bipolar disorder have any distinct personality characteristics or over‐represented co‐morbid personality disorders remains quite unclear when reference is made to the literature. We suggest that inconsistencies across studies may reflect choice and representation of depressive sub‐types within the unipolar comparator group.
Relapse prevention by citalopram in SAD patients responding to 1 week of light therapy. A placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Martiny K. , Lunde M. , Simonsen C. , Clemmensen L. , Poulsen D. L. , Solstad K. , Bech P. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  We have tested the relapse‐preventive effect of citalopram when compared with placebo in 282 patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) responding to 1 week of light therapy.Method:  The response rate to 1‐week light therapy and relapse during the continuation phase of 15 weeks were assessed by use of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D17), the six‐item subscale (HAM‐D6), the Melancholia Scale (MES), and the combined HAM‐D/SIGH‐SAD.Results:  The response rate to light therapy was 62.5% on the HAM‐D17 and the HAM‐D6, 56.1% on the HAM‐D/SIGH‐SAD, 52.8% on the MES. In the continuation phase, citalopram was found superior to placebo on all scales, but the difference was only of statistical significance on the HAM‐D6 and the MES. Mean citalopram dose was 26.3 mg.Conclusion:  Light therapy was found to have and early onset of action. On the HAM‐D6 and the MES citalopram significantly reduced the relapse rate in the continuation phase.
An investigation of the prototype validity of the borderline DSM‐IV construct
Authors: Johansen M. , Karterud S. , Pedersen G. , Gude T. , Falkum E. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  To investigate the prototype validity of the borderline personality disorder (BPD) DSM‐IV construct.Method:  Patients (n = 930) from the Norwegian Network of Psychotherapeutic Day Hospitals. Exploratory/confirmatory factor analyses, correlation and reliability statistics, chi‐square, and frequency distributions.Results:  Number of BPD criteria showed no distinct threshold between No‐BPD and BPD patients among whom 136 different combinations of criteria occurred. Both factor analyses supported that one component/latent variable accounted for the variance of the BPD criteria, showing a high convergent and discriminant validity. The criterion of unstable relationships displayed the highest diagnostic efficiency, and that of chronic feelings of emptiness the lowest.Conclusion:  The prototype theoretical model for BPD fitted the data well and appeared to be satisfactory described by the current criteria. The emptiness criterion needs a more appropriate definition and the hierarchy of the criteria in DSM‐IV should be revised.
Relapse into mania or depression following lithium discontinuation: a 7‐year follow‐up
Authors: Cavanagh J. , Smyth R. , Goodwin G. M. 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  We aimed to assess whether outcome followed a worse course after acute lithium withdrawal.Method:  Data were acquired by review of the clinical records on 14 cases and 28 controls matched for age, gender and time on lithium for about 7 years following discontinuation.Results:  Significant differences were found between cases and controls. Cases experienced more episodes of depression and total affective relapse. The log‐rank test revealed a significantly lower survival probability in cases than controls (P < 0.0009). However, the increased risk of recurrence was largely confined to the interval immediately after lithium discontinuation.Conclusion:  These results confirm that acute discontinuation of lithium leads to a high immediate relapse rate. Most of the excess morbidity over 7 years appears to be attributable to the first episode following discontinuation. Outcome was not worsened by discontinuation.
Statistical Control for Road Pavements
Authors: Griffiths David , Gulati Chandra , Ollis Jim 
Published: December 2004

AbstractRoads are assets vital to the economies of nations, particularly those with such low population density as Australia and New Zealand. The quality of road construction is of great importance. The application of statistical techniques to determining whether the construction of road pavement is being carried out to the design specification can be of great benefit to administrators and contractors. In this paper, a method is presented for obtaining control limits for a means chart when correlated observations are taken over a grid on a two‐dimensional surface. Data from a closely monitored road construction project are used to determine if the construction process can be considered ‘in control’. The nature of the correlation structure is determined using ARIMA models. The ultimate aim of the control charts and specifications is to control base course thickness. Controlling the pavement surfaces is a means to this end.