bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and Cognitive Effects Produced by Electrical Stimulation in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex:An Experimental Model for High Cortical Activation
Authors: Penna Assunta Maria , Lee Soo-Yang , Scheidegger da Silva Larissa , Oliveira Roney Welinton , de Freitas Gomes Cristiano , Ester Miyuki Nakamura-Palacios E.M. 
Published: April 2003

An electrical stimulation (ES) session with ten 30-second trains of sine-wave stimuli (30–100 µA, 60 Hz) separated by 30-second intervals was conducted daily in rats with electrodes implanted in the left or right or in both sides of the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC; B = + 2 mmA, + or –0.6 unilateral or 1 mmL bilateral, + 2.7 mmV). The unilateral and bilateral ES in the medial PFC produced abnormal behaviors such as circling spying, body stretching and immobility, and did not affect either the acquisition or the performance of delayed tasks in the 8-arm radial maze conducted 8–10 h after the ES session. However, animals that showed convulsions when the bilateral ES was applied in the medial PFC showed significant deficits in spatial learning and in the performance of short-term (5-second delay) and long-term (1-hour delay) working memory. The behavioral and cognitive effects induced by repeated episodic ES in the medial PFC provide an experimental model to study the effects of increased cortical activation on cognitive processes.
Trait Hostility and Prolactin Response to Tryptophan Enhancement/Depletion
Authors: Wingrove Janet , Bond Alyson J. , Cleare Anthony J. , Sherwood Roy 
Published: April 2003

This study investigated the relationship between trait hostility and aspects of serotonergic function by assessing the prolactin (PRL) response to acute tryptophan depletion and enhancement in 28 healthy male volunteers. Serum PRL was assessed immediately before, and 4.5 h after, administration of an amino acid drink enhanced with, or depleted of, the 5-HT precursor tryptophan. Trait hostility and ΔPRL (value at 4.5 h minus baseline) correlated negatively following enhancement and positively following depletion, indicating that the higher the hostility the smaller the change in PRL in either direction. This is consistent with previous research reporting an association between aggression and blunted neuroendocrine responses to serotonergic agents. The results indicate the possibility that, in people high on hostility, part of the serotonergic pathway that leads to modulation of PRL release is characterised by a stage with either low capacity relative to input availability or a strong negative feedback component.
Effect of Time-of-Day on the Yawning Response to Apomorphine in Normal Subjects
Authors: Lal S. , Tesfaye Y. , Thavundayil J.X. , Skorzewska A. , Schwartz G. 
Published: April 2003

The yawning response to the dopamine (DA) receptor agonist apomorphine HCl (Apo, 7 μg/kg s.c.) and placebo (physiological saline) were examined in two groups of normal men. One group (n = 11) was investigated in the morning and the other group (n = 16) in the afternoon. The frequency of yawning was polygraphically monitored for 60 min following injection. Apo increased yawning compared with placebo when given in the morning (p < 0.02), but not when given in the afternoon. Yawning frequency was increased after both Apo (p < 0.01) and placebo (p < 0.025) when given in the morning compared with responses in the afternoon. These results suggest that yawning frequency with both Apo and placebo is influenced by time of day, possibly as a result of diurnal variation in DA receptor sensitivity.
Langzeitergebnisse von Patienten mit einem Cochlea-Implantat
Authors: Riebandt Michael , Sandrieser Patricia , Matulat Peter , Lamprecht-Dinnesen Antoinette , Seifert Eberhard 
Published: April 2003

Die Dokumentation der Ergebnisse einer Cochlea-Implantat (CI)-Versorgung ist Bestandteil der postoperativen Rehabilitation mit Hör-Sprach-Therapie und Kontrolluntersuchungen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die audiometrischen und logopädischen Testergebnisse von vierzehn CI-Patienten sowie ihre kommunikativ-pragmatische Kompetenz dargestellt. Das Alter der Erwachsenen lag zwischen 53 und 68 Jahren (Mittelwert 61 Jahre), das der Kinder zwischen 9 und 16 Jahren (Mittelwert 11 Jahre 8 Monate). Die Patienten wurden postoperativ mehrfach je nach Alter und aktuellem Stand der Rehabilitation mit dem Mainzer Kindersprachtest I bis III, dem Göttinger Kindersprachverständnistest 1 und 2 und/oder dem Freiburger Sprachverständnistest (Zahlen, Einsilber) untersucht. Zusätzlich wurden Differenzierungstests zur Bestimmung der Unterscheidungsfähigkeit von Logatomen und zur Zeitauflösung durchgeführt. Bei Überprüfungen der sprachlichen und kommunikativen Leistungen der Patienten wurden die sprachsystematischen und kommunikativ-pragmatischen Fähigkeiten der Patienten bestimmt. Die aktuellen Ergebnisse streuen interindividuell stark. Die sprachaudiometrischen Daten liegen zwischen 40% Wortverständnis im Mainzer Kindersprachtest II und 90% Einsilberverständnis im Göttinger Kindersprachverständnistest 2 bei den Kindern und zwischen 35 und 85% Einsilberverständnis bei den Erwachsenen. Die Logatome /da/ und /di/ werden von 77% der Patienten als unterschiedlich wahrgenommen. Die Zeitauflösung, ausgedrückt als Unterscheidbarkeit zweier Lücken im Rauschen, beträgt für 85% der Patienten mehr als 20 ms. Die in den Sprachuntersuchungen erhobenen Daten ergeben bei den postlingual ertaubten Patienten durchweg Normalbefunde, bei den prälingual ertaubten Kindern streuen die Ergebnisse stark. Die kommunikativ-pragmatische Kompetenz hat sich bei allen Patienten im Verlaufe der Rehabilitation nach Cochlea-Implantation teilweise erheblich verbessert.
Effect of Diode Laser on Mucosal Swelling of Outpatients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Nishimoto Jiro , Kumazawa Hirobumi , Kumazawa Tadami , Yamashita Toshio 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective/Hypothesis:</i> This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of a new treatment system with a high power diode laser and rigid nasal endoscopic device on patients with perennial allergic rhinitis at an outpatient clinic. <i>Study Design:</i> A pilot study involving 30 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis refractory to conventional treatment was performed. <i>Method:</i> A high power diode laser and rigid nasal endoscopic device were used. The high power diode laser with an 805 nm-wavelength has been applied for laser surgery. The entire surface of the inferior turbinate until the posterior part was treated by a high power diode laser beam. To assist the laser surgery of the inferior turbinate, a specially designed nasal endoscope (Baerenbach nasalendoscope, Nisco), xenon light sources, and television monitors were used. The 4-mm 0° telescope which measured with 7 cm length was equipped with an infused cannula and hand grip in order to remove any smoke while performing the procedure. <i>Results:</i> 11 patients (36.7%) and 6 patients (20%) out of 30 patients obtained either excellent or good results at 1 month after laser surgery, respectively. Thereafter, the improvement rate increased to 43.3 with excellent and 23.3% with good results at 3 months, respectively. <i>Conclusion:</i> These findings suggest that a high power diode laser with a nasal rigid endoscopic device can be successfully utilized for the surgical treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis on an outpatient clinic.
Possible Mechanism of Alprazolam-Induced Amnesia in Mice
Authors: Singh Nirmal , Sharma Ajay , Singh Manjeet 
Published: April 2003

Alprazolam produced anterograde as well as retrograde amnesia in mice assessed using elevated plus-maze. Flumazenil (10 mg/kg i.p.) attenuated anterograde and retrograde amnesia produced by alprazolam. It is proposed that anterograde amnesia produced by alprazolam may be mediated through the activation of benzodiazepine receptors. Retrograde amnesia of alprazolam may be mediated through the blockade of PAF receptors. Moreover, flumazenil facilitates learning and memory perhaps by modulating the release of PAF and consequently attenuated alprazolam and BN-50730-(PAF receptor antagonist)-induced retrograde amnesia.
Cardiovascular Pharmacology of SKP-450, a New Potassium Channel Activator, and Its Major Metabolites SKP-818 and SKP-310
Authors: Shin Hwa Sup , Seo Ho Won , Yoo Sung Eun , Lee Byung Ho 
Published: April 2003

The cardiovascular effects of SKP-450, a newly synthesized potassium channel activator, and its two major metabolites SKP-818 and SKP-310 were evaluated on isolated rat aorta and in freely moving rats and anesthetized beagle dogs. The rank order of potency in relaxing rat aorta precontracted with norepinephrine was SKP-450>SKP-818>lemakalim>SKP-310 (EC<sub>50</sub>: 0.12, 0.55, 0.71 and 5.89 µmol/l, respectively). In rats, SKP-450, SKP-818 and lemakalim (3–100 µg/kg, i.v.) induced a dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP; ED<sub>20</sub>: 9.8, 11.7 and 22.4 µg/kg, respectively) followed by reflex tachycardia. In dogs, SKP-818 and SKP-310 (0.3–1,000 µg/kg, i.v.) had quite similar hemodynamic profiles to SKP-450 but with a smaller potency. SKP-450, SKP-818 and SKP-310 dose-relatedly decreased MAP (ED<sub>20</sub>: 2.6, 4.2 and 588.8 µg/kg, respectively). They slightly increased left ventricular positive dP/dt<sub>max</sub> with a transient decrease at the highest dose, while inducing a dose-related decrease in rate-pressure product, tension time index and systolic time. SKP-450, SKP-818 and SKP-310 induced a marked dose-dependent increase in coronary blood flow (E<sub>max</sub>: 172.8, 257.9 and 178.7%, respectively) with less effects on blood flow through other arteries. Glybenclamide antagonized all the hemodynamic effects of SKP-450 in rats and dogs, whereas propranolol antagonized its reflex tachycardia in rats. These results indicate that SKP-450 is a potent coronary and peripheral vasodilator in rats and dogs activating ATP-sensitive potassium channels and that SKP-818 and SKP-310 exert a similar hemodynamic profile to the parent compound with equi- and weaker potency, respectively.
Pharmacological Modulation of LPS-Induced MIP-1α Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Kimata Masahiro , Shichijo Michitaka , Daikoku Michio , Inagaki Naoki , Mori Hiroshi , Nagai Hiroichi 
Published: April 2003

In the present study, we investigated the effects of some anti-asthmatic drugs on the production of the CC chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). MIP-1α production was induced by LPS in a concentration-dependent fashion and reached the maximum at 10 µg/ml LPS (27.5±2.3 ng MIP-1α/10<sup>6</sup> PBMC). At a submaximal concentration of LPS (1 µg/ml), the release of MIP-1α increased with time and reached the maximum 24 h after LPS stimulation. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide inhibited MIP-1α production completely, but glucocorticoids did not completely inhibit MIP-1α production, with a maximum inhibition of 70%. We examined the effect of β-stimulants and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which upregulate intracellular cyclic AMP levels, on MIP-1α production. When PBMC were treated with β-stimulants alone, β-stimulants showed a slightly inhibitory effect on MIP-1α production. However, the coadministration of roliplam significantly potentiated the inhibitory effect of β-stimulants on MIP-1α production. Moreover, db-cAMP suppressed MIP-1α production dose-dependently. The above data indicate that the production of MIP-1α is regulated by cyclic AMP and that cyclic AMP could provide a useful target for therapeutic treatment in asthmatic diseases and other diseases where MIP-1α is involved in their etiology.
Effects of Ketoconazole on Digoxin Absorption and Disposition in Rat
Authors: Salphati Laurent , Benet Leslie Z. 
Published: April 2003

Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, is a substrate of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp), and in rats has also been identified as a substrate for cytochrome P<sub>450</sub> 3A (CYP3A). Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, was shown to inhibit Pgp in a multidrug-resistant cell line, and is known to be a potent inhibitor of CYP3A. Here, we determined the effects of ketoconazole on digoxin absorption and disposition in rats. Digoxin was administered intravenously or orally with or without a concomitant oral dose of ketoconazole. When given intravenously, digoxin AUC increased from 93 ± 22 to 486 ± 26 µg·h/l with ketoconazole administration. Similarly, ketoconazole raised the AUC of orally administered digoxin from 63 ± 17 to 411 ± 50 µg·h/l. Concomitant ketoconazole administration prolonged digoxin elimination, yielding a nonlinear pharmacokinetic profile. Using time-averaged values, digoxin bioavailability increased from 0.68 ± 0.18 to 0.84 ± 0.10, while mean absorption time was reduced from 1.1 ± 0.4 to 0.3 ± 0.1 h. Thus, in rats, ketoconazole increases digoxin plasma concentrations, rate of absorption and bioavailability. Although the effects of ketoconazole on AUC could be explained by inhibition of both CYP3A and Pgp, which cannot be differentiated in this study, the decreased mean absorption time can only be explained by inhibition of Pgp in the intestine.
Effects of Zinc Acexamate (NAS-501) on Superoxide Radicals and Lipid Peroxidation of Rat Gastric Mucosa
Authors: Tsutsui Yasuhiro , Nakamura Yukio , Yamaguchi Shiho , Kawanaka Nobuyo , Sato Makoto 
Published: April 2003

Zinc acexamate (NAS-501), an anti-ulcer agent, has been reported to prevent various acute experimental gastric mucosal lesions and duodenal ulcers in rats. In order to clarify the mechanisms by which NAS-501 exhibits the anti-ulcer effects, we investigated the anti-oxidative effects of NAS-501 in vitro and in vivo. NAS-501 significantly reduced the superoxide radical-dependent chemiluminescence, generated by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase, rat neutrophils and guinea-pig macrophages in vitro. These in vitro effects were also confirmed by electron spin resonance using a 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide spin-trapping method. In addition, NAS-501 significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by increasing concentrations of Fe<sup>2+</sup>/ascorbate in rat gastric mucosal homogenate in vitro. Oral administration of NAS-501 (30 mg/kg) significantly inhibited production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance in rat gastric mucosa following per os instillation of 60% ethanol in 150 mmol/l HCl in vivo. These results suggest that NAS-501 exhibits the preventive effect from acute gastric mucosal lesions by the anti-oxidative activity.
The Antihypertensive Effect of the Berberine Derivative 6-Protoberberine in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Liu Ju-Chi , Chan Paul , Chen Yi-Jen , Tomlinson Brian , Hong Sheu-Fang , Cheng Juei-Tang 
Published: April 2003

Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid found in plants of the Ranunculaceae and Berberidaceae families. Extracts from berberine-containing plants have been used as traditional Chinese folk remedies for centuries. The antihypertensive effects of the berberine derivative 6-protoberberine (PTB-6) were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). In conscious SHRs, PTB-6 lowered the systolic blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner (6-PTB: 5 mg/kg, –31.1 ± 1.6 mm Hg; 10 mg/kg, –42.4 ± 3.1 mm Hg). Cardiac output using the thermodilution method was reduced in PTB-6-treated anesthetized SHRs with a tendency to decrease in heart rate. Injection of PTB-6 into the intracerebral ventricles of SHRs lowered the systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The berberine derivative PTB-6 is an effective antihypertensive agent. The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of PTB-6 is probably through a central sympatholytic effect.
Searching for an Explanation for Diphthong Perception: Dynamic Tones and Dynamic Spectral Profiles
Authors: Schouten M.E.H. , Peeters W.J.M. 
Published: April 2003

Abstract
The aim was to find a psychophysical explanation for the perception, by naive listeners, of diphthongs as single vowels, even though they are essentially formant movements. Subjects were asked to match sinusoidal tone and resonance glides around 1,000 Hz with two connected steady-state tones or resonances whose frequencies could be controlled independently. The expectation was that short glides (below 120 ms) would give rise to single perceptual events without any movement in a particular direction, so that the two matching steady-state patterns would not show any frequency direction either; long resonance glides (above 120 ms), on the other hand, were expected to be perceived as rising or falling and matched accordingly. The results showed an effect of duration, although it interacted with glide width. At durations shorter than about 120 ms, subjects placed the two steady profiles with which they had to match the dynamic profile closer together than with durations over 120 ms; however, this only occurred if a glide covered more than 500 Hz, and is therefore irrelevant to diphthong perception.
Toward a Simpler Surgical Management of Chiari I Malformation in a Pediatric Population
Authors: Krieger Mark D. , McComb J. Gordon , Levy Michael L. 
Published: April 2003

A wide variety of surgical adjuvants to the standard bony decompression have been advocated in the treatment of the Chiari I malformation, especially when the tonsillar herniation is associated with hydrosyringomyelia. These include various shunting procedures, duroplasty, obex plugging, and resection of the cerebellar tonsils. Our practice has been to avoid these adjuvants and to perform a simple limited occipital craniectomy, C<sub>1</sub> laminectomy, and dural opening. The dura mater is left open and overlain with oxidized cellulose. To evaluate the efficacy of this more limited procedure, a retrospective review was performed of the medical records of 31 consecutive patients treated over a 6-year period. Twenty-six (84%) of these patients had an associated spinal cord syrinx; all underwent the same procedure. The follow-up period ranged from 15 to 93 months, with all patients having at least one postoperative magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months. Twenty-three of the 26 patients (88%) who presented with a syrinx had significant resolution of the syrinx on follow-up scans with concomitant improvement of presenting signs and symptoms. Of the remaining 3 patients, 1 had progressive hydrocephalus and received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, with symptom resolution. In the other 2 patients the syrinx did not diminish; both received syringopleural shunts. Postoperative morbidity includes a 26% incidence of headaches, of which half resolved within 5 days, and only 1 persisted beyond 2 weeks. Nausea and vomiting occurred in 16%. Neither of these figures significantly exceeds those of other large surgical series in which the dura mater was closed with a patch graft. Three patients (10%) did have a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak; all responded to bedside suturing without further sequelae. This study indicates that a simple bone removal and open dural decompression of the cervicomedullary junction is a safe, effective operative treatment for Chiari I malformation in children. Shunts, duroplasty, obex plugging, and tonsillar resection offer no benefit regarding the outcome when our series is compared to others in which such adjuvants were used.
Spina bifida in Saudi Arabia: Is Consanguinity among the Parents a Risk Factor?
Authors: Murshid Waleed R. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> Spina bifida is an important birth defect. Its incidence differs from one country to another due to different factors. The aims of this study were: (1) to estimate the incidence of spina bifida in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah and compare it with the Eastern part of the Kingdom, and (2) to find out if consanguinity is a risk factor. <i>Methodology:</i> A prospective study was conducted over the period from April 1996 to March 1997 in the city of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Western Province, Saudi Arabia. New cases of spina bifida were studied and compared to a control group of 72 cases. <i>Results:</i> During the study period, 18 cases of spina bifida were detected. The incidence was 1.09 per 1,000 live births. The male to female ratio was 2:1; however, this was not statistically significant. Consanguinity of the parents was found in 89% of the spina bifida parents and only 67% of the controls (p < 0.0005). <i>Conclusion:</i> (1) The incidence of spina bifida in the city of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah was similar to that reported from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. (2) The consanguinity of the parents was a significant risk factor.
Utility of Transfer Factor to Detect Different Bronchodilator Responses in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Izquierdo-Alonso J.L. , Sánchez-Hernández I. , Fernández Francés J. , Castelao Naval J. , Carrillo Arias F. , Gallardo Carrasco J. 
Published: April 2003

Previous studies have described that there are different types of disease in patients with established chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with different clinical course and functional responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the presence of low transfer factor (LTF) values can predict the effectiveness of bronchodilator therapy, and to assess whether this group has different risk factors that may be related with the responses. Eighty patients with COPD were evaluated on three occasions. Initial assessment included a standard respiratory questionnaire, blood analysis, skin prick test and baseline lung function, all performed on the first visit. Bronchodilator response was evaluated after low (0.2 mg) and high (1 mg) doses of salbutamol, and after 2 weeks of oral prednisone. In patients with normal TLCO/VA % (NTF), a higher proportion of subjects with previous history of atopy was the only statistically significant difference compared to those with LTF (odds ratio 4.33; 95% confidence interval 1.06–25.15). Although the mean response in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>) to treatment was analogous in both groups, when bronchodilation was expressed as percent of predicted, there was a clear trend to a lower response in patients with LTF (0.2 mg salbutamol: 6.99 ± 5.64 vs. 8.94 ± 6.61, p = 0.15; 1 mg salbutamol: 10.18 ± 6.37 vs. 13.45 ± 7.90, p < 0.05; oral prednisone: 5.51 ± 6.94 vs. 8.74 ± 10.81, p = 0.06). The percentage of patients who had >12% improvement from that predicted in FEV<sub>1</sub> was also lower in this group (42 vs. 72%; p < 0.05). Moreover, TLCO/VA% was significantly lower in those subjects with a negative bronchodilator trial with salbutamol (68 ± 25 vs. 81 ± 26; p < 0.05) and prednisone (69 ± 26 vs. 90 ± 22; p < 0.01). In patients with LTF and NTF, airway responsiveness was only significantly related with basal airflow limitation (LTF, r = 0.44; NTF, r = 0.38). All other interaction terms were not statistically significant. These results indicate that in patiens with similar serverity of COPD, the presence of LTF indicates a decreased probability of a positive bronchodilator response, probably reflecting different pathological lesions. We suggest that transfer factor should be taken into consideration when bronchial response is evaluated in large clinical trials.