bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency Distribution and Haplotypic Heterogeneity of β<sup>E</sup>-Globin Gene among Eight Minority Groups of Northeast Thailand
Authors: Fucharoen Goonnapa , Fucharoen Supan , Sanchaisuriya Kanokwan , Sae-ung Nattaya , Suyasunanond Urasri , Sriwilai Prayuk , Chinorak Phannee 
Published: April 2003

The frequencies of hemoglobin E and β<sup>E</sup>-globin gene haplotypes were determined in eight minority groups living in the northeastern part of Thailand. A total of 478 samples of eight minority groups, namely Soui, Thai Khmer, So, Yor, Phuthai, Thai Puan, Thai Loei and Thai Dam, were examined. High prevalences of hemoglobin E (>50%) were observed in Soui, Thai Khmer, So, Yor and Phuthai inhabiting the region near Cambodia and Laos. Thai Puan, Thai Loei, Thai Dam and native Thai living in the same geographical area had prevalences of 42.6, 35.9, 21.4 and 27.9%, respectively. A prevalence of 9.5% was found among the Thai with Chinese background living in the same area. β-Globin gene haplotypes analysis demonstrated that most of the β<sup>E</sup>-globin genes in these Thai populations were associated with two haplotypes: (– + – + + + –) and (+ – – – – + –) on chromosomes with framework 2 variety. Some β<sup>E</sup>-globin genes in Soui and Thai Khmer groups were associated with the framework 3 chromosome. Genetic distances based on the β<sup></sup>-globin gene haplotypes between minority groups revealed that Soui and Thai Khmer were closely related to each other. This finding has a valuable implication for study of the origin and spread of hemoglobin E in the region.
Event-Related Evoked Potential P300 in Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Jiménez-Escrig A. , Fernandez-Lorente J. , Herrero A. , Baron M. , Lousa M. , de Blas G. , Gobernado J. 
Published: April 2003

There are no studies on event-related cognitive potentials in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In order to evaluate the aptitude and usefulness of the event-related P300 potential in this disease, we prospectively examined 60 cases: 11 patients with FTD diagnosed according to the Lund and Manchester criteria and Neary consensus criteria, 33 patients with a probable Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis following NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, and 16 normal controls. P300 latency, amplitude and reaction time were recorded using an auditory oddball paradigm. In this sample, P300 potential could be reliably performed by 10/11 FTD patients, notwithstanding their language or executive function deficiencies. The FTD group P300 mean latency was midway between the normal controls and the Alzheimer’s disease group (ANOVA F<sub>2, 74199</sub> = 16.5; p = 0.00003). The latency range of the FTD patients were within normal values (average plus 1.96 standard deviation of the values of the control group), except for one case with a latency of 448 ms. Post hoc Newman-Keuls analysis showed that the P300 latencies of the control and FTD groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.15) and that the Alzheimer’s disease group had a delayed P300 latency that differed significantly from that of the FTD (p = 0.002) and control group (p = 0.0002). However, there was overlapping in P300 latency values of the three groups. Despite these differences in latencies, the reaction time was significantly increased in the FTD and the Alzheimer’s disease groups. These findings indicate that the P300 potential is less affected in patients with FTD than those with Alzheimer’s disease. This fact could aid in FTD diagnosis, differential diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease and possibly its clinical management.
A Study on Gender and Age Differences in Sleep Spindles
Authors: Huupponen Eero , Himanen Sari-Leena , Värri Alpo , Hasan Joel , Lehtokangas Mikko , Saarinen Jukka 
Published: April 2003

In the present work, gender differences in sleep spindle topography were examined in 40 subjects. Their median age was 32 years (range 22–49 years). Spindles were detected from 3,306,060 s of visually scored stage 2 sleep EEG by a previously validated automatic fuzzy detector at 1-second intervals. A total of 271,168 spindles were found from the six EEG channels analyzed. Females showed a significantly higher percentage of spindles in the left frontal channel than males (Fp1-A2; p = 0.026). To confirm that this difference was gender and not age related, the subjects were divided into two age groups. No significant differences in spindle activity of the frontal channels were found between the groups. However, the interindividual spindle variability seemed to be at least as large as that stemming from gender.
Sexually Dimorphic Effect of Glutamate Treatment on Cell Cycle Arrestment of Astrocytes from the Preoptic Area of Neonatal Rats
Authors: Hsu Chin , Hsieh Ya-Lun , Ho Mei-Ling , Hsu Hseng-Kuang , Yu John Yuh-Lin 
Published: April 2003

Neurotoxicological studies have indicated that <i>L</i>-glutamate exhibits more pronounced effects on the preoptic area (POA) neurons of male rats than on those of females in the neonatal period. However, no information has previously been available as to whether or not such sexual dimorphism also exists for the effects of glutamate on astrocytes from POA. The present paper reports the differential effects of <i>L</i>-glutamate on astrocytes isolated from POA of neonatal male and female rats. The proliferation of astrocytes was measured by methods of cell count and cell cycle analysis. In addition, the activity of Ca<sup>2+</sup>/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) was assayed to understand its role in the glutamate-induced disturbance of the cell cycle progression of astrocytes. The results revealed that <i>L</i>-glutamate, at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 m<i>M</i>, inhibited the proliferation of astrocytes derived from male rats more severely than those derived from females. The <i>L</i>-glutamate treatment blocked the cell cycle progression and caused an accumulation of cells in the S phase. The activity of CaM kinase II declined more markedly in astrocytes derived from male rats than in those from females after glutamate treatment. These findings suggest that the proliferation of astrocytes derived from POA of neonatal rats can be inhibited in a sexually dimorphic manner by <i>L</i>-glutamate, possibly through blocking the cell cycle progression and partially related to the inactivation of the CaM kinase II.
Differential Response of Immature and Mature Neurons to Hypoxia in Rat Mesencephalic Cultures
Authors: Andreeva Nadejda , Heldt Julia , Leclere Norbert , Gross Johann 
Published: April 2003

The effect of hypoxia on immature and mature mesencephalic neurons was studied in in vitro rat cerebral cell cultures on different days. In immature cultures (6–8 days in vitro), exposure to 24 h of hypoxia (10–20 mm Hg pO<sub>2</sub> in the culture medium) did not change the number of neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-immunoreactive (IR) (NSE-IR) neurons but increased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR (TH-IR) cells, which might be attributed to transient induction of TH. In mature cultures (13–15 days in vitro), 16 h of hypoxia induced a considerable loss of both NSE- and TH-IR cells. A decrease in the number of TH-IR cells 6 and 24 h after hypoxia was more pronounced than that of NSE-IR cells; however, their numbers equalized 48 h after hypoxia, suggesting similar hypoxic vulnerability of dopaminergic and nondopaminergic neurons in mature mesencephalic cultures. In immature cultures, hypoxia slightly stimulated both apoptosis and necrosis, while in mature cultures, it dramatically increased the number of solely necrotic cells.
Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Interleukin-6 Concentrations in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Baker Dewleen G. , Ekhator Nosa N. , Kasckow John W. , Hill Kelly K. , Zoumakis Emmanouil , Dashevsky Boris A. , Chrousos George P. , Geracioti Jr. Thomas D. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion is suppressed by glucocorticoids and stimulated by catecholamines. Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have decreased cortisol and increased catecholamine secretion. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation of IL-6 levels and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and noradrenergic activity in patients with well-characterized PTSD. <i>Methods:</i> Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was withdrawn via a lumbar subarachnoid catheter over 6 h from 11 combat veterans with PTSD and 8 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Blood was withdrawn concurrently. We measured IL-6, CRH and norepinephrine concentrations in the CSF and IL-6, ACTH, cortisol and norepinephrine in plasma. <i>Results:</i> Mean and median CSF IL-6 concentrations were higher in PTSD than in controls (mean = 24.0 vs. 14.6, p = 0.05; median = 26.7 vs. 14.3, p < 0.03): plasma IL-6 concentrations, however, were not different between the two groups. Plasma IL-6 and norepinephrine were positively correlated in the PTSD group (r = +0.74, p < 0.04), but not in normals (r = –0.55, p = 0.20).<i> Conclusions:</i> PTSD patients have increased CSF concentrations of IL-6. Their plasma IL-6 is not elevated but is more tightly associated with noradrenergic output in these patients than in normals. Both findings might be explained by the low cortisol secretion previously reported in PTSD as a result of lowered glucocorticoid suppression of IL-6 secretion. High levels of CSF IL-6 may reflect neurodegeneration or compensatory neuroprotection.
Inhibitory Effect of Ibudilast on Urinary Albumin Excretion in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus with Microalbuminuria
Authors: Hoshino Tazue , Ikeda Tadasu 
Published: April 2003

To evaluate the clinical effect of ibudilast, a prostacyclin-mediated vasodilator and antiplatelet agent, on diabetic nephropathy, 8 nonhypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM; 4 men and 4 women, mean age: 58.9 ± 11.4 years, duration of diabetes: 16.9 ± 3.2 years) with microalbuminuria [20–200 mg/g creatinine (Cr)] were administered ibudilast (30 mg/day) for 18 months (ibudilast group). The urinary albumin excretion index (UAE, mg albumin/g Cr) was compared with 8 age-matched type 2 DM with microalbuminuria (control group). During the study, the UAE significantly decreased in the ibudilast group, while it significantly increased in the control group. After 18 months, the UAE (52 ± 19 mg/g Cr) in the ibudilast group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that (99 ± 46 mg/g Cr) in the control group. These results suggest that ibudilast may inhibit the progression of early diabetic nephropathy in type 2 DM.
Comparison of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Meloxicam Gel with Diclofenac and Piroxicam Gels in Animal Models: Pharmacokinetic Parameters after Topical Application
Authors: Gupta S.K. , Bansal P. , Bhardwaj R.K. , Jaiswal J. , Velpandian T. 
Published: April 2003

Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is a preferential inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 and has demonstrated potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity after oral administration. The present work was carried out to elucidate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a newer topical gel formulation of meloxicam (1% w/w gel) and compare it with 0.5% w/w piroxicam and 1% w/w diclofenac gels in experimental animal models. The study was also extended to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of a newer formulation of meloxicam gel after topical application on depilated skin of rats. The anti-inflammatory activities of meloxicam, piroxicam and diclofenac gels were compared using carrageenan-induced acute paw oedema and complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced chronic paw oedema in rats. Meloxicam gel showed increased protection against inflammation as compared to piroxicam and diclofenac gels. Acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced phase I and phase II pain models were used to compare their analgesic activity. Meloxicam gel showed significant protection in formalin-induced phase II pain whereas its analgesic activity was less as compared to diclofenac and piroxicam gels in writhing test and formalin-induced phase I pain. The pharmacokinetic studies showed peak plasma drug concentration (C<sub>max</sub>) of 48.48 ± 6.57 µg/ml at 2 h (T<sub>max</sub>) after topical application of 500 mg of meloxicam gel formulation. The area under the curve as calculated from 0 to 6 h was found to be 114.18 ± 4.23 and 194.13 ± 3.78 µg·h/ml for 0 to ∝. The results indicate that topical preparation of meloxicam could be an effective alternative to diclofenac and piroxicam gels in inflammatory conditions and its associated pain with the possibility of less systemic side-effects.
Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Topical Preparations with 10% Hamamelis Distillate in a UV Erythema Test
Authors: Hughes-Formella B.J. , Filbry A. , Gassmueller J. , Rippke F. 
Published: April 2003

In 40 volunteers the efficacy of three lotions with 10% hamamelis distillates from different suppliers, two vehicles, dimethindene maleate 0.1% gel, hydrocortisone 1% cream and hydrocortisone 0.25% lotion were investigated in a modified UV erythema test with three UV dosages (1.2, 1.4 and 1.7 MED). The test preparations were applied occlusively over a 48-hour period following irradiation. Chromametric measurement of redness and visual assessment were performed 24, 48 and 72 h after induction of erythema. The hydrocortisone formulations were most effective in erythema suppression. An anti- inflammatory effect was noted for all three hamamelis lotions as well as for the vehicles. A significantly greater suppression of erythema than seen with the vehicles was noted for one of the hamamelis lotions at 1.4 MED. The efficacy of the antihistamine dimethindene maleate did not surpass the hamamelis lotions or the vehicles. Even though the differences between the hamamelis lotions were slight, it was possible to make an objective selection of the best hamamelis distillate for aftersun purposes.
Nephron Endowment and Renal Filtration Surface Area in Young Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Black M. Jane , Wang Yao , Bertram John F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims: </i>A reduction in nephron endowment leading to reduced renal filtration surface area has been implicated in the development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare glomerular (and thereby nephron) number and renal filtration surface area in young Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) with young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), prior to the development of hypertension in this model. <i>Methods: </i>Using unbiased stereological methods the number and size of glomeruli, as well as total renal filtration surface area were determined in perfusion-fixed kidneys of 4-week-old WKY and SHR. <i>Results: </i>At 4 weeks of age, in weight-matched animals, there was no significant difference in the number of glomeruli in the kidneys of SHR compared to WKY (28,620 ± 1,643 and 25,670 ± 1,263 glomeruli/kidney, respectively). Similarly, there was no difference in mean glomerular volume (SHR: 4.70 ± 0.31 × 10<sup>–4</sup> mm<sup>3</sup>; WKY: 4.28 ± 0.20 × 10<sup>–4</sup> mm<sup>3</sup>). Surprisingly, total renal filtration surface area was significantly greater in SHR than WKY (3,867 ± 116 and 3,176 ± 83 mm<sup>2</sup>, respectively). <i>Conclusion: </i>The renal abnormality underlying the development of hypertension in the SHR is not due to inborn deficits in nephron endowment and/or filtration surface area.
Effects of Systemic Blockade of Nitric Oxide Synthases on Pulsatile LH, Prolactin, and GH Secretion in Adult Male Rats
Authors: Pinilla L. , González L.C. , Tena-Sempere M. , Bellido C. , Aguilar E. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important neurotransmitter involved in the control of the neuroendocrine function. NO acts at hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal levels. Previous data from our laboratory showed that blockade of NO generation, after systemic administration of a NO synthase inhibitor (Nω-nitro-arginine methyl ester, NAME), increased the luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in intact and ovariectomized females, whereas a blockade of spontaneous and steroid-induced LH and prolactin surges after NO synthase inhibition has been also described. <i>Methods and Results:</i> Adult male rats were implanted with chronic intra-auricular cannulae and 5 days later sampled at 15-min intervals during 6 h (10.00–16.00 h). Administration of NAME (40 mg/kg at 08.00 and 13.00 h) stimulated significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the LH secretion, increasing LH pulse amplitude (0.58 ± 0.14 vs. 0.08 ± 0.01 ng/ml in controls), mean LH levels (0.64 ± 0.15 vs. 0.15 ± 0.03 ng/ml in controls), and area under curve (239 ± 56 vs. 57 ± 13 in controls). This effect was blocked by coadministration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor (0.5 mg/kg). The action of NAME was observed 3 h after administration, in contrast to the earlier response detected in female rats, and it appeared selective for LH, as prolactin and growth hormone secretion remained unchanged. Further analysis was carried out to determine whether the effect of NAME on the LH secretion was indirect and mediated by changes in testosterone release. To this end, adult male rats were decapitated 2 h after administration of NAME (40 mg/kg), SNP (0.5 mg/kg), or <i>L</i>-nitro-arginine methyl ester (<i>L</i>-AME), a substrate for NOS (1 g/kg). The serum testosterone concentrations were unchanged after NAME administration, but inhibited by SNP and <i>L</i>-AME. Finally, the effect of NAME and SNP on in vitro testosterone secretion was analyzed. NAME (10 m<i>M</i>) did not affect basal testosterone production, but inhibited the human chorionic gonadotropin stimulated testosterone secretion. <i>Conclusions:</i> These data strongly suggest that the stimulatory effect of NAME on LH secretion is not due to an inhibition of testosterone release and is exerted at the hypothalamic-pituitary level.
Mechanism of Bradykinin-Induced Ca<sup>2+</sup> Mobilization in MG63 Human Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Wang Jun-Wen , Su Warren , Law Yee-Ping , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Chen Yu-Chih , Wang Jue-Long , Chang Hsin-Ju , Chen Wei-Chung , Jan Chung-Ren 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The effect of bradykinin on intracellular free Ca<sup>2+</sup> levels ([Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub>) in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells was explored using fura-2 as a Ca<sup>2+</sup> dye. <i>Methods/Results:</i> Bradykinin (0.1 n<i>M</i>–1 µ<i>M</i>) increased [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC<sub>50</sub> value of 0.5 n<i>M</i>. The [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> signal comprised an initial peak and a fast decay which returned to baseline in 2 min. Extracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> removal inhibited the peak [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i </sub>signals by 35 ± 3%. Bradykinin (1 n<i>M</i>) failed to increase [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> in the absence of extracellular Ca<sup>2+ </sup>after cells were pretreated with thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca<sup>2+</sup> pump inhibitor; 1 µ<i>M</i>). Bradykinin (1 n<i>M</i>)-induced intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> release was nearly abolished by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2 µ<i>M</i> 1-(6-((17β-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122). The [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i </sub>increase induced by 1 n<i>M</i> bradykinin in Ca<sup>2+</sup>- free medium was abolished by 1 n<i>M</i> HOE 140 (a B2 bradykinin receptor antagonist) but was not altered by 100 n<i>M</i> Des-Arg-HOE 140 (a B1 bradykinin receptor antagonist). Pretreatment with 1 p<i>M</i> pertussis toxin for 5 h in Ca<sup>2+</sup> medium inhibited 30 ± 3% of 1 n<i>M</i> bradykinin-induced peak [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> increase. <i>Conclusions:</i> Together, this study shows that bradykinin induced [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> increases in a concentration-dependent manner, by stimulating B2 bradykinin receptors leading to mobilization of Ca<sup>2+</sup> from the thapsigargin-sensitive stores in a manner dependent on inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, and also by inducing extracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> influx. The bradykinin response was partly coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein pathway.
Resection of Spleno-Renal Shunt Resulting in Enhanced Liver Volume in a Patient with Congenital Portosystemic Shunt Concomitant with Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Sato Yoshinobu , Mitsuma Chieko , Iwaya Akira , Kurosaki Isao , Shirai Yoshio , Hatakeyama Katsuyoshi 
Published: April 2003

A 73-year-old man recurring hepatic encephalopathy due to a congenital splenorenal shunt concomitant with early gastric cancer was successfully treated by surgical intervention. The portal pressures before and after the shunt resection were 13.5 and 18 cm H<sub>2</sub>O, respectively. The liver was slightly atrophic and the histological specimen showed slight fibrosis and mild infiltration of lymphocytes in the portal area. After the operation, the encephalopathy was improved and the several factors of liver function also recovered. Interestingly, the liver volume estimated by abdominal CT clearly increased 1 month after the shunt resection. The encephalopathy in congenital portosystemic shunt might result from chronic liver ischemia and atrophy. Moreover, the shunt resection may enlarge the functional liver volume by increasing the portal blood flow.
Pancreatoblastoma: Ultrastructural and Image DNA Cytometric Analysis
Authors: Riesener Klaus-Peter , Kasperk Reinhard , Füzesi Laszlo , Schumpelick Volker 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Since the first description of a pancreatoblastoma as a malignant pancreatic tumour of childhood in 1957, approximately 60 cases have been reported. We present the symptoms, pathology, and therapy of this rare tumour in a 17-year-old girl. <i>Case Report:</i> The patient initially presented with upper gastro-intestinal bleeding. During laparotomy a 16-cm (diameter) tumour was recognized in the pancreatic tail. Open biopsy and radical resection, followed by histological and immunohistochemical examinations, confirmed the diagnosis of a pancreatoblastoma. The results of single-cell DNA cytometry underlined the low DNA grade of malignancy of the primary tumour. In spite of adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and adriamycin, the patient returned 22 months later with many hepatic and peritoneal metastases measuring up to 5 cm in diameter. Peritoneal tumour debulking and an extended hemihepatectomy were performed as a palliative treatment. Unfortunately, the patient died 18 months later from further tumour progression. <i>Conclusions:</i> A review of the literature reveals that a pancreatoblastoma in childhood has to be considered malignant, but usually shows a favourable prognosis in contrast to pancreatic neoplasms in adult patients. The treatment of choice is radical resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be considered because of the metastatic potential of the tumour.
Interposed Colon between Remnants of the Small Intestine Exhibits Small Bowel Features in a Patient with Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Kono Koji , Sekikawa Takayoshi , Iizuka Hidehiko , Takahashi Akihiro , Amemiya Hideki , Takehana Takuo , Ooi Akishi , Fujii Hideki , Matsumoto Yoshiro 
Published: April 2003

We describe herein the case of a 48-year-old man who underwent emergency massive resection of the small intestine due to a strangulated ileus, which led to short bowel syndrome (SBS), as he was left with only 7 cm of jejunum and 8 cm of ileum with ileocecal valve. He then received interposition of a colon segment between the jejunum and ileum remnants isoperistaltically. For 24 months after the operation, he has been able to tolerate oral intake, but still requires partial home parenteral nutritional support during the night on a bimonthly basis. Biochemical and nutritional parameters, including the analysis of minerals and trace elements, indicated that the patient was in relatively good health. Histological examination revealed that the mucosa of the interposed colon showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the crypt glands, and cells resembling Paneth cells which are usually seen in the small intestine, suggesting that the colon segment exhibits adaptive changes to the small intestine. Colon interposition may be a useful technique in patients with SBS when the small bowel is too short for the other surgical considerations.