bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simple spike and complex spike activity of floccular Purkinje cells during the optokinetic reflex in mice lacking cerebellar long‐term depression
Authors: Goossens H. H. L. M. , Hoebeek F. E. , Van Alphen A. M. , Van Der Steen J. , Stahl J. S. , De Zeeuw C. I. , Frens M. A. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractCerebellar long‐term depression (LTD) at parallel fibre–Purkinje cell (P‐cell) synapses is thought to embody neuronal information storage for motor learning. Transgenic L7‐protein kinase C inhibitor (PKCI) mice in which cerebellar LTD is selectively blocked do indeed exhibit impaired adaptation in the vestibulo‐ocular reflex (VOR) while their default oculomotor performance is unaffected. Although supportive, these data do not definitively establish a causal link between memory storage required for motor learning and cerebellar LTD. As the L7‐PKCI transgene is probably activated from the early stages of P‐cell development, an alternative could be that P‐cells develop abnormal signals in L7‐PKCI mutants, disturbing mechanisms of motor learning that rely on proper P‐cell outputs. To test this alternative hypothesis, we studied simple spike (SS) and complex spike (CS) activity of vertical axis P‐cells in the flocculus of L7‐PKCI mice and their wild‐type littermates during sinusoidal optokinetic stimulation. Both SS and CS discharge dynamics appeared to be very similar in wild‐type and transgenic P‐cells at all stimulus frequencies (0.05–0.8 Hz). The CS activity of all vertical axis cells increased with contralateral stimulus rotation and lagged ipsiversive eye velocity by 165–180°. The SS modulation was roughly reciprocal to the CS modulation and lagged ipsiversive eye velocity by ∼ 15°. The baseline SS and CS discharge characteristics were indistinguishable between the two genotypes. We conclude that the impaired VOR learning in L7‐PKCI mutants does not reflect fundamental aberrations of the cerebellar circuitry. The data thus strengthen the evidence that cerebellar LTD is implicated in rapid VOR learning but not in the development of normal default response patterns.
Texture contrast attracts overt visual attention in natural scenes
Authors: Parkhurst Derrick J. , Niebur Ernst 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn natural vision, the central nervous system actively selects information for detailed processing through mechanisms of visual attention. It is widely held that simple stimulus features such as color, orientation and intensity contribute to the determination of visual salience and thus can act to guide the selection process in a bottom‐up fashion. Contrary to this view, Einhäuser, W. & König, P. [(2003) Eur. J. Neurosci., 17, 1089–1097] conclude from their study of human eye movements that luminance contrast does not contribute to the calculation of stimulus salience and that top‐down, rather than bottom‐up, factors therefore determine attentional allocation in natural scenes. In this article, we dispute their conclusion and argue that the Einhäuser and König study has a number of methodological problems, the most prominent of which is the unintentional introduction of changes in texture contrast. We hypothesize that texture contrast, like luminance contrast, can contribute to the guidance of attention in a bottom‐up fashion, and that an appeal to top‐down factors is not necessary. To test this hypothesis, we implement a purely bottom‐up model of visual selective attention where salience is derived from both luminance and texture contrast. We find that the model can quantitatively account for Einhäuser and König's results and that texture contrast strongly influences attentional guidance in this particular paradigm. The significance of this result for attentional guidance in other paradigms is discussed.
Temporal and spatial patterns of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 protein and gene expression in spinal cord white matter after acute and chronic spinal cord injury in rats: implications for axonal pathophysiology after neurotrauma
Authors: Karimi‐Abdolrezaee Soheila , Eftekharpour Eftekhar , Fehlings Michael G. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAfter spinal cord injury (SCI), surviving white matter axons display axonal dysfunction associated with demyelination and altered K+ channel activity. To clarify the molecular basis of posttraumatic axonal pathophysiology after SCI, we investigated the changes in expression and distribution of the axonal K+ channel subunits Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 in spinal cord white matter after in vivo SCI in the rat. Using Western blot analysis, we found an increased expression of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 at 2 and 6 weeks after SCI. By real‐time PCR we observed an increase in Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 mRNA levels 1 day after SCI, which persisted until 6 weeks. Confocal immunohistochemistry showed a markedly dispersed labelling of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 along the injured axons, in contrast to the tight localization of these channels to the juxtaparanodes of noninjured axons. This redistribution of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 occurred as early as 1 h postinjury along some injured axons, and persisted at 6 weeks postinjury. In parallel with the redistribution of Kv1.1 and 1.2, contactin‐associated protein (Caspr), which is normally confined to a paranodal location, also displayed a more diffuse distribution along the injured spinal cord axons. Our results suggest that the increased expression of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 proteins is transcriptionally regulated. In contrast, the redistribution of the axonal K+ channel subunits occurs very early postinjury and probably reflects a disruption of the juxtaparanodal axonal region due to physical trauma, as shown by altered localization of Caspr.
Japan's contribution to clinical pediatrics research in the last decade
Authors: Okamoto Shigeru , Rahman Mahbubur , Fukui Tsuguya 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
Objective
: To determine Japan's contribution to research in clinical pediatrics over the last decade.
Methods
: Articles published in highly reputable pediatrics journals from 1991−2000 were accessed through the MEDLINE database. The number of articles which had an affiliation with a Japanese institution were counted for each of the journals and also summed in total. Proportions of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case‐control/cohort studies among the articles from Japan were also generated and compared with the average for the entirety. In addition, shares of the top‐ranking countries were presented along with their trend over time.
Results
: In total, 20 189 articles were published in the selected seven pediatric journals from 1991−2000. Japan contributed 3.0% of these articles and this contribution was ranked 7th in the world. A negative trend was noticed in Japan's contribution over time but it was not statistically significant (z = −0.40, P = 0.16). RCTs accounted for 7.3% of the total articles, but only 0.34% of those from Japan.
Conclusions
: Japan's share of articles in pediatrics research was smaller than that in basic science and some of the other clinical fields. The number of articles from Japan providing a high level of evidence was meager in this field.
Effect of caudal block on stress responses in children
Authors: Tuncer Sema , Yosunkaya Alper , Reisli Ruhiye , Tavlan Aybars , CICekci Faruk , Otelcioglu Seref 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
Background
: The present study was performed during lower abdominal and genitourinary surgery, to assess the effects of caudal block on plasma cortisol, prolactin, insulin and glucose concentrations during and after surgery.
Methods
: Thirty male children aged 3−10 years who were scheduled for elective surgery, were selected for the study. The children were premedicated with oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg. All children received induction with nitrous oxide in oxygen and sevoflurane. The children were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I, control group (n = 15) and group II, caudal group (n = 15). Anesthesia was maintained by face mask with the same agent in both groups. Caudal block was performed with 0.25% bupivacaine 2 mg/kg after induction of anesthesia in the caudal group. Blood samples were obtained after induction of anesthesia (T0) in order to measure baseline concentrations of cortisol, prolactin, glucose and insulin. Additional samples were obtained 30 min after the start of surgery (T1), and 60 min after the end of surgery (T2).
Results
: All of the basal values (T0) were within the normal ranges accepted by Meram Medical Faculty of Selcuk University for children of this age group and there were no differences between the groups (P > 0.05). In both groups, glucose concentration increased at T1, compared with T0 and T2 values (P < 0.05). However glucose concentration was lower in the caudal group than in the control group at T1 (P < 0.05). In both groups, prolactin concentration increased at T1, compared with T0 (P < 0.05). The mean plasma prolactin and cortisol concentration were lower in the caudal group than the control group at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). The mean insulin concentration was lower in the caudal group than the control group at T2 (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
: These results indicate that caudal anesthesia suppresses the metabolic and endocrine responses to stress associated with lower abdominal and genitourinary surgery in children.
A randomized controlled trial of amantadine plus interferon‐α2a vs. interferon‐α2a alone in naive patients with chronic hepatitis C randomized according to the early virological response to interferon‐α2a monotherapy
Authors: Angelico M. , Cepparulo M. , Angelico F. , Francioso S. , Barlattani A. , Di Candilo F. , Della Vecchia R. , Demelia L. , De Sanctis G. , Gentile S. , Grieco A. , Parruti G. , Sabusco G. , Tarquini L. , Tosti A. , Zaru S. ,   THE SMIEC 1 GROUP
Published: January 2004

SummaryBackground : An early virological response to interferon‐α treatment is a strong predictor of sustained response, but it has never been exploited to stratify patients in clinical trials.Aim : To evaluate the efficacy of amantadine plus interferon‐α compared with interferon‐α alone in naive patients with chronic hepatitis C who were randomized on the basis of the early virological response to interferon‐α.Methods : One hundred and eighty‐one patients received recombinant interferon‐α2a (3 MU three times weekly) for 2 months and 164 were evaluated for early (i.e. month 2) virological response. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA‐negative patients (n = 66) were randomized to receive 3 MU of interferon‐α three times weekly, with or without amantadine (200 mg/day); HCV RNA‐positive patients (n = 98) were randomized to receive 6 MU of interferon‐α three times weekly, with or without amantadine (200 mg/day). HCV RNA‐positive patients at 6 months discontinued treatment, and all others completed 12 months.Results : At month 6, HCV RNA‐negative patients made up 54.2% of the interferon + amantadine group and 42.0% of the monotherapy group (P = 0.07). At month 12, HCV RNA‐negative patients made up 38.5% of the interferon + amantadine group and 28.4% of the monotherapy group (N.S.). The sustained virological response rates were 21.6% and 20.9%, respectively (N.S.).Conclusion : The addition of amantadine does not enhance the sustained virological response to interferon‐α in naive patients with chronic hepatitis C; however, an additive effect of amantadine occurs in the first 6 months, mainly in patients without an early response to monotherapy. Early response to interferon‐α is a strong predictor of sustained virological response.
Viral clearance in HCV viraemic patients with normal alanine aminotransferase after combination therapy: a controlled, open‐labelled study
Authors: Mangia A. , Spinzi G. , Vuturo O. , Pazienza V. , Iacobellis A. , Piattelli M. , Giacobbe A. , Leandro G. , Piermanni V. , Minoli G. , Montalto G. , Andriulli A. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryBackground : In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels, liver fibrosis has been reported in 0–22% of cases and advanced liver disease in 5–10% of cases.Aim : To determine whether patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels clear infection after anti‐viral therapy at equal or different rates from infected patients with raised alanine aminotransferase levels.Methods : Thirty‐five hepatitis C virus RNA‐positive patients with fibrosis at liver histology (Group 1) were matched for genotype, sex, age and histology with patients with raised alanine aminotransferase levels (Group 2). Both groups were treated with 3 MU interferon‐α2b plus ribavirin (1000–1200 mg) for 12 months.Results : End‐of‐therapy response was achieved in 71.4%[95% confidence interval (CI), 56.4–86.3] of patients in Group 1 and in 52.3% (95% CI, 42.8–61.9) of those in Group 2 (P = 0.04). At week 72, 22 patients (62.8%; 95% CI, 46.8–78.1) in Group 1 and 50 patients (47.5%; 95% CI, 38.0–57.1) in Group 2 showed a sustained virological response (P = 0.11). Non‐1 genotype was the only independent predictor of sustained response (P = 0.002), with an odds ratio of 3.45 (95% CI, 1.58–7.50). At month 3 of therapy, the positive predictive values for non‐response were 100% and 96% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively.Conclusions : Interferon and ribavirin induce comparable sustained virological response in patients with persistently normal or raised alanine aminotransferase levels. Stage 1 fibrosis, rather than alanine aminotransferase levels, may be the criterion on which to decide whether or not to treat patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels.
Combining infliximab and methotrexate in fistulizing Crohn's disease resistant or intolerant to azathioprine
Authors: Schröder O. , Blumenstein I. , Schulte‐Bockholt A. , Stein J. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryBackground : Crohn's disease is complicated by fistulas in 20–40% of patients at some time during the course of their illness. Azathioprine has been reported to heal fistulas in 30–40% of cases. Long‐lasting effects by the anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α antibody infliximab most often require repeated infusions. Methotrexate has been shown to be an effective drug in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease.Aim : To evaluate the combination of infliximab and methotrexate as therapy for fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease.Methods : Twelve consecutive patients (mean age, 29.5 years) with fistulizing Crohn's disease resistant or intolerant to azathioprine were followed prospectively. Patients received three infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) and long‐term methotrexate (20 mg/week). Therapy success was defined as sustained closure of fistulas ≥ 6 months after fistula closure.Results : In four of the 12 patients, complete closure of fistulas that persisted for ≥ 6 months (median follow‐up, 13.25 months) was observed. In three further patients, a partial response was noted. In five patients, persistent therapy success could not be achieved or therapy had to be stopped due to side‐effects.Conclusions : A combination of infliximab with long‐term methotrexate may be a promising concept in fistulizing Crohn's disease. Our data indicate the need for larger controlled trials.
Clopidogrel plus omeprazole compared with aspirin plus omeprazole for aspirin‐induced symptomatic peptic ulcers/erosions with low to moderate bleeding/re‐bleeding risk — a single‐blind, randomized controlled study
Authors: Ng F.‐H. , Wong B. C.‐Y. , Wong S.‐Y. , Chen W.‐H. , Chang C.‐M. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryBackground : Clopidogrel causes significantly less symptomatic peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal bleeding than low‐dose aspirin in average‐risk patients. The gastrotoxicity of clopidogrel in patients with active peptic ulcer disease is unknown.Aim : To compare the incidence of unhealed ulcers in patients receiving clopidogrel or aspirin.Methods : Patients with aspirin‐induced peptic ulcer disease treated with omeprazole (20 mg/day) were randomized to receive clopidogrel (75 mg/day) or to continue with low‐dose aspirin. Success was defined as ulcer/erosion healing at the eighth week.Results : One hundred and twenty‐nine patients were recruited (69 received clopidogrel and 60 continued with aspirin). Thirty‐one (45%) in the clopidogrel group and 25 (42%) in the aspirin group had a minor gastrointestinal bleed. No ulcer showed an adherent clot or visible vessel. The distributions of peptic ulcer disease were similar in the clopidogrel and aspirin groups (gastric ulcer: 41% vs. 40%; duodenal ulcer: 10% vs. 12%; gastric ulcer + duodenal ulcer: 6% vs. 3%; gastritis: 32% vs. 37%; duodenitis: 4% vs. 7%; gastritis + duodenitis: 0% vs. 2%). Clopidogrel and aspirin were re‐started after 0.86 ± 1.79 and 0.44 ± 1.60 days, respectively (P = 0.170). Three (4%) patients stopped clopidogrel due to drug rash. Using per protocol analysis, the treatment success rates of clopidogrel and aspirin were 94% (62/66) and 95% (57/60), respectively.Conclusions : In patients with aspirin‐associated peptic ulcer disease of low to moderate grade, both early conversion from aspirin to clopidogrel and continuation of aspirin are safe.
Economic evaluation of Helicobacter pylori eradication in the CADET‐Hp randomized controlled trial of H. pylori‐positive primary care patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia
Authors: Chiba N. , Veldhuyzen Van Zanten S. J. O. , Escobedo S. , Grace E. , Lee J. , Sinclair P. , Barkun A. , Armstrong D. , Thomson A. B. R. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryBackground : Adult Helicobacter pylori‐positive patients by 13C‐urea breath test with uninvestigated dyspepsia symptoms were randomized to 1‐week eradication treatment with omeprazole, metronidazole and clarithromycin (OMC) vs. omeprazole and placebo antimicrobials (OPP) in the Canadian Adult Dyspepsia Empiric Treatment—H. pylori‐positive (CADET‐Hp) study.Aim : To perform an economic evaluation of this 1‐year study.Methods : Following blind eradication treatment, family practitioners managed patients according to their usual practices. Health resource utilization information was collected prospectively. From the mean costs of the health resources consumed and the treatment outcomes, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios and incremental net benefits of eradication treatment vs. OPP were determined.Results : Eradication therapy significantly improved dyspepsia symptoms (treatment success: OMC, 50%; OPP, 36%; P = 0.02). The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of OMC vs. OPP was − 387 Canadian dollars (CAD$) per treatment success (90% CI, – CAD$1707, CAD$607), indicating a lower cost with treatment success. The incremental net benefit analysis showed that H. pylori eradication was cost‐effective if the willingness‐to‐pay value exceeded a nominal figure of CAD$100 from a health service perspective or CAD$607 from the societal perspective.Conclusion : In uninvestigated patients presenting with dyspepsia at the primary care level, eradication of H. pylori in those who are H. pylori positive leads to a cost‐effective improvement in dyspepsia symptoms compared with a strategy of not eradicating H. pylori in these patients.
Molecular identification of the skin transformation center of anuran larval skin using genes of Rana adult keratin (RAK) and SPARC as probes
Authors: Ishida Yuji , Suzuki Ken‐ichi , Utoh Rie , Obara Masanobu , Yoshizato Katsutoshi 
Published: January 2004

Anuran larval skin undergoes a process of metamorphosis into preadult and adult skin. Basal skein, larval basal and adult basal cells are basement membrane‐attaching cells in the larval, preadult and adult epidermis, respectively, and are identified as cells expressing genes of RLK (Rana larval keratin), both RLK and RAK (Rana adult keratin), and RAK. Larval to preadult skin conversion takes place in the histological entity called the skin transformation center (STC). The present study performed a cDNA subtractive gene screening on cDNA of the larval and the preadult skin, and cloned the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) gene as an upregulated gene in the larva to preadult skin conversion. RAK gene‐positive basal skein cells and fibroblasts in and around the STC were weakly and strongly sparc‐positive, respectively. Using sparc and rak, we redefined the STC and visualized it on a histological section as an approximately 150 µm‐long region that contained about 20 rak‐negative and weakly sparc‐positive basal cells. Intense sparc expression was observed in basal skein cells, but not in larval basal cells, suggesting that SPARC acts as a suppressor of rak during epidermal differentiation. This suggestion was tested by investigating the effect of SPARC on cultured larval basal cells. We observed that SPARC suppressed the expression of rak, but not rlk.
Management for fistula‐in‐ano with Ginseng and Tang‐kuei Ten Combination
Authors: Ohya Toshiki , Usui Yoshiko , Okamoto Kentaro , Inoue Yumi , Arii Shigeki , Iwai Takehisa 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
Background
: Non‐operative management for patients with fistula‐in‐ano in infancy using a traditional herbal medicine Ginseng and Tang‐kuei Ten Combination (GTTC) is described.
Methods
: A total of 22 patients with peri‐anal abscess or fistula‐in‐ano were treated with GTTC. Eighteen patients showed no improvement using the conventional non‐operative management (frequent curettage of abscess cavity), after which administration of GTTC was commenced. The other four patients received GTTC from the beginning of their treatment. A dose of 0.1−0.2 g/kg of GTTC was given orally twice a day. The period between onset of peri‐anal abscess and the commencement of GTTC (pre‐GTTC period) was compared to the period until remission after administration of GTTC (post‐GTTC period). The relationship between the GTTC dose, age at onset of peri‐anal abscess, post‐GTTC period, and relapse rates were investigated.
Results
: Twenty‐one patients reached remission, but a 4‐year‐old boy failed to reach remission and he required fistelectomy. Pre‐GTTC periods were from 11 days to 3 years (median 50 days) and statistically longer than post‐GTTC periods (4−65 days, median 7 days). There was a reverse correlation between the age at onset of peri‐anal abscess and post‐GTTC period (r = −044, P < 0.05). There was no statistical correlation between the dose of GTTC and post‐GTTC period. Five patients showed relapse after discontinuing GTTC, all of them could be resolved with augmentation of the dose. The onset of peri‐anal abscess in patients who relapsed were all < 3 months of age.
Conclusion
: Ginseng and Tang‐kuei Ten Combination seemed to accelerate the recovery of patients with fistula‐in‐ano in infancy.