bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered production and proteolytic processing of brevican by transforming growth factor β in cultured astrocytes
Authors: Hamel Michelle G. , Mayer Joanne , Gottschall Paul E. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractBrevican, a proteoglycan of the lectican family, inhibits neurite outgrowth and may also stabilize synapses. Little is known about its expression or function in vitro. This study seeks to determine whether a brevican‐containing matrix is present in neural cultures, and if so, how the production of brevican may be modulated. To accomplish this, the content of brevican and its proteolytic fragments were measured in primary cultures of neurons, astrocytes and microglia after treatment with cytokines. These experiments revealed that astrocytes and neurons express several isoforms of brevican, whereas microglia do not produce this proteoglycan. Cleavage fragments of brevican were found primarily in neuronal and astrocyte culture medium. ADAMTS4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs), a protease that selectively cleaves lecticans, was detected in cultures of neurons, astrocytes and microglia. When astrocytes were challenged with various cytokines, it was found that treatment with transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) resulted in a marked increase in intact brevican in the culture medium that was accompanied by a trend for a decrease in ADAMTS‐generated fragments of brevican and apparent ADAMTS activity. Thus, TGFβ may play a role in neuronal plasticity through its regulation of brevican and the activity of the ADAMTSs.
Chronic fluoxetine administration inhibits extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation in rat brain
Authors: Fumagalli F. , Molteni R. , Calabrese F. , Frasca A. , Racagni G. , Riva M. A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAccumulating evidence indicates that antidepressants alter intracellular signalling mechanisms resulting in long‐term synaptic alterations which probably account for the delay in clinical action of these drugs. Therefore, we investigated the effects of chronic fluoxetine administration on extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, a group of MAPKs that mediate signal transduction from the cell surface downstream to the nucleus. Our data demonstrate that 3‐week fluoxetine treatment resulted in long‐lasting reduction of phospho‐ERK 1 and 2. Such an effect depends on the length of the treatment given that no changes were observed after a single drug injection or after 2 weeks of treatment and it is region specific, being observed in hippocampus and frontal cortex but not in striatum. Finally, phospho‐ERK 1 and 2 were differently modulated within nucleus and cytosol in hippocampus but similarly reduced in the same compartments of the frontal cortex, highlighting the specific subcellular compartmentalization of fluoxetine. Conversely, imipramine did not reduce the hippocampal phosphorylation of both ERK subtypes whereas it selectively increased ERK 1 phosphorylation in the cytosolic compartment of frontal cortex suggesting a drug‐specific effect on this intracellular target. These results point to modulation of phosphorylation, rather than altered expression, as the main target in the action of fluoxetine on this pathway. The reduction of ERK 1/2 function herein reported may be associated with the therapeutic effects of fluoxetine in the treatment of depression.
A biochemical and functional characterization of diet‐induced brain insulin resistance
Authors: Mielke John G. , Taghibiglou Changiz , Liu Lidong , Zhang Yu , Jia Zhengping , Adeli Khosrow , Wang Yu Tian 
Published: June 2005

AbstractWhile considerable research has examined diminished insulin responses within peripheral tissues, comparatively little has been done to examine the effects of this metabolic disruption upon the CNS. The present study employed biochemical and electrophysiological assays of acutely prepared brain slices to determine whether neural insulin resistance is a component of the metabolic syndrome observed within the fructose‐fed (FF) hamster. The tyrosine phosphorylation levels of the insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS‐1) in response to insulin were significantly reduced within FF hamsters. Also, insulin‐mediated phosphorylation of both residues necessary for activation of the serine‐threonine kinase Akt/PKB, a key effector of insulin signaling, was markedly decreased. Elevated levels of the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, which dephosphorylates the IR and IRS‐1, were also observed within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of FF hamsters. Examination of whether a nutritionally induced compromise of neural insulin signaling altered synaptic function revealed a significant attenuation of insulin‐induced long‐term depression, but no effect upon either paired‐pulse facilitation or electrically induced long‐term potentiation. Collectively, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that nutritionally induced insulin resistance significantly affects the neural insulin signaling pathway, and suggest that brain insulin resistance may contribute to cognitive impairment.
Comparison of 1‐ and 2‐day protocols for myocardial SPECT: a Monte Carlo study
Authors: El‐Ali H. H. , Palmer John , Carlsson Marcus , Edenbrandt Lars , Ljungberg Michael 
Published: June 2005

SummaryBackground:  Myocardial perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is carried out by combining a rest and a stress study that are performed either on one day or two separate days. A problem when performing the two studies on 1 day is that the residual activity from the first study contributes to the activity measured in the second study.Aim:  Our aim was to identify and evaluate trends in the quantification parameters of myocardial perfusion images as a function of separation time between rest and stress.Methods:  A digital phantom was used for the generation of heart images and a Monte Carlo‐based scintillation camera program was used to simulate SPECT projection images. In our simulations, the rest images were normal and the stress images included lesions of different types and localization. Two programs for quantification of myocardial perfusion images were used to assess the different images in an automated and objective way.Results:  The summed difference scores observed with the 2‐day protocol were 3 ± 1 (mean ± SD) higher for AutoQUANT and 2 ± 1 higher for 4D‐MSPECT compared with those observed with the 1‐day protocol. The extent values were 2% points higher for the 2‐day protocol compared with the 1‐day protocol for both programs.Conclusions:  There are differences in the quantitative assessment of perfusion defects depending on the type of protocol used. The contribution of residual activity is larger when a 1‐day protocol is used compared with the 2‐day protocol. The differences, although small, are of a magnitude that results in a clear shift in quantification parameters.
Radiation doses to staff involved in sentinel node operations for breast cancer
Authors: Klausen T. L. , Chakera A. H. , Friis E. , Rank F. , Hesse B. , Holm S. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryBackground:  The use of radioactive compounds for sentinel node biopsy is now a generally accepted part of the surgical treatment of breast cancer and melanoma, with the risk of radiation exposure to the operating team. The aim of this investigation was to study the levels of this exposure in relation to the permissible radiation dose limits.Methods:  The radiation exposure to the hands and bodies of the operating surgeons (the ‘risk persons’) was measured by thermoluminescent dosemeters in 79 operations and to the pathologists handling the specimens in 17 cases. Radioactivity and dose rate measurement from tumours and breast specimens were also performed.Results:  During an operation the mean skin dose (±SD) to the thermoluminescent dosemeters placed at the hand and the abdominal wall were 0·04 ± 0·04 mSv (79 operations) and 0·01 ± 0·02 mSv (67 operations) respectively. For the pathologist, the mean hand dose per operation was below the detection limit (17 operations). Correlation between the measured dose rate and the radioactive content of the tumours was 0·998.Conclusions:  The radiation exposure to the staff involved in sentinel node (SN) biopsy for breast cancer using radioactive labelled tracers will be considerably below the permissible limits, even with high numbers of SN biopsy procedures. Pregnant staff members should participate in <100 SN operations.
Vastus lateralis oxygenation and blood volume measured by near‐infrared spectroscopy during whole body vibration
Authors: Yamada Eiji , Kusaka Takashi , Miyamoto Kensaku , Tanaka Satoshi , Morita Shin , Tanaka Shouichi , Tsuji Shintarou , Mori Satoshi , Norimatsu Hiromichi , Itoh Susumu 
Published: June 2005

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on oxygenation of vastus lateralis muscle during squatting exercise. Eighteen male subjects [mean age, 27·3 ± 6·0 (SD) years; mean height, 171·8 ± 4·9 cm; mean weight, 64·4 ± 6·1 kg] performed squatting exercise on a vibration platform for 3 min with and without vibration, and changes in oxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle were determined by near‐infrared spectroscopy. The muscle oxygenation levels and total haemoglobin and myoglobin levels (total Hb/Mb) decreased during squatting exercise with and without vibration. After exercise, the muscle oxygenation level and total Hb/Mb rapidly increased from the minimum value during exercise and remained constant for latter 10 min. The muscle oxygenation levels with vibration from 90 to 180 s after the start of squatting exercise were significantly lower than those without vibration. Total Hb/Mb with vibration from 90 s after the squatting exercise to 540 s were significantly higher than those without vibration. This study demonstrated that WBV exercise affects the oxygenation level of vastus lateralis muscle and reduces muscle oxygenation level compared to that with no WBV. Therefore, WBV exercise may be an efficient training stimulus for muscle deoxygenation.
Nifedipine Versus Propranolol for the Initial Prophylaxis of Migraine
Authors: Albers Gregory W. , Simon Lynn T. , Hamik Anne , Peroutka Stephen J. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISWe conducted a randomized open‐labeled study of nifedipine versus propranolol for the initial prophylaxis of migraine. Propranolol was effective in 67% of patients (12/18) and well tolerated. Nifedipine was effective in only 30% of patients (6/20). The lack of overall efficacy of nifedipine was attributable to high incidence of side effects, including an unusual symptom complex resembling erythromelalgia. These side effects led 45% (9/20) of the nifedipine patients to withdraw from the study within two weeks. By contrast, no patient (0/18) withdrew from the study within the first 2 weeks of propranolol therapy. We conclude that nifedipine is not an agent of first choice for the prophylaxis of migraine.
Relevance of Prostaglandins in True Menstrual Migraine
Authors: Nattero Giovanni , Allais Gianni , De Lorenzo Cristina , Benedetto Chiara , Zonca Marina , Melzi Enrico , Massobrio Marco 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISEighteen patients suffering from true menstrual migraine and 12 control subjects were studied. We evaluated in different phases of the menstrual cycle and during the migraine crisis the peripheral plasma concentrations of 6‐keto‐PGF1a (the stable metabolite of PGI2), thromboxane B2 (the stable metabolite of thromboxane A2), PGF2a and PGE2.The mean values of 6‐keto‐PGF1a in menstrual migraine sufferers are lower than in normal women throughout the whole cycle. The difference between the trends observed in the two groups is statistically significant (p<0.05). The plasma levels of TXB2 and of PGF2a are similar in the two groups investigated, both n basal conditions and during the attack. The plasma concentrations of PGE2 are slightly lower in migraineurs in basal conditions than in normals. However, during the crisis they increase significantly (plt;0.05). In conclusion, among all the parameters considered, PGE2 seems to play the most important role during the pain phase of the attack.The results of the present study suggest that a deficit of PGI2, one of the most important protecting agents against ischemia, might be a typical feature of menstrual migraine and might cause in these patients a vascular hypersensitivity to different ischemic stimuli.
Nocturnal Plasma Melatonin Levels in Migraine: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Claustrat B. , Loisy C. , Brun J. , Beorchia S. , Arnaud J. L. , Chazot G. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISWe determined by radioimmunoassay plasma melatonin levels on blood samples drawn at 11 p.m. in migraine patients and control subjects. Ninety‐three cephalalgic outpatients (75 females, 18 males) were compared to a control group (24 females, 22 males) matched according to age.Patients were divided into subgroups presenting common migraine (n = 38); ophthalmic migraine (n = 12); and tension headache associated with ophthalmic or common migraine (n = 24), and associated depressive status (n = 19). Statistical analysis revealed a decrease in plasma melatonin levels for the entire migraine population, compared to the control one, and a heterogeneity in both controls and patients; this heterogeneity was found mainly in the depressive and tension headache subgroups.When the migraine population‐from which the depressive patients were excluded‐was divided into male and female subgroups, a decrease in plasma melatonin levels was observed only for the female subgroups.Results are discussed with reference to the role of the pineal gland in the synchronization of the organism with the environmental conditions.
Lithium‐Induced Headache
Authors: Alvarez‐Cermeño J.C. , Fern´ndez J.M. , O'Neill A. , Moral L. , Saiz‐Ruiz J. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISA 23‐year old woman developed headache and papilledema due to benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) while taking lithium carbonate for only seven months because of manic‐depressive disease. Having discarded other causes, drug ingestion was the most likely etiology of the syndrome since it was observed that symptoms improved upon lithium withdrawal and worsened when the treatment was restarted. This report shows that BIH may appear as a side‐effect of relatively short‐term therapy with lithium and, therefore, funduscopic exams should be performed in every patient receiving this drug.
The Migraine Aura as a Cause of Avoidance Behavior
Authors: Spierings Egilius L.H. , Reinders Michel J. , Hoogduin Cornelis A.L. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISTwo patients are reported in whom the occurrence of migraine aura led to the development of avoidance behavior. In both patients the migraine aura was given a significance of doom by a previous experience. The avoidance behavior represented an attempt of the patients to deal with the visual disturbance.
Headache as a Risk Factor in Atherosclerosis‐Related Diseases
Authors: Couch James R. , Hassanein Ruth S. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISA group of 350 migraineurs (87 male, 263 female) and 300 controls without migraine (104 male, 196 female) were questioned about occurrence, in parents, of the atherosclerosis‐related diseases (ASRD) of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HBP), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke as well as about recurrent severe headache (RSHA). Occurrence of DM, HBP, MI and stroke was compared for mothers and fathers of migraine vs. those of control subjects and no significant differences were found. The mothers and fathers were pooled and resegregated by presence or absence of RSHA and then occurrence of DM, HBP, MI and stroke again compared. For mothers there was increased occurrence of stroke and DM in the RSHA group but the differences were not significant. For RSHA fathers there was increased incidence of MI (p<.10) and HBP (p<.01). Aggregate occurrence of all ASRD was evaluated for RSHA vs. no‐RSHA parents. ASRD occurred more frequently in the RSHA than in the no‐RSHA parents (p<.05). Breakdown by age showed that this occurred at all ages in men (p<.05) but in women the difference was significant only under age 60 (p<.05). This study suggests that RSHA, which is primarily migraine, may be a risk factor or a marker for occurrence of ASRD.
When Headaches Are Good
Authors: Packard Russell C. , Andrasik Frank , Weaver Richard 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISOccasionally patients with headache present with the complaint of “a really good one. ” This paper examines three cases of patients with migraine who often referred to their headaches as “good.”When the patients were asked what made the headaches good, they immediately tried to clarify their terminology as “just a figure of speech” that really meant bad. Further exploration usually revealed the headache symptoms had indeed been “good” in a relative sense, in that it had somehow served to help the patient avoid a more unpleasant emotional situation. The headache may have allowed a “time out” or a forced period of rest in a hectic schedule, resolved a conflict for the patient in an acceptable way by becoming sick, or represented a suppressed or repressed affect, usually anger.When headaches are described as good, there may very well be something in the patient's life that is worse.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Abortive Therapy: A Controlled Evaluation of Self‐Management Training
Authors: Holroyd Kenneth A. , Cordingley Gary E. , Pingel Jeffrey D. , Jerome Albert , Theofanous Angelo G. , Jackson David K. , Leard Leland 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISResearch suggests that approximately one half of recurrent headache sufferers fail to adhere properly to drug treatment regimens with as many as two thirds of patients failing to make optimal use of abortive medications such as ergotamine. In spite of these findings there are no controlled studies that have attempted to evaluate methods for improving adherence to drug regimens for the treatment of chronic headache disorders. In an initial effort to address this adherence problem thirty‐four recurrent migraine sufferers were randomized to abortive therapy with ergotamine tartrate plus caffeine (standard abortive therapy) or to standard abortive therapy accompanied by a brief educational intervention designed to facilitate the migraine sufferer's effective use of ergotamine. Patients who received the adjunctive educational intervention attempted to abort a greater percentage of their migraine attacks (70% vs 40%) and showed larger reductions in headache activity (e.g., 40% vs 26%reduction in month two of treatment). However, patients in both treatment groups used similar amounts of abortive medication when attempting to abort a migraine attack and showed similar reductions in analgesic medication use with abortive therapy. There results suggest that brief educational interventions designed to address the problem of patient adherence may yield significant improvements in standard therapies. We argue that such educational interventions deserve more attention in the headache treatment literature than they have received to date.
The Treatment of Migraine with Variable Frequency Photo‐Stimulation
Authors: Anderson D. J. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISVariable Frequency Photo‐stimulation (VFP) goggles are a form of portable stroboscope, using red Light Emitting Diodes to alternately illuminate the right and left eyes, with the eyelids closed, at a rate of 0.5 to 50Hz. VFP goggles were used in the treatment of 7 patients with migraine headache. Of 50 migraine headaches recorded, 49 were rated by the patient as being helped and 36 as being stopped by using the VFP goggles. Treatment reduced the median duration of headache in all patients. The interval between migraine headaches appeared to be increased in the two cases with a follow up of more than 18 months. We conclude in this preliminary study that VFP appears to be effective in the treatment of migraine.
Clinical and Electrophysiological Responses to Dietary Challenge in Migraineurs
Authors: Lai Chi‐Wan , Dean Philip , Ziegler Dewey K. , Hassanein Ruth S. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISThirty eight patients with a history of diet‐induced migraine were studied with recording of clinical responses, electro‐encephalography in resting state, in response to photic stimulation, and to hyperventilation and visual evoked potentials. Tests were carried out on an initial baseline day and on a second day, after challenge with chocolate, red wine, cheese, and fasting.Lateralized headache occurred in sixteen subjects (42%), four with scintillating scotomata. Electroencephalograms were abnormal on Day I and/or Day 2 in twelve subjects (32%), most abnormalities being non‐specific slow waves. In three cases there were paroxysmal features.Electroencephalographic response to hyperventilation was calibrated and was found to be exaggerated in eight subjects (21%) on either Day 1 or Day 2; such response was not related to the occurrence of a headache. Photic simulation showed high frequency driving response (so called “H” response) in all 16 individuals who developed headache but in only 14 out of 22 (64%) who did not (p<0.01). Pattern reversal visual evoked responses were normal and failed to show any difference in latency or amplitude between headache responders and non‐responders.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Lymphocyte Subsets in Peripheral Blood of Chronic Headache Patients
Authors: Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Robbins Lawrence , Baum Linda 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISLymphocyte subsets from 5 groups of patients with different types of chronic headaches were analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the number of cells bearing the following markers: T11 (E‐rosette receptor), T3 (total T cells), T4 (T‐helper/ inducer cells), T8 (T‐cytotoxic/suppressor cells), B1 (B‐cells), NKH‐1 (Natural killer cells), 12 (Class II histocompatibility anti‐gens, monomorphic determinants) and Mo2 (monocytes). In 4 of 5 of these groups, the absolute number of T8 lymphocytes was significantly lower than that of the control group. In addition, the T4:T8 ratio was higher in these 4 groups. These findings may suggest a relationship between the immune system and the cause of chronic headaches.
Verapamil in Migraine Prophylaxis ‐ A Five‐Year Review
Authors: Solomon Glen D. 
Published: June 2005

SYNOPSISVerapamil is a papaverine derivative calcium channel blocking drug that has been effectively utilized in the prophylaxis of migraine. This paper reviews the clinical pharmacology as it applied to headache and the current research on the clinical use of verapamil in migraine prophylaxis. Included are three double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies. Ten of 12 patients, eight of 14 patients, and 20 of 23 patients showed improvement, with all studies finding verapamil significantly more effective than placebo in migraine prophylaxis. Research comparing 240 mg/day with 320 mg/day dosing found 320 mg/day significantly more effective in reducing migraine frequency. Review of 133 refractory headache‐clinic patients, treated with verapamil and additional drugs reported excellent (100% improvement) or good results (> 50% reduction in migraine frequency) in 5% and 40% of patients, respectively. Fair response (< 50% improvement) was observed in 50% of patients, and poor response was seen in 5% of patients. Analysis of this information reveals that verapamil is a safe, well‐tolerated and effective agent for migraine prophylaxis.