bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relevance of Sleep Paralysis and Hypnic Hallucinations to Psychiatry
Authors: Gangdev Prakash 
Published: December 2004

Objective: To describe a patient who presented with psychopathology in the wake of sleep paralysis and hypnopompic hallucinations, and to discuss the importance of these phenomena to psychiatric diagnoses. Methods: Case report. Results: A 25-year-old black South African woman developed paranoid beliefs and a sad and anxious mood in the wake of her first experience of sleep paralysis and hypnic hallucinations. She had no history of other sleep-related events. Reassurance, explanation of the physiological basis of her experience, and a short course of low-dose diazepam were provided. Her mood and sleep improved promptly and she no longer held paranoid beliefs. She did not experience further episodes of sleep paralysis or hypnic hallucinations and improvement was sustained at 6 months. Conclusions: It pays to probe for the core experiences or events that patients may be explaining by devising ‘delusions’. Acute, nocturnal-onset, first-time psychopathology warrants inquiry for sleep paralysis and hypnic hallucinations. Sleep-related side-effects of psychotropic medications need to be studied more closely.
Iatrogenic Dependency Disorder
Authors: Straton David 
Published: December 2004

Objective: To argue for the direct election of RANZCP officials as a means of ensuring that College statements and political activities correspond as closely as possible to the opinions and interests of the average psychiatrist. Conclusions: The case to abolish item 319 and restore 5 day-per-week sessions is out of touch with political reality. It wastes limited political capital by the College, or other psychiatric organizations, that would be better used for other purposes.
Synthesis and degradation of type IV collagen in rat skeletal muscle during immobilization in shortened and lengthened positions
Authors: Ahtikoski A. M. , Koskinen S. O. A. , Virtanen P. , Kovanen V. , Risteli J. , Takala T. E. S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  Type IV collagen is a major protein in basement membranes surrounding and supporting skeletal muscle cells. In the present study, we tested the hypotheses that immobilization down‐regulates synthesis and up‐regulates degradation of type IV collagen in skeletal muscle.Methods:  mRNA level and concentration of type IV collagen as well as mRNA levels and activities of proteins involved in its degradation were analysed from soleus (SOL), gastrocnemius (GAS) and extensor digitorum longus muscles after immobilization in shortened and lengthened positions for 1, 3 and 7 days.Results:  Following immobilization, type IV collagen mRNA level was decreased in SOL and GAS suggesting down‐regulated synthesis of this protein. The mRNA level and activity of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (proMMP‐2) were increased in all muscles, while the activity of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 was decreased in SOL and GAS. These findings reflect an increased capacity for degradation of type IV collagen.Conclusions: As a consequence of decreased synthesis/degradation ratio immobilization reduced the concentration of type IV collagen in all muscles. The regulation of type IV collagen through synthesis and/or degradation seems, however, to be muscle specific. Immobilization in lengthened position seems to delay and partly decrease the net degradation of type IV collagen.
Effects of sex, gonadectomy, and oestrogen substitution on ischaemic preconditioning and ischaemia–reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Song X. , Li G. , Vaage J. , Valen G. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) has been demonstrated to protect heart function and viability, but has been predominantly studied in male animals.Methods:  We studied a possible influence of sex and oestrogen for protection in IPC. Infarct size and heart function after 40 min global ischaemia and 60 min reperfusion with or without preceding classic IPC was investigated in Langendorff‐perfused hearts. Hearts were harvested from 10‐week‐old male and female C57BL6 mice with or without gonadectomy 6 weeks earlier, or gonadectomy and substitution with 17β‐oestradiol for 4 weeks (n = 104).Results:  Classic IPC reduced depression of left ventricular developed pressure (P < 0.01), attenuated the increase of end‐diastolic pressure (P < 0.01), and reduced infarct size (P < 0.01) in hearts of untreated male mice, but failed to protect untreated females which had improved functional recovery and smaller infarctions than untreated males. After gonadectomy of female mice, developed pressure was reduced (P < 0.01) and infarct size increased (P < 0.01) compared with normal females, with no protection of preconditioning. The changes were not reversed by 17β‐oestradiol substitution. In hearts of gonadectomized males, the post‐ischaemic increase of end‐diastolic pressure was attenuated (P < 0.01), and enhanced after substitution with 17β‐oestradiol (P < 0.01). The preconditioning effect disappeared after gonadectomy and gonadectomy with substitution in male mice.Conclusion:  There is a sex difference in evoking preconditioning in male and female mice which is only partially dependent on sex hormones.
Comparison of force–velocity relationships of vastus lateralis muscle in isokinetic and in stretch‐shortening cycle exercises
Authors: Finni T. , Ikegawa S. , Lepola V. , Komi P. V. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  This study investigated the force–velocity characteristics of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle fascicle and muscle–tendon unit (MTU) in isolated lengthening and shortening actions, and during natural movement.Methods:  Four subjects performed maximal eccentric and concentric knee extensions (60, 120 and 180° s−1). Unilateral counter movement jumps and drop jumps in the sledge apparatus served as natural movements. Vastus lateralis fascicle lengths were determined from ultrasonography. In vivo patellar tendon forces (PTF) were measured with an optic fibre technique. Patellar tendon force was derived to VL force according to the cross‐sectional area of the muscle. Force in the direction of fascicle was calculated by dividing the VL force value by cosine of the fascicle angle. Force–velocity curves were constructed using angle specific values from isokinetic knee extensions (classical curve) and using instantaneous values from jumping exercises.Results:  In the fascicle level, we did not find an enhanced muscle force in the jumping performances as compared with the classical force–velocity curve. In the muscle–tendon level, the instantaneous force at high muscle–tendon shortening speeds exceeded that extrapolated according to Hill's equation.Conclusion:  This difference between fascicle and muscle–tendon behaviour suggests that the neural input in fast stretch‐shortening cycle exercises minimizes the length changes in muscle fascicle and enables storage and recoil of energy from elastic components that contributes to the enhanced mechanical output of the MTU during the push‐off phase.
Effect of intensive exercise‐induced testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic disorders in mature male Wistar strain rats: a correlative approach to oxidative stress
Authors: Manna I. , Jana K. , Samanta P. K. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims:  In order to investigate the effects of intensive exercise on reproductive dysfunctions in relation to oxidative stress, a total of 12 male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127 ± 2.86 g) were randomly divided into: (1) control group (CG, n = 6) and (2) experimental group (Exp. G, n = 6).Methods:  An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming day−1, 5 days week−1 was followed for 4 weeks in Exp. G, with no exercise in CG. All the animals were killed; blood, testes and the accessory sex organs were collected for estimation of different parameters.Results:  A significant diminution (P < 0.001) was noted in testicular Δ5, 3β‐hydroxy‐steroid dehydrogenase (Δ5, 3β‐HSD), 17β‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSD); plasma levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH); preleptotine spermatocytes (pLSc), midpachytene spermatocytes (mPSc) and stage 7 spermatids (7Sd); with no significant alteration in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and spermatogoia A (Asg) after intensive exercise. A significant elevation (P < 0.001) in malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD) along with significant reduction (P < 0.001) in glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione‐s‐transferase (GST) and peroxidase were found in testes of Exp. G. Moreover, the somatic index of testes and accessory sex organs were also decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after exercise. High correlations have been found in 17 β‐HSD with CAT (r = 0.90, P < 0.05) and peroxidase (r = 0.83, P < 0.05), epididymal somatic index with CD (r = −0.91; P < 0.05) and GSH (r = 0.84, P < 0.05).Conclusion:  The present study focused an chronic intensive exercise‐induced oxidative stress that may cause dysfunctions in male reproductive system including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.
Mathematical analysis of atelectasis formation in middle ears with sealed ventilation tubes
Authors: Fink N. , Ar A. , Sadé J. , Barnea O. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  A mathematical model was developed to identify time periods of atelectasis induction in middle ear (ME) ventilated via ventilating tubes (VT). Atelectatic ears are characterized by a total gas pressure lower than 760 mmHg.Methods:  Ventilating tubes were deliberately sealed and ME gas content changed in the presence of a preset blood gas pressure. Once sealed, CO2 rapidly diffuses out of the blood via lining tissues into the ME cleft. This results in initially a total ME pressure rise followed by a decrease in subatmospheric pressures. Time periods for atelectasis reformation was determined once ME pressure crossed the 760 mmHg value and continued to decline as the atelectasis reached higher grades.Results:  Time periods calculated by the model varied from 18 to 125 min in ME cavities ranging in volume from 0.5 to 3.5 mL, respectively. These results were calculated for conditions of venous blood in the lining mucosa blood and are consistent with prior clinical tests that measured an induced return to previous atelectasis state following the closure of the VT in 33 tested ears within 25–120 min (43 min on average).Conclusions: The model demonstrates that under the above conditions, diffusive gas transfer in relation to blood gas content is the leading mechanism to alterations in ME pressure and volume. It may be used as a tool to determine ME physiological cavity volume of ears with VT.
Effect of low‐load resistance training on the tendon properties in middle‐aged and elderly women
Authors: Kubo K. , Kanehisa H. , Miyatani M. , Tachi M. , Fukunaga T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  The purposes of this study were to determine the age‐related changes in the tendon‐aponeurosis structures and to investigate the effects of low‐load resistance training on the tendon‐aponeurosis structures in middle‐aged and elderly women.Methods:  Fifty‐one women (55.8 ± 13.7 years, range: 21–77 years) volunteered to take part in the present study. Furthermore, 11 middle‐aged and elderly women (49.7 ± 9.2 years) performed the low‐load resistance training, i.e. squat using body weight, for 6 months. The elongation of the tendon and aponeurosis of the vastus lateralis muscle was directly measured by ultrasonography, while the subjects performed ramp isometric knee extension up to the voluntary maximum, followed by a ramp relaxation. The relationship between the estimated muscle force (Fm) and tendon elongation (L) during the ascending phase was fitted to a linear regression, the slope of which was defined as stiffness. The percentage of the area within the Fm‐L loop to the area beneath the curve during the ascending phase was calculated as hysteresis.Results:  Maximal strain (L/initial tendon length) and stiffness of the tendon‐aponeurosis structures decreased significantly with ageing. In contrast, the hysteresis increased significantly with ageing. In addition, low‐load resistance training produced no significant change in stiffness and hysteresis, but significantly increased the maximal elongation of tendon‐aponeurosis structures from 23.3 ± 2.1 mm to 24.8 ± 2.2 mm (P = 0.045).Conclusion:  These results suggest that increasing age results in a decrease in the elasticity of tendon‐aponeurosis structures and an increase in their viscosity. Furthermore, the low‐load resistance training made the elasticity of tendon‐aponeurosis structures increase.
Left ventricular volume changes during supine exercise in young endurance athletes
Authors: Sundstedt M. , Jonason T. , Ahrén T. , Damm S. , Wesslén L. , Henriksen E. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  The primary objective of the study was to measure the relative left ventricular volumes and the changes in left ventricular ejection fraction during supine position from rest to exercise in young endurance athletes. The secondary objective was to examine if there were gender differences regarding the volume reply and ejection fraction with exercise.Method:  Sixty‐five (35 female and 30 males) young healthy Swedish orienteers participated in the study. Left ventricular volume and ejection fraction changes between rest and submaximal supine bicycle exercise were measured with radionuclide ventriculography.Results:  The mean left ventricular end‐diastolic volume increased by 13% (P < 0.001) but there was no change in end‐systolic volume. Stroke volume was found to increase by 21% (P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly (>0.04 units) in 54% of the athletes from rest to exercise; 5% of the athletes showed a decrease in ejection fraction. A negative correlation was found between ejection fraction at rest and the difference in ejection fraction from rest to exercise (r = −0.38, P = 0.002). There were no gender differences in the left ventricular volume changes or ejection fraction.Conclusion:  During submaximal supine exercise, the adjustments in cardiac volumes in endurance athletes were small. There were no gender disparities concerning the left ventricular volume reply during exercise.
Somato‐sympathetic vasoconstriction to intranasal fluid administration with consecutive decrease in nasal nitric oxide
Authors: Landis B. N. , Beghetti M. , Morel D. R. , Giger R. , Rimensberger P. C. , Lacroix J. S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  Patients suffering from non‐allergic chronic rhinosinusitis (NACRS) increasingly use intranasal saline sprays. They report better nasal comfort.Methods:  In order to better understand this phenomenon, we studied intranasal laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and nasal nitric oxide (NO) variations evoked by local administration of saline, histamine, N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and lidocaine at room temperature (22 °C).Results:  There was a significant (P < 0.05) 14 ± 3.8% decrease in LDF signal after 30 s, which lasted for 60–90 s, for all the substances applied at 22 °C. This pharmaco‐independent vasoconstriction was further studied in patients under general anaesthesia (GA), with saline at 37 °C and after intranasal adrenaline treatment. While GA did not influence the vasoconstriction, saline at 37 °C and adrenaline pre‐treatment abolished it. Nasal NO is influenced by vasoconstriction. Therefore we investigated, whether the observed vasoconstriction also changes nasal NO. A significant (P < 0.001) 8.03 ± 0.59% decrease in nasal NO was recorded 60 s after administration of all the substances, and under GA after 22 °C saline application. This NO decrease was absent after intranasal adrenaline pre‐treatment. An additional experiment tested the effect of nose blowing on nasal NO concentration. We registered an NO decrease with a similar pattern than observed with the other substances.Conclusions: Intranasal fluid nebulization at 22 °C induces a sympathetic mediated, transient vasoconstrictor reflex response. This somato‐sympathetic vasoconstriction induces a decrease in nasal NO. Both could be related to the subjective comfort experienced by NACRS patients using intranasal saline sprays.
Exercise training improves ageing‐induced decrease in eNOS expression of the aorta
Authors: Tanabe T. , Maeda S. , Miyauchi T. , Iemitsu M. , Takanashi M. , Irukayama‐Tomobe Y. , Yokota T. , Ohmori H. , Matsuda M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims:  Ageing impairs endothelial function such as the regulation of vascular tone. The release of nitric oxide (NO), which has a potent vasodilator effect and antiatherosclerotic property, is decreased in the aorta of aged rats. Exercise training, however, has been reported to increase the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in the aorta of young rats. In aged rats, it is not known whether the expression of eNOS is altered by exercise training. We hypothesized that exercise training would improve the ageing‐induced decrease in eNOS expression in vessels, and examined the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of eNOS in the aorta of sedentary‐young rats (sedentary‐young group; 4 months old), sedentary‐aged rats (sedentary‐aged group; 23 months old), and swim‐trained aged rats (training‐aged group; 23 months old, swimming training for 8 weeks, 5 days week−1, 90 min day−1).Results:  Body weight was significantly lower, and citrate synthase activity in the epitrochlearis muscle was significantly higher in the training‐aged group compared with the sedentary‐aged group. The mRNA expression of eNOS in the aorta was significantly higher in the training‐aged group than in the sedentary‐aged group, while it was significantly lower in both the sedentary‐aged and training‐aged groups than in the sedentary‐young group. The expression of eNOS protein in the aorta was also significantly higher in the training‐aged group than in the sedentary‐aged group, while it was also significantly lower in the sedentary‐aged group, but not in the training‐aged group, than in the sedentary‐young group.Conclusion:  The present results revealed that the production of eNOS in the aorta decreases with ageing, and that the decreased production is increased by exercise training in aged rats, which may produce beneficial effects on the impaired cardiovascular system caused by ageing.
Additivity of adrenaline and contractions on hormone‐sensitive lipase, but not on glycogen phosphorylase, in rat muscle
Authors: Langfort J. , Ploug T. , Ihlemann J. , Baranczuk E. , Donsmark M. , Górski J. , Galbo H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  Hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) has been proposed to regulate triacylglycerol (TG) breakdown in skeletal muscle. In muscles with different fibre type compositions the influence on HSL of two major stimuli causing TG mobilization was studied.Methods:  Incubated soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from 70 g rats were stimulated by adrenaline (5.5 μm, 6 min) or contractions (200 ms tetani, 1 Hz, 1 min) in maximally effective doses or by both adrenaline and contractions.Results:  Hormone‐sensitive lipase activity was increased significantly by adrenaline as well as contractions, and the highest activity (P < 0.05) was seen with combined stimulation [Soleus: 0.40 ± 0.03 (SE) m‐unit mg protein−1 (basal), 0.65 ± 0.02 (adrenaline), 0.65 ± 0.03 (contractions), 0.78 ± 0.03 (adrenaline and contractions); EDL: 0.18 ± 0.01, 0.30 ± 0.02, 0.26 ± 0.02, 0.32 ± 0.01]. Glycogen phosphorylase activity was always increased more by adrenaline compared with contractions [Soleus: 60 ± 4 (a/a + b)% vs. 46 ± 3 (P < 0.05); EDL: 60 ± 5 vs. 39 ± 6 (P < 0.05)]. After combined stimulation glycogen phosphorylase activity in soleus [59 ± 3 (a/a + b)%] was identical to and in EDL [45 ± 4 (a/a + b)%] smaller (P < 0.05) than the activity after adrenaline only.Conclusions:  In slow‐twitch oxidative as well as in fast‐twitch glycolytic muscle HSL is activated by both adrenaline and contractions. These stimuli are partially additive indicating at least partly different mechanisms of action. Contractions may impair the enhancing effect of adrenaline on glycogen phosphorylase activity in muscle.
Specific phase related patterns of trunk muscle activation during lateral lifting and lowering
Authors: Huang Q.‐M. , Andersson E. A. , Thorstensson A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  Lateral bending of the trunk has been demonstrated to be a risk factor in connection with injuries to the spine and its surrounding tissues. Adequate co‐ordination of muscle controlling movement and stabilization of the trunk is essential to avoid injury. However, little is yet known about the responses of the lumbar trunk muscles during lateral lifting and lowering. The present investigation was therefore designed to study these responses.Methods:  In six subjects performing lateral lifting and lowering of different loads (0–40 kg) held laterally in one hand, the activities of eight trunk muscles were recorded using intramuscular electrodes. In addition, the angular motion of the trunk from side to side was measured from video recordings. Electromyographic amplitudes on both the contra‐ and ipsi‐lateral sides (ipsi = towards the loaded hand) were analysed in relation to defined phases of trunk motion.Results:  Three periods of trunk muscle activation were generally observed, two from the contralateral muscles at the beginning and end of the motion and one from the ipsilateral muscles during the mid‐part of the motion. The activities of the contralateral muscles increased, whereas the activities of the ipsilateral muscles decreased with increasing load. The degree of bilateral co‐activation was greater in ventral than in dorsal muscles, in lowering compared with lifting, and in no‐load or low‐load compared with heavy load conditions.Conclusion:  The co‐ordination of trunk muscle activations during side‐to‐side trunk movements is dependent on trunk position and load. It is speculated that ventral muscles, particularly the oblique and transverse abdominal muscles, are relatively more involved than the other trunk muscles in trunk stabilization, especially in connection with lowering of a light hand‐held load.
Growth hormone and prolactin responses during partial and whole body warm‐water immersions
Authors: Koska J. , Rovensky J. , Zimanova T. , Vigas M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  To elucidate the role of core and skin thermoreceptors in the release of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), a sequence of two experiments using whole‐body (head‐out) and partial (one forearm) hot water immersions was performed.Methods:  Experiment 1: Nine healthy men were exposed to head‐out and partial water immersions (25 min, 38–39 °C).Results:  Head‐out immersion increased the core temperature (38.0 ± 0.1 vs. 36.7 ± 0.1 °C, P < 0.001) and plasma concentration of the hormones (GH, 16.1 ± 4.5 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4 ng mL−1, P < 0.01; PRL, 9.1 ± 1.0 vs. 6.4 ± 0.4 ng mL−1, P < 0.05). During the partial immersion the core temperature was slightly elevated (36.8 ± 0.1 vs. 36.6 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), the concentration of GH increased (4.8 ± 1.7 vs. 0.6 ± 0.3, P < 0.05), while plasma PRL decreased (7.6 ± 0.8, 6.0 ± 0.6, 5.2 ± 0.6, P < 0.01). Experiment 2: Seven volunteers immersed one forearm once in 39 °C and once in 38 °C water. The measurements were performed in 5‐min intervals. The GH concentration increased gradually from the beginning of the immersions (min 10; 39 °C: 1.9 ± 1.0 vs. 0.6 ± 0.3 ng mL−1, P < 0.01; 38 °C: 0.19 ± 0.03 vs. 0.14 ± 0.03, P < 0.05) and peaked after their completion (39 °C: +10 min, 3.7 ± 2.0, P < 0.001; 38 °C: +15 min, 0.86 ± 0.61, P < 0.01). The core temperature was unchanged until min 15 of the 39 °C bath. Thereafter, it increased about 0.15 °C above the baseline (P < 0.01). Immersion in 38 °C water did not induce core temperature changes.Conclusions: Peripheral thermoreceptors are involved in GH release when the body is exposed to elevated environmental temperature while a substantial elevation of core temperature is a precondition of PRL release.