bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cisplatin and gemcitabine induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery for locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Byrne M. J. , Phillips M. , Powell A. , Cameron F. , Joseph D. , Spry N. , Dewar J. , Van Hazel G. , Buck M. , Lund H. , De Melker Y. , Newman M. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract Background: We report a study of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage IIIA/IIIB non‐small cell lung cancer.Methods: Patients received two cycles of induction chemotherapy with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28‐day cycle. If the disease was unresectable, surgery was followed with two further cycles. If unresectable, patients received cisplatin 100 mg/m2 day 1, 29 with 5‐fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 per 24 h continuous infusion for 96 h on days 2–5 and days 30–33 of the radiotherapy administration. Radiation therapy consisted of 63 Gy, 35 fractions, 7 weeks.Results: Of 48 patients, 40% had a partial response to induction chemotherapy. Four of eleven patients with stage IIIA tumours had resectable disease. The remaining seven patients plus 37 with stage IIIB disease had chemoradiotherapy. Response at the completion of all therapy was 62% (IIIA 73%, IIIB 59%). For all patients the median survival was 15.3 months: 1 year and 3 years, 58% and 25%, respectively. Those with IIIB disease responding to induction chemotherapy had significantly superior survival to those that did not respond (37 months vs 11 months; P = 0.005). This remained significant from a landmark at 8 weeks after the start of treatment (P = 0.01).Conclusion: These results are equivalent to other studies using induction chemotherapy prior to concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Response to induction chemotherapy may have major prognostic significance. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 336–342)
Update on the use of stem cells for cardiac disease
Authors: Kovacic J. C. , Muller D. W. M. , Harvey R. , Graham R. M. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract Major advances have recently been made in our understanding of stem cell biology, and in the application of stem cells to treat cardiac disease. Resident cardiac stem cells have now been described and the long‐accepted paradigm of the adult mammalian heart as an organ without regenerative capacity has been questioned. Various stem‐cell‐based approaches for ameliorating cardiac disease have been shown to be beneficial in animal models and are now being trialled in humans, with several phase I clinical studies already completed. Although these clinical studies lacked adequate placebo controls, they have consistently shown promising results. If confirmed by larger phase II/III trials, it is possible that within a few years a powerful new therapeutic option may be available for the burgeoning number of patients suffering from myocardial ischaemia and/or other cardiac disorders. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 348–356)
Dementia caregivers’ burdens and use of public services
Authors: Tanji Haruko , Ootsuki Mari , Matsui Toshifumu , Maruyama Masahiro , Nemoto Miyako , Tomita Naoki , Seki Takashi , Iwasaki Koh , Arai Hiroyuki , Sasaki Hidetada 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The objectives of the present study are to examine risk factors for the heavy burden of caring for demented patients as well as factors that may affect on the level of utilization by carers of public services under current long‐term care insurance in Japan.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was conducted in the outpatient clinic for dementia, Department of Geriatric and Complementary Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Japan.Results:  Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were significantly associated with heavy caregiver's burden as measured by Zarit's caregiver burden interview (P = 0.002 r = 0.45). A heavy caregiver's burden led to depressive symptoms (P = 0.01 r = 0.30), especially in spouse caregivers. Despite the presence of depressive symptoms, spouse caregivers less frequently used public services than non‐spouse caregivers (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the level of service provision was decided primarily by the severity of dementia and physical disability of patients, but not the caregiver's burden.Conclusion:  Early detection and management of dementia‐associated behavioral and psychiatric symptoms could be important to reduce caregivers’ burdens and to prevent them from developing depression. Spouse caregivers should be encouraged not to hesitate to use public services.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community‐dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: III. Phuto in Vietnam
Authors: Ishine Masayuki , Wada Taizo , Sakagami Teiji , Dung Pham Tien , Vienh Tranc Duc , Kawakita Toshiko , Fushida Mutsuko , Okumiya Kiyohito , Kita Toru , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessment between community‐dwelling elderly aged 60 years and older living in Vietnam and in Japan.Methods:  A cross‐sectional, interview‐ and examination‐based study was undertaken of community‐dwelling elderly people living in under‐developed Ngoc Quan village, semideveloped Viet‐tri city in Phuto province, both in Vietnam and in Sonobe town in Kyoto, Japan. One hundred and ninety‐nine and 188 community‐dwelling elderly aged 60 years or older in two developmentally different areas in Vietnam and 411 community‐dwelling elderly aged 65 years or older in Japan, were examined using a common comprehensive geriatric assessment tool. Interviews pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale as well as anthropometrical and blood chemical examinations were included in the assessment. Using anova and χ2 test, findings from the three groups were compared.Results:  In a comparison of comprehensive geriatric assessment findings among community‐dwelling elderly in under‐developed Ngoc Quan village, in semideveloped Viet‐tri city in Vietnam and in highly developed Kyoto in Japan, all activities of daily living scores except those relating to social role, all quality of life scores, body mass index, serum lipid levels and hemoglobin concentrations were lowest in Ngoc Quan and highest in Kyoto. Mean blood pressure measurements, prevalence of hypertension and prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance were higher in Vietnam than in Japan. The prevalence of depression was lower in the elderly in Viet‐tri in Vietnam than those in Ngoc Quan in Vietnam or in Kyoto in Japan.Conclusion:  It is supposed that economic and social development might bring higher comprehensive geriatric assessment scores, better‐nutritional states and more appropriate controls for risk factors in community‐dwelling elderly in a economically developmental dose responsive manner.
Relationship between bite force and body mass index in the institutionalized elderly
Authors: Kashiwazaki Haruhiko , Tei Kanchu , Takashi Noriyuki , Kasahara Kazue , Totsuka Yasunori , Inoue Nobuo 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between nutritional status and chewing ability in the institutionalized elderly.Methods:  We examined the oral condition and bite force in relation to the age, sex and body mass index (BMI) in 559 institutionalized elderly (155 men and 404 women). The data were analyzed statistically using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and the Mann–Whitney U‐test.Results:  The total bite force of men was stronger than that of women (P = 0.0007), and had a negative correlation with aging. There was a significant positive correlation between the total bite force and the BMI (P = 0.036).Conclusion:  Chewing ability, which was evaluated by total bite force, significantly correlated with BMI in the institutionalized elderly. It appears that diminished chewing ability is associated with the development of malnutrition among the institutionalized elderly.
Acceptance of memory impairment and satisfaction with life in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Morioka Mizuho , Tanaka Makoto , Matsubayashi Kozo , Kita Toru 
Published: May 2005

Background:   In this study, we focused on the acceptance by patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) of memory impairment and their satisfaction with life.Methods:   We interviewed 71 consecutive patients with probable AD and asked: (i) whether they had memory loss; (ii) whether they faced difficulties in life; and (iii) how their daily life was. We categorized the patients into three groups based on awareness of memory loss and whether they referred to the cause they attributed to memory loss.Results:   Cognitive functions were lower in patients who were not aware of memory loss. The level of satisfaction with life was highest in patients who were not aware of memory loss, and was lowest in patients who complained of memory loss with reference to the attribution of memory loss, indicating that patients found it difficult to accept their lives when memory impairment was a serious issue. However, in these patients, depression scores were not high, suggesting that they may somehow adapt themselves to their current status by defining the reason for memory loss. In patients who complained of memory impairment but did not refer to the attribution of memory loss, there was a variation in awareness of memory loss and satisfaction with life.Conclusions:   The present study suggests a need for the provision of individual care and support for AD patients based on their level of acceptance of memory impairment.
Differential gait kinematics between fallers and non‐fallers in community‐dwelling elderly people
Authors: Chiba Hiroshi , Ebihara Satoru , Tomita Naoki , Sasaki Hidetada , Butler James P 
Published: May 2005

Background:  To test the hypothesis that minimum toe clearance and maximum angular inclination of the sole relative to the floor during the swing phase of gait and the maximum lateral sway of the trunk relative to lateral foot separation discriminate fallers from non‐fallers in the elderly.Methods:  We studied 25 community‐dwelling elderly subjects with a history of two or more falls in the previous year and 31 age‐ and sex‐matched controls with no such history. Studies were conducted in the Gait Laboratory, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Subjects were asked to walk normally, during which time we made three‐dimensional kinematic spatial and temporal gait measurements using a motion capturing system with reflective markers defining different segments of trunk and limbs.Results:  The toe clearance of fallers (12.0 ± 0.7 mm, mean ± SE) was significantly smaller than non‐fallers (15.2 ± 1.0 mm) (P < 0.001). The maximal sole inclination of fallers (7.4 ± 0.8°) was significantly smaller than non‐fallers (14.3 ± 0.9°) (P < 0.001). The lateral sway ratio (lateral excursion of trunk center relative to the mediolateral separation of the feet) was significantly larger in fallers (0.23 ± 0.01) compared with non‐fallers (0.18 ± 0.01) (P < 0.002).Conclusions:  These results support the idea that impairment in toe clearance, maximal sole inclination and dynamic trunk sway reflect quantifiable mechanisms that may predispose elderly individuals to falling, and that these kinematic measurements may be clinically useful in identifying patients at risk of falling and monitoring changes in gait patterns, and may lead to effective interventions to prevent falls.
Glutamatergic innervation of neuropeptide Y and pro‐opiomelanocortin‐containing neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of the rat
Authors: Kiss József , Csaba Zsolt , Csáki Ágnes , Halász Béla 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe hypothalamic arcuate nucleus contains a number of neurochemically different cell populations, among others neuropeptide Y (NPY)‐ and pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC)‐derived peptide‐expressing neurons; both are involved in the regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis, NPY neurons also in the release of hypophysiotropic hormones, sexual behaviour and thermogenesis. Recent observations indicate that there is a dense plexus of glutamatergic fibres in the arcuate nucleus. The aim of the present studies was to examine the relationship of these fibres to the NPY and POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Double‐label immunoelectron microscopy was used. Glutamatergic elements were identified by the presence of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGluT1) or 2 (VGluT2) (selective markers of glutamatergic elements) immunoreactivity. A significant number of VGluT2‐immunoreactive terminals was observed to make asymmetric type of synapses with NPY and with β‐endorphin (a marker of POMC neurons)‐immunostained nerve cells of the arcuate nucleus. About 15% of VGluT2 synapsing terminals established asymmetric synapses with NPY‐positive cells and more than 40% of VGlut2‐positive terminals formed synapse on β‐endorphin‐positive neurons. VGluT2‐positive perikarya were also observed, part of them also contained β‐endorphin. Nerve terminals containing both VGluT2 and β‐endorphin were demonstrated in the cell group. Only very few VGluT1 fibres were detected. Our observations provide the first direct neuromorphological evidence for the existence of glutamatergic innervation of NPY and POMC neurons of the arcuate nucleus.
Attraction to sexual pheromones and associated odorants in female mice involves activation of the reward system and basolateral amygdala
Authors: Moncho‐Bogani Jose , Martinez‐Garcia Fernando , Novejarque Amparo , Lanuza Enrique 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAdult female mice are innately attracted to non‐volatile pheromones contained in male‐soiled bedding. In contrast, male‐derived volatiles become attractive if associated with non‐volatile attractive pheromones, which act as unconditioned stimulus in a case of Pavlovian associative learning. In this work, we study the chemoinvestigatory behaviour of female mice towards volatile and non‐volatile chemicals contained in male‐soiled bedding, in combination with the analysis of c‐fos expression induced by such a behaviour to clarify: (i) which chemosensory systems are involved in the detection of the primary attractive non‐volatile pheromone and of the secondarily attractive volatiles; (ii) where in the brain male‐derived non‐volatile and volatile stimuli are associated to induce conditioned attraction for the latter; and (iii) whether investigation of these stimuli activates the cerebral reward system (mesocorticolimbic system including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala), which would support the view that sexual pheromones are reinforcing. The results indicate that non‐volatile pheromones stimulate the vomeronasal system, whereas air‐borne volatiles activate only the olfactory system. Thus, the acquired preference for male‐derived volatiles reveals an olfactory‐vomeronasal associative learning. Moreover, the reward system is differentially activated by the primary pheromones and secondarily attractive odorants. Exploring the primary attractive pheromone activates the basolateral amygdala and the shell of nucleus accumbens but neither the ventral tegmental area nor the orbitofrontal cortex. In contrast, exploring the secondarily attractive male‐derived odorants involves activation of a circuit that includes the basolateral amygdala, prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area. Therefore, the basolateral amygdala stands out as the key centre for vomeronasal‐olfactory associative learning.
G‐protein coupled activation of potassium channels by endogenous neuropeptides in snail neurons
Authors: Kiss Tibor 
Published: May 2005

AbstractMembers of the mytilus inhibitory peptide (MIP) family play an important role in the modulation of many physiological processes in molluscs. The signal transduction pathways affected by the MIP effect have not, however, been elucidated. Application of guanosine 5′‐[γ‐thio]triphosphate tetralithium salt (GTPγS), guanosine 5′‐[β‐thio]diphosphate trilithium salt (GDPβS), the G‐protein inhibitor suramin and pertussis toxin (PTX) demonstrated the involvement of the PTX‐insensitive G‐protein in the signal transduction pathway mediating MIP effects. Both G‐protein αi and βγ subunits were identified in D‐neurons of Helix pomatia by immunoblotting. Their role in signal transduction was shown in electrophysiological experiments, which supported the notion that, in addition to the Gα subunit, the βγ dimer also participates in the neuropeptide‐induced activation of K‐channels in snail neurons. Finally, neuropeptide‐activated responses were inhibited by the activation of adenylyl cyclase and by blockers of the phospholipase pathway. We suggest that bifurcation of the signal transduction takes place at the level of G‐protein subunits. The α subunit may have a direct effect on adenylyl cyclase, while the βγ subunit may have a direct effect on phospholipase enzymes.
Olfactory learning‐induced morphological modifications in single dendritic spines of young rats
Authors: Knafo Shira , Libersat Frederic , Barkai Edi 
Published: May 2005

AbstractLearning‐related morphological modifications in single dendritic spines were studied quantitatively in the brains of young Sprague–Dawley rats. We have previously shown that olfactory discrimination rule‐learning results in transient physiological and morphological modifications in piriform cortex pyramidal neurons. In particular, spine density along the apical dendrites of neurons from trained rats is increased after learning. The aim of the present study was to identify and describe olfactory learning‐induced modifications in the morphology of single spines along apical dendrites of the same type of neurons. By using laser‐scanning confocal microscopy, we show that 3 days after training completion spines on neurons from olfactory discrimination trained rats are shorter as compared to spines on neurons from control rats. Further analysis revealed that spine shortening attributed to olfactory discrimination learning derives from shortening of spine head and not from shortening of spine neck. In addition, detailed analysis of spine head volume suggests that spines with large heads are absent after learning. As spine head size may be related to the efficacy of the synapse it bears, we suggest that modifications in spine head dimensions following olfactory rule‐learning enhance the cortical network ability to enter into a ‘learning mode’, in which memories of new odours can be acquired rapidly and efficiently.
Preferential localization of the hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated cation channel subunit HCN1 in basket cell terminals of the rat cerebellum
Authors: Luján Rafael , Albasanz José Luis , Shigemoto Ryuichi , Juiz José Manuel 
Published: May 2005

AbstractHyperpolarization‐activated and cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels are involved in the control of neuronal excitability and plasticity. In this study, we used immunoblotting and immunohistochemical techniques to reveal the developmental expression and subcellular distribution of the HCN1 subunit in the cerebellar cortex. During postnatal development, the spatio‐temporal expression of HCN1 correlated well with the morphological events occurring during the ontogenesis of cerebellar interneurons. Using immunoblotting techniques, HCN1 was weakly detected during the first postnatal week and continued to increase throughout postnatal development, peaking at postnatal day (P)15. At the light‐microscopic level, HCN1 immunoreactivity was very weak until P7 whereas from P10–12 to adulthood it was strongly detected in the lower third of the molecular layer and in the Purkinje cell layer. HCN1 was present in axons running through the molecular layer and in the pericellular basket around Purkinje cells at P12, but in the periaxonal plexus (the pinceau) surrounding their initial segment only after P15. Using immunofluorescence, HCN1 colocalized with GAD65 and synaptophysin, demonstrating that the subunit was present in inhibitory axons and axon terminals. At the electron‐microscopic level, in adulthood, HCN1 immunoparticles were detected at postsynaptic sites in basket and Purkinje cells but most immunoparticles were found at presynaptic sites in basket cell axons and in terminals. In the axon terminals, the distribution of HCN1 was relatively uniform along the extrasynaptic plasma membrane; this was confirmed using quantitative techniques. The present findings suggest that HCN1 channels may provide a significant route for modulating co‐ordinated cerebellar synaptic transmission through basket cells.
Unilateral optic nerve crush induces bilateral retinal glial cell proliferation
Authors: Panagis L. , Thanos S. , Fischer D. , Dermon C. R. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe post‐injury responses of retinal ganglion cells elicit a number of glial reactions which have not been completely understood. The bilateral pattern of non‐neuronal retinal cell proliferation was examined in association with the differential fates of unilaterally injured adult retinal ganglion cells by means of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocytochemistry. Lateralization of the glioproliferative events was studied by analysing both the experimental and the uninjured contralateral as well as matched retinas of sham‐operated animals. Control adult rat retina included very few BrdU‐positive cells within the nerve fibre and ganglion cell layers; however, experimental retinas of degenerating groups exhibited statistically significantly higher densities of newborn cells in most layers. Clusters of labelled cells were found in the inner plexiform layer related to OX‐42 staining, indicating their microglial nature. Indeed, double‐labelling experiments, after short‐term unilateral optic nerve crushing, identified proliferating retinal glial cells in vivo. Both types of glia, astroglial and microglial cells, exhibited BrdU‐positive labelling in injured as well as uninjured experimental rat retinas. Moreover, microglial proliferating cells were also identified in explanted retinal pieces after 2 days in culture. Affected and contralateral retinas responded similarly to the unilateral experimental manipulations applied with respect to BrdU labelling. The acute glial responses observed suggest that bilateral glial proliferation might represent a common response related to degeneration events in both retinas, i.e. ipsi‐ and contralateral to the experimental injury.
Rapid non‐genomic effect of glucocorticoid metabolites and neurosteroids on the γ‐aminobutyric acid‐A receptor
Authors: Strömberg J. , Bäckström T. , Lundgren P. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractGlucocorticoids and neurosteroids, such as allopregnanolone and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, are released during stress. A non‐genomic effect of glucocorticoids has been established but is not yet fully understood. We have studied the effect of glucocorticoid metabolites on the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. In these experiments we studied the effects of the glucocorticoid metabolites allotetrahydrocortisol, tetrahydrocortisol, allotetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisone in rat cortical microsacs. Our results showed that both these cortisol and cortisone metabolites reduce GABA‐mediated chloride ion uptake. This reduction was not observed in the presence of allopregnanolone but allotetrahydrocortisol interacts with allopregnanolone, enhancing the allopregnanolone‐stimulated potentiation of GABA‐mediated chloride ion uptake. This enhanced effect was completely blocked by the addition of 30 µm of the 3β‐isomer of allopregnanolone, isoallopregnanolone. Our findings show that steroids released during stress interact with each other and GABA in the GABA system.