bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of piribedil as early combination to levodopa in patients with stable Parkinson's disease: A 6‐month, randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Ziegler Marc , Castro‐Caldas Alexandre , Del Signore Susanna , Rascol Olivier 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPiribedil is a non‐ergot D2/D3 agonist with a significant antagonist action on α2A and α2C adrenergic receptor subtypes. This double‐blind placebo‐controlled study was undertaken to confirm the efficacy of 150 mg/day piribedil po in improving motor symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) in nonfluctuating patients insufficiently controlled by a stable daily dose of levodopa (L‐dopa). Efficacy was assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III score as primary criterion over 4 months. A second comparison was planned at 6 months, after possible adjustment of L‐dopa. At 4 months, the rate of response, defined as a 30% decrease from baseline on UPDRS III score, was significantly greater with piribedil compared with placebo (56.4% vs. 37.7%; P = 0.040). At 6 months, the better efficacy of piribedil was maintained (61.8% of responders vs. 39.6% on placebo; P = 0.020). The difference between groups on UPDRS III change from baseline reached statistical significance only at 6 months: −10.0 points in the piribedil group vs. −6.7 points in the placebo group (P = 0.037). Secondary end‐points were not significantly different. The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms (27 of 61 patients in the piribedil group vs. 13 of 54 patients in the placebo group). In conclusion, a 6‐month oral administration of 150 mg/day piribedil in combination with L‐dopa is well tolerated, except for minor gastrointestinal symptoms at the beginning of the treatment and significantly improves motor symptoms compared with placebo in PD nonfluctuating patients. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Chorea‐acanthocytosis: Clinical and genetic findings in three families from the Arabian peninsula
Authors: Bohlega Saeed , Al‐Jishi Adel , Dobson‐Stone Carol , Rampoldi Luca , Saha Parthasarathi , Murad Hatem , Kareem Abid , Roberts George , Monaco Anthony P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractChorea‐acanthocytosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Its characteristics are orofacial dyskinesia, hyporeflexia, seizures, aberrant behavior, atrophy of the caudate and putamen, and acanthocytes in the blood with a normal level of lipoproteins. We describe three families with chorea‐acanthocytosis. The inheritance pattern was recessive and the average age at onset was 27 years (range, 18–35 years). The presenting symptoms were seizures, aberrant behaviour, chorea, tics, and/or abnormal gait. Phase‐contrast and electron microscopy examinations of blood showed 10 to 40% acanthocytes. The lipid profile was normal except that, in one family, no prebetalipoprotein bands corresponding to the fraction of very low‐density lipoprotein were seen in high‐resolution lipoprotein electrophoresis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed marked atrophy in the caudate and putamen; 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan showed hypometabolism in the striatum. In all three families, the disease was linked to a 6‐cM region of chromosome 9q21 flanked by the recombinant markers GATA 89a11 and D9S1843. This finding strongly suggests the involvement of a single locus for this syndrome. Three different homozygous mutations of this gene have been identified. Although the clinical presentation was variable, the genetic studies on these three Saudi Arabian families with chorea‐acanthocytosis provide strong evidence for a genetic locus for chorea‐acanthocytosis at chromosome 9q21. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
High‐dose piracetam is effective on cerebellar ataxia in patient with cerebellar cortical atrophy
Authors: Vural Melih , Özekmekçi Sibel , Apaydin Hülya , Altinel Attila 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe describe a patient with cerebellar ataxia of degenerative nature who was administered high‐dose piracetam in a single‐blind trial. Piracetam was demonstrated to be highly effective on tandem gait and gait ataxia in daily doses of 60 g. We suggest piracetam has a potential anti‐ataxic effect in human cerebellar ataxia when used in considerably higher doses than those indicated for other purposes. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
0.2‐Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has no add‐on effects as compared to a realistic sham stimulation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Okabe Shingo , Ugawa Yoshikazu , Kanazawa Ichiro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTo study the efficacy of 0.2‐Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on Parkinson's disease (PD), 85 patients with PD were enrolled into three groups: 1) motor cortical, 2) occipital, and 3) sham stimulation. A round coil was centered over the vertex in motor cortical stimulation, and over the inion in occipital stimulation. In one session, 100 stimuli of 0.2‐Hz rTMS at an intensity of 1.1 times active motor threshold (AMT) were given. In sham stimulation, electric currents were given with electrodes fixed on the head to mimic the sensation in real stimulation. Each session was carried out once a week for the first 8 weeks. The Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and subjective score (visual analogue scale) were assessed. There were no significant differences in clinical features among the three groups. Total and motor score of UPDRS were improved to the same extent by rTMS over Cz, inion, and sham stimulation. HRSD was improved by rTMS over Cz and sham stimulation in the same manner. Subjective score was not significantly improved by any methods of stimulation. 0.2‐Hz rTMS at an intensity of 1.1 × AMT has only a placebo effect on PD. Our realistic sham stimulation maneuver must produce powerful placebo effects as a real stimulation. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Quantitative rest activity in ambulatory monitoring as a physiological marker of restless legs syndrome: A controlled study
Authors: Tuisku Katinka , Holi Matti Mikael , Wahlbeck Kristian , Ahlgren Aulikki Johanna , Lauerma Hannu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAn objective marker of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is needed for developing diagnostic tools and monitoring symptoms. Actometric ambulatory monitoring of 15 RLS patients and 15 healthy controls was undertaken in order to differentiate between RLS‐related motor symptoms and normal motor activity. Nocturnal lower‐limb activity per minute differentiated and discriminated between groups with no overlap, whereas the periodic limb movement index and the controlled rest activity during sitting showed less discriminative power. The naturalistic recording of nocturnal activity by actometry may prove useful for assessing the severity of RLS and for finding an objective marker to support the diagnosis of RLS. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Focal myoclonus‐dystonia of the leg secondary to a lesion of the posterolateral putamen: Clinical and neurophysiological features
Authors: Mahant Neil , Cordato Dennis J. , Fung Victor S.C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report on a patient with spontaneous and stimulus‐sensitive myoclonic jerks and dystonia of the right leg that had been present since infancy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a linear area of gliosis confined to the left posterolateral putamen. This is the first report of focal myoclonus‐dystonia of the lower limb secondary to a putaminal lesion. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Does the ADL part of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale measure ADL? An evaluation in patients after pallidotomy and thalamic deep brain stimulation
Authors: Hariz Gun‐Marie , Lindberg Margareta , Hariz Marwan I. , Bergenheim A. Tommy 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe evaluated the impact of pallidotomy and thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on disability of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and investigated whether the activities of daily living (ADL) section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) measures disability in everyday life. Nineteen patients who had pallidotomy and 14 patients who had thalamic DBS were followed for a mean of 11 months. Evaluation tools included the UPDRS as well as a generic ADL scale, called ADL taxonomy. The 13 items belonging to the ADL part of the UPDRS were classified into two categories according to whether the items described a disability or impairment. The total scores of the UPDRS Part II (ADL) were ameliorated in both the pallidotomy and the thalamic DBS groups. When analysing separately the scores from the two categories of the ADL part of the UPDRS, i.e., disability and impairment, only patients who underwent pallidotomy showed improvement in disability‐related items. These findings were confirmed when evaluating the patients with the ADL taxonomy. The ADL part of the UPDRS contains a mixture of impairment‐ and disability‐related items. This mixture may confound results when evaluating the impact of surgery on ADL. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
p75 Neurotrophin receptor mediates neurotrophin activation of NF‐kappa B and induction of iNOS expression in P19 neurons
Authors: Burke Melanie A. , Bothwell Mark 
Published: March 2003

AbstractP19 embryonic carcinoma cells can be differentiated into neurons that form synaptic connections and that produce a variety of neurotransmitters. Results of RT‐PCR indicate that P19 neurons express several neurotrophin receptors (p75NTR, trkB, and trkC, but not trkA) but they do not express any of the four neurotrophins. Consistent with the presence of trkB but not trkA, BDNF causes rapid phosphorylation of MAP kinases ERK1 and ERK2, but NGF does not. Neurotrophins induce translocation of NF‐κB into the nucleus. All four neurotrophins induce activation of NF‐κB in a biphasic manner. This effect is apparently mediated by p75NTR, because an inhibitor of trk receptors, K252a, does not inhibit activation of NF‐κB. Instead, K252a itself promotes activation of NF‐κB and this effect is additive with the effect of neurotrophins. Inhibition of reactive oxygen intermediates with PDTC completely abolishes basal activity of NF‐κB and strongly inhibits activation of NF‐κB by neurotrophins, indicating an important role of reactive oxygen intermediates in the pathway by which neurotrophins activate NF‐κB. NF‐κB is known to promote expression of the iNOS gene. We found that all four neurotrophins increased iNOS mRNA levels, resulting in increased accumulation of iNOS protein. In contrast, none of the neurotrophins stimulated nNOS mRNA or protein synthesis. PDTC abolishes constitutive and neurotrophin‐induced expression of iNOS mRNA and protein and abolishes constitutive expression of nNOS mRNA, suggesting that reactive oxygen intermediates promote expression of nNOS. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 191–203, 2003
Estradiol initially enhances but subsequently suppresses (via adrenal steroids) granule cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of adult female rats
Authors: Ormerod B. K. , Lee T. T‐Y. , Galea L. A. M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn the dentate gyrus of adult female meadow voles, a high dose of estradiol benzoate (EB) increases (within 4 h) then decreases (within 48) the number of dividing progenitor cells (Ormerod BK, Galea LAM. 2001. Reproductive status regulates cell proliferation within the dentate gyrus of the adult female meadow vole: A possible regulatory role for estradiol. Neurosci 2:169–179). We investigated whether time‐dependent EB exposure differentially influences the number of new granule cells produced in the adult female rat dentate gyrus and whether EB‐stimulated adrenal activity mediates the decrease in cell proliferation. Ovariectomized rats received either an EB (10 μg in 0.1 mL) or vehicle (0.1 mL) injection either 4 or 48 h (Experiment 1) before a BrdU injection (200 mg/kg) and were perfused 24 h later to assess the number of new cells. Relative to vehicle, the number of new cells increased following a 4 h exposure (p ≤ 0.04) but decreased following a 48 h exposure (p ≤ 0.006) to EB. In Experiment 2, the number of new cells within the dentate gyrus of ovariectomized and adrenalectomized females did not significantly differ between groups exposed to EB versus vehicle for 48 h prior to BrdU administration, suggesting the decreased number of new cells observed within the dentate gyrus of adrenal‐intact adult female rats is mediated by EB‐stimulated adrenal activity. We conclude that estradiol dynamically regulates cell proliferation within the dentate gyrus of adult female rats in the time‐dependent manner observed previously in voles and suppresses cell proliferation by influencing adrenal steroids. Investigating how estradiol dynamically regulates neurogenesis could provide insight into the mechanisms by which the proliferation of progenitor cells is controlled within the adult rodent hippocampus. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 247–260, 2003
Drosophila neuromuscular synapse assembly and function require the TGF‐β type I receptor saxophone and the transcription factor Mad
Authors: Rawson Joel M. , Lee Michael , Kennedy Eric L. , Selleck Scott B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTransforming growth factor‐βs (TGF‐β) comprise a superfamily of secreted proteins with diverse functions in patterning and cell division control. TGF‐β signaling has been implicated in synapse assembly and plasticity in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. Recently, wishful thinking, a Drosophila gene that encodes a protein related to BMP type II receptors, has been shown to be required for the normal function and development of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). These findings suggest that a TGF‐β‐related ligand activates a signaling cascade involving type I and II receptors and the Smad family of transcription factors to orchestrate the assembly of the NMJ. Here we demonstrate that the TGF‐β type I receptor Saxophone and the downstream transcription factor Mothers against dpp (Mad) are essential for the normal structural and functional development of the Drosophila NMJ, a synapse that displays activity‐dependent plasticity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 134–150, 2003
Expression of estrogen receptor and aromatase mRNAs in embryonic and posthatch zebra finch brain
Authors: Perlman William R. , Arnold Arthur P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMale zebra finches sing and females normally do not. This sexually dimorphic behavior is mediated by a sexually dimorphic series of interconnected nuclei that are larger and more developed in males. Estradiol administered to females as early as the day of hatching (P1) causes profound masculinization of this song system. The exact timing of estrogen action is unknown, and there is little information concerning the times and sites of expression of estrogen receptors and aromatase before P5. We measured the expression of mRNAs encoding these proteins in brain during late embryogenesis and on P1 to determine if estrogen synthesis or receptor‐mediated actions on the song system, as part of the program of sexual differentiation, might be possible during this period. Using highly sensitive and specific in situ hybridization procedures for mRNAs encoding ERα, ERβ, and aromatase, we detected mRNA for ERs in archistriatal regions as early as embryonic stage 34, and in diencephalic regions as early as embryonic stage 30. ERα mRNA was also detected in the dorsal mesencephalon at P1. Aromatase mRNA expression was present as early as embryonic stage 30 in diencephalic and mesencephalic regions. No obvious sex differences in the spatio‐temporal pattern of mRNA expression were detected. Our results suggest that estrogen can influence cell growth and differentiation in zebra finch brain well before hatching and into posthatching life. The results fail to provide support for the hypothesis that sexual differentiation of the song system is mediated by sex differences in the expression of these mRNAs at these ages. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 204–219, 2003
Localization of KCNC1 (Kv3.1) potassium channel subunits in the avian auditory nucleus magnocellularis and nucleus laminaris during development
Authors: Parameshwaran‐Iyer Suchitra , Carr Catherine E. , Perney Teresa M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe KCNC1 (previously Kv3.1) potassium channel, a delayed rectifier with a high threshold of activation, is highly expressed in the time coding nuclei of the adult chicken and barn owl auditory brainstem. The proposed role of KCNC1 currents in auditory neurons is to reduce the width of the action potential and enable neurons to transmit high frequency temporal information with little jitter. Because developmental changes in potassium currents are critical for the maturation of the shape of the action potential, we used immunohistochemical methods to examine the developmental expression of KCNC1 subunits in the avian auditory brainstem. The KCNC1 gene gives rise to two splice variants, a longer KCNC1b and a shorter KCNC1a that differ at the carboxy termini. Two antibodies were used: an antibody to the N‐terminus that does not distinguish between KCNC1a and b isoforms, denoted as panKCNC1, and another antibody that specifically recognizes the C terminus of KCNC1b. A comparison of the staining patterns observed with the panKCNC1 and the KCNC1b specific antibodies suggests that KCNC1a and KCNC1b splice variants are differentially regulated during development. Although panKCNC1 immunoreactivity is observed from the earliest time examined in the chicken (E10), a subcellular redistribution of the immunoproduct was apparent over the course of development. KCNC1b specific staining has a late onset with immunostaining first appearing in the regions that map high frequencies in nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL). The expression of KCNC1b protein begins around E14 in the chicken and after E21 in the barn owl, relatively late during ontogeny and at the time that synaptic connections mature morphologically and functionally. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 165–178, 2003
Differential expression of methyl CpG‐binding domain containing factor MBD3 in the developing and adult rat brain
Authors: Jung Benjamin P. , Zhang Guangming , Nitsch Romy , Trogadis Judy , Nag Sukriti , Eubanks James H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractUsing subtractive hybridization screening, the methyl CpG‐binding domain containing protein MBD3 was identified as being more prevalently expressed in the embryonic brain than in the adult. In this report, we present the mRNA and protein expression patterns of MBD3 in the developing brain. MBD3 expression was detected in neuroepithelial cells of the developing forebrain, and in peripheral tissues such as liver and intestine during late embryogenesis. This is in contrast to its related family member MBD2, which displayed only minimal expression in the embryonic brain. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the levels of both MBD3 splice forms decrease in the maturing postnatal hippocampus and cortex, although the two forms do not decline at equivalent rates. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong MBD3 immunostaining in principal neurons of the hippocampus and cortex, but weak or nondetectable immunostaining in outer cortical layer cells. MBD3 was also selectively expressed in the adult retina, where strong immunoreactivity was detected in cells of the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, but no immunoreactivity was detected in cells of the outer nuclear layer. Taken together, these results illustrate that MBD3 displays a selective spatial and temporal pattern of expression in the embryonic and adult brain, thereby strengthening the possibility of MBD3 playing an important role in neuronal development. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 220–232, 2003
Targeted expression of tetanus toxin reveals sets of neurons involved in larval locomotion in Drosophila
Authors: Suster Maximiliano L. , Martin Jean‐Rene , Sung Carl , Robinow Steven 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe Drosophila larva is widely used for studies of neuronal development and function, yet little is known about the neuronal basis of locomotion in this model organism. Drosophila larvae crawl over a plain substrate by performing repetitive waves of forward peristalsis alternated by brief episodes of head swinging and turning. To identify sets of central and peripheral neurons required for the spatial or temporal pattern of larval locomotion, we blocked neurotransmitter release from defined populations of neurons by targeted expression of tetanus toxin light chain (TeTxLC) with the GAL4/UAS system. One hundred fifty GAL4 lines were crossed to a UAS‐TeTxLC strain and a motion‐analysis system was used to identify larvae with abnormal movement patterns. Five lines were selected that show discrete locomotor defects (i.e., increased turning and pausing) and these defects are correlated with diverse sets of central neurons. One line, 4C‐GAL4, caused an unusual circling behavior that is correlated with approximately 200 neurons, including dopaminergic and peptidergic interneurons. Expression of TeTxLC in all dopaminergic and serotonergic but not in peptidergic neurons, caused turning deficits that are similar to those of 4C‐GAL4/TeTxLC larvae. The results presented here provide a basis for future genetic studies of motor control in the Drosophila larva. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 233–246, 2003
School‐based health centers: Strategies for meeting the physical and mental health needs of children and families
Authors: Brown Michael B. , Bolen Larry M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSchool‐based health centers are fast becoming a part of mainstream health care in the United States. The centers provide enhanced access to comprehensive physical and mental health services for children and families. Although originally established in urban areas, they can also have a significant impact on service delivery for children in rural and suburban areas. This manuscript describes the role and primary functions of school‐based health centers, describes several important issues in developing and implementing the centers, and reviews the effectiveness of services provided through school‐based health centers. School psychologists are in an excellent position to provide leadership for the establishment of school‐based health centers. Participation in school‐based health services delivery enables school psychologists to expand their role and broadens both their client population and the range of services. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 279–287, 2003.
Implementing a school‐based health center: The Winston‐Salem/Forsyth County experience
Authors: Trivette Paul S. , Thompson‐Drew Corliss 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis article traces the inception and implementation of school‐based health centers in the Winston‐Salem/Forsyth County (NC) school system. The challenges that arose during implementation are discussed, along with the opportunities that SBHCs provide to enhance the provision of comprehensive services for children. The involvement of the several school psychologists in the initial planning, organization and implementation of these centers is delineated as an example for other school psychologists who are interested in working with school‐based health centers. School‐based health centers represent an opportunity for school psychologists to assume a leadership role in the delivery of enhanced health and mental health services for children and families. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 289–296, 2003.