bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of the Chinese herbal medicine ‘Ba Wei Di Huang Wan’ in the treatment of dementia: A SPECT cerebral blood flow examination and a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial for cognitive function and ADL
Authors: Iwasaki Koh , Kobayashi Seiichi , Chimura Yuri , Taguchi Mayumi , Inoue Kazumi , Akiba Tetsuo , Arai Hiroyuki , Cyong Jong‐Chol , Sasaki Hidetada 
Published: September 2004

Context:  Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has a long history as a remedy for dementia among East Asian countries. This study clarifies its benefits through current scientific designs.Objective:  Study 1: To evaluate the effects of Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (BDW), a Chinese herbal drug on cerebral blood flow (CBF) by tecnetium‐99 m‐ethyl cysteinate dimer brain single photon emission computed tomography (99mTc ECD SPECT).Study 2: To evaluate whether BDW improves cognitive and physical functioning in dementia patients.Design:  Study 1: An 8‐week case series for the SPECT examination.Study 2: An 8‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial for cognitive and physical functioning in dementia patients.Setting and Participants:  Study 1: Ten patients with multiple brain infarctions (5 men and 5 women; mean age 73 years) were recruited.Study 2: Thirty‐three patients with mild‐to‐severe dementia (7 men and 26 women; age 84.4 ± 7.8 [mean ± SD] years) admitted to a long‐term care facility in Japan, were recruited and enrolled from May 2002 through September 2002.Interventions:  Study 1: Participants took BDW extract 7.5 g/day for 8 weeks, and CBF in whole brain and regional CBFs were compared before and after the administration.Study 2: Participants were randomly assigned to the active drug (BDW) group (n = 16) or the placebo group (n = 17), and treated by BDW or placebo for 8 weeks.Main outcome measures:  Study 1: CBF in whole brain and rCBF in each Regions of interest (ROIs)Study 2: Cognitive function and the activities of daily living (ADL)Results:  Study 1: CBF in whole brain were increased from 38.2 ± 3.0 mL/100 mg/min to 40.5 ± 3.1 mL/100 mg/min (P = 0.007). rCBFs in bilateral temporal lobes, area Broca, and lt. thalamus were also increased significantly (P < 0.05).Study 2: After the trial, cognitive function as assessed by Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) significantly improved from 13.5 ± 8.5 to 16.3 ± 7.7 (mean  ±  SD, P < 0.01, − 4.1 < 95% C.I. < −1.4) in the BDW group. The ADL score in the Barthel index also significantly went from 61.8 ± 34.6 to 78.9 ± 21.1 (P < 0.01, − 26.2 < 95% C.I. < −7.9). Eight weeks after the end of the administration, both MMSE and Barthel index score of the BDW group declined to the baseline level.Conclusions:  Our results argue the benefits of BDW in the treatment of dementia.
Tokyo Centenarian Study: Aging inflammation hypothesis
Authors: Hirose Nobuyoshi , Arai Yasumichi , Gondoh Yasuyuki , Nakazawa Susumu , Takayama Michiyo , Ebihara Yoshinori , Shimizu Kenichiro , Inagaki Hiroki , Masui Yukie , Kitagawa Kohji , Kojima Toshio 
Published: September 2004

The biomedical characteristics of centenarians are (1) low level of albumin, cholesterol, and HDL‐cholesterol; (2) high level of CRP and Il‐6; (3) high level of thrombin‐antithrombin complex, suggesting centenarians are malnourished, in proinflammatory status and prothrombotic conditions. The score of ADL and MMSE is also low. The nutritional status is associated with inflammation, the level of ADL and MMSE. Since proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐6 and TNFα are known to cause malnutrition, we think that inflammation is partly responsible for the malnutrition. We proposed an ‘aging‐inflammation ‘hypothesis. Aging causes excessive inflammatory response, resulting in malnutrition, which in turn contributes to the low level of ADL and cognitive function in centenarians.The suppression of excessive inflammatory reaction may ameliorate the low objective QOL.
Physical check‐up and blood data analysis in the Thai elderly of Chaingmai Province, Thailand
Authors: Uttawichai Kasem , Takahashi Masakazu , Kiyoshi Sukuma , Hirai Kazuto , Kasempitakpong Boonsong , Matanasarawoot Anuchart , Sermpanich Nipon 
Published: September 2004

Introduction:  Chiangmai is one of the provinces in Northern Thailand. The Aging population has increased rapidly since family planning commenced in 1972. For the surveillance of aging, we started a health investigation of the elderly over 60 years of age in the suburban area of Chiangmai since 1997 with the Nippon Medical School Team.Materials and Method:  Medical examination was carried out for the elderly (male = 34, female = 73) at Department of Family Medicine, Chiangmai University, Chiangmai Thailand in August 2002. Chula Mental Test (CMT) was used for cognitive function and Geriatric Depression Scale was used for evaluation of depressive condition.Results:  The major health problems of this group of elderly in Chiangmai Province were visual acuity abnormality (98.1%), anemia (66.4%), hypertension (37.4%), dental caries (29%), bone and joint disease (23.4%), cardiovascular disease (11.2%), gingivitis (11.2%), diabetes mellitus (9.3%), digestive system disease (8.4%), and presbycrusis (8.4%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression were 0.9 and 2.8%, respectively. The prevalence of high cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol were 43.9, 29.0, and 15.9%, respectively. The prevalence of high BUN, creatinine, and uric acid were 17.8, 11.2, and 29.9%, respectively. The prevalence of high GOT, GPT, gamma GT, ZTT, and TTT were 4.7, 1.9, 53.3, 35.5, and 21.5%, respectively. The prevalence of low hemoglobin was 66.4%.Conclusion:  There was a high prevalence of anemia and hyperlipidemia in this group of elderly in Chiangmai Province. The analysis of background factors and further investigation should be carried out continuously.
Oral health care systems for elderly in Asia and Japan
Authors: Maki Yoshinobu 
Published: September 2004

More than one‐third of the world population live in Asian countries, and Aging causes the health problems of not only systemic diseases but also oral health in these countries. The purpose of this symposium was to grasp the oral health care systems for aged people in Asian countries. I had already asked to check the percentage of elderly population over 65‐years‐old and their oral health care systems (e.g. oral health status, dental visit and dental care delivery systems, insurance systems, dental manpower, and institutional care for the elderly).Oral health care compromised for the elderly should not be solely based on the activity of dentists, but also interdisciplinary health care teams including dental hygienists, nurses, health workers, and medical doctors. However, these team care systems are not satisfactory at present.Speakers from five countries (China, India, Korea, Thailand, and Japan) presented their systems of oral health care for healthy and compromised elder people. We discussed suitable oral health care systems for each country and the integration of oral health to general health promotion.
Supply, Factor Shares and Inflation Persistence: Re‐examining Euro‐area New‐Keynesian Phillips Curves*
Authors: McAdam Peter , Willman Alpo 
Published: September 2004

AbstractUsing euro‐area data, we re‐examine the empirical success of New‐Keynesian Phillips curves (NKPCs). We re‐estimate with a suitably specified optimizing supply side (which attempts to treat non‐stationarity in factor income shares and mark‐ups) that allows us to derive estimates of technology parameters, marginal costs and ‘price gaps’. Our resulting estimates of the euro‐area NKPCs are robust, provide reasonable estimates for fixed‐price durations and discount rates and embody plausible dynamic properties. Our method for identifying the underlying determinants of NKPCs has general applicability to a wide set of countries as well as of use for sectoral studies.
Inferring Policy Objectives from Economic Outcomes*
Authors: Dennis Richard 
Published: September 2004

AbstractEstimated policy rules are reduced‐form equations that are silent on many important policy questions. However, a structural understanding of monetary policy can be obtained by estimating a policymaker's objective function. The paper derives conditions under which the parameters in a policymaker's policy objective function can be identified and estimated. We apply these conditions to a New Keynesian sticky‐price model of the US economy. The results show that the implicit inflation target and the relative weight placed on interest rate smoothing both declined when Paul Volcker was appointed Federal Reserve chairman.
Protective effects of Munziq and Mushil of Abnormal Savda to mitochondrial oxidative damage
Authors: Yusup Abdiryim , Upur Halmurat , Umar Anwar , Moore Nicholas 
Published: September 2004

AbstractMunziq and Mushil of Abnormal Savda are traditional Uighur herbal medicinal products, which could have antioxidant properties protecting mitochondria against oxidative damage. Mitochondria were isolated from rat livers. A FeSO4/VitC hydroxyl radical‐generating system was used to induce mitochondrial oxidative damage. Alterations in mitochondrial membrane structure were observed by electron microscopy, and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and Ca2+–Mg2+‐ATPase activity were measured. Muziq or Mushil were added, at concentrations ranging from 10−5 to 10−1 g/mL. Mitochondrial membrane structure was damaged after exposure to hydroxyl radical; mitochondrial SOD and Ca2+–Mg2+‐ATPase activities decreased (by 80 and 55%, respectively, both P < 0.01), and MDA level increased 4.6‐fold (P < 0.01). Munziq and Mushil protected mitochondrial membranes from structural damage. They inhibited the changes in mitochondrial functions in a dose‐dependent manner. At the highest concentrations, values were equal to initial normal values. Munziq and Mushil of Abnormal Savda can reduce the oxidative damage induced by hydroxyl radical and protect the mitochondrial membrane structure and its functions.
Statins but not fibrates are associated with a reduced risk of venous thromboembolism: a hospital‐based case–control study
Authors: Lacut Karine , Oger Emmanuel , Le Gal Grégoire , Couturaud Francis , Louis Stéphanie , Leroyer Christophe , Mottier Dominique 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPrevious studies of selected patients have suggested a reduction in the risk of venous thromboembolism with the use of statins. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of statin use on the risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. The study is a case–control study (EDITH: Etude des Déterminants et Interactions de la Thrombose Veineuse), designed to investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors of VTE. A total of 377 patients consecutively hospitalized in the Brest University Hospital for a documented VTE event, between May 2000 and May 2002, and 377 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were studied. Statin use was associated with a 58% decreased risk of VTE [odds ratio (OR) 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23–0.76; P = 0.002]. Adjustment for age, gender, coronary heart disease, atherosclerothrombotic disease or current use of aspirin did not alter the result. Neither fibrates (OR 1.38; 95% CI 0.76–2.52; P = 0.26), nor thienopyridines (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.48–2.41; P = 0.85) were associated with a reduced risk of VTE. Aspirin use tended to decrease the risk of VTE, but this result was not significant (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.42–1.05). The use of statins is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of VTE, irrespective of age, gender, and past history of atherosclerothrombotic disease, as well as the use of aspirin. This possible protective effect of statins warrants further investigations.
Comparison of pharmacokinetics and metabolism of desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine and mizolastine in humans
Authors: Molimard M. , Diquet B. , Benedetti M. Strolin 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAbsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, and mizolastine in humans have been compared. The time required to reach peak plasma levels (tmax) is shortest for levocetirizine (0.9 h) and longest for desloratadine (≥3 h). Steady‐state plasma levels are attained after about 6 days for desloratadine, 3 days for fexofenadine, 2–3 days for mizolastine and by the second day for levocetirizine. The apparent volume of distribution is limited for levocetirizine (0.4 L/kg) and mizolastine (1–1.2 L/kg), larger for fexofenadine (5.4–5.8 L/kg) and particularly large for desloratadine (≈ 49 l/kg). Fexofenadine and levocetirizine appear to be very poorly metabolized (≈ 5 and 14% of the total oral dose, respectively). Desloratadine and mizolastine are extensively metabolized. After administration of 14C‐levocetirizine to healthy volunteers, 85 and 13% of the radioactivity are recovered in urine and faeces, respectively. In contrast, faeces are the preferential route of excretion for 14C‐fexofenadine (80% vs. 11% of the radioactive dose in urine). The corresponding values are 41% (urine) and 47% (faeces) for 14C‐desloratadine, 84–95% (faeces) and 8–15% (urine) for 14C‐mizolastine. The absolute bioavailability is 50–65% for mizolastine; it is high for levocetirizine as the percentage of the drug eliminated unchanged in the 48 h urine is 77% of the oral dose; the estimation for fexofenadine is at least 33%; no estimation was found for desloratadine. Fexofenadine is a P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) substrate and P‐gp is certainly involved both in the poor brain penetration by the compound and, at least partially, in a number of observed drug interactions. An interaction of desloratadine with P‐gp has been suggested in mice, whereas the information on mizolastine is very poor. The fact that levocetirizine is a substrate of P‐gp, although weak in an in vitro model, could contribute to prevent drug penetration into the brain, whereas it is unlikely to be of any clinical relevance for P‐gp‐mediated drug interactions.
Selenium diet‐supplementation improves cocaine‐induced myocardial oxidative stress and prevents cardiac dysfunction in rats
Authors: Moritz Fabienne , Monteil Christelle , Isabelle Marc , Mulder Paul , Henry Jean‐Paul , Derumeaux Geneviève , Richard Vincent , Muller Jean‐Michel , Thuillez Christian 
Published: September 2004

AbstractChronic cocaine abuse causes cardiac dysfunction and induces oxidative stress. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether an enhanced antioxidant pool, induced by the administration of selenium, may prevent the myocardial dysfunction induced by cocaine. Cocaine was administered for 7 days (15 mg/kg/day, i.p.) to rats pretreated for 4 weeks with selenium (1.16 mg/L/day, p.o.). Cardiac function was evaluated by cardiac index and left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening (FS) measured by echocardiography. The redox ratio and enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in the LV myocardium. Cocaine administration induced a cardiac dysfunction, as evidenced by a decrease in cardiac index and LV FS as well as by an increase in LV diameters. Moreover, antioxidant markers and redox ratio were altered in rats after cocaine exposure. Selenite supplementation induced a significant limitation of cardiac index and FS alterations observed after cocaine administration. This improvement in cardiac function was associated with a redox ratio recovery while SOD and GPX activities remained unchanged. Thus, selenite reversed both the oxidative stress and the contractile dysfunction induced by cocaine administration. These results suggest a major role of oxidative stress in the cocaine‐induced cardiotoxicity.
The hemostatic agent ethamsylate promotes platelet/leukocyte aggregate formation in a model of vascular injury
Authors: Hernandez Maria Rosa , Alvarez‐Guerra Miriam , Escolar Ginés , Chiavaroli Carlo , Hannaert Patrick , Garay Ricardo P. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe hemostatic agent ethamsylate enhances membrane expression of P‐selectin in human platelets, but whether this promotes platelet–leukocyte aggregate formation is unknown. Here we investigated this point by flow cytometry determination of human platelet–leukocyte aggregates under basal conditions and after whole‐blood perfusion through a damaged rabbit aorta segment. Actions of ethamsylate on adhesive molecules of platelets and leukocytes were investigated in parallel. Under basal conditions, ethamsylate was unable to modify whole‐blood platelet–leukocyte aggregation, but following whole‐blood perfusion through a damaged vessel, ethamsylate produced a modest, but significant increase in platelet–leukocyte aggregates (48 ± 21 and 45 ± 26% above control levels at ethamsylate 20 and 40 μm respectively). In isolated leukocyte plasma membranes, 14C‐ethamsylate specifically bound up to an amount of 660 pmol/mg protein. Moreover, at concentrations ≥1 μm, ethamsylate induced an important (100–200%) and significant increase in the P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL‐1) fluorescence signal in isolated leukocytes and was unable to significantly modify the percentage of CD11b‐positive cells. However, no significant changes in aggregate formation were found when ethamsylate was incubated with isolated leukocytes and blood was reconstituted and perfused. In isolated platelet cell membranes, anti‐P‐selectin antibody and the anti‐integrin RGD‐containing pentapeptide (GRDGS) were unable to displace 14C‐ethamsylate binding. In conclusion, ethamsylate specifically binds to plasma membranes of leukocytes, enhances membrane PSGL‐1 expression and promotes leukocyte–platelet aggregation in whole‐blood perfused through a damaged vascular segment. These results together with the previously observed enhancement of platelet P‐selectin membrane expression [Thromb. Res. (2002)107:329–335] confirms and extends the view that ethamsylate acts on the first step of hemostasis, by improving platelet homo‐ and heterotypic adhesiveness.
Proliferative response to phenytoin and nifedipine in gingival fibroblasts cultured from humans with gingival fibromatosis
Authors: Sano Masakazu , Ohuchi Nozomi , Inoue Tomio , Tono Kayoko , Tachikawa Tetsuhiko , Kizawa Yasuo , Murakami Hajime 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe response of gingival fibroblasts cultured from humans with gingival fibromatosis to phenytoin (PHT) and nifedipine (NIF) was investigated. PHT and NIF induced proliferation, and increased the expression of immunoreactive endothelin‐1 (ET‐1). ET‐1 (0.1 nm–1 μm) itself also induced proliferation in a concentration‐dependent manner. The proliferation was inhibited by BQ‐123 (ETA receptor antagonist; 1 μm) and TAK044 (ETA/ETB receptor antagonist; 1 μm), but not by BQ‐788 (ETB receptor antagonist; 1 μm). The proliferation induced by PHT (0.25 μm) and NIF (0.25 μm) was inhibited by BQ‐123 (1 μm). In addition, the results of Western blot analysis indicated the presence of ETA and ETB receptors in/on the fibroblasts. These findings suggest that PHT‐ and NIF‐induced gingival proliferation may be mediated by endogenously generated ET‐1, possibly via ETA receptors.
Pharmacoproteomic approach to the study of drug mode of action, toxicity, and resistance: applications in diabetes and cancer
Authors: Chapal Nicolas , Molina Laurence , Molina Franck , Laplanche Marion , Pau Bernard , Petit Pierre 
Published: September 2004

AbstractProteomics is a powerful technique for investigating protein expression profiles in biological systems and their modifications in response to stimuli or to particular physiological or pathophysiological conditions. It is therefore a technique of choice for the study of drug mode of action, side‐effects, toxicity and resistance. It is also a valuable approach for the discovery of new drug targets. All these proteomic applications to pharmacological issues may be called pharmacoproteomics. The pharmacoproteomic approach could be particularly useful for the identification of molecular alterations implicated in type 2 diabetes and for further characterization of existing or new drugs. In oncology, proteomics is widely used for the identification of tumour‐specific protein markers, and pharmacoproteomics is used for the evaluation of chemotherapy, particularly for the characterization of drug‐resistance mechanisms. The large amount of data generated by pharmacoproteomic screening requires the use of bioinformatic tools to insure a pertinent interpretation. Herein, we review the applications of pharmacoproteomics to the study of type 2 diabetes and to chemoresistance in different types of cancer and the current state of this technology in these pathologies. We also suggest a number of bioinformatic solutions for proteomic data management.
Long‐term protection of obese Zucker rat kidneys from fibrosis and renal failure with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/diuretic combination
Authors: Renaud Isabelle M. , Chainey Angele , Belair Marie‐France , Mandet Chantal , Michel Odile , Myara Isaac , Chevalier Jacques , Plante Gerard E. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSome combinations of antihypertensive agents were shown to reduce proteinuria in patients with renal failure. However, preventive effects of such combinations on renal structure and function are presently unknown when treatment is administered before the onset of renal abnormalities. We thus investigated the long‐term effects of an angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (perindopril)/diuretic (indapamide) combination (per/ind) in the Zucker rat, a classical model of chronic renal failure associated with obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Two‐month‐old lean and obese Zucker rats, presenting normal renal structure and function at this young age, received per/ind (0.76 + 0.24 mg/kg of body weight/day) or the vehicle of this combination by daily gavage. After 8.5 consecutive months of treatment, those 10.5‐month‐old rats were used for determination of renal structural and functional parameters which were examined using standard renal clearance experiments and kidney tissue analysis. Per/ind prevented focal and segmental glomerular hyalinosis and tubulo‐interstitial damage in obese rats. Treatment was also associated with a significant reduction in several staining markers of glomerular and interstitial fibrosis. The hypertrophy of superficial glomeruli and the mesangial expansion of deep glomeruli observed in control rats were reduced in per/ind‐treated obese rats. The severe proteinuria observed in 10.5‐month‐old control obese rats was prevented by per/ind, while glomerular filtration and renal hemodynamic parameters reached similar values to those obtained in lean animals. These results show that long‐term treatment with this ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination protects renal structure and function in the obese Zucker rat, emphasizing the potential efficiency of such therapy in renal failure prevention.