bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic high‐frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus and L‐DOPA treatment in experimental parkinsonism: effects on motor behaviour and striatal glutamate transmission
Authors: Gubellini Paolo , Eusebio Alexandre , Oueslati Abid , Melon Christophe , Kerkerian‐Le Goff Lydia , Salin Pascal
Published: September 2006

Hyperactivity of striatal glutamatergic synaptic transmission in response to dopamine depletion plays a major role in the pathogenesis of parkinsonian motor symptoms. In the present study we investigated the impact, on this hyperactivity, of chronic dyskinesiogenic L‐DOPA treatment, combined or not with high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN).In vitropatch‐clamp recordings were performed from striatal spiny neurons of hemiparkinsonian rats (intranigral 6‐OHDA injection). Here we show that dyskinesiogenic L‐DOPA treatment exacerbated striatal glutamatergic hyperactivity induced by 6‐OHDA lesion. Chronic 5‐day STN HFS had the opposite effect, reducing striatal glutamatergic transmission in both parkinsonian and dyskinetic animals. Consistently, chronic HFS stimulation could progressively ameliorate motor parkinsonian signs (akinesia) but, conversely, did not improve L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia (LID). Thus, the effects of L‐DOPA and HFS on corticostriatal transmission seem to be dissociated. These data show for the first time that dyskinesiogenic L‐DOPA treatment and chronic STN HFS with antiakinetic effects induce opposite plastic rearrangements in the striatum. The interaction between these two treatments provides further evidence that striatal glutamatergic hyperactivity is a pathophysiological correlate of akinesia rather than LID.
Cocaine withdrawal enhances long‐term potentiation induced by corticotropin‐releasing factor at central amygdala glutamatergic synapses via CRF1, NMDA receptors and PKA
Authors: Pollandt Sebastian , Liu Jie , Orozco‐Cabal Luis , Grigoriadis Dimitri E. , Vale Wylie W. , Gallagher Joel P. , Shinnick‐Gallagher Patricia
Published: September 2006

Cocaine addiction is an enduring, relapsing, behavioural disorder in which stressors reinstate cocaine‐seeking even after prolonged abstinence. Evidence suggests that the ‘anxiety‐like’ behaviour and stress associated with protracted withdrawal may be mediated by increased corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a part of the limbic circuitry engaged in the coding and transmission of stimulus–reward associations. In the present study we describe a long‐lasting potentiation of glutamatergic transmission induced at lateral amygdala (LA)‐to‐CeA synapses by rat/human CRF. After 2 weeks of withdrawal from repeated intermittent exposure to cocaine, CRF‐induced long‐term potentiation (LTP) was greatly enhanced compared to the respective saline control group while, after short‐term withdrawal (24 h), there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups, indicating alterations in CRF systems during protracted withdrawal from chronic cocaine. After prolonged withdrawal, CRF‐induced LTP was dependent on activation of CRF2, CaV2.3 (R‐type) calcium channels and intracellular signalling through protein kinase C in both saline‐ and cocaine‐treated groups. The enhanced CRF‐induced LTP after 2 weeks of withdrawal was mediated through augmented CRF1receptor function, associated with an increased signalling through protein kinase A, and requiredN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Accordingly, single‐cell recordings revealed a significantly increased NMDA/AMPA ratio after prolonged withdrawal from the cocaine treatment. These results support a role for CRF1receptor antagonists as plausible treatment options during withdrawal from chronic cocaine and suggest CaV2.3 blockers as potential candidates for pharmaceutical modulation of CRF systems.
Distinct patterns of plasticity in prefrontal cortex neurons that encode slow and fast responses to stress
Authors: Jackson Mark E. , Moghaddam Bita
Published: September 2006

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been implicated in cognitive and affective responses to acute and chronic stress; however, direct evidence for the reactivity or adaptability of PFC neurons to stress is lacking. We followed the unit activity of medial PFC (mPFC) neurons in awake rats during two consecutive exposures to restraint stress or to a non‐aversive novel object. The majority (75%) of mPFC neurons had significant responses to the initial restraint that was differentiated into one of three temporal patterns: (i) phasic increase in firing rate during the restraint period, (ii) slow onset increase in firing rate that was sustained for > 2 h after restraint, and (iii) brief bi‐phasic responses to initiation and termination of restraint. Exposure to a novel object elicited an exposure‐locked phasic response in 40% of the neurons. None of the neurons displayed the sustained activation that was prominent after restraint. A second exposure to the object no longer elicited this phasic response while neurons in the three restraint‐responsive groups modified their firing rate during the second restraint in a manner that was specific to their pattern of response to the first restraint. These findings demonstrate that whereas some mPFC neurons respond phasically to novel stimuli irrespective of their aversive nature, a separate population of PFC neurons responds to a stressful stimulus with a sustained increase in firing rate that persists in the absence of that stimulus. These neurons may be a substrate for adaptive responses that are necessary for behavioral modification.
Neural responses to silent lipreading in normal hearing male and female subjects
Authors: Ruytjens Liesbet , Albers Frans , Van Dijk Pim , Wit Hero , Willemsen Antoon
Published: September 2006

In the past, researchers investigated silent lipreading in normal hearing subjects with functional neuroimaging tools and showed how the brain processes visual stimuli that are normally accompanied by an auditory counterpart. Previously, we showed activation differences between males and females in primary auditory cortex during silent lipreading, i.e. only the female group significantly activated the primary auditory region during lipreading. Here we report and discuss the overall activation pattern in males and females. We used positron emission tomography to study silent lipreading in 19 normal hearing subjects (nine females). Prior to scanning, subjects were tested on their lipreading ability and only good lipreaders were included in the study. Silent lipreading was compared with a static image. In the whole group, activations were found mainly in the left hemisphere with major clusters in superior temporal, inferior parietal, inferior frontal and precentral regions. The female group showed more clusters and these clusters were larger than in the male group. Sex differences were found mainly in right inferior frontal and left inferior parietal regions and to a lesser extent in bilateral angular and precentral gyri. The sex differences in the parietal multimodal region support our previous hypothesis that the male and female brain process visual speech stimuli differently without differences in overt lipreading ability. Specifically, females associate the visual speech image with the corresponding auditory speech sound whereas males focus more on the visual image itself.
Identification of acetate‐utilizing Bacteria and Archaea in methanogenic profundal sediments of Lake Kinneret (Israel) by stable isotope probing of rRNA
Authors: Schwarz Julia I. K. , Lueders Tillmann , Eckert Werner , Conrad Ralf
Published: September 2006

Acetate is an important intermediate in the decomposition of organic matter in anoxic freshwater sediments. Here, we identified distinct microorganisms active in its oxidation and transformation to methane in the anoxic methanogenic layers of Lake Kinneret (Israel) profundal sediment by rRNA‐based stable isotope probing (RNA‐SIP). After 18 days of incubation with amended [U‐13C]acetate we found that archaeal 16S rRNA was 13C‐labelled to a far greater extent than bacterial rRNA. We identified acetoclastic methanogens related to Methanosaeta concilii as being most active in the degradation and assimilation of acetate. Oxidation of the acetate‐methyl group played only a minor role, but nevertheless ‘heavy’13C‐labelled bacterial rRNA templates were identified. ‘Heavy’ bacteria were mainly affiliated with the Betaproteobacteria (mostly Rhodocyclales and Nitrosomonadales), the Nitrospira phylum (related to ‘Magnetobacterium bavaricum’ and Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii), and also with the candidate phylum ‘Endomicrobia’. However, the mode of energy gain that allowed for the assimilation of 13C‐acetate by these bacterial groups remains unknown. It may have involved syntrophic oxidation of acetate, reduction of chlorinated compounds, reduction of humic substances, fermentation of organic compounds, or even predation of 13C‐labelled Methanosaeta spp. In summary, this SIP experiment shows that acetate carbon was predominantly consumed by acetoclastic methanogens in profundal Lake Kinneret sediment, while it was also utilized by a small and heterogeneous community of bacteria.
Temporal gene‐expression in Escherichia coli K‐12 biofilms
Authors: Domka Joanna , Lee Jintae , Bansal Tarun , Wood Thomas K.
Published: September 2006

Analysis of the temporal development of Escherichia coli K‐12 biofilms in complex medium indicates the greatest differential gene expression between biofilm and suspension cells occurred in young biofilms at 4 and 7 h (versus 15 and 24 h). The main classes of genes differentially expressed (biofilm versus biofilm and biofilm versus suspension cells) include 42 related to stress response (e.g. cspABFGI), 66 related to quorum sensing (e.g. ydgG, gadABC, hdeABD), 20 related to motility (e.g. flgBCEFH, fliLMQR, motB), 13 related to fimbriae (e.g. sfmCHM, fimZ, csgC), 24 related to sulfur and tryptophan metabolism (e.g. trpLBA, tnaLA, cysDNCJH), 80 related to transport (e.g. gatABC, agaBC, ycjJ, ydfJ, phoU, phnCJKM), and six related to extracellular matrix (e.g. wcaBDEC). Of the 93 mutants identified and studied, 76 showed altered biofilm formation. Biofilm architecture changed from thin and dense to globular and dispersed to dense and smooth. The quorum‐sensing signal AI‐2 controls gene expression most clearly in mature biofilms (24 h) when intracellular AI‐2 levels are highest. Sulfate transport and metabolism genes (cysAUWDN) and genes with unknown functions (ymgABCZ) were repressed in young (4, 7 h) biofilms, induced in developed biofilms (15 h), and repressed in mature (24 h) biofilms. Genes related to both motility and fimbriae were induced in biofilms at all sampling time points and colanic acid genes were induced in mature biofilms (24 h). Genes related to dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthesis from galactitol and galactosamine (e.g. gatZABCDR, agaBCY) were highly regulated in biofilms. Genes involved in the biosynthesis of indole and sulfide (tnaLA) are repressed in biofilms after 7 h (corroborated by decreasing intracellular indole concentrations in biofilms). Cold‐shock protein transcriptional regulators (cspABFGI) appear to be positive biofilm regulators, and deletions in respiratory genes (e.g. hyaACD, hyfCG, appC, narG) increased biofilm formation sevenfold.
Metabolic syndrome and pulse pressure
Authors: Mannucci E. , Monami M. , Bardini G. , Sposato I. , Ungar A. , Pepe G. , Masotti G. , Marchionni N. , Rotella C. M.
Published: September 2006

Aim:  Pulse pressure (PP) has been reported to be increased in patients with abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance. Aim of the present study is to verify the association of high PP with metabolic syndrome (MS) and with its individual components.

Methods:  The relationship between PP and MS was studied in a sample of 1724 subjects aged (mean ± s.d.) 52.8 ± 1.3 years, enrolled in a screening programme for diabetes FIrenze‐Bango A Ripoli (FIBAR) study, and in a consecutive series of 1775 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 64.3 ± 9.1 years; only subjects not treated with antihypertensive medication were included in the analysis.

Results:  In the FIBAR sample, PP was significantly higher in subjects with MS. A significant correlation of PP was found in women with waist circumference, fasting glucose and triglyceride (r = 0.14, 0.15, and 0.09 respectively), and in men with fasting glucose only (r = 0.09); the correlation was no longer significant after adjustment for age and mean blood pressure. Similar results were obtained in the series of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Discussion:  High PP is associated with MS and its components, but this association seems to disappear after adjustment for age and mean blood pressure. On the basis of the present data, high PP cannot be considered as one of the alterations associated with MS.
Associations between volume of alcohol consumption and social status, intelligence, and personality in a sample of young adult Danes
Authors: MORTENSEN ERIK LYKKE , JENSEN HANS HENRIK , SANDERS STEPHANIE A. , REINISCH JUNE MACHOVER
Published: September 2006

Relatively few studies have investigated associations between volume of alcohol consumption and psychological characteristics in normal samples. A sub‐sample, comprising 363 men and 331 women between 29 and 34 years of age, was selected from the Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort on the basis of perinatal records. The sample was divided into four consumption categories: abstainers (including occasional drinkers), light, moderate, and risk drinkers. ANOVA and relevant contrasts were used to test the significance of differences among consumption categories. Both abstaining and risk drinking were associated with low social status family background, low education and intelligence. Abstaining was associated with low disinhibition and social recognition scores, while risk drinking was associated with high neuroticism and, in males, high disinhibition, low social recognition, and low achievement scores. Compared with light drinkers, a more “carefree” life orientation characterized male moderate drinkers, while relatively high scores on anxiety, dysthymia, and somatoform symptom scales characterized female moderate drinkers.
Do self‐presentation concerns moderate the relationship between implicit and explicit homonegativity measures?
Authors: ROHNER JEAN CHRISTOPHE , BJÖRKLUND FREDRIK
Published: September 2006

This study investigated whether the relation between implicit and explicit homonegativity measures is affected by self‐presentation concerns, since previous research in this area has been inconclusive. In Experiment 1, 70 high‐school students made evaluative ratings of pictures of homosexual and heterosexual couples. Self‐presentation was manipulated by either instructing participants that the study concerned attitudes regarding sexual orientation (socially sensitive) or attitudes regarding age (less sensitive). The age‐instruction led to increased homonegativity but not to a stronger correlation with an Implicit Association Test (IAT; Greenwald, McGhee & Schwartz, 1998) with homo/heterosexual couples. Concerns regarding the construct validity of the present implementation of the IAT were alleviated in Experiment 2, where heterosexual (n= 30) but not homosexual (n= 30) participants showed implicit homonegativity. The current findings are problematic for the interpretation of low correspondence between implicit and explicit attitude measures as being primarily an effect of self‐presentation concerns.
Experiencing positive affect and negative affect during stress: Relationships to cardiac reactivity and to facial expressions
Authors: HEPONIEMI TARJA , RAVAJA NIKLAS , ELOVAINIO MARKO , NÄÄTÄNEN PETRI , KELTIKANGAS‐JÄRVINEN LIISA
Published: September 2006

We examined the relationship between experienced positive/negative affect and cardiac reactivity and facial muscle movements during laboratory tasks with different demands. Heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, pre‐ejection period, and facial electromyography were measured during startle, mental arithmetic, reaction time task, and speech task. The results revealed that individuals experiencing high levels of positive affect exhibited more pronounced parasympathetic, heart rate, and orbicularis oculi reactivity than others. Individuals who experienced high levels of negative affects during the tasks showed higher corrugator supercilii responses. Men and women showed slightly different response patterns. To conclude, cardiac reactivity may be associated with positive involvement and enthusiasm in some situations and all reactivity should not automatically be considered as potentially pathological.
Optimism as modifier of escalation of commitment
Authors: JULIUSSON ÁSGEIR
Published: September 2006

To study whether optimism‐pessimism modifies escalation of commitment, 52 undergraduates were told that they had made an unsuccessful investment, then they chose to continue or discontinue this investment. Optimism about future returns was induced in one group by varying the probability of a successful outcome from an initial low to medium, pessimism was induced in another group by varying this probability from an initial high to medium. Supporting the assumption of the manipulation, the results showed that optimistic participants preferred to continue investments whereas pessimistic participants preferred not to. As predicted, when the sunk cost increased, optimism led to escalation of commitment, whereas pessimism led to de‐escalation of commitment. These effects were strengthened when probability of a successful outcome was ambiguous.
Object color affects identification and repetition priming
Authors: UTTL BOB , GRAF PETER , SANTACRUZ PILAR
Published: September 2006

We investigated the influence of color on the identification of both non‐studied and studied objects. Participants studied black and white and color photos of common objects and memory was assessed with an identification test. Consistent with our meta‐analysis of prior research, we found that objects were easier to identify from color than from black and white photos. We also found substantial priming in all conditions, and study‐to‐test changes in an object's color reduced the magnitude of priming. Color‐specific priming effects were large for color‐complex objects, but minimal for color‐simple objects. The pattern and magnitude of priming effects was not influenced either by the extent to which an object always appears in the same color (i.e., whether a color is symptomatic of an object) or by the object's origin (natural versus fabricated). We discuss the implications of our findings for theoretical accounts of object perception and repetition priming.
The Early Numeracy Test in Finnish: Children's norms
Authors: AUNIO PIRJO , HAUTAMÄKI JARKKO , HEISKARI PEKKA , VAN LUIT JOHANNES E. H.
Published: September 2006

This article concerns psychometric aspects of the Finnish Early Numeracy Test, which has been translated from the original Dutch Early Numeracy Test. The advantage of the test is that young children's numerical skills can be assessed systematically, which was not possible previously in Finland. A norm study was conducted in which the test was administered to a representative sample of 1,029 Finnish children. The reliability and validity results justify the use of the test as an early‐childhood screening test and in research on number sense. The indicative effects of gender, parental professional education, domicile and number of siblings are discussed.
The relationship between false confessions and perceptions of parental rearing practices
Authors: GUDJONSSON GISLI H. , SIGURDSSON JON FRIDRIK , FINNBOGADOTTIR HILDUR , SMARI UNNUR JAKOBSDOTTIR
Published: September 2006

The main aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between a history of having made a false confession and reported parental rearing practices. It was hypothesized that the reporting of rejection and absence of warmth by parents would be associated with the making of a false confession. The participants were 804 college students in Iceland. Each was asked about false confessions made to teachers and parents in the past, as well as about false confessions made to the police during questioning. The participants completed questionnaires relating to perceived parental rearing practices (EMBU), proneness to antisocial behavior (the Gough Socialization Scale), personality (EPQ), self‐esteem (Rosenberg), and compliance (GCS). Only eight participants (1% of those interrogated) claimed to have made false confessions to the police, whereas 10% claimed to have made false confessions to teachers or parents. False confessions were significantly associated with proneness to antisocial behavior and the EMBU Rejection and Warmth scales for both fathers and mothers.
Prediction of driving ability after stroke and the effect of behind‐the‐wheel training
Authors: SÖDERSTRÖM STAFFAN T. , PETTERSSON RICHARD P. , LEPPERT JERZY
Published: September 2006

The aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of a neuropsychological test battery relating to an on‐the‐road driving evaluation and to determine whether patients who failed the driving test could improve their driving through behind‐the‐wheel training. Thirty‐four stroke patients were compared with 20 healthy, matched controls. Patients who failed the driving test were offered driving practice at a driving school and were then reassessed (neuropsychologically and practically). On most of the cognitive tests, patients performed significantly less well than control subjects. Almost 50% of the controls and the patients failed the driving evaluation. None of the neuropsychological tests was able to predict the driving outcome. Of the patients who failed the first driving evaluation, 85% passed the second evaluation after driving practice. There are few controlled studies focusing on the stroke population and the effect of behind‐the‐wheel training. It is suggested that more controlled studies are needed with more homogenous patient‐groups and reliable and quantitative outcome measures.
Robust estimators under semi‐parametric partly linear autoregression: Asymptotic behaviour and bandwidth selection
Authors: Bianco Ana , Boente Graciela
Published: September 2006

Abstract. In this article, under a semi‐parametric partly linear autoregression model, a family of robust estimators for the autoregression parameter and the autoregression function is studied. The proposed estimators are based on a three‐step procedure, in which robust regression estimators and robust smoothing techniques are combined. Asymptotic results on the autoregression estimators are derived. Besides combining robust procedures withM‐smoothers, predicted values for the series and detection residuals, which allow to detect anomalous data, are introduced. Robust cross‐validation methods to select the smoothing parameter are presented as an alternative to the classical ones, which are sensitive to outlying observations. A Monte Carlo study is conducted to compare the performance of the proposed criteria. Finally, the asymptotic distribution of the autoregression parameter estimator is stated uniformly over the smoothing parameter.
Devolution and the Restructuring of Participation in Higher Education in Wales
Authors: Rees Gareth , Taylor Chris
Published: September 2006

This paper examines patterns of participation in higher education (HE) Wales, in the context of the devolution of powers over HE to the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government. In particular, this democratic devolution has resulted in the introduction of arrangements for student finance which are quite distinctive from those in other parts of the UK. In the event, trends in participation amongst Welsh‐domiciled young people (even when disaggregated by gender and socio‐economic background) show little evidence of impacts from these arrangements. Analysis of the geography of participation within Wales does reveal some evidence of convergence between areas of low and high participation. The picture is further complicated when the flows of students into and out of Wales, which are much larger than for other parts of the UK, are taken into account. This poses major questions for Welsh policy makers, especially because, from 2007–2008, there will be a significant price differential for Welsh‐domiciled students studying in Wales and those who wish to go elsewhere.
Maternal factors and the probability of a planned home birth
Authors: Anthony S. , Buitendijk S.E. , Offerhaus P.M. , van Dommelen P. , van der Pal‐de Bruin K.M.
Published: September 2006

Objectives  In the Netherlands, approximately one‐third of births are planned home births, mostly supervised by a midwife. The relationship between maternal demographic factors and home births supervised by midwives was examined.

Design  Cross‐sectional study.

Setting  Dutch national perinatal registries of the year 2000.

Population  All women starting their pregnancy care under the supervision of a midwife, because these women have the possibility of having a planned home birth.

Methods  The possible groups of birth were as follows: planned home birth or short stay hospital birth, both under the supervision of a midwife, or hospital birth under the supervision of an obstetrician after referral from the midwife during pregnancy or birth. The studied demographic factors were maternal age, parity, ethnicity and degree of urbanisation. Probabilities of having a planned home birth were calculated for women with different demographic profiles.

Main outcome measure  Place of birth.

Results  In all age groups, the planned home birth percentage in primiparous women was lower than in multiparous women (23.5%vs 42.8%). A low home birth percentage was observed in women younger than 25 years. Dutch and non‐Dutch women showed almost similar percentages of obstetrician‐supervised hospital births but large differences in percentage of planned home births (36.5%vs 17.3%). Fewer home births were observed in large cities (30.5%) compared with small cities (35.7%) and rural areas (35.8%).

Conclusions  This study demonstrates a clear relationship between maternal demographic factors and the place of birth and type of caregiver and therefore the probability of a planned home birth.
Developmental toxicity of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists during human pregnancy: a report of 10 cases
Authors: Serreau Raphael , Luton Dominique , Macher Marie‐Alice , Delezoide Anne‐Lise , Garel Catherine , Jacqz‐Aigrain Evelyne
Published: September 2006

Objective  Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (ARA). Interacted with the renin–angiotensin system, and the present study was undertaken to examine their fetal and neonatal toxicity when taken by the mother during pregnancy.

Design  Prospective follow up of pregnant women exposed to an ARA during early pregnancy.

Setting  The present study was conducted in the departments of Paedriatric Pharmacology of the University hospital Robert Debré in Paris, France.

Population  Ten women exposed to an ARA during early pregnancy.

Methods  Prospective follow up.

Main outcome measure  Fetal ultrasonography and outcome of pregnancy.

Results  Prenatal ultrasonography showed abnormal features in five cases (oligoamnios related to fetal tabular dysgenesis, fetal dysmorphia and renal abnormalities). Outcome of pregnancy was as follows: three induced abortions, two stillbirths (twin pregnancy), one neonate presenting with dysmorphia and renal disease and five neonates with an uneventful development.

Conclusion  Women of reproductive age should be advised of the possible hazards of ARA and treatment should be stopped as soon as pregnany has been documented.
Detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia using impedance spectroscopy: a prospective study
Authors: Brown Brian H. , Milnes Peter , Abdul Summi , Tidy John A.
Published: September 2006

Objective  To compare cervical impedance spectrometry in the cervical epithelium of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and normal epithelium.

Design  Prospective observational study.

Setting  Colposcopy clinic, Jessop Wing, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.

Population  Eighty‐seven women referred to colposcopy with a moderate or severely dyskaryotic smear.

Methods  A pencil probe incorporating four gold electrodes was used to measure an electrical impedance spectrum from cervical epithelium. Colposcopy examinations, including probe positioning, were recorded by video to allow for correlation between results obtained from colposcopic impression, histopathological examination of colposcopically directed punch biopsies and the impedance measurements.

Main outcome measures  Cervical impedance derived parameters R, S and C were assessed to see if there was a significant difference in values obtained in CIN and normal squamous epithelium. Analysis was based upon matching the electrical components measured to those identified by cellular modelling as being most sensitive for premalignancy.

Results  From normal epithelium through CIN 1 to CIN 2/3, R decreased by a factor of 4.5, S increased by a factor of 2.5 but C remained unchanged.

Conclusions  Cervical impedance spectrometry provides a potentially promising screening tool with similar sensitivity and specificity to currently used screening tests, but with the potential advantage of providing instant results. Further work is currently being undertaken to improve the probe in its clinical use.
Intra‐operative introital ultrasound in Burch colposuspension reduces post‐operative complications
Authors: Viereck Volker , Bader Werner , Krauß Thomas , Oppermann Miriam , Gauruder‐Burmester Annett , Hilgers Reinhard , Hackenberg Reinhard , Hatzmann Wolfgang , Emons Günter
Published: September 2006

Objective  To determine the effect of intra‐operative monitoring of bladder neck elevation on cure rate and post‐operative complications in patients undergoing colposuspension.

Design  Prospective, observational study.

Setting  Urogynaecology units, university hospitals.

Population  Ninety women operated on for genuine stress urinary incontinence.

Methods  The topography of the bladder neck and proximal urethra was assessed with pre‐, intra‐ and post‐operative introital ultrasound. These measurements were repeated during follow up for up to 48 months after surgery. Burch colposuspension of the bladder neck was performed under intra‐operative introital ultrasound control, with reference to the patients' individual pre‐operative ultrasound, to achieve a vertical height correction of 1–10 mm.

Main outcome measures  Mid‐term surgical outcome and post‐operative complications.

Results  Ninety patients underwent colposuspension and 50 (56%) completed 48 months of follow up; 85 women (94%) were objectively continent at 12‐month follow up and 42 of 50 (82%) at 48‐month follow up. Surgical elevation of the bladder neck resulted in a median intra‐operative elevation of 9 mm (7 mm at 48 months). All post‐operative measurements demonstrated a significant decrease in linear dorsocaudal movement of the bladder neck during straining (P < 0.001). Funnelling and hypermobility were still decreased 48 months after incontinence surgery (P <0.001). Voiding difficulty and urgency were uncommon and associated with evidence of funnelling and hypermobility.

Conclusion  Intra‐operative introital ultrasound standardises Burch colposuspension and thus might help to avoid overelevation and associated post‐operative complications such as voiding difficulties and de novo urge incontinence without compromising the success of the operation.
Interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 in cervical and amniotic fluid: relationship to microbial invasion of the chorioamniotic membranes
Authors: Jacobsson Bo , Mattsby‐Baltzer Inger , Hagberg Henrik
Published: September 2006

Objective  To evaluate the levels of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 in cervical and amniotic fluid in relation to the presence of bacteria in the membranes in women in preterm labour (PTL).

Design  A prospective follow up study.

Setting  Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.

Sample  Women with singleton pregnancies (<34 weeks) presenting with PTL (n= 30).

Methods  Amniotic fluid was retrieved transabdominally and cervical fluid was sampled from the uterine cervix at admission and analysed for IL‐6 and IL‐8 with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At birth, the chorioamniotic membranes were separated and samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis and general culture were obtained.

Main outcome measure  IL‐6 and IL‐8 in relation to microbial invasion of the chorioamniotic membranes.

Results  Bacteria were found in the membranes in 8 of 21 patients in PTL for whom chorioamnion as well as amniotic fluid PCR and cultures were available. Cervical IL‐6 was associated with detectable bacteria in the chorioamniotic membranes in women in PTL (median 8.2 ng/mL vs 0.73 ng/mL; P= 0.01). The IL‐6 (median 13 ng/mL vs 1.7 ng/mL; P= 0.004) and IL‐8 (median 7.2 ng/mL vs 0.28 ng/mL; P= 0.01) levels in amniotic fluid were higher in PTL cases in which bacteria were found in the chorioamniotic membranes.

Conclusion  IL‐6 in cervical fluid and IL‐6 and IL‐8 in amniotic fluid were higher in those PTL cases in which bacteria were found in the chorioamniotic membranes.
Type‐specific screening for asymptomatic herpes infection in pregnancy: a decision analysis
Authors: Cleary Kirsten Lawrence , Paré Emmanuelle , Stamilio David , Macones George A.
Published: September 2006

Objective  To evaluate the merits of serum screening for herpes simple virus (HSV) in pregnant women with no history of prior HSV infection.

Design  Clinical decision analysis.

Population  Hypothetical cohort of pregnant women in first trimester with no clinical history of HSV infection.

Methods  We used decision analysis techniques to compare three strategies for antepartum screening for HSV in women with no history of infection: (1) universal screening; (2) targeted screening in women estimated to be at high risk for infection; and (3) current care (no screening). For the screening strategies, we considered screening at 35 weeks of gestation, with prophylactic antiviral therapy for seropositive women. For all women, we assumed caesarean delivery in the setting of symptomatic infection at delivery. We performed a literature review of English‐language publications to derive probability estimates for the rate of HSV seropositivity in asymptomatic pregnant women, and the risks of symptomatic HSV infection and asymptomatic shedding at the time of delivery. We determined the modification of rates of viral shedding, symptomatic lesions and caesarean section with the use of prophylactic suppression therapy for seropositive women based on available data. We chose neonatal herpes with severe sequelae, neonatal death, as well as caesarean delivery as clinically relevant outcomes.

Main outcome measures  Number of cases of neonatal death, neonatal HSV with severe sequelae, neonatal HSV with moderate sequelae, patients screened, patients treated and caesarean section with each strategy.

Results  Universal maternal screening reduced the total number of deaths and severe sequelae secondary to neonatal HSV. Universal screening required treatment of 3849 women to prevent one case of neonatal death or disease with severe sequelae from HSV. Targeted screening of high risk women treatment of 2277 women to prevent one death or case of severe disease. Universal screening reduced the rate of neonatal HSV attributable to recurrent HSV by 79.3%. Caesarean delivery was reduced with both screening strategies. We used one‐way sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of our model.

Conclusions  Maternal screening reduced the number of cases of neonatal HSV. Screening also reduced the rate of caesarean delivery. However, employing universal screening will likely result in a significant expenditure of medical resources because the number needed to treat to avert a single case of neonatal herpes is high.
Neonatal outcome following prolonged umbilical cord prolapse in preterm premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Nizard Jacky , Cromi Antonella , Molendijk Harry , Arabin Birgit
Published: September 2006

We assessed the outcome of thirteen neonates (five singletons and eight first twins) born after umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) following preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. The median gestational age at PPROM was 29 weeks + 2 days. The median interval from the diagnosis of UCP to delivery was 60 and 150 minutes in singleton and twin pregnancies, respectively. The median umbilical artery pH was 7.29 [0.06]. Apgar scores ranged between four and 10 at 5 minutes after birth. All infants had a normal neurodevelopmental outcome at two years follow up.
A randomised controlled trial of moxibustion for breech presentation
Authors: Cardini Francesco , Lombardo Pietro , Regalia Anna Laura , Regaldo Giuseppe , Zanini Alberto , Negri Maria Grazia , Panepuccia Lea , Todros Tullia
Published: September 2006

Objectives  To evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion for the correction of fetal breech presentation in a non‐Chinese population.

Design  Single‐blind randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Setting  Six obstetric departments in Italy.

Sample  Healthy non‐Chinese nulliparous pregnant women at 32–33 weeks + 3 days of gestational age with the fetus in breech presentation.

Methods  Random assignment to treatment or observation. Treatment consisted of moxibustion (stimulation with heat from a stick of Artemisia vulgaris) at the BL 67 acupuncture point (Zhiyin) for one or two weeks. Two weeks after recruitment, each participant was subjected to an ultrasonic examination of the fetal presentation.

Main outcome measure  Number of participants with cephalic presentation in the 35th week.

Results  The study was interrupted when 123 participants had been recruited (46% of the planned sample). Intermediate data monitoring revealed a high number of treatment interruptions. At this point no difference was found in cephalic presentation in the 35th week (treatment group: 22/65, 34%; control group: 21/58, 36%; RR 0.95; 99% CI 0.59–1.5).

Conclusions  The results underline the methodological problems evaluating of a traditional treatment transferred from a different cultural context. They do not support either the effectiveness or the ineffectiveness of moxibustion in correcting fetal breech presentation.
The protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor okadaic acid increases CREB and Elk‐1 phosphorylation and c‐fos expression in the rat striatum in vivo
Authors: Choe Eun Sang , Parelkar Nikhil K. , Kim Jong Yeon , Cho Hyun Wook , Kang Ho Sung , Mao Limin , Wang John Q.
Published: September 2006

Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) up‐regulates transcription factor cyclic AMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) and Elk‐1 phosphorylation via extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the striatum in vivo. Protein phosphatase 1/2A further regulates immediate early gene expression by inactivating (dephosphorylating) CREB. In this study, using semi‐quantitative immunohistochemical and western blot analyses and in situ hybridization histochemistry, we found that intrastriatal infusion of the protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor okadaic acid (0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 nmol) increased CREB and Elk‐1 phosphorylation and c‐Fos immunoreactivity in the injected dorsal striatum in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, okadaic acid (0.05 and 0.5 nm) increased c‐fos mRNA expression in the dorsal striatum in a dose‐dependent manner. Intrastriatal infusion of the group I agonist 3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) at 100 and 250 nm also increased CREB and Elk‐1 phosphorylation. Pre‐treatment of okadaic acid (0.05 nm) did not alter DHPG‐induced increases in the phosphorylation of the two transcription factors. These data suggest that protein phosphatase 1/2A in striatal neurons is tonically active in dephosphorylating CREB and Elk‐1 and thus suppressing constitutive c‐fos mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of the phosphatase 1/2A may contribute to the group I mGluR‐regulated phosphorylation of these transcription factors and c‐fos expression.
Identification and characterization of a novel C2B splice variant of synaptotagmin I
Authors: Nakhost Arash , Houeland Gry , Blandford Vanessa E. , Castellucci Vincent F. , Sossin Wayne S.
Published: September 2006

We have identified an alternatively spliced form of synaptotagmin I in Aplysia neurons. This isoform, synaptotagmin I C2B‐β, is generated by alternative exon usage in the C2B domain leading to nine amino acid changes in the C2B sequence from the previously characterized synaptotagmin I, now designated as synaptotagmin I C2B‐α. Quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that approximately 25% of mRNA encoding synaptotagmin I contained the C2B‐β exon in the nervous system. Synaptotagmin I C2B‐β showed greater resistance to digestion by chymotrypsin in the absence of calcium than did synaptotagmin I C2B‐α, although both isoforms required the same amount of calcium to resist chymotrypsin digestion. The source of these changes in C2B properties was mapped to a single amino acid (threonine 358). We have also cloned SNAP 25 in Aplysia and show that it binds synaptotagmin I C2B‐β with a higher affinity than synaptotagmin I C2B‐α. These results suggest that this splicing alters biochemical properties of the C2B domain, affecting a number of its important known interactions.
Carnosine uptake in rat choroid plexus primary cell cultures and choroid plexus whole tissue from PEPT2 null mice
Authors: Teuscher Nathan S. , Shen Hong , Shu Cathaleen , Xiang Jianming , Keep Richard F. , Smith David E.
Published: September 2006

PEPT2 is functionally active and localized to the apical membrane of rat choroid plexus epithelial cells. However, little is known about the transport mechanisms of endogenous neuropeptides in choroid plexus, and the role of PEPT2 in this process. In the present study, we examined the uptake kinetics of carnosine in rat choroid plexus primary cell cultures and choroid plexus whole tissue from wild‐type (PEPT2+/+) and null (PEPT2–/–) mice. Our results indicate that carnosine is preferentially taken up from the apical as opposed to basolateral membrane of cell monolayers, and that basolateral efflux in limited. Transepithelial flux of carnosine was not distinguishable from that of paracellular diffusion. The apical uptake of carnosine was characterized by a high affinity (Km = 34 μm), low capacity (Vmax = 73 pmol/mg protein/min) process, consistent with that of PEPT2. The non‐saturable component was small (Kd = 0.063 μL/mg protein/min) and, under linear conditions, was only 3% of the total uptake. Studies in transgenic mice clearly demonstrated that PEPT2 was responsible for over 90% of carnosine's uptake in choroid plexus whole tissue. These findings elucidate the unique role of PEPT2 in regulating neuropeptide homeostasis at the blood–cerebrospinal fluid interface.
Selective stimulation of serotonin2Creceptors blocks the enhancement of striatal and accumbal dopamine release induced by nicotine administration
Authors: Di Matteo Vincenzo , Pierucci Massimo , Esposito Ennio
Published: September 2006

The effects of acute and repeated nicotine administration on the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) in the corpus striatum and the nucleus accumbens were studied in conscious, freely moving rats byin vivomicrodialysis. Acute intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of nicotine (1 mg/kg) increased DA outflow both in the corpus striatum and the nucleus accumbens. Repeated daily injection of nicotine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 consecutive days caused a significant increase in basal DA outflow both in the corpus striatum and the nucleus accumbens. Acute challenge with nicotine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) in animals treated repeatedly with this drug enhanced DA extracellular levels in both brain areas. However, the effect of nicotine was potentiated in the nucleus accumbens, but not in the corpus striatum. To test the hypothesis that stimulation of 5‐HT (5‐hydroxytryptamine, serotonin)2Creceptors could affect nicotine‐induced DA release, the selective 5‐HT2Creceptor agonist RO 60–0175 was used. Pretreatment with RO 60–0175 (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p.) dose‐dependently prevented the enhancement in DA release elicited by acute nicotine in the corpus striatum, but was devoid of any significant effect in the nucleus accumbens. RO 60–0175 (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.p.) dose‐dependently reduced the stimulatory effect on striatal and accumbal DA release induced by an acute challenge with nicotine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats treated repeatedly with this alkaloid. However, only the effect of 3 mg/kg RO 60–0175 reached statistical significance. The inhibitory effect of RO 60–0175 on DA release induced by nicotine in the corpus striatum and the nucleus accumbens was completely prevented by SB 242084 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and SB 243213 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), two selective antagonists of 5‐HT2Creceptors. It is concluded that selective activation of 5‐HT2Creceptors can block the stimulatory action of nicotine on central DA function, an effect that might be relevant for the reported antiaddictive properties of RO 60–0175.
P2Y12receptor stimulation inhibits β‐adrenergic receptor‐induced differentiation by reversing the cyclic AMP‐dependent inhibition of protein kinase B
Authors: Van Kolen Kristof , Slegers Herman
Published: September 2006

Cyclic AMP‐dependent induction of differentiation by activation of the β‐adrenergic receptor is correlated with inhibition of protein kinase B activity concomitant with growth arrest and increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) synthesis in rat C6 glioma cells. Costimulation of the β‐adrenergic receptor with purinergic receptors activated by 2‐methylthio‐adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate (2MeSADP) increased protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation above the level measured in non‐stimulated cells and abolished cAMP‐dependent differentiation. Transfection of cells with constitutively active PKB confirmed that reactivation of PKB is involved in the 2MeSADP‐dependent inhibition of GFAP synthesis. The P2Y12and P2Y13receptor antagonist AR‐C69931MX [N6‐(2‐methylthioethyl)‐2‐(3,3,3‐trifluoropropylthio)‐β,γ‐dichloro‐methylene ATP] decreased PKB phosphorylation to the level in non‐stimulated cells, whereas the P2Y13antagonists pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulfonic acid (PPADS) andP1,P3‐di(adenosine‐5′) tetraphosphate (Ap4A) did not alter the 2MeSADP‐induced phosphorylation of PKB, showing that enhanced PKB activity and subsequent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3 is due to stimulation of the P2Y12receptor. In addition, experiments in the presence of pertussis toxin and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI 3‐K) activity assays demonstrated that the P2Y12receptor‐mediated increase in PKB phosphorylation is Giprotein‐ and PI 3‐K‐dependent. The presented data demonstrated that a cAMP‐dependent inhibition of PKB induces differentiation of C6 glioma cells and that inhibition of adenylate cyclase and reactivation of the PI 3‐K/PKB pathway by the P2Y12receptor reverses differentiation into enhanced proliferation.