bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental perception of children's weight in a paediatric primary care setting
Authors: Wald E. R. , Ewing L. J. , Cluss P. , Goldstrohm S. , Cipriani L. , Colborn D. K. , Weissfeld L.
Published: April 2007

Objective  To determine how parents of overweight children perceived their children's weight status compared with actual body mass index (BMI).

Methods  This descriptive, cross‐sectional study assessed parental perception of and concern about weight, diet and physical activity of 3–12‐year‐olds. BMI values ≥85th and <95th percentile and ≥95th percentile were considered at risk for overweight and overweight respectively. Differences between groups were tested with chi‐squared analyses or Fishers exact test as appropriate and further explored using logistic regression analysis.

Results  Questionnaires were completed at 612 health maintenance visits (278 girls). Overall, 15% of both boys and girls were at risk for overweight and 22% of boys and 24% of girls were overweight. Forty‐nine per cent of parents recognized their overweight children as overweight. Perceptions were more often correct for parents of girls than boys (63% versus 36%, P < 0.001) and for older compared with younger children (61.7% versus 17.5%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Parents of overweight children frequently did not perceive their children as exceeding healthy weight standards. Targeting parental perception as a point of intervention is necessary.
A social support and social strain measure for minority adolescent mothers: a confirmatory factor analytic study
Authors: Gee C. B. , Rhodes J. E.
Published: April 2007

Purpose  The purpose of this study is to examine the validity and structure of the Social Support Network Questionnaire (SSNQ), an interview for identifying the positive and negative aspects of individuals' social networks.

Methods  The sample consisted of 536 pregnant and parenting, African‐American and Latina adolescents. Participants were recruited from an alternative school for pregnant and parenting adolescents in a large Midwestern city.

Results  Confirmatory Factor Analyses revealed the presence of three factors: perceived availability, satisfaction and social strain. All three factors demonstrated adequate internal consistency. Perceived availability and social strain were uncorrelated, implying that they are distinct dimensions. Social strain was the most consistent predictor of psychological well‐being. Further, strain in relationships with the young women's male partners added unique variance to the prediction of both anxiety and depression.

Conclusions  The results of this study suggest that the SSNQ may be a useful tool in assessing both positive and negative aspects of pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers' social support networks.
Selection by a predispersal seed predator constrains the evolution of avian seed dispersal in pines
Authors: SIEPIELSKI A. M. , BENKMAN C. W.
Published: April 2007

Previous studies have demonstrated that wind dispersal is an effective mode of seed dispersal for pines (Pinus, Pinaceae) with seeds weighing <90 mg, but not for larger‐seeded (≥90 mg) pines. Consequently, most large‐seeded pines rely on birds in the family Corvidae for seed dispersal, but some do not, and most of their seeds fall near the parent tree. Why seeds of these pines are not dispersed by corvids, and have not evolved traits that facilitate seed dispersal by corvids, is enigmatic.

One factor that may constrain the evolution of seed dispersal by corvids in pines, or in other plants that rely on birds for seed dispersal, is predispersal seed predation. The most important predispersal seed predators of pines are often tree squirrels in the generaTamiasciurusandSciurus, which have repeatedly been shown to drive the evolution of seed defences in conifers.

We first use published data showing how selection on cone traits of two bird‐dispersed pines by tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus) favouring increased seed defences, conflicts with selection by a corvid (Nucifraga columbianaWilson) for cone traits that facilitate seed dispersal, to make predictions about changes in cone and seed structure of large‐seeded pines that should evolve in response to selection by either tree squirrels or corvids.

The cone and seed structures from several other large‐seeded pines in regions with and without pine squirrels were consistent with these predicted changes. Consequently, large‐seeded pines that co‐occur withTamiasciurusor other tree squirrels are well defended against both squirrels and corvids, and instead probably rely on other animals, such as ground‐foraging rodents, that disperse fallen seeds (secondary seed dispersal). Only where tree squirrels are uncommon or absent are conifers likely to evolve traits that enhance seed harvest by corvids in large‐seeded pines.
Moho imbrication in the Middle Urals
Authors: Juhlin C. , Brown D. , Rybalka A. , Petrov G.
Published: April 2007

New processing of part of the Europrobe's Seismic Reflection Profiling in the Urals (ESRU) reflection seismic data in the Middle Urals shows a southwest‐dipping Moho imbrication and crustal underthrusting that was not previously imaged. The area of thickening associated with it roughly coincides with a deepening of the Moho imaged by the GRANIT refraction data. This feature does not fit with the currently known Palaeozoic crustal architecture of the Uralides or with its geodynamic history. Geological data suggest that it is not related to a relict southwest‐dipping subduction zone. Based on its lower crustal and Moho reflection seismic character it is presently interpreted to be a post‐Uralide feature, possibly related to Mesozoic intraplate shortening in the area. Its coincidence with a locus of mild earthquake activity further suggests that it might be active today.
EXISTENCE OF β3‐ADRENOCEPTORS IN RAT HEART: FUNCTIONAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Barbier J , Mouas C , Rannou‐Bekono F , Carré F
Published: April 2007

β3‐Adrenoceptors (AR) have been reported to be present in numerous species, where they mediate multiple responses.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether β3‐AR are present in intact rat heart and the functional implications of β3‐AR stimulation. The response to the cardiac β3‐AR‐selective agonist BRL37344 was expressed as the percentage of values measured at baseline.

BRL37344 induced dose‐dependent negative inotropic effects at concentrations ranging from 10−11 to 10−7 mol/L. BRL37344 (10−8 mol/L) induced a decrease of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) from 127 ± 5 to 89 ± 16 mmHg (69 ± 15%; P < 0.01) and +dP/dt from 2594 ± 59 to 1885 ± 50 mmHg/s (72 ± 8%; P < 0.01). Moreover, a significant reduction of –dP/dt from 2176 ± 42 to 1458 ± 43 mmHg/s (67 ± 8%; P < 0.01) was observed. The BRL37344 dose–response curves were not altered by nadolol (10−5 mol/L), a potent β1‐ and β2‐AR antagonist, but were completely suppressed by the addition of SR59230A (10−5 mol/L), a potent β3‐AR antagonist.

The present study provides functional evidence for the presence of β3‐AR in rat hearts and shows, for the first time, that a highly specific β3‐AR antagonist can block the attenuation of LVDP caused by the specific β3‐AR agonist BRL37344 in rat beating hearts.
Westward younging disposition of Philippine ophiolites and its implication for arc evolution
Authors: Yumul Graciano P.
Published: April 2007

Abstract  The different ophiolite complexes in the Philippine island arc system define a progressive younging direction westward. This resulted from the clockwise rotation of the Philippine island arc system during its north‐westward translation in the Eocene resulting in its western boundary colliding with the Sundaland–Eurasian margin. As a consequence of this interaction, ophiolite complexes and mélanges accreted into the Philippine island arc system along its western side. A new ophiolite zonation with four belts is proposed that takes into consideration the observed spatial and temporal relationships of the exposed oceanic lithosphere slices. With progressive younging from east to west, Belt 1 corresponds to Late Cretaceous complete ophiolite complexes with associated metamorphic soles along the eastern Philippines, whereas Belt 2 includes Early to Late Cretaceous dismembered ultramafic‐mafic complexes with mélanges exposed mainly west of eastern Philippines. Belt 3 is defined by Cretaceous through Eocene to Oligocene ophiolite complexes emplaced along the collision zone between the Philippine Mobile Belt and the Sundaland–Eurasian margin. Belt 4 corresponds to the ophiolite complexes emplaced along continental margins as exposed in the Palawan and Zamboanga–Sulu areas. This proposed zonation hints that the whole Philippine Mobile Belt, except for the strike‐slip fault bounded Eocene Zambales ophiolite complex in Luzon, is underlain by Cretaceous proto‐Philippine Sea Plate fragments. This is contrary to the previous models that consider only the eastern margin of the Philippines to contain proto‐Philippine Sea Plate materials.
Xanthogranulomatous gastritis with pseudosarcomatous changes
Authors: Kubosawa Hitoshi , Yano Kentaro , Oda Kenji , Shiobara Masayuki , Ando Katsuhiko , Nunomura Masao , Sarashina Hiromi
Published: April 2007

Reported herein is a rare case of xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the gastric wall occurring in a 77‐year‐old man. Two submucosal lesions presented as rapidly enlarging nodules, and biopsy showed interweaving bundles of spindle cells with numerous atypical cells with marked nuclear pleomorphism. The differential diagnosis from mesenchymal malignancies, particularly from a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor, was difficult and immunohistochemical investigations could not improve the diagnostic accuracy of HE histology alone. Thus, an erroneous diagnosis of malignancy was made and a partial gastrectomy was performed. On macroscopic examination of the resected material, spontaneous regression of the lesions was observed and microscopic examination showed characteristic features of xanthogranulomatous inflammation; large numbers of foamy histiocytes including multinucleated giant cells were admixed with chronic inflammatory cells and fibrous reaction. Although the precise pathogenesis could not be elucidated, recognition of this unusual morphological appearance is of importance to avoid an overdiagnosis of malignancy.
Solid pancreatic hamartoma
Authors: Nagata Shigenori , Yamaguchi Koji , Inoue Takahiro , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Ito Tetsuhide , Gibo Junya , Tanaka Masao , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi
Published: April 2007

A case of solid pancreatic hamartoma in a 58‐year‐old Japanese woman is presented. She had no symptoms, and a pancreatic mass was incidentally found on screening ultrasonography 4 months before admission. The patient was not alcoholic and had no history of pancreatitis. Physical examination and laboratory data were unremarkable. Preoperative imaging demonstrated a nodule in the body of the pancreas, measuring 2.0 cm in maximum diameter, which showed marked delayed enhancement during dynamic CT. The patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy under the preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumor and had an uneventful postoperative course. A well‐demarcated solid nodule, 1.9 cm in diameter, was evident in the body of the pancreas. Microscopically, the lesion was composed of non‐neoplastic, disarranged acinar cells and ducts embedded in a sclerotic stroma with elongated spindle cells, lacking discrete islets. The stromal spindle cells were immunoreactive for CD34 and CD117. The histological diagnosis was solid hamartoma of the pancreas. There was no recurrence 5 months after surgery. Herein is reported a case of solid hamartoma of the pancreas and review of the literature. A search through the literature found only two cases of solid hamartoma of the pancreas, among the 14 cases previously reported as pancreatic hamartoma.
CD109, a new marker for myoepithelial cells of mammary, salivary, and lacrimal glands and prostate basal cells
Authors: Hasegawa Masaki , Hagiwara Sumitaka , Sato Tomoko , Jijiwa Mayumi , Murakumo Yoshiki , Maeda Masahiro , Moritani Suzuko , Ichihara Shu , Takahashi Masahide
Published: April 2007

The CD109 gene encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored cell surface protein. Herein it is shown that CD109 is highly expressed in myoepithelial cells of mammary, salivary, and lacrimal glands; and in prostate basal cells. The anti‐CD109 antibody generated by the authors was available for formalin‐fixed paraffin section, and it strongly stained myoepithelial cells and basal cells but not ductal, acinar, and secretory cells in these glands. CD109 expression was negative in examined breast ductal carcinomas and prostate adenocarcinomas. These findings indicate that CD109 is a useful marker for the diagnosis of invasive breast and prostate carcinomas.
Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung cancers
Authors: Yatabe Yasushi , Mitsudomi Tetsuya
Published: April 2007

In 2004, two groups reported somatic mutations in the gene for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which were highly correlated with the clinical response to the anticancer drug, gefitinib. Since then, a tremendous amount of knowledge has accumulated, and sheds light on significant oncological properties as well as the clinical relevance of this mutation, which could be applicable to other malignancies. The EGFR mutations are distributed throughout the kinase domain, but a deletion in exon 19 and the point mutation L858R in exon 21 account for approximately 90%, which confer a greater response to gefitinib treatment, compared with other types of EGFR mutations. These EGFR mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain are seldom acquired in cancers of the other organs and the mutations preferentially involve a subset of lung cancers, which are clinicopathologically characterized by female sex, non‐smoking, adenocarcinoma histology and East Asian ethnicity. In Japan, the EGFR mutations are detected in approximately 30% of overall NSCLC and approximately 40% of surgically resected adenocarcinomas. The morphological features of adenocarcinomas harboring the mutations were reported to be frequent in those with bronchioloalveolar features, but it is suggested that the cellular lineage of the putative original cells of the cancers refines the subset more clearly. In the present study the current knowledge of EGFR mutations is reviewed, insights from which raise many further questions, and thus suggest new directions for future research.
Ovarian epithelial carcinoma with estrogen‐producing stroma
Authors: Tokunaga Hideki , Akahira Jun‐ichi , Suzuki Takashi , Moriya Takuya , Sasano Hironobu , Ito Kiyoshi , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: April 2007

Malignant ovarian neoplasms derived from ovarian epithelium that produce estrogen are rare among postmenopausal women. Presented herein is a case of stage Ic(a) endometrioid adenocarcinoma in the right ovary of an 81‐year‐old woman, who complained of mammary tenderness, pain and atypical genital bleeding. Her serum estradiol (E2) concentration was 83 pg/mL before treatment, and the endometrial thickness measured by transvaginal ultrasonography was 5 cm, much thicker than that expected for a woman in her 80s. After surgery, her complaints disappeared and her serum E2 level decreased to normal postmenopausal levels. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the enzymes required to produce estrogen were present in the tumor. Immunohistological data indicated that this epithelial ovarian cancer could produce estradiol by itself, through potential interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells, and that the high level of estradiol in the patient's serum was caused by intratumoral production. This case indicates that in addition to stromal tumors, such as granulosa cell tumors, theca cell tumors, adenofibroma and so on, malignant epithelial tumors with a functioning stroma should also be considered when evaluating ovarian tumors with estrogen production in the elderly.
Genus Carvaka Distant in Australia (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Selenocephalinae)
Authors: Fletcher Murray J , Semeraro Linda
Published: April 2007

Abstract  The leafhopper genus Carvaka Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Selenocephalinae) in Australia is reviewed in light of recent publications on the subfamily Selenocephalinae in the Oriental region. The genus Exitianellus Evans is transferred from the subfamily Deltocephalinae to the Paraboloponini and synonymised with Carvaka. Carvaka elegantula (Evans) comb. nov. is redescribed and three new species, C. mouldsorum, C. maculata and C. flava are added to the genus. A key for the separation of the Australian species of Carvaka is provided. The Australian fauna represents all three recognised species groups of the genus. The significance of this to the biogeographical origins of the Australian fauna is discussed.
A new genus and four new species of felt scales on Eucalyptus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Hardy Nate B , Gullan Penny J
Published: April 2007

Abstract  A new Australian eriococcid genus Fragorbis gen. n. (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) is described for ‘Sphaerococcus’pustulans Green and four new species, F. fructus sp. n., F. pseudopustulans sp. n., F. stipites sp. n. and F. superfacies sp. n. Four of the five species are known only from Victoria and the fifth species from the High Country east of Tumut in New South Wales. All species feed on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), either in blister galls, or under or on the bark. The adult female of each species and the first‐instar nymph of F. pseudopustulans sp. n. are described and illustrated. Keys are provided to the adult females of the eriococcid genera found on Eucalyptus and Corymbia, and to the species of Fragorbis gen. n.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: an underrecognized disorder
Authors: Pandian J. D. , Dalton K. , Henderson R. D. , McCombe P. A.
Published: April 2007

Background: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a clinical syndrome of orthostatic intolerance characterized by excessive tachycardia and symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion on standing, is not well recognized in Australia. The aim was to study the clinical symptomatology, results of autonomic testing and outcome in patients with POTS.

Methods: Sixteen subjects from a tertiary referral centre who met the criteria for POTS were studied between January 2003 and January 2006. Ten of these patients consented to be interviewed using a validated autonomic symptom questionnaire. Heart rate responses to deep breathing and the Valsalva manoeuvre were measured using Colin BP‐508 machine (WR Medical Electronic Co., Stillwater, MN, USA). Tilt studies were carried out for 10 min to 80° of head‐up tilting. Patient outcome was assessed as functionally normal, able to stand 30 min without symptoms, able to work and carry out recreational activities or worse on follow up.

Results: The mean age of 10 subjects was 24.9 ± 6.8 years, six being women. The mean duration of symptoms was 70.7 months (range 3–228 months). The common presenting orthostatic symptoms were light‐headedness (100%), palpitations (90%), pallor (90%), weakness (80%) and clammy skin (80%). The mean heart rate increment during the tilt study was 51.7 ± 14.3 b.p.m. The mean duration of follow up was 8.9 months (range 1–16 months). Only five patients were functioning normally at the follow‐up visit.

Conclusion: POTS is an underrecognized but persistent autonomic disorder in young patients with a variety of symptoms and variable outcome.
Correlated species differences in the effects of cannabinoid ligands on anxiety and on GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission
Authors: Haller J. , Mátyás F. , Soproni K. , Varga B. , Barsy B. , Németh B. , Mikics É. , Freund T. F. , Hájos N.
Published: April 2007

Cannabinoid ligands show therapeutic potential in a variety of disorders including anxiety. However, the anxiety‐related effects of cannabinoids remain controversial as agonists show opposite effects in mice and rats. Here we compared the effects of the cannabinoid agonist WIN‐55,212 and the CB1 antagonist AM‐251 in CD1 mice and Wistar rats. Special attention was paid to antagonist–agonist interactions, which had not yet been studied in rats. In mice, WIN‐55,212 decreased whereas AM‐251 increased anxiety. The antagonist abolished the effects of the agonist. In contrast, WIN‐55,212 increased anxiety in rats. Surprisingly, the antagonist potentiated this effect. Cannabinoids affect both GABAergic and glutamatergic functions, which play opposite roles in anxiety. We hypothesized that discrepant findings resulted from species differences in the relative responsiveness of the two transmitter systems to cannabinoids. We investigated this hypothesis by studying the effects of WIN‐55,212 on evoked hippocampal inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs and EPSCs). IPSCs were one order of magnitude more sensitive to WIN‐55,212 in mice than in rats. In mice, IPSCs were more sensitive than EPSCs to WIN‐55,212. This is the first study showing that the relative cannabinoid sensitivity of GABA and glutamate neurotransmission is species‐dependent. Based on behavioural and electrophysiological findings, we hypothesize that WIN‐55,212 reduced anxiety in mice by affecting GABA neurotransmission whereas it increased anxiety in rats via glutamatergic mechanisms. In rats, AM‐251 potentiated this anxiogenic effect by inhibiting the anxiolytic GABAergic mechanism. We suggest that the anxiety‐related effects of cannabinoids depend on the relative cannabinoid responsiveness of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
The role of cingulate cortex in the detection of errors with and without awareness: a high‐density electrical mapping study
Authors: O'Connell Redmond G. , Dockree Paul M. , Bellgrove Mark A. , Kelly Simon P. , Hester Robert , Garavan Hugh , Robertson Ian H. , Foxe John J.
Published: April 2007

Error‐processing research has demonstrated that the brain uses a specialized neural network to detect errors during task performance but the brain regions necessary for conscious awareness of an error are poorly understood. In the present study we show that two well‐known error‐related event‐related potential (ERP) components, the error‐related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) have a differential relationship with awareness during performance of a manual response inhibition task optimized to examine error awareness. While the ERN was unaffected by the participants' conscious experience of errors, the Pe was only seen when participants were aware of committing an error. Source localization of these components indicated that the ERN was generated by a caudal region of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) while the Pe was associated with contributions from a more anterior ACC region and the posterior cingulate–precuneus. Tonic EEG measures of cortical arousal were correlated with individual rates of error awareness and showed a specific relationship with the amplitude of the Pe. The latter finding is consistent with evidence that the Pe represents a P3‐like facilitation of information processing modulated by subcortical arousal systems. Our data suggest that the ACC might participate in both preconscious and conscious error detection and that cortical arousal provides a necessary setting condition for error awareness. These findings may be particularly important in the context of clinical studies in which a proper understanding of self‐monitoring deficits requires an explicit measurement of error awareness.
Deficit of NMDA receptor activation in CA1 hippocampal area of aged rats is rescued byd‐cycloserine
Authors: Billard J‐M. , Rouaud E.
Published: April 2007

Activation of the glycine modulatory site of theN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) may reduce cognitive impairments associated with normal ageing. In order to test this hypothesis, we assessed the effects of the partial agonistd‐cycloserine (DCS) on cellular activities involved in memory formation. This was performed in CA1 cellular networks of adult and aged Sprague–Dawley rat hippocampal slices using extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potential recordings. Synaptic potentials specifically mediated by NMDAR were significantly reduced in aged animals. DCS increased the magnitude of these responses in both adult and old rats but this effect was significantly higher in the latter, thus reversing the age‐related decrease in NMDAR synaptic potentials. NMDAR‐mediated theta burst long‐term potentiation (TBS‐LTP) as well as long‐term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission, prominent models for the cellular basis of learning and memory, were also weakened in aged animals. Age‐related alterations of both forms of synaptic plasticity were rescued by DCS. In addition, the DCS‐induced decrease in basal fast glutamatergic neurotransmission involving the activation of inhibitory glycinergic receptors, previously reported in young rats (Rouaud & Billard, 2003), was severely attenuated in aged animals. In summary, our results indicate that the facilitation of NMDAR activation through its glycine‐binding site rescues the age‐related deficit of cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. Such physiological evidences suggest that this modulation site of NMDAR represents an important target to alleviate cognitive deficits associated with normal ageing.
Hippocampal activity, but not plasticity, is required for early consolidation of fear conditioning with a short trace interval
Authors: Burman Michael A. , Gewirtz Jonathan C.
Published: April 2007

The dorsal hippocampus is required for explicit cue fear conditioning only when a temporal gap is inserted between conditioned stimulus (CS) termination and unconditioned stimulus (US) onset (trace fear conditioning). To examine the role of the dorsal hippocampus in associating temporally discontiguous stimuli and to minimize the potential contribution of contextual cues, fear conditioning was conducted using a relatively short (3‐s) trace interval. Inactivation of the dorsal hippocampus using the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX (3 µg/hemisphere) or the GABAA agonist muscimol (5 µg/hemisphere) disrupted trace fear conditioning when conducted immediately following training. Trace conditioning was not disrupted significantly when NBQX was infused either before or 2 h after training. Similarly, NBQX infusions were not effective when the CS and US overlapped (delay conditioning). Moreover, trace conditioning was not impaired by intrahippocampal infusion of either the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 (5 µg/hemisphere) or the L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC) blocker diltiazem (20 or 40 µg/hemisphere). These data suggest that the involvement of the dorsal hippocampus in short trace interval fear conditioning is largely restricted to the early period of memory consolidation, during which time it mediates the storage of long‐term memory in other brain regions.
Disruption of Kir6.2‐containing ATP‐sensitive potassium channels impairs maintenance of hypoxic gasping in mice
Authors: Miyake Akari , Yamada Katsuya , Kosaka Tomohiro , Miki Takashi , Seino Susumu , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: April 2007

Hypoxic gasping emerges under severe hypoxia/ischemia in various species, exerting a life‐protective role by assuring minimum ventilation even in loss of consciousness. However, the molecular basis of its generation and maintenance is not well understood. Here we found that mice lacking Kir6.2‐ but not Kir6.1‐containing ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels [knockout (KO) mice] exhibited few gaSPS when subjected to abrupt ischemia by decapitation, whereas wild‐type mice all exhibited more than 10 gaSPS. Under anesthesia, wild‐type mice initially responded to severe hypoxic insult with augmented breathing (tachypnea) accompanied by sighs and subsequent depression of respiratory frequency. Gasping then emerged and persisted stably (persistent gasping); if the hypoxia continued, several gaSPS with distinct patterns appeared (terminal gasping) before cessation of breathing. KO mice showed similar hypoxic responses but both depression and the two types of gasping were of much shorter duration than in wild‐type mice. Moreover, in the unanesthetized condition, the onset of terminal gasping in KO mice, which was always earlier than in wild‐type mice, was unaltered by decreasing O2 concentrations within the severe range (4.5–7.0%), whereas onset in wild‐type mice became earlier in response to lowered O2 concentrations. Thus, the mechanism responsible for regulating the hypoxic response in accordance with the severity of the hypoxia was dysfunctional in these KO mice, suggesting that Kir6.2‐containing KATP channels are critically involved in the maintenance rather than the generation of hypoxic gasping and depression of respiratory frequency.
Prenatal choline availability modulates hippocampal neurogenesis and neurogenic responses to enriching experiences in adult female rats
Authors: Glenn Melissa J. , Gibson Erin M. , Kirby Elizabeth D. , Mellott Tiffany J. , Blusztajn Jan K. , Williams Christina L.
Published: April 2007

Increased dietary intake of choline early in life improves performance of adult rats on memory tasks and prevents their age‐related memory decline. Because neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus also declines with age, we investigated whether prenatal choline availability affects hippocampal neurogenesis in adult Sprague–Dawley rats and modifies their neurogenic response to environmental stimulation. On embryonic days (ED) 12–17, pregnant rats ate a choline‐supplemented (SUP‐5 g/kg), choline sufficient (SFF‐1.1 g/kg), or choline‐free (DEF) semisynthetic diet. Adult offspring either remained in standard housing or were given 21 daily visits to explore a maze. On the last ten exploration days, all rats received daily injections of 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU, 100 mg/kg). The number of BrdU+ cells was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus in SUP rats compared to SFF or DEF rats. While maze experience increased the number of BrdU+ cells in SFF rats to the level seen in the SUP rats, this enriching experience did not alter cell proliferation in DEF rats. Similar patterns of cell proliferation were obtained with immunohistochemical staining for neuronal marker doublecortin, confirming that diet and exploration affected hippocampal neurogenesis. Moreover, hippocampal levels of the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were increased in SUP rats as compared to SFF and DEF animals. We conclude that prenatal choline intake has enduring effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, possibly via up‐regulation of BDNF levels, and suggest that these alterations of neurogenesis may contribute to the mechanism of life‐long changes in cognitive function governed by the availability of choline during gestation.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor prevents the nigrostriatal degeneration induced by human immunodeficiency virus‐1 glycoprotein 120 in vivo
Authors: Nosheny Rachel L. , Ahmed Farid , Yakovlev Alexander , Meyer Edwin M. , Ren Ke , Tessarollo Lino , Mocchetti Italo
Published: April 2007

Glycoprotein 120 (gp120) from the T‐tropic strain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has been shown to cause neuronal apoptosis through activation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Therefore, reducing CXCR4 expression may prevent gp120‐mediated apoptosis. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to reduce both gp120 neurotoxicity and CXCR4 expression in vitro. The scope of this work is to establish whether BDNF is neuroprotective against gp120 in vivo and, if so, whether this effect correlates with its ability to down‐regulate CXCR4. Serotype 2 adeno‐associated viral vector encoding for BDNF (rAAV‐BDNF) or control vector was microinjected into the striata of adult rats. Two weeks later gp120 was injected into the same striatum, and apoptosis determined. Pretreatment with rAAV‐BDNF prior to gp120 microinjection prevented caspase‐3 activation as well as in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin–dUTP nick end labelling in the striatum and substantia nigra. In addition, rAAV‐BDNF reversed the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity induced by gp120 in both areas. CXCR4 expression was then determined by immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR, and found to be decreased in striata of rAAV‐BDNF‐treated rats. Conversely, BDNF heterozygous mice exhibited an increase in CXCR4 mRNA levels compared to wild‐type littermates. Our data suggest that down‐regulation of CXCR4 expression may contribute to the neuroprotective activity of BDNF against gp120 toxicity in the basal ganglia.
Optical glutamate sensor for spatiotemporal analysis of synaptic transmission
Authors: Namiki Shigeyuki , Sakamoto Hirokazu , Iinuma Sho , Iino Masamitsu , Hirose Kenzo
Published: April 2007

Imaging neurotransmission is expected to greatly improve our understanding of the mechanisms and regulations of synaptic transmission. Aiming at imaging glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, we developed a novel optical glutamate probe, which consists of a ligand‐binding domain of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor glutamate receptor GluR2 subunit and a small molecule fluorescent dye. We expected that such fluorescent conjugates might report the microenvironmental changes upon protein conformational changes elicited by glutamate binding. After more than 100 conjugates were tested, we finally obtained a conjugate named E (glutamate) optical sensor (EOS), which showed maximally 37% change in fluorescence intensity upon binding of glutamate with a dissociation constant of 148 nm. By immobilizing EOS on the cell surface of hippocampal neuronal culture preparations, we pursued in situ spatial mapping of synaptically released glutamate following presynaptic firing. Results showed that a single firing was sufficient to obtain high‐resolution images of glutamate release, indicating the remarkable sensitivity of this technique. Furthermore, we monitored the time course of changes in presynaptic activity induced by phorbol ester and found heterogeneity in presynaptic modulation. These results indicate that EOS can be generally applicable to evaluation of presynaptic modulation and plasticity. This EOS‐based glutamate imaging method is useful to address numerous fundamental issues about glutamatergic neurotransmission in the CNS.
Candidate pheromone receptors provide the basis for the response of distinct antennal neurons to pheromonal compounds
Authors: Große‐Wilde Ewald , Gohl Thomas , Bouché Elisabeth , Breer Heinz , Krieger Jürgen
Published: April 2007

Males of the moth species Heliothis virescens are able to detect the female‐released pheromone with remarkable sensitivity and specificity, distinguishing between highly related pheromonal compounds. In the past, electrophysiological studies succeeded in assigning sensory hairs to identified compounds revealing three functional types of long sensilla trichodea housing neurons specifically responding to distinct semiochemicals. The specific responsiveness implies that the sensory neurons express different receptor types tuned to pheromone components. In this study we demonstrate that heterologously expressed candidate pheromone receptors from Heliothis responded to several pheromonal compounds, including the major sex‐pheromone component Z‐11‐hexadecenal indicating a limited specificity of each receptor type. Nonetheless, based on functional analysis and in situ hybridization studies the analysed receptor types could tentatively be assigned to types of long sensilla trichodea, containing the pheromone‐binding proteins (PBPs) HvirPBP1 and HvirPBP2 in the sensillum lymph. Substituting organic solvent with PBPs to solubilize the hydrophobic pheromone compounds in functional assays revealed an increase in sensitivity and especially specificity. It was found that in the presence of HvirPBP2, cells expressing the receptor type HR13 specifically responded to the main component of the sex pheromone blend only. The data provide further evidence that a combination of a distinct receptor type and binding protein underlie the specific response observed in the detection of a pheromone component in vivo.
The impact of Internet use for weight loss
Authors: Saperstein S. L. , Atkinson N. L. , Gold R. S.
Published: April 2007

With rising rates of obesity and obesity‐related health problems, finding additional means to help reduce obesity is critical. This review examined the impact of the Internet as a medium to deliver weight loss programs. Specifically, the review examined the public’s interest, the availability and the known efficacy of Internet‐based weight loss programs. Findings showed that the general public is turning to the Internet for diet and fitness information and has reported that information they found online has impacted their behaviour. Little is known about who is interested in using the Internet for weight loss and what their experiences have been. The programs most readily available to the general consumer tend to vary widely in quality, with few efficacy studies. However, researchers have shown that efficacious programs have been delivered via the Internet. Successful online programs included a structured approach to modifying energy balance, the use of cognitive‐behavioural strategies such as self‐monitoring, and individualized feedback and support. Implications include developing strategies to increase distribution of programs with known efficacy, determining the applicability of effective programs for diverse audiences, conducting media literacy education for the general public, and continued research into understanding who may be best served by online weight loss programming.
Childhood obesity: are we missing the big picture?
Authors: Maziak W. , Ward K. D. , Stockton M. B.
Published: April 2007

Childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, raising alarm about future trends of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. This article discusses what may underlie our failure to respond effectively to the obesity epidemic, and presents a wider perspective for future research and public health agendas. So far targeting individual‐level determinants and clinical aspects of childhood obesity has produced limited success. There is growing interest in understanding the wider determinants of obesity such as the built environment (e.g. walkability), social interactions, food marketing and prices, but much needs to be learned. Particularly, we need to identify distal modifiable factors with multiple potential that would make them attractive for people and policymakers alike. For example, walking‐biking‐friendly cities can reduce obesity as well as energy cosumption, air pollution and traffic delays. Such agenda needs to be driven by strong evidence from research involving multi‐level influences on behaviour, as well as the study of wider politico‐economic trends affecting people’s choices. This article highlights available evidence and arguments for research and policy needed to curb the obesity epidemic. The upstream approach underlying these arguments aims to make healthy choices not only the most rational, but also the most feasible and affordable.
Beyond Text: Constructing Organizational Identity Multimodally
Authors: Oliver David , Roos Johan
Published: April 2007

Organizational scholars have proposed a broad range of theoretical approaches to the study of organizational identity. However, empirical studies on the construct have relied on text‐based organizational identity descriptions, with little exploration of multiple intelligences, emotions and individual/collective identity representations. In this paper, we briefly review the empirical literature on organizational identity, and propose a novel method for empirical study involving structured interventions in which management teams develop representations of the identities of their organizations using three‐dimensional construction toy materials. Our study has five main implications. By engaging in a method that draws on multiple intelligences, participants in this study generated multifaceted and innovative representations of the identities of their organizations. The object‐mediated, playful nature of the method provided a safe context for emotional expression. Because it involved the collection of both individual and collective‐level data, the technique led to collective constructions of highly varying degrees of ‘sharedness’. Finally, the organizational identity representations integrated unconscious or ‘tacit’ understandings, which led to the enactment of organizational change.
Yellow versus Orange—Never a Fair Fight: An Assessment of Two Contributions to Liberal Politics Separated by Three‐quarters of a Century
Authors: RANDALL ED
Published: April 2007

British Liberals have a thing about colours, especially yellow and orange. Two publications, separated by over seventy years and known by the colour of their respective covers, mark special periods in the history of British liberalism, times when liberals have appeared to be on the comeback trail. The article sets out to make the case that the authors of The Orange Book (published in 2004) have a great deal to learn from their liberal predecessors. Yellow Book liberalism was more radical, better informed and better matched to the most pressing political concerns of its day. It was also more open to arguments and ideas from those who had no particular allegiance to either the Liberal Party or to its political philosophy. Liberals, it is argued, need to be far more concerned about refashioning and revitalising liberalism than about reclaiming or reasserting their exclusive ownership of the fundament of liberal thought.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats
Authors: LAFFIN MARTIN
Published: April 2007

As the junior members of the two Scottish coalition or partnership governments (1999–2003 and 2003–7), the Liberal Democrats have had a major impact on post‐devolution public policy in Scotland. Contrary to expectations, their participation as junior partners in a coalition government has enhanced rather than damaged their electoral prospects. The party's success in coalition reflects the electoral and policy compatibilities between them and Labour, the availability of increased public spending to fund their demands, their use of specific policy agreements and effective election campaign tactics. Under their new leader, Nicol Stephen, they have sought greater distance from Labour and located themselves between Labour and the Scottish Nationalist Party. Looking forward to the 2007 election, the declining Labour vote and probable SNP gains mean that the Liberal Democrats are likely this time to have a choice between joining a Labour‐led or forming a non‐Labour coalition.
Solution structure of an M‐1 conotoxin with a novel disulfide linkage
Authors: Du Wei‐Hong , Han Yu‐Hong , Huang Fei‐juan , Li Juan , Chi Cheng‐Wu , Fang Wei‐Hai
Published: April 2007

The M‐superfamily of conotoxins has a typical Cys framework (‐CC‐C‐C‐CC‐), and is one of the eight major superfamilies found in the venom of the cone snail. Depending on the number of residues located in the last Cys loop (between Cys4 and Cys5), the M‐superfamily family can be divided into four branches, namely M‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐4. Recently, two M‐1 branch conotoxins (mr3e and tx3a) have been reported to possess a new disulfide bond arrangement between Cys1 and Cys5, Cys2 and Cys4, and Cys3 and Cys6, which is different from those seen in the M‐2 and M‐4 branches. Here we report the 3D structure of mr3e determined by 2D 1H NMR in aqueous solution. Twenty converged structures of this peptide were obtained on the basis of 190 distance constraints obtained from NOE connectivities, as well as six ϕ dihedral angle, three hydrogen bond, and three disulfide bond constraints. The rmsd values about the averaged coordinates of the backbone atoms were 0.43 ± 0.19 Å. Although mr3e has the same Cys arrangement as M‐2 and M‐4 conotoxins, it adopts a distinctive backbone conformation with the overall molecule resembling a ‘flying bird’. Thus, different disulfide linkages may be employed by conotoxins with the same Cys framework to result in a more diversified backbone scaffold.
Biochemical characterization of the recombinant human Nogo‐A ectodomain
Authors: Zander Hilke , Hettich Eva , Greiff Kathrin , Chatwell Lorenz , Skerra Arne
Published: April 2007

Nogo‐A is a physiologically relevant inhibitor of neuronal growth and regeneration in the myelin of the adult human central nervous system and has attracted considerable attention as a molecular target for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. To gain insight into the structural and functional properties of the large extramembrane region that is characteristic for the Nogo‐A splice form of this member of the Reticulon family of membrane proteins, we cloned and expressed the region comprising residues 334–966 as a soluble homogeneous protein in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. SDS/PAGE, under nonreducing conditions, and a systematic substitution analysis of all six Cys residues of Nogo‐A indicated that this domain forms two structural disulfide bonds among Cys residues 424, 464, 559 and 597, whereas the Cys residues at positions 699 and 912 seem to be dispensable for folding. The occurrence of a hot spot for host cell proteases and a limited proteolysis experiment suggest that the N‐terminal region of Nogo‐A up to residue 373 is structurally disordered. Although analytical gel permeation chromatography revealed a large apparent molecular size for the recombinant Nogo‐A fragment, indicating oligomer formation, data from analytical ultracentrifugation and dynamic light scattering support a stable monomeric quaternary structure. Notably, the CD spectrum is indicative of a high content of random coil, such that Nogo‐A exhibits – at least in part – features of a natively unfolded protein. Nevertheless, the protein fragment identified in this study, as well as its biochemical analysis, provide a promising starting point for future investigations to track down globular subdomains and functionally important regions as well as putative receptor‐binding sites therein.
Disability and Development: Different Models, Different Places
Authors: McEwan Cheryl , Butler Ruth
Published: April 2007

Debates about disability within geography, as well as in disability studies more generally, have been largely urban, Anglophone and Western‐centric. Not only have industrialised societies remained the predominant focus of attention, but the debates themselves are rooted within an often unacknowledged Western context. In the light of this, this article aims to bring together debates about disability and development, which have until relatively recently tended to be mutually exclusive, and provides a critical review of recent debates about disability issues in developing countries. By doing so, it furthers debates about the significance of geography in disability studies, challenges the Western‐centric focus of disability models and extends understanding of the shifting and complex landscapes of disability in developing countries.