bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paleotectonic structures and their influence on recent seismo‐tectonics in the south Kuril subduction zone
Authors: Kasahara Junzo , Sato Toshinori , Mochizuki Kimihiro , Kobayashi Kazuo
Published: April 2006

Abstract Bathymetric data from south of Hokkaido obtained during a cruise of R/V Hakuho‐Maru are summarized, and their correlation with earthquake occurrence is discussed. There are structural lineations on the seaward slope of the Kuril Trench, oblique to the Kuril Trench axis and parallel to the magnetic lineations in the Pacific plate. The structural lineations comprise horst‐grabens generated by normal faulting. This suggests that Cretaceous tectonic structures originating at the spreading centre affect present seismotectonics around the trench axis. The structural‐magnetic relation is compared to the case of the Japan Trench. North‐east of the surveyed area, there are two major fracture zones (Nosappu Fracture Zone and Iturup Fracture Zone) that divide the oceanic plate into three segments. If the fracture zones (FZ) and the zone of paleo‐mechanical weakness, represented by magnetic lineations, can control the direction of normal faults at a trench, the extent of the resulting topographic roughness on the seaward slope of the trench would be different across an FZ because of the differences in ages. By studying recent large earthquakes occurring in the south Kuril region, it is shown that several main‐aftershock distributions for large earthquakes in this region are bounded by the Nosappu FZ and the Iturup FZ. Two models (Barrier model and Rebound model) are presented to interpret earthquake occurrence near the south Kuril Islands. The Barrier model explains seismic boundaries seen in several examples for earthquake occurrence in the south Kuril regions. The fracture zone forming the boundary of two segments with different magnetic lineations is also the boundary of two different normal fault systems on their ocean bottom, and the difference in sea‐bottom roughness between two normal fault systems should affect the seismic coupling at a plate interface. Due to the difference of seismic coupling, earthquake occurrence is controlled by an FZ and then the FZ acts as a seismic boundary (Barrier model). Existing normal faults created by plate bending of subducting oceanic plate should rebound after its subduction (Rebound model). This rebound of normal faults may cause intraplate earthquakes with a high‐angle reverse‐fault mechanism such as the 1994 Shikotan Earthquake. The energy released by an intraplate earthquake generated by normal‐fault rebounding is not directly related to that of interplate earthquakes such as low‐angle thrust earthquakes. It is a reason why large earthquakes occurred in the same region during a relatively short period.
Central Chile: An example of quasi‐static crustal behavior
Authors: Barrientos Sergio E.
Published: April 2006

Abstract Indications of transient crustal displacement associated with the 3 March 1985, M, = 7.8, Central Chile earthquake are evidenced by various observational devices. Almost half a meter of coastal uplift at localities close to the epicentral region was detected by repeated leveling lines. A tide gauge at Valparaiso revealed minor coseismic coastal subsidence (∼ 10 cm) continuously developing after the earthquake. Two limnigraphs, 27 km apart, that were situated at the extremes of Rapel Lake to the south of the leveling line, have recorded continuously the equipotential lake level for more than 10 years, providing a permanent very‐long‐base tiltmeter. The water level difference at the two limnigraphs as a function of time resembles a ramp function, beginning approximately at the time of the earthquake occurrence and gradually developing over a period of 10 months with a maximum amplitude of 120 mm or 4.4 p radians in tilt. The shape of the time‐dependent tilt is mimicked by the sea level signal recorded at Valparaiso, ∼ 100 km away from Rapel Lake, showing a maximum coastal subsidence of 0.6 m. Comparisons of sea level changes produced by the 1971, M, = 7.5, earthquake indicates that they represent rupture in different portions along the seismogenetic region as well as a different rupture mode. Gravity surveys carried out in three different pre‐ and post‐seismic epochs, along the segment of the leveling line which shows major coseismic uplift, indicate that the whole region has subsided, post‐seismically, 10 em in 5 years. These observations are interpreted in terms of a variable slip dislocation model. Inversions show that it is the more than 2 m of fault displacement in 10 months of post‐seismic movement along the contact between the Nazca and South America plates, which is interpreted to be responsible for the time‐dependent elevation changes.
The Neftegorsk, Sakhalin Island, earthquake of 27 May 1995
Authors: Ivashchenko A. I. , Kim Ch.U. , Oscorkin L. S. , Poplavskaya L. N. , Poplavsky A. A. , Burymskaya R. N. , Mikhailova T. G. , Vasilenko N. F. , Streltsov M. I.
Published: April 2006

Abstract Past seismic catastrophes were unknown in Sakhalin Island before 1995 except those suggested from findings of paleoseismodislocations. The first time that dwellers have experienced such a catastrophe in the Sakhalin Island history was on 27 May 1995. The devastating Neftegorsk earthquake occurred in Northern Sakhalin (ϕ= 52.8° north; δ= 143.2° east; H = 18 km; Ms= 7.2), killed almost 2000 people in the small city of Neftegorsk, caused damage and destruction of buildings, bridges, railways and roads, breakage of oil and gas pipelines, electric and communication lines, and was accompanied by large‐scale surface phenomena within a source area. It was felt all over the Sakhalin Island, as well as over the closest part of the Eurasian continent. Surface fracturing was the most impressive effect of the Neftegorsk earthquake. The 37‐km long, right‐lateral strike‐slip fault, with a strike of north 15° east and a horizontal displacement up to a maximum of 8 m, has been observed from Taxon Mountain at the south to the junction of the Cadylanye and Keniga Rivers at the north. According to the results of a detailed geological survey and study of the aftershocks, the total extent of the source area was ‐ 80 km. Various secondary phenomena have been observed at the Earth's surface, such as landslides, falls, soil liquefaction, mud volcanoes etc. The earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks within the following 1‐2 months. Spatially, the earthquake fault coincides with the pre‐existing Upper Piltun fault, known earlier from geological studies. Recent high activity of the latter fault has been recognized only after the Neftegorsk event because of findings of traces of significant past dislocations within the fault zone. From a tectonic viewpoint it can be suggested that the Upper Piltun fault is a Riedel‐type shear fracture located between two main regional faults: the Gyrgylanye‐Dagy fault at the west and the Piltun‐Ekhaby fault at the east. Therefore, its present activity, expressed by the destructive Neftegorsk earthquake, seems to be explained by a long strain accumulation within a broad zone of regional right‐lateral shear faulting.
Interleukin‐1α, interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels in children with sepsis and meningitis
Authors: FIDA NADIA M. , AL‐MUGHALES JAMIL , FAROUQ MOHAMED
Published: April 2006

Background: Cytokines are thought to be important endogenous mediators of the host immune response to infection. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in the prediction and differentiation of sepsis and meningitis in children.

Methods: Blood was collected from 50 children admitted to hospital for suspicion of infection. On the basis of predetermined criteria and investigation, the children were classified into sepsis (n = 30) and meningitis (n = 20) groups, as well as into healthy controls (n = 24) and non‐infected sick controls (n = 12). The sepsis group was subdivided according to culture results into S1 (proven sepsis, n = 11) and S2 (clinical sepsis, n = 19). Serum IL‐1α, IL‐6 and TNF‐α were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while C‐reactive protein (CRP) was measured by nephelometer.

Results: In non‐infected sick controls, sepsis and meningitis groups, levels of CRP (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), IL‐1α (P < 0.001 for all), and IL‐6 (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. In sepsis, levels of IL‐1α increased in the S2 subgroup (P < 0.001) and IL‐6 increased in the S1 and S2 subgroups (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively) compared with healthy controls. In meningitis, IL‐1α had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value, while IL‐6 had the highest specificity and positive predictive value in non‐infected sick controls, sepsis and meningitis groups.

Conclusion: Interleukin‐1α, IL‐6 and CRP are increased in non‐infected sick controls, sepsis and meningitis patients but it is not possible to differentiate between them. IL‐1α had the highest sensitivity in meningitis while IL‐6 had the highest specificity in prediction of sepsis and meningitis and their assessment together may improve accuracy in the diagnosis of childhood infection.
Successful uses of magnesium sulfate for torsades de pointes in children with long QT syndrome
Authors: HOSHINO KENJI , OGAWA KIYOSHI , HISHITANI TAKASHI , ISOBE TAKESHI , ETOH YOSHIKATSU
Published: April 2006

Background: Administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is an effective and safe treatment for torsades de pointes (TdP) associated with acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS) in adults. As for children, there are few reports focusing on it. The authors discuss the efficacy of MgSO4 for TdP in children with congenital and acquired LQTS. The authors also discuss the optimal administration dosage and serum magnesium (SMg) concentration during MgSO4 therapy.

Methods: The authors studied seven consecutive LQTS children undergoing MgSO4 therapy for TdP. Of the seven children, five were congenital LQTS and two were acquired LQTS. A bolus injection of MgSO4 was given intravenously over 1–2 min followed by continuous infusion for the next 2–7 days.

Results: Of the seven patients, six responded completely to the initial bolus. The bolus dosage was 5.9 ± 3.8 mg/kg (range, 2.3–12 mg/kg) in these six, and the other remaining one (neonate with congenital LQTS) required a total of 30 mg/kg until complete abolishment. The continuous infusion was given at rates of 0.3–1.0 mg/kg per h and patients did not show recurrence of TdP. The SMg concentration was 3.9 ± 1.0 mg/dL (2.9–5.4 mg/dL) immediately after bolus injection. The mean corrected QT (QTc) interval before and after bolus injection did not show significant difference.

Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of MgSO4 was effective for TdP in children with LQTS, and MgSO4 abolished TdP without shortening the QTc interval. The optimal bolus dosage, infusion rates and SMg concentration were 3–12 mg/kg, 0.5–1.0 mg/kg per h and 3–5 mg/dL, respectively.
Reliability of the Functional Independence Measure for children in normal Thai children
Authors: JONGJIT JITHATHAI , KOMSOPAPONG LADDA , SAIKAEW THEDKEAN , WANICH UDOMPORN , CHEWAPANICH SULIPHON , UDOMSUBPAYAKUL UMAPORN , RUANGDARAGANON NICHARA
Published: April 2006

Background: The Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) is a new instrument for evaluating functionality in disabled children aged 9–100 months. It was developed to determine a child's functional capacity and performance. With no baseline information about Thai children, it is difficult to assess whether a patient is initially high or low with respect to function.

Methods: The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the interrater, intrarater reliability and appropriateness of the use of the WeeFIM and to establish a normative data profile suitable for Thai children. The WeeFIM is an instrument used to assess independence in self‐care, sphincter control, transfer, locomotion, communication, and social cognition.

Results: Direct interviews were conducted in the communities for 569 normal Thai children (289 girls and 280 boys) aged 6–100 months. The interrater and intrarater reliability scores were examined. The WeeFIM total and domain scores increased progressively with age. Intraclass correlation coefficients for the reliability for the WeeFIM domain score ranged from 0.90 to 0.99. Total WeeFIM intraclass correlation coefficients values were greater than 0.97 for all analyses. The authors classified the 18 items into six groups according to the degree of correlation with age. Most items were highly correlated with age as indicated by a Spearman's correlation coefficient greater than 0.8. The interrater and intrarater reliability of the WeeFIM subscores was high.

Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that WeeFIM could be employed as a useful and reliable instrument for assessing functional independence for Thai children. Therefore, usage of WeeFIM with different age criteria for achieving independence should be adopted. Normative functional independence measures for a large group of Thai children will enhance the knowledge base about their development measurement and provide a database for future investigations on clinical population in Thailand.
Effect of a structured asthma education program on hospitalized asthmatic children: A randomized controlled study
Authors: NG DANIEL KK , CHOW POK‐YU , LAI WAI‐PING , CHAN KIT‐CHING , AND BO‐LING TSANG , SO HANG‐YIN
Published: April 2006

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an intensive asthma education program (group B) with that of a standard asthma education program (group A).

Methods: A prospective randomized single blinded study was conducted in the pediatric department of a public hospital in Hong Kong. Children aged 2–15 years admitted to the pediatric department with an acute attack of asthma were recruited. A standard asthma education program (group A) or an intensive asthma education program (group B) for children were offered. The main outcome measures include the number of visits to the emergency department and the number of hospitalization for asthma during the 3 month follow‐up period.

Results: A total of 45 children were in group A and 55 in group B. Group B had statistically significant reductions in the number of visits to the emergency department and the number of hospitalizations. Drug compliance was also significantly improved in group B. Parents’ satisfaction rate was also higher in group B.

Conclusion: The intensive asthma education program might be more cost effective than the standard asthma education program in the management of asthmatic children admitted to hospital in Hong Kong.
Sedation with intravenous ketamine and midazolam for painful procedures in children
Authors: KARAPINAR BÜLENT , YILMAZ DENIZ , DEMIRAĞ KUBILAY , KANTAR MEHMET
Published: April 2006

Background: Children often require relief of pain and anxiety when undergoing painful procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of painful pediatric procedures performed by pediatric intensivist, using the combination of intravenous ketamine and midazolam for sedation and analgesia.

Methods: The records of the patients who received intravenous ketamine‐midazolam combination for painful procedures in the pediatric sedation unit of a university hospital over a 3 year period were retrospectively reviewed to determine indications, dosing, assesment of the level of sedation, adverse events, and recovery time for each procedural sedation and analgesia.

Results: A total of 227 children aged 4 months to 18 years were admitted to the pediatric sedation unit for a total of 356 procedures. The indications for procedural sedation and analgesia included bone marrow aspiration or biopsy (50.8%), central venous catheter insertion (27%), and others (22%). A total of 46 adverse events (12.9%) were observed. These adverse events included SpO2 below 85% without apnea (n = 14), apnea (n = 3), transient stridor (n = 2), hypertension and tachycardia (n = 8), hypersalivation (n = 6), vomiting (n = 5), hallucinatory emergence reaction (n = 4), and rash (n = 4). There were no adverse outcomes attributable to ketamine and midazolam combination.

Conclusion: Skilled pediatric intensivists can safely and effectively administer ketamine and midazolam to facilitate painful procedures outside the operating room setting.
Prevalence of trachoma and diabetes‐related eye disease among a cohort of adult Aboriginal patients screened over the period 1999–2004 in remote South Australia
Authors: Durkin Shane R , Casson Robert , Newland Henry S , Selva Dinesh
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background:  To determine the prevalence of trachoma and diabetes‐related eye disease within the adult Aboriginal population screened by the South Australian Eye Health Program between 1999 and 2004 inclusive.

Methods:  The South Australian Eye Health Program visited 22 Aboriginal communities in remote South Australia. Visiting ophthalmologists and optometrists systematically collected data on the cohort of adult patients seen over the period 1999–2004. Prevalence and grade of trachoma according to World Health Organization classification and the prevalence and degree of diabetic retinopathy according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study and National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines were recorded.

Results:  A population of 1651 Aboriginal patients was examined. Sixty‐two per cent were female and 38% were male. Twenty patients (1.2%) had evidence of active trachoma with 260 (15.7%) patients having either lid scarring, trichiasis or corneal opacity. There was no significant association between gender and the prevalence of trachoma (P = 0.48). Seven hundred and seventy‐one patients within the examined population had diabetes mellitus (46.70%). Significantly more women than men were affected and prevalence increased with age (P < 0.0001). One hundred and sixty‐nine patients (22%) with diabetes mellitus had features of diabetic retinopathy, and of these patients 77 had background diabetic retinopathy (46%) and 92 (54%) had either proliferative diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. Prevalence of clinically significant macula oedema among those with maculopathy (14 of 50 patients) was 28%.

Conclusions:  The data suggest that although trachoma is still endemic in this South Australian Aboriginal population the prevalence and severity are less than previously reported. Diabetes mellitus has a high prevalence within this population and great potential for detrimental visual sequelae.
Firing cell repertoire during carbachol‐induced theta rhythm in rat hippocampal formation slices
Authors: Konopacki Jan , Eckersdorf Barbara , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Gołębiewski Henryk
Published: April 2006

One hundred and seven cells were recorded extracellularly in hippocampal formation (HPC) slices during carbachol‐induced theta. The data obtained provided evidence of a population of HPC neurons which, when activated cholinergically, participate in the generation ofin vitrotheta. The activity patterns ofin vitrorecorded theta‐related cells were shown to be similar to those of theta‐related cells recordedin vivoand cells recordedin vitroduring cholinergically induced theta, and non‐theta intervals were successfully classified according to previously developed criteria forin vivorecorded theta‐related cells. The currentin vitroexperiments showed that, in addition to theta‐on and theta‐off cells, the HPC contained cells that were probably involved in programming the appearance and duration of theta epochs and the intervals between theta epochs. These novel types of cells were termed ’gating cells’.
Cerebellar granule cell: ascending axon and parallel fiber
Authors: Huang Chi‐ming , Wang Lucase , Huang Rosa H.
Published: April 2006

Morphometric data have indicated that most (> 95%) of the granule cell axonal synapses are located along the parallel fibers. The ascending axons of granule cells, however, exert powerful excitatory effects on the activities of Purkinje cells. To resolve this apparent conflict, we propose that some of the parallel fiber synapses overlying a functionally homogeneous granule cell patch can discharge in close synchrony with the ascending axon synapses from that same granule cell patch, thereby augmenting the excitatory action from ascending axons. Moreover, we also propose that age may be an important factor in the ascending axon synapses. We examined the synaptic varicosities along the ascending axons and parallel fibers in the anterior lobe of the male NIA C57BL/6j mouse. Between 2.5 and 10 months, the fraction of synaptic varicosities anatomically associated with the ascending axons increased from 2.6% to 6.6% whereas the fraction of synaptic varicosities that can discharge in synchrony with ascending axon synapses (including some parallel fiber synapses) increased from 17.3% to 39% (assuming a granule cell patch of 300 × 300 µm). The results of the present study may be relevant to understanding the role of the ascending axon vs. the parallel fibers. Differential age‐related synaptic changes in these two portions of the granule cell axons may constitute an important age‐dependent synaptic remodeling in the granule cell–Purkinje cell synaptic system.
Sleep spindle‐related activity in the human EEG and its relation to general cognitive and learning abilities
Authors: Schabus M. , Hödlmoser K. , Gruber G. , Sauter C. , Anderer P. , Klösch G. , Parapatics S. , Saletu B. , Klimesch W. , Zeitlhofer J.
Published: April 2006

Stage 2 sleep spindles have been previously viewed as useful markers for the development and integrity of the CNS and were more currently linked to ‘offline re‐processing’ of implicit as well as explicit memory traces. Additionally, it had been discussed if spindles might be related to a more general learning or cognitive ability. In the present multicentre study we examined the relationship of automatically detected slow (< 13 Hz) and fast (> 13 Hz) stage 2 sleep spindles with: (i) the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (testing ‘general cognitive ability’); as well as (ii) the Wechsler Memory scale‐revised (evaluating memory in various subdomains). Forty‐eight healthy subjects slept three times (separated by 1 week) for a whole night in a sleep laboratory with complete polysomnographic montage. Whereas the first night only served adaptation and screening purposes, the two remaining nights were preceded either by an implicit mirror‐tracing or an explicit word‐pair association learning or (corresponding) control task. Robust relationships of slow and fast sleep spindles with both cognitive as well as memory abilities were found irrespectively of whether learning occurred before sleep. Based on the present findings we suggest that besides being involved in shaping neuronal networks after learning, sleep spindles do reflect important aspects of efficient cortical‐subcortical connectivity, and are thereby linked to cognitive‐ and memory‐related abilities alike.
Electrophysiology in ischemic neocortical brain slices: species differences vs. influences of anaesthesia and preparation
Authors: Wölfer Johannes , Bantel Carsten , Köhling Rüdiger , Speckmann Erwin‐Josef , Wassmann Hansdetlef , Greiner Christoph
Published: April 2006

Ischemia models are indispensable for the evaluation of measures to be clinically applied to brain trauma or stroke patients. Slice models provide good control over experimental parameters and allow for comparative examinations of human and animal brain tissue. Experimental tissue, however, may be altered by anaesthesia, preparatory technique, and, in the case of human tissue, by underlying diseases. These influences on tissue behaviour under ischemia were examined electrophysiologically. Native rat tissue slices were prepared either immediately after decapitation (n = 13), during short ether/barbiturate narcosis (n = 18), or after two hours of inhalation anaesthesia (n = 12) imitating clinical narcosis. Tissue from rats in which generalized amygdala‐kindled seizures had been triggered by electric stimulation (n = 10) was prepared according to the decapitation protocol, while human tissue (n = 10) was obtained during epilepsy or tumour surgery. Electrophysiological data (latency and amplitude of anoxic depolarization, recovery of evoked potentials) were recorded during ischemia simulation. Neither details of preparation or anaesthesia nor a history of epileptic fits were associated with significant changes of electrophysiological reactions under ischemia. Human tissue showed a significantly higher ability to uphold transmembrane ion gradients under ischemia. The ability of brain tissue to withstand ischemia is obviously species dependent. For the transfer of experimental results into clinical use it is important that interspecies differences alone can bring about a significant change of tissue behaviour.
Stress‐induced sensitization of the limbic system in ovariectomized rats is partly restored by cyclic 17β‐estradiol administration
Authors: Gerrits Marjolein , Bakker Petra L. , Koch Tineke , Ter Horst Gert J.
Published: April 2006

Chronic stress induces neurobiological alterations which have consequences for subsequent stress handling. In the current experiment, ovariectomized rats were subjected daily to a stressor for 21 days. Thereafter, the rats were treated for 21 days with 17β‐estradiol benzoate (10 µg/250 g, once every 4 days) or mirtazapine (10 mg/kg, daily). In this way, we were able to evaluate the ability of these compounds to reverse chronic stress‐induced changes in the activity of the limbic system. After 21 days of recovery and treatment, the rats were re‐exposed to the adverse environment of the initial stressor and perfused 2 h later. Ovariectomized rats displayed increased numbers of c‐Fos‐positive nuclei, after re‐exposure to the stressor, in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, dentate gyrus, medial prefrontal cortex and central and medial amygdala. Cyclic estradiol treatment attenuated the sensitization of the paraventricular nucleus and central amygdala. Mirtazapine increased the number of c‐Fos‐positive nuclei in the central amygdala and dentate gyrus. Long‐term transcriptional changes induced by chronic stress were determined with ΔFosB immunoreactivity. The medial prefrontal cortex showed an increased number of ΔFosB‐positive nuclei after chronic stress and this was not affected by estradiol or mirtazapine administration during recovery. In conclusion, cyclic estradiol administration reversed chronic stress‐induced sensitization in the limbic system, the paraventricular nucleus and central amygdala of female rats, output regions of the limbic system involved in fear responses. Mirtazapine did not achieve this reversal of stress‐induced aberrations in the limbic system after 21 days of treatment.
Estrogen receptor‐β gene disruption potentiates estrogen‐inducible aggression but not sexual behaviour in male mice
Authors: Nomura Masayoshi , Andersson Sandra , Korach Kenneth S. , Gustafsson Jan‐Åke , Pfaff Donald W. , Ogawa Sonoko
Published: April 2006

Aggressive behaviour of gonadally intact male mice is increased by estrogen receptor (ER)‐β gene disruption, whereas sexual behaviour remains unchanged. The elevated aggression levels following ER‐β gene disruption is pronounced during repeated aggression tests in young animals and the first aggression test in adults. In the present study, the roles of ER‐β activation in the regulation of aggressive and sexual behaviour were investigated in gonadectomized ER‐β knockout (βERKO) and wild‐type (WT) male mice treated with various doses of estrogen. Overall, estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment induced higher levels of aggression in βERKO mice than in WT mice. In WT mice, the levels of aggression induced by EB were highest in the lowest‐dose (2.5 µg/day) group and gradually decreased in higher‐dosage groups. On the other hand, equally high levels of aggressive behaviour were induced by all three doses of EB in βERKO mice. A marked genotype difference in dose responses is inferred, such that the ER‐α‐mediated facilitatory action of estrogen is more pronounced at lower and physiological doses and the ER‐β‐mediated inhibitory action is only unveiled at higher doses of estrogen. In contrast to aggression, the levels of sexual behaviour induced by EB were not different between βERKO and WT at either dose of EB (2.5 and 12.5 µg/day) examined. These findings support the notion that ER‐β activation may exert an attenuating action on male aggression induced by estrogen through ER‐α‐mediated brain mechanisms, whereas its effect on male sexual behaviour is relatively small.
Transfer of interfered motor patterns to self from others
Authors: Pierno Andrea C. , Becchio Cristina , Wall Matthew B. , Smith Andrew T. , Castiello Umberto
Published: April 2006

Previous behavioural and neuroimaging data on humans demonstrated that kinematics and the level of brain activity vary according to whether participants reach towards and grasp a target object presented in isolation or flanked by a distractor object. Here we seek to explore whether a differential activation can be revealed by the mere observation of another person grasping an object in isolation or alongside a distractor. To this end we used event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging to localize neural activity related to action observation that was influenced by the presence of a distractor object. We found that observing a human model reaching‐to‐grasp a three‐dimensional target alongside a distractor elicits a differential level of activation in a network of areas typically involved during action observation: the dorsal sectors of the premotor cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus. Whereas our previous understanding of the human action observation system has been restricted to actions directed to single objects, we provide compelling evidence that areas within this network modulate with respect to the context in which the observed action takes place. This may prove to be a fundamental process for our understanding of how others' actions can be represented at a neural level.
Metaplasticity of the late‐phase of long‐term potentiation: a critical role for protein kinase A in synaptic tagging
Authors: Young Jennie Z. , Isiegas Carolina , Abel Ted , Nguyen Peter V.
Published: April 2006

The late‐phase of long‐term potentiation (L‐LTP) in hippocampal area CA1 requires gene expression and de novo protein synthesis but it is expressed in an input‐specific manner. The ‘synaptic tag’ theory proposes that gene products can only be captured and utilized at synapses that have been ‘tagged’ by previous activity. The mechanisms underlying synaptic tagging, and its activity dependence, are largely undefined. Previously, we reported that low‐frequency stimulation (LFS) decreases the stability of L‐LTP in a cell‐wide manner by impairing synaptic tagging. We show here that a phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, blocked homosynaptic and heterosynaptic inhibition of L‐LTP by prior LFS. In addition, prior LFS homosynaptically and heterosynaptically impaired chemically induced synaptic facilitation elicited by forskolin/3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine, suggesting that there is a cell‐wide dampening of cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling concurrent with phosphatase activation. We propose that prior LFS impairs expression of L‐LTP by inhibiting synaptic tagging through its actions on the cAMP/PKA pathway. In support of this notion, we show that hippocampal slices from transgenic mice that have genetically reduced hippocampal PKA activity display impaired synaptic capture of L‐LTP. An inhibitor of PKA, KT‐5720, also blocked synaptic capture of L‐LTP. Moreover, pharmacological activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway can produce a synaptic tag to capture L‐LTP expression, resulting in persistent synaptic facilitation. Collectively, our results show that PKA is critical for synaptic tagging and for input‐specific L‐LTP. PKA‐mediated signaling can be constrained by prior episodes of synaptic activity to regulate subsequent L‐LTP expression and perhaps control the integration of multiple synaptic events over time.
Learning‐induced oscillatory activities correlated to odour recognition: a network activity
Authors: Martin Claire , Gervais Rémi , Messaoudi Belkacem , Ravel Nadine
Published: April 2006

In trained behaving rats, the expression of a prominent beta oscillatory activity in the olfactory system was previously identified as a correlate of odour recognition. The aim of the present study was to assess the putative role of a functional coupling between the olfactory bulb (OB) and higher structures in this activity. We performed a unilateral inactivation of the medial part of the olfactory peduncle by lidocaine infusion. Inactivation deprived the OB from most of its centrifugal afferences, including feedback connections from the piriform cortex (PC) while sparing the ascending fibres from the OB to higher cortical structures. This treatment reduced the amplitude of odour‐induced oscillatory beta responses both in OB and PC. In parallel, gamma activity classically observed in these two structures during spontaneous activity displayed a strong enhancement. Results suggest that odour‐induced oscillatory response could be the emergent feature of an olfactory functional network set up through learning.
Neurogenesis in the R6/1 transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease: effects of environmental enrichment
Authors: Lazic Stanley E. , Grote Helen E. , Blakemore Colin , Hannan Anthony J. , van Dellen Anton , Phillips Wendy , Barker Roger A.
Published: April 2006

Previous work has demonstrated that the transgenic R6/1 mouse model of Huntington's disease has decreased proliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. This study therefore examined the survival and differentiation of NPCs in presymptomatic and symptomatic R6/1 mice and the effects of environmental enrichment on these variables. Here it is demonstrated that the survival of bromodeoxyuridine‐positive (BrdU+) NPCs in the dentate gyrus is decreased in the transgenic mice. In addition, the number of doublecortin‐positive (DCX+) cells is greatly reduced in these mice, as is the total number of new mature neurons, while the proportion of BrdU+ cells differentiating into mature neurons was not significantly different between genotypes. Furthermore, the DCX+ cells in the R6/1 mice had smaller and irregular‐shaped somas, shorter neurites, and migrated a shorter distance into the granular cell layer compared with wild‐type mice. Older symptomatic mice housed in an enriched environment had an increased number of BrdU+ and DCX+ cells as well as longer neurites and increased migration of DCX+ cells. There was no significant difference between genotypes or environments in the number of BrdU+ cells in the subventricular zone. These results suggest that decreased neurogenesis might be responsible, in part, for the hippocampal deficits observed in these mice and that environmental enrichment produces morphological changes in newborn granule neurons in both wild‐type and R6/1 mice, which could underlie some of the beneficial effects of enrichment.
Does the PMSP connectionist model of single word reading learn to read in the same way as a child?
Authors: Powell Daisy , Plaut David , Funnell Elaine
Published: April 2006

The Plaut, McClelland, Seidenberg and Patterson (1996) connectionist model of reading was evaluated at two points early in its training against reading data collected from British children on two occasions during their first year of literacy instruction. First, the network's non‐word reading was poor relative to word reading when compared with the children. Second, the network made more non‐lexical than lexical errors, the opposite pattern to the children. Three adaptations were made to the training of the network to bring it closer to the learning environment of a child: an incremental training regime was adopted; the network was trained on grapheme–phoneme correspondences; and a training corpus based on words found in children's early reading materials was used. The modifications caused a sharp improvement in non‐word reading, relative to word reading, resulting in a near perfect match to the children's data on this measure. The modified network, however, continued to make predominantly non‐lexical errors, although evidence from a small‐scale implementation of the full triangle framework suggests that this limitation stems from the lack of a semantic pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that, when properly trained, connectionist models of word reading can offer insights into key aspects of reading development in children.
Plasma membrane ion permeability induced by mutant α‐synuclein contributes to the degeneration of neural cells
Authors: Furukawa Katsutoshi , Matsuzaki‐Kobayashi Michiko , Hasegawa Takafumi , Kikuchi Akio , Sugeno Naoto , Itoyama Yasuto , Wang Yue , Yao Pamela J. , Bushlin Ittai , Takeda Atsushi
Published: April 2006

Mutations in α‐synuclein cause some cases of familial Parkinson's disease (PD), but the mechanism by which α‐synuclein promotes degeneration of dopamine‐producing neurons is unknown. We report that human neural cells expressing mutant α‐synuclein (A30P and A53T) have higher plasma membrane ion permeability. The higher ion permeability caused by mutant α‐synuclein would be because of relatively large pores through which most cations can pass non‐selectively. Both the basal level of [Ca2+]i and the Ca2+ response to membrane depolarization are greater in cells expressing mutant α‐synuclein. The membrane permeable Ca2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM significantly protected the cells against oxidative stress, whereas neither l‐type (nifedipine) nor N‐type (ω‐conotoxin‐GVIA) Ca2+ channel blockers protected the cells. These findings suggest that the high membrane ion permeability caused by mutant α‐synuclein may contribute to the degeneration of neurons in PD.
Nuclear factor‐I regulates glial fibrillary acidic protein gene expression in astrocytes differentiated from cortical precursor cells
Authors: Cebolla Beatriz , Vallejo Mario
Published: April 2006

The elucidation of the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene expression is important for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control astrocyte differentiation during brain development. We investigated regulatory elements located in a proximal region of the GFAP promoter, important for expression in cortical precursor cells differentiating into astrocytes. One of these elements recognizes transcription factors of the nuclear factor‐I family (NFI). We found that, in primary cultures of cortical cells, NFI occupies the GFAP promoter prior to the induction of astrocyte differentiation. In the developing cerebral cortex, the onset of expression of NFI coincides chronologically with the beginning of astrocytogenesis. Mutational analysis of the GFAP gene and transfections in primary cortical precursors show that inhibition of binding of NFI to the GFAP promoter results in decreased levels of transcriptional activity and is required for the synergistic stimulation of the GFAP promoter by the astrogenic agents, pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide and ciliary neurotrophic factor, which in combination enhance astrocyte differentiation to generate astrocytes with longer processes. Thus, NFI appears to be an important factor for the integration of astrogenic stimuli in the developing central nervous system.
Prenatal ethanol exposure alters the expression of period genes governing the circadian function of β‐endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus
Authors: Chen Cui Ping , Kuhn Peter , Advis Juan P. , Sarkar Dipak K.
Published: April 2006

Sleep–wake disturbances and stress hyper‐responsiveness have been observed in human neonates, children and adolescents who were exposed to alcohol during the prenatal period. Using the laboratory rat as an animal model, we investigated whether fetal ethanol exposure during gestational days 10–21 affects the circadian function of the stress‐axis regulatory β‐endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus. Fetal ethanol‐exposed rats showed abnormality in the circadian expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA encoding the peptide β‐endorphin in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus during the adult period. These rats also showed altered circadian expression of the clock governing Period genes rPer1, rPer2 and rPer3, in the arcuate nucleus, and rPer1 and rPer 2 mRNA levels in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Laser captured microdissection analysis identified constitutive expression of rPer1, rPer2 and rPer3 genes in β‐endorphin‐containing neurons. These data suggest for the first time that fetal exposure to ethanol significantly alters the clock mechanisms governing the circadian function of β‐endorphin neurons.
Skin climacteric aging and hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Quatresooz Pascale , Piérard‐Franchimont C , Gaspard U , Piérard Gérald E
Published: April 2006

A gender perspective is indispensable for a full understanding of aging. Menopause is a turning point in women's lives. In addition to the effects of chronological aging, sunlight exposure, and other environmental and endogenous stimuli, the climacteric appears to exert some dramatic consequences on skin biology and aspect. The epidermis may become xerotic and exhibit altered functions. The dermis thins out and its elasticity decreases in concert with the decline in bone mass. The skin microcirculation is impaired. These aspects are some of the better worked‐out changes of the climacteric, which in turn seem to be stabilized or in part reversible with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The HRT effect on menopause consequences on hair growth and sebum production is less impressive. This review summarizes some important impacts of the climacteric on skin, and highlights the benefits of HRT that may influence cosmetic dermatology.
Lasers for scars: a review
Authors: Nouri Keyvan , Vidulich Kelley , Rivas Maria Patricia
Published: April 2006

Many articles have been published on improving the appearance of scars; however, there are no definitive management protocols. Our objective was to review the literature on laser therapy for various types of scars. There are multiple laser modalities that have been studied with certain features that may be indicated for specific scar types. Suggestions are given for further studies.
Hirsutism, postpartum telogen effluvium, and male pattern alopecia
Authors: Millikan Larry
Published: April 2006

This paper reviews the interrelating factors affecting hair growth. It presents current data on the development of alopecia and hirsutism in males and females and the newer approaches to treatment.
Effects of shelter belts on fence‐line pacing of deer and associated impacts on water and soil quality
Authors: McDowell R. W. , Stevens D. R. , Cave V. , Paton R. J. , Johnson M.
Published: April 2006

Sustainable land use for deer farming requires the maintenance of good soil and water quality, which can be adversely affected by fence‐line pacing. This study tested the hypothesis that the absence or presence of shelter belts (one or two) in paddocks decreases fence‐line pacing and associated soil and water quality impacts. Soils near the fence line and in the rest of the paddock, in paddocks containing zero, one or two shelter belts, were sampled for bulk density and macroporosity (pores >30 μm diameter). Large intact samples (1 × 0.2 × 0.1 m3) were used to generate overland flow via rainfall simulation. The flow was tested for nutrients [phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fractions], suspended sediment (SS), and the faecal indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli. Results showed that bulk density, void volume, SS, particulate P and total P were affected by location (fence line or rest of paddock) but, along with all other measurements except E. coli, were not affected by the number of shelter belts. Thus, the inclusion of shelter had no effect on the concentration of contaminant lost in overland flow or any soil physical or hydrological parameter, but decreased the run‐off of E. coli. The lack of contrast between the location of soils can be partly attributed to the soil type (Brown, NZ soil classification, USDA Taxonomy: Typic Fragiudalf), which when compared with past studies was less erosive and lost less P into solution. Other factors may have been different management or the lesser impact of weaners compared with older hinds and stags on soil properties. Although only E. coli concentrations were decreased by the inclusion of shelter, factors such as improved production and animal welfare weigh heavily in favour of installing and maintaining shelter on deer farms. However, the environmental benefit of shelter should be tested in other farms where factors such as slope, soil, climate and farm management may increase the contrast with no shelter.
THE QUARTERLY NATIONAL INCOME AND PRODUCT ACCOUNTS OF THE UNITED STATES 1942–621
Authors: Jaszi George
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate the quarterly national income and product accounts of the United States (to be referred to henceforth as N.I.P.). The historical development of these accounts is reviewed first. Next, a summary of the statistical methodology underlying them is provided. An analysis of the errors to which they have been subject follows. An attempt is then made to define the area of their usefulness. Finally, suggestions for their improvement are formulated.

The most general conclusions are as follows:

The quarterly N.I.P. estimates were developed in close response to an urgent need for them in economic analysis and policy formulation. Their development was a gradual process covering about two decades in which experience gained at one stage suggested improvements and extensions for the next.

The quarterly figures are based on abundant data sources. To be sure, the information is not as comprehensive as that available for the preparation of the annual estimates, but we are dealing only with differences in degree ‐ there is no sharp contrast.

The series are subject to a considerable margin of error. There is bias in some of them ‐ the initial estimates tend to be too low; and quite apart from bias they differ from the revised figures.

The margin of error attaching to the statistics disqualifies them from serving as precision instruments, but they are indispensable as a systematic framework for the order‐of‐magnitude analysis of the major forces determining the short‐run movements of the economy. At present, the outstanding handicap in such analysis is not statistical error, but the inadequacy of economic theories and of our ability to test them.

The opportunities for mechanizing estimating techniques are assessed; the work on seasonals is discussed in this context; and a thorough investigation is proposed of the problems involved in the synchronization of the various components of the accounts. In addition, proposals for improving the data available for the estimation of specific income and product flows are formulated. Quarterly estimates of the physical volume of national output by industry, and quarterly accounts showing the financial transactions that mediate between saving and tangible investment are considered the two high‐priority major extensions of the present accounts. Other, less basic, extensions of these accounts are also proposed.