bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective role of neuropeptide Y Y2 receptors in cell death and microglial response following methamphetamine injury
Authors: Gonçalves Joana , Ribeiro Carlos F. , Malva João O. , Silva Ana P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIt has been reported that the hippocampus is very susceptible to methamphetamine (METH) and that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important neuroprotective agent against hippocampal excitotoxicity. However, there is very little information regarding the role of the NPYergic system in this brain region under conditions of METH toxicity. To clarify this issue, we investigated the role of NPY and its receptors against METH‐induced neuronal cell death in hippocampal organotypic slice cultures. Our data show that NPY (1 μm) is neuroprotective in DG, CA3 and CA1 subregions via Y2 receptors. Moreover, the selective activation of Y1 receptors (1 μm [Leu31,Pro34]NPY) partially prevented the toxicity induced by METH in DG and CA3 subfields, but completely blocked its toxicity in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Regarding Y2 receptors, its activation (300 nm NPY13–36) completely prevented METH‐induced toxicity in all subregions analysed, which involved changes in levels of pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic proteins Bcl‐2 and Bax, respectively. Besides neuronal cell death, we also showed that METH triggers a microglial response in the mouse hippocampus which was attenuated by Y2 receptor activation. To better clarify the effect of METH and the NPY system on microglial cells, we further used the N9 microglial cell line. We found that both NPY and the Y2 receptor agonist were able to protect microglia against METH‐induced cell death. Overall, our data demonstrate that METH is toxic to both neurons and microglial cells, and that NPY, mainly via Y2 receptors, has an important protective role against METH‐induced cell death and microgliosis.
Cardiovascular effects of GLP‐1 and GLP‐1‐based therapies: implications for the cardiovascular continuum in diabetes?
Authors: Burgmaier M. , Heinrich C. , Marx N. 
Published: July 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 289–299 (2013)AbstractAims  Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 that increase glucagon‐like peptide‐1 plasma concentrations are current treatment options for patients with diabetes mellitus. As patients with diabetes are a high‐risk population for the development of a severe and diffuse atherosclerosis, we aim to review the potential action of these drugs on cardiovascular disease and to summarize the potential role of present glucagon‐like peptide‐1‐based therapies from a cardiologist’s point of view.Methods  Using a PubMed/MEDLINE search without language restriction, studies were identified and evaluated in order to review the effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1‐based therapy on different stages of the cardiovascular continuum.Results  Recent experimental as well as clinical data suggest that dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists—in addition to their metabolic effects—may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular continuum at multiple stages, including: (1) cardiovascular risk factors; (2) molecular mechanisms involved in atherogenesis; (3) ischaemic heart disease; and (4) heart failure. Furthermore, retrospective analysis suggested decreased cardiovascular events in patients with glucagon‐like peptide‐1‐based therapies.Conclusion  There are ample data to suggest beneficial effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1‐based therapies on the cardiovascular continuum and large‐scale clinical trials are warranted to determine whether these effects translate into improved cardiovascular endpoints in humans.
The paradox of energy equivalence
Authors: Isaac Nick J. B. , Storch David , Carbone Chris 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEnergy equivalence, the notion that population energy flux is independent of body mass, has become a key concept in ecology. We argue that energy equivalence is not an ecological ‘rule’, as claimed, but a flawed concept beset by circular reasoning. In fact, the independence of mass and energy flux is a null hypothesis. We show that our mechanistic understanding of size–density relationships (SDRs) follows directly from this null model and the assumption that energy limits abundance. Paradoxically, without this assumption energy equivalence has no meaning and we lack a mechanistic understanding forSDRs. We derive an expression for the strength (r2) ofSDRsunder the null model, which provides a framework within which to compare publishedSDRs. This confirms that tight correlations between mass and abundance are a trivial consequence of the span of body masses considered. Our model implies that energy flux varies by five to six orders of magnitude among similarly sized mammals and to a far greater extent in birds. We conclude that the energetic paradigm can be strengthened by considering alternative, non‐energetic, hypotheses.
Face to (Face)Book: The Two Faces of Social Behavior?
Authors: Ivcevic Zorana , Ambady Nalini 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSocial networking sites such as Facebook represent a unique and dynamic social environment.ObjectiveThis study addresses three theoretical issues in personality psychology in the context of online social networking sites: (a) the temporal consistency of Facebook activity, (b) people's awareness of their online behavior, and (c) comparison of social behavior on Facebook with self‐ and informant‐reported behavior in real life.MethodFacebook Wall pages of 99 college students (mean age = 19.72) were downloaded six times during 3 weeks and coded for quantity and quality of activity. Everyday social interactions were assessed by self‐ and friend report.ResultsFacebook activity showed significant consistency across time, and people demonstrated awareness of their online behavior. There was significant similarity between everyday traits and interactions and Facebook behavior (e.g., more posts by friends are related to Agreeableness). Some differences between online and everyday interactions warrant further research (e.g., individuals with more positive offline relationships are less likely to engage in back‐and‐forth conversations on Facebook).ConclusionsThe results indicate substantial similarity between online and offline social behavior and identify avenues for future research on the possible use of Facebook to compensate for difficulty in everyday interactions.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Carry Trade Activity
Authors: Anzuini Alessio , Fornari Fabio 
Published: July 2012

AbstractCarry trades—popular strategies in the foreign exchange market—are long positions in high interest rate currencies financed through funds borrowed from low interest rate currencies. It has been shown for a number of bilateral exchange rates vis‐à‐vis the US dollar that shocks to interest rate differentials foster carry trade activity and lead to significant changes in the foreign exchange level. This paper considers which (or which combination of) structural shocks can be consistent with the implications of such an interest rate differential shock that has been identified in previous studies. It is especially demand and confidence shocks, rather than supply or monetary policy shocks, which are found to generate effects similar to those produced by an unexpected widening of the interest rate differential and overall lead to longer‐term gains from carry trade activity. Also provided is a measure of the potential gain/losses experienced by the actual positioning of market participants in the foreign exchange futures and conditional on the knowledge of the macroeconomic shock that occurred at the time of positioning.
Productivity, Networks, and Export Performance: Evidence from a Cross‐country Firm Dataset
Authors: Ricci Luca Antonio , Trionfetti Federico 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis paper uses a newly assembled multi‐country multi‐industry firm‐level dataset to test the effect of productivity and networking on the export probability of firms. Results are in line with the new‐new trade theory and with the literature on the information value of networks. Firms are more likely to export if they are more productive, larger, and if they benefit from foreign networks (ownership and financial linkages), domestic networks (chamber of commerce, links to regulation), and communication networks (E‐mail, internet). Firms bear a lower probability of exporting if they are affected by state ownership or unionization networks. Overall, firms with better network connections by one standard deviation enjoy a 15% higher probability of exporting.
Does Aid for Trade Enhance Export Performance? Investigating the Infrastructure Channel
Authors: Vijil Mariana , Wagner Laurent 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThere are few empirical studies assessing the effectiveness of aid for trade as regards trade performance. Furthermore, existing work does not test which are the channels through which aid for trade has an impact on trade performance. We address this question using a two‐step empirical analysis. Relying on an export performance model, we first test whether institutions and infrastructure, our two potential channels of transmission, are significant determinants of export performance. Second, we test the impact of aid for trade sectoral flows on the previously detected determinants of export performance. We show, as part of the first step, that the infrastructure channel is a highly significant determinant of export performance, whereas the institutional channel turns out to have a limited positive impact on developing countries’ export performance. Furthermore, we show, from the second step, that aid for infrastructure, once instrumented, has a strong and positive impact on the infrastructure level. As a result, we find that a ten per cent increase in aid for infrastructure commitments per capita in developing countries leads to an average 2.34 per cent increase in the exports over GDP ratio. It is also equivalent to a 2.71 per cent reduction in tariff and nontariff barriers. These results highlight the high potential impact of aid for trade on developing countries’ export performance throughout the infrastructure channel.
Trust and Insurance Markets1
Authors: Guiso Luigi 
Published: July 2012

Trust is a key determinants of any financial transaction. Exchanges in insurance markets are a particular type of financial transaction where a current payment – the premium – is exchanged for a promise of a future, contingent payment – the indemnity due when the casualty occurs. We argue that trust is key in fostering these type of exchanges. Trust enters two ways: it affects the willingness of the company to supply insurance when the insured can cheat by claiming indemnities that are not due; it discourages people from purchasing insurance if they do not trust the company promise of readily paying the indemnity when due. We prove theoretically and empirically the relevance of trust in insurance exchanges and discuss policies to foster it.
Exploring the effects of non‐medical versus medical approaches to the management of skin aging in women over sixty
Authors: Tamburic S. , Grant‐Ross P. , Labedzka M. , Daniels G. 
Published: July 2012

SynopsisThis study was a pilot project, set up to assess ageing skin using a multi‐disciplinary approach. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of more radical (‘medical’) treatments in the management of skin ageing would bring superior results and ultimately make people look younger, than the use of cosmetics (‘non‐medical’ treatments). A simple post‐hoc study design was used, whereby medical treatments varied within the group, all of them completed at least 2 weeks before the start of the study. In addition, it was of interest to assess the suitability of the proposed combination of methods. A total of 21 female participants were recruited for this study: 11 for the non‐medical and 10 for the medical group. The multi‐disciplinary approach consisted of instrumental measurements, self‐assessment, expert assessment by Merz scales and a public perception survey. The majority of nearly 70 sets of instrumental skin data obtained in this study did not differ significantly between the non‐medical and the medical group. However, the medical group gave higher self‐assessment scores for their faces. The scores for hands were lower than scores for faces by both groups. This was partly supported by instrumental data (lower skin hydration on hands than on the face). The findings of the public perception survey of nine matched pairs of subjects scored the non‐medical group as younger looking. Data analysis has shown that the judgement of youthfulness did not depend on either the gender or the age of observers.
THE EFFECT OF LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE, 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE, AND RELATED COMPOUNDS ON THE LIVER FLUKE, FASCIOLA HEPATICA
Authors: MANSOUR T. E. 
Published: July 2012

The rhythmical activity of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, was stimulated by 5‐hydroxytryptamine and by lysergic acid diethylamide at very low concentrations. The effect was peripheral and was not mediated through the central ganglion. Other amines also stimulated rhythmical activity, the most potent being the indolamines.Bromolysergic acid diethylamide, and other analogues such as yohimbine, harmine, and dopamine, depressed rhythmical movement and antagonized the stimulant action of 5‐hydroxytryptamine and lysergic acid diethylamide. Evidence which suggests the presence of tryptamine receptors in the trematode is discussed.
PROTECTION AGAINST THE LETHAL EFFECTS OF ORGANO‐PHOSPHATES BY PYRIDINE‐2‐ALDOXIME METHIODIDE
Authors: HOBBIGER F. 
Published: July 2012

The mechanism responsible for the protection against lethal organophosphate poisoning by pyridine‐2‐aldoxime methiodide (P‐2‐AM) was studied in the mouse. Two types of organophosphates were used: ethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP), E 600, Ro 3–0340, and Ro 3–0422 which form with true cholinesterase a diethylphosphoryl enzyme (1) and DFP, D 600 and Ro 3–0351 which form with true cholinesterase a diisopropylphosphoryl enzyme (2).In vitro and under the experimental conditions used more than 50% reactivation of (1) was obtained within 1 hr. by concentrations of P‐2‐AM ranging from 0.5 to 1 × 10−6 m; 30 times higher concentrations of the oxime were required to achieve the same effect with (2). In vivo reactivation of phosphorylated true cholinesterases in blood amounted to 10 to 24% within the first 30 min. if 25 mg./kg. P‐2‐AM was injected (i.p.) 5 min. before a sublethal dose of TEPP, E 600, Ro 3–0340, or Ro 3–0422 and reactivation reached a maximum within 1 to 2 hr. after the injection of the oxime. P‐2‐AM was more effective when given 30 min. after the organophosphate. The effect of 25 mg./kg. P‐2‐AM on the phosphorylated true cholinesterase in brain (experiments with TEPP and E 600) was negligible. A dose of 25 mg./kg. P‐2‐AM had no consistent effect on the phosphorylated true cholinesterases in blood and brain of mice injected with sublethal doses of DFP, D 600, or Ro 3–0351.The protection by 25 mg./kg. P‐2‐AM against lethal doses of TEPP, E 600, Ro 3–0422, and Ro 3–0340 was greater than that obtained with 50 mg./kg. atropine sulphate, but the degree of protection was determined by the organophosphate itself and not its dialkylphosphoryl group. Protection by 25 mg./kg. P‐2‐AM against lethal doses of DFP, D 600, and Ro 3–0351 was negligible. The antidotal effect of P‐2‐AM was potentiated by atropine. Mice which were injected with atropine and P‐2‐AM were protected to a greater extent against DFP than against Ro 3–0422, and protection against DFP was only slightly less than protection against TEPP. This is difficult to reconcile with a specific action of P‐2‐AM on phosphorylated cholinesterases.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF CHLORTETRACYCLINE AND CORTISONE ON A LOCAL MONILIAL LESION IN THE MOUSE
Authors: O'GRADY F. , THOMPSON R. E. M. 
Published: July 2012

The course of a local, closed monilial lesion in the thigh of the mouse is described. Treatment of animals suffering from this lesion with subcutaneous chlortetracycline in near‐toxic doses leads to a persistent suppression of the lesion indistinguishable from a curative effect. Treatment with subcutaneous cortisone produces suppression of the lesion during treatment with subsequent “rebound.”Super‐injection of the lesions with chlortetracycline produces a very large and persistent swelling. Treatment of these lesions with subcutaneous chlortetracycline in near‐toxic doses produces suppression and “rebound” resembling that seen in lesions super‐injected and treated with cortisone. Aspirin, chosen for its insolubility and acidity, and turpentine, chosen for its irritant effect, did not reproduce the effects of chlortetracycline or cortisone.While it is possible that the suppressive effect of chlortetracycline and cortisone is in certain circumstances related, the local irritant effect of chlortetracycline plays an important part in the enhancement of these lesions.
Role of the chemoreceptor trigger zone in histamine‐induced emesis
Authors: BHARGAVA K. P. , DIXIT K. S. 
Published: July 2012

. In unanaesthetized dogs, the emetic action of histamine was studied after its injection into the cerebral venricles through chronically implanted cannulae in order to elucidate the role of the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CT‐zone), situated in the area postrema, for this emesis.
. On injection into the lateral cerebral ventricle, about 10 times larger doses of histamine (3 mg) were required regularly to produce emesis, and it occurred after a longer latency than on injection into the fourth ventricle. This is in accord with an action of histamine on the CT‐zone.
. After bilateral ablation of the CT‐zone, intraventricular injections of histamine no longer produced emesis even when injected in doses which were three to four times greater than those which regularly elicited vomiting in dogs with intact CT‐zone. The emesis produced in dogs by intraventricular injections of histamine is thus fully accounted for by an action on the CT‐zone.
. Injections of chlorpromazine intramuscularly or of the two antihistamines cyclizine and mepyramine, either intramuscularly or into the lateral ventricle, prevented the emesis caused by histamine injected into the lateral ventricle. This protective action of the antihistamines—which did not extend to the emesis produced by oral copper sulphate—suggests the presence of histaminergic receptors in the CT‐zone.
The release of 3H‐dopamine from the isolated rabbit ileum
Authors: COLLINS G. G. S. , WEST G. B. 
Published: July 2012

. Segments of rabbit ileum incubated with 3H‐DOPA or 3H‐dopamine and perfused with McEwen solution spontaneously release 3H‐dopamine; this basal release is doubled when the sympathetic nerves are stimulated. Evidence is presented to show that the release is probably from the sympathetic nerve terminals.
. Both cocaine and bretylium reduce the spontaneous release of 3H‐dopamine as well as the increased release resulting from sympathetic nerve stimulation. Guanethidine depresses the release during nerve stimulation but increases the spontaneous release of the amine. Phenoxybenzamine potentiates both the spontaneous release and that during nerve stimulation.
. Tyramine releases 3H‐dopamine from the preparation but tachyphylaxis to the drug rapidly develops.
. It is concluded that the release of 3H‐dopamine from the sympathetic nerves of the isolated perfused rabbit ileum possesses many of the characteristics of that of noradrenaline from other sympathetically innervated structures.
Isolated 5‐hydroxytryptamine organelles of rabbit blood platelets: physiological properties and drug‐induced changes
Authors: DA PRADA M. , PLETSCHER A. 
Published: July 2012

. In isolated 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) organelles of rabbit platelets, the concentrations of 5‐HT, histamine and adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) respectively are about 200 times higher than in intact platelets. Organelles incubated in plasma at 37° C gradually lose endogenous 5‐HT, histamine and ATP and take up 14C‐5‐HT against a considerable concentration gradient. Liberation and uptake of 5‐HT markedly decrease with dimishing incubation temperature.
. Exposure to reserpine in vitro strongly counteracts the uptake of 14C‐5‐HT by isolated organelles, whereas the 14C‐5‐HT uptake of intact isolated platelets is less affected by the drug. 5‐HT organelles of platelets from reserpinized rabbits also take up very little 14C‐5‐HT.
. Imipramine inhibits the uptake of 14C‐5‐HT in isolated organelles less markedly than in isolated platelets.
. It is concluded that in the organelles 5‐HT and possibly histamine may be associated with ATP. Reserpine probably impairs the uptake of 5‐HT at the level of the organelles (possibly by interfering with the association 5‐HT/ATP), whereas imipramine seems to act preferentially on the cell membrane.
The potentiation of rat uterine inhibitory responses to noradrenaline by theophylline and nitroglycerine
Authors: LEVY B. , WILKENFELD B. E. 
Published: July 2012

. Dose response curves for noradrenaline were determined before, during and after pretreatment with a variety of agents. The inhibitory response to noradrenaline on the isolated rat uterus was measured according to its ability to inhibit an acetylcholine induced contraction.
. Theophylline, an agent that inhibits phosphodiesterase and increases cyclic AMP levels in the rat, potentiated the response to noradrenaline.
. Pretreatment with cocaine had no significant effect on the potentiation of the noradrenaline response by theophylline.
. Theophylline potentiated the inhibitory response to nitroglycerine.
. Pretreatment with nitroglycerine also potentiated the inhibitory response to noradrenaline.
. Theophylline appears to produce a potentiation of the inhibitory effect of noradrenaline on the rat uterus by means of a non‐specific mechanism.
Effects of prostaglandins E1 and E2 on human, guinea‐pig and rat isolated small intestine
Authors: BENNETT A. , ELEY K. G. , SCHOLES G. B. 
Published: July 2012

. Prostaglandins E1 and E2 contracted the longitudinal muscle of human, guinea‐pig and rat isolated ileum.
. The site of action varied with the species. In the rat and in some strips of human tissue prostaglandin appeared to have only a direct action on or in the muscle cells. In the other strips of human tissue and in guinea‐pig ileum the prostaglandins seemed to stimulate both the intrinsic cholinergic nerves and the muscle cells.
. In contrast to the longitudinal muscle, the circular muscle of human, guinea‐pig and rat isolated ileum was usually inhibited by prostaglandin, apparently by an action directly on the muscle cells.
. Prostaglandins may play a part in the control of intestinal motility.
Behavioural and biochemical effects of 2‐(2,6‐dichlorophenylamino)‐2‐imidazoline hydrochloride (St 155) on the central nervous system
Authors: LAVERTY R. , TAYLOR K. M. 
Published: July 2012

St 155 (2‐(2,6‐dichlorophenylamino)‐2‐imidazoline hydrochloride) (0.1–2.5 mg/kg subcutaneously) in rats prolonged chloral hydrate sleeping time, inhibited exploratory activity, reduced rotarod performance and pain‐induced aggression; in rats and guinea‐pigs conditioned avoidance behaviour was inhibited.
In most experiments St 155 was 5–7 times more potent than chlorpromazine on a weight basis. In white rats St 155 and chlorpromazine were equi‐effective in inhibiting conditioned avoidance behaviour. St 155 was relatively less active than chlorpromazine in lowering body temperature.
Chronic treatment with St 155 resulted in a reduction of its hypotensive and sedative effects and caused irritability and spontaneous episodes of severe fighting in white rats.
St 155, at doses causing similar conditioned avoidance response inhibition, produced a significant increase in noradrenaline concentration in all brain regions except the striate. Radioisotope studies indicate an increase in noradrenaline storage without significant changes in metabolism.