bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of bacteria associated with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Guss Adam M , Roeselers Guus , Newton Irene L G , Young C Robert , Klepac-Ceraj Vanja , Lory Stephen , Cavanaugh Colleen M 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
In patients afflicted with cystic fibrosis (CF), morbidity and mortality are primarily associated with the adverse consequences of chronic microbial bronchial infections, which are thought to be caused by a few opportunistic pathogens. However, recent evidence suggests the presence of other microorganisms, which may significantly affect the course and outcome of the infection. Using a combination of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries, bacterial culturing and pyrosequencing of barcoded 16S rRNA amplicons, the microbial communities present in CF patient sputum samples were examined. In addition to previously recognized CF pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, &gt;60 phylogenetically diverse bacterial genera that are not typically associated with CF pathogenesis were also detected. A surprisingly large number of fermenting facultative and obligate anaerobes from multiple bacterial phyla was present in each sample. Many of the bacteria and sequences found were normal residents of the oropharyngeal microflora and with many containing opportunistic pathogens. Our data suggest that these undersampled organisms within the CF lung are part of a much more complex microbial ecosystem than is normally presumed. Characterization of these communities is the first step in elucidating potential roles of diverse bacteria in disease progression and to ultimately facilitate advances in CF therapy.
Development of Verbal Passive in Williams Syndrome
Authors: Perovic Alexandra , Wexler Kenneth 
Published: July 2010

Purpose

To experimentally investigate knowledge of passives of actional (
hold
) and psychological (
love
) verbs in children with Williams syndrome (WS). Passives are usually reported to be in line with mental age in WS. However, studies usually focus on passives of actional verbs only.

Method
Twenty-six children with WS, ages 6–16, and 3 groups of typically developing controls, ages 3;6–14;4 (years;months), individually matched to the WS group on nonverbal reasoning, receptive vocabulary, or grammar, participated. Their comprehension of actives and short and long passives (with and without the by-phrase) was tested using a sentence–picture-matching task.

Results
Children with WS performed well above chance on passives of actional verbs but extremely poorly on passives of psychological verbs (short and long). Furthermore, their performance on both types of passives was worse than that of matched controls.

Conclusions
The results reveal a previously unreported deficiency in the domain of syntax in WS, suggesting a particular difficulty with the structure of the verbal passive, not directly related to general levels of nonverbal abilities, receptive vocabulary, or general comprehension of grammar. It is argued that the difficulty in the formation of verbal passives in WS stems from a deficit in forming argument chains.
Preferential prescribing of oral corticosteroids in Irish male asthmatic children
Authors: Williams David , Kelly Alan , Feely John 
Published: July 2010

Aims  To determine if there is a gender difference in the prescription of oral corticosteroids in asthmatic children (< 15 years).Methods  8072 asthmatics were identified on the basis that they received a prescription for either an inhaled β‐adrenoceptor agonist, an inhaled corticosteroid, inhaled cromoglycate/nedocromil sodium, oral xanthines or leukotriene antagonist. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined for the different asthma treatments for males compared with females.Results and conclusions  Male asthmatic children were more likely (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.21,1.55, P < 0.001) to receive a prescription for an oral corticosteroid compared with their female counterparts suggesting a possible increased severity of their condition, rather than a different management of their disease. Male asthmatic children were less likely to be prescribed an antibiotic over the study period (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.77, 0.93, P < 0.001).
Temporo‐mandibular joint kinetics and chewing cycles in children. A 3‐year follow‐up
Authors: Bodin C. , Lodetti G. , Marinone M. G. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. Objectives. To report the temporo‐mandibular joint (TMJ) kinetics and masticatory function in healthy children.Design. Temporo‐mandibular joint palpation and electrognathographic registrations of chewing cycles were repeated for 3 years in order to evaluate changes.Setting. Healthy children without systemic pathologies, decayed cavities and previous dental treatment.Sample and methods. Electrognathographic (EGN) registration of masticatory cycles and TMJ palpation were carried out on 52 patients (mean age: 5 years 8 months, range: 5 years 1 month, 6 years 8 months), by two university researchers, once a year for 3 consecutive years. TMJ palpation, differentiated TMJ synchronism (simultaneous bilateral opening movement) and TMJ asynchronism (not simultaneous bilateral opening movement), TMJ subluxation and click were observed. Electrognathographic registrations differentiated normal and abnormal jaw chewing cycles, and narrow and large cycles.Results. Temporo‐mandibular joint asynchronism was evident in 34 of 52 patients in the primary dentition, in 42 of 52 patients after the eruption of the first permanent molar, and in 31 of 52 patients after the eruption of the permanent incisors. TMJ subluxation increased during the full period of observation. Three temporomandibular clicks appeared after the eruption of the permanent incisors. Altered mastication was not always associated with TMJ disorders.Conclusions. In children, normal chewing cycles can coexist with occlusal discrepancies, cranio‐facial growth and TMJ alterations.
The effects of combined treatment with β1‐selective receptor antagonists and lipid‐lowering drugs on fat metabolism and measures of fatigue during moderate intensity exercise: a placebo‐controlled study in healthy subjects
Authors: Eagles C. J. , Kendall M. J. 
Published: July 2010

Aims
We examined the effects of different combinations of β1‐selective adrenoceptor blockers and lipid‐lowering drugs, on fat metabolism and fatigue during moderate intensity exercise in 14 healthy young volunteers. Methods
The study was a randomized crossover design, each subject completing 5, 90 min walks at 50% of predetermined maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), one following each 3 day treatment period with either: atenolol 100 mg and bezafibrate 400 mg, atenolol 100 mg and fluvastatin 40 mg, metoprolol CR 100 mg and bezafibrate 400 mg, metoprolol CR 100 mg and fluvastatin 40 mg, or placebo. Results
Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration during exercise was significantly reduced on all treatments, in comparison with placebo, P=0.0001. Following 90 min of exercise FFA levels were as follows: placebo 573 μmol l−1 (105–1041), metoprolol CR+fluvastatin 277 μmol l−1 (0–647), metoprolol CR+bezafibrate 182 μmol l−1 (0–396), atenolol+fluvastatin 211 μmol l−1 (0–511), and atenolol+bezafibrate 123 μmol l−1 (0–352). Total fat oxidation during exercise was also reduced on all treatments in comparison with placebo: 38.1% (2–74), compared with 29.1% (0–61) on metoprolol CR+fluvastatin, P=0.02, 26.2% (2–51) on metoprolol CR+bezafibrate, P=0.002, 25.5% (3–48) on atenolol+fluvastatin, P=0.009, and 22.8% (0–47) on atenolol+bezafibrate treatment, P=0.0002. Plasma ammonia concentration was elevated on all treatments during exercise in comparison with placebo. After 90 min of exercise, plasma ammonia levels were as follows: placebo 37 μmol l−1 (0–84), metoprolol CR+fluvastatin 56 μmol l−1 (2–110), metoprolol CR+bezafibrate 79 μmol l−1 (0–167), atenolol+fluvastatin 90 μmol l−1 (10–170), and atenolol+bezafibrate 100 μmol l−1 26–174). In comparison with placebo, metoprolol CR+fluvastatin had the least adverse impact on measures of perceived exertion and the ‘feeling scale’ during exercise. Metoprolol CR+bezafibrate, atenolol+fluvastatin, and atenolol+bezafibrate treatments had greater adverse effects, particularly on perceived ‘cardiorespiratory effort’ and ‘feeling scale’ scores. Conclusions
In healthy volunteers, combinations of β1‐selective blockers and lipid‐lowering drugs were associated with significant reductions in fat metabolism, increased plasma ammonia levels, and raised the perception of effort during exercise, in comparison with placebo. Metoprolol CR+fluvastatin had the least effect, combinations metoprolol CR+bezafibrate and atenolol+fluvastatin had intermediate effects, and atenolol+bezafibrate had the most adverse effect.
Circulating Angiotensin II Activates Neurones in Circumventricular Organs of the Lamina Terminalis That Project to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis
Authors: Sunn N. , McKinley M. J. , Oldfield B. J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine, in conscious rats, whether elevated concentrations of circulating angiotensin II activate neurones in both the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) that project to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The strategy employed was to colocalize retrogradely transported cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) from the BNST, with elevated levels of Fos protein in response to angiotensin II. Circulating angiotensin II concentrations were increased by either intravenous infusion of angiotensin II or subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol. Neurones exhibiting Fos in response to angiotensin II were present in the subfornical organ, predominantly in its central core but with some also seen in its peripheral aspect, the dorsal and lateral margins of the OVLT, the supraoptic nucleus and the parvo‐ and magnocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus. Fos‐labelling was not apparent in control rats infused with isotonic saline intravenously or injected with either CTB or CTB conjugated to gold particles (CTB‐gold) only. Of the neurones in the subfornical organ that were shown by retrograde labelling to project to BNST, approximately 50% expressed Fos in response to isoproterenol. This stimulus also increased Fos in 33% of neurones in the OVLT that project to BNST. Double‐labelled neurones were concentrated in the central core of the subfornical organ and lateral margins of the OVLT in response to increased circulating angiotensin II resulting from isoproterenol treatment. These data support a role for circulating angiotensin II acting either directly or indirectly on neurones in subfornical organ and OVLT that project to the BNST and provide further evidence of functional regionalization within the subfornical organ and the OVLT. The function of these pathways is yet to be determined; however, a role in body fluid homeostasis is possible.
Sensitivity of Galanin‐ and Melanin‐Concentrating Hormone‐Containing Neurones to Nutritional Status: An Immunohistochemical Study in the Ovariectomized Ewe
Authors: Chaillou E. , Baumont R. , Fellmann D. , Tramu G. , Tillet Y. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe sensitivities of galanin and melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) neuronal systems to nutrition are poorly understood in sheep compared to rodents. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in the numbers of galanin and MCH neurones in ovariectomized ewes submitted to different nutritional levels. In the first experiment, ewes were fed ad libitum or food deprived for 24 h. In the second experiment, two groups of ewes were fed at maintenance level (group 100) or undernourished (group 40) for 167 days, after which one‐half of each group was killed or refed ad libitum (group 100R and 40R) for 4 days. The MCH neuronal population located in the lateral hypothalamic area was not affected by these nutritional changes. Long‐term undernutrition enhanced the number of galanin neurones located in the infundibular nucleus and the dorsal hypothalamic area (DHA), refeeding resulted in an increase of neurones in the DHA and preoptic area, but short‐term starvation had no effect on any galanin subpopulations. Our data suggest that the sensitivity of MCH neuronal populations to nutrition in sheep differs from that of rodents. Various populations of galanin‐containing neurones differ in sensitivity in ewes subjected to long undernutrition and refeeding but not to short starvation.
Chronic Excess of Corticosterone Increases Serotonergic Fibre Degeneration in Aged Rats
Authors: Nyakas C. , Mulder J. , Felszeghy K. , Keijser J. N. , Mehra R. , Luiten P. G. M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractEvidence is presented for the potentiating role of corticosterone on axonal degeneration of serotonergic neurones during ageing. Aged rats, 24 months old, were implanted subcutaneously with 2 × 100 mg pellets of corticosterone. Serotonergic and cholinergic (ChAT‐ and NADPHd‐positive) fibre degenerations in the anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AVT) were measured 2 months after corticosterone implantation. Numbers of immunoreactive serotonergic raphe and mesolimbic cholinergic neurones were also quantified. Basal plasma corticosterone and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentrations were assayed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after implantation in the plasma and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks in urine. The degree of serotonergic fibre aberrations in the AVT increased significantly after corticosterone exposure, while that of ChAT‐positive and NADPHd‐stained axon aberrations showed a modest but nonsignificant increase. A positive correlation between the magnitudes of serotonergic and cholinergic fibre aberrations appeared in the AVT, but only in the corticosterone‐treated rats. The number of serotonin immunopositive neurones in the raphe nuclei after corticosterone decreased marginally, while that of mesopontine ChAT‐positive neurones was not influenced. Measurements of basal plasma corticosterone and ACTH, as well as urine corticosterone, revealed that the steroid implantation increased the plasma corticosterone level for at least 4 weeks and decreased ACTH level for at least 6 weeks. By the week 8, the pituitary‐adrenal function was apparently restored. However, at sacrifice, both the weight of adrenal glands and that of thymus remained reduced, indicating the long‐lasting effects of corticosterone on target tissues. It is concluded that the raphe serotonergic neurones and their projecting fibres are sensitive to corticosterone excess in aged rats and become more vulnerable to degeneration processes than under normal ageing conditions. Cholinergic neurones of brainstem origin, which also express massive NADPHd activity, are more resistant against corticosterone, but their axon degeneration correlates to serotonergic fibre degeneration.
Pups Presence Eliminates the Stress Hyporesponsiveness of Early Lactating Females to a Psychological Stress Representing a Threat to the Pups
Authors: Deschamps S. , Woodside B. , Walker C.‐D. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBlunted neuroendocrine responses to stress are reported in lactating females after exposure to various stressors. However, many of the stimuli used in these studies have little ethological relevance for maternal protection of the litter in a threatening environment. The question that arises is whether the relevance of the stressor to the infant is critical in the ‘gating’ of the neuroendocrine response. We hypothesized that the presence of pups with their mothers at the time of exposure to an intruder or a predator odour is an effective way to increase the emotional salience of the psychological stressor, thus eliminating the stress hyporesponsiveness in lactating females. We first compared neuroendocrine responses [corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone] between early (EL, PPD3‐5), late (LL, PPD 15) lactating and virgin (V) females to a male intruder in the home cage. We next investigated the effect of pups' presence at the time of stressor exposure on the magnitude of the hormonal response to a male intruder in the home cage or to a predator odour (fox urine) in a novel environment. In the male intruder paradigm, levels of CRF mRNA expression in the PVN and CeA were lower in LL compared to EL or V females and plasma ACTH and corticosterone secretion was not as elevated in LL compared to EL females. Aggression towards the intruder was high in EL females in the presence of their pups and a positive correlation was found with the integrated ACTH response. Aggression rapidly declined after pup separation (2.5 h or 48 h) or in LL nursing females. In EL females, the presence of the pups with their mothers (EL + pups) at the time of stress significantly increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone responses to either male intruder or predator odour compared to EL females without their pups for 2.5 h or 48 h (EL − pups). Plasma ACTH response to fox urine in EL + pups females was comparable to that of virgin females, suggesting that increasing the salience of emotionally relevant stimuli by keeping the pups present in the cage could eliminate the hyporesponsiveness detected for EL females without their pups. These studies indicate the critical role of the pups in modulating the maternal response to stressors that represent a threat for the litter. We hypothesize that the amygdala, because of its ability to process olfactory stimuli and stimuli with affective properties, might play an essential role in ‘gating’ the neuroendocrine response to stress during lactation.
Selective Roles of Protein Kinase C Isoforms on Cell Motility of GT1 Immortalized Hypothalamic Neurones
Authors: Choe Y. , Jung H. , Khang I. , Kim K. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRecently, we demonstrated that activation of the protein kinase C (PKC) signalling pathway promoted morphological differentiation of GT1 hypothalamic neurones via an increase in β‐catenin, a cell‐cell adhesion molecule, indicating a possible involvement of PKC in cellular motility. In this study, we explored the differential roles of PKC isoforms in GT1 cell migration. First, we transiently transfected GT1 cells with enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)‐tagged actin to monitor the dynamic rearrangement of filamentous‐actin (F‐actin) in living cells. Treatment with 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), a PKC activator, markedly promoted lamellipodia formation, while safingol (a PKCα‐selective inhibitor) blocked the TPA‐induced lamellipodial actin structure. Both wound‐healing and Boyden migration assays showed that TPA treatment promoted neuronal migration of GT1 cells; however, cotreatment of TPA with safingol or rottlerin (a PKCδ‐selective inhibitor) clearly blocked this TPA effect, indicating that both PKCα and PKCδ may be positive regulators of neuronal migration. By contrast, PKCγ‐EGFP‐expressing GT1 cells exhibited decreased cellular motility and weak staining for actin stress fibres, suggesting that PKCγ may act as a negative mediator of cell migration in these neurones. Among the PKC downstream signal molecules, p130Cas, a mediator of cell migration, and its kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), increased following TPA treatment; phosphorylation of p130Cas was induced in a PKCα‐dependent manner. Together, these results demonstrate that PKCα promotes GT1 neuronal migration by activating focal adhesion complex proteins such as p130Cas and FAK.
Role of Specific Adrenergic Receptors in Mediating the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Response to Increased Nitric Oxide Levels
Authors: Seo D. O. , Lee S. , Rivier C. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe investigated the role played by catecholamine‐dependent pathways in modulating the ability of the nitric oxide (NO) donor 3‐morpholino‐sydnonimine (SIN‐1) to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) following its intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intravenous (i.v.) injection. We first showed that the nonspecific adrenergic agonist noradrenaline, the α‐ or β‐adrenergic agonists phenylephrine or dobutamine, or the noradrenergic uptake inhibitor desipramine, all significantly stimulated ACTH secretion by freely moving, nonanaesthetized rats. We then observed that destruction of noradrenergic nerve endings with the neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine, respectively abolished and significantly decreased the ACTH response to the i.c.v. or i.v. administration of SIN‐1. Finally, we sought to identify the type of adrenergic receptor(s) mediating the influence of catecholamines. β‐Adrenergic receptors did not appear to be involved in the stimulatory effect of SIN‐1 regardless of its route of injection. By contrast, α2‐adrenergic receptors played an important role in the ACTH response to i.v. or i.c.v. administered SIN‐1. Collectively, these results indicate that while hypothalamic α1‐ and β‐adrenergic receptors are important for hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis activity, only α2‐adrenergic receptors are involved in modulating the ability of NO to release ACTH. Our laboratory and others have previously reported that NO increased hypothalamic noradrenaline levels, while conversely noradrenaline up‐regulated levels of NO synthase, the enzyme responsible for NO formation; and that injection of corticotropin‐releasing factor into the brain ventricles releases catecholamines and stimulates NO formation. Taken together with these observations, our results point to complex functional relationships between NO, catecholamines and the HPA axis.
Lipopolysaccharide Inhibits Luteinizing Hormone Release Through Interaction with Opioid and Excitatory Amino Acid Inputs to Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Neurones in Female Rats: Possible Evidence for a Common Mechanism Involved in Infection and Immobilization Stress
Authors: He D. , Sato I. , Kimura F. , Akema T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAcute immobilization stress suppresses naloxone‐ and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐induced, but not gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)‐induced, luteinizing hormone (LH) release in ovariectomized oestrogen‐primed rats. To explore whether a common mechanism may underlie inhibition of gonadotropin secretion by various stressors, we examined in the present study the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on LH release induced by progesterone, GnRH, naloxone and NMDA. The effect of LPS on Fos expression in GnRH neurones was also examined in association with its effect on steroid‐induced LH release. Injection of progesterone (1 mg/rat) at noon induced an LH surge in the afternoon in ovariectomized rats pretreated with oestradiol benzoate. In these rats, the majority of hypothalamic GnRH neurones expressed Fos in the evening. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of LPS (10 µg/rat) inhibited steroid‐induced LH release and also reduced the Fos expression in GnRH neurones. In separate experiments, an i.v. injection of GnRH (50 ng/kg), naloxone (10 mg/kg) or NMDA (20 mg/kg) significantly elevated serum LH concentrations within 10 min. Pretreatment with LPS, which did not affect basal LH release or GnRH‐induced LH release, inhibited naloxone‐induced and NMDA‐induced LH release. These results show that LPS has a suprapituitary site(s) of action to suppress the activity of GnRH neurones in female rats, and suggest that LPS affects the opioid, as well as the excitatory amino acidergic regulation of GnRH neurones. The similarity of effects of LPS and immobilization stress further suggests that a common mechanism is involved in inhibition of GnRH neurones by different stressors.