bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Cocaine‐ and Amphetamine‐regulated Transcript (CART) Immunoreactivity in the Amygdala of the Pig
Authors: Równiak M. , Robak A. , Bogus‐Nowakowska K. , Wasilewska B. , Najdzion J. , Majewski M. 
Published: June 2010

With 5 figures and 1 tableSummaryThe distribution and morphology of neurons containing cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) was investigated in the pig amygdala. CART‐ immunoreactive (CART‐IR) cell bodies were rarely observed in the pig amygdala and most often they were present in the posterior (small‐celled) parts of the basolateral and basomedial nuclei. In all other subdivisions only a small number of randomly scattered pericarya were present. In every region studied the CART‐IR neurons formed a heterogeneous population consisting mostly of small, rounded or slightly elongated cell bodies, with a few poorly branched, smooth dendrites. In general, the morphological features of these cells clearly resembled non‐pyramidal Golgi type II interneurons. Some randomly scattered CART‐IR cell bodies were significantly larger and they demonstrated features of pyramidal‐like Golgi type I projecting neurons. The highest densities of CART‐IR fibres were evident within the central and medial nuclei. Moderate to high expression was found within the large‐celled part of the basolateral nucleus and moderate to low levels in the lateral, basomedial and cortical nuclei. The routine double‐labelling studies with antisera directed against CART and somatostatin (SOM), or neuropeptide Y (NPY), or cholecystokinin (CCK), or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), or substance P (SP) demonstrated that, in general, these peptides do not co‐exist in the CART‐IR neurons. However, small subpopulations of the CART‐IR fibres contained SOM, CCK, VIP or SP together.
Circulating miR‐221 directly amplified from plasma is a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of colorectal cancer and is correlated with p53 expression
Authors: Pu Xing‐xiang , Huang Guo‐liang , Guo Hong‐qiang , Guo Cheng‐cheng , Li Haoran , Ye Shen , Ling Suxia , Jiang Li , Tian Ying , Lin Tong‐yu 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Circulating miRNAs exist in serum and plasma and they can be used as a potential noninvasive molecular marker for colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis. The present study was to test the availability of direct amplification of miRNAs from plasma without RNA extraction, and to evaluate its clinical application value in CRC.Methods:  Plasma miR‐21, miR‐221 and miR‐222 levels were determined in 103 CRC patients and 37 healthy normal controls by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical staining for p53, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) was carried out in the same CRC patient cohort. The correlation between miR‐221 levels and protein levels of p53, CEA, ER and PR, clinicopathological features or overall survival was analyzed.Results:  A standard curve shows a good linearity between the log of sample input and CT values over three orders of magnitude of plasma miR‐21, miR‐221 and miR‐222. ROC curve analysis reveals that the plasma levels of miR‐221 is a potential biomarker for differentiating CRC patients from controls. Kaplan–Meier curve assessment shows that the elevated plasma miR‐221 level is a significant prognostic factor for poor overall survival in CRC patients. The immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrates a significant correlation between plasma miR‐221 level and p53 expression.Conclusions:  The direct amplification of plasma miR‐221 can be used as a potential noninvasive molecular marker for diagnosis and prognosis of CRC and is correlated with p53 expression.
Spiral enteroscopy: A preliminary experience in Asian population
Authors: Ramchandani Mohan , Reddy D. Nageshwar , Gupta Rajesh , Lakhtakia Sandeep , Tandan Manu , Darisetty Santosh , Rao Guduru Venkat 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  In spite of recent developments in the field of enteroscopy the small bowel remains the challenging organ to access. The spiral enteroscopy is a novel technique using a special over‐tube (Endo‐Ease Discovery SB) system for deep intubation of the small bowel. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of spiral enteroscopy with an Olympus enteroscope (SIF Q 180) in an Asian subset of patients.Methods:  Between January and March 2010, 11 patients underwent spiral enteroscopies. The indication for the procedure was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in five patients, Crohn's disease in two, malabsorbtion syndrome in two, Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome in one and Osler Weber Rendu disease in one patient.Results:  Eleven patients (five male and six female) mean age 41.6 years (range 21–62 years) underwent spiral enteroscopy. Spiral enteroscopy advancement was successful in all patients. The average depth of insertion was 249 cm (range 120–400 cm) past the ligament of Treitz, and the average time for the procedure was 27.8 min (range 20–32 min). The findings included ulcers (n = 3), polyps (n = 1), arteriovenous malformation (n = 2), ulcer with stricture (n = 1), and lymphangiectasia (n = 1). No major complications were observed.Conclusion:  In conclusion, our initial experience with spiral enteroscopy shows that it is easy to perform, takes less time than balloon assisted enteroscopy and is relatively safe.
Suspicious childhood injury: Formulation of forensic opinion
Authors: Skellern Catherine , Donald Terence 
Published: June 2010

AbstractChild protection paediatricians have a role as forensic experts in the context of suspicious childhood injury. The task of forensic evaluation of suspicious injury is to reach a conclusion to support legal proceedings. For each injury, one of four conclusions should be reached:The injury has been caused by another person and is considered to have been inflicted.The injury is adequately explained by the circumstances of the injury event provided (by the carer or other witnesses).The injury is self‐inflicted – has been caused by the child's own behaviour as a result of normal childhood activity (with no other person actively involved).The mechanism or sequence of events leading to the injury remains indeterminate or unclear.An additional consideration is determining the extent to which an injury incident was foreseeable and therefore preventable, to form an opinion on whether lack of care (neglect) is involved. Opinions reflect a body of knowledge in forensic and medical literature of known mechanisms of injury including biomechanical aspects of tissue injury in trauma scenarios. Limitations in using research documenting injury type and prevalence at different developmental stages is discussed and in particular, the application of such research to support a conclusion that the injury must have been inflicted. Emerging recognition of research documenting injuries that overlap with those found in populations of children thought to have been physically assaulted creates some doubt on previous opinions regarding exclusivity of certain findings in children definitively indicating ‘abuse’. Forensic paediatricians should remain objective, limit their opinions to what can be confidently stated and exercise caution where reasonable doubt exists and avoid speculation.
Lessons learned on lead poisoning in children: One‐hundred years on from Turner's declaration
Authors: Taylor Mark P , Schniering Carolyn A , Lanphear Bruce P , Jones Alison L 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThere is significant emerging evidence showing life‐long negative health, intellectual and socio‐behavioural impacts as a result of childhood blood lead concentrations well below the widely used intervention level of 10 µg/dL. This issue raises serious health concerns for children in several Australian smelting and mining towns. Routine educational and home cleanliness advice to wet mop floors rather than to use a brush and pan to reduce lead exposure risks have been shown to have limited efficacy. This paper argues, as advocated 100 years ago by Queensland doctor Alfred Jefferis Turner, that childhood lead poisoning can only be mitigated via primary prevention and reduction of contaminants at source. Given that the effects of lead exposure are irreversible, there is a strong argument for the application of the precautionary principle to dealing with childhood lead exposure. There is a clear need to improve regulatory controls and emissions management to reduce environmental lead exposure risks.
Cerebellar cortical output encodes temporal aspects of rhythmic licking movements and is necessary for normal licking frequency
Authors: Bryant Jerí L. , Boughter John D. , Gong Suzhen , LeDoux Mark S. , Heck Detlef H. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractRodents consume water by performing stereotypic, rhythmic licking movements that are believed to be controlled by brainstem pattern‐generating circuits. Previous work has shown that synchronized population activity of inferior olive neurons was phase‐locked to the licking rhythm in rats, suggesting a cerebellar involvement in temporal aspects of licking behavior. However, what role the cerebellum has in licking behavior and whether licking is represented in the high‐frequency simple spike output of Purkinje cells remains unknown. We recorded Purkinje cell simple and complex spike activity in awake mice during licking, and determined the behavioral consequences of loss of cerebellar function. Mouse cerebellar cortex contained a multifaceted representation of licking behavior encoded in the simple spike activities of Purkinje cells distributed across Crus I, Crus II and lobus simplex of the right cerebellar hemisphere. Lick‐related Purkinje cell simple spike activity was modulated rhythmically, phase‐locked to the lick rhythm, or non‐rhythmically. A subpopulation of lick‐related Purkinje cells differentially represented lick interval duration in their simple spike activity. Surgical removal of the cerebellum or temporary pharmacological inactivation of the cerebellar nuclei significantly slowed the licking frequency. Fluid licking was also less efficient in mice with impaired cerebellar function, indicated by a significant decline in the volume per lick fluid intake. The gross licking movement appeared unaffected. Our results suggest a cerebellar role in modulating the frequency of the central pattern‐generating circuits controlling fluid licking and in the fine coordination of licking, while contributing little to the coordination of the gross licking movement.
Differential effects of central injections of D1 and D2 receptor agonists and antagonists on male sexual behavior in Japanese quail
Authors: Kleitz‐Nelson H. K. , Cornil C. A. , Balthazart J. , Ball G. F. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA key brain site in the control of male sexual behavior is the medial pre‐optic area (mPOA) where dopamine stimulates both D1 and D2 receptor subtypes. Research completed to date in Japanese quail has only utilized systemic injections and therefore much is unknown about the specific role played by dopamine in the brain and mPOA in particular. The present study investigated the role of D1 and D2 receptors on male sexual behavior by examining how intracerebroventricular injections and microinjections into the mPOA of D1 and D2 agonists and antagonists influenced appetitive and consummatory aspects of sexual behavior in male quail. Experiments 1 and 2 investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular injections at three doses of D1 or D2 agonists and antagonists. The results indicated that D1 receptors facilitated consummatory male sexual behavior, whereas D2 receptors inhibited both appetitive and consummatory behaviors. Experiment 3 examined the effects of the same compounds specifically injected in the mPOA and showed that, in this region, both receptors stimulated male sexual behaviors. Together, these data indicated that the stimulatory action of dopamine in the mPOA may require a combined activation of D1 and D2 receptors. Finally, the regulation of male sexual behavior by centrally infused dopaminergic compounds in a species lacking an intromittent organ suggested that dopamine action on male sexual behavior does not simply reflect the modulation of genital reflexes due to general arousal, but relates to the central control of sexual motivation. Together, these data support the claim that dopamine specifically regulates male sexual behavior.
Dantrolene inhibits the calcium plateau and prevents the development of spontaneous recurrent epileptiform discharges following in vitro status epilepticus
Authors: Nagarkatti Nisha , Deshpande Laxmikant S. , Carter Dawn S. , DeLorenzo Robert J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractStatus epilepticus is a clinical emergency that can lead to the development of acquired epilepsy following neuronal injury. Understanding the pathophysiological changes that occur between the injury itself and the expression of epilepsy is important in the development of new therapeutics to prevent epileptogenesis. Currently, no anti‐epileptogenic agents exist; thus, the ability to treat an individual immediately after status epilepticus to prevent the ultimate development of epilepsy remains an important clinical challenge. In the Sprague–Dawley rat pilocarpine model of status epilepticus‐induced acquired epilepsy, intracellular calcium has been shown to increase in hippocampal neurons during status epilepticus and remain elevated well past the duration of the injury in those animals that develop epilepsy. This study aimed to determine if such changes in calcium dynamics exist in the hippocampal culture model of status epilepticus‐induced acquired epilepsy and, if so, to study whether manipulating the calcium plateau after status epilepticus would prevent epileptogenesis. The in vitro status epilepticus model resembled the in vivo model in terms of elevations in neuronal calcium concentrations that were maintained well past the duration of the injury. When used following in vitro status epilepticus, dantrolene, a ryanodine receptor inhibitor, but not the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid channel blocker MK‐801 inhibited the elevations in intracellular calcium, decreased neuronal death and prevented the expression of spontaneous recurrent epileptiform discharges, the in vitro correlate of epilepsy. These findings offer potential for a novel treatment to prevent the development of epileptiform discharges following brain injuries.
PSA‐NCAM‐dependent GDNF signaling limits neurodegeneration and epileptogenesis in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Duveau Venceslas , Fritschy Jean‐Marc 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPolysialylated neuronal cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM), a polysialylated protein constitutively expressed in the hippocampus, is involved in neuronal growth, synaptic plasticity and neurotrophin signaling. In particular, PSA‐NCAM mediates Ret‐independent glial‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling, leading to downstream FAK activation. GDNF has potent seizure‐suppressant action, whereas PSA‐NCAM is upregulated by seizure activity. However, the involvement of Ret‐independent GDNF signaling in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is not established. We tested the effects of PSA‐NCAM inactivation on neurodegeneration and epileptogenesis in a mouse model of TLE. In this model, unilateral intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) injection induced degeneration of CA1, CA3c and hilar neurons, followed by spontaneous recurrent focal seizures. In the contralateral, morphologically preserved hippocampus, a long‐lasting increase of PSA‐NCAM immunoreactivity was observed. Inactivation of PSA‐NCAM by endoneuraminidase (EndoN) administration into the contralateral ventricle of KA‐treated mice caused severe degeneration of CA3a,b neurons and dentate gyrus granule cells in the epileptic focus, and led to early onset of focal seizures. This striking trans‐hemispheric alteration suggested that PSA‐NCAM mediates GDNF signaling, leading to transport of neuroprotective signals into the lesioned hippocampus. This hypothesis was confirmed by injecting GDNF antibodies into the contralateral hippocampus of KA‐treated mice, thereby reproducing the enhanced neurodegeneration seen after PSA‐NCAM inactivation. Furthermore, contralateral EndoN and anti‐GDNF treatment decreased GDNF family receptor α1 immunoreactivity and FAK phosphorylation in the epileptic focus. Thus, Ret‐independent GDNF signaling across the commissural projection might protect CA3a,b neurons and delay seizure onset. These findings implicate GDNF in the control of epileptogenesis and offer a possible mechanism explaining lesion asymmetry in mesial TLE.
Noise exposure during early development impairs the processing of sound intensity in adult rats
Authors: Bureš Zbyněk , Grécová Jolana , Popelář Jiří , Syka Josef 
Published: June 2010

AbstractDuring the early postnatal development of rats, the structural and functional maturation of the central auditory nuclei strongly relies on the natural character of the incoming neural activity. Even a temporary deprivation in the critical period results in a deterioration of neuronal responsiveness in adult animals. We demonstrate that besides the poorer frequency selectivity of neurons in the impaired animals reported previously [Grecova et al. (2009)Eur. J. Neurosci. 29, 1921–1930], the neuronal representation of sound intensity is significantly affected. Rate–intensity functions of inferior colliculus neurons were recorded in anaesthetized adult rats that were exposed to intense noise at postnatal day 14, and compared with those obtained in age‐matched controls. Although the response thresholds were similar in the exposed and control rats, the neurons in the exposed animals had a longer first‐spike latency, a narrower dynamic range, lower maximum response magnitudes and a steeper slope of the rate–intensity functions. The percentage of monotonic neurons was significantly lower in the exposed animals. The observed anomalies were confined to the mid‐ and high‐frequency regions, whereas no significant changes were found in the low‐frequency neurons. The altered parameters of the individual rate–intensity functions led also to differences in the cumulative responses. We conclude that a brief noise exposure during the critical period leads to a frequency‐dependent alteration of the sound intensity representation in the inferior colliculus of adult rats. The results suggest that such impairments may appear in individuals with normal hearing thresholds, but with a history of noise exposure very early in childhood.
A COMPARISON OF THE POVERTY IMPACT OF TRANSFERS, TAXES AND MARKET INCOME ACROSS FIVE OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Bibi Sami , Duclos Jean‐Yves 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper compares the poverty reduction impact of income sources, taxes and transfers across five OECD countries. Since the estimation of that impact can depend on the order in which the various income sources are introduced into the analysis, it is done by using the Shapley value. Estimates of the poverty reduction impact are presented in a normalized and unnormalized fashion, in order to take into account the total as well as the per dollar impacts. The methodology is applied to data from the Luxembourg Income Study database.
Douglas Campbell's Startling Alternative to Traditional Paradigms of Pauline Soteriology The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul – By Douglas Campbell
Authors: Gupta Nijay K. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis book delivers the most comprehensive attack on the dominant scholarly paradigm of Pauline soteriology, which Campbell calls Justification Theory. He indicts this paradigm as individualistic, contractual, conditional, incoherent, and, put simply, bad theology. He proposes, instead, a rereading of the key passages in Romans 1–4 (especially 1.18–3.20) which supposedly support Justification Theory. His alternative theory is ‘apocalyptic’ insofar as it is ‘unconditional, revelatory, transformational, and liberational’. While many of his critiques of Justification Theory are illuminating and offer hearty food for thought, his alternative does not appear to be grounded enough in a plain reading of the text to offer the most convincing interpretation. Nevertheless, it is an important work that needs to be digested by Pauline interpreters and anyone interested in biblical soteriology.
The use of neuropsychological tests across Europe: the need for a consensus in the use of assessment tools for dementia
Authors: Maruta C. , Guerreiro M. , de Mendonça A. , Hort J. , Scheltens P. 
Published: June 2010

Background and purpose:  The centres dedicated to dementia throughout Europe use different neuropsychological tests in clinical practice. The European Federation of Neurological Societies task force on neuropsychological tests produced this survey on neuropsychological tests currently being used in different European countries to gather knowledge on the practice of dementia centres and to promote the harmonization of such instruments and future multicentre collaborations.Methods:  National representatives of 34 countries received a questionnaire and 25 (73.5%) sent it back.Results:  A few instruments, Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT), Verbal Fluency and Clock Drawing Test, were available in all countries. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales and MMSE were reported to be valid, respectively, in 20 (80%) and 19 (76%) countries, whereas Verbal Fluency and Stroop Test are valid in 18 (72%) of them. Of the 25 countries, 17 have validation norms for Clock Drawing Test and TMT (68%), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale, Rey Complex Figure Test, Digit Symbol and Beck Depression Inventory were standardized in 16 countries (64%). The remaining tests were validated, at most, in about half of them. Not all countries certificate neuropsychology.Conclusions:  Despite the substantial differences in the tools used by the EFNS countries for most domains surveyed by the questionnaire, there is at least one neuropsychological instrument used by about 80% of the countries. There is clearly the need for a broader consensus in the use of neuropsychological tests for dementia diagnosis.
Caption‐based topical descriptors for microscopic images as published in academic papers
Authors: Kim Sujin , Lamkin Shannon , Duncan Pam 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground:  Visual findings summarized in the figures and tables of academic papers are invaluable sources for biomedical researchers. Captions associated with the visual findings are often neglected while retrieving biomedical images in published academic papers.Objectives:  This study is to assess caption‐based topical descriptors for microscopic images of breast neoplasms, as published in academic papers retrieved through the PubMed Central database.Method:  Human indexers as well as an automatic keyword finder called TAPoR generated the topical descriptors from collected captions. The study then compared the human‐generated descriptors to machine‐generated descriptors. Finally, a set of core descriptors was developed from both sets and automatically mapped into the Unified Medical Language System's (UMLS) Metathesaurus through a MetaMap Transfer engine.Results:  Major topical descriptors included histologic disease names, laboratory procedures, genetic functions and components. Human indexers provided more relevant descriptors than TAPoR. The UMLS Metathesaurus identified several semantic types including Indicator, Reagent, or Diagnostic Aid; Organic Chemical; Laboratory Procedure; Spatial Concept; Qualitative Concept; and Quantitative Concept.Discussion:  The findings suggest that caption‐based descriptors can complement title or abstract‐based literature indexing for figure image retrieval in articles. With respect to forming a metadata framework for online microscopic image description, the semantic types can be used as a core metadata set. In this regard, this finding can be used for standardising a microscopic image description protocol to train medical students.Conclusions:  It is incumbent upon libraries and other information agencies to promote and maintain an interest in the opportunities and challenges associated with biomedical imaging.