bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and long‐term outcome of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an analysis of cases in the Swedish Intensive Care Registry during 2002–2006
Authors: BERKIUS J. , NOLIN T. , MÅRDH C. , KARLSTRÖM G. , WALTHER S. M. 
Published: July 2010

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a major and growing health problem. The purpose of this work was to examine characteristics, resource use and long‐term survival in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD that were admitted to Swedish intensive care units (ICU).Methods: Patient characteristics at admission, length of stay (LOS), resource use and outcome were collected for admissions due to COPD during 2002–2006 in the database of the Swedish Intensive Care Registry. Vital status was secured for 99.6% of the patients. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were computed for index admissions only.Results: We identified 1009 patients with 1199 admissions due to COPD (1.3% of all intensive care admissions). The mean (SD) age was 70.2 (9.1) years and the proportion of women were 61.5%. Mean (SD) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II probability of hospital death was 0.31 (0.19). Median LOS was 28 (interquartile range 52) h. The number of readmissions was 190 during the 5‐year study. Older patients had fewer readmissions (OR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95–0.98/year increase in age). ICU mortality was 7.3% (87 of 1199 admissions) and 30‐day mortality was 26.0% (262 of 1009 index admissions). Median survival was 14.5 months and 31% of patients survived 3 years after the index admission.Conclusions: Short (30 days) and long‐term survival is poor in acute COPD. Readmissions are frequent reflecting the severity of this chronic illness. Patients are less likely to be readmitted with increasing age which may be due to withholding of further intensive care.
Crossbreeding effects on milk yield traits and calving interval in spring‐calving dairy cows
Authors: Penasa M. , López‐Villalobos N. , Evans R.D. , Cromie A.R. , Dal Zotto R. , Cassandro M. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe aim of the study was to assess crossbreeding effects for 305‐day milk, fat, and protein yield and calving interval (CI) in Irish dairy cows (parities 1 to 5) calving in the spring from 2002 to 2006. Data included 188 927 records for production traits and 157 117 records for CI. The proportion of genes from North American Holstein Friesian (HO), Friesian (FR), Jersey (JE) and Montbéliarde (MO) breeds, and coefficients of expected heterosis for HO×FR, HO×JE and HO×MO crosses were calculated from the breed composition of cows’ parents. The model used to assess crossbreeding effects accounted for contemporary group, age at calving within parity, linear regression on gene proportions for FR, JE and MO, and linear regression on coefficients of expected heterosis for HO×FR, HO×JE and HO×MO, as fixed effects, and additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual as random. Breed effects for production traits were in favour of HO, while for CI were in favour of breeds other than HO. The highest heterosis estimates for production were for HO×JE, with first‐generation crosses yielding 477 kg more milk, 25.3 kg more fat, and 17.4 kg more protein than the average of the parental breeds. The highest estimate for CI was for HO×MO, with first‐generation crosses showing 10.2 days less CI than the average of the parental breeds. Results from this study indicate breed differences and specific heterosis effects for milk yield traits and fertility exist in Irish dairy population.
Random regression model estimation of genetic parameters for show‐jumping results of Hungarian Sporthorses
Authors: Posta J. , Malovhr S. , Mihók S. , Komlósi I. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for show‐jumping competition performance of Hungarian Sporthorses using a random regression model. There were 21 210 records from 739 horses collected in Hungary between 1996 and 2004. Performance was expressed as shifted Blom normalized ranks and as the difference between fence height and fault points. The random regression model (RRM) included fixed effects for sex, year, location, and obstacle height and random effects for animal, rider and permanent environment. Regressions for the random effects in the RRM were modelled with Legendre polynomials from first to fifth order of fit. The model focused on performance of horses from 4 to 11 years of age, with heterogeneous residual variances considered. The heritabilities were low to moderate for both variables. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between different ages decreased with increasing distance between the ages.
No interference of the 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan containing nutritional supplement ImunixX with the 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan serum test
Authors: Spriet Isabel , Desmet Stephanie , Willems Ludo , Lagrou Katrien 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe detection of 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan serum levels may permit establishing the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections more early. We tested in six healthy volunteers whether the intake of a 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan‐containing nutritional supplement leads to false‐positive 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan levels. All levels were negative, even in two different dosing regimens.
Molecular phylogenetics ofFonsecaeastrains isolated from chromoblastomycosis patients in South Korea
Authors: Lim Sung‐Wook , Suh Moo‐Kyu , Kang Gyo‐Shin , Ha Gyoung‐Yim , Kim Heesoo , Choi Jong‐Soo , Kim Young‐Sik 
Published: July 2010

SummaryFonsecaeastrains isolated from chromoblastomycosis patients in Korea and morphologically identified asFonsecaea pedrosoiwere re‐evaluated for typing by sequencing the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The ITS sequences of five Korean isolates and two reference strains were determined and then aligned with those of 11 related strains deposited in GenBank. In a phylogenetic tree constructed from these 18 strains, the Korean isolates and the references were clustered into two groups: Group A representingF. pedrosoi; Group B representingFonsecaea monophora. These groups could be further divided into A1 and A2 subgroups and B1, B2 and B3 subgroups. Among five Korean strains, two isolates belonged to A1 subgroup, while one belonged to B1 subgroup and two to B2 subgroup. Despite the low numbers of Korean isolates and the small size of the Korean territory, this result indicates that theFonsecaeastrains prevalent in Korea are more diverse compared with those isolated in Japan and China. Moreover,F. monophoraisolates, which had been reported to cause cutaneous infections as well as opportunistic neurotropic infections, were responsible for chromoblastomycosis in immunocompetent patients in Korea. In conclusion, ITS sequence analysis provided useful information not only for typing ofFonsecaeaisolates in Korea but also regarding the geographical sources of these strains.
Novel therapeutic option for orbital atypical lymphoid hyperplasia
Authors: Talaulikar Dipti , Tridgell David , Leong David , Dahlstrom Jane E , Cherian Maya , Prosser Ian , Sunderland Ken 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOcular lymphoid tumours represent a spectrum of lymphoproliferative disease and can be subdivided into benign or reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, indeterminate or atypical lymphoid proliferations and malignant lymphoma. Treatment options include a wait and watch approach, systemic steroids, local radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy. We describe a case of bilateral atypical lymphoid hyperplasia treated successfully with combination immunotherapy and radiotherapy. A 60‐year‐old lady presented with proptosis and left supra‐orbital mass and was diagnosed to have bilateral atypical lymphoid hyperplasia. She had extensive extraocular facial infiltrates but no other sites of involvement on staging investigations. She was treated with eight doses of rituximab 375 mg/m2 at weekly intervals with a good partial response, followed by consolidative radiotherapy. Rituximab may be an effective treatment adjunct/alternative for patients with atypical lymphoid hyperplasia of the orbit, particularly where widespread lesions preclude the use of initial radiotherapy.
Modulation of human corticomuscular beta‐range coherence with low‐level static forces
Authors: Witte Matthias , Patino Luis , Andrykiewicz Agnieszka , Hepp‐Reymond Marie‐Claude , Kristeva Rumyana 
Published: July 2010

SummaryAlthough corticomuscular synchronization in the beta range (15–30 Hz) was shown to occur during weak steady‐state contractions, an examination of low‐level forces around 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) is still missing. We addressed this question by investigating coherence between electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) as well as cortical spectral power during a visuomotor task. Eight healthy right‐handed subjects compensated isometrically static forces at a level of 4% and 16% of MVC with their right index finger. While 4% MVC was accompanied by low coherence values in the middle to high beta frequency range (25–30 Hz), a significant increase of coherence mainly confined to low beta frequencies (19–20 Hz) was observed with force of 16% MVC. Furthermore, this increase was associated with better performance, as reflected in decreased relative error in force during 16% MVC. We additionally show that periods of good motor performance within each condition were associated with higher values of EEG–EMG coherence and spectral power. In conclusion, our results suggest a role for beta‐range corticomuscular coherence in effective sensorimotor integration, thus stabilizing corticospinal communication.
Dopamine gene predicts the brain's response to dopaminergic drug
Authors: Cohen Michael X , Krohn‐Grimberghe Artus , Elger Christian E. , Weber Bernd 
Published: July 2010

AbstractDopamine is critical for reward‐based decision making, yet dopaminergic drugs can have opposite effects in different individuals. This apparent discrepancy can be accounted for by hypothesizing an ‘inverted‐U’ relationship, whereby the effect of dopamine agents depends on baseline dopamine system functioning. Here, we used functional MRI to test the hypothesis that genetic variation in the expression of dopamine D2 receptors in the human brain predicts opposing dopaminergic drug effects during reversal learning. We scanned 22 subjects while they engaged in a feedback‐based reversal learning task. Ten subjects had an allele on the Taq1A DRD2 gene, which is associated with reduced dopamine receptor concentration and decreased neural responses to rewards (A1+ subjects). Subjects were scanned twice, once on placebo and once on cabergoline, a D2 receptor agonist. Consistent with an inverted‐U relationship between the DRD2 polymorphism and drug effects, cabergoline increased neural reward responses in the medial orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate cortex and striatum for A1+ subjects but decreased reward responses in these regions for A1– subjects. In contrast, cabergoline decreased task performance and fronto‐striatal connectivity in A1+ subjects but had the opposite effect in A1– subjects. Further, the drug effect on functional connectivity predicted the drug effect on feedback‐guided learning. Thus, individual variability in how dopaminergic drugs affect the brain reflects genetic disposition. These findings may help to explain the link between genetic disposition and risk for addictive disorders.
Role of the amygdaloid cholecystokinin (CCK)/gastrin‐2 receptors and terminal networks in the modulation of anxiety in the rat. Effects of CCK‐4 and CCK‐8S on anxiety‐like behaviour and [3H]GABA release
Authors: Pérez de la Mora Miguel , Hernández‐Gómez Ana María , Arizmendi‐García Yexel , Jacobsen Kirsten X. , Lara‐García Daniel , Flores‐Gracia Candy , Crespo‐Ramírez Minerva , Gallegos‐Cari Andrea , Nuche‐Bricaire Avril , Fuxe Kjell 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe amygdala plays a key role in fear and anxiety. The intercalated islands are clusters of glutamate‐responsive GABAergic neurons rich in cholecystokinin (CCK)‐2 receptors which control the trafficking of nerve impulses from the cerebral cortex to the central nucleus of amygdala. In this study, the nature of the CCK–glutamate–GABA interactions within the rat rostral amygdala, and their relevance for anxiety, were studied. CCK/gastrin‐like immunoreactive nerve terminals were found to be mainly restricted to the paracapsular intercalated islands and the rostrolateral part of the main intercalated island. Behaviourally, the bilateral microinjection of CCK‐4 (0.043–4.3 pmol/side) or CCK‐8S (4.3 pmol/side) into the rostrolateral amygdala reduced the open‐arm exploration in the elevated plus‐maze without affecting locomotion. In contrast, neither CCK‐4 nor CCK‐8S (0.043–4.3 pmol/side) had any effects in the shock‐probe burying test as compared with their saline‐treated controls. Biochemically, CCK‐4 (0.3 and 1.5 µm), unlike CCK‐8S, enhanced significantly the K+‐stimulated release of [3H]GABA from amygdala slices. These effects were fully prevented by prior superfusion of the slices with either the selective CCK‐2 receptor antagonist CR2945 (3 µm), or 6,7‐dinitroquinoxaline‐2,3(1H,4H)‐dione (DNQX), 10 µm, a glutamatergic (+/–)‐α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptor antagonist. It is suggested that CCK modulates glutamate‐GABA mechanisms by acting on CCK‐2 receptors via volume transmission occurring at the level of the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus and/or by synaptic or perisynaptic volume transmission in the region of the rostrolateral main and paracapsular intercalated islands, resulting in subsequent disinhibition of the central amygdaloid nucleus and anxiety or panic‐like behaviour.
Up‐regulation of adenosine A1receptors in frontal cortex from Pick's disease cases
Authors: Albasanz José Luis , Rodríguez Agustín , Ferrer Isidro , Martín Mairena 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe adenosine A1receptor (A1R)–adenylyl cyclase (AC) pathway was studied in post‐mortem human frontal and occipital cortex from Pick's disease (PiD) cases and age‐matched nondemented controls. In frontal cortex, the main brain area affected in PiD, A1Rs, determined by radioligand binding, Western blotting and real‐time PCR assays, were significantly increased in PiD samples, suggesting up‐regulation of this receptor. AC activity was determined in basal and stimulated conditions via stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding proteins (Gs) using GTP, or directly with forskolin. Basal AC activity was reduced in brains from PiD cases. This agrees with the decrease in AC type I (AC I) level detected by Western blotting. However, inhibition of forskolin‐stimulated AC activity by a selective A1R agonist was significantly increased in brains from PiD. In occipital cortex, adenosine A1R numbers were similar in control and PiD cases, and no significant differences were found in A1R‐mediated AC inhibition. These results show that the adenosine A1R–AC transduction pathway is specifically up‐regulated and sensitized in frontal cortex brain in PiD.
Brief treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone normalizes the reduction in neurogenesis after chronic stress
Authors: Oomen Charlotte A. , Mayer Joseph L. , De Kloet E. Ronald , Joëls Marian , Lucassen Paul J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn rodents, stress suppresses adult neurogenesis. This is thought to involve activation of glucocorticoid receptors in the brain. In the present study, we therefore questioned whether glucocorticoid receptor blockade by mifepristone can normalize the effects of chronic stress on adult neurogenesis. Rats received mifepristone on the last 4 days of a 21‐day chronic unpredictable and inescapable stress regimen. Neurogenesis was analysed by stereological quantification of adult‐generated cell survival (bromodeoxyuridine), young neuronal survival (doublecortin) and cell proliferation (Ki‐67). The results show that only 4 days of mifepristone treatment normalized the stress‐induced reductions in neurogenesis. Importantly, mifepristone by itself had no effect on neurogenesis. We conclude that, contrary to other compounds interfering with the effects of chronic stress on neurogenesis, like antidepressants, the normalizing effects of mifepristone on neurogenesis are rapid and particularly potent in a high stress environment. This neurogenic action of mifepristone could potentially contribute to its clinical mechanism of action.
Differences in intermale aggression are accompanied by opposite vasopressin release patterns within the septum in rats bred for low and high anxiety
Authors: Beiderbeck Daniela I. , Neumann Inga D. , Veenema Alexa H. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSeveral studies suggest a role for arginine vasopressin (AVP), particularly in the lateral septum, in the regulation of intermale aggression. We used intracerebral microdialysis to monitor the local in vivo AVP release within the mediolateral septum of adult male Wistar rats bred for low (LAB) or high (HAB) anxiety‐related behaviour during exposure to the resident‐intruder test. LAB residents showed a significantly higher level of aggression than HAB residents, as reflected by more time spent with lateral threat, offensive upright and total aggressive behaviour as well as by more attacks and a shorter attack latency. Septal AVP release was significantly decreased in high‐aggressive LAB males, while septal AVP release tended to increase in HAB males during resident‐intruder test exposure. Moreover, LAB residents showed reduced neuronal activation of the lateral septum, as indicated by fewer c‐Fos‐positive cells, 1 h after the resident‐intruder test. Pharmacological manipulation of the septal AVP system by local application of either synthetic AVP to LAB residents or the selective V1a receptor antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP to HAB residents did not change the level of aggression. However, application of AVP into the septum enhanced anxiety‐related behaviour on the elevated plus‐maze in LAB males, while local administration of the V1a receptor antagonist reduced social investigation in HAB males during the resident‐intruder test. In conclusion, although AVP release patterns within the septum are dependent on the level of aggression, locally released AVP does not seem to be directly involved in the regulation of aggression, but rather modulates non‐aggressive social and anxiety‐related behaviours.
Neural correlates of movement preparation in healthy ageing
Authors: Sterr Annette , Dean Philip 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMotor disorders increase dramatically with age; however, little is known about non‐clinical ageing of motor control mechanisms and their respective neural correlates. With the present experiment we aimed to study age effects on advance movement preparation, a key characteristic of motor behaviour that is known to involve premotor and primary motor circuits. The respective brain regions are subject to age‐related brain atrophy of grey and white matter, and we therefore hypothesized that motor preparation mechanisms may be altered in older persons.Using a motor priming paradigm, performance data and event‐related potentials were recorded in older (68–83 years) and younger (21–25 years) participants. The effect pattern observed for the younger group fully replicated previous findings, showing significant reaction time benefits and greater foreperiod activity for valid trials, as well as lateralized activation over motor regions. In older participants, the validity effect was insignificant, which corresponded to markedly reduced foreperiod amplitudes and the absence of lateralized activity. At the same time, the event‐related potential showed a frontocentrally distributed positive component peaking in the P300 latency range after presentation of the prime. The amplitude of this potential was enhanced in elderly compared with young participants.The data suggest that the information processing related to the anticipation and preparation of an upcoming response changes substantially with age. In contrast to younger participants, older participants show no indication of effector‐specific activation and recruit frontal areas in anticipation of a response signal. It is therefore not only movement execution that changes with age but also motor cognition.
Computational significance of transient dynamics in cortical networks
Authors: Durstewitz Daniel , Deco Gustavo 
Published: July 2010

AbstractNeural responses are most often characterized in terms of the sets of environmental or internal conditions or stimuli with which their firing rate are correlated increases or decreases. Their transient (nonstationary) temporal profiles of activity have received comparatively less attention. Similarly, the computational framework of attractor neural networks puts most emphasis on the representational or computational properties of the stable states of a neural system. Here we review a couple of neurophysiological observations and computational ideas that shift the focus to the transient dynamics of neural systems. We argue that there are many situations in which the transient neural behaviour, while hopping between different attractor states or moving along ‘attractor ruins’, carries most of the computational and/or behavioural significance, rather than the attractor states eventually reached. Such transients may be related to the computation of temporally precise predictions or the probabilistic transitions among choice options, accounting for Weber's law in decision‐making tasks. Finally, we conclude with a more general perspective on the role of transient dynamics in the brain, promoting the view that brain activity is characterized by a high‐dimensional chaotic ground state from which transient spatiotemporal patterns (metastable states) briefly emerge. Neural computation has to exploit the itinerant dynamics between these states.
Interaction between the glutamate transporter GLT1b and the synaptic PDZ domain protein PICK1
Authors: Bassan Merav , Liu Hongguang , Madsen Kenneth L. , Armsen Wencke , Zhou Jiayi , DeSilva Tara , Chen Weizhi , Paradise Allison , Brasch Michael A. , Staudinger Jeff , Gether Ulrik , Irwin Nina , Rosenberg Paul A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSynaptic plasticity is implemented by the interaction of glutamate receptors with PDZ domain proteins. Glutamate transporters provide the only known mechanism of clearance of glutamate from excitatory synapses, and GLT1 is the major glutamate transporter. We show here that GLT1 interacts with the PDZ domain protein PICK1, which plays a critical role in regulating the expression of glutamate receptors at excitatory synapses. A yeast two‐hybrid screen of a neuronal library using the carboxyl tail of GLT1b yielded clones expressing PICK1. The GLT1b C‐terminal peptide bound to PICK1 with high affinity (Ki = 6.5 ± 0.4 µm) in anin vitrofluorescence polarization assay. We also tested peptides based on other variants of GLT1 and other glutamate transporters. GLT1b co‐immunoprecipitated with PICK1 from rat brain lysates and COS7 cell lysates derived from cells transfected with plasmids expressing PICK1 and GLT1b. In addition, expression of GLT1b in COS7 cells changed the distribution of PICK1, bringing it to the surface. GLT1b and PICK1 co‐localized with each other and with synaptic markers in hippocampal neurons in culture. Phorbol ester, an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), a known PICK1 interactor, had no effect on glutamate transport in rat forebrain neurons in culture. However, we found that exposure of neurons to a myristolated decoy peptide with sequence identical to the C‐terminal sequence of GLT1b designed to block the PICK1–GLT1b interaction rendered glutamate transport into neurons responsive to phorbol ester. These results suggest that the PICK1–GLT1b interaction regulates the modulation of GLT1 function by PKC.