bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of hippocampal phosphatidylethanolamine‐binding protein in morphine dependence and withdrawal
Authors: Wei Qiu‐Hua , Wu Ning , Bian Jia‐Ming , Chen Ying , Su Rui‐Bin , Li Jin 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTDrug addiction is thought to result from an intractable and aberrant learning and memory in response to drug‐related stimulation, and cholinergic neurotransmission plays an important role in this process. Phosphatidylethanolamine‐binding protein (PEBP) is the precursor of the hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide (HCNP), an 11 amino acid peptide that enhances the production of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and assists in the development of cholinergic projections from the medial septal nuclei to the hippocampus. However, whether PEBP is involved in drug addiction remains unclear. In the present study, PEBP expression in the hippocampus, as detected by proteomics analysis, was found to be dramatically up‐regulated after rats received chronic morphine treatment. Western blotting analysis revealed a specific up‐regulation of PEBP expression in the hippocampus but not in any other brain regions assessed. A down‐regulation of hippocampal PEBP levels induced by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides resulted in aggravated morphine dependence. Together, these findings indicate that PEBP is involved in morphine dependence. Moreover, the time course of PEBP expression changes and ChAT activity was investigated during chronic morphine treatment and withdrawal. The results showed that the hippocampal PEBP levels were up‐regulated during chronic morphine treatment and returned to the baseline 3 days after withdrawal, after which PEBP levels were persistently up‐regulated for 28 days after withdrawal. The changes in hippocampal ChAT activity followed a pattern that was similar to that of the PEBP levels. Taken together, these results suggest that hippocampal PEBP is involved in morphine dependence and withdrawal, perhaps through modulating cholinergic transmission in the hippocampus.
Effect on hepatonephric organs, serum metabolites and oxidative stress in post‐weaning piglets fed purified zearalenone‐contaminated diets with or without Calibrin‐Z
Authors: Jiang S. Z. , Yang Z. B. , Yang W. R. , Wang S. J. , Wang Y. , Broomhead J. , Johnston S. L. , Chi F. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to investigate the toxicity of zearalenone (ZEA) on hepatonephric organs, serum metabolites and oxidative stress of piglets and to evaluate the efficacy of Calibrin‐Z (CAZ) in preventing ZEA‐induced adverse effects. The experiment was conducted for 22 days using 36 piglets weaned at 21 days of age (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, 18 females and 18 males; 8.84 ± 0.21 kg average body weight). Piglets of each gender were randomly allocated to the following six dietary treatments: (i) Control (basal diet only); (ii) Control + 1 g/kg CAZ; (iii) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA; (iv) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 1 g/kg CAZ; (v) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 2 g/kg CAZ; (vi) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 4 g/kg CAZ. Piglets were housed and fed individually for the entire experimental period. Blood samples were taken, and piglets were killed at the end of the experiment to obtain organs for physiological assessment. Results showed that piglets fed the ZEA‐contaminated diet had increased (p < 0.05) activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase and cholinesterase, concentrations of urea, and creatinine in serum, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and liver. Pigs fed the ZEA‐only diet also showed reductions in serum (p < 0.05) globulin, triglycerides and high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), and reductions in total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in both serum and liver. Supplementation of CAZ at the dosages of 1–4 g/kg to the diet containing 1.05 mg/kg ZEA linearly increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of triglycerides and HDL in serum, activity of TSOD and GSHPx in serum and liver, but linearly reduced (p < 0.05) all tested serum enzymes and lowered (p < 0.05) the elevated concentrations of urea, and creatinine in serum, and MDA in serum and liver caused by dietary ZEA. Piglets fed the ZEA‐contaminated diet showed increased (p < 0.05) relative weight of liver and kidney compared with the control, whereas only numerical improvement on relative weight of liver and kidney was observed with simultaneous addition of CAZ at 4 g/kg diet and ZEA. However, feeding the diet with CAZ alone at 1 g/kg had no impact on any of the measured parameters when compared to the control. It is suggested that feeding ZEA at 1.05 mg/kg exerted a deleterious effect on piglets, which was totally or partly ameliorated by dietary supplementation of CAZ at concentrations between 1 and 4 g/kg diet.
Effects of flushing and hormonal treatment on reproductive performance of Iranian Markhoz goats
Authors: Daghigh Kia H. , Mohamadi Chapdareh W. , Hossein Khani A. , Moghaddam G. , Rashidi A. , Sadri H. , Alijani S. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryForty‐eight Iranian Markhoz goats were allocated to six groups (n = 8) to study the effect of flushing and hormonal treatments on reproductive performance. Treatments were divided into two categories including, hormonal treatments and flushing. The goats in each group were fed the same basal ration and received one of the following treatments: Groups A and B – injection of GnRH and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) respectively; Groups C, D and E – a supplement of barley grain, soybean oil and sunflower oil in flushing diets, respectively, were offered and Group F – control (only received basal diet). In the flushing treatments, only the source of energy was different between rations. Both hormonal treatments and flushing treatments improved fertility and kidding rates. Treatment B with 16 and control with seven kids represented the highest and the lowest number of progeny respectively. Among flushing treatments, group C resulted in the highest number of kids being 15. Oestrogen levels in follicular phase increased with the injection of eCG and consumption of barley grain. GnRH injection and consumption of oil sources in the diet increased blood progesterone levels during ovulation and post‐ovulation periods. Under current market conditions, using hormone or flushing can be profitable for Markhoz goats farmers.
Leptin and the regulation of endothelial function in physiological and pathological conditions
Authors: Bełtowski Jerzy 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Obesity and the accompanying metabolic syndrome are among the most important causes of cardiovascular pathologies associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. This detrimental effect of obesity is mediated, in part, by excessive production of the adipose tissue hormone leptin.2. Under physiological conditions leptin induces endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Leptin activates endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) through a mechanism involving AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B/Akt, which phosphorylates eNOS at Ser1177, increasing its activity.3. Under pathological conditions, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, the NO‐mediated vasodilatory effect of leptin is impaired. Resistance to the acute NO‐mimetic effect of leptin is accounted for by chronic hyperleptinaemia and may result from different mechanisms, such as downregulation of leptin receptors, increased levels of circulating C‐reactive protein, oxidative stress and overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signalling‐3.4. In short‐lasting obesity, impaired leptin‐induced NO production is compensated by EDHF; however, in advanced metabolic syndrome, the contribution of EDHF to the haemodynamic effect of leptin becomes inefficient. Resistance to the vasodilatory effects of leptin may contribute to the development of arterial hypertension owing to unopposed stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by this hormone.
Cataracts are not associated with retinal detachment in the Bichon Frise in the UK – a retrospective study of preoperative findings and outcomes in 40 eyes
Authors: Braus Barbara K. , Rhodes Michael , Featherstone Heidi J. , Renwick Peter W. , Heinrich Christine L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Bichon Frise population in the UK is at the same risk of developing retinal detachment in association with cataract formation and following phacoemulsification as described in reports from the USA.Procedures  The medical records of Bichon Frises which were presented for cataract assessment and of those which were treated with phacoemulsification at Willows Referral Service between 1997 and 2009 were reviewed.Results  Forty eyes (26 dogs) with unilateral or bilateral cataracts were included in the study. There was no evidence of retinal detachment associated with the cataracts at initial presentation. Phacoemulsification was performed on 34 eyes (20 dogs). Clinically evident lens‐induced uveitis was treated preoperatively in 17/34 eyes. Artificial lens implantation was carried out in 30/34 eyes; automated anterior vitrectomy was performed in 7/34 eyes. The mean follow‐up time was 16.6 months (range 1.5–73 months). At the last re‐examination, 31/34 eyes (91.2%) were visual. Three eyes (8.8%) were blind – two (in the same dog) because of presumptive bilateral optic nerve disease and one because of uveitis and secondary glaucoma. There was no evidence of retinal detachment following phacoemulsification in any of the 34 eyes.Conclusion  This study suggests that the Bichon Frise population in the UK does not appear to have a predisposition for retinal detachment in association with cataract formation or following cataract surgery. Prophylactic random transscleral laser retinopexy or transscleral cryopexy cannot therefore be routinely recommended for Bichon Frises with cataracts in the UK.
Empathy, values, morality and Asperger’s syndrome
Authors: HIRVELÄ SHARI , HELKAMA KLAUS 
Published: October 2011

Hirvelä, S. & Helkama, K. (2011). Empathy, values, morality and Asperger’s syndrome. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.The aims of this study were, first, to re‐address the issue of empathy among people with autism conditions; second, to explore the relationships between empathy and values among autistic populations and controls; and third, to explore the capacity for moral agency among those affected by autism. We compared responses of an Asperger group (N = 41) and a control group (N = 139) to measures of self‐reported empathy (Davis’s IRI) and value priorities (Schwartz’s PVQ). Control group results were largely in line with previous studies, such that empathy subscales of perspective taking and empathic concern showed their strongest positive and negative relations to the Schwartz self‐transcendence/self‐enhancement dimensions. Results for the Asperger group showed that although on the one hand there were self‐reported difficulties in perspective taking and the cognitive recognition of affect, and that on the other hand there were less connections between the empathy and value measures, there was nevertheless a comparable prioritization of moral values. Conclusions suggest that different people may acquire moral values through different mechanisms.
Retracted: Treatment of articulatory dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Murdoch B. E. , Ng M. L. , Barwood C. H. S. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Neuroimaging has demonstrated that improved speech outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) subsequent to behavioural treatment approaches are associated with increased activity in the motor and pre‐motor cortex. High‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is capable of modulating cortical activity and has been reported to have significant benefit to general motor function in PD. It is possible that high‐frequency rTMS may also have beneficial outcomes on speech production in PD.Methods:  High‐frequency (5 Hz) rTMS was applied to 10 active stimulation and 10 sham placebo patients for 10 min/day (3000 pulses), for 10 days and speech outcome measures and lingual kinematic parameters recorded at baseline and 1 week, 2 and 12 months post‐stimulation.Results:  The findings demonstrated positive treatment‐related changes observed in the active rTMS group when compared to the sham placebo control group at 2 and 12 months post‐stimulation in speech intelligibility, communication efficiency ratio, maximum velocity of tongue movements and distance of tongue movements.Conclusion:  The results support the use of high‐frequency rTMS as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of articulatory dysfunction in PD.
Inheritance of moyamoya disease in a Caucasian family
Authors: Kraemer M. , Heinemann F. M. , Horn P. A. , Venker C. , Berlit P. , Krischek B. , Khan N. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Moyamoya disease is a very rare occlusive cerebrovascular disorder characterized by progressive stenosis or occlusion of the intracranial portion of the internal carotid artery and proximal cerebral arteries with an extensive network of fine collaterals. The aetiology and genetic susceptibility of moyamoya disease, especially in Caucasians, still remains unclear.Methods and results:  We describe the cases of affected German father, daughter and son with juvenile stroke because of idiopathic moyamoya disease. The rare existing literature is reviewed and discussed.Conclusions:  This is the first report on a father‐to‐child inheritance pattern in Caucasian patients with idiopathic Moyamoya disease (MMD). Our cases indicate possible genetic risk factors for the genesis of Caucasian Moyamoya disease.
Usefulness of pulmonary function tests and blood gases in acute neuromuscular respiratory failure
Authors: Cabrera Serrano M. , Rabinstein A. A. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Define the usefulness of pulmonary function tests (PFT) and arterial blood gases (ABG) in patients admitted to the ICU with acute neuromuscular respiratory failure (NMRF).Methods:  We reviewed 76 patients admitted to an ICU at Mayo Clinic (Rochester) between 2003 and 2009 with acute NMRF defined as need for mechanical ventilation (MV) because of primary impairment of the peripheral nervous system. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin score >3.Results:  Median age was 65 years. The most frequent diagnosis was myasthenia gravis (25 patients); 54% of patients had no known neuromuscular diagnosis before admission, and 11% had no specific diagnosis at discharge. Median MV time was 16 days; 14% of patients died during hospitalization, and 63% were severely disabled at discharge. Maximal expiratory pressure ≤30 cm H2O and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) worse than −28 cm H2O before MV were associated with need for invasive MV for longer than 7 days (P = 0.02). Indicators of chronic respiratory acidosis (low pH, high pCO2, and high HCO3) before MV were associated with in‐hospital death and poor functional outcome, but mostly in patients with progressive, untreatable neuromuscular diagnoses.Conclusions:  In patients with primary acute NMRF, bedside PFT and ABG before MV can be used to predict evolution and outcome. Lower MIP and MEP portend prolonged MV and are more useful than forced vital capacity. Presentation with chronic respiratory acidosis is associated with high risk of in‐hospital mortality and severe disability, especially in patients without treatable diagnoses.
Pain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population‐based controlled study
Authors: Chiò A. , Canosa A. , Gallo S. , Moglia C. , Ilardi A. , Cammarosano S. , Papurello D. , Calvo A. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  To assess the prevalence and characteristics of pain in an epidemiological series of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to population‐based controls.Methods:  Of the 183 patients with ALS resident in the province of Torino, Italy, 160 accepted to be interviewed. Controls were randomly selected from the lists of general practitioners. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory.Results:  Patients with ALS reported pain more frequently than controls [91 (56.9%) vs. 53 (33.1%); P = 0.001]. Pain frequency and intensity were correlated with a worse functional score and a longer disease duration. In patients with ALS, pain was more frequently located at the extremities (P = 0.006). Pain interfered with all areas of daily function, but patients reported a greater interference than controls in the domains of enjoyment of life and relation with other people. Sixty‐four patients (70.3% of those with pain) and 24 controls (45.3% of those with pain) (P = 0.003) were treated for pain, most frequently with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. ALS cases were also more frequently prescribed non‐opioid analgesics and opioids than controls.Conclusions:  Our study indicates that pain is frequent in all stages of ALS, but that it often goes underrecognized and undertreated. It is significantly more frequent in patients with ALS than in population‐based controls. Future studies need to clarify the mechanisms of pain in ALS and determine the most effective treatment strategy.
Clinical outcome of spontaneous non‐aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in 108 patients
Authors: Cánovas D. , Gil A. , Jato M. , de Miquel M. , Rubio F. 
Published: October 2011

Background:  The cause of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is unknown in 15% of cases; idiopathic SAH has a better prognosis than aneurysmal SAH. When bleeding is confined to the perimesencephalic cisterns, SAH has an especially benign course.Methods:  We retrospectively studied 108 patients admitted for spontaneous non‐aneurysmal SAH between 1991 and 2004. We divided patients into two groups according to the bleeding pattern at cranial CT: perimesencephalic pattern (n = 60) and aneurysmal pattern (n = 48). We included only patients in whom no source of bleeding was detected at angiography; patients with aneurysmal pattern underwent at least two angiographic examinations. Mean follow‐up was 5.5 years; follow‐up consisted of telephone interview in 84.7% of patients.Results:  All but one patient with perimesencephalic pattern were classified as grade I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale; the exception was the only patient in this group with a complication (hydrocephalus), who was classified as grade IV. Three‐quarters of the patients with aneurysmal pattern were classified as grade I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale; 5 patients presented with hydrocephalus that required drainage and 2 with vasospasms without repercussions. No rebleeding or long‐term complications were observed in either group.Conclusions:  Non‐aneurysmal SAH with a perimesencephalic pattern of bleeding has a benign course and excellent short‐term and long‐term prognosis. Patients with non‐aneurysmal SAH with an aneurysmal pattern of bleeding have more complications, and the initial clinical situation has a significant impact on their prognosis.
Monthly variation of multiple sclerosis activity in the southern hemisphere: analysis from 996 relapses in Brazil
Authors: Damasceno A. , Von Glehn F. , de Deus‐Silva L. , Damasceno B. P. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Seasonal variations of multiple sclerosis (MS) activity have been reported, however, most data come from studies in the northern hemisphere.Methods:  We reviewed medical records of MS patients living in Campinas region, Brazil. The first symptoms’ date was defined as the relapse month. Climatic information included UV radiation index, median temperature, rainfall, and humidity.Results:  Two hundred and nine patients were included. The incidence of relapses was highest in January (11.2%) and December (10.4%) and lowest in November (5.7%) and October (7.0%) (P < 0.015). The months with highest incidence of relapses (December–January) had higher UV radiation index and humidity rates (P = 0.032 and 0.040, respectively).Conclusion:  Most exacerbations were in the spring/summer transition, which also showed higher UV radiation index and humidity rate. Along with other environmental factors, seasonal fluctuation contributes to MS activity.
Mice deficient in endothelin‐converting enzyme‐2 exhibit abnormal responses to morphine and altered peptide levels in the spinal cord
Authors: Miller Lydia K. , Hou Xiaowen , Rodriguiz Ramona M. , Gagnidze Khatuna , Sweedler Jonathan V. , Wetsel William C. , Devi Lakshmi A. 
Published: October 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1074–1085.AbstractAn increasing body of evidence suggests that endothelin‐converting enzyme‐2 (ECE‐2) is a non‐classical neuropeptide processing enzyme. Similar to other neuropeptide processing enzymes, ECE‐2 exhibits restricted neuroendocrine distribution, intracellular localization, and an acidic pH optimum. However, unlike classical neuropeptide processing enzymes, ECE‐2 exhibits a non‐classical cleavage site preference for aliphatic and aromatic residues. We previously reported that ECE‐2 cleaves a number of neuropeptides at non‐classical sites in vitro; however its role in peptide processing in vivo is poorly understood. Given the recognized roles of neuropeptides in pain and opiate responses, we hypothesized that ECE‐2 knockout (KO) mice might show altered pain and morphine responses compared with wild‐type mice. We find that ECE‐2 KO mice show decreased response to a single injection of morphine in hot‐plate and tail‐flick tests. ECE‐2 KO mice also show more rapid development of tolerance with prolonged morphine treatment and fewer signs of naloxone‐precipitated withdrawal. Peptidomic analyses revealed changes in the levels of a number of spinal cord peptides in ECE‐2 KO as compared to wild‐type mice. Taken together, our findings suggest a role for ECE‐2 in the non‐classical processing of spinal cord peptides and morphine responses; however, the precise mechanisms through which ECE‐2 influences morphine tolerance and withdrawal remain unclear.