bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enzyme histochemical studies in testes and seminal vesicles of the Pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) during the breeding season
Authors: Silverin Bengt 
Published: August 2009

Enzymatic conditions in testes and seminal vesicles of the Pied flycatcher during the breeding season were studied by histochemical techniques. The following enzyme activities were studied: glucose‐6‐phosphatase dehydrogenase (G‐6‐PDH), NADPH2‐diaphorase, glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH), NADH2‐diaphorase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and acid phosphatase. Phospholipids and PAS‐positive substances were also studied. Towards the end of the nest‐building period, a time when the males showed maximal sexual activities, some enzyme activity changes were observed. There was an increase of the GDH activity in the sperm bundles, an increase of the ATPase activity in the interstitium and tunica propria of the tubuli seminiferi. The phospholipid content increased in all spermatogenetic cells and the PAS‐positive material increased in the Sertoli cells and spermatozoa. The enzymic activities indicated a steroid production in the Leydig cells.The epithelium of the seminal vesicles did not show any variations in enzyme activities as long as the Leydig cells persisted. Most enzymes showed a very high activity during this time, indicating a secretory function of the epithelium. The amount of phospholipids increased at the end of the nest‐building period. Parallel with the degeneration of the epithelium the enzymic activities, as well as the phospholipid content, were lowered markedly.
Feeding strategy of the Tana mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus) (Mammalia: Primates)
Authors: Homewood Katherine M. 
Published: August 2009

Systematic data on the feeding behaviour and ecology of the Tana mangabey (Cercocebus g. galeritus) were collected over a period of 13 months in a riverine forest study site on the Tana River in Kenya. A total of 1151 hours of observation was conducted on two study groups, containing 36 and 17 animals respectively. Both spatial and temporal aspects of vegetation were studied. Particular emphasis was placed on quantification of foraging behaviour, which has not been treated as a distinct category in previous primate studies. (Feeding behaviour = foraging + eating.)Dietary composition varied according to season, but there was also evidence that the diversity of the diet increased as food availability decreased. In addition, foraging increased when food was scarce, as did total distance moved and area searched for food. Results of analysis of major food items indicated that the mangabeys were possibly selecting such items in association with their metabolisable energy values. The conspicuous foraging behaviour and locomotor versatility of the mangabeys, combined with these quantitative observations, support the interpretation that this primate is a “generalist” in terms of feeding strategy, compared with “specialist” folivores exhibiting minimal searching and manipulation of food items. It is suggested that as “generalists” the mangabeys are particularly suited to forests lining meandering river systems, with their fluctuating mosaic of vegetation and food availability.
The food and feeding ecology of Blue petrel (Halobaena caerulea) and Dove prion (Pachyptila desolata)
Authors: Prince P. A. 
Published: August 2009

The diet of two small burrow dwelling petrels, Dove prion, Pachyptila desolata and Blue petrel Halobaena caerulea, was studied at the subantarctic island of South Georgia by quantitative analysis of 246 food samples regurgitated by adults about to feed chicks. Crustaceans, and particularly krill Euphausia superba, predominate in both species' diet but fish is considerably more important to the Blue petrel. Other dietary differences between the species chiefly involve the relative proportions of krill, copepods (nearly exclusive to Dove prion) and seven amphipod species taken.There is no overlap in the species' chick feeding periods but food differences are likely to reflect prey selection rather than resource availability; differences in prey size are ascribed to use of different feeding techniques particularly relating to bill structure and function. Data on frequency of chick feeding, proportion of oil and presence of pumice in food samples are used to indicate that the Blue petrel feeds further away from the breeding colony than the Dove prion. The significance of the various adaptive differences is discussed.
The water and temperature relationships of Ommatoiulus moreletii (Diplopoda: Iulidae)
Authors: Baker G. H. 
Published: August 2009

During summer, Ommatoiulus moreletii aggregates in cool, moist sites. O. moreletii prefers high relative humidities and temperatures of 20 to 25°C throughout the year. These preferences explain the summer aggregations. O. moreletii develops a strong ability to survive exposure to low humidity and high temperature during summer. This may explain why summer mortality of the millipede has only been demonstrated during an extremely hot and dry summer. The percentage water contents of O. moreletii are higher during spring and summer than during autumn and winter. They are also higher in small animals than in large. The ecological and physiological significances of these facts are discussed.
Fine structure and function of the digestive cell of Sepia officinalis (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)
Authors: Boucaud‐Camou Eve , Yim Monna 
Published: August 2009

The post–embryonic development of the digestive gland has been studied by light and electron microscopy on animals reared in the laboratory. The gland reaches its “adult” structure around the end of the first month after hatching.The infrastructural changes of the digestive gland have been followed during digestion at various ages (5,10,20,30 days and “adult”); ferritin was used for a tracer to study absorption.These experiments have produced evidence of endocytosis intake of large proteins and further intracellular digestion inside the digestive cell. The residues of digestion are excreted in a “brown body” while the metabolites are used in new syntheses for the cell itself. These results demonstrate that “ancestral” digestive processes have been kept in at least one cephalopod.
Ligament and lithodesma in the Pandoracea and the Poromyacea with a discussion on evolutionary history in the Anomalodesmata (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
Authors: Yonge C. M. , Morton Brian 
Published: August 2009

Certain families in the subclass Anomalodesmata possess highly characteristic ligaments exhibited in simplest form in the Lyonsiidae (Pandoracea) and in the Verticordiidae (Poromyacea). A ventral ly displaced primary ligament consisting of inner (fibrous) and outer (lamellar) layers lies beneath a dorsal secondary ligament of fused periostracum. The latter, which occupies the pivotal axis, is responsible for alignment of the edentulous valves, the former for production of the opening thrust. A calcareous lithodesma which extends down the centre of the inner layer (and so also formed by the mantle isthmus) ensures the continued effectiveness of the widened ligament. Conditions in the laterally compressed Pandoridae and in Myadora (Myochamidae) resemble those in the Lyonsiidae with the addition of secondary teeth. Cementation by the right valve causes bilateral asymmetry in Myochama but to a far greater extent in the Cleidothaeridae where the added effect of a tangential component in shell growth causes separation of primary and secondary ligaments and a twisting of the lithodesma. In the Verticordiidae and Cuspidari‐idae (Poromyacea) ligamental structure is the same although modified in the latter. In the Poromyidae the primary ligament remains external and there is no lithodesma while fused periostracum forms anterior and posterior ligamental extensions.Despite these resemblences in ligamental structure between Poromyacea (pre‐septi‐branchs and septibranchs) and Pandoracea, palaeontological evidence, as well as the modified ctenidia in the former, supports the continued separation of these superfamilies. On the other hand the Thraciidae, Periplomatidae and Laternulidae, hitherto included in the Pandoracea (but originating earlier, in the Mesozoic instead of the Cenozoic) should be removed from that superfamily. In them the primary ligament is not ventrally displaced and an anterior lithodesma is solely concerned with alignment of the edentulous valves to which it is closely attached.
Support and deformability in insect wings
Authors: Wootton Robin J. 
Published: August 2009

Coupled investigations of insect wing movements and detailed wing morphology are in progress, and some functional principles underlying wing design are emerging. High speed cine and still photography and stroboscopy indicate that most wings undergo orderly deformation in flight. Common patterns are described and their significance discussed in the light of recent aerodynamic studies.Many aspects of wing morphology–venational features, relief, thickened areas, flexionlines and vein fractures–may be related to the control of three‐dimensional shape while beating. It is usually possible to distinguish areas specialized for deformability, and for support and the limiting of deformation. Some structural adaptations for these roles are described and illustrated.
Associations of rotifers in Australian crater lakes
Authors: Green J. 
Published: August 2009

Associations of rotifers in 12 Australian crater lakes have been compared by means of indices of similarity and diversity, and by two dimensional ordination. Four of the lakes lay on the Atherton Tableland in tropical Queensland, four were shallow saline lakes in Victoria and the remaining four were fresh lakes in the same general region as the saline lakes.The total number of species identified was 67, but the maximum found in any one sample was 27. Salinity is an important factor reducing diversity, whilst the development of vegetation increases the diversity of the rotifer fauna. The index of diversity (a) ranged from less than one in the saline lakes to 13 in the richly vegetated Lake Euramoo.Comparisons with the rotifers living in the open waters of crater lakes in Africa, Indonesia and Europe revealed no marked similarities between the fresh Australian lakes and these other regions, although strong similarities were found between Ausralian saline lakes and those of other regions. In general the rotiferan faunas of the Australian crater lakes resembled each other less than might be expected from the similarities found between crater lakes within other regions.
Terrestrial feeding in the Mudskipper Periophthalmus (Pisces: Teleostei): A cineradiographic analysis
Authors: Sponder Debra L. , Lauder George V. 
Published: August 2009

Mudskipping gobies (Periophthalminae) are among the most terrestrial of amphibious fishes. Specializations associated with terrestrial prey capture and deglutition have been studied in Periophthalmus koelreuteri by light and X‐ray cinematography which permits direct visualization of pharyngeal jaw movement during deglutition. Anatomical specializations of the pharyngeal jaws are described and include depressible teeth, a large ventral process on ceratobranchial five, and muscular modifications.Multiple terrestrial feedings occur by Periophthalmus without a return to the water, and cineradiography reveals that the buccal cavity is often filled with air during terrestrial excursions in contrast to some previous hypotheses. Transport of the prey into the oesophagus occurs primarily by anteroposterior movement of the upper pharyngeal jaw. The lower pharyngeal jaw plays a limited role in food transport and may serve primarily to hold and position prey. The bite between upper and lower pharyngeal jaws occurs between the anterior teeth, and both jaws are protracted together during raking of food into the oesophagus. Functional specializations correlated with terrestrial feeding include obligatory use of pharyngeal jaws for swallowing even small prey items and positioning of the prey in the pharynx by pharyngeal jaw and hyoid movements alone.This analysis of terrestrial feeding allows hypotheses of design constraints imposed by the aquatic medium on fishes to be raised and tested.
Delayed implantation in the Beech marten (Martes foina)
Authors: Canivenc R. , Mauget C. , Bonnin M. , Aitken R. J. 
Published: August 2009

A detailed study of more than 100 Beech martens (Martes foina) captured in the Bordeaux region of France has revealed that this species exhibits a prolonged eight month period of delayed implantation which is initiated shortly after mating in July and is terminated in late February. Implantation is followed by a period of normal gestation lasting about 30 days. Birth of the young at the end of March/beginning of April is followed by a period of lactation which may last until mid‐May.The Beech marten appears to conform to the pattern exhibited by other mustelids with delayed implantation in possessing inactive corpora lutea throughout the delay phase. The resumption of normal embryonic growth is preceded by a phase of luteal activation during which the corpora lutea increase in size and vascularity the luteal cells hypertrophy and the plasma concentration of progesterone increases significantly.
NO‐flurbiprofen reduces amyloid‐β, is neuroprotective in cell culture, and enhances cognition in response to cholinergic blockade
Authors: Abdul‐Hay Samer O. , Luo Jia , Ashghodom Rezene T. , Thatcher Gregory R. J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug flurbiprofen is a selective amyloid lowering agent which has been studied clinically in Alzheimer’s disease. HCT‐1026 is an ester prodrug of flurbiprofen incorporating a nitrate carrier moiety that in vivo provides NO bioactivity and an improved safety profile. In vitro, HCT‐1026 retained the cyclooxygenase inhibitory and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug activity of flurbiprofen, but at concentrations at which levels of amyloid‐β 1–42 amino acid were lowered by flurbiprofen, amyloid‐β 1–42 amino acid levels were elevated 200% by HCT‐1026. Conversely, at lower concentrations, HCT‐1026 behaved as a selective amyloid lowering agent with greater potency than flurbiprofen. The difference in concentration–responses between flurbiprofen and HCT‐1026 in vitro suggests different cellular targets; and in no case did a combination of nitrate drug with flurbiprofen provide similar actions. In vivo, HCT‐1026 was observed to reverse cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine in two behavioral assays; activity that was also shown by a classical nitrate drug, but not by flurbiprofen. The ability to restore aversive memory and spatial working and reference memory after cholinergic blockade has been demonstrated by other agents that stimulate NO/cGMP signaling. These observations add positively to the preclinical profile of HCT‐1026 and NO chimeras in Alzheimer’s disease.
Selective modulation of amyloid‐β peptide degradation by flurbiprofen, fenofibrate, and related compounds regulates Aβ levels
Authors: Abdul‐Hay Samer O. , Edirisinghe Praneeth , Thatcher Gregory R. J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGamma‐secretase modulators (GSMs) include selected non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs such as flurbiprofen that selectively lowers the neurotoxic amyloid‐β peptide Aβ1–42. GSMs are attractive targets for Alzheimer’s disease, in contrast to ‘inverse GSMs,’ such as fenofibrate, which selectively increase the level of Aβ1–42. A methodology for screening of Aβ modulating drugs was developed utilizing an Aβ‐producing neuroblastoma cell line stably transfected with mutant human amyloid precursor protein, immunoprecipitation of Aβ peptides, and mass spectroscopic quantitation of Aβ1–37/Aβ1–38/Aβ1–40/Aβ1–42using an Aβ internal standard. The unexpected conclusion of this work was that in this system, drug effects are independent of γ‐secretase. The methodology recapitulated reported results for modulation of Aβ by GSMs. However, control experiments in which exogenous Aβ1–40/Aβ1–42was added (i) to drug‐treated wild‐type cells or (ii) to conditioned media from these wild‐type cells, gave comparable patterns of Aβ modulation. These results, suggesting that drugs modulate the ability of cell‐derived factors to degrade Aβ, was interrogated by adding protease inhibitors and performing molecular weight cut‐off fractionation. The results confirmed that modulation of Aβ1–40/Aβ1–42was mediated by selective proteolysis. Treatment of N2a cells with flurbiprofen or fenofibric acid selectively enhanced Aβ1–42clearance by extracellular proteolysis; treatment with HCT‐1026 or fenofibrate (esters of flurbiprofen and fenobric acid) inhibited clearance of Aβ1–40and Aβ1–42.
In vivoevidence that constitutive activity of serotonin2Creceptors in the medial prefrontal cortex participates in the control of dopamine release in the rat nucleus accumbens: differential effects of inverse agonist versus antagonist
Authors: Leggio Gian Marco , Cathala Adeline , Neny Maud , Rouge‐Pont Françoise , Drago Filippo , Piazza Pier Vincenzo , Spampinato Umberto 
Published: August 2009

AbstractControl of the mesoaccumbens dopamine (DA) pathway by central serotonin2Creceptors (5‐HT2CRs) involves different 5‐HT2CR populations located within multiple brain areas. Here, usingin vivomicrodialysis in halothane‐anesthetized rats, we assessed the role of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) 5‐HT2CRs in the control of basal and activated accumbal DA outflow, to identify the modalities of their recruitment and the role of 5‐HT2CR constitutive activity. Intra‐mPFC injection of the 5‐HT2CR inverse agonist SB 206553 (0.5 μg/0.2 μL), without effect by itself, decreased accumbal DA outflow induced by morphine (2.5–10 mg/kg, s.c.), haloperidol (0.01 mg/kg, s.c.) or GBR 12909 (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Conversely, intra‐mPFC injection of the 5‐HT2CR antagonist SB 242084 (0.5 μg/0.2 μL), without effect by itself, decreased the effect of 10 mg/kg morphine, the only drug enhancing basal 5‐HT outflow in the mPFC. The inhibitory effect of SB 206553 on 2.5 mg/kg morphine‐stimulated DA outflow was suppressed by the concomitant intra‐mPFC injection of SB 242084. Finally, changes of basal DA outflow induced by the 5‐HT2CR agonist Ro 60‐0175 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or SB 206553 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) were unaffected by intra‐mPFC injection of SB 242084. These results, showing that 5‐HT2CR antagonist and inverse agonist behave differentlyin vivo,demonstrate that mPFC 5‐HT2CRs facilitate activated accumbal DA outflow and that 5‐HT2CR constitutive activity participates in this interaction.
Paroxetine inhibited the relaxations induced by EFS in mice corpus cavernosum: is it a NOS inhibition?
Authors: Kadioglu Mine , Muci Efnan , Ozyavuz Rasin , Yaris Ersin , Kesim Murat , Kalyoncu Nuri I. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders but are associated with high incidence of sexual dysfunction such as ejaculation disorders by sertraline and fluoxetine, erection disorders by paroxetine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of paroxetine, sertraline and fluoxetine on relaxation of smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum on the basis of nitric oxide (NO). Male mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their penile tissues were immediately removed. The tissues were incubated in organ baths containing Krebs solution at 37°C and bubbled with 95% O2and 5% CO2. The corpus cavernosum strips were contracted with 10−5 mphenylephrine (PHE) and relaxed with either paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine (10−8–10−4 m) or electrical field stimulation (EFS). The effects of paroxetine, sertraline and fluoxetine were examined on EFS‐induced relaxations. While paroxetine did not show any effect on the corpus cavernosum strips precontracted with PHE, sertraline and fluoxetine caused a relaxation at concentrations of 3 × 10−5–10−4 m. The relaxations induced by sertraline and fluoxetine were completely abolished byl‐NAME, but notd‐NAME. The relaxations induced by EFS could be inhibited byl‐NAME but notd‐NAME. Paroxetine inhibited the relaxations at high concentrations.l‐Arginine potentiated the relaxations induced by EFS; however in the presence of paroxetine these relaxations were not observed. In contrast, sertraline (10−8–10−5 m) and fluoxetine (10−8–10−5m) increased the relaxations induced by EFS. Sertraline and fluoxetine seem to be releasing some relaxing factor(s) and this factor may be NO. Paroxetine probably has a NOS inhibitory activity either on nNOS or eNOS, in contrast to sertraline and fluoxetine.
Protective effect of quercetin, a polyphenolic compound, on mouse corpus cavernosum
Authors: Ertuğ Peyman U. , Olguner Anil A. , Öğülener Nuran , Şingirik Ergin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFlavonoids are plant‐based phenolic compounds, and quercetin is the most abundant dietary member of this family. One of the most important characteristics of quercetin is its antioxidant property. The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant effects of quercetin on corpora cavernosa of mice. Corpora cavernosa were isolated in organ baths, precontracted with phenylephrine (0.5 μm) and relaxant responses were mediated by acetylcholine (0.1–1 μm), electrical field stimulation (EFS, 1–16 Hz, 0.5 ms, 30 V) or acidified sodium nitrite (a NaNO2, 0.5 mm). Superoxide anion generators; pyrogallol (50 μm), hydroquinone (100 μm), LY 83583 (6‐Anilinoquinolin‐5,8‐quinone, 10 μm) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitor; diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DETCA, 8 mm) were used in order to expose corpus cavernosa to oxidant stress. Acetylcholine (0.1–1 μm) induced relaxant responses were significantly inhibited in LY 83583 (10 μm) and DETCA + LY 83583 applicated trials. EFS‐induced relaxant responses were significantly inhibited in DETCA (8 mm) and DETCA + LY 83583 administrated trials. On the other hand, acidified sodium nitrite‐induced responses were inhibited by all of the superoxide anion generators tested. Quercetin (10 μm) failed to improve the inhibitions on endothelium and electrically stimulated responses. Acidified sodium nitrite (0.5 mm) mediated relaxant responses were significantly restored by quercetin except the groups in which LY 83583 were used. The data suggest that quercetin acts as a protective agent in mouse corpus cavernosum, increasing the bioavailability of exogenous nitric oxide by protecting it from superoxide anion (O2–).
Unravelling the complex dissociation of [3H]‐rimonabant from plated CB1 cannabinoid receptor‐expressing cells
Authors: Wennerberg M. , Balendran A. , Clapham J.C. , Vauquelin Georges 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe dissociation profile of the antagonist [3H]‐rimonabant from recombinant CB1 cannabinoid receptors expressed in plated HEK293 cells followed a complex pattern when measured in medium only. After a rapid decline, the specific binding levelled off at about 20% below the initial value. To unravel the responsible mechanism(s), we examined the relative contribution of binding to cells and walls of the culture wells respectively. Washout was also performed in the presence of an excess of unlabelled ligand and/or bovine serum albumin (BSA). The findings suggest that dissociated [3H]‐rimonabant molecules not only undergo rebinding to the same or neighbouring receptors but also partition in the cell membranes and fix to the walls. As these non‐receptor associations still occur in presence of unlabelled ligand, they can be erroneously regarded to represent ‘specific binding’. While the unlabelled ligand was most effective in preventing receptor rebinding, BSA was most effective in preventing non‐receptor associations. To measure receptor‐dissociation only, washout is best performed in presence of unlabelled ligand and BSA or any other protein that can pick‐up free radioligand molecules. Yet, washout in medium only could hint at mechanisms that affect the in vivo residence time of the drug in question.