bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha modulates NMDA neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal cultures
Authors: Brady Ken M. , Texel Sarah J. , Kishimoto Koji , Koehler Raymond C. , Sapirstein Adam 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe arachidonic acid‐specific cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2α) has been implicated in the generation of neurological injuries. cPLA2α‐dependent neurological injury has been postulated to be mediated through inflammatory and eicosanoid pathways. We determined if cPLA2α amplifies the injury of a non‐inflammatory, excitotoxic stimulus by modifying a well‐described toxicity assay to measure the toxicity ofN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) in the CA1 region of organotypic, mouse hippocampal cultures. Hippocampal cultures from wild‐type and cPLA2α knockout mice were exposed to 5, 7.5 or 10 µmNMDA for 1 h. Toxicity was measured 23 h later. Cultures derived from cPLA2α–/–mice and cultures treated with the selective inhibitor AACOCF3were significantly protected from NMDA toxicity, as compared with wild‐type cultures. To determine if cPLA2α‐dependent toxicity is cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 dependent, COX‐2 and PGE2levels were measured 7 and 25 h after NMDA treatment. NMDA treatment failed to induce COX‐2 protein or increase PGE2in the culture media in either genotype at either time. In contrast, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate and ionophore treatment caused robust induction of COX‐2 and PGE2in both genotypes. We conclude that cPLA2α may have a hitherto unrecognized direct effect on excitatory neurotoxicity, suggesting that cPLA2α inhibition is a therapeutic candidate for treatment of the early, excitotoxic injury observed in stroke.
Urinary pheromones promote ERK/Akt phosphorylation, regeneration and survival of vomeronasal (V2R) neurons
Authors: Xia Jing , Sellers Lynda A. , Oxley David , Smith Trevor , Emson Piers , Keverne Eric B. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe G protein‐coupled pheromone receptor neurons (V1R and V2R) of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) are continually replaced throughout the lifetime of the mouse. Moreover, active signalling of V2Rs via the transient receptor potential 2(TRPC2) channel is necessary for regeneration of receptors, as the TRPC2 null mutant mouse showed a 75% reduction of V2Rs by the age of two months. Here we describe V2R mediated signalling in a neuronal line established from vomeronasal stem cells taken from postnatal female mice. Cells were immunoreactive for Gαo and V2R, whereas V1R and Gαi immunoreactivity could not be detected. Biological ligands (dilute urine and its protein fractions) were found to increase proliferation and survival of these neurons. Dilute mouse urine but not artificial urine also induced ERK, Akt and CREB signalling in a dose dependent way. The volatile fraction of male mouse urine alone was without effect while the fraction containing peptides (> 5 kDa) also stimulated ERK and Akt phosphorylation. The ERK, Akt and CREB phosphorylation response was sensitive to pertussis toxin, confirming the involvement of V2R linked Gαo. Dilute mouse urine or its high molecular weight protein fraction increased survival and proliferation of these neurons. Hence, urinary pheromones, which signal important social information via mature neurons, also promote survival and proliferation of their regenerating precursors. These data show that regenerating V2Rs respond to urine and the urinary peptides by activation of the Ras‐ERK and PI3‐Akt pathways, which appear to be important for vomeronasal neural survival and proliferation.
Export of nitrogenous compounds due to incomplete cycling within biological soil crusts of arid lands
Authors: Johnson Shannon L. , Neuer Susanne , Garcia‐Pichel Ferran 
Published: December 2006

SummarySecond only to water among limiting factors, nitrogen controls the fertility of most arid regions. Where dry and wet depositions are weak, as in the western US deserts, N inputs rely heavily on biological N2 fixation. Topsoil cyanobacterial communities known as biological soil crusts (BSCs) are major N2 fixation hot spots in arid lands, but the fate of their fixed N remains controversial. Using a combination of microscale and mesoscale process rate determinations, we found that, in spite of theoretically optimal conditions, denitrification rates in BSCs were paradoxically immaterial for nitrogen cycling. Denitrifier populations within BSCs were extremely low. Because of this absence of denitrification, and because of the limitation of respiration and ammonia oxidation by diffusive O2 supply, we could demonstrate that BSCs function as net exporters of ammonium, nitrate and organic N to the soils they cover, in approximately stoichiometrically equal proportions. Overall export rates during periods of biological activity are in the range of tens to hundreds of μmol‐N m−2 h−1, commensurate with those of N2 fixation. These results explain the long‐term dependence of BSCs on N2 fixation, confirm their role in landscape fertility, and provide a robust argument for conservation of these endangered communities.
Sequence diversity of the OprD protein of environmental Pseudomonas strains
Authors: Chevalier Sylvie , Bodilis Josselin , Jaouen Thomas , Barray Sylvie , Feuilloley Marc G. J. , Orange Nicole 
Published: December 2006

SummaryOprD has been widely described for Pseudomonas aeruginosa at both structural and functional levels. Here, we describe the sequence diversity of the OprD proteins from other fluorescent Pseudomonads. We analysed the sequence of the oprD gene in each of the 49 Pseudomonas isolates, mostly putida and fluorescens species, obtained from various environmental sources, including soil, rhizosphere and hospitals. Phylogeny based on OprD sequences distinguished three well‐separated clusters in the P. fluorescens species whereas P. putida isolates formed only one cluster. The OprD sequences were generally well conserved within each cluster whereas on the opposite, they were highly variable from one cluster to another and particularly with regards to the cluster of P. aeruginosa. Predicted secondary structures, based on the topological model elaborated for P. aeruginosa, suggest signatures in the large extracellular loops of OprD, which are linked to the OprD‐based clusters. Correlations between these OprD‐based clusters and ecological niches, growth on various carbon sources and antibiotic sensitivity were investigated.
Risk of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma following restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Das P. , Johnson M. W. , Tekkis P. P. , Nicholls R. J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjective  Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with or without mucosectomy is the treatment of choice for most patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) requiring surgery. The ileal mucosa in the reservoir and the anorectal columnar epithelium below the ileo‐anal anastomosis are at risk of neoplastic transformation.Method  The literature has been reviewed to identify patients developing this complication and an attempt has been made to develop a rational follow‐up policy based on the data available.Results  Dysplasia in the ileal reservoir is rare. It is associated with histological type C changes, sclerosing cholangitis and unremitting pouchitis in the ileal mucosa and to the presence of sclerosing cholangitis. Nine patients who have developed adenocarcinoma in the residual anorectal mucosa and seven in the reservoir have been reported in the literature. A further hitherto unreported patient treated by the authors brings the total to 17 patients. Twelve of these had histopathological data on either dysplasia or carcinoma in the original operative specimen. The time intervals from the onset of UC and from the RPC to the development of cancer were 120–528 (median 246) and 16–216 (median 60) months respectively. Cancer appeared to be related to the duration of disease rather than to the interval from RPC. In all the reported patients the interval from the onset of UC was 10 years.Conclusion  Based on these data a surveillance programme should begin at 10 years from the onset of disease. Patients with dysplasia or carcinoma in the original specimen, those with type C ileal mucosal changes and patients with sclerosing cholangitis should be selected for surveillance. This will involve multiple biopsies of the ileal reservoir and the anorectal mucosa below the ileo‐anal anastomosis.
The effects of cyclical oestrogen on bladder and urethral structure and function
Authors: Palmieri Katherine , Mannikarottu Anita S. , Chichester Paul , Kogan Barry , Leggett Robert E. , Whitbeck Catherine , Levin Robert M. 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of cycling oestrogen in rabbits, as oestrogen is essential for physiological maintenance and integrity of the female urogenital tract.MATERIALS AND METHODSChanges in circulating oestrogen have marked effects on the bladder of experimental animals, with ovariectomy (Ovx) inducing smooth muscle (SM) and mucosal atrophy, increasing collagen synthesis and deposition, decreasing contractile function, mucosal and SM blood flow; oestrogen reverses these effects and increases bladder mass and SM density, primarily by stimulating angiogenesis and increasing blood flow. Twenty adult female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into five equal groups; group 1 served as the control group, and groups 2–5 had a bilateral Ovx. Group 2 received no oestradiol and was assessed 2 weeks after Ovx; groups 3–5 received 17‐β oestradiol from a subcutaneous slow‐release tablet 2 weeks after Ovx, which remained in place for a subsequent 2‐week period. Group 3 was then assessed after the 2 weeks on oestradiol. Groups 4 and 5 then had their oestradiol tablets removed for 2 weeks and group 4 was assessed after this period off oestradiol. Group 5 then received a new oestradiol tablet that was left in place for an additional 2 weeks.RESULTSBoth groups receiving oestrogen (3 and 5) had a statistically significantly greater bladder weight than both the control group and group 2. The volume fraction of SM paralleled the bladder weight, showing that oestrogen increased the volume fraction of SM whereas Ovx and low oestrogen decreased the SM fraction. The cross‐sections of the urethra from groups 3 and 5 were significantly wider than those of either the control or group 1, also being consistent with the structural effects of oestrogen. Intra‐arterial phenylephrine increased urethral pressure to a similar level in all groups. The urethral pressure response to intra‐arterial acetylcholine shifted from contraction in the control to relaxation in the oestrogen‐treated groups. Ovx resulted in a lower vascular density, whereas oestrogen resulted in a significant increase in vascular density (angiogenesis).CONCLUSIONSCyclical oestrogen had pronounced structural and pharmacological effects. Low oestrogen decreased the volume fraction of SM, increased collagen, and decreased vasculature, whereas oestrogen mediated a marked hypertrophy of the SM components, decreased the collagen component, and stimulated angiogenesis. Cyclical oestrogen also had marked effects on the responses to intra‐arterial acetylcholine, shifting the response from contraction to relaxation.
Early effects of pharmacological androgen deprivation in human prostate cancer
Authors: Mercader Maria , Sengupta Shomik , Bodner Barbara K. , Manecke Ryan G. , Cosar Ediz F. , Moser Michael T. , Ballman Karla V. , Wojcik Eva M. , Kwon Eugene D. 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVESTo assess the early histological effects of pharmacological androgen deprivation (AD), which have been assessed only over longer periods, as surgical castration leads rapidly to diminished cell proliferation and enhanced cell death within the prostate.PATIENTS AND METHODSWith Institutional Review Board approval, 35 patients were randomly assigned (seven in each group) to receive 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of AD (flutamide, 250 mg orally three times/day, and one injection with leuprolide acetate 7.5 mg) before radical prostatectomy. The surgical specimens were assessed by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry, while macroarray analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (QRT‐PCR) were used to examine gene expression.RESULTSThere were morphological changes within the prostatic tissues as early as 7 days after initiating AD, similar to the response to castration. There was tumour cell vacuolization indicating cellular injury, glandular atrophy and mononuclear cell infiltration as prominent and progressive effects but, by contrast with castration studies, there were no changes in epithelial proliferation or apoptosis. Macroarray analysis, validated by QRT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry, showed up‐regulation of numerous and potentially counter‐effective genes involved in the cell cycle and apoptosis.CONCLUSIONSPharmacological AD induces significant involution within prostatic tissues over 7–28 days, but allows the persistence of some viable tumour cells capable of proliferation.
Transdermal oestrogen therapy as a second‐line hormonal intervention in prostate cancer: a bad experience
Authors: Kandola Sandhir , Anyamene Nicola , Payne Heather , Harland Stephen 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVETo compare transdermal oestrogen with oral diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a second‐ or third‐line hormonal therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 32 assessable patients who, having already had a relapse on at least one line of hormonal therapy, received transdermal oestrogen therapy as an alternative to oral DES, when DES became unavailable.RESULTSWhereas DES had controlled the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level for a median of 29 weeks in a group of 15 patients in remission, all but one had an increase in PSA level (median 86% increase above the starting PSA level) within a median of 8 weeks after introducing transdermal therapy. This increase was reversed in seven of the 12 patients who recommenced DES therapy.CONCLUSIONAlthough the use of transdermal oestrogen is currently attracting enthusiasm as a first‐line treatment for prostate cancer, these results show that for second‐ or third‐line therapy further cautious research with careful monitoring is necessary.
Correlation between risk factors for vascular disease and the American Urological Association Symptom Score
Authors: Gibbons Erin P. , Colen John , Nelson Joel B. , Benoit Ronald M. 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation between risk factors for vascular disease and the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA‐SS), by comparing the presence of these risk factors with the degree of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the medical history, AUA‐SS, and prostate volume of men who had a radical prostatectomy. The degree of LUTS in men with and without risk factors for cardiovascular disease was compared.RESULTSThe mean AUA‐SS was 7.2 for the entire cohort, 5.6 in men with no risk factors, and 7.9 in men with at least one risk factor (P < 0.05). In men with one to four risk factors, the mean AUA‐SS was 6.9, 7.9, 10.7, and 19.5, respectively. There was no correlation between the AUA‐SS and prostate size in the entire cohort or among any groups.CONCLUSIONSMen with risk factors for vascular disease are more likely to have a higher AUA‐SS than men without these risk factors. These findings suggest the possibility of an association between vascular disease and the development and severity of LUTS in men.
Vertical rectus abdominis flap reconstruction in patients with advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kayes Oliver J. , Durrant Charles A. , Ralph David , Floyd David , Withey Simon , Minhas Suks 
Published: December 2006

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the role of radical surgical debridement and excision with a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap reconstruction in patients with advanced penile cancer and subcutaneous metastatic disease, as the quality of life in such patients is extremely poor, multimodal treatments often fail and the outlook for the patient is limited with the development of uncontrollable disease.PATIENTS AND METHODSFour patients with advanced penile cancer presenting with fungating, cutaneous tumour deposits received palliative surgical resections for abdominal and inguinal disease. A VRAM flap was used in all cases to achieve tissue coverage.RESULTSAll grafts were viable and the mean inpatient stay was 14 days. There were no immediate complications after surgery; patient satisfaction and symptom relief was excellent.CONCLUSIONSAggressive palliative resection with a VRAM can dramatically improve the patients’ quality of life in advanced penile cancer, permitting disease control with satisfactory cosmesis. However, a multidisciplinary approach involving both the urological reconstructive and plastic surgeon is essential.
The Allocation of Power in the Enlarged ECB Governing Council: An Assessment of the ECB Rotation Model
Authors: BELKE ANSGAR , STYCZYNSKA BARBARA 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThis study analyses the allocation of power in the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) as it enlarges to accommodate new members of the economic and monetary union. For this purpose, two classical power indices that have their origin in solutions to co‐operative games are applied. First, an assessment is made of the effects of enlargement on the voting power of different subgroups of the Governing Council that arise in the wake of the continuous accession process. Second, a systematic comparison is carried out to the status quo rule (‘one member, one vote’) with respect to the voting power of the ECB Executive Board and to the representativeness of European monetary policy, along with the potential for its renationalization.
The EU‐Mercosol Free Trade Agreement: Quantifying Mutual Gains*
Authors: CALFAT GERMÁN , FLÔRES RENATO G. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe identify trade in goods opportunities in a EU‐Mercosul free trade area. Gains for Mercosul are rather concentrated, being mostly associated with a few agricultural commodities which face high protection barriers. EU gains are evenly spread, comprising a variety of market penetration possibilities. Trade deviation in the EU products is never higher than trade creation, confirming their international competitiveness and signalling that no great distortion of Mercosul's imports will take place. Balanced gains exist for both sides. For Mercosul, the agreement would act as a first serious trial for future liberalizations with other developed partners and as a warning on improvements in competitiveness.
Reordering the Marketplace: Competition Politics in European Finance*
Authors: MÜGGE DANIEL 
Published: December 2006

AbstractOver the last 15 years, Europe has seen the liberalization of national financial markets as well as the integration of these markets and their governance through the introduction of the ‘Lamfalussy process’. This article argues that we can best understand these shifts as one integrated project of market‐building in Europe, guided by distributional struggles over the terms of mutual markets access. To comprehend the complex linkages between private and public actors across levels of governance, we have to look beyond macro‐theories of integration and financial liberalization upholding an analytical state‐market dichotomy and adopt an integrative approach to theory, instead. Using the example of securities markets, this article argues that ‘competition politics’ are key to understanding European financial market integration.
The International Bargaining Power of the European Union in ‘Mixed’ Competence Negotiations: The Case of the 2000 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety*
Authors: RHINARD MARK , KAEDING MICHAEL 
Published: December 2006

AbstractStudies of the European Union's role in international policy negotiations typically focus either on trade agreements, where the Community often enjoys exclusive competence in negotiations, or on military and security accords, where Member States take the diplomatic lead in international talks. Between these extremes are a number of issue negotiations in which Community officials and Member State representatives speak jointly on behalf of the EU. We analyse one such ‘mixed competence’ case ‐ the negotiations for a global biosafety protocol ‐ to understand more about the EU's behaviour and bargaining power in such settings. We aim for explanatory parsimony by applying an existing model designed to predict EU bargaining power in international trade negotiations (Meunier, 2000). The analysis reveals that the trade model has considerable explanatory power for some of the outcomes found in the biosafety protocol negotiations, but incorrectly predicts that the EU will have no bargaining power. We then explore the sources of discrepancy between the model's predictions and our empirical results, thereby identifying some of the general differences between exclusive and mixed competence negotiations. We conclude by making suggestions for future model‐building and by reflecting on some recent proposed changes that may affect the EU's bargaining power on the global stage.
The lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin is a sensitive indicator of branching morphogenetic activity in the developing mouse metanephric collecting duct system
Authors: Michael Lydia , Sweeney Derina E. , Davies Jamie A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe urine collecting duct system of the metanephric kidney develops by growth and branching morphogenesis of an unbranched progenitor tubule, the ureteric bud. Bud branching is mainly dichotomous and new branches form from existing branch tips, which are also the main sites of cell proliferation in the system. This behaviour, and the fact that some genes (e.g. Wnt11, Sox9) are expressed only in tips, suggests that tip cells are in a specific state of differentiation. In this report, we show that the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), hitherto regarded and used as a general marker of developing renal collecting ducts, binds to most of the duct system but does not bind to the very tips of growing branches. The zone avoided by DBA corresponds to the zone that expresses Wnt11, and the zone that shows enhanced cell proliferation. If branching of the ureteric bud of cultured embryonic kidneys is inhibited in organ culture, by blocking the kidney's endogenous glial cell‐derived neurothrophic factor (GDNF)‐based branch‐promoting signals, the DBA‐binding zone extends to the very end of the tip but is lost from there when branching is re‐activated. Similarly, if excess GDNF is provided to growing kidneys, the DBA‐free zone expands. DBA‐staining status therefore appears to be a sensitive indicator of the morphogenetic activity of the collecting duct system.
Do women with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia prefer a see and treat option in colposcopy?
Authors: Balasubramani L , Orbell S , Hagger M , Brown V , Tidy J 
Published: December 2006

Objective  To compare women’s experiences of either see and treat (ST) or defer and treat (DT) at first visit to colposcopy following abnormal cytology.Design  A prospective postal questionnaire survey.Setting  Colposcopy clinics of a University Hospital.Sample  A total of 272 women with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) referred to colposcopy.Methods  A total of 136 women receiving ST and a matched sample of women receiving DT (N= 136) were sent a postal questionnaire 7 days after first appointment at colposcopy to assess evaluations of their experience, psychological distress and relief. Subsequent appointment keeping was extracted from medical records.Main outcome measures  Anxiety and subsequent behaviour.Results  Women undergoing ST were significantly less anxious and more relieved than those undergoing DT. They also evaluated their first appointment as more motivationally congruent. While women undergoing ST were less likely than DTs to keep their second appointment, there was no overall difference in did not attend (DNA) rates at 15‐month follow up.Conclusions  ST is psychologically beneficial and may be preferred by women with CIN2/3.