bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial NAD+‐linked State 3 respiration and complex‐I activity are compromised in the cerebral cortex of 3‐nitropropionic acid‐induced rat model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Pandey Mritunjay , Varghese Merina , Sindhu Kizhakke M , Sreetama Sen , Navneet A. K. , Mohanakumar Kochupurackal P , Usha Rajamma 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMitochondrial complex‐I dysfunction has been observed in patients of Huntington’s disease (HD). We assessed whether such a defect is present in the 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP) model of HD. Rats treated with 3‐NP (10–20 mg/kg i.p., for 4 days) exhibited weight loss, gait abnormalities, and striatal lesions with increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining on fifth and ninth days, while increase in striatal dopamine and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity were observed on fifth day following treatment. We report for the first time a dose‐dependent reduction in complex‐I activity in the cerebral cortex when analyzed spectrophotometrically and by blue native‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following 3‐NP treatment. The citrate synthase normalized activities of mitochondrial complex‐I, ‐II, ‐(I + III) and ‐IV were decreased in the cortex of 3‐NP treated rats. In addition, succinate driven State 3 respiration was also significantly inhibited in vivo and in the isolated mitochondria. These findings taken together with the observation of a significant decrease in vivo but not in vitro of State 3 respiration with NAD+‐linked substrates, suggest complex‐I dysfunction in addition to irreversible inhibition of complex‐II and succinate dehydrogenase activity as a contributing factor in 3‐NP‐induced cortico‐striatal lesion.
Effect of glutamate intake during gestation on adenosine A1receptor/adenylyl cyclase pathway in both maternal and fetal rat brain
Authors: León David , Albasanz José Luis , Castillo Carlos Alberto , Martín Mairena 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPregnant Wistar rats were orally treated with 1 g/Ll‐glutamate during the entire gestational period and the status of adenosine A1receptor (A1R)/adenylyl cyclase transduction pathway from maternal and fetal brain was analyzed. Glutamate consumption, estimated from the loss of water from the drinking bottles, was 110 ± 4.6 mg/kg/day. In mother brains glutamate intake did not significantly alter theBmaxvalue, although theKdvalue was significantly decreased. However in fetus brain, a significant decrease inBmaxwas observed, without an alteration ofKdvalue. Similar results were observed by western blot assays using specific A1R antibody, suggesting a down‐regulation of A1R in fetal brain. Concerning α subunits of inhibitory G proteins (Gi), αGi3protein was slightly but significantly decreased in maternal brain without alterations of either Gi1or Gi2. In contrast, αGi1and αGi2isoforms were increased in fetal brain. On the other hand, basal, forskolin, and forskolin plus GTPγS‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly decreased in both maternal and fetal brain, and this was more prominent in fetal than in maternal brain. Finally, A1R functionality was significantly decreased in mother brain whereas no significant differences were detected in fetus brain. These results suggest that glutamate administered to pregnant rats modulates A1R signaling pathways in both tissues, showing an A1R down‐regulation in fetal brain, and desensitization in maternal brain.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Authors: LARSON E. L. , BOGDANOWICZ S. M. , AGRAWAL A. A. , JOHNSON M. T. J. , HARRISON R. G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe developed nine polymorphic microsatellite loci for evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). These loci have two to 18 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0 to 0.879 in a sample of 34 individuals. In a pattern consistent with the functionally asexual reproductive system of this species, 17/36 pairs of loci revealed significant linkage disequilibrium and three loci showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The loci will be informative in identifying genotypes in multigenerational field studies to assess changes in genotype frequencies.
DNA barcoding in surveys of small mammal communities: a field study in Suriname
Authors: BORISENKO ALEX V. , LIM BURTON K. , IVANOVA NATALIA V. , HANNER ROBERT H. , HEBERT PAUL D. N. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe performance of DNA barcoding as a tool for fast taxonomic verification in ecological assessment projects of small mammals was evaluated during a collecting trip to a lowland tropical rainforest site in Suriname. We also compared the performance of tissue sampling onto FTA CloneSaver cards vs. liquid nitrogen preservation. DNA barcodes from CloneSaver cards were recovered from 85% of specimens, but DNA degradation was apparent, because only 36% of sequence reads were long (over 600 bp). In contrast, cryopreserved tissue delivered 99% barcode recovery (97% > 600 bp). High humidity, oversampling or tissue type may explain the poor performance of CloneSaver cards. Comparison of taxonomic assignments made in the field and from barcode results revealed inconsistencies in just 3.4% of cases and most of the discrepancies were due to field misidentifications (3%) rather than sampling/analytical error (0.5%). This result reinforces the utility of DNA barcoding as a tool for verification of taxonomic identifications in ecological surveys, which is especially important when the collection of voucher specimens is not possible.
Winter Art Education Project
Authors: Jokela Timo 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to describe how the Department of Art Education at the University of Lapland in Finland has developed winter art as a method of environmental and community‐based art education. I will focus on the Snow Show Winter Art Education Project, a training project funded by the European Union and the State Provincial Office of Lapland. The general aim of the project was to increase the know‐how of winter art in Northern Finland. This goal was put into practice through workshops on snow construction, documentation of winter art, winter‐oriented media production, and snow and ice sculpting; through continuing education seminars, workshops, and school projects for teachers; and through public lectures and seminars on winter and winter art. In this article, I describe the challenges that winter offers to community and environment‐based art education in the North. Further, I introduce the methods of implementation and the outcomes of winter art exercises carried out by several schools in Lapland in cooperation with and inspired by the Snow Show Winter Art Education Project.
Artists Becoming Teachers: Expressions of Identity Transformation in a Virtual Forum
Authors: Adams Jeff 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis article is an investigation of art and design graduates' identities as they embark upon their training as teachers. The expressive, ‘confessional’ nature of forum posts from their Virtual Learning Environment are analysed in relation to the students' identity transformation into teachers. This transition is profound in the case of artist teachers, for whom the contrast between their practice as a critical artist and that of a regulated professional can be severe. The usage of these socially‐oriented virtual forums, and the students' identity transition is analysed in terms of identity theorists such as Butler, hooks and Wenger. There are problems of expression that are brought about by the juxtaposition of visually and spatially adept artist‐learners constrained within a largely textual environment, yet this impediment appears to be ameliorated by their social‐expressive exploitation of the forums.
A Stitch in Time: Gender Issues Explored through Contemporary Textiles Practice in a Sixth Form College
Authors: Hyde Wendy 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis article discusses, contextualises and locates in contemporary theory, an autobiographical case study of an artist‐teacher in the ‘learning community’ of a Sixth Form College art department. It reflects on the educational potential of enabling teachers of art and their students to investigate issues of culture and identity through engaging with contemporary art practice. It seeks to explore the extent to which exposure to contemporary art practices (and in the second year sixth form, textiles‐based, cases discussed) creates a more conceptual approach to student project work, which can act as a catalyst to develop students' understanding of issues‐based practice. The discussion of the selected pieces is located within a feminist paradigm that foregrounds the body and gender theories. This article elucidates how a conceptual approach to working, as opposed to a more traditional skills‐based approach, can act as a vehicle for moving students towards becoming self‐motivated artists and, in the case studies described, take their practice beyond that which is normally achieved within the constraints of timed, exam‐based work.
Visual Art as a Vehicle for Educational Research
Authors: Hickman Richard 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis article is an account of a pilot project designed to help art & design teachers in training use their particular strengths to report on classroom observation through visual art. The project is underpinned by the notion that the arts provide a particular way of knowing and that teaching should be student‐centred. I argue that if the arts can be seen to be a particular way through which we can understand the world then they can be used as both a pedagogical tool and possibly a vehicle for collecting data and reporting research. A group of 19 student teachers of art & design were given tasks which involved reporting on their school placement experience via a visual art form rather than through a text‐based form such as writing. The resulting images were discussed in a seminar and a sub‐group of three students was purposely selected for interviews. It was found overall, the students valued the approach taken and that they gained valuable insights into their professional placements through adopting an art‐based approach to educational research.As a result, I advocate in this article a greater use of arts‐based approaches to research which explores educational experience, not only in the arts, but in all areas of teaching and learning.
Can the Process of Transition for Incoming Secondary Pupils be Supported through a Creative Art Project?
Authors: Matthews Lyn 
Published: September 2007

AbstractChildren's learning involves, in the simplest terms, assimilating knowledge and understanding and acquiring skills though being, doing and feeling. This requires a connection at a personal level. Furthermore, learning is given to fluctuation determined by the needs of the individual and the requirements of the educational system. This research project is concerned with the specific needs of pupils in the UK who undergo the process of transition between primary (Key Stage 2, age 7–11) and secondary schooling (Key Stage 3, age 11–16). It is at a time when there are reported increases of anxiety that affect pupils' self‐esteem where perhaps a different kind of learning is required. The project suggests that a modified curriculum will support the pupils' transformation, through a visual arts creative learning framework.
Black History Month and African Caribbean Student Learning in Art
Authors: Dash Paul 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis article looks at the concept of Black History Month and its implications for teaching and learning in art and design education. It argues that the concept of Black History Month should be discarded because it tends to promote a separatist notion of culture and that it deflects from an understanding of culture as a plural and intermeshing process. The paper interrogates history as a discourse, problematising our use of the word. The article then looks through the eyes of two groups of African Caribbean young people at Black History Month, as a curriculum initiative. The first group was interviewed at a south London gallery and the second at a conference for African Caribbean learners in Oxford. Two art and design educationalists who participated in the research project that included the south London young people make a significant contribution to the paper. It concludes with a personal interpretation of movements in art and the practice of a contemporary artist whose work endorse the key philosophical position posited in the text that culture is always a process on interweaving.
Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase and Its Inhibitors in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bonifácio Maria João , Palma P. Nuno , Almeida Luís , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTParkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, with consequent reduction in striatal dopamine levels leading to characteristic motor symptoms. The most effective treatment for this disease continues to be the dopamine replacement therapy with levodopa together with an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). The efficacy of this therapy, however, decreases with time and most patients develop fluctuating responses and dyskinesias. The last decade showed that the use of catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitors as adjuvants to the levodopa/AADC inhibitor therapy, significantly improves the clinical benefits of this therapy.The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge on the enzyme catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) and the role of COMT inhibitors in PD as a new therapeutic approach to PD involving conversion of levodopa to dopamine at the target region in the brain and facilitation of the continuous action of this amine at the receptor sites. A historical overview of the discovery and development of COMT inhibitors is presented with a special emphasis on nebicapone, presently under clinical development, as well as entacapone and tolcapone, which are already approved as adjuncts in the therapy of PD. This article reviews human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of these drugs as well as their clinical efficacy and safety.
CGP7930: A Positive Allosteric Modulator of the GABAB Receptor
Authors: Adams C. L. , Lawrence A. J. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTCGP7930 (3‐(3′,5′‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐4′‐hydroxy)phenyl‐2,2‐dimethylpropanol) is a positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic GABAB receptor. CGP7930 has been found to modulate the GABAB receptor in the open, or high affinity, state increasing agonist affinity for the receptor and signal transduction efficacy following agonist stimulation. The GABAB heteromeric subunit B2, involved in signal transduction but not ligand binding, seems to be the site of action of CGP7930 and similar allosteric modulators. When administered alone in naïve animals, CGP7930 acts as an anxiolytic in rodents without other overt behavioral effects and has also been demonstrated to reduce self‐administration of nicotine, cocaine, or alcohol in rodents, suggesting that “fine tuning” of the GABAB receptor by positive allosteric modulators may be able to regulate abuse of these drugs. Baclofen, the GABAB agonist, is currently finding use in treating addiction and various other disorders, but this can result in off‐target effects and tolerance. CGP7930 when co‐administered with baclofen enhances its potency, which could in theory minimize deleterious effects. Further study of CGP7930 is required, but this compound, and others like it, holds potential in a clinical setting.
Biochemical Markers for Alcoholism
Authors: Cushman P. , Jacobson G. , Barboriak J. J. , Anderson A. J. 
Published: September 2007

A panel of blood tests, purportedly markers for alcohol abuse, were examined in 543 relatively healthy alcoholics entering ambulatory rehabilitation treatment Individual tests were too low in sensitivity: γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase was abnormally high in only 49%, then mean corpuscular volume (45%), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (25%), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) (28%), and blood alcohol (21%). HDLC was of low sensitivity, generally unaffected by liver disease, and related to quantitation of recent alcohol consumed.Combining seven markers, 82% of males and 71% females had at least one abnormally high value. Histories of heavy recent drinking, positive blood alcohol levels on admission, and manifest liver disease on physical examination or by hyperbilirubinemia were associated with high sensitivities of individual and pooled markers.The biochemical markers studied can be useful to suggest alcohol abuse, especially in some populations of drinkers. In other populations of alcoholics, especially with intermittent alcohol or recent abstinence, their sensitivities were so low as to discourage extensive reliance on their use. The diagnosis of alcoholism continues to depend on clinical history of alcohol‐related problems, including social, familial, legal, medical, psychological, and economic.
Transferrin Glycans
Authors: Regoeczi Erwin , Chindemi Paul A. , Debanne Maria T. 
Published: September 2007

The hepatic uptake of 59Fe from diferrtc rat and rabbit asialotrans‐ferrins and from human transferrin lacking two sialyl residues was investigated in rats in experiments lasting for 1 hr. The 59Fe attached to either of these preparations disappeared from the plasma more rapidly than the 59Fe introduced with the unmodified respective parent proteins. Most of the 59Fe activity that had disappeared from the circulation could be recovered with the liver. Studies with double‐labeled (125I, 58Fe) preparations showed that the enhanced 58Fe clearance was not associated with increased catabolism of the modified transferrins.Prolonged, heavy alcohol consumption, as shown by others, results in the appearance of sialic acid‐deficient transferrin (two residues missing) in human serum. We suggest that the increased capacity of transferrin deficient in sialic acid to selectively deposit iron in the nepatocyte may be of significance for the development of the hepatic siderosis observed in alcoholism.
Characterization of Equine Adipose Tissue‐Derived Stromal Cells: Adipogenic and Osteogenic Capacity and Comparison with Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: VIDAL MARTIN A. , KILROY GAIL E. , LOPEZ MANDI J. , JOHNSON JILL R. , MOORE RUSTIN M. , GIMBLE JEFFREY M. 
Published: September 2007

Objective—To characterize equine adipose tissue‐derived stromal cell (ASC) frequency and growth characteristics and assess of their adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential.Study Design—In vitro experimental study.Animals—Horses (n=5; aged, 9 months to 5 years).Methods—Cell doubling characteristics of ASCs harvested from supragluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue were evaluated over 10 passages. Primary, second (P2), and fourth (P4) passage ASCs were induced under appropriate conditions to undergo adipogenesis and osteogenesis. Limit dilution assays were performed on each passage to determine the frequency of colony‐forming units with a fibroblastic (CFU‐F) phenotype and the frequency of ASC differentiation into the adipocyte (CFU‐Ad) and osteoblast (CFU‐Ob) phenotype.Results—ASC isolates exhibited an average cell‐doubling time of 2.1±0.9 days during the first 10 cell doublings. Approximately 1 in 2.3±0.4 of the total stromal vascular fraction nucleated cells were ASCs, based on the CFU‐F assays, and 1 in 3.6±1.3 expressed alkaline phosphatase, an osteogenic marker. Primary ASCs differentiated in response to adipogenic (1 in 4.9±5.4, CFU‐Ad) and osteogenic (1 in <2.44, CFU‐Ob) inductive conditions and maintained their differentiation potential during subsequent passages (P2 and P4).Conclusion—The frequency, in vitro growth rate, and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential of equine ASCs show some differences to those documented for ASCs in other mammalian species.Clinical Relevance—Adipose tissue is a potential source of adult stem cells for tissue engineering applications in equine veterinary medicine.
Limited Open Reduction and Stabilization of Sacroiliac Fracture‐Luxations Using Fluoroscopically Assisted Placement of a Trans‐Iliosacral Rod in Five Dogs
Authors: LEASURE CHRISTOPHER S. , LEWIS DANIEL D. , SEREDA COLIN W. , MATTERN KARA L. , JEHN CARL T. , WHEELER JASON L. 
Published: September 2007

Objective— To describe percutaneous fluoroscopically assisted placement of a trans‐iliosacral rod to stabilize sacroiliac fracture‐luxations after limited open reduction.Study Design— Retrospective clinical case series.Animals— Dogs (n=5) with sacroiliac fracture‐luxations.Methods— Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to evaluate implant placement, fracture reduction, pelvic canal diameter ratio, maintenance of reduction, implant stability, assessment of union, and to identify any complications. Owners were contacted to obtain long‐term assessment of limb function.Results— Dogs weighed between 6 and 31 kg. Trans‐iliosacral rods were placed correctly traversing the sacral body. Mean (±SD) percent reduction of the sacroiliac joint was 92.9±6.6%. Pelvic canal diameter ratio did not differ significantly between time periods. With the exception of 1 dog, which died in the early postoperative period, all sacroiliac fracture‐luxations healed without appreciable complications. Three dogs were sound and 1 dog had a subtle lameness at final physical and radiographic examination (mean±SD: 217±205 days). Owners assessed their dog's limb function (mean±SD: 355±205 days) as good or excellent.Conclusions— Trans‐iliosacral rods can be accurately placed using intraoperative fluoroscopy after limited open reduction of sacroiliac fracture‐luxations. Trans‐iliosacral rods provided bilateral secure fixation, allowed early weight‐bearing and dogs consistently had good long‐term clinical results.Clinical Relevance— Trans‐iliosacral rods are suitable implants for the stabilization of sacroiliac fracture‐luxations, particularly in dogs with bilateral fracture‐luxations and/or concurrent musculoskeletal injuries.
Comparison of99mTcO4−Trans‐Splenic Portal Scintigraphy with Per‐Rectal Portal Scintigraphy for Diagnosis of Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs
Authors: SURA PATRICIA A. , TOBIAS KAREN M. , MORANDI FEDERICA , DANIEL GREGORY B. , ECHANDI RITA L. 
Published: September 2007

Objective—To evaluate trans‐splenic portal scintigraphy (TSPS) and per‐rectal portal scintigraphy (PRPS) for diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) in dogs, and compare these results with surgical findings.Study Design—Prospective, randomized cross over clinical trial.Animals—Dogs (n=42) with suspected CPSS.Methods—Dogs had TSPS and PRPS 48 hours apart; quantity of radionuclide administered was recorded. Three independent, blinded reviewers evaluated each scintigraphic study for study quality, shunt presence, number, and location of shunt termination (caudal vena cava, azygos vein). All dogs had exploratory celiotomy. Negative scintigraphic findings were confirmed with intraoperative mesenteric portography. Ameroid constrictors were placed on all extrahepatic CPSS, and hepatic biopsies were obtained.Results—TSPS was 100% sensitive and specific for diagnosis of CPSS and significantly (P<.05) more likely than PRPS to detect shunt number and termination. Interpretation was consistent between observers, and TSPS required significantly less radionuclide than PRPS.Conclusion—TSPS was as sensitive as PRPS for detection of shunting vessels, and consistently yielded studies of higher quality, allowing detection of shunt number and location with consistent interpretation among radiologists.Clinical Relevance—TSPS provides information about shunt number and location, which allows improved surgical planning. Because it requires significantly less radionuclide, TSPS improves safety, allows for more comprehensive patient care, and earlier surgical intervention.