bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence that GAD65 mediates increased GABA synthesis during intense neuronal activity in vivo
Authors: Patel Anant B. , de Graaf Robin A. , Martin David L. , Battaglioli Gino , Behar Kevin L. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn this study we tested the hypothesis that the 65‐kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65) mediates activity‐dependent GABA synthesis as invoked by seizures in anesthetized rats. GABA synthesis was measured following acute GABA‐transaminase inhibition by gabaculine using spatially localized 1H NMR spectroscopy before and after bicuculline‐induced seizures. Experiments were conducted with animals pre‐treated with vigabatrin 24 h earlier in order to reduce GAD67 protein and also with non‐treated controls. GAD isoform content was quantified by immunoblotting. GABA was higher in vigabatrin‐treated rats compared to non‐treated controls. In vigabatrin‐treated animals, GABA synthesis was 28% lower compared to controls [p < 0.05; vigabatrin‐treated, 0.043 ± 0.011 µmol/(g min); non‐treated, 0.060 ± 0.014 µmol/(g min)] and GAD67 was 60% lower. No difference between groups was observed for GAD65. Seizures increased GABA synthesis in both control [174%; control, 0.060 ± 0.014 µmol/(g min) vs. seizures, 0.105 ± 0.043 µmol/(g min)] and vigabatrin‐treated rats [214%; control, 0.043 ± 0.011 µmol/(g min); seizures, 0.092 ± 0.018 µmol/(g min)]. GAD67 could account for at least half of basal GABA synthesis but only 20% of the two‐fold increase observed in vigabatrin‐treated rats during seizures. The seizure‐induced activation of GAD65 in control cortex occurs concomitantly with a 2.3‐fold increase in inorganic phosphate, known to be a potent activator of apoGAD65in vitro. Our results are consistent with a major role for GAD65 in activity‐dependent GABA synthesis.
Cocaine induced inflammatory response in human neuronal progenitor cells
Authors: Crawford Fiona C. , Wood Marcie L. , Wilson Sarah E. , Mathura Venkatarajan S. , Hollen Tyler R. , Geall Freya , Kolippakkam Deepak N. , Mullan Michael J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe have employed a genomic approach in homogenous cell culture to investigate the fundamental transcriptional responses which occur in neurons over time as a consequence of a single 30‐min exposure to cocaine. Data from 24 Affymetrix microarrays, representing eight treatment groups, were analyzed by GeneChip Operating Software and then further mined by hierarchical clustering, anova, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software to examine known molecular pathways impacted by the observed transcriptional changes. For each time point under investigation, the data sets of genes exhibiting altered expression in treated cells compared with control were interrogated with a specific focus on differential expression of genes involved in immunomodulation and inflammation. The existing literature on the effects of cocaine in a diverse array of experimental paradigms demonstrates a significant modulation of inflammation and immune mechanisms, but these have typically been studies of chronic exposure in immune‐competent cells. Our data show a time‐dependent up‐regulation of genes associated with pro‐inflammatory and immune responses, peaking at 24 h as confirmed by all methods of analysis, suggesting a specific neuronal immunomodulatory response to acute cocaine exposure.
Tissue transglutaminase overexpression in the brain potentiates calcium‐induced hippocampal damage
Authors: Tucholski Janusz , Roth Kevin A. , Johnson Gail V. W. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractTissue transglutaminase (tTG) post‐translationally modifies proteins in a calcium‐dependent manner by incorporation of polyamines, deamination or crosslinking. Moreover, tTG can also bind and hydrolyze GTP. tTG is the major transglutaminase in the mammalian nervous system, localizing predominantly in neurons. Although tTG has been clearly demonstrated to be elevated in neurodegenerative diseases and in response to acute CNS injury, its role in these pathogenic processes remains unclear. Transgenic mice that overexpress human tTG (htTG) primarily in CNS neurons were generated to explore the role of tTG in the nervous system and its contribution to neuropathological processes. tTG transgenic mice were phenotypically normal and were born with the expected Mendelian frequency. However, when challenged systemically with kainic acid, tTG transgenic mice, in comparison to wild‐type (WT) mice, developed more extensive hippocampal neuronal damage. This was evidenced by a decreased number of healthy neurons, and increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) labeling as an indicator of neuronal cell death in the kainic acid‐treated transgenic mice. Moreover, the duration and severity of seizures developed by htTG transgenics in response to kainic acid administration were significantly more pronounced than those observed in WT mice. These data indicate for the first time that tTG may play an active role in excitatory amino acid‐induced neuronal cell death, which has been postulated to be an important component of acute CNS injury and chronic CNS neurodegenerative conditions.
Chronic stress decreases the expression of sympathetic markers in the pineal gland and increases plasma melatonin concentration in rats
Authors: Dagnino‐Subiabre Alexies , Orellana Juan A. , Carmona‐Fontaine Carlos , Montiel Juan , Díaz‐Velíz Gabriela , Serón‐Ferré María , Wyneken Ursula , Concha Miguel L. , Aboitiz Francisco 
Published: March 2006

AbstractChronic stress affects brain areas involved in learning and emotional responses. Although most studies have concentrated on the effect of stress on limbic‐related brain structures, in this study we investigated whether chronic stress might induce impairments in diencephalic structures associated with limbic components of the stress response. Specifically, we analyzed the effect of chronic immobilization stress on the expression of sympathetic markers in the rat epithalamic pineal gland by immunohistochemistry and western blot, whereas the plasma melatonin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. We found that chronic stress decreased the expression of three sympathetic markers in the pineal gland, tyrosine hydroxylase, the p75 neurotrophin receptor and α‐tubulin, while the same treatment did not affect the expression of the non‐specific sympathetic markers Erk1 and Erk2, and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, these results were correlated with a significant increase in plasma melatonin concentration in stressed rats when compared with control animals. Our findings indicate that stress may impair pineal sympathetic inputs, leading to an abnormal melatonin release that may contribute to environmental maladaptation. In addition, we propose that the pineal gland is a target of glucocorticoid damage during stress.
Evaluation of risk and clinical outcome of mast cell tumours in pug dogs
Authors: McNiel E. A. , Prink A. L. , O'Brien T. D. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMast cell tumours (MCT) are common in dogs and characterized by diverse biologic behaviour. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of MCT in pugs and to describe the clinical behaviour of MCT in this breed. Data obtained from the Veterinary Medicine Database demonstrate significantly increased frequency of MCT in pugs compared with other dogs (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.81–2.86). The medical records for 25 purebred pugs with a histologic diagnosis of MCT were reviewed. Multiple cutaneous tumours were documented in 14 (56 %) of the dogs. Histologic review of 64 tumours from these dogs confirmed that most tumours (94%) were low to intermediate grade. Sixty‐four per cent of these dogs are still living, while only three dogs (12%) have died due to mast cell disease. A median survival time has not been reached. The median follow‐up time is 660 days from the diagnosis of the first MCT. We conclude that MCT in pugs are relatively benign, despite the presence of multiple cutaneous tumours in most cases. Multiple tumours in breeds with predisposition to MCT may indicate separate primaries rather than advanced stage disease.
Efficacy and toxicity of BOPP and LOPP chemotherapy for the treatment of relapsed canine lymphoma*
Authors: LeBlanc A. K. , Mauldin G. E. , Milner R. J. , LaDue T. A. , Mauldin G. N. , Bartges J. W. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMechlorethamine (Mustargen®, Oncovin®(vincristine), procarbazine and prednisone (MOPP) chemotherapy is useful for relapsed canine lymphoma. This study evaluates the efficacy of MOPP after substitution of CCNU (lomustine, LOPP protocol) or BCNU (carmustine, BOPP protocol) for mechlorethamine in 60 dogs with relapsed lymphoma. Seven of 14 (50%) dogs treated with BOPP responded, for a median of 129.5 days for complete responders (range 9–354 days) and a median of 140 days for partial responders (range 4–276 days). Twenty‐three of 44 (52%) dogs treated with LOPP responded for a median of 112 days for complete responders (range 48–250 days) and a median of 84.5 days for partial responders (range 69–290 days). Two dogs receiving a combination of LOPP and BOPP partially responded for 28 and 163 days, respectively. With BOPP chemotherapy, nine dogs (20.5%) and seven dogs (50%) had one or more episodes of Grade II or higher neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Seven dogs (50%) had one or more episodes of Grade II or higher gastrointestinal toxicity. While receiving LOPP chemotherapy, 28 dogs (63.6%) and 17 dogs (38.6%) had one or more episodes of Grade II or higher neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Seventeen dogs (38.6%) had one or more episodes of Grade II or higher gastrointestinal toxicity. Overall, there were 17 non‐fatal treatment‐related episodes of sepsis requiring hospitalization. Eight dogs (13%) died or were euthanized because of treatment‐related sepsis and/or chemotherapy‐related complications. Severe haematologic toxicity, coupled with the improved response duration observed in dogs receiving reduced doses during B/L‐OPP rescue, underscores the need for protocol optimization.
Can general practitioners improve the level of diagnosis? An introduction to clinical conference seminars for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: SHIGETA Masahiro 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTIn order to make earlier diagnoses and to start the treatment of dementing diseases, the education of general practitioners (GPs) is important. We developed the training program for GPs concerning diagnoses, treatment and management of dementia, mainly Alzheimer's disease. The contents of the program consist of the role of GPs, essential knowledge of dementia symptoms, how to recognize the dementia patients, how to interview patients, how to assess medication requirements and how to explain the disease and treatment to the patients and their families. The program included video presentation and simulated patients as well as flip boards.
What tools are available for screening and diagnosis? Interactive One‐minute Screening Tool
Authors: NAKAMURA Yu 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThe Interactive One‐minute Screening Tool, which is based on the One‐minute Screening Tool, one of the key tools in the Clinical Conference Seminar, is has been computerized with a touch screen. The interactive tool comprises only three items: delayed recall, orientation to time, and visuospatial cognition. The tool is noninvasive, quick and simple to operate. Analysis of the data established a cut‐off value of 12% to discriminate between Alzheimer's disease patients and normal individuals. The sensitivity and specificity of the test are excellent, at 96% and 97%, respectively.
Mild cognitive impairment: biological diagnostic markers for early stages of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: URAKAMI Katsuya 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTBackground:  With the aging population in Japan, the inevitable increase in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the difficulty in diagnosing the condition. Reliable early diagnostic biomarkers for early stage of AD are needed.Method:  We examined a total 570 CSF samples from a variety of diseases, including AD, other types of dementia and controls to quantitate levels of tau protein phosphorylated at serine 199 by sandwich ELISA. WGA‐binding glycoproteins were measured by western blot analysis.Results:  The CSF phosphorylated tau protein levels in the AD group were significantly elevated compared to those in all the other non‐AD groups. CSF phosphorylated tau protein levels in the AD progressed from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group were significantly elevated compared to those in no progression AD from MCI groups and controls. A comparison of the phosphorylated tau protein: WGA‐glycoprotein fragment A ratio for AD and other tauopathies showed that this ratio has potential for differentiating between AD and other tauopathies, particularly dementia with Lewy bodies.Conclusion:  Our data showed that measuring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of phosphorylated tau protein may be useful as an early diagnostic marker in AD and MCI. Furthermore, the measurement of WGA‐binding glycoprotein in CSF may provide a useful tool for differentiating AD from dementia of Lewy bodies and other tauopathies.
Parkinson's disease with dementia and dementia with Lewy body disease: two syndromes, the same disease?
Authors: SELLAL François 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThe diagnosis of Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) relies on an arbitrary distinction between the time of onset of motor and cognitive symptoms. These syndromes share many clinical, genetic and neurobiological similarities. From a pathological point of view, both conditions are associated to Lewy bodies (LB), but the exact role of LB is not straightforward. Their presence in some brain areas is not always well correlated to clinical symptoms. The process by which they are associated, directly or otherwise, to neuronal damage and synaptic loss remains to be elucidated. Moreover Alzheimer's disease pathology is more frequent and more closely related to cognitive disorders in DLB than in PDD, but the mechanisms linking LB to beta‐amyloid pathology are unknown. Longitudinal studies will be necessary to determine the pathogenesis underlying clinical symptoms of PDD and DLB. However, it is probable that in a near future PDD and DLB will be recognized as the same disease with two different courses.
Vascular dementia: possible role of the ischemic lesions in mild dementia
Authors: TAKAHASHI Satoshi 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTUntil the first half of the 1980s, vascular disorders were the leading cause of dementia patients living in major cities of Japan; at present, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause. The primary reason for the increase in the relative incidence of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease is the decrease in the number of cases of vascular dementia due to primary and secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disorders. However, no drug can effectively prevent lacunar infarct and the incidence of infarcts in the deep cerebral white matter has not significantly decreased, the prevalence of elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease associated with cerebral infarct is rapidly increasing.The increased relative incidence of Alzheimer's disease in Japan is also attributable to increases in the number of elderly persons and number of patients diagnosed with mild dementia. The living environment of senior citizens in Japan has changed over the last few decades by advances in the level of technology commonly used in society and by increases in the number of nuclear families. Mildly demented patients with hippocampal atrophy and ischemic lesion were increased in number. However differentiating vascular dementia from Alzheimer's disease in elderly demented patients with hippocampal atrophy associated with ischemic lesions remains difficult, asymptomatic cerebral infarcts significantly affect frontal lobular function especially in elderly persons. Appropriate prevention and treatment of ischemia in these patients may help to reduce the number of dementia patients.
The Canadian National Outcomes Measurement Study in Schizophrenia: overview of the patient sample and methodology
Authors: Smith G. , Malla A. , Williams R. , Kopala L , Love L. , Balshaw R. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  The Canadian National Outcomes Measurement Study in Schizophrenia (CNOMSS) is a prospective survey of routine clinical practice.Method:  Patients with schizophrenia or a related disorder were consecutively enrolled from all regions of Canada. Both academic and community psychiatric clinics were included and patients were followed up for 2 years. Clinical and functional status, quality of life, medication and economic costs were assessed at enrollment and monitored throughout the follow‐up period.Results:  Patients attending an academic clinic tended to be younger and more severely ill than those from community clinics. Both types of sites prescribed atypical neuroleptics to more than three‐quarters of the patients. The majority of those enrolled were unemployed and living in poverty. Poor clinical status was associated with poverty.Conclusion:  The CNOMSS provides demographic, clinical and treatment‐related information about a large Canada‐wide sample of psychiatric patients. The following three articles in this issue of Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica explore issues related to medication, quality of life and resource utilization.
Medication decisions and clinical outcomes in the Canadian National Outcomes Measurement Study in Schizophrenia
Authors: Williams R. , Kopala L. , Malla A. , Smith G. , Love L. , Balshaw R. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  To evaluate over a 2‐year period, patients from academic/non‐academic centres, from each region of Canada, to determine whether location or other variables such as medication type, gender or income was associated with outcome as defined by non‐hospitalization and persistence on original treatment.Method:  A total of 448 patients were recruited from academic and non‐academic centres across all provinces of Canada and followed up for 2 years.Results:  Patients from British Columbia had significantly lower rates of hospitalization than patients from other provinces. Male patients showed greater symptomatic improvement at 2 years from initial assessment compared to females. Patients on clozapine, risperidone and olanzapine were least likely to be hospitalized.Conclusion:  There were some regional differences noted in both utilization of types of antipsychotic medications and hospitalization rates. In this sample of stable out‐patients over 70% who started on monotherapy with clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine remained on the same medication over the 2‐year study period.
Outcome on quality of life in a Canadian national sample of patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders
Authors: Malla A. , Williams R. , Kopala L. , Smith G. , Talling D. , Balshaw R. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  To examine changes in subjective and objective dimensions of quality of life (QoL) in a large Canadian sample of patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated in academic and non‐academic settings over a 2‐year period.Method:  Patients recruited in the study across the country were assessed for QoL and functioning using the Client and Provider versions of the Wisconsin Quality of Life Questionnaire (WQoL) and the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) at baseline (n = 448), 1 year (n = 308–353) and 2 years (188–297). Data were analyzed to examine change across time using multivariate analyses controlling for potential influence of variables such as age, regional variation, gender, duration of illness, type of treatment taken and baseline measures of symptoms and QoL.Results:  The weighted quality of life index (W‐QoL‐I) showed a significant change on both the client and the provider versions of the WQoL while the physical and mental composites of the SF‐36 showed change only at 2 years. These changes were influenced significantly by baseline scores on W‐QoL‐I and in the case of provider version of the WQoL by baseline Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores. Regional variation or type of medication had no impact on improvement in QoL.Conclusion:  Within a naturalistic sample of schizophrenia patients treated and followed in routine care the overall QoL showed an improvement over time but this improvement was not influenced by the type of medication prescribed.
Evaporative Water Loss in Nine Insular Populations of the LizardAnolis cristatellusGroup in the British Virgin Islands
Authors: Dml'el Razi , Perry Gad , Lazell James 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTWe studied water loss in eight insular populations of the lizardAnolis cristatellus wileyaeand in one population ofA. ernestwilliamsiin the British Virgin Islands. We found a strong negative correlation between habitat aridity and total and cutaneous water loss rate (ranging from 1.5–10.3 mg g−1h−l) and a strong positive correlation between habitat aridity and integument resistance to water loss (28.5−199.0 s cm−1). Water loss and integumentary resistance ofA. ernestwilliamsiwere similar to what would be predicted forA. cristatellusliving in the same habitat. The Guana Island population ofA. cristatelluswas significantly different from all other populations. We believe two processes are responsible; phenotypic plasticity explains most of the observed variability, but genetic differentiation may be responsible for the distinction of lizards from Guana.
Anoline Diversity in Three Differentially Altered Habitats in the Sierra de Baoruco, República Dominicana, Hispaniola1
Authors: Lenart Lori A. , Powell Robert , Parmerlee John S. , Lathrop Amy , Smith Donald D. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTWe examined three disturbed, but distinctly different, sites on the historically forested eastern slope of the Sierra de Baoruco, Provincia de Barahona, República Dominicana, in order to evaluate the impact of habitat alteration on the composition of anoline lizard communities. Five species of Anolis (A. bahorucoensis, A. barahonae, A. coelestinus, A. sybotes, A. distichus) are known to occur in the immediate area of our study sites. Only three were found in the most substantially altered clear‐cut site, whereas all five species occupied the most heterogeneous habitat, a coffee plantation characterized by a three‐tiered canopy. Similarly, numbers of individuals of all but one species were greatest in the plot that most closely resembled the natural forests in this area. Calculated niche breadths, based on analysis of stomach contents, of the three species found in all sites increased with the degree of habitat alteration. The higher number of A. coelestinus in more heavily altered sites may be attributed to density compensation.
Contrasting Growth Rate Patterns in Eighteen Tree Species From a Post‐Hurricane Forest in Nicaragua1
Authors: Vandermeer John , de la Cerda Iñigo Granzow , Boucher Douglas 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTHurricane Joan struck the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua in October 1988 causing extensive damage to the lowland rain forest of the zone. Six permanent plots were established in 1990 and the growth rates of all individuals in a total area of 6000 m2 monitored for six years. Eighteen of the species were abundant enough to measure species‐specific growth rates. The post hurricane successional process included a great deal of resprouting of pre‐existing individuals and the current state of the forest includes a low but very dense canopy, suggesting that competition is entering an intensive phase. Specific growth rates between the time of the hurricane and the present thus represent establishment or regenerative growth rates and provide an indication of whether or not distinct regeneration niches exist. Three distinct patterns of growth rate seem apparent, fast‐growing heliophyles (eight species), slow‐growing resprouters (nine species), and vochysia ferruginea, which seems to have a special pattern.