bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The brain glutamate system in liver failure
Authors: Vaquero Javier , Butterworth Roger F. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractLiver failure results in significant alterations of the brain glutamate system. Ammonia and the astrocyte play major roles in such alterations, which affect several components of the brain glutamate system, namely its synthesis, intercellular transport (uptake and release), and function. In addition to the neurological symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, modified glutamatergic regulation may contribute to other cerebral complications of liver failure, such as brain edema, intracranial hypertension and changes in cerebral blood flow. A better understanding of the cause and precise nature of the alterations of the brain glutamate system in liver failure could lead to new therapeutic avenues for the cerebral complications of liver disease.
The effects of ABCA1 on cholesterol efflux and Aβ levels in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Burns Mark P. , Vardanian Lilit , Pajoohesh‐Ganji Ahdeah , Wang Lili , Cooper Matthew , Harris Donnie C. , Duff Karen , Rebeck G. William 
Published: June 2006

AbstractABCA1 promotes cholesterol efflux from cells and is required for maintaining plasma cholesterol levels. Cholesterol homeostasis is important in the production of β‐amyloid (Aβ), a peptide that is overproduced in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Overexpression of ABCA1 can be achieved by stimulating Liver X Receptors (LXR), and changes in Aβ have been reported after LXR stimulation in vitro. To determine whether ABCA1 could alter endogenous Aβ levels, we used two different in vivo systems. We first examined the effects of an LXR agonist (TO‐901317) on wild‐type mice and found an increase in brain ABCA1 and apoE levels, which caused an increase in plasma cholesterol. This was accompanied by a decrease in brain Aβ levels. We then examined endogenous Aβ levels in ABCA1 knockout mice and found that, despite having no ABCA1, lowered brain apoE levels, and lowered plasma cholesterol, there was no change in Aβ levels. To assess these in vivo models in an in vitro system, we designed a model in which cholesterol transport via ABCA1 (or related transporters) was prevented. Switching off cholesterol efflux, even in the presence of TO‐901317, caused no change in Aβ levels. However, when efflux capability was restored, TO‐901317 reduced Aβ levels. These data show that promoting cholesterol efflux is a viable target for Aβ reducing strategies; however, knockout of cholesterol transporters is not sufficient to alter Aβin vitro or in vivo.
Evidence for L‐dopa incorporation into cell proteins in patients treated with levodopa
Authors: Rodgers Kenneth J. , Hume Peter M. , Morris John G. L. , Dean Roger T. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractLevodopa (L‐dopa) is the most widely used agent for the symptomatic relief of Parkinson's disease. There is concern that chronic L‐dopa treatment may be detrimental, with some studies suggesting that L‐dopa may be neurotoxic. A potentially important mechanism whereby L‐dopa may exert neurotoxic effects has been overlooked: that of the incorporation of L‐dopa into proteins by protein synthesis. L‐Dopa competes with tyrosine as a substrate in protein synthesis in vitro. We provide evidence that L‐dopa can also be incorporated into proteins in vivo. Blood from L‐dopa‐treated and ‐non‐treated patients was separated into protein, erythrocyte and lymphocyte fractions and levels of protein‐incorporated dopa quantified by HPLC. Levels of protein‐incorporated dopa were significantly increased in lymphocyte cell proteins from L‐dopa‐treated patients. This has not arisen from oxidative pathways as there was no evidence of oxidative damage to proteins. In addition, there was no increase in protein‐incorporated dopa in erythrocytes, which are not actively synthesizing proteins. We suggest that protein‐incorporated dopa could also be generated in the CNS. The accumulation of protein‐incorporated dopa in cells is associated with oxidative stress and impaired function and could contribute to some of the problems associated with long‐term L‐dopa treatment.
IL‐1β induces a MyD88‐dependent and ceramide‐mediated activation of Src in anterior hypothalamic neurons
Authors: Davis Christopher N. , Tabarean Iustin , Gaidarova Svetlana , Behrens M. Margarita , Bartfai Tamas 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe proinflammatory cytokine interleukin1β (IL‐1β), acting at IL‐1R1 receptors, affects neuronal signaling under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The molecular mechanism of the rapid synaptic actions of IL‐1β in neurons is not known. We show here that within minutes of IL‐1β exposure, the firing rate of anterior hypothalamic (AH) neurons in culture was inhibited. This effect was prevented by pre‐exposure of the cells to the Src family inhibitor, PP2, suggesting the involvement of Src in the hyperpolarizing effects of IL‐1β. The IL‐1β stimulation of neurons induced a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase Src and kinase suppressor of Ras (ceramide activated protein kinase (CAPK)/KSR) in neurons grown on glia from IL‐1RI(–/–) mice. These effects of IL‐1β were dependent on the association of the cytosolic adaptor protein, MyD88, to the IL‐1 receptor, and on the activation of the neutral sphingomyelinase, leading to production of ceramide. A cell‐permeable analog of ceramide mimicked the effects of IL‐1β on the cultured AH neurons. These results suggest that ceramide may be the second messenger of the fast IL‐1β actions in AH neurons, and that this IL‐1β/ceramide pathway may underlie the fast non‐transcription‐dependent, electrophysiological effects of IL‐1β observed in AH neurons in vivo.
C/EBPβ couples dopamine signalling to substance P precursor gene expression in striatal neurones
Authors: Kovács Krisztián A. , Steinmann Myriam , Magistretti Pierre J. , Halfon Olivier , Cardinaux Jean‐René 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDopamine‐induced changes in striatal gene expression are thought to play an important role in drug addiction and compulsive behaviour. In this study we report that dopamine induces the expression of the transcription factor CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β (C/EBP)‐β in primary cultures of striatal neurones. We identifed the preprotachykinin‐A (PPT‐A) gene coding for substance P and neurokinin‐A as a potential target gene of C/EBPβ. We demonstrated that C/EBPβ physically interacts with an element of thePPT‐Apromoter, thereby facilitating substance P precursor gene transcription. The regulation ofPPT‐Agene by C/EBPβ could subserve many important physiological processes involving substance P, such as nociception, neurogenic inflammation and addiction. Given that substance P is known to increase dopamine signalling in the striatum and, in turn, dopamine increases substance P expression in medium spiny neurones, our results implicate C/EBPβ in a positive feedback loop, changes of which might contribute to the development of drug addiction.
Modulation of Ca2+ signals by phosphatidylinositol‐linked novel D1 dopamine receptor in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Ming Yuling , Zhang Hai , Long Lihong , Wang Fang , Chen Jianguo , Zhen Xuechu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractRecent evidence indicates the existence of a putative novel phosphatidylinositol‐linked D1 dopamine receptor in brain that mediates phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis via activation of phospholipase Cβ. The present work was designed to characterize the Ca2+ signals regulated by this phosphatidylinositol‐linked D1 dopamine receptor in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. The results indicated that stimulation of phosphatidylinositol‐linked D1 dopamine receptor by its newly identified selective agonist SKF83959 induced a long‐lasting increase in basal [Ca2+]i in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Stimulation was observable at 0.1 μm and reached the maximal effect at 30 μm. The [Ca2+]i increase induced by 1 μm SKF83959 reached a plateau in 5 ± 2.13 min, an average 96 ± 5.6% increase over control. The sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i was due to both intracellular calcium release and calcium influx. The initial component of Ca2+ increase through release from intracellular stores was necessary for triggering the late component of Ca2+ rise through influx. We further demonstrated that activation of phospholipase Cβ/inositol triphosphate was responsible for SKF83959‐induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Moreover, inhibition of voltage‐operated calcium channel or NMDA receptor‐gated calcium channel strongly attenuated SKF83959‐induced Ca2+ influx, indicating that both voltage‐operated calcium channel and NMDA receptor contribute to phosphatidylinositol‐linked D1 receptor regulation of [Ca2+]i.
Pediatric Anogenital Warts: A 7‐Year Review of Children Referred to a Tertiary‐Care Hospital in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Marcoux Danielle , Nadeau Karine , McCuaig Catherine , Powell Julie , Oligny Luc L. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  The objectives of this study were to delineate the clinical characteristics of a hospital‐referred pediatric population infected with anogenital warts and to investigate the possible relationships between human papillomavirus types and the identified clinical characteristics. Over a 7‐year period, 72 patients under the age of 12 years were seen at our dermatology clinic for anogenital warts, corresponding to a prevalence of 1.7/1000 in our patient population. Sixty‐four percent (46/72) were girls. Congenital, prenatal, ascending infections occurred in two subjects. The onset of anogenital warts occurred before age 2 in 28% and between 2 and 6 years of age in 62% of children and tended to be younger in boys. We identified unusual cutaneomucosal serotypes human papillomavirus 7 and 57 (three and eight instances, respectively). The modes of transmission of anogenital warts in children cannot be identified either by the clinical appearance of the lesions or by human papillomavirus typing. We conclude that the best way to identify possible sexual abuse is still by history taking, careful assessment of the socio‐clinical context, and physical examination.
Effect of different Agaricus species on the development of the mushroom sciarid fly Lycoriella ingenua
Authors: Smith J.E. , White P.F. , Edmondson R.N. , Chandler D. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIsolates from eight species of Agaricus were investigated in laboratory experiments for their effect on the development of the mushroom sciarid fly, Lycoriella ingenua (Dufour) (Diptera: Sciaridae), which is an important pest of the white mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach (Agaricaceae). The population levels of L. ingenua developing in compost inoculated with Agaricus mycelium varied with the Agaricus isolate used, with some isolates causing high levels of inhibition. The development of L. ingenua populations and the survival of larval instars were inversely proportional to the amount of Agaricus inoculum applied. There was also a negative relationship between L. ingenua survival and the extension rate of the Agaricus isolate in compost. The results suggest that inhibition of L. ingenua population development by Agaricus is linked to the rate at which compost is colonized by fungal mycelium. Therefore, on mushroom farms, sciarid fly control should focus on protection of the compost before it has become colonized by mycelium, as this is when it is most vulnerable to the pest.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of oviposition behavior of bollworm and three of its predators in Bt and non‐Bt cotton fields
Authors: Torres Jorge B. , Ruberson John R. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractHost plants exhibiting insect resistance traits have long been known to influence within‐plant distributions of pests and their natural enemies. Sites and timing of egg deposition are particularly important for synchrony of predators and their prey in the field. Temporal and spatial distribution of eggs of the cotton bollworms [Heliothis virescens (F.) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and that of the predators Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Heteroptera: Geocoridae), Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and Micromus spec. (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) were determined during three cotton seasons, from 2002 to 2004, by collecting and examining plants throughout each season. Comparisons also were made between Bt and non‐Bt cotton to investigate possible changes in oviposition behavior on Bt cotton. The study was conducted in commercial fields with insecticide use to manage pests when economic thresholds were exceeded in both cotton types. Egg densities for predators and bollworms varied among years, but were similar on Bt and non‐Bt cottons. Oviposition of bollworms and G. punctipes correlated spatially within plants, with most eggs laid on structures in the top five nodes of cotton plants and on the three outermost leaves on lateral branches regardless of cotton type. Bollworm oviposition dynamics exhibited two peaks within the season (early July and early August). Eggs of all predators and bollworms collected from the field and incubated in the laboratory had high hatching rates throughout each season (74–100%). Temporal association of predator with bollworm oviposition showed a significant correlation with green lacewings, a delay of 10 days for big‐eyed bugs, and no correlation with brown lacewings. Furthermore, Bt cotton plants exerted no significant effect on temporal or spatial patterns of oviposition of bollworms or the predators, indicating no change in oviposition behavior of bollworm females within plant structures after almost one decade of widespread planting of Bt cotton.
Genetic structure of European and Mediterranean maize borer populations on several wild and cultivated host plants
Authors: Leniaud Laurianne , Audiot Philippe , Bourguet Denis , Frérot Brigitte , Genestier Gilles , Lee Siu Fai , Malausa Thibaut , Le Pallec Anne‐Hélène , Souqual Marie‐Claude , Ponsard Sergine 
Published: June 2006

AbstractTarget pests may become resistant toBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) toxins produced by trangenic maize (Zea maysL.). Untreated refuge areas are set aside to conserve high frequencies of susceptibility alleles: a delay in resistance evolution is expected if susceptible individuals from refuges mate randomly with resistant individuals from Bt fields. In principle, refuges can be toxin‐free maize or any other plant, provided it hosts sufficiently large pest populations mating randomly with populations from Bt‐maize fields. Our aim was to examine the suitability of several cultivated or weedy plants [pepper (Capsicum frutescensL.), sorghum (Sorghumspec.), sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.), cocklebur (Xanthiumspec.), cantaloupe (Cucumis meloL.), and hop (Humulus lupulusL.)] as refuges forOstrinia nubilalis(Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) andSesamia nonagrioidesLefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), two major maize pests in southern Europe. Larvae of both species were collected on these plants. Their genetic population structure was examined at several allozyme loci. We found little or no evidence for an influence of geographic distance, but detected a significant host‐plant effect on the genetic differentiation for both species.Ostrinia nubilalispopulations from sunflower, pepper, cocklebur, and sorghum appear to belong to the same genetic entity as populations collected on maize, but to differ from populations on hop. Accordingly, females from pepper and cocklebur produced exclusively the ‘Z’ type sexual pheromone, which, in France, characterizes populations developing on maize. Qualitatively, these plants (except hop) could thus serve as refuges forO. nubilalis; however, they may be of little use quantitatively as they were found much less infested than maize.Sesamia nonagrioidespopulations on maize and sorghum reached comparable densities, but a slight genetic differentiation was detected between both. The degree of assortative mating between populations feeding on both hosts must therefore be assessed before sorghum can be considered as a suitable refuge for this species.
Explicitly Accounting for Observation Error in Categorical Verification of Forecasts
Authors: Bowler Neill E. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Given an accurate representation of errors in observations it is possible to remove the effect of those errors from categorical verification scores. The errors in the observations are treated as additive white noise that is statistically independent of the true value of the quantity being observed. This method can be applied to both probabilistic and deterministic verification where the verification method uses a categorical approach. In general this improves the apparent performance of a forecasting system, indicating that forecasting systems are often performing better than they might first appear.
Numerical Forecasts of the 15–16 June 2002 Southern Plains Mesoscale Convective System: Impact of Mesoscale Data and Cloud Analysis
Authors: Dawson Daniel T. , Xue Ming 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
High-resolution explicit forecasts using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) of the 15–16 June 2002 mesoscale convective system (MCS) that occurred over the U.S. central and southern plains during the International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) field experiment period are performed. The forecasts are designed to investigate the impact of mesoscale and convective-scale data on the initialization and prediction of an organized convective system. Specifically, the forecasts test the impact of special mesoscale surface and upper-air data collected by, but not necessarily specific to, IHOP_2002 and of level-II data from multiple Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler radars. The effectiveness of using 30-min assimilation cycles with the use of a complex cloud-analysis procedure and high-temporal-resolution surface data is also examined. The analyses and forecasts employ doubly nested grids, with resolutions of 9 and 3 km. Emphasis is placed on the solutions of the 3-km grid. In all forecasts, a strong, well-defined bow-shaped MCS is produced with structure and behavior similar to those of the observed system. Verification of these forecasts through both regular and phase-shifted equitable threat scores of the instantaneous composite reflectivity fields indicate that the use of the complex cloud analysis has the greatest positive impact on the prediction of the MCS, primarily by removing the otherwise needed “spinup” time of convection in the model. The impact of additional data networks is smaller and is reflected mainly in reducing the spinup time of the MCS too. The use of intermittent assimilation cycles appears to be quite beneficial when the assimilation window covers a time period when the MCS is present. Difficulties with verifying weather systems with high spatial and temporal intermittency are also discussed, and the use of both regular and spatially shifted equitable threat scores is found to be very beneficial in assessing the quality of the forecasts.
Improved Seasonal Climate Forecasts of the South Asian Summer Monsoon Using a Suite of 13 Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Models
Authors: Chakraborty Arindam , Krishnamurti T. N. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Several modeling studies have shown that the south Asian monsoon region has the lowest skill for seasonal forecasts compared with many other domains of the world. This paper demonstrates that a multimodel synthetic superensemble approach, when constructed with any set of coupled atmosphere–ocean models, can provide improved skill in seasonal climate prediction compared with single-member models or their ensemble mean for the south Asian summer monsoon region. However, performance of the superensemble tends to improve when a better set of input member models are used. As many as 13 state-of-the-art coupled atmosphere–ocean models were used in the synthetic superensemble algorithm. The merit of this technique lies in assigning differential weights to the member models. The rms errors, anomaly correlations, case studies of extreme events, and probabilistic skill scores are used here to assess these forecast skills. It was found that over the south Asian region the seasonal forecasts from the superensemble are, in general, superior to the forecasts of the individual member models, and their bias-removed ensemble mean at a significance level of 95% or more (based on a Student's t test) during the 13 yr of forecasts. Moreover, the skill of the superensemble was found to be better than those of the ensemble mean over smaller domains as well as during extreme events that were monitored, especially during the switch on and off of the Indian Ocean dipole, which seems to modulate the Indian monsoon rainfall. The results of this paper suggest that the superensemble provides somewhat consistent forecasts on the seasonal time scale. This methodology needs to be tested for real-time seasonal climate forecasting over the south Asian region.
Simultaneous inversion of PP and PS seismic data
Authors: Veire Helene Hafslund , Landrø Martin 
Published: June 2006

Elastic parameters derived from seismic data are valuable input for reservoir characterization because they can be related to lithology and fluid content of the reservoir through empirical relationships. The relationship between physical properties of rocks and fluids and P-wave seismic data is nonunique. This leads to large uncertainties in reservoir models derived from P-wave seismic data. Because S- waves do not propagate through fluids, the combined use of P-and S-wave seismic data might increase our ability to derive fluid and lithology effects from seismic data, reducing the uncertainty in reservoir characterization and thereby improving 3D reservoir model-building. We present a joint inversion method for PP and PS seismic data by solving approximated linear expressions of PP and PS reflection coefficients simultaneously using a least-squares estimation algorithm. The resulting system of equations is solved by singular-value decomposition (SVD). By combining the two independent measurements (PP and PS seismic data), we stabilize the system of equations for PP and PS seismic data separately, leading to more robust parameter estimation. The method does not require any knowledge of PP and PS wavelets. We tested the stability of this joint inversion method on a 1D synthetic data set. We also applied the methodology to North Sea multicomponent field data to identify sand layers in a shallow formation. The identified sand layers from our inverted sections are consistent with observations from nearby well logs.
A Cyclic Design Approach Applied to a Cervical Screening Device
Authors: Newnes L B , Medland A J , Daniel J A , Holmes C H 
Published: June 2006

The research presented in this paper describes the use of a novel multidisciplinary design methodology. Various design methodologies are reviewed and evaluated in terms of their capability to be used for the effective design of a medical device. The design of such devices requires knowledge from other disciplines that is often subjective and does not readily apply the traditional mechanical engineering design techniques. This research focuses on the design of a laboratory-based system and examines how a multidisciplinary team can work to ensure that a creative idea can become an innovative product. The proposed methodology offers an iterative framework that designers can use and adopt to be relevant to their particular application. This proposed framework uses some of the ideas from other methodologies as well as ensuring that the key aim of understanding the problem is incorporated. This is achieved by information gathering and evaluation activities. The proposed framework is presented in the context of a medical exemplar, involving the design of a device for use in the diagnostic evaluation of cervical smears. The use of the methodology is illustrated by considering the key interactions and by describing how the problem was refined and resolved within the multidisciplinary team. This illustrates how using goal-driven approaches can lead to effective interactions and to a method by which laboratory-based approaches can lead to innovative products.