bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of pain‐related anxiety on components of the pain event‐related potential
Authors: Warbrick Tracy , Sheffield David , Nouwen Arie 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether components of pain event‐related potentials (ERPs) are modulated by anxiety. Pain ERPs in response to electrical stimulation were collected from 14 healthy individuals in a neutral condition and a condition where pain‐related anxiety was induced. The amplitude of the N140 component of the ERP was found to be larger in the anxiety condition than the neutral condition. Arousal, as indicated by alpha power, did not differ between conditions. Differences in valence and focused attention to the painful stimuli may account for the increases in the N140 in the anxiety condition.
Infrared reflectance as an alternative to EMG for measuring prepulse inhibition of startle eyeblink
Authors: Lovelace Christopher T. , Elmore Wade R. , Filion Diane L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe “gold standard” measure of the human startle eyeblink response is the ocular electromyogram (EMG). However, EMG measurement is not always feasible, as with special populations or during functional neuroimaging. We evaluated an alternative, nonelectrical, noncontact measure that uses infrared (IR) light reflected from the eye. By simultaneously recording IR and EMG during an acoustic prepulse inhibition of startle paradigm, we were able to directly compare the two measures and evaluate the relative reliability and validity of the IR measure as an index of startle response modulation. Although fewer responses were detected using IR than EMG, both measures were equally sensitive to prepulse modulation of response amplitude, latency, and probability. We conclude that when the goal is simply to assess the effects of a prepulse on the startle response, IR reflectance is an adequate alternative to EMG.
Nitric oxide production in the basal forebrain is required for recovery sleep
Authors: Kalinchuk A. V. , Lu Y. , Stenberg D. , Rosenberg P. A. , Porkka‐Heiskanen T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSleep homeostasis is the process by which recovery sleep is generated by prolonged wakefulness. The molecular mechanisms underlying this important phenomenon are poorly understood. Here, we assessed the role of the intercellular gaseous signaling agent NO in sleep homeostasis. We measured the concentration of nitrite and nitrate, indicative of NO production, in the basal forebrain (BF) of rats during sleep deprivation (SD), and found the level increased by 100 ± 51%. To test whether an increase in NO production might play a causal role in recovery sleep, we administered compounds into the BF that increase or decrease concentrations of NO. Infusion of either a NO scavenger, 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, or a NO synthase inhibitor, Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME), completely abolished non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) recovery sleep. Infusion of a NO donor, (Z)‐1‐[N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐N‐(2‐ammonioethyl)amino]diazen‐1‐ium‐1,2diolate (DETA/NO), produced an increase in NREM that closely resembled NREM recovery after prolonged wakefulness. The effects of inhibition of NO synthesis and the pharmacological induction of sleep were effective only in the BF area. Indicators of energy metabolism, adenosine, lactate and pyruvate increased during prolonged wakefulness and DETA/NO infusion, whereas L‐NAME infusion during SD prevented the increases. We conclude that an increase in NO production in the BF is a causal event in the induction of recovery sleep.
Phosphorylation of the tubulin‐binding protein, stathmin, by Cdk5 and MAP kinases in the brain
Authors: Hayashi Kanehiro , Pan Yong , Shu Hongjun , Ohshima Toshio , Kansy Janice W. , White Charles L. , Tamminga Carol A. , Sobel André , Curmi Patrick A. , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Bibb James A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractRegulation of cytoskeletal dynamics is essential to neuronal plasticity during development and adulthood. Dysregulation of these mechanisms may contribute to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. The neuronal protein kinase, cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), is involved in multiple aspects of neuronal function, including regulation of cytoskeleton. A neuroproteomic search identified the tubulin‐binding protein, stathmin, as a novel Cdk5 substrate. Stathmin was phosphorylated by Cdk5 in vitro at Ser25 and Ser38, previously identified as mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 MAPKδ sites. Cdk5 predominantly phosphorylated Ser38, while MAPK and p38 MAPKδ predominantly phosphorylated Ser25. Stathmin was phosphorylated at both sites in mouse brain, with higher levels in cortex and striatum. Cdk5 knockout mice exhibited decreased phospho‐Ser38 levels. During development, phospho‐Ser25 and ‐Ser38 levels peaked at post‐natal day 7, followed by reduction in total stathmin. Inhibition of protein phosphatases in striatal slices caused an increase in phospho‐Ser25 and a decrease in total stathmin. Interestingly, the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients had increased phospho‐Ser25 levels. In contrast, total and phospho‐Ser25 stoichiometries were decreased in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's patients. Thus, microtubule regulatory mechanisms involving the phosphorylation of stathmin may contribute to developmental synaptic pruning and structural plasticity, and may be involved in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect of chronic hypoglycaemia on glucose concentration and glycogen content in rat brain: a localized 13C NMR study
Authors: Lei Hongxia , Gruetter Rolf 
Published: August 2006

AbstractWhile chronic hypoglycaemia has been reported to increase unidirectional glucose transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and to increase GLUT1 expression at the endothelium, the effect on steady‐state brain d‐glucose and brain glycogen content is currently unknown. Brain glucose and glycogen concentrations were directly measured in vivo using localized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) following 12–14 days of hypoglycaemia. Brain glucose content was significantly increased by 48%, which is consistent with an increase in the maximal glucose transport rate, Tmax, by 58% compared with the sham‐treated animals. The localized 13C NMR measurements of brain glucose were directly validated by comparison with biochemically determined brain glucose content after rapid focused microwave fixation (1.4 s at 4 kW). Both in vivo MRS and biochemical measurements implied that brain glycogen content was not affected by chronic hypoglycaemia, consistent with brain glucose being a major factor controlling brain glycogen content. We conclude that the increased glucose transporter expression in chronic hypoglycaemia leads to increased brain glucose content at a given level of glycaemia. Such increased brain glucose concentrations can result in a lowered glycaemic threshold of counter‐regulation observed in chronic hypoglycaemia.
Recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor protects against MPTP‐induced dopaminergic cell death in mice by altering Bcl‐2/Bax expression levels
Authors: Cao Xu‐Qing , Arai Hiroyuki , Ren Yong‐Ri , Oizumi Hideki , Zhang Ning , Seike Shiho , Furuya Tsuyoshi , Yasuda Toru , Mizuno Yoshikuni , Mochizuki Hideki 
Published: August 2006

AbstractGranulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has been used for the treatment of neutropenia in hematologic disorders. The neuroprotective effects of G‐CSF were reported in neurological disease models. In the present study, we examined whether G‐CSF can protect dopaminergic neurons against MPTP‐induced cell death in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Mice of one group were injected intraperitoneally with MPTP for five consecutive days, those of another group with MPTP and intraperitoneal G‐CSF at 2 days and 1 day before the first MPTP injection, and 30 min before each MPTP injection, while control mice received saline injections. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting analysis, and HPLC were performed to evaluate damage of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and expression of Bcl‐2 and Bax protein. MPTP induced dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra. G‐CSF significantly prevented MPTP‐induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons (p < 0.05), increased Bcl‐2 protein and decreased Bax protein expression. Our findings indicate that G‐CSF provides neuroprotection against MPTP‐induced cell death and this effect is mediated by increasing Bcl‐2 expression levels and decreasing Bax expression levels in C57BL/6 mice.
Progressive loss of a glial potassium channel (KCNJ10) in the spinal cord of the SOD1 (G93A) transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Kaiser Melanie , Maletzki Iris , Hülsmann Swen , Holtmann Bettina , Schulz‐Schaeffer Walter , Kirchhoff Frank , Bähr Mathias , Neusch Clemens 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTransgenic mice expressing the superoxide dismutase G93A mutation (SOD1G93A) were used to investigate the role of glial inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir)4.1 channels, which buffer extracellular K+ increases in response to neuronal excitation. A progressive decrease in Kir4.1 immunoreactivity was observed predominantly in the ventral horn of SOD1G93A mutants. Immunoblotting of spinal cord extracts mirrored these changes by showing a loss of Kir4.1 channels from presymptomatic stages onwards. Kir4.1 channels were found to be expressed in the spinal cord grey matter, targetting astrocytes and clustering around capillaries, supporting their role in clearance of extracellular K+. To understand the functional implications of extracellular K+ increases, we challenged the NSC34 motor neurone cell line with increasing extracellular K+ concentrations. Exposure to high extracellular K+ induced progressive motor neurone cell death. We suggest that loss of Kir4.1 impairs perineural K+ homeostasis and may contribute to motor neurone degeneration in SOD1G93A mutants by K+ excitotoxic mechanisms.
Translation of the short version of the Perinatal Grief Scale into Swedish
Authors: Adolfsson Annsofie , Larsson Per‐Göran 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  Women's emotions and grief after miscarriage are influenced not only by the context in which the miscarriage occurred but also by their past experience, the circumstances around the miscarriage and their future prospects. Their emotions therefore express a specific form of grief. Normally the time needed to work through the loss varies. A number of different scales, measuring women's emotions and grief after miscarriage have been published. One instrument that measures the specific grief, such as the grief after miscarriage is the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) that was designed to measure grief after perinatal loss and has good reliability and validity.Aims:  The purpose of this study was to translate the PGS into Swedish and to use the translation in a small pilot study.Material and method:  The original short version of the PGS was first translated from English into Swedish and then back‐translated into English, using different translators. During translation and back‐translation, not only the linguistic and grammatical aspects were considered but also cultural differences. The Likert 5‐point and a 10‐point scale were tested in a pilot study where 12 volunteers anonymously answered the PGS twice. The intra‐personal correlations were compared and analysed with weighted κ‐coefficient.Findings:  In all, five different versions were tested before the final Swedish version was established. The weighted κ‐coefficient for the volunteers was 0.58, which is regarded as representing good reproducibility.Conclusion:  The PGS was translated successfully into Swedish and could be used in a Swedish population. As this work is rather time‐consuming we therefore wish to publish the Swedish version so that it may be used by other researchers.
Factors that influence first‐time mothers’ choice and experience of early discharge
Authors: Löf Maria , Svalenius Elizabeth Crang , Persson Eva K. 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  The aim of this study was to describe factors that influenced first‐time mothers’ choice of and experiences during the first postnatal week, after early discharge without a domiciliary visit by the midwife.Design:  Interviews were analysed using content analysis.Settings and participants:  The nine participants were recruited from the Maternity Department at a University Hospital in Sweden. The catchment area included both an urban and rural population.Measurements and findings:  One main category and three subcategories emerged from the text. The main category was a feeling of confidence and security and the subcategories were being able to meet the needs of the baby, feeling ‘back to normal’ and receiving support.Key conclusion:  Factors that influenced first‐time mothers’ choice and experience of early discharge were their sense of confidence and security, that they had support from their partner and that they could trust the follow‐up organization.Implications for practice:  A booked telephone call and a follow‐up visit to the midwife can be sufficient as a programme for first‐time mothers choosing early discharge.
Background factors related to and/or influencing occupation in mentally disordered offenders
Authors: Lindstedt Helena , Ivarsson Ann‐Britt , Söderlund Anne 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  Knowledge of background and occupational related factors of mentally disordered offenders are missing. It is essential to understand these issues when planning discharge from forensic psychiatric hospital care to enable community dwelling.Aims:  One aim was to investigate mentally disordered offenders’ background factors, confidence in and how they value occupations. Another aim was to investigate MDOs background factors’ in relation to and the influences on Occupational Performance and Social Participation.Method:  Data was collected with an explorative, correlative design after informed consent, from 74 mentally disordered offenders (mean age 34,2) cared for in forensic psychiatric hospitals. Assessments were Allen Cognitive Level Screen, Capability to Perform Daily Occupations, Interview Schedule of Social Interaction, Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, Self‐efficacy Scale and Importance scale. Eight background factors were assembled from the individual forensic psychiatric investigation.Findings:  Most of the investigated background factors relate to and half of them influence occupational performance, particular the cognitive aspect of occupational performance. The influences on occupation originate from adulthood, such as suffering from schizophrenia, psycho/social problems, and having performed violent crimes. These findings indicate that staff in forensic hospital care should initiate rehabilitation with knowledge about MDOs’ complex daily occupations. For avoiding information bias, information gathering preceding treatment planning should be performed in collaboration between caring staff and mentally disordered offenders.
Age‐related changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation and nitric oxide dependent vasodilation: evidence for a novel mechanism involving sphingomyelinase and ceramide‐activated phosphatase 2A
Authors: Smith Anthony R. , Visioli Francesco , Frei Balz , Hagen Tory M. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryAging is the single most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The underlying etiologies that elevate CVD risk are unknown, but increased vessel rigidity appears to be a major hallmark of cardiovascular aging. We hypothesized that post‐translational signaling pathways become disrupted with age and adversely affect endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and endothelial‐derived nitric oxide (NO) production. Using arterial vessels and isolated endothelia from old (33‐month) vs. young (3‐month) F344XBrN rats, we show a loss of vasomotor function with age that is attributable to a decline in eNOS activity and NO bioavailability. An altered eNOS phosphorylation pattern consistent with its inactivation was observed: phosphorylation at the inhibitory threonine 494 site increased while phosphorylation at the activating serine 1176 site declined by 50%. Loss of phosphorylation on serine 1176 was related to higher ceramide‐activated protein phosphatase 2 A activity, which was driven by a 125% increase in ceramide in aged endothelia. Elevated ceramide levels were attributable to chronic activation of neutral sphingomyelinases without a concomitant increase in ceramidase activity. This imbalance may stem from an observed 33% decline in endothelial glutathione (GSH) levels, a loss known to differentially induce neutral sphingomyelinases. Pretreating aged vessel rings with the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor, GW4869, significantly reversed the age‐dependent loss of vasomotor function. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism that at least partly explains the persistent loss of eNOS activity and endothelial‐derived NO availability in aging conduit arteries.
Effects of storage time of red blood cell transfusions on the prognosis of coronary artery bypass graft patients
Authors: Van De Watering Leo , Lorinser Jos , Versteegh Michel , Westendord Rudi , Brand Anneke 
Published: August 2006

BACKGROUND: In different centers for cardiothoracic surgery throughout the world, different policies are followed concerning the maximum storage time of to‐be‐transfused red blood cells (RBCs). The aim in this study was to investigate the possible role of the storage time of RBC transfusions on the outcome of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a single‐center study, all patients who had undergone CABG surgery in the period 1993 until 1999 were identified. Only those patients who had received standard, allogeneic, buffy coat–depleted, unfiltered RBCs in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol were entered in the analyses (n = 2732). Endpoints were 30‐day survival, hospital stay, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Storage time of the perioperative RBC transfusions was analyzed in the following four ways: 1) mean storage time of all perioperative RBC transfusions; 2) storage time of the youngest RBC transfusion; 3) storage time of the oldest RBC transfusion; and 4) comparing outcome in patients receiving only RBCs with a storage time below the median storage of 18 days with patients receiving only RBCs with a storage time above the median.RESULTS: The univariate analyses showed a strong correlation between storage time and the endpoints survival and ICU stay, but also a correlation with an established risk factor such as the number of transfusions. The multivariate analyses showed no independent effect of storage time on survival or ICU stay.CONCLUSION: In these analyses, pertaining to 2732 CABG patients, no justification could be found for use of a particular maximum storage time for RBC transfusions in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
A randomized, controlled Phase III trial of therapeutic plasma exchange with fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) prepared with amotosalen and ultraviolet A light compared to untreated FFP in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Mintz Paul D. , Neff Anne , MacKenzie Malcolm , Goodnough Lawrence T. , Hillyer Christopher , Kessler Craig , McCrae Keith , Menitove Jay E. , Skikne Barry S. , Damon Lloyd , Lopez‐Plaza Ileana , Rouault Charles , Crookston Kendall P. , Benjamin Richard J. , George James , Lin Jin‐Sying , Corash Laurence , Conlan Maureen G. 
Published: August 2006

BACKGROUND: Photochemical treatment of fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) with amotosalen and ultraviolet (UV) A light (PCT FFP) results in inactivation of a broad spectrum of pathogens while retaining coagulation factor activity, antithrombotic proteins, and von Willebrand factor–cleaving protease (VWF‐CP) activity.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, controlled, double‐blind Phase III trial was conducted with PCT FFP or control FFP for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Owing to the rarity of this diagnosis, the trial was not powered to demonstrate small differences between treatment groups. Patients were treated with study FFP for a maximum of 35 days until remission was achieved (for a maximum of 30 daily study TPEs with no remission) plus an additional 5 days after remission.RESULTS: Among the 35 patients treated, the primary endpoint, remission within 30 days, was achieved by 14 of 17 (82%) PCT patients and 16 of 18 (89%) control patients (p = 0.658) The 90 percent confidence interval for treatment difference in remission rate for test − control was (−0.291 to 0.163). Time to remission, relapse rates, time to relapse, total volume and number of FFP units exchanged, and number of study TPEs were not significantly different between groups. Improvement in VWF‐CP and inhibitors was similar for both groups. The overall safety profile of PCT FFP was similar to control FFP. No antibodies to amotosalen neoantigens were detected.CONCLUSION: The comparable results between treatment groups observed from this small trial suggest that TPE with PCT FFP was safe and effective for treatment of TTP.
Latency‐associated human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein N genotypes in monocytes from healthy blood donors
Authors: Pignatelli Sara , Dal Monte Paola , Rossini Giada , Camozzi Daria , Toscano Vanda , Conte Roberto , Landini Maria Paola 
Published: August 2006

BACKGROUND: The β‐herpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects a variety of cell types and maintains a lifelong relationship with its host by way of a latent infection in circulating monocytes, myeloid precursor cells, and the hematopoietic progenitor population. Viral strain heterogeneity, shown by gene polymorphisms, has been implicated in the majority of HCMV biologic behaviors. HCMV UL73 encodes the polymorphic envelope glycoprotein N (gN), which shows seven genotypes (gN‐1, gN‐2, gN‐3a, gN‐3b, gN‐4a, gN‐4b, and gN‐4c).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Monocyte subfractions from 64 HCMV‐seropositive healthy blood donors were collected to analyze gN genotypes distribution in the few cells harboring the latent viral genome. Different experimental approaches to extract viral genomes from the monocyte population and amplify UL73 (polymerase chain reaction touchdown and nested) for subsequent genotyping were tested and compared with diagnostic gold standard. gN genotype distribution in monocytes from immunocompetent healthy carriers was compared with previously reported data obtained from patient populations with acute HCMV infections.RESULTS: The efficiency of UL73 amplification from monocytes of healthy seropositive blood donors was approximately 39 percent, one of the highest reported to date. The leading gN genotype was gN‐1 (87%), whereas the gN‐4 variant was poorly represented (13%). The comparison of gN genotypic frequencies in the immunocompetent healthy population with immunocompromised patients is discussed.CONCLUSIONS: This work further supports the idea that strain‐specific features could determine the cell tropism and influence the onset of latency.