bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell‐by‐cell reconstruction in reaggregates from neonatal gerbil retina begins from the inner retina and is promoted by retinal pigmented epithelium
Authors: Bytyqi Afrim H. , Bachmann Gesine , Rieke Matthias , Paraoanu Laura E. , Layer Paul G. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractFor future retinal tissue engineering, it is essential to understand formation of retinal tissue in a ‘cell‐by‐cell’ manner, as can be best studied in retinal reaggregates. In avians, complete laminar spheres can be produced, with ganglion cells internally and photoreceptors at the surface; a similar degree of retinal reconstruction has not been achieved for mammals. Here, we have studied self‐organizing potencies of retinal cells from neonatal gerbil retinae to form histotypic spheroids up to 15 days in culture (R‐spheres). Shortly after reaggregation, a first sign of tissue organization was detected by use of an amacrine cell (AC)‐specific calretinin (CR) antibody. These cells sorted out into small clusters and sent unipolar processes towards the centre of each cluster. Thereby, inner cell‐free spaces developed into inner plexiform layer (IPL)‐like areas with extended parallel CR+ fibres. Occasionally, IPL areas merged to combine an ‘inner half retina’, whereby ganglion cells (GCs) occupied the outer sphere surface. This tendency was much improved in the presence of supernatants from retinal pigmented cells (RPE‐spheres), e.g. cell organization and proliferation was much increased, and cell death shortened. As shown by several markers, a perfect outer ring was formed by GCs and displaced ACs, followed by a distinct IPL and 1–2 rows of ACs internally. The inner core of RPE spheres consisted of horizontal and possibly bipolar cells, while immunostaining and RT‐PCR analysis proved that photoreceptors were absent. This shows that (1) mammalian retinal histogenesis in reaggregates can be brought to a hitherto unknown high level, (2) retinal tissue self‐organizes from the level of the IPL, and (3) RPE factors promote formation of almost complete retinal spheres, however, their polarity was opposite to that found in respective avian spheroids.
Adult neural stem and progenitor cells modified to secrete GDNF can protect, migrate and integrate after intracerebral transplantation in rats with transient forebrain ischemia
Authors: Kameda M. , Shingo T. , Takahashi K. , Muraoka K. , Kurozumi K. , Yasuhara T. , Maruo T. , Tsuboi T. , Uozumi T. , Matsui T. , Miyoshi Y. , Hamada H. , Date I. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAdult neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) are important autologous transplantation tools in regenerative medicine, as they can secrete factors that protect the ischemic brain. We investigated whether adult NSPCs genetically modified to secrete more glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) could protect against transient ischemia in rats. NSPCs were harvested from the subventricular zone of adult Wistar rats and cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of epidermal growth factor. The NSPCs were treated with fibre‐mutant Arg‐Gly‐Asp adenovirus containing the GDNF gene (NSPC‐GDNF) or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (NSPC‐EGFP; control group). In one experiment, cultured cells were transplanted into the right ischemic boundary zone of Wistar rat brains. One week later, animals underwent 90 min of intraluminal right middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural tests. The NSPC‐GDNF group had higher behavioural scores and lesser infarct volume than did controls at 1, 7 and 28 days postocclusion. In the second experiment, we transplanted NSPCs 3 h after ischemic insult. Compared to controls, rats receiving NSPC‐GDNF had decreased infarct volume and better behavioural assessments at 7 days post‐transplant. Animals were killed on day 7 and brains were collected for GDNF ELISA and morphological assessment. Compared to controls, more GDNF was secreted, more NSPC‐GDNF cells migrated toward the ischemic core and more NSPC‐GDNF cells expressed immature neuronal marker. Moreover, the NSPC‐GDNF group showed more effective inhibition of microglial invasion and apoptosis. These findings suggest that NSPC‐GDNF may be useful in treatment of cerebral ischemia.
Corticospinal control of antagonistic muscles in the cat
Authors: Ethier Christian , Brizzi Laurent , Giguère Dominic , Capaday Charles 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe recently suggested that movement‐related inter‐joint muscle synergies are recruited by selected excitation and selected release from inhibition of cortical points. Here we asked whether a similar cortical mechanism operates in the functional linking of antagonistic muscles. To this end experiments were done on ketamine‐anesthetized cats. Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and intramuscular electromyographic recordings were used to find and characterize wrist, elbow and shoulder antagonistic motor cortical points. Simultaneous ICMS applied at two cortical points, each evoking activity in one of a pair of antagonistic muscles, produced co‐contraction of antagonistic muscle pairs. However, we found an obvious asymmetry in the strength of reciprocal inhibition; it was always significantly stronger on physiological extensors than flexors. Following intravenous injection of a single bolus of strychnine, a cortical point at which only a physiological flexor was previously activated also elicited simultaneous activation of its antagonist. This demonstrates that antagonistic corticospinal neurons are closely grouped, or intermingled. To test whether releasing a cortical point from inhibition allows it to be functionally linked with an antagonistic cortical point, one of three GABAA receptor antagonists, bicuculline, gabazine or picrotoxin, was injected iontophoretically at one cortical point while stimulation was applied to an antagonistic cortical point. This coupling always resulted in co‐contraction of the represented antagonistic muscles. Thus, antagonistic motor cortical points are linked by excitatory intracortical connections held in check by local GABAergic inhibition, with reciprocal inhibition occurring at the spinal level. Importantly, the asymmetry of cortically mediated reciprocal inhibition would appear significantly to bias muscle maps obtained by ICMS in favor of physiological flexors.
Comparative study of the life cycles of Alexandrium tamutum and Alexandrium minutum (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae) in culture1
Authors: Figueroa Rosa Isabel , Garcés Esther , Bravo Isabel 
Published: September 2007

The microalgal genus Alexandrium includes species known to produce paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Due to the importance of discriminating between HAB‐forming species, we compared the undescribed life‐cycle pattern of Alexandrium tamutum Montresor, Beran et U. John and of its toxic relative Alexandrium minutum Halim. Sexual stages, asexual and sexual division, mating type, and nuclear morphology were studied in both species. Sexual cysts are known to be morphologically identical. However, the relative size of the U‐shaped nucleus may be used to differentiate between the cysts of these species since DNA packaging in the resting cysts was lower in A. tamutum than in A. minutum, species in which the planozygote nucleus was reduced to half its volume prior to encystment. The dormancy period of the cysts was <20 d for A. tamutum, but longer than 1 month for A. minutum. In both species, cyst appearance needed to be explained by the existence of more than two sexual types (+/–), which indicates a complex heterothallic mating type. However, planozygotes of both species may divide instead of encysting. This characteristic was used for nutritional and heritage studies. Isolated planozygotes of both species encysted in larger percentages in medium deficient in both nitrates and phosphates (L/15) than in medium without phosphates added (L‐P), a medium in which most planozygotes neither divide nor encyst. Parental strains of A. minutum with and without the ventral pore formed planozygotes and, later, offspring with the ventral pore, although apparently smaller than usual. A synchronization–flow cytometry method for discriminating diploids formed by sexual fusion (planozygotes) from cells with 2C DNA content resulting from self‐duplication of DNA (dividing cells) was described. The results indicated that the maximum percentage of A. minutum planozygotes (20%) was achieved only 3 to 5 d after crossing the parental strains, and that light might not be needed for the sexual fusion and formation of planozygotes.
Group size in a gregarious tortoise beetle: patterns of oviposition vs. larval behaviour
Authors: Costa Juan F. , Cosio Walter , Gianoli Ernesto 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIn laboratory and garden experiments, we tested for the existence of adaptive patterns of oviposition and larval behaviour regarding group size in the gregarious tortoise beetle Chelymorpha varians Blanchard (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) on its host plant Calystegia sepium L. (Convolvulaceae). Specifically, we addressed the following questions: (i) Which is the more frequent egg cluster size? (ii) Does cluster size fully predict larval group size? (iii) Are newborn larvae attracted or repelled to conspecific groupings? and (iv) Which is the group size associated with enhanced larval development and adult mass? We found that the mean cluster size was 21.4 eggs. Egg hatch time was significantly shorter in larger clusters. A regression analysis of larval group size against cluster size showed non‐significant results. Thus, original cluster size did not totally determine the larval group size. The mean larval group size was 17.1. Choice tests in an experimental arena showed that larvae clearly preferred leaves of a host plant rather than moistened papers, and that larvae preferred a small group of conspecifics (four larvae per leaf) over larger groups (12 or 20 larvae). Empty leaves of the host plant showed an intermediate level of preference. Development time and beetle performance (adult mass) were affected by larval group size. Larvae in the smallest group (one per leaf) took four more days to attain adulthood than larvae in the larger groups (12 and 20 larvae). Adult C. varians reared in the 12‐larvae group were significantly larger than those reared at the other densities. Comparison of patterns across experimental groups, excluding the 12‐larvae group, showed a tendency for a greater final mass with slower developmental rate.
Day care in relation to respiratory‐tract and gastrointestinal infections in a German birth cohort study
Authors: Zutavern Anne , Rzehak Peter , Brockow Inken , Schaaf Beate , Bollrath Christina , Von Berg Andrea , Link Elke , Kraemer Ursula , Borte Michael , Herbarth Olf , Wichmann H‐Erich , Heinrich Joachim ,   for the LISA Study Group
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim: To describe day care attendance in Germany today (in former East and former West Germany). To investigate longitudinally whether children attending day care centres have an increased risk of acquiring common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media or diarrhea.Methods: Questionnaire information was collected when the children in the cohort were 6, 12, 18, 24 months, and 4 and 6 years old. Day care within the first and first 2 years of life was investigated longitudinally with GEE (generalised estimating equations) methods in relation to common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and diarrhea within the first 6 years of life.Results: Day care centre attendance is more common in former East than in former West Germany; this difference is evident even 10–12 years after German reunification. Children attending a day care centre were more likely to have common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and diarrhea within the first 2–3 years of life. With the exception of common cold, from year 4 onwards these associations were not statistically significant anymore and even reversed for some of the infections.Conclusions: Children attending day care centres were at an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections within the first years of life. However, around school age these differences disappeared or even partly reversed.
Bed‐sharing in the first four months of life: a risk factor for sudden infant death
Authors: Ruys Jan H , De Jonge Guus A , Brand Ronald , Engelberts Adèle C , Semmekrot Ben A 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim: To investigate the risk of sudden infant death in the Netherlands during bed‐sharing in the first half year of life and the protective effect of breastfeeding on it.Methods: During a 10‐year period between September 1996 and September 2006 nationwide, 213 cot deaths were investigated.Results and discussion: Of 138 cot deaths of less than 6 months of age, 36 (26%) bed‐shared. In a reference group of 1628 babies from infant welfare centres only 9.4% were bed‐sharing in the night prior to the interview.After correction for smoking of one or both parents the odds ratio for cot death during bed‐sharing with parents decreased with age from 9.1 (CI 4.2–19.4) at 1 month, to 4.0 (CI 2.3–6.7) at 2 months, to 1.7 (CI 0.9–3.4) at 3 months and to 1.3 (CI 1.0–1.6) at 4 through 5 months of age. The excess risk (OR > 1) associated with bed‐sharing is itself not significantly influenced by the presence or absence of breastfeeding.Conclusion: Bed‐sharing is a serious risk factor for sudden infant death for all babies of less than 4 months of age. From 4 months onwards bed‐sharing did not contribute significantly to the risk of cot death anymore in our study.
Nurses promote openness regarding the genetic origins after gamete donation
Authors: Sydsjö G , Lampic C , Sunnerud S , Svanberg A Skoog 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim: To study attitudes and knowledge concerning different aspects of sperm and oocyte donation among paediatric nurses at child health care centres (CHCs) in Sweden.Method: A study‐specific questionnaire, to be completed anonymously, was sent to 188 nurses, 141 of whom (75%) responded.Results: The majority of the respondents (62%) stated that they had no professional experience of families created with the help of a donor. A majority (53%) stated that they had good knowledge of the procedure followed in sperm donation, whereas 43% stated that they had good knowledge of the procedure of oocyte donation. More than 80% agreed that the parents should be honest with their child with regard to the child's genetic origin. Among the respondents who were in favour of disclosure, the preferred age for informing the child varied between 0 to 19 years (mean 7.2, SD 5.7).Conclusion: We conclude that the nurses working in CHCs need guidance and information about gamete donation in order to be able to support parents in the disclosure of information to their children and also how to inform or withhold information to significant others in their surrounding milieu.
Cry features in siblings of SIDS
Authors: Robb Michael P , Crowell David H , Dunn‐Rankin Peter , Tinsley Cynthia 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim: To examine the acoustic features of crying demonstrated by infants whose older sibling died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and compare these features to a nonrisk group of infants.Methods: Pain‐induced crying episodes were collected from a group of healthy term (HT) infants and siblings of SIDS infants. One complete crying episode was obtained from each infant and analyzed acoustically with regard to durational and spectral features.Results: The cries of SIDS siblings were found to be significantly higher in pitch and reflected hyperadductory vocal fold vibratory behaviour compared to the HT group. There were no group differences with regard to durational features of crying.Conclusions: The laryngeal behaviour of infant crying, as inferred via acoustic analyses, differs between HT infants and siblings of SIDS infants. Accordingly, acoustic features of infant crying may serve as an additional diagnostic marker in the identification of children who may be at risk for SIDS.
Novel Drug Resistance Pattern Associated with the Mutations K70G and M184V in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase
Authors: Bradshaw D. , Malik S. , Booth C. , Van Houtte M. , Pattery T. , Waters A. , Ainsworth J. , Geretti A. M. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT
We describe an unusual pathway of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase resistance during therapy with tenofovir-emtricitabine, characterized initially by the mutations K70E and M184V and later by K70G and M184V, with the two mutations coexisting on the same viral genome. Phenotypic resistance to lamivudine, emtricitabine, abacavir, didanosine, and tenofovir was observed, whereas susceptibility to zidovudine and stavudine was preserved.
Intrinsic Novobiocin Resistance in
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Authors: Vickers Anna A. , Chopra Ian , O'Neill Alex J. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Intrinsic novobiocin resistance in
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
was associated with expression of a novobiocin-resistant form of the drug target protein (GyrB). Site-directed mutagenesis established that resistance depends upon the presence of two specific amino acid residues in GyrB: a glycine at position 85 and a lysine at position 140.
RNAIII-Inhibiting Peptide Affects Biofilm Formation in a Rat Model of Staphylococcal Ureteral Stent Infection
Authors: Cirioni Oscar , Ghiselli Roberto , Minardi Daniele , Orlando Fiorenza , Mocchegiani Federico , Silvestri Carmela , Muzzonigro Giovanni , Saba Vittorio , Scalise Giorgio , Balaban Naomi , Giacometti Andrea 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Ureteral stents coated with the quorum-sensing inhibitor RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP) were implanted in rat bladders and shown to suppress
Staphylococcus aureus
formation on the stent and in urine and was especially effective when combined with teicoplanin. Coating ureteral stents with RIP thus increases the efficacy of teicoplanin in preventing ureteral stent-associated staphylococcal infections.
Cluster Partitioning Techniques for Data PathSynthesis
Authors: Chen Chien-In Henry , Sobelman Gerald 
Published: September 2007

New, efficient algorithms for the automated synthesis of buses in data path design are presented. Modifications
to the technique of Generalized Clique Partitioning (GCP) are discussed which lead to better designs and reduced
computation time in large synthesis problems. The new approach, Weighted Cluster Partitioning (WCP), eliminates
the need for backtracking. The algorithm guides the process of bus formation by assigning a higher weight to
those interconnection units that should be combined first. The operation of the WCP algorithm is clearly demonstrated
using a detailed example.A modified priority ordering in the selection of the candidate pair is also discussed which can improve the
performance of GCP and WCP. We demonstrate that GCP II performs better than GCP, while WCP II consistently
produces the best results of all these algorithms on a set of large synthesis examples.
Discrete Transparent Boundary Conditions for GeneralSchrödinger‐type Equations
Authors: Ehrhardt Matthias 
Published: September 2007

Transparent boundary conditions (TBCs) for general Schrödinger‐type equations on a
bounded domain can be derived explicitly under the assumption that the given potential
V is constant on the exterior of that domain. In 1D these boundary conditions are non‐local
in time (of memory type).Existing discretizations of these TBCs have accuracy problems and render the overall
Crank–Nicolson finite difference method only conditionally stable. In this paper a
novel discrete TBC is derived directly from the discrete whole‐space problem that yields
an unconditionally stable scheme. Numerical examples illustrate the superiority of the
discrete TBC over other existing consistent discretizations of the differential TBCs.As an application of these boundary conditions to wave propagation problems in
underwater acoustics results for the so‐called standard and wide angle “parabolic”
equation (SPE, WAPE) models are presented.
Lightweight genome viewer: portable software for browsing genomics data in its chromosomal context
Authors: Faith Jeremiah J , Olson Andrew J , Gardner Timothy S , Sachidanandam Ravi 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
Lightweight genome viewer (lwgv) is a web-based tool for visualization of sequence annotations in their chromosomal context. It performs most of the functions of larger genome browsers, while relying on standard flat-file formats and bypassing the database needs of most visualization tools. Visualization as an aide to discovery requires display of novel data in conjunction with static annotations in their chromosomal context. With database-based systems, displaying dynamic results requires temporary tables that need to be tracked for removal.

Results
lwgv simplifies the visualization of user-generated results on a local computer. The dynamic results of these analyses are written to transient files, which can import static content from a more permanent file. lwgv is currently used in many different applications, from whole genome browsers to single-gene RNAi design visualization, demonstrating its applicability in a large variety of contexts and scales.

Conclusion
lwgv provides a lightweight alternative to large genome browsers for visualizing biological annotations and dynamic analyses in their chromosomal context. It is particularly suited for applications ranging from short sequences to medium-sized genomes when the creation and maintenance of a large software and database infrastructure is not necessary or desired.
Health-related quality of life and mental health in the medium-term aftermath of the Prestige oil spill in Galiza (Spain): a cross-sectional study
Authors: Carrasco José Miguel , Pérez-Gómez Beatriz , García-Mendizábal Maria José , Lope Virginia , Aragonés Nuria , Forjaz Maria João , Guallar-Castillón Pilar , López-Abente Gonzalo , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Pollán Marina 
Published: September 2007

Abstract

Background
In 2002 the oil-tanker Prestige sank off the Galician coast. This study analyzes the effect of this accident on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health in the affected population.

Methods
Using random sampling stratified by age and sex, 2700 residents were selected from 7 coastal and 7 inland Galician towns. Two exposure criteria were considered: a) residential exposure, i.e., coast versus interior; and b) individual exposure-unaffected, slightly affected, or seriously affected-according to degree of personal affectation. SF-36, GHQ-28, HADS and GADS questionnaires were used to assess HRQoL and mental health. Association of exposure with suboptimal scores was summarized using adjusted odds ratios (OR) obtained from logistic regression.

Results
For residential exposure, the SF-36 showed coastal residents as having a lower likelihood of registering suboptimal HRQoL values in physical functioning (OR:0.69; 95%CI:0.54–0.89) and bodily pain (OR:0.74; 95%CI:0.62–0.91), and a higher frequency of suboptimal scores in mental health (OR:1.28; 95%CI:1.02–1.58). None of the dimensions of the other questionnaires displayed statistically significant differences.
For individual exposure, no substantial differences were observed, though the SF-36 physical functioning dimension rose (showed better scores) with level of exposure (91.51 unaffected, 93.86 slightly affected, 95.28 seriously affected, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
Almost one and a half years after the accident, worse HRQoL and mental health levels were not in evidence among subjects exposed to the oil-spill. Nevertheless, some of the scales suggest the possibility of slight impact on the mental health of residents in the affected areas.