bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Region‐dependent regulation of mesoaccumbens dopamine neuronsin vivoby the constitutive activity of central serotonin2C receptors
Authors: Navailles Sylvia , Moison Delphine , Ryczko Dimitri , Spampinato Umberto 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCentral serotonin2C receptors (5‐HT2CRs) control the mesoaccumbens dopamine (DA) pathway. This control involves the constitutive activity (CA) of 5‐HT2CRs, and is thought to engage regionally distinct populations of 5‐HT2CRs, leading to opposite functional effects. Here, usingin vivomicrodialysis in halothane‐anesthetized rats, we investigated the relative contribution of ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAc) 5‐HT2CRs in the phasic/tonic control of accumbal DA release, to specifically identify the nature (inhibition/excitation) of the control, and the role of the 5‐HT2CR CA. Intra‐VTA injections of the selective 5‐HT2CR antagonists SB 242084 and/or SB 243213 (0.1–0.5 µg/0.2 µL) prevented the decrease in accumbal DA outflow induced by the 5‐HT2CR agonist Ro 60–0175 (3 mg/kg, i.p), but did not affect the increase in DA outflow induced by the 5‐HT2CR inverse agonist SB 206553 (5 mg/kg, i.p). Intra‐NAc infusions of SB 242084 (0.1–1 µm) blocked Ro 60–0175‐ and SB 206553‐induced changes of DA outflow. Intra‐NAc, but not intra‐VTA administration of SB 206553 increased basal DA outflow. These findings demonstrate that both VTA and NAc 5‐HT2CRs participate in the inhibitory control exerted by 5‐HT2CRs on accumbal DA release, and that the NAc shell may represent a primary action site for the CA of 5‐HT2CRs.
Effects of Female Sex Hormones on Responses to CGRP, Acetylcholine, and 5‐HT in Rat Isolated Arteries
Authors: Gupta Saurabh , Mehrotra Suneet , Villalón Carlos , De Vries René , Garrelds Ingrid , Saxena Pramod , VanDenBrink Antoinette Maassen 
Published: October 2006

Background.—Female sex hormones are implicated in the modulation of reactivity of a wide range of blood vessels under physiological as well as pathological conditions. Migraine, a neurovascular syndrome, is 3 times more prevalent in women during their reproductive period than in men.Objective.—This study sets out to investigate the effects of the female sex steroids, 17β‐estradiol and progesterone (separately and in combination) on vasoactive responses to calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), acetylcholine, and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) in rat isolated mesenteric, caudal, and basilar arteries.Methods.—Female Sprague‐Dawley rats were ovariectomized (Day 0) and 7 days later subcutaneously implanted with pellets releasing over a 21‐day period 17β‐estradiol (0.25 mg), progesterone (50 mg), their combination, or placebo. On days 25‐28, the animals were killed, arteries isolated and mounted in Mulvany myographs, and cumulative concentration response curves to CGRP, acetylcholine, and 5‐HT were constructed.Results.—The relaxant responses to CGRP were significantly potentiated in mesenteric and caudal arteries from rats treated with 17β‐estradiol as compared to the placebo‐treated rats. Acetylcholine‐induced relaxations were potentiated in the caudal artery from rats treated with the combination of 17β‐estradiol and progesterone, as compared to that from placebo‐treated rats. The 5‐HT‐induced contractions in the 3 arteries were not significantly different in efficacy or potency.Conclusion.—Our results show that 17β‐estradiol potentiates CGRP‐induced relaxations in the mesenteric and caudal arteries, while the combination treatment enhances acetylcholine‐induced relaxations in the caudal artery. Although these in vitro experiments have been carried out in rats and a direct extrapolation to migraine in humans is not possible, our results may provide a new avenue to study the effects of sex steroids on vascular reactivity.
Cognitive Impairment Is Not Equal in Patients with Epileptic and Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures
Authors: Drane Daniel L. , Williamson David J. , Stroup Elizabeth S. , Holmes Mark D. , Jung Matthew , Koerner Erich , Chaytor Naomi , Wilensky Alan J. , Miller John W. 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and those with epileptic seizures (ES) purportedly have roughly equal neurocognitive deficits. However, recent findings suggest that patients with somatoform disorders exhibit more variable effort on neurocognitive testing than do controls. We reexamined neurocognitive function in patients with ESs and PNES by using symptom validity testing to control for variability in effort. Methods: Patients referred for video‐EEG monitoring were administered the Word Memory Test (WMT), a measure of symptom validity, as part of neuropsychological evaluation. Patients classified with ictal video‐EEG recordings as having ES (n = 41) or PNES (n = 43) were compared on neurocognitive and WMT performance and demographic, psychiatric, and medical variables. Results: Striking rates of WMT failure were observed in the PNES (51.2%) group, but not in the ES (8.1%) group (p = <0.001) after controlling for false‐positive errors. Although the PNES and ES groups reported equivalent neurologic histories, the PNES group exhibited less objective evidence of impairment as measured by valid neuropsychological testing, MRI of the brain, and video‐EEG monitoring. Conclusions: Many patients with PNES do not put forth maximal effort during neuropsychological assessment. When patients with PNES put forth valid effort, they demonstrate less objective evidence of neuropathologic injury or disease than do patients with ES. The cognitive impairment reported by this group appears to be more a function of motivational (although not necessarily intentional) factors than of verifiable neuropathology.
Vegetation and Environment History for the Past 14 000 yr BP from Dingnan, Jiangxi Province, South China
Authors: Dodson John Richard , Hickson Shirene , Khoo Rachel , Li Xiao‐Qiang , Toia Jemina , Zhou Wei‐Jian 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA Late Pleistocene‐Holocene pollen, phosphorus, and charcoal record was reconstructed from a peatland in southern Jiangxi Province in southern China. The area today has a mountainous and rolling landscape with villages, small towns, and agriculture dominated by rice paddies, vegetable, and fruit gardens, as well as areas of secondary forest and pine re‐afforestation. The record opens before 14 300 yr BP, with Alnus woodland dominating the wetland areas and with an open Quercus woodland on the surrounding slopes. The forest area becomes more complex from approximately 12 800 yr BP and further from 9 000 yr BP. At approximately 6 000 yr BP, there is evidence of clearing and, by 4500–4000 yr BP, a complete collapse in the wetland Alnus and terrestrial forest as the low‐lying areas are converted to rice production. For much of the record, the occurrence of fire around the site was low, although there is evidence of regional fires. Fire was used as a tool in clearing and then used in the annual cycles of stubble burning after rice harvest. Nutrient levels, as reflected by total phosphorus in the sediment, seem to be closely related to forest changes and high values in the surface layers probably result from land‐management techniques associated with agriculture. Therefore, human impact greatly altered forest cover, fire frequency, and nutrient dynamics; this has been evident for approximately 6 000 yr BP and then intensifies towards the present day.(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin Han)
Development of Diagnostic Microscopic and Chemical Markers of Some Euphorbia Latexes
Authors: Mallavadhani Uppuluri Venkata , Satyanarayana Kantamreddi Venkata Siva , Mahapatra Anita , Sudhakar Akella Venkata Subrahmanya , Narasimhan Kilambi , Pandey Devendar Kumar , Thirunavokkarasu Manikkannan 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe latexes of the three Euphorbia species, namely E. antiquorum L., E. nerifolia L., and E. tirucalli L., are highly valued in the Indian system of medicine as purgatives, in addition to their specific and distinct therapeutic activities. In order to distinguish these latexes and develop their diagnostic microscopic and chemical markers, we performed extensive chemical and microscopic studies. The three latexes differ significantly in their microscopic features by exhibiting characteristic starch grain patterns. Although amoebic structures were found to be characteristic of E. antiquorum, dumb‐bell and oval structures are characteristic of E. nerifolia and E. tirucalli, respectively. In addition, these latexes showed bone‐shaped structures as a common feature, but these differed considerably in their length (10–60, 30–55, and 50–70 μm in length in E. antiquorum, E. nerifolia, and E. tirucalli, respectively). The chemical markers nerifoliene and euphol were found to be common to both E. antiquorum and E. nerifolia, whereas euphol is the only marker for E. tirucalli. A reverse‐phase high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed to distinguish these three latexes and to generate their standard fingerprinting patterns. Most significantly, the markers nerifoliene and euphol could be resolved by RP‐18 F254s precoated aluminium plates and the latexes have been quantitatively estimated with respect to these markers. The developed microscopic, chemical and HPTLC patterns can be used to distinguish the three latexes.(Managing editor: Wei Wang)
Overexpression of the Wounding‐Responsive Gene AtMYB15 Activates the Shikimate Pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Yanhui , Zhang Xiangbo , Wu Wei , Chen Zhangliang , Gu Hongya , Qu Li‐Jia 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe MYB transcription factor genes play important roles in many developmental processes and various defense responses of plants. The shikimate pathway is a major biosynthetic pathway for the production of three aromatic amino acids and other aromatic compounds that are involved in multiple responses of plants, including protection against UV and defense. Herein, we describe the characterization of the R2R3‐MYB gene AtMYB15 as an activator of the shikimate pathway in Arabidopsis. The AtMYB15 protein is nuclear localized and a transcriptional activation domain is found in its C‐terminal portion. Northern blots showed that AtMYB15 is an early wounding‐inducible gene. Resutls of microarray analysis, confirmed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, showed that overexpression of AtMYB15 in transgenic plants resulted in elevated expression of almost all the genes involved in the shikimate pathway. Bioinformatics analysis showed that one or more AtMYB15‐binding AC elements were detected in the promoters of these upregulated genes. Furthermore, these genes in the shikimate pathway were also found to be induced by wounding. These data suggest an important role of AtMYB15 as a possible direct regulator of the Arabidopsis shikimate pathway in response to wounding.(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin Han)
Comparative Analysis of the Endosperm Proteins Separated by 2‐D Electrophoresis for Two Cultivars of Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Yang Pingfang , Shen Shihua , Kuang Tingyun 
Published: October 2006

AbstractLiangyoupeijiu is a two‐parental‐line, and Shanyou63 is a three‐parental‐line hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.). Although both belong to the indica subspecies, they have obvious differences with respect to morphology, physiology and grain quality. Variations in endosperm protein compositions were studied by comparing the 2‐D electrophoresis (2‐DE) maps for these two cultivars of hybrid rice. After matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/MS) analysis, a 21‐kDa precursor of 19‐kDa globulin was identified as the major storage protein for both cultivars. Some isoforms of peroxiredoxin and seed maturation protein were found to only exist in Shanyou63, whereas aldose reductase and starch granule‐bound starch synthase were only detected in Liangyoupeijiu. These data might provide a foundation for further comparative studies of these two cultivars of hybrid rice.(Managing editor: Ping He)
Characterization of Interspecific Hybrids Between Oryza sativa L. and Three Wild Rice Species of China by Genomic In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Tan Guang‐Xuan , Xiong Zhi‐Yong , Jin Hua‐Jun , Li Gang , Zhu Li‐Li , Shu Li‐Hui , He Guang‐Cun 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn the genus Oryza, interspecific hybrids are useful bridges for transferring the desired genes from wild species to cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the present study, hybrids between O. sativa (AA genome) and three Chinese wild rices, namely O. rufipogon (AA genome), O. officinalis (CC genome), and O. meyeriana (GG genome), were produced. Agricultural traits of the F1 hybrids surveyed were intermediate between their parents and appreciably resembled wild rice parents. Except for the O. sativa× O. rufipogon hybrid, the other F1 hybrids were completely sterile. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used for hybrid verification. Wild rice genomic DNAs were used as probes and cultivated rice DNA was used as a block. With the exception of O. rufipogon chromosomes, this method distinguished the other two wild rice and cultivated rice chromosomes at the stage of mitotic metaphase with different blocking ratios. The results suggest that a more distant phylogenetic relationship exists between O. meyeriana and O. sativa and that O. rufipogon and O. sativa share a high degree of sequence homology. The average mitotic chromosome length of O. officinalis and O. meyeriana was 1.25‐and 1.51‐fold that of O. sativa, respectively. 4′,6′‐Diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining showed that the chromosomes of O. officinalis and O. meyeriana harbored more heterochromatin, suggesting that the C and G genomes were amplified with repetitive sequences compared with the A genome. Although chromocenters formed by chromatin compaction were detected with wild rice‐specific signals corresponding to the C and G genomes in discrete domains of the F1 hybrid interphase nuclei, the size and number of O. meyeriana chromocenters were bigger and greater than those of O. officinalis. The present results provide an important understanding of the genomic relationships and a tool for the transfer of useful genes from three native wild rice species in China to cultivars.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui Zhao)
The Ins and Outs of Introspection
Authors: Robbins Philip 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIntrospection admits of several varieties, depending on which types of mental events are introspected. I distinguish three kinds of introspection (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and three explanations of the general capacity: the inside access view, the outside access view, and the hybrid view. Drawing on recent evidence from clinical and developmental psychology, I argue that the inside view offers the most promising account of primary and secondary introspection.
How we do it: The Dutch functional hearing–screening tests by telephone and internet
Authors: Smits C. , Merkus P. , Houtgast T. 
Published: October 2006

Keypoints• The Dutch National Hearing Test is a reliable and very successful functional hearing–screening test by telephone. An internet version of the National Hearing Test was also implemented.• The National Hearing Test is a fully automatic adaptive speech‐in‐noise test that uses digit‐triplets as speech material. The result of the test is given as ‘good,’‘insufficient,’ or ‘poor.’• The test by telephone performs better in reaching older subjects, who are more likely to suffer from hearing loss, than the test by internet.• More than 50% of the participants who scored ‘insufficient’ or ‘poor’ followed the recommendation to visit a GP, hearing‐aid dispenser, ENT specialist or Audiological Center.• The tests contribute to increase the identification and treatment of older hearing‐impaired subjects.
Anatomical and surgical considerations of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve: a systematic review
Authors: Morton R.P. , Whitfield P. , Al‐Ali S. 
Published: October 2006

Keypoints• The anatomical course of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) is variable, and a consistent approach to its preservation during thyroid surgery is needed to reduce risk of post‐operative voice impairment.• Despite agreement that careful dissection in the region of the superior thyroid pole is required, there is no accepted ‘best’ approach, nor any universal acknowledgement that location of the EBSLN is actually necessary.• The popular cernea classification of EBSLN has limitations, including its decreased reliability with increased thyroid size and its irrelevance in cases of ‘buried’ variants.• Recent work has identified factors such as ethnicity and stature in the prevalence of EBSLN variants.• Consistent approaches to the post‐operative detection of EBSLN injury are needed to build an accurate picture of the incidence of surgical nerve injury. Then a standardised approach to EBSLN preservation may emerge.
Quality of life assessment after non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Ho A. , Sachidananda R. , Carrie S. , Neoh C. 
Published: October 2006

Objective:  There has been a lack of patient‐centred evidence in the Otolaryngology literature, that non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy improves the quality of life of patients. Many studies demonstrate successful outcomes based on non‐validated subjective patient reporting. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the impact of non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy on the quality of life of patients using a validated questionnaire, the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).Design:  Prospective non‐randomised case series.Setting:  Secondary otorhinolaryngology–ophthalmology centre, single centre.Participants:  Sixty‐five consecutive patients undergoing non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy were asked to complete a questionnaire at their follow‐up clinic appointment. All patients had a minimum of 9 months follow‐up.Main outcome measures:  A consultant ophthalmologist reviewed each patient six months after surgery and recorded the outcomes as ‘cure’, ‘better’, ‘no change’ or ‘worse’. We defined ‘success’ as cured or better. ‘Failure’ suggests no improvement or worsening epiphora. The validated 18‐item GBI was used.Results:  Fully completed questionnaires were received from 55 patients. Mean total GBI scores were +34 for successful non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and −19 for failed non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (Mann–Whitney z = 3.8, P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Successful non‐laser endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy does confer significant quality of life improvement.
Validation of a voice prosthesis questionnaire to assess valved speech and its related issues in patients following total laryngectomy
Authors: Kazi R. , Singh A. , De Cordova J. , Al‐Mutairy A. , Clarke P. , Nutting C. , Rhys‐Evans P. , Harrington K. 
Published: October 2006

Objectives:  To establish the reliability and validity of a new self‐administered questionnaire to assess valved speech and its related issues in patients who have undergone a total laryngectomy operation.Design:  Cross‐sectional psychometric validation study.Setting:  Tertiary cancer care centre.Patients:  We identified sixty‐one total laryngectomy patients with no sign of recurrent disease and using voice prothesis from the speech and language therapy database of the Royal Marsden Hospital. The patients were assessed using a postal self‐administered voice prosthesis questionnaire concerning the voice valve and it's related issues. Patients were also asked to complete the University of Michigan voice related quality of life and University of Washington head and neck quality of life (version 4) questionnaires.Main outcome measures:  Test‐retest and internal consistency reliability; content; criterion and construct validity.Results:  We received completed questionnaires from fifty‐one of the sixty‐one total laryngectomy patients identified for the study providing a response rate of 84%. The median age of the group was 65 years (range: 40–85) with thirty‐seven males and fourteen females. The internal consistency reliability using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87 (range: 0.85 to 0.89). Test‐retest reliablility showed that more than 75% of patients had a score on re‐test that was within 1 point of their original score. Content validity was ensured during the design process. The median Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.25 for convergent construct validity with the University of Washington head and neck quality of life questionnaire and 0.64 for criterion valididty on comparison with the University of Michigan voice related quality of life scale.Conclusions:  The voice prosthesis questionnaire is the first validated and reliable self‐administered questionnaire designed specifically for evaluating valved speech and its related issues in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy. The voice prosthesis questionnaire has significant utility for audit, outcomes research and monitoring in this unique group of patients.
Fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and videofluoroscopy: does examination type influence perception of pharyngeal residue severity?1
Authors: Kelly A.M. , Leslie P. , Beale T. , Payten C. , Drinnan M.J. 
Published: October 2006

Objectives:  The aim of the study was to investigate whether the type of instrumental swallowing examination (Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) or videofluoroscopy) influences perception of post‐swallow pharyngeal residue.Design:  Prospective, single‐blind assessment of residue from simultaneous videofluoroscopy and FEES recordings. All raters were blind to participant details, to the pairing of the videofluoroscopy and FEES examinations and to the other raters’ scores.Setting:  Tertiary specialist ENT teaching hospital.Participants:  Fifteen adult participants consecutively recruited; seven women and eight men aged between 22 and 73, mean age 53. All participants underwent one FEES examination and one videofluoroscopy examination performed simultaneously. Inclusion criteria: referred to speech and language therapy for assessment of dysphagia. Exclusion criteria: nil by mouth or judged to be at high risk of aspiration.Main outcome measures:  The FEES and videofluoroscopy examinations were recorded simultaneously. Fifteen speech and language therapists independently scored pharyngeal residue as none, coating, mild, moderate or severe. All examinations were scored twice by all raters.Results:  Intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement were similar for both examinations. There were significant differences between FEES and videofluoroscopy pharyngeal residue severity scores (anova, P < 0.001). FEES residue scores were consistently higher than videofluoroscopy residue scores.Conclusions:  Pharyngeal residue was consistently perceived to be greater from FEES than from videofluoroscopy. These findings have significant clinical implications as FEES and videofluoroscopy findings are used to judge aspiration risk and to make recommendations for oral intake. Further research is required to examine the impact of FEES and videofluoroscopy examinations on treatment decisions.