bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of OX1orexin/hypocretin receptor‐coupling to phospholipase C by Ca2+influx
Authors: Johansson L , Ekholm M E , Kukkonen J P 
Published: November 2006

Background and purpose:Orexin (OX) receptors induce Ca2+elevations via both receptor‐operated Ca2+channels (ROCs) and the “conventional” phospholipase C (PLC)–Ca2+release–store‐operated Ca2+channel (SOC) pathways. In this study we assessed the ability of these different Ca2+influx pathways to amplify OX1receptor signalling to PLC in response to stimulation with the physiological ligand orexin‐A.Experimental approach:PLC activity was assessed in CHO cells stably expressing human OX1receptors.Key results:Inhibition of total Ca2+influx by reduction of the extracellular [Ca2+] to 1 μM effectively inhibited the receptor‐stimulated PLC activity at low orexin‐A concentrations (by 93% at 1 nM), and this effect was gradually reduced by higher orexin‐A concentrations. A similar but weaker inhibitory effect (84% at 1 nM) was obtained on depolarization to ∼0 mV, which disrupts most of the driving force for Ca2+entry. The inhibitor of the OX1receptor‐activated ROCs, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), was somewhat less effective than the reduction in extracellular [Ca2+] at inhibiting PLC activation, probably because it only partially blocks ROCs. The partial inhibitor of both ROCs and SOCs, Mg2+, and the SOC inhibitors, dextromethorphan, SKF‐96365 (1‐[β‐(3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)propoxy)‐4‐methoxyphenethyl]‐1H‐imidazole HCl) and 2‐APB (2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate), inhibited PLC activity at low concentrations of orexin‐A, but were not as effective as TEA.Conclusions and implications:Both ROCs and SOCs markedly amplify the OX1receptor‐induced PLC response, but ROCs are more central for this response. These data indicate the crucial role of ROCs in orexin receptor signalling.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 97–104. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706959
Topology of splicing and snRNP biogenesis in dinoflagellate nuclei
Authors: Alverca Elsa , Franca Susana , de la Espina Susana Moreno Díaz 
Published: November 2006

Background information. Dinoflagellates are protists that are hypothesized to have experienced a secondary loss of histones. Amongst eukaryotes, they are unique in lacking these proteins. To date, information on the mechanisms involving remodelling, transcription and splicing of their chromatin is limited. Dinoflagellate genes lack TATA boxes and downstream polyadenylation sites and particular linear arrangements. They have an α‐amanitin‐sensitive RNA polymerase, specific transcription factors and regulators, and both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Dinoflagellates produce either polycistronic or discrete mRNAs, and have conserved snRNAs (small nuclear RNAs), indicating that their genes are spliced.Results. Five representative dinoflagellate species (Amphidinium carterae, Akashiwo sanguinea, Alexandrium lusitanicum, Alexandrium fundyense and Prorocentrum micans), which show diversity in their DNA content, nuclear organization and taxonomic position, were investigated. The nuclear distribution and ultrastructural organization of splicing and snRNP (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein) biogenesis were determined by fluorescent and electron microscopy immunolabelling with Y12 sera [recognizing the sDMA (symmetrical dimethylarginine) domain of Sm and other nuclear proteins], anti‐p105‐PANA [proliferation‐associated nuclear antigen; a marker of IGs (interchromatin granules)] and anti‐DNA antibodies. In parallel, ultrastructural analysis, including cytochemical staining for RNA, phosphorylated proteins and DNA, was carried out. Splicing factors were distributed in a diffuse perichromosomal layer containing perichromatin granules and fibrils that co‐localized with the decondensed peripheral DNA loops, but not with the main chromosome body. Interchromosomal domains with IGs and Cajal‐like bodies were also detected.Conclusions. Dinoflagellates are rather dissimilar to other eukaryotes in their genomes, their mechanisms of gene expression and their chromosome ultrastructure. However, they share common splicing nuclear domains and snRNP biogenesis with that of other eukaryotes.
Social Impacts of Transport Surveillance
Authors: Wigan Marcus , Clarke Roger 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
The transport sector is a natural focal point for surveillance measures to combat the threat of terrorism. It is also a complex environment that offers many examples of the social impacts of contemporary surveillance. Surveillance needs to be assessed against the standards used to justify other forms of security measures. The efficacy of many surveillance schemes, however, is in serious doubt. Justification for these schemes is commonly either lacking entirely or is unpublished and hence has not been subjected to critical evaluation. A small set of mini‐cases is presented, in order to identify the social impacts of twenty‐first century surveillance schemes that have been implemented as fear‐driven responses to terrorist acts. Those impacts are argued to be seriously harmful to society. Trust is crucial to public acceptance of intrusive measures, but the absence of justification for surveillance, and of controls over abuses, is likely to see the rapid dissipation of trust, firstly in the assertions of national security and law enforcement agencies, and secondly in the politicians who have been rubber‐stamping their demands.
Small ball probabilities for the Slepian Gaussian fields
Authors: Gao Fuchang , Li Wenbo 
Published: November 2006

The

d
d

-dimensional Slepian Gaussian random field

{
S
(

t

)
,

t

∈

R

+
d

}

\{S({\mathbf {t}}), {\mathbf {t}} \in \mathbb {R}_+^d\}

is a mean zero Gaussian process with covariance function

E

S
(

s

)
S
(

t

)
=

∏

i
=
1

d

max
(
0
,

a
i

−

|

s
i

−

t
i

|

)

\mathbb {E} S({\mathbf {s}})S({\mathbf {t}})= \prod _{i=1}^d \max (0, a_i-\left | s_i-t_i\right | )

for

a
i

>
0

a_i>0

and

t

=
(

t
1

,
⋯
,

t
d

)
∈

R

+
d

{\mathbf {t}}=(t_1, \cdots , t_d) \in \mathbb {R}_+^d

. Small ball probabilities for

S
(

t

)

S({\mathbf {t}})

are obtained under the

L
2

L_2

-norm on

[
0
,
1

]
d

[0,1]^d

, and under the sup-norm on

[
0
,
1

]
2

[0,1]^2

which implies Talagrand’s result for the Brownian sheet. The method of proof for the sup-norm case is purely probabilistic and analytic, and thus avoids ingenious combinatoric arguments of using decreasing mathematical induction. In particular, Riesz product techniques are new ingredients in our arguments.
Closed form summation of 𝐶-finite sequences
Authors: Greene Curtis , Wilf Herbert 
Published: November 2006

We consider sums of the form
\[

∑

j
=
0

n
−
1

F
1

(

a
1

n
+

b
1

j
+

c
1

)

F
2

(

a
2

n
+

b
2

j
+

c
2

)
…

F
k

(

a
k

n
+

b
k

j
+

c
k

)
,

\sum _{j=0}^{n-1}F_1(a_1n+b_1j+c_1)F_2(a_2n+b_2j+c_2)\dots F_k(a_kn+b_kj+c_k),

\]
in which each

{

F
i

(
n
)
}

\{F_i(n)\}

is a sequence that satisfies a linear recurrence of degree

D
(
i
)
>
∞

D(i)>\infty

, with constant coefficients. We assume further that the

a
i

a_i

’s and the

a
i

+

b
i

a_i+b_i

’s are all nonnegative integers. We prove that such a sum always has a closed form, in the sense that it evaluates to a linear combination of a finite set of monomials in the values of the sequences

{

F
i

(
n
)
}

\{F_i(n)\}

with coefficients that are polynomials in

n
n

. We explicitly describe two different sets of monomials that will form such a linear combination, and give an algorithm for finding these closed forms, thereby completely automating the solution of this class of summation problems. We exhibit tools for determining when these explicit evaluations are unique of their type, and prove that in a number of interesting cases they are indeed unique. We also discuss some special features of the case of “indefinite summation", in which

a
1

=

a
2

=
⋯
=

a
k

=
0

a_1=a_2=\cdots = a_k = 0

.
The effects of taxonomic standardization on sampling-standardized estimates of historical diversity
Authors: Wagner Peter J , Aberhan Martin , Hendy Austin , Kiessling Wolfgang 
Published: November 2006

Occurrence-based databases such as the Palaeobiology database (PBDB) provide means of accommodating the heterogeneities of the fossil record when evaluating historical diversity patterns. Although palaeontologists have given ample attention to the effects of taxonomic practice on diversity patterns derived from synoptic databases (those using first and last appearances of taxa), workers have not examined the effects of taxonomic error on occurrence-based diversity studies. Here, we contrast diversity patterns and diversity dynamics between raw data and taxonomically vetted data in the PBDB to evaluate the effects of taxonomic errors. We examine three groups: Palaeozoic gastropods, Jurassic bivalves and Cenozoic bivalves. We contrast genus-level diversity patterns based on: (i) all occurrences assigned to a genus (i.e. both species records and records identifying only the genus), (ii) only occurrences for which a species is identified, and (iii) only occurrences for which a species is identified, but after vetting the genus to which the species is assigned.
Extensive generic reassignments elevate origination and extinction rates within Palaeozoic gastropods and origination rates within Cenozoic bivalves. However, vetting increases generic richness markedly only for Cenozoic bivalves, and even then the increase is less than 10%. Moreover, the patterns of standing generic richness are highly similar under all three data treatments. Unless our results are unusual, taxonomic standardization can elevate diversity dynamics in some cases, but it will not greatly change inferred richness over time.
The effect of assertive continuing care on continuing care linkage, adherence and abstinence following residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders
Authors: Godley Mark D. , Godley Susan H. , Dennis Michael L. , Funk Rodney R. , Passetti Lora L. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAims  This study compared assertive continuing care (ACC) to usual continuing care (UCC) on linkage, retention and a measure of continuing care adherence. Outcome analyses tested the direct and indirect effects of both conditions and level of adherence on early (months 1–3) and longer‐term (months 4–9) abstinence.Design  Two‐group randomized design.Setting  Eleven counties surrounding a community‐based residential treatment program in the Midwestern section of the United States.Participants  A total of 183 adolescents, ages 12–17 years, with one or more Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM‐IV) substance use dependence disorder and met American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) placement criteria for non‐medical residential treatment.Intervention  Prior to discharge from residential treatment, participants were assigned randomly to receive either UCC, available at outpatient clinics in the 11‐county study area, or ACC via home visits.Measurements  Self‐reported interview data were collected at intake, 3, 6 and 9 months post‐residential discharge. Urine test data and interviews with a caregiver were conducted at baseline and 3 months.Findings  ACC led to significantly greater continuing care linkage and retention and longer‐term abstinence from marijuana. ACC resulted in significantly better adherence to continuing care criteria which, in turn, predicted superior early abstinence. Superior early abstinence outcomes for both conditions predicted longer‐term abstinence.Conclusions  ACC appears to be an effective alternative to UCC for linking, retaining and increasing adherence to continuing care. Replication with larger samples is needed to investigate further the direct and indirect effects of ACC found in this study.
UK smokers' and ex‐smokers' reactions to cigarettes promising reduced risk
Authors: Shiffman Saul , Jarvis Martin J. , Pillitteri Janine L. , Di Marino Michael E. , Gitchell Joe G. , Kemper Katherine E. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAims This study evaluated the impact of exposure to information about a novel cigarette claiming to reduce exposure to tobacco toxins (‘potential reduced exposure product’ cigarette or PREP‐C) on smokers' and ex‐smokers' perceptions of PREP‐C, on quit interest among smokers and on interest in resuming smoking among ex‐smokers.Design and Participants A random digit‐dialed telephone survey was conducted in the United Kingdom with 500 current smokers and 106 ex‐smokers who had quit within the last 2 years.Intervention The interviewer described a novel cigarette that claimed to significantly reduce exposure to smoke toxins.Measurements Respondents' interest in purchasing the PREP‐C, beliefs about its safety and risk reduction and smokers' quit interest, as measured by stage of change, before and after exposure to PREP‐C information.Findings Among smokers, 76.5% were interested in purchasing PREP‐C; interest did not vary by stage of change. Almost all smokers (90.6%) thought PREP‐C was safer than regular cigarettes, with 5.4% indicating that the health risks were equivalent to not smoking at all. Exposure to PREP‐C description did not change quit interest. Among ex‐smokers, 5.6% believed PREP‐C carried no health risk and 7.1% expressed purchase interest.Conclusions Smokers and ex‐smokers interpreted claims of reduced toxin exposure as reduced health risk and responded positively towards PREP‐Cs. With the increasing introduction of PREP‐Cs world‐wide, evaluation of these products and their claims on quitting among smokers and on relapse among ex‐smokers is a matter of public health urgency.
Methadone in pregnancy: treatment retention and neonatal outcomes
Authors: Burns Lucy , Mattick Richard P. , Lim Kim , Wallace Cate 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAim  To examine the association between retention in methadone treatment during pregnancy and key neonatal outcomes.Design  Client data from the New South Wales Pharmaceutical Drugs of Addiction System was linked to birth information from the NSW Midwives Data Collection and the NSW Inpatient Statistics Collection from 1992 to 2002.Measurements  Obstetric and perinatal characteristics of women who were retained continuously on methadone maintenance throughout their pregnancy were compared to those who entered late in their pregnancies (less than 6 months prior to birth) and those whose last treatment episode ended at least 1 year prior to birth.Findings  There were 2993 births to women recorded as being on methadone at delivery, increasing from 62 in 1992 to 459 births in 2002. Compared to mothers who were maintained continuously on methadone throughout their pregnancy, those who entered treatment late also presented later to antenatal services, were more likely to arrive at hospital for delivery unbooked, were more often unmarried, indigenous and smoked more heavily. A higher proportion of neonates born to late entrants were born at less than 37 weeks gestation and were admitted to special care nursery more often.Conclusion  Continuous methadone treatment during pregnancy is associated with earlier antenatal care and improved neonatal outcomes. Innovative techniques for early engagement in methadone treatment by pregnant heroin using women or those planning to become pregnant should be identified and implemented.
Adolescent passengers of drunk drivers: a multi‐level exploration into the inequities of risk and safety
Authors: Poulin Christiane , Boudreau Brock , Asbridge Mark 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAims  This study determined the individual‐, neighbourhood‐ and provincial‐level effects of rural residence, socio‐economic status (SES), substance use and driving behaviours on adolescents' riding with a drunk driver (RDD).Design  Multi‐level study based on cross‐sectional self‐reported anonymous data from the Student Drug Use Survey in the Atlantic Provinces (SDUSAP) and Census Canada data, merged on the postal code of participating schools. The sample design of the SDUSAP was a single‐stage cluster sample of randomly selected classes stratified by grade and region.Setting  The Atlantic provinces of Canada.Participants  A total of 12 990 students in junior and senior high schools, with an average age of 15 years, participated in the 2002 SDUSAP.Measurements  The outcome variable was past‐year RDD. The main individual‐level independent variables were SES, rural residence, substance use and driving behaviours. The school–neighbourhood independent variables were the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking, driving under the influence of alcohol, driver's licence, highest level of educational attainment and low income.Findings  The prevalence of RDD was 23.3% in 2002. Among students in grades 9–12, lower family SES, rural residence, substance use and driving under the influence were found to be independent individual‐level risk factors for RDD; having a driver's licence was found to be protective. At the provincial and school–neighbourhood levels, a high prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol and low educational attainment were found to be independent risk factors for RDD after taking into account individual characteristics.Conclusions  This study provides evidence that inequities exist in the options for adolescents to be ensured of passenger safety, and that interventions aimed at decreasing the extent to which adolescents engage in riding with a drunk driver should be based on conceptual approaches that recognize ecological factors as well as individual‐level susceptibility.
IL-9 promotes anti-Mycobacterium lepraecytotoxicity: involvement of IFNγ
Authors: Finiasz M R , Franco M C , De La Barrera S , Rutitzky L , Pizzariello G , Del Carmen Sasiain M , Renauld J-C , Van Snick J , Fink S 
Published: November 2006

SummaryInterleukin 9 (IL-9) is a T-cell derived factor preferentially expressed by CD4+ Th2 cells and it has been characterized both in human and murine systems. It is a pleiotropic cytokine with multiple functions on cells of the lymphoid, myeloid and mast cell lineages, as well as on lung epithelial cells. Other activities described for IL-9 support its contribution to asthma and its important role in helminthic infections, where a Th2 response can be protective and IL-9 enhances resistance or is responsible for elimination of the nematode. Nevertheless, until recently there were no studies on its role in bacterial infections in man. We have demonstrated that cytokines can modulate the specific cytotoxicity generation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from leprosy patients and normal controls. In the present report we studied the effect of IL-9 in this experimental model. Our results indicate that IL-9 can counteract the negative effect mediated by IL-4 on the generation of M. leprae-induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Moreover, it can increase this lytic activity in controls and enhance the stimulatory effect of IL-2 or IL-6 in cells from leprosy patients and controls. IL-9 is also able to revert the inhibitory effect of IL-10 and IL-13 on the M. leprae-induced cytotoxic activity. Although the exact mechanism of action of IL-9 remains to be determined, interferon gamma seems to be required for the effect of IL-9 in this experimental model. These data suggest that IL-9 may have an atypical Th2 behaviour and play a role in the modulation of the immune response to mycobacterial infections.
Nicotine exposure altersin vivohuman responses to endotoxin
Authors: Wittebole X , Hahm S , Coyle S M , Kumar A , Calvano S E , Lowry S F 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe alpha 7 nicotinic receptor is reportedly a key element in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Because a prototypical ligand for this receptor is nicotine, we studied the in vivo human response to bacterial endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the context of nicotine or placebo pretreatment. Twelve adult male normal subjects were studied prospectively. Six received overnight transcutaneous nicotine administration by application of a standard patch (7 mg). Six hours later, all subjects were given an intravenous dose of endotoxin (2 ng/kg) and were evaluated for an additional 24 h for circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers, vital signs and symptoms. The nicotine subjects had elevated blood levels of the nicotine metabolite, continine, prior to and throughout the 24-h post-endotoxin exposure phase. Subjects receiving nicotine exhibited a significantly lower temperature response as well as attenuated cardiovascular responses for 2·5–6 h after LPS exposure. In addition, increased circulating interkeukin (IL)-10 and cortisol levels were also noted in nicotine subjects. These data indicate an alteration in LPS-induced systemic inflammatory responses in normal subjects exposed to transcutaneous nicotine. In this model of abbreviated inflammation, nicotine exposure attenuates the febrile response to LPS and promotes a more prominent anti-inflammatory phenotype.
Systemic inflammation alters the inflammatory response in experimental lipopolysaccharide-induced meningitis
Authors: O'Reilly T , Østergaard C , Vaxelaire J , Zak O 
Published: November 2006

SummaryExperiments to evaluate the effect of the level and duration of endotoxaemia on the meningeal inflammatory response were performed in order to determine if systemic inflammation alters meningitis. Rabbits received either saline or Escherichia coli O111:B4 lipopolysacharide (LPS) intravenously at various doses (1, 3 or 10 µg) and times (−8, −2 or 0 h) before an intracisternal injection of 20 ng LPS. An intracisternal LPS injection together with saline intravenously produced a peak cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumour necrosis factor (TNF) level (95 ± 26 ng/ml) at 2 h and peak leucocyte level (5413 ± 764 cells/µl) at 4 h post-injection. Blood leucocytes were slightly elevated (12 000 ± 500/µl at 0 h; 16 900 ± 280/µl at 8 h) but plasma TNF was always undetectable (&lt; 0·05 ng/ml). Conversely, intravenous injection of 3 or 10 µg LPS 2 h prior to intracisternal LPS injection impaired pleocytosis (peak &lt; 220 cells/µl) and delayed (∼4 h) and reduced peak CSF TNF levels (3 µg LPS 5·0 ± 1·2 ng/ml; 10 µg LPS 6·9 ± 1·9; P &lt; 0·05). Intravenous administration of 1 µg LPS was less inhibitory to CSF inflammation, but delayed onset (peak 1100 ± 60 leucocytes/µl CSF at 8 h; 6·3 ± 0·3 ng TNF/ml CSF at 4 h; both P &lt; 0·05). Neutropenia nadirs were dependent on LPS dose (1 µg, 4500 ± 1700; 3 µg, 1900 ± 60; 10 µg, 1100 ± 100 all at 4 h post-intravenous dose). Peak plasma TNF levels were not dose-dependent (&gt; 8 ng/ml), but plasma TNF was always detectable (&gt; 0·2 ng/ml at 10 h post-intravenous dose). Intravenous LPS administration at 0 h also blocked pleocytosis, but the inhibitory effect was lost when administration at −8 h. In conclusion, the degree and duration of endotoxaemia affect the meningeal inflammatory response to LPS in experimental meningitis.