bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single forebrain neurons represent interval timing and reward amount during response scheduling
Authors: Kalenscher Tobias , Ohmann Tobias , Windmann Sabine , Freund Nadja , Güntürkün Onur 
Published: November 2006

AbstractClimbing activity, the gradual increase of neural discharge rate across a delay, has been suggested to play a crucial role in interval timing. However, most previous studies demonstrated climbing activity only in conjunction with tasks that involved a passive tracking of the passage of time, but that did not necessitate to actively time an event, e.g. a motor response. To demonstrate the significance of climbing activity for action timing, we trained pigeons in a self‐control task requiring either immediate responding to a key after the onset of a light cue (‘rapid‐response’ trials), or waiting for a fixed interval after cue presentation before responding to the key (‘wait’ trials). The cue also indicated whether a correctly timed response would be rewarded with a large or a small reward. Single‐cell recordings in the Nidopallium caudolaterale, the avian prefrontal cortex, revealed that some neurons showed climbing activity between cue onset and response. Their increase in firing rate was flatter and reached the peak later in wait compared with rapid‐response trials. An error analysis confirmed that, relative to correct responses, premature responses were accompanied by steeper, and tardy responses by flatter ramps. In addition, the climbing discharge pattern was modulated by the amount of the anticipated reward, suggesting that timing is an intrinsic property of neurons encoding other task‐related information. These results demonstrate the behavioural and motivational significance of climbing activity in prospective information encoding. Our study supports a recent paradigm shift in our understanding of the vertebrate brain evolution, and it provides further evidence for the similarity between the mammalian cortex and the avian pallium.
A Diabetes Outcome Progression Trial (ADOPT): baseline characteristics of Type 2 diabetic patients in North America and Europe
Authors: Viberti G. , Lachin J. , Holman R. , Zinman B. , Haffner S. , Kravitz B. , Heise M. A. , Jones N. P. , O’Neill M. C. , Freed M. I. , Kahn S. E. , Herman W. H. ,   for the ADOPT Study Group
Published: November 2006

AbstractAims  To examine baseline characteristics of patients recruited into ADOPT, a multinational trial comparing three oral glucose‐lowering monotherapies.Methods  Between April 2000 and June 2002, 4360 patients aged 30–75 years with Type 2 diabetes diagnosed for < 3 years and remaining on diet therapy alone with fasting plasma glucose levels (FPG) between 7.0 and 10.0 mmol/l were enrolled by 488 North American and European centres. Medical histories, anthropometric data and laboratory measurements were determined using common methodologies.Results  The mean (sd) age of the patients was 57 (10) years, body mass index 32.2 (6.4) kg/m2, HbA1c 7.4 (0.9)%; 58% were male, 88% Caucasian and 15% smoked. North American Caucasians (NAC) were younger, more obese, and more insulin resistant than European Caucasians (EUC), but had better pancreatic B‐cell function. NAC had lower total, low‐density lipoprotein‐ and high‐density liporpotein‐cholesterol concentrations with higher triglyceride concentrations and were more often on lipid‐lowering treatment. They had lower blood pressure levels but were equally likely to be on antihypertensive treatment. Metabolic syndrome was more frequent and microalbuminuria less frequent in NAC. Within North America, NAC had lower HbA1c concentrations than Blacks, Hispanics and Asians despite similar or higher FPG and 30‐min postchallenge glucose concentrations.Conclusions  Caucasian North American and European ADOPT patients differ with respect to adiposity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome prevalence. North American Blacks, Hispanics and Asians had lower HbA1c concentrations than NAC despite similar or higher glucose concentrations. These phenotypic differences may influence the progression of Type 2 diabetes and the response to initial oral glucose‐lowering monotherapy.
Reproductive limits of a late‐flowering high‐mountain Mediterranean plant along an elevational climate gradient
Authors: Giménez‐Benavides L. , Escudero A. , Iriondo J. M. 
Published: November 2006

Summary
Mountain plants are particularly sensitive to climate warming because snowmelt timing exerts a direct control on their reproduction. Current warming is leading to earlier snowmelt dates and longer snow‐free periods. Our hypothesis is that high‐mountain Mediterranean plants are not able to take advantage of a lengthened snow‐free period because this leads to longer drought that truncates the growing season. However, reproductive timing may somewhat mitigate these negative effects through temporal shifts.
We assessed the effects of flowering phenology on the reproductive success of Silene ciliata, a Mediterranean high‐mountain plant, across an altitudinal gradient during two climatically contrasting years.
The species showed a late‐flowering pattern hampering the use of snowmelt water. Plant fitness was largely explained by the elapsed time from snowmelt to onset of flowering, suggesting a selective pressure towards early flowering caused by soil moisture depletion. The proportion of flowering plants decreased at the lowest population, especially in the drier year. Plants produced more flowers, fruits and seeds at the highest population and in the mild year.
Our results indicate that water deficit in dry years could threaten the lowland populations of this mountainous species, while high‐altitude environments are more stable over time.
Chronic hypoxia stress‐induced differential modulation of heat‐shock protein 70 and presynaptic proteins
Authors: Fei Guanghe , Guo Conghui , Sun Hong‐Shuo , Feng Zhong‐Ping 
Published: November 2006

AbstractChronic hypoxia exposure can cause neurobehavioral dysfunction, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that adult Lymnaea stagnalis snails maintained in low O2 (∼ 5%) for 4 days developed slowed reactions to light stimuli, and reduced righting movement. Semiquantitative immunoblotting analyses showed that hypoxia exposure induced increased expression of heat‐shock protein (HSP)70 in ganglion preparations, and suppressed expression of the presynaptic proteins syntaxin I, synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2) and synaptotagmin I. Detailed time course analyses showed that an early moderate increase developed within 6 h, preceding a substantial up‐regulation of HSP70 after 4 days; an early reduction of syntaxin I in the first 24 h; a delayed reduction of synaptotagmin I after 4 days; and a biphasic change in SV2. Using a double‐stranded RNA interference approach, we demonstrated that preventing the hypoxia inducible HSP70 enhanced down‐regulation of syntaxin and synaptotagmin, and aggravated motor and sensory suppression. Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis revealed an interaction between HSP70 and syntaxin. We have thus provided the first evidence that early induction of HSP70 by chronic hypoxia is critical for maintaining expression levels of presynaptic proteins. These findings implicate a new molecular mechanism underlying chronic hypoxia‐induced neurobehavioral adaptation and impairment.
Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: VERBAARSCHOT P. , CALVO D. , ESSELINK G. D. , MOLINA J. Ma. , VRIELING K. , DE JONG P. W. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractTen microsatellite markers for the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum were developed using di‐ and trinucleotide repeat‐enriched libraries. Each of these primer pairs were characterized on 96 individuals. Expected heterozygosities ranged between 0.11 and 0.84 and the number of alleles ranged between two and 14 per locus. These microsatellite markers are the first published for any Phyllotreta species.
Evaluation of weed eradication programs: containment and extirpation
Authors: Panetta F. Dane 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTWeed eradication programs often require 10 years or more to achieve their objective. It is important that progress is evaluated on a regular basis so that programs that are ‘on track’ can be distinguished from those that are unlikely to succeed. Earlier research has addressed conformity of eradication programs to the delimitation criterion. In this paper evaluation in relation to the containment and extirpation criteria is considered. Because strong evidence of containment failure (i.e. spread from infestations targeted for eradication) is difficult to obtain, it generally will not be practicable to evaluate how effective eradication programs are at containing the target species. However, chronic failure of containment will be reflected in sustained increases in cumulative infested area and thus a failure to delimit a weed invasion. Evaluating the degree of conformity to the delimitation and extirpation criteria is therefore sufficient to give an appraisal of progress towards the eradication objective. A significant step towards eradication occurs when a weed is no longer readily detectable at an infested site, signalling entry to the monitoring phase. This transition will occur more quickly if reproduction is prevented consistently. Where an invasion consists of multiple infestations, the monitoring profile (frequency distribution of time since detection) provides a summary of the overall effectiveness of the eradication program in meeting the extirpation criterion. Eradication is generally claimed when the target species has not been detected for a period equal to or greater than its seed longevity, although there is often considerable uncertainty in estimates of the latter. Recently developed methods, which take into consideration the cost of continued monitoring vs. the potential cost of damage should a weed escape owing to premature cessation of an eradication program, can assist managers to decide when to terminate weed eradication programs.
Conservation biogeography in North‐east India: hierarchical analysis of cross‐taxon distributional congruence
Authors: Pawar Samraat S. , Birand Ayşegül C. , Ahmed M. Firoz , Sengupta Saibal , Raman T. R. Shankar 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTDistributional similarity (congruence) between phylogenetically independent taxonomic groups has important biogeographical as well as conservation implications. When multiple groups show congruence, one or two of them can be used as surrogates of diversity in others; thus, simplifying some of the challenges of area prioritization for conservation action. Here we test for congruence in complementarity between amphibians, reptiles and birds across seven tropical rainforest sites in the Eastern Himalaya and Indo‐Burma global biodiversity hotspots. The results show that while frogs and lizards are strongly congruent with each other, birds as a whole do not show congruence with either of them. However, certain bird subgroups delineated on the basis of broad ecological niche and life history attributes are significantly congruent with both frogs and lizards. Multiple Mantel regression between environmental variable and species distribution dissimilarity matrices indicate that along with differential response to between‐site ecological differences, inherent life‐history characteristics shared by certain groups contributes to observed patterns of congruence. Our analyses indicate that examining biologically distinct subsets of larger groups can improve the resolution of congruence analyses. This approach can refine area‐prioritization initiatives by revealing fine‐scale discordances between otherwise concordant groups, and vice versa. Given that monetary resources do not always allow inclusion of multiple groups in biodiversity inventorying efforts, performing such analyses also makes economic sense because it can provide better resolution even with single‐group data. In the context of conservation in North‐east India, the results highlight the biogeographical complexity of the region, and also point at future priorities for biodiversity inventorying and conservation prioritization, both in terms of areas as well as taxonomic groups.
A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Thioctic Acid in Migraine Prophylaxis
Authors: Magis Delphine , Ambrosini Anna , Sándor Peter , Jacquy Jean , Laloux Patrice , Schoenen Jean 
Published: November 2006

Background.—Impaired mitochondrial phosphorylation potential may play a role in migraine pathogenesis. Metabolic enhancers, such as riboflavin or coenzyme Q, are effective in migraine prophylaxis and quasi‐devoid of adverse effects. Thioctic acid (‐lipoïc acid) is another substance known to enhance energy metabolism in mitochondria and to be beneficial in diabetic neuropathy.Objective.—After an open pilot study suggesting its therapeutic antimigraine potentials, we embarked therefore in a randomized controlled trial of thioctic acid (Thioctacid) in migraine prophylaxis steered by the Belgian Headache Society.Methods.—Five Belgian centers recruited 54 migraineurs (43 migraine without aura, 11 with aura; mean age 38 ± 8 years; 7 males). After a 1‐month single‐blinded run‐in period, 44 patients received either placebo (n = 18) or thioctic acid 600 mg p.o./day (n = 26) for 3 months.Results.—Statistical analysis was carried out on an intention‐to‐treat basis. Monthly attack frequency tended to be reduced between run‐in and the 3rd month of treatment in the thioctic acid group compared to placebo (P= .06). The proportion of 50% responders was not significantly different between thioctic acid (30.8%) and placebo (27.8%). Within‐group analyses showed a significant reduction of attack frequency (P= .005), headache days (P= .009), and headache severity (P= .03) in patients treated with thioctic acid for 3 months, while these outcome measures remained unchanged in the placebo group. No adverse effects were reported. For logistical reasons this trial was interrupted before the planned 80 patients were enrolled.Conclusion.—Albeit underpowered, this study tends to indicate that thioctic acid may be beneficial in migraine prophylaxis. Before any firm conclusion can be drawn, however, a large multicenter trial is necessary.
Similarities and Differences Between Chronic Migraine and Episodic Migraine
Authors: Ferrari Anna , Leone Sheila , Vergoni Anna Valeria , Bertolini Alfio , Sances Grazia , Coccia Ciro Pio Rosario , Ottani Alessandra , Pinetti Diego , Sternieri Emilio 
Published: November 2006

Objective.—To quantify and characterize the similarities and the differences between chronic migraine (CM) patients with medication overuse and episodic migraine (EM) patients with only occasional analgesic use.Background.—Population‐level epidemiology, characteristics, mechanisms of chronic daily headache, and medication‐overuse headache have been widely studied but patient characteristics have received less attention.Methods.—We compared sociodemographic data, family history, physiological and medical history, health services utilized, drugs taken/prescribed, and outcome of 2 groups of subjects: 150 patients, suffering from CM, complicated by probable medication‐overuse headache (CM group), consecutively admitted during 2005 to the inpatients' ward of the Headache Centre of the University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy, to undergo withdrawal from their overused medications; 100 patients suffering from EM, uncomplicated by medication overuse (EM group), consecutively referred to the outpatients' ward of the Headache Centre during November and December 2005.Results.—All sociodemographic characteristics were significantly different between the 2 groups. As a whole, the CM group began to suffer from migraine earlier than the EM group. Drug and/or alcohol abuse was significantly higher among first‐degree relatives of CM (19%) than of EM (6%) patients. The most frequent comorbid disorders were psychiatric (67%) and gastrointestinal diseases (43%) in the CM group, and allergies in the EM group (31%). Seventy percent of CM patients and 42% of EM patients were taking daily at least another drug, besides those for headache treatment. Most overused medications in the CM group were triptans (43%); the EM group used above all single NSAIDs (56%). At 3‐month follow‐up, prophylactic treatments reduced, by at least 50%, the frequency of headache in about three‐fourths of patients of both the groups; however, headache remained significantly more frequent in the CM than in EM group: only a minority (15%) of CM patients reverted to a headache frequency comparable to that of the EM group.Conclusions.—CM patients present more multiple comorbid disorders, polypharmacy, and social impediments than EM patients. These associated conditions complicate CM clinical management. Even after withdrawal from medication overuse, CM could not be completely reverted by current prophylactic treatments.
MMP‐9 Immunoreactivity in Acute Migraine
Authors: Leira Rogelio , Sobrino Tomás , Rodríguez‐Yáñez Manuel , Blanco Miguel , Arias Susana , Castillo José 
Published: November 2006

Objective.—To examine the role of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) in migraine during headache and asymptomatic periods.Methods.—Thirty‐four patients with migraine with and without aura (according to International Headache Society criteria) were studied. Clinical characteristic of headache were recorded. Blood samples for measurement of MMP‐9 were drawn during headache attacks and during asymptomatic periods in all patients and in 10 healthy controls.Results.—We found higher plasma MMP‐9 levels in migraine patients than in control group (129.3 [78.0–258.9] vs. 49.6 [39.1‐64.3] ng/mL; P < .001). Migrainous patients showed higher MMP‐9 plasma levels during headache attacks than in asymptomatic periods, both in migraine without aura (338.4 [275.1–396.2] vs. 118.2 [75.3–137.5] ng/mL; P < .0001), and migraine with aura (389.3 [273.4–487.1] vs. 139.3 [107.3–191.4] ng/mL; P < .0001).Conclusions.—Our study showed an increased production of MMP‐9 during migraine attacks. These data suggest a possible role of inflammation or blood–brain barrier disruption during the migraine attack.
Rhodiola rosea: A Versatile Adaptogen
Authors: Khanum Farhath , Bawa Amarinder Singh , Singh Brahm 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT Rhodiola rosea (rose root) belonging to the family Crassulaceae is a popular medicinal plant in Russia, Scandinavia, and many other countries. Extracts of the roots of this plant have been found to favorably affect a number of physiological functions including neurotransmitter levels, central nervous system activity, and cardiovascular function. It is being used to stimulate the nervous system, decrease depression, enhance work performance, eliminate fatigue, and prevent high‐altitude sickness. Most of these effects have been ascribed to constituents such as salidroside (rhodioloside), rosavins, and p‐tyrosol. It has also been found to be a strong antioxidant and anticarcinogen due to the presence of several phenolic compounds. Adaptogens are plant extracts that allow an organism to counteract adverse physical, chemical, and biological stressors by generating nonspecific resistance. Adaptogens are known to increase the availability of energy during the day, reduce stressed feelings, increase endurance, and increase mental alertness. This multipurpose medicinal plant (R. rosea), with adaptogenic properties that increase the body's nonspecific resistance and normalize functions, has been traditionally grown and used in Russia and Mongolia. Due to increasing consumer demands toward natural health products and the growing interests in the secondary metabolites of plants and their application in biotechnology and therapy, much focus has been put on the rose root and its medical properties. The rose root imparts normalizing influences on adverse physical, chemical, and biological disturbances but is otherwise innocuous. In India, the plant has been growing wild in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. The Defence Research and Development Organization in India has taken on the responsibilities of its conservation, as well as the development of multiple management practices and the development of health foods, supplements, and nutraceuticals in India.
Educating African Pastors on Mother‐to‐Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS
Authors: Santmyire Aaron , Jamison Marian 
Published: November 2006

Purpose: To educate pastors of the Assemblies of God in Burkina Faso concerning HIV/AIDS and mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT).
Design: A pretest‐posttest design was used with a convenience sample of 102 pastors attending the educational program on HIV/AIDS and MTCT in January, February, and March of 2005. The educational program was implemented in local Bible colleges in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Methods: Participants attended an 18‐hour program on HIV/AIDS and MTCT. A picture booklet was designed and used to help explain the prevention of MTCT of HIV. The pretest‐posttest examination and follow‐up evaluation were designed for this project.
Findings: Results of the pretest showed minimal knowledge of pastors regarding HIV/AIDS. The median composite scores on the knowledge questions increased from 16% on the pretest to 92% on the posttest. Within the 3‐month follow‐up period, 34 follow‐up evaluations were received. Although all the responding pastors had recommended testing for expectant mothers, only 13 had discussed MTCT in their churches or communities.
Conclusions: The educational program was effective in increasing the pastors' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and MTCT. Further research is needed to identify barriers to full utilization of that knowledge.
Exploring the Subconcepts of the Wittmann‐Price Theory of Emancipated Decision‐Making in Women's Health Care
Authors: Wittmann‐Price Ruth A. 
Published: November 2006

Purpose: To explore the subconcepts of the Wittmann‐Price Theory of Emancipated Decision‐Making (EDM); which is proposed as a new theoretical model for the nursing care of women to increase women's satisfaction with decision‐making about healthcare issues. Infant feeding method was used as the clinical exemplar.
Design and Method: A descriptive correlational design was used to test the five identified subconcepts of EDM (empowerment, flexible environment, personal knowledge, reflection, and social norms) in women's healthcare. The relationship of emancipated decision‐making and satisfaction were explored with the Subject Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ), the Wittmann‐Price Theory of Emancipated Decision‐making Scale (EDMS), and the Satisfaction with Decision (SWD) scale. The research design was retrospective, without random sampling of subjects. Four research questions were posed for this investigation. Women who had uncomplicated deliveries and met the selected criteria were enrolled (N=97).
Findings: All five subconcepts of EDM were scored on subscales on the EDMS; flexible environment and personal knowledge had the highest mean scores. Pearson correlations showed that all five subscales were significantly related to each other except reflection with personal knowledge and reflection with social norms. A significant relationship was found between the EDM and satisfaction with the decision. Personal knowledge and flexible environment were the best predictors of satisfaction with the decision.
Conclusions: The Wittmann‐Price Theory of EDM is a theoretical model with implications for nursing care of women who are involved in a healthcare decision, such as choice of infant feeding. Further studies are needed to determine the importance of each of the subconcepts in relation to emancipated decision‐making.