bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for subclinical mastitis among HIV‐infected and uninfected women in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Kasonka Lackson , Makasa Mpundu , Marshall Tom , Chisenga Molly , Sinkala Moses , Chintu Chifumbe , Kaseba Christine , Kasolo Francis , Gitau Rachel , Tomkins Andrew , Murray Susan , Filteau Suzanne 
Published: August 2006

SummarySubclinical mastitis, defined as raised milk sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratio, is associated with poor infant growth and, among HIV‐infected women, with increased milk HIV viral load. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study in Lusaka, Zambia, in order to investigate the relative importance of several potential causes of subclinical mastitis: maternal infection, micronutrient deficiencies and poor lactation practice. Women (198 HIV‐infected, 189 HIV‐uninfected) were recruited at 34 weeks’ gestation and followed up to 16 weeks postpartum for collection of information on their health, their infant’s health, infant growth and infant feeding practices. Milk samples were collected from each breast at 11 postpartum visits and blood at recruitment and 6 weeks postpartum.The geometric mean milk Na/K ratio and the proportion of women with Na/K ratio > 1.0 in one or both breasts were significantly higher among HIV‐infected than among uninfected women. Other factors associated with the higher mean Na/K ratio in univariable analyses were primiparity, high maternal α1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) at 6 weeks, maternal overall morbidity and specific breast symptoms, preterm delivery, low infant weight or length, infant thrush and non‐exclusive breast feeding. In multivariable analyses, primiparity, preterm delivery, breast symptoms, HIV status and raised AGP were associated with the raised Na/K ratio. Thus the main factors associated with subclinical mastitis that are amenable to intervention are poor maternal overall health and breast health. The impact of improved postpartum health care, especially management of maternal infections and especially in primiparous women, on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and its consequences requires investigation.
Population‐based retrieval of newborn dried blood spots for researching paediatric cancer susceptibility genes
Authors: Klotz Judith , Bryant Patricia , Wilcox Homer B. , Dillon Mary , Wolf Bruce , Fagliano Jerald 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe have demonstrated the feasibility of linking newborn blood spots, population‐based cancer incidence data and birth certificate data. Incident cases of acute lymphocytic leukaemia and population‐based controls were ascertained. We retrieved dried blood spot specimens, isolated and amplified DNA, and assayed the cancer susceptibility genes GSTT1 and GSTM1. The double null genotype was over‐represented in the cases, consistent with previous reports based on other epidemiological methods. The design avoids issues of participation bias by cases and controls and can be used to investigate interactions of susceptibility genes and xenobiotics in semi‐ecological studies. It can be useful for generating or testing hypotheses on associations of other paediatric illness and environmental contaminants.
Consanguineous unions and child health in the State of Qatar
Authors: Bener Abdulbari , Hussain Rafat 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of consanguineous unions in the State of Qatar and to assess the association between consanguinity, fertility and child health. A representative sample of 1800 Qatari women aged ≥15 years was approached for the study. Of these, 1515 (84.2%) women agreed to participate. The consanguineous marriage rate was 54.0% with estimated population confidence limits of 52.3–55.7%. First cousin unions were the most common form of cousin marriage. The level of parental consanguinity (both in the respondent’s parents and her parents‐in‐law) was quite high. In a multivariable analysis, both education of the respondent and her husband as well as parental consanguinity were found to be strong predictors of consanguineous unions in the index generation. Although fertility was high in both groups, the mean number of pregnancies was somewhat higher in respondents with first cousin unions. Concomitantly they also had a slighter higher rate of livebirths than women in non‐consanguineous unions. The occurrence of asthma, mental retardation, epilepsy and diabetes was significantly more common in offspring of all consanguineous than non‐consanguineous couples.
Different expression of adhesion molecules and tetraspanins of monocytes of patients with atopic eczema
Authors: Jockers J. J. , Novak N. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Atopic eczema (AE) and psoriasis vulgaris (Pso) represent the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases, which have a high number of characteristics in common but differ in their clinical picture and immunological background. A shared feature of both AE and Pso is a high recruitment of distinct proinflammatory cells from the blood into the skin at the initiation of the disease. A multistep adhesion cascade via different adhesion receptors consisting of ‘tethering’ and ‘rolling’ mediated by selectins, α‐integrins and β‐integrins and the ‘arrest’ of the cells is initiated during this process.Aims of the study:  To evaluate the expression of adhesion molecules and tetraspanins of monocytes of patients with AE and Pso in comparison with healthy controls.Methods:  We analysed the expression of adhesion molecules and tetraspanins on monocytes freshly isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with AE (n = 40) and Pso (n = 65) during exacerbation of their disease in comparison with healthy, non‐atopic controls (n = 50).Results:  A high number of similarities between monocytes of patients with AE and patients with Pso, and disease‐related differences in the expression of CD62L, CD62P, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD49b, CD49d, CD49e and CD18 and the tetraspanins CD9, CD53, CD63 and CD151, which were elevated on monocytes of patients with AE could be observed.Conclusion:  A distinct expression pattern of adhesion molecules and tetraspanins on monocytes of patients with AE and Pso might influence the recruitment process of inflammatory precursor cells and facilitate new approaches for therapeutic strategies aimed at interrupting the very earliest steps of the fateful recruitment process.
Does the pill make a difference? Previous maternal use of contraceptive pills and allergic diseases among offspring
Authors: Keski‐Nisula L. , Pekkanen J. , Xu B. , Putus T. , Koskela P. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Maternal use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) might increase the prevalence of allergic diseases among offspring. The aim of the study was to clarify if there are differences between OCP types in this association.Methods:  Primary outcomes were asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema among 1182 children (618 asthmatic and 564 controls) aged 5–6 years.Results:  Maternal previous use of desogestrel, gestodene or cyproterone acetate before pregnancy, each combined with ethinyloestradiol (EO), increased the risk of allergic rhinitis among offspring compared with those children whose mothers had not used OCPs (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.07–2.59, P < 0.024), and this risk was increased mainly in those children with parental allergy (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.11–2.86, P < 0.018), especially in boys (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.17–3.84, P < 0.014). No associations were observed between maternal use of OCPs before pregnancy and asthma or atopic eczema among offspring. The association between the previous use of OCPs and allergic rhinitis was not mediated through maternal sex steroid levels during early pregnancy, but women who had used more androgenic types of progestin formulas had higher serum levels of progesterone during early pregnancy.Conclusion:  Maternal previous use of desogestrel, gestodene or cyproterone acetate before pregnancy, each combined with EO, increased the risk of allergic rhinitis among offspring compared with those children whose mothers had not used OCPs and this risk was detected mainly in boys and in children with parental allergy.
Random Genome Sequencing of Ralstonia solanacearum Strain IVIA 1602 and Comparative Analysis with Strain GMI1000
Authors: Terol J. , Muñoz‐Soriano V. , Arahal D. R. , Buades C. , Pérez‐Pérez A. , Llop P. , Belmonte U. C. F. , López M. M. , Pérez‐Alonso M. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract Ralstonia solanacearum is a β‐proteobacterium which affects several hundred plant species and provokes important agronomic losses. Five biovars of this bacterium have been described and they show behavioural differences. In this study a random sequencing of the genome of R. solanacearum strain IVIA 1602 (race 3, biovar 2), isolated from potato, was performed. The resulting 730 Genomic Survey Sequences (GSSs), representing 6.38% of the complete genome, were compared against the completely sequenced genome of strain GMI1000 (race 1, biovar 3), isolated from tomato, which is the only strain of this species sequenced until now. This comparative analysis showed, as expected, a high degree of similarity, but it also revealed strain‐specific regions of the genome as well as a number of insertion/deletion events and chromosomal rearrangements. All together, this comparative analysis gives an overview of the genomic divergence between these two biovars of the R. solanacearum species complex.
Microarray‐based long‐term detection of genes differentially expressed after cortical spreading depression
Authors: Urbach Anja , Bruehl Claus , Witte Otto W. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSpreading depression (SD) is a slowly propagating wave of neuronal depolarization altering ion homeostasis, blood flow and energy metabolism without causing irreversible damage of the tissue. As SD has been implicated in several neurological diseases including migraine and stroke, understanding these disorders requires systematic knowledge of the processes modified by SD. Thus, we induced repetitive SD in the rat cerebral cortex by topical application of 3 m KCl for ∼2 h and evaluated the kinetics of SD‐induced changes in cortical gene expression for up to 30 days using Affymetrix RAE230A arrays. The temporal profile showed a rapid expression of immediate early genes, genes associated with inflammation, metabolism, stress and DNA repair, ion transport, and genes that play a role in growth/differentiation. Stress‐response genes could still be detected after 24 h. At this time, induced genes were mainly related to the cell membrane and adhesion, or to the cytoskeleton. A subset of genes was still affected even 30 days after SD. Real‐time polymerase chain reactions and immunohistochemistry confirmed the microarray results for several of the transcripts. Our findings demonstrate a temporal pattern of gene expression which might promote tissue remodeling and cortical plasticity, and might probably account for the mediation of neuronal tolerance towards subsequent ischemia.
Relationship between intracerebral gamma oscillations and slow potentials in the human sensorimotor cortex
Authors: Szurhaj William , Labyt Etienne , Bourriez Jean‐Louis , Kahane Philippe , Chauvel Patrick , Mauguière François , Derambure Philippe 
Published: August 2006

AbstractChanges in sensorimotor rhythms (mu, beta and gamma) and movement‐related cortical potentials (MRCPs) are both generated principally by the contralateral sensorimotor areas during the execution of self‐paced movement. They appear to reflect movement control mechanisms, which remain partially unclear. With the aim of better understanding their sources and significance, we recorded MRCPs and sensorimotor rhythms during and after self‐paced movement using intracerebral electrodes in eight epileptic subjects investigated by stereoelectroencephalography. The results showed that: (i) there is a strong spatial relationship between the late components of movement − the so‐called motor potential (MP) and post‐movement complex (PMc) – and gamma event‐related synchronization (ERS) within the 40–60 Hz band, as the MP/PMc always occurred in contacts displaying gamma ERS (the primary sensorimotor areas), whereas mu and beta reactivities were more diffuse; and (ii) MPs and PMc are both generated by the primary motor and somatosensory areas, but with distinct sources. Hence, this could mean that kinesthesic sensory afferences project to neurons other than those firing during the pyramidal tract volley. The PMc and low gamma ERS represent two electrophysiological facets of kinesthesic feedback from the joints and muscles involved in the movement to the sensorimotor cortex. It could be suggested that gamma oscillations within the 40–60 Hz band could serve to synchronize the activities of the various neuronal populations involved in control of the ongoing movement.
Molecular characterization of adult mouse subventricular zone progenitor cells during the onset of differentiation
Authors: Bonnert Timothy P. , Bilsland James G. , Guest Paul C. , Heavens Robert , McLaren Donna , Dale Charlotte , Thakur Matthew , McAllister George , Munoz‐Sanjuan Ignacio 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAdult mouse subventricular zone (SVZ) neural progenitor cells (NPCs) retain the capacity to generate multiple lineages in vitro and in vivo. Thus far, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of these cells have not been well elucidated. We have carried out RNA profiling of adult SVZ cell cultures undergoing differentiation, to identify pathways that regulate progenitor cell proliferation and to define a set of transcripts that can be used as molecular tools in the drug discovery process. We carried out a stepwise stratification of the results to identify transcripts specifically enriched in NPCs and validated some of these using comparative literature analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunological techniques. The results show a set of transcription factors, secreted molecules and plasma membrane markers that are differentially regulated during differentiation. Pathway analysis highlights alterations in insulin growth factor, Wnt and transforming growth factor β signalling cascades. Further characterization of these components could provide greater insight into the mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurogenesis in the adult brain.
Distribution of TRPC1 receptors in dendrites of rat substantia nigra: a confocal and electron microscopy study
Authors: Martorana Alessandro , Giampà Carmela , DeMarch Zena , Viscomi Maria Teresa , Patassini Stefano , Sancesario Giuseppe , Bernardi Giorgio , Fusco Francesca R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTransient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are plasma membrane, non‐selective cationic channels and have been proposed as candidates involved in the regulation of cellular Ca2+ influx. The expression, at mRNA level, of several TRPCs has been demonstrated recently in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN). The aim of the present study was to characterize the expression of TRPC1, at a protein level, in the substantia nigra neurons and non‐excitable cells of Wistar rats. Single‐label immunohistochemistry and double‐label immunofluorescence were used to study the expression of TRPC1 among substantia nigra dopamine neurons and cellular processes using antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), substance P (SP), enkephalin, synaptophysin, vesicular glutamate transporter‐2 (Vglut‐2), microtubule associated protein‐2 and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1). Moreover, the ultrastructural localization of TRPC1 was investigated by means of electron microscopy. A set of dual label experiments was also performed to investigate the presence of TRPC1 among glial cells. Our results showed that TRPC1 is localized mainly in dendritic processes of dopamine neurons, whereas a relatively small percentage of neuronal somata display a light TRPC1 immunoreactivity. Such results were confirmed by our electron microscopy observations. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, a coexpression of TRPC1 and mGluR1 receptors in dendrites of the substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. Such observation reinforces the concept of an involvement of TRPC1 in mGluR1‐mediated excitatory inputs in rat dopamine neurons.
Early neural activity and dendritic growth in turtle retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Mehta Vandana , Sernagor Evelyne 
Published: August 2006

AbstractEarly neural activity, both prenatal spontaneous bursts and early visual experience, is believed to be important for dendritic proliferation and for the maturation of neural circuitry in the developing retina. In this study, we have investigated the possible role of early neural activity in shaping developing turtle retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dendritic arbors. RGCs were back‐labelled from the optic nerve with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Changes in dendritic growth patterns were examined across development and following chronic blockade or modification of spontaneous activity and/or visual experience. Dendrites reach peak proliferation at embryonic stage 25 (S25, one week before hatching), followed by pruning in large field RGCs around the time of hatching. When spontaneous activity is chronically blocked in vivo from early embryonic stages (S22) with curare, a cholinergic nicotinic antagonist, RGC dendritic growth is inhibited. On the other hand, enhancement of spontaneous activity by dark‐rearing (Sernagor & Grzywacz (1996)Curr. Biol., 6, 1503–1508) promotes dendritic proliferation in large‐field RGCs, an effect that is counteracted by exposure to curare from hatching. We also recorded spontaneous activity from individual RGCs labelled with lucifer yellow (LY). We found a tendency of RGCs with large dendritic fields to be spontaneously more active than small‐field cells. From all these observations, we conclude that immature spontaneous activity promotes dendritic growth in developing RGCs.
FGF‐2‐induced cell proliferation stimulates anatomical, neurophysiological and functional recovery from neonatal motor cortex injury
Authors: Monfils Marie‐H. , Driscoll Ira , Kamitakahara Holly , Wilson Brett , Flynn Corey , Teskey G. Campbell , Kleim Jeffrey A. , Kolb Bryan 
Published: August 2006

AbstractInfant rats treated with basic fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) after postnatal day (P)10 motor cortical injury, show functional improvement in adulthood relative to those that do not receive FGF‐2. In this study we used a combination of behavioural, immunohistochemical, electrophysiological, electron microscopic and teratological approaches to investigate possible mechanisms by which FGF‐2 may influence functional recovery. We show that subcutaneous injections of FGF‐2 following bilateral lesions to the motor cortex at P10 in the rat leads to filling of the lesion area with migrating neuroblasts and cycling cells. We assessed the functionality of this tissue in adulthood, and show that cells from the filled region spontaneously fire and form synapses. Behavioural analysis shows enhanced motor performance in the FGF‐2‐treated lesion rats in comparison to vehicle‐treated lesion rats, and this improvement is reversed by removal of the tissue from the previously lesioned area or by blocking cortical regeneration by embryonic treatment with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The results show that FGF‐2 stimulates filling of the lesion cavity with cells after neonatal motor cortex lesions, that the new tissue has anatomical and physiological properties similar to control tissue, and that the filled region supports motor behaviour.
Decision‐making and Weber's law: a neurophysiological model
Authors: Deco Gustavo , Rolls Edmund T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractWe describe an integrate‐and‐fire attractor model of the decision‐related activity of ventral premotor cortex (VPC) neurons during a vibrotactile frequency comparison task [Romo et al. (2004)Neuron, 41, 165–173]. Populations of neurons for each decision in a biased competition attractor network receive a bias input that depends on the firing rates of VPC neurons that code for the two vibrotactile frequencies. The firing rate of the neurons in whichever attractor wins, reflects the sign of the difference in the frequencies (Δf) being compared but not the absolute frequencies. However, the transition from the initial spontaneous firing state to one of the two possible attractor states depends probabilistically on the difference of the vibrotactile frequencies scaled by the base frequency. This is due to finite size noise effects related to the spiking activity in the network, and the divisive feedback inhibition implemented through inhibitory interneurons. Thus the neurophysiological basis for a psychophysical effect, Weber's Law, can be related to statistical fluctuations and divisive inhibition in an attractor decision‐making network.
Multisensory integration in the basal ganglia
Authors: Nagy Attila , Eördegh Gabriella , Paróczy Zsuzsanna , Márkus Zita , Benedek György 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSensorimotor co‐ordination in mammals is achieved predominantly via the activity of the basal ganglia. To investigate the underlying multisensory information processing, we recorded the neuronal responses in the caudate nucleus (CN) and substantia nigra (SN) of anaesthetized cats to visual, auditory or somatosensory stimulation alone and also to their combinations, i.e. multisensory stimuli. The main goal of the study was to ascertain whether multisensory information provides more information to the neurons than do the individual sensory components. A majority of the investigated SN and CN multisensory units exhibited significant cross–modal interactions. The multisensory response enhancements were either additive or superadditive; multisensory response depressions were also detected. CN and SN cells with facilitatory and inhibitory interactions were found in each multisensory combination. The strengths of the multisensory interactions did not differ in the two structures. A significant inverse correlation was found between the strengths of the best unimodal responses and the magnitudes of the multisensory response enhancements, i.e. the neurons with the weakest net unimodal responses exhibited the strongest enhancement effects. The onset latencies of the responses of the integrative CN and SN neurons to the multisensory stimuli were significantly shorter than those to the unimodal stimuli. These results provide evidence that the multisensory CN and SN neurons, similarly to those in the superior colliculus and related structures, have the ability to integrate multisensory information. Multisensory integration may help in the effective processing of sensory events and the changes in the environment during motor actions controlled by the basal ganglia.