bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sertraline inhibits the contractile responses to noradrenaline, KCI and electrical field stimulation of rat isolated vas deferens
Authors: Kalyoncu N. I. , Ozyavuz R. , Karaoglu S. 
Published: January 2009

Summary1The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sertraline, a selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitor, on contractile responses to noradrenaline (NA), KCI, serotonin (5‐HT) and electrical field stimulation of rat isolated vas deferens.2Pre‐treatment with 10‐4M sertraline showed inhibitory effects on responses to NA, KCI, 5‐HT and electrical field stimulation, while pre‐treatment with 10‐6and 10‐5M sertraline caused potentiation of responses to NA (10‐7and 10‐6M).3A voltage‐dependent calcium channel activator, Bay K 8644, restored the inhibited responses when sertraline was washed out of the organ bath, although restoration could not be seen when sertraline was not removed.4The inhibition of the contractile responses by sertraline pre‐treatment may be via a mechanism through calcium channels which is additional to the selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitory effect of sertraline.
Disorders from perturbations of nuclear‐mitochondrial intergenomic cross‐talk
Authors: Spinazzola A. , Zeviani M. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract.In the course of evolution, mitochondria lost their independence, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) became the ‘slave’ of nuclear DNA, depending on numerous nucleus‐encoded factors for its integrity, replication and expression. Mutations in any of these factors may alter the cross‐talk between the two genomes and cause Mendelian disorders characterized by qualitative (multiple deletions) or quantitative (depletion) alterations of mtDNA, or by defective translation of mtDNA‐encoded respiratory chain components.
Batteries not included: diagnosis and management of mitochondrial disease
Authors: McFarland R. , Turnbull D. M. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract.In 1998, Wallace et al. (Science 1988; 242: 1427–30) published evidence that the mutation m.11778G>A was responsible for causing Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy. This was the first account of a mitochondrial DNA mutation being irrefutably linked with a human disease and was swiftly followed by a report from Holt et al. (Nature 1988; 331: 717–9) identifying deletions in mitochondrial DNA as a cause for myopathy. During the subsequent 20 years there has been an exponential growth in ‘mitochondrial medicine’, with clinical, biochemical and genetic characterizations of a wide range of mitochondrial diseases and evidence implicating mitochondria in a host of many other clinical conditions including ageing, neurodegenerative illness and cancer. In this review we shall focus on the diagnosis and management of mitochondrial diseases that lead directly or indirectly to disruption of the process of oxidative phosphorylation.
Phospholipase Dε and phosphatidic acid enhance Arabidopsis nitrogen signaling and growth
Authors: Hong Yueyun , Devaiah Shivakumar P. , Bahn Sung Chul , Thamasandra Bharath N. , Li Maoyin , Welti Ruth , Wang Xuemin 
Published: January 2009

SummaryActivation of phospholipase D (PLD) produces phosphatidic acid (PA), a lipid messenger implicated in cell growth and proliferation, but direct evidence for PLD and PA promotion of growth at the organism level is lacking. Here we characterize a new PLD gene, PLDε, and show that it plays a role in promoting Arabidopsis growth. PLDε is mainly associated with the plasma membrane, and is the most permissive of all PLDs tested with respect to its activity requirements. Knockout (KO) of PLDε decreases root growth and biomass accumulation, whereas over‐expression (OE) of PLDε enhances root growth and biomass accumulation. The level of PA was higher in OE plants, but lower in KO plants than in wild‐type plants, and suppression of PLD‐mediated PA formation by alcohol alleviated the growth‐promoting effect of PLDε. OE and KO of PLDε had opposite effects on lateral root elongation in response to nitrogen. Increased expression of PLDε also promoted root hair elongation and primary root growth under severe nitrogen deprivation. The results suggest that PLDε and PA promote organism growth and play a role in nitrogen signaling. The lipid‐signaling process may play a role in connecting membrane sensing of nutrient status to increased plant growth and biomass production.
Pathogenesis‐related proteins protect extrafloral nectar from microbial infestation
Authors: González‐Teuber Marcia , Eilmus Sascha , Muck Alexander , Svatos Ales , Heil Martin 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPlants in more than 300 genera produce extrafloral nectar (EFN) to attract carnivores as a means of indirect defence against herbivores. As EFN is secreted at nectaries that are not physically protected from the environment, and contains carbohydrates and amino acids, EFN must be protected from infestation by micro‐organisms. We investigated the proteins and anti‐microbial activity in the EFN of two Central American Acacia myrmecophytes (A. cornigera and A. hindsii) and two related non‐myrmecophytes (A. farnesiana and Prosopis juliflora). Acacia myrmecophytes secrete EFN constitutively at high rates to nourish the ants inhabiting these plants as symbiotic mutualists, while non‐myrmecophytes secrete EFN only in response to herbivore damage to attract non‐symbiotic ants. Thus, the quality and anti‐microbial protection of the EFN secreted by these two types of plants were likely to differ. Indeed, myrmecophyte EFN contained significantly more proteins than the EFN of non‐myrmecophytes, and was protected effectively from microbial infestation. We found activity for three classes of pathogenesis‐related (PR) enzymes: chitinase, β‐1,3‐glucanase and peroxidase. Chitinases and β‐1,3‐glucanases were significantly more active in myrmecophyte EFN, and chitinase at the concentrations found in myrmecophyte EFN significantly inhibited yeast growth. Of the 52 proteins found in A. cornigera EFN, 28 were annotated using nanoLC‐MS/MS data, indicating that chitinases and glucanases contribute more than 50% of the total protein content in the EFN of this myrmecophyte. Our study demonstrates that PR enzymes play an important role in protecting EFN from microbial infestation.
Can rice genetic diversity reduce Echinochloa crus‐galli infestation?
Authors: TANG J , XIE J , CHEN X , YU L 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPot and field experiments were conducted to test whether rice genetic diversity can reduce Echinochloa crus‐galli infestation through rice variety mixed‐plantings. Two weed‐suppressive rice (Oryza sativa) varieties, Guodao No. 1 (GD) and PI312777 (PI), and three non‐suppressive varieties, Xiushui No. 63 (XS), Zhongjian No. 2 (ZJ) and Chunjiang No. 016 (CJ) were used. Monocultures (GD, PI, XS, ZJ and CJ), two‐variety mixtures (GD + XS, GD + ZJ, GD + CJ, PI + XS, PI + ZJ, PI + CJ) and three‐variety mixtures (GD + PI + XS, GD + PI + ZJ and GD + PI + CJ) were tested. Effects of herbicide on rice grain yield of non‐suppressive varieties were compared between monocultures and mixtures. Pot experiment showed that E. crus‐galli germination rate in all mixed‐planting except CJ + PI, and E. crus‐galli biomass in mixed‐planting with GD decreased compared with monocultures. In a field experiment, E. crus‐galli density decreased in all mixed‐planting models of XS and CJ and ZJ + GD. Echinochloa crus‐galli biomass reduction was found in XS + GD, XS + GD + PI, ZJ + GD and CJ + GD. Rice grain yield increased in XS + GD, ZJ + GD, CJ + GD, CJ + PI and CJ + GD + PI. Rice grain yields of non‐suppressive varieties under mixtures without herbicides were lower than that in monoculture with full herbicide, but were not significantly different from monocultures with half rate herbicide. Moreover, rice yields of ZJ and CJ under mixtures with half rate herbicides did not decrease compared with monocultures with full rates. The results suggested that rice genetic diversity could reduce E. crus‐galli infestation and herbicide utilisation through rice variety mixed‐planting.
Weed suppression by soil steaming in combination with activating compounds
Authors: BÀRBERI P , MOONEN A C , PERUZZI A , FONTANELLI M , RAFFAELLI M 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the weed suppression potential of soil steaming plus activating compounds (KOH or CaO) to boost soil temperature. Different combinations between the compounds and rates were tested in experiments carried out in the field and in a controlled environment. Treatment effects were assessed on field weed vegetation and on seedbank and seedling emergence of three winter (Alopecurus myosuroides, Matricaria chamomilla and Raphanus raphanistrum) and four spring annuals (Amaranthus retroflexus, Echinochloa crus‐galli, Fallopia convolvulus and Setaria viridis), were assessed on field weed vegetation. Neither maximum soil temperature (from 72 to 85°C) nor duration of high temperature in the 3 h following application consistently affected weed suppression. In the field, no significant effects on total weed density were recorded, but there were some significant effects on individual species. The weed seedbank was clearly suppressed by activated steaming: total seedling emergence was inversely related to increasing KOH rates both in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers, while for CaO the relationship was significant only in the 0–10 cm layer. Winter annuals were more sensitive to KOH than CaO and spring annuals had a more pronounced species‐specific response to treatments. There was a strong negative relationship between compound rate and seedling emergence for all species. Alopecurus myosuroides was the most sensitive to the steam‐alone treatment (77% reduction), whereas M. chamomilla and E. crus‐galli were the least sensitive. Results from this study indicate that the type and rates of activating compounds for soil steaming must be adjusted to the weed community composition.
Influence of defoliation on reproductive capacity and growth in Buddleja davidii
Authors: THOMAS M M , WATT M S , JAY J , PELTZER D , MASON E G , TURNBULL M H , WHITEHEAD D 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThis study aims at quantifying the effects of defoliation on seed production and germination in Buddleja davidii, and determining the potential for reducing the invasive success of the species. The effects of defoliation on seed production and germination at the flower spike and plant levels were investigated for control plants and plants that were defoliated by 66% at monthly intervals from mid‐summer (January) to mid‐autumn (April). Seed samples for germination were collected in late autumn (May). Defoliation reduced flower spike number per shoot, seed number per flower spike and average seed mass by 9%, 22% and 13% and 30%, 33% and 17% on main and side shoots, respectively. In contrast, emergent leaf area per shoot in the defoliated plants exceeded that for the control plants by 89%. The ratio of total seed mass per plant/emergent leaf area per shoot was significantly lower in the defoliated compared with the control plants by 50%. Defoliation did not affect the timing or rate of seed germination. Defoliation of B. davidii resulted in a marked decrease in reproductive capacity, consistent with the priority allocation of resources to compensational leaf area growth.
Effect of burial depth and soil water regime on the fate of Lithospermum arvense seeds in relation to burial time
Authors: CHANTRE G R , SABBATINI M R , ORIOLI G A 
Published: January 2009

Summary Lithospermum arvense is an increasing annual weed in winter crops of the semiarid region of southern Argentina under low impact tillage systems, an agricultural practice that has become popular in recent years. Seed distribution in the soil profile under conventional tillage will change when reduced tillage is implemented, thus affecting the germination microenvironment. The effect of seed burial depth and soil water regime on field germination, enforced dormancy, innate dormancy and seed decay was studied in relation to burial time in a field experiment. In addition, the effect of burial depth on seed germination and seedling emergence was examined under laboratory controlled conditions. Field germination of buried seed ranged from 55% to 65% for shallow (2 cm) and from 5% to 30% for greater depths (20 cm). Enforced dormancy levels were significantly higher among deeper seeds. The amount of innate dormant seeds was reduced to <10% after a year of burial. Lithospermum arvense seedbanks can be classified as short‐term persistent. Germination in the laboratory was unaffected by burial depth, while seedling emergence reduction was adequately described by a sigmoidal model. Results indicate that agricultural practices that accumulate L. arvense seeds near the soil surface enhance seedling recruitment.
The response of ACCase‐resistant Phalaris paradoxa populations involves two different target site mutations
Authors: HOCHBERG O , SIBONY M , RUBIN B 
Published: January 2009

Summary Phalaris paradoxa (awned canary‐grass) is an aggressive annual winter weed in wheat and other arable crops that is controlled mainly by ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides: cyclohexanediones (DIMs), aryloxyphenoxypropionates (FOPs) and phenylpyrazolines (DENs, e.g. pinoxaden). The selection pressure imposed on the weed populations by repeated use of these herbicides has resulted in the evolution of increased numbers of ACCase‐resistant populations of P. paradoxa in Israel and other countries. Two populations, Revadim (RV) and Mishmar Ha’emek (MH) that were exposed to differing weed and crop management tactics were investigated. Both populations were highly resistant to all FOPs, pinoxaden and cycloxydim, but responded differently to some DIMs. RV plants exhibited much higher resistance to tralkoxydim than MH plants, while showing similar low levels of resistance to tepraloxydim and clethodim. Both populations were equally susceptible to graminicides with other modes of action. The mutations responsible for the observed resistance were identified using PCR‐RFLP and by sequencing the carboxyl transferase domain of the chloroplastic ACCase gene. RV plants possess a substitution of Asp2078 to Gly, whereas in MH population a mixture of Ile2041 to Asn or Asp2078 to Gly was found. Our study demonstrates that lack of herbicide and crop rotation may result in the evolution of diverse target site mutations and differential response of the whole plant to ACCase inhibitors.
Psychotherapy as monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar II depression: a proof of concept study
Authors: Swartz Holly A , Frank Ellen , Frankel Debra R , Novick Danielle , Houck Patricia 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  We conducted a proof of concept study to determine the feasibility of using an individual psychotherapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), as monotherapy for the acute treatment of bipolar II depression.Methods:  Unmedicated individuals (n = 17) meeting DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar II disorder and currently depressed received weekly psychotherapy (IPSRT) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of acute treatment, individuals received an additional 8 weeks of follow‐up treatment consisting of continued weekly IPSRT with supplementary lamotrogine for IPSRT non‐responders.Results:  By week 12, 41% (n = 7) of the sample responded to IPSRT monotherapy (defined as ≥50% reduction in depression scores without an increase in mania scores), 41% (n = 7) dropped out of or were removed from the study, and 18% (n = 3) did not respond to treatment. By week 20, 53% (n = 9) had achieved a response and 29% (n = 5) achieved a full remission of symptoms.Conclusions:  Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy appears to be a promising intervention for a subset of individuals with bipolar II depression. A randomized controlled trial is needed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of IPSRT as an acute monotherapy for bipolar II depression.
Eyeblink conditioning anomalies in bipolar disorder suggest cerebellar dysfunction
Authors: Bolbecker Amanda R , Mehta Crystal , Johannesen Jason K , Edwards Chad R , O’Donnell Brian F , Shekhar Anantha , Nurnberger John I , Steinmetz Joseph E , Hetrick William P 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  Accumulating research implicates the cerebellum in non‐motor psychological processes and psychiatric diseases, including bipolar disorder (BD). Despite recent evidence that cerebellar lesions have been documented to trigger bipolar‐like symptoms, few studies have directly examined the functional integrity of the cerebellum in those afflicted with BD.Methods:  Using a single‐cue delay eyeblink conditioning procedure, the functional integrity of the cerebellum was examined in 28 individuals with BD (9 manic, 8 mixed, and 11 euthymic) and 28 age‐matched healthy controls.Results:  Analysis of the bipolar group as a whole indicated a conditioned response acquisition and timing deficit compared to controls. However, when the bipolar group was categorized according to mood state (mixed, manic, euthymic), individuals tested during mixed episodes were strikingly impaired, performing significantly worse than all other groups on both the acquisition and timing of conditioned responses.Conclusions:  These findings extend prior research implicating cerebellar functional abnormalities in BD and suggest that cerebellar dysfunction may be associated with mood state and course of illness.
White matter abnormalities in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia detected using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sussmann Jessika E , Lymer G Katherine S , McKirdy James , Moorhead T William J , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Job Dominic , Hall Jeremy , Bastin Mark E , Johnstone Eve C , Lawrie Stephen M , McIntosh Andrew M 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  Strong qualitative and quantitative evidence exists of white matter abnormalities in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies suggest altered connectivity in both disorders. We aim to address the diagnostic specificity of white matter abnormalities in these disorders.Methods:  DTI was used to assess white matter integrity in clinically stable patients with familial BD (n = 42) and familial schizophrenia (n = 28), and in controls (n = 38). Differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured using voxel‐based morphometry and automated region of interest analysis.Results:  Reduced FA was found in the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC), anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), and in the region of the uncinate fasciculus in patients with BD and those with schizophrenia compared with controls. A direct comparison between patient groups found no significant differences in these regions. None of the findings were associated with psychotropic medication.Conclusions:  Reduced integrity of the ALIC, uncinate fasciculus, and ATR regions is common to both schizophrenia and BD. These results imply an overlap in white matter pathology, possibly relating to risk factors common to both disorders.
Functional polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene associates with mania and hypomania in bipolar disorder
Authors: Spijker Anne T , Van Rossum Elisabeth F C , Hoencamp Erik , DeRijk Roel H , Haffmans Judith , Blom Marc , Manenschijn Laura , Koper Jan W , Lamberts Steven WJ , Zitman Frans G 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  In affective disorders, dysregulation of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis is a frequently observed phenomenon. Subtle changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functioning caused by polymorphisms of the GR gene (NR3C1) may be at the base of the altered reaction of the HPA axis to stress and subsequently related to the development and course of affective disorders. The aim of our study is to evaluate associations between GR gene polymorphisms and bipolar disorder (BD).Methods:  In this study, 245 patients with BD were interviewed to confirm diagnosis and BD subtype. Data on medication use and sociodemographic details were also collected. The control group consisted of 532 healthy blood donors, from which data on sex and age were collected. To perform genotyping, blood was collected from all patients and healthy controls.Results:  A trend was found for a protective effect of the exon 9β polymorphism (p = 0.14) and the TthIIII polymorphism (p < 0.05) on the manifestation of the disease. These effects were significantly influenced by male gender for both polymorphisms. Patients with BD and the A/G variant in exon 9β had significantly fewer manic and hypomanic episodes than noncarriers (p < 0.05). No further associations were found with the other investigated GR gene polymorphisms and BD. These findings were not corrected for multiple comparisons.Conclusions:  We conclude that the exon 9β polymorphism and the TthIIII polymorphism of the GR gene may be associated with a protective effect on the clinical manifestation and course in patients with BD. Furthermore, no associations were found between the other studied GR gene polymorphisms and this disease.
Emotional hyper‐reactivity in normothymic bipolar patients
Authors: M’Bailara Katia , Demotes‐Mainard Jacques , Swendsen Joël , Mathieu Flavie , Leboyer Marion , Henry Chantal 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Normothymic states in bipolar disorders are generally considered to be devoid of severe symptoms. However, bipolar patients present subsyndromal symptoms for half of their lives, and often have comorbid psychiatric disorders. If we go beyond the concept of temperamental features, can we identify certain emotional characteristics distinguishing normothymic bipolar patients from normal controls? We previously showed, using self‐completed questionnaires, that normothymic bipolar patients display higher levels of emotional lability and intensity than controls.Objectives:  The aim of this study was to assess the emotional reactivity of normothymic bipolar patients, comparing such patients with a normal control group during an experimental mood induction procedure.Method:  We evaluated the subjective emotional reactivity of 145 subjects (90 control subjects and 55 normothymic bipolar patients), using an emotional induction method based on the viewing of a set of 18 pictures (6 positive, 6 negative, 6 neutral) extracted from the International Affective Picture System. Subjective valence and arousal were recorded with the Self‐Assessment Manikin. We also recorded startle reflexes, triggered by a tone occurring during the viewing of two‐thirds of the pictures. We controlled for confounding factors, such as concurrent treatments, in all analyses.Results:  Normothymic bipolar patients and normal controls assessed valence and arousal similarly for positive and negative images. However, neutral images were considered more pleasant [F(1,143) = 8.4; p = 0.004] and induced a higher level of arousal [F(1,143) = 12.3; p = 0.001] in normothymic bipolar patients than in control subjects. Neutral pictures also triggered a stronger startle reflex in normothymic bipolar patients compared to controls [F(3,123) = 3.1; p = 0.03].Conclusion:  Normothymic bipolar patients displayed emotional hyper‐reactivity, mostly evidenced in neutral situations. This feature may be linked to emotional dysregulation and is a potential endophenotype and/or a risk factor for bipolar disorders. This trait may be responsible for vulnerability to minor stressful events in everyday life. These findings have potential implications for the daily management of bipolar disorder between crises.