bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arteriovenous malformation of the choroid plexus
Authors: Gurcan Fazila , Aribal M Erkin , Baltacioglu Feyyaz , Asian Belma 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA case of a 55‐year‐old female with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the choroid plexus within the right ventricle is reported. Arteriovenous malformation of the choroid plexus is a rare occurence. The MR findings of this malformation are discussed.
Adult duodenal web
Authors: Mani Sanjeev , Maniar Amit , Rananavare Ravi 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAn 18‐year‐old male presented with persistent vomiting and epigastric fullness of 8 months’duration. Barium examination revealed an abrupt cutoff at the third part of the duodenum. Duodenotomy revealed a web at the third part of the duodenum. Following web excision, the patient experienced marked symptomatic relief and remains well 6 months after surgery.
Bone tracer uptake in a ureteric calculus
Authors: Styles Colin B , Niekrash Ramon E 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTechnetium‐99m methylene diphosphonate was observed to concentrate in a mildly obstructive left ureteric calculus. The bone scan findings alerted the clinicians to this possibility, which was subsequently confirmed and the patient successfully treated. The stone was heterogeneous in texture and predominantly formed from magnesium ammonium phosphate. At extraction the major fragment contained 0.4% of the injected bone tracer dose and autoradiography demonstrated peripheral tracer distribution within the calculus.
Transient bone marrow oedema: A variant pattern of sacral insufficiency fractures
Authors: Peh WCG , Cheng KC , Ho WY , Chan IKL 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA 71‐year‐old woman presenting with severe low back pain was found to have a large oval area of increased sacral uptake on Tc‐99m MDP scan, with corresponding T1‐hypointense and T2‐hyperintense areas on magnetic resonance (MR) images, highly suggestive of malignancy. Open biopsies showed only callus formation. The patient responded clinically to conservative measures, with twice‐repeated follow‐up Tc‐99m MDP and MR scans documenting resolution of transient bone marrow oedema. We suggest that this form of marrow oedema represents a variant pattern of sacral insufficiency fractures.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the supraspinatus tendon: The significance of signal intensity alterations at the‘criticalzone’
Authors: Jones Andrew O 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA pictorial essay of normal and abnormal appearances of the supraspinatus tendon is presented. An increased signal intensity within the supraspinatus tendon on short TE sequences is not necessarily abnormal. Increased signal seen within the tendon on modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units is often due to a phenomenon known as the‘magic angle’effect. Only when supraspinatus tendon signal intensity is greater than that of muscle on long TE (T2) sequences should it be considered to be abnormal. The physical basis for the magic angle effect is outlined and a pictorial essay demonstrating the practical implications of this effect is presented. A comparison is made to signal intensity changes seen with partial and complete tears of the supraspinatus tendon. Correlation is made with important morphologic features of partial or complete tears.
Incidental computed tomography diagnosis of a giant oesophageal leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Gelderen WFC Van , Cheng KS 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYLeiomyosarcoma of the oesophagus is a very unusual tumour; only 53 cases have been reported in the English‐language literature. A case is reported here of a patient with a giant leiomyosarcoma, without any symptoms of dysphagia. The diagnosis was made incidentally during CT examination of the chest for detection of possible pulmonary metastases from a coexisting carcinoma of the bladder. This was confirmed by a barium swallow, oesophagoscopy and tissue diagnosis. The literature pertaining to this most uncommon tumour is reviewed.
Effect of Boc‐D‐Fmk on hepatocyte apoptosis after bile duct ligation in rat and survival rate after endotoxin challenge
Authors: Sheen‐Chen Shyr‐Ming , Hung Kuo‐Sheng , Eng Hock‐Liew 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Retention and accumulation of toxic hydrophobic bile salts within hepatocytes may cause hepatocyte toxicity by inducing apoptosis. Apoptosis is a pathway of cell death orchestrated by a family of proteases called caspases. Boc‐D‐FMK is a cell‐permeable irreversible inhibitor of caspase and recent data suggest that it might block the processing of many caspases. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible effect of Boc‐D‐FMK on hepatocyte apoptosis and on survival rate after bile duct ligation in the rat.Methods:  Male Sprague–Dawley rats, weighing 280–300 g were randomized to three groups of eight rats each. Group 1 (OBBOC‐D) underwent common bile duct ligation and simultaneous treatment with Boc‐D‐FMK‐fmk (dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO]). Group 2 (OBZFA) underwent common bile duct ligation and simultaneous treatment with ZFA‐fmk (dissolved in DMSO). Group 3 (SHAM) underwent sham operation and simultaneous treatment with the same amount of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, n = 4) or the same amount of normal saline (n = 4). After 3 days, liver tissue was harvested for histopathological analysis and measurements of apoptosis. Survival rates were measured in a separate experiment in which animals underwent the same protocol. The animals received endotoxin (15 mg/kg) in the afternoon of the third postoperative day. Animals were observed for 48 h and the survival rates were recorded.Results:  When compared with sham operation, common bile duct ligation with ZFA‐fmk (placebo) significantly increased hepatocyte apoptosis (P < 0.001). When compared with the OBZFA group, Boc‐D‐FMK significantly diminished the increased hepatocyte apoptosis in the OBBOC‐D group (P < 0.001). There is no difference in hepatocyte apoptosis (P = 0.05) between OBBOC‐D and SHAM groups. After endotoxin challenge, the 48 h survival rates were 100%, 87.5% and 62.5% for the SHAM, OBBOC‐D and OBZFA groups, respectively.Conclusions:  Boc‐D‐FMK‐fmk effectively attenuated the hepatocyte apoptosis in bile duct‐ligated rats and may improve the survival rates after endotoxin challenge.
Two hour exposure to sodium butyrate sensitizes bladder cancer to anticancer drugs
Authors: Wang Degui , Wang Zhiping , Tian Binqiang , Li Xiaoming , Li Shigang , Tian Yingxia 
Published: March 2008

Objectives:  To investigate the inhibitory effect of sodium butyrate (NaB) on the proliferation of human bladder cancer cell lines and its synergetic effect with anticancer drugs in treating bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo.Methods:  The inhibitory effects of NaB on human bladder cancer cell lines in vitro and the synergetic effect of NaB with mitomycin c, cisplatin (CDDP) and adriamycin were detected by the 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Hoechst staining and electron microscopy were used to observe morphology for apoptotic cells after NaB treatment. Fas, bcl‐2 and caspase‐3 were determined with flow cytometry. In vivo synergetic effects were detected in N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea induced bladder cancer model rats.Results:  NaB significantly inhibited the growth of bladder cancer cell lines in a concentration and time dependent manner. Better results of tumor inhibition have been achieved when NaB was combined with CDDP, mitomycin c and adriamycin, rather than used alone. Furthermore, 2 h exposure to NaB can sensitize bladder cancer to chemotherapy agents. The Bcl‐2 expression in bladder cancer cells is decreased and caspase‐3 expression increased after NaB treatment. Intravesical application of NaB combined with CDDP can significantly inhibit tumor growth and progression.Conclusions:  NaB has a direct anticancer effect and can markedly enhance the action of several chemotherapy agents. 2 h expose to NaB can also sensitize bladder cancer to anticancer drugs. NaB may be an excellent candidate agent for intravesical application in treating bladder cancer.
Unique clustering of A‐type potassium channels on different cell types of the main olfactory bulb
Authors: Kollo Mihaly , Holderith Noémi , Antal Miklós , Nusser Zoltan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTheoretical and functional studies predicted a highly non‐uniform distribution of voltage‐gated ion channels on the neuronal surface. This was confirmed by recent immunolocalization experiments for Na+, Ca2+, hyperpolarization activated mixed cation and K+ channels. These experiments also indicated that some K+ channels were clustered in synaptic or non‐synaptic membrane specializations. Here we analysed the subcellular distribution of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 subunits in the rat main olfactory bulb at high resolution to address whether clustering characterizes their distribution, and whether they are concentrated in synaptic or non‐synaptic junctions. The cell surface distribution of the Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 subunits is highly non‐uniform. Strong Kv4.2 subunit‐immunopositive clusters were detected in intercellular junctions made by mitral, external tufted and granule cells (GCs). We also found Kv4.3 subunit‐immunopositive clusters in periglomerular (PGC), deep short‐axon and GCs. In the juxtaglomerular region some calretinin‐immunopositive glial cells enwrap neighboring PGC somata in a cap‐like manner. Kv4.3 subunit clusters are present in the cap membrane that directly contacts the PGC, but not the one that faces the neuropil. In membrane specializations established by members of the same cell type, K+ channels are enriched in both membranes, whereas specializations between different cell types contain a high density of channels asymmetrically. None of the K+ channel‐rich junctions showed any of the ultrastructural features of known chemical synapses. Our study provides evidence for highly non‐uniform subcellular distributions of A‐type K+ channels and predicts their involvements in novel forms of intercellular communication in the olfactory pathway.
Estradiol suppresses rapid eye movement sleep and activation of sleep‐active neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic area
Authors: Hadjimarkou Maria M. , Benham Rebecca , Schwarz Jaclyn M. , Holder Mary K. , Mong Jessica A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractStudies from multiple species, including humans, suggest that gonadal hormones, and ovarian hormones in particular, influence the physiology of sleep, but the mechanisms by which these hormones influence sleep behaviors are unknown. Previously, we demonstrated a 50% reduction in lipocalin‐prostaglandin D synthase (L‐PGDS) transcript levels, following estradiol treatment, at the level of the ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), a putative sleep‐active nucleus. Catalytic activity of L‐PGDS produces prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), an endogenous somnogen. Based on our previous studies, we hypothesized that estradiol is acting via PGD2 to suppress neuronal activity in the VLPO of females. To begin to test whether this is true, we quantified the number of Fos‐immunopositive cells in hormonally manipulated male and female rats. We found that in females during the light phase, estradiol suppressed Fos expression in VLPO neurons. Interestingly, protein expression of L‐PGDS followed the same pattern. Surprisingly, changes in the hormonal milieu of males had no effect. Using telemetry to record electroencephalograms from gonadally intact females, we found, in the light phase of proestrus when estradiol levels are high, a marked reduction in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep compared with the other days of the estrous cycle. However, during the dark phase of proestrus when estrogen and progesterone levels are elevated, significantly less time was spent in both non‐REM and REM sleep. Thus, it seems that hormones in females play a major role in the regulation of sleep and arousal via activation of neurons in key sleep and arousal centers.
Reward‐related activity in the human motor cortex
Authors: Kapogiannis Dimitrios , Campion Paul , Grafman Jordan , Wassermann Eric M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe human primary motor cortex (M1) participates in motor learning and response selection, functions that rely on feedback on the success of behavior (i.e. reward). To investigate the possibility that behavioral contingencies alter M1 activity in humans, we tested intracortical inhibition with single and paired (subthreshold/suprathreshold) transcranial magnetic stimulation during a slot machine simulation that delivered variable money rewards for three‐way matches and required no movement. A two‐way match before the third barrel had stopped (increased reward expectation) was associated with more paired‐pulse inhibition than no match. Receiving a large reward on the preceding trial augmented this effect. A control task that manipulated attention to the same stimuli produced no changes in excitability. The origin of this reward‐related activity is not clear, although dopaminergic ventral tegmental area neurons project to M1, where they are thought to inhibit output neurons and could be the source of the finding. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of M1 may be useful as a quantitative measure of reward‐related activity.
Traumatic brain injury causes a long‐lasting calcium (Ca2+)‐plateau of elevated intracellular Ca levels and altered Ca2+ homeostatic mechanisms in hippocampal neurons surviving brain injury
Authors: Sun David A. , Deshpande Laxmikant S. , Sombati Sompong , Baranova Anya , Wilson Margaret S. , Hamm Robert J. , DeLorenzo Robert J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors often suffer chronically from significant morbidity associated with cognitive deficits, behavioral difficulties and a post‐traumatic syndrome and thus it is important to understand the pathophysiology of these long‐term plasticity changes after TBI. Calcium (Ca2+) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of TBI‐induced neuronal death and other forms of brain injury including stroke and status epilepticus. However, the potential role of long‐term changes in neuronal Ca2+ dynamics after TBI has not been evaluated. In the present study, we measured basal free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in acutely isolated CA3 hippocampal neurons from Sprague–Dawley rats at 1, 7 and 30 days after moderate central fluid percussion injury. Basal [Ca2+]i was significantly elevated when measured 1 and 7 days post‐TBI without evidence of neuronal death. Basal [Ca2+]i returned to normal when measured 30 days post‐TBI. In contrast, abnormalities in Ca2+ homeostasis were found for as long as 30 days after TBI. Studies evaluating the mechanisms underlying the altered Ca2+ homeostasis in TBI neurons indicated that necrotic or apoptotic cell death and abnormalities in Ca2+ influx and efflux mechanisms could not account for these changes and suggested that long‐term changes in Ca2+ buffering or Ca2+ sequestration/release mechanisms underlie these changes in Ca2+ homeostasis after TBI. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of altered Ca2+ homeostasis in traumatized, surviving neurons in TBI may offer novel therapeutic interventions that may contribute to the treatment and relief of some of the morbidity associated with TBI.
Histamine facilitates in vivo thalamocortical long‐term potentiation in the mature visual cortex of anesthetized rats
Authors: Kuo Min‐Ching , Dringenberg Hans C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecent evidence indicates that the mature central visual system retains a higher degree of plasticity than traditionally assumed. However, little is known regarding the neuromodulatory factors that influence plasticity in the adult primary visual cortex (V1). We investigated the role of histamine, one of the neuromodulators that densely innervate all neocortical fields, in modulating plasticity of V1 by examining thalamocortical long‐term potentiation (LTP). Theta‐burst stimulation of the lateral geniculate nucleus of urethane‐anesthetized rats resulted in potentiation of the field postsynaptic potential recorded in the superficial layers of V1. Histamine (0.01–10 mm), applied locally in V1 by reverse microdialysis, produced a clear, dose‐dependent enhancement of LTP. In addition, histamine also allowed a weak theta‐burst induction protocol, that by itself failed to induce significant synaptic potentiation, to produce stable LTP. The effect of histamine to facilitate LTP was largely resistant to blockade of H1[chlorpheniramine, 5 and 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] or H2 receptors (cimetidine, 10 mg/kg, zolantidine, 5 mg/kg, i.p.). However, arcaine sulfate salt (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a blocker of the polyamine binding site of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor, completely antagonized the LTP amplification induced by histamine, suggesting that it acts via a direct modulation of NMDA receptors, rather than histaminergic receptor activation. The present experiments provide the first demonstration of a histaminergic influence on neocortical synaptic plasticity in vivo and show that cortical histaminergic activation acts to lower the induction threshold and increase the degree of plasticity in the mature thalamocortical visual system.
Herbivore and predator diversity interactively affect ecosystem properties in an experimental marine community
Authors: Douglass James G. , Duffy J. Emmett , Bruno John F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractInteracting changes in predator and prey diversity likely influence ecosystem properties but have rarely been experimentally tested. We manipulated the species richness of herbivores and predators in an experimental benthic marine community and measured their effects on predator, herbivore and primary producer performance. Predator composition and richness strongly affected several community and population responses, mostly via sampling effects. However, some predators survived better in polycultures than in monocultures, suggesting complementarity due to stronger intra‐ than interspecific interactions. Predator effects also differed between additive and substitutive designs, emphasizing that the relationship between diversity and abundance in an assemblage can strongly influence whether and how diversity effects are realized. Changing herbivore richness and predator richness interacted to influence both total herbivore abundance and predatory crab growth, but these interactive diversity effects were weak. Overall, the presence and richness of predators dominated biotic effects on community and ecosystem properties.
Mitochondrial DNA phylogenetic analysis of the genusLaparocerus(Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae). I. The Madeiran clade
Authors: Machado Antonio , López Mercedes , Almeida Teresa , Hernández Mariano 
Published: March 2008

Laparocerusare plant‐chewing flightless weevils distributed on oceanic islands in Macaronesia, with a single species in Morocco. The genus has a complicated taxonomic history with several subgenera described. To assist in a taxonomical revision of the group, a molecular study was undertaken. In this first contribution, the species from the Azores and Madeira archipelagos are studied together with representatives of subgenera from the Canary Islands and the single known continental species (46 OTUs). Phylogenetic analyses are based on sequence data from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and the ribosomal 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes (combined data set 1023 bp), with additional data from the nuclear elongation factor 1α (EF‐1α) for some selected species. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analyses show that all Madeiran species are monophyletic and form a monophyletic group with the Afro‐Canarian samples. Species of the genusLichenophagusappear within the Madeiran and CanarianLaparocerusclades, but separated in accordance with their respective island origin. Thus,Lichenophagusis here restricted to Madeiran species and proposed as subgenus (status novo) ofLaparocerus.Conversely, theLaparocerussubgenusDrouetiusfrom the Azores is revealed to be a separate and distant outgroup, in agreement with its morphological distinctiveness, deserving an independent genus status. Internal relationships within the Madeiran clade are discussed and compared with morphologically defined species groups. The Madeiran monotypic subgenusCyphoscelisis not supported by the genetic data and synonymized (nov. syn.) withLaparocerus.SubgeneraLaparocerusandAtlantisprove to be polyphyletic. Consequently a restriction to monophyletic and morphologically congruent clades is proposed. A cryptic species vicariant ofLaparocerus moriowas detected and recognized asL. chaoensis,status novo. Other cases of discrepancy between the genetic results and the traditional taxonomy are discussed in detail in the light of mitochondrial introgression, incomplete lineage sorting or poor taxonomy hypotheses.
A Regional Analysis of the Impact of Trade and Foreign Direct Investment on Wages in Mexico, 1984–2000
Authors: Airola Jim 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe conventional Heckscher–Ohlin model of trade predicts an equalizing effect of trade on wages in developing countries abundant in less‐skilled labor. Contrary to these predictions, skill premiums and skill demand increased in Mexico following trade liberalization. “New” trade theories have offered several channels through which trade can increase relative wages and demand for skilled workers. One such channel is foreign direct investment and outsourcing. Using the Mexican Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH) covering 1984–2000, the author examines the relationship between the demand for skill and maquiladora employment across regions and states. In contrast to previous studies based on manufacturing data for the 1980s, little evidence is found that growth in maquiladora employment is positively related to the increase in relative wages or wage‐bill share of more educated workers.
INKOMENS UIT LANDBOUW OF NIJVERHEID OF DIENSTVERLENING
Authors: DE JAGER Mr. JOHS. 
Published: March 2008

De voorzomer van 1966 gaf me gelegenheid, eens een grafische factoranalyse toe te passen op het verband dat zou kunnen bestaan tussen het gemiddelde inkomen per gemeente en de procentuele verdeling van de beroeps‐bevolking over de drie sectoren landbouw, nijverheid en dienstverlening. Wat betreft de toegepaste methode van analysering zij verwezen naar enige publikaties1.Wei zou ervan zijn op te merken dat deze methode intussen is achterhaald door het computerwerk. Onlangs berichtte mij één van de eerste ontwerpers dezer grafische methode dat het grafische meer‐dimensionale werken nog altijd een bruikbare en betrouwbare techniek is. Vandaar dat ik de uitkomsten van deze analyse ‘avant la computer’ in het onderstaande naar voren breng.
SEGREGATION LEVELS IN THE LATE‐APARTHEID CITY 1985–1991
Authors: CHRISTOPHER A.J. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn the course of the 1980s a number of changes took place in the organization of South African cities, leading to the concept of ‘modernizing’ apartheid. Relaxation of laws and the publicized responses to racial integration in a few localities encouraged the concept of a breakdown of residential barriers. However, an examination of the 1991 census suggests not only that segregation levels are remarkably high, but also that they rose in the period between 1985 and 1991. The White population in particular remains highly segregated from the remainder. There is nevertheless a number of significant regional differences, indicating that urban restructuring was not uniform. The late‐apartheid city thus appears little changed from its predecessor.