bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exaggerated insect bite reaction exacerbated by a pyogenic infection in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Walker Patrick , Long Dorota , James Craig , Marshman Gillian 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYA 69‐year‐old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia presented with an 18‐month history of pruritic, tender, erythematous plaques. The recurrent lesions simulated insect bites and cellulitis, but failed to respond to appropriate treatments. A recent severe flare was associated with markedly elevated inflammatory markers and swelling of the left leg. The swelling settled rapidly with ibuprofen, leaving cellulitis around a small ulcer infected with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The cellulitis responded to oral flucloxacillin. Subsequent multiple small exaggerated insect bite reaction lesions settled with oral prednisolone. Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome) was considered unlikely based on the lack of a morphoea‐like resolution phase, histological lack of flame figures and presence of vasculitis; however, the distinction is probably artificial.
Genetic analysis of a family with hereditary glomuvenous malformations
Authors: Ostberg Anna , Moreno Gilberto , Su Tina , Trisnowati Niken , Marchuk Douglas , Murrell Dedee 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYGlomuvenous malformations (MIM 138000) are rare vascular malformations consisting of glomus cells, and in affected individuals, lesions may appear in any number anywhere on the body. We analysed the DNA of one family with hereditary glomuvenous malformations and identified the mutation causing the disease in the glomulin gene on chromosome 1 p22. The deletion started at base pair 157: 157delAAGAA, which is a deletion of five base pairs. This mutation has been found in Europe, the USA and Australia, suggesting a founder effect with common ancestry. Thus far, no second‐hit mutation for the 157delAAGAA mutation has been identified.
Signet‐ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with skin metastases
Authors: Krunic Aleksandar L , Chen Helen M , Lopatka Keith 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYCutaneous metastasis from gallbladder cancer is extremely rare. We present a case of signet‐ring cell carcinoma of the gallbladder metastatic to the skin in a 38‐year‐old man. The skin nodules on the face, scalp and perianal area occurred approximately 1 year after the resection of the neoplasm. Skin metastases from gastrointestinal cancers are usually detected around surgical scars or on the abdominal wall, especially in the periumbilical region, and rarely present at other sites. Multiple imaging studies revealed the presence of metastatic bony involvement in the spine and left orbit. Visceral metastases have not been demonstrated in our patient in 20 months of follow up since the initial diagnosis of gallbladder cancer was made. We also briefly discuss other primary and metastatic skin tumours with signet‐ring cell morphology.
Allergic contact cheilitis from a lipstick misdiagnosed as herpes labialis: Subsequent worsening due to Zovirax® contact allergy
Authors: Özkaya Esen , Topkarcı Zeynep , Özarmağan Güzin 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYA 29‐year‐old Turkish woman with allergic contact cheilitis from a lipstick was misdiagnosed as herpes labialis and subsequently worsened with the application of Zovirax® cream. Patch tests were positive to Zovirax® cream, propylene glycol, the patient's favourite lipstick and propyl gallate. No reaction was seen with Zovirax® ophthalmic ointment and Zovirax® tablet. The propylene glycol component of the Zovirax® cream and the propyl gallate component of the lipstick were regarded as the responsible contact sensitizers. The differential diagnosis was challenging due to concomitant contact sensitization with these agents.
The effects of tolterodine on bladder‐filling sensations and perception thresholds to intravesical electrical stimulation: method and initial results
Authors: Boy Sönke , Schurch Brigitte , Mehnert Ulrich , Mehring Gudrun , Karsenty Gilles , Reitz André 
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVESTo study the effects of the antimuscarinic agent tolterodine on the perception thresholds to intravesical electrical stimulation (IES) and the effects of the drug on subjective bladder sensation during normal filling cystometry in healthy female volunteers.SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn seven healthy women IES was applied at 2.5 Hz (pulse width 10 ms, protocol 1), 2.5 Hz (pulse width 0.2 ms, protocol 2), and 250 Hz (pulse width 0.2 ms, protocol 3). Sensory perception thresholds were obtained using electric currents in 0.5 mA steps. Afterwards the bladder was filled and the first bladder‐filling sensation, first desire to void, strong desire to void and urge to void were recorded. The bladder was then emptied, the volume measured and subjects were checked for residual urine by ultrasonography. The subjects then received 4 mg of tolterodine and the entire protocol was repeated 2 h afterward. The perception thresholds for IES and bladder sensation levels obtained at baseline were compared statistically with the corresponding values after tolterodine.RESULTSTolterodine significantly increased perception thresholds to IES for all three protocols (P = 0.027, 0.018 and 0.018, respectively). The drug had no effect on the filling levels for the corresponding bladder sensation.CONCLUSIONOral tolterodine significantly increased the perception threshold to IES in healthy women; there was no effect on subjective bladder sensations during cystometry.
Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐ and propiverine‐controlled trial of the once‐daily antimuscarinic agent solifenacin in Japanese patients with overactive bladder
Authors: Yamaguchi Osamu , Marui Eiji , Kakizaki Hidehiro , Itoh Naoki , Yokota Takashi , Okada Hiroshi , Ishizuka Osamu , Ozono Seiichiro , Gotoh Momokazu , Sugiyama Takahide , Seki Narihito , Yoshida Masaki ,   the Japanese Solifenacin Study Group
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVESTo compare solifenacin succinate (5 and 10 mg once‐daily) to placebo and propiverine hydrochloride (20 mg once‐daily), respectively, in Japanese patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).PATIENTS AND METHODSA multicentre, 12‐week, double‐blind phase III trial randomized men and women aged ≥ 20 years with OAB to solifenacin 5 or 10 mg, propiverine 20 mg, or placebo. Changes at endpoint in number of voids/24 h, urgency, incontinence, urgency incontinence and nocturia episodes, volume voided/void, restoration of continence and quality of life (QoL) were examined.RESULTSOf 1593 patients randomized, 1584 were treated; at the endpoint there were greater reductions in mean (sd) voids/24 h with solifenacin 5 mg, at −1.93 (1.97), and 10 mg, at −2.19 (2.09), and propiverine 20 mg, at −1.87 (2.70), than with placebo, at −0.94 (2.29) (P < 0.001 for all). Solifenacin (5 and 10 mg) was superior to placebo, and no worse than propiverine 20 mg, for this variable. There were significantly fewer mean (sd) urgency, incontinence and urgency incontinence episodes with solifenacin and propiverine than with placebo, with respective changes on placebo of − 1.28 (2.90), − 0.72 (1.95) and − 0.69 (2.00); solifenacin 5 mg, − 2.41 (2.88), −1.59 (2.12) and −1.45 (1.89) (P < 0.001 for all), and 10 mg, −2.78 (2.82), − 1.60 (1.81) and − 1.52 (1.77) (P < 0.001 for all), and propiverine 20 mg, −2.30 (3.08), −1.25 (2.79) and − 1.19 (2.20) (P < 0.001, = 0.002 and = 0.002 respectively). All active treatments vs placebo improved the volume voided (P < 0.001 for all) and QoL; solifenacin 10 mg reduced nocturia episodes (P = 0.021) and significantly improved urgency episodes (P = 0.012) and volume voided (P = 0.009) vs propiverine 20 mg, and solifenacin 5 mg caused less dry mouth (P = 0.003). Solifenacin 10 mg caused more dry mouth (P = 0.012) and occurrences of constipation (P = 0.004) than propiverine 20 mg, but discontinuation rates between both treatment groups were similar. Continence was restored at endpoint in more than half of the patients on active treatment.CONCLUSIONSolifenacin 5 and 10 mg once daily significantly improved the symptoms of OAB compared with placebo. Solifenacin therapy at 5 mg once daily is well‐tolerated; 10 mg can be given if additional efficacy is required.
United We Vote
Authors: EGUIA JON X. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper studies the advantages that a coalition of agents obtain by forming a voting bloc to pool their votes and cast them all together. We identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for an agent to benefit from the formation of the voting bloc, both if the agent is a member of the bloc and if the agent is not part of the bloc. We also determine whether individual agents prefer to participate in or step out of the bloc, and we find the different optimal internal voting rules that aggregate preferences within the coalition.
Income Taxation with Labor Responses
Authors: EBERT UDO , MOYES PATRICK 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWhen incomes are exogenously given, U. Jakobsson (Journal of Public Economics s 5 (1976), 161–168) proved that a progressive tax structure always reduces inequality. We investigate the implications for effective progression of relaxing the assumption of exogenous incomes when individuals have the same preferences but different talents. We extend the standard result and conclude that it is generally impossible to disentangle the respective contributions to inequality reduction of the tax schedule and agents' preferences. For a linear tax schedule to result in less unequally distributed incomes it is sufficient that the elasticity of labor supply be nonincreasing in exogenous income and nondecreasing in productivities. The latter condition proves to be necessary and sufficient when the tax schedule is proportional.
Corruption and the Provision of Public Output in a Hierarchical Asymmetric Information Relationship
Authors: DHAMI SANJIT , AL‐NOWAIHI ALI 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper develops a principal‐agent model to explore the interaction of corruption, bribery, and political oversight of production. Under full information, an honest politician achieves the first best while a dishonest politician creates shortages and bribes. Under asymmetric information, an honest politician may create more shortages relative to a dishonest one, but the latter creates more bribes. The model identifies a tradeoff between bribery and efficiency. This helps to reconcile some conflicting results on the implications of corruption for the size of the public sector. It also provides new results on the circumstances under which an improvement in the auditing technology is beneficial. The paper identifies conditions under which corruption is welfare enhancing. However, the paper also shows that under precisely these conditions private provision, even by an unregulated monopolist, would be better than public provision.
Multiple functional domains are involved in tomosyn regulation of exocytosis
Authors: Yizhar Ofer , Lipstein Noa , Gladycheva Svetlana E. , Matti Ulf , Ernst Stephen A. , Rettig Jens , Stuenkel Edward L. , Ashery Uri 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTomosyn is a cytoplasmic protein that was shown to bind to Syntaxin1 and SNAP‐25 through an R‐SNARE domain, forming a complex that is almost identical in structure to the neuronal SNARE complex. Tomosyn inhibits exocytosis in various cell types and these effects were attributed to direct competition between tomosyn’s SNARE domain and Synaptobrevin/VAMP. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of different domains of tomosyn to its activity. We show that a tomosyn mutant that lacks the entire SNARE domain is a potent inhibitor of vesicle priming, similar to the full‐length tomosyn. The SNARE domain of tomosyn failed to inhibit exocytosis, indicating that this domain is not required for the inhibition. In contrast, over‐expression of a N‐terminally truncated mutant did not lead to inhibition of exocytosis although this mutant still bound to Syntaxin. Our results indicate that tomosyn can inhibit exocytosis independently of its SNARE interaction with Syntaxin and that the integrity of the WD40‐domain is crucial for tomosyn’s inhibitory function. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the entire N‐terminal region of tomosyn, the WD40‐repeats and the linker, is required for tomosyn’s inhibitory effect.
Early release of arachidonic acid prevents an otherwise immediate formation of toxic levels of peroxynitrite in astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide/interferon‐γ
Authors: Palomba Letizia , Amadori Alessandra , Cantoni Orazio 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAddition of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) to rat astrocytes in primary culture promotes an early release of arachidonic acid (ARA) associated with an immediate inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Preventing the release of constitutive nitric oxide (NO) is indeed critical for activation of the nuclear factor kappa B, and for the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase responsible for the formation of large amounts of NO. LPS/IFN‐γ also promotes an early release of superoxide, via activation of NADPH oxidase, but the generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is prevented by the different timing of superoxide (minutes) and NO (hours) formation. Upstream inhibition of the ARA‐dependent nNOS inhibitory signaling, however, caused the parallel release of superoxide and constitutive NO, thereby leading to formation of ONOO− levels triggering loss of ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential followed by the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3 and morphological evidence of apoptosis. Nanomolar levels of exogenous ARA prevented all these events via inhibition of early ONOO− formation. Thus, the ARA‐dependent nNOS inhibition observed in astrocytes exposed to pro‐inflammatory stimuli, as LPS/IFN‐γ, is critical for both the expression of nuclear factor kappa B‐dependent genes and for survival.
Differences in dopamine responsiveness to drugs of abuse in the nucleus accumbens shell and core of Lewis and Fischer 344 rats
Authors: Cadoni Cristina , Chiara Gaetano Di 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe use of inbred rat strains provides a tool to investigate the role of genetic factors in drug abuse. Two such strains are Lewis and Fischer 344 rats. Although several biochemical and hormonal differences have been observed between Lewis and Fischer 344 strains, a systematic comparison of the effect of different drugs of abuse on dopamine (DA) transmission in the shell and core of the nucleus accumbens of these strains is lacking. We therefore investigated, by means of dual probe microdialysis, the effect of different doses of morphine (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/kg), amphetamine (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) and cocaine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) on DA transmission in the shell and in the core of nucleus accumbens. Behavior was monitored during microdialysis. In general, Lewis rats showed greater DA responsiveness in the NAc core compared to F344 rats except after 2.5 mg/kg of morphine and 20 mg/kg of cocaine. In the NAc shell, different effects were obtained depending on drug and dose: after 1.0 mg/kg of morphine no strain differences were observed, at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg Lewis rats showed greater increase in DA in the NAc shell. Following amphetamine and cocaine challenge, Lewis rats showed greater DA increase in the shell after 0.25 mg/kg of amphetamine and 20 mg/kg of cocaine. Behavioral activation was greater in Lewis rats in response to the lowest dose of morphine (1.0 mg/kg), to the highest dose of amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) and to all doses of cocaine. These differences might be the basis for the different behavioral responses of these strains to drugs of abuse.
Induction of the reelin promoter by retinoic acid is mediated by Sp1
Authors: Chen Ying , Kundakovic Marija , Agis‐Balboa Roberto C. , Pinna Graziano , Grayson Dennis R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe have previously described the cloning of the human reelin promoter and provided evidence that it is regulated, in part, through changes in methylation. Results from our current studies provide a more detailed analysis of this promoter and the interactions of the transcription factors Sp1 and paired box gene 6 (Pax6) with their recognition sites. The promoter was studied in NT2 cells which are a neuroprogenitor line that undergoes differentiation in vitro. We examined reelin mRNA and promoter induction following a 6‐day treatment of these cells with retinoic acid (RA). Deletion and site‐directed mutations showed functionally relevant sequences necessary for regulation. Gel‐shift assays demonstrated that the main site of action of the promoter lies within a closely packed (∼25 bp) region in which these transcription factors likely bind, possibly forming a DNA/protein complex. Based on our results, it appears likely that RA‐induces reelin expression through a critical Sp1 site that resides adjacent to the Pax6 site within this multisite enhancer region. We show that induction of the reelin promoter with RA is accompanied by higher amounts of Sp1 and Pax6 binding to this region. Finally, we show that while mutations in the Sp1 site prevent the RA‐mediated promoter induction, similar mutations in the Pax6 site do not. The data suggest that while the Pax6 site plays a role in modulating reelin expression, it is not absolutely required for induction by RA.
The role of calcium in protease‐activated receptor‐induced secretion of chemokine GRO/CINC‐1 in rat brain astrocytes
Authors: Wang Yingfei , Luo Weibo , Reiser Georg 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOur recent data showed that activation of protease‐activated receptor (PAR)‐1 and PAR‐2 in rat astrocytes not only evokes calcium signaling, but also regulates the release of the chemokine growth‐regulated oncogene/cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant‐1 (GRO/CINC‐1), a counterpart of the human GRO. This chemokine provides a feedback to protect astrocytes from toxic insults. Activated PAR‐1 and PAR‐2 were strong stimuli to induce the release of GRO/CINC‐1. The effect was comparable to that induced by TNF‐α. However, the role of calcium in the PAR‐induced GRO/CINC‐1 secretion remains unknown. Here, we found that the pharmacological blockade of either calcium release from the intracellular stores, or influx from the extracellular space, increased PAR‐1‐ and PAR‐2‐induced GRO/CINC‐1 secretion. Under calcium‐free conditions, the basal mRNA level of GRO/CINC‐1 was clearly increased. Further studies revealed that the intracellular GRO/CINC‐1 protein level was slightly increased by treatment with thrombin or TRag in calcium‐free conditions. However, the amount of protein synthesized was largely reduced in the absence of extracellular calcium as compared to that under normal calcium conditions. Importantly, we found that the intracellularly formed GRO/CINC‐1 was not secreted into the cell culture supernatant under calcium‐free conditions. These data suggest a dual role of calcium. On the one side, an increase in cytosolic calcium negatively regulates PAR‐induced GRO/CINC‐1 gene expression in rat astrocytes, but on the other side, the basal level of calcium is the pre‐requisite for GRO/CINC‐1 protein synthesis and secretion.
Intraneuronal amyloid‐β plays a role in mediating the synergistic pathological effects of apoE4 and environmental stimulation
Authors: Levi Ofir , Dolev Iftach , Belinson Haim , Michaelson Daniel M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe allele E4 of apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), which is the most prevalent genetic risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), inhibits synaptogenesis and neurogenesis and stimulates apoptosis in brains of apoE4 transgenic mice that have been exposed to an enriched environment. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that the brain activity‐dependent impairments in neuronal plasticity, induced by apoE4, are mediated via the amyloid cascade. Importantly, we found that exposure of mice transgenic for either apoE4, or the Alzheimer’s disease benign allele apoE3, to an enriched environment elevates similarly the hippocampal levels of amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) and apoE of these mice, but that the degree of aggregation and spatial distribution of Aβ in these mice are markedly affected by the apoE genotype. Accordingly, environmental stimulation triggered the formation of extracellular plaque‐like Aβ deposits and the accumulation of intra‐neuronal oligomerized Aβ specifically in brains of apoE4 mice. Further experiments revealed that hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons are particularly susceptible to apoE4 and environmental stimulation and that these neurons are specifically enriched in both oligomerized Aβ and apoE. These findings show that the impairments in neuroplasticity which are induced by apoE4 following environmental stimulation are associated with the accumulation of intraneuronal Aβ and suggest that oligomerized Aβ mediates the synergistic pathological effects of apoE4 and environmental stimulation.
Frontal cortical afferents facilitate striatal nitric oxide transmission in vivo via a NMDA receptor and neuronal NOS‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Sammut Stephen , Park Diana J. , West Anthony R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractStriatal nitric oxide (NO) signaling plays a critical role in modulating neural processing and motor behavior. Nitrergic interneurons receive synaptic inputs from corticostriatal neurons and are activated via ionotropic glutamate receptor stimulation. However, the afferent regulation of NO signaling is poorly characterized. The role of frontal cortical afferents in regulating NO transmission was assessed in anesthetized rats using amperometric microsensor measurements of NO efflux and local field potential recordings. Low frequency (3 Hz) electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral cortex did not consistently evoke detectable changes in striatal NO efflux. In contrast, train stimulation (30 Hz) of frontal cortical afferents facilitated NO efflux in a stimulus intensity‐dependent manner. Nitric oxide efflux evoked by train stimulation was transient, reproducible over time, and attenuated by systemic administration of either the NMDA receptor antagonist MK‐801 or the neuronal NO synthase inhibitors 7‐nitroindazole and NG‐propyl‐l‐arginine. The interaction between NO efflux evoked via train stimulation and local striatal neuron activity was assessed using dual microsensor and local field potential recordings carried out concurrently in the contralateral and ipsilateral striatum, respectively. Systemic administration of the non‐specific NO synthase inhibitor methylene blue attenuated both evoked NO efflux and the peak oscillation frequency (within the delta band) of local field potentials recorded immediately after train stimulation. Taken together, these observations indicate that feed‐forward activation of neuronal NO signaling by phasic activation of frontal cortical afferents facilitates the synchronization of glutamate driven oscillations in striatal neurons. Thus, NO signaling may act to amplify coherent corticostriatal transmission and synchronize striatal output.