bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scanning Electron Microscopical Study of the Lingual Epithelium of Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Authors: Abbate F. , Latella G. , Montalbano G. , Guerrera M. C. , Levanti M. B. , Ciriaco E. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryDuring the last few years, green iguanas (Iguana iguana) have turned out to be one of the most popular pets. They are omnivorous. In their way of feeding, this crucial function is performed by capturing of the preys and mostly, this is carried out by the tongue. The role of the tongue is also fundamental during the intra‐oral transport and during the swallowing of food. This has been reported in several studies about chameleons, agamids and iguanids, nevertheless published data about the mechanisms of capturing and swallowing the prey, and the morphological descriptions about the tongue epithelium, are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this present study was to analyse the morphology of the lingual epithelium in green iguanas by scanning electron microscopy. Three different areas were demonstrated on the tongue surface: the tongue tip, characterized by a smooth epithelium without papillae, a foretongue, completely covered by numerous closely packed cylindriform papillae, and a hindtongue with conical‐like papillae. Some taste buds were recognized on the middle and the posterior parts of the tongue. Different functional roles could be hypothesized for the three tongue areas: the tongue tip could have a role related to the movements of the prey immediately after the capturing, while the middle papillae and the hindtongue could have an important role concerning the swallowing phase.
Field and tree distribution of Capnodis tenebrionis (Linnaeus, 1767) (Col., Buprestidae) adults in an apricot orchard in Italy
Authors: Bonsignore C. P. , Manti F. , Vacante V. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA study was conducted into the spatio–temporal distribution of adult Capnodis tenebrionis (Linnaeus, 1767) in an apricot orchard in Sicily (Italy) using inverse distance squared weighting (IDW), a spatial interpolation technique to create a distribution map of adults in the orchard. The study was conducted throughout the period of presence of the adult in the field and it investigated distribution on individual plants with regard to the observed height on the crown and exposure to the sun’s rays. The variation is gradual in the distribution of the buprestid in the field and the areas with the greatest exposition to the sun (south‐east) were marked by the highest densities. The presence of the pest was also found to be higher in those parts of the crown most exposed to the sun; moreover, the position in relation to the ground varied constantly and was increasingly linked to time and temperature. The data obtained confirmed the distinct thermal demands of the species and provided useful information on both sampling and control.
Role of regulatory T cells in gastrointestinal inflammatory disease
Authors: Van Driel Ian R , Ang Desmond KY 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRegulatory T cells curb unwanted immune responses and regulate responses to microflora and it is now clear that regulatory T cells play an important role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut. First, regulatory T cells are crucial in controlling immune responses to gastric autoantigens and thus preventing autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia. Second, regulatory T cells may modulate the response to Helicobacter pylori, thus affecting the ability of the immune system to clear the pathogen and mediate damage to the gastric mucosa. Finally, regulatory T cells play an important role in preventing damaging inflammatory responses to commensal organisms in the lower gut, thus guarding against inflammatory bowel diseases. In the present review, we examine the actions of regulatory T cells in the gut and conclude that further understanding of regulatory T cell biology may lead to new therapeutic approaches to chronic gastrointestinal disease.
Endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device is an effective and safe treatment for carcinoid tumors in the lower rectum
Authors: Mashimo Yumi , Matsuda Takahisa , Uraoka Toshio , Saito Yutaka , Sano Yasushi , Fu Kuangi , Kozu Takahiro , Ono Akiko , Fujii Takahiro , Saito Daizo 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Various methods for complete endoscopic resection of rectal carcinoid tumors have been reported; however, the number of cases investigated in each study has been limited. The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinical usefulness of a novel technique named endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR‐L) in a large number of rectal carcinoid tumors.Patients and methods:  Between January 1999 and March 2005, a total of 61 patients with 63 rectal carcinoid tumors estimated at 10 mm or less in diameter, without atypical features and resected by ESMR‐L were recruited for this analysis. The complete resection rate, complications associated with the procedure, local recurrence, and distant metastases were evaluated.Results:  Sixty‐one patients were 36 males and 25 females with a mean age of 59 ± 11 years (24–76 years). Tumor size ranged from 2 to 12 mm in diameter, with an average size of 6.4 ± 2.4 mm. Fifty‐nine lesions (93.6%) were located in the lower rectum (Rb), three in the upper rectum (Ra) and one in the recto‐sigmoid colon (Rs). In total, 60 out of 63 lesions (95.2%) were histologically determined to be completely resected. The complete resection rate for lesions located in the Rb was 98.3%, which was significantly higher than that for lesions in Ra and Rs (50%). Minor bleeding associated with the procedure occurred in five lesions (7.9%), but all cases were successfully managed with hemoclips. Histopathologically, all tumors were located in the submucosal layer, and all were classified as classical‐type carcinoids without lymphovascular invasion. Neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis was detected during a median follow‐up period of 24 months.Conclusion:  In a large number of cases, ESMR‐L proved to be a useful and safe procedure to resect rectal carcinoid tumors 10 mm or less in diameter, especially for those located in the Rb.
No differences are seen in the regional cerebral blood flow in the restricting type of anorexia nervosa compared with the binge eating/purging type
Authors: Yonezawa Harufumi , Otagaki Yoko , Miyake Yoshie , Okamoto Yasumasa , Yamawaki Shigeto 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Anorexia nervosa (AN) is subdivided into the restricting type (AN‐R) and the binge‐eating/purging type (AN‐BP), but differences in cerebral blood flow between patients with these types of AN and healthy controls have not been investigated.Methods:  The present study was designed to elucidate any such differences using resting single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies to compare the differences in cerebral perfusion among both types of AN and a healthy control group. Resting regional cerebral blood flow was assessed using SPECT with technetium‐99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime in 13 female AN‐R patients, 13 female AN‐BP patients, and 10 healthy women as controls with 3‐D stereotactic surface projections.Results:  The analytic program of the SPECT images showed bilateral decreased perfusion of the subcallosal gyrus (SCG), midbrain and posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG) in both AN‐R and AN‐BP patients, as compared with the controls. There were no clear differences between the AN‐R and AN‐BP groups. There were no significant differences in cerebral blood flow between patients with AN‐R and AN‐BP.Conclusions:  Abnormalities of the neuronal circuits containing the SCG, midbrain and PCG are possibly relevant to trait‐related AN.
Eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction in adolescents: Cross‐cultural study
Authors: Kayano Mami , Yoshiuchi Kazuhiro , Al‐Adawi Samir , Viernes Nonna , Dorvlo Atsu S. S. , Kumano Hiroaki , Kuboki Tomifusa , Akabayashi Akira 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Sociocultural factors are thought to be important in the pathogenesis of eating disorders. However, there have been few studies comparing eating behavior among various cultural populations. The aim of the present study is to compare attitudes towards bodyweight and shape, and desire for thinness in Japanese male and female subjects with those in people from other countries and of different ethnic origin.Methods:  The subjects were 411 Japanese, 130 Indian, 135 Omani, 113 Euro‐American and 196 Filipino adolescents. The Eating Attitude Test‐26 and the Drive for Thinness subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory‐2 were used to assess eating attitudes and fat phobia.Results:  Subjects from India, Oman and the Philippines demonstrated eating attitudes that were similar to or worse than subjects from Western countries and Japan, although their desire for thinness was not as strong. The relationship between body mass index and eating attitudes or fat phobia in Indian, Omani and Filipino subjects differed from that in subjects from Western countries and Japan. In addition, both males and females showed disturbed eating attitudes in the Indian, Omani, and Filipino subjects.Conclusion:  There are differences in eating attitudes and the drive for thinness among different cultural groups.
Correlates of the categories of adolescent attachment styles: Perceived rearing, family function, early life events, and personality
Authors: Tanaka Nao , Hasui Chieko , Uji Masayo , Hiramura Hidetoshi , Chen Zi , Shikai Noriko , Kitamura Toshinori 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  To identify the psychosocial correlates of adolescents.Methods:  Unmarried university students (n = 4226) aged 18–23 years were examined in a questionnaire survey.Results:  Four clusters of people (indifferent, secure, fearful, and preoccupied) identified by cluster analysis were plotted in 2‐D using discriminant function analysis with the first function (father's and mother's Care, Cooperativeness, and family Cohesion on the positive end and Harm Avoidance and father's and mother's Overprotection on the negative end) representing the Self‐model and the second function (Reward Dependence and experience of Peer Victimization on the positive end and Self‐directedness on the negative end) representing the Other model.Conclusions:  These findings partially support Bartholomew's notion that adult attachment is based on the good versus bad representations of the self and the other and that it is influenced by psychosocial environments experienced over the course of development.
Three cases of schizophrenia for which olanzapine was effective after early acute phase
Authors: Yamamoto Nobutomo , Oda Tatsuro , Inada Toshiya 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  It clarifies a difference between early acute phase and late acute phase in medication.Methods:  The present report describes three patients with schizophrenia who presented with restlessness and excitement requiring hospitalization.Results:  Treatment with risperidone solution orally or parenteral haloperidol until the day after admission, followed by olanzapine, successfully improved the clinical condition of the patients. In the early stage of hospitalization, selection of fast‐acting drugs that can be administered to uncooperative patients is considered preferable, focusing on rapid control of symptoms and behavioral disorders, whereas after this early stage, olanzapine is preferable for improving patient compliance in addition to stabilizing symptoms.Conclusions:  Because the target symptoms differ between the early and late acute phases, the term ‘acute phase’ used in the broad sense should be divided into two units, each requiring a different therapeutic strategy, and independent clinical approaches should be considered in order to provide more suitable treatment.
Variables associated with the need for support in mental health check‐up of new undergraduate students
Authors: Kawase Eri , Hashimoto Kimiko , Sakamoto Hideshi , Ino Hideko , Katsuki Nanako , Iida Yumi , Umekage Tadashi , Fukuda Rimmei , Sasaki Tsukasa 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Frequent onset of several mental disorders starts around undergraduate age for university students. Mental health check‐ups of the new students might help provide them with useful supports for improving their mental health. However, few studies have examined the validity of the check‐up methods.Methods:  Whether the scores of a five‐factor personality inventory (NEO‐FFI) at matriculation predict the needs of mental care and treatment during the first year of the undergraduate course were examined in 8287 new students of a university in Tokyo.Results:  Logistic regression showed that high neuroticism, low extraversion and high openness of NEO‐FFI, majoring in literature/philosophy/ psychology and living out of home were associated with need for mental care/treatment, in addition to the previous use of mental care services.Conclusions:  Personality inventory such as five‐factor ones may be a useful supplemental tool for mental health check‐up at matriculation to predict future needs of mental support in undergraduate university students. Students who smoke, live alone out of home and major in subjects such as philosophy might need to be more carefully supported than other students.
Six‐month paroxetine treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Continuous versus intermittent treatment protocols
Authors: Wu Kuan‐Yi , Liu Chia‐Yih , Hsiao Mei‐Chun 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Several trials have proved the efficacy of selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors (SSRI) in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in Western society. The SSRI can be administered continuously throughout the entire cycle or intermittently from ovulation to the onset of menstruation (luteal phase). The purpose of the present study was to compare continuous and intermittent paroxetine treatment in oriental PMDD women during 6 months follow up.Methods:  Thirty‐six subjects were evaluated and drug free for two menstrual cycles, and they received daily paroxetine (20 mg) for two further full cycles. They were then randomly divided into continuous or intermittent treatment groups (n = 16, 14) over the next four cycles. Responses were assessed every 2 weeks. Outcome measures included scores on the Prospective Record of the Impact and Severity of Menstrual Symptomatology (PRISM) calendar, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression/Anxiety (HAMD/HAMA), and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI).Results:  All these women had significant improvements in the HAMA, HAMD, CGI, and PRISM calendar. The rate of response to paroxetine treatment lay between 50% and 78.6% in the continuous‐treatment group, and 37.5–93.8% in the intermittent‐treatment group, as determined at the study end‐point. Limitations of the present study included the open‐label design and the incorporation of a limited sample size.Conclusions:  The present results indicate that paroxetine is effective in both continuous and intermittent treatment of oriental PMDD women, and that the effects of active treatment lasted for six consecutive treatment menstrual cycles.
Nightmare disorder, dream anxiety, and subjective sleep quality in patients with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Semiz Umit B. , Basoglu Cengiz , Ebrinc Servet , Cetin Mesut 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  The aims of the present study were to examine the rate of nightmare disorder (ND) and to determine the levels of dream anxiety and subjective sleep quality in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Another aim was to determine whether dream anxiety was associated with childhood trauma, dissociative experiences, and subjective sleep disturbance in BPD patients. Finally, the hypothesis as to whether BPD patients with ND exhibited a more severe clinical profile than those without ND, was also tested.Methods:  A total of 88 borderline patients and 100 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control subjects were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R Personality Disorders, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I Disorders, Van Dream Anxiety Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Dissociative Experiences Scale, and Traumatic Experiences Checklist. Subjects with codiagnoses that could affect sleep were not included.Results:  BPD patients suffered a significantly greater rate of nightmares, elevated levels of dream anxiety, and disturbed sleep quality than did controls. In the borderline group, heightened dream anxiety was correlated with higher rates of early traumatic experiences and dissociative symptoms, and impaired sleep quality. Furthermore, borderline patients with ND exhibited greater psychopathology as compared to those without ND in terms of several clinical characteristics.Conclusions:  The present study provides support for a strong association between BPD, distressing nightmares, and subjective sleep quality. Recognition and management of dream and sleep disturbances in BPD patients might lead to improvements in their global clinical picture.
Computational motor control: feedback and accuracy
Authors: Guigon Emmanuel , Baraduc Pierre , Desmurget Michel 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSpeed/accuracy trade‐off is a ubiquitous phenomenon in motor behaviour, which has been ascribed to the presence of signal‐dependent noise (SDN) in motor commands. Although this explanation can provide a quantitative account of many aspects of motor variability, including Fitts' law, the fact that this law is frequently violated, e.g. during the acquisition of new motor skills, remains unexplained. Here, we describe a principled approach to the influence of noise on motor behaviour, in which motor variability results from the interplay between sensory and motor execution noises in an optimal feedback‐controlled system. In this framework, we first show that Fitts' law arises due to signal‐dependent motor noise (SDNm) when sensory (proprioceptive) noise is low, e.g. under visual feedback. Then we show that the terminal variability of non‐visually guided movement can be explained by the presence of signal‐dependent proprioceptive noise. Finally, we show that movement accuracy can be controlled by opposite changes in signal‐dependent sensory (SDNs) and SDNm, a phenomenon that could be ascribed to muscular co‐contraction. As the model also explains kinematics, kinetics, muscular and neural characteristics of reaching movements, it provides a unified framework to address motor variability.
Opposite actions of hypothalamic vasopressin on circadian corticosterone rhythm in nocturnal versus diurnal species
Authors: Kalsbeek Andries , Verhagen Linda A.W. , Schalij Ingrid , Foppen Ewout , Saboureau Michel , Bothorel Béatrice , Buijs Ruud M. , Pévet Paul 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRelatively little is known about the function of the biological clock and its efferent pathways in diurnal species, despite the fact that its major transmitters and neuronal connections are also conserved in humans. The mammalian biological clock is located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). Several lines of evidence suggest that the activity cycle of the SCN itself is similar in nocturnal and diurnal mammals. Previously, we showed that, in the rat, vasopressin (VP) derived from the SCN has a strong inhibitory effect on the release of adrenal corticosterone and is an important component in the generation of a daily rhythm in plasma corticosterone concentrations. In the present study we investigated the role of VP in the control of the daily corticosterone rhythm in a diurnal rodent, i.e. Arvicanthis ansorgei. Contrary to our previous (rat) results, VP administered to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in A. ansorgei had a stimulatory effect on the release of corticosterone. Moreover, both the morning and evening rise in corticosterone were blocked by the administration of a VP receptor antagonist. These results show that with regard to the circadian control of the corticosterone rhythm in diurnal and nocturnal rodents, temporal information is carried along the same pathway from the SCN to its target areas, but the response of the target area may be quite different. We propose that the reversed response to VP is due to a change in the phenotype of the target neurons that are contacted by the SCN efferents, i.e. glutamatergic instead of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic.
mGluR1‐mediated facilitation of long‐term potentiation at inhibitory synapses on a cerebellar Purkinje neuron
Authors: Sugiyama Yuko , Kawaguchi Shin‐ya , Hirano Tomoo 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSynaptic plasticity has been studied extensively at excitatory synapses, whereas studies on plasticity at GABAergic inhibitory synapses have been limited. In the rat cerebellar cortex, postsynaptic depolarization of a Purkinje neuron (PN) induces long‐term potentiation of GABAAreceptor (GABAAR) responsiveness (termed rebound potentiation; RP). Induction of RP requires an increase in intracellular Ca2+concentration and resultant activation of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). We previously reported that GABABreceptor (GABABR) activation coupled with depolarization suppresses RP induction by facilitating protein phosphatase 1 (PP‐1)‐mediated inhibition of CaMKII through down‐regulation of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Here, we examined the involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) in RP regulation. RP was monitored with the amplitudes of either the current responses to GABA or miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents recorded from a PN in a primary culture or in a cerebellar slice. Inhibition of mGluR1 by an antagonist, 7(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen‐1a‐carboxylate‐ethyl‐ester (CPCCOEt), prevented RP induction, which was abolished either by activation of adenylyl cyclase or by inhibition of PP‐1. Furthermore, mGluR1 inhibition impaired depolarization‐induced CaMKII activation. By contrast, activation of mGluR1 by the agonist (R,S)3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) rescued RP induction from its suppression by GABABR activation. The rescue was impaired either by inhibition of PKA or by facilitation of PP‐1 activity. In addition, mGluR1 activation counteracted the GABABR‐mediated CaMKII inhibition. Taken together, these results suggest that mGluR1 activity counteracts GABABR activity and contributes to RP induction through PKA activation, down‐regulation of PP‐1 and up‐regulation of CaMKII.