bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A computer‐aided program for pattern‐matching of natural marks on the spotted raggedtooth shark Carcharias taurus
Authors: VAN TIENHOVEN A. M. , DEN HARTOG J. E. , REIJNS R. A. , PEDDEMORS V. M. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

The ability to identify individual animals is a critical aid in wildlife and conservation studies requiring information on behaviour, distribution, habitat use, population and life‐history parameters. We present a computer‐aided photo‐identification technique that relies on natural marks to identify individuals of Carcharias taurus, a shark species that is critically endangered off the eastern Australian coast and considered globally vulnerable. The technique could potentially be applied to a range of species of similar form and bearing natural marks.
The use of natural marks for photo‐identification is a non‐invasive technique for identifying individual animals. As photo‐identification databases grow larger, and their implementation spans several years, the historically used visual‐matching processes lose accuracy and speed. A computerized pattern‐matching system that requires initial user interaction to select the key features aids researchers by considerably reducing the time needed for identification of individuals.
Our method uses a two‐dimensional affine transformation to compare two individuals in a commonly defined reference space. The methodology was developed using a database of 221 individually identifiable sharks that were photographically marked and rephotographed over 9 years, demonstrating both the efficacy of the technique and that the natural pigment marks of C. taurus are a reliable means of tracking individuals over several years.
Synthesis and applications. The identification of individual animals that are naturally marked with spots or similar patterns is achieved with an interactive pattern‐matching system that uses an affine transformation to compare selected points in a single‐user computer‐aided interface. Our technique has been used successfully on C. taurus and we believe the methodology can be applied to other species of a similar form that have natural marks or patterns. The identification of individuals allows accurate tracking of their movements and distribution, and contributes to better population estimates for improved wildlife management and conservation planning.
Computer‐Aided Mapping of Vasopressin Neurons in the Hypothalamus of the Male Golden Hamster: Evidence of Magnocellular Neurons that do not Project to the Neurohypophysis
Authors: Mahoney Paul D. , Koh Edward T. , Irvin Robert W. , Ferris Craig F. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractVasopressin‐sensitive neurons in the region of the anterior hypothalamus are necessary for the mediation of flank marking behavior in the Golden hamster. The precise nature of the vasopressinergic innervation to the anterior hypothalamus is unknown. In this study we seek to examine the potential sources of this innervation by mapping and counting the vasopressin‐immunoreactive neurons that contribute to the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial system, and those that do not.Vasopressin‐immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamus were visualized by immunocytochemistry. Sections were mapped with a computer‐aided microscope system, and labeled neurons counted. Two‐dimensional maps were stacked into a three‐dimensional wireframe model which could be manipulated for further examination. The average number of vasopressin neurons was 3,135, with over 60% of all perikarya localized to the lateral supraoptic nucleus.In a double‐labeling study, neurons contributing to the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial system were retrogradely labeled by the injection of horseradish peroxidase into the neurohypophysis. The enzyme reaction product was visualized by treatment with tetramethylbenzidine followed by nickel‐conjugated diaminobenzidine. Sections were subsequently stained for vasopressin by immunocytochemistry. Single‐ and double‐stained neurons from serial sections were mapped and counted. Wireframe and contoured three‐dimensional representations were generated. The average number of neurons projecting to the neurohypophysis was 5,619. However, an average of 981 neurons was immunoreactive to vasopressin but devoid of horseradish peroxidase. The greatest number of these non‐projecting perikarya were found in and around the anterior hypothalamus, localized primarily in the lateral and medial aspect of the supraoptic nuclei, the ventral area of the paraventricular nucleus, and the nucleus circularis.By comparing the number of non‐projecting neurons found by double‐staining to the total cell count of the entire vasopressin system, it was estimated that approximately 30% of all vasopressin neurons in and around the anterior hypothalamus did not project to the neurohypophysis. Based on the distribution and localization of the non‐projecting perikarya, it is speculated that these neurons may provide neurotransmitter for vasopressin‐dependent flank marking in the male Golden hamster.
Kainic Acid Lesion of Vasopressinergic Neurons in the Hypothalamus Disrupts Flank Marking Behavior in Golden Hamsters
Authors: Ferris Craig F. , Irvin Robert W. , Potegal Michael , Axelson John F. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIt is well established that flank marking behavior in the Golden hamster is controlled by vasopressin‐sensitive neurons localized to the anterior hypothalamus; however, the source(s) of vasopressinergic innervation to this area is unknown. Previous analysis by immunocytochemistry showed distinct populations of vasopressinergic magnocellular neurons localized to the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus and the nucleus circularis that did not project to the neurohypophysis. In the present study, these same hypothalamic nuclei were lesioned by microinjection of kainic acid to determine which, if any, of these populations of vasopressin neurons are involved in the control of flank marking. Unilateral lesions in the areas of the nucleus circularis and supraoptic nucleus at the rostro‐caudal plane of the anterior hypothalamus abolished odor‐induced flank marking behavior. Lesions in the paraventricular nucleus at the level of the anterior hypothalamus did not consistently inhibit flank marking, while lesions of magnocellular neurons rostral or caudal to the anterior hypothalamus were ineffective. The microinjection of vasopressin into the anterior hypothalamus following lesion of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei stimulated flank marking, evidence that treatment with kainic acid did not damage the efferent component of this behavior. However, animals with lesions in the nucleus circularis did not respond to the microinjection of vasopressin; hence, it is uncertain whether lesions in this area disrupt vasopressinergic innervation to the anterior hypothalamus or simply destroy the motor neurons controlling flank marking. In summary, the data clearly demonstrate that vasopressin neurons localized primarily to the medial aspect of the supraoptic nucleus are necessary for sensory integration of odor‐induced flank marking, and as such, may be one possible source of neurotransmitter controlling this behavior.
Effects of Estrogen and Ectopic Pituitary Transplants on the Responsiveness of Pituitary Prolactin Release to Luteinizing Hormone‐Releasing Hormone and Dopamine
Authors: Esquifino A. I. , Steger R. W. , Fernandez‐Ruiz J. , Bartkes A. , Amador A. G. , Chandrashekar V. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe responsiveness of prolactin release to regulatory inputs depends on the functional state of the lactotrophs. In the present study, we have examined the effects of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH; 10–7 or 10–6 M) on the release of prolactin in vitro from hyperplastic pituitaries of estrogen‐treated male Fischer rats, ectopic pituitary transplants and in situ pituitaries of grafted and control rats. The effects of dopamine (10–8 or 10–7 M) in this system were also examined. The extent of inhibition of prolactin release by dopamine was not related to the amounts of prolactin secreted under basal conditions or to plasma prolactin levels. LHRH significantly suppressed prolactin secretion in all groups but its effect was most pronounced in the ectopic pituitary transplants and in the hyperplastic pituitaries of animals after chronic exposure to estrogen followed by a period of recovery. Thus, the effects of LHRH on prolactin release appear to be related to the secretory activity and/or to the absolute or relative number of the lactotrophs.
Alterations in Cyclic AMP Concentration and Adenylate Cyclase Activity in Specific Brain Areas of Rats with Inherited Hypothalamic Diabetes Insipidus (Brattleboro Rats)
Authors: Bahner Udo , Palkovits Miklós , Geiger Helmut , Schmid Gerhard , Heidland August 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe concentration of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and the activity of sodium‐fluoride‐stimulated adenylate cyclase was measured in 29 microdissected brain areas of homozygous Brattleboro rats and their Long‐Evans control rats. In ten of the investigated brain areas a decreased cAMP level was measured in Brattleboro rats. It was particularly decreased in the supraoptic nucleus, cingulate and parietal cortex, hippocampus, habenula and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis. Significantly lower cAMP levels were also found in the periventricular nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, area postrema and locus coeruleus. An increased cAMP concentration was detected only in the subcommissural organ of Brattleboro rats. In most brain areas, where cAMP was decreased, sodium fluoride‐stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was significantly increased (supraoptic nucleus, parietal cortex, periventricular nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, locus coeruleus) or unchanged (hippocampus, habenula, organum vasculosum laminae terminalis). The coincidence of alterations in cAMP concentration and adenylate cyclase activity in brain areas of Brattleboro rats with relatively dense vasopressinergic innervation and/or vasopressin receptor population in control rats, suggests an influence of brain vasopressin on the cAMP‐adenylate cyclase second messenger system.
Circadian and Estral Changes in the Hypothalamic Prostaglandin E2 Content and [3H]Prostaglandin E2 Binding in Female Rats
Authors: Bommelaer‐Bayet M. C. , Wisner A. , Renard C. A. , Levi F. A. , Dray F. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractProstaglandin E2, (PGE2) is involved in the luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone‐stimulated luteinizing hormone surge in female rats and may act via specific membrane receptors. The following studies were performed to determine whether there were any changes in the hypothalamic PGE2 binding and/or PGE2 content which were specific to proestrus and not to the rest of the estrous cycle. Groups of female Wistar rats were sacrificed at 3‐h intervals throughout the estrous cycle to determine both the circadian and circaestral changes in the hypothalamic PGE2 content and [3H]PGE2 binding. The hypothalamic PGE2 content was maximal at 1700 h on each of the 4 consecutive days of the estrous cycle but was independent of the stage of the cycle. [3H]PGE2 binding also displayed a circadian rhythm; the lowest binding occurred near the circadian peak of PGE2, suggesting that the PGE2 binding sites were occupied by endogenous PGE2. Since such circadian rhythms were not observed in the hypothalamus of male rats, they may be under the control of ovarian steroids. Also, since PGE2 binding and the PGE2 content both exhibit a diurnal pattern independent of the day of the cycle, there may be changes in the PGE2 receptor‐mediated process coupled to an adenylyl cyclase which could explain the luteinizing hormone surge in proestrus.
Differential Localization of Estrogen Receptors in Various Vasopressin Synthesizing Nuclei of the Rat Brain
Authors: Axelson John F. , van Leeuwen Fred W. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractVasopressin (VP) cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial amygdaloid nucleus and supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei are influenced by gonadal steroids. The present paper examined whether VP cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial amygdaloid nucleus, and supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei contain estrogen receptors. Brains from adult short‐term castrated, colchicine‐treated male rats were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.5% glutaraldehyde. In the immunocytochemical double‐staining procedure Vibratome sections were first incubated with an estrogen receptor antibody (#H222) and stained with diaminobenzidine‐Ni+. Following methanol‐hydrogen peroxide washes, sections were incubated with anti‐neurophysin and stained with diaminobenzidine. Parvocellular cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial amygdaloid nucleus were double‐stained with a blue‐black nucleus (indicating the estrogen receptors) surrounded by brown cytoplasm (resulting from VP‐neurophysin‐immunoreactivity). Our results provide the first direct anatomical evidence supporting the hypothesis that gonadal steroids' influence of parvocellular VP cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial amygdaloid nucleus is mediated directly via estrogen receptors localized in nuclei of VP neurons. We were unable to co‐localize any estrogen receptors in VP and oxytocin cells of magnocellular size in the supraoptic, paraventricular and anterior commissural nuclei, suggesting that estrogen indirectly affects these magnocellular hypothalamic cells.
Quantification of S100A12 (EN‐RAGE) in Blood Varies with Sampling Method, Calcium and Heparin
Authors: Larsen A. , Bronstein I. B. , Dahl O. , Wentzel‐Larsen T. , Kristoffersen E. K. , Fagerhol M. K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractS100A12 is a calcium‐binding protein predominantly found in neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes. Its usefulness in monitoring inflammatory disease states depends on documentation that assay results are reliable. This study aimed at defining guidelines for blood sampling, selection of optimal material handling and reference intervals in healthy controls while taking into account the basic features of S100A12. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was developed based upon antibodies induced in rabbits by injection of recombinant S100A12. Our studies confirm that oligomers of S100A12 are generated in the presence of calcium. Structural changes in S100A12 mediated by calcium influence the interaction with antibody. This is proposed as the background for our very low readings of S100A12 in Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) plasma. Individual S100A12 levels did not change substantially over a 5‐week sampling period. Based upon testing of 150 blood donors we suggest reference intervals of S100A12 in serum to be 49–1340 μg/l for women and 27–1750 μg/l for men. The estimated mean concentrations were 234 μg/l in serum samples (range 12–15791), 114 μg/l (range 3–17282) in re‐calcified EDTA plasma and 48 μg/l (range 2–14843) in heparin plasma. Without adding calcium to EDTA plasma before running the assay, concentrations were around 2 μg/l (16 persons). S100A12 quantification is assumed to become relevant for diagnostic use in many disease states. The importance of the handling and analysing conditions for a reliable result was examined. We recommend serum collected in gel‐containing tubes as the preferred sample material and have suggested reference intervals for healthy individuals.
CD25‐expressing B‐lymphocytes in Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Amu S. , Strömberg K. , Bokarewa M. , Tarkowski A. , Brisslert M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractB cells play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases due to their production of autoantibodies, antigen‐presenting capacity and production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the present study was to analyse B cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, with respect to their expression of the IL‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) subunit CD25. Using flow cytometry, we found that CD25+ B cells from RA patients expressed significantly higher frequencies of CD122 and CD132 than CD25+ B cells from control subjects, indicating a fully functional IL‐2R. These CD25+ B cells also expressed higher frequencies of the co‐stimulatory molecule CD80, whereas IgM and IgA expression was decreased compared with CD25+ B cells from healthy controls. In addition B cells from SLE patients co‐expressed CD25 together with CD80, CD122, and CD132, but to a lower degree IgD and IgM, when compared with healthy controls. Taken together, our results indicate that CD25+ B cells from RA and SLE patients are in a highly activated state, display a more mature phenotype and suggest that this B cell subset may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA and SLE.
The Major Histocompatibility Complex Haplotypes Dictate and the Background Genes Fine‐tune the Dominant versus the Cryptic Response Profile of a T‐cell Determinant within a Native Antigen: Relevance to Disease Susceptibility and Vaccination
Authors: Sinha P. , Snyder J. A. , Kim E. Y. , Moudgil K. D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe immune system of a healthy individual responds vigorously to foreign microbial antigens. However, all potentially immunogenic regions (determinants) within an antigen are not functionally of equal relevance in mediating host immunity against the pathogen. Moreover, some of these antigenic determinants are well processed and presented (immunodominant), while others are not revealed (cryptic) from the native antigen. Nevertheless, cryptic determinants are good immunogens in the pre‐processed peptide form. Defining the factors influencing the dominance versus the crypticity of antigenic determinants is critical to advancing our understanding of the individual variations in host immunity to infection, autoantigens and vaccination. In this study based on a model antigen, hen eggwhite lysozyme (HEL), we describe that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes imprint and the non‐MHC genes modify the dominance versus the crypticity of a specific antigenic determinant. Both the H‐2q‐ and the H‐2d‐bearing mice raised potent response to native HEL, but responded differently to its determinant region 57–78, which was dominant in the H‐2q but cryptic in the H‐2d mice. The H‐2q‐ but not the H‐2d‐bearing mice of three different genetic backgrounds yielded patterns of graded reactivity to epitope 57–78 showing the fine‐tuning effect of the non‐MHC genes. Interestingly, the F1 (H‐2q × H‐2d) mice retained the dominant response profile of the H‐2q parent regardless of the contributing gender, and also responded to a new sub‐determinant 61–75. These results highlight the genetic factors influencing the dominance/crypticity of a specific antigenic determinant.
The PEP‐carboxylase kinase gene family in Glycine max (GmPpcK1–4): an in‐depth molecular analysis with nodulated, non‐transgenic and transgenic plants
Authors: Xu Wenxin , Sato Shirley J. , Clemente Thomas E. , Chollet Raymond 
Published: January 2007

SummaryPhosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is a widely distributed metabolic enzyme among plant and prokaryotic species. In vascular plants, the typical PEPC is regulated post‐translationally by a complex interplay between opposing metabolite effectors and reversible protein phosphorylation. This phosphorylation event is controlled primarily by the up‐/down‐regulation of PEPC‐kinase (PpcK), an approximately 31‐kDa Ser/Thr‐kinase. As a sequel to earlier investigations related to PEPC phosphorylation in N2‐fixing nodules of Glycine max, we now present a detailed molecular analysis of the PpcK multigene family in nodulated soybeans. Although the GmPpcK1–4 transcripts are all expressed throughout nodule development, only the nearly identical GmPpcK2/3 homologs are nodule‐enhanced and up‐/down‐regulated in vivo by photosynthate supply from the shoots. In contrast, GmPpcK1 is a ‘housekeeping’ gene, and GmPpcK4 is a highly divergent member, distantly removed from the legume PpcK subfamily. Real‐time qRT–PCR analysis indicates that GmPpcK2/3 are overwhelmingly the dominant PpcKs expressed and up‐/down‐regulated throughout nodule development, mirroring the expression properties of nodule‐enhanced PEPC (GmPpc7). In situ RT–PCR investigation of the spatial localization of the GmPpcK1–4 and GmPpc7 transcripts in mature nodules is entirely consistent with this view. Complementary histochemical and related RNA gel‐blot findings with nodulated, GmPpcK1/3 promoter::GUS‐expressing T2 plants provide direct experimental evidence that (i) PpcK gene expression is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level; and (ii) the contrasting expression properties of GmPpcK1/3 are conferred largely by regulatory element(s) within the approximately 1.4‐kb 5′‐upstream region. As a result of our multifaceted analyses of GmPpcK1–4, GmPpc7 and PEPC‐phosphorylation in the soybean nodule, it is proposed that the GmPpcK2/3 homologs and GmPpc7 together comprise the key molecular ‘downstream players’ in this regulatory phosphorylation system within the mature nodule's central zone.
Spontaneous mutations caused by a Helitron transposon, Hel‐It1, in morning glory, Ipomoea tricolor
Authors: Choi Jeong‐Doo , Hoshino Atsushi , Park Kyeung‐Il , Park In‐Sook , Iida Shigeru 
Published: January 2007

Summary Helitrons are newcomers among eukaryotic DNA transposons and have originally been identified by computational analysis in the genomes of Arabidopsis, rice and nematode. They are distinguished from other transposons in their structural features, and their proposed transposition mechanisms are involved in rolling circle replication. Computer‐predicted autonomous Helitrons with conserved terminal sequences 5′‐TC and CTRR‐3′ are presumed to encode a putative transposase, Rep/Hel‐TPase, which contains a characteristic nuclease/ligase domain for the replication‐initiation protein (Rep) and a DNA helicase domain (Hel). Plant Helitrons are thought to encode an additional transposase, RPA‐TPase, which is related to the largest subunit of the replication protein A (RPA70). Although Helitrons are found in diverse genomes, neither an autonomous element nor a transposition event has been reported. Here we show that a spontaneous pearly‐s mutant of Ipomoea tricolor cv. Pearly Gates, exhibiting white flowers and isolated in approximately 1940, has an 11.5‐kbp novel Helitron, named Hel‐It1, integrated into the DFR‐B gene for anthocyanin pigmentation. Hel‐It1 shows the predicted plant Helitron structure for an autonomous element with the conserved termini and carrying the two putative transposase genes, Rep/Hel‐TPase and RPA‐TPase, which contain a nonsense and a frameshift mutation, respectively. Hel‐It1‐related elements are scattered in the Ipomoea genome, and only a fraction of the pearly‐s plants were found to carry Hel‐It1 at another insertion site. The pearly‐s mutant appears to bear an autonomous element and to express the wild‐type RPA‐TPase transcripts. The structures of a putative autonomous element and its transposase genes are discussed.