bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of BKCa channels via cyclic AMP‐ and cyclic GMP‐dependent protein kinases by eugenosedin‐A in rat basilar artery myocytes
Authors: Wu B‐N , Chen C‐F , Hong Y‐R , Howng S‐L , Lin Y‐L , Chen I‐J 
Published: August 2007

Background and purpose:The study investigated whether eugenosedin‐A, a 5‐hydroxytryptamine and α/β adrenoceptor antagonist, enhanced delayed‐rectifier potassium (KDR)‐ or large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated potassium (BKCa)‐channel activity in basilar artery myocytes through cyclic AMP/GMP‐dependent and ‐independent protein kinases.Experimental approach:Cerebral smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were enzymatically dissociated from rat basilar arteries. Conventional whole cell, perforated and inside‐out patch‐clamp electrophysiology was used to monitor K+‐ and Ca2+‐channel activities.Key results:Eugenosedin‐A (1 μ
M) did not affect the KDR current but dramatically augmented BKCa channel activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. Increased BKCa current was abolished by charybdotoxin (ChTX, 0.1 μ
M) or iberiotoxin (IbTX, 0.1 μ
M), but not affected by a small‐conductance KCa blocker (apamin, 100 μ
M). BKCa current activation by eugenosedin‐A was significantly inhibited by an adenylate cyclase inhibitor (SQ 22536, 10 μ
M), a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (ODQ, 10 μ
M), competitive antagonists of cAMP and cGMP (Rp‐cAMP, 100 μ
M and Rp‐cGMP, 100 μ
M), and cAMP‐ and cGMP‐dependent protein kinase inhibitors (KT5720, 0.3 μ
M and KT5823, 0.3 μ
M). Eugenosedin‐A reversed the inhibition of BKCa current induced by the protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA, 0.1 μ
M). Eugenosedin‐A also prevented BKCa current inhibition induced by adding PMA, KT5720 and KT5823. Moreover, eugenosedin‐A reduced the amplitude of voltage‐dependent L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,L), but without modifying the voltage‐dependence of the current.Conclusions and implications:Eugenosedin‐A enhanced BKCa currents by stimulating the activity of cyclic nucleotide‐dependent protein kinases. Physiologically, this activation would result in the closure of voltage‐dependent calcium channels and thereby relax cerebral SMCs.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 374–385; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707406; published online 13 August 2007
Transient allodynia pain models in mice for early assessment of analgesic activity
Authors: Gil D W , Cheevers C V , Donello J E 
Published: August 2007

Background and purpose:The most common preclinical models of neuropathic pain involve surgical ligation of sensory nerves, which is especially difficult in mice. Transient models of chemically sensitized allodynia are potentially useful for rapidly characterizing the analgesic profile of compounds and conducting mechanistic studies.Experimental approach:Increasing doses of NMDA, sulprostone (an EP1/EP3 prostaglandin receptor agonist) or phenylephrine (an α1 adrenoceptor agonist) were injected intrathecally (i.t.) or i.p., and animals were subsequently assessed for allodynia. The effects of receptor antagonists and analgesic compounds on allodynia were also assessed.Key results:A comparison of total body doses that cause allodynia following spinal or systemic administration indicated that NMDA induces allodynia in the spinal cord while sulprostone and phenylephrine act through a peripheral mechanism. Inhibition of the allodynia with receptor antagonists indicated that each agent induces allodynia by a distinct mechanism. The three models were benchmarked using compounds known to be active in neuropathic pain patients and nerve injury animal models, including gabapentin, amitriptyline and clonidine.Conclusions and implications:These transient allodynia models are a useful addition to the toolbox of preclinical pain models. They are simple, rapid and reproducible, and will be especially useful for characterizing the pain phenotype of knockout mice. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 769–774; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707412; published online 13 August 2007
Information and Communication Technology and the Places Left Behind
1
Authors: Luger Michael I. , Maynard Nicholas C. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
This article focuses on the critical role ICT policy design and implementation can play in developing a knowledge‐based economy in distressed US communities. Using a multiple case study research design, the study tests three hypotheses: (1) linkages among government, education and industry are a critical success factor for ICT interventions; (2) due to the long‐term nature of ICT, vision and leadership are also critical; and (3) investments in technology infrastructure must be part of a larger local planning process to succeed. These hypotheses are supported, but the strength of the article is in the details about how communities crafted unique responses to critical issues.
Non‐advertising alcohol promotions in licensed premises: does the Code of Practice ensure responsible promotion of alcohol?
Authors: JONES SANDRA C. , LYNCH MELISSA 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Binge drinking is a major public health issue in Australia, particularly among young people. There has been a considerable focus on alcohol advertising, among both researchers and policy makers, resulting in efforts to bring about some level of regulation of unacceptable advertising practices. However—despite the existence of a Code of Practice for Responsible Promotion of Liquor Products which provides ‘a framework of practices which are considered acceptable and reasonable’ for licensed premises—there are few, if any, data on the nature and extent of promotions which could arguably fall under either ‘acceptable’ or ‘unacceptable’ practices. Design and Methods. Over an 8‐week period we monitored promotions offered by licensed venues (pubs, bars and clubs) in the Wollongong central area. Seventeen venues were identified, and each venue was visited daily for 1 week. Trained research assistants took notes on all promotions/events in visited venues, including both manufacturer‐ and management‐initiated. Results. We identified a range of different types of promotions, including low cost and free drinks. Some of the promotions identified could be seen to have a positive public health impact, such as free food and free transport. However, the majority of promotions were of a nature likely to increase the likelihood of excessive drinking. Discussion and Conclusions. It is evident from this review that there are numerous examples of promotions which breach both the spirit and the letter of the Code. It is equally evident that the system for monitoring compliance with the Code is fundamentally inadequate.
Using population data to examine the prevalence and correlates of neonatal abstinence syndrome
Authors: BURNS LUCY , MATTICK RICHARD P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the population prevalence and correlates of neonatal abstinence syndrome among neonates born to women on methadone, using a cross‐sectional analysis of linked population health data. A total of 2941 live births to women actively on methadone at delivery were analysed over an 11‐year period (1992–2002). Of these births, 796 neonates (27%) were diagnosed with an International Classification of Diseases‐9CM (ICD‐9CM) or International Classification of Diseases ICD‐10AM (ICD‐10AM) diagnosis related to neonatal withdrawal from exposure to opiates in utero (NAS). There were significant differences found between mothers whose neonates did and did not receive an International Classification of Diseases NAS‐related diagnosis. Mothers of neonates with a NAS‐related diagnosis had a higher number of previous pregnancies, were more likely to be indigenous, to smoke more heavily and were more likely to present for delivery unbooked. Neonates diagnosed with NAS were admitted to Special Care Nursery more often. NAS is diagnosed less frequently using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes than when using clinical scales measuring opiate‐related neonatal withdrawal. This suggests that NAS may be under‐represented in hospital morbidity databases that use ICD codes to quantify patient throughput and in some circumstances this may result from under‐detection of the condition. Future research should therefore seek to determine the validity of NAS recording in hospital morbidity databases reliant on the use ICD codes.
Alcohol consumption of Australian women: results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Authors: CLEMENS SUSAN L. , MATTHEWS SHARON L. , YOUNG ANNE F. , POWERS JENNIFER R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Alcohol misuse is responsible for extensive personal harm and high societal costs. Research related specifically to women's alcohol consumption is important due to gender differences in clinical outcomes and disease progression. Design and Methods. This study examines longitudinal changes in the patterns of alcohol consumption associated with harm in the long term (chronic) and short term (acute) as defined by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. Results are presented for three age cohorts (18–23 years, 45–50 years and 70–75 years) using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1996–2003. Initial response rates for the study were 41%, 54% and 36% for the Younger, Mid‐aged and Older cohort, respectively. Results. The percentages of women that initiated usual weekly consumption in excess of 140 g of alcohol, designated as long‐term risky or high risk consumption, between surveys 1 and 2 were 2.7%, 2.1% and 1.7% (Younger, Mid‐aged and Older cohorts, respectively). Similarly, between surveys 1 and 2, 7.8% of younger women and 2.5% of mid‐aged women initiated consumption of 50 g of alcohol on one occasion at least weekly, placing them at risk of alcohol‐related harm in the short‐term weekly. Examining data across the three time‐points in the Younger cohort, 0.3% of women were at risk of alcohol‐related harm in the long term across all three time‐points, and 9.2% were at risk at one or two time‐points. The percentage of younger women at risk of alcohol‐related harm in the short term at least weekly was 3.4% at risk at all three time‐points and 24% at risk at one or two time‐points. Discussion and Conclusions. This study indicates that there is a small percentage of women who maintain levels of alcohol consumption associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality over time, but a much larger proportion of women that drink at hazardous levels sporadically during the life course. Prevention efforts may need to target transient high‐risk alcohol consumers differently than consistently heavy alcohol consumers. Non‐response bias and attrition may have caused the prevalence of both entrenched and episodic heavy consumption to be underestimated.
A polar system of intercontinental bird migration
Authors: Alerstam Thomas , Bäckman Johan , Gudmundsson Gudmundur A , Hedenström Anders , Henningsson Sara S , Karlsson Håkan , Rosén Mikael , Strandberg Roine 
Published: August 2007

Studies of bird migration in the Beringia region of Alaska and eastern Siberia are of special interest for revealing the importance of bird migration between Eurasia and North America, for evaluating orientation principles used by the birds at polar latitudes and for understanding the evolutionary implications of intercontinental migratory connectivity among birds as well as their parasites. We used tracking radar placed onboard the ice-breaker Oden to register bird migratory flights from 30 July to 19 August 2005 and we encountered extensive bird migration in the whole Beringia range from latitude 64° N in Bering Strait up to latitude 75° N far north of Wrangel Island, with eastward flights making up 79% of all track directions.
The results from Beringia were used in combination with radar studies from the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia and in the Beaufort Sea to make a reconstruction of a major Siberian–American bird migration system in a wide Arctic sector between longitudes 110° E and 130° W, spanning one-third of the entire circumpolar circle. This system was estimated to involve more than 2 million birds, mainly shorebirds, terns and skuas, flying across the Arctic Ocean at mean altitudes exceeding 1 km (maximum altitudes 3–5 km). Great circle orientation provided a significantly better fit with observed flight directions at 20 different sites and areas than constant geographical compass orientation. The long flights over the sea spanned 40–80 degrees of longitude, corresponding to distances and durations of 1400–2600 km and 26–48 hours, respectively. The birds continued from this eastward migration system over the Arctic Ocean into several different flyway systems at the American continents and the Pacific Ocean. Minimization of distances between tundra breeding sectors and northerly stopover sites, in combination with the Beringia glacial refugium and colonization history, seemed to be important for the evolution of this major polar bird migration system.
Methodological improvements in the expression of foreign genes and in gene replacement in the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea
Authors: NODA JUDITH , BRITO NÉLIDA , ESPINO JOSÉ J. , GONZÁLEZ CELEDONIO 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARYGenetic transformation is generally carried out in Botrytis cinerea by random integration of the foreign DNA into the genome, resulting in transformants that show differences among them in, for example, the expression of a reporter gene. Here we report a system for site‐directed integration in which a novel recipient strain containing a 5′‐truncated copy of the hygromycin resistance gene, hph, is transformed with a vector containing another truncated copy, now in the opposite end, of the same selection marker. Homologous recombination in the region shared by these two truncated copies of hph is the only way by which antibiotic‐resistant transformants can be generated. The transformation frequency obtained for the site‐directed strategy was only three‐fold lower than that of the standard transformation, and all the transformants had at least one copy of the plasmid integrated at the expected locus. This system was tested by the expression of the green fluorescent protein and we found that the levels of this protein were more homogeneous among the transformants, when compared with those obtained by random integration. On the other hand, in this paper, we also tried to optimize gene replacements in B. cinerea, which are generally carried out by transformation with an antibiotic resistance marker flanked by regions homologous to the target gene. We studied the influence of the length of these regions on the frequency of replacement of the B. cinerea gene cel5A. Lengths between 500 and 2000 bp gave similar frequencies (about 60%), while lengths of 100 bp decreased the frequency to 6%, showing that 500 bp is a convenient size that would give optimal gene replacement frequencies in this fungus.
From QTL to QTN identification in livestock – winning by points rather than knock‐out: a review
Authors: Ron M. , Weller J. I. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryMany quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting economic traits in livestock have now been identified. However, the confidence interval (CI) of individual QTL as determined by linkage analysis often spans tens of map units, containing hundreds of genes. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping can reduce the CI to individual map units, but this reduced interval will still contain tens of genes. Methods suitable for model animals to find and validate specific quantitative trait nucleotides (QTN) underlying the QTL cannot be easily applied to livestock species because of their long generation intervals, the cost of maintaining each animal and the difficulty of producing transgenics or ‘knock‐outs’. Considering these limitations, we review successful approaches for identifying QTN in livestock and outline a schematic strategy for QTN determination and verification. In addition to linkage and LD mapping, the methods include positional cloning, selection of candidate genes, DNA sequencing and statistical analyses. Concordance determination and functional assays are the critical tests for validation of a QTN; we provide a generalized formula for the probability of concordance by chance. Three genes that meet the burden of proof for QTN identification –DGAT1 in cattle, IGF2 in swine and GDF8 in sheep – are discussed in detail. The genetic and economic ramifications of identified QTN and the horizon for selection and introgression are also considered.
The impact of elevated CO2, increased nitrogen availability and biodiversity on plant tissue quality and decomposition
Authors: KNOPS JOHANNES M. H. , NAEEM SHAHID , REICH P. B. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractElevated CO2, increased nitrogen (N) deposition and increasing species richness can increase net primary productivity (NPP). However, unless there are comparable changes in decomposition, increases in productivity will most likely be unsustainable. Without comparable increases in decomposition nutrients would accumulate in dead organic matter leading to nutrient limitations that could eventually prohibit additional increases in productivity. To address this issue, we measured aboveground plant and litter quality and belowground root quality, as well as decomposition of aboveground litter for one and 2‐year periods usingin situlitterbags in response to a three‐way factorial manipulation of CO2(ambient vs. 560 ppm), N deposition (ambient vs. the addition of 4 g N m−2 yr−1) and plant species richness (one, four, nine and 16 species) in experimental grassland plots.Litter chemistry responded to the CO2, N and plant diversity treatments, but decomposition was much less responsive. Elevated CO2induced decreases in % N and % lignin in plant tissues. N addition led to increases in % N and decreases in % lignin. Increasing plant diversity led to decreases in % N and % lignin and an increase in % cellulose. In contrast to the litter chemistry changes, elevated CO2had a much lower impact on decomposition and resulted in only a 2.5% decrease in carbon (C) loss. Detectable responses were not observed either to N addition or to species richness.These results suggest that global change factors such as biodiversity loss, elevated CO2and N deposition lead to significant changes in tissue quality; however, the response of decomposition is modest. Thus, the observed increases in productivity at higher diversity levels and with elevated CO2and N fertilization are not matched by an increase in decomposition rates. This lack of coupled responses between production and decomposition is likely to result in an accumulation of nutrients in the litter pool which will dampen the response of NPP to these factors over time.
Dentine removal in the coronal portion of root canals following two preparation techniques
Authors: Plotino G. , Grande N. M. , Falanga A. , Di Giuseppe I. L. , Lamorgese V. , Somma F. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAim  To measure the root canal area and the reduction of the mesial and buccal/lingual wall thickness at the level of the coronal interference in mesial roots of mandibular molars after instrumentation with a crown‐down or a simultaneous root canal preparation technique.Methodology  Twenty mesial roots of first mandibular molars with a moderate root canal curvature were embedded in resin and sectioned horizontally at the level of the coronal interference, using a modification of the Bramante technique. After scanning and processing, the sections were reassembled. One root canal of each root was prepared using ProTaper instruments, while Mtwo instruments were used in the other root canal of the same mesial root. After scanning and processing, the data obtained were analysed for two parameters: changes in root canal area after instrumentation (ΔA) and reduction of the mesial and buccal/lingual wall thickness (ΔT). The data were subjected to Student's t‐tests for statistical analysis at a significance level of P < 0.05.Results  No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to the changes in the areas (ΔA) at the level considered (P = 0.410). No statistically significant differences were noticed between the two groups for dentine thickness (ΔT) of both the mesial wall (P = 0.077) and the buccal or lingual wall (P = 0.171).Conclusions  There was no difference between the ProTaper and Mtwo groups for the amount of dentine removed.
Assessment and treatment units for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour in England: an exploratory survey
Authors: Mackenzie‐Davies N. , Mansell J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground  Evaluative studies have shown that special units for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) who have challenging behaviour have advantages and disadvantages. There has been no survey of their number or characteristics for nearly 20 years.Methods  A questionnaire was sent to all National Health Service trusts that had ID inpatient beds, and all private or voluntary healthcare establishments providing services for people with mental health problems or ID. This asked for information about the unit, its residents and the views of the unit manager.Results  Forty‐four agencies confirmed that they provided assessment and treatment units, of which 38 returned questionnaires. These units served 333 people, of whom 75% had mild or moderate ID. A quarter had been there for more than 2 years. Forty per cent of residents had a discharge plan, and 20% had this and the type of placement considered ideal for them in their home area. The main strengths of the units were identified as the knowledge and experience of the staff and having sufficient staff; the main problems as inappropriate admissions, bed‐blocking and the relationship with other services; difficulties with recruiting and retaining staff; the location and environment of the unit; and the mix of residents.Conclusions  There has been an increasing rate of provision of special units, which now predominantly serve people with moderate or mild ID. This model of service provision is becoming more widespread, but the potential problems identified 20 years ago are still present. Areas are identified for further research.
Evolutionary biology and practical conservation: bridging a widening gap
Authors: MACE GEORGINA M. , PURVIS ANDY 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAt the ecosystem, species and population level, available measures suggest that average rates of loss of populations and habitats are now around 1% per year and seem likely to increase in the future. Habitat conversion continues in most parts of the world, especially in areas of high species richness, and novel threats, especially climate change, will pose new challenges. With this pressure, maintaining evolutionary processes in natural populations will be critical to longer term persistence, and will often require specific planning relevant to the context. However, in many areas of policy and practice, urgent actions tend to focus on pattern‐based analyses and considerations of evolutionary and ecological processes are neglected. At a variety of levels, from setting goals to implementing conservation management at the site or species level, there are simple adjustments that can be made. Improved methods for integrating the work of scientists and policymakers is recommended, from the beginning to end of the planning process.