bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Teratogenic effects of maternal antidepressant exposure on neural substrates of drug‐seeking behavior in offspring
Authors: Forcelli Patrick A. , Heinrichs Stephen C. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTIf neurotransmitter balance is upset in the developing nervous system by exposure to antidepressant drugs, structural and functional hedonic phenotypes of offspring may be affected. In order to test this hypothesis, two groups of pregnant Wistar dams were exposed to vehicle or fluoxetine by implantation on gestational day 14 of osmotic minipumps delivering 0 or 10 mg/kg/day fluoxetine for 14 days. The consequences of perinatal fluoxetine exposure on offspring conflict‐exploratory behavior were quantified using the elevated plus‐maze on postnatal day (PND) 30. Beginning on PND 60, the reinforcing properties of acutely administered cocaine were examined using a place conditioning procedure. Beginning on PND 90, a subset of rats were implanted with jugular catheters and allowed to acquire self‐administration of cocaine in an operant environment. In support of the hedonic modulation hypothesis, perinatal fluoxetine produced a significant decline in both nucleus accumbens cell count (−9%) and serotonin transporter‐like immunoreactivity in the raphe nucleus (−35%) on PND 120. In the elevated plus‐maze, perinatal fluoxetine exposure decreased (−21%) overall activity. In the place conditioning trial, only the fluoxetine‐treated group exhibited a significant place preference for the compartment paired previously with cocaine. In a cocaine self‐administration extinction trial, there was a statistically significant increase (350%) in extinction response rate among fluoxetine‐exposed offspring. These findings suggest that perinatal exposure to fluoxetine perturbs adult serotonergic neurotransmission and produces a positive hedonic shift for conditioned reinforcing effects of cocaine.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Long‐lasting tolerance to alcohol following a history of dependence
Authors: Rimondini Roberto , Sommer Wolfang H. , Dall'Olio Rossella , Heilig Markus 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTTolerance to alcohol effects is one of the defining features of clinical alcohol dependence. Here, we hypothesized that the post‐dependent state may include tolerance to sedative‐hypnotic alcohol actions. To address this question, we used a recently developed animal model in which repeated cycles of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal trigger long‐lasting behavioral plasticity. This animal model shares important features with the clinical condition. Animals were exposed to 7 weeks of intermittent alcohol vapor, allowed to recover for 3 weeks, and tested in protracted abstinence to exclude contributions from acute withdrawal. Post‐dependent and control rats were injected with a hypnotic dose of alcohol (3 g/kg), and the loss of righting reflex (LORR) was recorded, blood alcohol levels were monitored, and the elimination rate was calculated. Post‐dependent animals showed a decrease in LORR. Alcohol metabolism and elimination kinetics did not differ between groups. In conclusion, a history of alcohol dependence induces long‐lasting hypnotic tolerance. This process may play an important role in maintaining the dependent state.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Effects of chronic stress on nicotine‐induced locomotor activity and corticosterone release in adult and adolescent rats
Authors: Cruz Fábio C. , DeLucia Roberto , Planeta Cleopatra S. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTWe examined nicotine‐induced locomotion and increase in corticosterone plasma levels in adolescent and adult animals exposed to chronic restraint stress. Adolescent [postnatal day (P) 28–37] and adult (P60–67) rats were restrained for 2 hours once daily for 7 days. Three days after the last exposure to stress, the animals were challenged with saline or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg subcutaneously). Nicotine‐induced locomotion was recorded in an activity cage. Trunk blood samples were collected in a subset of adolescent and adult rats and plasma corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Exposure to stress did not affect the nicotine‐induced locomotor‐ or corticosterone‐activating effects in both ages.
CLINICAL STUDY: Biodegradability of naltrexone‐poly(DL) lactide implants in vivo assessed under ultrasound in humans
Authors: Hulse Gary K. , Low Vincent H. S. , Stalenberg Virginia , Morris Noella , Thompson Richard I. , Tait Robert J. , Phan Cam T. , Ngo Hanh T. T. , Arnold‐Reed Diane E. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTUltrasound was used to assess the in vivo biodegradability of a sustained release poly(DL)lactide naltrexone implant in 71 persons previously treated for heroin dependence. We assessed 139 implant sites ranging from 2 to 1808 days post implant. Ultrasound assessment showed that implant tablets were initially well demarcated from each other and from the surrounding tissues. Biodegradation resulted in less demarcated tablets followed by clumping into a single mass‐like structure. This mass subsequently dispersed by approximately 1201 days post implant with no implant material visualized by ultrasound. The biodegradation was also assessed by visual clinical examination and palpation of the implant site as well as patient self‐report. These measures were generally well correlated with ultrasound results. Clinical assessment of the biodegradation process concluded that the implant changed from ‘firm’ to ‘less firm’ and from ‘initial square edge’ to ‘rounded edge’ tablets. Collectively, these data provide direct evidence of the in vivo absorption of the Go Medical implant over time, and its biodegradability in humans.
No association of KIR genes with Behcet’s disease
Authors: Middleton D. , Meenagh A. , Sleator C. , Gourraud P. A. , Ayna T. , Tozkir H. , Köse A. A. , Azizleri G. , Diler A. S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBehcet’s disease (BD) is thought to be caused by multiple genetic, environmental and immunological factors, one of the most prominent being the strong association with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐Bw51, an HLA‐Bw4‐associated allele. We examined the presence/absence of 14 killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) and their ligands in 134 Turkish individuals with BD and compared the results with those of 154 ethnically matched controls. Although KIR3DL1 with its ligand (HLA‐Bw4) was significantly increased in the patients with BD (P = 0.0003), this no longer applied when the patients and controls were categorised by HLA‐Bw51 status. Thus, no association was identified between presence or absence of any of the 14 KIR genes studied and BD. In addition, we did not find any associations of KIR with various manifestations of the disease nor with gender or age of onset.
Estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values for multivariate threshold and continuous data in a simulated horse population using Gibbs sampling and residual maximum likelihood
Authors: Stock K.F. , Hoeschele I. , Distl O. 
Published: September 2007

SummarySimulated horse data were used to compare multivariate estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values (BV) for categorical, continuous and molecular genetic data using linear animal models via residual maximum likelihood (REML) and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and mixed linear‐threshold animal models via Gibbs sampling (GS). Simulation included additive genetic values, residuals and fixed effects for one continuous trait, liabilities of four binary traits, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) effects and genetic markers with different recombination rates and polymorphism information content for one of the liabilities. Analysed data sets differed in the number of animals with trait records and availability of genetic marker information. Consideration of genetic marker information in the model resulted in marked overestimation of the heritability of the QTL trait. If information on 10 000 or 5000 animals was used, bias of heritabilities and additive genetic correlations was mostly smaller, correlation between true and predicted BV was always higher and identification of genetically superior and inferior animals was – with regard to the moderately heritable traits, in many cases – more reliable with GS than with REML/BLUP. If information on only 1000 animals was used, neither GS nor REML/BLUP produced genetic parameter estimates with relative bias ≤25% and BV correlation >50% for all traits. Selection decisions for binary traits should rather be based on GS than on REML/BLUP breeding values.
Fine mapping of a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 9 affecting non‐return rate in Swedish dairy cattle
Authors: Holmberg M. , Sahana G. , Andersson‐Eklund L. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryWe previously mapped a quantitative trait locus (QTL) affecting the trait non‐return rate at 56 days in heifers to bovine chromosome 9. The purpose of this study was to confirm and refine the position of the QTL by using a denser marker map and fine mapping methods. Five families that previously showed segregation for the QTL were included in the study. The mapping population consisted of 139 bulls in a granddaughter design. All bulls were genotyped for 25 microsatellite markers surrounding the QTL on chromosome 9. We also analysed the correlated trait number of inseminations per service period in heifers. Both traits describe the heifer's ability to become pregnant after insemination. Linkage analysis, linkage disequilibrium and combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis were used to analyse the data. Analysis of the families jointly by linkage analysis resulted in a significant but broad QTL peak for non‐return rate. Results from the combined analysis gave a sharp QTL peak with a well‐defined maximum in between markers BMS1724 and BM7209, at the same position as where the highest peak from the linkage disequilibrium analysis was found. One of the sire families segregated clearly at this position and the difference in effects between the two sire haplotypes was 2.9 percentage units in non‐return rate. No significant results were found for the number of inseminations in the combined analysis.
Genetic parameters for the prevalence of osteochondrosis in the limb joints of South German Coldblood horses
Authors: Wittwer C. , Hamann H. , Rosenberger E. , Distl O. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryHeritabilities were estimated for osteochondrosis (OC) in fetlock and hock joints and palmar/plantar osseous fragments in fetlock joints of South German Coldblood (SGC) horses using Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) under a linear animal model. The analyses were based on the results of a standardized radiographic examination of 167 SGC horses with a mean age of 14 months. The heritabilities linearly estimated and transformed onto the liability scale were for OC in fetlock joints 0.16 and for OC in hock joints 0.04. Considering fetlock and hock OC together, results in a heritability of 0.17. Palmar/plantar osseus fragments of the fetlock joints showed a heritability of 0.48. We concluded that there is most likely a genetic component in the variation of the development of osteochondrosis in fetlock and hock joints as well as for palmar/plantar osseus fragments of fetlock joints of the investigated population of SGC horses.
Multi‐breed genetic evaluation in a Gelbvieh population
Authors: Legarra A. , Bertrand J.K. , Strabel T. , Sapp R.L. , Sánchez J.P. , Misztal I. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA multi‐breed model was presented for the genetic evaluation of growth traits in beef cattle. In addition to the fixed effects, random direct and maternal genetic effects, and random maternal permanent environmental effects are considered; the model also fits direct and maternal heterosis and direct and maternal breed‐of‐founder (BOF) × generation group effects using a Bayesian approach that weights prior literature estimates relative to information supplied by the dataset to which the model will be applied. The multi‐breed evaluation procedures also allow the inclusion of external evaluations for animals of other breeds. The multi‐breed model was applied to a dataset provided by the American Gelbvieh Association. Different analyses were conducted by varying the weights given to the prior literature relative to the information provided by the dataset. Large differences were observed for the heterosis estimates, the BOF × generation group effect estimates, and the predicted breeding values across breeds due to the weights posed on prior literature estimates versus estimates derived directly from data. However, the rankings within breed were observed to be relatively robust to the different weights on prior information.
Estimates of genetic parameters for growth traits in Kermani sheep
Authors: Bahreini Behzadi M. R. , Shahroudi F. E. , Van Vleck L. D. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBirth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6‐month weight (W6), 9‐month weight (W9) and yearling weight (YW) of Kermani lambs were used to estimate genetic parameters. The data were collected from Shahrbabak Sheep Breeding Research Station in Iran during the period of 1993–1998. The fixed effects in the model were lambing year, sex, type of birth and age of dam. Number of days between birth date and the date of obtaining measurement of each record was used as a covariate. Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood, using single and two‐trait animal models. Based on the most appropriate fitted model, direct and maternal heritabilities of BW, WW, W6, W9 and YW were estimated to be 0.10 ± 0.06 and 0.27 ± 0.04, 0.22 ± 0.09 and 0.19 ± 0.05, 0.09 ± 0.06 and 0.25 ± 0.04, 0.13 ± 0.08 and 0.18 ± 0.05, and 0.14 ± 0.08 and 0.14 ± 0.06 respectively. Direct and maternal genetic correlations between the lamb weights varied between 0.66 and 0.99, and 0.11 and 0.99. The results showed that the maternal influence on lamb weights decreased with age at measurement. Ignoring maternal effects in the model caused overestimation of direct heritability. Maternal effects are significant sources of variation for growth traits and ignoring maternal effects in the model would cause inaccurate genetic evaluation of lambs.
Analysis and mapping of CACNB4, CHRNA1, KCNJ3, SCN2A and SPG4, physiological candidate genes for porcine congenital progressive ataxia and spastic paresis
Authors: Genini S. , Kratzsch A. , Korczak B. , Neuenschwander S. , Brenig B. , Jörg H. , Bürgi E. , Ossent P. , Stranzinger G. , Vögeli P. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe cause of porcine congenital progressive ataxia and spastic paresis (CPA) is unknown. This severe neuropathy manifests shortly after birth and is lethal. The disease is inherited as a single autosomal recessive allele, designated cpa. In a previous study, we demonstrated close linkage of cpa to microsatellite SW902 on porcine chromosome 3 (SSC3), which corresponds syntenically to human chromosome 2. This latter chromosome contains ion channel genes (Ca2+, K+ and Na+), a cholinergic receptor gene and the spastin (SPG4) gene, which cause human epilepsy and ataxia when mutated. We mapped porcine CACNB4, KCNJ3, SCN2A and CHRNA1 to SSC15 and SPG4 to SSC3 with the INRA‐Minnesota porcine radiation hybrid panel (IMpRH) and we sequenced the entire open reading frames of CACNB4 and SPG4 without finding any differences between healthy and affected piglets. An anti‐epileptic drug treatment with ethosuximide did not change the severity of the disease, and pigs with CPA did not exhibit the corticospinal tract axonal degeneration found in humans suffering from hereditary spastic paraplegia, which is associated with mutations in SPG4. For all these reasons, the hypothesis that CACNB4, CHRNA1, KCNJ3, SCN2A or SPG4 are identical with the CPA gene was rejected.
Distribution of nuclear mitochondrial DNA in cattle nuclear genome
Authors: Liu Y. , Zhao X. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts), originated from mtDNA insertions into the nuclear genome, have been detected to exist in many species. However, the distribution of numts in cattle nuclear genome yet has not been fully reported. By referring to the whole cattle mtDNA sequence and to the recently released cattle nuclear genome by Human Genome Sequencing Center (HGSC), 303 numts were identified by BLAST with 55 numts unmapped to cattle nuclear genome. Further analysis found that the size of the numts ranges from 37 to 1932 bp, and the homologous identity between numts and their corresponding mtDNA fragments varies from 73 to 98%. Furthermore, the identified cattle numts cover nearly all the mitochondrial genes including mtDNA control region, distributing over all the chromosomes with the exception of the chromosome 23 and Y chromosome (in the latter the sequence data are not available). In the discovered numts, 29 relatively complete mitochondrial genes, which were distributed in 72 numts, were detected. Undoubtedly, this research would provide some valuable information for successive research related to mitochondrial genes and the evolution of cattle.
Genetic correlations between body condition scores and fertility in dairy cattle using bivariate random regression models
Authors: De Haas Y. , Janss L. L. G. , Kadarmideen H. N. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryGenetic correlations between body condition score (BCS) and fertility traits in dairy cattle were estimated using bivariate random regression models. BCS was recorded by the Swiss Holstein Association on 22 075 lactating heifers (primiparous cows) from 856 sires. Fertility data during first lactation were extracted for 40 736 cows. The fertility traits were days to first service (DFS), days between first and last insemination (DFLI), calving interval (CI), number of services per conception (NSPC) and conception rate to first insemination (CRFI). A bivariate model was used to estimate genetic correlations between BCS as a longitudinal trait by random regression components, and daughter's fertility at the sire level as a single lactation measurement. Heritability of BCS was 0.17, and heritabilities for fertility traits were low (0.01–0.08). Genetic correlations between BCS and fertility over the lactation varied from: −0.45 to −0.14 for DFS; −0.75 to 0.03 for DFLI; from −0.59 to −0.02 for CI; from −0.47 to 0.33 for NSPC and from 0.08 to 0.82 for CRFI. These results show (genetic) interactions between fat reserves and reproduction along the lactation trajectory of modern dairy cows, which can be useful in genetic selection as well as in management. Maximum genetic gain in fertility from indirect selection on BCS should be based on measurements taken in mid lactation when the genetic variance for BCS is largest, and the genetic correlations between BCS and fertility is strongest.
Rapid screening and selection of low‐caffeine‐containing tea (Camellia sinensis) trees by a colorimetric method
Authors: Kim Y. D. , Min J. Y. , Karigar C. S. , Cheong G. W. , Kim J. W. , Choi M. S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractA simple and rapid colorimetric method for the determination of caffeine has been developed. Tea tree lines from the Hadong region in South Korea differ widely in their caffeine contents and this colorimetric method facilitated an efficient screening strategy for the selection of low‐caffeine‐containing lines. A high correlation was observed between the values obtained with colorimetric and high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis. Among the selected tree lines, the caffeine content for the lowest caffeine‐containing tea tree line (H‐19) was 178.35 μg/g dry weight basis, which was 61‐fold less productive than the highest caffeine‐producing tea tree line (H‐82). Caffeine contents of the selected tea tree lines remained similar during the corresponding collection periods. The colorimetric method is of great practical value in screening low‐caffeine‐containing tea trees.
Effectiveness and environmental stability of quantitative powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) resistance among winter wheat cultivars
Authors: Miedaner T. , Flath K. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPowdery mildew in wheat (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) is a major disease in Northern and Central Europe. The aim of the study was to analyse the effectiveness and environmental stability of quantitative powdery mildew resistance under high epidemic pressure in the field across years in the absence/presence of ineffective race‐specific resistances. Cultivars with and without Pm (major) genes were inoculated in three experiments with a genetically broad mildew population with all matching virulences. Resistance was measured three times by assessing the percentage of leaf area covered by powdery mildew on a plot basis (0–100%). Mean powdery mildew severity of the highly susceptible cv. ‘Kanzler’ varied across 10 years from 24% to 66% (Exp. 1). Means of three cultivars without Pm genes, ‘Ramiro’, ‘Miras’ and ‘Zentos’, and several cultivars with ineffective Pm genes varied quantitatively from 4% to 13%. Environmental stability of the quantitative resistances was on average higher than that of susceptible genotypes, as revealed by a regression approach. In the second experiment, all groups of cultivars with ineffective Pm gene(s) contained a large proportion of entries with a similar low mildew rating as the quantitatively resistant standard ‘Miras’. Mildew severity of pairs of cultivars with the same Pm gene(s) was significantly different across 6 years (Exp. 3) indicating the presence of additional quantitative resistances in some of these cultivars. In the analysis of variance, genotypic variance had a high impact (P < 0.01) with low importance of genotype × environment interaction. Consequently, heritabilites were high (0.95–0.97). In conclusion, breeders have already accumulated effective minor genes for powdery mildew resistance in many of the released German winter wheat cultivars. These quantitative resistances are long lasting, environmentally stable and provide a high level of protection to powdery mildew.
Comparative evaluation of exotic and adapted germplasm of spring wheat for floral characteristics in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of northern India
Authors: Singh S. K. , Arun B. , Joshi A. K. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractFour hundred spring wheat genotypes, comprising exotic and indigenous germplasm and adapted cultivars for commercial cultivation, were investigated during four crop seasons for six floral characteristics related to outcrossing behaviour. Genetic variability and heritability were investigated along with phenotypic correlation coefficients among these characteristics. A significant quantitative variation existed among the characteristics in all three groups. High heritability for stigma length, openness of florets, anther extrusion and duration of floral opening indicated that selection for these characteristics may be effective. The adapted cultivars were found more promising than the exotic and indigenous germplasm. Most of the characteristics showed significantly positive correlation with each other and high correlation was observed between anther and stigma length, and anther extrusion and duration of floral opening. Superiority of varietal mixtures and segregating generations (F3 and F4) of two crosses over parental lines suggested that heterozygosity and heterogeneity can provide yield advantages. Germplasm lines possessing superior expression of floral characteristics may be used to improve yielding ability through enhanced heterozygosity or the development of hybrids.