bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abnormal turning behaviour, GABAergic inhibition and the degeneration of astrocytes in ovineTribulus terrestrismotor neuron disease
Authors: BOURKE CA 
Published: June 2007

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical signs of sheep affected byTribulus terrestrismotor neuron disease, to ascertain their response to striatal dopamine reducing drugs, and to examine their brains and spinal cords for microscopic changes.ProceduresTwenty‐eight sheep displaying well developed clinical signs of the disorder were observed. Twenty‐two of these and 22 normal sheep were then randomly allocated to three groups and treated with diazepam, chlorpromazine, or xylazine. The time that it took an animal to return to a standing position following drug administration was recorded.The brain and complete spinal cord were removed from each of the other six affected sheep and fixed in formalin. Brains were sectioned throughout at 5 mm intervals and spinal cords at 10 mm intervals. All tissues were paraffin embedded and examined by light microscopy. A few samples were examined by electron microscopy.ResultsClinical signs included postural asymmetry with a right:left body‐side dominance within the group of 50:50, unequal flaccid paresis in the pelvic limbs, extensor muscle atrophy and adduction of the weaker pelvic limb, and concurrent abduction of the stronger. Forward motion followed either a fixed left or right hand curved trajectory, the sheep no longer being able to choose which. Twelve animals intermittently displayed rotational behaviour that involved loss of postural balance without locomotor activation. The administration of diazepam, chlorpromazine, or xylazine caused limb paresis and sedation, with affected sheep being slower than normal sheep by factors of 8, 3 and 2 respectively, to return to a standing position. There were scattered areas of mild Wallerian degeneration throughout the spinal cord, and in both the brain and the cord there were small numbers of degenerate astrocytes containing novel cytoplasmic pigment granules.ConclusionsAffected sheep had a dysfunction in the control of directional change and this provides a new insight into the normal mechanism for ‘turning’ in quadrupeds. Directional change requires a functional asymmetry or lateralisation within the upper motor neuron to accommodate a difference in the rate of forward progression of each body side and, simultaneously, a lateral shift of the centre of gravity. The sensitivity of affected sheep to diazepam is consistent with a pre‐existing elevation in GABAergic neuronal inhibition, probably as a result of a reduction in glutamatergic neuronal excitation. The cytoplasmic pigment found in degenerate astrocytes was novel and its presence in the brain nuclei known to contribute to turning behaviour could have aetiological significance. The motor output of the basal ganglia inTribulusneurotoxicity appeared to be excessively inhibitory to the pelvic limb extensor muscles and was asymmetric, causing fixation of the turning posture but not locomotor activation. An intoxication of specific purine sensitive, glutamate releasing astrocytes, located in nuclei controlling turning, was suspected.
Infectivity of Scrapie Prion Protein (PrPSc) Following In vitro Digestion with Bovine Gastrointestinal Microbiota
Authors: Scherbel C. , Pichner R. , Groschup M. H. , Mueller‐Hellwig S. , Scherer S. , Dietrich R. , Maertlbauer E. , Gareis M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe influence of a complex microflora residing in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle on the prion protein plays a crucial role with respect to early pathogenesis and the potential infectivity of faeces resulting in contamination of the environment. It is unknown whether infectious prion proteins, considered to be very stable, are inactivated by microbial processes in the gastrointestinal tract of animals during digestion. In our previous study it was shown that the scrapie‐associated prion protein was degraded by ruminal and colonic microbiota of cattle, as indicated by a loss of anti‐prion antibody 3F4 immunoreactivity in Western blot. Subsequently, in this study hamster bioassays with the pre‐treated samples were performed. Although the PrPSc signal was reduced up to immunochemically undetectable levels within 40 h of pre‐treatment, significant residual prion infectivity was retained after degradation of infected hamster brain through the gastrointestinal microflora of cattle. The data presented here show that the loss of anti‐prion antibody 3F4 immunoreactivity is obviously not correlated with a biological inactivation of PrPSc. These results highlight the deficiency of using Western blot in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies inactivation assessment studies and, additionally, point to the possibility of environmental contamination with faeces containing PrPSc following an oral ingestion of prions.
Assessing the Within‐herd Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Milk‐shedder Cows using a Real‐time PCR Applied to Bulk Tank Milk
Authors: Guatteo R. , Beaudeau F. , Joly A. , Seegers H. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThirty‐seven bulk tank milk (BTM) and individual milk samples of all contributing cows were tested for Coxiella burnetii detection by a real‐time PCR assay and used to assess the relationship between the BTM PCR‐response and (i) the within‐herd prevalence of milk‐shedder cows and (ii) the proportion of heavy milk‐shedder cows. The within‐herd prevalence of milk‐shedder cows (i) was found to be significantly higher in herds with a positive BTM and (ii) increased significantly with the estimated titre in Coxiella burnetii obtained in positive BTM. The proportion of heavy milk‐shedder cows among the milk‐shedder cows increased significantly with an increased estimated titre in Coxiella burnetii in positive BTM. Therefore, a real‐time PCR assay applied to BTM samples collected repeatedly over time appears to be a valuable tool to assess on a larger scale the status of herds towards Coxiella shedding, and to evaluate the efficiency of control actions aimed at controlling and/or preventing Coxiella shedding in dairy herds.
Control Versus No Control: Options for Avian Influenza H5N1 in Nigeria
Authors: Fasina F. O. , Meseko A. C. , Joannis T. M. , Shittu A. I. , Ularamu H. G. , Egbuji N. A. , Sulaiman L. K. , Onyekonwu N. O. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryIn January 2006, an outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was recorded in Nigeria for the first time. This present work describes an estimation of possible costs associated with a vaccination‐based control policy added to other measures to restrict HPAI H5N1 virus infections. The evaluations used epidemiological and production data, including budgets necessary for the vaccine acquisition, distribution and administration in arriving at the final costs. Using decision tree and cost benefit analysis the economical benefits for Nigeria and countries with similar veterinary infrastructures, biosecurity and farming systems are calculated. The result indicated that a halting in the continued spread of the virus through effective control measure will be 52 times better than taking no action. This should help policy makers in deciding in favour of vaccination combined with other tools as an effective means of controlling avian influenza H5N1. • Control of HPAI H5N1 will best be understood by policy makers in financial terms. • Effective control through vaccination of poultry is much cheaper and reduces the chances of human zoonoses. • Poultry vaccination combined with other control measures will be the most effective means of control in most developing economies.
Epidemiological Study of Non‐systemic Parasitism in Dogs in Southeast Mediterranean Spain Assessed by Coprological and Post‐mortem Examination
Authors: Martínez‐Carrasco C. , Berriatua E. , Garijo M. , Martínez J. , Alonso F. D. , Ruiz de Ybáñez R. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe prevalence and risk factors of non‐systemic canine ecto‐ and endoparasitism and anthelminthic use in Murcia located at the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coastal arch, was investigated by coprology and necropsy in up to 275 pet, city shelter and stray dogs in 2001–2004. Faecal parasite stages were detected in 25% of dogs. Species frequency was 6–10% forToxocara canis,Ancylostomatidae spp.,Toxascaris leoninaandIsospora canis, and 0.4–1% forTrichuris vulpis,Giardia lamblia, andDipylidium caninum. Logistic regression indicated that the risk of intestinal parasitism was highest for dogs ≤1 year old, in the middle to low weight range and kept at the city shelter. Although risk factors varied according to the species,T. caniswas most common in <1 year old andAncylostomatidae spp. was more prevalent in older dogs. This suggests that the dominant species wasUncinariaspp. and not the more zoonotically importantAncylostoma spp. This was further supported by necropsy findings; however, the degree of agreement between post‐mortem and coprological examination for intestinal parasites was generally poor. Necropsy revealed 10%G. lamblia,12%Taenia spp. 38%D. caninuminfections. Fleas, ticks and lice were also found in 38%, 6% and 2% of necropsied stray dogs. These results demonstrate the need for an urgent parasite control programme at the city dog shelter and the need to improve the owner’s education on zoonotic risks, the proper use of anthelminthics, and other parasite control practices.
Wittgenstein’s neurophenomenology
Authors: Cole J 
Published: June 2007

Wittgenstein, despite being considered an analytical philosopher, has been quoted extensively by neurologists like Oliver Sacks. This paper explores how Wittgenstein, despite suggesting that science was antithetical to philosophy, made observations relevant to cognitive neuroscience.His work on the inner and the outer, the relation between language and sensation or perception, and on the embodied nature of emotion and its communication, is important for an understanding of neurological impairment beyond our experience. In some of his enigmatic short writing his insights are pertinent to patients’ experience, say of pain, Capgras’ Syndrome and spinal cord injury. He also made observations on movement sense, will and action.He did not engage in empirical science, nor obtain data in any conventional sense. But his genius was not confined to abstract philosophy. His powers of observation and introspection led him to explore lived experience in new ways, some of which are only now being approached empirically. The method of science, he once wrote, leads philosophy into complete darkness. Had he lived today, one hopes that even he might have changed his mind.
Differences in the responses of stem tissues of spring-type Brassica napus cultivars with polygenic resistance and single dominant gene-based resistance to inoculation with Leptosphaeria maculans
Authors: Li Hua , Kuo John , Barbetti Martin John , Sivasithamparam Krishnapillai 
Published: June 2007

Six spring-type Brassica napus L. cultivars, either susceptible or with polygenic or monogenic resistance, were inoculated with Leptosphaeria maculans (Desmaz.) Ces. & De Not. (organism causing phoma stem canker in crucifers) to investigate differences in the responses of host stem tissues to the pathogen. At growth stage 1.06, plants were inoculated with pycnidiospores at the junction of the petiole and stem. The pre-penetration and penetration phases were examined along with the histological, ultrastructural, and histochemical responses. The processes of pycnidiospore attachment, germination, and penetration through the stomata of petioles and stems were found to be similar in all cultivars. Specific post-penetration defense reactions identified were lignification, suberisation, and additional cambium formation in the resistant cultivars. In ‘Surpass 400’, which has monogenic resistance, these responses occurred 4–5 d earlier than in polygenically resistant cultivars, and were more intense (preventing hyphal penetration of the additional cambium layer), and resulted in a hypersensitive reaction without pycnidia formation. Our study clearly emphasizes the variatiability in location, timing, and histochemistry of stem responses between compatible and incompatible interactions and will improve our overall understanding of the role and importance of the mechanisms of resistance in spring-type B. napus to L. maculans.
Molecular comparisons of Salsola tragus from California and Ukraine
Authors: Ryan Frederick J. , Mosyakin Sergei L. , Pitcairn Michael J. 
Published: June 2007

In California, the exotic invasive plant Salsola tragus L. (Russian thistle) has been found to consist of two genetic entities, types A and B. Type A, with chromosome number 2n = 36, was identified as S. tragus s.str., but type B, with 2n = 18, was not identical with Salsola species found elsewhere in the world. Plants of S. tragus from Ukraine were subjected to isoenzymic and DNA analyses to determine whether type B was found there and to compare S. tragus from Ukraine with that in California. In isoenzymic assays, plants from Ukraine exhibited patterns of aspartate aminotransferase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity after non-denaturing electrophoresis that were identical with those for S. tragus from California. No Ukrainian accessions had an isoenzymic pattern that resembled type B from California. DNA-based assays, using random amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat primers, indicated that all the Ukrainian accessions were similar to S. tragus type A from California and not to Californian type B. The area of origin of type B remains unknown, although it has recently been found to be widespread in southern Africa, where it is also believed to be an introduced species.
DNA Methylation and Complete Transcriptional Silencing of Cancer Genes Persist after Depletion of EZH2
Authors: McGarvey Kelly M. , Greene Eriko , Fahrner Jill A. , Jenuwein Thomas , Baylin Stephen B. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractRecent work suggests a link between the polycomb group protein EZH2 and mediation of gene silencing in association with maintenance of DNA methylation. However, we show that whereas basally expressed target cancer genes with minimal DNA methylation have increased transcription during EZH2 knockdown, densely DNA hypermethylated and silenced genes retain their methylation and remain transcriptionally silent. These results suggest that EZH2 can modulate transcription of basally expressed genes but not silent genes that are densely DNA methylated. [Cancer Res 2007;67(11):5097–102]
Endothelial Akt Signaling Is Rate-Limiting for Rapamycin Inhibition of Mouse Mammary Tumor Progression
Authors: Phung Thuy L. , Eyiah-Mensah Godfred , O'Donnell Rebekah K. , Bieniek Radoslaw , Shechter Sharon , Walsh Kenneth , Kuperwasser Charlotte , Benjamin Laura E. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Chronic activation of Akt signaling in the endothelium recapitulates the salient features of a tumor vasculature and can be inhibited by rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin. This led to the hypothesis that the antitumor efficacy of rapamycin may be partially dependent on its ability to inhibit endothelial Akt signaling, making rapamycin an antiangiogenic agent and endothelial Akt pathway inhibitor. Dose-response studies with rapamycin showed that primary human endothelial cells and fibroblasts had a bimodal Akt response with effective reductions in phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) achieved at 10 ng/mL. In contrast, rapamycin increased pAkt levels in tumor cell lines. When tumor-bearing mice were treated with rapamycin doses comparable to those used clinically in transplant patients, we observed strong inhibition of mammary tumor growth. To test whether Akt activation in the endothelium was rate-limiting for this antitumor response, we engineered mouse mammary tumor virus–polyoma virus middle T antigen mice with endothelial cell–specific expression of constitutively activated Akt. We observed that the antitumor efficacy of rapamycin was reduced in the presence of elevated endothelial Akt activation. Just as we observed in MCF7 cells in vitro, rapamycin doses that were antiangiogenic resulted in increased pAkt levels in total mouse mammary tumor virus–polyoma virus middle T antigen tumor lysates, suggesting that tumor cells had an opposite Akt response following mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition compared with tumor endothelial cells. Together, these data support the hypothesis that endothelial Akt signaling in the tumor vasculature is an important target of the novel anticancer drug rapamycin. [Cancer Res 2007;67(11):5070–5]
Short Telomere Length and Breast Cancer Risk: A Study in Sister Sets
Authors: Shen Jing , Terry Mary Beth , Gurvich Irina , Liao Yuyan , Senie Ruby T. , Santella Regina M. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Telomeres consist of a tandem repeats of the sequence TTAGGG at the ends of chromosomes and play a key role in the maintenance of chromosomal stability. Previous studies indicated that short telomeres are associated with increased risk for human bladder, head and neck, lung, and renal cell cancer. We investigated the association between white blood cell telomere length and breast cancer risk among 268 family sets (287 breast cancer cases and 350 sister controls). Telomere length was assessed by quantitative PCR. The mean telomere length was shorter in cases (mean, 0.70; range, 0.03–1.95) than in unaffected control sisters (mean, 0.74; range, 0.03–2.29), but no significant difference was observed (P = 0.11). When subjects were categorized according to the median telomere length in controls (0.70), affected sisters had shorter telomeres compared with unaffected sisters after adjusting for age at blood donation and smoking status [odds ratio (OR), 1.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.9–1.8], but the association was not statistically significant. The association by quartile of telomere length (Q4 shortest versus Q1 longest) also supported an increase in risk from shorter telomere length, although the association was not statistically significant (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9–2.7). This association was more pronounced among premenopausal women (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.8–5.5) than postmenopausal women (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.5–3.6 for Q4 versus Q1). If these associations are replicated in larger studies, they provide modest epidemiologic evidence that shortened telomere length may be associated with breast cancer risk. [Cancer Res 2007;67(11):5538–44]
Melanocyte Expression of Survivin Promotes Development and Metastasis of UV-Induced Melanoma in HGF-Transgenic Mice
Authors: Thomas Joshua , Liu Tong , Cotter Murray A. , Florell Scott R. , Robinette Kyle , Hanks Adrianne N. , Grossman Douglas 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe previously found the apoptosis inhibitor Survivin to be expressed in melanocytic nevi and melanoma but not in normal melanocytes. To investigate the role of Survivin in melanoma development and progression, we examined the consequences of forced Survivin expression in melanocytes in vivo. Transgenic (Tg) mouse lines (Dct-Survivin) were generated with melanocyte-specific expression of Survivin, and melanocytes grown from Dct-Survivin mice expressed Survivin. Dct-Survivin melanocytes exhibited decreased susceptibility to UV-induced apoptosis but no difference in proliferative capacity compared with melanocytes derived from non-Tg littermates. Induction of nevi in Dct-Survivin and non-Tg mice by topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene did not reveal significant differences in lesion onset (median, 10 weeks) or density (4 lesions per mouse after 15 weeks). Dct-Survivin mice were bred with melanoma-prone MH19/HGF-B6 Tg mice, and all progeny expressing either individual, neither, or both (Survivin/HGF) transgenes were UV-treated as neonates and then monitored for 43 weeks. Melanocytes in neonatal Survivin+/HGF+ mouse skin were less susceptible to UV-induced apoptosis than those from Survivin−/HGF+ mice. Onset of melanocytic tumors was earlier (median, 18 versus 24 weeks; P = 0.01, log-rank test), and overall tumor density was greater (7.7 versus 5.2 tumors per mouse; P = 0.04) in Survivin+/HGF+ compared with Survivin−/HGF+ mice. Strikingly, melanomas arising in Survivin+/HGF+ mice showed a greater tendency for lymph node (35% versus 0%; P = 0.04) and lung (53% versus 22%) metastasis and lower rates of spontaneous apoptosis than those in Survivin−/HGF+ mice. These studies show a role for Survivin in promoting both early and late events of UV-induced melanoma development in vivo. [Cancer Res 2007;67(11):5172–8]
Alternative BCR/ABL Splice Variants in Philadelphia Chromosome–Positive Leukemias Result in Novel Tumor-Specific Fusion Proteins that May Represent Potential Targets for Immunotherapy Approaches
Authors: Volpe Gisella , Cignetti Alessandro , Panuzzo Cristina , Kuka Mirela , Vitaggio Katiuscia , Brancaccio Mara , Perrone Giuseppe , Rinaldi Monica , Prato Giuseppina , Fava Milena , Geuna Massimo , Pautasso Marisa , Casnici Claudia , Signori Emanuela , Tonon Giancarlo , Tarone Guido , Marelli Ornella , Fazio Vito M. , Saglio Giuseppe 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Imatinib currently represents the standard treatment in the early chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), thanks to the high percentage of cytogenetic complete remission achieved, but it is yet unclear to what extent it can eradicate leukemia. Therefore, different vaccination strategies have been suggested, mainly based on the exploitment of the junctional peptides spanning the fusion region of the Bcr/Abl proteins. To identify new potential immunologic targets, 63 Philadelphia chromosome–positive patients and 6 BCR/ABL–positive cell lines were tested in nested reverse transcriptase PCR to detect the presence of BCR/ABL transcripts arising from the alternative splicing of the main BCR/ABL transcripts. We could detect BCR/ABL transcripts with junctions between BCR exon 1, 13, or 14 and ABL exon 4 in ∼80% of patients and 84% of cell lines, beside the main fusion transcripts. Translation products of these transcripts were characterized at their COOH terminus by a large amino acid portion derived from the out of frame (OOF) reading of ABL gene. These proteins were detected in BCR/ABL–positive cell lines by immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemistry. Finally, we determined whether OOF-specific CD8+ T cells could be found in the peripheral blood of CML patients and whether they could acquire effector function following in vitro sensitization with OOF-derived peptides predicted to bind to human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 and HLA-A3 molecules. We detected the presence of OOF-specific CD8+ T cells in four of four patients studied, and in one case, these T cells exhibited specific cytotoxic activity against both peptide-pulsed targets and autologous primary CML cells. [Cancer Res 2007;67(11):5300–7]