bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computational significance of transient dynamics in cortical networks
Authors: Durstewitz Daniel , Deco Gustavo 
Published: February 2008

In the published paper of Durstewitz & Deco (2007), there was an error in the Abstract (in the first sentence, the words ‘are correlated’ should have been moved to the end). In the same paper, as Fig. 6 was not printed in colour, the words ‘black’ and ‘red’ should have been replaced by ‘middle’ and ‘top and bottom’, respectively. The publishers apologize for these errors, and reproduce the corrected Abstract and Fig. 6 legend below.AbstractNeural responses are most often characterized in terms of the sets of environmental or internal conditions or stimuli with which their firing rate increases or decreases are correlated. Their transient (nonstationary) temporal profiles of activity have received comparatively less attention. Similarly, the computational framework of attractor neural networks puts most emphasis on the representational or computational properties of the stable states of a neural system. Here we review a couple of neurophysiological observations and computational ideas that shift the focus to the transient dynamics of neural systems. We argue that there are many situations in which the transient neural behaviour, while hopping between different attractor states or moving along ‘attractor ruins’, carries most of the computational and/or behavioural significance, rather than the attractor states eventually reached. Such transients may be related to the computation of temporally precise predictions or the probabilistic transitions among choice options, accounting for Weber's law in decision‐making tasks. Finally, we conclude with a more general perspective on the role of transient dynamics in the brain, promoting the view that brain activity is characterized by a high‐dimensional chaotic ground state from which transient spatiotemporal patterns (metastable states) briefly emerge. Neural computation has to exploit the itinerant dynamics between these states.
Projections from basal forebrain to prefrontal cortex comprise cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs to pyramidal cells or interneurons
Authors: Henny Pablo , Jones Barbara E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to characterize the pre‐ and postsynaptic constituents of the basal forebrain (BF) projection to the prefrontal cortex in the rat, and determine whether it includes glutamatergic in addition to established γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and cholinergic elements. BF fibres were labelled by anterograde transport using biotin dextran amine (BDA) and dual‐stained for the vesicular transporter proteins (VTPs) for glutamate (VGluT), GABA (VGAT) or acetylcholine (VAChT). Viewed by fluorescence microscopy and estimated by stereology, proportions of BDA‐labelled varicosities were found to be stained for VGluT2 (and not VGluT1 or 3), VGAT or VAChT (representing, respectively, ∼15%, ∼52% and ∼19% within the infralimbic cortex). Each type was present in all, though commonly most densely in deep, cortical layers. Material was triple‐stained for postsynaptic proteins to examine whether BDA+VTP+ varicosities might form excitatory or inhibitory synapses, respectively, labelled by postsynaptic density‐95 kDA (PSD‐95) or gephyrin (Geph). Viewed by confocal microscopy, a majority of BDA+/VGluT2+ varicosities were found to be apposed to PSD‐95+ elements, and a majority of BDA+/VGAT+ varicosities to be apposed to Geph+ elements. Other series were triple‐stained for cell marker proteins to assess whether the varicosities contacted interneurons or pyramidal cells. Viewed by confocal microscopy, BDA‐labelled VGluT2+, VGAT+ and VAChT+ BF terminals were all found in contact with calbindin+ interneurons, whereas VGAT+ BF terminals were also seen in contact with parvalbumin+ interneurons and non‐phosphorylated neurofilament+ pyramidal cells. Through distinct glutamatergic, GABAergic and cholinergic projections, the BF can thus influence cortical activity in a diverse manner.
Neonatal inflammation produces selective behavioural deficits and alters N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor subunit mRNA in the adult rat brain
Authors: Harré E.‐M. , Galic M. A. , Mouihate A. , Noorbakhsh F. , Pittman Q. J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPeripheral inflammation causes production of central cytokines that alter transmission at the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NR). During development, NRs are important for synaptic plasticity and network connectivity. We therefore asked if neonatal inflammation would alter expression of NRs in the brain and behavioural performance in adulthood. We gave lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 µg/kg, i.p.) or saline to male rats on postnatal day (P)5, P14, P30 or P77. Subsequently we assessed mRNA levels of the NR1, NR2A, B, C and D subunits in the hippocampus and cortex either acutely (2 h) or in adulthood using real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. We explored learning and memory behaviours in adult rats using the Morris water maze and contextual fear conditioning paradigms. Hippocampal NR1 mRNA was acutely increased in the P5‐ and P77‐treated rats but was reduced in adults treated with LPS at P5, P30 and P77. P14 LPS‐treated rats showed few acute changes but showed pronounced increases in NR2A, B, C and D subunit mRNA later in adulthood. The cortex displayed relatively few acute changes in expression in the neonatal‐treated rats; however, it showed robust changes in NR2B, C and D mRNA in all groups given LPS in adulthood. Behavioural deficits were observed specifically in the P5 and P30 LPS‐treated groups in the water maze probe trial and fear conditioning tests, consistent with hippocampal NR1 mRNA down‐regulation. Thus, a single bout of inflammation during development can programme specific and persistent differences in NR mRNA subunit expression in the hippocampus, which could be associated with behavioural and cognitive deficits in adulthood.
Differential electrophysiological properties of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor‐containing striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons
Authors: Cepeda Carlos , André Véronique M. , Yamazaki Irene , Wu Nanping , Kleiman‐Weiner Max , Levine Michael S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe electrophysiological properties of distinct subpopulations of striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons (MSSNs) were compared using enhanced green fluorescent protein as a reporter gene for identification of neurons expressing dopamine D1 and D2 receptor subtypes in mice. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in slices revealed that passive membrane properties were similar in D1 and D2 cells. All MSSNs displayed hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials but the threshold for firing action potentials was lower in D2 than in D1 neurons. In voltage clamp, the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents was higher in D2 than in D1 cells and large‐amplitude inward currents (> 100 pA) were observed only in D2 cells. After tetrodotoxin this difference was reduced, suggesting that sodium conductances contribute to the increased frequencies in D2 cells. After pharmacological blockade of GABAA receptors, a subset of D2 cells also displayed large spontaneous membrane depolarizations and complex responses to stimulation of the corticostriatal pathway. To further characterize ionotropic glutamate receptor function, α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) was applied onto dissociated MSSNs. Application of AMPA alone or in the presence of cyclothiazide (an AMPA receptor desensitization blocker) evoked larger currents in D1 than in D2 cells. Together, these data demonstrate significant differences in electrophysiological properties of subpopulations of MSSNs defined by selective expression of D1 and D2 receptors. D2 cells display increased excitability and reflect ongoing cortical activity more faithfully than D1 cells, an effect that is independent of postsynaptic AMPA receptors and probably results from stronger synaptic coupling. This could help to explain the increased vulnerability of D2 MSSNs in neurodegenerative disorders.
Genetic background influences the behavioural and molecular consequences of neurokinin‐1 receptor knockout
Authors: McCutcheon J. E. , Fisher A. S. , Guzdar E. , Wood S. A. , Lightman S. L. , Hunt S. P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractGenetic background affects animal phenotype and therefore is of particular relevance to studies using genetically manipulated mice. Strain differences in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity may contribute to background‐specificity of some mutations. Here, we analysed components of the HPA axis in mice lacking a functional neurokinin‐1 receptor (NK1–/–) on two backgrounds: backcrossed C57BL/6 (B6) and mixed C57BL/6 × 129/sv (129B6). We hypothesized that HPA axis activity would vary between these strains, leading to differences in the NK1–/– phenotype. We compared levels of plasma corticosterone between the groups, and found 129B6 mice exhibited elevated levels of stress‐induced corticosterone compared with B6 mice, regardless of genotype. Although the level of basal corticotrophin‐releasing factor and stress‐induced c‐fos mRNAs did not differ between the genotypes of either strain, examination of glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity within the hippocampus revealed that NK1–/– mice on the 129B6 background had elevated expression compared with wild‐type, whilst there was no difference between genotypes in the B6 strain. Similarly, hippocampal neurogenesis in NK1–/– mice was greater than in wild‐type on the 129B6 strain, and did not differ between genotypes on the B6 background. Finally, novelty‐ and morphine‐induced locomotion were assessed. NK1–/– mice on the 129B6 background exhibited hyperlocomotion in response to novelty and greater sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulating properties of morphine than wild‐type. In contrast, in B6 mice, no differences were observed between genotypes for either locomotor behaviour. In summary, we find that HPA axis activity differs between the strains and that there are profoundly background‐specific effects of the NK1 receptor mutation.
The effect of rTMS over left and right dorsolateral premotor cortex on movement timing of either hand
Authors: Pollok Bettina , Rothkegel Holger , Schnitzler Alfons , Paulus Walter , Lang Nicolas 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIt has been suggested that the left dorsolateral premotor cortex (dPMC) controls timing abilities of either hand. To further clarify its functional significance for movement timing, low‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was applied over the left and right dPMC, respectively, while subjects performed an auditorily paced finger‐tapping task with each hand. rTMS over the left dPMC decreased tapping accuracy of both hands, whereas no behavioural effects occurred following right dPMC stimulation. To elucidate the time window in which left dPMC TMS disturbs synchronization abilities, pairs of TMS pulses were applied over the left dPMC and the left anterior parietal cortex serving as control condition. TMS pulses were applied randomly at 40 ms, 80 ms, 120 ms, 160 ms, 200 ms and 240 ms before pacer onset, as taps precede the pacing signal for about 20–60 ms. Again, the analysis revealed that TMS over the left dPMC disturbed synchronization abilities of either hand; however, this effect was shown at different times suggesting that the left dPMC affects the right M1 via at least one additional relay station. The present data support the hypothesis that the left dPMC is crucial for accurate timing of either hand. Additionally, they reveal a piece of evidence that the left dPMC affects the left hand not via a direct left dPMC–right M1 connection.
Long‐term results of palliative stenting or surgery for incurable obstructing colon cancer
Authors: Faragher I. G. , Chaitowitz I. M. , Stupart D. A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  Self‐expanding metal stents are an effective means of relieving left‐sided malignant colonic obstruction, and in the setting of incurable disease may provide palliation while allowing the patients to avoid surgery altogether. With modern chemotherapy regimes, patients may have a long‐life expectancy, even in the presence of metastases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long‐term results of palliative stent placement, compared with patients undergoing palliative surgery.Method  This is a retrospective study of 55 consecutive patients who underwent colonic stenting or palliative surgery for incurable, obstructing adenocarcinoma of the left colon.Results  Twenty‐nine patients underwent colonic stenting, and 26 had surgery during the study period. Survival was similar in the two groups (14 months in the stent group, 11 months in the surgery group). Median hospital stay was shorter in the stent group (4 vs 13.5 days), and fewer patients in the stent group had complications (2 vs 14). Only four patients in the stent group went on to require later surgery. The median time to failure of the stents was 14 months.Conclusion  Colonic stenting provides effective and durable palliation for patients with incurable, obstructing adenocarcinomas of the left colon. It can be performed with less morbidity than palliative surgery, and offers similar long‐term survival.
SHORT REVIEWS AND NOTICES
Authors: Hoskins W. G. 
Published: February 2008

G. E. Fussell. Farming Systems from Elizabethan to Victorian Days in the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire.Ernest Barker. The Development of Public Services in Western Europe The Letters of John McLoughlin, Second Series, 1839–44; Third Series, 1844–6. Ed. by E. E. Rich with an introduction by W. Kaye Lamb.R. H. Snape. Britain and the EmpireRobert Machray. The Problem of Upper Silesia Economic Problems of Latin America, edited by Seymour E. Harris.
Reviews
Authors: Holt J. C. , Titow J. Z. , Beresford M. W. , Hoskins W. G. , Hill Christopher , Outhwaite R. B. , Finch Mary , Colvin H. M. , Jones E. L. , Horsefield J. Keith , Wilson Charles , Cranfield G. A. , Green E. R. R. , Colvin H. M. , Mathias Peter , Pollard Sidney , Checkland S. G. , Musson A. E. , Payne Peter L. , Payne Peter L. , Boehm E. A. , Vincent J. R. , Baker Alan R. H. , Ashworth W. , Miller Edward , Hobsbawm E. J. , Bergier Jean‐François , Rich E. E. , Fieldhouse D. K. , Feltham R. 
Published: February 2008

Book Reviews in This Article:W. E. Wightman. The Lacy Family in England and Normandy, 1066‐1194.H. S. Bennett. Life on the English Manor: A Study of Peasant Conditions, 1150‐1400.Margaret Wood. The English Mediaeval House.D. Portman. Exeter Houses, 1400‐1700.Patrick Collinson. The Elizabethan Puritan Movement. Calendar of the Patent Rolls. Preserved in the Public Record Office. Elizabeth I.Margaret Cash (Ed.). Devon Inventories of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries.P. E. Jones (Ed.). The Fire Court: Calendar to the Judgments and Decrees of the Court of Judicature appointed to determine differences between landlords and tenants as to rebuilding after the Great Fire.G. E. Fussell. The English Dairy Farmer, 1500‐1900.A. Andréadès. History of the Bank of England, 1640‐1903.P. G. M. Dickson. The Financial Revolution in England. A Study in the Development of Public Credit, 1688‐1756.Robert Munter. The History of the Irish Newspaper, 1685‐1760.W. A. McCutcheon. The Canals of the North of Ireland.J. D. Williams. Audley End. The Restoration of 1762‐1797.W. E. Minchinton (Ed.). Politics and the Port of Bristol in the Eighteenth Century.Stanley D. Chapman. The Early Factory Masters. The Transition to the Factory System in the Midlands Textile Industry.Phyllis Deane. The First Industrial Revolution.J. Child. Industrial Relations in the British Printing Industry. The Quest for Security.Werner von Siemens. Inventor and Entrepreneur: Recollections of Werner von Siemens.Kurt Grunwald. Türkenhirsch: A Study of Baron Maurice de Hirsch, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.J. D. Bailey. A Hundred Tears of Pastoral Banking. A History of the Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Company, 1863‐1963.F. B. Smith. The Making of the Second Reform Bill.W. R. Powell (Ed.). A History of the County of Essex.Peter Mathias. Retailing Revolution. A History of Multiple Retailing in the Food Trades based upon the Allied Suppliers Group of Companies.Marc Bloch. French Rural History: an Essay on its Basic Characteristics.J. P. Nettl. Rosa Luxemburg.Erich Gruner and Karl Frei. Die schweizerische Bundesversammlung, 1848‐1920 L'Assemblée fédérale suisse, 1848‐1920.Richard Colebrook Harris. The Seigneurial System in Early Canada. Geographical Study.Ashin Das Gupta. Malabar in Asian Trade, 1740‐1800.David Birmingham. Trade and Conflict in Angola.
Abdominopelvic tuberculosis in gynaecology: Laparoscopical and new laboratory findings
Authors: TINELLI Andrea , MALVASI Antonio , VERGARA Daniele , MARTIGNAGO Roberta , NICOLARDI Giuseppe , TINELLI Raffaele , PELLEGRINO Marcello 
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare curable infective disease, caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which in abdominopelvic (AP) localisation, can mimic a disseminated carcinomatosis. Symptoms of AP‐TB are non‐specific, so diagnosis is difficult and elusive as the affected patients have normal chest X‐ray and elevated levels of CA125. Female ultrasonographic features of AP‐TB mimic peritoneal carcinomatosis, and the computed tomography has also been suggested to be helpful, but the final diagnosis was reached by histology and serology.Aim of the study:  To propose the validity of the combination of laparoscopy (LPS), histopathology and enzyme‐linked immuno‐spot (ELIspot) in the diagnosis of AP‐TB.Methods:  In the last two years, we had six women with suspect of AP‐TB, who, after the routine exams, were referred for a diagnostic LPS that revealed turbid‐free fluid in pelvis or ascites (collected for serology), multiple peritoneal and/or bowel tubercles (randomly sampled), fibrous bands, adhesions, hyperaemic and oedematous bowel loops.Results:  LPS diagnosis was confirmed by intra‐LPS biopsy of nodules and histological examination of specimens: epithelioid granulomas with central caseous necrosis in five patients (83.3%) and a non‐caseating granulomatous inflammation in the last one. An outer layer of epithelioid histiocytes and Langhans cells was present in all patients. Using the ELIspot technique performed on free fluids, the final diagnosis of TB was made in all patients.Conclusions:  Even if gynaecological LPS appearance of the peritoneum can mimic other conditions, ELIspot and histopathological exam can confirm the suspect of AP‐TB.
Avoidable risk factors in perinatal deaths: A perinatal audit in South Australia
Authors: DE LANGE Titia E. , BUDDE Marenne P. , HEARD Adrian R. , TUCKER Graeme , KENNARE Robyn , DEKKER Gus A. 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  To analyse risk factors of perinatal death, with an emphasis on potentially avoidable risk factors, and differences in the frequency of suboptimal care factors between maternity units with different levels of care.Methods:  Six hundred and eight pregnancies (2001–2005) in South Australia resulting in perinatal death were described and compared to 86 623 live birth pregnancies.Results:  Two hundred and seventy cases (44.4%) were found to have one or more avoidable maternal risk factors, 31 cases (5.1%) had a risk factor relating access to care, while 68 cases (11.2%) were associated with deficiencies in professional care. One hundred and four women (17.1% of cases) presented too late for timely medical care: 85% of these did have a sufficient number of antenatal visits.The following independent maternal risk factors for perinatal death were found: assisted reproductive technology (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.16), preterm labour (AOR 22.05), antepartum haemorrhage (APH) abruption (AOR 6.40), APH other/unknown cause (AOR 2.19), intrauterine growth restriction (AOR 3.94), cervical incompetence (AOR 8.89), threatened miscarriage (AOR 1.89), pre‐existing hypertension (AOR 1.72), psychiatric disorder (AOR 1.85) and minimal antenatal care (AOR 2.89). The most commonly found professional care deficiency in cases was the failure to act on or recognise high‐risk pregnancies/complications, found in 49 cases (8.1%).Conclusion:  Further improvements in perinatal mortality may be achieved by greater emphasis on the importance of antenatal care and educating women to recognise signs and symptoms that require professional assessment. Education of maternity care providers may benefit from a further focus on how to recognise and/or manage high‐risk pregnancies.
Chlamydia and associated factors in an under 20s antenatal population
Authors: CHENEY Kate , WRAY Lynne 
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Detection and treatment of genital chlamydia trachomatis infections in pregnancy have been shown to reduce the risk of premature rupture of membranes, and post‐partum endometritis and reduce the risk to the newborn of conjunctivitis and pneumonitis. Identification of factors associated with chlamydial infection in pregnancy could be used to develop criteria for routine chlamydia screening for some pregnant women. No national screening strategy exists around genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.Methods:  We undertook a review of the medical records of all young women (aged 20 years or younger) attending the RPA Women and Babies Young Parents Clinic for antenatal care between January 2003 and June 2006. This group was chosen as RPA Women and Babies routinely offers testing for C. trachomatis to women attending the Young Parents Clinic. Data extracted included age, country of birth, language spoken at home, postcode of usual residence, marital status, educational level, change of sexual partners within the past 12 months, consistency of condom use and history of sexually transmissible infections.Results:  Two hundred and twelve of the 365 eligible pregnant women were screened for genital C. trachomatis, of whom 29 were positive. A rate of 13.7% genital chlamydia infection was found in this population of young pregnant women.Conclusions:  Results from this study indicate that the rate of chlamydia infection (13.7%) is high in women aged 20 years or younger and that the most important risk factor is young age. These findings support recent recommendations that all women 25 years and younger are screened for C. trachomatis in pregnancy.
Soluble Flt‐1 as a diagnostic marker of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: WOOLCOCK Jane , HENNESSY Annemarie , XU Bei , THORNTON Charlene , TOOHER Jane , MAKRIS Angela , OGLE Robert 
Published: February 2008

Backgound: Serum levels of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase (sFlt‐1) increase in pre‐eclampsia (PE).Aims: To determine whether concentrations of serum sFlt‐1 can differentiate PE or superimposed PE (SPE) from gestational hypertension (GH) or chronic hypertension (CH).Methods: Blood was collected from pregnant women being investigated for hypertension (blood pressure of > 140 and/or 90 mmHg). Normotensive (NP) and pre‐eclamptic (PE‐C) control ranges were measured.Results: Patients with evolving hypertension in pregnancy eventually fell into four groups: GH (n = 14), PE (n = 7), CH (n = 9) and SPE (n = 9). Patients who later developed pre‐eclampsia had a higher sFlt‐1 (PE: 2.61 ng/mL and SPE: 2.77 ng/mL, respectively) than GH (P < 0.001) or CH (1.05 ng/mL, P = 0.11). Women with established PE at recruitment (PE‐C; (n = 18) (3.13 ng/mL; interquartile range (IQR): 2.14–4.17 ng/mL) had a median sFlt‐1 higher than NP (n = 18) (0.47 ng/mL; IQR: 0.11–0.89) (P < 0.0008). Patients with GH compared to NP had a slight increase (1.33 ng/mL, P < 0.003). Using a sFlt‐1 cut‐off of ≥ 1.9 ng/mL yielded a sensitivity of 94% (95% confidence interval (CI) 73–100%) and specificity of 78% (95% CI 64–82%).Conclusions: sFlt‐1 was elevated in women with PE compared to NP. The sFlt‐1 also differentiated women destined to develop PE among those who presented with a diagnostic rise in maternal blood pressure. The sFlt‐1 test is a useful diagnostic test for PE.