bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Memory & Beyond
Authors: WEIN SIMON 
Published: September 2006

Fear is born of knowledge.A child will as innocently play with a snake as a teddy bear. A young
adult as naively dabble with love as life itself.Bearing a child is as close as we get to original
Creation—something from nothing. Creating a child creates an
iredeemable future and changes forever the fabric of life. Procreation can
thereby come to symbolize immortality. A symbolic way of cheating our
inevitable common-fate, if you like. Love, a mechanism to preserve this
symbol, worms its way into the heart and settles there. It flourishes
faithfully without fear or doubt, nourishing the parent-child dyad.
Fatigable Swallowing in Myasthenia Gravis-Proposal of a Standardized Test and Report of a Case
Authors: Dziewas Rainer , Warnecke Tobias , Ritter Martin , Dittrich Ralf , Schilling Matthias , Schabitz Wolf Rudiger , Ringelstein Erich Bernd , Nabavi Darius G 
Published: September 2006

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is clinically characterized by fatigable muscle weakness. Because dysphagia is a frequent and important symptom in patients with MG, an adequate diagnostic approach is mandatory. In this article, we describe a standardized endoscopic examination called “fatigable swallowing test” that allows for a precise grading of dysphagia in patients with MG. By reporting on a patient with mainly bulbar MG, the use of this new instrument is illustrated.
Lambert-Eaton Syndrome With Thymic Hyperplasia
Authors: Abdel-Hamid Hoda , Lacomis David 
Published: September 2006

Abstract

In a patient with Lambert-Eaton syndrome, an intrathoracic mass is usually malignant. We report the clinical and diagnostic findings of a patient with Lambert-Eaton syndrome and autoimmune thyroiditis who was found to have a mediastinal mass caused by benign thymic lymphoid hyperplasia. This association is rare, and we discuss the potential pathophysiologic implications.
: the driver of giant planet atmospheres
Authors: Miller Steve , Stallard Tom , Smith Chris , Millward George , Melin Henrik , Lystrup Makenzie , Aylward Alan 
Published: September 2006

We present a review of recent developments in the use of

molecular ion as a probe of physics and chemistry of the upper atmospheres of giant planets. This ion is shown to be a good tracer of energy inputs into Jupiter (J), Saturn (S) and Uranus (U). It also acts as a ‘thermostat’, offsetting increases in the energy inputs owing to particle precipitation via cooling to space (J and U). Computer models have established that

is also the main contributor to ionospheric conductivity. The coupling of electric and magnetic fields in the auroral polar regions leads to ion winds, which, in turn, drive neutral circulation systems (J and S). These latter two effects, dependent on

, also result in very large heating terms, approximately 5×10
12
W for Saturn and greater than 10
14
W for Jupiter, planet-wide; these terms compare with approximately 2.5×10
11
W of solar extreme UV absorbed at Saturn and 10
12
W at Jupiter. Thus,

is shown to play a major role in explaining why the temperatures of the giant planets are much greater (by hundreds of kelvin) at the top of the atmosphere than solar inputs alone can account for.
Glomerular expression and elevated serum Bcl-2 and Fas proteins in lupus nephritis: preliminary findings
Authors: Fathi N A , Hussein M R , Hassan H I , Mosad E , Galal H , Afifi N A 
Published: September 2006

Summary
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is involved in glomerular injuries leading to glomerulonephritis. Bcl-2 and Fas are proteins that promote cell survival and death, respectively. This study tests the hypothesis that lupus nephritis is associated with alterations of Bcl-2 and Fas protein expression. Thirty-six patients with lupus nephritis and 10 controls (normal individuals) were included in this study. Bcl-2 and Fas positive cells were examined in kidney biopsies by immunohistochemistry. Bcl-2 and Fas serum levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the glomeruli of normal kidneys, Bcl-2 and Fas proteins were completely absent. In lupus nephritis patients, glomerular expression of Bcl-2 and Fas was seen in mesangial cells (1·3 ± 0·1 and 2·0 ± 0·1 for Bcl-2 and Fas, respectively). Similarly, a statistically significantly higher Bcl-2 (217·1 ± 85·9) and Fas (767·9 ± 271) serum levels were found in lupus patients compared to controls (148·6 ± 87, 550·3 ± 91 for Bcl-2 and Fas, P &lt; 0·05). A direct correlation between serum Bcl-2 and Fas and chronicity index was also found. Compared to normal controls, lupus nephritis is associated with glomerular expression and elevated serum levels of Bcl-2 and Fas proteins. These findings suggest possible roles for Bcl-2 and Fas in glomerular injury during evolution of lupus nephritis. The diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic ramifications of our findings are open to further investigation.
Corticotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Stimulates Neurohypophyslal Hormone Release through an Interaction with the Intermediate Lobe of the Pituitary
Authors: Bondy C. A. , Gainer H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCorticotrophin‐releasing hormone is found co‐localized with oxytocin in the magnocellular‐neurohypophysical system but its function in this context is unknown. We tested its effects on neurohypophysical hormone secretion in vitro, in the presence and absence of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. Corticotrophin‐releasing hormone caused significant, calcium‐dependent secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin from neural lobes in contact with intermediate lobes, i.e. neurointermediate lobes. This effect was inhibited by the dopamine agonist, bromocriptine. Corticotrophin‐releasing hormone had no effect on isolated neural lobes in the absence of the intermediate lobe, but α‐ and γ‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone produced an increase in secretion that was comparable in pattern and magnitude to the effect of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone on neurointermediate lobes. These findings suggest that corticotrophin‐releasing hormone released with oxytocin may act in a paracrine fashion to stimulate release of intermediate peptides which, in turn, can directly evoke release of oxytocin and vasopressin from neural lobe terminals.
The Perfusion of the Endogenous Neuropeptide, Phe‐Met‐Arg‐Phe‐NH2 (FMRFamide) through the Gill of Aplysia Potentiates the Gill Withdrawal Reflex Evoked by Siphon Stimulation and Prevents its Habituation
Authors: Higgins Andrew , Cawthorpe David , Lukowiak Ken 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPerfusion of Phe‐Met‐Arg‐Phe‐NH2 (FMRFamide), an endogenous neuropeptide, through the gill of Aplysia significantly potentiates the amplitude of the gill withdrawal reflex evoked by tactile stimulation of the siphon with or without the central nervous system present. The potentiating effect of FMRFamide is reversible with washout. FMRFamide perfusion of the gill also prevented the gill withdrawal reflex from undergoing habituation when the tactile stimulus was presented repeatedly. Rather than habituate, the gill withdrawal reflex increased in amplitude. FMRFamide continued to prevent habituation in the absence of the parietal‐visceral ganglion. We hypothesize that FMRFamide plays a role in the mediation of behavioural state primarily by affecting activity in the peripheral nervous system in the gill.
Immunocytochemical Localization and Biochemical Characterization of α‐Melanocyte‐Stimulating Hormon in the Brain of the Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri
Authors: Vallarino M. , Delbende C. , Ottonello I. , Tranchand‐Bunel D. , Jegou S. , Vaudry H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe distribution of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH)‐like immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of the rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence and peroxidase‐antiperoxidase techniques, using a highly specific antiserum generated in rabbits against synthetic α‐MSH. Immunoreactive perikarya were exclusively observed in the basal hypothalamus within the pars anterioris of the nucleus lateralis tuberis. In this region, a moderate number of small stained cell bodies were observed surrounding the dorsal wall of the anterior infundibular recess. These immunoreactive cells were organized in rostro‐caudal rows extending over the whole portion of the nucleus. Positive fibres originating from these perikarya were visualized in the dorsal posterior lobe and the ventral hypothalamus. A dense tract of immunoreactive fibres projected ventrally through the pituitary stalk and terminated in the neurohypophysis. The concentrations of α‐MSH in different regions of the brain were measured by means of a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. The dilution curves obtained with synthetic α‐MSH and serial dilutions of diencephalon, mesencephalon, medulla oblongata, telencephalon or pituitary extracts were strictly parallel. The highest concentration of α‐MSH in brain was found in the diencephalon (1.31 ± 0.07 ng/mg protein). In contrast α‐MSH was not detectable in cerebellar extracts. Reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay were used to characterize α‐MSH‐like peptides in the trout brain and pituitary. Two major forms of immunoreactive α‐MSH were resolved by high performance liquid chromatography in hypothalamic extracts; these peptides exhibited the same retention times as des‐Na‐acetyl α‐MSH and its sulfoxide derivative, respectively. Additional peaks of α‐MSH immunoreactive material were detected in pituitary extract. These latter peptides coeluted with authentic α‐MSH, diacetyl α‐MSH and their sulfoxide forms. These results provide the first evidence for the presence of α‐MSH in the brain of a teleostean fish. Our data indicate that, in the brain, the immunoreactivity corresponds to the non‐acetylated form of α‐MSH, while three different types of α‐MSH‐like molecules (namely deacetylated, monoacetylated, and diacetylated forms) coexist in the pituitary. It thus appears that, in salmonoid fish, mono‐ or diacetylation of the N‐terminal serine residue of aL‐MSH only occurs at the pituitary level.
Modulation of Neuropeptide‐lnduced Membrane Currents by Protein Kinase C in Xenopus Oocytes Injected with GH3 Pituitary Cell Poly(A)+ RNA
Authors: Mahlmann Stefan , Schwarz Jürgen R. , Meyerhof Wolfgang 
Published: September 2006

AbstractProtein kinase C was activated in Xenopus laevis oocytes by phorbol ester treatment and its effects on the inositol trisphosphate/Ca2+ transmembrane signalling pathway analysed. Induction of the pathway was achieved by ligand stimulation of TRH receptors translated from GH3 pituitary cell mRNA. In voltage‐clamped oocytes bath application of peptide, injection of guanosine 5′‐(3‐O‐thio) triphosphate (GTPγS), inositol trisphosphate or Ca2+ all elicited inward membrane currents. Treatment of oocytes with tumour‐promoting phorbol esters for 35 min almost completely abolished the ligand and GTPγS‐induced responses. In contrast, phorbol ester treatment enhanced inositol trisphosphate‐generated membrane currents. Ca2+‐mediated responses remained unaffected by tumour promoters. The data indicate a dual role for protein kinase C in the modulation of transmembrane signalling: a feedback mechanism prevents phosphoinositide turnover whereas a feedforward reaction triggers the effect of intracellular inositol trisphosphate on the Ca2+ release.
Switching Between Two Types of Bursting Activity of Single Ca+2‐Activated K+ Channels in Dissociated Neurons
Authors: Yamamoto D. , Pinnock R. D. , Sattelle D. B. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSingle channel recordings of Ca2+‐activated K+ currents were made from dissociated cockroach neurons by means of the gigaohm‐seal patch‐clamp technique. Bursts of single channel openings were composed of two distinct classes: the ‘long‐open burst’ contained groups of long, rectangular, pulse‐like openings with durations of 3.5 to 1.2 ms (depending on membrane potential), whereas the ‘flickering burst’ consisted of clusters of brief openings with an average duration of 0.4 ms (voltage‐independent) separated by short closings with a duration of about 1.0 ms. The long‐open burst and the flickering burst appeared to reflect distinct states of a single Ca2+‐activated K+ channel because direct transitions between these two types of burst were often detected. We present a kinetic scheme for the gating activation pathway of a neuronal Ca2+‐activated K+ channel, based on these findings.
The Hypothalamic Origin of an Insulin Secretion Promoting Factor Present in the Plasma of Normal Rats
Authors: Bobbioni‐Harsch Elisabetta , Jeanrenaud Bernard 
Published: September 2006

AbstractHypothalamic and plasma extracts from normal rats both contain a factor whose property is to stimulate insulin secretion. The two factors have many characteristics in common. Both are active in vivo (when administered to normal recipient rats) and in vitro (when infused into perfused rat pancreases). Both are inactivated by HCI hydrolysis. Both elute at the same ratio between elution volume of the peaks and void volume after gel‐chromatographies are carried out, first on Sephadex G‐50, then on Biogel P‐2, indicating that they have a similar molecular weight which ranges between 800 and 1,200 Daltons. When anaesthetized rats are submitted to an acute bilateral electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus, the insulin secretion stimulating activity present in the plasma is enhanced compared to that measured in sham‐stimulated control rats. Conversely, the insulin secretion promoting activity is decreased in plasma from rats whose ventral hypothalamus is acutely and electrolytically lesioned. These data indicate that, in normal rats, the hypothalamus contains an insulin secretion promoting factor that is releasable in the plasma.
Combined Autoradiographic and Immunohistochemical Evidence for an Association of Somatostatin Binding Sites with Growth Hormone‐Releasing Factor‐Containing Nerve Cell Bodies in the Rat Arcuate Nucleus
Authors: Epelbaum J. , Moyse E. , Tannenbaum G. S. , Kordon C. , Beaudet A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe regulation of growth hormone secretion depends upon the complex interplay between two hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors: growth hormone‐releasing factor and somatotropin release inhibiting factor or somatostatin. Interactions between these two neurohormones appear to be exerted both distally, at the level of pituitary somatotropes, and proximally, within the hypothalamus. In an attempt to detect a possible anatomical substrate for central interactions between the two neurohormones, we compared the autoradiographic distribution of specifically labeled somatostatin binding sites with the immunohistochemical distribution of growth hormone‐releasing factor‐containing neurons in the hypothalamus of adult rats. Somatostatin binding sites were labeled in vitro by incubating serial brain sections with [125l]TyrO‐DTrp8‐somatostatin. Growth hormone‐releasing factor‐immunoreactive neurons were visualized in a second set of animals, using an antiserum raised against synthetic rat growth hormone‐releasing factor (1–29) NH2. In light microscopic autoradiograms of sections incubated with [125l]somatostatin the label was found to be concentrated over small, round or oval neuronal perikarya clustered within the ventrolateral aspect of the arcuate nucleus. The topographic distribution of these [125l]somatostatin‐labeled cells was similar to that of growth hormone‐releasing factor‐immunoreactive neurons detected within the same region. Moreover, the number of [125l]somatostatin‐labeled cells was found to vary in parallel with that of growth hormone‐releasing factor‐immunoreactive neurons throughout the rostro‐caudal extent of the arcuate nucleus (coefficient of correlation r = 0.80). These results suggest that somatostatin binding sites may be directly associated with the perikarya of arcuate growth hormone‐releasing factor neurons. Such an association would provide an anatomical substrate for a direct regulation of growth hormone‐releasing factor secretion by somatostatin at the hypothalamic level.
Stimulation of Alpha‐Adrenoceptors Facilitates the Release of Growth Hormone‐Releasing Hormone from Rat Hypothalamus in vitro
Authors: Tsagarakis S. , Ge Feng , Rees L. H. , Besser G. M. , Grossman A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWhile extensive evidence suggests that adrenoceptors play an important role in the control of growth hormone in the rat, there are few studies involving the direct measurement of growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH). We have therefore developed a radioimmunoassay for rat GHRH, and used it to investigate the modulation of GHRH release by noradrenaline from incubated rat hypothalamus in vitro. The GHRH radioimmunoassay had no significant cross‐reactivity with other hypothalamic or GHRH‐related peptides, and was sensitive to 4 pg/tube; intra‐ and interassay coefficients of variation were 6% and 12% respectively. Single incubated rat hypothalami produced a stable and readily measurable output of GHRH in successive 20 min incubations after an initial 60 min preincubation; the release of GHRH was increased in the presence of 56 mM KCI, but did not respond to KCI‐depolarization when calcium was excluded from the medium. Stimulated GHRH release was identical to synthetic rat GHRH(1–43) on high‐performance liquid chromatography and Sephadex G‐75 chromatography.Noradrenaline stimulated GHRH secretion in a dose‐dependent manner in the concentration range 10−10— 10−6M, with a plateau in response at 10−7M. Stimulation with noradrenaline 10−7M was blocked by idazoxan 10−5M and attenuated by thymoxamine 10−5M, but was unaffected by timolol 10−5M. Both the α2‐adrenoceptor agonist guanfacine, and the α1‐adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine, specifically stimulated GHRH secretion.It is concluded that noradrenaline stimulates the release of GHRH at both α1 and α2‐adrenoceptors.
Effect of Sex, Intrauterine Position and Androgen Manipulation on the Development of Brain Aromatase Activity in Fetal Ferrets
Authors: Krohmer Randolph W. , Baum Michael J. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractExperiments were conducted to explore the possible relationship between testicular androgen secretion and the development of brain aromatase activity in fetal ferrets. Aromatase activity in the preoptic+mediobasal hypothalamus and temporal lobe was similar in fetuses of both sexes between embryonic Days 26 and 36 even though whole body androgen content was invariably higher in males than females. Whole body androgen content was significantly higher in females located caudally (downstream) from two or more as opposed to zero or one males in the same uterine horn; nevertheless their brain aromatase activity was similar. Finally, maternal treatment with either the androgen receptor antagonist Flutamide or 5α‐dihydrotestosterone propionate beginning on gestational Day 24 did not affect brain aromatase activity in fetal offspring of either sex, delivered on embryonic Day 34. Previous studies suggest that the biosynthesis of estrogen in the fetal ferret brain is normally greater in males than females. The present results suggest that this sex difference results primarily from increased androgenic substrate being available to non‐saturated aromatizing enzymes and not from an androgen‐dependent activation of aromatase.
Release of Atrial Natriuretic Factor from Intact and Hypophysectomized Rat Hypothalamic Expiants
Authors: Nissen R. , Gutkowska J. , Renaud L. P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractExperiments examined release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), measured by radioimmunoassay, from acutely prepared explants of rat hypothalamus maintained in vitro by intra‐arterial perfusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Perfusates collected from intact preparations contained 6.1 ± 0.6 pg (mean ± SEM) of ANF per 2‐min sample. Following a 3‐min infusion of noradrenaline (60 μM), ANF release increased significantly (P<0.05) to 11.4±1.4 pg/sample. Media collected from hypophysectomized preparations showed the same basal ANF release (6.8 ± 0.9 pg/sample) as intact preparations, but demonstrated no significant increase after noradrenaline infusions. Levels of spontaneous ANF release were not appreciably affected by the absence of the paraventricular nuclei and/or the anteroventral third ventricle area.Extracted material from the perfusate by reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography revealed two main peaks of immunoreactive ANF: a small molecular weight form that coeluted with synthetic ANF (99–126) and with similar biological activity in a radioreceptor assay, and a larger molecular weight form with the same elution profile as the ANF (1–126) prohormone.These observations indicate that the ANF released from perfused rat hypothalamic explants contains distinct contributions from the hypothalamus (sites undetermined) and the neurointermediate lobe.
Melatonin Receptor Sites in the Syrian Hamster Brain and Pituitary. Localization and Characterization Using [125|]lodomelatonin*
Authors: Williams L. M. , Morgan P. J. , Hastings M. H. , Lawson W. , Davidson G. , Howell H. E. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA high‐affinity, discretely localized melatonin receptor has been characterized and mapped within the brain and pituitary of the Syrian hamster using the high specific activity ligand [125|]iodomelatonin and a combination of in vitro autoradiography and membrane homogenate receptor assays. Specific binding of radioligand was found in regions of the epithalamus and hypothalamus in the brain and the pars tuberalis of the pituitary. Excitatory amino‐acid lesions destroyed [125|]iodomelatonin binding within the brain, demonstrating that binding sites are located on neurons. Analysis of [125|]iodomelatonin binding to membrane homogenates of the pars tuberalis revealed a linear relationship between specific ligand binding and the amount of tissue. The time‐course of specific binding at 37°C reached equilibrium after 30 min and remained stable thereafter. The addition of increasing concentrations of [125|]iodomelatonin alone and in the presence of 1 μM melatonin showed that specific binding reached equilibrium at 80 to 100 pM. Analysis of the saturation isotherm using a one‐site binding model was consistent with a single receptor site with a Kd of 29.3 (±5.9 SEM) pM and Bmax of 2.54 (±0.19 SEM) fmol/mg protein.