bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calcium‐activated potassium currents differentially modulate respiratory rhythm generation
Authors: Zavala‐Tecuapetla C. , Aguileta M.A. , Lopez‐Guerrero J.J. , González‐Marín M.C. , Peña F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe pre‐Bötzinger complex (PBC) generates eupnea and sighs in normoxia and gasping during hypoxia through particular mixtures of intrinsic and synaptic properties. Among intrinsic properties, little is known about the role of Ca2+‐activated potassium channels in respiratory rhythms generation. To examine this role, we tested the effects of openers and blockers of the large‐conductance (BK) and small‐conductance (SK) Ca2+‐activated potassium channels on the respiratory rhythms recorded both in vitro and in vivo, as well as on the discharge pattern of respiratory neurons in the PBC. Activation of SK channels with 1‐ethyl‐2‐benzimidazolinone (1‐EBIO) abolished sigh‐like activity and inhibited eupneic‐like activity, whereas blockade of SK channels with apamine (APA) increased frequency in both rhythms. In hypoxia, APA did not affect the transition to gasping‐like activity. At the cellular level, activation of SK channels abolished pacemaker activity and decreased non‐pacemaker neurons discharge; opposite effects were observed with SK blockade. In contrast to SK channel modulation, either activation or blockade of BK channels with NS 1619 or iberiotoxin and paxilline, respectively, produced mild effects on eupneic‐like and sigh‐like bursts during normoxia in vitro. However, BK blockers prevented the changes associated with the transition to gasping‐like activity in vitro and perturbed gasping generation and autoresuscitation in vivo. At the cellular level BK channel modulation did not affect respiratory neurons discharge. We conclude that KCa participate in rhythm generation in a state‐dependent manner; SK channels are preferentially involved in rhythm generation in normoxia whereas BK channels participate in the transition to gasping generation in hypoxia.
Mass invariance of population nitrogen flux by terrestrial mammalian herbivores: an extension of the energetic equivalence rule
Authors: Habeck Christopher W. , Meehan Timothy D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAccording to the energetic equivalence rule, energy use by a population is independent of average adult body mass. Energy use can be equated with carbon flux, and it has been suggested that population fluxes of other materials, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, might also be independent of body mass. We compiled data on individual nitrogen deposition rates (via faeces and urine) and average population densities of 26 species of mammalian herbivores to test the hypothesis of elemental equivalence for nitrogen. We found that the mass scaling of individual nitrogen flux was opposite to that of population density for the species in our dataset. By computing the product of individual nitrogen flux and average population density for each species in our dataset, we found that population‐level nitrogen flux was independent of species mass, averaging c. 3.22 g N ha−1 day−1. Results from this analysis can be used to understand the influence of mammalian herbivore communities on nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.
Flexible, intensive insulin therapy and dietary freedom in adolescents and young adults with Type 1 diabetes: a prospective implementation study
Authors: Sämann A. , Lehmann T. , Kloos C. , Braun A. , Hunger‐Dathe W. , Wolf G. , Müller U. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAims  To assess the outcome of a Diabetes Treatment and Teaching Programme (DTTP) on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), severe hypoglycaemia (SH) and severe ketoacidosis (SKA) in adolescents and young adults with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  Quality‐assurance project with assessment of participants 1 year after participation in a DTTP (5‐day inpatient course, groups ≤ 10 patients, fixed curriculum of education/training, introduction of dietary freedom). Before–after analyses of participants aged 12–15, 15–18, 18–21 and 21–24 years. Main outcome measures were HbA1c, SH and SKA.Results  For the 1592 participants, aged 12 to 24 years, mean age at enrolment was 19 ± 3 years, mean duration of diabetes was 7.3 ± 5.4 (range 0.3–24) years, mean baseline HbA1c declined from 8.8 ± 2.3% to 8.1 ± 2.0%. The incidence of SH was 0.31 vs. 0.11 events/patient/year; the incidence of SKA 0.17 vs. 0.07 events/patient/year. In mixed effects models taking into account effects of centres, age and diabetes duration, the mean difference was −0.64%[P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.79 to −0.5] for HbA1c, −0.2 events/patient/year (P < 0.0001, 95% CI −0.28 to −0.12) for SH and −0.1 events/patient/year (P < 0.0001, 95% CI −0.14 to −0.06) for SKA.Conclusions  Adolescents and young adults with Type 1 diabetes benefit from participation in a standard DTTP for flexible, intensive insulin therapy and dietary freedom.
Offspring birth weight, gestational age and maternal characteristics in relation to glucose status at age 53 years: evidence from a national birth cohort
Authors: Kuh D. , Mishra G. D. , Black S. , Lawlor D. A. , Smith G. Davey , Okell L. , Wadsworth M. , Hardy R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAims We investigated pathways linking offspring birth weight to maternal diabetes risk in later life by taking into account a range of prospective early‐life and adult maternal factors.Methods In a national birth cohort study, we examined the relationship between offspring birth weight and maternal glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) at age 53 years in 581 mothers who had a first birth between age 19 and 25 years, and had data on potential confounders or mediators.Results Mean age at first birth was 21.5 years. After adjustment for maternal body mass index (BMI), mean percentage change in maternal HbA1cper kilogram increase in offspring birth weight was −1.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) −3.5, −0.1;P = 0.03]. This relationship was mostly accounted for by gestational age that was inversely related to maternal HbA1c(−0.9%; 95% CI −1.5, −0.4;P = 0.001). Other risk factors for high HbA1cwere smoking and high BMI at 53 years. There was a significant interaction between offspring birth weight and maternal childhood social class (P = 0.01). Mothers from a manual background with higher birth weight offspring had lower HbA1c(BMI adjusted: −3.1%; 95% CI −5.0, −1.1); this was not observed for mothers from a non‐manual background (BMI adjusted: 1.9%; 95% CI −1.3, 5.0).Conclusions Short gestational age and low offspring birth weight may be part of a pathway linking impaired early maternal growth to diabetes risk in later life. A second possible pathway linking higher offspring birth weight to later maternal glucose status was also identified. These potential pathways require further investigation in cohorts with a wider maternal age range so that the early targeting of public health initiatives can be assessed.
Upper abdominal symptoms in patients with Type 1 diabetes: unrelated to impairment in gastric emptying caused by autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Punkkinen J. , Färkkilä M. , Mätzke S. , Korppi‐Tommola T. , Sane T. , Piirilä P. , Koskenpato J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAims  Diabetic gastroparesis is a common condition occurring in some 30–50% of patients with long‐term diabetes. Some studies have found a relationship between autonomic neuropathy and diabetic gastroparesis. In addition to autonomic neuropathy, acute changes in plasma glucose concentration can also affect gastric emptying. The objective was to examine the relationship between autonomic nerve function, glucose concentration, gastric emptying, and upper abdominal symptoms in Type 1 diabetic patients.Methods  Gastric emptying of solids and liquids was measured with scintigraphy in 27 patients with longstanding Type 1 diabetes with upper abdominal symptoms. Autonomic nerve function was examined by standardized cardiovascular tests, and plasma glucose concentrations were measured during scintigraphy. Severity of abdominal symptoms and quality of life were explored by validated questionnaires.Results  Seven patients (26%) had delayed gastric emptying of solids and three (11%) of liquids. Mean gastric half‐emptying time of solids was 128 ± 116 min and of liquids 42 ± 30 min. Of the 26 patients undergoing tests, 16 (62%) had autonomic nerve dysfunction. Autonomic neuropathy score (1.6 ± 1.7) correlated positively with the gastric emptying rate of solids (P = 0.006), a rate unrelated to symptom scores or plasma glucose concentrations during scintigraphy. Quality of life in patients with abdominal symptoms was lower than in the normal Finnish population.Conclusions  Impaired gastric emptying of solids in patients with Type 1 diabetes is related to autonomic neuropathy, but not to actual glycaemic control. The upper abdominal symptoms observed in these patients cannot be explained, however, by impaired gastric emptying.
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is not common in HNF‐1α MODY
Authors: Klupa T. , Skupień J. , Gorczynska‐Kosiorz S. , Wanic K. , Kusnierz‐Cabala B. , Solnica B. , Sieradzki J. , Malecki M. T. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAims  Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been described in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)‐1α gene associated with maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY3) is expressed in several organs, including the exocrine pancreas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exocrine pancreas dysfunction in HNF‐1α MODY patients.Methods  Thirty‐one diabetic HNF‐1α MODY patients (mean age 37.2 ± 14.6 years) and 35 healthy control subjects (39.1 ± 13.9 years) participated. In addition, 25 Type 1 diabetic (T1DM) subjects were also examined (mean age 30.6 ± 10.1 years). Exocrine pancreas function was assessed by measurement of stool elastase 1 (E1) activity. All diabetic patients and control subjects completed a gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms questionnaire.Results  In all but two individuals, stool E1 levels were normal (> 200 µg/g). The only case of severely impaired pancreas exocrine function (E1 = 47.5 µg/g) was observed in the MODY3 group. The mean stool E1 elastase level in the HNF‐1α MODY group was significantly lower than in the control subjects (401.0 ± 118.4 vs. 482.7 ± 151.1 µg/g, P = 0.001). Similarly, E1 levels in T1DM were lower than in control subjects (344.8 ± 132.1 µg/g, P = 0.001); one patient with a moderate enzyme decrease was identified in this group. In addition, more frequent GI complaints were reported by HNF‐1α MODY patients when compared with control subjects and also with T1DM patients.Conclusion  Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is not common in HNF‐1α MODY diabetic patients, although their stool E1 levels are lower than in healthy control subjects.
THE MORAL IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING PEOPLE RANDOMLY
Authors: PETERSON MARTIN 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis article discusses some ethical principles for distributing pandemic influenza vaccine and other indivisible goods. I argue that a number of principles for distributing pandemic influenza vaccine recently adopted by several national governments are morally unacceptable because they put too much emphasis on utilitarian considerations, such as the ability of the individual to contribute to society. Instead, it would be better to distribute vaccine by setting up a lottery. The argument for this view is based on a purely consequentialist account of morality; i.e. an action is right if and only if its outcome is optimal. However, unlike utilitarians I do not believe that alternatives should be ranked strictly according to the amount of happiness or preference satisfaction they bring about. Even a mere chance to get some vaccine matters morally, even if it is never realized.
MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITY: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS IN GREECE
Authors: PAPADODIMA STAVROULA A. , SPILIOPOULOU CHARA A. , SAKELLIADIS EMMANOUIL I. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTRespect for confidentiality is firmly established in codes of ethics and law. Medical care and the patients' trust depend on the ability of the doctors to maintain confidentiality. Without a guarantee of confidentiality, many patients would want to avoid seeking medical assistance The principle of confidentiality, however, is not absolute and may be overridden by public interests. On some occasions (birth, death, infectious disease) there is a legal obligation on the part of the doctor to disclose but only to the appropriate authorities. Permissible disclosure can be granted by the patients' consent, for example, for the purpose of insurance they may wish to take out. Moreover, there are some ambivalent situations (such as criminal acts, or notification of sexual partner in case of a patient with AIDS) for which Greek law does not include relevant provisions, and the Codes of Medical Ethics do not offer clear guidelines. Therefore, the Greek doctor is called to estimate the situation and assume full responsibility for his decision. Finally, new considerations have arisen in the context of the recent advances in the field of telemedicine and electronic archiving. The paper discusses the current situation and legislation in Greece.
ENHANCEMENTS, EASY SHORTCUTS, AND THE RICHNESS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Authors: SCHERMER MAARTJE 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTOne argument that is frequently invoked against the technological enhancement of human functioning is that it is morally suspect, or even wrong, to take an easy shortcut. Some things that usually take effort, endurance or struggle can come easily with the use of an enhancer. This paper analyses the various arguments that circle round the idea that enhancement of human functioning is problematic because of the ‘easy shortcut’ that it offers. It discusses the concern that quick fixes lead to corrosion of character and the idea that suffering, pain, hard work and effort are essential for real and worthy achievements, and argues that these views are largely mistaken. Next, the paper argues that the core worry about taking an easy shortcut is that it makes us lose sight of the complexities of our means and ends; in other words, the argument warns against reducing the richness of human activities. A vocabulary of ‘practices’, ‘internal goods’ and ‘focal engagement’ will be used to articulate this argument further. The conclusion is that the easy shortcut argument has no general validity as an argument against enhancement ‘as such’. The paper urges us, however, to evaluate enhancement technologies not only in terms of their efficiency in reaching certain goals but also in terms of their contribution to intrinsically worthwhile human activities. It can point out some of the caveats, as well as the opportunities, of the use of enhancement technologies.
MAURICE POTRON'S LINEAR ECONOMIC MODEL: A DE FACTO PROOF OF ‘FUNDAMENTAL MARXIAN THEOREM’
Authors: Mori Kenji 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTMaurice Potron was a French mathematician whose largely unknown contributions to economic analysis should be acknowledged as pioneering achievements. The purpose of this paper is to (1) reconstruct Potron's core model in terms of modern input–output analysis, (2) show that Potron proved de facto Fundamental Marxian Theorem (FMT) 48 years earlier than Morishima, Seton and Okishio by adapting the Perron–Frobenius theorems to economic problems, and (3) claim that Potron proved de facto FMT by considering heterogeneous labours 65 years earlier and even more generally than Bowles and Gintis.
Differential effect of NR2A and NR2B subunit selective NMDA receptor antagonists on striato‐pallidal neurons: relationship to motor response in the 6‐hydroxydopamine model of parkinsonism
Authors: Fantin Martina , Auberson Yves P. , Morari Michele 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe previously demonstrated that NMDA receptors containing the NR2A or NR2B subunits differentially regulate striatal output pathways. We now investigate whether such a differential control is altered under parkinsonian conditions and whether subunit selective antagonists have different abilities to attenuate parkinsonian‐like motor deficits. Three microdialysis probes were simultaneously implanted in the dopamine‐depleted striatum, globus pallidus and substantia nigra reticulata of 6‐hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats. The NR2A antagonist NVP‐AAM077 perfused in the striatum reduced pallidal GABA, but not glutamate, levels whereas the NR2B antagonist Ro 25‐6981 was ineffective. Neither antagonist affected striatal or nigral amino acid levels. To investigate whether these neurochemical responses were predictive of different antiparkinsonian activities, antagonists were administered systemically and motor activity evaluated in different motor tasks. Neither antagonist attenuated akinesia/bradykinesia in the bar and drag test. However, NVP‐AAM077 dually modulated rotarod performance (low doses being facilitatory and higher ones inhibitory) while Ro 25‐6981 monotonically improved it. Microdialysis revealed that motor facilitating doses reduced pallidal GABA levels while motor inhibiting doses increased them. We conclude that, under parkinsonian conditions, the striato‐pallidal pathway is driven by striatal NR2A subunits. Motor improvement induced by NVP‐AAM077 and Ro 25‐6981 is accomplished by blockade of striatal NR2A and extrastriatal NR2B subunits, respectively.
Partial inhibition of complex I activity increases Ca2+‐independent glutamate release rates from depolarized synaptosomes
Authors: Kilbride Seán M. , Telford Jayne E. , Tipton Keith F. , Davey Gavin P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMitochondria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders and, in particular, complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.5.3) activity has been shown to be partially reduced in postmortem studies of the substantia nigra of Parkinson’s disease patients. The present study examines the effect of partial inhibition of complex I activity on glutamate release from rat brain synaptosomes. Following a 40% inhibition of complex I activity with rotenone, it was found that Ca2+‐independent release of glutamate increased from synaptosomes depolarized with 4‐aminopyridine. Highest rates of glutamate release were found to occur between 60–90% complex I inhibition. A similar pattern of increase was shown to occur in synaptosomes depolarized with KCl. The increase in glutamate release was found to correlate to a significant decrease in ATP. Inhibition of complex I activity by 40% was also shown to cause a significant collapse in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). These results suggest that partial inhibition of complex I activity in in situ mitochondria is sufficient to significantly increase release of glutamate from the pre‐synaptic nerve terminal. The relevance of these results in the context of excitotoxicity and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders is discussed.
Conformational change of the transmembrane helices II and IV of metabotropic glutamate receptor involved in G protein activation
Authors: Yamashita Takahiro , Terakita Akihisa , Kai Toshihiro , Shichida Yoshinori 
Published: April 2008

AbstractG protein‐coupled receptors are classified into several families on the basis of their amino acid sequences and the members of the same family exhibit sequence similarity but those of different families do not. In family 1 GPCRs such as rhodopsin and adrenergic receptor, extensive studies have revealed the stimulus‐dependent conformational change of the receptor: the rearrangement of transmembrane helices III and VI is essential for G protein activation. In contrast, in family 3 GPCRs such as metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR), the inter‐protomer relocation upon ligand binding has been observed but there is much less information about the structural changes of the transmsmbrane helices and the cytoplasmic domains. Here we identified constitutively active mutation sites at the cytoplasmic borders of helices II and IV of mGluR8 and successfully inhibited the G protein activation ability by engineering disulfide cross‐linking between these cytoplasmic regions. The analysis of all possible single substitution mutants of these residues revealed that some steric interactions around these sites would be important to keep the receptor protein inactive. These results provided the model that the conformational changes at the cytoplasmic ends of helices II and IV of mGluR are involved in the efficient G protein coupling.
A Follow‐up Study of Characteristics of Young People that Dropout and Continue Psychotherapy: Service Implications for a Clinic in the Community
Authors: Baruch Geoffrey , Vrouva Ioanna , Fearon Pasco 
Published: April 2008

Background:  The paper reports the findings from a follow‐up study of the factors that contribute to whether young people dropout or continue once‐weekly psychotherapy at a voluntary sector psychotherapy service for young people aged 12 to 21 years.Method:  The study uses data from an ongoing audit of the psychotherapy service that started in 1993; 882 young people were included in the study. Premature termination of treatment was defined as dropping out before the 21st session. Continuation in treatment was defined as remaining in therapy after 20 sessions. Measures and areas of interest used in the study include diagnostic measures, the Youth Self Report Form and Young Adult Self Report Form, demographic characteristics and treatment related information.Results:  Young people who continued in treatment were more likely to be older, have anxieties about sexual and relationship issues and have higher scores on self‐reported anxiety‐depression. Young people who dropped out of treatment were more likely to be younger, have higher self‐reported delinquency scores, have a diagnosis of hyperactivity‐conduct disorder and be homeless.Conclusions:  The study of treatment termination has demonstrated the value of service audit and has led to a significant change in clinical practice.
Synchronous peak Barrovian metamorphism driven by syn‐orogenic magmatism and fluid flow in southern Connecticut, USA
Authors: LANCASTER P. J. , BAXTER E. F. , AGUE J. J. , BREEDING C. M. , OWENS T. L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRecent work in Barrovian metamorphic terranes has found that rocks experience peak metamorphic temperatures across several grades at similar times. This result is inconsistent with most geodynamic models of crustal over‐thickening and conductive heating, wherein rocks which reach different metamorphic grades generally reach peak temperatures at different times. Instead, the presence of additional sources of heat and/or focusing mechanisms for heat transport, such as magmatic intrusions and/or advection by metamorphic fluids, may have contributed to the contemporaneous development of several different metamorphic zones. Here, we test the hypothesis of temporally focussed heating for the Wepawaug Schist, a Barrovian terrane in Connecticut, USA, using Sm–Nd ages of prograde garnet growth and U–Pb zircon crystallization ages of associated igneous rocks. Peak temperature in the biotite–garnet zone was dated (via Sm–Nd on garnet) at 378.9 ± 1.6 Ma (2σ), whereas peak temperature in the highest grade staurolite–kyanite zone was dated (via Sm–Nd on garnet rims) at 379.9 ± 6.8 Ma (2σ). These garnet ages suggest that peak metamorphism was pene‐contemporaneous (within error) across these metamorphic grades. Ion microprobe U–Pb ages for zircon from igneous rocks hosted by the metapelites also indicate a period of syn‐metamorphic peak igneous activity at 380.6 ± 4.7 Ma (2σ), indistinguishable from the peak ages recorded by garnet. A 388.6 ± 2.1 Ma (2σ) garnet core age from the staurolite–kyanite zone indicates an earlier episode of growth (coincident with ages from texturally early zircon and a previously published monazite age) along the prograde regional metamorphic T–t path. The timing of peak metamorphism and igneous activity, as well as the occurrence of extensive syn‐metamorphic quartz vein systems and pegmatites, best supports the hypothesis that advective heating driven by magmas and fluids focussed major mineral growth into two distinct episodes: the first at c. 389 Ma, and the second, corresponding to the regionally synchronous peak metamorphism, at c. 380 Ma.