bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized trial of the effectiveness of home visits in preventing early childhood caries
Authors: Feldens Carlos Alberto , Vítolo Márcia Regina , Drachler Maria de Lourdes 
Published: February 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  Assess the effectiveness of home visits for advising mothers about breast feeding and weaning on early childhood caries (ECC) at the age of 12 months.Methods:  A randomized field trial was conducted in mothers who gave birth within the public health system in the Brazilian city of Sao Leopoldo (intervention group = 200; controls = 300). The intervention group received the advice 10 days after the child's birth, monthly up to 6 months, at 8, 10 and 12 months, based on the ‘Ten Steps for Healthy Feeding’, a Brazilian national health policy for primary care, based on WHO guidelines. Both groups had research assessment at 6 and 12 months, with dental caries investigated in this last assessment; 122 children were lost in the 1‐year follow‐up; 378 were assessed for caries: two predentulous children were excluded from the analysis. Mann‐Whitney U was used to test if the average number of decayed surfaces (DS; white spots and cavities) differed between the intervention and control groups, and logistic regression to estimate the effects of the intervention on the odds of ECC. Chi‐square test was used to test for differences between the intervention and control groups in the distribution of feeding behaviours tackled by the dietary intervention.Results:  10.2% of the children in the intervention group and 18.3% of the controls had caries. The odds of caries was 48% lower for the intervention group, adjusted for number of teeth (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.27–0.97). Mean DS were lower for the intervention group (0.37) when compared with the control group (0.63), (Mann‐Whitney U, P = 0.03). The intervention group had significantly longer duration of exclusive breast feeding (P = 0.000), later introduction of sugar (P = 0.005), and smaller probability of ever having eaten biscuits (P = 0.000), honey (P = 0.003), soft drinks (P = 0.02), fromage‐frais (P = 0.001), chocolate and sweets (P = 0.001).Conclusions:  ECC is a public health problem in that population. The home visits for dietary advice appear to help reducing dental caries in infants. Greater efforts are needed to tackle cariogenic dietary behaviours even further, as a relevant proportion of children of the intervention group were shown to present with dental caries. Further studies should examine the effect of the intervention in the longer term.
Studies on the Kinetics of Melatonin and N‐Acetylserotonin in the Rat at Mid‐Light and Mid‐Dark
Authors: Chan Mo‐Yin , Pang S.F. , Tang P.L. , Brown G.M. 
Published: February 2007

The distribution and disappearance of melatonin and N‐acetylserotonin after intravenous injection were studied at mid‐light and mid‐dark. Male rats were adapted under a photoperiod of 12 h light and 12 h dark cycle for a minimum of 1 week. After the intravenous injection of melatonin (10 μg), N‐acetylserotonin (10 μg), or 3H‐melatonin (76 ng), blood samples were collected at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 min. The concentrations of indoles in the plasma samples were determined by radioimmunoassay, while the radioactivity of 3H‐melatonin was determined by scintillation counting.The distribution of melatonin and N‐acetylserotonin followed a two‐compartment model, showing an initial distribution phase followed by an elimination phase. The biological half‐life of melatonin at mid‐light and mid‐dark were similar but the volume of distribution (Vβ and Vc.) and metabolic clearance rate (C1s) were greater at mid‐dark than at mid‐light. The estimated melatonin secretory rate at mid‐dark was fivefold greater than that at mid‐light. When 3H‐melatonin was used, the half‐life was significantly longer. A diurnal difference in the distribution was also evident in the N‐acetylserotonin studies. The volume of distribution (Vβ and Vc) was greater at mid‐dark while the CIs was not significantly faster at mid‐dark compared with that at mid‐light. However, the estimated N‐acetylserotonin secretory rate at mid‐dark was eightfold greater than at mid‐light.
In Vitro Uptake and Metabolism of [3H]Indole Compounds in the Pineal Organ of the Pike. I. A Radiochromatographic Study
Authors: Falcón Jacky , Balemans Matheus G. M. , van Benthem Jan , Collin Jean‐Pierre 
Published: February 2007

Thin layer chromatography analysis of [3H]serotonin and [3H]melatonin metabolites synthetized in vitro by the pineal organ of the pike was performed. After a 10‐min pulse, [3H]serotonin was mainly converted into [3H]‐5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (37%), [3H]‐5‐hydroxytryptophan and [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptophan (12 to 14%), and [3H]‐5‐hydroxytryptophol and [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptophol (3.5 and 9%) at the onset of darkness. When the pulse was followed by postincubations (in a cold medium) of increasing duration (15, 30, and 60 min), it appeared that 1) the amount of [3H]‐5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid decreased, 2) that of [3H]‐5‐hydroxytryptophol decreased faster than that of [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptophol, and 3) the amounts of [3H]‐5‐hydroxy‐ and [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptophan increased. [3H]‐N‐acetylserotonin, [3H]melatonin, and [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptamine were found in very low amounts.At the beginning of the photophase or at the onset of darkness, the uptake and metabolism of [3H]melatonin (after a 10‐min pulse followed by a 10‐min incubation in cold medium) resulted mainly in the formation of [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptophol (23 to 43%) and of [3H]‐5‐methoxytryptamine (6 to 12%).These results show that the pike pineal organ can synthesize all indoles that are known in the pineal gland of higher vertebrates. Usual, but also unusual, pathways of the indole metabolism were found that will need further clarification. Among these are the possible carboxylation of serotonin and deacetylation of melatonin (leading to the synthesis of 5‐methoxytryptophol). Altogether, the results obtained suggest that the indole metabolism might be more complex than what has already been described in vertebrates.
Influence of Subcutaneous Melatonin Implantation on Gonadal Development and on Plasma Levels of Luteinizing Hormone, Testosterone, Estradiol, and Corticosterone in the Pigeon
Authors: John T. M. , George J. C. , Etches R. J. 
Published: February 2007

Subcutaneous implantation of melatonin for a period of 12 weeks with reinforcement of implants every fortnight had no significant influence on photoinduced gonadal development in the pigeon. Neither the weight of the gonads or the oviduct nor the gonadal size was affected by melatonin. Pinealectomy also was found to have no significant influence on gonadal weight when examined 20 weeks after the surgery.The plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone were not significantly influenced by a 10‐week implantation of melatonin, although a trend toward an increase (statistically insignificant) in testosterone concentration was apparent in melatonin‐implanted male pigeons. Plasma concentration of estradiol was found to increase significantly in both male and female pigeons following the 10‐week melatonin implantation. A trend toward an increase in plasma corticosterone level was also apparent in these melatonin‐implanted birds, but the increase was statistically insignificant.
The Influence of Melatonin on the Content of Vasopressin and Oxytocin in the Hypothalamus and Neurohypophysis in Euhydrated and Dehydrated Male Rats
Authors: Juszczak Marlena , Guzek Jan W. , Lewy Anna 
Published: February 2007

Melatonin injected in a single intraperitoneal dose of 100 μg/100 g b. w. to euhydrated rats resulted in a decrease of neurohypophysial oxytocin content but the hypothalamic oxytocin storage as well as the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial storage of vasopressin were not changed. Following 8 d of once‐daily melatonin treatment the hypothalamic and neurohypophysial oxytocin and vasopressin content was decreased. It might be therefore suggested that melatonin increases the release of neurohypophysial hormones and/or decreases their synthesis.Melatonin did not significantly modify the neurohypophysial vasopressin depletion rate in animals deprived of water up to 8 days. No consistent effects of melatonin on the decrease of hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial content of oxytocin were noted under conditions of dehydration and simultaneous administration of melatonin up to 8 d.
Pinealectomy and Constant Release of Melatonin or 5‐Methoxytryptamine Induce Testicular Atrophy in the European Hamster (Cricetus cricetus, L.)
Authors: Masson‐Pévet M. , Pévet P. , Vivien‐Roels B. 
Published: February 2007

The role of the pineal and of photoperiod in the regulation of gonadal activity has been studied in the European hamster, a wild hamster commonly found in the vicinity of Strasbourg, France. Besides the presence of a probable endogenous circannual rhythm in reproductive capacities, it appears that, as in all other hamster species studied to date, the sexual activity of this animal is directly regulated by changes in the photoperiodic environment.Pinealectomy as well as a constant release of melatonin or of 5‐methoxytryptamine has no effect on the gonadal atrophy induced by short photoperiod, but induces testicular regression in animals kept under long photoperiod. The pineal in this species appears thus to be involved in the maintenance of sexual activity in long photoperiod, while it is apparently not required for the gonadal inhibitory effect of short photoperiod. These results are similar to those obtained in the Turkish hamster. 5‐Methoxytryptophol is not implicated in the phenomenon of synchronization of the sexual activity with the photoperiodic changes.
Temporal Changes in the Pattern of Melatonin Secretion in Sheep Held in Constant Darkness
Authors: Earl C. R. , D'Occhio M. J. , Kennaway D. J. , Seamark R. F. 
Published: February 2007

The pattern of melatonin secretion was investigated in six 2 yr‐old Suffolk ewes transferred from a long‐day lighting regime (14L:10D) to continuous darkness. During the 9 d in continuous darkness, five of the ewes maintained a characteristic diurnal rhythm in melatonin secretion. However, there was a systematic change in the duration of each episode of melatonin secretion with the result that it extended from 10 h under the entraining lighting regime to about 19h by the fourth cycle and then contracted to about 14 h by the eighth cycle under continuous darkness. The pattern of individual ewes varied, but overall the time of offset showed a consistent delay each successive day of about I h, indicative of control by a pacemaker with a period of greater than 24 h. By contrast, the time of onset tended to occur earlier each day during the first 4 d of continuous darkness, then changed so that after 8d, it was delayed in all animals compared to the time of onset on d 4. If, as previously postulated, onset is controlled by a separate pacemaker, then this change is accounted for by interaction with the dominant offset control pacemaker; however, control of both onset and offset through a single pacemaker cannot be excluded.The study confirms that the patterns of melatonin secretion developed in sheep held in continuous darkness may be used to gain insight into the activity of the light‐sensitive pacemaker centre(s) controlling the offset and onset of pineal function. Further experimentation is required to differentiate whether control is being exerted by one or two or more independent but interacting pacemaker centres.
Opsin Immunocytochemical Characterization of Different Types of Photoreceptors in the Frog Pineal Organ
Authors: Vigh‐Teichmann Ingeborg , Vigh Béla 
Published: February 2007

The pineal organ of the frog, Rana esculenta and R. temporaria was studied by opsin immunocytochemistry using two polyclonal antibovine rhodopsin and the monoclonal antichicken opsin antibodies OS‐2 (detecting blue and green pigments) and COS‐1 (detecting green and red pigments). Four types of photoreceptor cells were distinguished. The large outer segments of the numcrous electron‐dense photoreceptor cells (“large pineal rods”) were immunoreactive with the rhodopsin and OS‐2 antibodies, but reacted weakly with antibody COS‐1. Some electron‐dense photoreceptors with smaller outer segments (“small pineal rods”) were found that were strongly OS‐2‐immunoreactive but moderately rhodopsin‐positive. The long outer segments of the oil droplet containing photoreceptors (“large pineal cones”) were only immunoreactive with the COS‐1 antibodies. The small electron‐lucent photoreceptors (“small pineal cones”) were immunonegative with all the opsin antisera used.These results confirm the presence of the opsin of a (green‐sensitive) rhodopsin in the “large rod” photoreceptors. A blue‐sensitive pigment is supposed to be present in the “small rod” photoreceptors, and a red‐sensitive one in the oil droplet‐containing “large cones”. The opsin‐immunonegative “small cone” is discussed to contain a (UV‐blue?) photopigment that differs essentially in its antigenic sites from the other pigments. The presence of four types of photoreceptors equipped with the opsins of apparently different photopigments strengthens the view that the frog pineal organ is capable of measuring different ranges of the light spectrum.
Low temperature stimulates pineal activity in Syrian hamsters
Authors: Stokkan Karl‐Ame , Nonaka Keico O. , Lerchl Alexander , Vaughan Mary K. , Reiter Russel J. 
Published: February 2007

Stokkan K‐A, Nonaka KO, Lerchl A, Vaughan MK, Reiter RJ. Low temperature stimulates pineal activity in Syrian hamsters. J Pineal Res 1991 : 10:4348.Abstract:The effect of 24‐hr exposure to cold (5°C) was studied in male Syrian hamsters adapted to short days (LD 8:16). Both pineal N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and pineal and serum concentrations of melatonin showed a clear, diel rhythm with a moderate but significant increase late in the dark period. The nighttime peak levels of NAT activity and pineal and serum melatonin were significantly higher in the animals that had been exposed to cold than in those remaining in warm (22°C) conditions. The activity of type‐II 5'‐deiodinase (5'D) in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) was not different after 24 hr of cold exposure between cold‐ and warm‐exposed hamsters, and the enzyme did not show any diel rhythmicity. It has been speculated that some effects of cold exposure may be simulated by melatonin treatment; the present data further support this notion. The apparent lack of response in BAT 5'D activity remains enigmatic and needs further investigation.
Seasonal effects of administration of melatonin and 5‐methoxytryptophol on ovarian activity in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)
Authors: Joy K.P. , Agha A.K. 
Published: February 2007

k >y KP, Agha AK. Seasonal effects of administration of melatonin and 5‐methoxytryptophol on ovarian activity in the catfish Heteropneustes,ti,ssilis (Bloch). J Pineal Res 1991:10:65‐70.Abstract:In Heteropneustes fossilis, effects of intraperitoneal administration (25 fig/fish, alternate days for a month 1 hr before the onset of dark phase) of melatonin (MEL) and 5‐methoxytryptophol (5‐MTL) on ovarian activity were investigated during different seasons of the annual reproductive cycle under natural photothermal conditions. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) had decreased significantly by MEL during preparatory and prespawning seasons, and by 5‐MTL in all but the spawning season. Both MEL and 5‐MTL administrations arrested vitellogenesis during the gonadal recrudescence phase. As a result, stage I previtellogenic oocytes showed a significant increase in the MEL group in the preparatory and prespawning seasons, and in the 5‐MTL group only in the prespawning season. Almost the same trend was noticed in the percentage distribution of stage 2 and 3 oocytes. The percentage distribution of stage 4 postvitellogenic oocytes decreased significantly during the preparatory and prespawning seasons, but not in the spawning season. The indole treatment resulted in a highly significant increase in the percentage distribution of atretic oocytes during prespawning, spawning, and post‐spawning phases. Total protein content of the ovary was significantly lower in all seasons after MEL treatment, and only in the preparatory and prespawning seasons following 5‐MTL treatment. The ovarian glycogen level was significantly lower in the preparatory and prespawning seasons (MEL group), and in the 5‐MTL group only in the prespawning phase. Ascorbic acid level was inhibited by the indole treatment in all seasons except in the 5‐MTL group during the postspawning season. The results show that both MEL and 5‐MTL are effective in inhibiting ovarian vitellogenesis and inducing atresia in the catfish.
The presence of nerve fibers immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), and preproVIP(111–122) in the mouse pineal gland
Authors: Mikkelsen Jens D. , Møiler Morten , Larsen Philip J. , Fahrenkrug Jan 
Published: February 2007

Mikkelsen JD, Møller M, Larsen PJ, Fahrenkrug J. The presence of nerve fibers immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), and preproVIP(111‐l22) in the mouse pineal gland. J. Pineal Res. 1994: 16: 50–56.AbstractA low to moderate number of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI)‐immunoreactive nerve fibers with prominent boutons‐en‐passage were demonstrated in the pineal gland of the mouse. The two peptides, which are parts of the same precursor molecule, were distributed identically in the gland. Positive fibers were present in the connective tissue septae in the gland, in the pineal capsule, and in the pineal parenchyma. No VIP‐PHI‐immunoreactive elements were found in the deep pineal gland, in the pineal stalk, or in habenular and posterior commissures. This morphological distribution of immunoreactive nerve fibers, which is similar to the distribution in other mammals, indicates that the VIP/PHI fibers of the mouse pineal gland originate exclusively from perikarya in a peripheral ganglion, presumably one of the cholinergic ganglia of the head. No evidence for a VIPergic central innervation was found. VIP and PHI are connected via a bridging peptide equivalent to amino acids 111‐122 of the precursor (preproVIP(111‐122)). In order to demonstrate the possible existence of this peptide in intra‐pineal nerve fibers, antisera directed against a synthetic sequence identical to pre‐proVIP(111–122) and immunohistochemistry were applied.AbstractPreproVIP(111‐122)‐immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the mouse pineal gland, with the same distribution pattern and morphology as those immunoreactive for VIP and PHI. To quantify the peptide‐immunoreactivities, 50 mice pineals were pooled, extracted, and the concentrations were measured radioimmunologically. The concentrations of the VIP and preproVIP(111–122) immunoreactivities were 1.7 and 2.0 pmol/g, respectively, whereas the concentration of PHI was 0.9 pmol/g. This indicates that not only VIP and PHI, but also other fragments of preproVIP are present in the mammalian pineal gland. Whereas the stimulatory role of VIP is well documented, the effect of other fragments processed from preproVIP on pinealocytes remains to be established.
The role of serotonin and melatonin in gastrointestinal physiology: Ontogeny, regulation of food intake, and mutual serotonin‐melatonin feedback
Authors: Bubenik G. A. , Pang S. F. 
Published: February 2007

Bubenik GA, Pang SF. The role of serotonin and megaton in gastrointestinal physiology: Ontogeny, regulation of food intake, and mutual serotonin‐melatonin feedback. J. Pineal Res. 1994: 16: 91–99.AbstractAverage levels of melatonin in the brain and the gastrointestinal (GIT) tissues of newborn mice declined dramatically during the first week postnatally. Food consumption increased considerably in mice bearing subcutaneous serotonin (5‐HT) implants (2 mg). Melatonin implants (2 mg) also increased overall consumption but to a lesser degree. Both 5‐HT and melatonin implants (2 mg) increased water content of mice fecal pellets, albeit the melatonin effect was less pronounced. Serotonin implants (2,4,6 mg/mouse) increased melatonin levels in brain, jejunum, ileum, and colon, but the effect was not dose‐dependent. Intraperitoneally administered melatonin (5, 20 and 200 ug/mouse) elevated melatonin levels in brain and GIT tissues more than 100 times that of the controls, but the effect was not dose‐dependent. In contrast, intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (5, 50, and 200 ug) in mice bearing a 5‐HT implant (2 mg) resulted in only 3‐7 times higher melatonin levels in the GIT as compared to controls, and the brain levels of melatonin were actually lower. A feedback system between 5–HT and melatonin is proposed that regulates appetite and digestive processes by endocrine as well as paracrine effects in both the brain and the GIT.
Hydroxyindole‐O‐methyltransferase activity in the pineal gland of the muskox (Ovibos moschatus)
Authors: Tedesco Susan C. , Morton Oougal J. , Reiter Russel J. 
Published: February 2007

Tedesco SC, Morton DJ, Reiter RJ. Hydroxyindole‐O‐methyltransferase activity in the pineal gland of the muskox (Ovibos moschatus). J. Pineal Res. 1994: 16: 121–126.AbstractCharacteristics of hydroxyindole‐O‐methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity were examined in pineal gland tissue from 10 muskoxen shot by native hunters in November, 1990. The enzyme preferentially methylated N‐acetylserotonin, with other hydroxyindole compounds showing relatively low affinities; activity peaked sharply at pH 8. 2. HIOMT was noncompetitively inhibited by its substrate, N‐acetylserotonin, and competitively inhibited by its product S‐adenosylhomocysteine. The catalytic mechanism appeared to be ordered as described in previous studies: S‐adenosylmethionine was the obligatory first substrate, followed by N‐acetylserotonin; methyl transfer then occurred and the products, melatonin and S‐adenosylhomocysteine, were released sequentially. Interestingly, the inhibition constant (K) for N‐acetylserotonin was relatively close to the Michaelis‐Menten constant (Km), which might allow physiological concentrations of N‐acetylserotonin to inhibit HIOMT activity in vivo. This effect could be relevant to the ecology of free‐living muskoxen during the dramatic seasonal fluctuations in dietary protein and daily photoperiod associated with their arctic habitat.