bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of apoptotic cell death in the seminiferous tubule of the adult rat testis: assessment of the germ cell types that exhibit the ability to enter apoptosis after hormone suppression by oestradiol treatment
Authors: BLANCO‐RODRÍGUEZ J. , MARTÍNEZ‐GARCÍA C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe involvement of apoptosis in germ cell degeneration in the adult rat testis after gonadotrophin suppression has recently been shown in several studies, which have focused on the localization of apoptotic cells to the stages of the spermatogenic cycle. However, the precise germ cell types and maturing steps at which apoptosis is elicited remain controversial.The present study used oestradiol treatment to produce hormone suppression and to study induced germ cell degeneration. Adult male rats were administered a daily injection of 50 μg oestradiol benzoate for 5, 10 or 15 days. Characterization of the ultrastructural features of the dying cells and in‐situ 3′‐end labelling of DNA showed clearly that the deaths of all the germ cell types occurred by apoptosis. High‐resolution light microscopy, although time‐consuming, resulted in a precise method for analysis of the localization of the cells involved. Stages IV–X of the seminiferous epithelium were found to be the most sensitive to degeneration in response to oestradiol treatment. Our results are discussed in the light of current knowledge about the hormonal control of the spermatogenic cycle. Oestradiol treatment has proved to provide a suitable in‐vivo model to study germ cell death.
Treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin for cryptorchidism: clinical and histological effects
Authors: KALEVA M. , ARSALO A. , LOUHIMO I. , RAPOLA J. , PERHEENTUPA J. , HENRIKSÉN K. , TOPPARI J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe efficacy of hCG treatment was studied in 182 cryptorchid patients. The efficacy of the treatment correlated with the initial position of the testis. None of the abdominal testes reached a normal position, whereas 90% of high scrotal testes descended during the treatment. Fifty‐four boys who were treated unsuccessfully with hCG and 29 untreated boys were biopsied. The biopsies were performed on 32 scrotal and 87 maldescended testes to examine the state of the organ and the effects of hCG treatment. In biopsies, the volume densities of seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue and blood vessels were counted, and the sections screened for interstitial bleeding. Significant differences between scrotal and maldescended testes were found in all of the volume densities measured. Interstitial bleeding occurred rarely in scrotal testes, whereas in maldescended testes it was frequently apparent. hCG treatment induced a significant increase in the volume density of both interstitial tissue and blood vessels. Even though the hCG treatment induced measurable, possibly harmful, changes both in scrotal and maldescended testes, our data do not prove that hCG treatment causes permanent damage to the testis.
Anxiety‐induced failure in erectile response to intracorporeal prostaglandin‐E1 in non‐organic male impotence: a new diagnostic approach*
Authors: AVERSA A. , ROCCHIETTI‐MARCH M. , CAPRIO M. , GIANNINI D. , ISIDORI A. , FABBRI A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIntracavernous injection (ICI) of prostaglandin‐E1 (PGE1) is used widely as the first diagnostic test in the study of erectile dysfunction. However, a lack of full erection after a maximal dose is frequent. As well as vascular incompetence, this may be due to stress‐induced changes, related to the ICI procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of emotional disturbances on erectile response to ICI in impotent patients. Initially, 24 young men with non‐organic impotence (age 34.6 ± 1.5 years; mean ± SEM) were selected and randomized single‐blind to pharmacoerection with PGE1 alone (20 μg/mL) or a mixture (cocktail) containing 20 μg PGE1 plus an α‐adrenergic receptor blocker, phentolamine (Phe, 0.5 mg/mL). Additional studies were also performed double‐blind on 10 men with non‐organic impotence (age 37.6 ± 1.2 years) utilizing higher PGE1 dosages for ICI (25 μg/mL alone or in combination with Phe, 0.5 mg/mL). After a 7‐day interval, all subjects were crossed‐over to receive the alternative treatment. The presence of emotional disturbances was assessed in all patients by the administration of rapid tests (Stai‐X1 and Stai‐X1r for state‐anxiety before and after ICI, respectively; Stai‐X2 for trait‐anxiety; Zung‐test for depression) at the first and at the remaining (Stai‐X1 and Stai‐X1r) ICI sessions.ICI with 20 and 25 μg/mL PGE1 led to a comparable percentage of patients who reported a valid‐for‐intromission (VFI) erection (63 and 60%, respectively). In contrast, use of the cocktails significantly increased the percentage of subjects with a VFI (87 and 90% of the total number of patients tested, respectively; p <0.05). Moreover, a strong inverse correlation between state‐anxiety scores (Stai‐X1) and the erectile response to ICI with 20 and 25 μg PGE1 was found (r= ‐0.69, p<0.001); such a correlation was not present in patients who underwent ICI with the cocktails. Two cases of prolonged erection occurred (one after 20 μg PGE1 and the other after 20 μg PGE1 plus Phe) which were reversed promptly by the intracavernous injection of metharaminol.It is concluded that the lack of a full erectile response after ICI with PGE1 can be related to the presence of a high ‘state‐anxiety’ in the patients. In such patients, a VFI erectile response can be induced by the administration of a cocktail test‐dose.
Association of chlorhexidine and fluoride for plaque control and white spot lesion remineralization in primary dentition
Authors: DE AMORIM RODRIGO GUEDES , LEAL SORAYA COELHO , BEZERRA ANA CRISTINA BARRETO , DE AMORIM FERNANDA PENNA LIMA GUEDES , DE TOLEDO ORLANDO AYRTON 
Published: May 2008

Background.  Plaque control and caries arrest still remain a challenge for dentists.Objective.  This study was conducted to assess the effect of the combined use of chlorhexidine varnish and fluoride varnish on the visible plaque index (VPI) and white spot lesion (WS) remineralization in primary dentition.Methods.  A total of 80 caries‐active preschool children (3–5 years) were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 received a chlorhexidine varnish application every week during 4 weeks. Group 2 received a fluoride varnish application every week during 4 weeks. Group 3 received alternated applications of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnish during 4 weeks. Group 4 served as control (without any type of cariostatic agent).Results.  There was no statistically significant difference in the VPI and WS remineralization among the groups after 1 month. However, 3 months follow‐up demonstrated that group 3 (chlorhexidine + fluoride) showed significantly better results for both VPI and WS remineralization.Conclusion.  The combined application of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnishes is more effective on plaque and remineralization of incipient caries after 3 months than the same agents applied separately.
Executive functions and cognitive subprocesses in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: LIS STEFANIE , KRIEGER STEPHAN , HENNIG DOROTHEE , RÖDER CHRISTIAN , KIRSCH PETER , SEEGER WERNER , GALLHOFER BERND , SCHULZ RICHARD 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIn recent years, special interest has been focused on impairments of executive functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). However, the majority of studies have not clearly separated deficits in executive functions from impairments in other cognitive processes involved in task solving. In the present study, working memory (WM) functions of 20 patients with OSAS were compared with those of 10 age‐, sex‐ and education‐matched healthy subjects. Cognitive functions were measured four times a day; each of these measurements was accompanied by an assessment of subjective and objective daytime sleepiness. To separate dysfunctions of WM from those of additionally involved processes, n‐back tasks were applied embedded in a reaction‐time‐decomposition approach. Deficits in n‐back tasks could be observed in OSAS patients in accuracy and reaction times. However, the slowing could already be observed in simple reaction time tasks. The drop in 1‐back accuracy in the morning was related to daytime sleepiness. During the afternoon, accuracy of OSAS patients dropped in 2‐back tasks, an effect which correlated neither with sleepiness nor with the extent of sleep apnoea or oxygen desaturation. In conclusion, our data reflect a complex perspective upon cognitive deficits in OSAS. Cross‐group differences in processing time on the higher level WM task appeared to be attributable to slowing at a more elementary cognitive processing level. In contrast, reduced accuracy during the WM task in the OSAS group could not be explained by deficits in more elementary cognitive processes.
Evidence from population genetics that the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Laccaria amethystina is an actual multihost symbiont
Authors: ROY MELANIE , DUBOIS MARIE‐PIERRE , PROFFIT MAGALI , VINCENOT LUCIE , DESMARAIS ERICK , SELOSSE MARC‐ANDRE 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIt is commonly assumed that ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi associated with temperate forest tree roots are not host‐specific. Because this assumption relies on species delineations based on fruitbodies morphology or ribosomal DNA sequences, host‐specific, cryptic biological species cannot be ruled out. To demonstrate that Laccaria amethystina has true generalist abilities, we sampled 510 fruitbodies on three French sites situated 150–450 km away from each other. At each site, populations from monospecific stands (Abies alba, Castanea europea and Fagus sylvatica) or mixed stands (F. sylvatica + Quercus robur or Q. robur +Carpinus betulus) were sampled. Three different sets of markers were used for genotyping: (i) five microsatellite loci plus the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer, (ii) the mitochondrial large ribosomal DNA subunit, and (iii) direct amplification of length polymorphism (DALP), a new method for fungi providing dominant markers. Evidence for allogamous populations (with possible inbreeding at local scale) and possibly for biparental mitochondrial inheritance was found. All markers congruently demonstrated that L. amethystina populations show little structure at this geographical scale, indicating high gene flow (as many as 50% of founding spores in all populations being of external origin). Our results also showed that host species contributed even less to population differentiation, and there was no evidence for cryptic biological species. This first in situ demonstration of a true multihost ability in an ECM species is discussed in terms of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Genotypic diversity and migration of clonal lineages of Botrytis cinerea from chickpea fields of Bangladesh inferred by microsatellite markers
Authors: Isenegger D. A. , Macleod W. J. , Ford R. , Taylor P. W. J. 
Published: May 2008

An analysis of allelic diversity at nine microsatellite loci provided an insight into the population structure of Botrytis cinerea from four fields (sampled in 2003 and 2004) that represented important regional locations for chickpea production in Bangladesh. Although three populations were limited by sample size after clone‐correction, a total of 51 alleles were amplified among 146 B. cinerea isolates from Bangladesh, which revealed a high amount of within‐population and overall genetic diversity (HS = 0·48 and HT = 0·54, respectively). The percentage of maximal genotypic diversity (G) ranged between populations (G = 23–40), with a total of 69 haplotypes detected (G = 25). Bayesian cluster analysis depicted two major clusters distributed among the four Bangladesh populations, indicating population admixture from two origins that have spread throughout these regions. Genotype flow between regions was detected and indicated the spread of clonal lineages, consistent with relatively low differentiation among the four populations (mean GST = 0·1, P < 0·05). These results highlighted the potential threat of host resistance breakdown as a result of considerable genetic diversity, genotype flow and the evolutionary potential of B. cinerea.
Parasitoids of Paratachardina lobata (Hem., Kerriidae): surveys for biological control of the invasive lobate lac scale
Authors: Schroer S. , Pemberton R. W. , Selvaraj P. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract Paratachardina lobata is an invasive pest in southern Florida, threatening a great number of economically important and native plants. The lobate lac scale does not cause problems in its area of origin, India and Sri Lanka, presumably due to various parasitoid wasps. In an attempt to discover promising parasitoids for biological control against the invasive pest in Florida, P. lobata infesting Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae) was collected bimonthly from August 2005 to June 2006 at 14 sites in southern India. Four parasitoids were demonstrably associated with P. lobata: a eulophid Aprostocetus bangaloricus Narendran, an encyrtid Ooencyrtus kerriae Hayat and two aphelinids, Marietta leopardina Motschulsky and an undescribed Coccophagus Westwood sp. These chalcidoid wasps were found regularly at all heavily infested sites with an average emergence number per collection period of 62.8, 31.7, 11.9 and 90.5 respectively. The mean number emerged 20–28 days after the collection date, excluding the Coccophagus sp., which occurred significantly later, on average 41 days after collection. Species emergence was examined and parasitized scales dissected. Parasitoid remains were interpreted to understand the mode of parasitism. The Coccophagus sp. was found to be a secondary parasitoid. Marietta leopardina occurred as a primary parasitoid, but only in low number and this species is also known to be hyperparasitic on chalcidoid wasps. Aprostocetus bangaloricus and O. kerriae are promising candidates for the lobate lac scale control in Florida. They are primary parasitoids of P. lobata and occurred at almost every collection site, especially where P. lobata was very abundant.
Noradrenergic Control of GnRH Release from the Ewe Hypothalamus In Vitro: Sensitivity to Oestradiol
Authors: Ghuman SPS , Jones DN , Prabhakar S , Smith RF , Dobson H 
Published: May 2008

ContentsThe present study investigates the influence of α1‐adrenoreceptors in GnRH release in vitro and determines whether oestradiol modulates α1‐adrenoreceptor‐GnRH interaction. Within 10 min after ewe sacrifice, saggital midline hypothalamic slices were dissected, placed in oxygenated Minimum Essential Media‐α (MEM‐α) at 4°C and within 2 h were singly perifused at 37°C with oxygenated MEM‐α (pH 7.4; flow rate 0.15 ml/min), either with or without oestradiol (24 pg/ml). After 4‐h equilibration, 10‐min fractions were collected for 4 h interposed with a 10‐min exposure at 60 min to specific α1‐adrenoreceptor agonist (methoxamine) or antagonist (thymoxamine) at various doses (0.1–10 mm). The α1‐adrenoreceptor agonist (10 mm) increased (p < 0.05) GnRH release at 90 min both in presence and absence of oestradiol. However, in presence of oestradiol, α1‐adrenoreceptor agonist (10 mm)‐induced GnRH release remained elevated (p < 0.05) for at least 60 min. The bioactivity of the released GnRH was studied using a hypothalamus–pituitary sequential double‐chamber perifusion. Only after exposure of hypothalamic slices to α1‐adrenoreceptor agonist (10 mm), did the hypothalamic eluate stimulate LH release from pituitary fragments (n = 9, 7.8 ± 12.3–36.2 ± 21.6 ng/ml) confirming that the α1‐adrenoreceptor agonist stimulated release of biologically active GnRH. In summary, GnRH release from the hypothalamus is under stimulatory noradrenergic control and this is potentiated in the presence of oestradiol.
Repeated administration of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist reverses the increased proportions of striatal dopamine D1High and D2High receptors in methamphetamine‐sensitized rats
Authors: Shuto Takahide , Seeman Philip , Kuroiwa Mahomi , Nishi Akinori 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRepeated administration of psychostimulants produces a behavioural sensitization. Amphetamine‐sensitized animals are known to have a higher proportion of high‐affinity states of dopamine D2 receptors (D2High receptors) in the striatum. We recently reported that repeated administration of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist, R‐(+)‐SKF38393, reverses the established behavioural sensitization to methamphetamine (MAP). To investigate the mechanisms for reversal of behavioural sensitization, we examined the effect of repeated administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist on the proportions of D2High receptors and the high‐affinity states of dopamine D1 receptors (D1High receptors) in the striatum. In the striatum from the MAP‐sensitized rats, the proportions of D1High and D2High receptors (28.5 ± 1.96 and 57.5 ± 3.58%) were higher than those in the saline‐control rats (12.0 ± 1.01 and 21.9 ± 1.60%, respectively). Repeated administration of R‐(+)‐SKF38393 to the MAP‐sensitized rats reduced the increased proportions of D1High and D2High receptors to 12.4 ± 1.57 and 31.0 ± 2.14%, respectively, which were similar to the proportions in the saline‐control rats. The total densities of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors were not altered in each treatment condition. The results demonstrate that the proportions of D1High and D2High receptors in the striatum are elevated in MAP‐sensitized rats, and that repeated administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist to the MAP‐sensitized rats reverses the increased proportions of D1High and D2High receptors. The findings reveal postsynaptic mechanisms for the development of behavioural sensitization to MAP and the reversal of established sensitization by repeated administration of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist.
Positive interactions among competitors can produce species‐rich communities
Authors: Gross Kevin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAlthough positive interactions between species are well documented, most ecological theory for investigating multispecies coexistence remains rooted in antagonistic interactions such as competition and predation. Standard resource‐competition models from this theory predict that the number of coexisting species should not exceed the number of factors that limit population growth. Here I show that positive interactions among resource competitors can produce species‐rich model communities supported by a single limiting resource. Simulations show that when resource competitors reduce each others’ per capita mortality rate (e.g. by ameliorating an abiotic stress), stable multispecies coexistence with a single resource may be common, even while the net interspecific interaction remains negative. These results demonstrate that positive interactions may provide an important mechanism for generating species‐rich communities in nature. They also show that focusing on the net interaction between species may conceal important coexistence mechanisms when species simultaneously engage in both antagonistic and positive interactions.
Effect of selective antagonists of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors on the micturition reflex in rats
Authors: Guarneri Luciano , Poggesi Elena , Angelico Patrizia , Farina Pierluigi , Leonardi Amedeo , Clarke David E. , Testa Rodolfo 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of Group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor subtypes on reflex‐induced micturition in anaesthetized and conscious rats using selective mGlu1 (NPS 2407 and R214127) and mGlu5 (MPEP, MTEP, and SIB1893) allosteric antagonists.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe affinity of the compounds at mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptor subtypes was evaluated by displacement of tritiated R214127 and MPEP, respectively, from rat brain tissue. Effects of intravenous (i.v.) administration of the compounds on isovolumic bladder contractions were evaluated in anaesthetized rats. Effects of MPEP and NPS 2407 on bladder filling and voiding were evaluated by cystometry using saline or diluted (0.2%) acetic acid (MPEP only) infusion of bladders in conscious rats.RESULTSBinding studies confirmed the selectivity of the mGlu1 (NPS 2407 and R214127) and mGlu5 (MPEP, MTEP, and SIB1893) compounds. Isovolumic bladder contractions were blocked after i.v. administration of all compounds. However, the mGlu5 antagonists were generally more potent than mGlu1 antagonists. In conscious rats with bladders infused with saline, MPEP dose‐dependently and significantly increased bladder capacity starting from oral administration of 10 mg/kg. Oral administration of NPS 2407 (up to 30 mg/kg) did not induce consistent changes in bladder capacity or micturition pressure. MPEP (10 mg/kg, orally) was also evaluated in conscious rats with bladders infused with diluted acetic acid. In this model, MPEP reduced bladder instability counteracting the decrease of bladder volume capacity induced by acetic acid. There were no consistent effects on bladder contractility.CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that i.v. and oral administration of selective mGlu5 antagonists, but not those selective for the mGlu1 subtype, have a marked inhibitory effect on reflex micturition pathways in the rat.
Perinatal outcomes associated with the use of glargine during pregnancy
Authors: Di Cianni G. , Torlone E. , Lencioni C. , Bonomo M. , Di Benedetto A. , Napoli A. , Vitacolonna E. , Mannino D. , Lapolla A. ,   for the Italian Diabetes,   Pregnancy Study Group, Italian Society of Diabetology
Published: May 2008

AbstractAims  Insulin glargine (IG), with its non‐peaking action profile, might be useful in diabetic pregnancy. However, data on its safety are limited and its use during pregnancy is not recommended. This study focused on the effects of IG on perinatal outcome, particularly to estimate the rate of congenital anomalies and birthweight.Methods  This retrospective study included women with pre‐gestational diabetes who used IG before (at least 1 month) and during pregnancy. For all women we recorded data regarding maternal glycaemic control and pregnancy outcome. We also compared women treated with IG throughout pregnancy and women who stopped taking IG at an earlier stage.Results  From 27 centres, 107 Type 1 diabetic pregnancies were identified. IG was started 10.3 ± 6.9 months before conception and in 57.4% of cases was stopped during the first trimester; 42.6% of women continued using it until the end of pregnancy. There were six abortions (four spontaneous and two induced) and five newborns (4.9%) with congenital anomalies. Glycaemic control, birthweight and the prevalence of macrosomia and neonatal morbidity were similar in women who used IG for the full term compared with those who stopped IG earlier during pregnancy.Conclusions  This study, although limited, suggests that IG is safe and effective; the rate of congenital malformations was within the range expected for diabetic pregnancies treated with more traditional forms of insulin. IG used throughout pregnancy did not seem to influence birthweight or increase adverse outcomes.