bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male preponderance of patients testing positive for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Authors: Islander G. , Rydenfelt K. , Ranklev E. , Bodelsson M. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility is diagnosed using an in vitro contracture test (IVCT). In families in which the mutation is known, genetic tests are also available. The inheritance pattern is regarded as autosomal dominant, which predicts equal proportions of men and women affected. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were sex differences in the diagnostic outcome of the 1407 patients tested for malignant hyperthermia in Sweden between 1985 and 2005.Methods:  Information about sex, diagnosis, IVCT result and kinship was analysed. Comparisons were made between the two sexes. Probands and relatives were analysed separately in order to eliminate bias caused by the type of surgery performed in the two sexes.Results:  Males, more than females, revealed a pathological outcome in IVCT. Amongst male relatives, the fraction of pathological outcome in IVCT was 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.66–0.74]; the corresponding value for females was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.36–0.44).Conclusion:  A significant difference was observed in the sex distribution of outcome of IVCT, with significantly more males revealing a pathological IVCT. This indicates the influence of one or several factors related to sex in the outcome of IVCT, for example different expression of calcium handling proteins in the sexes, a complex pattern of inheritance or unknown environmental factors.
Development and primary genetic analysis of a fertility temperature‐sensitive polima cytoplasmic male sterility restorer in Brassica napus
Authors: Fan Z. X. , Lei W. X. , Hong D. F. , He J. P. , Wan L. L. , Xu Z. H. , Liu P. W. , Yang G. S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOver the past decade, the polima cytoplasmic male sterility (pol CMS) three‐line and two‐line systems have been developed for the production of hybrid seed in Brassica napus oilseed rape in China. The discovery of the novel pol CMS restorer line FL‐204 is described here. It restores male fertility of hybrid plants in the pol CMS system, but hybrid seed production can only be carried out under autumn sowing in Wuhan in south China under moderate temperatures at flowering. The restorer cannot be used as a male for hybrid seed production in northwestern China (Gansu) under spring sowing conditions, because there it is more or less male sterile due to high temperatures at flowering. Because of this behaviour, it is referred to as a fertility temperature‐sensitive restorer (FTSR) in this paper. F2, BC1 as well as double haploid populations were constructed to determine the inheritance of fertility restoration of FL‐204 in the autumn at Wuhan and under spring sowing conditions at Gansu, respectively. Deviations from Mendelian genetics were observed. It was hypothesized that the change of fertility was the result of the interaction between nuclear genes [restoring gene (Rf) and temperature‐sensitive genes (ts)] and the cytoplasm. The Rf gene in FL‐204 was incapable of restoring male fertility of pol CMS lines under spring sowing conditions at Gansu where it is inactivated by the recessive ts gene present in FL‐204. However, the ts gene(s) could be non‐functional under moderate temperature conditions at flowering at Wuhan which allows full expression of male fertility in FL‐204. The recessive ts gene(s) can only be expressed in plants containing the pol sterile cytoplasm. A method for the utilization of the FTSR pol CMS restorer FL‐204 for the production of hybrid seed in B. napus oilseed rape is proposed.
Pleiotropy and Redundancy of STAT Proteins in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Maj T , Chelmonska‐Soyta A 
Published: April 2007

ContentsSignal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are a group of proteins involved in signal transduction from numerous bioactive substances. Hormones and cytokines such as leukaemia inhibitory factor, interferon‐τ and prolactin, which play key roles during early pregnancy, activate the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signalling pathway. The STATs are thus involved in the regulation of implantation, establishing uterine receptivity and regulation of the maternal immune response. It seems that STATs can orchestrate signals from hormones and cytokines in different cell types and may therefore generate numerous biological effects, despite the relatively small number of receptors activating the JAK/STAT pathway. This review summarizes the participation of STATs in the main processes of early pregnancy, especially regarding their pleiotropy and redundancy.
Sarcomatous transformation in diaphyseal aclasis
Authors: Shah ZK , Peh WCG , Wong Y , Shek TWH , Davies AM 
Published: April 2007

SummaryMultiple hereditary exostosis (or diaphyseal aclasis) is a condition characterized by the development of multiple osteochondromas. The tendency for malignant transformation into chondrosarcoma is well known. Malignancy typically arises from the cartilaginous cap of the osteochondroma. Radiographs supplemented by computed tomography have an important role in the diagnosis of this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging shows the features of sarcomatous change and aids in differentiating malignancy from pseudotumours.
Metastases to the breast: A review of 33 cases
Authors: Noguera JJ , Martínez‐Miravete P , Idoate F , Díaz L , Pina L , Zornoza G , Martínez‐Regueira F 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe aim of the study was to show the clinical and radiological manifestations of metastases to the breast (MB). From 1987 to 2006, 33 patients with MB were diagnosed at our institution. Their clinical and radiological features were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 33 cases, 31 presented as a palpable breast lump. On mammography, their findings were classified as follows: well‐circumscribed masses (11 cases), ill‐circumscribed masses (five), focal asymmetric densities (one) and inflammatory skin changes (six). Mammograms were normal in six cases (all of them showed dense breast tissue). Four CT scans showed two well‐circumscribed masses and two ill‐circumscribed masses. Ultrasonography was available in 18 cases: hypoechoic lesions (15 cases) were more frequent than hyperechoic (one) or isoechoic lesions (two). The appearance on magnetic resonance was similar to primary breast cancer (one case). The most common primary tumours causing MB were haematological malignancies (nine cases) and melanomas (seven). Metastases to the breast showed a wide range of mammographic and ultrasonographic appearances, resembling both benign and malignant lesions. Any patient who presents with a breast lump with a history of cancer should undergo a core‐needle biopsy in order to determine the histology of the lump.
Extramedullary haematopoiesis in thalassaemia major causing spinal cord compression
Authors: Chiam QLL , Lau KK 
Published: April 2007

SummaryA 33‐year‐old, homozygous beta‐thalassaemic, Jehovah witness man presented with subacute spinal cord compression secondary to extramedullary haematopoiesis within the thoracic spinal canal. In this case, MRI showed characteristic features of extramedullary haematopoiesis, leading to an early diagnosis.
Two cases of methanol poisoning: CT and MRI features
Authors: Bessell‐Browne RJ , Bynevelt M 
Published: April 2007

SummaryMethanol poisoning in Australia is now very rare as methanol has been removed from methylated spirits. In acute intoxication methanol may result in a wide range of damage to the central nervous system. Few cases have been imaged with MRI. We present two cases and their striking neuroimaging findings with a discussion of the published work on methanol poisoning.
The fidelity of the cortical retinotopic map in human amblyopia
Authors: Li Xingfeng , Dumoulin Serge O. , Mansouri Behzad , Hess Robert F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo delineate the fidelity of the functional cortical organization in humans with amblyopia, we undertook an investigation into how spatial information is mapped across the visual cortex in amblyopic observers. We assessed whether the boundaries of the visual areas controlled by the amblyopic and fellow fixing eye are in the same position, the fidelity of the retinotopic map within different cortical areas and the average receptive field size in different visual areas. The functional organization of the visual cortex was reconstructed using a fMRI phase‐encoded retinotopic mapping analysis. This method sequentially stimulates each point in the visual field along the axes of a polar‐coordinate system, thereby reconstructing the representation of the visual field on the cortex. We found that the cortical areas were very similar in normals and amblyopes, with only small differences in boundary positions of different visual areas between fixing and fellow amblyopic eye activation. Within these corresponding visual areas, we did find anomalies in retinotopy in some but not all amblyopes that were not simply a consequence of the poorer functional responses and affected central and peripheral field regions. Only a small increase in the average (or collective) receptive field size was found for full‐field representation in amblyopes and none at all for central field representation. The former may simply be a consequence of the poorer functional responses.
Impact of 6‐hydroxydopamine lesions and cocaine exposure on µ‐opioid receptor expression and regulation of cholinergic transmission in the limbic–prefrontal territory of the rat dorsal striatum
Authors: Jabourian Maritza , Pérez Sylvie , Ezan Pascal , Glowinski Jacques , Deniau Jean‐Michel , Kemel Marie‐Louise 
Published: April 2007

AbstractInformation processing within the striatum is regulated by local circuits involving dopamine, cholinergic interneurons and neuropeptides released by recurrent collaterals of striatal output neurons. In the limbic–prefrontal territory of the dorsal striatum, enkephalin inhibits the NMDA‐evoked release of acetylcholine directly through µ‐opioid receptors (MORs) located on cholinergic interneurons and indirectly through MORs of output neurons of striosomes. In this territory, we investigated the consequence of changes in dopamine transmission, bilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced degeneration of striatal dopaminergic innervation or cocaine (acute and chronic) exposure on (i) MOR expression in both cholinergic interneurons and output neurons of striosomes, and (ii) the direct and indirect enkephalin–MOR regulations of the NMDA‐evoked release of acetylcholine. Expression of MORs in cholinergic interneurons was preserved after 6‐hydroxydopamine and down‐regulated after cocaine treatments. Accordingly, the direct enkephalin–MOR control of acetylcholine release was preserved after 6‐hydroxydopamine treatment and lost after cocaine exposure. Expression of MORs in output neurons of striosomes was down‐regulated in the 6‐hydroxydopamine situation and either preserved or up‐regulated after acute or chronic cocaine exposure, respectively. Accordingly, the indirect enkephalin–MOR control of acetylcholine release disappeared in the 6‐hydroxydopamine situation but surprisingly, despite preservation of MORs in striosomes, disappeared after cocaine treatment. Showing that MORs of striosomes are still functional in this situation, the MOR agonist [D‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly5‐ol]‐enkephalin inhibited the NMDA‐evoked release of acetylcholine after cocaine exposure. Therefore, alteration in the regulation of cholinergic transmission by the enkephalin–MOR system might play a major role in the motivational and cognitive disorders associated with dopamine dysfunctions in fronto‐cortico‐basal ganglia circuits.
Long‐term potentiation of neuronal excitation by neuron–glia interactions in the rat spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Ikeda Hiroshi , Tsuda Makoto , Inoue Kazuhide , Murase Kazuyuki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBy imaging neuronal excitation in rat spinal cord slices with a voltage‐sensitive dye, we examined the role of glial cells in the P2X receptor agonist αβ‐methylene ATP (αβmeATP)‐triggered long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the dorsal horn. Bath application of αβmeATP potentiated neuronal excitation in the superficial dorsal horn. The potentiation was inhibited in the presence of the P2X receptor antagonists TNP‐ATP, PPADS and A‐317491, and was not induced in slices taken from rats neonatally treated with capsaicin. These results suggest that αβmeATP acts on P2X receptors, possibly P2X3and/or P2X2/3, in capsaicin‐sensitive primary afferent terminals. Furthermore, the potentiation was inhibited by treatment with the glial metabolism inhibitor monofluoroacetic acid. Results obtained with the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐6, and antibodies to TNF‐α and IL‐6, as well as by double immunolabelling of activated p38 MAPK with markers of astrocytes and microglia, demonstrated that αβmeATP activated p38 MAPK in astrocytes, and that the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and p38 MAPK activation were necessary for the induction of αβmeATP‐triggered LTP. These findings indicate that glial cells contribute to the αβmeATP‐induced LTP, which might be part of a cellular mechanism for the induction of persistent pain.
Effect of binocular retinal lesions on CRMP2 and CRMP4 but not Dyn I and Syt I expression in adult cat area 17
Authors: Cnops Lieselotte , Hu Tjing‐Tjing , Eysel Ulf T. , Arckens Lutgarde 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRemoval of retinal input from a restricted region of adult cat visual cortex leads to a substantial reorganization of the retinotopy within the sensory‐deprived cortical lesion projection zone (LPZ). Still little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this cortical map reorganization. We chose two members of the collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP) family, CRMP2 and CRMP4, because of their involvement in neurite growth, and compared gene and protein expression levels between normal control and reorganizing visual cortex upon induction of central retinal lesions. Parallel analysis of Dynamin I (Dyn I) and Synaptotagmin I (Syt I), two molecules implicated in the exocytosis–endocytosis cycle, was performed because changes in neurotransmitter release have been implicated in cortical plasticity. Western blotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed a clear time‐dependent effect of retinal lesioning on CRMP2 and CRMP4 expression, with maximal impact 2 weeks post‐lesion. Altered CRMP levels were not a direct consequence of decreased visual activity in the LPZ as complete surgical removal of retinal input to one hemisphere had no effect on CRMP2 or CRMP4 expression. Thus, CRMP expression is correlated to cortical reorganization following partial deafferentation of adult visual cortex. In contrast, Dyn I and Syt I were not influenced and thereby do not promote exocytosis–endocytosis cycle modifications in adult cat cortical plasticity.
Dissociation and trafficking of rat GABAB receptor heterodimer upon chronic capsaicin stimulation
Authors: Laffray Sophie , Tan Kelly , Dulluc Josette , Bouali‐Benazzouz Rabia , Calver Andrew R. , Nagy Frédéric , Landry Marc 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGamma‐aminobutyric acid type B receptors (GABAB) are G‐protein‐coupled receptors that mediate GABAergic inhibition in the brain. Their functional expression is dependent upon the formation of heterodimers between GABAB1 and GABAB2 subunits, a process that occurs within the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the mechanisms that regulate GABAB receptor oligomerization at the plasma membrane remain largely unknown.We first characterized the functional cytoarchitecture of an organotypic co‐culture model of rat dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord. Subsequently, we studied the interactions between GABAB subunits after chronic stimulation of sensory fibres with capsaicin. Surface labelling of recombinant proteins showed a decrease in subunit co‐localization and GABAB2 labelling, after capsaicin treatment. In these conditions, fluorescence lifetime imaging measurements further demonstrated a loss of interactions between green fluorescent protein‐GABAB1b and t‐dimer discosoma sp red fluorescent protein‐GABAB2 subunits. Finally, we established that the GABAB receptor undergoes clathrin‐dependent internalization and rapid recycling to the plasma membrane following activation with baclofen, a GABAB agonist. However, in cultures chronically stimulated with capsaicin, the agonist‐induced endocytosis was decreased, reflecting changes in the dimeric state of the receptor.Taken together, our results indicate that the chronic stimulation of sensory fibres can dissociate the GABAB heterodimer and alters its responsiveness to the endogenous ligand. Chronic stimulation thus modulates receptor oligomerization, providing additional levels of control of signalling.
Developmental neural plasticity and its cognitive benefits: olivocerebellar reinnervation compensates for spatial function in the cerebellum
Authors: Willson Melina L. , Bower Adrian J. , Sherrard Rachel M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe adult mammalian central nervous system displays limited reinnervation and recovery from trauma. However, during development, post‐lesion plasticity may generate alternative paths, thus providing models to investigate reinnervation and repair. After unilateral transection of the neonatal rat olivocerebellar path (pedunculotomy), axons from the remaining inferior olive reinnervate the denervated hemicerebellum. Unfortunately, reinnervation to the cerebellar hemisphere is incomplete; therefore, its capacity to mediate hemispheric function (navigation) is unknown. We studied sensorimotor control and spatial cognition of rats with and without transcommissural reinnervation using simple (bridge and ladder) and complex (wire) locomotion tests and the Morris water maze (hidden, probe and cued paradigms). Although pedunculotomized animals completed locomotory tasks more slowly than controls, all groups performed equally in the cued maze, indicating that lesioned animals could orientate to and reach the platform. In animals pedunculotomized on day 3 (Px3), which develop olivocerebellar reinnervation, final spatial knowledge was as good as controls, although they learned more erratically, failing to retain all information from one day to the next. By contrast, animals pedunculotomized on day 11 (Px11), which do not develop reinnervation, did not learn the task, taking less direct routes and more time to reach the platform than controls. In the probe test, control and Px3, but not Px11, animals swam directly to the remembered location. Furthermore, the amount of transcommissural reinnervation to the denervated hemisphere correlated directly with spatial performance. These results show that transcommissural olivocerebellar reinnervation is associated with spatial learning, i.e. even partial circuit repair confers significant functional benefit.
Task‐related differential dynamics of EEG alpha‐ and beta‐band synchronization in cortico‐basal motor structures
Authors: Klostermann Fabian , Nikulin Vadim V. , Kühn Andrea Annette , Marzinzik Frank , Wahl Michael , Pogosyan Alek , Kupsch Andreas , Schneider Gerd‐Helge , Brown Peter , Curio Gabriel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMovement‐related processing results in the modulation of neuronal synchronization over several electroencephalography (EEG) frequency ranges, including alpha‐ (8–12 Hz) and beta‐band (14–30 Hz). Whether modulation patterns differ across sites within the motor system remains unclear, but could denote how information is conveyed across the cortico‐basal network. We therefore compared the event‐related synchronization/desynchronization (ERS/ERD) in recordings from the scalp, basal ganglia and thalamic structures during a motor task.Simultaneous depth and scalp EEG were recorded in 13 patients, undergoing deep brain stimulation of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) or the subthalamic nucleus (STN). They performed a choice‐reaction task with pre‐cued Go‐signals, instructive for either left‐ or right‐sided button presses.In the beta‐band, pre‐cues and Go‐signals were followed by ERD starting well before and peaking at task execution, uniformly in all cortical and subcortical recordings. In contrast, a comparable alpha‐band ERD was only seen at the scalp, whereas mirror‐like ERS were observed in the motor‐inhibitory STN. In VIM, which receives strong somatosensory afferences, a major alpha‐ERD upon the Go‐signal did not start until the motor response.These dissociations of task‐related Alpha‐ and Beta‐band dynamics tag a functional diversity in cortico‐basal networks, which are simultaneously active in motor processing. Whereas the uniform downregulation of Beta‐activity points to an anti‐kinetic operation mode throughout the motor system, site‐dependent courses of Alpha‐synchronization rather reflect the coordination of activity levels in functionally divergent motor structures during the preparation and execution of movements.
Association of vitamin D receptor (Fok‐I) polymorphism with the clinical presentation of calcium urolithiasis
Authors: Liu Chia‐Chu , Huang Chun‐Hsiung , Wu Wen‐Jeng , Huang Shu‐Pin , Chou Yii‐Her , Li Ching‐Chia , Chai Chee‐Yin , Wu Ming‐Tsang 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism on the clinical presentation of calcium urolithiasis, as a FokI polymorphism in the VDR gene was recently reported to be associated with calcium metabolism disorders.PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn all, 235 patients with calcium urolithiasis and 231 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were recruited from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between June 2003 and February 2005. Clinical information on the age at first onset, stone episodes, stone severity and presence of family history were collected from patients with stones. Any VDR FokI polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction‐based restriction analysis.RESULTSThe frequency of VDR FokI genotypes between the patients and the healthy controls was not significantly different. However, among patients, those with the FF genotype had a significantly higher risk of having more stone episodes (adjusted odds ratio 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.02–4.54, P = 0.044) and were younger at the first onset (3.23, 1.08–9.63, P = 0.036) than those with the ff genotype.CONCLUSIONThe VDR FokI polymorphism might be important in the clinical presentation of patients with calcium urolithiasis, especially for the frequency of stone episodes and age at first onset, although it is not associated with the formation of stones.