bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile phone emission modulates interhemispheric functional coupling of EEG alpha rhythms
Authors: Vecchio Fabrizio , Babiloni Claudio , Ferreri Florinda , Curcio Giuseppe , Fini Rita , Del Percio Claudio , Rossini Paolo Maria 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe tested the working hypothesis that electromagnetic fields from mobile phones (EMFs) affect interhemispheric synchronization of cerebral rhythms, an important physiological feature of information transfer into the brain. Ten subjects underwent two electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, separated by 1 week, following a crossover double‐blind paradigm in which they were exposed to a mobile phone signal (global system for mobile communications; GSM). The mobile phone was held on the left side of the subject head by a modified helmet, and orientated in the normal position for use over the ear. The microphone was orientated towards the corner of the mouth, and the antenna was near the head in the parietotemporal area. In addition, we positioned another similar phone (but without battery) on the right side of the helmet, to balance the weight and to prevent the subject localizing the side of GSM stimulation (and consequently lateralizing attention). In one session the exposure was real (GSM) while in the other it was Sham; both sessions lasted 45 min. Functional interhemispheric connectivity was modelled using the analysis of EEG spectral coherence between frontal, central and parietal electrode pairs. Individual EEG rhythms of interest were delta (about 2–4 Hz), theta (about 4–6 Hz), alpha 1 (about 6–8 Hz), alpha 2 (about 8–10 Hz) and alpha 3 (about 10–12 Hz). Results showed that, compared to Sham stimulation, GSM stimulation modulated the interhemispheric frontal and temporal coherence at alpha 2 and alpha 3 bands. The present results suggest that prolonged mobile phone emission affects not only the cortical activity but also the spread of neural synchronization conveyed by interhemispherical functional coupling of EEG rhythms.
Novel stimulus‐induced calcium efflux in Drosophila mushroom bodies
Authors: Peng Yueqing , Guo Aike 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe mushroom body (MB) is an important part of the Drosophila brain, and is involved in many behaviors, including olfactory learning and memory and some visual cognition. However, the physiological properties of MB neurons remain elusive. Here we used a calcium‐imaging technique to study calcium signals in Drosophila MB. We found that, rather than increasing calcium spread, electrical stimuli dramatically decreased calcium signals in the terminals of MB fibers. This novel calcium decrease occurred at all developmental stages from larvae to adults, but was specific for certain regions of the MB neurons. GABA receptor blockade promoted calcium propagation through the MB fibers, but did not disrupt the stimulus‐induced decrease in calcium. Furthermore, this decrease in calcium was independent of extracellular calcium concentration and was not due to altered uptake by intracellular calcium stores and mitochondria. Rather, we found that inhibition of sodium–calcium exchangers significantly attenuated the stimulus‐induced decrease in calcium, whereas the decrease persisted when membrane calcium pumps were blocked. Our findings indicate that MB neurons exhibit a novel stimulus‐induced calcium efflux, which may be importantly regulated by sodium–calcium exchangers in the Drosophila MB.
Umami: a delicious flavor formed by convergence of taste and olfactory pathways in the human brain
Authors: McCabe Ciara , Rolls Edmund T. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUmami taste is produced by glutamate acting on a fifth taste system. However, glutamate presented alone as a taste stimulus is not highly pleasant, and does not act synergistically with other tastes (sweet, salt, bitter and sour). We show here that when glutamate is given in combination with a consonant, savory, odour (vegetable), the resulting flavor can be much more pleasant. Moreover, we showed using functional brain imaging with fMRI that the glutamate taste and savory odour combination produced much greater activation of the medial orbitofrontal cortex and pregenual cingulate cortex than the sum of the activations by the taste and olfactory components presented separately. Supralinear effects were much less (and significantly less) evident for sodium chloride and vegetable odour. Further, activations in these brain regions were correlated with the pleasantness and fullness of the flavor, and with the consonance of the taste and olfactory components. Supralinear effects of glutamate taste and savory odour were not found in the insular primary taste cortex. We thus propose that glutamate acts by the nonlinear effects it can produce when combined with a consonant odour in multimodal cortical taste‐olfactory convergence regions. We propose the concept that umami can be thought of as a rich and delicious flavor that is produced by a combination of glutamate taste and a consonant savory odour. Glutamate is thus a flavor enhancer because of the way that it can combine supralinearly with consonant odours in cortical areas where the taste and olfactory pathways converge far beyond the receptors.
Spinal cord injury‐induced immune depression syndrome (SCI‐IDS)
Authors: Riegger Tino , Conrad Sabine , Liu Kai , Schluesener Hermann J. , Adibzahdeh Mahdi , Schwab Jan M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractInfections are among the leading causes of death in spinal cord‐injured patients, and are associated with hampered wound healing, prolonged hospitalization and impaired neurological recovery. We have analysed fluctuations of immune cell populations in an experimental rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI) by FACS analysis compared with sham‐operated controls to detect the responses specifically induced by SCI. Further, to illustrate the impact of SCI only animals did not receive methylprednisolone in order to exclude confounding iatrogenic factors. Experimental SCI of rats induced a depletion of ED9+ monocytes (< 45%, P < 0.01), CD3+ T‐lymphocytes (< 35%, P < 0.01), CD45 RA+ B‐lymphocytes (< 25%, P < 0.01), MHC class II+ (< 40%, P < 0.01) and OX‐62+ dendritic cells (< 50%, P = 0.032) within the first week after SCI. HIS 48+ granulocytes remained on levels similar to sham‐operated controls. Our data suggest that experimental SCI induces early onset of an immune suppression that we refer to as SCI‐immune depression syndrome. Iatrogenic application of methylprednisolone in patients suffering may worsen the immune suppression. A deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this novel syndrome might be essential to decrease mortality, costs (time of hospitalization) and to protect the intrinsic neurological recovery potential following SCI.
Differential expression of nuclear lamin, the major component of nuclear lamina, during neurogenesis in two germinal regions of adult rat brain
Authors: Takamori Yasuharu , Tamura Yasuhisa , Kataoka Yosky , Cui Yilong , Seo Saori , Kanazawa Takenori , Kurokawa Kiyoshi , Yamada Hisao 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLamins are major structural proteins of the nuclear envelope. Three lamin subtypes, A/C, B1 and B2, predominate in mammalian somatic cells. While the expression levels of lamins in several tissues are known to change during cell differentiation, lamin expression is poorly understood in the nervous system. To investigate the expression of lamins during neuronal differentiation in the mammalian adult brain, we performed immunohistochemical studies on lamins A/C, B1 and B2 in two neurogenic regions of rat brain: the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle. In particular, three types of cells were analysed using confocal microscopy: GFAP‐positive cells as primary progenitor (stem) cells, PSA‐NCAM‐positive cells as subsequent neuronal progenitor cells, and NeuN‐positive mature neurons. GFAP‐positive cells possesed lamin A/C (++), B1 (++) and B2 (++), PSA‐NCAM‐positive cells possessed lamin A/C (–), B1 (+++) and B2 (+), and mature neurons possessed lamin A/C (++), B1 (+) and B2 (+++), in both neurogenic regions. These observations showed that the compositions of expressing lamin subtypes are distinct in particular differentiation stages during neurogenesis in the adult rat brain. Our results suggest that the alteration of nuclear lamina structure is coupled with the progression of neuronal differentiation.
Spatial and temporal frequency selectivity of neurons in the middle temporal visual area of new world monkeys (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Lui Leo L. , Bourne James A. , Rosa Marcello G. P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractInformation about the responses of neurons to the spatial and temporal frequencies of visual stimuli is important for understanding the types of computations being performed in different visual areas. We characterized the spatiotemporal selectivity of neurons in the middle temporal area (MT), which is deemed central for the processing of direction and speed of motion. Recordings obtained in marmoset monkeys using high‐contrast sine‐wave gratings as stimuli revealed that the majority of neurons had bandpass spatial and temporal frequency tuning, and that the selectivity for these parameters was largely separable. Only in about one‐third of the cells was inseparable spatiotemporal tuning detected, this typically being in the form of an increase in the optimal temporal frequency as a function of increasing grating spatial frequency. However, most of these interactions were weak, and only 10% of neurons showed spatial frequency‐invariant representation of speed. Cells with inseparable spatiotemporal tuning were most commonly found in the infragranular layers, raising the possibility that they form part of the feedback from MT to caudal visual areas. While spatial frequency tuning curves were approximately scale‐invariant on a logarithmic scale, temporal frequency tuning curves covering different portions of the spectrum showed marked and systematic changes. Thus, MT neurons can be reasonably described as similarly built spatial frequency filters, each covering a different dynamic range. The small proportion of speed‐tuned neurons, together with the laminar position of these units, are compatible with the idea that an explicit neural representation of speed emerges from computations performed in MT.
Effects of the GABAA receptor antagonists bicuculline and gabazine on stimulus‐induced sharp wave‐ripple complexes in adult rat hippocampus in vitro
Authors: Behrens C. J. , Van Den Boom L. P. , Heinemann U. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractHippocampal sharp wave‐ripple‐complexes (SPW‐Rs) are characterized by slow field potential transients superimposed by ripples with a frequency of ∼200 Hz. In epileptic humans and rats frequencies of such transient network oscillations can reach up to 500 Hz potentially due to loss of functional inhibition. Therefore, we investigated whether GABAA receptor antagonists increased ripple frequency during SPW‐Rs. Within area CA3, SPW‐Rs were induced by repeated stimulation of stratum radiatum in area CA1 of adult Wistar rat hippocampal slices. Intracellular recordings showed that in approximately 50% of recorded CA3 pyramidal cells SPW‐Rs were accompanied by compound excitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) of ∼10 mV superimposed by up to four action potentials (APs). The remaining cells responded with a compound inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) during SPW‐Rs. The GABAA receptor antagonists bicuculline (BMI) or gabazine (SR‐95531) led to a transition of SPW‐Rs into prolonged bursts with a significant increase in amplitude and duration reminiscent of recurrent epileptiform discharges (REDs). Ripple frequencies increased from ∼190 Hz to ∼300 Hz. In naïve slices SR‐95531 and BMI also evoked REDs with similar incidence and high frequency ripple frequencies of ∼240 Hz. Elevations in extracellular potassium concentration during REDs were approximately 20‐fold higher than those observed during SPW‐Rs. Intracellular recordings revealed bursts that were characterized by a large (> 25 mV) prolonged depolarization superimposed by up to 40 APs in close synchrony with extracellularly recorded ripples. Our results suggest that the generation of high frequency ripples, which are also observed in epileptic humans and rats, could indicate a loss of functional inhibition.
Treatment with desipramine improves breathing and survival in a mouse model for Rett syndrome
Authors: Roux Jean‐Christophe , Dura Emmanuelle , Moncla Anne , Mancini Josette , Villard Laurent 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRett syndrome (RS) is a severe X‐linked neurological disorder in which most patients have mutations in the methyl‐CpG binding protein2 (MECP2) gene. No effective treatment exists. We previously showed that the Mecp2‐deficient mice, a mouse model of RS, have highly variable respiratory rhythm and frequent apneas due to reduced norepinephrine (NE) content, and a drastic decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐expressing neurons in the medulla. We showed here that treating these mice with desipramine (DMI), which specifically inhibits NE reuptake, significantly improved their respiratory rhythm during several weeks. In addition, the treatment significantly extended their lifespan. At the cellular level, we showed that the reduced number of TH‐expressing neurons before treatment in the mutant animals was not due to apoptosis. Conversely, we found that DMI treatment increased the number of TH‐expressing neurons in the mutant brainstem to reach wild‐type levels. We showed that this increase was not due to cellular proliferation. We propose that the Mecp2‐deficient TH‐expressing neurons lose their ability to synthesize TH at some point during their postnatal development. Our results suggest that a pharmacological stimulation of the noradrenergic system could be a promising approach for the treatment of the respiratory dysfunction which causes a significant proportion of death in RS patients.
Bidirectional regulation of mu‐opioid and CB1‐cannabinoid receptor in rats self‐administering heroin or WIN 55,212‐2
Authors: Fattore Liana , Viganò Daniela , Fadda Paola , Rubino Tiziana , Fratta Walter , Parolaro Daniela 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study examines the effect of intravenous self‐administration (SA) of either heroin or the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212‐2 on levels and functionality of µ‐opioid (MOR) and CB1‐cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in reward‐related brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CP), hippocampus (Hippo), amygdala (Amy), hypothalamus (Hypo) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). [3H]DAMGO and [3H]CP‐55,940 autoradiography and agonist‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding were performed on brain sections of rats firmly self‐administering heroin or WIN 55,212‐2. Animals failing to acquire heroin or cannabinoid SA behaviour as well as drug‐naïve animals never exposed to experimental apparatus or procedure (home‐control group) were used as controls. With respect to control groups, which displayed very similar values, rats SA heroin showed increased MOR binding in the NAc (+174%), CP (+165%), Hippo (+121%), VTA (+175%), an enhanced CB1R density localized in the Amy (+147%) and VTA (+37%), and a widespread increased CB1 receptor functionality in the PFC (+95%), NAc (+313%), CP (+265%), Hippo (+38%), Amy (+221%). In turn, cannabinoid SA differently modulates CB1R binding in the Amy (+47%), Hypo (+94%), Hippo (−23%), VTA (−15%), and increases MOR levels (PFC: +124%; NAc: +68%; CP: +80%; Hippo: +73%; Amy: +99%) and efficiency (Hippo: +518%; Amy: +173%; Hypo: +188%). These findings suggest that voluntary chronic intake of opioids or cannabinoids induces reciprocal but differential regulation of MORs and CB1Rs density and activity in brain structures underlying drug‐taking and drug‐seeking behaviour, which could represent long‐term neuroadaptations contributing to the development of drug addiction and dependence.
Accurate visual guidance despite severe neglect
Authors: Wilkinson Elizabeth J. , Richardson Jonathan L. , Sherk Helen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUnilateral inactivation of the superior colliculus causes profound neglect. In cats, this neglect has been studied previously using tasks that require gaze orientation to, or detection of, a stimulus appearing somewhere in the visual field of an attentive animal. We investigated how neglect affects a completely different kind of task, visually guided foot placement while walking across a cluttered surface. We made muscimol injections into one superior colliculus, and performed perimetry to gauge the extent of the cat's neglect. Cats then walked repeatedly through a cluttered test alley. Most of the time, their gaze was deviated towards the side of the injection, so that they saw the alley floor ahead of them in their neglected hemifield. Surprisingly, they accurately avoided stepping on the densely scattered objects, just as they normally do. We surmise that cats process ‘neglected’ visual stimuli to guide foot placement even when they are unable to consciously perceive these stimuli.
Heterogeneous population of dopaminergic neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells: preliminary phenotyping based on receptor expression and function
Authors: Raye Warren S. , Tochon‐Danguy Nathalie , Pouton Colin W. , Haynes John M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe possibility exists that directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells is capable of yielding enriched populations of dopaminergic neurons, but at present there is little understanding of the pharmacological properties of these cells; or whether such cells represent a pharmacologically, phenotypically similar population. In this study we used a simple culture protocol to generate dopaminergic neurons and offer a preliminary pharmacological investigation of these cells using Ca2+imaging and [3H]‐dopamine release studies. In fluo‐4 AM loaded cells, 13–17 days postplating, and after the addition of tetrodotoxin some of the population of mouse embryonic stem cell‐derived neurons responded to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), noradrenaline (NA), acetylcholine (ACh) andl‐glutamate (l‐glut) with elevations of Ca2+influx. Within the microtubule‐associated protein and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive cell population adenosine triphosphate, noradrenaline, acetylcholine andl‐glutamate elicited positive elevations of Ca2+in 74, 66, 58 and 67% of the population; cells could be further subdivided into three major pharmacologically distinct populations based on the combinations of agonist they responded to. Acetylcholine (30 µm) and noradrenaline (30 µm) were the only agonists to elicit significant tritium overflow from [3H]‐dopamine loaded cells. The acetylcholine effect was blocked by atropine (1 µm) and tetrodotoxin (1 µm) and elevated by haloperidol (100 nm). The noradrenaline effects were reduced by cocaine (10 µm), but not by tetrodotoxin (100 nm). These data indicate that the dopaminergic neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells represent a heterogeneous population possessing combinations of purinergic, adrenergic, cholinergic and glutamatergic receptors located on the cell soma.
A review of pediatric regional anesthesia practice during a 17‐year period in a single institution
Authors: ROCHETTE ALAIN , DADURE CHRISTOPHE , RAUX OLIVIER , TRONCIN RACHEL , MAILHEé PHILIPPE , CAPDEVILA XAVIER 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground:  There is anecdotal evidence of changes in pediatric regional anesthesia (RA) practice. We performed a retrospective review of prospective data on pediatric RA over 17 years in our institution.Methods:  Data were collected from an electronic database for every anesthetic performed between 1989 and 2005. Type of RA, if any, and age of the patient were noted. Patients were divided into two groups: ≤4 years (younger group) and 5 years or older (older group).Results:  A total of 51 408 anesthetics were performed; 23 609 (46%) in the younger group. A total of 10 929 RA were performed. In the younger group, RA increased from 9.5% to 27.6% (P < 0.001). Neuraxial blocks decreased from 100% to 59.7% of RA. Caudals decreased in the late 1990s from 70% to 22% of RA and epidurals have decreased from 22% to 11% of RA since 2002. Neonatal spinals were introduced in 1990 and now reach 30% of RA. Peripheral blocks have increased up to 37% of RA since 1994. In the older group, RA increased from 9.2% to 23.3% (P < 0.001), less than in the younger (P < 0.01). Neuraxial blocks have decreased from 97% to 24.9% of RA (P < 0.001), more obviously than in the younger group (P < 0.001). Peripheral blocks emerged in 1994, outnumbering neuraxial blocks as early as 1995 and now account for 75% of RA. This increase is significantly more pronounced than in the younger group (P < 0.001). In both groups, peripheral blocks were distributed among plexus blocks (30%) and compartment/peripheral nerve blocks (70%). In the last 5 years, a perineural catheter was placed in 12.9% of peripheral blocks to ensure continuous postoperative analgesia.Conclusions:  In our hospital, there has been a dramatic increase in RA, mainly from 1989 to 1995. The most remarkable events in the last decade were: (i) the change in practice from neuraxial to peripheral blocks and (ii) the emergence of continuous postoperative analgesia via perineural catheters.
Brief hypnosis for severe needle phobia using switch‐‐wire imagery in a 5‐year old
Authors: CYNA ALLAN M. , TOMKINS DAVID , MADDOCK TODD , BARKER DAVID 
Published: April 2007

SummaryWe present a case of severe needle phobia in a 5‐year‐old boy who learned to utilize a self‐hypnosis technique to facilitate intravenous (i.v.) cannula placement. He was diagnosed with Bruton’s disease at 5 months of age and required monthly intravenous infusions. The boy had received inhalational general anesthesia for i.v. cannulation on 58 occasions. Initially, this was because of difficult venous access but more recently because of severe distress and agitation when approached with a cannula. Oral premedication with midazolam or ketamine proved unsatisfactory and hypnotherapy was therefore considered. Following a 10‐min conversational hypnotic induction, he was able to use switch‐‐wire imagery to dissociate sensation and movement in all four limbs in turn. Two days later the boy experienced painless venepuncture without the use of topical local anesthetic cream. There was no movement in the ‘switched‐off’ arm during i.v. cannula placement. This report adds to the increasing body of evidence that hypnosis represents a useful, additional tool that anesthetists may find valuable in everyday practice.
Effects of crop diversification levels and fertilization regimes on abundance of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and its parasitization by Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) in broccoli
Authors: Ponti Luigi , Altieri Miguel A. , Gutierrez Andrew Paul 
Published: April 2007

Abstract1 The effects of intercropping via competition on crop yields, pest [cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)] abundance, and natural enemy efficacy were studied in the Brassica oleracea L. var. italica system.2 From May to December 2004, insect populations and yield parameters were monitored in summer and autumn in broccoli monoculture and polyculture systems with or without competition from Brassica spp. (mustard), or Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat), with addition of organic (compost) or synthetic fertilizer.3 Competition from buckwheat and mustard intercrops did not influence pest density on broccoli; rather, aphid pressure decreased and natural enemies of cabbage aphid were enhanced in intercropping treatments, but this varied with the intercropped plant and season (summer vs. autumn).4 In compost‐fertilized broccoli systems, seasonal parasitization rates of B. brassicae by Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) increased along with the expected lower aphid pressure compared with synthetically fertilized plants.