bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in expression of the δ subunit of the GABAAreceptor and in receptor function induced by progesterone exposure and withdrawal
Authors: Mostallino Maria Cristina , Mura Maria Luisa , Maciocco Elisabetta , Murru Luca , Sanna Enrico , Biggio Giovanni 
Published: August 2006

AbstractType A receptors for GABA (GABAAreceptors) that contain the δ subunit are located predominantly at extrasynaptic sites and are implicated in modulation of neuronal excitability through tonic inhibition. We have examined the effects of chronic exposure to and subsequent withdrawal of progesterone or the progesterone metabolite 3α‐hydroxy‐5α‐pregnan‐20‐one (3α,5α‐THPROG) on expression of the δ subunit of GABAAreceptors and on receptor function in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Progesterone treatment for 1 day increased the amounts of both δ subunit mRNA and protein, whereas such treatment for 6 days induced marked decreases in the abundance of both the mRNA and protein. Subsequent progesterone withdrawal up‐regulated expression of the δ subunit, which was significantly increased at 9–12 h after withdrawal. These effects of progesterone were mimicked by 3α,5α‐THPROG and blocked by the 5α‐reductase inhibitor finasteride. They were also accompanied by parallel changes in the function of GABAAreceptors in hippocampal neurons. These results show that chronic exposure to and withdrawal of progesterone induce differential effects on both expression of the δ subunit of GABAAreceptors and receptor function that are mediated by 3α,5α‐THPROG. They are consistent with the notion that this progesterone metabolite plays a key physiological role in modulation of GABAergic synapses.
Characterization of the localization and function of NECAP 1 in neurons
Authors: Murshid Ayesha , Srivastava Archana , Kumar Rohit , Presley John F. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNECAPs (adaptin ear‐binding clathrin‐associated protein) are a new family of clathrin accessory proteins identified through a proteomic analysis of clathrin‐coated vesicles (CCVs) from the brain. One member of this family, NECAP 1, is found primarily in tissues from the central nervous system and has been shown to be complexed tightly with a substantial portion of adaptor protein‐2 (AP‐2) in brain extracts. However, the function and intracellular location of this protein is unknown. In this study, we find that endogenous and epitope‐tagged NECAP 1 co‐localizes well with clathrin and AP‐2 in punctate structures, many of which also contain the presynaptic markers synaptophysin, synaptotagmin or synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2). NECAP 1 was also detected by western blot in synaptic vesicle preparations. Overexpression of a truncation mutant of NECAP 1 (BC‐NECAP 1) in neurons inhibited transferrin endocytosis but not epidermal growth factor (EGF) endocytosis, and this inhibition was dependent on an AP‐2‐binding WVQF motif. Moreover, overexpression of BC‐NECAP 1 results in inhibition of synaptotagmin endocytosis both in unstimulated neurons and in neurons stimulated with potassium chloride. This inhibition was abrogated by truncation of the WVQF domain. We conclude from these observations that NECAP 1 plays a role in clathrin‐mediated neuronal endocytosis, including a role in presynaptic endocytosis.
Up‐regulation of heat shock protein HSP 20 in the hippocampus as an early response to hypoxia of the newborn
Authors: David Jean‐Claude , Boelens Wilbert C. , Grongnet Jean‐François 
Published: August 2006

AbstractHypoxia is an important challenge for newborn mammals. Stress generated at the brain level under low oxygenation conditions results in up‐regulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and other stress proteins. The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of hypoxia in the newborn on some newly described small molecular weight HSPs (HSP 20 and B8) in the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum of newborn piglets. These effects will be compared with those of other closely related proteins such as αB crystallin, HSP 27, heme oxygenase (HO)‐1, HO‐2, cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 and COX‐2. The piglets were submitted to hypoxia (5% O2; 95% N2) over either 1 or 4 h, with recovery periods ranging from 0 to 68 h. Western blot analysis showed that HSP 20 was rapidly induced only in the hippocampus, long before hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor HIF‐1α, while HSP 27 was rapidly induced in the cortex and cerebellum. Vascular epithelial growth factor was increased simultaneously in the three regions. Moreover, an increase in the expression of, respectively, HO‐1 and COX‐2 was observed later, but at the same time, in the three regions tested. It appears that HSP 20 can be an early marker of hypoxia in the hippocampus. The other small HSPs or stress proteins display different temporal patterns of up‐regulation (HSP 27 and HO‐1, COX‐2) or do not show changes in their expressions (αB crystallin, HSP B8, HO‐2 and COX‐1).
Mitigating scoring errors in microsatellite data from wild populations
Authors: DEWOODY JENNIFER , NASON JOHN D. , HIPKINS VALERIE D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractMicrosatellite data are widely used to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses in wild populations. In this paper, we consider three typical sources of scoring errors capable of biasing biological conclusions: stuttering, large‐allele dropout and null alleles. We describe methods to detect errors and propose conventions to mitigate scoring errors and report error rates in studies of wild populations. Finally, we discuss potential bias in ecological or evolutionary conclusions based on data sets containing these scoring errors.
Microsatellite DNA markers for population genetic studies in the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis
Authors: RENSHAW MARK A. , SOLTYSIAK KELLY , ARREOLA DANIEL , LORET PASCAL , PATTON JOHN C. , GOLD JOHN R. , CAMPBELL LISA 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNine nuclear‐encoded microsatellites from an enriched genomic DNA library of the HAB (harmful algal bloom) dinoflagellate Karenia brevis were isolated and characterized. The microsatellites include five perfect (three dinucleotide and two trinucleotide) and four imperfect (two dinucleotide and two trinucleotide) repeat motifs. Gene (haplotype) diversity ranged from 0.153 to 0.750 among a sample of 13 isolates; the number of alleles among the isolates ranged from two to six and pairwise tests of genotypic disequilibria were nonsignificant. The microsatellites developed in this study will provide insight into the genetic diversity of this HAB species and tools that may prove useful in predicting source populations and physiological parameters of individual K. brevis blooms.
Identification and characterization of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers derived in silico from Brassica oleracea genome shotgun sequences
Authors: BURGESS BENJAMIN , MOUNTFORD HAYLEY , HOPKINS CLARE J. , LOVE CHRISTOPHER , LING ALISON E. , SPANGENBERG GERMAN C. , EDWARDS DAVID , BATLEY JACQUELINE 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe availability of sequence data derived from shotgun sequencing programs enables mining for simple sequence repeats (SSRs), providing useful genetic markers for crop improvement. This study presents the development and characterization of 40 SSR markers from Brassica oleracea shotgun sequence and their cross‐amplification across Brassica species. The markers show reliable amplification, genome specificity and considerable polymorphism, demonstrating the utility of SSRs for genetic analysis of commercial Brassica germplasm.
Y chromosome microsatellite markers identified from the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and their amplification in three other macropod species
Authors: MACDONALD ANNA J. , SANKOVIC NATASHA , SARRE STEPHEN D. , FITZSIMMONS NANCY N. , WAKEFIELD MATTHEW J. , GRAVES JENNIFER A. MARSHALL , ZENGER KYALL R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractMicrosatellites were identified from three fully sequenced Y chromosome‐specific bacterial artificial chromosome clones from the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii. Ten microsatellites were genotyped in male tammar wallabies. Four loci were polymorphic with between two and six alleles per locus. Eleven different haplotypes were identified from 22 male tammar wallabies. No amplifications were obtained from female samples. Each microsatellite was also shown to amplify reliably in at least one other macropod species. These markers may therefore prove useful as some of the first male‐specific genetic markers for marsupials, with potential application to studies of male‐biased dispersal and mating systems.
How robust are Palearctic migrants to habitat loss and degradation in the Sahel?
Authors: WILSON JARED M. , CRESSWELL WILL 
Published: August 2006

The Sahel region of West Africa is an important wintering ground for Palearctic migrants. It is, however, undergoing significant anthropogenic degradation that is likely to reduce its value in this regard. Despite there being evidence that the populations of several Palearctic species may be determined by conditions on their Sahelian wintering grounds, there are almost no baseline data on their habitat use there and so the effects that habitat change might have on their future density and distribution cannot be determined. This study measured which habitat variables were associated with the presence of Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca and Subalpine Warbler S. cantillans by carrying out point counts and habitat measurements at 1861 points at 16 sites in northern Nigeria during the winters of 2001 and 2002. Common Whitethroats were most common at intermediate tree heights and densities of Salvadora persica (with this effect strongest in the pre‐migratory period), and increased as Balanites aegyptiaca density increased initially, although this effect levelled off at higher Balanites densities. Subalpine Warblers were most common at intermediate tree heights and Balanites densities, increased as Acacia and Salvadora density increased, decreased with tree density and were least common at intermediate shrub densities. Lesser Whitethroats were most common at intermediate tree heights, Acacia and Salvadora densities, increased with Balanites density, and decreased with tree density and diversity. The shallow slopes of the significant relationships found between Palearctic warbler species and habitat parameters suggest that the group may be robust to habitat degradation, with densities remaining relatively constant across a wide range of habitat types. Common Whitethroats, in particular, appear to be able to survive in extremely degraded habitats, yet may be vulnerable to the disappearance of Salvadora, the fruit of which may allow pre‐migratory fattening.
Merkel cell carcinoma: evaluation of KIT (CD117) expression and failure to demonstrate activating mutations in the C‐KIT proto‐oncogene – implications for treatment with imatinib mesylate
Authors: Swick Brian L. , Ravdel Larisa , Fitzpatrick James E. , Robinson William A. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) express the tyrosine kinase receptor KIT. However, it is not known if MCCs have activating mutations in KIT that would make them responsive to treatment with imatinib mesylate. The purpose of this article is to describe the KIT immunohistological staining pattern (CD117) of MCCs and analyze those MCCs for mutations in areas of KIT where mutations are found in gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors.Methods:  We evaluated KIT immunostaining in nine MCCs from nine patients. In addition, we extracted DNA from the same MCCs, performed PCR amplification of C‐KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17, and sequenced those gene products for mutations.Results:  Eight of nine (88.8%) MCCs expressed KIT. No mutations were found.Conclusions:  The majority of MCCs express KIT but do not contain activating mutations in exons 9, 11, 13, or 17 of KIT. Imatinib mesylate is unlikely to provide effective therapy in MCC unless activating mutations in other areas of KIT or activating mutations in other related genes can be detected.
Development, validation and application of a chemiluminescent immunoassay for the measurement of circulating chorionic gonadotropin levels in the laboratory macaque
Authors: Lohstroh Pete , Laughlin Lisa , Gee Nancy , Lasley Bill 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Methods for the measurement of chorionic gonadotropin for pregnancy detection in laboratory macaques chorionic gonadotropin (mCG) have been limited by the paucity of specific reagents. Current assays use reagents developed for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) assays and have been limited to radio‐ or enzyme‐immuno assays.Methods  This report describes an automated assay for mCG using reagents for hCG detection that has been adapted to the automated chemiluminescence platform of the Bayer ACS‐180 autoanalyzer.Results  This automated assay performs similarly to previous assays in terms of sensitivity and specificity but provides additional speed, reliability, and more easily accessible reagents compared with previous formats.Conclusions  When implemented broadly, this assay could provide standardization of mCG measurements for both research and colony management purposes.
Philosophical Christology in the New Testament
Authors: Thyssen Henrik Pontoppidan 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe idea of this article is to determine the sense of the Logos in the Prologue of John's gospel by making use of the subsequent Christian doctrinal tradition. As an introduction, the general influence of Hellenistic Judaism on early Christian speculative theology and exegesis is illustrated by examples from Philo and Justin. Justin's exegesis is evaluated in accordance with the principle of Wilhelm Bousset, that learned scriptural demonstration (Schriftgelehrsamkeit) is not the source of doctrine but a post-rationalisation of existing doctrines. Then, Justin's argument from Scripture for Logos-Christology (Dial. 61–62), which is based on Genesis 1:26 and Wisdom 8:22–30, is taken as the point of departure. This argument informs us about the philosophical ideas behind Justin's Logos-Christology, which according to Bousset's principle preceded it. Further, it is argued that Justin's scriptural argument shows that the traditional derivation of the Logos of the Prologue from the word of creation of Genesis 1 did not exist at that early stage, since if it did, that derivation ought to have appeared in Justin. Since no other derivation of a Logos in the cosmological sense from the Bible is possible, the presence of this idea in John can only be explained as the result of influence from the eclectic philosophy of Jewish Hellenism (Philo). This conclusion is confirmed by the demonstration that the idea of universal innate knowledge, familiar from Justin's doctrine of the Logos, also appears in the Prologue of John. The argument for this is that it cannot be fortuitous that the traditional translation of John 1:9 lends itself to this interpretation. As the idea of universal innate knowledge is an idea unique to Greek philosophy, this observation settles the matter definitively. The origin of the traditional interpretation of the Logos goes back to Tertullian's interest in producing an exegesis that complies with the Latin translation of John 1.
Impact of smoke-free workplace legislation on exposures and health: possibilities for prevention
Authors: Jaakkola M. S. , Jaakkola J. J. K. 
Published: August 2006

The aims of this study were to review experiences with national or statewide smoke-free workplace legislation and data on the occurrence of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure at work, to present the best estimates for health effects related to workplace ETS exposure, and to calculate corresponding population attributable fractions (PAFs) for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases for 14 European countries and the USA.Systematic searches of the Medline database were carried out, with a cut-off date of November 2005. PAFs for the main outcomes were calculated from the best disease-specific effect estimates and country-specific prevalences of work ETS exposure.Significant numbers of workers are exposed to ETS at work,i.e.∼7.5 million workers in 15 European Union countries and 24.6 million in the USA. Workplace ETS exposure is causally linked to lung cancer and coronary heart disease, and is related to an increased risk of asthma in adults and reduced birthweight in newborns. Relatively strong evidence links ETS exposure to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and stroke. PAFs in Europe and the USA showed that, at current workplace ETS exposure prevalences, the public health impact is substantial.Experience of national and statewide smoke-free workplace legislation from different countries shows that such legislation leads to significant reductions in employees' environmental tobacco smoke exposure at work, as well as improvements in respiratory and cardiac health.
Association between lipid peroxidation and inflammation in obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Minoguchi K. , Yokoe T. , Tanaka A. , Ohta S. , Hirano T. , Yoshino G. , O’Donnell C. P. , Adachi M. 
Published: August 2006

In the present study, the authors examined the relationship between lipid peroxidation and inflammation in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).A total of 40 obese patients with OSA were studied, along with 18 obese and 12 lean subjects without OSA. Overnight excretion of 8-isoprostane in urine and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. In addition, the effects of 3 months’ treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) were studied in 20 obese patients with moderate-to-severe OSA.Overnight urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane and serum levels of hsCRP were significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA compared with patients with mild OSA and obese or lean subjects without OSA. Overnight urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane significantly correlated with apnoea–hypopnoea index, duration of hypoxia during sleep, body mass index, and serum levels of hsCRP in patients with OSA. The severity of OSA was an independent factor predicting the urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane. nCPAP significantly decreased urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane and serum levels of hsCRP.In conclusion, these results suggest that both obstructive sleep apnoea severity and obesity can independently contribute to elevations in urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane. Therefore, obstructive sleep apnoea may increase the risks of cardiovascular morbidity in obese patients.
Herbal medicines for the treatment of COPD: a systematic review
Authors: Guo R. , Pittler M. H. , Ernst E. 
Published: August 2006

The aim of the current study was to systematically assess the effectiveness of herbal medicines in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) testing herbal medicines against any type of control intervention in patients with COPD and assessing clinically relevant outcomes were included. The selection of studies, data extraction and validation were performed independently by at least two reviewers. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Jadad score. Effect sizes and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Fourteen eligible RCTs, testing 14 different herbal medicines, were located. Herbal medicines were compared against placebo or no treatment in six trials. Significant intergroup differences for one or more outcome were reported for several herbal medicines includingPanax ginsengandSalvia miltiorrhiza. In seven RCTs, which compared herbal medicines with other herbal medicines, the results were mixed. A single trial compared a herbal medicine (Hedera helixleaf extract) with a conventional treatment (ambroxol tablet) and reported no significant difference between groups. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, statistical pooling was not performed. The median methodological quality score was 2 out of a possible maximum 5.The effectiveness of herbal medicines for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not established beyond reasonable doubt. Currently, the evidence from randomised clinical trials is scarce and often methodologically weak. Considering the popularity of herbal medicine among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, rigorously designed studies seem warranted.
Sex differences in the clinical presentation and management of airflow obstruction
Authors: Dales R. E. , Mehdizadeh A. , Aaron S. D. , Vandemheen K. L. , Clinch J. 
Published: August 2006

The aim of the present study was to explore differences in the clinical expression, clinical diagnoses and management of airway diseases in a primary-care setting.Patients aged ≥35 yrs who had ever smoked were enrolled when they presented for any reason to one of eight rural primary-care practices. Respiratory symptom questionnaires and spirometry were administered. In total, 1,034 patients had acceptable and reproducible spirometry, of whom 550 (53%) were males and 484 (47%) were females.Males smoked more than females (41.2versus29.2 pack-yrs) respectively, and were more likely to have a pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity <0.70 at 22.4versus11.8%, respectively. However, more females than males reported breathlessness (51.0versus42.8%, respectively), a prior diagnosis compatible with airflow obstruction and taking respiratory medications (23.4versus14.9%, respectively).In conclusion, the current results suggest that females are more likely than males to report breathlessness and be prescribed respiratory medications independent of differences in the severity of airflow obstruction.
Very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency presenting as acute hypercapnic respiratory failure
Authors: Tong M. K. H. , Lam C-S. , Mak T. W. L. , Fu M. Y. P. , Ng S-H. , Wanders R. J. A. , Tang N. L. S. 
Published: August 2006

Very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCAD) is a key enzyme catalysing the dehydrogenation of long-chain fatty acids in mitochondrial β-oxidation. VLCAD deficiency is a genetic disorder that commonly presents in infancy or childhood with episodes of hypoketotic hypoglycaemia, cardiomyopathy and liver dysfunction.The present study reports an 18-yr-old Chinese female who presented with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure and rhabdomyolysis after a period of prolonged fasting and exertion. VLCAD deficiency was confirmed with decreased VLCAD activity in cultured fibroblasts.The patient completely recovered with supportive care. Pulmonary function tests after the acute episode showed evidence of chronic subclinical respiratory muscle weakness.In conclusion, this rare metabolic disorder should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained acute respiratory paralysis and failure.
Towards the Automatic Interpretation of Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing Data through the Application of Image-Thresholding and Region-Growing Segmentation
Authors: Asemota E , Gallagher S , Lees B , Cochran S 
Published: August 2006

To interpret ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) B-scan images automatically, regions of interest (ROI) within the image must be identified, extracted, and interpreted. Image segmentation can be utilized for identifying constituent ROIs within images and their extraction for further analysis. Image segmentation is achieved either by applying edge detection transforms (EDTs), image thresholding (IT), or region growing (RG). Although EDTs can be applied without prior knowledge of the image, they are computationally expensive. By contrast, IT involves fewer computational processes but often requires some prior knowledge of the image and the selection of an appropriate threshold. However, B-scan images contain a background from which a threshold for segmentation can be established. Application of a suitable RG technique to the resultant image yields ROIs which can then be analysed and interpreted as being either defects or not. This paper outlines the development of a software system that utilizes IT and RG in order to extract ROIs within a B-scan image. Once extracted, these can be analysed within an automatic interpretation system for NDT data.