bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of GABAA inhibition in modulation of pyramidal tract neuron activity during postural corrections
Authors: Tamarova Zinaida A. , Sirota Mikhail G. , Orlovsky Grigori N. , Deliagina Tatiana G. , Beloozerova Irina N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn a previous study we demonstrated that the activity of pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) of the motor cortex is modulated in relation to postural corrections evoked by periodical tilts of the animal. The modulation included an increase in activity in one phase of the tilt cycle and a decrease in the other phase. It is known that the motor cortex contains a large population of inhibitory GABAergic neurons. How do these neurons participate in periodic modulation of PTNs? The goal of this study was to investigate the role of GABAA inhibitory neurons of the motor cortex in the modulation of postural‐related PTN activity. Using extracellular electrodes with attached micropipettes, we recorded the activity of PTNs in cats maintaining balance on a tilting platform both before and after iontophoretic application of the GABAA receptor antagonists gabazine or bicuculline. The tilt‐related activity of 93% of PTNs was affected by GABAA receptor antagonists. In 88% of cells, peak activity increased by 75 ± 50% (mean ± SD). In contrast, the trough activity changed by a much smaller value and almost as many neurons showed a decrease as showed an increase. In 73% of the neurons, the phase position of the peak activity did not change or changed by no more than 0.1 of a cycle. We conclude that the GABAergic system of the motor cortex reduces the posture‐related responses of PTNs but has little role in determining their response timing.
Seasonal variations of clock gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus)
Authors: Tournier Benjamin B. , Dardente Hugues , Simonneaux Valérie , Vivien‐Roels Berthe , Pévet Paul , Masson‐Pévet Mireille , Vuillez Patrick 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn mammals, day length (photoperiod) is read and encoded in the main circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). In turn, the SCN control the seasonal rhythmicity of various physiological processes, in particular the secretion pattern of the pineal hormone melatonin. This hormone then operates as an essential mediator for the control of seasonal physiological functions on some tissues, especially the pars tuberalis (PT). In the European hamster, both hormonal (melatonin) and behavioral (locomotor activity) rhythms are strongly affected by season, making this species an interesting model to investigate the impact of the seasonal variations of the environment. The direct (on SCN) and indirect (via melatonin on PT) effect of natural short and long photoperiod was investigated on the daily expression of clock genes, these being expressed in both tissues. In the SCN, photoperiod altered the expression of all clock genes studied. In short photoperiod, whereas Clock mRNA levels were reduced, Bmal1 expression became arrhythmic, probably resulting in the observed dramatic reduction in the rhythm of Avp expression. In the PT, Per1 and Rev‐erbα expressions were anchored to dawn in both photoperiods. The daily profiles of Cry1 mRNA were not concordant with the daily variations in plasma melatonin although we confirmed that Cry1 expression is regulated by an acute melatonin injection in the hamster PT. The putative role of such seasonal‐dependent changes in clock gene expression on the control of seasonal functions is discussed.
Spatial‐temporal variability in diazotroph assemblages in Chesapeake Bay using an oligonucleotide nifH microarray
Authors: Moisander Pia H. , Morrison Amanda E. , Ward Bess B. , Jenkins Bethany D. , Zehr Jonathan P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe distribution of nitrogen‐fixing microorganisms in the Chesapeake Bay was investigated using fingerprints from a nifH microarray comprised of 706 60‐mer oligonucleotide nifH probes representing cultivated organisms and environmental clones from different nifH clusters. Diverse nifH targets, amplified from samples using degenerate nifH primers, were detected in water column and sediment samples collected in April and October, 2001–2002. Total nifH richness and diversity (Simpson's and Shannon indices) were highest at the most riverine, oligohaline North Bay station. In most samples, the highest diversity was in nifH Cluster 3, which includes many anaerobes, while Cluster 1 (α‐, β‐ γ‐ Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria) targets had the greatest microarray signal intensities. In a multidimensional scaling analysis, deep water communities from April and October were similar within each of the sampling sites, while the surface communities had more variability. Diazotroph communities in the water column in the North Bay were distinct from the Mid‐ and South Bay communities, and there was a gradual change in sediment diazotroph assemblages from the North to the South Bay. Diazotrophic assemblages from the majority of the water column samples from the Mid‐ and South Bay clustered with the sediment assemblage in Mid‐Bay. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen, salinity, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic phosphorus had a significant relationship with the diazotrophic bacterioplankton community. Higher diversity in the freshwater end of the system may reflect variability in disturbance rates and environmental conditions such as forms and concentrations of organic matter, nutrients and oxygen.
National Cholesterol Education Program and International Diabetes Federation definitions of metabolic syndrome in the prediction of diabetes. Results from the FIrenze‐Bagno A Ripoli study
Authors: Mannucci E. , Monami M. , Cresci B. , Pala L. , Bardini G. , Petracca M. G. , Dicembrini I. , Pasqua A. , Buiatti E. , Rotella C. M. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) proposed to modify the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (MS) previously issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Aim of the present investigation is to compare the predictive value for diabetes of NCEP and IDF definitions of MS in a large sample of predominantly Caucasian subjects.Methods:  A prospective observational study was performed on a cohort study (n = 3096) enrolled in a diabetes‐screening programme, the FIrenze‐Bagno A Ripoli study. All subjects with fasting glucose >126 mg/dl and/or post‐load glucose ≥200 mg/dl (5.7%) were excluded from the present analysis. Follow‐up of each subject was continued until diagnosis of diabetes, death or until 31 December 2005. Mean follow‐up was 27.7 ± 11.3 months.Results:  Among subjects enrolled, 13.7 and 25.2% were affected by MS using NCEP and IDF criteria respectively. During follow‐up, 38 new cases of diabetes were diagnosed, with a yearly incidence rate of 0.5%. The relative risk for diabetes in subjects with MS was 10.10 [5.13; 20.00] and 7.87 [3.70; 16.7] using NCEP and IDF definitions respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, fasting glucose and waist circumference, NCEP‐defined MS, but not IDF‐, was significantly associated with incident diabetes (hazard ratio, 95% CI: 2.41 [1.01; 5.95] and 2.05 [0.80; 5.29] respectively).Conclusions:  Although the reasons for the proposed changes in diagnostic criteria for MS are easily understandable, the newer IDF definition, while increasing estimates of prevalence of the syndrome, reduces the effectiveness of MS in identifying subjects at risk for diabetes. Further research is needed before the previous NCEP criteria are abandoned.
The biology and functional morphology ofArca noae(Bivalvia: Arcidae) from the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, with a discussion on the evolution of the bivalve mantle margin
Authors: Morton Brian , Peharda Melita 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn the Croatian Adriatic,Arca noaeoccurs from the low intertidal to a depth of 60 m; it can live for > 15 years and is either solitary or forms byssally attached clumps withModiolus barbatus.The shell is anteriorly foreshortened and posteriorly elongate. The major inhalant flow is from the posterior although a remnant anterior stream is retained. There are no anterior but huge posterior byssal retractor muscles and both anterior and posterior pedal retractors. The ctenidia are of Type B(1a) and the ctenidial–labial palp junction is Category 3. The ctenidia collect, filter and undertake the primary sorting of potential food in the inhalant water. The labial palps are small with simple re‐sorting tracks on the ridges of their inner surfaces. The ciliary currents of the mantle cavity appear largely concerned with the rejection of particulate material. The mantle margin comprises an outer and an (either) inner or middle fold. The outer fold is divided into outer and inner components that secrete the shell and are photo‐sensory, respectively. The latter bears a large number of pallial eyes, especially posteriorly. The inner/middle mantle fold ofA. noae, possibly representative of simpler, more primitive conditions, may have differentiated into distinct folds in other recent representatives of the Bivalvia.
The predictive value of preoperative pressure‐flow studies in the resolution of detrusor overactivity and overactive bladder after tension‐free vaginal tape insertion
Authors: Duckett Jonathan R.A. , Basu Maya 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVETo determine whether preoperative pressure‐flow studies (PFS) predict the resolution of detrusor overactivity (DO) and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms after a tension‐free vaginal tape procedure (TVT).PATIENTS AND METHODSThirty‐five consecutive women with mixed DO and urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) undergoing a TVT had PFS before and afterward reviewed, and the results compared.RESULTSThere was resolution of OAB symptoms in 51%; the persistence of OAB symptoms was predicted by a significant decrease (20.0 to 14.0 mL/s) in the maximum flow rate after the TVT (P = 0.027) and a significant increase in the detrusor pressure at maximum flow after the TVT (P = 0.04). DO was absent on cystometry in 46% of women after the TVT. Women with persistent DO on cystometry had a significantly lower (P = 0.02) maximum flow rate before the TVT (mean 19.3 mL/s) than those with no persistent DO (mean 26.9 mL/s). This finding persisted when flow rates were corrected for voided volume (P = 0.04). Before and after TVT there were no significant differences between the groups in voiding time and acceleration of flow. USI was objectively cured in 92% of the women.CONCLUSIONSWomen whose maximum flow rate decreases significantly after the TVT are more likely to have persistent OAB symptoms. The urinary flow rate before the TVT was significantly higher in women with an objective cure of DO after TVT than in women with persistent DO. These findings support an obstructive cause in women in whom DO does not resolve.
Stopping smoking might reduce tumour recurrence in nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Chen Chung‐Hsin , Shun Chia‐Tung , Huang Kuo‐How , Huang Chao‐Yuan , Tsai Yu‐Chieh , Yu Hong‐Jeng , Pu Yeong‐Shiau 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVETo evaluate effects of stopping smoking on the outcome of nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer, as cigarette smoking is a risk factor for bladder cancer and little is known about whether stopping smoking reduces the risk of recurrence or progression.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween January 1997 and July 2005, 297 men with primary nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer were treated with transurethral resection (TUR); their smoking status before and after the diagnosis of bladder cancer was obtained by a post hoc questionnaire and interview. ‘Quitters’ were those who ceased smoking within a year before and 3 months after the diagnosis. Ex‐smokers were those who ceased smoking more than a year before diagnosis. Several pathological and clinical variables were compared, with all statistical comparisons being two‐sided.RESULTSIn all, 265 patients completed the questionnaire, including 64 non‐smokers, 64 ex‐smokers, 59 quitters, and 78 continued smokers. The median follow‐up was 38 months. There were no significant differences in the strata of stage, grade, tumour multiplicity, intravesical therapy, or median follow‐up duration between the four patient groups. The respective 3‐year recurrence‐free survival of continued smokers, non‐smokers, ex‐smokers and quitters was 45%, 57%, 62% and 70%. By multivariate analysis, high‐grade, T1‐stage, multiple tumours and continued smoking were significant independent predictors for a shorter recurrence‐free survival. Quitters had a lower risk of recurrence than did either continued smokers or non‐smokers, but had a similar risk to ex‐smokers.CONCLUSIONStopping smoking might be associated with a lower recurrence rate for patients with nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer.
Modern pollen assemblages as climate indicators in southern Europe
Authors: Finsinger Walter , Heiri Oliver , Valsecchi Verushka , Tinner Willy , Lotter André F. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTAim and Location  Our aim is to develop pollen–climate inference models for southern Europe and to test their performance and inference power by cross‐validation with modern climate data. Surface sediments collected from lakes along a climate gradient from the winter‐cold/summer‐wet Alps to winter‐wet/summer‐dry Sicily were analysed for modern pollen assemblages.Methods  For each lake, mean monthly temperatures, seasonal precipitation and site‐specific climate uncertainties have been estimated. Pollen–climate relationships were studied using numerical analyses, and inference models were derived by partial least squares (PLS) and weighted‐averaging PLS (WA‐PLS) regressions for January and July temperatures (T), and for winter, spring and summer precipitation (P). In order to assess whether these variables are also of ecological importance for vegetation in the subregions, we split the data set into an Alpine and a Mediterranean subset.Results  Low bootstrap cross‐validated root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) for January T (1.7 °C), July T (2.1 °C) and summer P (38 mm), as well as low RMSEPs expressed as a percentage of the gradient length (8–9%), indicate a good inference power. Models revealed excellent to good performance statistics for January T, July T and summer P (r2= 0.8), and for winter and spring P (r2=c. 0.5). We show that the variables with the highest explanatory power differ between the two subregions. These are summer T and P for the Alpine set, and January T, winter P and July T for the Mediterranean set.Main conclusions  The study reveals the influence of climatic conditions during the growing season on modern pollen assemblages and indicates the potential of pollen data for long‐term climate reconstructions of parameters such as winter precipitation and temperature, which seem to be the main factors having an influence on the variability of Mediterranean climate. These models may therefore provide important information on past regional climate variability in southern Europe.
Increasing seed oil content in oil‐seed rape (Brassica napus L.) by over‐expression of a yeast glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase under the control of a seed‐specific promoter
Authors: Vigeolas Helene , Waldeck Peter , Zank Thorsten , Geigenberger Peter 
Published: April 2007

SummaryPrevious attempts to manipulate oil synthesis in plants have mainly concentrated on the genes involved in the biosynthesis and use of fatty acids, neglecting the possible role of glycerol‐3‐phosphate supply on the rate of triacylglycerol synthesis. In this study, a yeast gene coding for cytosolic glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd1) was expressed in transgenic oil‐seed rape under the control of the seed‐specific napin promoter. It was found that a twofold increase in glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity led to a three‐ to fourfold increase in the level of glycerol‐3‐phosphate in developing seeds, resulting in a 40% increase in the final lipid content of the seed, with the protein content remaining substantially unchanged. This was accompanied by a decrease in the glycolytic intermediate dihydroxyacetone phosphate, the direct precursor of glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. The levels of sucrose and various metabolites in the pathway from sucrose to fatty acids remained unaltered. The results show that glycerol‐3‐phosphate supply co‐limits oil accumulation in developing seeds. This has important implications for strategies that aim to increase the overall level of oil in commercial oil‐seed crops for use as a renewable alternative to petrol.
Bad Days Don't End When the School Bell Rings: The Lingering Effects of Negative School Events on Children's Mood, Self‐esteem, and Perceptions of Parent–Child Interaction
Authors: Lehman Barbara J. , Repetti Rena L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEach day for five days, 79 fifth‐grade children reported on events that occurred at school and they and their parents described their interactions with each other each evening. Consistent with previous research, it was found that on days when children reported more academic or peer problems during the day at school, they later described more aversive interactions with their parents. As hypothesized, increases in anxiety and drops in children's state self‐esteem partially mediated this link. However, parents did not report any differences in their interactions with the target child on days when the child experienced problems at school. This study suggests that negative events experienced by children while at school lead to short‐term changes in mood and self‐esteem, which influence their perceptions of subsequent interactions at home with parents.
A Speed Limit Monetary Policy Rule for the Euro Area*
Authors: Stracca Livio 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe main task of central banks is to set the level of short‐term nominal interest rates in reaction to economic developments, with the aim of achieving their statutory objectives (typically some combination of inflation and output variability). If agents are forward‐looking, central banks can achieve better macroeconomic outcomes by committing to follow a rule‐like behaviour. Against this background, the contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it estimates a small‐scale model of the euro area economy that can be used as a benchmark for the evaluation of different simple policy rules in the euro area economy. Second, it studies the performance of a relatively new type of rule, labelled ‘speed limit’ (SL), where the nominal interest rate reacts to the rate of growth in the output gap. The main conclusion of the study is that an SL policy performs remarkably well.
Numerical model of fluid pressure solitary wave propagation along the décollement of an accretionary wedge: application to the Nankai wedge
Authors: BOURLANGE S. , HENRY P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFluid pressure variations in time are thought to influence fault slip. Solitary (self‐similar) pressure waves are one process by which a step pressure increase may be transmitted along a fault zone. Hypothetically, solitary wave propagation could be coupled with silent slip. Here we present a two‐dimensional model of solitary wave propagation along a low‐angle fault, scaled to a case example from Nankai accretionary wedge, and examine model sensitivity to décollement permeability. This model takes into account the effect of leakage out of the fault zone and pore pressure diffusion into the surrounding medium. We show that the propagation of a pore pressure wave along the décollement requires a permeability contrast between the dilated décollement (after the step pressure increase) and the surrounding material higher than 104. Wave velocity spans a wide range, from a few cm year−1 to more than 1 km year−1 for dilated décollement permeabilities of 10−15–10−12 m2. At the lower end of this range, the velocity of the pressure wave is comparable with the rate of accretion and the process of décollement propagation may be considered as a particular case of solitary wave propagation. At the upper end of the permeability range, a hypothetical pressure surge initiated after a subduction earthquake could reach the deformation front in a few tens of years. However, it seems unlikely that solitary pressure waves driven by flow along a décollement could explain silent slip events propagating at several km day−1.
Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical analyses of osteopontin in reactionary and reparative dentine formed after extrusion of upper rat incisors
Authors: Cajazeira Aguiar Marcio , Arana‐Chavez Victor E. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractReactionary dentine and reparative dentine are two strategies used by the dentine–pulp complex to respond to injury. The reactionary dentine is secreted by original odontoblasts, while the reparative dentine is formed by odontoblast‐like cells. Osteopontin (OPN) is a non‐collagenous protein usually present in the repair of mineralized tissues. It is likely to be present in newly formed dentine but there are no studies attempting to detect it in reactionary and reparative dentine. The aim of the present study was to examine the ultrastructural characteristics, as well as the presence and distribution of OPN in reactionary and reparative dentine by provoking extrusion of the rat incisor. The right upper incisors of 3‐month‐old male rats were extruded 3 mm and then repositioned into their original sockets. At 3, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 60 days after surgery, the incisors were fixed in glutaraldehyde–formaldehyde and then processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy and for immunocytochemistry for OPN. After extrusive trauma, the dentine–pulp interface showed the presence of reactionary and reparative dentine, which varied in aspect, thickness and related cells. OPN was not detected in the physiological and reactionary dentine, while it was strongly immunoreactive in the matrix that surrounded the entrapped cells of reparative dentine. In addition, original odontoblasts subjacent to the physiological dentine contained OPN in their Golgi region. The present findings showed that reparative dentine shares some structural characteristics with primary bone, especially in relation to its OPN content. The odontoblast‐like cells resemble osteoblasts rather than odontoblasts.
Applicability of the glomerular size distribution coefficient in assessing human glomerular volume: the Weibel and Gomez method revisited
Authors: Samuel Terry , Hoy Wendy E. , Douglas‐Denton Rebecca , Hughson Michael D. , Bertram John F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractChanges in glomerular volume (Vglom) play an important role in the initiation and progression of various glomerulopathies. Estimation of Vglom in the normal kidney provides baseline values for studies of glomerular hypertrophy in disease. The traditional model‐based method of Weibel and Gomez is widely applied to estimate Vglom in clinical biopsy specimens. Assumptions of glomerular size distribution and shape required by this method are potential sources of bias that have not been verified. We evaluated the applicability of the glomerular size distribution coefficient in estimating Vglom in human kidneys. Vglom of 720 non‐sclerotic glomeruli in histologically normal kidneys of 24 males (20–69 years) was estimated by the unbiased disector/Cavalieri approach. Accurate glomerular diameters were calculated from Cavalieri estimates of Vglom assuming glomerular sphericity. The coefficients of variation (CV) of glomerular diameters were compared with the corresponding values of the size distribution coefficient predicted by the Weibel and Gomez method. Mean (SD) glomerular diameter was 201 (28) mm (range 110–276 mm). The CV of glomerular diameter within each kidney ranged from 4.9 to 14.6%. Corresponding glomerular size distribution coefficients predicted by the formula of Weibel and Gomez ranged from 1.00 to just 1.03. The value of the size distribution coefficient required by the Weibel and Gomez technique when estimating Vglom in normal human kidneys is remarkably constant. This is despite large variations in Vglom. Future studies should examine the extent of bias introduced by the glomerular shape assumptions of this method.