bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and Heterogeneity of Mast Cells in Female Reproductive Tract and Ovary on Different Days of the Oestrus Cycle in Angora Goats
Authors: Karaca T , Arikan S , Kalender H , Yoruk M 
Published: February 2008

ContentsThe physiological distribution of mast cells (MCs) in the reproductive tract and ovary of 12 Angora goats was determined using light microscopic histochemical techniques. Uterus (corpus uteri and cornu uteri), uterine cervix, uterine tubes (isthmus and ampulla) and ovary samples were obtained by laparatomy from groups of animals during metoestrus, dioestrus and proestrus (days 5, 10 and 16 of the oestrous cycle). Tissues were fixed in Mota's fixative (basic lead acetate) for 48 h and embedded in paraffin. Six‐micrometre‐thick sections were stained with toluidine blue in 1% aqueous solution at pH 1.0 for 5 min and alcian blue‐Safranin at pH 1.0 for 30 min. MCs were generally associated with blood vessels in all reproductive organs. In the uterus, they were concentrated mainly in the close of the uterine gland and deep stroma in the endometrium. Higher MC numbers were observed by toluidine blue staining in the uterus, uterine cervix and uterine tubes on days 10 (corpus uterine: 4.7 ± 3.8 and cornu uterine: 4.9 ± 3.5) and 16 (corpus uterine: 5.9 ± 4.5 and cornu uterine: 5.4 ± 2.4) of the oestrous cycle compared with day 5 (p < 0.05). Mast cells were not observed in the follicles, the corpus luteum and the underside of the surface epithelium of the ovarian cortex, but were observed in the interstitial cortical stroma and the ovarian medulla. In the ovary, MC numbers were significantly higher on day 16 of the oestrous cycle (cortex: 3.4 ± 2.4 and medulla: 5.7 ± 4.5, p < 0.05). Safranin‐positive connective tissue MCs were not observed in the uterine tube on any occasion. These results indicate oestrous cycle‐related changes in the number and location of MCs in goat reproductive organs.
Prevalence of chronic prostatitis symptoms in a randomly surveyed adult population of urban‐community‐dwelling Nigerian males
Authors: Ejike Chukwunonso ECC , Ezeanyika Lawrence US 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  Chronic prostatitis is a debilitating disease of the prostate gland that is characterized by chronic pelvic pain. Unlike the developed world, the prevalence of chronic prostatitis and its impact on the quality of life (QOL) of the sufferer is not known in Nigeria. This work was carried out to fill this vacuum.Methods:  A random cross‐sectional survey of apparently normal men of ages 20–70 years, living in Nsukka, a university town in South‐eastern Nigeria, using the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH‐CPSI) was carried out. The self reported pain and QOL scores were used to identify subjects with chronic prostatitis symptoms and the subjects' QOL status, respectively.Results:  Of the 1507 men studied, 12.21% had symptoms suggestive of chronic prostatitis. Subjects with chronic prostatitis symptoms (CPS) (mean relative age 40.98 ± 12.51 years) had higher mean pain and voiding scores (5.65 ± 1.99 and 2.61 ± 2.23, respectively) compared with subjects without CPS (0.44 ± 0.73 and 1.29 ± 1.70 for pain and voiding scores, respectively; mean relative age 41.99 ± 12.99 years). A total of 39.62% of the population had pain in at least one location, while 22.69% of the population had impaired QOL.Conclusion:  Chronic prostatitis symptoms are as common in Nigeria as they are in the developed world, and so are their effects on the QOL of the sufferer.
Landscape effects on crop pollination services: are there general patterns?
Authors: Ricketts Taylor H. , Regetz James , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Cunningham Saul A. , Kremen Claire , Bogdanski Anne , Gemmill‐Herren Barbara , Greenleaf Sarah S. , Klein Alexandra M. , Mayfield Margaret M. , Morandin Lora A. , Ochieng’ Alfred , Viana Blande F. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPollination by bees and other animals increases the size, quality, or stability of harvests for 70% of leading global crops. Because native species pollinate many of these crops effectively, conserving habitats for wild pollinators within agricultural landscapes can help maintain pollination services. Using hierarchical Bayesian techniques, we synthesize the results of 23 studies – representing 16 crops on five continents – to estimate the general relationship between pollination services and distance from natural or semi‐natural habitats. We find strong exponential declines in both pollinator richness and native visitation rate. Visitation rate declines more steeply, dropping to half of its maximum at 0.6 km from natural habitat, compared to 1.5 km for richness. Evidence of general decline in fruit and seed set – variables that directly affect yields – is less clear. Visitation rate drops more steeply in tropical compared with temperate regions, and slightly more steeply for social compared with solitary bees. Tropical crops pollinated primarily by social bees may therefore be most susceptible to pollination failure from habitat loss. Quantifying these general relationships can help predict consequences of land use change on pollinator communities and crop productivity, and can inform landscape conservation efforts that balance the needs of native species and people.
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic neuropathy in an urban south Indian population: the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES‐55)
Authors: Pradeepa R. , Rema M. , Vignesh J. , Deepa M. , Deepa R. , Mohan V. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, diabetic neuropathy (DN) in south Indian Type 2 diabetic subjects.Methods  Subjects were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study, conducted on a representative cohort from Chennai city. A total of 1629 diabetic subjects were included, of whom 1291 were known to have diabetes (KD) subjects and 338 were randomly selected newly detected diabetic (NDD) subjects. Neuropathy was diagnosed if vibratory perception threshold at the great toe, measured by biothesiometry, exceeded mean + 2 sd of a healthy non‐diabetic study population aged 20–45 years (cut point ≥ 20 V).Results  The overall prevalence of DN was 26.1% (age‐adjusted 13.1%) with no significant difference in gender. The prevalence of neuropathy was significantly higher in KD subjects compared with NDD subjects (27.8 vs. 19.5%, P = 0.002). The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (24.1 vs. 15.3%, P < 0.0001) and hypertension (51.1 vs. 40.0%, P < 0.0001) were higher in those with neuropathy compared with those without. The odds ratio for neuropathy in subjects with duration of diabetes > 15 years compared with ≤ 5 years was 5.7 (95% confidence interval: 3.52–9.08, P < 0.0001). Regression analysis showed age (P < 0.0001), glycated haemoglobin (P = 0.001) and duration of diabetes (P = 0.045) to be significantly associated with neuropathy.Conclusions  This cross‐sectional population‐based study shows that, among urban south Indian Type 2 diabetic subjects, the prevalence of DN is 26.1% and that DN is significantly associated with age, glycated haemoglobin and duration of diabetes.
Patients’ perceptions and experiences of taking oral glucose‐lowering agents: a longitudinal qualitative study
Authors: Lawton J. , Peel E. , Parry O. , Douglas M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAims  The aims of this study were to examine Type 2 diabetic patients’ expectations, perceptions and experiences of oral glucose‐lowering agents (OGLAs), including their reasons for taking/not taking these drugs as prescribed and to provide recommendations for developing interventions to improve OGLA adherence.Methods  Longitudinal, qualitative study using repeat in‐depth interviews with patients (n = 20) over 4 years following clinical diagnosis. Respondents were recruited from primary and secondary care settings across Lothian, Scotland, UK.Results  Despite experiences of side‐effects, dislikes and concerns about taking multiple drugs and a belief that OGLAs could themselves cause one's diabetes to progress, most respondents appeared motivated to take these drugs as prescribed. This motivation seemed to arise from respondents’ experiences of taking OGLAs and observing them to ‘work’. Some respondents described feeling better after taking OGLAs, others, typically those who were asymptomatic, used blood glucose self‐monitoring and/or glycated haemoglobin results to observe and evidence the effects of their OGLAs. Most respondents demonstrated a ‘passive’ expectation that health professionals should be responsible for decisions about medications. Hence, non‐adherence typically resulted from forgetfulness rather than ambivalence about either medication or consultation style. Respondent concern about OGLA's largely centred upon lack of knowledge about the medication and what to do when doses were missed.Conclusion  The findings call for multifaceted strategies to promote adherence. These could include education to address misconceptions and advise patients how to respond to missed doses; reminders to help patients remember to take their drugs; and structured feedback on the impact of OGLAs on glycaemic control.
An empirical validation of a dynamic systems model of interaction: do children of different sociometric statuses differ in their dyadic play?
Authors: Steenbeek Henderien , Van Geert Paul 
Published: February 2008

AbstractStudying short‐term dynamic processes and change mechanisms in interaction yields important knowledge that contributes to understanding long‐term social development of children. In order to get a grip on this short‐term dynamics of interaction processes, the authors made a dynamic systems model of dyadic interaction of children during one play session. The control parameters of the model relate to children's goal‐directedness, concerns, emotional appraisals, social power, and social competence. Three groups of dyads of different sociometric statuses are represented by specific control parameter values. The model's order parameters consist of children's emotional expressions and other‐ versus self‐directed actions. This article describes the empirical validation of the model and the methods needed for such validation. It focuses on the model's predictions of averages and distributions of the major variables, of the occurrence of attractors and power law distributions, and on the model's sensitivity. Overall, the model fits the empirical data well. In the discussion, we reflect on the developmental and methodological implications for explaining social interaction on the short‐term as well as on the long‐term time scale. In addition, implications for intervention and assessment are presented, in particular relating to the problem of rejection.
Significant Association Between TIM1 Promoter Polymorphisms and Protection Against Cerebral Malaria in Thailand
Authors: Nuchnoi P. , Ohashi J. , Kimura R. , Hananantachai H. , Naka I. , Krudsood S. , Looareesuwan S. , Tokunaga K. , Patarapotikul J. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAlthough cerebral malaria is a major life‐threatening complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, its pathophysiology is not well understood. Prolonged activation of the T helper type 1 (Th1) response characterized by the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IFN‐γ and TNF‐α has been suggested to be responsible for immunopathological process leading to cerebral malaria unless they are downregulated by the anti‐inflamatory cytokines produced by the Th2 response. The T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (TIM) family of proteins are cell surface proteins involved in regulating Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In this study, the possible association between the polymorphisms of TIM1, TIM3, and TIMD4 genes and the severity of malaria was examined in 478 adult Thai patients infected with P. falciparum malaria. The TIM1 promoter haplotype comprising three derived alleles, ‐1637A (rs7702919), ‐1549C (rs41297577) and ‐1454A (rs41297579), which were in complete linkage disequilibrium, was significantly associated with protection against cerebral malaria (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.24–0.71; P= 0.0009). Allele‐specific transcription quantification analysis revealed that the level of mRNA transcribed from TIM1 was higher for the protective promoter haplotype than for the other promoter haplotype (P= 0.004). Engagement with TIM1 in combination with T cell receptor stimulation induces anti‐inflammatory Th2 cytokine production, which can protect the development of cerebral malaria caused by overproduction of pro‐inflammatory Th1 cytokines. The present results suggest that the higher TIM1 expression associated with the protective TIM1 promoter haplotype confers protection against cerebral malaria.
A Mutation Analysis of the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase (PAH) Gene in the Israeli Population
Authors: Bercovich D. , Elimelech A. , Yardeni T. , Korem S. , Zlotogora J. , Gal N. , Goldstein N. , Vilensky B. , Segev R. , Avraham S. , Loewenthal R. , Schwartz G. , Anikster Y. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryHyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is a group of diseases characterized by a persistent elevation of phenylalanine levels in tissues and biological fluids. The most frequent form is phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency, causing phenylketonuria (PKU). Among 159 Israeli patients (Jews, Muslim and Christian Arabs and Druze) with HPA, in whom at least one of the mutations was characterized, a total of 43 different mutations were detected, including seven novel ones. PKU was very rare among Ashkenazi Jews and relatively frequent among Jews from Yemen, the Caucasian Mountains, Bukhara and Tunisia. The mutations responsible for the high frequency were: exon3del (Yemenite Jews), L48S (Tunisian Jews) and E178G, P281L and L48S (Jews from the Caucasian Mountains and Bukhara). Among the non‐Jewish Israeli citizens, the disease was relatively frequent in the Negev and in the Nazareth vicinity, and in many localities a unique mutation was detected, often in a single family. While marked genetic heterogeneity was observed in the Arab and Jewish populations, only one mutation A300S, was frequent in all of the communities. Several of the other frequent mutations were shared by the non‐Ashkenazi Jews and Arabs; none were mutual to Ashkenazi Jews and Arabs.
Down‐regulation of astrocytic GLAST by microglia‐related inflammation is abrogated in dibutyryl cAMP‐differentiated cultures
Authors: Tilleux Sébastien , Hermans Emmanuel 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe influence of neuroinflammation on glutamate uptake by glial cells was examined after exposing primary cultures of rat astrocytes to conditioned culture medium from lipopolysaccharide‐activated microglia. While such treatment triggered an inflammatory response in astrocytes, as revealed by the induction of cytokine expression, a significant decrease in GLAST expression and activity was observed after 72 h. This regulation of glutamate transporter was not observed with medium from naive microglia, but was mimicked by direct addition of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), a major cytokine released from activated microglia. Hence, on its own, TNF‐α also triggered inflammation in astrocyte cultures, highlighting complex cross‐talk between astrocytes and microglia in inflammatory conditions. This putatively detrimental regulation of GLAST in response to inflammation was also studied in cells exposed to dibutyryl cAMP, recognized as a model of astrocytes exhibiting a typical differentiated or activated phenotype. In this model, the conditioned culture medium from activated microglia, as well as TNF‐α, were found to increase glutamate uptake capacity. Consistently, both of these treatments caused only modest induction of an inflammatory response in dibutyryl cAMP‐matured astrocytes as compared to undifferentiated astrocytes. Together, these results suggest that differentiated/activated astrocytes are endowed with the capacity to confront inflammatory insults and that drugs influencing the astrocytes phenotype would deserve further consideration in the treatment of neurological disorders.
Release‐enhancing pre‐synaptic muscarinic and nicotinic receptors co‐exist and interact on dopaminergic nerve endings of rat nucleus accumbens
Authors: Grilli Massimo , Patti Laura , Robino Federica , Zappettini Stefania , Raiteri Maurizio , Marchi Mario 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDopaminergic nerve endings in the corpus striatum possess nicotinic (nAChRs) and muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChRs) mediating release of dopamine (DA). Whether nAChRs and mAChRs co‐exist and interact on the same nerve endings is unknown. We here investigate on these possibilities using rat nucleus accumbens synaptosomes pre‐labeled with [3H]DA and exposed in superfusion to cholinergic receptor ligands. The mixed nAChR–mAChR agonists acetylcholine (ACh) and carbachol provoked [3H]DA release partially sensitive to the mAChR antagonist atropine but totally blocked by the nAChR antagonist mecamylamine. Addition of the mAChR agonist oxotremorine at the minimally effective concentration of 30 μmol/L, together with 3, 10, or 100 μmol/L (−)nicotine provoked synergistic effect on [3H]DA overflow. The [3H]DA overflow elicited by 100 μmol/L (−)nicotine plus 30 μmol/L oxotremorine was reduced by atropine down to the release produced by (−)nicotine alone and it was abolished by mecamylamine. The ryanodine receptor blockers dantrolene or 8‐bromo‐cADP‐ribose, but not the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor blocker xestospongin C inhibited the (−)nicotine/oxotremorine evoked [3H]DA overflow similarly to atropine. This overflow was partly sensitive to 100 nmol/L methyllycaconitine which did not prevent the synergistic effect of (−)nicotine/oxotremorine. Similarly to (−)nicotine, the selective α4β2 nAChR agonist RJR2403 exhibited synergism when added together with oxotremorine. To conclude, in rat nucleus accumbens, α4β2 nAChRs exert a permissive role on the releasing function of reportedly M5mAChRs co‐existing on the same dopaminergic nerve endings.
Dystrophin deficiency in Drosophila reduces lifespan and causes a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype
Authors: Taghli‐Lamallem Ouarda , Akasaka Takeshi , Hogg Grant , Nudel Uri , Yaffe David , Chamberlain Jeffrey S. , Ocorr Karen , Bodmer Rolf 
Published: February 2008

SummaryA number of studies have been conducted recently on the model organism Drosophila to determine the function of genes involved in human disease, including those implicated in neurological disorders, cancer and metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The simple structure and physiology of the Drosophila heart tube together with the available genetics provide a suitable in vivo assay system for studying cardiac gene functions. In our study, we focus on analysis of the role of dystrophin (Dys) in heart physiology. As in humans, the Drosophila dys gene encodes multiple isoforms, of which the large isoforms (DLPs) and a truncated form (Dp117) are expressed in the adult heart. Here, we show that the loss of dys function in the heart leads to an age‐dependent disruption of the myofibrillar organization within the myocardium as well as to alterations in cardiac performance. dys RNAi‐mediated knockdown in the mesoderm also shortens lifespan. Knockdown of all or deletion of the large isoforms increases the heart rate by shortening the diastolic intervals (relaxation phase) of the cardiac cycle. Morphologically, loss of the large DLPs isoforms causes a widening of the cardiac tube and a lower fractional shortening, a phenotype reminiscent of dilated cardiomyopathy. The dilated dys mutant phenotype was reversed by expressing a truncated mammalian form of dys (Dp116). Our results illustrate the utility of Drosophila as a model system to study dilated cardiomyopathy and other muscular‐dystrophy‐associated phenotypes.
Automatic accommodation: The role of personality
Authors: PERUNOVIC MIHAILO , HOLMES JOHN G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe current study tested whether agreeableness, conscientiousness, and attachment styles would be associated with automatic accommodation in dating relationships. Accommodation refers to the tendency to respond to a romantic partner’s potentially destructive relationship act by inhibiting one’s own negative impulses and replacing them with a relatively deliberate, relationship enhancing act. Sixty‐five young adult participants from a Canadian university participated online. Participants selected either constructive or destructive responses to hypothetical negative behaviors their partner enacted either under time pressure or normally. Results showed that the difference in level of accommodation between participants high and low in agreeableness and avoidance became even greater under time pressure, suggesting that for some people, accommodation may in fact be more automatic.
Adult attachment, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction: A study of married couples
Authors: BUTZER BETHANY , CAMPBELL LORNE 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe goal of this research was to extend prior work on adult attachment and sexuality, which has tended to focus on samples of adolescents and undergraduate students. A Canadian sample of 116 married couples aged 21–75 years completed self‐report measures of adult attachment, marital, and sexual satisfaction. Results revealed that participants with higher levels of anxiety and avoidance reported lower levels of sexual satisfaction at the individual level. Individuals with more avoidant spouses also reported lower levels of sexual satisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship between sexual and marital satisfaction was stronger for more anxiously attached individuals and those with more anxiously attached spouses. These results suggest that attachment is linked in theoretically predictable ways to marital and sexual satisfaction.
Early treatment suppresses the development of spike‐wave epilepsy in a rat model
Authors: Blumenfeld Hal , Klein Joshua P. , Schridde Ulrich , Vestal Matthew , Rice Timothy , Khera Davender S. , Bashyal Chhitij , Giblin Kathryn , Paul‐Laughinghouse Crystal , Wang Frederick , Phadke Anuradha , Mission John , Agarwal Ravi K. , Englot Dario J. , Motelow Joshua , Nersesyan Hrachya , Waxman Stephen G. , Levin April R. 
Published: February 2008

Summary
Purpose: Current treatments for epilepsy may control seizures, but have no known effects on the underlying disease. We sought to determine whether early treatment in a model of genetic epilepsy would reduce the severity of the epilepsy phenotype in adulthood.
Methods: We used Wistar albino Glaxo rats of Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats, an established model of human absence epilepsy. Oral ethosuximide was given from age p21 to 5 months, covering the usual period in which seizures develop in this model (age ∼3 months). Two experiments were performed: (1) cortical expression of ion channels Nav1.1, Nav1.6, and HCN1 (previously shown to be dysregulated in WAG/Rij) measured by immunocytochemistry in adult treated rats; and (2) electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings to measure seizure severity at serial time points after stopping the treatment.
Results: Early treatment with ethosuximide blocked changes in the expression of ion channels Nav1.1, Nav1.6, and HCN1 normally associated with epilepsy in this model. In addition, the treatment led to a persistent suppression of seizures, even after therapy was discontinued. Thus, animals treated with ethosuximide from age p21 to 5 months still had a marked suppression of seizures at age 8 months.
Discussion: These findings suggest that early treatment during development may provide a new strategy for preventing epilepsy in susceptible individuals. If confirmed with other drugs and epilepsy paradigms, the availability of a model in which epileptogenesis can be controlled has important implications both for future basic studies, and human therapeutic trials.