bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric disorders and family functioning in children and adolescents with functional abdominal pain syndrome
Authors: Ghanizadeh Ahmad , Moaiedy Farah , Imanieh Mohammad Hadi , Askani Hamid , Haghighat Mahmood , Dehbozorgi Gholamreza , Dehghani Seyed Mohsen 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. There is a heightened risk when conducting potentially dangerous and unnecessary medical investigations and procedures in children with FAPS. The aim of this study was to survey the rate of the psychiatric disorders and family functioning in children and adolescents with FAPS.Methods:  The subjects were a consecutive new sample of 45 children and adolescents with FAPS, 45 with an organic abdominal pain, and 45 pain‐free comparison subjects aged 5–18 years that were interviewed using the Farsi version of K‐SADS. Family functioning and the severity of pain were also studied.Results:  About 51.1% of patients with FAPS suffered from at least one psychiatric disorder. Psychiatric disorders in the FAPS patients studied included general anxiety disorder (8.9%), obsessive‐compulsive disorder (11.1%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (15.6%), separation anxiety disorder (24.4%), and major depressive disorder (15.6%). Except for generalized anxiety disorder and tic disorder, the other disorders were significantly more common in the FAPS group than in the two other control groups. Family functioning scores were not significantly different between groups.Discussion:  There is a high rate of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with FAPS in Iran, but our study found fewer incidences of disorders than previous reports have indicated. Family dysfunction difficulties in FAPS children are not more common than those in the control groups.
Genetic distinctness and phylogenetic relationships among Undaria species (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) based on mitochondrial cox3 gene sequences
Authors: Uwai Shinya , Arai Shogo , Morita Teruwo , Kawai Hiroshi 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYGenetic relationships among Undaria species and among populations of each species were studied based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cox3 gene. Although three Undaria species, U. peterseniana (Kjellman) Okamura, U. pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar and U. undarioides (Yendo) Okamura, have been described based mostly on blade morphology, plants with intermediate morphologies have also been found. Multiple plants from several populations in Japan were collected. Morphological characters could identify most of the samples unambiguously. A few samples with intermediate morphologies were also collected. Mitochondrial haplotypes found in each population were different for each identified species, and each species had multiple haplotypes. In the cox3 haplotype network analysis, the numbers of steps between haplotypes within and between species were similar, and haplotypes of each species did not group together. The close genetic relationships among species strongly suggest that these species are conspecific. Alternatively, recent speciation could be possible with maintenance of ancestral polymorphisms within the species (i.e. incomplete lineage sorting). Haplotypes of samples with intermediate morphologies were different for each sample and the same as ones found in the local population, suggesting interspecific hybridizations among species.
Pharmacological effects of propiverine and its active metabolite, M‐1, on isolated human urinary bladder smooth muscle, and on bladder contraction in rats
Authors: Sugiyama Yutaka , Yoshida Masaki , Masunaga Koichi , Satoji You , Maeda Yoshihiro , Nagata Takashi , Inadome Akito , Ueda Shoichi 
Published: November 2007

Objective:  To investigate the effects of M‐1, a major active metabolite of propiverine on the bladder.Methods:  We have evaluated the effects of M‐1 on the contractions induced by carbachol, KCl, CaCl2, and electrical field stimulation (EFS) in human detrusor smooth muscles, and pelvic nerve stimulation‐induced bladder contractions in rats. The effects of M‐1 were also compared with the effects of propiverine and tolterodine.Results:  Pretreatment with propiverine and tolterodine caused parallel shifts to the right of the concentration‐response curves to carbachol. M‐1 caused concentration‐dependent reduction in the maximum contractile responses induced by carbachol. Although tolterodine did not inhibit the KCl‐ and CaCl2‐induced contractions, M‐1 and propiverine significantly inhibited these contractions. In the presence of atropine, M‐1 and propiverine significantly inhibited the atropine resistant part of the contraction induced by EFS. On the other hand, tolterodine did not have significant inhibitory effects on atropine resistant contractions. Pelvic nerve stimulation induced bimodal phasic and tonic contractions in the rat bladder. M‐1 mainly inhibited the phasic contraction. Tolterodine caused a significant inhibition in the tonic contraction, and propiverine had inhibitory effects on both contractions.Conclusions:  The present results suggest that M‐1 has inhibitory effects on the bladder smooth muscles through calcium antagonistic action. It is possible that the clinical effects of propiverine on the human bladder are based not only on the action of propiverine itself but also on one of its active metabolites, M‐1.
Assessment of sensorimotor cortical representation asymmetries and motor skills in violin players
Authors: Schwenkreis Peter , El Tom Susan , Ragert Patrick , Pleger Burkhard , Tegenthoff Martin , Dinse Hubert R. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAs a model for use‐dependent plasticity, the brains of professional musicians have been extensively studied to examine structural and functional adaptation to unique requirements of skilled performance. Here we provide a combination of data on motor performance and hand representation in the primary motor and somatosensory cortex of professional violin players, with the aim of assessing possible behavioural consequences of sensorimotor cortical asymmetries. We studied 15 healthy right‐handed professional violin players and 35 healthy nonmusician controls. Motor and somatosensory cortex asymmetry was assessed by recording the motor output map after transcranial magnetic stimulation from a small hand muscle, and by dipole source localization of somatosensory evoked potentials after electrical stimulation of the median and ulnar nerves. Motor performance was examined using a series of standardized motor tasks covering different aspects of hand function. Violin players showed a significant right‐larger‐than‐left asymmetry of the motor and somatosensory cortex, whereas nonmusician controls showed no significant interhemispheric difference. The amount of asymmetry in the motor and somatosensory cortices of musicians was significantly correlated. At the behavioural level, motor performance did not significantly differ between musicians and nonmusicians. The results support a use‐dependent enlargement of the left hand representation in the sensorimotor cortex of violin players. However, these cortical asymmetries were not paralleled by accompanying altered asymmetries at a behavioural level, suggesting that the reorganisation might be task‐specific and does not lead to improved motor abilities in general.
Using local anaesthetics to block neuronal activity and map specific learning tasks to the mushroom bodies of an insect brain
Authors: Devaud Jean‐Marc , Blunk Aline , Podufall Jasmin , Giurfa Martin , Grünewald Bernd 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe formation of a stable olfactory memory requires activity within several brain regions. The honeybee provides a valuable model to map complex olfactory learning tasks onto certain brain areas. To this end, we used injections of the local anaesthetic procaine to reversibly block spike activity in a specific brain region, the mushroom body (MB). We first investigated the physiological effects of procaine on cultured MB neurons from adult honeybee brains. Using the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp technique, we show that procaine blocks voltage‐gated Na+ and K+ currents in a dose‐dependent manner between 0.1 and 10 mm. The effects are reversible within a few minutes of wash. Lidocaine acts similarly, but is less effective at the tested concentrations. We then studied the role of the MBs during reversal learning by blocking the neural activity within these structures by injecting procaine. During reversal learning bees learn to revert their responses to two odorants, one rewarded (A+) and one unrewarded (B–), if their contingencies are changed (A– vs B+). Injecting procaine into the MBs impaired reversal learning. Procaine treatment during acquisition left the later retention of the initial learning (A+ vs B–) intact. Similarly, a differential conditioning task involving novel odorants (C+ vs D–) was intact under procaine treatment. Our experiments show that local injections of procaine can be used to map learning tasks onto specific regions of the insect brain. We conclude that intact MB activity is required for the acquisition of reversal learning, but not for simple differential learning tasks.
Expression of D1 but not D2 dopamine receptors in striatal neurons producing neurokinin B in rats
Authors: Sonomura Takahiro , Nakamura Kouichi , Furuta Takahiro , Hioki Hiroyuki , Nishi Akinori , Yamanaka Atsushi , Uemura Masanori , Kaneko Takeshi 
Published: November 2007

AbstractNeostriatal projection neurons are known to be largely divided into two groups, striatoentopeduncular/striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons, which mainly express D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, respectively. Recently, a small population of neostriatal neurons have been reported to produce neurokinin B (NKB), and send their axons mainly to the basal forebrain regions. To reveal which type of dopamine receptors were expressed by these NKB‐producing neurons, we examined rat striatal neurons by combining immunofluorescence labeling for preprotachykinin B (PPTB), the precursor of NKB, and fluorescence in situ hybridization labeling for dopamine receptors. Fluorescent signals for D1 receptor mRNA were detected in 85–89% of PPTB‐immunopositive neurons in the neostriatum, accumbens nucleus and lateral stripe of the striatum, whereas almost no signal for D2 receptor was observed in PPTB‐positive striatal neurons. To further reveal intracellular signaling downstream of D1 receptor in PPTB‐producing neurons, we used a double immunofluorescence labeling method to study the localization of some substrates for protein kinase A (PKA), which was known to be activated by D1 receptor. Although only 3–7% of PPTB‐immunopositive striatal neurons displayed immunoreactivity for dopamine‐ and cAMP‐regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa, a well‐known PKA substrate expressed in the two major groups of neostriatal projection neurons, 60–64% of PPTB‐positive striatal neurons exhibited immunoreactivity for striatal‐enriched tyrosine phosphatase. These results suggest that NKB‐producing neostriatal neurons are similar to striatoentopeduncular/striatonigral neurons in the usage of dopamine receptor subtypes, but different from the two major groups of neostriatal projection neurons in terms of the downstream signaling of dopamine receptors.
Retina expresses a novel variant of the ryanodine receptor
Authors: Shoshan‐Barmatz Varda , Zakar Miri , Shmuelivich Fania , Nahon Edna , Vardi Noga 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCalcium released from intracellular stores via the ryanodine receptor (RyR) mediates a variety of signalling processes. We previously showed that retina expresses the three known types of RyR, but retinal membrane preparations exhibit unique characteristics such as Ca2+‐independent [3H]ryanodine‐binding and inhibition by caffeine. We have heretofore suggested that the major retinal RyR isoform is novel. The present study aimed to identify this receptor isoform and to localize RyR in mammalian retina. Immunoblotting with specific and pan‐antibodies showed that the major retinal RyR has a mobility similar to that of RyR2 or RyR3. Real‐time PCR revealed that the major type is RyR2, and RT‐PCR followed by sequencing showed a transcript that encodes a protein with ~ 99% identity to RyR2, yet lacking two regions of seven and 12 amino acids and including an additional insertion of eight amino acids. An antibody against RyR2 localized this type to somas and primary dendrites of most retinal neurons. An antibody against RyR1 localized RyR to most somas but also revealed staining in photoreceptor outer segments, concentrated on the disk membranes at their rim. The ryanodine‐binding properties and the electrophoretic mobility of RyR from the outer segments were similar to those of the whole retinal preparation. The results thus identify a novel variant of RyR2 which can contribute to regulating photoreceptor Ca2+ concentrations. The restricted localization of the outer segment RyR to the disk rim suggests that its activation mechanism involves a coupling between retinal RyR and the cGMP‐gated channel.
Farnesyl transferase inhibitors induce neuroprotection by inhibiting Ha‐Ras signalling pathway
Authors: Ruocco Antonio , Santillo Mariarosaria , Cicale Maria , Serù Rosalba , Cuda Giovanni , Anrather Josef , Iadecola Costantino , Postiglione Alfredo , Avvedimento Enrico V. , Paternò Roberto 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn previous studies we found that the GTPase p21 Harvey‐Ras (Ha‐Ras) stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species and induces apoptosis by oxidative stress; this effect was reversed by farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs). In this study we investigated whether FTIs reduce rat brain damage induced by an excitotoxic stimulus, and the signalling pathway(s) underlying the neuroprotection by FTIs. In brain tissue, protein levels of Ha‐Ras and farnesylation inhibition were assayed by Western blot, and superoxide production was measured by hydroethidine. The excitotoxic lesion was induced by intrastriatal injection of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA). The survival of mouse neuronal cortical cells was assessed by 3‐(4,5 dimethylthialzol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). In brain tissue, NMDA increased the protein levels of Ha‐Ras, FTIs caused the accumulation of non‐prenylated inactive Ras in the cytosolic fraction, and significantly reduced superoxide production and necrotic volume after excitotoxicity. FTIs increased the viability of mouse neuronal cortical cells following oxidative stress. In conclusion, FTIs inhibited Ha‐Ras, decreased oxidative stress and reduced necrotic volume by partly acting on neuronal cells. Thus, Ha‐Ras inhibition plays a role in the pathology of neuroprotection, suggesting a potential role of FTIs in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.
Learning‐induced modulation of SK channels‐mediated effect on synaptic transmission
Authors: Brosh Inbar , Rosenblum Kobi , Barkai Edi 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAlthough small conductance (SK)‐mediated calcium‐dependent potassium currents are usually mostly thought to modulate neuronal adaptation by suppressing repetitive spike firing, recent evidence suggests that these channels also modulate synaptic transmission. SK2 channels were shown to be activated in dendritic spines following calcium entry via N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Such activation of potassium currents terminates the NMDA‐dependent postsynaptic potential (PSP).Synaptic potentials in pyramidal neurons in the piriform cortex from olfactory‐discrimination‐trained rats have enhanced rise time 3 days after learning, and their dendritic spines are significantly smaller at this time. In the present study we examined whether the SK channel‐mediated effect on PSPs is modified after learning.The SK channels inhibitor, apamin, that selectively blocks the SK channels‐mediated potassium currents enhanced the width of the PSP in neurons from trained rats only. This effect is abolished in the presence of the NMDA‐channel blocker, APV. The learning‐induced reduction in paired‐pulse facilitation was not affected by apamin. Although the effect of the SK channels is increased after learning, the protein expression level of the SK2 channels, the type located in dendritic spines, was decreased after learning. The protein expression level of the SK3 channel, suggested to be located mainly in axon terminals, was not modified by learning.We suggest that the enhanced effect of the SK channels on NMDA‐mediated synaptic transmission is the result of the reduction in the spine volume after learning. Moreover, these data indicate that spines are more excitable after learning, and are thus more predisposed to activity‐dependent modifications.
Long‐term exposure to histamine induces the expression of an embryonic‐like motor pattern in an adult nervous system
Authors: Sullivan Jeremy M. , Faumont Serge , Ducret Eric , Le Feuvre Yves , Fénelon Valérie S. , Meyrand Pierre 
Published: November 2007

AbstractNeuromodulatory inputs play important roles in shaping the outputs of neural networks. While the actions of neuromodulatory substances over the short term (seconds, minutes) have been examined in detail, far less is known about the possible longer‐term (hours) effects of these substances. To investigate this issue, we used the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the lobster to examine the short‐ and long‐term effects of histamine on rhythmic network activity. The application of histamine to the entire STNS had strong inhibitory effects on all three of the STNS networks, observable within minutes. In contrast, longer‐term (> 1 h) application of histamine induced the expression of a single, unified rhythm involving neurons from all three networks. Selective application of histamine to different regions of the STNS demonstrated that a unified rhythm arises following the long‐term application of histamine to the commissural ganglia (CoGs; modulatory centres), but not the stomatogastric ganglion (site of neural networks). Strikingly, the single rhythm observed following the long‐term application of histamine to the CoGs exhibits many similarities with the single rhythm expressed by the embryonic STNS. Together, these results demonstrate that histamine has markedly different short‐ and long‐term effects on network activity; short‐term effects arising through direct actions on the networks and long‐term effects mediated by actions on modulatory neurons. Furthermore, they indicate that histamine is able to induce the expression of an embryonic‐like rhythm in an adult system, suggesting that long‐term actions of histamine may play key roles in the development of the STNS networks.
The demise of the instant/unprepared contrast enema in large bowel obstruction
Authors: Jacob S. E. , Lee S. H. , Hill J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjective  Imaging the colon in suspected acute large bowel obstruction (LBO) is traditionally carried out with a supine abdominal X‐ray (AXR) and erect chest X‐ray. If there is no clinical or radiological evidence to suggest a perforation, then an unprepared barium or water‐soluble contrast enema (CE) can be performed to confirm the presence of and demonstrate the site of obstruction. The advent of modern, fast multidetector CT (MDCT) scanners has changed management strategies for acute abdominal conditions including suspected LBO in all groups of patients especially the elderly, infirm and those on ITU/HDU.Method  A retrospective case note analysis was carried over a 7‐year period in a single centre. The study criteria involved investigation of suspected LBO with CE, CT and MDCT.Results  It showed a reduction in the number of contrast enemas performed.Conclusion  MDCT was shown to be more accurate in the diagnosis of LBO, is usually available on a 24‐h basis, and in many institutions has replaced the urgent CE in this group of patients. This also has the advantage of excluding incidental findings and in staging malignant disease.
Analysis of renal cell carcinoma with subdiaphragmatic macroscopic venous invasion (T3b)
Authors: Klaver Sjoerd , Joniau Steven , Suy Raphael , Oyen Raymond , Van Poppel Hein 
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVETo review our institutional experience of surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with subdiaphragmatic macroscopic venous invasion (T3b) and to assess variables associated with cancer‐specific survival (CSS), as the stratification of RCC with venous involvement (T3b and T3c) is subject to debate.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of patients who underwent a radical nephrectomy with resection of subdiaphragmatic tumour thrombus (T T) between October 1990 and May 2006. The log‐rank and Cox uni‐ and multivariate regression analysis were used to evaluate predictive factors for CSS.RESULTSIn all, 101 cases were identified. In the N0M0 group, univariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that ipsilateral adrenal gland invasion, Mayo Clinic level of T T, histological subtype and fat invasion were significantly associated with worse CSS. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, only Mayo Clinic level of T T was an independent predictor for CSS. In the subgroup with renal vein involvement only, the median CSS was not reached. In the subgroups with level I, II and III T T involvement, the median CSS was 69, 26 and 21 months, respectively. In the N+ and/or M+ group, only tumour size and type were independent predictors of CSS, while the level of T T was not. Radical nephrectomy yielded poor results with a median CSS of 13 months.CONCLUSIONThe Mayo Clinic level of T T is an independent prognostic predictor for CSS in non‐metastatic T3b RCC. We strongly support the need for re‐classification of the currently applied 2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis staging system, which in its present form does not discriminate between levels of subdiaphragmatic venous invasion.
Model uncertainty in the ecosystem approach to fisheries
Authors: Hill Simeon L. , Watters George M. , Punt André E. , McAllister Murdoch K. , Quéré Corinne Le , Turner John 
Published: November 2007

AbstractFisheries scientists habitually consider uncertainty in parameter values, but often neglect uncertainty about model structure, an issue of increasing importance as ecosystem models are devised to support the move to an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). This paper sets out pragmatic approaches with which to account for uncertainties in model structure and we review current ways of dealing with this issue in fisheries and other disciplines. All involve considering a set of alternative models representing different structural assumptions, but differ in how those models are used. The models can be asked to identify bounds on possible outcomes, find management actions that will perform adequately irrespective of the true model, find management actions that best achieve one or more objectives given weights assigned to each model, or formalize hypotheses for evaluation through experimentation. Data availability is likely to limit the use of approaches that involve weighting alternative models in an ecosystem setting, and the cost of experimentation is likely to limit its use. Practical implementation of an EAF should therefore be based on management approaches that acknowledge the uncertainty inherent in model predictions and are robust to it. Model results must be presented in ways that represent the risks and trade‐offs associated with alternative actions and the degree of uncertainty in predictions. This presentation should not disguise the fact that, in many cases, estimates of model uncertainty may be based on subjective criteria. The problem of model uncertainty is far from unique to fisheries, and a dialogue among fisheries modellers and modellers from other scientific communities will therefore be helpful.