bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variations of the Spionida (Palpata: Canalipalpata) in the sublittoral zone of the Gulf of California
Authors: Hernández‐Alcántara Pablo , Solís‐Weiss Vivianne 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the seasonal and spatial variations of the Spionida, one of the most abundant and diverse polychaete groups in the Gulf of California. A total of 6527 organisms from 39 stations taken during the winter‐spring and summer periods were identified. The number of species was similar in winter‐spring and summer (29–30), but abundance was significantly higher during the winter‐spring season (4791 versus 1736 in summer). The overall highest density values were recorded in the central‐eastern region (33.45–164.66 org./0.1 m2) where some of the areas with the highest species richness were found (12–16 species). A similar pattern was observed during summer, but with lower values of density. Paraprionospio pinnata, the key species, contributed with 16.24% to the total average dissimilarity between seasons and defined most assemblages of species. It was mainly distributed at stations deeper than 64 m in the eastern shores. The density and composition of species change spatially as a response to changes in depth and sand percent; seasonally, the temperature influenced the variation in the faunal distribution.
Fauchaldonuphis, a new genus for the enigmatic polychaete Diopatra paradoxaQuatrefages, 1866
Authors: Paxton Hannelore 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA new genus, Fauchaldonuphis, is erected for the enigmatic polychaete Diopatra paradoxade Quatrefages, 1866 from the Mozambique Channel. It is characterized by the possession of long anterior chaetigers and parapodia, with long protrusile distally spinous capillary chaetae and bidentate hooks. Embryos being brooded in the parental tube are described. The relationships of Fauchaldonuphis with other genera of Onuphidae based on larval and adult characters are discussed.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography management of common bile duct stones in a surgical unit
Authors: Chen Chung‐Ming , Tay Khoon‐Hean , Hoe Michael N. , Salleh Ibrahim , Lim Swee Ho 
Published: December 2005

Background:  Choledocholithiasis, if left untreated, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The management of such a problem has progressed tremendously but controversy still exists as to ideal management, laparoscopic exploration or endoscopic retrograde pancreatography with sphincterotomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in a surgical unit.Methods:  We performed a retrospective review on 336 patients who underwent ERCP between 1997−2000.Results:  We achieved a successful cannulation rate of 98% and stone clearance rate exceeding 90%. Morbidity has been minimal and there was no mortality in our study.Conclusion:  We conclude that ERCP is an effective and safe surgical alternative for the management of choledocholithiasis.
Differential responses to NMDA receptor activation in rat hippocampal interneurons and pyramidal cells may underlie enhanced pyramidal cell vulnerability
Authors: Avignone E. , Frenguelli B. G. , Irving A. J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractHippocampal interneurons are generally more resistant than pyramidal cells to excitotoxic insults. Because NMDA receptors play a crucial role in neurodegeneration, we have compared the response to exogenous NMDA in CA1 pyramidal cells and interneurons of the stratum oriens using combined whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording and ratiometric Ca2+ imaging. In voltage‐clamp, current‐clamp or in nominally Mg2+‐free medium, NMDA (10 µm; 3–5 min exposure in the presence of tetrodotoxin) induced a markedly larger inward current and Ca2+ rise in pyramidal cells than in interneurons. Pyramidal cells also showed a more pronounced voltage dependence in their response to NMDA. We hypothesized that this enhanced response to NMDA receptor activation in pyramidal cells could underlie their increased vulnerability to excitotoxicity. Using loss of dye as an indicator of degenerative membrane disruption, interneurons tolerated continuous exposure to a high concentration of NMDA (30 µm) for longer periods than pyramidal cells. This acute neurodegeneration in pyramidal cells was independent of intracellular Ca2+, because high intracellular BAPTA (20 mm) did not prolong survival time. Thus, a plausible explanation for the enhanced sensitivity of pyramidal neurons to excitotoxic insults associated with cerebral ischemia is their greater response to NMDA receptor activation, which may reflect differences in NMDA receptor expression and/or subunit composition.
Olfactory receptors on the cockroach antenna signal odour ON and odour OFF by excitation
Authors: Tichy Harald , Hinterwirth Armin , Gingl Ewald 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA morphologically identifiable type of olfactory sensillum on the antenna of the American cockroach contains a pair of ON and OFF cells that responds oppositely to changes in the concentration of fruit odours. The odour of lemon oil was used to study the accuracy with which these cells can discriminate between rapid step‐like, ramp‐like and oscillating changes in odour concentration. The discharge rates of both cells are not only affected by the actual concentration at particular instants in time (instantaneous concentration) but also by the rate at which concentration changes. The impulse frequency of the fruit odour ON cell is high when odour concentration is high, but higher still when odour concentration is also rising. Conversely, the impulse frequency of the fruit odour OFF cell is high when odour concentration is low and higher still when odour concentration is also falling. Thus, the effect of odour concentration on the responses of both cells is reinforced by the rate of change. Sensitivity to the rate of concentration change becomes greater when the rate is low. Because of the high sensitivity to low rates of change, these cells are optimized to detect fluctuations in fruit odour concentration. Whereas the ON cell signals the arrival and presence of fruit odour, the OFF cell detects its termination and absence. These cells provide excitatory responses for both increase and decrease in fruit odour concentration and may therefore reinforce contrast information.
Electrophysiological and behavioural characterization of gustatory responses to antennal ‘bitter’ taste in honeybees
Authors: De Brito Sanchez Maria Gabriela , Giurfa Martin , De Paula Mota Theo Rolla , Gauthier Monique 
Published: December 2005

AbstractWe combined behavioural and electrophysiological experiments to study whether bitter taste is perceived at the antennal level in honeybees, Apis mellifera. Our behavioural studies showed that neither quinine nor salicin delivered at one antenna at different concentrations induced a retraction of the proboscis once it was extended in response to 1 m sucrose solution delivered to the opposite antenna. Bees that extended massively their proboscis to 1 m sucrose responded only partially when stimulated with a mixture of 1 m sucrose and 100 mm quinine. The mixture of 1 m sucrose and 100 mm salicin had no such suppressive effect. No behavioural suppression was found for mixtures of salt solution and either bitter substance. Electrophysiological recordings of taste sensillae at the antennal tip revealed sensillae that responded specifically either to sucrose or salt solutions, but none responded to the bitter substances quinine and salicin at the different concentrations tested. The electrophysiological responses of sensillae to 15 mm sucrose solution were inhibited by a mixture of 15 mm sucrose and 0.1 mm quinine, but not by a mixture of 15 mm sucrose and 0.1 mm salicin. The responses of sensillae to 50 mm NaCl were reduced by a mixture of 50 mm NaCl and 1 mm quinine but not by a mixture of 50 mm NaCl and 1 mm salicin. We concluded that no receptor cells for the bitter substances tested, exist at the level of the antennal tip of the honeybee and that antennal bitter taste is not represented as a separate perceptual quality.
Differential expression of calcineurin A subunit mRNA isoforms during rat hippocampal and cerebellar development
Authors: Eastwood Sharon L. , Salih Tom , Harrison Paul J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractCalcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) is a calcium‐dependent serine‐threonine phosphatase. It has diverse roles and is centrally involved in synaptic plasticity. The catalytic A subunit of calcineurin has three isoforms, α, β and γ. Their expression and ontogeny in the brain has not been systematically investigated; such data become important with a report that PPP3CC, the gene encoding calcineurin Aγ, is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, and the finding that its expression is decreased in the disorder. We used in situ hybridization histochemistry to measure the relative transcript abundance of calcineurin Aγ and the other catalytic isoforms, Aα and Aβ, during development of the Sprague–Dawley rat hippocampus and cerebellum. All three isoforms are present in both regions at all time points [embryonic day 19 (E19) to postnatal day 42 (P42)] and undergo developmental regulation, but differ in their ontogenic profile. Calcineurin Aα and Aβ mRNAs increased from E19 through to adulthood, whereas Aγ mRNA was most highly expressed during early developmental stages. Calcineurin Aα and Aβ mRNAs positively correlated with synaptophysin mRNA (a synaptic marker), whilst Aγ mRNA was either unrelated to, or negatively correlated, with this transcript. These data confirm that all three calcineurin A subunits are expressed in the rodent brain, and indicate that calcineurin Aγ may have different roles than Aα and Aβ. The data also suggest a potential importance of calcineurin Aγ in neurodevelopment, and in the genetically influenced neurodevelopmental disturbance that is thought to underlie schizophrenia.
Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 activity in experimental brain contusions aggravates injury outcome and leads to early increased neuronal and glial degeneration
Authors: Sköld Mattias K. , Risling Mårten , Holmin Staffan 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAngiogenesis following traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may be of importance for post‐traumatic reparative processes and the development of secondary injuries. We have previously shown expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major regulator of endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and VEGF receptors (VEGFR1 and 2) after TBI in rat. In the present work we tried to further elucidate the role of VEGF after TBI by performing specific VEGFR2 activity inhibition. In rats subjected to VEGFR2 blockage we report an increased haemorrhagic area (P < 0.05), early increase in serum levels of neural injury marker neuron‐specific enolase (P < 0.05) and glial injury marker S100β (P < 0.05), and increased numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate‐biotin nick end labelling‐ (TUNEL‐) and FluoroJade B‐ (P < 0.05) positive cells, all increases preceding the known VEGF/VEGFR vascular response in brain trauma. An increase in lesion area, as measured by decreased microtubuli‐associated protein 2 expression (P < 0.05) and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein reactivity (P < 0.05), could also be demonstrated. In addition, vascular density, as measured by von Willebrandt factor‐positive cells, was decreased (P < 0.05). No differences in post‐traumatic inflammatory response, as measured by stainings for macrophages, granulocytes and intracellular adhesion molecules, were shown between the groups. Taken together, our findings point towards VEGF/VEGFR2 up‐regulation after TBI as being an important endogenous cytoprotective mechanism in TBI. The possible importance of VEGF on the vascular, neuronal and glial compartments of the neurovascular unit after TBI is discussed.
Spinal cord compression and dorsal root injury cause up‐regulation of activating transcription factor‐3 in large‐diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons
Authors: Huang W. L. , Robson D. , Liu M. C. , King V. R. , Averill S. , Shortland P. J. , Priestley J. V. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSpinal cord injury causes damage to ascending and descending tracts, as well as to local circuits, but relatively little is known about the effect of such injury on sensory neurons located within adjoining ganglia. We have therefore used immunocytochemistry for activating transcription factor‐3 (ATF3), a sensitive marker of axonal damage, in order to examine the effects of spinal cord injury in rats on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. A 50‐g static compression injury applied to the dorsal surface of the T12 thoracic spinal cord led to an up‐regulation of ATF3 that was maximal at 1 day and affected 12–14% of DRG neurons in ganglia caudal to the injury (T13–L3). A similar response was seen after a T12 hemisection that transected the dorsal columns except that compression injury, but not hemisection, also evoked ATF3 expression in ganglia just rostral to the injury (T10, T11). ATF3 was up‐regulated exclusively in DRG neurons that were of large diameter and immunoreactive for heavy neurofilament. Small‐diameter cells, including the population that binds the lectin Grifffonia simplicifolia IB4, did not express ATF3 immunoreactivity. A similar pattern of ATF3 expression was induced by dorsal rhizotomy. The data show for the first time that ATF3 is up‐regulated after spinal cord and dorsal root injury, but that this up‐regulation is confined to the large‐diameter cell population.
Molecular analysis of microbial communities identified in different developmental stages of Ixodes scapularis ticks from Westchester and Dutchess Counties, New York
Authors: Moreno Claudia X. , Moy Fred , Daniels Thomas J. , Godfrey Henry P. , Cabello Felipe C. 
Published: December 2005

Summary Ixodes scapularis ticks play an important role in the transmission of a wide variety of pathogens between various mammalian species, including humans. Pathogens transmitted by ticks include Borrelia, Anaplasma and Babesia. Although ticks may harbour both pathogenic and non‐pathogenic microflora, little is known about how the diversity of the microflora within ticks may influence the transmission of pathogens. To begin addressing this question, we examined the composition of bacterial communities present in Ixodes scapularis collected from Westchester and Dutchess Counties, New York State, at different developmental and nutritional stages. Genetic fingerprints of bacterial populations were generated by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) separation of individual polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments, followed by DNA sequence analysis for bacterial identification. The fingerprints of the TTGE bands were grouped into five clusters. The most abundant DNA sequence found in all the samples was Rickettsia, followed by Pseudomonas and Borrelia. Ralstonia, Anaplasma, Enterobacterias, Moraxella, Rhodococcus and uncultured proteobacterium were present as well. We also determined the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi by PCR and DNA sequence analysis. Statistical analyses indicated significant variations in the bacterial communities depending on tick developmental stage and degree of engorgement. We suggest that these two elements affect microbial diversity within the tick and may in turn influence pathogen transmission to humans and animals after tick bite.
Characterization and quantification of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria in eutrophic coastal marine sediments using polyphasic molecular approaches and immunofluorescence staining
Authors: Urakawa Hidetoshi , Kurata Shinya , Fujiwara Taketomo , Kuroiwa Daisuke , Maki Hideaki , Kawabata Sumiko , Hiwatari Takehiko , Ando Haruo , Kawai Toshio , Watanabe Masataka , Kohata Kunio 
Published: December 2005

SummaryTokyo Bay, a eutrophic bay in Japan, receives nutrients from wastewater plants and other urban diffuse sources via river input. A transect was conducted along a line from the Arakawa River into Tokyo Bay to investigate the ecological relationship between the river outflow and the distribution, abundance and population structure of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB). Five surficial marine sediments were collected and analysed with polyphasic approaches. Heterogeneity and genetic diversity of β‐AOB populations were examined using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 16S rRNA and amoA genes. A shift of the microbial community was detected in samples along the transect. Both 16S rRNA and amoA genes generated polymorphisms in the restriction profiles that were distinguishable at each sampling site. Two 16S rRNA gene libraries were constructed using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method to determine the major ammonia oxidizers maintaining high cellular rRNA content. Two major groups were observed in the Nitrosomonas lineage; no Nitrosospira were detected. The effort to isolate novel AOB was successful; the isolate dominated in the gene libraries. For quantitative analysis, a real‐time PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene was developed. The population sizes of β‐AOB ranged from 1.6 × 107 to 3.0 × 108 cells g−1 in dry sediments, which corresponded to 0.1–1.1% of the total bacterial population. An immunofluorescence staining using anti‐hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) antibody was also tested to obtain complementary data. The population sizes of ammonia oxidizers ranged between 2.4 × 108 and 1.2 × 109 cells g−1 of dry sediments, which corresponded to 1.2–4.3% of the total bacterial fraction. Ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria cell numbers deduced by the two methods were correlated (R = 0.79, P < 0.01). In both methods, the number  of   AOB   increased   with   the   distance   from   the river mouth; ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria were most numerous at B30, where the ammonium concentration in the porewater was markedly lower and the nitrite concentration was slightly higher than nearby sites. These results reveal spatial distribution and shifts in the population structure of AOB corresponding to nutrients and organic inputs from the river run‐off and phytoplankton bloom.
The influence of abdomino‐peranal (intersphincteric) resection of lower third rectal carcinoma on the rates of sphincter preservation and locoregional recurrence
Authors: Hohenberger W. , Merkel S. , Matzel K. , Bittorf B. , Papadopoulos T. , Göhl J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjective  The most extended form of rectal resection, representing the very last option for sphincter preservation is abdomino‐peranal intersphincteric resection for tumours of the lower third which otherwise would not be resectable with preservation of the sphincter by an abdominal approach alone.Patients and methods  The data of 476 patients with a carcinoma in the lower third of the rectum who underwent primary treatment for stage I‐III disease by low anterior resection, abdomino‐peranal (intersphincteric) resection or abdominoperineal excision between 1985 and 2001 were analysed. The time periods 1985–94 and 1995–2001 were compared.Results  The rate of intersphincteric resections increased from 3% in 1985–94 to 27% in 1995–2001 while abdominoperineal excisions decreased. Postoperative complication rate was not increased in intersphincteric resections (25%) while postoperative mortality did not differ between the operative procedures. The overall 5‐year‐rate of locoregional recurrence decreased from 18% to 16%. In intersphincteric resections 14.2% of the patients treated with radiochemotherapy developed locoregional recurrence, while this rate was 46.5% (7/18) if adjuvant treatment was not administered (P = 0.0200). The cancer‐related 5‐year survival rate was not altered by intersphincteric resection.Conclusion  In carcinomas of the lower third of the rectum, the application of abdomino‐peranal intersphincteric resection can reduce the need for rectal excision by 20%. Neo‐/adjuvant radiochemotherapy is required to reduce locoregional recurrence to an acceptable level.
Intragranular pH rapidly modulates exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Camacho Marcial , Machado José D. , Montesinos Mónica S. , Criado Manuel , Borges Ricardo 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSeveral drugs produce rapid changes in the kinetics of exocytosis of catecholamines, as measured at the single event level with amperometry. This study is intended to unveil whether the mechanism(s) responsible for these effects involve changes in the intravesicular pH. Cell incubation with bafilomycin A1, a blocker of the vesicular proton pump, caused both a deceleration in the kinetics of exocytosis and a reduction in the catecholamine content of vesicle. These effects were also observed upon reduction of proton gradient by nigericin or NH4Cl. pH measurements using fluorescent probes (acridine orange, quinacrine or enhanced green fluorescent protein–synaptobrevin) showed a strong correlation between vesicular pH and the kinetics of exocytosis. Hence, all maneuvers tested that decelerated exocytosis also alkalinized secretory vesicles and vice versa. On the other hand, calcium entry caused a transient acidification of granules. We therefore propose that the regulation of vesicular pH is, at least partially, a necessary step in the modulation of the kinetics of exocytosis and quantal size operated by some cell signals.
The novel β‐secretase inhibitor KMI‐429 reduces amyloid β peptide production in amyloid precursor protein transgenic and wild‐type mice
Authors: Asai Masashi , Hattori Chinatsu , Iwata Nobuhisa , Saido Takaomi C. , Sasagawa Noboru , Szabó Beáta , Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Maruyama Kei , Tanuma Sei‐ichi , Kiso Yoshiaki , Ishiura Shoichi 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The major component of the plaques, amyloid β peptide (Aβ), is generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β‐ and γ‐secretase‐mediated cleavage. Because β‐secretase/beta‐site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) knockout mice produce much less Aβ and grow normally, a β‐secretase inhibitor is thought to be one of the most attractive targets for the development of therapeutic interventions for AD without apparent side‐effects. Here, we report the in vivo inhibitory effects of a novel β‐secretase inhibitor, KMI‐429, a transition‐state mimic, which effectively inhibits β‐secretase activity in cultured cells in a dose‐dependent manner. We injected KMI‐429 into the hippocampus of APP transgenic mice. KMI‐429 significantly reduced Aβ production in vivo in the soluble fraction compared with vehicle, but the level of Aβ in the insoluble fraction was unaffected. In contrast, an intrahippocampal injection of KMI‐429 in wild‐type mice remarkably reduced Aβ production in both the soluble and insoluble fractions. Our results indicate that the β‐secretase inhibitor KMI‐429 is a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.
Nine new polymorphic microsatellite loci for the amplification of archived otolith DNA of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L.
Authors: JAKOBSDÓTTIR KLARA BJÖRG , JÖRUNDSDÓTTIR þÓRA DÖGG , SKÍRNISDÓTTIR SIGURLAUG , HJÖRLEIFSDÓTTIR SIGRÍÐUR , HREGGVIÐSSON GUÐMUNDUR Ó. , DANÍELSDÓTTIR ANNA KRISTÍN , PAMPOULIE CHRISTOPHE 
Published: December 2005

AbstractNine out of 22 microsatellite primers tested were successfully amplified on three samples of cod Gadus morhua L. (two contemporary and one archived otolith samples). All loci were polymorphic (5–23 alleles/locus). The average observed heterozygosity across loci and samples was 0.625, ranging from 0.294 to 0.895 at each locus. All loci were under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, except PGmo56 that showed significant excess of heterozygotes in all studied samples. The isolated loci were suitable for degraded DNA and therefore useful for conducting a long‐term temporal study with DNA obtained from archived otoliths of cod.