bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor subtypes are differently expressed in rat transplanted pituitary tumours (SMtTW) and in the normal gland
Authors: Vertongen p , Delhase M , Rajas F , Trouillas J , Hooghe-Peters E , Svoboda M , Robberecht P 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The expression of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (PACAP/VIP) receptor subtypes was evaluated in the normal rat pituitary gland and in different rat spontaneous transplantable SMtTW tumours (SMtTW2 which expresses prolactin (PRL), SMtTW10 which expresses GH and SMtTW3 which expresses both PRL and GH) by measurement of PACAP/VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and detection of the presence of mRNA coding for the different receptor forms. In normal glands, the order of potency of the peptides suggested that adenylate cyclase activity was mediated through interaction with PACAP selective receptors (PACAP I receptors); mRNAs coding for the PACAP I receptor, but also for the PACAP II VIP2 receptor, were detected. In SMtTW2 tumours, the functional response was close to that observed in the presence of PACAP II VIP2 receptors; mRNAs coding for PACAP I and PACAP II VIP1 and PACAP II VIP2 receptors were detected. In the SMtTW10 tumours, the functional response was complex but compatible with the involvement of PACAP I and PACAP II receptors; mRNAs coding for the PACAP I and PACAP II VIP1 receptors were detected. In the SMtTW3 tumour, the profile was similar to that of the normal pituitary gland and the mRNA coding for the PACAP I receptor only was detected. Thus, while the control of normal pituitary gland adenylate cyclase activity by PACAP and VIP was mediated by PACAP-selective receptors, in spontaneous transplantable tumours a variable profile was observed and PACAP, as well as VIP1 and VIP2 receptors, may contribute to the responses.
Analysis of the rat clusterin gene promoter and cyclic AMP-regulated mRNA stability in testicular cells
Authors: Rosemblit N , Feng Z-M , Chen C-L C 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Clusterin, also known as SGP-2 or TRPM-2, is expressed in the male reproductive tissues at different levels. The genomic structure of the rat clusterin gene was recently reported by our laboratory and others. In this study, we have determined the promoter responsible for the basal expression of the rat clusterin gene in testicular cells by analyzing the transient expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene in MA-10 cells driven by different segments of the 5′-flanking region and the first intron of the clusterin gene. The region required for maximal basal expression was identified at − 266 to + 54. Addition of DNA fragments of the rat clusterin gene from − 1298 to − 266 bp, or from + 54 to + 1153 to ( − 266/+54)CAT resulted in a 87% decrease in CAT activity, suggesting the presence of inhibitory DNA elements in both the 5′-flanking region and the first intron. When DNA fragment in the first intron, + 1153 to + 2874, was included, CAT activity in the ( − 266/+2874)CAT construct increased to 70% of the clusterin promoter ( − 266/+54)CAT, indicating that stimulatory DNA elements may be present in this region of the first intron. Treatment of MA-10 cells with cyclic AMP (cAMP) neither decreased CAT activity driven by any of the clusterin/CAT chimeric plasmids examined in transient transfection studies, nor reduced the synthesis of nuclear clusterin RNA in nuclear run-on assays, indicating that the reduction of clusterin mRNA levels by cAMP previously reported in our laboratory is not exerted at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, addition of transcriptional or translational inhibitors (actinomycin D and cycloheximide respectively) abolished the cAMP effect observed in MA-10 cells. In summary, we have demonstrated that the basal transcription of the rat clusterin gene in testicular cells is under the control of both positive and negative regulatory sequences at the 5′-flanking region as well as in the first intron. The reduction of clusterin mRNA after exposure of MA-10 cells to cAMP is not due to a decrease in its transcriptional activity, but rather to an increase in the degradation of this mRNA through synthesis of a destabilizing protein(s) and its mRNA.
Bombesin specifically induces intracellular calcium mobilization via gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Aprikian A G , Han K , Chevalier S , Bazinet M , Viallet J 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Bombesin and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) are potent neuropeptides expressed by prostate cancer neuroendocrine cells and are related to the progression of this malignancy. This study characterizes bombesin receptors in human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, DU-145, LNCaP) and assesses the in vitro effect of bombesin on signal transduction and cell proliferation. [125I]Tyr4-bombesin binding assays (37 °C) and Scatchard analyses revealed the presence of a single class of high-affinity receptors with similar Kd values (1·5, 1·1 and 3·6 × 10−10 m in PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP cells respectively) but with significant differences in the number of binding sites per cell (47·6, 1·5 and 0·1 × 103 in PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP cells respectively). Molecular characterization of the binding sites performed in PC-3 cells by cross-linking experiments and SDS/PAGE revealed a single radioactive band of 85 kDa. To determine which of the three known bombesin receptor subtypes (GRP receptor (GRP-R), neuromedin B receptor, bombesin receptor subtype-3) were expressed in the cell lines, reverse transcription/PCR analysis of cellular RNA followed by hybridization with receptor-specific cDNA was performed. This revealed the presence of GRP-R transcript in all cell lines, while neither of the other two receptor transcripts were expressed. When intracellular calcium mobilization was measured by Fura-2/AM cell labeling and spectrofluorometric monitoring, bombesin (100 nm) induced rapid calcium mobilization in both PC-3 (>200% of baseline) and DU-145 (>100% of baseline) cells, but not in LNCaP cells. However, as measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and [3H]thymidine incorporation, no growth modulation was observed with bombesin or bombesin receptor antagonist at various concentrations (0-500 nm). Our data indicate that bombesin is a potent inducer of signal transduction via GRP-R receptors in androgen-insensitive PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells. This suggests that the bombesin/GRP family of neuropeptides may play a regulatory role in the biology of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
Effects of preoperative administration of butorphanol or meloxicam on physiologic responses to surgery in ball pythons
Authors: Olesen Mette G. , Bertelsen Mads F. , Perry Steve F. , Wang Tobias 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective—To characterize physiologic responses of ball pythons (Python regius) following a minor surgical procedure and investigate the effects of 2 commonly used analgesics on this response.
Animals—15 healthy ball pythons.
Procedures—Snakes were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 treatments: meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb]; n = 5), butorphanol (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb]; 5), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (5) before catheterization of the vertebral artery. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood gas values were measured at various times for 72.5 hours after catheterization. The 72.5-hour point was defined as baseline.
Results—Heart rate of ball pythons increased significantly during the first hour following surgery. Mean plasma epinephrine concentration increased slightly at 2.5 hours after surgery, whereas mean plasma cortisol concentration increased beginning at 1.5 hours, reaching a maximum at 6.5 hours. Mean blood pressure increased within the first hour but returned to the baseline value at 2.5 hours after surgery. After 24.5 hours, blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma hormone concentrations remained stable at baseline values. There were no significant differences in values for physiologic variables between snakes that received saline solution and those that received meloxicam or butorphanol.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Measurement of physiologic variables provides a means of assessing postoperative pain in snakes. Meloxicam and butorphanol at the dosages used did not decrease the physiologic stress response and did not appear to provide analgesic effects in ball pythons.
Evaluation of risk factors associated with suture-nidus cystoliths in dogs and cats: 176 cases (1999–2006)
Authors: Appel Sherry L. , Lefebvre Sandra L. , Houston Doreen M. , Holmberg David L. , Stone J. Elizabeth Arnold , Moore Andrew E. P. , Weese J. Scott 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective—To characterize and evaluate risk factors for suture-associated cystoliths in dogs and cats.
Design—Retrospective case-control study.
Animals—163 dogs and 13 cats with suture-associated cystoliths and 326 control dogs and 26 control cats with non–suture-associated cystoliths.
Procedures—Submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre received from 1999 to 2006 were reviewed. Case dogs and cats had cystoliths associated with visible suture or with hollow, cylindrical channels or suture knot impressions consistent with dissolved suture. Control dogs and cats had at least a single recurrent non–suture-associated cystolith submitted closest in time to the sample case. Associations among cystolith composition, recurrence times, sex, age, and breed were evaluated.
Results—Cases consisted of 92 dogs and 7 cats with visible suture and 71 dogs and 6 cats with dissolved suture. Suture-associated cystoliths represented 0.6% of canine cystoliths, 9.4% of recurrent canine cystoliths, 0.17% of feline cystoliths, and 4% of recurrent feline cystoliths. Sexually intact and neutered males were at increased odds of suture-associated cystoliths, relative to spayed female dogs. Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, and Pomeranians were significantly predisposed to form suture-associated cystoliths. In dogs, compound suture-associated cystoliths were significantly more likely than other cystolith types (OR, 8.6). Dogs with suture-associated cystoliths had significantly shorter recurrence times than did control dogs.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Suture remnants in the bladder have an important role in recurrent cystolithiasis in dogs. Identification of risk factors is important for avoiding recurrence of iatrogenic cystoliths.
Use of ketoconazole to treat dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism: 48 cases (1994–2007)
Authors: Lien Yu-Hsin , Huang Hui-Pi 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effectiveness of ketoconazole as a treatment for dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH).
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—48 client-owned dogs in which PDH was diagnosed.
Procedures—Medical records of dogs with PDH that were treated with ketoconazole were examined. Data collected from each record included signalment, clinical signs, results of ACTH stimulation tests before and after treatment with ketoconazole, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, dosage of ketoconazole, clinical response, and survival time.
Results—43 of 48 (90%) dogs had evidence of clinical improvement during the treatment period. In all dogs, treatment with ketoconazole resulted in significantly lower serum cortisol concentrations as measured before and after ACTH stimulation testing; 69% (33/48) of serum cortisol concentrations measured after ACTH stimulation were within the reference range. Serum ALP and ALT activities significantly decreased after treatment with ketoconazole. Survival time after diagnosis of PDH ranged from 2 to 61 months (mean, 26.9 months; median, 25 months).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ketoconazole was a safe and effective option for treating dogs with PDH. Additional research is needed to evaluate the effects of long-term treatment with ketoconazole on adrenal glands.
Use of trazodone as an adjunctive agent in the treatment of canine anxiety disorders: 56 cases (1995–2007)
Authors: Gruen Margaret E. , Sherman Barbara L. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate efficacy of trazodone hydrochloride as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders as well as treatment protocol, dose range, concurrent drug use, adverse events, and therapeutic response in dogs unresponsive to other pharmacologic agents.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—56 dogs with anxiety disorders treated at a referral veterinary behavior clinic.
Procedures—Medical records of dogs with anxiety disorders adjunctively treated with trazodone were retrospectively evaluated with respect to signalment, primary and secondary behavioral diagnoses, physical examination results, hematologic data (CBC and serum biochemical panel), pharmacologic management, and outcome.
Results—Overall, trazodone, used as an adjunctive agent in combination with other behavioral drugs, was well tolerated over a wide dose range and enhanced behavioral calming when administered on a daily or as-needed basis.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although further controlled studies of dose range, efficacy, and safety are needed, trazodone may provide an additional therapeutic option for use in dogs that are unresponsive to conventional treatment.
Poorly differentiated leiomyosarcoma of the urogenital tract in a horse
Authors: Hurcombe Samuel D. A. , Slovis Nathan M. , Kohn Catherine W. , Oglesbee Michael 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Case Description—A 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly was evaluated because of hemorrhage from the vulva and suspected hematuria of 5 days' duration.
Clinical Findings—A primary coagulopathy was ruled out on the basis of results of hematologic testing. Vaginoscopy and cystoscopy revealed a large bleeding mass in the bladder that extended into the vagina, causing marked obliteration of normal urogenital structures and difficulty in urination. Histologic examination of endoscopic and surgical biopsy speci-mens revealed a poorly differentiated neoplasia likely of mesenchymal origin. Chronic suppurative cystitis caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus was also diagnosed.
Treatment and Outcome—The tumor continued to grow despite treatment with doxorubicin and, within 45 days, was causing substantial discomfort and stranguria. Given the grave prognosis, the horse was euthanized. At necropsy, the tumor was found to have caused widespread destruction of the urinary bladder and to have invaded the broad ligament of the uterus. The mass was identified as a poorly differentiated leiomyosarcoma on the basis of results of histologic examination and immunohistochemical staining for α-actin.
Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that leiomyosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis when examining horses with urogenital bleeding.
Wavelength tuning in Er3+,Yb3+:glass microchip lasers
Authors: Młyńczak J. , Kopczyński K. , Mierczyk Z. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe paper presents the investigation results of laser generation around 1.5 μm at different wavelengths. The shifts of the wavelength were achieved by the change of pump power, transmission of an output mirror, and length of an active medium. Mathematical analysis and explanation of this phenomenon was curried out on the basis of the change in relation between the gain and loss lines.
(N‐Salicylidene)aniline Derived Schiff Base Complexes of Methyltrioxorhenium(VII): Ligand Influence and Catalytic Performance
Authors: Zhou Ming‐Dong , Yu Yang , Capapé Alejandro , Jain Kavita R. , Herdtweck Eberhardt , Li Xiao‐Rong , Li Jun , Zang Shu‐Liang , Kühn Fritz E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIt′s a fine line: Methyltrioxorhenium(VII) (MTO) readily forms 1:1 adducts with several N‐(salicylidene)aniline derived Schiff bases. Steric and electronic effects of the ligands play a major role when it comes to stability and catalytic activity. Good donors on the Schiff base ligands, in general, lead to shorter ReO(Schiff base) bridges and lower catalytic activity, while it is the opposite for acceptor ligands on the Schiff bases.magnified imageMethyltrioxorhenium(VII) (MTO) readily forms 1:1 adducts with several N‐(salicylidene)aniline derived Schiff bases. If the aromatic rings of the N‐(salicylidene)aniline ligands display non‐donating or electron withdrawing substituent groups, the resulting MTO adducts show good activities in olefin epoxidations. However, steric effects seem to play a major role, leading often to instable o‐ and m‐Schiff base–MTO adducts, while p‐substituted Schiff bases usually lead to more stable adducts. In catalysis, electron‐withdrawing substituents on the aniline moiety lead to better catalysts than electron donating ones. The gap between good catalysts and instable or non‐existing compounds, however, is small. The general tendency, however, that good donors on the Schiff base ligands lead to shorter ReO(Schiff base) bridges and lower catalytic activity, while the opposite is true with acceptor ligands on the Schiff bases, seems to be quite clear.
BRI2 as a central protein involved in neurodegeneration
Authors: Tsachaki Maria , Ghiso Jorge , Efthimiopoulos Spiros 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBRI2 is a protein that when mutated causes familial British and familial Danish dementias. Upon cleavage, the mutated BRI2 proteins release the peptides ABri and ADan, which are amyloidogenic and accumulate in the brains of patients. Although BRI2 has an unknown function, several reports indicate that it could play multiple roles. For example, the fact that it exists at the cell surface as a homodimer indicates that it could be involved in cell signaling events by acting as a receptor. BRI2 also interacts with amyloid precursor protein (APP), involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In cell cultures and mouse models of AD, BRI2 inhibits APP processing and reduces amyloid β peptide deposition. The interaction between the two proteins could be responsible for the neuropathological similarities between familial British/Danish dementias and AD. The study of BRI2, which is central in familial British and Danish dementia, could unravel underlying molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
The immunoglobulin superfamily of neuronal cell adhesion molecules: Lessons from animal models and correlation with human disease
Authors: Katidou Markella , Vidaki Marina , Strigini Maura , Karagogeos Domna 
Published: December 2008

AbstractNeuronal cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgCAMs) play a crucial role in the formation of neural circuits at different levels: cell migration, axonal and dendritic targeting as well as synapse formation. Furthermore, in perinatal and adult life, neuronal IgCAMs are required for the formation and maintenance of specialized axonal membrane domains, synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. Mutations in the corresponding human genes have been correlated to several human neuronal disorders. Perturbing neuronal IgCAMs in animal models provides powerful means to understand the molecular and cellular basis of such human disorders. In this review, we concentrate on the NCAM, L1 and contactin subfamilies of neuronal IgCAMs summarizing recent functional studies from model systems and highlighting their links to disease pathogenesis.
Adeno‐associated virus‐mediated gene delivery approaches for the treatment of CNS disorders
Authors: Terzi Dimitra , Zachariou Venetia 
Published: December 2008

AbstractOver the last few years, a large number of preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of gene therapy applications using adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vectors. Gene transferviaAAV vectors has been particularly successful for the treatment or adjunct therapy of several CNS disorders. The present review summarizes the progress on AAV gene delivery models for three different CNS disorders. In particular, we discuss advances in AAV‐mediated gene transfer strategies in animal models of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and spinal cord trauma and summarize the results from the first clinical studies using AAV systems.
Überlastetes Ökosystem Erde. Wie der Mensch über seine Verhältnisse lebt
Authors: Fritsche Wolfgang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDie wichtigste Grundlage für die natürlichen Existenzbedingungen des Menschen sind die ökosystemaren Leistungen, die auf der Struktur und Funktion natürlicher und naturnaher Ökosysteme beruhen. Ihr Wert wurde lange unterschätzt, sie galten als Gratisleistungen der Natur. Eine ökonomische Bewertung hat ergeben, dass ihr monetärer Wert über dem des globalen Bruttosozialproduktes liegt. Berechnungen des ökologischen Fußabdruckes zeigen eine etwa 30%ige Überbeanspruchung der Biokapazität der Erde an. Die globalen Stoffkreisläufe kompensieren nicht mehr die zusätzlichen anthropogenen Einträge. Zur Lösung der sich verschärfenden Umweltprobleme ist eine Integration der wirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten in die natürlichen Kreisläufe notwendig.
Virtuelle Fachbibliothek schafft Übersicht. Bio‐Datenbanken und mehr in “vifabio”
Authors: Kasperek Gerwin 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDie Virtuelle Fachbibliothek Biologie – kurz: vifabio – unterstützt beim Auffinden und Benutzen von biologischen Fachdatenbanken. Das Angebot umfasst drei Bausteine: einen Datenbank‐Führer, der hilft, die “richtigen” Datenbanken für die eigenen Fragestellungen zu finden, weiterhin Literatur‐Datenbanken, die mithilfe von Nationallizenzen zugänglich gemacht werden, sowie spezielle Zugänge für Benutzer außerhalb von Hochschulen.
Base‐Modified DNA Labeled by [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and [Os(bpy)3]2+ Complexes: Construction by Polymerase Incorporation of Modified Nucleoside Triphosphates, Electrochemical and Luminescent Properties, and Applications
Authors: Vrábel Milan , Horáková Petra , Pivoňková Hana , Kalachova Lubica , Černocká Hana , Cahová Hana , Pohl Radek , Šebest Peter , Havran Luděk , Hocek Michal , Fojta Miroslav 
Published: December 2008

AbstractModified 2′‐deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) bearing [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and [Os(bpy)3]2+ complexes attached via an acetylene linker to the 5‐position of pyrimidines (C and U) or to the 7‐position of 7‐deazapurines (7‐deaza‐A and 7‐deaza‐G) have been prepared in one step by aqueous cross‐couplings of halogenated dNTPs with the corresponding terminal acetylenes. Polymerase incorporation by primer extension using Vent (exo‐) or Pwo polymerases gave DNA labeled in specific positions with Ru2+ or Os2+ complexes. Square‐wave voltammetry could be efficiently used to detect these labeled nucleic acids by reversible oxidations of Ru2+/3+ or Os2+/3+. The redox potentials of the Ru2+ complexes (1.1–1.25 V) are very close to that of G oxidation (1.1 V), while the potentials of Os2+ complexes (0.75 V) are sufficiently different to enable their independent detection. On the other hand, Ru2+‐labeled DNA can be independently analyzed by luminescence. In combination with previously reported dNTPs bearing ferrocene, aminophenyl, and nitrophenyl tags, the Os‐labeled dATP has been successfully used for “multicolor” redox labeling of DNA and for DNA minisequencing.
Palladium‐Nanoparticle‐Catalysed Ullmann Reactions in Ionic Liquids with Aldehydes as the Reductants: Scope and Mechanism
Authors: Calò Vincenzo , Nacci Angelo , Monopoli Antonio , Cotugno Pietro 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAn efficient Ullmann‐type reductive homocoupling of aryl, vinyl and heteroaryl halides can be promoted by an aldehyde in tetraalkylammonium ionic liquids under very mild reaction conditions. This simple procedure generates symmetrical biaryls under relatively mild conditions. The ionic liquid is crucial for this process because it behaves simultaneously as a base, ligand and reaction medium. The role of the aldehyde is also discussed and a general mechanism for this unusual reaction is proposed. These results open the way to a new efficient method of Pd‐catalysed dehydrogenation of carbonyl compounds.