bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Axon‐glia communication evokes calcium signaling in olfactory ensheathing cells of the developing olfactory bulb
Authors: Rieger Anne , Deitmer Joachim W. , Lohr Christian 
Published: November 2006

AbstractOlfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) accompany receptor axons in the olfactory nerve and promote axonal growth into the central nervous system. The mechanisms underlying the communication between axons and OECs, however, have not been studied in detail yet. We investigated the effect of activity‐dependent neuronal transmitter release on Ca2+signaling of OECs in acute mouse olfactory bulb slices using confocal Ca2+imaging. TTX‐sensitive axonal activity upon electrical nerve stimulation triggers a rise in cytosolic Ca2+in OECs, which can be mimicked by application of DHPG, an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Both stimulation‐ and DHPG‐induced Ca2+transients in OECs were abolished by depletion of intracellular Ca2+stores with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). The mGluR1‐specific antagonist CPCCOEt completely inhibited DHPG‐evoked Ca2+transients, but reduced stimulation‐induced Ca2+transients only partly, suggesting the involvement of another neurotransmitter. Application of ATP evoked CPA‐sensitive Ca2+transients in OECs, which were inhibited by the P2Y1‐specific antagonist MRS2179. Co‐application of CPCCOEt and MRS2179 almost completely blocked the stimulation‐induced Ca2+transients, indicating that they were mediated by mGluR1and P2Y1receptors. Our results show that OECs are able to respond to olfactory nerve activity with an increase in cytosolic Ca2+due to glutamate and ATP release. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for synaptic stripping by cortical microglia
Authors: Trapp Bruce D. , Wujek Jerome R. , Criste Gerson A. , Jalabi Walid , Yin Xinghua , Kidd Grahame J. , Stohlman Stephen , Ransohoff Richard 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRecent studies have described significant demyelination and microglial activation in the cerebral cortex of brains from multiple sclerosis patients. To date, however, experimental models of cortical demyelination or cortical inflammation have not been extensively studied. In this report we describe focal cortical inflammation induced by stereotaxic injection of killed bacteria (BCG), followed 1 month later by subcutaneous injection of the same antigen, a protocol that overcomes the immune privilege of the cortex. Intracerebral BCG injection produced focal microglial activation at the injection site (termed acute lesion). Ten days after peripheral challenge (termed immune‐mediated lesion), larger areas and higher densities of activated microglia were found near the injection site. In both paradigms, activated microglia and/or their processes closely apposed neuronal perikarya and apical dendrites. In the immune‐mediated lesions, ∼45% of the axosomatic synapses was displaced by activated microglia. Upon activation, therefore, cortical microglial migrate to and strip synapses from neuronal perikarya. Since neuronal pathology was not a feature of either the acute or immune‐mediated lesion, synaptic stripping by activated microglia may have neuroprotective consequences. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trends in suicide rates of the elderly in Austria, 1970–2004: an analysis of changes in terms of age groups, suicide methods and gender
Authors: Kapusta Nestor D. , Etzersdorfer Elmar , Sonneck Gernot 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundSuicides of the elderly (persons aged 65 and older) make up a large proportion of total suicides. Since suicide rates of the elderly are highest in western populations, addressing them as a risk group in prevention plans has been recommended. In order to assess possible approaches to prevention strategies, this study examines high‐risk groups of the elderly.MethodsWe examined official statistics on suicides that occurred in Austria between 1970–2004 (18,101 Suicides of the elderly). We analyzed time trends and differences in suicide methods as well as in age groups and both genders of the elderly.ResultsThree major high‐risk groups were identified: elderly male suicides by firearms; elderly female suicides by poisoning, which occur more often with increasing age; and suicides of both genders by jumping from heights.ConclusionBesides conducting treatment of psychiatric disorders of the elderly, restricting the means to commit suicide may help to prevent it among the elderly. Such specific prevention strategies should be implemented in national suicide prevention plans for the high‐risk groups identified in this study. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression in veterans with Parkinson's disease: frequency, co‐morbidity, and healthcare utilization
Authors: Chen Peijun , Kales Helen C. , Weintraub Daniel , Blow Frederic C. , Jiang Lan , Ignacio Rosalinda V. , Mellow Alan M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the frequency of depression in Parkinson's disease (PD) in routine clinical care, and to examine its association with co‐morbid psychiatric and medical conditions and healthcare utilization.MethodsDepression diagnoses and healthcare utilization data for all male veterans with PD age 55 or older seen in fiscal year 2002 (n = 41,162) were analyzed using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national databases. Frequencies of co‐morbid disorders and healthcare utilization were determined for depressed and non‐depressed patients; associations with depression were examined using multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsA depression diagnosis was recorded for 18.5% of PD patients, including major depression in 3.9%. Depression decreased in frequency and severity with increasing age. In multivariate logistic regression models, depressed patients had significantly greater psychiatric and medical co‐morbidity, including dementia, psychosis, stroke, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than non‐depressed patients (all p < 0.01). Depressed PD patients were also significantly more likely to have medical (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.25–1.44) and psychiatric hospitalizations (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.83–2.51), and had more outpatient visits (p < 0.01), than non‐depressed PD patients in adjusted models.ConclusionDepression in PD in non‐tertiary care settings may not be as common or as severe as that seen in specialty care, though these findings also may reflect under‐recognition or diagnostic imprecision. The occurrence of depression in PD is associated with greater psychiatric and medical co‐morbidity, and greater healthcare utilization. These findings suggest that screening for depression in PD is important and should be embedded in a comprehensive psychiatric, neuropsychological, and medical evaluation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subtle imitation behaviour in convenience samples of normal, demented, and currently depressed elderly subjects
Authors: von Gunten Armin , Duc René 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical significance of imitation behaviour (IB) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of subtle naïve and obstinate IB in convenience samples of normal elderly, demented, and depressed subjects.MethodSubtle IB was assessed using a protocol constructed ad hoc in 146 patients, consecutively referred to a memory clinic having received an ICD‐10 diagnosis of either dementia or depression, and in 241 healthy subjects. The prevalence of IB in the three groups was determined and the association with possible demographic, cognitive, and non‐cognitive variables analysed.ResultsSubtle naïve IB was frequent in the elderly with dementia, intermediate in the depressed, and rare in the normal elderly except that the latter frequently stretched out their arms. Obstinate IB never occurred in the normal elderly. IB was predicted by none of the variables used.LimitationsThe groups included were convenience samples with the depressed being a small group precluding further distinction of depressive subtypes.ConclusionAlthough naïve IB is a frequent clinical feature in the demented, it also accompanies depressive disorders in the elderly. It can be observed as context‐specific IB in the normal elderly. Obstinate IB does not occur in the normal elderly. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavioural disturbance triggers recognition of dementia by family informants
Authors: Eustace A. , Bruce I. , Coen R. , Cunningham C. , Walsh C. , Walsh J.B. , Coakley D. , Lawlor B.A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the frequency of unrecognised dementia in a group of community dwelling elderly, and to identify factors associated with dementia recognition by informants.Sample selectionPeople over 65 years with an AGECAT case or subcase organic diagnosis or an MMSE ≤ 23 were identified from a database of community dwelling elderly. A psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis of dementia according to ICD‐10 criteria interviewed these individuals.Study participantsSixty‐two community dwelling elderly meeting ICD‐10 criteria for dementia whom had reliable informants.MethodsPrior to the start of the interview the informant was questioned about whether they felt the patient had memory difficulties and if so whether they had a medical evaluation for their memory problems. A psychiatrist then interviewed the patient and informant to establish whether that patient met ICD‐10 criteria for dementia. Basic sociodemographic details were collected and the following assessments were carried out: the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale, the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, the Behave‐AD and the Baumgarten Behavioural Disturbance Scale.AnalysisUnivariate and step‐wise forward logistic regression analysis were used to examine the factors associated with recognition of memory difficulties.ResultsTwenty‐nine percent of family informants of people with dementia failed to recognise a problem with their relatives'memory. Where memory difficulties were recognised only 39% of this group received a medical evaluation. Using univariate analysis recognition of memory difficulties by family informants was associated higher levels of behaviour disturbance ( p = < 0.0011), greater functional impairment ( p = 0.0039), with increasing cognitive impairment ( p = 0.013). Using a logistic regression model, to test the independence of these variables, increasing behavioural disturbance (p = 0.0001) was associated with recognition of dementia by family informants.ConclusionsRecognition of memory problems by family members is associated with increasing behavioural disturbance. Even with recognition of dementia, families often fail to seek medical attention. Education of the lay public on the early signs and symptoms of dementia must be a key first step in improving recognition of dementia in the community dwelling elderly. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reaching the population with dementia drugs: what are the challenges?
Authors: Matthews Fiona E , McKeith Ian , Bond John , Brayne Carol 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundSystematic evidence became available in the late 1990s on efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors (CHEIs) for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and they began to be used sporadically. Since January 2001 UK based guidelines indicated that one of three cholinesterase inhibitors (CHEIs) could be prescribed for these patients. Since then the cost of prescription in England and Wales has risen. There has been little investigation of uptake at the population level.ObjectiveTo estimate the population uptake of CHEIs in a population based study of dementia spanning this period.DesignUsing data from a 10‐year follow up and a later 12 year interview of the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC CFAS), a UK population based longitudinal cohort study of people originally aged 65 years and above, we investigated who was taking CHEIs during the period 2001–2004. We sought information from respondents taking part in the study what medication they were taking on a regular basis.ResultsOnly 12, of the 219 individuals who received a study diagnosis of dementia were prescribed CHEIs [5%, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 3%–9%]) in 2001/2003 and none of the 28 individuals with a study diagnosis of dementia (0%, 95% CI 0–18%) in 2004 were prescribed CHEIs. Uptake was biased towards individuals with more education and higher social class.ConclusionsThese data suggest that any impact on AD progression at the population level will be negligible as prescription of CHEIs and uptake in the age group at highest risk is so limited. There is little evidence that this has changed over time. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
5α‐Reductase type 2 gene variant associations with prostate cancer risk, circulating hormone levels and androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Hayes Vanessa M. , Severi Gianluca , Padilla Emma J.D. , Morris Howard A. , Tilley Wayne D. , Southey Melissa C. , English Dallas R. , Sutherland Robert L. , Hopper John L. , Boyle Peter , Giles Graham G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractControversy exists over the significance of associations between theSRD5A2(5α‐reductase type 2) polymorphisms, A49T and V89L, and risk of prostate cancer. These potentially functional polymorphisms may alter life‐long exposure to androgens with subsequent effects on male health and aging. The aim of this study was to examine the association of these variants with prostate cancer risk, plasma hormone levels and androgenetic alopecia. Subjects include 827 cases and 736 controls from an Australian population‐based case–control study of prostate cancer. Information on prostate cancer risk factors and patterns of balding were collected. Plasma levels of testosterone, 3α‐diol glucuronide (3α‐diolG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, sex hormone‐binding globulin and estradiol were measured for controls. No associations with the V89L polymorphism were found. Carriers of the rarer A49T A allele were at a 60% higher risk of prostate cancer (OR = 1.60; 95% CI 1.09–2.36;p= 0.02) and 50% lower risk of vertex and frontal balding (p= 0.03) compared with men homozygous for the more common G allele. Although we found little evidence of association between this variant and plasma levels of 5 measured androgens, circulating 3α‐diolG levels were 34% lower in A49T A allele carriers (p< 0.0001). Our study provides evidence that theSRD5A2A49T A variant is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, lower levels of circulating 3α‐diolG and decreased risk of baldness. These findings raise important questions with respect to previous assumptions concerning hormonal influences on prostate cancer risk in ageing males. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The geometry of sets of orthogonal frequency hypercubes
Authors: Mavron V. C. , McDonough T. P. , Mullen Gary L. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe extend the notion of a framed net, introduced by D. Jungnickel, V. C. Mavron, and T. P. McDonough, J Combinatorial Theory A, 96 (2001), 376–387, to that of a d‐framed net of type ℓ, where d ≥ 2 and 1 ≤ ℓ ≤ d‐1, and we establish a correspondence between d‐framed nets of type ℓ and sets of mutually orthogonal frequency hypercubes of dimension d. We provide a new proof of the maximal size of a set of mutually orthogonal frequency hypercubes of type ℓ and dimension d, originally established by C. F. Laywine, G. L. Mullen, and G. Whittle, Monatsh Math 119 (1995), 223–238, and we obtain a geometric characterization of the framed net when this bound is satisfied as a PBIBD based on a d‐class association Hamming scheme H(d,n). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 449–459, 2007
Mass spectrometric characterization of low‐molecular‐mass color pI markers and their use for direct determination of pI value of proteins
Authors: Mazanec Karel , Šlais Karel , Chmelík Josef 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe use of low‐molecular‐mass color pI markers for the determination of pI values of proteins in gel isoelectric focusing (IEF) in combination with mass spectrometry is described. Different types of substituted phenols of known pI values within the mass range 250–400 were used here as pI markers. The pure, synthesized pI markers were studied by MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS. Fragmentation studies of the pI markers were also performed. Only stable and well‐characterized pI markers were used in this work. The selected pI markers were mixed with proteins, deposited on a gel and separated in a pH gradient.Color pI markers enable supervision of progress of the focusing process and also estimation of the position of the invisible focused bands. The separated bands of the pI markers (containing separated proteins) were excised, and the pI markers were eluted from each gel piece by water/ethanol and identified by MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS.From the washed gel pieces the remaining carrier ampholytes were then washed out and proteins were in‐gel digested with trypsin. The obtained peptides were measured by MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS and the proteins identified via a protein database search. This procedure allows avoiding time‐consuming protein staining and destaining procedures, which shortens the analysis time roughly by half. For comparison, IEF gels were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R 250 and proteins in the gel bands were identified according to the standard proteomic protocol. This work has confirmed that our approach can give information about the correct pI values of particular proteins and shorten significantly the time of analysis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study of the glutathione metaboloma peptides by energy‐resolved mass spectrometry as a tool to investigate into the interference of toxic heavy metals with their metabolic processes
Authors: Rubino Federico Maria , Pitton Marco , Brambilla Gabri , Colombi Antonio 
Published: November 2006

AbstractTo better understand the fragmentation processes of the metal–biothiol conjugates and their possible significance in biological terms, an energy‐resolved mass spectrometric study of the glutathione conjugates of heavy metals, of several thiols and disulfides of the glutathione metaboloma has been carried out. The main fragmentation process of γ‐glutamyl compounds, whether in the thiol, disulfide, thioether or metal‐bis‐thiolate form, is the loss of the γ‐glutamyl residue, a process which ERMS data showed to be hardly influenced by the sulfur substitution. However, loss of the γ‐glutamyl residue from themono‐S‐glutathionyl‐mercury (II) cation is a much more energetic process, possibly pointing at a strong coordination of the carboxylic group to the metal. Moreover, loss of neutral mercury from ions containing the γ‐glutamyl residue to yield a sulfenium cation was a much more energetic process than those not containing them, suggesting that the redox potential of the thiol/disulfide system plays a role in the formal reduction of the mercury dication in the gas phase. Occurrence of complementary sulfenium and protonated thiol fragments in the spectra of protonated disulfides of the glutathione metaboloma mirrors the thiol/disulfide redox process of biological importance. The intensity ratio of the fragments is proportional to the reduction potential in solution of the corresponding redox pairs. This finding has allowed the calculation of the previously unreported reduction potentials for the disulfide/thiol pair of cysteinylglycine, thereby confirming the decomposition scheme of bis‐ andmono‐S‐glutathionyl‐mercury (II) ions. Finally, on the sole basis of the mass spectrometric fragmentation of the glutathione–mercury conjugates, and supported by independent literature evidence, an unprecedented mechanism for mercury ion‐induced cellular oxidative stress could be proposed, based on the depletion of the glutathione pool by a catalytic mechanism acting on the metal (II)–thiol conjugates and involving as a necessary step the enzymatic removal of the glutamic acid residue to yield a mercury (II)–cysteinyl‐glycine conjugate capable of regenerating neutral mercury through the oxidation of glutathione thiols to the corresponding disulfides. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Curing of Liquid‐Crystalline Epoxy Resins Containing a Biphenyl Mesogen
Authors: Liu Guodong , Gao Jungang , Song Lili , Hou Wenjun , Zhang Liucheng 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Liquid crystalline epoxies with a biphenyl mesogenic group have been widely studied although it is still in contention as to whether the diglycidyl ether of DGEBP shows a thermotropic phase. DEPBP was synthesized by partial oxidation and the liquid crystalline properties were investigated. Despite their similar structures their molecular weights are quite different. DEPBP has a distinct molecular weight, while DGEBP shows a molecular weight distribution. DEPEBP was also synthesized and characterized to investigate the influence of the flexible spacer. By incorporation of a flexible ethoxy group, the monomer shows no thermotropic property even in its curing reaction with an aromatic diamine, DDM. The curing rate was decelerated and the cured network showed a Tg even lower than that of cured DGEBA/DDM. The curing kinetics of DEPBP and DEPEBP were also tentatively investigated.Arrhenius plot of DEPBP/DDM at α = 0.15.magnified imageArrhenius plot of DEPBP/DDM at α = 0.15.
A Contribution to the Investigation of Enzyme‐Catalysed Hydrolysis of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Oligomers
Authors: Nechwatal Axel , Blokesch Axel , Nicolai Monika , Krieg Marcus , Kolbe Axel , Wolf Monika , Gerhardt Matthias 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: One strategy to solve the problem of unwanted PET oligomer deposits in textile production is their enzymatic cleavage. In this work a selection of different enzymes (esterases, lipases) were tested for this purpose. The capacity to hydrolyse PET oligomers of some of the tested enzymes has been previously described in the literature. In order to imitate practical conditions both dry and precipitated PET oligomers were used. The decrease in the amount of cyclic trimer, the main component of the PET oligomers, was monitored by HPLC. After treatment with the lipase from Triticum aestivum a decrease of 80 wt.‐% was found. However, the effect of this lipase seems to have less to do with catalysing hydrolytic cleavages of ester groups than with the absorption of the oligomer on the enzyme protein.Cyclic PET trimer (cyclo‐tris[ethyleneglycolterephthalate]).magnified imageCyclic PET trimer (cyclo‐tris[ethyleneglycolterephthalate]).