bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of canine interdigital palmar and plantar comedones and follicular cysts, and their response to laser surgery
Authors: Duclos David D. , Hargis Ann M. , Hanley Patrick W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study documents the presence of comedones and follicular cysts of palmar and plantar interdigital skin as an underlying cause of recurrent dermatitis, and describes the use of a carbon dioxide laser to surgically remove lesions. The 28 dogs included in the study had: (i) recurrent lameness, pain, and nodules, or draining sinuses in the dorsal interdigital skin, (ii) failed to respond to antibiotic therapy, and (iii) were negative for Demodex mites and dermatophytes. All 28 had laser surgery; nine dogs had two surgical procedures and two dogs had three surgical procedures for lesion recurrence. Fifteen dogs had skin samples collected for histopathology. Clinical features in ventral interdigital skin included alopecia, callus‐like thickening, and comedones. Histological features included hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, comedones and follicular cysts, furunculosis, draining sinuses, and scarring. Surface trauma to the ventral interdigital skin appeared to contribute to lesion development. Laser surgery allowed removal of multiple layers of cysts and adjacent hair follicles and the tracking and removal of sinuses. One dog was euthanized for orthopaedic lameness 1 month after laser surgery, but post‐surgical follow‐up (1.0–8.0 years – mean 3 years) from the remaining 27 dogs revealed that laser therapy of affected skin and adjacent hair follicles resulted in resolution of interdigital lesions in 25. Two dogs continued to develop interdigital cysts.
Use of a formulation containing imidacloprid and moxidectin in the treatment of lice infestation in guinea pigs
Authors: Kim Sang‐Hun , Jun Hyung‐Kyou , Yoo Myung‐Jo , Kim Duck‐Hwan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGuinea pigs are susceptible to lice infestations. Ten guinea pigs infested with Gliricola porcelli were free of adult lice and eggs, and of adverse reactions, 30 days after treatment, with a single application of 0.05 mL of a solution containing 10% (w/v) imidacloprid and 1% (w/v) moxidectin indicating that this procedure is an effective treatment for lice infestations in guinea pigs.
Determination of CADESI‐03 thresholds for increasing severity levels of canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Mueller Ralf , Nuttall Tim , Favrot Claude , Prélaud Pascal ,   for the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Published: April 2008

AbstractTo evaluate the extent and severity of skin lesions in clinical trials enrolling dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD), the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis recently recommended the use of the third version of the CADESI. This version of the CADESI was found to exhibit acceptable content, construct, criterion, inter‐ and intraobserver reliability and sensitivity to change. The current study was aimed at determining optimal CADESI‐03 cut‐off points to separate AD severity categories for future clinical trials. One hundred and eight dogs with AD were selected based on current diagnosis standards. At one or more visits, clinicians subjectively rated the severity of AD as ‘in remission’, ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’, and a CADESI‐03 score was then determined. In all, 158 CADESI‐03 values were recorded and divided among the four disease severity categories. Receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curves were generated at increasing cut‐off values to determine the benchmark that would offer optimal sensitivity and specificity between adjacent categories. Cut‐offs of 16, 60 and 120 are proposed at the interface of remission, mild, moderate and severe categories, respectively. Proposed intervals therefore are: remission: 0–15; mild AD: 16–59; moderate AD: 60–119; and severe AD: ≥ 120. This Task Force recommends that, whenever applicable and relevant, subgroup analyses of outcome measures, based on disease severity as determined with these cut‐off CADESI‐03 values, be preplanned for clinical trials enrolling dogs with AD. Such subgroup analyses could help determine whether specific interventions might be more effective in a particular subset of atopic dogs.
Efficacy of an essential fatty acid‐enriched diet in managing canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, single‐blinded, cross‐over study
Authors: Bensignor Emmanuel , Morgan David M. , Nuttall Tim 
Published: April 2008

AbstractEvidence suggests that high‐quality diets enriched with essential fatty acids (EFA) and other nutrients can ameliorate canine atopic dermatitis (AD). This study compared such a diet (Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Dermatosis FP) with a home‐cooked equivalent (fish and potato) in a randomised, single‐blinded, cross‐over trial. Twenty dogs with perennial AD were randomly assigned to receive either the test (group A) or the control diet (group B) for 1 month, followed by the contrasting diet for a further month. Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI version 2) and pruritus (visual analogue scale) scores were recorded at days 0, 30 and 60. Eight dogs in each group completed the study. CADESI scores significantly declined when dogs were fed the test diet (group AP < 0.01; group BP < 0.001), and increased (group AP < 0.05) or remained steady (group B) on the control diet. CADESI scores decreased in 15 of 16 dogs fed the test diet, but this was less than 50% in all cases. Pruritus scores also declined when dogs were fed the test diet compared to the control diet, but this was only significant for group A (P = 0.027). Pruritus was reduced in 11 of 16 dogs fed the test diet, but this was 50% or more in only two dogs. This trial provides evidence for the efficacy of Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Dermatosis FP in canine AD, although it is likely that most cases will require adjunct therapy. The mechanism is unclear, but may involve increased and balanced EFA levels.
Poor interpretation of pulmonary function tests in patients with concomitant decreases in FEV1 and FVC
Authors: HONG Yoonki , RA Seung W. , SHIM Tae S. , LIM Chae‐Man , KOH Younsuck , LEE Sang D. , KIM Woo S. , KIM Dong‐Soon , KIM Won D. , OH Yeon‐Mok 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  A new interpretative strategy for pulmonary function tests (PFT) has been proposed by the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) Task Force. To assess the accuracy of this strategy, clinical diagnosis was compared with the PFT interpretation in patients showing concomitant decreases in FEV1 and FVC.Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted of 681 patients with normal FEV1/FVC and low FVC who underwent lung volume measurements and spirometry on the same date between July and November 2005 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Patients were clinically diagnosed by the consensus decision of two respiratory physicians, and the kappa coefficient was calculated to compare the clinical diagnosis with the PFT interpretation using the ATS/ERS strategy.Results:  The PFT interpretation showed an obstructive pattern in 205 patients and a restrictive pattern in 476. Of the 205 patients with an obstructive pattern on PFT, 44 were clinically diagnosed with obstructive, 97 with restrictive and 17 with mixed disease, whereas 47 patients had no disease. Of the 476 patients with a restrictive pattern on PFT, 11 were clinically diagnosed with obstructive, 369 with restrictive and 60 with mixed disease, whereas 36 patients had no disease. The kappa coefficient was 0.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.26–0.44; P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  The weak agreement between the clinical diagnosis and the PFT interpretation in patients showing concomitant decreases in FEV1 and FVC suggests that other clinical findings should be assessed in addition to PFT.
Lung cancer in patients with chronic pyothorax
Authors: TAMURA Atsuhisa , HEBISAWA Akira , IUCHI Keiji , MAEDA Hajime , FUKAI Shimao , KOMATSU Hikotaro , KAWAHARA Masaaki 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to describe the features of lung cancers associated with chronic tuberculous pyothorax.Methods:  Clinicopathological data from patients with coexisting lung cancer and chronic latent pyothorax caused by tuberculosis (TB) were analysed, and cancer tissue samples were investigated for the presence of Epstein–Barr virus.Results:  Twelve patients were identified, and all had a history of tuberculous pleuritis or surgical intervention for TB. The interval between the onset of TB and lung cancer was more than 30 years in nine patients and the most frequent symptom was chest pain (six patients). All cancers were in the ipsilateral lung to the pyothorax, and in nine of the 12 patients the cancers were located adjacent to the pyothorax. In situ hybridization analysis for Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded small RNA failed to show positive signals in any of the six cancer tissues examined.Conclusions:  Lung cancer associated with chronic pyothorax always developed in the ipsilateral lung to the pyothorax, and there was no evidence for the presence of Epstein–Barr virus in the cancer tissues examined.
The role of the subthalamic nucleus in ‘compulsive’ behavior in rats
Authors: Winter Christine , Flash Shira , Klavir Oded , Klein Julia , Sohr Reinhard , Joel Daphna 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDifferent lines of evidence point to dysfunction of basal ganglia‐thalamocortical circuits in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). It has been hypothesized that the circuits' dysfunction in OCD may be characterized by a relative under‐activity of the indirect compared with the direct pathway within these circuits. The present study tested whether lesions of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a major node of the indirect pathway, would affect compulsive behavior, using the signal attenuation rat model of OCD. In this model, compulsive lever‐pressing is induced by the attenuation of an external signal of reward delivery; an attenuation that is hypothesized to simulate the deficient response feedback suggested to underlie obsessions and compulsions in patients with OCD. Rats sustaining lesions to the STN showed a selective increase in compulsive lever‐pressing compared with sham‐operated rats. A post mortem biochemical analysis revealed a decrease in serotonin content in the prelimbic and infralimbic cortices, caudate‐putamen (but not nucleus accumbens), globus pallidus and substantia nigra‐ventral tegmental area, as well as a decrease in dopamine content in the caudate‐putamen in STN‐lesioned compared with sham rats. A comparison to recent findings that lesions to the orbitofrontal cortex, which also result in a selective increase in compulsive lever‐pressing, lead to a decrease in serotonin and dopamine content in the caudate‐putamen suggests that there may be a final common pathway by which different brain pathologies may lead to a pro‐compulsive state.
Insulin increases excitability via a dose‐dependent dual inhibition of voltage‐activated K+ currents in differentiated N1E‐115 neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Lima Pedro A. , Vicente M. Inês , Alves Frederico M. , Dionísio José C. , Costa Pedro F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA role in the control of excitability has been attributed to insulin via modulation of potassium (K+) currents. To investigate insulin modulatory effects on voltage‐activated potassium currents in a neuronal cell line with origin in the sympathetic system, we performed whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings in differentiated N1E‐115 neuroblastoma cells. Two main voltage‐activated K+ currents were identified: (a) a relatively fast inactivating current (Ifast − time constant 50–300 ms); (b) a slow delayed rectifying K+ current (Islow − time constant 1–4 s). The kinetics of inactivation of Ifast, rather than Islow, showed clear voltage dependence. Ifast and Islow exhibited different activation and inactivation dependence for voltage, and have different but nevertheless high sensitivities to tetraethylammonium, 4‐aminopyridine and quinidine. In differentiated cells − rather than in non‐differentiated cells − application of up to 300 nm insulin reduced Islow only (IC50 = 6.7 nm), whereas at higher concentrations Ifast was also affected (IC50 = 7.7 µm). The insulin inhibitory effect is not due to a change in the activation or inactivation current–voltage profiles, and the time‐dependent inactivation is also not altered; this is not likely to be a result of activation of the insulin‐growth‐factor‐1 (IGF1) receptors, as application of IGF1 did not result in significant current alteration. Results suggest that the current sensitive to low concentrations of insulin is mediated by erg‐like channels. Similar observations concerning the insulin inhibitory effect on slow voltage‐activated K+ currents were also made in isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons, suggesting a widespread neuromodulator role of insulin on K+ channels.
Classical and melanopsin photoreception in irradiance detection: negative masking of locomotor activity by light
Authors: Thompson Stewart , Foster Russell G. , Stone Edwin M. , Sheffield Val C. , Mrosovsky N. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStudies in mice lacking either classical or melanopsin photoreception have been useful in describing the photoreceptor contribution to irradiance detection in accessory visual responses. However, application of these findings to irradiance detection in intact animals is problematical because retinal degeneration or manipulation can induce secondary changes in the retina. Among responses dependent on irradiance detection, the suppression of activity by light (negative masking) has had limited study. To further understand the function of classical and melanopsin photoreceptors we studied irradiance and spectral sensitivity of masking by light, primarily in mice with intact retinae. The sensitivity of negative masking was equivalent for medium (∼500 nm) and short wavelengths (∼365 nm) in three strains of wild‐type mice, identifying a marked short‐wavelength‐sensitive‐cone input. At medium wavelengths, spectral sensitivity above 500 nm had closest fit to the nomogram for the medium‐wavelength‐sensitive‐cone, but a combined input of cone and melanopsin photoreceptors in wild‐type mice seems likely. Under white light a decompression of the irradiance range of masking in C3H rd/rd cl mice, lacking rods and cones, identified a functional deficiency presumably resulting from the absence of classical photoreceptor input. Together the evidence demonstrates a pronounced and sustained classical photoreceptor input to irradiance detection for negative masking, and suggests one role of classical photoreceptor input is to constrain dynamic range.
Local oscillations of spiking activity in organotypic spinal cord slice cultures
Authors: Czarnecki Antonny , Magloire Vincent , Streit Jürg 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe origin of rhythm generation in mammalian spinal cord networks is still poorly understood. We have previously proposed that disinhibition‐induced rhythms are based on intrinsic firing, recurrent excitation and several mechanisms to de‐activate the network. In order to clarify these mechanisms we here investigated spontaneous spike discharge oscillations in rat spinal cord slice cultures using multi‐electrode arrays and patch clamp. Episodes of such oscillations at 8.5 Hz spontaneously appeared in the ventral parts of the cultured slices. The rising phase of their initial cycles was entirely based on AMPA/kainate receptor‐dependent recurrent excitation. Initial oscillations were changed into persistent activity by bicuculline and other blockers of GABA A, but not by blockers of glycine receptors, suggesting a role for GABAergic synaptic inhibition in network de‐activation during oscillation cycles. Blockade of glycine receptors by strychnine caused a prolongation of oscillations and their spreading in the slice, suggesting that these receptors are mainly involved in the spatial and temporal restriction of oscillations. In most cultures, oscillations reappeared under disinhibition after an initial phase of persistent activity. Both spontaneous and disinhibition‐induced oscillations were facilitated by riluzole, which enhances fast sodium current inactivation and thus leads to early cessation of firing during strong depolarization (depolarization block). In single cell recordings, episodes of strong depolarization were mostly seen during oscillations induced by disinhibition, but occasionally also during spontaneous oscillations. We conclude that both GABA A‐mediated synaptic inhibition and depolarization block contribute to the de‐activation of spinal cord networks during oscillation cycles.
Stress accelerates neural degeneration and exaggerates motor symptoms in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Smith Lori K. , Jadavji Nafisa M. , Colwell Keri L. , Katrina Perehudoff S. , Metz Gerlinde A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe causes of most cases of Parkinson's disease (PD) are still poorly understood. Here we show that chronic stress and elevated corticosterone levels exaggerate motor deficits and neurodegenerative events in a Parkinson's disease rat model. Animals were tested in skilled and non‐skilled movement while being exposed to daily restraint stress or oral corticosterone treatment. Stress and corticosterone compromised normal motor function and exaggerated motor deficits caused by unilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine lesion of the nigrostriatal bundle. Moreover, stress and corticosterone treatments diminished the ability to acquire compensatory strategies in limb use during skilled reaching and skilled walking. In contrast, lesion control animals were able to significantly improve in the ability of skilled limb use during the repeated test sessions. The exaggerated motor impairments in stress‐treated animals were related to accelerated loss of midbrain dopamine‐producing neurons during the first week postlesion. Correlation analysis revealed a significant connection between loss of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cells and increase in Fluoro‐Jade‐positive cells only in stress‐ and corticosterone‐treated animals. Furthermore, stress and elevated corticosterone levels caused greater permanent loss of midbrain neurons than found in non‐treated lesion animals. These findings demonstrate that stress and elevated corticosterone levels can exaggerate nigral neuronal loss and motor symptoms in a rat analogue of PD. It is therefore possible that stress represents a key factor in the pathogenesis of human PD by impeding functional and structural compensation and exaggerating neurodegenerative processes.
Oxytocin reduces anxiety via ERK1/2 activation: local effect within the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Blume Annegret , Bosch Oliver J. , Miklos Sandra , Torner Luz , Wales Lynn , Waldherr Martin , Neumann Inga D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) modulates social behaviours and is an important anxiolytic substance of the brain. However, sites of action and the intracellular signalling pathways downstream of OT receptors (OTR) within the brain remain largely unknown. In the present studies, we localized the anxiolytic effect of OT by bilateral microinfusion of OT (0.01 nmol/0.5 µL) into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in male rats using both the elevated plus‐maze and the light–dark box. Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of OT, but not of the related neuropeptide vasopressin (VP), dose‐dependently activated the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) cascade. Specifically, OT induced the phosphorylation of Raf‐1, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the hypothalamus in vivo and in hypothalamic H32 neurons via EGF receptors. OT‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was immunohistochemically localized within VP neurons of the PVN and the supraoptic nucleus. Importantly, the anxiolytic effect of OT within the PVN was prevented by local inhibition of the MAP kinase cascade with a MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126, 0.5 nmol/0.5 µL) locally infused prior to OT, indicating the causal involvement of this intracellular signalling cascade in the behavioural effect of OT. OT effects within the hypothalamus may have far‐reaching implications for the regulation of emotionality and social behaviours and, consequently, for the development of possible therapeutic strategies to treat affective disorders. Thus, OTR agonism or activation of the ERK1/2 cascade, specifically within the hypothalamus, may provide therapeutically relevant mechanisms.
Varietal susceptibility of potatoes to wireworm herbivory
Authors: Johnson Scott N. , Anderson Eric A. , Dawson Gregory , Griffiths D. Wynne 
Published: April 2008

Abstract1 Wireworms, the soil dwelling larvae of click beetles, Agriotes spp., have recently become a more prevalent pest of potatoes. The present study investigated whether potato varieties showed variable susceptibility to wireworm herbivory, and also tested whether increased susceptibility was associated with lower concentrations of glycoalkaloids. Twelve varieties were originally screened across a range of experimental scales, including laboratory and tunnel experiments and a large‐scale field trial involving over 2000 tubers.2 In laboratory no‐choice tests, Maris Peer, Marfona and Rooster varieties were significantly more susceptible to wireworm attack, with 63% of tubers showing damage, compared with just 15% of the less susceptible varieties of King Edward, Nadine and Maris Piper. There was also greater tissue consumption and weight gain when wireworms were reared on the most susceptible varieties.3 In choice tests, wireworms showed a significant preference for those varieties previously identified as being the most susceptible to wireworm herbivory (4.2 holes per tuber) compared with the least susceptible (1.2 holes per tuber). Similar patterns of susceptibility were seen in the field trial, although there was generally more variation in susceptibility.4 In a tunnel experiment, Marfona and Maris Peer were significantly more susceptibile to wireworm attack (47% of tubers showing damage) compared with Nadine, King Edward and Maris Piper (27% of tubers showing damage). Although Nadine, in particular, had the highest glycoalkaloid concentrations (309.33 mg/kg) and lowest amounts of wireworm herbivory, the relationship between susceptibility and glycoalkaloid concentrations was weak, suggesting that this is unlikely to be the sole mechanism underpinning varietal susceptibility.