bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain lesions that impair vocal imitation in adult budgerigars
Authors: Plummer Thane K. , Striedter Georg F. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractVocal imitation is a complex form of imitative learning that is well developed only in humans, dolphins, and birds. Among birds, only some species are able to imitate sounds in adulthood. Of these, the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) has been studied in most detail. Previous studies suggested that the vocal motor system in budgerigars receives auditory information from the lateral frontal neostriatum (NFl). In the present study, we confirm this hypothesis by showing that infusions of the GABA agonist muscimol into NFl reduce the strength of auditory responses in a telencephalic vocal motor nucleus, the central nucleus of the lateral neostriatum (NLc). To test whether the auditory information conveyed from NFl to NLc plays a role in vocal imitation, we lesioned parts of NFl and the overlying ventral hyperstriatum (HVl) in seven adult male budgerigars and then examined whether the lesioned males would imitate the calls of females with whom they were paired. We found that, compared to sham‐lesioned controls, the lesioned birds were significantly impaired in their imitation of female calls. Yet, the lesioned males were clearly not deaf (e.g., their previously learned calls did not degrade as they do after deafening). Therefore, the data suggest that NFl/HVl lesions impair vocal imitation by reducing the amount of auditory information that reaches the vocal motor system. Interestingly, the females that were paired with lesioned males displayed more vocal plasticity than the females in the control group, and some even imitated their male's prepairing calls. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 413–428, 2002
Sinistrality in subtypes of schizophrenia
Authors: Dollfus Sonia , Buijsrogge Jacqueline A. , Benali Karim , Delamillieure Pascal , Brazo Perrine 
Published: October 2002

SummarySinistrality, characterized by an excess of non-right-handedness, has been reported in schizophrenic patients, but the findings are controversial.Aim.As sinistrality could be linked to a failure of hemisphere specialization in schizophrenia that would translate into language disorders, sinistrality was found out in disorganized and positive schizophrenic patients characterized by language disorders.Methods.Seventy-three schizophrenic patients (DSM IV) and 81 controls were evaluated with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI). Patients were evaluated and classified into five subtypes (deficit, positive, disorganized, mixed and residual) with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome.Results.Disorganized patients had a significantly more severe sinistrality in comparison to the deficit, residual and mixed subtypes and controls. A negative correlation was found between the disorganization and the EHI scores (r= – 0.34;P< 0.01). A significantly more severe sinistrality was also observed in the positive subtype in comparison to controls, but there was no correlation between hallucinatory and EHI scores (r= 0.06).Conclusion.The findings provided further evidence that the defects in the normal process of lateralization observed in schizophrenia affects primarily disorganized patients.
Cloning and Characterization of SmeT, a Repressor of the
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Multidrug Efflux Pump SmeDEF
Authors: Sánchez Patricia , Alonso Ana , Martinez Jose L. 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACT

We report on the cloning of the gene
smeT
, which encodes the transcriptional regulator of the
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
efflux pump SmeDEF. SmeT belongs to the TetR and AcrR family of transcriptional regulators. The
smeT
gene is located upstream from the structural operon of the pump genes
smeDEF
and is divergently transcribed from those genes. Experiments with
S. maltophilia
and the heterologous host
Escherichia coli
have demonstrated that SmeT is a transcriptional repressor. S1 nuclease mapping has demonstrated that expression of
smeT
is driven by a single promoter lying close to the 5′ end of the gene and that expression of
smeDEF
is driven by an unique promoter that overlaps with promoter
PsmeT
. The level of expression of
smeT
is higher in
smeDEF
-overproducing
S. maltophilia
strain D457R, which suggests that SmeT represses its own expression. Band-shifting assays have shown that wild-type strain
S. maltophilia
D457 contains a cellular factor(s) capable of binding to the intergenic
smeT-smeD
region. That cellular factor(s) was absent from
smeDEF
-overproducing
S. maltophilia
strain D457R. The sequence of
smeT
from D457R showed a point mutation that led to a Leu166Gln change within the SmeT protein. This change allowed overexpression of both
smeDEF
and
smeT
in D457R. It was noteworthy that expression of wild-type SmeT did not fully complement the
smeT
mutation in D457R. This suggests that the wild-type protein is not dominant over the mutant SmeT.
TEM-103/IRT-28 β-Lactamase, a New TEM Variant Produced by
Escherichia coli
BM4511
Authors: Alonso Rodrigo , Gerbaud Guy , Galimand Marc , Courvalin Patrice 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACT

Clinical isolate
Escherichia coli
BM4511 was resistant to broad-spectrum penicillins in the presence or in the absence of β-lactamase inhibitors but remained susceptible to cephalosporins. Resistance was due to production of a new TEM-type β-lactamase, designated TEM-103/IRT-28, characterized by the Arg
275
Leu substitution and encoded by the ca. 62-kb pIP845 conjugative plasmid of the IncI1 incompatibility group.
Sézary syndrome patients demonstrate a defect in dendritic cell populations: effects of CD40 ligand and treatment with GM-CSF on dendritic cell numbers and the production of cytokines
Authors: Wysocka Maria , Zaki Mohamed H. , French Lars E. , Chehimi Jihed , Shapiro Michael , Everetts Suzanne E. , McGinnis Karen S. , Montaner Luis , Rook Alain H. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractSézary syndrome (SzS) is an advanced form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma associated with involvement of the peripheral blood by malignant T cells. The disease is defined by impaired cell-mediated immunity and the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), possibly as a result of deficient IL-12 production. To understand the mechanism of this impairment, we examined the composition and function of dendritic cells and monocytes in the blood of SzS patients with different levels of peripheral blood tumor burden. Consistent with our previous observations, numbers of monocytes in SzS patients were comparable to numbers observed in healthy donors. In contrast, decreased IL-12 production correlated with a decrease in the numbers of CD11c+ dendritic cells, which was particularly profound among patients with medium (20%-50% circulating malignant T cells) and high (more than 50% circulating malignant T cells) tumor burden. Furthermore, CD123+ dendritic cells, major producers of IFN-α, were significantly diminished in SzS patients, regardless of the level of tumor burden. Granulocyte macrophage–colony-stimulating factor–treated patients experienced an increase in the number of dendritic cells but not in IFN-α or IL-12 production. However, in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SzS patients with rCD40L and IFN-γ significantly increased the production of IL-12. Thus, our results demonstrate a profound defect in circulating dendritic cells in SzS patients that may contribute to the pathogenesis of the cytokine disorders and to the depressed cellular immunity. Importantly, the ability of rCD40L to potently induce IL-12 production from monocytes and residual dendritic cells of SzS patients could potentially serve as an immune-restorative therapeutic agent.
Mouse T cells receive costimulatory signals from LIGHT, a TNF family member
Authors: Shi Guixiu , Luo Hongyu , Wan Xiaochun , Salcedo Theodora W. , Zhang Jun , Wu Jiangping 
Published: October 2002

AbstractLIGHT is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member and is expressed on activated T cells. Its known receptors are TR2 and LTβR on the cell surface, and TR6/DcR3 in solution. TR6/DcR3 is a secreted protein belonging to the TNF receptor family. It binds to Fas ligand (FasL), LIGHT, and TL1A, all of which are TNF family members. In the present study, we report that solid-phase TR6-Fc costimulated proliferation, lymphokine production, and cytotoxicity of mouse T cells upon T-cell receptor (TCR) ligation. A monoclonal antibody against LIGHT similarly costimulated mouse T cells in their proliferation response to TCR ligation. These data suggest LIGHT, although a ligand, can receive costimulation when expressed on the T-cell surface. Mechanistically, when T cells were activated by TCR and CD28 co–cross-linking, TCR and rafts rapidly formed caps where they colocalized. LIGHT rapidly congregated and colocalized with the aggregated rafts. This provided a molecular base for the signaling machinery of LIGHT to interact with that of TCR. Indeed, LIGHT cross-linking enhanced p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation after TCR ligation. This study reveals a new function and signaling event of LIGHT.
Platelet factor 4 inhibits FGF2-induced endothelial cell proliferation via the extracellular signal–regulated kinase pathway but not by the phosphatidylinositol 3–kinase pathway
Authors: Sulpice Eric , Bryckaert Marijke , Lacour Julie , Contreres Jean-Olivier , Tobelem Gerard 
Published: October 2002

AbstractPlatelet factor 4 (PF-4) is a member of the chemokine family with powerful antiangiogenic properties. The mechanism by which PF-4 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation is unclear. We investigated the effects of PF-4 on the intracellular signal transduction induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). We found that PF-4 (10 μg/mL) inhibited the FGF2-induced proliferation of adrenal cortex capillary endothelial (ACE) cells. The inhibition of MEK1/2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) by PD98059 or of PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) by Ly294002 abolished the proliferation induced by FGF2, suggesting that ACE cell proliferation required dual signaling through both the extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and PI3K pathways. Ly294002 had no significant effect on ERK phosphorylation, whereas PD98059 had a weak effect on the phosphorylation of Akt, suggesting that 2 separate cascades are required for ACE cell proliferation. The addition of PF-4 (10 μg/mL) significantly inhibited ERK phosphorylation (95%), showing that PF-4 acted directly on or upstream from this kinase. Surprisingly, PF-4 did not affect FGF2-induced Akt phosphorylation. This suggests that PF-4 disrupts FGF2 signaling via an intracellular mechanism of inhibition. To exclude the possibility that PF-4 inhibited the binding of FGF2 to only one FGF receptor, preferentially activating the ERK pathway, we investigated the effect of PF-4 on FGF2-induced ERK and Akt phosphorylation, using mutant heparan sulfate–deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the FGF-R1 cDNA. The addition of PF-4 (1 μg/mL) significantly inhibited ERK phosphorylation (90%), with no effect on Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that PF-4 acts downstream from the FGF-R1 receptor. In conclusion, this is the first report showing that PF-4 inhibits FGF2 activity downstream from its receptor.
Selective peroxynitrite scavenging activity of 3-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione from coffee extract
Authors: Kim Ae Ra , Zou Yani , Kim Hyung Suk , Choi Jae Sue , Chang Gregory Youngnam , Kim You Jung , Chung Hae Young 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
It has been known that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species such as nitric oxide (NO), superoxide radical (.O−2) and their byproduct peroxynitrite (ONOO−) induce cellular and tissue injury, ultimately resulting in several human diseases. In this study, we examined scavenging effects of 3-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione (MCP) from coffee extract on the reactivity of those toxic molecules. MCP significantly inhibited both the oxidation of 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) by reactive oxygen species (ROS) (mainly .O−2) from kidney homogenate (41% at 100 μM) and the generation of fluorescent 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) by NO from sodium nitroprusside (IC50 (concn producing 50% inhibition), 63.8 μM). More potently, however, MCP suppressed the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) to fluorescent rhodamine 123 mediated by authentic ONOO− with an IC50 value of 3.3 μM. The neutralizing effect of the reactivity of ONOO− by MCP was due to electron donation, not nitration of the compound. Additionally, MCP also decreased ONOO− formation of nitrotyrosine adducts of glutathione (GSH) reductase, and consequently protected the enzyme activity of GSH reductase against decreasing by ONOO−, indicating that MCP may prevent ONOO−-induced damage of GSH reductase. Furthermore, MCP only weakly suppressed NO production, which is one of the upstream sources of ONOO− in-vivo, suggesting that NO production may be not a pharmacological target for MCP. Taken together, our results suggest that MCP may be regarded as a selective regulator of ONOO−-mediated diseases via direct scavenging activity of ONOO−.
Emission Spectra and Relaxation Mechanism of b State O2 in Low Temperature Ar Solids
Authors: Takizawa Kenji , Koda Seiichiro 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
The b → X emission of electronically excited O2 isolated in Ar solids was observed under the pulsed KrF excimer laser irradiation at 248 nm. The relaxation proceeds along the b → a → b interstate transition. The time evolution of each b → X (v′, v′′) band was fitted by multi-exponential curves. The nonradiative rate is limited at the b → a transition due to the energy gap, which is larger than that of the a → b transition. The relaxation rate constants of individual vibrational levels (v ≤ 8) of the b state were determined. The vibrational quantum number and temperature dependence of the nonradiative rate constants could be explained based on a multiphonon relaxation theory.
Ion Pairs between Maleonitriledithiolato Complex Dianions of Cobalt and Nickel and Macrocyclic Ligand Complex Dications of Nickel(II) — Control of Intrapair Interaction through Ligand Modification
Authors: Nowicka Beata , Schmauch Georg , Chihara Teiji , Heinemann Frank W , Hagiwara Masayuki , Wakatsuki Yasuo , Kisch Horst 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
The ion pairs {[Ni(cyclam)]2+[M(mnt)2]2−} (M = Co, Ni: 1a,b), {[Ni(tmc)]2+[M(mnt)2]2−} (M = Co, Ni: 2a,b) and the solvent complexes {[Ni(cyclam)(dmso)2]2+[M(mnt)2]2−} (M = Co, Ni, mnt2− = maleonitriledithiolato = (Z)1,2-dicyano-1,2-ethylenedithiolato, cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) were isolated and structurally characterised. The nature of the macrocyclic ligand and the presence of coordinating solvents determine whether the dication is present as a tetra-, penta- or hexacoordinated complex. In 1a the tetracoordinated dications and dianions are arranged in a mixed stack structure; the absences of any short contacts and of a mutual ion pair charge transfer band indicate the absence of charge transfer interaction. The highly puckered cyclam ligand will prevent a close approach of the planar bis(maleonitriledithiolato)cobaltate(II). When cyclam is replaced by its tetramethyl derivative tmc, a strong coordinative interaction is introduced as indicated by the structure of 2a. One dianion coordinates to two dications through two trans-cyano groups. The resulting trinuclear dications {[Ni(tmc)][Co(mnt)2][Ni(tmc)]}2+ form segregated columns separated by the non-interacting, remaining dianion. Crystallisation in the presence of a coordinating solvent like dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) leads to the ion pairs {[Ni(cyclam)(dmso)2]2+[M(mnt)2]2−}containing hexacoordinated dications. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at room temperature are in accord with the observed structures. While 1b is diamagnetic, 1a, 2a, 2b, and the two solvent complexes exhibit values characteristic of the isolated ions, in agreement with the absence of any electronic interaction between dication and dianion within the ion pair. Temperature- dependent measurements down to 1.7 K indicate that a weak antiferromagnetic interaction is present in 2a.
Dielectric Constant of Sintered Compact of Oriented Barium Titanate Short Fibers Doped with Mica
Authors: Park Young-Jin , Igarashi Kaoru , Shimizu Tadao 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
A compact consisting of BaTiO4 fibers oriented mostly in one direction was fabricated via piling sheets made by the doctor blade method. After calcination, in the obtained sintered-compact, the shape of individual fibers was 1ost and spherical ceramic grains appeared. Nevertheless the c-axis of micro-crystals of the ceramic was oriented mainly in the direction of the press that had been applied to the green compact in the fabrication process. Although the compacts were calcined at 1250 °C, which is 1ower than the calcination temperature of typical BaTiO3, the densities of the obtained sintered compacts were high because of the addition of mica. The relative dielectric constant of the 2% doped sample was higher by 1000 than that of the undoped matelia1. BaTiO3 doped with mica by 5% had a dielectric constant independent of frequency in the range of 100 Hz to l MHz.
Nickel Oxide Particles Coated with Silica
Authors: Sato Satoshi , Takahashi Ryoji , Sodesawa Toshiaki , Ichikuni Nobuyuki , Amano Hidefumi 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
Fine particles of SiO2-coated Ni metal were prepared by depositing silica on a Ni(OH)2 precipitate in a dissolution–deposition process of silica glass under hydrothermal conditions, followed by calcination and reduction. A fresh precipitate of Ni(OH)2 was heated with a NaOH solution containing several pieces of silica glass chips in a pressure vessel at 100 °C. Silica components dissolved from the glass chips were deposited on the Ni(OH)2 precipitate, and the silica loading increased with increasing the hydrothermal period. Even after calcination at 500 °C, a specific surface area of the resulting SiO2–NiO increased with silica loading, and exceeded 200 m2 g−1. SiO2–NiO, reduced at 500 °C, had a metal surface area as high as 22 m2 g−1. In contrast to the fact that pure Ni(OH)2 readily aggregates during heating, the SiO2-coated Ni(OH)2 particles are protected from agglomerating during the hydrothermal process, calcination, and reduction.
New method for the effective instillation of nasal drops
Authors: Raghavan U. , Logan B. M. 
Published: October 2002

The main cause of sinus pathology is disease in the middle meatus, therefore, unless nasal drops are deposited in this site they will not be effective. Currently, one of three standard head positions are used by patients for the instillation of nasal drops, ‘head back’, ‘praying to Mecca’, and ‘Mygind’s’, all are uncomfortable and only one, Mygind’s position, effectively deposits the drops in the middle meatus.In this paper, we review these three positions by utilizing a preserved cadaver head and conducting a simple gravitational flow study using white liquid latex as a nasal drop substitute. We also describe a new fourth ‘Ragan’ position, on the side, head down, that is effective in consistently delivering nasal drops into the middle meatus and should prove a most comfortable position for patients to adopt.
Surgical voice restoration following ablative surgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Ahmad I. , Kumar B. N. , Radford K. , O’Connell J. , Batch A. J. G. 
Published: October 2002

Surgical voice restoration is an important part of functional rehabilitation of patients following ablative surgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the functional status with regard to speech of a cohort of 100 patients (age ranged 34-84 years), who underwent laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy over a 10-year period (1989-1999).Ninety-two patients consented to surgical voice restoration. Primary tracheoesophageal punctures were performed in 70 and secondary punctures in 22 (mainly after jejunal flap reconstruction). Nine patients were excluded from this analysis (seven patients died prior to assessment, one had the prosthesis removed at her request and one patient had insufficient follow-up). Tracheoesophageal speech was assessed in the remaining 83 patients using a rating scale measuring the number of syllables per breath, use of voice and intelligibility by non-professional listeners. Currently, Provox 2 valves are being used in the majority of patients. Overall tracheoesophageal speech results were good in 45/83 (54.2 per cent), average in 22/83 (26.5 per cent) and poor in 15/83 (18 per cent). One patient could not develop tracheoesophageal speech. The majority of laryngectomy patients had good speech but in patients who had complex reconstructions tracheoesophageal speech was mostly rated as average.Average to good speech in more than two-thirds of the cohort of patients show that surgical voice restoration is a highly successful and valuable technique to restore speech functions after ablative surgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.
Sudden bilateral hearing loss and sporadic mitochondrial DNA deletion
Authors: Berrettini Stefano , Forli Francesca , Siciliano Gabriele , Mancuso Michelangelo 
Published: October 2002

Abstract Several studies have indicated that a number of different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations may be responsible for human pathologies. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) may be associated with known syndromes (syndromal SNHL) or represent the only manifestation of mitochondrial damage (non-syndromal hearing loss). Moreover, mtDNA alterations may be responsible for aminoglycoside-induced deafness.We describe a patient harbouring a single sporadic mtDNA deletion, who presented with sudden adult-onset bilateral, although non-simultaneous SNHL, that was partially responsive to corticosteroids. Increased values of rest, and exercise, blood lactic acid were decisive for diagnosis, prompting muscle biopsy that revealed the mtDNA deletion. The case underscores the importance of investigating a mitochondrial disease in cases of SNHL of unknown origin and points out the importance of an increased blood level of lactic acid as a screening test.