bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural and functional imaging of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) cranial anatomy
Authors: Houser Dorian S. , Finneran James , Carder Don , Van Bonn William , Smith Cynthia , Hoh Carl , Mattrey Robert , Ridgway Sam 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYBottlenose dolphins were submitted to structural (CT) and functional(SPECT/PET) scans to investigate their in vivo anatomy and physiology with respect to structures important to hearing and echolocation. The spatial arrangement of the nasal passage and sinus air spaces to the auditory bullae and phonic lips was studied in two dolphins via CT. Air volume of the sinuses and nasal passages ranged from 267.4 to 380.9 ml. Relationships of air spaces to the auditory bullae and phonic lips support previous hypotheses that air protects the ears from echolocation clicks generated by the dolphin and contributes to dolphin hearing capabilities (e.g. minimum angular resolution,inter-aural intensity differences). Lung air may replenish reductions in sinus and nasal passage air volume via the palatopharyngeal sphincter, thus permitting the echolocation mechanism to operate at depth. To determine the relative extent of regional blood flow within the head of the dolphin, two dolphins were scanned with SPECT after an intravenous dose of 1850 MBq 99mTc-bicisate. A single dolphin received 740 MBq of 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) to identify the relative metabolic activity of head tissues. Substantial blood flow was noted across the dorsoanterior curvature of the melon and within the posterior region of the lower jaw fats. Metabolism of these tissues relative to others within the head was nominal. It is suggested that blood flow in these fat bodies serves to thermoregulate lipid density of the melon and jaw canal. Sound velocity is inversely related to the temperature of acoustic lipids (decreasing lipid density), and changes in lipid temperature are likely to impact the wave guide properties of the sound projection and reception pathways. Thermoregulation of lipid density may maintain sound velocity gradients of the acoustic lipid complexes, particularly in the outer shell of the melon, which otherwise might vary in response to changing environmental temperatures.
The anterior stomach of larval mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti):effects of neuropeptides on transepithelial ion transport and muscular motility
Authors: Onken H. , Moffett S. B. , Moffett D. F. 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYThe present investigation studied the influence of a number of neuropeptides on semi-open preparations of the isolated and perfused anterior stomach of larval Aedes aegypti. Effects of peptides were observed on the lumen negative transepithelial voltage (Vte) that is present with serotonin in the bath; this voltage most likely reflects active HCO3– secretion involved in alkalization of the larval anterior stomach. The five different A. aegypti allatostatins(allatostatin A 1–5) all affected Vte in almost identical ways, causing a 10–15% reduction of the voltage at 10–7 mol l–1. A. aegyptineuropeptide F and proctolin reduced Vte at submicromolar concentrations. At 10–6 mol l–1,neuropeptide F reduced Vte by 30% and proctolin reduced Vte by 50%. In contrast, A. aegypti allatotropin, A. aegypti head peptides I and III and A. aegypti short neuropeptide F were without effect on Vte. During the investigation it was observed that the peristaltic contractions of the preparations caused a dynamic component of Vte. Peristaltic contractions and the correlated voltage fluctuations depended on the presence of serotonin. Peristaltic activity and Vtedeflections were progressively inhibited by A. aegypti head peptides I and III by A. aegypti short neuropeptide F and by A. aegypti neuropeptide F when the peptide concentrations were increased from 10–8 to 10–6 mol l–1. These observations show that physiological concentrations of some of the tested neuropeptides affect two processes that require coordination: ion transport and motility of the larval anterior stomach.
Synergic effects of tryptamine and octopamine on ophiuroid luminescence(Echinodermata)
Authors: Vanderlinden C. , Mallefet J. 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYIn ophiuroids, bioluminescence is under nervous control. Previous studies have shown that acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter triggering light emission in Amphipholis squamata and Amphiura filiformis. By contrast, none of the neurotransmitters tested so far induced luminescence in two other ophiuroid species, Ophiopsila aranea and Ophiopsila californica. The aim of this work was thus to investigate the putative involvement of two biogenic amines, tryptamine and octopamine, in light emission of three ophiuroid species. A. filiformis responds to both tryptamine and octopamine, mainly on its arm segments, while O. californica only responds to tryptamine stimulation. By contrast,tryptamine and octopamine do not seem to be involved in O. aranealuminescence control since none of these substances induced light emission in this species. The synergic effects of several other drugs with tryptamine and octopamine were also tested.
Transgenic salmon overexpressing growth hormone exhibit decreased myostatin transcript and protein expression
Authors: Roberts Steven B. , McCauley Linda A. R. , Devlin Robert H. , Goetz Frederick W. 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYTo characterize the role of myostatin (MSTN) in fast growing animals and to examine the relationship between MSTN and growth hormone (GH), MSTN transcript and protein expression were measured in coho salmon overexpressing GH and in wild-type coho salmon. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western analysis were used to measure RNA expression of the two salmonid MSTN genes (1 and 2) and levels of MSTN immunoreactive protein (MIP) in developing embryos and adult coho salmon tissues.In transgenic and control coho embryos, MSTN1 and MSTN2RNA expression were initially observed at about the time of eying, and a 42 kDa MIP was just detected prior to hatching. Expression of the MSTN1transcript in transgenic salmon was not different from that in wild-type adult coho salmon muscle and brain tissue. However, expression of the MSTN2transcript was less in white muscle, and greater in red muscle, from transgenic fish compared to wild-type salmon of the same size. Northern analysis revealed that expression of the MSTN2 transcript was less in white muscle from wild-type, age-matched salmon than in transgenic fish. In addition, there was less presumed bioactive MIP in muscle taken from adult transgenic fish compared to controls and evidence of differential protein processing. Decreased MSTN expression in faster growing fish suggests that MSTN does act as a negative regulator of muscle growth in fish, as it does in mammals. The results of this study also suggest that the anabolic effects of GH could be mediated through MSTN.
Time-dependent expression of heat shock proteins 70 and 90 in tissues of the anoxic western painted turtle
Authors: Ramaglia Valeria , Buck Leslie T. 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARY
Expression of the constitutive Hsp73, inducible Hsp72 and Hsp90 was investigated in brain, heart, liver and skeletal muscle of the anoxia-tolerant western painted turtle Chrysemys picta bellii in response to 2, 6,12, 18, 24 and 30 h forced dives and following 1 h recovery from 12, 24 and 30 h forced dives at 17°C. During a dive, expression of all three Hsps examined remained at control levels for at least 12 h in all tissues examined except the liver, where Hsp72 showed a decrease at 12 h, reaching a significant threefold decrease by 24 h. Brain and liver Hsp73, 72 and 90 expression increased two- to threefold at 18, 24 and 30 h. Heart and muscle Hsp73 and heart Hsp90 expression remained at normoxic levels throughout the entire dive, while heart and muscle Hsp72 and muscle Hsp90 increased two- to fourfold at 24 and 30 h. Following reoxygenation, Hsp expression increased in all tissues examined. These data indicate that increased Hsp expression is not critical in the early adaptation to anoxic survival and that short-term anoxia is probably not a stress for species adapted to survive long periods without oxygen. However, the late upregulation of heat shock proteins during anoxia suggests that stress proteins play a role in promoting long-term anoxia tolerance.
Regulation of heat shock genes in isolated hepatocytes from an Antarctic fish,Trematomus bernacchii
Authors: Buckley Bradley A. , Place Sean P. , Hofmann Gretchen E. 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYThe Antarctic fishes, isolated over evolutionary history in the sub-zero waters of the Southern Ocean, are an ideal group for studying the processes of cold adaptation. One species of Antarctic notothenioid fish, Trematomus bernacchii, has lost the ability to induce heat shock proteins (Hsps) in response to exposure to acute thermal stress or to the toxic heavy metal cadmium, an important part of the cellular defense response to such stressors. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for the lack of Hsp induction, we examined several stages of the hsp gene expression pathway, including transcription factor activity, Hsp70 mRNA production and protein synthesis patterns, in hepatocytes from T. bernacchii. Hsp70 mRNA was detected,as was heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) with DNA-binding activity. However, exposure to elevated temperature and to chemical inducers of the heat shock response failed to increase Hsp70 mRNA levels, HSF1 activity or the concentration of any size class of Hsps. These results suggest that Hsps, inducible in nearly every other species, are expressed constitutively in the cold-adapted T. bernacchii.
Possible Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole-Induced Aseptic Meningitis
Authors: Therrien Roxane 
Published: September 2004

OBJECTIVE To report a case of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)-induced aseptic meningitis. CASE SUMMARY An 18-year-old woman diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia was admitted for a bone marrow transplant. She had already attained remission with daunorubicin, thioguanine, and high-dose cytarabine. A routine lumbar puncture performed on admission revealed an abnormally elevated leukocyte count, and meningitis was suspected. The patient had been taking TMP/SMX (trimethoprim 120 mg) twice daily on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for the past 3 months; no other medication was being used. Upon examination, the patient mentioned having had headaches for the past few weeks. Since viral, bacterial, and fungal cultures were negative, a diagnosis of aseptic meningitis was made. According to the Naranjo probability scale, TMP/SMX was a possible cause of the aseptic meningitis. Eleven days after discontinuation of TMP/SMX, lumbar puncture results had returned to normal. DISCUSSION Many drugs have been associated with aseptic meningitis. Antibiotics are often linked with aseptic meningitis, with TMP/SMX being the most frequently associated antibiotic. Many cases of TMP/SMX-induced aseptic meningitis have been reported, while few cases have been reported with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole given separately. CONCLUSIONS Despite the widespread use of TMP/SMX and the years of experience we have had with the drug, it is important to remain vigilant regarding possible adverse effects, particularly aseptic meningitis.
Muscle Pain Associated with Daptomycin
Authors: Veligandla Shailaja R , Louie Kathy R , Malesker Mark A , Smith Philip W 
Published: September 2004

OBJECTIVE To report a case of muscle pain without pronounced creatine kinase (CK) elevation in a patient receiving daptomycin. CASE SUMMARY A 26-year-old African American woman had antibiotic intolerance to vancomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin. She presented with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis that was treated with intravenous daptomycin 6 mg/kg daily for 14 days. The patient developed muscle aches and pains with only a minor elevation (492 U/L) of CK; both resolved after daptomycin was discontinued. DISCUSSION Daptomycin is a newly approved lipopeptide antibiotic derived from Streptomyces roseosporus with rapid bactericidal activity. Daptomycin has excellent coverage against gram-positive bacteria. The adverse effect profile has included rare reports of myopathy and elevated CK levels. Daptomycin is a promising agent with many potential applications. Once-daily dosing has diminished the preclinical incidence of myopathy. The current package labeling recommends discontinuation of daptomycin with significant myopathy symptoms in association with a CK elevation >1000 U/L or in patients without muscle pain and a CK >10 times normal. CONCLUSIONS An objective causality assessment revealed that the myopathy was possibly related to daptomycin. Clinicians should recognize that significant myopathy with daptomycin can occur without pronounced CK elevation.
Clinical, Cognitive, and Neurophysiologic Correlates of Short-Term Treatment with Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, and Levetiracetam in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Mecarelli Oriano , Vicenzini Edoardo , Pulitano Patrizia , Vanacore Nicola , Francesco Saverio Romolo  , Piero Vittorio Di , Lenzi Gian Luigi , Accornero Neri 
Published: September 2004

BACKGROUND The adverse effects of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) originally developed are well known, while those of the newer AEDs remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate clinical, cognitive, and neurophysiologic effects of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and levetiracetam in healthy volunteers. METHODS A double-blind crossover study was conducted in 10 volunteers. Eight-day treatment with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, or placebo was administered in random order. Drug doses were titrated gradually to the daily target doses on day 7: carbamazepine 800 mg, oxcarbazepine 1200 mg, and levetiracetam 1500 mg. At baseline and at the end of each treatment period, participants underwent cognitive and neurophysiologic assessment. A washout period of 14 days between treatment periods was conducted. RESULTS More adverse events were self-reported with carbamazepine (63%) than the other treatments (oxcarbazepine 12%, levetiracetam 20%, placebo 5%; p < 0.001 between the 4 groups). Carbamazepine induced the greatest motor slowing (p = 0.002), followed by oxcarbazepine (p = 0.01). Levetiracetam left baseline motor speed unchanged. All AEDs increased attention span from baseline values as shown on the Stroop test. Quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis showed that carbamazepine significantly increased the delta–theta power and reduced the frequency of alpha rhythm; oxcarbazepine induced smaller changes than carbamazepine. Levetiracetam did not change any EEG measurements. On color visually evoked potential (VEP) tests, carbamazepine induced a constant slowing of P1 latency, while oxcarbazepine induced changes only after the blue–black pattern. All color VEP measures for volunteers receiving levetiracetam were almost unchanged. CONCLUSIONS After short-term treatment in healthy volunteers, carbamazepine induced major clinical and neurophysiologic changes. Oxcarbazepine was better tolerated than carbamazepine. Levetiracetam interfered least with clinical and neurophysiologic test results.
Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Study of the Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Work Performance One Week into the Attempt
Authors: Erickson Steven R , Thomas Linda A , Blitz Susan G , Pontius Lindsey R 
Published: September 2004

BACKGROUND Most patients attempting to quit smoking experience symptoms that may influence functioning and sense of well-being. OBJECTIVE To conduct a pilot study to assess the acute effects of smoking cessation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and perceived work performance. METHODS Questionnaires were mailed to patients of a smoking-cessation program just prior to quit date and one week after they quit. The questionnaires included the Smoking Cessation Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Work Performance Scale (WPS). Other data included patient demographics, smoking duration, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence scale, and smoking status. Student's t-tests were used for pre–post comparisons as well as comparison between higher addiction and lower addiction groups, with p  0.05 used for determination of statistical significance. RESULTS Thirty-four respondents (higher addiction = 12, lower addiction = 22) averaged 48.6 ± 12.0 (mean ± SD) years of age and were primarily white (97.1%) and female (72.2%). From baseline to one week post-quit, there was significant worsening of anxiety (71.5 ± 25.1 to 61.1 ± 26.0; p = 0.04) and cognitive functioning (72.2 ± 20.4 to 61.3 ± 23.9; p = 0.02) scores and improved general health (65.2 ± 18.4 to 70.5 ± 16.9; p = 0.01). HRQoL scores for the lower addiction group were higher than those for the higher addiction group, significantly for sleep, cognitive functioning, anxiety, role emotional and mental health. Both groups experienced significant improvement in self-control. The lower addiction group had a significant decline in sleep, cognitive function, and anxiety, while only one domain changed significantly for the higher addiction group. There were no significant differences in WPS analyses. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study found that, generally, HRQoL changes one week into a smoking cessation attempt. Smokers with higher addiction have lower HRQoL when they begin their cessation attempt, while smokers with lower addiction have greater change in HRQoL.
RNA interference by small hairpin RNAs synthesised under control of the human 7S K RNA promoter
Authors: Koper-Emde Dorota , Herrmann Lutz , Sandrock Björn , Benecke Bernd-Joachim 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSmall interfering RNAs (siRNAs) represent RNA duplexes of 21 nucleotides in length that inhibit gene expression. We have used the human gene-external 7S K RNA promoter for synthesis of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) which efficiently target human lamin mRNA via RNA interference (RNAi). Here we demonstrate that orientation of the target sequence within the shRNA construct is important for interference. Furthermore, effective interference also depends on the length and/or structure of the shRNA. Evidence is presented that the human 7S K promoter is more activein vivothan other gene-external promoters, such as the human U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene promoter.
Inhibition of inducible TNF-α expression by oxaspirodion, a novel spiro-compound from the ascomycete Chaetomium subspirale
Authors: Rether Jan , Erkel Gerhard , Anke Timm , Sterner Olov 
Published: September 2004

AbstractIn a search for compounds inhibiting the inducible TNF-αa promoter activity in T cells, a new spiro-compound, designated oxaspirodion, was isolated from fermentations of the ascomyceteChaetomium subspirale. Oxaspirodion inhibited TNF-α promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene expression with an IC50value of 2.5 µg/ml (10 µM) in TPA/ionomycin-stimulated Jurkat T cells. Studies on the mode of action of the compound revealed that the inhibition of the TNF-α promoter activity is caused by an inhibition of the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 kinases. In addition, oxaspirodion inhibited the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, which is involved in the inducible expression of many proinflammatory genes.
Comprehensive analysis of metabolites in Corynebacterium glutamicum by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Strelkov Sergey , von Elstermann Mirko , Schomburg Dietmar 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAn analytical method based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was developed for metabolome investigation ofCorynebacterium glutamicum. For the first time a fast method for metabolic screening that can be automated is described for this organism. More than 1000 compounds could be detected per experiment, ca. 330 of those showed a peak area significantly above background. Out of these 164 compounds were identified so far, representing derivatives of 121 different metabolites, which were quantified in one sample. In spite of the different chemical nature of metabolites and high matrix content, a measurement reproducibility in the range of 6% error was achieved. The application of this method for the analysis of the adaptation ofC. glutamicumto different growth conditions is demonstrated.
Did the instigator intend to provoke? A key moderator in the relation between trait aggression and aggressive behavior
Authors: Tremblay Paul F. , Belchevski Mirjana 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the cross‐situational consistency of trait aggression in provoking situations where an instigator (1) clearly intended to provoke, (2) clearly intended not to provoke, or (3) where presence of intention was ambiguous. It was hypothesized that cross‐situational consistency would be substantial, and that trait aggression would have the greatest impact on aggressive behavior in ambiguous situations. Participants were 80 female and 38 male undergraduate students. They completed the Aggression Questionnaire [Buss and Perry, J Pers Soc Psychol, 1992, pp. 452], read a set of 24 vignettes depicting conflict situations and rated their perceived likelihood of becoming angry and aggressive in those situations. An overall cross‐situational consistency correlation coefficient of r=.47 was found. It was also found that trait aggression had a significantly greater effect on the likelihood of aggressive responses in the ambiguous and intentional situations than it did in the unintentional situations. These results are discussed in relation to trait activation and hostile attribution bias. Aggr. Behav. 30:409–424, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of direct and indirect bullying on the mental and physical health of Italian youngsters
Authors: Baldry Anna C. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which direct and indirect bullying and victimization at school affects the mental and physical health of 661 Italian boys and girls, aged 11 to 15 years old. The impact of bullying and victimization is assessed by taking into account the relative buffering effect of a positive relationship with one or both parents. Internalizing symptoms such as withdrawn behaviors, somatic complaints, and anxiety and depression, measured with the self‐administered Youth Form of the Achenbach's Child Behavioral Checklist, are indicators of maladjustment. Multiple regression analyses revealed that being a girl is a strong significant risk factor for all internalizing symptoms. Being a victim of indirect bullying is the strongest predictor of withdrawn behaviors, somatic complaints, and anxiety/depression, independent of direct victimization, which significantly predicts somatic complaints, anxiety, and depression, but not withdrawn behaviors. Bullying others directly by hitting, threatening, or calling names is not a significant predictor the poor mental and somatic health of youngsters, whereas indirect bullying (spreading rumors or not talking to someone on purpose) does significantly predict anxiety and depression, as well as withdrawn behaviors. The negative impact of victimization and bullying is buffered by youngsters' positive relationship with one or both parents. Recommendations are provided with regard to possible intervention strategies underlying the importance of distinguishing between different forms of bullying and victimization and providing social support in each different case. Aggr. Behav. 30:343–355, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.