bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of body condition and prey availability on female breeding success in the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laurenti)
Authors: Reading C. J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA study of individually marked smooth snakes Coronella austriaca was carried out in Wareham Forest, southern England between 1992 and 2001. On average, approximately one‐third of potential breeding females reproduced each year and within this group, the proportion breeding was positively correlated with snout–vent length (SVL). Successful breeders had a higher than average body condition at the start of the breeding year compared with unsuccessful breeders. The density of gravid females was positively correlated with prey density in the breeding year but not in the year preceding it. No significant relationships were found between the density of non‐breeding females and prey density in either the breeding year or the preceding year. Although most breeding females did not produce young in consecutive years, a small proportion did. There was a weak positive relationship between clutch size and female SVL. This study suggests that the potential for female smooth snakes to breed is provided by stored energy reserves but that this potential is regulated by prey availability in the breeding year.
Eye size and behaviour of day‐ and night‐flying leafcutting ant alates
Authors: Moser John C. , Reeve John D. , Bento José Maurício S. , Della Lucia Terezínha M. C. , Cameron R. Scott , Heck Natalie M. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe morphology of insect eyes often seems to be shaped by evolution to match their behaviour and lifestyle. Here the relationship between the nuptial flight behaviour of 10 Atta species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the eye size of male and female alates, including the compound eyes, ommatidia facets, and ocelli were examined. These species can be divided into two distinct groups by nuptial flight behaviour: those that initiate the nuptial flight during the day and those that initiate it at night. The most striking difference between day‐ vs night‐flying alates was in ocellus area, which was almost 50% larger in night‐flying species. Night‐flying species also had significantly larger ommatidia facets than day‐flying species. A scaling relationship was also found between compound eye area, facet diameter, and ocellus area vs overall body size. Detailed observations are also presented on the nuptial flight behaviour of a night‐ vs day‐flying species, A. texana and A. sexdens, respectively. The pattern in A. texana is for a single large and precisely timed nuptial flight before dawn, while flights of A. sexdens last for several hours, beginning at midday. Further observations suggest that the timing of the nuptial flight in A. texana is easily disrupted by light pollution.
Correlates of sexual dimorphism for dry weight and development time in five species of Drosophila
Authors: Bharathi N. Sharmila , Prasad N. G. , Shakarad Mallikarjun , Joshi Amitabh 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPre‐adult development time, dry weight at eclosion, and daily fecundity over the first 10 days of adult life were measured in five species of Drosophila from the melanogaster and immigrans species groups. Overall, the three species of the melanogaster group (D. melanogaster, D. ananassae, D. malerkotliana) developed faster, were lighter at eclosion, and produced more eggs per unit weight at eclosion than the two species of the immigrans group (D. n. nasuta, D. sulfurigaster neonasuta). The degree of sexual dimorphism in dry weight was greater than that in development time, but did not vary significantly among species, and was not correlated with fecundity, contrary to expectations that sexual selection for increased fecundity drives sexual size dimorphism in Drosophila. The degree of dimorphism in development time was significantly correlated with dry weight and fecundity, with lighter species tending to be more dimorphic for development time as well as more fecund, both in absolute terms and in terms of fecundity per unit weight. The results suggest that our understanding of the evolutionary forces maintaining sexual size dimorphism in Drosophila will probably benefit from more detailed studies on the correlates of sexual dimorphism within and among Drosophila species, and on the shape of reaction norms for the degree of sexual dimorphism across different levels of ecologically relevant environmental variables.
Growth and variation in the bacula of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Dyck Markus G. , Bourgeois Jackie M. , Miller Edward H. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractStructure and growth of the baculum (os penis) in arctoid carnivores have been well described for many species. This study presents the first extensive analysis of bacular growth and variation for bears (Ursidae), based on 871 bacula of polar bears Ursus maritimus (858 of known age) that were shot in the Canadian Arctic from 1994 to 1997. Bacular length, maximal diameter and mass increased from 109 mm, 5.93 mm and 2.68 g respectively in 1‐year‐old bears (n= 34) to 190 (maximum 222) mm, 18.7 (24.4) mm, and 20.4 (31.9) g respectively in bears ≥ 10 years of age (n > 200). Bacular length is ˜8% of body length in adults. Bacula were moderately variable in size: coefficient of variation for length, diameter, and mass1/3 were 5.2, 10.0 and 5.4% respectively (16.3% for mass). No geographic variation in size was apparent. Bacula reached asymptotic size at 8–9 years of age. At physiological sexual maturity (˜6 years of age), bacula were at 89, 73 and 62% of asymptotic length, diameter and mass respectively (compared with body length at ˜95%). Interpretation of these findings must await behavioural and physiological information on courtship and copulation in the polar bear, and comparative data on other ursids.
The ‘Let them eat cake’ strategy for ‘industrial branch’ insurance clients: Reflecting on the Demise of a Sector in Financial Services
Authors: Alferoff Catrina , Knights David , Leyshon Andrew , Signoretta Paola 
Published: October 2004

Declining state provision, low levels of financial capability (FSA/DTI, 2002), and, it must be added, regulation on savings and investments have impacted severely on the ability of some sections of the UK population to purchase life assurance and savings products. In addition, according to a report submitted to the Treasury, ‘there is a wide consensus that the UK population is not saving enough for retirement. Savings levels are 20 per cent or more below what they should be. The problem appears to be particularly acute amongst the less affluent, where insufficient levels of saving are likely to have a more serious impact’ (Sandler, 2002: 2). This is due in no small part to current banking and insurance practices that have excluded many of the least affluent customers from essential financial services (Kempson and Whyley, 1998; Kempson et al., 2000; NCC, 1997), that afford them the protection of:[bull ] Financial security for a rainy day;[bull ] Greater comfort during retirement and old age;[bull ] Access to greater independence and opportunity throughout their lives; (HM Treasury, 2001b)Ideally for less affluent consumers, product design should incorporate simplicity and transparency, preferably offer automatic savings of small amounts weekly or fortnightly and be flexible enough for payments to be suspended during times of financial hardship without incurring penalties (Kempson and Whyley, 1998: 50–51).
Different Interpretations of Agency within Welfare Debates
Authors: Deacon Alan 
Published: October 2004

J. Le Grand (2003), Motivation, Agency, and Public Policy: Of Knights and Knaves, Pawns and Queens, Oxford University Press, Oxford.R. Lister (2004), Poverty, Polity Books, Cambridge.L. Mead (2004), Government Matters: Welfare Reform in Wisconsin, Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford.
Allergic sensitization enhances the contribution of Rho‐kinase to airway smooth muscle contraction
Authors: Schaafsma Dedmer , Gosens Reinoud , Bos I Sophie T , Meurs Herman , Zaagsma Johan , Nelemans S Adriaan 
Published: October 2004

Repeated allergen challenge has been shown to increase the role of Rho‐kinase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction. We considered the possibility that active allergic sensitization by itself, that is, without subsequent allergen exposure, could be sufficient to enhance Rho‐kinase‐mediated ASM contraction.
Guinea pigs were actively IgE‐sensitized to ovalbumin (OA), using Al(OH)3 as adjuvant. Contractile responsiveness to Gq‐coupled receptor agonists (methacholine, histamine or PGF2α) was investigated in tracheal rings. No effect of sensitization was observed on basal‐ and methacholine‐induced myogenic tone. In contrast, potency of histamine and PGF2α increased, that is, EC50 decreased, after OA‐sensitization by 2.6‐ and 4.7‐fold, respectively, without effect on maximal contraction (Emax).
Basal tone in preparations from both control and OA‐sensitized animals was strongly decreased in the presence of the Rho‐kinase inhibitor (+)‐(R)‐trans‐4‐(1‐aminoethyl)‐N‐(4‐pyridyl) cyclohexane carboxamide (Y‐27632) (1 μM). In control preparations, the Emax and potency of histamine were unaffected by Y‐27632, but were decreased for PGF2α (by 38.2% and 2.0‐fold, respectively). However, in preparations from OA‐sensitized animals, Y‐27632 induced a significant reduction in Emax (33.5%) and potency (2.3‐fold) of histamine and of PGF2α (48.3% and 6.6‐fold, respectively), normalizing the OA‐sensitization‐induced increase in sensitivity toward these agonists.
We also investigated the contribution of Rho‐kinase in vivo by measuring airway responsiveness toward inhaled histamine in permanently instrumented, unanaesthetized control and OA‐sensitized guinea pigs. Treatment with Y‐27632 by inhalation (5 mM, nebulizer concentration) decreased airway responsiveness toward histamine both in control and OA‐sensitized animals. However, the histamine PC100 ratio pre/post Y‐27632 inhalation was significantly smaller in OA‐sensitized animals as compared to control animals, indicating an enhanced contribution of Rho‐kinase.
Expression of RhoA, an upstream activator of Rho‐kinase, was significantly increased (2.6‐fold) in lung homogenates of OA‐sensitized guinea pigs compared to control animals, as determined by Western analysis.
In conclusion, the results show a receptor‐dependent role of Rho‐kinase in agonist‐induced ASM contraction. The contribution of Rho‐kinase to contractile airway responsiveness, both in vivo and ex vivo, is augmented after active allergic sensitization, as a consequence of increased expression of RhoA presumably. Inhibition of the RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway may be considered a useful pharmacotherapeutical target in allergy and asthma.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 477–484. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705903
Proteinase‐activated receptor‐4: evaluation of tethered ligand‐derived peptides as probes for receptor function and as inflammatory agonists in vivo
Authors: Hollenberg Morley D , Saifeddine Mahmoud , Sandhu Sabrina , Houle Steeve , Vergnolle Nathalie 
Published: October 2004

We evaluated the ability of a number of peptides based on the tethered ligand sequences of human, rat and murine proteinase‐activated receptor‐4 (PAR4), to serve as receptor‐activating probes or antagonists for bioassays carried out in vitro and for in vivo models of inflammation.
In a rat PAR4‐dependent platelet aggregation assay, the relative potencies of the active sequences (AYPGKF‐NH2>GYPGKF‐NH2>GYPGFK‐NH2>GFPGKP‐NH2) were consistent with an activation of PAR4.
In the aggregation assay, the reverse or partial reverse‐sequence peptides (VQGPYG‐NH2, YAPGKF‐NH2 and FKGPYA‐NH2) were inactive, while trans‐cinnamoyl (Tc)‐YPGKF‐NH2, Tc‐APGKF‐NH2 and N‐palmitoyl‐SGRRYGHALR‐NH2 (pepducin P4pal‐10) were antagonists.
However, in an endothelium‐dependent NO‐mediated rat aorta (RA) relaxation assay and in a gastric longitudinal muscle (LM) contraction assay, these antagonist peptides were agonists as were most other peptides, with distinct orders of potencies that differed for both the RA and LM assays and from the platelet assay.
We conclude that PAR4‐derived tethered ligand peptide agonists can act at receptors other than PAR4 and that a judicious choice of ligands is required to probe for PAR4 function in bioassay systems and in particular for in vivo models.
By selecting from these peptides the ones most reliably reflecting PAR4 activation (AYPGKF‐NH2 as a standard agonist; YAPGKF‐NH2 as a PAR4‐inactive standard), we were able to establish an inflammatory role for the PAR4‐activating peptides acting via a non‐neurogenic mechanism in a rat paw oedema model.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 443–454. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705946
Selective GABA‐receptor actions of amobarbital on thalamic neurons
Authors: Kim H‐S , Wan X , Mathers D A , Puil E 
Published: October 2004

We studied amobarbital's effects on membrane properties and currents, and electrically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) mediated by γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rat thalamic slices. Using concentration–response relationships, we compared amobarbital's effects in nociceptive nuclei and non‐nociceptive nucleus reticularis thalami (nRT).
Amobarbital decreased input resistance by activating GABAA receptors. Amobarbital produced a larger decrease in ventrobasal than nRT neurons.
Amobarbital depressed burst and tonic firing. Depression of burst firing was more effective, particularly in ventrobasal and intralaminar neurons. Depression was reversed by GABAA antagonists, and surmountable by increasing current injection, implicating a receptor‐mediated shunt mechanism.
Amobarbital did not affect the tetrodotoxin‐isolated low threshold Ca2+ spike during GABAA blockade. Amobarbital reduced excitability without altering outward leak, or hyperpolarisation‐activated inward currents.
Amobarbital increased mean conductance and burst duration of single GABAA channels. Consistent with this, amobarbital increased amplitude and decay time of IPSCs with distinct EC50s, implicating actions at two GABAA receptor sites.
Activation of GABAA receptors by low concentrations, fast IPSC amplitude modulation, and failure to affect intrinsic currents distinguished amobarbital's mechanism of action from previously characterised barbiturates. The selective actions of amobarbital on GABAA receptor may have relevance in explaining anaesthetic and analgesic uses.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 485–494. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705974
Effect of overexpressed adenylyl cyclase VI on β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptor responses in adult rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Stark Joalice C C , Haydock Stephen F , Foo Roger , Brown Morris J , Harding Sian E 
Published: October 2004

Adenylyl cyclase VI (ACVI) is one of the most abundantly expressed β adrenergic receptor (βAR)‐coupled cyclases responsible for cyclic AMP (cAMP) production within the mammalian myocardium. We investigated the role of ACVI in the regulation of cardiomyocyte contractility and whether it is functionally coupled with β1 adrenergic receptor (β1AR).
Recombinant adenoviruses were generated for ACVI and for antisense to ACVI (AS). Adult rat ventricular myocytes were transfected with ACVI virus, AS or both (SAS). Adenovirus for green fluorescent protein (GFP) served as control. Myocyte contraction amplitudes (% shortening) and relaxation times (R50) were analysed. ACVI function was determined using cAMP assays.
ACVI‐transfected cells demonstrated a strong 139 kDa ACVI protein band compared to controls. ACVI myocytes had higher steady‐state intracellular cAMP levels than GFP myocytes when unstimulated (GFP vs ACVI=6.60±0.98 vs 14.2±2.1 fmol cAMP/viable cell, n=4, P<0.05) and in the presence of 1 μM isoprenaline or 10 μM forskolin.
ACVI myocytes had increased basal contraction (% shortening: GFP vs ACVI: 1.90±1.36 vs 3.91±2.29, P<0.0001) and decreased basal R50 (GFP vs ACVI: 62.6±24.2 ms (n=50) vs 45.0±17.2 ms (n=248), P<0.0001). ACVI myocyte responses were increased for forskolin (Emax: GFP=6.70±1.59 (n=6); ACVI=9.06±0.69 (n=14), P<0.01) but not isoprenaline.
ACVI myocyte responses were increased (Emax: GFP vs ACVI=3.16±0.77 vs 5.10±0.60, P<0.0001) to xamoterol (a partial β1AR‐selective agonist) under β2AR blockade (+50 nM ICI 118, 551). AS decreased both control and ACVI‐stimulated xamoterol responses (Emax: AS=2.59±1.42, SAS=1.38±0.5). ACVI response was not mimicked by IBMX. Conversely, response through β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) was decreased in ACVI myocytes.
In conclusion, ACVI overexpression constitutively increases myocyte contraction amplitudes by raising cAMP levels. Native ACVI did not contribute to basal cAMP production or contraction amplitude and only to a minor extent to the forskolin response. β1AR but not β2AR coupling was dependent on ACVI.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 465–476. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705976
CRF2 receptors are highly expressed in the human cardiovascular system and their cognate ligands urocortins 2 and 3 are potent vasodilators
Authors: Wiley Katherine E , Davenport Anthony P 
Published: October 2004

Systemic infusions of urocortin 1 produce a decrease in mean arterial pressure. This effect may be mediated by a direct action on novel corticotropin‐releasing factor type 2 (CRF2) receptors predicted to be expressed in blood vessels and the heart. Our objectives were to determine the presence of CRF2 receptors in the human cardiovascular system using the selective radioligand [125I]antisauvagine 30. We also investigated the potential functional roles of novel CRF2 ligands in the regulation of vascular tone in human arteries in vitro.
Radioligand binding techniques were used to characterise the CRF2 receptor. [125I]antisauvagine 30 bound specifically, saturably, reversibly and with high affinity to CRF2 receptors in human left ventricle (KD 0.21±0.03 nM, BMAX 0.80±0.18 fmol mg−1 protein), and no change in receptor density or affinity was observed in the dilated cardiomyopathy group.
Autoradiographical studies revealed highly localised binding of [125I]antisauvagine 30 to intramyocardial blood vessels. Binding sites were also detected in the myocardium and in the medial layer of internal mammary arteries.
In endothelium‐denuded human internal mammary artery in vitro, all peptides tested produced a potent and sustained vasodilator response reversing endothelin‐1‐induced constrictions (10 nM) (urocortin 1: pD2 8.39±0.32, EMAX 46±7.7%; urocortin 2: pD2 8.27±0.17, EMAX 60±8.5%; urocortin 3: pD2 8.61±0.25, EMAX 61±7.2%; CRF: pD2 8.28±0.27, EMAX: 40±10%).
We have demonstrated the presence of CRF2 receptors in the human cardiovascular system and a direct, endothelium‐independent vasodilator action of urocortins 2 and 3, which may counter‐balance the centrally mediated pressor effects of CRF and urocortin 1.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 508–514. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705985
Allosteric modulation of semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase activities in vitro by imidazoline receptor ligands
Authors: Holt Andrew , Wieland Barbara , Baker Glen B 
Published: October 2004

Evidence indicates that imidazoline I2 binding sites (I2BSs) are present on monoamine oxidase (MAO) and on soluble (plasma) semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase enzymes. The binding site on MAO has been described as a modulatory site, although no effects on activity are thought to have been observed as a result of ligands binding to these sites.
We examined the effects in vitro of several imidazoline binding site ligands on activities of bovine plasma amine oxidase (BPAO) and porcine kidney diamine oxidase (PKDAO) in a spectrophotometric protocol.
While both enzymes were inhibited at high concentrations of all ligands, clonidine, cirazoline and oxymetazoline were seen, at lower concentrations, to increase activity of BPAO versus benzylamine, but not of PKDAO versus putrescine. This effect was substrate dependent, with mixed or biphasic inhibition of spermidine, methylamine, p‐tyramine and β‐phenylethylamine oxidation observed at cirazoline concentrations that increased benzylamine oxidation.
With benzylamine as substrate, clonidine decreased KM (EC50 8.82 μM, Emax 75.1% of control) and increased Vmax (EC50 164.6 μM, Emax 154.1% of control). Cirazoline decreased Vmax (EC50 2.15 μM, Emax 91.4% of control), then decreased KM (EC50 5.63 μM, Emax 42.6% of control) and increased Vmax (EC50 49.0 μM, Emax 114.4% of decreased Vmax value).
Data for clonidine fitted a mathematical model for two‐site nonessential activation plus linear intersecting noncompetitive inhibition. Data for cirazoline were consistent with involvement of a fourth site.
These results reveal an ability of imidazoline ligands to modulate BPAO kinetics allosterically. The derived mechanism may have functional significance with respect to modulation of MAO by I2BS ligands.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 495–507. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705986
1  ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS OF REGIONAL LEFT VENTRICULAR WALL MOTION ABNORMALITIES IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME AND NORMAL ANGIOGRAM
Authors: Germing A. , Lindstaedt M. , Ulrich S. , Fadgyas T. , Grewe P. , Mügge. A. 
Published: October 2004

Purpose: Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) should undergo early invasive diagnostic and treatment strategy according to the individual risk stratification. However, in a few cases angiography presents a normal angiogram. Echocardiography in ACS may help to assess the patients' risk and to disclose differential diagnosis in unclear cases. Few data are available on the analysis of echocardiographic findings in a patient population with ACS but normal angiogram. Methods: A total of 51 unselected patients (72.5% male, 53.3 ± 14.5 years) were included between 1999 and 2002. All patients underwent an emergency coronary angiography due to suspected ACS but showed a normal angiogram. Patients underwent echocardiographic examination prior to invasive procedure. Results: The preangiographic risk stratification was as follows: unstable angina (76.5%), elevated troponin T (30%), elevated creatine kinase (24%), electrocardiographic signs of ischemia (60.8%). Thirty‐one patients (60.6%) presented with a normal wall motion. The following regional wall motion abnormalities were seen: septal (n = 4, 7.8%), inferior (n = 9, 17.6%) and anterior (n = 7, 13.7%). A normal ejection fraction was detected in 40 patients (78.4%), a discrete reduction in 8 patients (15.7%), and a relevant reduction in three cases (5.9%). The invasive measurements of the ejection fraction (67 ± 14%) were without any difference to the echocardiographic measurement (68 ± 14%). Conclusions: In spite of a normal angiogram during ACS echocardiography shows regional left ventricular wall motion abnormalities in a relevant number of patients. These findings may influence the need of further diagnostic procedures and perhaps of pharmacological treatment in those patients. Echocardiography should be added to routine diagnostic procedures in patients with ACS.