bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a PCR Assay for the Molecular Detection of Phytophthora boehmeriae in Infected Cotton
Authors: Shen G. , Wang Y. C. , Zhang W. L. , Zheng X. B. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractCotton blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora boehmeriae, is a serious disease of cotton in China. In wet weather conditions, P. boehmeriae is usually the primary pathogen, followed by many saprophytic fungi and pathogens such as Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia and others. As P. boehmeriae grows much slower than other pathogens, it is difficult to isolate and identify. A rapid and accurate method for its specific identification is necessary for the detection of blight in infected cotton tissue. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from three isolates of P. boehmeriae were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the universal primers DC6 and ITS4. PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The sequences were aligned with those published of 50 other Phytophthora species, and a region specific to P. boehmeriae was used to construct the specific PCR primers PB1 and PB2. Over 106 isolates of 14 Phytophthora species and at least 20 other fungal species were used to check the specificity of the primers. PCR amplification with primers PB1 and PB2 resulted in the amplification of a product of approximately 750 bp only from isolates of P. boehmeriae. Using primers PB1 and PB2, detection sensitivity was approximately 10 fg DNA/μl. In inoculated plant material, P. boehmeriae could be detected in tissue 1 day after inoculation, prior to the appearance of symptoms. The PB primer‐based PCR assay provides an accurate and sensitive method for detecting P. boehmeriae in cotton tissue.
Elevated circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and ‐2 in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease
Authors: Zeng B. , Prasan A. , Fung K. C. , Solanki V. , Bruce D. , Freedman S. B. , Brieger D. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract Background:  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐9 and MMP‐2) have been implicated in development of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).Aim:  To determine the relationship between circulating MMPs and symptomatic coronary artery disease.Methods:  Plasma levels of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 were measured in patients with ACS, stable angina (SA) and in controls, using a quantitative gelatin zymography. These measurements were correlated with markers of systemic inflammation (hs‐CRP) in all subjects and myocardial injury (troponin T) in patients with ACS.Results:  Plasma MMP‐9 in ACS was greater than in SA, and was greater in SA than in controls (P < 0.01 ACS vs SA and controls, P < 0.01 SA vs control). Plasma MMP‐2 was significantly greater in ACS than SA or controls (P < 0.01 vs SA and controls). There was strong overall relationship between hs‐CRP and MMP‐9 (r = 0.65, P < 0.0001) driven by a significant relationship in ACS patients (r = 0.58, P = 0.02), as there was no significant association in SA or controls. A weaker overall correlation was found between hs‐CRP and MMP‐2 (r = 0.39, P = 0.02), but no significant relationship was present for either of the two patient subgroups or controls. There was no correlation between levels of troponin T and MMP‐9, MMP‐2 or hs‐CRP in ACS patients.Conclusion:  Quantitative gelatin zymography identifies increased circulating levels of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 in patients with symptomatic coronary disease. MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 are higher in ACS than SA patients and might have use as markers of plaque rupture or instability. The strong relationship between MMP‐9 and hs‐CRP in ACS patients suggests MMP‐9 might be an additional marker and/or consequence of the inflammatory component in ACS. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 331–335)
Occupational bladder cancer in New Zealand: a 1‐year review of cases notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry
Authors: Dryson E. , Walls C. , McLean D. , Pearce N. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract Aim: To identify which cases of adult bladder cancer notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry in 2001 had a probable occupational cause.Methods: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), in conjunction with the Massey University Centre for Public Health Research, interviewed and obtained an occupational history for 210 (162 men, 48 women) cases.Results: Of the 162 male cases (response rate 65%), 45 (28%) were considered to be ‘probable’ occupational cancers. Of the 48 female cases (response rate 76%), three cases (6%) were considered to be ‘probable’ occupational cancers. The largest occupational group for men was truck drivers, which made up 51% of probable cases. Other common groups were engineering and metal workers (18%), crop farmers/orchardists (7%), textile and leather workers (7%), painters/furniture finishers (7%), and plastics manufacturing workers (4%). The three female cases considered to be of occupational origin included two textile workers and one telephonist.Conclusions: The percentage of cases considered to be of occupational origin is similar to that reported in Europe and the United States, indicating that occupational cancer is a major occupational health problem in New Zealand as it is in other parts of the world. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 343–347)
Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community‐dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: I. Singapore
Authors: Matsubayashi Kozo , Ho Han Kwee , Okumiya Kiyohito , Wada Taizo , Ishine Masayuki , Wada Chizu , Xin Zhu Ge , Kita Toru , Kato Yuko , Nishihiro Naoko , Hock Lim Boon 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessments of community‐dwelling elderly people in Singapore with those in Japan..Methods:  A cross‐sectional, interview‐ and examination‐based study was conducted of community‐dwelling elderly people living in an urban district, Choa Chu Kang, in Singapore and in a rural town, Urausu, in Hokkaido in Japan. Volunteers were recruited by advertising. One hundred and seventeen and 163 community‐dwelling elderly aged 70 years and over in Singapore and Japan, respectively, were examined using a common comprehensive geriatric assessment tool. Interviews pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale as well as anthropometric, neurobehavioral and blood chemical examinations were included in the assessment. Using unpaired t‐tests and χ2 tests, findings from the two groups were compared.Results:  Intellectual ADL scores were higher in Japan than in Singapore, while there was no significant difference in basic ADL, instrumental ADL or social ADL between the two groups. The prevalence of depression was lower and QOLs were higher in Singaporean elderly subjects than in Japanese. Scores on cognitive functions were higher in Japanese subjects than in Singaporean ones. Mean blood pressure measurements and the prevalence of both hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance were higher in Singapore than in Japan.Conclusion:  Comparative findings between comprehensive geriatric assessment of community‐dwelling elderly in Singapore and in Japan were reported. Between these highly economically developed countries, there was no significant difference in such ADLs as basic, information‐related, instrumental and social, but there were differences in the intellectual ADL scores. Japanese elderly people were more highly educated than their Singaporean counterparts, however, higher QOLs and a lower prevalence of depression in the community‐dwelling elderly population were revealed in Singapore than in Japan. Understanding of the need to control chronic risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus was less popularly spread among community‐dwelling elderly in Singapore than in Japan.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community‐dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: II. Hongchon in Korea
Authors: Sakagami Teiji , Okumiya Kiyohito , Ishine Masayuki , Wada Taizo , Kita Toru , Kawakita Toshiko , Fushida Mutsuko , Kyu Kim Sang , Sak Park Moo , Yook Choi Soon , Jai‐Kook Cho , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessment between community‐dwelling elderly people in Korea and in Japan.Methods:  A cross‐sectional, interview‐ and examination‐based study was undertaken of community‐dwelling elderly people living in a rural district, Hongchon, in Korea and in a rural town, Sonobe, in Kyoto in Japan. Two hundred and thirty‐eight community‐dwelling elderly people aged 60 years and over in Korea and 411 aged 65 years and over in Kyoto, Japan were examined using a common comprehensive geriatric assessment tool. Interviews concerning activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale were conducted as well as anthropometric and blood chemical examinations. Findings from the two groups were compared using unpaired T‐test and χ2 test.Results:  All examined ADLs except for the social ADL were significantly lower in Korean elderly subjects than in Japanese. Only the mean social ADL score of each group showed no difference. The prevalence of depression assessed by the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale was higher in Korean elderly subjects than in Japanese. Scores for QOL indices were lower in the Korean subjects than in the Japanese. Korean subjects showed higher mean body mass indices, blood sugar concentrations and prevalences of impaired glucose tolerance than Japanese. Mean age, sex ratio and living situation (living alone or not, etc.) were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion:  Comparative features of comprehensive geriatric assessment of community‐dwelling elderly between Korea and Japan were reported. Although both are highly economically developed countries in Asia, it was revealed that elderly Korean subjects were in poorer condition with regard to such ADLs as those relating to basic activities, information, instrumental and intellectual ones, in comparison with Japanese subjects. The one exception was the social ADL. At the same time, Korean subjects showed a higher prevalence of depression and lower scores for QOL. A high prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in Korea was noteworthy. We assumed psychosocial rather than biological factors had produced such diversities.
Neurons in the lateral sacral cord of the cat project to periaqueductal grey, but not to thalamus
Authors: Klop Esther Marije , Mouton Leonora J. , Kuipers Rutger , Holstege Gert 
Published: May 2005

AbstractPrevious work of our laboratory has shown that neurons in the lateral sacral cord in cat project heavily to the periaqueductal grey (PAG), in all likelihood conveying information from bladder and genital organs. In humans this information usually does not reach consciousness, which raises the question of whether the lateral sacral cell group projects to the thalamus. After wheatgerm agglutinin‐horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP) injections into the sacral cord, anterogradely labelled fibers were found in the thalamus, specifically in the ventral anterior and ventral lateral nuclei, the medial and intralaminar nuclei, the lateral ventrobasal complex/ventroposterior lateral nucleus, and the nucleus centre médian, lateral to the fasciculus retroflexus. Much denser projections were found to the central parts of the PAG, mainly to its dorsolateral and ventrolateral parts at caudal levels and lateral parts at intermediate levels. In a subsequent retrograde tracing study, injections were made in those parts of the thalamus that received sacral fibers, as found in the anterograde study. Labelled neurons were observed in the sacral cord, but not in the lateral sacral cell group. In contrast, a small control injection in the caudal PAG resulted in many labelled neurons in the lateral sacral cord. These results suggest that afferent information regarding micturition and sexual behaviour is relayed to the PAG, rather than to the thalamus.
The photoperiod entrains the molecular clock of the rat pineal
Authors: Engel Lydia , Lorenzkowski Verena , Langer Christina , Rohleder Nils , Spessert Rainer 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe suprachiasmatic nucleus‐pineal system acts as a neuroendocrine transducer of seasonal changes in the photoperiod by regulating melatonin formation. In the present study, we have investigated the extent to which the photoperiod entrains the nonself‐cycling oscillator in the Sprague–Dawley rat pineal. For this purpose, the 24‐h expression of nine clock genes (bmal1, clock, per1, per2, per3, cry1, cry2, dec1 and dec2) and the aa‐nat gene was monitored under light‐dark 8 : 16 and light‐dark 16 : 8 in the rat pineal by using real‐time RT‐PCR. The 24‐h pattern of the expression of only per1, dec2 and aa‐nat genes was affected by photoperiod. In comparison with the short photoperiod, the duration of elevated expression under the long photoperiod was elongated for per1 and shortened for dec2 and aa‐nat. For each of the genes, photoperiod‐dependent variations partly persisted under constant darkness. Therefore, the pineal clockwork appears to memorize the photoperiod of prior entrained cycles. The findings of the present study indicate that the nonself‐cycling oscillator of the rat pineal is entrained by photoperiodic information and therefore that it participates in seasonal timekeeping.
‘Compulsive’ lever pressing in rats is enhanced following lesions to the orbital cortex, but not to the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala or to the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Joel Daphna , Doljansky Julia , Schiller Daniela 
Published: May 2005

AbstractIn a new rat model of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), ‘compulsive’ behaviour is induced by attenuating a signal indicating that a lever‐press response was effective in producing food. We have recently found that compulsive lever pressing is increased following lesions to the rat orbital cortex, in accordance with several lines of evidence implicating the orbitofrontal cortex in the pathophysiology of OCD. In view of the functional similarities between the orbital cortex, the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, the present study compared the effects of lesions to these three regions. The present study replicated the finding that lesions to the rat orbital cortex enhance compulsive lever pressing. In contrast, lesions to the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex and to the basolateral amygdala did not affect compulsive lever pressing. A comparison of these findings to current knowledge regarding similarities and differences in the functioning of the three regions sheds light on the mechanism by which signal attenuation induces compulsive lever pressing and on the role played by the orbital cortex in compulsive behaviour.
Electrophysiological evidence for cortical plasticity with movement repetition
Authors: Halder Pascal , Sterr Annette , Brem Silvia , Bucher Kerstin , Kollias Spyros , Brandeis Daniel 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe role of movement repetition and practice has been extensively studied as an aspect of motor skill learning but has rarely been investigated in its own right. As practice is considered a prerequisite for motor learning we expected that even the repetitive execution of a simple movement would rapidly induce changes in neural activations without changing performance. We used 64‐channel event‐related potential mapping to investigate these effects of movement repetition on corresponding brain activity in humans. Ten healthy right‐handed young adults performed a power grip task under visual force control to ensure constant behaviour during the experimental session. The session consisted of two parts intersected by a break. For analysis each part was subdivided into two runs to control for potential attention or fatigue effects, which would be expected to disappear during the break. Microstate analysis revealed that distinct topographies and source configurations during movement preparation, movement execution and feedback integration are responsive to repetition. The observed patterns of changes differed for the three microstates, suggesting that different, repetition‐sensitive neural mechanisms are involved. Moreover, this study clearly confirms that movement repetition, in the absence of skill learning, is capable of inducing changes in neural networks.
The scrapie prion protein is present in flotillin‐1‐positive vesicles in central‐ but not peripheral‐derived neuronal cell lines
Authors: Pimpinelli Federica , Lehmann Sylvain , Maridonneau‐Parini Isabelle 
Published: May 2005

AbstractTransmissible prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases associated with the conversion of the normal host prion protein (PrPc) into an abnormal isoform (PrPSc) that accumulates in brain. This pathology affects neurons of the central nervous system whereas no clear toxic effect has been reported for peripheral neurons. We examined the subcellular distribution of PrPc and PrPSc in the scrapie‐infected mouse neuronal cell lines GT1‐7 and N2a, derived, respectively, from the central and peripheral nervous system. We observed that in both cell types, PrPc is present in the endocytic compartment, mainly in LAMP‐1‐positive late endosomes, but excluded from LYAAT‐1‐lysosomes. In contrast, PrPSc was distributed differently in the two cell lines. In infected N2a, PrPSc and PrPc had comparable distribution patterns. In infected GT1‐7, PrPSc is present in an additional vesicular compartment which is flotillin‐1‐positive. The level of expression of flotillin‐1 is higher in GT1‐7 than in N2a cells, but no difference is observed between infected and noninfected cells. In Alzheimer's disease patients, it has been reported that flotillin‐1 is abundant in brain areas containing the β‐amyloid protein, which accumulates in endosomal vesicles in primary neurons. We propose that the flotillin compartment could store aggregated proteins and play a role in these neurodegenerative pathologies.
The ability of axons to regenerate their growth cones depends on axonal type and age, and is regulated by calcium, cAMP and ERK
Authors: Chierzi Sabrina , Ratto Gian Michele , Verma Poonam , Fawcett James W. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe processes activated at the time of axotomy and leading to the formation of a new growth cone are the first step in regeneration, but are still poorly characterized. We investigated this event in an in vitro model of axotomy performed on dorsal root ganglia and retinal explants. We observed that the dorsal root ganglion axons and retinal ganglion cell axons, which had grown out on a poly d‐lysine/laminin substrate at the time of culture preparation greatly differed in their regenerative response after a subsequent in vitro lesion made far from the cell body. The majority of axons of adult dorsal root ganglia but only a small percentage of axons of adult retinal ganglion cells regenerated new growth cones within four hours after in vitro axotomy, though both kinds of axons were growing before the lesion. The depletion of extracellular calcium and the inhibition of extracellular‐signal regulated kinase 1,2 (ERK) and protein kinase A (PKA) at the time of injury significantly impaired the capacity of dorsal root ganglia axons to re‐initiate growth cones without affecting growth cone motility. Pharmacological treatments directed at increasing the level of cAMP promoted growth cone regeneration in adult retinal ganglion cell axons in spite of the low regenerative potential exhibited in normal conditions. Understanding the cellular mechanisms activated at the time of lesion and leading to the formation of a new growth cone is necessary for devising treatments aimed at enhancing the regenerative response of injured axons.
Presence of vesicular glutamate transporter‐2 in hypophysiotropic somatostatin but not growth hormone‐releasing hormone neurons of the male rat
Authors: Hrabovszky Erik , Turi Gergely F. , Liposits Zsolt 
Published: May 2005

AbstractRecent evidence indicates that hypophysiotropic gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH), corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) neurons of the adult male rat express mRNA and immunoreactivity for type‐2 vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT2), a marker for glutamatergic neuronal phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the issue of whether these glutamatergic features are shared by growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH) neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARH) and somatostatin (SS) neurons of the anterior periventricular nucleus (PVa), the two parvicellular neurosecretory systems that regulate anterior pituitary somatotrophs. Dual‐labelin situhybridization studies revealed relatively few cells that expressed VGLUT2 mRNA in the ARH; the GHRH neurons were devoid of VGLUT2 hybridization signal. In contrast, VGLUT2 mRNA was expressed abundantly in the PVa; virtually all (97.5 ± 0.4%) SS neurons showed labelling for VGLUT2 mRNA. In accordance with these hybridization results, dual‐label immunofluorescent studies followed by confocal laser microscopic analysis of the median eminence established the absence of VGLUT2 immunoreactivity in GHRH terminals and its presence in many neurosecretory SS terminals. The GHRH terminals, in turn, were immunoreactive for the vesicular γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter, used in these studies as a marker for GABA‐ergic neuronal phenotype. Together, these results suggest the paradoxic cosecretion of the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate with the inhibitory peptide SS and the cosecretion of the inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter GABA with the stimulatory peptide GHRH. The mechanisms of action of intrinsic amino acids in hypophysiotropic neurosecretory systems require clarification.
Will the (German) NAIRU Please Stand Up?
Authors: Franz Wolfgang 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThis paper deals with a critical assessment of the ‘non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment’ (NAIRU) for Germany. There are quite a few obstacles to perceiving the NAIRU as an easy-to-use analytical instrument: the possibility of a non-vertical Phillips curve, the occurrence of shocks and hysteresis effects, and the (mis-)measurement of important variables, cointegration issues and a time variability of the NAIRU. A new attempt is made to estimate a NAIRU for Germany using direct measures of inflationary expectations. However, by any method, the NAIRU is very hard to determine and subject to considerable arbitrariness.
Continuing Vocational Training Forms and Establishment Productivity in Germany
Authors: Zwick Thomas 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThis paper provides evidence of the productivity effects of different continuing vocational training forms in Germany. Using the waves 1997-2001 of the IAB establishment panel, it is found that formal external courses have the largest positive impact on productivity. Formal internal courses and quality circles have a smaller positive impact. Self-induced learning, participation at seminars and talks and job rotation do not enhance productivity while training on the job has a negative productivity impact. Establishments with an inefficient production structure decide to offer training in order to boost productivity. This paper also shows that taking into account selectivity of the training decision, unobserved time-invariant heterogeneity, human resource practices, as well as establishment and employee characteristics has an important impact on the measurement results.