bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the role of endogenous cholecystokinin on the activity of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in rats
Authors: Cano Victoria , Ezquerra Laura , Pilar Ramos M , Ruiz‐Gayo Mariano 
Published: October 2003

Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis by fasting seems to involve cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors.
This work aims to characterize the role of endogenous CCK in the activity of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus during food withdrawal. We investigated, by c‐Fos immunohistochemistry, the effect of CCK1 and CCK2 receptor antagonists (SR‐27,897 and L‐365,260, respectively) on c‐Fos levels expression induced by food deprivation.
Under our conditions, the number of cells expressing c‐Fos was reduced both by SR‐27,897 and L‐365,260 in food‐deprived rats.
To investigate the importance of glucose availability, we studied the effect of CCK receptor antagonists on c‐Fos synthesis induced by the glucose antimetabolite 2‐deoxyglucose. In these animals, only SR‐27,897 decreased c‐Fos expression in the PVN.
Our results indicate that the effect of CCK antagonists is mainly perceptible when glucose availability decreases, and suggest that CCK‐ergic inputs could drive the activity of the PVN under fasting/low glucose conditions.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 964–970. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705513
Mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of tachykinin receptor antagonists on eosinophil recruitment in an allergic pleurisy model in mice
Authors: Alessandri Ana Letícia , Pinho Vanessa , Souza Danielle G , Castro Maria Salete de A , Klein André , Teixeira Mauro M 
Published: October 2003

The activation of tachykinin NK receptors by neuropeptides may induce the recruitment of eosinophils in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism(s) of the action of tachykinin receptor antagonists on eosinophil recruitment in a model of allergic pleurisy in mice.
Pretreatment of immunized mice with capsaicin partially prevented the recruitment of eosinophils after antigen challenge, suggesting the potential contribution of sensory nerves for the recruitment of eosinophils
Local (10–50 nmol per pleural cavity) or systemic (100–300 nmol per animal) pretreatment with the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist SR140333 prevented the recruitment of eosinophils induced by antigen challenge of immunized mice. Neither tachykinin NK2 nor NK3 receptor antagonists suppressed eosinophil recruitment.
Pretreatment with SR140333 failed to prevent the antigen‐induced increase of interleukin‐5 concentrations in the pleural cavity. Similarly, SR140333 failed to affect the bone marrow eosinophilia observed at 48 h after antigen challenge of immunized mice.
SR140333 induced a significant increase in the concentrations of antigen‐induced eotaxin at 6 h after challenge.
Antigen challenge of immunized mice induced a significant increase of Leucotriene B4 (LTB4) concentrations at 6 h after challenge. Pretreatment with SR140333 prevented the antigen‐induced increase of LTB4 concentrations.
Our data suggest an important role for NK1 receptor activation with consequent LTB4 release and eosinophil recruitment in a model of allergic pleurisy in the mouse. Tachykinins appear to be released mainly from peripheral endings of capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurons and may act on mast cells to facilitate antigen‐driven release of LTB4.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 847–854. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705515
Mechanisms of relaxation by urocortin in renal arteries from male and female rats
Authors: Sanz Elena , Monge Luis , Fernández Nuria , Climent Belén , Diéguez Godofredo , Garcia‐Villalón Angel Luis 
Published: October 2003

Urocortin is a peptide recently identified, which is structurally related to the corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF). To analyze the mechanisms that could be involved in its effect on renal arteries from male and female rats, the response to urocortin was studied in isolated segments, 2 mm long, of renal arteries from male and female rats.
In renal artery segments precontracted with endothelin‐1 (1 nM), urocortin (1 pM–10 nM) produced concentration‐dependent relaxation, which was similar in the arteries from male and female rats.
This relaxation was reduced by the antagonists of urocortin receptors astressin (1 μM) and α‐helical CRF(9–41) (1 μM) in arteries from both male and female rats.
In renal arteries from female rats, the relaxation to urocortin was reduced by the inhibitor of adenyl cyclase SQ22536 (300 μM), by 8‐bromo‐cyclic‐ADP‐ribose (cADPR; 30 μM), an antagonist of the endogenous activator of sarcoplasmic Ca2+ channel cADPR and by ryanodine (1 μM), which produces depletion of sarcoplasmic Ca2+.
In renal arteries from male rats, the relaxation to urocortin was increased by ryanodine, and was not modified by SQ22536 or 8‐bromo‐cADPR.
These results suggest that the mechanisms involved in the relaxation to urocortin in renal arteries differ between female and male rats. In female rats, this relaxation may be mediated by the production of cyclic AMP (cAMP), synthesis of cADPR and release of sarcoplasmic Ca2+, whereas in male rats it is not mediated by cAMP.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1003–1007. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705516
Pentobarbitone modulates calcium transients in axons and synaptic boutons of hippocampal CA1 neurons
Authors: Baudoux Sylvie , Empson Ruth M , Richards Christopher D 
Published: October 2003

Although barbiturates, like other general anaesthetics, depress excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS), the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unresolved. They may increase the likelihood that an action potential will fail to invade every branch of the axonal arbour, thereby decreasing the synaptic drive to the postsynaptic neurons. Alternatively, they may inhibit calcium entry into the presynaptic terminals, thus reducing transmitter release.
To resolve these issues, we have used two‐photon microscopy to monitor calcium transients evoked by action potentials in axons, axonal varicosities (synaptic boutons) and fine axon collaterals of hippocampal CA1 neurons.
Pentobarbitone (75–300 μM) did not block the invasion of the axonal arbour or the synaptic boutons, but it did reduce the amplitude of the calcium transients recorded from the axons in a concentration‐dependent manner. At 150 μM, pentobarbitone reduced the transients to 78±4% of the control.
Pentobarbitone depressed the calcium transients recorded from the synaptic boutons in a concentration‐dependent manner. When 150 μM pentobarbitone was applied, the calcium transients recorded from the boutons were 53±3% of the control. This concentration of pentobarbitone also reduced the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials to 54±4 and 42±17% of the control, respectively.
The local anaesthetic procaine (500 μM) had no significant effect on action potential invasion of axon collaterals, even though it reduced the action potential amplitude by 25%.
This data are consistent with the notion that the pentobarbitone‐induced depression of presynaptic calcium transients contributes to its depressant effect on excitatory synaptic transmission in the CNS.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 971–979. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705519
FK506 potentiates NGF‐induced neurite outgrowth via the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway
Authors: Price Raymond D , Yamaji Takayuki , Matsuoka Nobuya 
Published: October 2003

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and other members of the neurotrophin family are critical for the survival and differentiation of neurons within the peripheral and central nervous systems.
Neurophilin ligands, including FK506, potentiate NGF‐induced neurite outgrowth in several experimental models, although the mechanism of this potentiation is unclear.
Therefore, we tested which signaling pathways were involved in FK506‐potentiated neurite outgrowth in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using specific pharmacological inhibitors of various signaling molecules.
Inhibitors of Ras (lovastatin), Raf (GW5074), or MAP kinase (PD98059 and U0126) blocked FK506 activity, as did inhibitors of phospholipase C (U73122) and phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase (LY294002).
Protein kinase C inhibitors (Go6983 and Ro31‐8220) slightly but significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth, whereas inhibitors of p38 MAPK (SB203580) or c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (SP600125) had no effect.
These data suggest that FK506 potentiates neurite outgrowth through the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase signaling pathway downstream of phospholipase C and phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 825–829. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705522
Investigations on Suitability of Different Materials for Carriers to be used for Virucidal testing of Chemical Disinfectants in the Veterinary Field
Authors: Yilmaz A. , Kaleta E. F. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryVarious materials with rough surfaces were tested to determine their suitability for virus carrier tests designed to evaluate virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants. A non‐enveloped RNA virus, bovine enterovirus type 1, strain LCR 4 [entero cytopathogenic bovine orphan virus (ECBO)] and an enveloped RNA virus, paramyxovirus type 1 [Newcastle disease virus (NDV), strain Montana] served as test viruses. Experiments with ECBO virus were carried out in four sets, and those with NDV in three sets. In the first set we used poplar wood, frosted glass slides and Sartorius membrane filters. The second set comprised of poplar wood, frosted glass slides, polyamide filters, and cellulose nitrate filters and, in the third set, glass fibre filters and glass fibre pre‐filters were added. The fourth test included poplar wood, frosted glass slides, and polyethersulphone ultra filters. Because of their extremely low levels of virus recovery, glass, polyamide, cellulose nitrate and glass fibre filter, glass fibre pre‐filter, and polyethersulphone ultra filters are not suitable for sufficient recovery of ECBO virus. Only poplar wood carriers allowed sufficient recovery rates of ECBO virus. In the first and second set of tests, NDV could be sufficiently recovered from poplar wood, glass slides, and polyamide filter. In the third set, the virus recovery from polyamide filter was very low. Poplar wood carrier is recommended as a reliable carrier for the tests with both viruses, but methods for virus recovery must be improved, e.g. by more vigorous and longer shaking or optimizing the ultrasonic treatment.
Visual impairment in childhood: insights from a community‐based survey
Authors: Flanagan N. M. , Jackson A. J. , Hill A. E. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBackground  The concept of visual impairment (VI) in childhood has changed over the last 30 years. There has been a decrease in the number of children with an isolated visual problem and an increase in the numbers with VI and coexisting neurological disability. This study aimed to produce a profile of VI in childhood with a view to informing future services and to raise awareness of the need for comprehensive assessment including developmental remediation and educational advice.Methods  Children with a VI were identified from multiple sources including hospital‐ and community‐based paediatricians and statutory blind registers.Results  Seventy‐six children with a VI were identified giving a childhood prevalence of 1.61 per 1000. Thirty‐two per cent had a normal pattern of development. Global delays/severe learning difficulty were found in 43%. Only 21% of the children had an isolated VI. Additional medical problems were present in 79% of which cerebral palsy, occurring in 33%, was the most common. Nine per cent of the children were classified as totally blind. Cortical visual impairment was diagnosed in 45%. Twenty‐two per cent of the children were registered blind or partially sighted.Conclusions  Most cases of VI in children did not appear on the statutory blind or partially sighted registers, thus these have limited value for service development. The implications for practice highlight the need for early assessment and advice from a co‐ordinated team to optimize visual potential in childhood.
An observational study investigating the health provision for children with epilepsy within secondary schools in the East Midlands, UK
Authors: Dunkley C. , Waldron B. , Ahmad N. , Whitehouse W. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBackground  Epilepsy is a common medical condition affecting many children in mainstream education. The practice of local secondary schools and the health service with regard to pupils with epilepsy was examined. The extent to which these children had activities at schools restricted and the schools’ perception of the health service with regard to epilepsy was explored.Method  A structured interview was conducted with selected staff members from mainstream secondary schools in East Midlands region, UK.Results  Fourteen out of 17 schools participated. Fifty‐seven children were identified from a total pupil population of 14 534. Seven schools used the DOH/DfEE (The Department of Health/Department for Education and Employment) ‘Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs’ publication as a resource. No schools created individual health care plans for children with epilepsy. Six out of seven schools reported appropriate provision for children during swimming activities. The commonest restriction was related to computer use. Nine schools stated a need for more training for staff members with regard to seizure management.Conclusions  Schools rely heavily on obtaining medical information from non‐medical sources. Individual health care plans for children with epilepsy are not commonly undertaken. Few children had any restriction or special provision placed upon them because of their epilepsy except in the area of computer use. Further action is needed to consider how the system for providing for such children can be improved so that each child's individual health needs can be satisfactorily met.
Defoliation tolerance affects the spatial and temporal distributions of larch sawfly and natural enemy populations
Authors: KRAUSE STEVEN C. , RAFFA KENNETH F. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract.

The monophagous larch sawfly, Pristiphora erichsonii, requires larch, Larix spp., shoots for oviposition and foliage for larval development. The hypothesis that chronic defoliation reduces shoot availability for adult females, causing shifts in host use within plantations of L. decidua and L. leptolepis, was evaluated over a 3‐year period.
Larch productivity and sawfly abundance varied six‐ to 10‐fold among individual trees within each plantation. Sawflies concentrated oviposition on the most rapidly growing trees, and had a marginal impact on shoot production. Consequently, sawfly herbivory on individual trees remained relatively constant for 3 years, failing to support the hypothesis that P. erichsonii defoliation causes shifts in host use.
Pristiphora erichsonii larval performance varied 20–30% among individual host trees. The oviposition event did not significantly affect larval performance or foliar nutrient content.
The relationship between cocoon survival and natural enemy abundance was evaluated among fifteen L. leptolepis trees. Parasites and predators killed over 65% of the 18 315 cocoons sampled. The proportion of cocoons killed by parasitoids declined significantly with P. erichsonii density, while predation rates increased under heavily infested trees. Overall, the proportion of cocoons killed by parasitoids and predators did not vary with sawfly density.
Results indicate that components of host vigour, herbivore performance and natural enemy guilds exhibit substantial spatial heterogeneity among trees within plantations of exotic Larix trees. Moreover, individual larch can tolerate repeated oviposition and herbivory without a rapid loss in shoot production. The potential for host plant physiological tolerance to herbivory to interact with natural enemy population dynamics and behaviour so as to stabilize herbivore population patterns is discussed.
Hyperparasitoid aggregation in response to variation in Aphidius ervi host density at three spatial scales
Authors: SCHOOLER SHON S. , IVES ANTHONY R. , HARMON JASON 
Published: November 2003

Abstract.

This article investigates the pattern of hyperparasitism of the host Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae), a primary parasitoid of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae) at three spatial scales.
In the laboratory, the hyperparasitoid Asaphes lucens (Provancher) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was introduced into cages containing sixteen alfalfa plants with varying numbers of A. ervi mummies (the stage susceptible to hyperparasitism). The pattern of hyperparasitism at the end of the 48‐h trials showed no density‐dependent hyperparasitoid aggregation, although there was strong density‐independent hyperparasitoid aggregation.
In the field, the density of A. ervi mummies was manipulated in twelve 2 × 2‐m plots containing 1309–1654 alfalfa stems. Variation in hyperparasitism among plots showed no density‐dependent aggregation, although there was strong density‐independent aggregation.
Finally, at the largest scale of the study, the distribution of hyperparasitism was sampled among twelve alfalfa fields within a 5 × 3‐km area. At this scale there was both density‐dependent and density‐independent hyperparasitoid aggregation.
The natural variation in A. ervi mummy density is greatest at the larger scales of study. Therefore, density‐dependent hyperparasitism occurs only when there is high natural variation in mummy density.
A shift toward early reproduction in an introduced herbivorous ladybird
Authors: OHGUSHI TAKAYUKI , SAWADA HIROICHI 
Published: November 2003

1. In May 1971, fifteen male and thirty female overwintering adults of a thistle‐feeding ladybird Epilachna niponica were taken from the Asiu Experimental Forest of Kyoto University and introduced into the Botanical Garden of Kyoto University, 30 km south of Asiu and 10 km south of the southern limits of its distribution. The introduced population established successfully and thereafter maintained densities sufficiently high to defoliate their host plants.2. Reproductive parameters (reproductive lifespan of females, overall fecundity, and oviposition schedules) of the introduced population were compared with those of the source population 10 years after the introduction. Comparisons were made in the laboratory under five temperature regimes.3. The lifespan of females differed significantly with temperature, decreasing linearly with increasing temperature. Temperature also had a significant effect on overall fecundity for both populations; overall fecundity at 15 and 30 °C was significantly lower than that at the 20–25 °C regimes.4. The oviposition activity of the introduced population was significantly higher than that of the source population at 23 and 25 °C. The lifespan of females of the introduced population was also significantly shorter than those of the source population at 20 and 25 °C.5. The reduced lifespan and higher oviposition activity of introduced females indicate that they directed greater reproductive efforts early in their reproductive lifetime than those of the source population.
On the role of body size for life‐history evolution
Authors: KLINGENBERG CHRISTIAN PETER , SPENCE JOHN 
Published: November 2003

1. Body size is a central element in current theories of life‐history evolution. Models for optimal age at maturity are based on the assumptions that there is a trade‐off between development time and adult size and that larger size provides a reproductive advantage.2. The results of large, replicated experiments with the water strider Gerris buenoi (Heteroptera: Gerridae) contradict both these assumptions. Individual rearings under field conditions showed that there is a negative, not a positive, correlation between development time and adult size. The physiological basis of growth, with stretch‐induced moulting, may provide a partial explanation for this correlation.3. This study examined a number of fitness components for their correlations with female size: lifetime fecundity, reproductive life span, average volume per egg, total volume of eggs laid, and the proportion of eggs hatched. None of these traits was correlated with female size.4. The data on water striders suggest an alternative scenario for life‐history evolution, in which size is not an adaptive trait, but evolves as a correlated response to selection on other traits. This expands the range of possible models, and opens life‐history theory to the debate about adaptation and optimality.
The effect of larval aggregation behaviour on larval growth of the spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans
Authors: STORER ANDREW , WAINHOUSE DAVID , SPEIGHT MARTIN 
Published: November 2003

1. The great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans is a primary pest of spruce in Europe. It is unusual among Eurasian scolytids in that apparently healthy trees are attacked by solitary adults, but larvae feed en masse, in response to a larval aggregation pheromone.2. The effect of brood size on larval growth was determined in experiments on detached bark, logs and living trees. A positive relationship was found between brood size and larval growth in experiments started with either eggs or larvae up to fifth instar. The relationship appeared to be independent of the effects of both preformed and induced defences in bark.3. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that larvae feeding in groups spend a greater proportion of time feeding. Addition of resin to egg chambers in detached bark pieces resulted in high mortality of first‐instar larvae. A possible role for larval aggregation in minimizing the effects of host defences is discussed.
Mate‐locating strategies are related to relative body length and wing colour in the speckled wood butterfly Pararge aegeria
Authors: VAN DYCK HANS , MATTHYSEN ERIK , DHONDT ANDRE 
Published: November 2003

1. The mate‐locating strategies of Pararge aegeria (L.) males were studied in relation to adult morphology (dorsal wing colour, forewing length, body length and forewing length : body length ratio) and generation.2. Males locate females either by perching and defending territories, or by patrolling. Individuals were more consistent in their mating strategies than expected by chance.3. Forewing length : body length ratio was positively correlated with thorax mass : body mass; relatively short‐bodied males had relatively heavy thoraxes. Therefore, forewing length : body length ratio was an index of mass allocation.4. Perching males had higher forewing length : body length ratios and were paler than patrolling males.5. The higher forewing length : body length ratio was due to the differences in body length and not wing length. Perchers had shorter bodies than patrollers.
Role of granivory and insectivory in the life cycle of the carabid beetle Amara similata
Authors: JØRGENSEN HELENE BRACHT , TOFT SØREN 
Published: November 2003

1. The cereal field carabid beetle Amara similata was selected to elucidate the role of seeds and insects as food sources. Three experiments were performed to rank different weed seeds and insects in terms of food value: (i) fecundity in relation to adult diet, (ii) larval survival in relation to diet and (iii) larval survival in relation to parental diet.2. Seeds were found to be of high value and insects of low value both for adults and larvae. Adding insects to a seed diet gave no significant improvement. The value of single species of seeds varied within adults and larvae, but also between adults and larvae. This is the first report that Amara larvae are granivorous.3. The value of different insects varied by species. Cereal aphid species were of the lowest value both for adult and larval beetles. On a diet of mixed insects, the adults were able to produce a low number of eggs but the larvae all died before pupation.4. There was no simple relation between survival of the larvae and the quality of the parents’ diet.