bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial tuning of reaching activity in the medial parieto‐occipital cortex (area V6A) of macaque monkey
Authors: Fattori Patrizia , Kutz Dieter F. , Breveglieri Rossella , Marzocchi Nicoletta , Galletti Claudio 
Published: August 2005

AbstractWe recorded neural activity from the medial parieto‐occipital area V6A while three monkeys performed an instructed‐delay reaching task in the dark. Targets to be reached were in different spatial positions. Neural discharges were recorded during reaching movements directed outward from the body (towards visual objects), during the holding phase (when the hand was on the target) and during inward movements of the hand towards the home button (which was near the body and outside the field of view). Reach‐related activity was observed in the majority of 207 V6A cells, during outward (78%) and inward (65%) movements as well as during the holding phase (62%). Most V6A reaching neurons (84%) were modulated in more than one phase of the task. The reach‐related activity in V6A could depend on somatosensory inputs and/or on corollary discharges from the dorsal premotor cortex. Although visual and oculomotor inputs are known to have a strong influence on V6A activity, we excluded the possibility that the reach‐related activity which we observed was due to visual stimulation and/or oculomotor activity. Reach‐related activity for movements towards different locations was spatially modulated during outward (40%) and inward (47%) reaching movements. The position of the hand/arm in space modulated about 40% of V6A cells. Preferred reach directions and spatial locations were represented uniformly across the workspace. These data suggest that V6A reach‐related neurons are able to code the direction of movement of the arm and the position of the hand/arm in space. We suggest that the V6A reach‐related neurons are involved in the guidance of goal‐directed arm movements, whether these actions are visually guided or not.
Self-Organized Modularization in Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Dauscher Peter , Uthmann Thomas 
Published: August 2005

The principle of modularization has proven to be extremely successful in the field of technical applications and particularly for Software Engineering purposes. The question to be answered within the present article is whether mechanisms can also be identified within the framework of Evolutionary Computation that cause a modularization of solutions. We will concentrate on processes, where modularization results only from the typical evolutionary operators, i.e. selection and variation by recombination and mutation (and not, e.g., from special modularization operators). This is what we call Self-Organized Modularization. Based on a combination of two formalizations by Radcliffe and Altenberg, some quantitative measures of modularity are introduced. Particularly, we distinguish Built-in Modularityas an inherent property of a genotype and Effective Modularity, which depends on the rest of the population. These measures can easily be applied to a wide range of present Evolutionary Computation models. It will be shown, both theoretically and by simulation, that under certain conditions, Effective Modularity (as defined within this paper) can be a selection factor. This causes Self-Organized Modularization to take place. The experimental observations emphasize the importance of Effective Modularityin comparison with Built-in Modularity. Although the experimental results have been obtained using a minimalist toy model, they can lead to a number of consequences for existing models as well as for future approaches. Furthermore, the results suggest a complex self-amplification of highly modular equivalence classes in the case of respected relations. Since the well-known Holland schemata are just the equivalence classes of respected relations in most Simple Genetic Algorithms, this observation emphasizes the role of schemata as Building Blocks (in comparison with arbitrary subsets of the search space).
Herpes simplex virus interferes with amyloid precursor protein processing
Authors: Shipley Suzanne J , Parkin Edward T , Itzhaki Ruth F , Dobson Curtis B 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
The early events underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain uncertain, although environmental factors may be involved. Work in this laboratory has shown that the combination of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) in brain and carriage of the APOE-ε4 allele of the APOE gene strongly increases the risk of developing AD. The development of AD is thought to involve abnormal aggregation or deposition of a 39–43 amino acid protein – β amyloid (Aβ) – within the brain. This is cleaved from the much larger transmembranal protein 'amyloid precursor protein' (APP). Any agent able to interfere directly with Aβ or APP metabolism may therefore have the capacity to contribute towards AD. One recent report showed that certain HSV1 glycoprotein peptides may aggregate like Aβ; a second study described a role for APP in transport of virus in squid axons. However to date the effects of acute herpesvirus infection on metabolism of APP in human neuronal-type cells have not been investigated. In order to find if HSV1 directly affects APP and its degradation, we have examined this protein from human neuroblastoma cells (normal and transfected with APP 695) infected with the virus, using Western blotting.

Results
We have found that acute HSV1 (and also HSV2) infection rapidly reduces full length APP levels – as might be expected – yet surprisingly markedly increases levels of a novel C-terminal fragment of APP of about 55 kDa. This band was not increased in cells treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide

Conclusion
Herpes virus infection leads to rapid loss of full length APP from cells, yet also causes increased levels of a novel 55 kDa C-terminal APP fragment. These data suggest that infection can directly alter the processing of a transmembranal protein intimately linked to the aetiology of AD.
Acute bronchiolitis in infancy as risk factor for wheezing and reduced pulmonary function by seven years in Akershus County, Norway
Authors: Fjærli Hans-Olav , Farstad Teresa , Rød Gisle , Ufert Gunn Kristin , Gulbrandsen Pål , Nakstad Britt 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackgroundAcute viral bronchiolitis is one of the most common causes of hospitalisation during infancy in our region with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) historically being the major causative agent. Many infants with early-life RSV bronchiolitis have sustained bronchial hyperreactivity for many years after hospitalisation and the reasons for this are probably multifactorial. The principal aim of the present study was to investigate if children hospitalised for any acute viral bronchiolitis during infancy in our region, and not only those due to RSV, had more episodes of subsequent wheezing up to age seven years and reduced lung function at that age compared to children not hospitalised for acute bronchiolitis during infancy. A secondary aim was to compare the hospitalised infants with proven RSV bronchiolitis (RS+) to the hospitalised infants with non-RSV bronchiolitis (RS-) according to the same endpoints.Methods57 infants hospitalised at least once with acute viral bronchiolitis during two consecutive winter seasons in 1993–1994 were examined at age seven years. An age-matched control group of 64 children, who had not been hospitalised for acute viral bronchiolitis during infancy, were recruited from a local primary school. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected retrospectively from hospital discharge records and through structured clinical interviews and physical examinations at the follow-up visit.ResultsThe children hospitalised for bronchiolitis during infancy had decreased lung function, more often wheezing episodes, current medication and follow-up for asthma at age seven years than did the age matched controls. They also had lower average birth weight and more often first order family members with asthma. We did not find significant differences between the RSV+ and RSV- groups.ConclusionChildren hospitalised for early-life bronchiolitis are susceptible to recurrent wheezing and reduced pulmonary function by seven years compared to age-matched children not hospitalised for early-life bronchiolitis. We propose that prolonged bronchial hyperreactivity could follow early-life RSV negative as well as RSV positive bronchiolitis.
A simplified immunoprecipitation method for quantitatively measuring antibody responses in clinical sera samples by using mammalian-produced Renillaluciferase-antigen fusion proteins
Authors: Burbelo Peter D , Goldman Radoslav , Mattson Thomas L 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackgroundAssays detecting human antigen-specific antibodies are medically useful. However, the usefulness of existing simple immunoassay formats is limited by technical considerations such as sera antibodies to contaminants in insufficiently pure antigen, a problem likely exacerbated when antigen panels are screened to obtain clinically useful data.ResultsWe developed a novel and simple immunoprecipitation technology for identifying clinical sera containing antigen-specific antibodies and for generating quantitative antibody response profiles. This method is based on fusing protein antigens to an enzyme reporter,Renillaluciferase (Ruc), and expressing these fusions in mammalian cells, where mammalian-specific post-translational modifications can be added. After mixing crude extracts, sera and protein A/G beads together and incubating, during which the Ruc-antigen fusion become immobilized on the A/G beads, antigen-specific antibody is quantitated by washing the beads and adding coelenterazine substrate and measuring light production.We have characterized this technology with sera from patients having three different types of cancers. We show that 20–85% of these sera contain significant titers of antibodies against at least one of five frequently mutated and/or overexpressed tumor-associated proteins. Five of six colon cancer sera tested gave responses that were statistically significantly greater than the average plus three standard deviations of 10 control sera. The results of competition experiments, preincubating positive sera with unmodifiedE. coli-produced antigens, varied dramatically.ConclusionThis technology has several advantages over current quantitative immunoassays including its relative simplicity, its avoidance of problems associated withE. coli-produced antigens and its use of antigens that can carry mammalian or disease-specific post-translational modifications. This assay should be generally useful for analyzing sera for antibodies recognizing any protein or its post-translational modifications.
The effect of a monetary incentive on return of a postal health and development questionnaire: a randomised trial [ISRCTN53994660]
Authors: Kenyon Sara , Pike Katie , Jones David , Taylor David , Salt Alison , Marlow Neil , Brocklehurst Peter 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Postal questionnaires are widely used to collect data in healthcare research but a poor response rate may reduce the validity and reliability of results. There was a lack of evidence available relating to use of a monetary incentive to improve the response rate in the healthcare setting.

Methods
The MRC ORACLE Children Study is assessing the health and development of nearly 9000 seven year old children whose mothers' joined the MRC ORACLE Trial. We carried out a randomised controlled trial of inclusion of monetary incentive (five pound voucher redeemable at many high street stores) with the reminder questionnaire to parents. This trial took place between April 2002 and November 2003. When the parents were sent the reminder questionnaire about their child's health and development they were randomly assigned by concealed computer-generated allocation stratified by week of birthday to receive a five pound voucher or no incentive. The population were 722 non-responders to the initial mailing of a 12-page questionnaire. Main outcome measures: Difference in response rate between the two groups.

Results
Inclusion of the voucher with the reminder questionnaire resulted in a 11.7%(95% CI 4.7% to 18.6%) improvement in the response rate between the two groups.

Conclusion
This improvement in response rate and hence the validity and reliability of results obtained appears to be justified ethically and financially.
G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV 3b protein in transfected cells
Authors: Yuan Xiaoling , Shan Yajun , Zhao Zhenhu , Chen Jiapei , Cong Yuwen 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), cause of the life-threatening atypical pneumonia, infects many organs, such as lung, liver and immune organ, and induces parenchyma cells apoptosis and necrosis. The genome of SARS-CoV, not closely related to any of the previously characterized coronavirus, encodes replicase and four major structural proteins and a number of non-structural proteins. Published studies suggest that some non-structural proteins may play important roles in the replication, virulence and pathogenesis of viruses. Among the potential SARS-CoV non-structural proteins, 3b protein (ORF4) is predicted encoding 154 amino acids, lacking significant similarities to any known proteins. Till now, there is no report about the function of 3b protein. In this study, 3b gene was linked with the EGFP tag at the C- terminus. Through cell cycle analysis, it was found that over-expression of 3b-EGFP protein in Vero, 293 and COS-7 cells could induce cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, and that especially in COS-7 cells, expression of 3b-EGFP was able to induce the increase of sub-G1 phase from 24 h after transfection, which was most obvious at 48 h. The apoptosis induction of 3b fusion protein in COS-7 cells was further confirmed by double cell labeling with 7-AAD and Annexin V, the function of 3b protein inducing cell G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis may provide a new insight for further study on the mechanism of SARS pathogenesis.
Metabolic profiling of laser microdissected vascular bundles of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Schad Martina , Mungur Rajsree , Fiehn Oliver , Kehr Julia 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Laser microdissection is a useful tool for collecting tissue-specific samples or even single cells from animal and plant tissue sections. This technique has been successfully employed to study cell type-specific expression at the RNA, and more recently also at the protein level. However, metabolites were not amenable to analysis after laser microdissection, due to the procedures routinely applied for sample preparation. Using standard tissue fixation and embedding protocols to prepare histological sections, metabolites are either efficiently extracted by dehydrating solvents, or washed out by embedding agents.

Results
In this study, we used cryosectioning as an alternative method that preserves sufficient cellular structure while minimizing metabolite loss by excluding any solute exchange steps. Using this pre-treatment procedure, Arabidopsis thaliana stem sections were prepared for laser microdissection of vascular bundles. Collected samples were subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS) to obtain metabolite profiles. From 100 collected vascular bundles (~5,000 cells), 68 metabolites could be identified. More than half of the identified metabolites could be shown to be enriched or depleted in vascular bundles as compared to the surrounding tissues.

Conclusion
This study uses the example of vascular bundles to demonstrate for the first time that it is possible to analyze a comprehensive set of metabolites from laser microdissected samples at a tissue-specific level, given that a suitable sample preparation procedure is used.
The Dorsal Wrinkle Ligaments of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint
Authors: LAW PENELOPE , McGROUTHER D. A. 
Published: August 2005

This investigation is concerned with a precise description of the anatomy of cutaneous ligaments over the dorsum of the proximal interphalangeal joint which define the “wrinkle pattern” and their relationship to other fascial structures in the digits. The significance of alterations of the wrinkle pattern in pathological conditions (e.g. knuckle pads) will be discussed.
A Novel Plant Major Intrinsic Protein in Physcomitrella patens Most Similar to Bacterial Glycerol Channels
Authors: Gustavsson Sofia , Lebrun Anne-Sophie , Nordén Kristina , Chaumont François , Johanson Urban 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
A gene encoding a novel fifth type of major intrinsic protein (MIP) in plants has been identified in the moss Physcomitrella patens. Phylogenetic analyses show that this protein, GlpF-like intrinsic protein (GIP1;1), is closely related to a subclass of glycerol transporters in bacteria that in addition to glycerol are highly permeable to water. A likely explanation of the occurrence of this bacterial-like MIP in P. patens is horizontal gene transfer. The expressed P. patens GIP1;1 gene contains five introns and encodes a unique C-loop extension of approximately 110 amino acid residues that has no obvious similarity with any other known protein. Based on alignments and structural comparisons with other MIPs, GIP1;1 is suggested to have retained the permeability for glycerol but not for water. Studies on heterologously expressed GIP1;1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes confirm the predicted substrate specificity. Interestingly, proteins of one of the plant-specific subgroups of MIPs, the NOD26-like intrinsic proteins, are also facilitating the transport of glycerol and have previously been suggested to have evolved from a horizontally transferred bacterial gene. Further studies on localization and searches for GIP1;1 homologs in other plants will clarify the function and significance of this new plant MIP.
The Mutant of sll1961, Which Encodes a Putative Transcriptional Regulator, Has a Defect in Regulation of Photosystem Stoichiometry in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Fujimori Tamaki , Higuchi Mieko , Sato Hanayo , Aiba Hiroshi , Muramatsu Masayuki , Hihara Yukako , Sonoike Kintake 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
In acclimation to changing light environments, photosynthetic organisms modulate the ratio of two photosynthetic reaction centers (photosystem I [PSI] and photosystem II). One mutant, which could not modulate photosystem stoichiometry upon the shift to high light, was isolated from mutants created by random transposon mutagenesis. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and analysis of the reaction center subunits of PSI through western blotting in this mutant revealed that the content of PSI could not be suppressed under high-light condition. In the mutant, transposon was inserted to the sll1961 gene encoding a putative transcriptional regulator. DNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression of sll1773 was drastically induced in the sll1961 mutant upon exposure to high light for 3 h. Our results demonstrate that a transcriptional regulator, Sll1961, and its possible target proteins, including Sll1773, may be responsible for the regulation of photosystem stoichiometry in response to high light.
An mTph2 SNP gives rise to alterations in extracellular 5‐HT levels, but not in performance on a delayed‐reinforcement task
Authors: Isles Anthony R. , Hathway Gareth J. , Humby Trevor , De La Riva Carlos , Kendrick Keith M. , Wilkinson Lawrence S. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract5‐Hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) is an important neurotransmitter mediating many aspects of cognition and behaviour. One psychology in which 5‐HT plays an important role is impulsive responding. Recently, we have demonstrated that variation in an aspect of impulsive behaviour, namely delayed gratification, has a clear genetic contribution. Here, we examined the neurobiological relevance of a recently discovered single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the murine gene tryptophan hydroxylase (mTph2) by analysing extracellular levels of 5‐HT in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and ventral striatum (VS), key brain regions for impulsive behaviours. The allelic variants were associated with systematic effects on baseline 5‐HT efflux in the mPFC and VS. We then went on to examine whether the mTph2 allelic variants gave rise to differences in impulsive behaviour. However, the mTph2 genotype, and therefore presumably baseline brain levels of 5‐HT, did not predict impulsive choice, as indexed by sensitivity to delayed reinforcement. Consequently, the data do not support a role for the mTph2 C1473G polymorphism on this aspect of impulsive behaviour. Instead, they indicate that perturbations of the 5‐HT system via heritable traits may have differential consequences for qualitatively distinct aspects of impulsive behaviour.
Arginine‐vasopressin and vasointestinal polypeptide rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the mouse lemur reveal aging‐related alterations of circadian pacemaker neurons in a non‐human primate
Authors: Cayetanot Florence , Bentivoglio Marina , Aujard Fabienne 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, the mammalian circadian pacemaker, is entrained by external cues and especially by photic information. Light is transmitted primarily via the retinohypothalamic tract, which terminates in the ventral part (or core) of the SCN, where vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)‐containing neurons are located. VIP cells are mainly intrinsic and project to the dorsal part (or shell) of the SCN, where neurons containing arginine‐vasopressin (AVP) reside. As aging leads to marked changes in the expression of circadian rhythms, we examined in primates whether age‐related decay in biological rhythmicity is associated with changes in the oscillation of peptide expression in SCN neurons. We used double immunohistochemistry and quantitative analysis in the SCN of mouse lemurs, which provide a unique model of aging in non‐human primates. In adult animals, VIP‐positive and AVP‐positive SCN neurons exhibited daily rhythms of their number and immunostaining intensity: AVP immunoreactivity peaked during the second part of the day, and VIP peaked during the night. In aged mouse lemurs, the peaks of AVP and VIP immunopositivity were significantly shifted, so that AVP was most intense at the beginning of the night, whereas VIP peaked at the beginning of daytime. The results show that the circadian rhythm of neuropeptides in the SCN is modified by aging in primates, with a differential regulation of the two main peptidergic cell populations. These changes may affect the ability of the SCN to transmit rhythmic information to other neural target sites, and thereby to modify the expression of some biological rhythms.