bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor modulates glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells: its contribution to glucose metabolism
Authors: Hanyu O. , Yamatani K. , Ikarashi T. , Soda S. , Maruyama S. , Kamimura T. , Kaneko S. , Hirayama S. , Suzuki K. , Nakagawa O. , Nawa H. , Aizawa Y. 
Published: March 2003

Aim: Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) reduces plasma glucose levels in obese db/db diabetic mice and is speculated to produce its effects via the hypothalamus, the regulatory centre of satiety and the autonomic nervous system. The potential effect of BDNF directly on peripheral endocrine organs, however, remains to be clarified. Here we report the effects of BDNF on hormonal secretion from pancreatic islets of Langerhans using their isolated culture.Methods and results: In an immunohistochemical study, mouse pancreatic alpha cells were stained specifically with the anti‐TrkB (a specific receptor for BDNF) antibody. After 7 days culture of isolated islets of the normal mouse pancreas, 10 ng/ml BDNF decreased the secretion of glucagon per 6 h significantly less than that of the control (p = 0.016). In contrast, there were no significant changes in insulin secretion or glucagon and insulin contents in the islets cultured under the same conditions. In vivo administration of BDNF (10 mg/kg/day) to normal mice for 7 days significantly decreased their food consumption (p < 0.05). The fasting plasma glucose levels were decreased on day 7 compared with day 1 more significantly in BDNF‐treated mice (p = 0.043) than in pair‐fed control mice (p = 0.14). In newborn BDNF‐knockout mice, fasting plasma glucose levels increased in the order of homozygote, heterozygote and wild type (p = 0.033). No apparent immunohistochemical abnormality was observed for pancreatic glucagon in the BDNF‐knockout mice.Conclusion: These data suggest that BDNF affects glucose metabolism not only with its anorectic effect but also with modulated glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells.
Structure and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa ofTrichogramma pretiosumRiley andTrichogramma atopoviriliaOatman and Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Lino‐Neto José , Báo Sônia N. , Dolder Heidi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLino‐Neto, J., Báo, S. N. and Dolder, H. 2000. Structure and Ultrastructure of the Spermatozoa ofTrichogramma pretiosumRiley andTrichogramma atopoviriliaOatman and Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). —Acta Zoologica(Stockholm)81: 205–211Spermatozoa of theTrichogramma pretiosumandT. atopoviriliaare very slender and long, about 0.35 µm in diameter and 283 µm and 106 µm in length, respectively. Under light microscopy, they appear wavy along their entire length. The head contains a small acrosome which, together with the initial nuclear region is surrounded by an ‘extracellular sheath’, from which innumerable filaments irradiate. The nucleus is filled with homogeneous, compact chromatin and is attached to the flagellum by an electron dense centriolar adjunct, which extends anteriorly from the nuclear base. The flagellum consists of an axoneme with the 9 + 9 + 2 microtubule arrangement pitched in a long helix, as well as a pair of spiralling mitochondrial derivatives which coil around the axoneme. Based on these characteristics, the sperm of theseTrichogrammaare very similar to the chalcidoids studied to date and differ from non‐chalcidoid Hymenoptera. They differ widely from the sperm ofT. dendrolimiandT. ostriniaestudied, where no helically twisted structure is shown. However, based on these results we argue that the spiralling of the flagellar structures is a synapomorphy for Trichogrammatidae as well as for Eulophidae + Eurytomidae + Pteromalidae.
Proboscis musculature in the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera): settling the proboscis recoiling controversy
Authors: Krenn Harald W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractKrenn, H. W. 2000. Proboscis musculature in the butterfly Vanessa cardui (Nymphalidae, Lepidoptera): settling the proboscis recoiling controversy. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 81: 259–266The proboscis of Vanessa cardui (Nymphalidae) contains two basal galeal muscles and two different series of numerous oblique muscles. Both muscle series extend from the proximal region up to the tip‐region; the individual muscles of each series run a constant course throughout the proboscis. In contrast to other butterflies, the knee bend region does not have additional types of muscles. The analysis of shock‐frozen proboscises reveals that the dorsal wall is arched outwardly in the uncoiled, feeding position whereas in the coiled, resting position the dorsal proboscis wall is flat or concave. This results in a significantly greater cross‐sectional area due to the significantly greater dorso‐ventral diameter in uncoiled proboscises. After freezing the proboscis in its distal region, it can still be uncoiled, however, it cannot be fully recoiled. These morphometric and experimental results indicate that the oblique proboscis muscles are responsible for recoiling the proboscis to the resting position.
Dark hair cells in the inner ear of the rainbow trout. A study of the influence of different fixation methods
Authors: Jensen Jan Christian , Jørgensen Jørgen Mørup 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe occurrence of dark staining cells in different tissues has been suggested to be artefactual and caused during the fixation process. In inner ear sensory epithelia, dark hair cells (DHC) have been suggested to be apoptotic cells. We have examined whether dark cells represent dying cells or whether they are the results of fixation artefacts. The effects of buffer osmolarity and different fixation methods on the incidence of dark hair cells in the inner ear macula sacculi of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer with osmolarities of 0, 135, 225, 425, and 560 mosmol were used for fixation by immersion. For comparison, fixation by vascular perfusion as well as the effects of mechanical injury and delayed fixation were studied. DHC were found in all examined saccular maculae except for the delayed fixation protocol where almost all the sensory cells were lost. The number of DHC accounted for 2.5–12.9‰ of the sensory cells. Neither the buffer osmolarity nor the fixation method had significant effects on the frequencies of DHC. Mitotic cell division events were seen exclusively in the apical cell strata of the sensory epithelium. The DHC are suggested to be associated with apoptosis rather than fixation artefacts.
The foreguts of the primitive families of the Mysida (Crustacea, Peracarida): a transitional link between those of the Lophogastrida (Crustacea, Mysidacea) and the most evolved Mysida
Authors: De Jong‐Moreau L. , Casanova J.‐P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractDe Jong‐Moreau, L. and Casanova, J.‐P. 2001. The foreguts of the primitive families of the Mysida (Crustacea, Peracarida): a transitional link between those of the Lophogastrida (Crustacea, Mysidacea) and the most evolved Mysida. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 82: 137–147The morphology of the foregut, which is a good indicator of phylogenetic relationships, has been studied within the two suborders of the Mysidacea. Special attention has been focused on rare species belonging to the Lophogastrida and the three primitive families of the Mysida, i.e. Stygiomysidae, Lepidomysidae and Petalophthalmidae. It appears that the foregut of Gnathophausia gracilis (Lophogastrida) is the most primitive in the Mysidacea, and that in the Petalophthalmidae the foregut exhibits transitional stages between that of the Lophogastrida and of the evolved Mysidae. Moreover, in the four families of Mysida, ancestral characteristics of the foregut remain, thus strengthening the hypothesis of the unity of this order.
Redescription of sperm structure and ultrastructure ofTrichogramma dendrolimi(Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Lino‐Neto José , Dolder Heidi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTo verify the questionable description of sperm structure ofTrichogramma dendrolimi, in relation to Chalcidoids, a reinvestigation was undertaken. The spermatozoa appear wavy along their entire length. A small acrosome, together with the anterior nuclear region, is surrounded by an extracellular sheath, from which filaments radiate. The nucleus is helicoidal and attached to the flagellum by a centriolar adjunct. The axoneme has the 9 + 9 + 2 microtubule arrangement pitched in a long helix, with the spiralling mitochondrial derivatives coiling around it. Therefore, the spermatozoa ofT. dendrolimiare very similar to those of other chalcidoids and different from the first description. It is now possible to affirm that the helical sperm structures are an apomorphic homology for Trichogrammatidae as well as Eulophidae, Pteromalidae, Eurytomidae, Torymidae, Mymaridae and for some other chalcidoids, if not all.
Comparative analysis of the nervous systems in presumptive progenetic dinophilid and dorvilleid polychaetes (Annelida) by immunohistochemistry and cLSM
Authors: Müller Monika C. M , Westheide Wilfried 
Published: March 2003

AbstractEntire nervous systems of the dinophilids Dinophilus (two species) and Trilobodrilus (three species) and the dorvilleids Parapodrilus psammophilus and Ophryotrocha gracilis (larva) were stained with antisera directed against serotonin, Phe‐Met‐Arg‐Phe‐NH2 (FMRFamide) and acetylated α‐tubulin and analysed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (cLSM). Adult dinophilids and the dorvilleid larva exhibit the same structure of the ventral nerve cord, with two main nerves spaced far apart, one median and two paramedian nerves. A serotonergic plexus is situated between the paramedian nerve pair, above the ventral locomotory ciliary band. These similarities between adults and larva corroborate the presumed progenetic origin of dinophilids. However, since larval nervous systems of other polychaete taxa also seem to be organized in this way, this result cannot support the view that dinophilids originate from dorvilleids. In P.psammophilus the main nerve cords are widely separated only in the last segment, indicating that this pattern may be correlated with the absence of parapodia. The unpaired median nerve of dinophilids, P. psammophilus and many other polychaetes, is considered to be part of the basic annelid body plan. The ground pattern of the ventral paired dinophilid ganglia is represented by three (anterior, main, posterior) commissures, conserved in most of the ganglia in the Dinophilus species and mostly reduced to a main commissure in the Trilobodrilus species. The dinophilid species and P. psammophilus possess six pairs of ganglia indicating six trunk segments – in contrast to former views. The two rings behind the prostomium in both the dinophilid and the dorvilleid species contain one pair of ganglia only, corroborating the presumed homology of this peristomial region in the two taxa. The Dinophilus nervous system with 12 longitudinal nerves and three perpendicular nerve rings per segment resembles orthogonal nervous structures characteristic of platyhelminths.
On the absence of circular muscle elements in the body wall of Dysponetus pygmaeus (Chrysopetalidae, ‘Polychaeta’, Annelida)
Authors: Tzetlin Alexander B , Zhadan Anna , Ivanov Ilia , Müller Monika C. M , Purschke Günter 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe annelid body wall generally comprises an outer layer of circular muscle fibres and an inner layer of longitudinal muscle fibres as well as parapodial and chaetal muscles. An investigation of Dysponetuspygmaeus (Chrysopetalidae) with confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that circular muscles are entirely absent. Further studies indicate that this feature is characteristic for all Chrysopetalidae. A scrutiny of the literature showed a similar situation in many other polychaetes. This lack of circular muscle fibres may either be due to convergence or represent a plesiomorphic character. Since circular muscles are very likely important for burrowing forms but not necessary for animals which proceed by movements of their parapodial appendages or cilia, this problem is also related to the question of whether the ancestral polychaete was epi‐ or endobenthic.
Eye morphology and optics of the double‐eyed mysid Euchaetomera typica
Authors: Gaten E. , Herring P. J. , Shelton P. M. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe structure and optics of the mesopelagic double‐eyed mysid crustacean Euchaetomera typica Sars, 1884 are described for the first time. The lateral eye is a typical refracting superposition eye with a wide field of view (172°) and low resolution (interommatidial angle of 7.3°). The antero‐dorsal part of the eye is elongated due to the extension of the clear zone. This dorsal eye has a restricted field of view (33°) but much higher resolution (1.5°). The dorsal eye also uses refracting superposition optics, although the optical array is unusual as many of the peripheral ommatidia lack crystalline cones. The centre of curvature of the cornea is in front of the flattened rhabdom layer whereas the axes of the crystalline cones are centred on a point about twice as deep as the rhabdom layer. This results in a well‐focused eye, free of spherical aberration. There is a remarkable similarity in eye structure between this species and some mesopelagic double‐eyed euphausiid crustaceans.
Coding errors: a comparative analysis of hospital and prospectively collected departmental data
Authors: Khwaja H.A. , Syed H. , Cranston D.W. 
Published: March 2003

Objectives To assess the accuracy of a hospital coding database at a busy tertiary referral urological unit. Methods Prospectively collected departmental coding data for all urological patients attending the Churchill Hospital, Oxford between 1 May 1999 and 30 April 2000 were compared with the coding data entered by hospital coding clerks on the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust database. Results There were significant discrepancies between the number of patients on the hospital and the departmental database (639 vs 1109). There were gross procedural coding errors in 74 cases. Conclusion Hospital‐coded data in this study were incomplete and inaccurate. This has important implications when considering the validity of hospital‐trust databases when used as a source for medical research, clinical audit and as a representation of a consultants' clinical workload.
The role of pelvic traction in the management of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Hussein Mohamed E.E.H. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To determine whether pelvic traction is beneficial in children with primary nocturnal enuresis. Patients and methods There can be disproportionate growth between the spinal column and neural tube in prepubertal children. The normal elongation of the vertebral column in children during sleep could stretch the filum terminale and nerve roots, representing a minor degree of tethering that affects neural function and contributes to nocturnal enuresis. Pelvic traction induces a similar or more intense stretch while a patient is fully awake (and able to control their bladder). Releasing the potential tethering in this way, combined with conditioning therapy, could be beneficial. Fifty patients (aged 7–17 years) with monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis were evaluated in a prospective study. All had 10 sessions of pelvic traction applied over 4 weeks and were followed up for 3 months afterward; no other medications were given. Results All patients had fewer wet nights, with variable degrees of success (20–80%) during and 3 months after traction. Conclusion Pelvic traction is a safe, simple, economic and effective treatment for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.
A randomized trial comparing the effectiveness and preference of a touch‐screen computer system with a leaflet for providing women with information on urinary symptoms suggestive of detrusor instability
Authors: Bulmer P.J. , James M. , Ellis‐Jones J. , Smith D. , Timoney A.G. , Donovan J. 
Published: March 2003

Objectives To evaluate how well women learned and retained information given to them by either a leaflet or a computer‐generated information system, and which system they preferred to use for obtaining information about urinary symptoms. Subjects and methods Forty women answered 11 questions on the aetiology, investigation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms. They were then randomized to use one of the information systems for 20 min, after which they answered the same urological questions. The women then crossed over to use the other information system for 20 min and afterwards completed a preference questionnaire. Results The mean baseline scores from a possible total of 11 were 3.9 and 4.3 for the computer and leaflet groups, respectively. The mean improvements in scores were 3.6 (P < 0.001) and 2.8 (P < 0.001) for the computer and leaflet groups, respectively. Both information systems were well liked by all of the women and 26 (65%) said they would prefer to use a computer‐generated system in the future if given a choice. Conclusions Women significantly increased their knowledge of urinary problems after using a computer‐generated information system or a leaflet. Although there were few subjects, there appeared to be a trend for the computer system to be both better liked and slightly more effective.
Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy in the treatment of varicocele: a prospective study
Authors: Ficarra V. , Porcaro A.B. , Righetti R. , Cerruto M.A. , Pilloni S. , Cavalleri S. , Malossini G. , Artibani W. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To assess the results of our experience in correcting primary varicocele using a modified technique of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy. Patients and methods From December 1997 to February 2000, 201 patients with primary varicocele underwent antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy. Before treatment all patients were evaluated by a physical examination, colour Doppler ultrasonography of the spermatic cord, and abdominal and scrotal ultrasonography. Sperm samples were analysed only in patients aged > 18 years. The treatment was administered using a special venous catheter system with a Y‐adapter. Complications after treatment and the rate of persistence of reflux were assessed 3 and 6 months after the antegrade scrotal treatment, by clinical examination and colour‐Doppler ultrasonography of the spermatic cord. Results The mean operative duration was 15 min; there were no significant complications during treatment and all patients were discharged within 4 h. Complications after treatment occurred in 10 of the 201 patients (5%); four patients had epididymo‐orchitis, three a scrotal haematoma, one a surgical wound infection, one persistent scrotal pain and one persistent flank pain on the same side as the surgery. Reflux was persistent in 12 patients (6%). Conclusions Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is a simple, minimally invasive and highly effective technique for blocking spermatic vein reflux, with a low rate of complications. The technical changes simplified the cannulation of the spermatic vein and facilitated antegrade phlebography and sclerotherapy using the air‐block technique.
The ability of the American Joint Committee On Cancer Staging system to predict progression‐free survival after radical prostatectomy
Authors: May F. , Hartung R. , Breul J. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To examine, in a retrospective analysis of outcome based on prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels, whether the 1992 and revised 1997 staging criteria for prostate cancer can be used to predict progression‐free survival for patients after radical prostatectomy for pT2 and pT3 prostate cancer. Patients and methods In all, 291 patients with a PSA determination during a 6‐month interval after radical prostatectomy were analysed (mean follow‐up 5.2 years). In the absence of a uniform system of pathological staging, the histopathological stage was defined according to the 1992 and 1997 American Joint Cancer Committee/Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (AJCC/UICC) tumour‐nodes‐metastases (TNM) staging classification. Findings were correlated with the PSA value after surgery. The subgroups of pT2 and pT3 disease were compared for the time to PSA progression, using Kaplan‐Meier data analysis and the log‐rank test. Results The biochemical progression‐free 5‐year survival rates for stage pT2 were 83% (pT2a), 81% (pT2b) and 62% (pT2c); there were no significant differences in the pT2 subgroups. The recurrence‐free rates for pT3 were 79% (pT3a), 65% (pT3b) and 50% (pT3c); the actuarial recurrence‐free rate was significantly different for patients with 1997 AJCC pT3a vs pT3b disease (P = 0.0132). There was no significant difference in the 1992 AJCC stages pT2a vs pT2b (P = 0.1232) and the recurrence‐free rate was not significantly different for patients with 1992 AJCC pT3a vs pT3b disease (P = 0.9). There was a significant difference in the likelihood of a PSA relapse between patients with positive and negative surgical margins (P = 0.131). Conclusion These results support the current revised 1997 AJCC/UICC staging system for prostate cancer. There is an urgent need to develop a pathological equivalent to the AJCC/UIC TNM clinical staging system. Greater clinical input and evaluation from different institutions are essential to reach consensus on pathological staging categories that maximize the predictability of outcome after definitive therapy. Crucial issues are the definition and quantification of extraprostatic extension and definition of surgical margin categories.
(L)‐2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate in the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1
Authors: Holmes R.P. , Assimos D.G. , Wilson D.M. , Milliner D.S. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To evaluate the short‐term efficacy of (l)‐2‐oxothiaolidine‐4‐carboxylate (OTZ, which reduces urinary oxalate excretion in normal subjects) in the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) in a phase II study. Patients and methods Two patients with PH1 received intravenous infusions of OTZ (100 mg/kg body weight for 2 h) given every 8 h for four doses. One patient also received a placebo treatment. Urine samples (24‐h collections) were obtained before and during OTZ treatment and assayed for oxalate, citrate, creatinine, sulphate and pH. Daily blood samples were assayed for plasma oxalate and serum creatinine. Results Urinary oxalate excretion was unaffected by OTZ treatment. Plasma oxalate declined in both individuals with OTZ treatment, but the effect was small. Plasma cysteine was normal in one patient, rising from a mean (sd) of 36 (3.7) µmol/L before treatment to a peak of 141 µmol/L after OTZ, but was not detected in samples from the other patient. The ratio of oxalate to creatinine clearances was high in both patients, with mean values of 3.1 and 3.8. Conclusions Treatment with OTZ did not lead to clinically significant changes in urinary oxalate excretion. The high clearance of oxalate in these patients suggests a substantial renal secretion of oxalate.