bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phosphatidyl‐inositide signalling proteins in a novel class of sensory cells in the mammalian olfactory epithelium
Authors: Elsaesser Rebecca , Montani Giorgia , Tirindelli Roberto , Paysan Jacques 
Published: May 2005

AbstractCiliated sensory neurons, supporting cells and basal stem cells represent major cellular components of the main olfactory epithelium in mammals. Here we describe a novel class of sensory cells in the olfactory neuroepithelium. The cells express phospholipase C beta‐2 (PLC β2), transient receptor potential channels 6 (TRPC6) and inositol 3, 4, 5‐trisphosphate receptors type III (InsP3R‐III). Unlike ciliated olfactory neurons, they express neither olfactory marker protein nor centrin, adenylyl cyclase or cyclic nucleotide‐gated cation channels. Typical components of the cytoskeleton of microvilli, ezrin and actin are found co‐localized with PLC β2 and TRPC6 in apical protrusions of the cells. In Ca2+‐imaging experiments, the cells responded to odours. They express neuronal marker proteins and possess an axon‐like process, but following bulbectomy the cells do not degenerate. Our results suggest a novel class of microvillous secondary chemosensory cells in the mammalian olfactory system. These cells, which utilize phosphatidyl‐inositides in signal transduction, represent about 5% of all olfactory cells. Their abundance indicates that they play an important role in stimulus‐dependent functions and/or the regeneration of the olfactory system.
Transient, powerful pressures are generated in the brain by a rotational acceleration impulse to the head
Authors: Krave Ulrika , Höjer Svante , Hansson Hans‐Arne 
Published: May 2005

AbstractA rotational acceleration impulse to a head, as occurs at traffic accidents, sport injuries, assaults and falls, induces a diffuse brain damage that eventually could result in persistent neuropsychiatric deficits and neurodegeneration. Emphasis has been concentrated on the relative motion of the brain inside the skull during head impact, whereas less attention has been paid to whether intracranial pressure changes are generated and, if so, the implications thereof. In the present experimental study we investigated in an animal model system, based on rabbits, if a sagittal, anterior–posterior rotational acceleration of a head generated intracranial pressure changes, recorded by fibre optic pressure sensors, inserted ipsilaterally in the parieto‐temporal and the occipital lobes. Two levels of rotational acceleration were used in the experiments; one higher, corresponding to the threshold limit for moderate diffuse brain injury, and one lower, close to being noninjurious. Several pressure recordings were performed in each rabbit at the two acceleration levels. The pressure recordings invariably revealed the same general characteristics of rapid, positive and negative pressures within the brain, with variations in amplitude and duration, lasting for up to 10 ms. A major finding was the generation of powerful negative pressures, as low as 0.3 bars in absolute pressure. The most prominent difference in amplitudes of the negative peak pressures between the two applied acceleration levels was demonstrated at the parieto‐temporal location. The presented pressure recordings are the first to disclose the generation of transient, powerful intracerebral pressures at rotational acceleration of the head, which must be considered in studies of brain injury generation and distribution as well as prevention.
Functional properties and synaptic integration of genetically labelled dopaminergic neurons in intrastriatal grafts
Authors: Sørensen Andreas Toft , Thompson Lachlan , Kirik Deniz , Björklund Anders , Lindvall Olle , Kokaia Merab 
Published: May 2005

AbstractIntrastriatal grafts of fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue, rich in dopaminergic neurons, can reverse symptoms in Parkinson's disease. For development of effective cell replacement therapy, other sources of dopaminergic neurons, e.g. derived from stem cells, are needed. However, the electrophysiological properties grafted cells need to have in order to induce substantial functional recovery are poorly defined. It has not been possible to prospectively identify and record from dopaminergic neurons in fetal transplants. Here we used transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under control of the rat tyrosine hydroxylase promoter for whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings of endogenous and grafted dopaminergic neurons. We transplanted ventral mesencephalic tissue from E12.5 transgenic mice into striatum of neonatal rats with or without lesions of the nigrostriatal dopamine system. The transplanted cells exhibited intrinsic electrophysiological properties typical of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, i.e. broad action potentials, inward rectifying currents with characteristic ‘sag’, and spontaneous action potentials. The grafted dopaminergic neurons also received functional excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs from the host brain, as shown by the presence of both spontaneous and stimulation‐evoked excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Occurrence of spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory currents was lower, and of spontaneous action potentials was higher, in neurons placed in the dopamine‐depleted striatum than of those in the intact striatum. Our findings define specific electrophysiological characteristics of transplanted fetal dopaminergic neurons, and we provide the first direct evidence of functional synaptic integration of these neurons into host neural circuitries.
Neurotrophin‐4/5 is required for the early growth of regenerating axons in peripheral nerves
Authors: English Arthur W. , Meador William , Carrasco Dario I. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe requirement of the trkB ligand, neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5), for the growth of regenerating axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is not well established. We studied regenerating axon growth in transected peripheral nerves of thy‐1‐YFP‐H mice that had been repaired using allografts obtained from brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or NT‐4/5 knockout mice. Lengths of profiles of YFP+ axons measured in these grafts were compared with those measured in grafts obtained from wild‐type donors. When compared with axon profiles measured in grafts from wild‐type donors, axon profile lengths measured in grafts from homozygous (NT‐4/5−/−) or heterozygous (NT‐4/5+/−) mice were significantly shorter. In contrast, the lengths of axon profiles measured in grafts from BDNF+/− mice were not significantly different from those measured in grafts from wild‐type mice. A reduced amount of BDNF, but not NT‐4/5, is sufficient to promote the elongation of regenerating axons in the PNS. When grafts from wild‐type or NT‐4/5−/− mice were treated acutely at the time of surgical repair either with exogenous BDNF or NT‐4/5, the lengths of axon profiles measured in the grafts were significantly longer than those measured in grafts from untreated wild‐type mice. These findings are consistent with a requirement for NT‐4/5 from within the pathway used by regenerating axons for the successful growth of those axons in peripheral nerves.
NF‐κB transcription factor is required for inhibitory avoidance long‐term memory in mice
Authors: Freudenthal Ramiro , Boccia Mariano M. , Acosta Gabriela B. , Blake Mariano G. , Merlo Emiliano , Baratti Carlos M. , Romano Arturo 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAlthough it is generally accepted that memory consolidation requires regulation of gene expression, only a few transcription factors (TFs) have been clearly demonstrated to be specifically involved in this process. Increasing research data point to the participation of the Rel/nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) family of TFs in memory and neural plasticity. Here we found that two independent inhibitors of NF‐κB induced memory impairment in the one‐trial step‐through inhibitory avoidance paradigm in mice: post‐training administration of the drug sulfasalazine and 2 h pretraining administration of a double‐stranded DNA oligonucleotide containing the NF‐κB consensus sequence (κB decoy). Conversely, one base mutation of the κB decoy (mut‐κB decoy) injection did not affect long‐term memory. Accordingly, the κB decoy inhibited NF‐κB in hippocampus 2 h after injection but no inhibition was found with mut‐κB decoy administration. A temporal course of hippocampal NF‐κB activity after training was determined. Unexpectedly, an inhibition of NF‐κB was found 15 min after training in shocked and unshocked groups when compared with the naïve group. Hippocampal NF‐κB was activated 45 min after training in both shocked and unshocked groups, decreasing 1 h after training and returning to basal levels 2 and 4 h after training. On the basis of the latter results, we propose that activation of NF‐κB in hippocampus is part of the molecular mechanism involved in the storage of contextual features that constitute the conditioned stimulus representation. The results presented here provide the first evidence to support NF‐κB activity being regulated in hippocampus during consolidation, stressing the role of this TF as a conserved molecular mechanism for memory storage.
Comparison of SPME headspace analysis to U.S. EPA method 5030/8260B for MTBE monitoring
Authors: Stringfellow William T. , Oh Keun‐Chan 
Published: May 2005

AbstractMethyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) is one of the most common ground water contaminants in the United States. Ground water contaminated with MTBE is also likely to be contaminated with tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) because TBA is a component of commercial‐grade MTBE, can also be used as a fuel oxygenate, and is a biodegradation product of MTBE. In California, MTBE is subject to reporting at concentrations >3 μg/L, and TBA has a drinking water action level of 12 μg/L. We describe a simple, automated solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) method for the analysis of MTBE and TBA in water. The headspace (HS) of a water sample is extracted with a carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane SPME fiber and the MTBE and TBA are desorbed into a gas chromatograph (GC) and detected using a mass spectrometer (MS). The method is optimized for the routine analysis of MTBE and TBA, with a level of quantitation of 0.3 and 4 μg/L, respectively, in water. The lower level of detection for MTBE is 0.03 μg/L using this method. This HS extraction SPME is applicable to the measurement of both MTBE and TBA at concentrations below regulatory action levels. This method was compared with the certified U.S. EPA Method 5030/8260B (purge and trap/GC/MS) using split samples. Results from the SPME‐HS/GC/MS method were directly comparable to those from the U.S. EPA Method 5030/8260B. This method provides a simple, inexpensive, accurate, and sensitive alternative to the U.S. EPA Method 5030/8260B for the analysis of MTBE and TBA in water samples.
Simultaneous estimation of diffusive Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) fluxes and Non‐Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) saturation in the vadose zone
Authors: Werner David , Broholm Mette , Höhener Patrick 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSoil‐gas monitoring is a widely used tool to observe the migration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at contaminated sites. By combining this technique with natural gradient tracer methods, diffusive contaminant fluxes can be measured in situ, and non–aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) can be detected and roughly quantified. This work describes the new approach and its application at a field site in Denmark with an emplaced NAPL contamination. Soil‐gas probes with a low dead volume were installed at 1‐m depths in the sandy vadose zone, and a small volume of gas containing conservative and partitioning tracers was injected. Soil‐gas samples were withdrawn subsequently during 1 to 4 h and analyzed simultaneously for VOCs and tracers. Tracers detected the NAPL reliably, and the combined data allowed for a close delineation of the source zone. The calculated NAPL saturation deviated by up to a factor of 3 from the analyses of soil cores. Better agreement was found by taking the NAPL composition into consideration, which is, however, generally unknown at the actual field sites. In addition, the tracers were also used to estimate effective diffusion coefficients in situ, which varied by a factor of 2 between various locations. From these data, diffusive contaminant vapor fluxes were quantified without additional laboratory experiments or the use of empirical relationships. The new approach yields a better site investigation with a few additional measurements.
Evaluation of a small mechanical and pneumatic bladder pump for water quality sampling
Authors: McCall Wesley 
Published: May 2005

AbstractTwo small‐diameter (≤0.5‐inch/13‐mm O.D.) bladder pumps were evaluated under the U.S. EPA Environmental Technology Verification Program to assess their ability to provide representative water quality samples for several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and major element cations. Both a pneumatic bladder pump (PnBP) and a newly designed mechanical bladder pump (MBP) were evaluated. Since the MBP does not require compressed air to operate, the field logistics are simplified and cost of conducting low‐flow sampling can be reduced. Replicate samples were collected from an above‐ground standpipe spiked with selected VOCs and cations. Low‐flow sampling protocol was followed during collection of replicate samples from six direct push (DP)–installed monitoring wells at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Simple statistical methods are used to evaluate the sample quality provided by the pumps as compared to reference samples. F‐tests are used to evaluate pump sample precision, and t‐tests are applied to evaluate comparability of the pump sample results to the colocated reference or port sample results. Statistical analysis reveals that the samples collected with the pumps provide precision comparable to that observed in the reference samples. Significantly greater variability was observed between the pump and reference samples collected from the DP wells than was observed during the standpipe trials. The results and statistics from the trials at the standpipe indicate that both the PnBP and MBP provide water quality samples that are comparable to the reference samples, for the analytes investigated.
Reducing health disparity in Taiwan: quantifying the role of smoking
Authors: Cheng T Y , Wen C P , Tsai S P , Chung W S I , Hsu C C 
Published: May 2005

Objective:To assess the impact of smoking disparities on health disparities, in terms of gap in life expectancy, in Taiwan cities and counties.Methods:Using the decomposition method of life expectancy, the contribution of each disease category to the life expectancy gap was quantitatively expressed as the number of years of life. The smoking attributable fraction (SAF) was calculated for each city and county based on their respective smoking prevalence and relative risk for each smoking related disease. The smoking attributable gap (SAG) in life expectancy between two sites is the sum of the difference in SAF between two sites for each smoking related disease multiplied by the number of years this disease contributed to the life expectancy gap.Results:Significant health and smoking disparities were present among the 23 cities and counties in Taiwan. These health disparities and smoking disparities were highly correlated (R2 =  0.3676). Generally, the health gap increased with increasing smoking disparity. The disparity in smoking prevalence and intensity among cities and counties in Taiwan was responsible for up to 19% of the health disparity. The health disparity is also highly correlated (R2 =  0.3745) with SAG in life expectancy.Conclusions:Reducing smoking is important to health, and reducing the smoking disparity is also important for reducing the health disparity observed in Taiwan. The larger the health disparity is, the more important the smoking attributable disparity could be. The reduction of smoking disparities could be a realistic and cost effective way toward reducing health disparities.
Workplace smoking related absenteeism and productivity costs in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai S P , Wen C P , Hu S C , Cheng T Y , Huang S J 
Published: May 2005

Objective:To estimate productivity losses and financial costs to employers caused by cigarette smoking in the Taiwan workplace.Methods:The human capital approach was used to calculate lost productivity. Assuming the value of lost productivity was equal to the wage/salary rate and basing the calculations on smoking rate in the workforce, average days of absenteeism, average wage/salary rate, and increased risk and absenteeism among smokers obtained from earlier research, costs due to smoker absenteeism were estimated. Financial losses caused by passive smoking, smoking breaks, and occupational injuries were calculated.Results:Using a conservative estimate of excess absenteeism from work, male smokers took off an average of 4.36 sick days and male non-smokers took off an average of 3.30 sick days. Female smokers took off an average of 4.96 sick days and non-smoking females took off an average of 3.75 sick days. Excess absenteeism caused by employee smoking was estimated to cost US$178 million per annum for males and US$6 million for females at a total cost of US$184 million per annum. The time men and women spent taking smoking breaks amounted to nine days per year and six days per year, respectively, resulting in reduced output productivity losses of US$733 million. Increased sick leave costs due to passive smoking were approximately US$81 million. Potential costs incurred from occupational injuries among smoking employees were estimated to be US$34 million.Conclusions:Financial costs caused by increased absenteeism and reduced productivity from employees who smoke are significant in Taiwan. Based on conservative estimates, total costs attributed to smoking in the workforce were approximately US$1032 million.
Excess injury mortality among smokers: a neglected tobacco hazard
Authors: Wen C P , Tsai S P , Cheng T Y , Chan H T , Chung W S I , Chen C J 
Published: May 2005

Objective:To assess the mortality risks from injuries for smokers and ex-smokers and to quantify the mortality burden of smoking from injury in Taiwan.Methods:Smokers’ (and ex-smokers’) mortality risks from injuries were compared with that of non-smokers in a merged cohort from Taiwan. A total of 64 319 male subjects were followed up for 12–18 years. Relative risks (RR) (adjusted for age and alcohol use) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cause specific injury deaths were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Relative risks of injury mortality were also calculated to assess the presence of dose–response relations with daily smoking quantity.Results:Alcohol use adjusted relative mortality risks for all injuries (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.05) including those from motor vehicle accidents (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.45) and non-motor vehicle accidents (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.99) were significantly higher for smokers than non-smokers. Mortality was also increased for most subtypes of non-motor vehicle injuries including falls, fires, and job related injuries. Furthermore, these increases were dose dependent, with the heaviest smokers having the highest risk and the lightest smokers the lowest risk, and ex-smokers, no increase. In 2001, over one fifth (23%) of all male injury deaths in Taiwan was associated with smoking.Conclusion:This study demonstrated the significant association between fatal injuries and smoking. This relation adds further weight to smoking cessation campaigns.
Increasing taxes to reduce smoking prevalence and smoking attributable mortality in Taiwan: results from a tobacco policy simulation model
Authors: Levy D T , Wen C P , Chen T Y , Oblak M 
Published: May 2005

Objective:To develop a simulation model to predict the effects of tax policies on smoking prevalence rates and smoking attributable deaths.Methods:Using data from Taiwan, a simulation model is developed that projects population using birth and death rate data, future smoking rates using initiation, cessation and relapse data, and smoking attributable deaths using smoking prevalence and relative risk estimates. The model projects the number of smokers and smoking related deaths from a baseline year forward. The effects of taxes of different sizes, indexed and unindexed, and temporary versus sustained are modelled using elasticities based on published studies of demand.Results:The model predicts that sustained tax increases have the potential to substantially reduce the number of smokers and the number of premature deaths, with the effects growing over time. Indexing taxes to inflation stems erosion of the tax effect. In our model, when the tax increases by 10 times (NT$50) over the recent tax increase (NT$5) and taxes are indexed to inflation, the smoking prevalence rate falls by over 15% soon after the tax increase, and by about 30% in relative terms by the year 2040, resulting in 4500 lives saved per year.Conclusions:Tax rises have the ability to substantially affect smoking rates in Taiwan. These effects grow over time and lead to substantial savings in lives and health care costs.
Smoking attributable medical expenditures, years of potential life lost, and the cost of premature death in Taiwan
Authors: Yang M C , Fann C Y , Wen C P , Cheng T Y 
Published: May 2005

Objective:To estimate the smoking attributable medical expenditures and productivity loss of people aged 35 and over in Taiwan in 2001 from a societal viewpoint.Methods:A prevalence based approach was used to estimate smoking attributable costs. Epidemiological parameters were obtained from two follow up studies and government statistics. Data on medical care utilisation and expenditure were extracted from the National Health Insurance claim data.Results:Total smoking attributable medical expenditures (SAEs) amounted to US$397.6 million, which accounted for 6.8% of the total medical expenditures for people aged 35 and over. Mean annual medical expenditures per smoker was US$70 more than that of each non-smoker. Smoking attributable years of potential life lost (YPLL) totalled to 217 761 years for males and 15 462 years for females, and the corresponding productivity loss was US$1371 million for males and US$18.7 million for females.Conclusion:Medical expenditures attributable to smoking accounted for 6.8% of the total medical expenditure of people aged 35 and over for the year 2001 in Taiwan. Corresponding YPLL and productivity loss also demand that actions be taken to fight cigarette smoking.