bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artocarpol A stimulation of superoxide anion generation in neutrophils involved the activation of PLC, PKC and p38 mitogen‐activated PK signaling pathways
Authors: Kuan Yu‐Hsiang , Lin Ruey‐Hseng , Tsao Lo‐Ti , Lin Chun‐Nan , Wang Jih‐Pyang 
Published: April 2005

Artocarpol A (ART), a natural phenolic compound isolated from Artocarpus rigida, stimulated a slow onset and long‐lasting superoxide anion generation in rat neutrophils, whereas only slightly activated the NADPH oxidase in a cell‐free system.
Pretreatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin (1 μg ml−1), 50 μM 2′‐amino‐3′‐methoxyflavone (PD 98059), or 1 μM 1,4‐diamino‐2,3‐dicyano‐1,4‐bis(2‐aminophenylthio)butadiene (U0126) had no effect on ART‐stimulated superoxide anion generation. ART (30 μM) did not induce extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.
4‐(4‐Fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐methylsulfinylphenyl)‐5‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1H‐imidazole (SB 203580) markedly attenuated the ART‐stimulated superoxide anion generation (IC50 value of 4.3±0.3 μM). Moreover, ART induced p38 mitogen‐activated PK (MAPK) phosphorylation and activation.
The superoxide anion generation in response to ART was also substantially inhibited in a Ca2+‐free medium, and by pretreatment with 1 μM 1‐[6‐((17β‐3‐methoxyestra‐1,3,5(10)‐trien‐17‐yl)amino)hexyl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione (U‐73122) and 100 μM 2‐aminoethyldiphenyl borate (2‐APB). ART (30 μM) stimulated the [Ca2+]i elevation in the presence or absence of external Ca2+, and also increased the D‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate formation.
2‐[1‐(3‐Dimethylaminopropyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐maleimide (GF 109203X) greatly inhibited the ART‐stimulated superoxide anion generation (IC50 value of 7.8±1.0 nM). ART increased the recruitment of PKC‐α, ‐βI, and ‐βII to the plasma membrane of neutrophils, and stimulated Ca2+‐dependent PKC activation in the cytosol preparation.
ART induced the phosphorylation of p47phox, which was attenuated by GF 109203X. Moreover, ART evoked the membrane association of p47phox, which was inhibited by GF 109203X and SB 203580.
These results indicate that the ART stimulation of superoxide anion generation involved the activation of p38 MAPK, PLC/Ca2+, and PKC signaling pathways in rat neutrophils.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 460–468. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706205
Protein kinase C‐αmediates TNF release process in RBL‐2H3 mast cells
Authors: Abdel‐Raheem Ihab T , Hide Izumi , Yanase Yuhki , Shigemoto‐Mogami Yukari , Sakai Norio , Shirai Yasuhito , Saito Naoaki , Hamada Farid M , El‐Mahdy Nagh A , Elsisy Alaa El‐Din E , Sokar Samya S , Nakata Yoshihiro 
Published: April 2005

To clarify the mechanism of mast cell TNF secretion, especially its release process after being produced, we utilized an antiallergic drug, azelastine (4‐(p‐chlorobenzyl)‐2‐(hexahydro‐1‐methyl‐1H‐azepin‐4‐yl)‐1‐(2H)‐ phthalazinone), which has been reported to inhibit TNF release without affecting its production in ionomycin‐stimulated RBL‐2H3 cells.Such inhibition was associated with the suppression of an ionomycin‐induced increase in membrane‐associated PKC activity rather than the suppression of Ca2+influx, suggesting that PKC might be involved in TNF release process.To see whether conventional PKC family (cPKCs) are involved, we investigated the effects of a selective cPKC inhibitor (Gö6976) and an activator (thymeleatoxin) on TNF release by adding them 1 h after cell stimulation. By this time, TNF mRNA expression had reached its maximum. Gö6976 markedly inhibited TNF release, whereas thymeleatoxin enhanced it, showing a key role of cPKC in TNF post‐transcriptional process, possibly its releasing step.To determine which subtype of cPKCs could be affected by azelastine, Western blotting and live imaging by confocal microscopy were conducted to detect the translocation of endogenous cPKC (α,βI andβII) and transfected GFP‐tagged cPKC, respectively. Both methods clearly demonstrated that 1 μMazelastine selectively inhibits ionomycin‐triggered translocation ofαPKC without acting onβI orβIIPKC.In antigen‐stimulated cells, such a low concentration of azelastine did not affect eitherαPKC translocation or TNF release, suggesting a functional link betweenαPKC and the TNF‐releasing step.These results suggest thatαPKC mediates the TNF release process and azelastine inhibits TNF release by selectively interfering with the recruitment ofαPKC in the pathway activated by ionomycin in RBL‐2H3 cells.British Journal of Pharmacology(2005)145, 415–423. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706207
Mechanisms of the protective effects of urocortin on coronary endothelial function during ischemia–reperfusion in rat isolated hearts
Authors: García‐Villalón Angel Luis , Amezquita Yesika María , Monge Luis , Fernández Nuria , Climent Belén , Sánchez Ana , Diéguez Godofredo 
Published: April 2005

Urocortin is a vasodilator peptide related to corticotrophin‐releasing factor, which may protect endothelial function during coronary ischemia–reperfusion (I–R). The aim of this study was to study the mechanisms of this protective effect.
Hearts from Sprague–Dawley rats were isolated and perfused at constant flow and then exposed to 15 min global zero‐flow ischemia, followed by 15 min reperfusion. The relaxation to acetylcholine (10 nM–10 μM) was recorded after pre‐constriction of the coronary vasculature with U46619 (100–300 nM) in ischemic–reperfused or time‐control hearts.
After I–R, the coronary relaxation to acetylcholine was reduced and this reduction was attenuated by treatment with urocortin (10 pM), administered before ischemia and during reperfusion.
This urocortin‐induced improvement of the relaxation to acetylcholine was not modified by tetraethylammonium (10 mM), blocker of Ca2+ dependent‐potassium channels; glibenclamide (10 μM), blocker of KATP channels; Nw‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME, 100 μM), blocker of nitric oxide synthesis; or meclofenamate (10 μM), blocker of cyclooxygenase, but it was abolished by chelerythrine (3 μM), blocker of protein kinase C (PKC).
These results suggest that urocortin may protect coronary endothelial function during I–R by activation of PKC.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 490–494. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706208
Effect of mast cell chymase inhibitor on the development of scleroderma in tight‐skin mice
Authors: Shiota Naotaka , Kakizoe Eiichi , Shimoura Keiko , Tanaka Tetsuya , Okunishi Hideki 
Published: April 2005

Although the pathogenesis of scleroderma is not fully understood, activation of connective‐tissue‐type mast cells (CTMCs) has been implicated in various fibrotic diseases.
Our previous study showed that the number of CTMCs was markedly increased during fibrous proliferation in the skin of a scleroderma model, namely tight‐skin (Tsk) mice. Because mast cells express numerous bioactive factors, such as cytokines, growth factors, proteases, and others, it is crucial to identify the primary factors that may be involved in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Our previous study also showed that a CTMC‐specific protease, chymase‐4, was selectively upregulated in accordance with the development of skin fibrosis in Tsk mice.
To further elucidate the role of chymase secreted from CTMCs, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of a synthetic chymase‐specific inhibitor, SUN‐C8257, on the development of skin fibrosis in Tsk mice. SUN‐C8257 (50 mg kg−1 day−1) was administered via intraperitoneal injection in 13‐week‐old Tsk mice for a period of 2 weeks.
Treatment with SUN‐C8257 significantly reduced chymase activity by 43% and the chymase‐4 mRNA level by 47%, and also decreased the thickness of the subcutaneous fibrous layer of Tsk mice by 42% compared with that of Tsk mice injected with vehicle.
Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that transforming growth factor (TGF)‐beta1 staining in the fibrous layer of Tsk skin was markedly reduced by the treatment with SUN‐C8257. This chymase inhibitor may prevent the chymase‐dependent pathway that activates the latent TGF‐beta1 in fibrous tissue, and may exhibit beneficial effects that inhibit the development of fibrosis.
In conclusion, our results strongly support the assumption that CTMC‐derived chymase may play a key role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 424–431. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706209
The feeding strategies of Liza ramada (Risso, 1826) in fresh and brackish water in the River Tagus, Portugal
Authors: Almeida P. R. , Moreira F. , Costa J. L. , Assis C. A. , Costa M. J. 
Published: April 2005

The stomach contents of samples of the mugilid Liza ramada (Risso, 1826), captured at Alcochete (brackish water zone of the Tagus Estuary) differed from those from Vala Nova (freshwater zone of the same estuary).In the freshwater zone of the estuary the mullet ingested preferentially planktonic micro‐algae, while in the brackish water they ate benthic micro‐algae.The stomach contents from Vala Nova showed a higher diversity of food items, compared with those from Alcochete. At Alcochete the Naviculales (numerical frequency, 82%) was the most representative order, while at Vala Nova it was the Coscinodiscales (61%) and the Chlorococcales (16%).In fresh water, the stomach contents contained about 25–4% organic matter, while at Alcochete only 8.7% was found.In the brackish water zone the ingestion rhythm was related to the tidal cycle, attaining a maximum during the high tide and a minimum at low tide.At Vala Nova the mullet ate regularly throughout the day. showing a slight increase at dawn and dusk. Apparently, the fish remained inactive by night, at both locations.
Environmental induction of Na+ transporter affinity in Atlantic salmon embryos
Authors: McWilliams P. G. 
Published: April 2005

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) alevins hatched from eggs transferred from high‐ to low‐Na water at 250° days, before the onset of the phase of increasing whole egg sodium content (at ∼380°days), showed a significantly reduced Km for Na+ transport, whereas transfer at 400° days did not produce any change in Km. Alevins hatched from eggs given acid shocks of 1, 3, 7 or 14 days duration initiated at 250 or 400° days showed no significant changes in Na+ transporter Km. Extended acid exposure (38 days) from 250°days to hatching resulted in a slight lowering of Km (P<0.05). A 24‐day acid exposure from 400°days to hatching had no effect on Na+ transporter Km. Alevins hatched from eggs incubated throughout in acidified water had a significantly reduced Km compared to controls (P<0.01).The timing and duration of periods of Na depletion of eggs is considered with respect to environmental induction of increased Na transporter affinity in teleost embryos as a mechanism of long‐term physiological adaptation to the gradual acidification of natural waters.
Abundance‐depth relationship, condition factor and adaptive value of zooplanktophagy for red bandfish, Cepola macrophthalma
Authors: Stergiou K. I. 
Published: April 2005

The abundance‐depth relationship, condition factor and feeding of red bandfish, Cepola macrophthalma, were studied from trawl samples collected seasonally in 1986–1988 in the western Aegean Sea (Greece). The red bandfish comprised numerically 1.4% of the total fish catch. Its abundance ranged between 0 and 1362 individuals/h (mean = 57.7 individuals/h, +s.d.= 124.7). The relationship between the natural logarithm of the mean number of individuals/h, ln[(n/h) + 1], and depth, D in m, was found to be described by the following quadratic model:

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Feeding intensity and condition factor were significantly (P <0.05) lower in December and March, when annuli formation takes place, and significantly higher (<0.05) in June and/or September when reproduction takes place. The red bandfish is a zooplankton predator. Copepods and euphausids dominated by far its diet and made up 60.4% and 31.1 % by number, respectively. The remainder of the diet was shared by cladocerans, decapods, mysids, chaetognaths, amphipods, fish larvae and decapod larvae. Red bandfish has probably evolved a zooplanktophagus habitat because, by providing a relatively abundant food supply, it will neither limit its high linear growth in the first 4–5 years of life nor increase its predatory induced mortality.
The influence of gradual water acidification on the acid/base status and plasma hormone levels in carp
Authors: van Dijk P. L. M. , van den Thillart G. E. E. J. M. , Balm P. , Bonga S. Wendelaar 
Published: April 2005

Carp (Cyprinus carpio) fitted with arterial catheters were subjected to gradual water acidification (from pH 7.6 to 4.0 in 4 h), and then monitored for 48 h. The measured blood parameters showed little or no disturbance; there was no ionoregulatory disturbance, no hyperglycemia, increase in plasma lactate, hypoxemia, or swelling of red blood cells. Only a slight transient decrease of plasma pH was found. Plasma catecholamine levels remained at control level. The plasma cortisol concentration showed a transient increase, and was returned to the control level 24 h after beginning water acidification.Our results contrast with literature data on carp where exposure to pH 4.0 caused severe blood electrolyte disturbance. We conclude that the rate of water acidification (gradual in our study as compared to acute in the literature) rather than the pH level itself determines the early effects of water acidification.
Humoral immune response of carp Cyprinus carpio to Myxobolus artus (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) infection
Authors: Furuta T. , Ogawa K. , Wakabayashi H. 
Published: April 2005

The circulating antibody which reacted with sonicated spores of Myxobolus artus was detected in some naturally infected carp. However, some other fish had no detectable sign of infection, though they had the antibody. When carp were injected either with intact or sonicated spores, the antibody was not produced, while fish injected either with developing stages (presporogonic and sporoblast stages) of the parasite or sonicated spores with bovine serum albumin elicited the antibody production. The results of the injection experiments suggest that (1) developing stages have antigenicity to carp, and (2) spores have lost the antigenicity; sonicated spores are haptens, with which the antibody can react. In an indirect fluorescent antibody technique, sera positive for the antigen reacted with developing stages of the parasite, but not with the spore.The mechanism of the host immune response against M. artus is discussed in relation to a previous observation that the parasite sometimes underwent abnormal development, in which host encapsulation was imperfect or even lacking, probably leading to degeneration of pseudocysts before the completion of spore formation. It is plausible that the antibody was produced when pseudocysts which showed abnormal growth ruptured during their developing stages, resulting in exposure of the young parasite to the host immune system.
Gonadosomatic index in Barbus longiceps, Capoeta damascina and their natural hybrid (Pisces, Cyprinidae), versus spermatozoan index in the parental males
Authors: Stoumboudi M. Th. , Villwock W. , Sela J. , Abraham M. 
Published: April 2005

The yearly gonadal cycle of two Kinneret teleosts, Barbus longiceps and Capoeta damascina and of their hybrid, was assessed by measuring the gonadosomatic index (GSI) in both sexes, as well as the spermatozoan index (SPI) in the males. SPI was established through a computerized analysis system, using light microscopy images of histological preparations of the testes. Barbus longiceps specimens had highest GSI in March, 6.31 for males and 1.40 for females. Capoela damascina had highest GS1 in January, 6.63 for males and 6.88 for females. In the male‐like hybrids, the highest GSI was 5.57 in February, and in female‐like hybrids 1.83 in March; no gametes were ever formed in hybrid gonads. The highest SPI appeared in B. longiceps in April, while in C. damascina the highest SPI was found in March. In both species, the highest SPI was attained several weeks after the highest GSI was observed. It is suggested that the peak of the breeding season of both species is actually represented by the highest SPI. In males, the decreasing GSI, which corresponds to the highest SPI, represents the loss of gonad weight, which is due to the elimination of the spermatid residual bodies, prior to spermiation. In the females the decreasing GSI is the result of ovulation, and characterizes the peak of spawning activity.
Gill morphology during hypercapnia in brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus): role of chloride cells and pavement cells in acid‐base regulation
Authors: Goss G. G. , Laurent P. , Perry S. F. 
Published: April 2005

The role of gill chloride cells (CCs) and pavement cells (PVCs) in acid‐base regulation was evaluated in brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) subjected to acute hypercapnia (water Pco2=15 torr). Chronic (10 day) cortisol treatment was used as a tool to cause CC proliferation to permit a comparison of the regulatory capacities in groups of fish with widely different gill CC populations. Cortisol (4mg kg−1 day−1) caused a pronounced increase (170%) in the surface area of CCs exposed to the water based on scanning and transmission electron microscope analysis. The density of PVC apical membrane microvilli was significantly increased (20%) by cortisol treatment. Exposure of either group of fish to hypercapnia caused similar changes in gill epithelial morphology including: (i) a marked reduction in the surface area of exposed CCs (52 and 78% reduction in the control and cortisol‐treated fish, respectively); and (ii) pronounced increases in PVC apical membrane microvilli density (21 and 27% in the control and cortisol‐treated fish, respectively).The rates of Cl− uptake (Jincl−) and Na+ uptake (JinNa+) were elevated (150 and 262%, respectively) in the cortisol‐treated fish. Regardless of treatment, Jincl− was markedly reduced to approximately the same levels after 6 h of hypercapnia, JinNa+ was stimulated in the control group and reduced in the cortisol‐treated group and thus, after 6 h of hypercapnia, JinNa+ was equal in each group. The similar morphological responses in fish possessing different initial populations suggests that the predominant mechanism of acid‐base regulation during hypercapnia, reduction of C1−/HCO3− exchange, is accomplished by removal of the CC‐associated C1‐/HCO3− exchange sites from the water. The increase in PVC microvilli density during hypercapnia suggests a role for the PVC in acid‐base regulation.
Predator‐prey dynamics in an ecosystem context
Authors: Kitchell James F. , Eby Lisa A. , He Xi , Schindler Daniel E. , Wright Russell A. 
Published: April 2005

Evaluating the role of fishes at the food web and ecosystem scales profits from an iterative process. At the community and population scales, prey selection by predators alters habitat selection behaviours of prey species as well as their abundance, size distributions, life histories and the consequent effects on their own prey. At the whole system scale, predation by fishes alters community structure and nutrient cycling. Thus, both direct and indirect predation effects are expressed in population structure, community composition and production processes at all trophic levels. These are the central tenets of the trophic cascade argument.Examples are abundant and diverse. We know that predators are size selective, that resource partitioning occurs, that functional responses link the density dependence of predator and prey populations, and that predator avoidance behaviours are common. A more significant challenge exists when attempting to use this knowledge.This presentation attempts to link theory and empiricism in forecasts of what will happen next in response to a management action or a planned experiment. Examples are drawn from whole system experiments conducted in small lakes and from large‐scale manipulations of predator populations in North America's Laurentian Great Lakes. Rapid and discontinuous or non‐linear responses are common. Extrapolating the lessons of mechanistic process studies proves insufficient because the context is dynamic. Inferences built from the whole ecosystem scale yield equally misleading results because the scale is too general, Resolving these problems will require a clever mix of selective applications of predator‐prey theory and astute empiricism.
Light‐mediated predation by northern squawfish on juvenile chinook salmon
Authors: Petersen James H. , Gadomski Dena M. 
Published: April 2005

Northern squawfish Ptychocheilus oregonensis cause significant mortality of juvenile salmon in the lower Columbia River Basin (U.S.A.). The effects of light intensity on this predator‐prey interaction were examined with laboratory experiments and modelling studies. In laboratory experiments, the rate of capture of subyearling chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by northern squawfish was inversely related to light intensity. In a large raceway, about five times more salmon were captured during 4 h periods of relative darkness (0–03 Ix) than during periods with high light intensity (160 Ix). The rate of predation could be manipulated by increasing or decreasing light intensity.A simulation model was developed for visual predators that encounter, attack, and capture juvenile salmon, whose schooling behaviour was light‐sensitive. The model was fitted to laboratory results using a Monte Carlo filtering procedure. Model‐predicted predation rate was especially sensitive to the visual range of predators at low light intensity and to predator search speed at high light. Modelling results also suggested that predation by northern squawfish on juvenile salmon may be highest across a narrow window of fight intensity.
Reproductive investment of female brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in a stream and reservoir system in northern England
Authors: Crisp D. T. 
Published: April 2005

Within the basin of Cow Green reservoir, upper Teesdale, the brown trout, Salmo trutta L., spend their first two seasons in running water. After this some females remain resident and others migrate to Cow Green reservoir. A cohort of 1000 females at age 2 that remains resident in tributary streams will, during the lifetime of the cohort, lay, on average, 3·0 times as many eggs as a cohort which resides in the reservoir. This conclusion is apparently not consistent with the observation that most females take up reservoir residence.Reservoir females have a higher growth rate (Walford constant k=0·61, c.f. 0·86 for stream residents) and shorter life expectancy (M year−1= 1·19, c.f. 0·56) than the stream residents. However, they are of larger average size than the stream residents, lay larger eggs (mean 0·074 g, c.f. 0·066 g) and bury them more deeply (mean depth 11·0 cm, c.f. 8·5 cm).
Influence of light intensity and wavelength on phototactic behaviour of larval silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus and golden perch Macquana ambigua and the effectiveness of light traps
Authors: Gehrke PeterC. 
Published: April 2005

Larval golden perch, Macquaria ambigua, and silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus, were exposed to light gradients in wavebands centred on 400, 496, 601 and 695 nm at nominal quantum irradiance values of 0–1, 1–0 and 10 μmol m−2 s−l. Silver perch larvae displayed stronger phototactic behaviour than golden perch, and both species were most responsive to light in the 601 nm waveband. The intensity of phototactic responses in both species was greater at higher irradiance levels. Enhanced responsiveness to longer wavelengths reflects possible adaptations to life in turbid habitats where the underwater light field is dominated by yellow/orange wavebands.At night, traps fitted with 12 h yellow lightsticks attracted more golden perch larvae than traps with blue, green, orange, red or no lightstick. The efficacy of yellow lightsticks may be due to yellow/orange wavebands not being attenuated under water as rapidly as blue or red wavebands. Yellow lightsticks also emit a greater intensity of light over a longer time than other colours tested, which may have increased the effectiveness of yellow traps. Light traps were ineffective during the day.