bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microglial colonization of the developing mouse brain: the effect of CD11b deletion
Authors: Jeetle J. K. , Hagger G. N. , Topps S. S. , Male D. K. , Rezaie P. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Microglia are resident mononuclear phagocytes of the central nervous system, which colonize the brain both prenatally and after birth. It is proposed that they enter the brain initially via the surrounding mesenchyme, via ventricles and later through blood vessels, but the mechanisms of entry and signals used for migration are still to be established. Previous studies have shown that ligands for some integrin adhesion molecules expressed on blood vessels in the developing nervous system (particularly ICAM‐1 and ICAM‐2 which bind CD11a/LFA‐1 and CD11b/Mac‐1), may act as potential recruiting signals for microglial precursors. This study addressed whether CD11b is influential on the migration of microglial precursors into the developing CNS.Material and methods:  Ricinus communis agglutinin‐1 (RCA‐1) lectin histochemistry was employed to anatomically map the distribution of amoeboid and ramified microglia from embryonic day 15 (E15) to birth. Embryonic mouse brains from CD11b knockout (−/−) (n = 42), and heterozygote (+/−) (n = 52) mice generated on a C57/BL6 background (Melo et al. Cell Immunol 2000; 205: 13–23) and wild‐type (+/+) (n = 37) litter mates were fixed in Bouin's solution, processed to paraffin wax and serially sectioned at 15–40 µm. To investigate further potential signals for recruiting microglial precursors, brains were immunochemically screened for integrins CD11a, CD11b, CD18, αX, VLA‐4 and the chemokine MCP‐1.Results:  Microscopic analysis revealed the morphological transition of microglia from predominantly amoeboid forms at E15–E16 to a flourishing population of ramified cells at E19–E20. RCA‐1 histochemistry showed no clear differences in microglial distribution or timing of colonization between CD11b (−/−) and wild‐type mice from E15 to birth. Although CD11b deletion did not influence the timing of microglial ramification, there appeared to be fewer ramified cells in (−/−) mice within comparative brain regions. This requires further quantitative morphometric analysis. Of the integrins investigated, none were restricted to microglia and only VLA‐4 and αX showed reactivity within the CNS. However, MCP‐1 was notably localized to the cortical plate within all genotypes, consistent with previous findings in human foetal CNS (Rezaie & Male. Microsc Res Tech 1999; 45: 359–382).Conclusion:  The results suggest that CD11b has little influence on the timing or regional distribution of microglia in the developing murine CNS. It is more likely that CD11b is only one of several factors that influence the migration and differentiation of these cells.
Expression of mos in astrocytic tumours and its potential role in neoplastic progression
Authors: Perunovic B. , Athanasiou A. , Quilty R. D. , Gourgoulis V. G. , Kittas C. , Love S. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Mos, the product of the C‐mos gene, is a component of the mitogen‐activated protein‐kinase transduction pathway, and is involved in the control of meiosis and mitosis. High levels have been reported to cause p53‐mediated growth arrest and apoptosis. Apart from a study on lung carcinomas, there is little information about its role in human neoplasia. The aim of this study was to investigate expression of mos in astrocytic tumours and to correlate it with the accumulation of p53.Material and methods:  We studied the expression of mos in 62 cases of supratentorial diffuse astrocytic tumours and correlated this with tumour grade, survival and accumulation of p53.Results:  Intracytoplasmic immunopositivity for mos was found in 28 (45%) cases: 3/20 (15%) grade 2 astrocytomas, 9/20 (45%) grade 3 anaplastic astrocytomas and 16/22 (73%) glioblastomas. Immunopositivity for mos correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with tumour grade but not with p53 expression. In contrast to the findings in relation to lung carcinomas, immunopositivity for mos in astrocytic tumours did not predict recurrence‐free or overall survival time. Cytoplasmic immunostaining was observed in scattered large cortical neurons adjacent to tumours, possibly as a result of ‘stress’‐induced abortive entry into the cell cycle.Conclusions:  The correlation of mos immunopositivity with tumour grade may reflect the expansion of more malignant mos‐positive clones. This study provides evidence that mos may be involved in the neoplastic progression of a proportion of astrocytic tumours.
The human perirhinal cortex in semantic memory: an in vivo and postmortem volumetric magnetic resonance imaging study in semantic dementia, Alzheimer's disease and matched controls
Authors: Davies R. R. , Xuereb J. H. , Hodges J. R. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Studies in macaque monkeys indicate that the perirhinal cortex is critical for processes analogous to human semantic memory (i.e. memory for words, objects, faces and concepts). It is selectively impaired in semantic dementia (SD), the temporal lobe variant of fronto‐temporal dementia, and less consistently in Alzheimer's disease (AD).Materials and methods:  In vivo volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from 30 cases (10 SD, 10 AD, 10 controls). Regions were outlined on successive scan slices and volumes calculated. Hippocampus, temporopolar, perirhinal and entorhinal cortices were measured bilaterally (using the protocol of Insausti et al. Am J Neuroradiol; 19: 23). High‐resolution MR images from six cadaver brains have also been obtained. These will further clarify the relationship between cytoarchitectonic boundaries and gyral/sulcal landmarks.Results:  Initial analyses indicate greater atrophy of the perirhinal cortex in SD than in AD (P < 0.00002). There is also a trend towards greater atrophy of posterior than of anterior entorhinal cortex in AD vs. SD.Conclusions:  Cortical regions of the medial temporal lobe, defined by reference to cytoarchitecture, have been measured on MRI. As predicted by primate studies, but for the first time in man, perirhinal cortex atrophy is correlated with a neuropsychologically defined syndrome of semantic memory impairment.
Astrocyte characterization in the multiple sclerosis glial scar
Authors: Holley J. E. , Gveric D. , Newcombe J. , Gutowski N. J. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Dense astrocytic scarring in chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques inhibits tissue repair. However, at the rim of a lesion the glial scar fails to form despite the presence of reactive astrocytes. Animal studies have shown that astrocyte antigen expression varies depending on astrocyte type and location. Characterization of human astrocytes in MS tissue may identify markers relevant to the glial scar.Materials and methods:  Astrocyte antigenic phenotype was investigated in subventricular white matter by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Snap‐frozen tissue from normal controls (n = 4), MS normal appearing white matter (n = 5) and lesions [acute (n = 7), subacute (n = 7) and chronic (n = 13)] was studied.Results:  As expected, glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin expression was elevated in scar astrocytes. In addition there was increased expression of nestin, embryonic neural cell adhesion molecule, epidermal growth factor receptor, nerve growth factor and its receptor p75, and in a subpopulation of scar astrocytes, basic fibroblast growth factor.Conclusion:  Changes in expression of proteins associated with development, growth factors and growth factor receptors are characteristic of the scar astrocyte phenotype in chronic MS lesions. These proteins may be of relevance to glial scar formation and tissue repair.
Efficacy of leukaemia inhibitory factor in experimental autoimmune neuritis
Authors: Laurà M. , Gregson N. A. , Smith K. , Hughes R. A. C. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  To test the efficacy of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), an animal model of Guillain–Barrè Syndrome.Background:  Growth factors might be promising treatment in human inflammatory neuropathy. LIF is a cytokine, which exerts neurotrophic and myotrophic properties.Materials and methods:  EAN was induced in 24 Lewis rats by the injection of peripheral bovine myelin. At the onset of the disease they were injected in pairs on a random basis either with placebo or murine LIF 10 µg/kg. The injections continued until day 25 when they were killed. The clinical course of the disease and histological pattern of the cauda equina were examined.Results:  The severity of the disease was slightly less in the LIF treated group and these animals also had a more rapid recovery. The main pathological features in the cauda equina of both groups were demyelination and remyelination with varying degrees of axonal degeneration, but there were no significant differences in the pathological changes between the groups.Conclusion:  The administration of LIF showed a slight, but not significant, improvement in the clinical course of EAN, but no significant evidence on nerve histology. Further investigation of the therapeutic role of LIF would be worthwhile in view of its favourable effects in nerve regeneration.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in myofibrillar myopathy
Authors: Reimann Jens , Kunz Wolfram S. , Vielhaber Stefan , Kappes‐Horn Karin , Schröder Rolf 
Published: March 2003

J. Reimann, W. S. Kunz, S. Vielhaber, K. Kappes‐Horn and R. Schröder (2003) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 29, 45–51

Mitochondrial dysfunction in myofibrillar myopathy‘Myofibrillar myopathy’ defines a myopathic condition with focal myofibrillar destruction and accumulation of degraded myofibrillar elements. Despite the fact that a number of mutations in different genes as well as cytotoxic agents lead to the disease, abnormal accumulation of desmin is a typical, common feature. Pathological changes of mitochondrial morphology and function have been observed in animal models with intermediate filament pathology. Therefore, in the present study we tested for mitochondrial pathology in skeletal muscle of five patients with the pathohistological diagnosis of myofibrillar myopathy. Screening for large‐scale mtDNA deletions and the frequent MERRF (myoclonic epilepsy; ragged red fibres) and MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy; lactic acidosis; stroke) point mutations was negative in all patients. Histologically, all muscle biopsies showed nonspecific abnormalities of the oxidative/mitochondrial enzyme stainings (histochemistry for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, succinic dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase), only one of them had ragged red fibres and a significant number of cytochrome c oxidase‐negative fibres. Upon biochemical investigation, four of our patients showed pathologically low respiratory chain complex I activities. Only one of our patients had a pathologically low complex IV activity, while the measurements of the others were within low normal range. The single patient with pathological values for both complex I and IV was the one with the clear histological hallmarks (ragged red and cytochrome c oxidase‐negative fibres) of mitochondrial pathology. She also was the only patient with clinical signs hinting at a mitochondrial disorder. Together with data from observations in desmin‐ and plectin‐deficient mice, our results support the view that desmin intermediate filament pathology in these cases is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle.
Survival of infants born with Down’s syndrome: 1980–96
Authors: Leonard  , Bower  , Petterson  , Leonard  
Published: March 2003

The improved life expectancy of people with Down’s syndrome as a result of the greater availability of surgery and advances in medical care has been widely documented. However, there has been no evaluation of survival in the Australian Down’s syndrome population since the 1980s. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in survival from birth in cases of Down’s syndrome notified to the Birth Defects Registry in Western Australia. Babies born with Down’s syndrome between 1980 and 1996 (inclusive) and registered with the Birth Defects Registry were studied. Survival status was obtained in several ways. Cases were stratified into three cohorts for comparison. Survival curves were constructed using the methods of Kaplan and Meier. For infants born during 1980–96, survival to 1 year is now > 91%, and 85% can expect to survive until the age of 10 years. Although survival in those with heart disease showed improvement over the period studied, overall this was still a strong predictor of mortality. Survival in Aboriginal children with Down’s syndrome was significantly poorer than in non‐Aboriginal children, mirroring the pattern in the general population. Mortality was greater in females and in those with a low birthweight. There was no statistically significant difference in the survival between those born in metropolitan and in rural areas.There has been a considerable improvement in survival of infants born with Down’s syndrome in Western Australia. This improvement is similar to findings in recent international studies. The difference in survival between Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal children is particularly disturbing. These findings are useful for both clinicians and families who need to plan for the long‐term care of these children.
Hospital admissions during pregnancy in two urban areas of Ukraine
Authors: Little R. E. , Little A. S. , Chislovska N. , Hulchiy O. P. , Monaghan S. C. , Gladen B. C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryHospital admissions are generally regarded as a marker of severe pregnancy complications, and a low ratio of antenatal admissions to deliveries is considered an indicator of maternal–fetal well‐being. We investigated the reasons for hospital admissions in a sample of deliveries from Ukraine, a country of the former eastern bloc. All hospitalisations were traced among 3099 women who delivered live singletons of at least 20 weeks gestation in two urban areas of Ukraine and data were abstracted from their medical records. More than a third of the women were admitted to hospital during their pregnancy, and 91% of the admissions were for a pregnancy complication, primarily threatened abortion or early labour. Median length of stay for all admissions was 12 days. The ratio of admissions to deliveries was 52 per 100. The Ukrainian ratio of hospitalisations to deliveries is notably higher than any that have been published in studies from the United States and Australia, reflecting patterns of care that stress hospital‐based treatment. This high ratio does not necessarily mean that Ukrainian women are sicker, although that may be the case. The comparison of hospitalisation to delivery ratios is meaningful only when other factors, such as resources, patterns of care, costs and access, are taken into account.
Malnutrition and susceptibility to enteroparasites: reinfection rates after mass chemotherapy
Authors: Saldiva S. R. M. , Carvalho H. B. , Castilho V. P. , Struchiner C. J. , Massad E. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe evidence that relates malnutrition to enteroparasite infections arises from studies that demonstrate the improvement of nutritional indicators after antiparasitism treatment. However, the role of malnutrition as an aggravating factor to the susceptibility to enteroparasite infections is still not fully understood. We investigated the correlation between malnutrition and enteroparasite infection after mass chemotherapy, in a poor city of São Paulo State, Brazil. The sample comprised 759 children between 1 and 10 years of age of whom 585 were followed up for a period of 1 year and periodically assessed for reinfection with enteroparasites. One year of follow‐up after mass chemotherapy demonstrated that 38% of the undernourished children were reinfected with enteroparasites, as compared with 25% of the eutrophic children (P
= 0.033). The survival multivariate analysis demonstrated that, after controlling
for the potential confounding variables, maternal literacy and per capita income
rate, malnutrition was associated with susceptibility to reinfection (P = 0.13). We demonstrate that, although maternal literacy and per capita income rate are indeed confounding variables, malnutrition contributes to an increase in the risk of enteroparasite infections.
Effects of changing risk factors on increasing asthma prevalence in southern Taiwan
Authors: Tsuang Hui‐chun A. , Su Huey‐Jen Jenny , Kao Fei‐Fei , Shih H. C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe study sought to identify factors with consistent relationships with the prevalence of asthma and postulate causes for the increasing prevalence. Reduplication of prevalence surveys was conducted among children of similar ages (6–12 years) from the same area (Tainan City, Taiwan). A total of 7523 primary school children from 1993 and 7224 from 1997 participated in the study. The reported prevalence of diagnosed asthma increased from 6.46% in 1993 to 8.45% in 1997 (relative risk 1.31, 95% CI 1.16, 1.47). Among all environment‐ and heredity‐related factors examined, only four showed consistent relationships with childhood asthma, and all appeared to be a related hereditary condition. Dander allergy is the only factor that increased correspondingly with the prevalence of childhood asthma; therefore, it seems to be the most likely key factor responsible for the increasing trend. The investigation of the interactive effects imposed by the environment‐ (dander exposure) and heredity‐related (atopic sensitisation) factors are recommended for further studies.
Antigenicity and immunogenicity of phage library‐selected peptide mimics of the major surface proteophosphoglycan antigens of Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Melzer Helen , Fortugno Paola , Mansouri Erfan , Felici Franco , Marinets Alexandra , Wiedermann Gerhard , Kollaritsch Herwig , Von Specht Bernd‐Ulrich , Duchêne Michael 
Published: March 2003

Summary Entamoeba histolytica is the protozoan parasite responsible for intestinal amoebiasis and amoebic liver abscess, which cause significant morbidity and mortality in many countries of the world. Proteophosphoglycans (PPGs, also known as lipophosphoglycans, LPGs, or lipopeptidophosphoglycans, LPPGs) represent dominant surface components of E. histolytica. Passive immunization with a monoclonal antibody (EH5) directed against these components protected SCID mice from amoebic liver abscess, so PPGs might be regarded as vaccine candidates; however, their structure is very complex and only known in part. They are glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked polypeptides of unknown sequence carrying glycan side‐chains linked to serine residues via phosphodiester bonds. In order to identify peptide mimics of the E. histolytica PPG antigens, we screened six different phage‐displayed random peptide libraries with the antibody EH5. Various peptide mimics of different length were identified and, in all the peptides, a distinct consensus sequence Gly‐Thr‐His‐Pro‐X‐Leu could be identified. The phages strongly bound to the antibody, and the natural antigen inhibited binding of the phages to antibody EH5. In addition, several of the phages induced a significant immunoglobulin G response against amoebic antigens in immunized mice.
Role of colour and shape stimuli in host‐enhanced oogenesis in the walnut fly, Rhagoletis juglandis
Authors: ALONSO‐PIMENTEL HENAR , KORER JAMIE , NUFIO CESAR , PAPAJ DANIEL 
Published: March 2003

This study aimed to quantify effects of the host plant on oogenesis in the walnut‐husk‐infesting fly, Rhagoletis juglandis Cresson (Diptera: Tephritidae), and to assess the role of physical cues in those effects.In laboratory assays, the presence of fruit was manipulated independently of the presence of foliage for newly emerged females. After eight days, in each of two trials, females with fruit were found to have significantly higher egg loads than females without fruit. Foliage presence had little effect.In a second experiment, females held with fruit or a fruit model (plastic yellow sphere of a size similar to fruit) had significantly higher egg loads than females held with neither fruit nor model. Egg loads of females with fruit were not significantly different from those of females with models.In a third experiment, females were held with spheres of various colours or no sphere at all. Females with yellow or green spheres (similar to the colour of walnut fruit) had significantly higher egg loads than females with black, blue or red spheres of other colours or females without spheres.In a fourth experiment, females held with spheres had significantly higher egg loads than females held with cubes of equivalent surface area or females held without a model.Finally, cohorts of newly emerged females held with yellow spheres or without spheres were sampled periodically. In the sphere treatment, mean egg load increased sharply from negligible levels between days 8 and 10. The pattern was similar in the no‐sphere treatment, although the increase in egg load appeared to occur a day later.From these experiments, we conclude that physical host fruit stimuli known to be important in host selection in Rhagoletis flies, including colour and shape, also enhance oogenesis in the first egg maturation cycle, and that enhancement of oogenesis via these stimuli requires neither nutritional input from the fruit nor prior egg deposition.
Survival of Heleomyza borealis (Diptera, Heleomyzidae) larvae down to − 60°C
Authors: Worland M. Roger , Block W.I.lliam , Grubor‐Lajsic G.O.rdana 
Published: March 2003

Summary Heleomyza borealis Boh. (Diptera, Heleomyzidae) overwinters as larvae in Arctic habitats, where they may experience winter temperatures below − 15°C. The larvae freeze at c.− 7°C but in acclimation experiments 80% survived when exposed to − 60°C. Of the larvae exposed to between − 4 and − 15°C, only 3% pupated. However, when cooled to − 20°C this increased to 44%, with 4% emerging as adults. Larvae maintained at 5°C contained low levels of glycerol, sorbitol and trehalose, which did not increase with acclimation to low temperatures. However, levels of fructose increased from 6.1 μg mg−1 fw in control animals to 17 μg mg−1 fw when exposed to − 2°C for 1 week. Larval body water (2.2 ± 0.1 g/g dw, mean ± SD, n = 100) and lipid content (0.22 ± 0.002 g/g fw, mean ± SE) showed no significant change during acclimation to low temperatures. Larvae maintained at a constant 5°C survived for over 18 months with little loss of body mass (from 7.5 ± 1.2 to 7.0 ± 1.2 mg fw, mean ± SD, n = 20), but none pupated. Heleomyza borealis larvae appear to feed and grow until they reach a body mass of about 7.5 mg and then become dormant. They remain in this state until they experience a low temperature stimulus (< − 15°C) followed by a warm period (≈ 5°C). This ensures that the larvae pupate and adults emerge in early summer, allowing the maximum growing period before the following winter. Heleomyza borealis are adapted to survive long winters in a dormant larval state. They have a low metabolic rate, can conserve body water even at subzero temperatures but do not synthesize large quantities of cryoprotectants.