bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Precursor cDNA in the Old World Mole‐Rat Cryptomys Hottentotus Pretoriae: High Degree of Identity with the New World Guinea Pig Sequence
Authors: Kalamatianos T. , Du Toit L. , Hrabovszky E. , Kalló I. , Marsh P. J. , Bennett N. C. , Coen C. W. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractRegulation of pituitary gonadotrophins by the decapeptide gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) is crucial for the development and maintenance of reproductive functions. A common amino acid sequence for this decapeptide, designated as ‘mammalian’ GnRH, has been identified in all mammals thus far investigated with the exception of the guinea pig, in which there are two amino acid substitutions. Among hystricognath rodents, the members of the family Bathyergidae regulate reproduction in response to diverse cues. Thus, highveld mole‐rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) are social bathyergids in which breeding is restricted to a particular season in the dominant female, but continuously suppressed in subordinate colony members. Elucidation of reproductive control in these animals will be facilitated by characterization of their GnRH1 gene. A partial sequence of GnRH1 precursor cDNA was isolated and characterized. Comparative analysis revealed the highest degree of identity (86%) to guinea pig GnRH1 precursor mRNA. Nevertheless, the deduced amino acid sequence of the mole‐rat decapeptide is identical to the ‘mammalian’ sequence rather than that of guinea pigs. Successful detection of GnRH1‐synthesizing neurones using either a guinea pig GnRH1 riboprobe or an antibody against the ‘mammalian’ decapeptide is consistent with the guinea pig‐like sequence for the precursor and the classic ‘mammalian’ form for the decapeptide. The high degree of identity in the GnRH1 precursor sequence between this Old World mole‐rat and the New World guinea pig is consistent with the theory that caviomorphs and phiomorphs originated from a common ancestral line in the Palaeocene to mid Eocene, some 63–45 million years ago.
Pilot study of the safety and efficacy of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) for treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis
Authors: Baumann Leslie , Slezinger Anele , Halem Monica , Vujevich Justin , Martin Lucy K. , Black Laura , Bryde Joy 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  Botulinum toxin type B (BTX‐B, Myobloc™, San Francisco, CA, USA) was FDA‐approved for the treatment of cervical dystonia in December 2000. It has since been used off‐label for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. However, there are sparse data in the medical literature evaluating the safety and efficacy of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) for this indication.Objective  To assess the safety, efficacy and duration of action of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) in the treatment of bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis.Methods  This study was a double‐blinded, randomized, pilot study conducted in an outpatient office setting at a private academic medical center beginning in November 2001. Twenty‐three male and female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 80 were screened for participation; 20 participants with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were enrolled. Participants were injected subcutaneously with either Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) (2500 U, or 0.5 ml, per axilla) or 0.5 ml vehicle (100 mM NaCl, 10 mM succinate, and 0.5 mg/ml human albumin) into bilateral axillae. Participants who received placebo were rolled over and received Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) at subsequent visits. All participants were followed until sweating returned to baseline levels. This trial was initially conceived as a placebo‐controlled study; however, owing to the insufficient size of the placebo group, the placebo arm of this trial was dropped during data analysis. The main outcome measures were safety, efficacy, and duration of effect.Results  According to participant assessment of axillary hyperhidrosis improvement (A‐HI) and quality of life (A‐HQOL) scores and the physician assessment scores, a significant difference was observed in treatment response at Day 30 in the participants receiving Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) injections. Duration of action ranged from 2.2 to 8.1 months (mean 5.0 months). The adverse event profile included bruising, flu‐like symptoms, and dry eyes.Conclusion  Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B) proved to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis. More studies are needed to assess the duration of response using different doses of Myobloc™ (botulinum toxin type B).
Lifestyle of Nordic people with psoriasis
Authors: Davidsson Steingrimur , Blomqvist Kirsti , Molin Lars , Mørk Cato , Sigurgeirsson Bardur , Zachariae Hugh , Zachariae Robert 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAim  The Nordic Quality of Life Study was undertaken to assess the relationship between psoriasis and the quality of life in Nordic countries. The intention was also to determine whether there was a relationship between drinking, smoking, and the use of psychotherapeutic agents on the one hand, and psoriasis severity and quality of life on the other.Materials and methods  A questionnaire was mailed to 11,300 members of the Nordic Psoriasis Associations. Additional psoriasis patients were recruited by dermatologists (387) or admitted to dermatologic wards (385). These patients also underwent a physical examination, and their Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was determined. The questionnaire included the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI), Psoriasis Life Stress Inventory (PLSI), and additional questions on disease severity, treatment, and psoriasis arthritis. It also included questions regarding lifestyle issues, such as smoking, alcohol use, and the use of tranquilizers, antidepressants, and sleeping medications.Results  The response rate for members was 50.2%. Included in the evaluation were 6497 patients. Men drank significantly more beer and liquor than women. The number of beers per day had a weak correlation with the PDI. Wine consumption, however, showed a weak, but significant, negative correlation with both PDI and PLSI. Patients admitted to dermatologic wards smoked more cigarettes and drank less wine than the other two groups. Significant differences were found between countries with regard to total alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. The number of cigarettes and the use of tranquilizers, sleeping medications, and antidepressants showed small, but significant, positive correlations with psoriasis quality of life measures.Conclusions  Cigarette smoking and the use of tranquilizers, sleeping medications, and antidepressants are statistically correlated with impaired psoriasis‐related quality of life.
Effect on quality of life in patients with pityriasis rosea: Is it associated with rash severity?
Authors: Chuh Antonio A. T. , Chan Henry H. L. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  It is unknown how the quality of life (QOL) is affected in patients with pityriasis rosea (PR), and whether it is related to rash severity.Methods  We constructed a valid and reliable Cantonese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). We recruited patients with PR, with atopic dermatitis and with acne vulgaris, and controls of the same sex and comparable age. We applied the DLQI and the Pityriasis Rosea Severity Score (PRSS) to the patients with PR, the DLQI and the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) to the controls with atopic dermatitis, and the DLQI and the Leeds Acne Grading System (LAGS) to the controls with acne vulgaris.Results  Total DLQI scores of the 22 patients with PR (mean: 6.36, SD: 5.79) were significantly lower than those of the 22 controls with atopic dermatitis (mean: 12.00, SD: 5.38) (P = 0.021), but were insignificantly different from those of the 22 controls with acne vulgaris (mean: 6.86, SD: 4.53) (P = 0.57). Correlation between the total DLQI and PRSS scores was weak (γs = +0.19) and insignificant (P = 0.40). All six DLQI parameters were insignificantly correlated with the PRSS scores.In contrast, the total DLQI scores and most of the DLQI parameters were strongly correlated with the rash severity scores for the control subjects. Significantly more patients with PR have concerns regarding disease etiology and infectivity.Conclusions  The QOL of the patients with PR was significantly less affected than that for the patients with atopic dermatitis, but was insignificantly different from the patients with acne vulgaris. Unlike atopic dermatitis and acne vulgaris, the effects on the QOL in PR are insignificantly correlated with rash severity. These results bear important implications on clinical management.
Tectonic control on development of a Frasnian–Famennian (Late Devonian) palaeokarst surface, Canning Basin reef complexes, northwestern Australia
Authors: CHOW N. , GEORGE A. D. , TRINAJSTIC K. M. 
Published: May 2005

The Frasnian–Famennian boundary in the Canning Basin has long been associated with a shelf‐wide, short‐lived fall in relative sea‐level. A near‐planar palaeokarst surface, separating Frasnian proximal forereef and Famennian backreef facies, locally marks the boundary in the northwestern Lennard Shelf (Chedda Cliffs area, northern Napier Range). Surface and subsurface relationships between the Frasnian and Famennian strata suggest that a major episode of normal faulting and associated tilting in the latest Frasnian uplifted the platform margin to subaerially expose and erode all of the margin and uppermost forereef facies. Tectonic control on the development of this Frasnian–Famennian palaeokarst surface questions the interpretation of a simple, shelf‐wide eustatically driven relative sea‐level fall. Instead, a tectonic event affecting the northwestern Lennard Shelf, coupled with widespread recognition of a reduction in carbonate production at or very near the Frasnian–Famennian boundary elsewhere on the shelf, supports earlier interpretations of a major phase of basin‐margin uplift related to extension along basin‐bounding faults.
Effects of cocaine‐induced behavioural sensitization on GABA transmission within rat medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Jayaram Prathiba , Steketee Jeffery D. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractStudies support the involvement of mPFC dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems in the development of cocaine sensitization. GABA is known to modulate dopamine and glutamatergic systems in the mPFC. In addition, recent reports have suggested that cocaine sensitization might be associated with a decrease in GABAB receptor responsiveness in the mPFC. Hence, in vivo microdialysis of the mPFC was performed to examine the effects on extracellular GABA levels within the mPFC of a cocaine challenge subsequent to repeated cocaine administration. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were given four daily injections of saline (1.0 mL/kg, i.p.) or cocaine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) and challenged with the same dose of saline or cocaine 1, 7 or 28 days later. Acute cocaine produced a motor‐stimulant response that was significantly augmented in repeated cocaine animals at all withdrawal time points. Moreover, sensitized animals exhibited a significant increase in extracellular GABA levels after 1 and 7 days but not 28 days following repeated cocaine exposure. These data suggest that cocaine‐induced sensitization is associated with a transient increase in mPFC GABA transmission.
A semaphorin code defines subpopulations of spinal motor neurons during mouse development
Authors: Cohen Samia , Funkelstein Lydiane , Livet Jean , Rougon Geneviève , Henderson Christopher E. , Castellani Valerie , Mann Fanny 
Published: May 2005

AbstractIn the spinal cord, motor neurons (MNs) with similar muscle targets and sensory inputs are grouped together into motor pools. To date, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control the establishment of pool‐specific circuitry. Semaphorins, a large family of secreted and cell surface proteins, are important mediators of developmental processes such as axon guidance and cell migration. Here, we used mRNA in situ hybridization to study the expression patterns of semaphorins and their receptors, neuropilins and plexins, in the embryonic mouse spinal cord. Our data show that semaphorins and their receptors are differentially expressed in MNs that lie in distinct locations within the spinal cord. Furthermore, we report a combinatorial expression of class 3 (secreted) semaphorins and their receptors that characterizes distinct motor pools within the brachial and lumbar spinal cord. Finally, we found that a secreted semaphorin, Sema3A, elicits differential collapse responses in topologically distinct subpopulations of spinal MNs. These findings lead us to propose that semaphorins and their receptors might play important roles in the sorting of motor pools and the patterning of their afferent and efferent projections.
Striatal expression of GDNF and differential vulnerability of midbrain dopaminergic cells
Authors: Barroso‐Chinea Pedro , Cruz‐Muros Ignacio , Aymerich María S. , Rodríguez‐Díaz Manuel , Afonso‐Oramas Domingo , Lanciego José L. , González‐Hernández Tomás 
Published: May 2005

AbstractGlial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a member of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily that when exogenously administrated exerts a potent trophic action on dopaminergic (DA) cells. Although we know a lot about its signalling mechanisms and pharmacological effects, physiological actions of GDNF on the adult brain remain unclear. Here, we have used morphological and molecular techniques, and an experimental model of Parkinson's disease in rats, to investigate whether GDNF constitutively expressed in the adult mesostriatal system plays a neuroprotective role on midbrain DA cells. We found that although all midbrain DA cells express both receptor components of GDNF (GFRα1 and Ret), those in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and rostromedial substantia nigra (SNrm) also contain GDNF but not GDNFmRNA. The levels of GDNFmRNA are significantly higher in the ventral striatum (vSt), the target region of VTA and SNrm cells, than in the dorsal striatum (dSt), the target region of DA cells in the caudoventral substantia nigra (SNcv). After fluoro‐gold injection in striatum, VTA and SNrm DA cells show triple labelling for tyrosine hydroxylase, GDNF and fluoro‐gold, and after colchicine injection in the lateral ventricle, they become GDNF‐immunonegative, suggesting that GDNF in DA somata comes from their striatal target. As DA cells in VTA and SNrm are more resistant than those in SNcv to intracerebroventricular injection of 6‐OHDA, as occurs in Parkinson's disease, we can suggest that the fact that they project to vSt, where GDNF expression is significantly higher than in the dSt, is a neuroprotective factor involved in the differential vulnerability of midbrain DA neurons.
Blockade of melanocortin transmission inhibits cocaine reward
Authors: Hsu Richard , Taylor Jane R. , Newton Samuel S. , Alvaro John D. , Haile Colin , Han G. , Hruby Victor J. , Nestler Eric J. , Duman Ronald S. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractMelanocortins and the melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4‐R) are enriched in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region that has been implicated in the rewarding action of cocaine and other drugs of abuse. In the present study we use a number of rat behavioral models to show that infusion of a melanocortin peptide antagonist into the nucleus accumbens blocks the reinforcing, incentive motivational, and locomotor sensitizing effects of cocaine. We also show that locomotor responses to repeated cocaine exposure are completely blocked in MC4‐R null mutant mice and reduced in Agouti mice that overexpress an endogenous inhibitor of melanocortins in the brain. The results also demonstrate that cocaine administration increases the expression of MC4‐R in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, and that MC4‐R is co‐localized with prodynorphin in medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Together, these findings indicate that the behavioral actions of cocaine are dependent on activation of MC4‐R, and suggest that upregulation of this receptor by drug exposure may contribute to sensitization of these behavioral responses. Modulation of cocaine reward is a novel action of the melanocortin–MC4‐R system and could be targeted for the development of new medications for cocaine addiction.
Crown architecture in sun and shade environments: assessing function and trade‐offs with a three‐dimensional simulation model
Authors: Pearcy Robert W. , Muraoka Hiroyuki , Valladares Fernando 
Published: May 2005

SummarySun and shade environments place markedly different constraints on the photosynthetic performance of plants. Leaf‐level photosynthetic responses to sun and shade have been extensively investigated, whereas there has been much less research on the functional role of crown architecture in these environments. This paper focuses on the role of architecture in maximizing light capture and photosynthesis in shaded understories and in minimizing exposure to excess radiation in open high light environments. Understanding these contrasting roles of architecture is facilitated by application of a three‐dimensional structural–functional model, Y‐plant. Surveys of understory plants reveal a diversity of architectures but a strong convergence at only modest light‐capture efficiencies because of significant self‐shading. Simulations with Psychotria species revealed that increasing internode lengths would increase light‐capture efficiencies and whole plant carbon gain. However, the costs of the additional required biomechanical support was high, which, in terms of relative growth rates, would override the advantage provided by higher light‐capture efficiencies. In high light environments, leaf angles and self‐shading provide structural photoprotection, minimizing potential damage from photoinhbition. Simulations reveal that without these structural protections photoinhibition of photosynthesis is likely to be much greater with daily carbon gain significantly reduced.
Judging Fund Managers by the Company They Keep
Authors: COHEN RANDOLPH B. , COVAL JOSHUA D. , PÁSTOR ĽUBOŠ 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTWe develop a performance evaluation approach in which a fund manager's skill is judged by the extent to which the manager's investment decisions resemble the decisions of managers with distinguished performance records. The proposed performance measures use historical returns and holdings of many funds to evaluate the performance of a single fund. Simulations demonstrate that our measures are particularly useful in ranking managers. In an application that relies on such ranking, our measures reveal strong predictability in the returns of U.S. equity funds. Our measures provide information about future fund returns that is not contained in the standard measures.
The Theory of Bank Risk Taking and Competition Revisited
Authors: BOYD JOHN H. , DE NICOLÓ GIANNI 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTThere is a large body of literature that concludes that—when confronted with increased competition—banks rationally choose more risky portfolios. We argue that this literature has had a significant influence on regulators and central bankers. We review the empirical literature and conclude that the evidence is best described as “mixed.” We then show that existing theoretical analyses of this topic are fragile, since there exist fundamental risk‐incentive mechanisms that operate in exactly the opposite direction, causing banks to become more risky as their markets become more concentrated. These mechanisms should be essential ingredients of models of bank competition.
To Steal or Not to Steal: Firm Attributes, Legal Environment, and Valuation
Authors: DURNEV ART , KIM E. HAN 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTData on corporate governance and disclosure practices reveal wide within‐country variation that decreases with the strength of investors' legal protection. A simple model identifies three firm attributes related to that variation: investment opportunities, external financing, and ownership structure. Using firm‐level governance and transparency data from 27 countries, we find that all three firm attributes are related to the quality of governance and disclosure practices, and firms with higher governance and transparency rankings are valued higher in stock markets. All relations are stronger in less investor‐friendly countries, demonstrating that firms adapt to poor legal environments to establish efficient governance practices.
Optimal Maximum Tracking Rate of Dual‐Chamber Pacemakers Required by Children and Young Adults for a Maximal Cardiorespiratory Performance
Authors: MATHONY U. , SCHMIDT HENDRIK , GRÖGER C. , FRANCIS DARREL P. , KONZAG I. , MÜLLER‐WERDAN URSULA , WERDAN KARL , SYSKA JOACHIM 
Published: May 2005

Introduction: Children and young adults require a higher maximum tracking rate (MTR) for physical activity. The objective of the present study was to observe whether higher MTR of 170 or 190 beats per minute (bpm) have a positive impact on the maximal cardiorespiratory capacity of children and young adults in comparison with a lower MTR of 140 bpm.
Methods: Fifteen patients with atrioventricular block and normal sinus‐node chronotropic function (age 7–24 years) with DDD‐ (14) or VDD‐pacemakers (PM) (1) were enrolled. First, the MTR was adjusted to 140 bpm for 6 weeks and elevated in a second step to 170 or 190 bpm. At the end of each period two cardiopulmonary exercise tests, a 24‐hour ECG and a PM test were performed.
Results: All patients increased their maximal heart rate (139.0 ± 1.0 vs 177.0 ± 10.0 bpm, P < 0.001), peak cardiorespiratory capacity (2.4 ± 0.6 vs 2.8 ± 0.7 W/kg, P < 0.001), peak oxygen uptake (28.3 ± 7.0 vs 35.7 ± 9.5 mL/kg/min, P < 0.005), and oxygen uptake (23.7 ± 7.4 vs 29.3 ± 8.4 mL/kg/min, P < 0.02) at the anaerobic threshold. There were no evident heart rhythm disturbances with elevated MTR. Patients with a Wenckebach behavior of the PM had an attenuated increase of maximal cardiorespiratory performance.
Conclusion: Children and young adults with DDD‐/VDD‐PM benefit from an elevated MTR by an increased cardiorespiratory capacity, without having more heart rhythm disturbances. A Wenckebach behavior of the PM should be avoided.
Prevalence of Venous Anatomic Variants and Occlusion Among Patients Undergoing Implantation of Transvenous Leads
Authors: OGINOSAWA YASUSHI , ABE HARUHIKO , NAKASHIMA YASUHIDE 
Published: May 2005

Background: The implantation of transvenous leads may be prohibited by venous occlusion or anatomical variants. The prevalence of these conditions among patients undergoing transvenous pacing or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads implantation has not been systematically studied. This study examined the prevalence of venous anatomic variants and/or venous occlusion, and related risk factors, prior to lead implantation.
Method: The study included 273 consecutive patients scheduled for implantation of transvenous pacing or ICD leads. Before the procedure, the venous network of arms, neck, and thorax was evaluated by bilateral intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
Results: Complete venous occlusion associated with developed collateral circulation was observed in 12 patients (4.4%); at the site of the left innominate vein in 9, left subclavian vein in 2, and right subclavian vein in 1 patient. Of 12 patients with venous occlusion, 7 patients had a history of prior surgical procedure. A persistent left superior vena cava was observed in 1 patient (0.4%). The presence of abnormal findings on DSA was significantly higher on the left than the right side (P < 0.001). The cardio‐thoracic ratio (CTR) was significantly greater in patients with venous occlusions than patients with normal circulation (P = 0.012).
Conclusions: Asymptomatic venous abnormalities are not rare among patients requiring transvenous pacing lead implantation. Careful attention should be paid when implanting pacing or ICD leads from the left side, especially in patients with an increased CTR or history of prior insertion for central venous catheter.