bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glutamine synthetase enhances the clearance of extracellular glutamate by the neural retina
Authors: Shaked Iftach , Ben‐Dror Iris , Vardimon Lily 
Published: March 2003

AbstractClearance of synaptic glutamate by glial cells is required for the normal function of excitatory synapses and for prevention of neurotoxicity. Although the regulatory role of glial glutamate transporters in glutamate clearance is well established, little is known about the influence of glial glutamate metabolism on this process. This study examines whether glutamine synthetase (GS), a glial‐specific enzyme that amidates glutamate to glutamine, affects the uptake of glutamate. Retinal explants were incubated in the presence of [14C]glutamate and glutamate uptake was assessed by measurement of the amount of radioactively labeled molecules within the cells and the amount of [14C]glutamine released to the medium. An increase in GS expression in Müller glial cells, caused by induction of the endogenous gene, did not affect the amount of glutamate accumulated within the cells, but led to a dramatic increase in the amount of glutamine released. This increase, which was directly correlated with the level of GS expression, was dependent on the presence of external sodium ions, and could be completely abolished by methionine sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of GS activity. Our results demonstrate that GS activity significantly influences the uptake of glutamate by the neural retina and suggest that this enzyme may represent an important target for neuroprotective strategies.
Selective inhibition of Aβ42 production by NSAID R‐enantiomers
Authors: Morihara T. , Chu T. , Ubeda O. , Beech W. , Cole G. M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and selected NSAIDs racemates suppress β‐amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in vivo and Aβ42 production in vitro. Clinical use of NSAIDs for preventing or treating AD has been hampered by dose‐limiting toxicity believed to be due to cyclooxygenase (COX)‐inhibition that is reportedly not essential for selective Aβ42 reduction. Profens have racemates and R‐enantiomers were supposed to be inactive forms. Here we demonstrate that R‐ibuprofen and R‐flurbiprofen, with poor COX‐inhibiting activity, reduce Aβ42 production by human cells. Although these R‐enantiomers inhibit nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation and NF‐κB can selectively regulate Aβ42, Aβ42 reduction is not mediated by inhibition of NF‐κB activation. Because of its efficacy at lowering Aβ42 production and low toxicity profile, R‐flurbiprofen is a strong candidate for clinical development.
Transient rise in intracellular calcium produces a long‐lasting increase in plasma membrane calcium pump activity in rat sensory neurons
Authors: Pottorf William J. , Thayer Stanley A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase (PMCA) plays a major role in clearing Ca2+ from the neuronal cytoplasm. Calmodulin stimulates PMCA activity and for some isoforms this activation persists following clearance of Ca2+ owing to the slow dissociation of calmodulin. We tested the hypothesis that PMCA‐mediated Ca2+ efflux from rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture would remain stimulated following increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). PMCA‐mediated Ca2+ extrusion was recorded following brief trains of action potentials using indo‐1‐based photometry in the presence of cyclopiazonic acid. A priming stimulus that increased [Ca2+]i to 506 ± 28 nm (>15 min) increased the rate constant for [Ca2+]i recovery by 47 ± 3%. Ca2+ clearance from subsequent test stimuli remained accelerated for up to an hour despite removal of the priming stimulus and a return to basal [Ca2+]i. The acceleration depended on the magnitude and duration of the priming [Ca2+]i increase, but was independent of the source of Ca2+. Increases in [Ca2+]i evoked by prolonged depolarization, sustained trains of action potentials or activation of vanilloid receptors all accelerated Ca2+ efflux. We conclude that PMCA‐mediated Ca2+ efflux in DRG neurons is a dynamic process in which intense stimuli prime the pump for the next Ca2+ challenge.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in schizophrenia: a possible linkage to dopamine
Authors: Ben‐Shachar Dorit 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMitochondria are not only the principal source of high energy intermediates, but play an important role in intracellular calcium buffering, are main producers of reactive oxygen species, and are the source of pro‐ and antiapoptotic key factors. Moreover, the mitochondria are of a ubiquitous nature and the respiratory chain has a dual genetic basis, i.e. the mitochondrial and the nuclear DNAs. Thus mitochondrial impairment could provide an explanation for the tremendous heterogeneity of clinical and pathological manifestations in schizophrenia. This article reviews several independent lines of evidence that suggest an involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in schizophrenia. Among them are altered cerebral energy metabolism, mitochondrial hypoplasia, dysfunction of the oxidative phosphorylation system and altered mitochondrial related gene expression. In addition, the interaction between dopamine, a predominant etiological factor in schizophrenia, and mitochondrial respiration is considered as a possible mechanism underlying the hyper‐ and hypo‐activity cycling in schizophrenia. Understanding the role of mitochondria in schizophrenia may encourage novel treatment approaches, the identification of candidate genes and new insights into the pathophysiology and etiology of the disorder.
Disruption of neurogenesis by amyloid β‐peptide, and perturbed neural progenitor cell homeostasis, in models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Haughey Norman J. , Nath Avi , Chan Sic L. , Borchard A. C. , Rao Mahendra S. , Mattson Mark P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNeurogenesis occurs in the adult mammalian brain and may play roles in learning and memory processes and recovery from injury, suggesting that abnormalities in neural progenitor cells (NPC) might contribute to the pathogenesis of disorders of learning and memory in humans. The objectives of this study were to determine whether NPC proliferation, survival and neuronal differentiation are impaired in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to determine the effects of the pathogenic form of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) on the survival and neuronal differentiation of cultured NPC. The proliferation and survival of NPC in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was reduced in mice transgenic for a mutated form of amyloid precursor protein that causes early onset familial AD. Aβ impaired the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of cultured human and rodent NPC, and promoted apoptosis of neuron‐restricted NPC by a mechanism involving dysregulation of cellular calcium homeostasis and the activation of calpains and caspases. Adverse effects of Aβ on NPC may contribute to the depletion of neurons and cognitive impairment in AD.
Phosphorylation of cAMP response element‐binding protein in cultured striatal neurons by metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5
Authors: Mao Limin , Wang John Q. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) is densely expressed in striatal projection neurons. As a G protein‐coupled receptor, mGluR5 may initiate an intracellular cascade that conveys extracellular signals to gene expression. This study investigated the possible role of mGluR5 in the inducible phosphorylation of a nuclear transcription factor, cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB), in primary cultures of striatal neurons from rat E19 embryos or neonatal day‐1 pups. We found that selective activation of mGluR5 with a selective agonist (RS)‐2‐chloro‐5‐hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) induced a rapid and transient increase in phosphorylated CREB immunoreactivity in striatal neurons as analyzed by both immunocytochemistry and western blot. The increase in CREB phosphorylation was concentration‐dependent, and seen in neurochemically identified GABAergic neurons. Pre‐treatment with the mGluR5 antagonist 2‐methyl‐6‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP) blocked the CHPG phosphorylation of CREB. In contrast, the mGluR1 antagonist, 7‐(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen‐1a‐carboxylate ethyl ester (CPCCOet) did not alter CHPG‐stimulated CREB phosphorylation. The mGluR5 antisense oligonucleotides, but not their controls, selectively reduced basal mGluR5 levels as well as CREB phosphorylation in response to CHPG addition. Lastly, using an immediate early gene c‐fos as a reporter of inducible gene expression downstream to phosphorylated CREB, we found that CHPG induced a rapid and transient increase in c‐fos mRNA levels in cultured neurons as revealed by quantitative in situ hybridization. The increase in c‐fos was kinetically correlated well with the CREB phosphorylation and blocked by MPEP and the CREB antisense oligonucleotides. These results demonstrate a positive linkage from surface mGluR5 to CREB phosphorylation, which is able to facilitate immediate gene expression in striatal neurons.
Cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice exhibit markedly reduced voluntary alcohol consumption and lack alcohol‐induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Hungund Basalingappa L. , Szakall Istvan , Adam Agota , Basavarajappa Balapal S. , Vadasz Csaba 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying predisposition to alcohol abuse and alcoholism are poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the role of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in (i) voluntary alcohol consumption, and (ii) acute alcohol‐induced dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens, using mice that lack the CB1 receptor gene (CB1–/–). CB1–/– mice exhibited dramatically reduced voluntary alcohol consumption, and completely lacked alcohol‐induced DA release in the nucleus accumbens, as compared to wild‐type mice. The gender difference, with female mice consuming significantly more alcohol than wild‐type male mice, was observed in wild‐type mice, whereas this gender difference was nonexistent in CB1 mutant male and female mice. There was also a significant gender difference, with the wild‐type, heterozygous, and mutant females consuming significantly more liquid and food than wild‐type, heterozygous and mutant males. However, the total volume of fluid consumption and food intake did not differ between wild‐type, heterozygous, and mutant mice. These results strongly suggest that the CB1 receptor system plays an important role in regulating the positive reinforcing properties of alcohol.
Risk, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers – nursing staff knowledge and documentation
Authors: Gunningberg Lena , Lindholm Christina , Carlsson Marianne , Sjödén Per‐Olow 
Published: March 2003

Risk, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers – nursing staff knowledge and documentation The aims were to investigate (i) registered nurses’ and nursing assistants’ knowledge of risk, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcer before implementing a system for risk assessment and pressure ulcer classification for patients with hip fracture (ii) interventions documented in the patient’s records by registered nurses, and (iii) to what extent reported and documented interventions accord with the Swedish quality guidelines. Nursing staff (n=85) completed a questionnaire, and patient’s records (n=55) were audited retrospectively. The majority of the nursing staff reported that they performed risk assessment when caring for a patient with hip fracture. These risk assessments were, however, not comprehensive. The most frequently reported preventive interventions were repositioning, use of lotion, mattresses/overlays and cushions for the heels. These interventions were to some extent documented in the patient’s records. Nutritional support, reduction of shear and friction, hygiene and skin moisture, and patient’s education were reported to a small extent and not documented at all. The Swedish quality guidelines regarding prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers were not fully implemented in clinical practice. It was concluded that nursing staff’s knowledge and documentation of risk, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers for patients with hip fractures could be improved.
Opinions about district nurses prescribing
Authors: Wilhelmsson Susan , Ek Anna‐Christina , Åkerlind Ingemar 
Published: March 2003

Opinions about district nurses prescribing The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of district nurses (DNs) and general practitioners (GPs) about nurse prescribing in Sweden in order to elucidate similarities and differences, and relate different opinions to background and psychosocial working factors. In a questionnaire about psychosocial working conditions, seven statements about DNs prescribing were included. The questionnaire was sent to 554 DNs and 566 GPs with a participant rate of 83%. On all items as well as on the total score DNs rated more positively compared with GPs. Amongst the DNs a positive opinion was related to a traditional primary care organization, age < 50, good social support at work, and high workload. A positive opinion amongst GPs was associated with working in a traditional primary care organization, being male GP, and a good social support at work. In a multiple regression analysis, occupation and organization were independently associated with the total score. The result shows a strong professional solidarity amongst GPs and seems to be based on concern about the profession rather than patient care.
Asthma nurse practice improves outcomes and reduces costs in primary health care
Authors: Lindberg Malou , Ahlner Johan , Ekström Tommy , Jonsson Dick , Möller Margareta 
Published: March 2003

Asthma nurse practice improves outcomes and reduces costs in primary health care Objective. The aim of this study was to elucidate the care of patients with asthma in primary health care from medical, patient self‐management, health, quality of live, and health economic perspectives. Methods. Asthma nurse practice (ANP), an alternative asthma self‐management strategy, was compared with traditional asthma care in primary health care in southern Sweden regarding medical history, lifestyle, self‐management, symptoms caused by asthma, effects on sick leave, state of health, quality of life and health care costs. The first part of the investigation comprised a retrospective study of a randomly selected sample of patient records of asthmatics (n=152). The second part, lasting 3 months, was prospective and included consecutive patients visits (n=347). Results. The ANP approach showed better results in most of the evaluated outcomes such as asthma quality documentation and self‐management and the number of asthma symptoms was significantly lower. From a health economic perspective the results were encouraging with respect to ANP. Conclusion. This alternative asthma strategy, ANP, improved asthma care in primary health care and resulted in economic advantages in the health care sector. However the result may only be generalized to other practices working with asthma nurses in the same way.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci from the Southeast Asian cyprinid, Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker)
Authors: Kamonrat W. , McConnell S. K. J. , Cook D. I. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe cyprinid Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker) is a commercially important fish in both capture fisheries and aquaculture in Southeast Asia. Five polymorphic microsatellite loci from B. gonionotus are described. Four are highly variable, with 9–30 alleles observed per locus in four populations sampled from Thailand (HO = 0.694–0.808). These will be of use in studies of population genetic structure and in pedigree analyses.
Isolation of 44 polymorphic microsatellite loci in three host races of the phytopathogenic fungus Microbotryum violaceum
Authors: Giraud T. , Fournier E. , Vautrin D. , Solignac M. , Shykoff J. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report the development of 44 microsatellite markers in three host races of the fungus Microbotryum violaceum, a sexually transmitted disease of the Caryophyllaceae. An enrichment protocol was used to isolate microsatellite loci from three strains, collected, respectively, from the plant species Gypsophila repens, Dianthus sylvestris, and Silene vulgaris. Polymorphism and cross‐amplification were explored with 32 isolates of M. violaceum, collected on 12 different plant species in natural populations.
Microsatellite loci for fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)
Authors: Ardren W. R. , Miller L. M. , Kime J. A. , Kvitrud M. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe describe the cloning and characterization of seven microsatellite loci (six dinucleotide and one tetranucleotide) from fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). In a sample of 48 fish from a captive population, polymorphism at these loci ranged from 4 to 11 alleles with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.59 to 0.82. These loci will be extremely useful to researchers currently studying the ecotoxicology, behaviour and population genetics of this species.
Microsatellite DNA loci for Western Hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg]
Authors: Amarasinghe Vindhya , Brown Garth R. , Mank Judith E. , Carlson John E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPolymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for Western Hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg], a prominent forest tree species in Western North America. Microsatellite‐enriched libraries were screened for (CA)n dinucleotide repeats from which 33 positive clones were sequenced. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for 16 microsatellite loci were prepared and tested against DNA from unrelated Western Hemlock trees. The 12 most informative microsatellite loci are reported here. From four to 22 alleles per locus were observed, with an average expected heterozygousity of 0.799.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Galápagos caterpillar hunters (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Calosoma)
Authors: Dhuyvetter Hilde , Gaublomme Eva , Verdyck Peter , Desender Konjev , Mondor‐Genson Guenaelle , Rasplus Jean‐Yves 
Published: March 2003

AbstractFive microsatellite loci were isolated from the Galápagos caterpillar hunter Calosoma granatense. Polymorphism ranges from four to 14 alleles, and observed and expected heterozygosities range from 0.138 to 0.889 and 0.197–0.902, respectively. Cross‐amplification of the developed primers was successful in the related species C. leleuporum.
Seventeen new exon‐primed intron‐crossing polymerase chain reaction amplifiable introns in fish
Authors: Hassan M. , Lemaire C. , Fauvelot C. , Bonhomme F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe used exon‐primed, intron‐crossing polymerase chain reaction (EPIC‐PCR) amplification to assay variation in nuclear loci in some teleost fishes (Carangidae, Centropomidae, Chaetodontidae, Clupeidae, Holocentridae, Moronidae, Mullidae, Pomacentridae, Scombridae, Siganidae). We designed primers in the conserved regions flanking splice sites of consecutive exons of different genes, allowing the amplification of 17 putative introns. Among the satisfactory amplified systems, 14 showed length polymorphism with 2–14 alleles.
A new oligonucleotide probe for the giant panda
Authors: Fang Sheng‐Guo , Wan Qiu‐Hong , Fujihara Noboru 
Published: March 2003

AbstractQuantifying genetic diversity in populations is one of the fundamental measures for species conservation. This is far more important for critically endangered species like giant pandas, where there are few individuals remaining in the population. However, previous multilocus probes could not identify homozygous loci resulting from inbreeding of giant pandas, and produced few polymorphic loci. As a result, we have prepared a new oligonucleotide probe, which had the highest paternity probability and succeeded in identifying the homozygous loci and in discriminating giant panda individuals.
Microsatellite markers for the intertidal kelp Postelsia palmaeformis (Heterokontophyta; Laminariales)
Authors: Whitmer A. C. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Postelsia palmaeformis (Ruprecht) is an intertidal brown alga belonging to the ecologically and economically important group of seaweeds commonly referred to as kelp (Order Laminariales). Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified for this monotypic genus. The number of alleles ranged from two to five, with observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.00 to 0.704.
Development of microsatellite markers in the green algae Enteromorpha intestinalis (Chlorophyta)
Authors: Alström‐Rapaport C. , Leskinen E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe fouling green algae Enteromorpha intestinalis is a cosmopolitan benthic species, which causes green tides in many coastal areas and is used as an indicator species for eutrophication in the Baltic Sea area. The life cycle of E. intestinalis alternates between two morphologically identical reproductive stages, a haploid gametophyte phase and a diploid sporophyte phase. However, it also reproduces through asexual propagation. The reproductive cycles of E. intestinalis in the Baltic Sea and elsewhere are largely unknown. Here we report five polymorphic microsatellite markers developed from enriched genomic libraries. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 25.
More polymorphic microsatellite markers in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)
Authors: Ciftci Y. , Castilho R. , Mcandrew B. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe provide details of five microsatellite loci screened in 163 individual sea bass. Large numbers of alleles were observed at three loci (20–25) and heterozygosities ranged from 0.52 to 0.86. These loci should prove useful for population genetic studies and for the pedigree analysis and genetic management of this species in aquaculture.
Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for the tropical tree pathogen Botryosphaeria rhodina
Authors: Burgess T. , Wingfield M. J. , Wingfield B. D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNineteen simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed for the pathogen and blue stain fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina. Eight pairs were found to be polymorphic among isolates collected from Pinus spp., whereas a further five pairs were polymorphic when isolates from Pinus spp. were compared with those from Eucalyptus spp. Nine isolates of B. rhodina collected from pines and eucalypts in South Africa, Mexico and Indonesia were used to demonstrate the range of the markers. Testing the markers yielded preliminary evidence that relationships among isolates are more closely linked to host than to geographical origin.