bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The KCl cotransporter, KCC2, is highly expressed in the vicinity of excitatory synapses in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Gulyás A. I. , Sík A. , Payne J. A. , Kaila K. , Freund T. F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractImmunocytochemical visualization of the neuron‐specific K+/Cl– cotransporter, KCC2, at the cellular and subcellular level revealed an area‐ and layer‐specific diffuse labelling, and a discrete staining outlining the somata and dendrites of some interneurons in all areas of the rat hippocampus. KCC2 was highly expressed in parvalbumin‐containing interneurons, as well as in subsets of calbindin, calretinin and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a‐immunoreactive interneurons. During the first 2 postnatal weeks, an increase of KCC2 staining was observed in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, correlating temporally with the arrival of entorhinal cortical inputs. Subcellular localization demonstrated KCC2 in the plasma membranes. Immunoreactivity in principal cells was responsible for the diffuse staining found in the neuropil. In these cells, KCC2 was detected primarily in dendritic spine heads, at the origin of spines and, at a much lower level on the somata and dendritic shafts. KCC2 expression was considerably higher in the somata and dendrites of interneurons, most notably of parvalbumin‐containing cells, as well as in the thorny excrescences of CA3 pyramidal cells and in the spines of spiny hilar and stratum lucidum interneurons. The data indicate that KCC2 is highly expressed in the vicinity of excitatory inputs in the hippocampus, perhaps in close association with extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. A high level of excitation is known to lead to a simultaneous net influx of Na+ and Cl–, as evidenced by dendritic swelling. KCC2 located in the same microenvironment may provide a Cl– extrusion mechanism to deal with both ion and water homeostasis in addition to its role in setting the driving force of Cl– currents involved in fast postsynaptic inhibition.
Oxidant stress induces gamma‐glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione synthesis in human bronchial epithelial NCI‐H292 cells
Authors: Ray S. , Watkins D. N. , Misso N. L. A. , Thompson P. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground The bronchial epithelium is exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from cigarette smoke, air pollutants and activated leucocytes. Glutathione (GSH) prevents ROS‐mediated loss of cell function, tissue injury and inflammation, and its synthesis is regulated by γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS). However, the capacity of bronchial epithelial cells to adapt to oxidative stress and the mechanisms involved are not known.Objective To investigate the effects of oxidative stress on the regulation of GSH synthesis in human bronchial epithelial (NCI‐H292) cells.Methods NCI‐H292 cells were exposed to menadione and intracellular GSH concentrations were measured by spectrophotometry. γ‐GCS activity was measured by HPLC assay and changes in γ‐GCS mRNA by Northern blotting.Results Exposure to menadione (MQ, 10–200 µm, 30–120 min) decreased total cellular GSH content, measured immediately after exposure to MQ. However, GSH content measured 6–12 h after withdrawal of the oxidant stress (MQ, 50 µm, 30 min), increased c. two fold over baseline levels (P < 0.001). γ‐GCS activity measured 6 h (21.7 ± 3.4 nmol/min/mg, SD, n = 5, P < 0.01) or 12 h (23.2 ± 4.6, P < 0.001) after MQ treatment was also significantly increased compared with untreated cells (12.8 ± 1.0). Similarly, γ‐GCS mRNA expression increased 1.3–1.6‐fold relative to GAPDH mRNA, 3–6 h after MQ treatment. The MQ‐induced increase in γ‐GCS mRNA expression was completely inhibited by actinomycin D.Conclusions Bronchial epithelial (NCI‐H292) cells respond rapidly and sensitively to oxidant stress, and this adaptive response is mediated by increased γ‐GCS mRNA transcription and enzyme activity.
Rhinovirus‐induced alterations on peripheral blood mononuclear cell phenotype and costimulatory molecule expression in normal and atopic asthmatic subjects
Authors: Papadopoulos N. G. , Stanciu L. A. , Papi A. , Holgate S. T. , Johnston S. L. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground Rhinovirus (RV) infection is the commonest trigger of acute asthma exacerbations; however, the immune response to these viruses and any potential implications in the mechanisms leading to asthma exacerbations are not well understood.Objective To assess the effects of in vitro RV infection on the phenotype and expression of costimulatory molecules on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal and atopic asthmatic subjects, as a model for RV antigen presentation.Methods PBMC from seven normal and seven asthmatic subjects were exposed to one infectious unit/cell of RV16 for 48 h. Surface expression of CD25, CD28, CD40, CD54, CD80, CD86 and CTLA‐4 was evaluated on CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14 and CD19 PBMC subpopulations by three‐colour flow cytometry.Results No changes in the percentage of CD3, CD4, CD8 or CD19 were observed. CD14 was significantly reduced by the infection and this was more pronounced in normal subjects. On Th cells CTLA‐4 was increased after RV infection only in the asthmatic group. Levels of CD80 and CD86 in the control cultures were lower in the asthmatic group. RV infection induced a significant increase of CD80 on monocytes and of CD86 on B cells, which occurred in both groups but were less marked in atopic asthmatic subjects.Conclusion Exposure of PBMC to RV is able to activate the antigen presentation machinery. Differences between normal and atopic asthmatic individuals are compatible with the hypothesis that an aberrant immune response to RV may be involved in the development of acute exacerbations in atopic asthmatic subjects.
Identification of a polymorphic microsatellite marker in the mouse Fas ligand gene
Authors: Lévi‐Strauss M. , Beauvais C. , Karray S. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe describe the characterization of a polymorphic microsatellite marker, located 1.8 kb downstream of exon 4 in the mouse Fas ligand gene. This (GT) repeat sequence allows the identification of four alleles which can very easily be distinguished by simple agarose electrophoresis.
Evidence and techniques in endometrial ablation: consensus
Authors: Garry Ray 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis consensus is drawn principally from the published data, complemented by the experience of the participants who attended a workshop in Middlesbrough, UK, 7–9 December 2000. The delegates at this meeting included most of those who had introduced and developed the various techniques to be investigated. We believe that ‘the relative value of the various intra‐uterine procedures designed to treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding will only be resolved with unbiased, properly designed randomised studies’.1
Agreement between troponin T levels from plain and heparinized tubes
Authors: Jones Peter G , McClelland Andy , McNeil Alan , Gamble Greg 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective:To determine whether there was a clinically significant effect on troponin T measurement when the sample was collected in a heparinized (plasma) blood collection tube compared with a serum tube.Methods:Prospective cohort study using a convenience sample of 198 patients with undifferentiated illness presenting to an Emergency Department who required troponin T measurement. Samples were collected in both plain (serum) tubes and plasma tubes for comparison. All samples were measured using an Elecsys 2010 Immunoassay system (Roche‐Boehringer Mannheim, Germany).Results:There were 35 troponin T measurements ≥ 0.03 µg/L (the limit of reproducibility of the test). The negative predictive value for troponin T performed in heparinized tubes compared with plain tubes was 100% (95% confidence interval 96.4–100) at the ≥ 0.03 µg/L level and 100% (95% confidence interval 97–100%) at the ≥ 0.1 µg/L level. At a cut‐off point for risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes (≥ 0.1 µg/L), there was 100% concordance between the two measurements for each sample.Conclusion:The use of plasma (heparinized) tubes for the collection of troponin T samples is unlikely to produce clinically significant false‐negative results compared with collection of troponin T samples in serum (plain) tubes.
STRETCHING DISTRICT NURSING SERVICES TO MEET RURAL NEEDS
Authors: Alford Katrina , O'Meara Angela 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: This article evaluates the adequacy of District Nursing Service (DNS) provision in the Goulburn Murray region in Victoria. It draws on a survey of the region’s DNS and communication with several community health agencies in response to problems identified by service providers. The results suggest that these rural health services face problems not experienced in urban areas. District nurses in rural areas have to travel far and wide to accommodate their clients and they put in extra unpaid hours if necessary. Their travel time, management and communication skills are not sufficiently recognised in the current funding formula. Although this includes some weighting for rurality, it is insufficient for District Nursing Services catering for smaller, more dispersed populations. Current and future demand pressures on home and community‐based nursing services highlight the importance of redressing this deficiency. Several issues raised in this article may reflect problems that are common in rural regions, including funding inadequacies, unpaid additional work, access and equity difficulties and boundary issues. As a result, recommendations to improve service delivery may have broader applicability.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION NEEDS OF RURAL AND REMOTE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS: HOW ARE THEY CHANGING?
Authors: Booth Barbara , Lawrance Richard 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) 1998 Rural Quality Assurance and Continuing Education (QA & CE) Needs Assessment Project was designed to generate sufficient data to inform strategic planning for rural and remote GPs participating in the College’s QA & CE Program. Results indicated that the demand for QA & CE activities has changed over the past 12 years. Three distinct streams of continuing education emerged, where once only one was researched. This reflected a move towards continuing professional development (CPD) rather than purely continuing medical education (CME). However, differences between the CME needs identified suggested that national data could not be reduced to the local level. Data on CME in which rural and remote GPs felt underserviced, proved more useful in relation to other workforce variables such as age, length of service and gender. A broad ‘rural set’ of CPD topics was established, and the survey yielded information on learning format preferences that will be of use to providers of QA & CE activities for rural GPs across Australia.
WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM AT A METROPOLITAN PAEDIATRIC HOSPITAL: ASSISTING RURAL AND METROPOLITAN ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS EXCHANGE CLINICAL SKILLS
Authors: Parkin Ann E. , McMahon Sandra , Upfield Nancy , Copley Jodie , Hollands Karen 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: The needs of rural allied health professionals (AHPs) have been widely documented. In particular, problems of professional isolation, lack of professional development opportunities and limited support systems have been highlighted as problems associated with working in rural and remote areas. This research aimed to provide rural and remote AHPs with an opportunity to gain experience in paediatric clinical areas of their choice, to provide rural/remote and metropolitan AHPs with an opportunity to share clinical knowledge and expertise, and to develop networks between rural/remote and metropolitan AHPs. A clinical experience program was developed to meet these aims. Twenty‐nine AHPs from rural and remote areas of Queensland participated in the program. Participants completed questionnaires at the end of clinical experience program and 4–8 weeks after the visit. A focus group was also conducted. Analyses found the program met the majority of participants goals and expectations. Enhanced clinical skills in specialist paediatric areas, increased networking and access to resources were reported by rural/remote AHPs as benefits of the program. The role of a clinical consultant was found to be critical to the success of the program.
Effect of Helicobacter pylori‐Induced Cyclooxygenase‐2 on Gastric Epithelial Cell Kinetics: Implication for Gastric Carcinogenesis
Authors: Wambura Casmir , Aoyama Nobuo , Shirasaka Daisuke , Sakai Toshiyuki , Ikemura Takahiro , Sakashita Masanori , Maekawa Shuji , Kuroda Kohei , Inoue Takashi , Ebara Shigeyuki , Miyamoto Masaki , Kasuga Masato 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground. Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 induced by Helicobacter pylori is thought to enhance gastric carcinogenesis by affecting the maintenance of epithelial homeostasis.Materials and Methods. Gastric biopsies from 160 subjects, 97 with nonulcer dyspepsia (47 H. pylori negative, 50 H. pylori positive) and 63 with gastric cancer were examined immunohistochemically for COX‐2 expression, cell proliferation and apoptotic indices.Results. COX‐2 expression in corpus was significantly higher in H. pylori positive than in negative non‐ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) (p < .05). Regardless of site, gastric cancer subjects had higher COX‐2 expression in both antrum and corpus compared with H. pylori negative and positive NUD (p < .005). Proliferation was higher in cancer and H. pylori positive than in negative NUD (p < .0001). Moreover, cancer had enhanced proliferation than H. pylori positive NUD in corpus greater (p = .0454) and antrum lesser (p = .0215) curvatures. Apoptosis was higher in H. pylori positive than in negative NUD (p < .05). However, both had a higher index than the cancer subjects (p < .0001). Apoptosis : proliferation ratio was higher in corpus of H. pylori negative than in positive NUD in greater (p = .0122) and lesser (p = .0009) curvatures. However, both had a higher A:P ratio than cancer cases (p = .0001). A negative correlation between COX‐2 expression and A:P ratio was found in corpus greater (r = –.176, p= .0437) and lesser (r = –.188, p= .0312) curvatures.Conclusion. The expression of COX‐2 is associated with disruption in gastric epithelial kinetics and hence may play a role in gastric carcinogenesis.
Involvement of chromatin structure in the regulation of mouse zygotic gene activation
Authors: CHO Tasuku , SAKAI Senkiti , NAGATA Masao , AOKI Fugaku 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTWe investigated the contribution of the global changes in chromatin structure to the mechanism regulating zygotic gene activation in mouse embryos by in vitro transcription assay and in situ DNase I sensitivity assay. Changes in the DNase I sensitivity and transcriptional activity were similar from the late 1‐cell to the late 2‐cell stage, but were not in the early 1‐cell stage. The DNase I sensitivity decreased at the late 1‐cell stage when compared with the sensitivity at the early 1‐cell stage. It increased at the early 2‐cell stage and then decreased at the late 2‐cell stage. Similarly, the transcriptional activity increased at the early 2‐cell stage when compared with the activity at the late 1‐cell stage, and then decreased at the late 2‐cell stage. The DNase I sensitivity was not decreased in embryos which were treated with aphidicolin, where the first round of DNA replication was inhibited. A similar result was observed in embryos when the second DNA replication was inhibited. These results suggested that the chromatin structure is one of the important factors regulating gene expression from the late 1‐cell stage and that DNA replication is an event responsible for the establishment of the repressive state in the chromatin structure. The inhibition of protein synthesis did not affect the DNase I sensitivity in the 1‐cell embryos, while it is known that protein synthesis is indispensable for gene activation. This result suggests that the protein synthesized after fertilization, but not the chromatin structure, is responsible for the initiation of the gene activation.
Effect of mate selection on fuzzy selective mating criteria in closed dairy multiple ovulation and embryo transfer nucleus programs
Authors: NAKAMURA Atsushi , TOGASHI Kenji , YAMAMOTO Naoyuki , NISHIURA Akiko 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTIn order to control rates of response and inbreeding, mate selection using fuzzy selective mating criteria (FMC) was investigated in adult multiple ovulation and embryo transfer nucleus schemes for dairy cattle. Stochastic simulation was used to model the closed nucleus scheme. This mate selection was examined in four alternative mating and male selection schemes: (i) a hierarchical scheme; (ii) a hierarchical sibship scheme (two males per sibship); (iii) a factorial scheme (two sires per dam); and (iv) a factorial sibship scheme (two males per sibship and two sires per dam). Genetic response and inbreeding rate tended to be reduced by increasing the trade‐off parameter of FMC between the expected breeding value and inbreeding of progeny. Inbreeding rates in all schemes were reduced by reducing the variance of family size through selection and the average coancestry of mating pairs through mate allocation.
Immunohistochemical detection of cellular prion protein (PrPc) in the rat central nervous system
Authors: NAKAMURA Fumio , SEKI Iwao , KOBAYASHI Ken , TANAKA Masakazu , FUKUNAGA Shigeharu 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTA simple conventional method of immunohistochemistry (i.e. fixing the frozen sections in cold methanol) was used to determine the immunolocalization of cellular prion protein (PrPc), with good results. In the rat cerebrum, the cytoplasm of neural cells in the cortex and corpus stratum, pia mater, membrane limitans gliae superficialis, choroid plexus and blood vessel wall were immunostained. The formation of network structures of immunostained neural and/or glial fibers in the cerebral cortex was also observed. These immunostained network structures of neural and/or glial fibers were also observed in cultured neural cells. The results suggest that fixation of frozen sections and cultured cells with cold methanol is a useful method for detecting the immunolocalization of PrPc and that PrPc exists in the various components of the central nervous system of the rat.
Responses of gas exchange and growth in Merkus pine seedlings to expected climatic changes in Thailand
Authors: Koskela Jarkko 
Published: March 2003

AbstractResponses of gas exchange and growth in Merkus pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh. et de Vriese) seedlings to changing climate were analysed for high‐ and low‐altitude sites in Thailand. A gas exchange model, based on the optimality approach, derived the effect of drought from the probability of rains. A carbon‐and nitrogen‐balance growth model applied structural regularities of a tree and a modification of functional balance between foliage and fine roots as growth‐ guiding rules. Adaptation to local climates was incorporated in the models.   The simulations yielded physiologically reasonable behaviour for annual photosynthesis (A) and transpiration (E) in relation to the distributions of precipitation over the course of a year. An annual temperature increase of 2 °C and a prolonged dry season (scenario 2) reduced A by 5–11% and E by 5–8% as compared to present climate (scenario 1). Doubled CO2 concentration and the increased temperature (scenario 3) enhanced A by 56–59% and E by 14%. Simultaneously these changes (scenario 4) increased A by 41–53% and E by 1–5%. Simulated growth in scenario 1 fitted reasonably well to field data. By the age of five years, simulated total biomass (TB) and height (h) were reduced by 31–67% and 12–42%, respectively, in scenario 2 compared to scenario 1. In scenario 3, TB and h increased by 279–330% and 94–191%, and in scenario 4, by 83–241% and 55–69%, respectively. Large increases in TB and h are explained by the exponential growth phase of the young seedlings. These results suggest that climatic changes enhance growth and thus shorten the duration of the grass stage in these seedlings. However, the effects of climatic changes on growth depend strongly on how rainfall seasonality is altered in SE Asia because prolonged drought episodes may retard the fertilizing effects of the increasing CO2 concentration.
Modelling the interannual variability of net ecosystem CO2 exchange at a subarctic sedge fen
Authors: Griffis Timothy J. , Rouse Wayne R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis paper presents an empirical model of net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) developed for a subarctic fen near Churchill, Manitoba. The model with observed data helps explain the interannual variability in growing season NEE. Five years of tower‐flux data are used to test and examine the seasonal behaviour of the model simulations. Processes controlling the observed interannual variability of CO2 exchange at the fen are examined by exploring the sensitivity of the model to changes in air temperature, precipitation and leaf area index. Results indicate that the sensitivity of NEE to changing environmental controls is complex and varies interannually depending on the initial conditions of the wetland. Changes in air temperature and the timing of precipitation events have a strong influence on NEE, which is largely manifest in gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP). Climate change scenarios indicate that warmer air temperatures will increase carbon acquisition during wet years but may act to reduce wetland carbon storage in years that experience a large water deficit early in the growing season. Model simulations for this subarctic sedge fen indicate that carbon acquisition is greatest during wet and warm conditions. This suggests therefore that carbon accumulation was greatest at this subarctic fen during its early developmental stages when hydroclimatic conditions were relatively wet and warm at approximately 2500 years before present.
Polyanionic stretch‐deleted histone chaperone cia1/Asf1p is functional both in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Umehara Takashi , Chimura Takahiko , Ichikawa Natsuko , Horikoshi Masami 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: CIA, an interactor of the CCG1 histone acetyltransferase subunit of TFIID, was identified as a human histone chaperone. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae orthologue ASF1, when it was over‐expressed, was reported to cause de‐repression of silent loci; however, the involvement of Asf1p in the alteration of nucleosomal structures remained unknown. Curiously, there is a polyanionic stretch, a structural motif characteristic of histone chaperones, in S. cerevisiae Asf1p, but not in human CIA. We investigated how CIA/Asf1p utilizes its domain(s) for the alteration of nucleosomal structure.Results: To characterize the relationships between the domain structures and nuclear functions of CIA, we isolated the gene for the CIA counterpart in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, designated cia1+, whose putative product contains a polyanionic stretch. Gene disruption of cia1+ was lethal, which is the distinct phenotype of viable S. cerevisiae asf1. The cia1− lethality was rescued by the introduction of S. cerevisiae ASF1, but not by the introduction of human CIA cDNA. To our surprise, the construct that produces Asf1p, lacking the polyanionic stretch, is capable of rescuing the lethality caused by the cia1+ deletion, while the highly conserved N‐terminal region of Asf1p is essential for the complementation of cia1− growth defects. The polyanionic stretch‐deleted Asf1p is sufficient both for interaction with histones H3/H4 and for nucleosome assembly in vitro, as well as for telomeric de‐repression in vivo.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the areas responsible for both the conserved and species‐specific functions of CIA/cia1/Asf1p are within their highly conserved regions and that the yeast‐specific polyanionic stretch of cia1/Asf1p is not necessary for viability, histone binding, nucleosome assembly, or anti‐silencing.