bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Countercurrent compartmental models describe hind limb skeletal muscle helium kinetics at resting and low blood flows in sheep
Authors: Doolette D. J. , Upton R. N. , Grant C. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAims:  This study evaluated the relative importance of perfusion and diffusion mechanisms in compartmental models of blood : tissue helium exchange in a predominantly skeletal muscle tissue bed in the sheep hind limb. Helium has different physiochemical properties from previously studied gases and is a common diluent gas in underwater diving where decompression schedules are based on theoretical models of inert gas kinetics.Methods:  Helium kinetics across skeletal muscle were determined during and after 20 min of helium inhalation, at separate resting and low steady‐states of femoral vein blood flow in six sheep under isoflurane anaesthesia. Helium concentrations in arterial and femoral vein blood were determined using gas chromatographic analysis and femoral vein blood flow was monitored continuously. Parameters and model selection criteria of various perfusion‐limited or perfusion‐diffusion compartmental models of skeletal muscle were estimated by simultaneous fitting of the models to the femoral vein helium concentrations for both blood flow states.Results:  A model comprising two parallel perfusion‐limited compartment models fitted the data well but required a 51‐fold difference in relative compartment perfusion that did not seem physiologically plausible. Models that allowed a countercurrent diffusion exchange of helium between arterial and venous vessels outside of the tissue compartments provided better overall fit of the data and credible parameter estimates.Conclusions:  These results suggest a role of arterial–venous diffusion in blood : tissue helium equilibration in skeletal muscle.
Accuracy of central venous pressure monitoring during simultaneous continuous infusion through the same catheter
Authors: Ho A. M.‐H. , Dion P. W. , Karmakar M. K. , Jenkins C. R. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryContinuous central pressure monitoring and simultaneous continuous infusion via the same central venous catheter are sometimes necessary. Based on theoretical calculations and experimental measurements, we have determined that pressure monitoring is essentially unaffected if the continuous infusion rate is 50 ml.h−1 or less for an adult and a paediatric central catheter. At rates > 200 ml.h−1, the central venous pressure is exaggerated by up to 4 mmHg and 8 mmHg for the adult and paediatric catheters, respectively.
A serious case of failed extubation: difficulty removing a laser resistant tracheal tube in a 7‐year‐old child
Authors: Batas D. , Park C. , Hermon‐Taylor A. C. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA 7‐year‐old girl underwent laser ablation of tonsillar remnants. Following the procedure, which was surgically uncomplicated, the laser resistant tracheal tube used could not be removed; it was firmly lodged in the larynx, immediately below the glottic opening. This case highlights the importance of careful selection of laser resistant tracheal tubes for use in paediatric patients and challenges traditional concepts of paediatric upper airway anatomy.
Evaluation of femoral nerve blockade following inguinal paravascular block of Winnie: are there still lessons to be learnt?
Authors: Jochum D. , O'Neill T. , Jabbour H. , Diarra P. D. , Cuignet‐Pourel E. , Bouaziz H. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryLower limb peripheral nerve blocks are used to provide surgical anaesthesia or postoperative analgesia. Anatomical texts imply that femoral and saphenous nerve blocks be evaluated by sensory testing of the skin overlying the anterior aspect of the thigh, and the medial aspect of the foot, respectively. We have mapped the distribution of anaesthesia in 25 adults following femoral nerve blockade, performed using the inguinal paravascular technique of Winnie. There was substantial interindividual variation in the area of anaesthesia. Only the skin overlying the middle third of the medial thigh was consistently blocked in 100% of patients. The distribution of anaesthesia conformed to anatomical text descriptions in 24% of cases. We conclude that demonstration of complete quadriceps paralysis confirms femoral nerve blockade. Failing that, sensory evaluation of a femoral nerve block should involve testing the skin of the middle third of the medial aspect of the thigh. The skin overlying the anteromedial aspect of the middle third of the leg should be evaluated for saphenous nerve block.
Molecular evidence for hybridization of species in the genusGallusexcept forGallus varius
Authors: Nishibori M. , Shimogiri T. , Hayashi T. , Yasue H. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA phylogenetic tree for fowl including chicken in the genusGallusand based on mitochondrial D‐loop analysis further supports the hypothesis developed from morphology and progeny production that red junglefowl (RJF) is the direct ancestor of the chicken. The phylogenetic positions of the chicken and the other fowl species in the genusGallusare of great importance when considering maintenance and improvement of chicken breeds through introgression of genetic variation from wild‐type genomes. However, because the phylogenetic analysis based on the DNA sequences is not sufficient to conclude the phylogenetic positions of the fowls in the genus, in the present study, we have determined sequences of whole mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and two segments of the nuclear genome (intron 9 ofornithine carbamoyltransferase, and four chicken repeat 1 elements) for the species in the genusGallus. The phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA sequences revealed that two grey junglefowls (GyJF) were clustered in a clade with RJFs and chicken, and that one GyJF was located in a remote position close to Ceylon junglefowl (CJF). The analyses based on the nuclear sequences revealed that alleles of GyJFs were alternatively clustered with those of CJF and with those of RJFs and chicken. Alternative clustering of RJF and chicken alleles were also observed. These findings taken together strongly indicate that inter‐species hybridizations have occurred between GyJF and RJF/chicken and between GyJF and CJF.
A genome scan with AFLPTM markers to detect fearfulness‐related QTLs in Japanese quail
Authors: Beaumont C. , Roussot O. , Feve K. , Vignoles F. , Leroux S. , Pitel F. , Faure J. M. , Mills A. D. , Guémené D. , Sellier N. , Mignon‐Grasteau S. , Le Roy P. , Vignal A. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA quantitative trait loci (QTL) study was undertaken to identify genome regions involved in the control of fearfulness in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). An F2 cross was made between two quail lines divergently selected over 29 generations on duration of tonic immobility (DTI), a catatonic‐like state of reduced responsiveness to a stressful stimulation. A total of 1065 animals were measured for the logarithm of DTI (LOGTI), the number of inductions (NI) necessary to induce the immobility reaction, open‐field behaviour including locomotor activity (MOVE), latency before first movement (LAT), number of jumps (JUMP), dejections (DEJ) and shouts (SHOUT), corticosterone level after a contention stress (LOGCORT) and body weight at 2 weeks of age (BW2). A total of 310 animals were included in a genome scan using selective genotyping with 248 AFLP markers. A total of 21 suggestive or genome‐wide significant QTL were observed. Two highly significant QTL were identified on linkage group 1 (GL1), one for LOGTI and one for NI. In the vicinity of the QTL for LOGTI, a nearly significant QTL for SHOUT and a suggestive QTL for LAT were also identified. On GL3, genome‐wide significant QTL were observed for JUMP and DEJ as well as suggestive QTL for LOGTI, MOVE, SHOUT and LAT. A significant QTL for BW2 was observed on GL2 and a nearly significant one on GL1. These results may be useful in the understanding of fearfulness in quail and related species provided that fearfulness has the same genetic basis.
Cloning and mapping of the porcine cytochrome‐p450 2E1 gene and its association with skatole levels in the domestic pig
Authors: Skinner T. M. , Doran E. , McGivan J. D. , Haley C. S. , Archibald A. L. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe porcine cytochrome‐p450 2E1 (CYP2E1) gene was isolated by screening a pig BAC library and partially sequenced. This sequence information was used to identify six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the CYP2E1 gene and its promoter. In addition, a microsatellite marker tightly linked to the CYP2E1 gene was subcloned from the BAC. One of these markers was used to map the CYP2E1 gene distal of SWC27 on SSC14, well outside reported quantitative trait loci on SSC14 for skatole, indole and taste test measures of boar taint. However, in a population of commercial pigs scored for backfat skatole levels, there was evidence of association between a SNP in the CYP2E1 promoter and skatole deposition, although there was no significant association between this SNP and skatole levels in the experimental cross.
No correlation between BRAFV600E mutation and clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinomas in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Rue‐Tsuan , Chen Yi‐Ju , Chou Fong‐Fu , Li Chun‐Liang , Wu Wei‐Li , Tsai Po‐Chin , Huang Chao‐Cheng , Cheng Jiin‐Tsuey 
Published: September 2005

SummaryObjective  Genetic alterations in four oncogenes, namely RAS point mutations, RET rearrangements (RET/PTC), NTRK1 rearrangements (TRK) and BRAF point mutations have been identified in human papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). These oncogenes act along the RET/PTC(TRK)–RAS–BRAF–MEK–MAPK kinase pathway, mediating a number of cellular fates including growth, proliferation and survival in thyroid cells. In this study, we analysed mutations of BRAF in a cohort of PTCs.Methods  To screen for BRAF mutations, the genomic DNA of 105 PTCs were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers flanking exon 15 and PCR products were directly sequenced with an automatic sequencer. These results, together with data from our previous studies on RAS, RET rearrangements and NTRK1 rearrangements in the same tumours, were compared to determine their individual significance in the pathogenesis of PTCs in Taiwan.Results  BRAF mutations were detected in 49 of 105 (47%) tumour samples. All mutations involved a thymine‐to‐adenine transversion at nucleotide 1799 and were heterozygous. There was no overlap between papillary carcinomas harbouring RET rearrangements, NTRK1 rearrangements and BRAF mutations. In this cohort, correlation between BRAF mutations and various clinicopathological parameters in 101 papillary carcinomas did not reveal any association with age at diagnosis, sex, tumour size, histological variants of PTC, multicentricity, cervical lymph node metastases, extrathyroidal invasion, distant metastases and clinical stage.Conclusions  BRAFV600E mutation is the most prevalent oncogene in PTCs in Taiwan. Our data did not suggest that BRAFV600E mutation could be a potentially useful marker of prognosis in patients with papillary carcinomas in the population studied.
A method for the blind correction of the effects of attenuation and shading in light micrographs based upon moderated histogram equalization
Authors: ENTWISTLE A. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA means of correcting for the effects of attenuation and shading in multi‐dimensional, digital, light micrographs, blindly, i.e. without the need for additional control sets of image data that record these effects, is described. The method, termed trans‐elemental moderated histogram equalization (TEMHE), works with all three types of image that are collected in light microscopy: bright objects viewed against a dark background, bright and dark objects set against a grey background and darker objects set against a light background. In its most simple form TEMHE requires that the features of interest are distributed widely and evenly throughout the image data. If, however, the pattern of attenuation or shading is extracted, smoothed and the result used to correct the original set of image data, then the only restriction is that when different classes of feature are present the boundaries between them are not approximately parallel to the axes of one, or more, of the dimensions to be corrected. Moreover, when it is possible to formulate a simple model of the pattern of attenuation or shading this is no longer a constraint. The method does need to analyse a large number of elements of image data (pixels, voxels, etc.) to function correctly but it will correct shading in single frames of image data providing that they are quite large and the overall signal‐to‐noise ratio is relatively high.
Hypothalamic Energy Balance Gene Responses in the Sprague‐Dawley Rat to Supplementation of High‐Energy Diet with Liquid Ensure and Subsequent Transfer to Chow
Authors: Archer Z. A. , Rayner D. V. , Barrett P. , Balik A. , Duncan J. S. , Moar K. M. , Mercer J. G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractEnergy dense, high fat, high sugar, foods and beverages in our diet are a major contributor to the escalating global obesity problem. Here, we examine the physiological and neuroendocrine effects of feeding rats a solid high‐energy (HE) diet with or without a liquid supplement (Ensure) and the consequence of subsequently transferring animals back to chow (C). Outbred Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed C until 49–56 days of age, and then transferred a HE diet for 3 weeks before allocation to one of two weight‐matched groups. Over the next 10 weeks, one group remained on HE diet, whereas the other had access to the liquid diet, chocolate Ensure (EN), in addition to HE diet (HE + EN). Half the rats from each group were then killed, and the remainder were returned to C for 3 weeks. Supplementation of the HE diet with EN accelerated weight gain and increased daily energy intake, adipose tissue mass, and circulating leptin levels. Transferring animals back to C caused a decrease in bodyweight in the HE + EN group, whereas HE animals were weight stable. Both groups also exhibited voluntary hypophagia, although the magnitude and duration of this response was greater in HE + EN animals. The only effect of Ensure on the hypothalamic genes studied was on tyrosine kinase B expression in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), which was increased in rats given the supplement. Withdrawal of the obesogenic diets decreased gene expression for cocaine‐and‐amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) and dynorphin (DYN) in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), and DYN and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the VMH, whereas neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene expression in the ARC was increased. These changes were independent of previous dietary history. EN supplementation generates distinct physiological responses, yet has a minimal effect on hypothalamic neuropeptide or receptor gene expression, possibly due to the development of leptin resistance. Withdrawal of obesogenic diets induces changes in the gene expression consistent with NPY, CART and BDNF attempting to oppose weight gain on either HE or HE + EN.
Modulated fatty acid desaturation via overexpression of two distinctω‐3 desaturases differentially alters tolerance to various abiotic stresses in transgenic tobacco cells and plants
Authors: Zhang Meng , Barg Rivka , Yin Mingan , Gueta‐Dahan Yardena , Leikin‐Frenkel Alicia , Salts Yehiam , Shabtai Sara , Ben‐Hayyim Gozal 
Published: September 2005

SummaryChanges in the degree of fatty acid (FA) desaturation are implicated in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, including heat, salt and drought. However, it is still not known whether decreased levels of linolenic acid, found in many plants subjected to salt and drought stress, reflect a mechanism of defence or damage. We addressed this question by generating tobacco cells and plants ectopically overexpressing two FA desaturases: the cytosolicFAD3or the plastidicFAD8. A remarkable increase in the ratio of total linolenic to linoleic acids resulted from overexpression ofFAD3, whereas ectopic overexpression ofFAD8induced an increased ratio mainly in the plastidic lipids. Here we present evidence that overexpressingFAD8imposes much greater heat sensitivity than doesFAD3overexpression, in both cultured cells and whole plants. Overexpression of eitherFAD3orFAD8increases tolerance to drought in tobacco plants and to osmotic stress in cultured cells. These findings suggest that a drought‐induced decreased level of linolenic acid reflects damage. Our results point to the potential of exploitingFADoverexpression as a tool to ameliorate drought tolerance.
Seasonal Variation in Response to Neighbors and Strangers by a Territorial Songbird
Authors: Hyman Jeremy 
Published: September 2005

AbstractReduced aggression toward territorial neighbors, termed the ‘dear‐enemy’ effect, is thought to arise because territorial animals benefit by avoiding contests with neighbors with whom they have already established relationships. The dear‐enemy effect has been described in many taxa, but few studies have considered whether or not neighbors’ relationships are affected by changes in the social environment. In this study, I tested whether Carolina wrens,Thryothorus ludovicianus, behaviorally discriminate between neighbors and strangers in two different social environments: in spring when territories have been established for several months, and in fall when an influx of new birds claiming territories might de‐stabilize wren neighborhoods. Comparisons of responses of territorial males to playbacks of songs from neighbors and strangers showed that Carolina wrens show the dear‐enemy effect in spring, but not in fall in this design. The apparent lack of a differential response to neighbors and strangers in fall might be due to a reduction in aggression toward strangers. This study provides evidence that seasonal changes in the dear‐enemy effect coincide with seasonal changes in the social environment.
Testing Problem Solving in Ravens: String‐Pulling to Reach Food
Authors: Heinrich Bernd , Bugnyar Thomas 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe aim of our study was to re‐examine the acquisition of problem‐solving behaviour in ravens: accessing meat suspended from a perch by a string. In contrast to a previous study, here we: (i) controlled for possible effects of fear of the string, competition by dominants, and social learning and (ii) devised a mechanically equivalent but non‐intuitive task to test for the possibility of means–end understanding. One‐year‐old ravens confronted with meat on a string for the first time tried several ways to reach the food. However, five of six birds suddenly performed a coherent sequence of pulling up and stepping on loops of string, essential for solving the problem. Those five birds were also successful in the non‐intuitive task where they had to pull down the string to lift the meat. A second group of birds with similar exposure to strings but without any experience in pulling up meat failed the pull‐down test. These results support the idea that the ravens’ behaviour in accessing meat on a string is not only a product of rapid learning but may involve some understanding of cause–effect relation between string, food and certain body parts.
Modulation of motor function by stress: a novel concept of the effects of stress and corticosterone on behavior
Authors: Metz Gerlinde A. , Jadavji Nafisa M. , Smith Lori K. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractStress and stress hormones affect a variety of behaviors and cognitive abilities. The influences of stress and glucocorticoids on motor function, however, have not been characterized although the presence of glucocorticoid receptors in the motor system has been documented. Here we demonstrate that stress and the stress hormone corticosterone influence motor system function in rats. Groups of adult female Long‐Evans rats underwent either a daily stress‐inducing procedure (immobilization or swimming in cold water) or oral corticosterone treatment. While these treatments continued, animals were tested in skilled reaching and skilled walking tasks for a period of 2 weeks. Both acute (day 1) and chronic (day 14) stress and corticosterone treatment reduced skilled movement accuracy in reaching and walking and increased performance speed. Furthermore, both chronic stress and chronic corticosterone treatment altered skilled movement patterns in the reaching task. These findings indicate that stress modulates motor system function and that these effects are partially mediated by glucocorticoids. To examine whether stress‐induced changes might also derive from enhanced emotionality, rats were treated with the benzodiazepine diazepam. Based on an inverted U‐shaped dose–response relationship, a moderate dose of diazepam significantly improved reaching success while at the same time reducing corticosterone levels. Thus, stress‐associated emotional responses such as anxiety might account for diminished movement accuracy. These results suggest that stress affects the motor system both directly via hormonal changes and indirectly via changes in emotionality. These findings are discussed with respect to the role of stress in motor system function and movement disorders.
Force estimation processing as a function of the input–output relationship of the corticospinal pathway in humans
Authors: Gelli F. , Del Santo F. , Mazzocchio R. , Rossi A. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractStatic changes of the shoulder joint from 30° adduction (ANT) to 30° abduction (POST) in the horizontal plane reduce the gain of the input–output relationship of the corticospinal pathway to the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle [F. Ginanneschi et al. (2005)Exp. Brain Res., 161, 374–382]. The present study examined force estimation under conditions in which the input–output relationship of the corticospinal innervation to ADM was modified by changing shoulder position as above. The input–output relationship was studied using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Estimates of force were assessed using a matching procedure; subjects first matched a target level (10–40% of maximum) on a screen by applying a reference (Ref) isometric contraction of ADM and then they reproduced the same level of force without visual feedback by a test contraction (Test). When Ref and Test contractions were performed at either ANT or POST (i.e. the same input–output), the respective force levels were closely matched. In contrast, when the Test and Ref were performed in POST and ANT, respectively (i.e. different input–output), subjects exerted more force than required. Errors were in the opposite direction when the Test and Ref were in ANT and POST, respectively. The present results suggest that the process of force estimation is based on the effort : tension ratio which is a direct function of the corticomotoneuronal input–output relationship. This notion may contribute to explaining the pathophysiology of central fatigue.