bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Febrile convulsion during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Yoshikawa Hideto , Abe Tokinari 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
Background
: Although seizures occur in association with meningitis or encephalitis in Kawasaki disease, febrile convulsions in Kawasaki disease are considered to be extremely rare. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the incidence of febrile convulsion in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, in Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan.
Methods
: The study included 177 patients with Kawasaki disease. Patients ranged in age from 2 months to 10 years (mean age 26.89 ± 22.44 months). The study included 105 males and 72 females. The clinical records of Kawasaki disease patients were examined retrospectively.
Results
: Febrile convulsions were not recognized in these 177 patients throughout the course of the disease, despite the presence of a high grade fever and their young age. However, eight of the 177 patients had experienced simple febrile convulsions during other febrile illness except for those with Kawasaki disease. In the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, only two patients showed generalized convulsion associated with prolonged consciousness disturbance and pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Conclusion
: The incidence of febrile convulsions in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease might be extremely low, confirming the results of previous reports. Kawasaki disease is characterized by systemic vasculitis and is sometimes complicated by intracranial vasculitis. The incidence of electroencephalographic abnormalities and pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid is higher in patients with Kawasaki disease. However, the reason why febrile convulsions did not occur in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease remains unknown, despite the presence of central nervous system involvement.
Striatal contributions to working memory: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in humans
Authors: Lewis Simon J. G. , Dove Anja , Robbins Trevor W. , Barker Roger A. , Owen Adrian M. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAlthough the role of the frontal cortex in executive performance has been widely accepted, issues regarding the contribution of subcortical structures to these functions remain unresolved. In this study, the neural circuitry underlying selective subcomponents of working memory was investigated using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Ten healthy volunteers performed a verbal memory task, which allowed different aspects of working memory function such as maintenance, retrieval and manipulation to be tested within the same general paradigm. During performance of this task as a whole, fMRI revealed increases in signal intensity throughout the frontostriatal network. However, when signal intensity during the manipulation of information within working memory was compared to that during periods requiring only simple maintenance and retrieval, significant changes were observed only in the caudate nuclei, bilaterally. These results suggest an essential and specific role for the caudate nucleus in executive function, which may underlie the cognitive disturbances observed in frontostriatal neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Absence of hematopoiesis from transplanted olfactory bulb neural stem cells
Authors: Yusta‐Boyo María J. , González Manuel A. , Pavón Nancy , Martín Ana B. , De La Fuente Ricardo , García‐Castro Javier , De Pablo Flora , Moratalla Rosario , Bernad Antonio , Vicario‐Abejón Carlos 
Published: January 2004

AbstractNeural stem cells giving rise to neurons and glia cells have been isolated from the embryonic and adult central nervous system. The extent to which they are able to differentiate into cells of non‐neural lineages, such as the hematopoietic lineage, is nonetheless unclear. We previously reported the isolation of stem cells from the mouse olfactory bulb neuroepithelium. In the present study, we analysed whether olfactory bulb stem cells (OBSC) can generate cells with hematopoietic features. Cells were prepared from the olfactory bulbs of transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). In culture, transgenic cells proliferated with the same kinetics as wild‐type cells. Following mitogen removal, both cell types gave rise to similar numbers of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, indicating that EGFP overexpression does not alter OBSC proliferation and differentiation patterns. When these cells were injected into the tail vein of irradiated mice, no hematopoietic cells derived from the OBSC could be recovered in their peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow. By contrast, when OBSC were transplanted into the adult brain, EGFP‐positive cells were found in the striatum and corpus callosum; differentiated cells expressed antigenic markers of neurons and astrocytes. These results suggest that embryonic olfactory bulb stem cells are not endowed with the potential to produce hematopoiesis.
Sensory‐interference in rat primary somatosensory cortical neurons
Authors: Alenda Andrea , Nuñez Angel 
Published: January 2004

AbstractTo study sensory interaction in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI), we registered 221 neurons in the SI of pentobarbital‐anaesthetized Wistar rats. Tactile stimulation was applied in the receptive field of the SI neuron with an electronically controlled probe (20 ms duration). Tactile stimulation elicited 2.33 ± 0.13 spikes per stimulus in SI neurons. Simultaneous application of paintbrush tickles of the contralateral limb usually decreased tactile responses (1.59 ± 0.11 spikes per stimulus). This effect was considered a ‘sensory‐interference’. Light flashes applied at random did not modify tactile response. Applying atropine (1 mm), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, and bicuculline (1 mm), a GABAA receptor antagonist, to the SI cortex blocked the sensory‐interference effect, while application of mecamylamine (10 mm), a nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, did not affect sensory‐interference. Results reveal sensory interactions in SI cortex that control tactile responses, and suggest the participation of the basal forebrain in the sensory‐interference effect.
GABA selectively controls the secretory activity of oxytocin neurons in the rat supraoptic nucleus
Authors: Engelmann Mario , Bull Philip M. , Brown Colin H. , Landgraf Rainer , Horn Thomas F. W. , Singewald Nicolas , Ludwig Mike , Wotjak Carsten T. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractRecently we reported that a single social defeat experience triggers the release of oxytocin (OXT) from somata and dendrites, but not axon terminals, of neurons of the hypothalamic–neurohypophysial system. To further investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying this dissociated release, we exposed male Wistar rats to a 30‐min social defeat and monitored release of the inhibitory amino acids gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and taurine within the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) using microdialysis. Social defeat caused a significant increase in the release of both GABA and taurine within the SON (up to 480%; P < 0.01 vs. prestress release). To reveal the physiological significance of centrally released GABA, the specific GABAA‐receptor antagonist bicuculline (0.02 mm) was administered into the SON via retrodialysis. This approach caused a significant increase in the release of OXT both within the SON and into the blood under basal conditions and during stress (up to 300 and 200%, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. basal values), without affecting plasma vasopressin. Electrophysiological studies confirmed the selective action of bicuculline on the firing activity of OXT neurons in the SON. Taken together, our data demonstrate that GABA is released within the SON during emotional stress to act as a selective inhibitor of both central and peripheral OXT secretion.
Electrophysiological characterization of synaptic connections between layer VI cortical cells and neurons of the nucleus reticularis thalami in juvenile rats
Authors: Gentet Luc J. , Ulrich Daniel 
Published: January 2004

AbstractCorticothalamic (CT) feedback projections to the thalamus outnumber sensory inputs from the periphery by orders of magnitude. However, their functional role remains elusive. CT projections may directly excite thalamic relay cells or indirectly inhibit them via excitation of the nucleus reticularis thalami (nRT), a nuclear formation composed entirely of γ‐aminobutyric acidergic neurons. The relative strengths of these two pathways will ultimately control the effects of CT projections on the output of thalamic relay cells. However, corticoreticular synapses have not yet been fully physiologically characterized. Here, local stimulation of layer VI cells by focal application of K+ or AMPA elicited excitatory postsynaptic potentials in nRT neurons with a mean peak amplitude of 2.4 ± 0.1 mV (n = 75, mean ± SEM), a mean rise time (10–90%) of 0.74 ± 0.03 ms and a weighted decay time constant of 11 ± 0.3 ms. A pharmacological profile of responses was drawn in both current‐clamp and voltage‐clamp modes, showing the presence of a small N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor‐dependent component at depolarized potentials. In two pairs of synaptically coupled layer VI cell–nRT neuron, moderate rates of transmission failures were observed while the latencies were above 5 ms in both cases. Our results indicate that the corticoreticular pathway fulfills the criteria for ‘modulatory’ inputs and is temporally restricted. We suggest that it may be involved in coincidence detection of convergent corticoreticular signals.
Integrin signaling in inflammatory and neuropathic pain in the rat
Authors: Dina Olayinka A. , Parada Carlos A. , Yeh Jenny , Chen Xiaojie , McCarter Gordon C. , Levine Jon D. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractMany painful conditions are associated with alterations in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of affected tissues. While several integrins, the receptors for ECM proteins, are present on sensory neurons that mediate pain, the possible role of these cell adhesion molecules in inflammatory or neuropathic pain has not been explored. We found that the intradermal injection of peptide fragments of domains of laminin and fibronectin important for adhesive signaling selectively inhibited the hyperalgesia caused by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and epinephrine (EPI), respectively. The block of EPI hyperalgesia was mimicked by other peptides containing the RGD integrin‐binding sequence. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the α1 or α3 integrin subunits, which participate in laminin binding, selectively blocked PGE2 hyperalgesia, while a mAb against the α5 subunit, which participates in fibronectin binding, blocked only EPI‐induced hyperalgesia. A mAb against the β1 integrin subunit, common to receptors for both laminin and fibronectin, inhibited hyperalgesia caused by both agents, as did the knockdown of β1 integrin expression by intrathecal injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. The laminin peptide, but not the fibronectin peptides, also reversibly abolished the longer lasting inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. Finally, the neuropathic hyperalgesia caused by systemic administration of the cancer chemotherapy agent taxol was reversibly inhibited by antisense knockdown of β1 integrin. These results strongly implicate specific integrins in the maintenance of inflammatory and neuropathic hyperalgesia.
Sensory neuropeptide mRNA up‐regulation is bilateral in periodontitis in the rat: a possible neurogenic component to symmetrical periodontal disease
Authors: Abd El‐Aleem Seham A. , Morales‐Aza Begonia M. , Donaldson Lucy F. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPeriodontal disease is a common multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease in humans. In inflammatory conditions that are known to be associated with changes in nociception, such as arthritis, the neuronal expression of the proinflammatory neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide is altered. In this study the expression of these neuropeptides' mRNAs has been studied in an inflammatory model that shows no behavioural evidence of altered nociception. Periodontitis was induced in male rats by intragingival injection of lipopolysaccharide adjacent to the second right mandibular molar. The animals were killed at various times after lipopolysaccharide injection and right and left trigeminal ganglia and brain were processed for in situ hybridization for β‐preprotachykinin and α‐calcitonin gene‐related peptide mRNAs. Expression of both neuropeptide mRNAs was significantly increased only in small neurons in the mandibular division of the trigeminal ganglion ipsilateral to the LPS injection from 3 to 10 days postinjection. Neuropeptide mRNA expression was also significantly increased in the contralateral trigeminal ganglion at day 10. No significant changes in neuropeptide mRNA levels were seen in the maxillary and ophthalmic divisions of the trigeminal ganglia or in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. The up‐regulation of substance P and CGRP mRNAs in periodontal disease suggests that this is associated with the inflammatory process rather than nociception, as this disease does not appear to result in altered nociception in either rats or humans. The contralateral alteration in neuropeptide mRNA expression suggests a role for neurogenic mechanisms in the development of periodontal disease.
Preventive Wars?
Authors: Raack R. C. 
Published: January 2004

Pietrow‐Ennker, Bianka, ed. Präventivkrieg? Der deutsche Angriff auf die Sowjetunion. 3d ed. Frankfurt‐am‐Main: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 2000. ISBN 3‐596‐14497‐3.Mel'tiukhov, Mikhail. Upushchennyi shans Stalina: Sovetskii Soiuz i bor'ba za Evropu 1939–1941. Moscow: Veche, 2000. ISBN 5‐7838‐1196‐3.Magenheimer, Heinz. Entscheidungskampf 1941: Sowjetische Kriegsvor‐bereitungen. Aufmarsch. Zusammenstoss. Bielefeld: Osning Verlag, 2000. ISBN 3‐9806286‐1‐4.
Electric–Magnetic Duality and the Dualized Standard Model
Authors: TSOU Sheung Tsun 
Published: January 2004

In these lectures I shall explain how a new-found nonabelian duality can be used to solve some outstanding questions in particle physics. The first lecture introduces the concept of electromagnetic duality and goes on to present its nonabelian generalization in terms of loop space variables. The second lecture discusses certain puzzles that remain with the Standard Model of particle physics, particularly aimed at nonexperts. The third lecture presents a solution to these problems in the form of the Dualized Standard Model, first proposed by Chan and the author, using nonabelian dual symmetry. The fundamental particles exist in three generations, and if this is a manifestation of dual colour symmetry, which by 't Hooft's theorem is necessarily broken, then we have a natural explanation of the generation puzzle, together with tested and testable consequences not only in particle physics, but also in astrophysics, nuclear and atomic physics. Reported is mainly work done in collaboration with Chan Hong-Mo, and also various parts with Peter Scharbach, Jacqueline Faridani, José Bordes, Jakov Pfaudler, Ricardo Gallego severally.
REGIONAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ON THE HIGH SEAS: THE HIT-AND-RUN INTERLOPER MODEL
Authors: MCKELVEY ROBERT W. , SANDAL LEIF K. , STEINSHAMN STEIN I. 
Published: January 2004

The 1993 U.N. Straddling Stock Agreement prescribes a multi-national organizational structure for management of an exploited marine fish stock, one whose range straddles both "Extended Economic Zones" (EEZs) and high seas waters. However, the Agreement provides to the Regional Organization no coercive enforcement powers. In this connections two problems in particular have been cited: The first, called the "interloper problem", concerns the difficulty of controlling the harvesting by non-member vessels. The second problem, called the "new-member problem", concerns the inherent difficulties of negotiating mutually acceptable terms of entry. Here we explore the extent to which the coalition, by exerting economic power alone, might be able to attain effective leverage in these management-control controversies. Specifically, we will examine whether the coalition might successfully employ traditional monopolistic "entry barriers". Game-theoretic economic analysis provides some helpful insights into this question, but the open-access character of resource exploitation on the high seas complicates its applicability here. On the other hand, the game is asymmetric, with the incumbent coalition enjoying certain advantages. Our analysis lends support to the thesis that usually leverage to enforce regional management control must be sought elsewhere, other than through direct application of economic power within the harvesting sector.
Cohort Study of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Risk of First Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Iribarren Carlos , Darbinian Jeanne , Klatsky Arthur L. , Friedman Gary D. 
Published: January 2004

The independent effect of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS; passive smoking) on the risk of stroke is not well established. We performed a cohort study among 27,698 lifelong nonsmokers with no prior history of stroke, 62% women, aged 30–85 years at enrollment (1979–1985). Self-reported ETS exposure at home and outside home (in hours/week) and stroke risk factors were collected at a health plan in San Francisco and Oakland. Follow-up for hospitalization and death was available through the end of 2000 (median = 16 years). In multivariate analysis adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, marital status, hypertension, diabetes and serum total cholesterol, ETS exposure at home of 20 h or more/week (in relation to <1 h/week) was associated with a 1.29-fold (95% CI 0.75–2.20) and a 1.50-fold (95% CI 1.07–2.09) increased risk of first ischemic stroke among men and women, respectively. No significant associations were found between ETS exposure outside home and ischemic stroke or between exposure to ETS at home or out of home and the risk of transient ischemic attack. Although potentially important confounders (such as dietary habits) were not included in the analysis, high-level ETS exposure at home was independently associated with increased risk of first ischemic stroke among never-smoking women.
Irreversible Inhibition of [<sup>3</sup>H]Glycine Transport into Channel Catfish Erythrocytes by Thiol Group Modifiers
Authors: McCormick Sara J. , Tunnicliff Godfrey 
Published: January 2004

Erythrocytes can take up amino acids from the blood by using a variety of transport systems. GLYT is a key transport protein in the plasma membrane responsible for the Na<sup>2+</sup>-dependent uptake of glycine needed for glutathione biosynthesis. Certain cysteine-specific compounds, particularly mercuric chloride and 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate), irreversibly inhibited the [<sup>3</sup>H]glycine transport via GLYT by red blood cells isolated from channel catfish. Bimolecular rate constants (k<sub>2</sub>) of 0.556 (mmol/l)<sup>–1</sup> min<sup>–1</sup> and 0.032 (mmol/l)<sup>–1</sup> min<sup>–1</sup>, respectively, were calculated for the two inhibitors. Addition of 2-mercaptoethanol 1 min after the initiation of inactivation by mercuric chloride stopped further inactivation, but did not reverse the inhibition. The presence of glycine, but not Na<sup>+</sup> ions, during the preincubation of the cells with each inhibitor markedly reduced the degree of inhibition. Thus cysteinyl residues within the transport protein appear to be vital for the binding and uptake of glycine by channel catfish erythrocytes.
Regulation of Plasma Hemopexin Activity by Stimulated Endothelial or Mesangial Cells
Authors: Kapojos Jola J. , Poelstra Klaas , Borghuis Theo , Banas Bernhard , Bakker Winston W. 
Published: January 2004

The pathogenesis of glomerular alterations and proteinuria in corticosteroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome (CRNS) is unknown. As an isoform of plasma hemopexin (Hx) with protease activity may be implicated in this disease, we have studied the inhibition of Hx by ADP and reactivation to its active form by endothelial or mesangial cells in vitro. We hypothesized that these cells might potentially be able to convert the inactivated form of Hx (Hxi) to active Hx (Hxa) in vitro, mediated by cellular ecto-ADPase. Since ecto-ADPase (CD39) is upregulated after stimulation of these cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or certain cytokines, we postulated that this conversion might occur specifically after inflammatory stimulation of these cells. Human endothelial or mesangial cell cultures were incubated overnight with or without LPS (10.0 ng/ml) or TNFα (10.0 ng/ml), washed and subsequently incubated with Hxi (1.5 mg/ml) in serum-free conditions (Hxi was prepared by treatment of Hxa with ADP or ADP-β-S). After 60 min, supernatants were tested for their capacity to alter glomerular extracellular matrix molecules (i.e. ecto-apyrase) in vitro using standard methods, and compared with Hxi that had not been incubated with cells. Supernatants containing Hxa (1.5 mg/ml) served as positive control. The results show significant activity in supernatants with Hxi (prepared using native ADP). However, Hxi inactivated by ADP-β-S (which is non-hydrolyzable) could not be reactivated after contact with LPS-stimulated or unstimulated cells in vitro. As ecto-ADPase of these cells is upregulated by LPS, we believe that reactivation of Hxi to Hxa is mediated by cellular ecto-ADPase. Although the relevance of this inflammation-mediated activation mechanism of Hx in patients with CRNS requires further experimentation, our preliminary observations suggesting that this mechanism is corticosteroid dependent may support a potential role of Hxa in CRNS.
Increased Renal Fibrosis and Expression of Renal Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase-β and Phospholipase C<sub>γ1</sub> Proteins in Piglets Exposed to Ochratoxin-A
Authors: Aukema H.M. , House J.D. , Bankovic-Calic N. , Ogborn M.R. 
Published: January 2004

Endemic nephropathy has been linked to exposure of ochratoxin-A (OA) in grains and animal products. The underlying events surrounding this form of renal injury are not well known, partly due to the lack of a suitable animal model of the disease. Therefore, in this study, a pig model of OA-induced renal injury was established and used to examine whether elements of the phosphoinositide signalling pathway are altered in this disease. Weanling piglets were fed diets containing 0, 2, and 4 ppm OA for 6 weeks. Serum creatinine and urea and renal fibrosis were monitored biweekly using serial blood samples and renal biopsies. At termination, the protein levels of renal phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase-β (PtdIns4Kβ) and phospholipase C<sub>γ1</sub> (PLC<sub>γ1</sub>) were determined using immunoblotting and scanning densitometry. Serum creatinine was elevated by 2 weeks and renal fibrosis was elevated by 4 weeks at both levels of inclusion of OA. At the end of the experimental period, kidney size and water content were elevated, as were the protein levels of renal PtdIns4Kβ and PLC<sub>γ1</sub> in OA-exposed animals. Therefore, serial biopsies can be used to track changes in renal pathology in the OA-exposed piglet. We conclude that this is a useful model for OA-induced renal injury in which the underlying molecular events associated with this form of renal injury can be studied.