bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of the cysteine proteinase cathepsin S in astrocytoma invasion
Authors: Gibson D. , Flannery T. , Mulligan K. , Mirakhur M. , McCormick D. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Local tumour invasion gives rise to recurrence after surgical resection, leading to the poor prognosis associated with malignant astrocytomas. Extracellular proteolytic enzymes including cysteine proteinases have been implicated in facilitating tumour cell invasion. The current study was designed to characterize the expression of the cysteine proteinase, cathepsin S and investigate its potential role in the invasive process.Materials and methods:  Expression of cathepsin S was investigated in astrocytoma biopsies by immunohistochemistry and in astrocytoma cultures by immunocytochemistry and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cathepsin S activity assays were also performed on in vitro and in vivo samples. An in vitro Matrigel invasion assay was used to evaluate the effect of selective cathepsin S inactivation, by the inhibitor LHVS, on glioblastoma cell invasion.Results:  Cathepsin S immunostaining was restricted to tumour cells in vivo. Cathepsin S transcript, protein and activity were observed within astrocytoma cells in vitro. Extracellular cathepsin S activity was about five‐fold higher in cultures from grade IV tumours than in lower grades. Inhibition of cathepsin S with 0.01 µm LHVS significantly inhibited in vitro invasion of the glioblastoma cell line U251 mg by 50% (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  It has been demonstrated for the first time that cathepsin S is expressed and secreted by astrocytoma cells and plays a role in astrocytoma invasion, and is therefore a potential therapeutic target.
Deposition of tau in the brain in Alzheimer's disease is related to the amount of Aβ40 but not Aβ42(43) deposits and the presence of apolipoprotein E ε4 allele
Authors: Mann D. M. A. , Thaker U. , McDonagh A. M. , Lendon C. L. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the widespread deposition of amyloid β protein (Aβ) in the form of extracellular plaques and the intracellular accumulation of pathological aggregates of the microtubule associated protein, tau, in the form of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. We have investigated relationships between the amount of plaque amyloid and tau deposition in brain in sporadic AD and the affect of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype on tau load.Material and methods:  Wax sections of frontal cortex from 109 cases of late onset AD were immunostained using AT8 antibody to detect deposition of pathological tau proteins. The amount of tau, and Aβ as Aβ40 and Aβ42(43), was quantified by image analysis. The APOE genotype was determined by standard methods.Results:  The amount of tau within frontal cortex correlated inversely with patient age but not duration of illness suggesting a more aggressive ‘spread’ of disease into frontal lobes by time of death in younger patients. Tau load correlated (P < 0.001) with Aβ40 but not Aβ42(43) levels, and was also greater in patients with APOE ε4 allele than those without, increasing in line with ε4 allele copy number.Conclusions:  Results suggest that tau deposition in late onset AD is favoured in the presence of APOE ε4 allele and when Aβ40 levels are high, the latter also being associated with ε4 allele. Aβ40 is preferentially present in cored plaques where microglial cells are frequent. The amount of tau deposited in the brain in AD may therefore reflect the extent of local neuroinflammatory changes.
Quantitative evidence for continuing axonal pathology after optic nerve stretch‐injury
Authors: Domleo A. , McColl G. , Graham D. I. , Maxwell W. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Stretch‐injury to the optic nerve of the guinea‐pig results in cytoskeletal pathology. We tested the hypothesis that post‐traumatic changes may continue up to 1 week after injury.Material and methods:  Six animals were injured under controlled conditions. Under terminal anaesthesia, three controls and three animals were killed at 24 h or 1 week. Unbiased stereological analysis of the axonal cytoskeleton was undertaken.Results:  At 4 h, 20% of nerve fibres are injured (Jafari et al. J Neurotrauma 1998; 15: 955). In the present study, no evidence for a change in the proportion of injured nerve fibres at longer survivals was obtained. At 24 h, three types of injured fibre occur: (i) some are compacted as at 4 h; (ii) some, termed ‘degenerating’, show loss/increased spacing between neurofilaments and microtubules (P = 0.005); and (iii) in some, empty myelin figures occur. At 7 days, both degenerating fibres and empty myelin figures are increased (P = 0.032).Conclusions:  These results demonstrate that injured nerve fibres undergo secondary axotomy between 4 and 24 h and there are increased numbers of degenerating fibres at 7 days. However, not all injured fibres undergo axotomy between 4 and 24 h, because, at 7 days fibres undergoing axotomy are present.
Squamous cell carcinoma: a rare complication of dermoid cysts
Authors: Ashkan K. , Wilkins P. , Marsh H. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction:  Dermoid cysts constitute 0.3% of all brain tumours. Carcinomatous differentiation has been described only in a handful of cases.Material and methods:  A 44‐year‐old‐man presented with a several‐year history of headaches and a 5‐week history of progressive visual deterioration in the left eye. Clinical examination confirmed a normal visual acuity but an impaired left visual field. A magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a lesion in the left paraclinoid area compressing the ipsilateral optic nerve. Signal characteristics of the lesion were consistent with a dermoid or epidermoid cyst. At operation, the lesion was thought to be typical of a dermoid cyst and a near‐complete excision was achieved leaving behind parts adherent to the optic nerve. Histology showed invasive squamous cell carcinoma arising within the dermoid tumour. Postoperatively the patient received radiotherapy.Results:  The patient's clinical condition initially stabilized. At 15 months follow up, however, there was clinical and radiological evidence of tumour progression and he died 1 year later.Conclusion:  Squamous cell carcinoma may rarely arise from an intracranial dermoid tumour. This may hinder total excision of the lesion and confounds the prognosis.
White matter pathology in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: quantification by amyloid‐β precursor protein immunocytochemistry
Authors: Teahan O. , Slade J. Y. , Perry R. H. , Ballard C. G. , Kalaria R. N. 
Published: March 2003

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are two of the common dementias in the elderly. Imaging studies have demonstrated white matter changes of vascular etiology to occur in both disorders. While there have increased efforts to differentiate white matter pathology by quantitative magentic resonance imaging in these disorders there is no clear consensus. We assessed white matter lesions in brains of the first 100 demented patients who came to autopsy from our prospectively evaluated series. We examined the extent of axonal pathology by conventional methods including LFB for myelin, and amyloid‐β precursor protein (AβPP) immunocytochemistry with antibodies to 22C11. AβPP has recently been used to examine axonal injury in head trauma. Our results indicated AβPP reactive accumulation along white matter tracts in the temporal cortex encompassing the hippocampal formation to be common. The highest reactivity was evident in tissue from VaD subjects compared with that from AD or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Compared with conventional myelin stains, AβPP immunocytochemistry was more sensitive to visualize subtle changes. We suggest AβPP immunocytochemistry is a useful index to assess ischaemic white matter lesions to differentiate dementias.Acknowledgements:  Supported by the MRC (UK), Alzheimer's Research Trust (UK) and Alzheimer's Association (USA).
Involvement of precerebellar nuclei in multiple system atrophy
Authors: Braak H. , Rüb U. , Del Tredici K. 
Published: March 2003

H. Braak, U. Rüb and K. Del Tredici (2003)Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology29,60–76  Involvement of precerebellar nuclei in multiple system atrophyIn this semiquantitative study based on 26post‐mortemcases, we describe the involvement of precerebellar nuclei in multiple system atrophy (MSA), a progressive degenerative disorder of the human central nervous system characterized by abnormal, argyrophilic and α‐synuclein immunopositive intracellular inclusions within selectively vulnerable oligodendrocytes and nerve cells. The Campbell‐Switzer silver‐pyridine technique with α‐synuclein immunoreactions using 100‐µm thick sections is recommended over more conventional methods, thereby permitting visualization of the pertinent lesions in greater detail and facilitatingpost‐mortemdiagnosis of MSA specimens. Affected oligodendrocytes occur in specific fibre tracts and grey matters, with most pathology being observed in projections from the precerebellar nuclei to the cerebellum (ponto‐cerebellar, olivo‐cerebellar, reticulo‐cerebellar tracts) and in descending/ascending fibre tracts of the motor system (cortico‐pontine, cortico‐bulbar, cortico‐spinal, spino‐reticular, spino‐olivary, spino‐cerebellar tracts). Three types of abnormal intraneuronal aggregations occur: (i) a loosely woven network within the cell nucleus; (ii) a latticework accumulating in peripheral portions of the cell body; and (iii) irregularly outlined patches of compact, intensely argyrophilic material usually located within deposits of lipofuscin granules. Counter‐staining for the presence of extraneuronal lipofuscin can aid neuropathologists in the recognition of lost existent neurones in MSA. Neurones with inclusion bodies occur in the inferior olivary nuclear complex, lateral reticular nucleus, external cuneate nucleus, conterminal nucleus, interfascicular nucleus, nucleus of Roller, dorsal paramedian reticular nucleus, subventricular nucleus, arcuate nucleus, pontobulbar body and pontine grey. The lateral reticular nucleus and accessory nuclei of the inferior olive sustain the most damage and reveal prominent neuronal loss, followed by the pontobulbar body and arcuate nucleus. The uniformly bilateral damage and, in some cases, even obliteration of the nuclei studied, supply additional evidence for the pathoanatomical substrata of the cerebellar dysfunction that reportedly emerges in the clinical course of MSA.
Traditional nutritional and surgical practices and their effects on the growth of infants in south‐west Ethiopia
Authors: Asefa Makonnen , Hewison Jenny , Drewett Robert 
Published: March 2003

A 1‐year birth cohort of 1563 infants was seen bi‐monthly for the first year of life. They comprised all identified infants born in Jimma town, south‐west Ethiopia, in the year starting 1 Meskren 1985 in the Ethiopian calendar (11 September 1992). Growth in infancy is poor in this town, as it is in Ethiopia more generally: mean z‐scores for both weight and length were more than 1.5 SD below the median of the NCHS/WHO reference population by 1 year of age, and infant mortality was 115/1000. In this paper we examine the weight gain of singletons in relation to background variables and to traditional nutritional and surgical practices in the families.   Confirming work in other areas, sanitation, water supply, the income of the family and the mother's literacy were important determinants of weight gain. Almost all the infants were initially breast fed, and about 80% were still breast fed at 1 year. Many were also given cows’ milk from 4 months onwards. Breast feeding had beneficial effects up to 8 months of age, and cows’milk had beneficial effects after 6 months of age. Supplementary feeds of solids and semi‐solids were given at appropriate ages, but had no detectable benefit. Water was given inappropriately early, but did no detectable harm.   Episodes of diarrhoea, fever or persistent cough each reduced weight gain. Catch‐up in weight then took up to 8 months, probably because of the poor nutritional quality of supplementary feeds. The incidences of local traditional operations in the first year were: circumcision 63% in males and 4% in females, uvulectomy 35% and the extraction of milk teeth 38%. Although circumcision had no detectable adverse effect on weight, uvulectomy and milk teeth extraction both reduced weight gain.
Operative delivery during labour: trends and predictive factors
Authors: Roberts Christine L. , Algert Charles S. , Carnegie Michelle , Peat Brian 
Published: March 2003

SummaryMonitoring operative delivery trends provides the opportunity to consider whether changes are in a direction that will achieve the best outcomes for mothers and their infants. The aims of this study were to identify trends in and predictors of operative delivery (forceps, vacuum or caesarean) among women who have labour; and to determine trends in the operative methods used. The study was based on 616 303 live, singleton, term births delivered between 1990 and 1997 in New South Wales, Australia. There was no change in the annual percentage of women who experienced labour and 20% had an operative birth during labour. The vacuum to forceps ratio declined from 1 : 6 in 1990 to 1 : 1 in 1997. Among women with labour, caesareans increased from 6.4% to 7.8%. For primiparae, the factors predictive of operative delivery (epidural analgesia, age > 34 years, induced or augmented labour and private care) did not change over time. A predictive model for multiparae did not have adequate fit, indicating the importance of data on prior birth history. Studies of trends in operative deliveries are most useful and consistent with decision making when interventions before the onset of labour and during labour are analysed separately. Furthermore, the vacuum:forceps ratio provides a useful tool for comparative analyses.
Is birthweight a good marker for gestational exposures that increase the risk of adult disease?
Authors: Morley Ruth , Owens Julie , Blair Eve , Dwyer Terence 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThere is much evidence of a link between low birthweight and elevated risk of adult cardiovascular disease, from humans and experimental animals. However, if one relies on data linking birthweight to coronary heart disease to estimate the public health implications of this association, the effects are likely to be modest. The focus on birthweight may be misplaced, because reduced size at birth may not be in the causal pathway linking gestational factors to disease in adult offspring. We need to know more about this before we can estimate the public health implications of gestational factors and assess the potential for intervention. The most studied gestational factor is maternal nutrition. We review here evidence for and against birthweight being in the causal pathways between suboptimal maternal nutrition and increased risk of adult disease in the offspring and provide evidence suggesting that birthweight is not in all of them. From a public health point of view, we suggest that future research in this field should focus on modifiable gestational exposures that may be linked to adult disease, whether or not they influence size at birth.
Prevalence of intellectual disability in Western Australia
Authors: Leonard Helen , Petterson Beverly , Bower Carol , Sanders Richard 
Published: March 2003

SummaryRecord linkage of multiple sources was used to ascertain children with intellectual disability born in Western Australia between 1983 and 1992. The prevalence was 14.3 per 1000, 10.6 per 1000 for children with mild or moderate and 1.4 per 1000 for those with a severe level of intellectual disability. Prevalence was greater in males (prevalence ratio 1.6) and in children of Aboriginal mothers (prevalence ratio 2.3). Although prevalence of intellectual disability has been found to vary according to study location, method of ascertainment and criteria used, these estimates are similar to estimates from several recent studies.
Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae): effects of larval excretory/secretory products on nitric oxide production by murine RAW 264·7 macrophages
Authors: Tabouret G. , Vouldoukis I. , Duranton C. , Prevot F. , Bergeaud J.P. , Dorchies P. , Mazier D. , Jacquiet P. 
Published: March 2003

Larvae of Oestrus ovis (Insecta: Diptera: Oestridae) are common parasites of nasal and sinus cavities of sheep and goats. Previous studies revealed that crude extracts of larvae modify NO synthesis by ovine monocyte derived macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate the larval excretory/secretory products effects on nitric oxide production by murine tumour macrophages RAW 264·7. Stimulation of RAW macrophages by excretory/secretory products of the three instars larvae (25 µg/ml) significantly increased nitrite concentrations in culture supernatants compared to negative and positive Escherichia lipopolysaccharide control. This effect was time and dose dependent. Nitrite production in culture supernatants was due to induction of isoform NOS‐2 because both NG monomethyl l‐arginine (100 µm) and dexamethasone (20 µm) inhibited, by 60 and 50%, respectively, nitrite accumulation in culture supernatants. First steps of purification, by ion exchange chromatography, indicated that one protein of 29 kDa was able to induce NO synthesis by macrophages. Further studies are needed for a better characterization of these molecule and to investigate their immunogenicity for a vaccine approach.
Maxadilan, the vasodilator/immunomodulator from Lutzomyia longipalpis sand fly saliva, stimulates haematopoiesis in mice
Authors: Guilpin Valerie O. , Swardson‐Olver Christine , Nosbisch Leanna , Titus Richard G. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryProtozoal parasites of the genus Leishmania are transmitted to their vertebrate host within the saliva of the sand fly during a blood meal. The saliva of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis contains maxadilan, a potent vasodilator and immunomodulator. Maxadilan has been shown to enhance the virulence of L. major in all strains of laboratory mice when injected along with the organism. Increased haematopoiesis has been associated with enhanced susceptibility to Leishmania organisms. Here, we show that maxadilan alone stimulates bone marrow haematopoiesis through its ability to stimulate interleukin‐6 production by bone marrow stromal cells. Moreover, these effects of maxadilan are mediated through the interaction of maxadilan with the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide receptor. These data suggest that increasing haematopoiesis may be yet another way that maxadilan enhances susceptibility of mice to Leishmania infection.
Differences in adipokinetic response of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera) in relation to wing dimorphism and diapause
Authors: Socha R. , Kodrík D. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThree experimental groups of adult females (reproductive and diapausing brachypters, and macropters with reproductive arrest) of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) from a temperate population were analysed for their adipokinetic responses. The adipokinetic response, expressed as an increase of haemolymph lipids after injection of adipokinetic hormone from Locusta migratoria (Lom‐AKH‐I), was assessed in relation to age, wing dimorphism and type of reproductive arrest. Two pmols of Lom‐AKH‐I were used for determination of adipokinetic responses. The increase of haemolymph lipids in all experimental groups of females induced by this dose of the hormone was comparable with that induced by crude extract of the bug’s own corpora cardiaca. The level of adipokinetic response after injection of 2 pmol of Lom‐AKH‐I was significantly higher in macropterous and diapausing brachypterous females than in reproductive brachypterous females. However, significantly higher contents of haemolymph lipids in control macropterous females than those found in the control reproductive and diapausing brachypterous females of the corresponding age revealed wing‐morph‐related differences in lipid metabolism. The observed wing morph‐ and diapause‐related differences in the content of haemolymph lipids and adipokinetic response, respectively, are discussed in relation to the different roles of two wing morphs in the life history of this heteropteran.
Water homeostasis by wild larvae of Manduca sexta
Authors: Woods H. Arthur , Bernays E.L.izabeth A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryModulation of faecal water loss is the principal mechanism by which larval Lepidoptera maintain water homeostasis in the laboratory. Is this also true of larvae in nature? We observed 12 fifth‐instar larvae of Manduca sexta feeding on Datura wrightii in the Sonoran Desert, U.S.A. The two main sources of water stress were: evaporative water loss across the cuticle, which appeared to be promoted by increasing body temperatures and decreasing relative humidities during daytime observation periods; and attacks by tachinid flies, which prompted caterpillars to defaecate large quantities of water and to regurgitate digestive fluid onto themselves. In both cases, caterpillars responded by producing drier faecal pellets. A subset of caterpillars consumed water‐rich flower buds of D. wrightii, which led to the production of comparatively wet faecal pellets. These data demonstrate that larval water balance in nature is affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors and that larvae respond to these perturbations by modulating the loss of water in the faeces.
Role of plant volatiles in host plant location of the leafminer, Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae)
Authors: Zhao Yun Xian , Kang Le 
Published: March 2003

Abstract The role of plant volatiles in host plant location of the leafminer Liriomyza sativae Blanchard was studied. Four types of antennal sensilla were identified on the funiculus by scanning electron microscopy: trichoid, basiconic, clavate and grooved sensilla. An olfactory pit, containing groups of sensilla, was present on the ventral side of the funiculus. No sexual difference was detected in sensilla diversity and distribution. In behavioural assays, both males and females were attracted by the odour of the bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. They had distinct EAG responses to the bean odour. No significant sexual difference was found in behaviour or EAG responses.Electroantennograms were recorded from female L. sativae to 14 plant volatile compounds. The most distinct EAG responses were obtained for: (1) the general green leaf volatiles 1‐hexanol (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, (E)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol and its isomers, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, the acetate (E)‐3‐hexenylacetate and the aldehyde hexanal; and (2) limonene, a compound associated with tomato, which is a key host plant of this insect. Other volatile compounds associated with host plants, such as α‐pinene, myrcene, β‐caryophyllene, and eugenol did not elicit responses. The ability of this insect to locate a host plant appears to be augmented by the perception of a combination of host‐specific and general green leaf volatiles. A modification of the EAG recording method of Dipteran species was provided.