bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Consistently are Good Parents Good Parents? Repeatability of Parental Care in the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
Authors: Schwagmeyer P. L. , Mock Douglas W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn many avian species, substantial individual variation occurs in parental food‐provisioning levels, which often is assumed to reflect variation in parental quality. Parental quality also has often been invoked as a key element in mate choice among biparental species, and many sexually‐selected traits have been investigated as potential predictors of parental quality. In recent studies of house sparrow (Passer domesticus) parents, we found that individuals behaved remarkably consistently across time, regardless of temporary manipulations of the nestling provisioning of their partners. This suggests that variation in parental competence may be attributable to quality differences among individuals. One prediction of the ‘parental quality differences’ hypothesis is that individuals also should show consistency in their provisioning behavior across broods. To test this, we compared the parental delivery rates of individual house sparrows across broods. Parents of both sexes reduced their per‐chick delivery rates as the season progressed; parents of both sexes were also responsive to changes in their brood sizes. Despite these sources of environmental variation in provisioning rates, the parental care of individual males was highly repeatable across broods. By contrast, female parental care showed extremely low repeatability, and standardized measures of among‐individual variation in parental behavior revealed females to be much less variable than males. These results indicate that females in this multi‐brooded species have much to gain from mate‐choice decisions predicated on male parental quality or accurate indicators of such, whereas males are less likely to profit from being highly selective about the ‘parental quality’ of their partners.
Flexible Helping Behaviour in the Azure‐Winged Magpie
Authors: Valencia Juliana , de la Cruz Carlos , González Beatriz 
Published: December 2004

AbstractHelping to rear the offspring of others may be a way for younger birds to gain access to future reproduction especially when turnover of breeding opportunities is low. However, this explanation is not applicable to cases where adults also help, or when roles shift between helpers and breeders. Over a period of 6‐yr, we studied a marked population of azure‐winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus) breeding in a non‐territorial, colonial system. Magpies bred in a highly flexible cooperative system, in which individuals helped at different stages of the breeding cycle, including nest building, feeding the incubating female and feeding the young and removing the faecal sacs. On average, 50% of hatched nests were assisted by helpers‐at‐the‐nest, and nest success appeared to be positively related to the presence of helpers. Helpers were predominantly males. Although juveniles were more likely to help, both juvenile and adult birds helped. Individual birds behaved as helpers either as a first‐option or after having attempted their own breeding (second‐option helpers). An individual helper may assist more than one nest during the same breeding season and in different breeding seasons. Reversals between breeder and helper roles were common in both directions, within a breeding season and between years. Helping behaviour is an option for almost any member of the colony. Therefore, hypotheses related to the enhancement of future breeding opportunities for juveniles can be discarded as general explanation of helping in this species. Although the decision to help appeared to be influenced by proximal environmental conditions hindering successful breeding, the associated benefits of helping as opposed to simply recovering for future reproduction, especially for former breeders, deserve further study.
Population and Species Divergence of Chemical Cues that Influence Male Recognition of Females in Desmognathine Salamanders
Authors: Verrell Paul 
Published: December 2004

AbstractGrowing evidence indicates that males may be more discriminating of mating partners than often has been assumed. In the North American Ocoee dusky salamander, Desmognathus ocoee (Plethodontidae: Desmognathinae), sexual incompatibility among conspecific populations is high in encounters staged in the laboratory, at least in part because males fail to recognize ‘other’ females as appropriate targets for courtship. I used Y‐mazes to test the hypothesis that males of D. ocoee discriminate between substrate‐borne chemical cues produced by ‘own’ (homotypic) and ‘other’ (heterotypic) females. Males of four populations discriminated in favor of substrates soiled by homotypic females over clean (control) substrates (expt 1), suggesting that females produce chemical cues of sociosexual significance to males. Furthermore, males from these populations discriminated in favor of substrates soiled by homotypic females vs. substrates soiled by heterotypic females (expt 2), both conspecific and heterospecific (D. carolinensis and D. orestes). Thus, differences among populations and species in female chemical cues appear to affect the chemotactic responses of males. I suggest that, together with differences in behavioral signals and responses exhibited during courtship, differences in female chemical cues likely contribute to sexual incompatibility among populations and taxa of desmognathine salamanders.
Size‐Dependent Male Alternative Reproductive Tactics in the Shell‐Brooding Cichlid Fish Lamprologus callipterus in Lake Tanganyika
Authors: Sato Tetsu , Hirose Mitsuru , Taborsky Michael , Kimura Seishi 
Published: December 2004

AbstractReproductive parasitism among males is prevalent in fishes. Typically, small ripe males parasitize the reproductive effort of large bourgeois males by using various behavioural tactics. We examined the size‐dependent advantages of parasitic behavioural tactics in a shell‐brooding cichlid fish of Lake Tanganyika with three male types (large bourgeois males and medium–dwarf parasitic males). The extremely small ‘dwarf males’ weighing only 2.5% on average of large males, perform a specialized tactic in which they avoid attacks by the resident large males by entering the inner part of the whorl of the shell where a female is spawning. Field observations and a manipulation experiment revealed that the very small size of dwarf males is essential for utilizing this positional advantage. Larger dwarf males and medium males opportunistically adopt darting and sneaking which likely result in very low reproductive outcomes. The size associated advantage and disadvantage of parasitic tactics are the major factors shaping the size distribution of ripe males in this species. The success of parasitic spawning by dwarf males is determined not only by body size of the males, but also by the relative sizes of females and shells in which they spawn. These factors would affect the choice of different tactics among dwarf males. The analyses of body condition among ripe and unripe males across a wide range of body sizes suggested that onset of sexual activities at very small body sizes in dwarf males may be associated with higher condition factors that is a pre‐requisite for maintaining investment in testes and intense reproductive activities.
Molecular characterization of a phytoplasma from the aster yellows (16SrI) group naturally infecting Populus nigra L. ‘Italica’ trees in Croatia
Authors: Šeruga M. , Škorić D. , Botti S. , Paltrinieri S. , Juretić N. , Bertaccini A. F. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryLeaf and branch samples were collected from 10 Populus nigra L. ‘Italica’ trees found in the Zagreb urban area. One of the P. nigra L. ‘Italica’ trees exhibited leaf yellowing, overall sparse foliage, stunting and decline. Two methods for the nucleic acid extraction in the phytoplasma detection from P. nigra were compared. A phytoplasma from the aster yellows group (16SrI) was detected by PCR in the symptomatic as well as in four apparently asymptomatic plants. The pathogens are classified, by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene plus the spacer region, as members of a newly described subgroup 16SrI‐P. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal and spacer region sequence confirmed their close relationship with the other members of the aster yellows group. However, RFLP analyses of other conserved genes such as tuf, BB88 and ribosomal protein rpL22 gene, clearly confirmed that this is a molecularly distinguishable phytoplasma belonging to a new ribosomal protein subgroup designated rp‐O.
Keloids – clinical diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment options
Authors: Marneros Alexander G. , Krieg Thomas 
Published: December 2004

SummaryKeloids are defined as excessive scar tissue formation extending beyond the area of the original skin injury and occurring in predisposed individuals. They are considered to be a result of abnormal wound healing. The pathogenetic mechanisms that cause keloids remain unknown. Experiments with cells derived from keloid tissue revealed a number of abnormalities in cellular functions, such as in proliferation, apoptosis, or expression of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins. Furthermore, several studies have reported altered keratinocyte‐fibroblast interactions in keloids. Despite the diverse pathological changes in cellular functions and expression profiles of cells derived from keloid tissue, recent genetic studies have provided evidence that single genes may act as major regulators of keloid formation. We provide an overview of the pathogenetic mechanisms of keloid formation in the context of their clinical characteristics and current therapeutic approaches.
Determination of the formation of the stratum corneum reservoir for two different corticosteroid formulations using tape stripping combined with UV/VIS spectroscopy
Authors: Pelchrzim Ragna v. , Weigmann Hans‐Jürgen , Schaefer Hans , Hagemeister Timo , Linscheid Michael , Shah Vinod P. , Sterry Wolfram , Lademann Jürgen 
Published: December 2004

Summary Background: The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, not only represents a barrier, but also a reservoir for topically applied substances. Both properties influence the penetration process, as does the vehicle. It determines the penetration pathway and the retention time of the topically applied substances. Methods: Two commercial products (Temovate Cream and Temovate Emollient), both containing 0.05 % clobetasol propionate, were applied on the inner forearms of healthy volunteers. 20 tape strips were removed from each treated skin area. The horny layer profile was determined measuring the absorption of the corneocytes at 430 nm. The concentration of clobetasol propionate on the individual tapes was then analyzed. Results: We found differences in the reservoir formation depending on the formulation applied, which correlated to the biological response in the form of a blanching effect. Conclusions: The method applied is well‐suited to determine the reservoir formation in the stratum corneum for topically applied substances.
Suspected snakebite: One year prospective study of emergency department presentations
Authors: Isbister Geoffrey K , Currie Bart J 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  Snakebite is an uncommon, but potentially life‐threatening condition. The more common clinical scenario is suspected snake‐bite. Our aim was to characterise the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of patients with suspected snakebites.Methods:  Prospective cohort study of patients presenting with suspected snakebites to a tertiary referral hospital serving a large rural region in tropical northern Australia where a standard admission protocol for suspected snakebites is used.Results:  Of 70 suspected snakebite cases, there were 45 definite bites: three severe envenomings (two western brown snakes [Pseudonaja nuchalis] and one mulga snake [Pseudechis australis]); seven mild/moderate envenomings by other snakes, two non‐envenomings by identified P. nuchalis, five bites by identified non‐venomous snakes and 28 definite bites without envenoming. The remaining 25 cases were either suspected bites (8), unlikely bites (15) and two people hit by snakes. Definite snake‐bites occurred throughout the year, peaking in May and December. There were three severe envenomings (mainly coagulopathy), requiring antivenom treatment, but no deaths or major complications. Most patients had appropriate investigations. Of 47 venom detection kit swabs collected, 34 were not tested, venom was not detected in nine and was positive in the three envenomings with one false‐positive tiger snake. Whole blood clotting time was highly sensitive for procoagulant coagulopathy and envenoming in this study. Median length of time from the bite to discharge was 20 h (interquartile range: 12–27).Conclusions:  The study shows that although suspected snakebite was common, severe envenoming occurred in less than 5% of cases. The study supports the proposition that a structured approach and admission policy of suspected snakebites leads to the appropriate management of severe envenoming, with no cases discharged early and no cases of non‐envenoming treated with antivenom.
Receptor‐selective changes in µ‐, δ‐ and κ‐opioid receptors after chronic naltrexone treatment in mice
Authors: Lesscher Heidi M. B. , Bailey Alexis , Burbach J. Peter H. , Van Ree Jan M. , Kitchen Ian , Gerrits Mirjam A. F. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractChronic treatment with the opioid antagonist naltrexone induces functional supersensitivity to opioid agonists, which may be explained by receptor up‐regulation induced by opioid receptor blockade. In the present study, the levels of opioid receptor subtypes through the brain of mice were determined after chronic naltrexone treatment using quantitative in vitro autoradiography. This is the first complete mapping study in mice for µ‐, δ‐ and κ‐opioid receptors after chronic naltrexone exposure. Treatment with naltrexone clearly induced up‐regulation of µ‐ (mean 80%) and, to a lesser extent, δ‐opioid receptors (mean 39%). The up‐regulation of µ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors was evident throughout the brain, although there was variation in the percentage change across brain regions. In contrast, consistent up‐regulation of κ‐opioid receptors was observed in cortical structures only and was not so marked as for µ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors. In noncortical regions κ‐opioid receptor expression was unchanged. Taken together, the present findings suggest opioid receptor subtype‐selective regulation by chronic naltrexone treatment in mice.
Functional properties and interaction of the anterior and posterior intraparietal areas in humans
Authors: Shikata Elisa , Hamzei Farsin , Glauche Volkmar , Koch Martin , Weiller Cornelius , Binkofski Ferdinand , Büchel Christian 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn the monkey the lateral bank of the anterior part of the intraparietal sulcus (area AIP), contains neurons that are involved in visually guided, object‐related hand movements. It has also been shown that neurons in the caudal part of the intraparietal sulcus (area CIP) preferentially respond to 3D surface orientation. According to these results, it has been hypothesized that neurons in area CIP primarily encode the 3D features of an object and forwards this information to area AIP. AIP then utilizes this information for appropriate hand actions towards the object. Based on analogies to these primate studies, recent neuroimaging studies have suggested human homologues of areas AIP and CIP, however, the functional interaction between these areas remains unclear. Our event related fMRI study was designed to address specifically the question, how CIP and AIP interact in the process of adjustment of hand orientation towards objects. Volunteers were asked to perform three tasks: discrimination of surface orientation, imaging of visually guided hand movements and execution of visually guided hand movements. Our data show that the human AIP was activated both during discrimination of surface orientation and during the subsequent spatial adjustment of the thumb and index finger position towards the surface orientation. In contrast, human CIP was activated by the surface orientation but not by spatial adjustment of finger position. These data clearly indicate that the function of human CIP is more involved in coding 3D features of the objects, whereas human AIP is more involved in visually guided hand movements, similar to its role in the monkey.
A tripartite motif protein TRIM11 binds and destabilizes Humanin, a neuroprotective peptide against Alzheimer's disease‐relevant insults
Authors: Niikura Takako , Hashimoto Yuichi , Tajima Hirohisa , Ishizaka Miho , Yamagishi Yohichi , Kawasumi Masaoki , Nawa Mikiro , Terashita Kenzo , Aiso Sadakazu , Nishimoto Ikuo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractHumanin (HN) is a newly identified neuroprotective peptide that specifically suppresses Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐related neurotoxicity. HN peptide has been detected in the human AD brain as well as in mouse testis and colon by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses. By means of yeast two‐hybrid screening, we identified TRIM11 as a novel HN‐interacting protein. TRIM11, which is a member of protein family containing a tripartite motif (TRIM), is composed of a RING finger domain, which is a putative E3 ubiquitin ligase, a B‐box domain, a coiled‐coil domain and a B30.2 domain. Deletion of the B30.2 domain in TRIM11 abolished the interaction with HN, whereas the B30.2 domain alone did not interact with HN. For their interaction, at least the coiled‐coil domain was indispensable together with the B30.2 domain. The intracellular level of glutathione S‐transferase‐fused or EGFP‐fused HN peptides or plain HN was drastically reduced by the coexpression of TRIM11. Disruption of the RING finger domain by deleting the first consensus cysteine or proteasome inhibitor treatment significantly diminished the effect of TRIM11 on the intracellular level of HN. These results suggest that TRIM11 plays a role in the regulation of intracellular HN level through ubiquitin‐mediated protein degradation pathways.
Computer model of passive signal integration based on whole‐cell in vitro studies of rat lateral geniculate nucleus
Authors: Briska Adam M. , Uhlrich Daniel J. , Lytton William W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractComputer models were used to investigate passive properties of lateral geniculate nucleus thalamocortical cells and thalamic interneurons based on in vitro whole‐cell study. Two neurons of each type were characterized physiologically and morphologically. Thalamocortical cells transmitted 37% of steady‐state signal orthodromically (distal dendrite to soma) and 93% antidromically (soma to distal dendrite); interneurons transmitted 18% orthodromically and 53% antidromically. Lowering membrane resistance caused a dramatic drop in steady‐state signal transmission. Simulation of brief signals such as orthodromically transmitted postsynaptic potentials and antidromically transmitted action potentials showed relatively poor transmission due to the low‐pass filtering property of dendrites. This attenuation was particularly pronounced in interneurons. By contrast, bursts of postsynaptic potentials or action potentials were relatively well transmitted as the temporal summation of these recurring signals gave prolonged depolarizations comparable to prolonged current injection. While synaptic clustering, active channels and reduction of membrane resistance by ongoing synaptic activity will have additional profound effects in vivo, the present in vitro modelling suggests that passive signal transmission in neurons will depend on type of signal conveyed, on directionality and on membrane state. This will be particularly important for thalamic interneurons, whose presynaptic dendrites may either work independently or function in concert with each other and with the soma. Our findings suggest that bursts may be particularly well transmitted along dendrites, allowing firing format to alter the functional anatomy of the cell.
Double dissociation of the effects of lesions of basolateral and central amygdala on conditioned stimulus‐potentiated feeding and Pavlovian‐instrumental transfer
Authors: Holland Peter C. , Gallagher Michela 
Published: December 2004

AbstractPavlovian conditioned stimuli (CSs) for food can enhance both the performance of instrumental responses that earn food (Pavlovian‐instrumental transfer; PIT) and the consumption of food itself (CS‐potentiated feeding). After a single phase of Pavlovian training, each rat was tested in both PIT and potentiated feeding tasks. Rats with lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala failed to exhibit PIT but showed normal CS‐potentiated feeding. By contrast, rats with lesions of the basolateral amygdala showed normal PIT but failed to display CS‐potentiated feeding. Performances in a variety of comparison conditions suggested that both lesion effects reflected impairment of acquired motivational functions, rather than with attentional processes or the display of specific learned responses. Implications of the double dissociation of these two aspects of Pavlovian conditioned incentive motivation for amygdala function in associative learning are considered.
Differential behavioural sensitization to intermittent morphine treatment in alcohol‐preferring AA and alcohol‐avoiding ANA rats: role of mesolimbic dopamine
Authors: Ojanen Sami , Koistinen Meri , Bäckström Pia , Kankaanpää Aino , Tuomainen Päivi , Hyytiä Petri , Kiianmaa Kalervo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlcohol‐preferring AA (Alko Alcohol) and alcohol‐avoiding ANA (Alko Non‐Alcohol) rats have well‐documented differences in their voluntary ethanol consumption and brain opioidergic systems. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether these rat lines differ in their susceptibility to morphine‐induced behavioural and neurochemical sensitization. The rats were given 15 injections of morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline every other day. Locomotor activity and release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens were monitored after a challenge with additional morphine injections (10 mg/kg) 1 and 5 weeks after withdrawal from the repeated treatment. Morphine increased locomotion more in the previously morphine‐treated rats than in the saline‐treated controls. Furthermore, AA rats were more sensitive to this effect of morphine than ANA rats. Accumbal morphine‐induced dopamine release was significantly higher in the morphine‐treated AA than ANA rats after the first challenge injection 1 week from withdrawal, but no differences were observed after the second challenge. The brain and plasma concentrations of morphine were similar among the lines suggesting that the differences in the effects of morphine cannot be explained in terms of differential pharmacokinetics of morphine in these lines. These data show that AA rats are more susceptible to morphine‐induced behavioural sensitization than ANA rats. Furthermore, it suggests that mesolimbic dopamine has at best only a transient role in the expression of opioid‐induced behavioural sensitization. The relationship between the mechanisms underlying the differential sensitivity of these rat lines to the effects of repeated morphine and voluntary ethanol drinking remains to be determined.