bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase‐coupled oscillator models can predict hippocampal inhibitory synaptic connections
Authors: Skinner F. K. , Wu C. , Zhang L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWhat factors are responsible for propagating electrical activity in the hippocampus? Using an intact, isolated hippocampus preparation, it is possible to observe spontaneous delta (≤ 4 Hz) waves of rhythmic field potentials. These rhythmic potentials are inhibitory in nature, mediated by GABAergic inhibitory potentials originating from a population of principal neurons. They start in the ventro‐temporal region and move longitudinally towards the dorso‐septal region with a phase lag of ≈ 10% between the extracellular recordings. We use the mathematical framework of phase‐coupled oscillators (PCO) to gain some insight into the underlying network system. A chain of 15 nearest‐neighbour bidirectionally coupled PCOs is used where each oscillator refers to a segment of the CA1 region of the hippocampus that can generate these slow field potentials. We find that ventro‐dorsal delta waves exist if there is a dominance in coupling strength in one direction. Without a one‐way coupling dominance, ventro‐dorsal waves can still exist, but then the coupling strengths need to be much larger. The relationship between entrained and intrinsic frequencies and the variation of propagation speeds along the longitudinal axis can be used to determine which case applies. Currently available experimental data supports one of the cases, predicting that there is a stronger ventral to dorsal inhibitory effect.
Forced swimming stimulates the expression of vasopressin and oxytocin in magnocellular neurons of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Wotjak Carsten T. , Naruo Tetsuro , Muraoka Shinichiro , Simchen Renate , Landgraf Rainer , Engelmann Mario 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that a 10‐min forced swimming session triggers the release of both vasopressin and oxytocin into the extracellular fluid of the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) in rats. At the same time oxytocin, but not vasopressin, was released from the axon terminals into the blood. Here we combined forced swimming with in situ hybridization to investigate whether (i) the stressor‐induced release of vasopressin and oxytocin within the PVN originates from parvo‐ or magnocellular neurons of the nucleus, and (ii) central release with or without concomitant peripheral secretion is followed by changes in the synthesis of vasopressin and/or oxytocin. Adult male Wistar rats were killed 2, 4 or 8 h after a 10‐min forced swimming session and their brains processed for in situ hybridization using 35S‐labelled oligonucleotide probes. As measured on photo‐emulsion‐coated slides, cellular vasopressin mRNA concentration increased in magnocellular PVN neurons 2 and 4 h after swimming (P < 0.05). Similarly, oxytocin mRNA concentration was significantly increased in magnocellular neurons of the PVN at 2 and 8 h (P < 0.05). We failed to observe significant effects on vasopressin and oxytocin mRNA levels in the parvocellular PVN and in the SON. Taken together with results from previous studies, our data suggest that magnocellular neurons are the predominant source of vasopressin and oxytocin released within PVN in response to forced swimming. Furthermore, in the case of vasopressin, central release in the absence of peripheral secretion is followed by increased mRNA levels, implying a refill of depleted somato‐dendritic vasopressin stores. Within the SON, however, mRNA levels are poor indicators of the secretory activity of magnocellular neurons during stress.
High levels of oestrogen receptor‐α in tumorigenesis: inhibition of cell growth and angiogenic factors
Authors: Ali S. H. , O'Donnell A. L. , Balu D. , Pohl M. B. , Seyler M. J. , Mohamed S. , Mousa S. , Dandona P. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.We previously found that the stable overexpression of oestrogen receptor‐α in the human endothelial cell line ECV304* inhibits its growth in vitro, and that this inhibition is possibly mediated through a down‐regulation of the vasoactive agents endothelin‐1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Here we show an in vivo growth‐inhibitory effect of oestrogen receptor‐α overexpression in tumours initiated in nude mice from the same clone of ECV304. In addition, we show that this growth inhibition is accompanied by an αvβ3‐mediated inhibition of cell migration in vitro, and a down‐regulation of the integrin αvβ3, vascular endothelial growth factor and vascularization in vivo. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and integrin αvβ3, through their effect on cell growth and migration, contribute to the process of angiogenesis and to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cancer. The results shown here demonstrate that a higher level of oestrogen receptor‐α in the cell, through its effect on certain angiogenic factors, may play a role in the control of angiogenesis.
Pathophysiology of acute pain: Implications for clinical management
Authors: Jones James B 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTo effectively treat acute pain, emergency medicine practitioners must have a thorough understanding of both the pathophysiology and terminology of the pain experience. The pathophysiology of pain is discussed with an emphasis on the mechanisms of acute, inflammatory pain. The various types of pain receptors, pathways and neurotransmitters are also discussed. See Commentary, page 271.
Gene dropping analysis of founder contributions in a closed Japanese black cattle population
Authors: HONDA Takeshi , NOMURA Tetsuro , FUKUSHIMA Moriyuki , MUKAI Fumio 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTGene dropping simulation was applied to Japanese Black cattle population in Hyogo prefecture, to examine the survivals of alleles originated from founder animals. In the analysis, unique alleles were assigned to founders, and the genotypes of all descendants along the actual pedigree were generated through Monte Carlo simulation following Mendelian segregation rules. By replicating this process 10 000 times, the distribution of frequencies of alleles from each founder was estimated. From the distribution, several quantities useful for the management of genetic diversity, such as the probability of allele extinction and the probability of alleles surviving at a critically low frequency were derived. The materials used were 68 781 animals born in 1955–1998 and their pedigree records traced back to the population in 1937 or before. The expected number of alleles retained in the population drastically decreased during the analyzed period, and reached to 57.9 in the population of 1998, which was only 3.3% of the total number of alleles assigned to founders. Detailed analysis of major founders with relatively high genetic contributions to the current population revealed that alleles from most of the major founders are now at high risk of future extinction. These results strongly suggest that for the management of genetic diversity, the genetic contributions of founders are not fully informative, and emphasize the importance of the detection of live animals having founder alleles with high extinction possibilities.
Evaluation of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink) corn in broiler chicks
Authors: YONEMOCHI Chisato , FUJISAKI Hirokazu , HARADA Chisato , KUSAMA Toyoko , HANAZUMI Michito 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe influence of transgenic event CBH 351 (StarLink; SL)‐derived hybrid corn on the growth performance, health condition and physiological function in broiler chicks, as well as the possible transfer of the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein to blood, liver and muscle were examined in comparison with chicks fed on a diet with non‐transgenic corn (SL‐F). Bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio in the chicks fed on a diet with SL were significantly greater than in chicks fed on a diet with SL‐F during the starter phase (0–3 weeks of age), but this significant difference disappeared during the finisher phase (4–7 weeks of age). No abnormalities in health condition in either SL or SL‐F groups were observed, and livability did not differ significantly between SL and SL‐F groups. Moreover, no significant differences in serum biochemical and hematological values, histopathological observation and necropsy findings were observed between SL and SL‐F groups at the end of the experiment. The cry9C gene and Cry9C protein were not detected in blood, liver and muscle of chicks at 3, 5 or 7 weeks of age. The results indicate that feeding SL does not influence growth performance, health condition or physiological function in broiler chicks, and the cry9C gene and Cry9C protein are not transferred to the blood, liver and muscles of broilers.
Breeding distribution and maternal genetic lineages in Lulu, a dwarf cattle population in Nepal
Authors: FUJISE Hiroshi , MURAKAMI Masaru , DEVKOTA Bhuminand , DHAKAL Ishwori Prasad , TAKEDA Kumiko , HANADA Hirofumi , FUJITANI Hideo , SASAKI Masao , KOBAYASHI Kosaku 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTLulu is a dwarf cattle population bred in the Mustang district of western and central Nepal. This area is located around the habitat boundary between Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The peculiarities of Lulu are their small size (weight range in the adult female: 68–153 kg) and rearing in high mountain areas at 2800 m to 4000 m in altitude. There were 5770 head of Lulu cattle in the Mustang district in 1998, 4333 females and 1437 males. The morphological appearance of Lulu is Bos taurus. However, one of the five Lulu studied in Kagbeni, Mustang had a Bos indicus mitochondrial DNA type based on the D‐loop sequence, while the other four were Bos taurus. It is suggested that there are hybrids of Lulu with Bos indicus maternal lineage in a mostly taurine‐breed genetic background. Steps must be taken to preserve the unique Lulu.
Determination of plasma vitamin C concentration in fattening cattle
Authors: HAIYING Lin , PADILLA Licza , YOSHIMATSU Kazutaka , MATSUI Tohru , KITAGAWA Masayuki , YANO Hideo 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTPlasma vitamin C (ascorbic acid + dehydroascorbic acid) concentration is a good index of the nutritional status of vitamin C. However, the methodologies for storage and analyses have not been investigated in bovine plasma. The validity of an analytical method for bovine plasma using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a spectrophotometric detector was examined. Exogenous dehydroascorbic acid was almost completely converted to ascorbic acid during the preparation for analysis with a reducing reagent, dithioerythritol. The analytical recoveries of ascorbic acid were high. Ascorbic acid was not detected after treatment with ascorbic acid oxidase. Thus, the specificity of this method is considered to be high. Although vitamin C was stable in plasma treated by dithioerythritol at −20°C for 6 days, vitamin C in untreated plasma significantly decreased during 3‐day storage at −20°C. These results indicate that the HPLC method is suitable for the determination of plasma vitamin C in cattle and that the storage conditions are important for determination of plasma vitamin C. Plasma vitamin C concentration ranged between 1.49 mg/L and 3.33 mg/L in fattening cattle. This result suggests that fattening cattle show large individual variation in plasma vitamin C concentration.
Identification of a novel nonlysosomal sulphatase expressed in the floor plate, choroid plexus and cartilage
Authors: Ohto Tatsuyuki , Uchida Hiroshi , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Keino‐Masu Kazuko , Matsui Akira , Masu Masayuki 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) attached to proteoglycan core proteins are implicated in cell adhesion, motility and morphogenesis. Variable sulphation patterns, which are thought to be important for regulating proteoglycan function, are generated by sequential reactions during GAG biosynthesis. However, the mechanism by which such diversity is generated remains unclear.Results: A novel sulphatase, designated RsulfFP1, was isolated from rat embryos by screening for floor plate specific genes. RsulfFP1 and its orthologues show homology with other sulphatases, and have a distinctive hydrophilic insertion. In situ hybridization showed that RsulfFP1 mRNA is strongly expressed in the floor plate, choroid plexus and cartilage in rat embryos. In vitro transfection experiments revealed that the RsulfFP1 protein is localized to the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, and is not present in the lysosomes. It also appears to be localized on the cell surface.Conclusions: RsulfFP1, a phylogenetically conserved sulphatase, forms a novel subgroup in the sulphatase family. It shows homology with the lysosomal sulphatases involved in GAG degradation. Localization of the RsulfFP1 protein in the Golgi apparatus and on the cell surface, however, suggests that it may play a role in regulating proteoglycan‐mediated signalling by the desulphation of GAGs during biosynthesis or after GAGs are presented in the extracellular space.
Restoration of circadian behavioural rhythms in a period null Drosophila mutant (per01) by mammalian period homologues mPer1 and mPer2
Authors: Shigeyoshi Yasufumi , Meyer‐Bernstein Elizabeth , Yagita Kazuhiro , Fu Weili , Chen Yifeng , Takumi Toru , Schotland Peter , Sehgal Amita , Okamura Hitoshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Recent molecular studies suggest that mammals and Drosophila utilize similar components to generate circadian (≈ 24 h) rhythms. The first identified circadian clock gene, the period (per) gene, is indispensable for behavioural rhythms in Drosophila and is represented in mammals by three orthologues, the relative roles of which are not known. In this study, we investigated the functional conservation of per by introducing the mouse mPer1 and mPer2 genes, driven by the Drosophila timeless (tim) promoter, into Drosophila melanogaster.Results: Behavioural assays showed that both mPer constructs restored rhythms in per01 flies that are otherwise arrhythmic due to a lack of endogenous per protein (PER). However, the rhythms restored by mPer2 were generally stronger and differed in periodicity from those restored by mPer1. In rhythmic transgenic flies, mPER proteins were expressed in lateral neurones and/or many cells in optic lobe. In addition, cell culture experiments indicated that the Drosophila PER partner, TIM, can form a complex with each of these two mammalian proteins.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both mPer1 and mPer2 can function as clock components, and has implications for a functional analysis of the different per genes.
Efficacy and economy of inhaled nitric oxide in neonates accepted for extra‐corporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Lönnqvist  
Published: March 2003

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy as well as the cost‐effectiveness of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) compared with extra‐corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in neonates with pulmonary hypertension and hypoxic respiratory failure accepted for ECMO treatment. Design: Retrospective study of the first 10 consecutive neonatal patients treated with inhaled NO during 1992–94. Inhaled NO was administered after failure of conventional treatment as a last resort before initiating ECMO. For cost‐effectiveness calculations the above‐described patient population was compared with ECMO patients having a very favourable ECMO course. Setting: Twelve‐bed neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit with ECMO capabilities at a tertiary university referral hospital. Results: Inhaled NO was found to significantly decrease the oxygenation index (OI pre‐NO: median 80.5; OI post‐NO: median 22.5; P=0.003) and five of the patients could successfully be handled without the use of ECMO. ECMO was found to be more than four times as expensive as inhaled NO treatment on a per hour basis ($244 vs. $53 per hour) and the net savings from being able to avoid ECMO in five patients was calculated to be $156 200. Conclusion: Initiation of inhaled NO caused a significant improvement in oxygenation index and reduced the need for ECMO by 50% in critically ill neonatal patients with hypoxic respiratory failure. Inhaled NO was also found to compare very favourably with ECMO regarding cost‐effectiveness ($53 vs. $244 per treatment hour).
A tyrosine kinase regulates propofol‐induced modulation of the β‐subunit of the GABAA receptor and release of intracellular calcium in cortical rat neurones
Authors: BjÖrnstrÖm K. , SjÖlander A. , Schippert Å. , Eintrei C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPropofol, an intravenous anaesthetic, has been shown to interact with the β‐subunit of the γ‐amino butyric acidA (GABAA) receptor and also to cause changes in [Ca2+]i. The GABAA receptor, a suggested target for anaesthetics, is known to be regulated by kinases. We have investigated if tyrosine kinase is involved in the intracellular signal system used by propofol to cause anaesthesia. We used primary cell cultured neurones from newborn rats, pre‐incubated with or without a tyrosine kinase inhibitor before propofol stimulation. The effect of propofol on tyrosine phosphorylation and changes in [Ca2+]i were investigated. Propofol (3 μg mL−1, 16.8 μM) increased intracellular calcium levels by 122 ± 34% (mean ± SEM) when applied to neurones in calcium free medium. This rise in [Ca2+]i was lowered by 68% when the cells were pre‐incubated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A before exposure to propofol (P < 0.05). Propofol caused an increase (33 ± 10%) in tyrosine phosphorylation, with maximum at 120 s, of the β‐subunit of the GABAA‐receptor. This tyrosine phosphorylation was decreased after pre‐treatment with herbimycin A (44 ± 7%, P < 0.05), and was not affected by the absence of exogenous calcium in the medium. Tyrosine kinase participates in the propofol signalling system by inducing the release of calcium from intracellular stores and by modulating the β‐subunit of the GABAA‐receptor.
Associations of HDL phospholipids and paraoxonase activity with coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women
Authors: Horter M. J. , Sondermann S. , Reinecke H. , Bogdanski J. , Woltering A. , Kerber S. , Breithardt G. , Assmann G. , Von Eckardstein A. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTA low high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) is an established indicator for increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Multiple functional relationships between HDL and CHD have been discussed. We tested the clinical relevance of some of these relationships in a cross‐sectional coronary angiography (CA) study of 87 post‐menopausal women between 48 and 73 years. In addition to established cardiovascular risk factors we measured concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SPM) in HDL as indirect markers of cholesterol efflux capacity, the serum activity of the paraoxonase (PON) as a measure of the antioxidative capacity and serum concentrations of insulin/C‐peptide and C‐reactive protein (CRP) as indirect markers of insulin sensitivity and inflammation, respectively. Upon multivariate analysis of data from 55 women with angiographically assessed CHD differed from 32 women with angiographically excluded CHD, HDL‐SPM had the strongest association with the presence of CHD among all HDL‐related parameters. It was also the only HDL‐related parameter which had a significant and independent correlation with the number of coronary stenoses. As HDL‐SPM was previously shown to correlate with cholesterol efflux capacity of plasma, we conclude that reduced cholesterol efflux capacity is an important factor accounting for the inverse association between HDL‐cholesterol and CHD.
Photosynthesis and related physiological processes in two mangrove species, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal, at Gazi Bay, Kenya
Authors: Mwangi Theuri M. , Kinyamario J. I. , Van Speybroeck D. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryMeasurements were carried out of the gas exchange properties (namely, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration rates), water use efficiency and water relations of two mangrove species, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Rhizophora mucronata had significantly higher photosynthetic rates than C. tagal. Internal CO2 concentrations were higher during the wet season than the dry season in both species. Gas exchange properties were correlated positively with photon flux density in both species. Leaf water potentials were highest during the morning and lowest at midday and were also highest in the lower canopy leaves in both species. The two mangrove species had conservative water use. Management potential for the East African mangroves based on the results of this study is suggested.
Distribution and habitat of grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops) in eastern and central Eritrea
Authors: Zinner Dietmar , Peláez Fernando , Torkler Frank 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA 5‐month survey was conducted in Eritrea with the aim of collecting information on the distribution and habitats of primate species, including grivet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops aethiops). The survey area covered more than 22 000 km2 (N 14°17′−16°19′, E 37°13′−39°53′). Grivet monkey habitats were described by altitude, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation classes and distances to nearest settlements and rivers. We detected grivet monkeys at 44 sites, making Eritrea probably the northern most range of the current grivet monkey distribution. Average group size was 9.1. Grivet monkeys were, at different sites, sympatric with either hamadryas (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) or olive (P. h. anubis) baboons. Grivet ‘home‐ranges’ had a NDVI significantly higher than the average of the area of survey (AoS), and the proportion of wooded and forested areas within the ‘home‐ranges’ was also greater than the average of the AoS. Of all grivet monkey records in Eritrea, 63.7% were closer than 1500 m to the nearest river or riverbed, indicating the importance of riverine forest and woodland for grivet monkeys in the otherwise arid habitats. Conflicts between humans and grivet monkeys were reported from almost every site because both use the riverine habitats extensively. In 37.2% of the cases, the distance between a grivet monkey record and the nearest agricultural area (>5 ha) was less than 500 m and 31.8% of the monkey sites were found within 1000 m of the nearest village. An increasing human population (especially due to resettlement projects for refugees) and an intensification of agricultural activities, particularly in the riverine habitats through modern irrigation techniques, is likely to increase the conflict and will probably have a negative impact on the grivet monkey population in Eritrea.