bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ovarian follicle cells in torpedo marmorata synthesize vitellogenin
Authors: Marina Prisco , Salvatore Valiante , Maurizio Romano , Loredana Ricchiari , Annamaria Liguoro , Vincenza Laforgia , Ermelinda Limatola , Piero Andreuccetti 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe pattern of vitellogenesis is similar in all non‐mammalian vertebrates: the liver, under oestrogenic stimulus, synthesizes vitellogenin (VTG) that, via the maternal circulation, is delivered to the oocyte and here internalized by receptor‐mediated endocytosis (Wallace, 1985: Development Biology. A comprehensive synthesis. Vol. 1 Oogenesis:127–177; Schneider, 1996: Int Rev Cytol 166:103–134; LaFleur, 1999: Encyclopedia of Reproduction Vol. 4:985–992). The contribution to vitellogenesis of different components of the ovarian follicle has also been reported in amphibians (Wallace, 1985), squamate reptiles (Ghiara and Limatola, 1980: Acta Embryol Morphol Exper 1:5–6; Andreuccetti, 1992: J Morphol 212:1–11), and recently, supporting previous reports (Chieffi and Pierantoni, 1987: Hormones and Reproduction in Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles Single vol.:117–144), in Torpedo marmorata (Prisco et al., 2001: Perspective in comparative endocrinology: Unity and diversity Single vol.:1197–1201; Prisco et al., 2002b: Gen Comp Endocrinol 128:171–179). The present investigation, performed with immunoblotting, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization techniques during different stages of follicular growth in T. marmorata, shows that, as previously supposed (Prisco et al., 2002b), granulosa cells in both previtellogenic and vitellogenic phases actively synthesize VTG. This is the first time among vertebrates that the synthesis of this protein has been found to occur also within the ovarian follicle. The present data also demonstrate that the contribution of granulosa cells becomes particularly evident during vitellogenesis. Indeed, in vitellogenic follicles, small, intermediate, and pyriform‐like cells cross‐react with an anti‐VTG antibody and are positive to a hybridization signal with a VTG mRNA probe. By contrast, in previtellogenesis only the enlarged cells, i.e., intermediate and pyriform‐like cells, are involved in VTG synthesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67: 424–429, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GPI‐anchored aminopeptidase is involved in the acrosome reaction in sperm of the mussel mytilusedulis
Authors: Togo Tatsuru , Morisawa Masaaki 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe sperm of the mussel Mytilus had hydrolytic activities against substrates for aminopeptidase. Acrosome reaction (AR) was suppressed in the presence of aminopeptidase substrate, Phe‐4‐methylcoumaryl‐7‐amide (MCA), and an aminopeptidase inhibitor, bestatin. Treatment of sperm with phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C (PI‐PLC) released aminopeptidase activity from sperm and suppressed AR. These results suggest that the enzyme is located on the sperm surface via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchor and is involved in the AR. Immunoblot analysis showed that tyrosine residues of 40, 59, 68, and 72 kDa proteins were phosphorylated during induction of the AR. The 40 kDa protein was also recognized by anti‐c‐Src antibody by immunoblotting. The tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins was inhibited when sperm were inseminated in the presence of Phe‐MCA, and by PI‐PLC treatment. Treatment of sperm with tyrosine kinase activator, 9,10‐dimethyl‐1,2‐benzanthracene, induced AR, and its inhibitor, genistein, suppressed AR. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of 40, 59, 68, and 72 kDa proteins, induced by the interaction of GPI‐anchored aminopeptidase with oocyte surface, triggers AR in Mytilus sperm. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67: 465–471, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro effect of gamma‐aminobutyric acid on bovine spermatozoa capacitation
Authors: Ritta M.N. , Bas D.E. , Tartaglione C.M. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractSperm capacitation is defined as the maturational changes that render a sperm competent for fertilization and occurs in the female reproductive tract. Identification of the factor/s that regulate sperm capacitation would allow the understanding of these phenomena. Among these factors, gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) has recently become as a putative modulator of sperm function. The aim of this study was to explore the presence of a GABAergic regulation of bovine sperm capacitation as well as the possible intracellular mechanisms involved. GABA was detected in fresh semen by a sensitive radioreceptor assay (spermatozoa, 0.064 ± 0.003 nmoles/106 cells; seminal plasma, 23.21 ± 1.16 nmoles/ml). Scatchard analysis of [3H]‐muscimol binding to sperm membranes yielded a linear plot consistent with a single population of binding sites (Kd = 3.87 nM, Bmax = 417 fmol/mg prot.). [3H]‐muscimol specific binding to sperm membranes was significantly inhibited by the GABA A receptor (GABA A‐R) antagonist bicuculline and by the agonists muscimol and isoguvacine. Addition of GABA to the incubation medium resulted in a concentration‐dependent increase in the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa (chlortetracycline assay). We observed a significant increment on intracellular calcium and cyclic 3′,5′ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations induced by GABA, being the cation influx abolished when the cell suspensions were coincubated with the antagonists bicuculline or picrotoxin. It is concluded that GABA induces sperm capacitation through an intracellular mechanism dependent on calcium influx and cAMP accumulation mediated by a specific GABA A‐R. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67: 478–486, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase: expression pattern during testicular development in mouse and evolutionary conservation in spermatozoa
Authors: Nayernia Karim , Diaconu Mihaela , Aumüller Gerhard , Wennemuth Gunther , Schwandt Iris , Kleene Kenneth , Kuehn Hartmut , Engel Wolfgang 
Published: February 2004

AbstractPhospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is a selenoprotein belonging to the family of glutathione peroxidases and has been implicated in antioxidative defense and spermatogenesis. PHGPx accounts for almost the entire selenium content of mammalian testis. In an attempt to verify the expression pattern of PHGPx, testes of mouse mutants with arrest at different stages of germ cell development and testes of mice at different ages were subjected to immunostaining with a monoclonal anti‐PHGPx antibody. PHGPx was detected in Leydig cells of testes in all developmental stages. In the seminiferous tubuli, the PHGPx staining was first observed in testes of 21‐day‐old mice which is correlated with the appearance of the first spermatids. This result was confirmed when the testes of mutant mice with defined arrest of germ cell development were used. An immunostaining was observed in the seminiferous tubuli of olt/olt and qk/qk mice which show an arrest at spermatid differentiation. In Western blot analysis of proteins extracted from testes of mutant mice and from developing testes, two signals at 19‐ and 22‐kDa were observed which confirm the existence of two PHGPx forms in testicular cells. In mouse spermatozoa, a subcellular localization of PHGPx and sperm mitochondria‐associated cysteine‐rich protein (SMCP) was demonstrated, indicating the localization of PHGPx in mitochondria of spermatozoa midpiece. For verifying the midpiece localization of PHGPx in other species, spermatozoa of Drosophila melanogaster, frog, fish, cock, mouse, rat, pig, bull, and human were used in immunostaining using anti‐PHGPx antibody. A localization of PHGPx was found in the midpiece of spermatozoa in all species examined. In electronmicroscopical analysis, PHGPx signals were found in the mitochondria of midpiece. These results indicate a conserved crucial role of PHGPx during sperm function and male fertility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67: 458–464, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in the goat cumulus–oocyte complex
Authors: Gall Laurence , Chene Nicole , Dahirel MichÈle , Ruffini Sylvie , Boulesteix Claire 
Published: February 2004

AbstractIt has been previously reported that epidermal growth factor (EGF) influences meiotic maturation and development competence of oocytes in various mammalian species. The present study was undertaken to analyze the expression of the gene encoding the EGF‐receptor (EGF‐R) in the goat cumulus–oocyte complex during meiotic competence acquisition. Expression of EGF‐R mRNA was evaluated by PCR on reverse transcribed mRNA from follicular cells and oocytes, using EGF‐R specific primers designed from human cDNA. The presence of the EGF‐R transcript was evidenced in follicular cells as well as in meiotically competent and incompetent oocytes. Western blot analysis performed with specific anti EGF‐R antibody revealed in meiotically competent and incompetent oocytes and in follicular cells a 170 kD polypeptide corresponding to the goat EGF‐R protein. In oocytes the amount of EGF‐R increased with meiotic competence acquisition. EGF‐R distribution was examined by indirect immunofluorescence on frozen sections of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). EGF‐R immunoreactivity was observed in cumulus cells and in oocytes. Staining appeared to be confined to the periphery of the cells for both oocytes and cumulus cells. In this study, we identified the main component required for signaling via EGF‐R in the goat oocyte and in follicular cells. These results suggest a possible involvement of EGF in the regulation of follicular growth and oocyte maturation in goat. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67: 439–445, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The fragile X mental retardation protein, FMRP, recognizes G‐quartets
Authors: Darnell Jennifer C. , Warren Stephen T. , Darnell Robert B. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractFragile X mental retardation is a disease caused by the loss of function of a single RNA‐binding protein, FMRP. Identifying the RNA targets recognized by FMRP is likely to reveal much about its functions in controlling some aspects of memory and behavior. Recent evidence suggests that one of the predominant RNA motifs recognized by the FMRP protein is an intramolecular G‐quartet and that the RGG box of FMRP mediates this interaction. Searching databases of mRNA sequence information, as well as compiled sequences of predicted FMRP targets based on biochemical identification, has revealed that many of these predicted FMRP targets contain intramolecular G‐quartets. Interestingly, many of the G‐quartet containing RNA targets encode proteins involved in neuronal development and synaptic function. Defects in the metabolism of this set of RNAs, presumably in the translation of their protein products, is likely to underlie the behavioral and cognitive changes seen in the disease. MRDD Research Reviews 2004;10:49–52. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The fragile X syndrome: From molecular genetics to neurobiology
Authors: Willemsen Rob , Oostra Ben A. , Bassell Gary J. , Dictenberg Jason 
Published: February 2004

AbstractSince the identification of the FMR1 gene basic research has been focused on the molecular characterization of the FMR1 gene product, the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Recent developments in fragile X research have provided new insights and knowledge about the physiological function of FMRP in the cell and the nerve cell in particular. Currently, compelling evidence suggests a role for FMRP in the transport/translation of dendritically localized mRNAs. In addition, the identification of some of the target mRNAs of FMRP have led to an increased interest in the neurobiology of the syndrome. This review highlights the role of FMRP in dendritic mRNA transport/translation in relation to synaptic plasticity, a molecular mechanism implicated in learning and memory. MRDD Research Reviews 2004;10:60–67. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The coupled radial–axial deformations analysis of flexible pipes conveying fluid
Authors: Monprapussorn T. , Chucheepsakul S. , Huang T. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis paper presents large deformation analysis of pipes conveying fluid in which two complicated behaviours are taken into consideration. The first is the coupling between radial and axial deformations of pipe wall, and the other is the interaction between a deformed pipe and transported fluid having the variable internal flow velocity. The coupled radial–axial deformation theory of the pipes and the continuity theory of flow inside the moving deformed pipes are developed to undertake these coupling behaviours. All strong and weak forms of governing equations are obtained by carrying out the virtual work formulation. The hybrid‐finite element method is used to solve the highly non‐linear static problems, which configure the initial large deflection and large strain conditions of the pipes. The state‐space finite element model for use in analyses of non‐linear vibration and system stability is established as well as the suggested numerical solution procedures. The numerical studies of the pipes under circumstances of intense radial loads such as deep‐water risers demonstrate that even a slight change of the radial deformation has a significant effect in increasing non‐linear responses, and reducing stabilities of the pipes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A coupling procedure of FE and SBFE for soil–structure interaction in the time domain
Authors: Yann Junyi , Zhang Chuhan , Jin Feng 
Published: February 2004

AbstractA coupling procedure of finite element (FE) and scaled boundary finite element (SBFE) is presented for three‐dimensional (3D) dynamic analysis of unbounded soil–structure interaction in the time domain. The procedure is implemented with the following efficient techniques: (1) Based on the concepts of linear system theory, the acceleration unit‐impulse response matrix of the unbounded soil calculated by the SBFE method is converted into a group of time‐independent matrices; thus, the time history of the unit‐impulse response function of the unbounded medium can be replaced by an equivalent state‐variable description. (2) The interaction forces between the unbounded soil and the structure are evaluated by a system of linear equations instead of time‐consuming convolution integrals. (3) Since only the partial information of the unit‐impulse response function is sufficient to capture the main character of the unbounded medium and the history of response function can be truncated at the cut‐off time tc, the computational effort spent in the SBFE method can be further reduced. In addition, the accuracy of the procedure can be controlled with prescribed parameters, thus the main advantage of the SBFE method as a highly accurate procedure is retained. Three numerical examples of foundation response demonstrate that good agreement can be achieved when compared with previous results, and high efficiency is also evident compared with the direct convolution integral method. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of haloperidol on the numeric density of neurons and nuclear height in the rat hippocampus: A stereological and histopathological study
Authors: Unal B. , Özbek M.E. , Aydın M.D. , Aydın N. , Bulucu Z. , Vuraler Ö. , Odaci E. , Sahin B. , Kaplan S. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractIn recent studies, some neuroleptics have shown neurotoxic activities. Clinical and experimental studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of different neuroleptic drugs considered to affect the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate neurotoxic effects of halperidol on hippocampal neurons. The drug was given in daily doses of either 1 or 3 mg/kg for 6 weeks to adult male guinea pigs. After treatment, all animals were anaesthetized via short inhalation of ether, and then were fixed by a mixture of 2% glutaraldehyde and +2% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. Brains were removed from the cranium and stored in the same fixative overnight. On the following day, the CA1 region of the hippocampus was dissected out. After embedding in araldite resin and obtaining semi‐thin sections, the tissues were stained with toluidine blue. The physical dissector was used for measurements of nuclear height and numerical density of neurons and the sections were also evaluated histopathologically. The numerical density of neurons and nuclear height in the hippocampus for the low‐dose (1 mg/kg) and high‐dose (3 mg/kg) experimental groups were 12.4 mm3 and 3.6 μm and 7.14 mm3 and 3.56 μm, respectively. In contrast, the control group had a neuronal numerical density of 16.55 mm −3 and a nuclear height of 4.09 μm. There was a significant difference in both the mean density of neurons and the mean height of nuclei between haloperidol‐treated and control groups (p < 0.05). There was also a statistical difference in the mean density of neurons (but not in nuclear height) when comparing the dosage of haloperidol (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that haloperidol treatment may lead to a loss of neurons as well as a decrease in the height of nuclei in the hippocampus.
Effects of low‐dose oxcarbazepine administration on developing cerebellum in newborn rat: A stereological study
Authors: Odaci E. , Kaplan S. , Sahin B. , Bas O. , Gevrek F. , Aygün D. , Ünal B. , Sönmez O.F. , Colakoglu S. , Bilgiç S. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractOxcarbazepine (OXC) is a widely used novel antiepileptic drug that has been available for routine prescription for 10 years. To examine low dose OXC‐induced neurotoxic effects on cerebellar development, we administered 25 mg/kg OXC orally to newborn Wistar rats once a day on postnatal days 2–14. Microscopic processed cerebellar sections of the control and treated groups were examined by volumetric analysis. Volume estimations were obtained using the Cavalieri's principle using a computerized stereological image analyzer (CAST‐GRID). The total volume of the cerebellum, white matter and the various cerebellar layers (except extragranular layer) were significantly increased in the treated animals. These data may provide useful implications for the management of OXC‐induced developmental neurotoxicity in children exposed to OXC during the late fetal period. Our findings suggest that women suffering from epilepsy should be given OXC carefully only at the lowest effective doses during pregnancy.
A long‐term locomotor function and cognition study following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats
Authors: Jung Hyuk‐Sang , Lee Hyun‐Sam , Shin Jung‐Won , Lee Doo‐Jae , Won Ran , Sohn Nak‐Won 
Published: February 2004

AbstractA long‐term study of a cerebral ischemia model, considered valuable in developing better treatments of ischemia, was performed to understand the nature of the dysfunctions associated with stroke. This study focused on the behavioral recovery and cognitive learning and memory of rats over a 17‐week period following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The present study involved the design of a comprehensive guideline for clinical behavior evaluation. The behavior of ischemic rats was examined over 17 weeks from 4 different aspects: posture & balance tests (4 subtests), reflex tests (6 subtests), muscle‐tone tests (3 subtests), and a foot‐fault test. After the tests, the results were analyzed to reveal the relationship between hemispheric atrophy and functional evaluation scores. Each battery of behavioral tests revealed multiple recovery phases in the time courses. Also, in the passive avoidance test, the MCAO group differed significantly from the sham group until 8 weeks, at which point the latencies to the sham group levels had occurred and after which there was no significant difference until 17 weeks. Thus, the present study provides a valuable protocol in long‐term neuroprotection studies and presents an important profile of motor function that will supplement standard histopathological analysis at a later stage of ischemia.
The effects of niguldipine pretreatment on cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage in rabbits
Authors: Gürelik Mustafa , Bolat Mehmet , Öztürk Mustafa , Polat Serkan , Göksel Hakan Murat 
Published: February 2004

AbstractSeveral different mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage. Whatever these mechanisms are, the vessel contraction is ultimately induced by an increase of free intracellular Ca2+ in the arterial wall. In this study, we investigated the effect on cerebral blood flow of a new dihydropyridine derivative Ca‐channel blocker Niguldipine, in a rabbit experimental cerebral vasospasm model. The cerebral blood flow was significantly decreased in the saline treatment group when compared with control group. Niguldipine pretreatment caused a significant increase in cerebral blood flow. This effect should be investigated further.
Immunophenotypic analysis of inflammatory breast cancers: identification of an ‘inflammatory signature’
Authors: Charafe‐Jauffret Emmanuelle , Tarpin Carole , Bardou Valérie‐Jeanne , Bertucci François , Ginestier Christophe , Braud Anne‐Chantal , Puig Brigitte , Geneix Jeannine , Hassoun Jacques , Birnbaum Daniel , Jacquemier Jocelyne , Viens Patrice 
Published: February 2004

AbstractInflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but very aggressive form of breast cancer. Its definition is based on clinical criteria, but a molecular definition could be useful when data are incomplete or features are missing. Recently, the identification of overexpression of E‐cadherin in IBC has improved understanding of the molecular basis of this disease. Consequently, the aim of this study was to try to determine an immunophenotypic ‘signature’ of IBC. A series of 80 cases of IBC were compared with 552 non‐IBC control cases and a model was elaborated to evaluate the probability of an inflammatory carcinoma being present in any clinical situation. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were used to determine the immunohistochemical profile of eight proteins including E‐cadherin, EGFR, oestrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR), MIB1, ERBB2, MUC1, and P53. All the parameters tested were differentially expressed between IBC and control cases in univariate analysis (p < 0.001). The five variables that were significantly associated with IBC in multivariate analysis were E − cadherin ≥ 300 [HR = 5.64 (2.92–10.87)], ER negative [HR = 3.00 (1.67–5.51)], MIB1 > 20 [HR = 3.54 (1.87–6.71)], MUC1 cytoplasmic staining [HR = 2.72 (1.49–4.96)], and ERBB2 positive 2+ or 3+ [HR = 2.46 (1.26–4.78)]. The probability that a breast cancer with this full phenotype at diagnosis was an IBC was 90.5%. If any one of the five parameters was missing, this probability dropped to 75% and was less than 50% when one, two, or three parameters were present. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) of patients with IBC were not significantly different from those of the non‐IBC control group that expressed four or five parameters (nIBC‐1), but this nIBC‐1 control group had a significantly worse outcome than the non‐IBC control group (nIBC‐2) with only 0–3 parameters (p = 0.0049 for OS and p < 0.0001 for DFS). In conclusion, an immunophenotypic signature was suggested for IBC. This could help to determine the worst cases, independent of clinical criteria. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.