bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Winter Wheat Cultivar Responses to Fungicide Application are Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization Rate
Authors: Varga B. , Svečnjak Z. , Maćešić D. , Uher D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractFoliar fungicides are important management inputs for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in high‐yielding areas of Europe, but their effectiveness may interact with cultivar selection and nitrogen (N) fertilization. No information is available on the potential use of fungicides in reducing yield losses from foliar diseases in Croatia, where wheat crop is extensively grown under low N inputs. Field experiments were conducted during 2000–02 to evaluate the agronomic responses of six winter wheat cultivars to fungicide application (tebuconazol around heading) compared with untreated plots at low (67 kg N ha−1) and high (194 kg N ha−1) N fertilization rates. Grain yields tended to increase in all years following fungicide treatment at high N rate by an average of 10.1 % (773 kg ha−1), but improved significantly in one year only at low N rate. When these occurred, yield increases were associated with larger grain weight per ear primarily due to heavier 1000‐kernel weight. Cultivars differed in their responses to fungicide application across growing seasons and N fertilization rates. Under low disease pressure in 2000 and 2001, improved yields with fungicide use occurred for few susceptible cultivars only, whereas all cultivars significantly increased yields under higher disease severity in 2002 by an average of 383 kg ha−1 (5.0 %) at low N rate and 1443 kg ha−1 (19.0 %) at high N rate. Following fungicide application at high N rate, some susceptible cultivars outyielded resistant cultivars, whereas opposite responses occurred in untreated plots. High N fertilization rate consistently produced larger grain yields except under high disease severity and no fungicide sprayed in 2002, when it had no benefits at all over low N rate. Fungicide application showed limited importance for wheat performance at low N rate; however, cultivars significantly differed in yield responses as well as in rankings after fungicide use at high N fertilization rate.
A Comparison of Methods Used to Determine Biomass on Naturalized Swards
Authors: Martin R. C. , Astatkie T. , Cooper J. M. , Fredeen A. H. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAn experiment was conducted in 2000 to compare simple visual estimate, sward height and rising plate meter (RPM) methods for determining forage biomass in mixed‐species, naturalized, rotationally grazed dairy and beef pastures. Measurements were taken pre‐ and post‐grazing on 10 sampling dates at the dairy pasture, and post‐grazing at 13 sampling dates at the beef pasture. For each sampling date, the effectiveness of each method for estimating the actual biomass from a quadrat was evaluated using regression analysis. The results for the visual estimate method were not consistent, with non‐linear relationships occurring early and late in the season. While the meter stick was most effective in the dairy pasture, the RPM was most effective in the beef pasture. Species composition and structural characteristics of the stand were important factors affecting accuracy of biomass estimation. Equations developed for each method and site using data from all dates had low R2‐adjusted values, and were unreliable predictors of biomass. The results from individual sites and dates were extremely variable, with no single method effective in all circumstances. To estimate forage biomass in mixed‐species, naturalized pastures, standard quadrat harvesting remains the most reliable method, provided that enough quadrats are clipped to adequately represent a given area.
Regulation of Homer and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors by nicotine
Authors: Kane J. K. , Hwang Y. , Konu O. , Loughlin S. E. , Leslie F. M. , Li M. D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe present study focuses on the nicotine‐induced modulation of mRNA and protein expression of a number of genes involved in glutamatergic synaptic transmission in rat brain over different time periods of exposure. A subchronic (3 days) but not the chronic (7 or 14 days) administration of nicotine resulted in the up‐regulation of Homer2a/b mRNA in the amygdala while in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) no change in expression of either Homer2a/b or Homer1b/c was observed. Although the increase in Homer2a/b mRNA was not translated into the protein level in the amygdala, a slight but significant up‐regulation of Homer1b/c protein was observed in the same region at day 3. Both Homer forms were up‐regulated at the protein level in the VTA at day 3. In the nucleus accumbens, 14 days of nicotine treatment up‐regulated mRNA of Homer2b/c by 68.2% (P < 0.05), while the short form Homer1a gene was down‐regulated by 65.0% at day 3 (P < 0.05). In regard to other components of the glutamatergic signalling, we identified an acute and intermittent increase in the mRNA and protein levels of mGluR1 and mGluR5 in the amygdala. In the VTA, however, the effects of nicotine on mGluR mRNA expression were long‐lasting but rather specific to mGluR1. Nevertheless, mGluR1 protein levels in the VTA area were up‐regulated only at day 3, as in the amygdala. These data provide further evidence for the involvement of nicotine in the glutamatergic neuronal synaptic activity in vivo, suggesting a role for the newly identified Homer proteins in this paradigm.
Voltage‐gated calcium channels play crucial roles in the glutamate‐induced phase shifts of the rat suprachiasmatic circadian clock
Authors: Kim Do Young , Choi Hee Joo , Kim Jeong Sook , Kim Yoon Sik , Jeong Do Ung , Shin Hyung Cheul , Kim Mi Jin , Han Hee‐Chul , Hong Seung Kil , Kim Yang In 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe resetting of the circadian clock based on photic cues delivered by the glutamatergic retinohypothalamic tract is an important process helping mammals to function adaptively to the daily light–dark cycle. To see if the photic resetting relies on voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), we examined the effects of VGCC blockers on the glutamate‐induced phase shifts of circadian firing activity rhythms of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons in hypothalamic slices. First, we found that a cocktail of amiloride, nimodipine and ω‐conotoxin MVIIC (T‐, L‐ and NPQ‐type VGCC antagonists, respectively) completely blocked both phase delays and advances, which were, respectively, induced by glutamate application in early and late night. Next, we discovered that: (i) amiloride and another T‐type VGCC antagonist, mibefradil, completely obstructed the delays without affecting the advances; (ii) nimodipine completely blocked the advances while having less impact on delays; and (iii) ω‐conotoxin MVIIC blocked largely, if not entirely, both delays and advances. Subsequent whole‐cell recordings revealed that T‐type Ca2+ currents in neurons in the ventrolateral, not dorsomedial, region of the SCN were larger during early than late night, whereas L‐type Ca2+ currents did not differ from early to late night in both regions. These results indicate that VGCCs play important roles in glutamate‐induced phase shifts, T‐type being more important for phase delays and L‐type being so for phase advances. Moreover, the results point to the possibility that a nocturnal modulation of T‐type Ca2+ current in retinorecipient neurons is related to the differential involvement of T‐type VGCC in phase delays and advances.
The effect of aging on the subcellular distribution of estrogen receptor‐alpha in the cholinergic neurons of transgenic and wild‐type mice
Authors: Kalesnykas Giedrius , Roschier Ulla , Puoliväli Jukka , Wang Jun , Miettinen Riitta 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe degeneration of the basal forebrain cholinergic system plays an important role in cognitive deterioration in aging and Alzheimer's disease. Brain cholinergic neurons and their projections are affected by changes in the circulating levels of estrogens, which exert their effects mainly through the estrogen receptors. In this study, we investigated the effect of aging, estrogen status and transgenic genotype on the number of cholinergic neurons and the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) content in the medial septum–vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca. We used 6‐ and 12‐month‐old female double transgenic mice carrying mutated human amyloid precursor protein (APPswe) and presenilin‐1 (PS1‐A246E), and their nontransgenic littermate controls, which had been sham‐operated or ovariectomized at the age of 3 months. Brain sections were double immunostained for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and ERα and used for stereological cell counting. We found that the number of ChAT‐immunoreactive (ir) neurons containing nuclear ERα‐ir was significantly lower in 12‐ than in 6‐month‐old mice. However, the age of the mice, the transgenic genotype or ovariectomy had no effect on the total number of ChAT‐ir neurons, or on the number and percentage of all ChAT‐ir neurons that contained ERα. These results indicate that aging is associated with translocation of ERαs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. We propose that this phenomenon is linked to those age‐related processes known to be involved in inhibiting ERα binding to nuclei.
Balanced inhibition and excitation underlies spike firing regularity in ventral cochlear nucleus chopper neurons
Authors: Paolini Antonio G. , Clarey Janine C. , Needham Karina , Clark Graeme M. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractVentral cochlear nucleus stellate cells respond to characteristic frequency (CF) tones with sustained (CS), transient (CT) or onset chopping (OC) activity. The mechanisms underlying these different response patterns are not fully understood, and the present study used in vivo intracellular recordings (n = 42) in urethane‐anaesthetized rats to examine the possible influence of inhibition on action potential regularity. Hyperpolarization following the offset of a CF tone burst was used as a measure of on‐CF inhibition. A cluster analysis based on several membrane potential features, including on‐CF inhibition, discriminated three groups in addition to the CS response type − two types of CT responses and the OC type. The different patterns of firing regularity exhibited by CS/T neurons reflected different thresholds or degrees of overlap between these cells' narrowly tuned excitatory and inhibitory inputs. CT cells with closely matched inhibitory and excitatory response areas showed substantial on‐CF inhibition and the greatest decline in firing regularity during a CF tone, whereas those with a mismatch between their response areas showed lateral inhibition and a less marked decline in firing regularity. The presence of inhibition in CS neurons did not alter their firing regularity, possibly because of the lower threshold for excitation compared with inhibition. The latency, duration and frequency extent of sustained hyperpolarization in CS/T cells is inconsistent with the response properties of OC neurons, suggesting that another source(s) of inhibition influences firing regularity, and presumably response magnitude, in these neurons.
Serotonin refines the locomotor‐related alternations in the in vitro neonatal rat spinal cord
Authors: Pearlstein E. , Ben Mabrouk F. , Pflieger J. F. , Vinay L. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractSerotonergic projections from raphe nuclei arrive in the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord during the late fetal period in the rat, a time window during which the locomotor‐related left/right and flexor/extensor coordinations switch from synchrony to alternation. The goal of the present study was to investigate the role played by serotonin (5‐HT) in modulating the left/right and flexor/extensor alternations. Fictive locomotion was induced by bath application of N‐methyl‐d,l‐aspartate (NMA) in the in vitro neonatal rat spinal cord preparation. By means of cross‐correlation analysis we demonstrate that 5‐HT, when added to NMA, improves left/right and flexor/extensor (recorded from the 3rd and 5th lumbar ventral roots, respectively) alternations. This effect was partly reproduced by activation of 5‐HT2A/2C receptors. We then tested the contribution of endogenous 5‐HT to NMA‐induced fictive locomotion. Reducing the functional importance of endogenous 5‐HT, either by inhibiting its synthesis with daily injections of p‐chloro‐phenylalanine (PCPA), starting on the day of birth, or by application of ketanserin (a 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist) or SB269970 (a 5‐HT7 receptor antagonist), disorganized the NMA‐induced locomotor pattern. This pattern was restored in PCPA‐treated animals by adding 5‐HT to the bath. Blocking 5‐HT7 receptors disorganized the locomotor‐like rhythm even in the absence of electrical activity in the brain stem, suggesting that NMA applied to the spinal cord does not cause 5‐HT release by activating a spino‐raphe–spinal loop. These results demonstrate that 5‐HT is critical in improving the locomotor‐related alternations in the neonatal rat.
Mechanisms of ATP action on motor nerve terminals at the frog neuromuscular junction
Authors: Grishin S. , Shakirzyanova A. , Giniatullin A. , Afzalov R. , Giniatullin R. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractWe have shown previously that ATP inhibits transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction through the action on metabotropic P2Y receptors coupled to specific second messenger cascades. In the present study we recorded K+or Ca2+currents in motor nerve endings or blocked K+or Ca2+channels in order to explore the nature of downstream presynaptic effectors. Endplate currents were presynaptically depressed by ATP. Blockers of Ca2+‐activated K+‐channels, such as iberiotoxin, apamin or tetraethylammonium, did not change the depressant action of ATP. By contrast, K+channel blocker 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) and raised extracellular Ca2+attenuated the effect of ATP. However, these effects of 4‐AP and high Ca2+were reversed by Mg2+, suggesting Ca2+‐dependence of the ATP action. Ba2+promoted the depressant action of ATP as did glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP‐sensitive K+channels, or mild depolarization produced by 7.5 mmK+. None of the K+channel blockers affected the depressant action of adenosine. Focal recording revealed that neither ATP nor adenosine affected the fast K+currents of the motor nerve endings. However, unlike adenosine, ATP or UTP, an agonist of P2Y receptors, reversibly reduced the presynaptic Ca2+‐current. This effect was abolished by suramin, an antagonist of P2 receptors. Depressant effect of ATP on the endplate and Ca2+‐currents was mimicked by arachidonate, which precluded the action of ATP. ATP reduced acetylcholine release triggered by ionomycin or sucrose, suggesting inhibition of release machinery. Thus, the presynaptic depressant action of ATP is mediated by inhibition of Ca2+channels and by mechanism acting downstream of Ca2+entry.
Correlation between clinical and pathological staging in a series of radical cystectomies for bladder carcinoma
Authors: Ficarra Vincenzo , Dalpiaz Orietta , Alrabi Najati , Novara Giacomo , Galfano Antonio , Artibani Walter 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVETo analyse the rate of concordance between the clinical and pathological Tumour‐Nodes‐Metastasis staging systems in a homogeneous series of patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for locally advanced or recurrent multifocal superficial bladder carcinoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe clinical data of 156 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy and bilateral iliaco‐obturator lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer in our department were analysed retrospectively.RESULTSThe clinical stage of the primary tumour was carcinoma in situ in three patients (1.9%), cT1 in 67 (42.9%), cT2 in 70 (44.9%), cT3 in five (3.2%) and cT4 in nine (5.8%). Clinical lymph node involvement was detected in 19 patients (12.2%). The differences between clinical and pathological stages were statistically significant (P < 0.001), the concordance was moderate (κ = 0.27, P < 0.001). Of the 70 patients with ≤ cT1, 40 (57%) were reconfirmed as having pathological stage ≤ T1; of the 70 with cT2, 16 (23%) had pT2 carcinoma. Of the 140 patients with clinically organ‐confined (≤T2) neoplasms, 70 (50%) had been understaged after radical cystectomy. The clinical and pathological systems were statistically overlapping for locally advanced cases only. Pathological lymph node involvement was diagnosed in 45 patients (28.8%); this was foreseen with pelvic computed tomography in 19 (12%) only (P < 0.001). All patients designated cN+ were also pN+.CONCLUSIONThese data confirm the high risk of clinical understaging of both local extension of the primary tumour and lymph node involvement.
Towards a better understanding of involuntary detrusor activity
Authors: Bradshaw Helen D. , Radley Stephen C. , Rosario Derek J. , Chapple Christopher R. 
Published: March 2005

There is a wide spectrum of topics covered in this section. The ever‐present problem of nocturia is further explored by authors from Sweden, with interesting conclusions. In addition, several papers describe various issues relating to the surgical correction of stress urinary incontinence. Finally, authors from Switzerland describe their use of sacral magnetic stimulation in non‐inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome.OBJECTIVESTo compare the measured variables of involuntary detrusor activity (IDA) during ambulatory cystometry (AC) in women with and with no overactive bladder symptoms, and to evaluate the correlation between these variables and symptom severity.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 61 symptomatic and 39 asymptomatic women completed the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire (BFLUTS‐Q) and underwent AC. Measured variables of IDA (amplitude, duration, bladder volume and symptoms) were compared in the two cohorts.RESULTSIDA was detected in 47 of 61 symptomatic women (77%) and in 17 of 36 (47%) controls (P ≤ 0.01). The maximum IDA (defined as the highest amplitude contraction in any fill‐void cycle) occurred at significantly lower volumes (328 vs 450 mL, P ≤ 0.05), was of higher amplitude (26 vs 12 cmH2O, P = 0.14) and longer duration (83 vs 14 s, P ≤ 0.05) in symptomatic women than in controls. There was coincident incontinence in 22 (36%) symptomatic women and no controls (P ≤ 0.01). Discriminatory levels for clinically relevant IDA were established, and when applied retrospectively, classified 35 of 61 symptomatic women (55%) and one control (3%) as having such IDA. The correlation between symptom severity (measured by the BFLUTS‐Q) and urodynamics was higher when these criteria were applied (r = 0.52 vs 0.38, P ≤ 0.01).CONCLUSIONThere are quantifiable differences between IDA found during AC in symptomatic and asymptomatic women. The measured variables of IDA may be useful to determine its clinical relevance, which may be indicated by contractions associated with leakage or contractions of >30 s occurring at bladder volumes of <300 mL.
Self‐assessed health, sadness and happiness in relation to the total burden of symptoms from the lower urinary tract
Authors: Engström Gabriella , Henningsohn Lars , Steineck Gunnar , Leppert Jerzy 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effect of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on self‐assessed health, sadness and happiness of men.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe study included 504 men (aged 40–80 years) in the rural community of Surahammar, Sweden, who a year earlier had reported stress incontinence, urgency or postvoid dribbling in answer to a postal questionnaire, and 504 age‐matched control men from the same community. The occurrence of 12 specific LUTS was rated using the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score. Health, sadness and happiness were measured by three questions from the Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form 36 health survey questionnaire.RESULTSCompleted questionnaires were returned by 74.2% of men (748/1008). A low score for health was reported by 34% of men with one to four LUTS, by 67% with five to eight, and by 75% with nine or more LUTS. The total LUTS burden correlated with lower scores for happiness and with higher scores for sadness. For each of the 12 specific LUTS, men with the symptom had lower scores for health and happiness, and higher scores for sadness, than men without the symptom. Comparing men with the symptom of ‘other incontinence’ to men with no ‘other incontinence’, the relative risk (95% confidence interval) of impaired health was 2.2 (1.8–2.8), while that of a high score for happiness was 0.5 (0.3–0.7) and that of greater sadness was 2.3 (1.7–3.3). Social status, marital status, education, smoking, physical activity and urinary tract infection all affected the impact of LUTS.CONCLUSIONSThe total burden of LUTS is related to self‐assessed health, sadness and happiness.
Nocturia in relation to somatic health, mental health and pain in adult men and women
Authors: Asplund Ragnar , Marnetoft Sven‐Uno , Selander John , Åkerström Bengt 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship of nocturia to somatic health, mental health and bodily pain.SUBJECTS AND METHODSA randomly selected group of men and women aged 20–64 years, living in three small municipalities in northern Sweden, or in the city of Östersund or in Stockholm, were sent a postal questionnaire containing questions on somatic and mental health, satisfaction with life, pain, nocturnal voiding, work and sick‐listing from work.RESULTSReports (from 1948 respondents) on poor somatic and mental health and on pain all increased in parallel with increasing frequency of nocturnal voids. In a multiple logistic regression analysis with sex, age, somatic health, mental health and bodily pain as the independent variables, significant independent correlates (odds ratios, confidence intervals) of nocturnal micturition (two or more episodes vs none or one) were: age 45–59 vs 20–44 years, 1.9 (1.3–2.7), ≥60 vs 20–44 years, 3.8 (2.4–6.0); somatic health, poor vs good, 2.3 (1.4–3.7); mental health, poor vs good, 1.9 (1.2–3.0); pain, rather mild vs very mild or none, 1.5 (1.0–2.3); rather severe vs very mild or none, 1.9 (1.1–3.2); and very severe vs very mild or none, 6.0 (2.5–14.0). Gender was deleted by the logistic model. Sick‐listing for ≥ 60 days during the past year was reported by 4.9%, 10.6%, 5.6% and 38.9% of the men with none, one, two or ≥ three nocturnal voids, respectively, and by 10%, 12.4%, 23% and 46.7% (both P < 0.001) of the corresponding women, respectively. Life satisfaction decreased in parallel with increased nocturia.CONCLUSIONThe impairment of both somatic and mental health was associated with increased nocturnal voiding. Pain was associated with a substantial increase in nocturia after adjusting for age and somatic and mental health. Sick‐leave was more common in association with more nocturnal voids.