bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Ryanodine Receptors Ca2 + Release Channels: Cellular Redox Sensors?
Authors: Hidalgo Cecilia , Donoso Paulina , Carrasco M Angélica 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe release of Ca2 + from intracellular stores mediated by ryanodine receptors (RyR) Ca2 + release channels is essential for striated muscle contraction and contributes to diverse neuronal functions including synaptic plasticity. Through Ca2 + ‐induced Ca2 + ‐release, RyR can amplify and propagate Ca2 + signals initially generated by Ca2 + entry into cardiac muscle cells or neurons. In contrast, RyR activation in skeletal muscle is under membrane potential control and does not require Ca2 + entry. Non‐physiological or endogenous redox molecules can change RyR function via modification of a few RyR cysteine residues. This critical review will address the functional effects of RyR redox modification on Ca2 + release in skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle as well as in the activation of signaling cascades and transcriptional regulators required for synaptic plasticity in neurons. Specifically, the effects of endogenous redox‐active agents, which induce S‐nitrosylation or S‐glutathionylation of particular channel cysteine residues, on the properties of muscle RyRs will be discussed. The effects of endogenous redox RyR modifications on cardiac preconditioning will be analyzed as well. In the hippocampus, sequential activation of ERKs and CREB is a requisite for Ca2 + ‐dependent gene expression associated with long lasting synaptic plasticity. Results showing that reactive oxygen/nitrogen species modify RyR channels from neurons and the RyR‐mediated sequential activation of neuronal ERKs and CREB produced by hydrogen peroxide and other stimuli will be also discussed.
IUBMB Life, 57: 315‐322, 2005
Is the highest fat oxidation rate coincident with the anaerobic threshold in obese women and men?
Authors: Bircher Stefan , Knechtle Beat , Müller Gabi , Knecht Hans 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn this study we determined the exercise intensity that elicits the highest fat oxidation rate in 15 obese women and 13 obese men. Furthermore the relationship between this intensity with the lactate (LT) and ventilatory thresholds (VT) was investigated in order to give training recommendation for maximal fat utilization during endurance exercise. After an incremental exercise test until exhaustion on a cycle ergometer, subjects performed six 20‐min exercise bouts of 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75% VO2peak. The 20 min stages were randomly assigned and spread over two separate occasions (three bouts per occasion). Substrate oxidation was measured with indirect calorimetry and was calculated using stochiometric equations. In both, women and men the highest fat oxidation rate occurred at 65% VO2peak and this did not coincide with either the VT or LT. A significant correlation between VT and LT could not be found in women (r=0.33) nor men (r=0.277). In obese women and men training recommendation for maximal fat utilization should not only be given by the intensity at which AnT occurs.
Optimal word sizes for dissimilarity measures and estimation of the degree of dissimilarity between DNA sequences
Authors: Wu Tiee-Jian , Huang Ying-Hsueh , Li Lung-An 
Published: September 2005

AbstractMotivation: Several measures of DNA sequence dissimilarity have been developed. The purpose of this paper is 3-fold. Firstly, we compare the performance of several word-based or alignment-based methods. Secondly, we give a general guideline for choosing the window size and determining the optimal word sizes for several word-based measures at different window sizes. Thirdly, we use a large-scale simulation method to simulate data from the distribution of SK–LD (symmetric Kullback–Leibler discrepancy). These simulated data can be used to estimate the degree of dissimilarity β between any pair of DNA sequences.Results: Our study shows (1) for whole sequence similiarity/dissimilarity identification the window size taken should be as large as possible, but probably not &gt;3000, as restricted by CPU time in practice, (2) for each measure the optimal word size increases with window size, (3) when the optimal word size is used, SK–LD performance is superior in both simulation and real data analysis, (4) the estimate β^ of β based on SK–LD can be used to filter out quickly a large number of dissimilar sequences and speed alignment-based database search for similar sequences and (5) β^ is also applicable in local similarity comparison situations. For example, it can help in selecting oligo probes with high specificity and, therefore, has potential in probe design for microarrays.Availability: The algorithm SK–LD, estimate β^ and simulation software are implemented in MATLAB code, and are available atContact: tjwu@stat.ncku.edu.twSupplementary information: Tables A1–A3, and Remarks 1–11 at
Health‐Related Behavior and Adolescent Mothers
Authors: Chen Mei‐Yen , James Kathy , Hsu Li‐Ling , Chang Shu‐Wen , Huang Lian‐Hua , Wang Edward K. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Objective
: To explore health‐related behaviors among adolescent mothers living in the rural area of Taoyuan, Taiwan. Design: A cross‐sectional descriptive design and nonrandom survey method were used. Sample: The sample consisted of 37 adolescent mothers, identified by public health nurses. Measurements: Standardized interview and Adolescent Health Promotion (AHP) questionnaire. Results: Findings revealed a pattern of economic disadvantage. Nearly half of the participants still lived with their biological parents. Two‐thirds needed economic support from their parents (generally coming from their biological mother). Thirty‐five percent of participants reported never using contraceptives, two‐thirds had never had a Pap smear, and 44% did not breast‐feed their infants. Nearly 60% of the children were cared for by the biological mothers of the participants. Adolescent mothers with high school education, and who were employed, married, and received parental economic support had better health‐related behaviors than adolescent mothers without these characteristics. Conclusions: Although the study sample has geographic limitations, future international studies with similar populations of adolescent mothers in rural settings will help public health nurses understand adolescent mothers’ stressors and needs which in turn affect their health‐related behaviors. Intervention strategies are needed to encourage behaviors to keep this population healthy.
Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Physical Activity in Family Caregivers in Taiwan
Authors: Tung Wei‐Chen , Gillett Patricia A. , Pattillo Robin E. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Objective
: The objective of this study was to examine whether specific constructs from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM)(i.e., stages of change, self‐efficacy, and perceived benefits and barriers) relative to regular physical activity are applicable to Taiwanese family caregivers. Design: A descriptive and cross‐sectional design was used. Sample: A convenience sample included 108 primary family caregivers of mentally ill patients receiving home care from a psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan. Measurements: After obtaining institutional review board approval and subject's consent, subjects’ demographics, stages of change for regular physical activity, self‐efficacy, and perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to regular physical activity were assessed through the questionnaire. Results: Subjects in the later stages of the TTM (action or maintenance) had significantly higher levels of self‐efficacy than those in earlier stages (precontemplation or contemplation)(p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the level of perceived benefits and barriers across different TTM stages. This study provides partial support for the hypothesized relationships between constructs derived from the TTM. Conclusions: Since this is the first TTM study in Taiwan, continued TTM testing is needed to adequately determine the applicability of the TTM and to identify the most effective theory‐based physical activity interventions.
Informing Parents About Newborn Screening
Authors: Kemper Alex R. , Fant Kathryn E. , Clark Sarah J. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Objective
: To evaluate current rules and regulations for educating parents about newborn screening. Design: Cross‐sectional survey. Sample: Newborn screening program coordinators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Measurements: Answers to a standardized semi‐structured telephone survey in January 2004. Results: Fifty programs provide standardized information about screening, and 32 of these have information available in multiple languages. Most programs (n = 36) believe that parents should be informed about newborn screening as a part of prenatal care; however, none has rules or regulations requiring this. Five require documented informed consent; only one provides the consent form in a language other than English. Hospitals and birthing centers are required by many programs to educate families, including providing information (n = 12), obtaining informed consent (n = 5), informing parents of the right to refuse screening (n = 13), and documenting refusal on institutionally developed forms (n = 9). We found considerable variation in policy language across the newborn screening programs. Conclusions: The complexity of current newborn screening programs and the likelihood of expansion in the number of conditions on newborn screening panels present a unique opportunity and challenge for public health nurses to ensure that these programs are effective and that care is integrated.
The impact of age and gender on biology, clinical features and treatment outcome of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Burkhardt Birgit , Zimmermann Martin , Oschlies Ilske , Niggli Felix , Mann Georg , Parwaresch Reza , Riehm Hansjoerg , Schrappe Martin , Reiter Alfred ,   for the BFM Group
Published: September 2005

SummaryWe analysed the impact of age and gender on biology and outcome of 2084 patients diagnosed with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) between October 1986 and December 2002 and treated according to the Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster (BFM) multicentre protocols NHL‐BFM‐86, ‐90 and ‐95. Median age at diagnosis was 8·0 years for 97 precursor B‐lymphoblastic lymphoma (pB‐LBL) patients, 8·8 years for 335 T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‐LBL) patients, 8·4 years for 1004 Burkitt's lymphoma/leukaemia (BL/B‐AL) patients, 11·4 years for 173 diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (centroblastic subtype) (DLBCL‐CB) patients, 13·2 years for 40 primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma (PMLBL) patients and 10·8 years for 215 anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (ALCL) patients (P < 0·00001). The male:female ratio was 0·9:1 for pB‐LBL and PMLBL, 1·7:1 for DLBCL‐CB, 1·8:1 for ALCL, 2·5:1 for T‐LBL and 4·5:1 for BL/B‐AL (P < 0·00001). The probability of event‐free survival at 5 years (5‐year pEFS) was 85 ± 1% for all 2084 patients [median follow‐up 5·7 (0·1–15·9) years], and was significantly superior for male T‐LBL and DLBCL‐CB patients. Comparing age‐groups 0–4, 5–9, 10–14 and 15–18 years, pEFS was inferior for the youngest patients only in the pB‐LBL‐ and ALCL‐groups. T‐LBL and DLBCL‐CB adolescent females had worse outcome than younger girls while age had no impact on pEFS for boys. We conclude that the distribution of age and gender differed between NHL‐subtypes. The impact of gender on outcome differed between NHL subgroups. The prognostic impact of age differed not only by NHL‐subtype but also according to gender in some subtypes.
Locus Coeruleus Norepinephrine Regulates the Surge of Prolactin During Oestrus
Authors: Szawka R. E. , Helena C. V. V. , Rodovalho G. V. , Monteiro P. M. , Franci C. R. , Anselmo‐Franci J. A. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA secondary surge of prolactin has been recently characterised on the afternoon of oestrus. Because the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus participates in the genesis of the pro‐oestrous and steroid‐induced surges of prolactin, the aim of the present study was to investigate the importance of locus coeruleus norepinephrine in the generation of the prolactin surge of oestrus. For this purpose, we initially re‐evaluated the profile of prolactin secretion during the oestrous cycle to verify whether this surge of prolactin was physiological and specific to the day of oestrus. Thereafter, the following were evaluated: (i) the effect of locus coeruleus lesion on the secondary surge of prolactin and on norepinephrine concentration in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) during the day of oestrus and (ii) locus coeruleus neurones activity during the same day by Fos immunoreactivity. Locus coeruleus lesion completely blocked the prolactin surge of oestrus in all rats studied and also significantly reduced norepinephrine concentration in the MPOA, MBH and PVN during the day of oestrus. The number of double‐labelled tyrosine hydroxylase/Fos immunoreactive neurones in locus coeruleus was significantly higher at 14.00 h of oestrus, suggesting an increase in its activity preceding the prolactin surge that generally occurs at 15.00 h. Therefore, the increase in locus coeruleus activity on the afternoon of oestrus supports the data obtained with bilateral lesion of this nucleus, suggesting a stimulatory role of locus coeruleus norepinephrine in the genesis of the secondary surge of prolactin.
Regulation of Prolactin Gene Expression by Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide and Dopamine in the Turkey: Role of Ca2+ Signalling
Authors: Al Kahtane A. , Kannan M. , Kang S. W. , El Halawani M. E. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractOur recent work has demonstrated that dopamine, acting through D2 dopamine receptors on pituitary cells, inhibits the stimulatory effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on prolactin release and prolactin gene transcription. It is hypothesised that the stimulatory and inhibitory roles of VIP and dopamine, respectively, on prolactin synthesis and release are mediated by their opposite effects on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in lactotrophs. The present study aimed: (i) to investigate the effect of VIP and dopamine on [Ca2+]i of cultured turkey anterior pituitary cells and (ii) to examine the role of Ca2+ signalling in mediating the regulatory effects of VIP and dopamine on prolactin mRNA levels and prolactin release. Changes in [Ca2+]i were measured spectrofluorometrically using Fura‐2/AM as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Semi‐quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and radioimmunoassay were used to determine prolactin mRNA levels and prolactin release, respectively. VIP or the L‐type Ca2+ channel activator, Bay K8644 (Bay) increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent fashion, an effect abolished by preincubating the cells with R(–)‐propylnorapomorphine HCl, a D2 dopamine receptor agonist (D2AG) or Verapamil (VR), a specific L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker. Similarly, either VR or D2Ag diminished the VIP/Bay stimulatory effect on prolactin expression and release. On the other hand, pretreatment of pituitary cells with thapsigargin (TG) or neomycin (NEO), to deplete the intracellular Ca2+ stores, showed no effect on basal or VIP‐stimulated prolactin mRNA levels; although VIP‐ induced prolactin release was partially inhibited by NEO but not TG. These results suggest that intracellular Ca2+ represents a common signal transduction pathway through which VIP and dopamine can exert antagonistic control on prolactin synthesis and release in avian lactotrophs.
Patterns of invasion and colonization of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in North America as revealed by microsatellite genotypes
Authors: BRYAN M. B. , ZALINSKI D. , FILCEK K. B. , LIBANTS S. , LI W. , SCRIBNER K. T. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractInvasions by exotic organisms have had devastating affects on aquatic ecosystems, both ecologically and economically. One striking example of a successful invader that has dramatically affected fish community structure in freshwater lakes of North America is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). We used eight microsatellite loci and multiple analytical techniques to examine competing hypotheses concerning the origins and colonization history of sea lamprey (n = 741). Analyses were based on replicated invasive populations from Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, populations of unknown origins from Lakes Ontario, Champlain, and Cayuga, and populations of anadromous putative progenitor populations in North America and Europe. Populations in recently colonized lakes were each established by few colonists through a series of genetic bottlenecks which resulted in lower allelic diversity in more recently established populations. The spatial genetic structure of invasive populations differed from that of native populations on the Atlantic coast, reflecting founder events and connectivity of invaded habitats. Anadromous populations were found to be panmictic (θP = 0.002; 95% CI = −0.003–0.006; P > 0.05). In contrast, there was significant genetic differentiation between populations in the lower and upper Great Lakes (θP = 0.007; P < 0.05; 95% CI = 0.003–0.009). Populations in Lakes Ontario, Champlain, and Cayuga are native. Alternative models that describe different routes and timing of colonization of freshwater habitats were examined using coalescent‐based analyses, and demonstrated that populations likely originated from natural migrations via the St Lawrence River.
Effects of red, far‐red and blue light in maintaining growth in latitudinal populations of Norway spruce (Picea abies)
Authors: MØLMANN JØRGEN ALEXANDER , JUNTTILA OLAVI , JOHNSEN ØYSTEIN , OLSEN JORUNN ELISABETH 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTSeedlings of trees with a free growth pattern cease growth when night‐lengths become shorter than a critical value, and this critical night‐length (CNL) decreases with increasing latitude of origin. In northern populations, the light quality also appears to play an important role and a clinal variation in requirement for far‐red (FR) light has been documented. In this study we dissected the light quality requirements for maintaining growth in different latitudinal populations of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) using light emitting diodes for red (R), FR and blue (B) light, as 12 h day extension to provide 24 h photoperiod. At equal spectral photon flux, FR light was more effective than R light in maintaining growth, and the requirement of both R and FR increased with northern latitude of origin. One‐to‐one mixtures of R and FR light were more effective in maintaining growth than either FR or R light alone, indicating a possible interaction between R and FR light maintaining growth. Using the blue light as day extension could not prevent growth cessation in any of the populations, but delayed the bud set slightly in all populations. Our results suggest that phytochrome(s) are the primary photoreceptors in high irradiance responses maintaining growth in Norway spruce seedlings.
Hydraulic efficiency and safety of branch xylem increases with height in Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) crowns
Authors: BURGESS STEPHEN S. O. , PITTERMANN JARMILA , DAWSON TODD E. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe hydraulic limitation hypothesis of Ryan & Yoder (1997, Bioscience 47, 235–242) suggests that water supply to leaves becomes increasingly difficult with increasing tree height. Within the bounds of this hypothesis, we conjectured that the vertical hydrostatic gradient which gravity generates on the water column in tall trees would cause a progressive increase in xylem ‘safety’ (increased resistance to embolism and implosion) and a concomitant decrease in xylem ‘efficiency’ (decreased hydraulic conductivity). We based this idea on the historically recognized concept of a safety–efficiency trade‐off in xylem function, and tested it by measuring xylem conductivity and vulnerability to embolism of Sequoia sempervirens branches collected at a range of heights. Measurements of resistance of branch xylem to embolism did indeed show an increase in ‘safety’ with height. However, the expected decrease in xylem ‘efficiency’ was not observed. Instead, sapwood‐specific hydraulic conductivities (Ks) of branches increased slightly, while leaf‐specific hydraulic conductivities increased dramatically, with height. The latter could be largely explained by strong vertical gradients in specific leaf area. The increase in Ks with height corresponded to a decrease in xylem wall fraction (a measure of wall thickness), an increase in percentage of earlywood and slight increases in conduit diameter. These changes are probably adaptive responses to the increased transport requirements of leaves growing in the upper canopy where evaporative demand is greater. The lack of a safety–efficiency tradeoff may be explained by opposing height trends in the pit aperture and conduit diameter of tracheids and the major and semi‐independent roles these play in determining xylem safety and efficiency, respectively.
Recognition of ancient carbonate wind deposits: lessons from a modern analogue, Chrissi Island, Crete
Authors: LE GUERN PIERRE , DAVAUD ERIC 
Published: September 2005

AbstractCarbonate aeolian deposits are common along arid to semiarid, wind‐exposed, present‐day coastlines bordered by productive carbonate ramps. Lithified carbonate dunes (aeolianites) have been described around the world in marine terraces of Quaternary age, but these deposits have seldom been identified in the Pre‐Quaternary record. Several authors have suggested that this scarcity reflects that these deposits form and are preserved only during icehouse periods characterized by high‐amplitude sea‐level changes. Others [e.g. McKee and Ward Carbonate Depositional Environments (1983), AAPG Memoirs, Vol. 33, pp. 131–170] suggest that the scarcity of aeolianites in the Pre‐Quaternary record could reflect the ‘great difficulty in recognising wind blown carbonate deposits and in differentiating between them [aeolianites] and other carbonate sands of nearshore environments’. It has been considered that carbonate shoreface/foreshore deposits are very difficult to discriminate petrographically from backshore deposits. This petrographic study of recent sediments from the shoreface to backshore along the northern coast of Chrissi Island, Crete, confirms that carbonate aeolian sands can be very easily misinterpreted as shoreface deposits. Textural examination of thin sections by image analysis techniques indicates, however, that grain orientation patterns differ between facies. Shoreface deposits exhibit a unimodal distribution of grain orientation (flat rose diagram), whereas backshore deposits show a tendency towards a bimodal distribution with a significant proportion of vertical grains. This observation has been confirmed in Pleistocene aeolianites from Tunisia and Western Australia. Grain verticality thus seems to be a reliable criterion for discriminating wind‐lain carbonate bodies from shoreface deposits. Vertical grains in aeolian carbonate deposits could reflect gravity effects (e.g. reorientation of grains because of meteoric water percolation and air pull‐up). Laboratory experiments conducted on carbonate sands under the action of percolating waters confirm this hypothesis. This reorganization process is preferentially developed in recently deposited and loosely packed sands resulting from grainfall and/or grainflow. In addition, this suggests that the presence of vertical grain orientation might be an indicator of the frequency and intensity of rainfalls during deposition.