Publications by authors named "Francisco F Esteves"

Prolactin (PRL) is a pleiotropic hormone that was identified in the context of maternal care and its release from the anterior pituitary is primarily controlled by neuroendocrine dopaminergic (NEDA) neurones of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. The sexually dimorphic nature of PRL physiology and associated behaviours is evident in mammals, even though the number and density of NEDA neurones is reported as not being sexually dimorphic in rats. However, the underlying circuits controlling NEDA neuronal activity and subsequent PRL release are largely uncharacterised.

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In a broad variety of bilaterian species the trunk central nervous system (CNS) derives from three primary rows of neuroblasts. The fates of these neural progenitor cells are determined in part by three conserved transcription factors: vnd/nkx2.2, ind/gsh and msh/msx in Drosophila melanogaster/vertebrates, which are expressed in corresponding non-overlapping patterns along the dorsal-ventral axis.

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Background: Data integration is an escalating problem in bioinformatics. We have developed a web tool and warehousing system, Booly, that features a simple yet flexible data model coupled with the ability to perform powerful comparative analysis, including the use of Boolean logic to merge datasets together, and an integrated aliasing system to decipher differing names of the same gene or protein. Furthermore, Booly features a collaborative sharing system and a public repository so that users can retrieve new datasets while contributors can easily disseminate new content.

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