bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Photocytotoxicity of Nitroxyl Radical-substituted Porphyrin
Authors: Wu Jian , Shi Weimin , Wu Di
Published: March 2004

A novel tetraphenylporphyrin derivative bearing nitroxyl radical moiety was efficiently synthesized by improved preparation of monoamino-substituted tetraphenylporphyrin as the precursor. Preliminary photocytotoxicity investigation of the spin labeled porphyrin against SPC-A1 adenocarcinoma cell lines was tested.
Selection of AU-rich transiently expressed sequences: Reversal of cDNA abundance
Authors: KHABAR KHALID S.A. , DHALLA MOHAMMED , AL-HAJ LATIFA , BAKHEET TALA , SY CHEIKH , NAEMMUDDIN MOHAMMED
Published: March 2004

Study of early and transient response gene expression is important for understanding the mechanisms of response to growth stimuli and exogenous agents such as microbes, stress, and radiation. Many of the cytokines, proto-oncogenes, and other transiently expressed gene products are encoded by mRNAs that contain AU-rich elements (AREs) in their 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). In this article, we describe an approach to selectively synthesize ARE-containing cDNA (ARE-cDNA) using an innovative combination of culture treatment, thermostabilization of reverse transcriptase (RT) by the disaccharide trehalose, and use of optimized ARE-specific oligomers. The monocytic cell line, THP-1, was treated with cycloheximide and endotoxin to enrich for ARE-mediated gene expression followed by the RT procedure. Selection of ARE-cDNA with simultaneous suppression of abundant cDNA was made possible using the procedure as monitored by the preferential expression of IL-8, an ARE-cDNA molecule, over the abundant housekeeping cDNA, β-actin. The use of trehalose dramatically reversed cDNA abundance, resulting in almost complete suppression of housekeeping cDNA. Finally, construction of specialized ARE-cDNA libraries confirmed the selectivity of ARE-cDNAs and the presence of rare genes. The ability to reverse the abundance of housekeeping and other highly expressed genes toward ARE genes facilitates the discovery and study of rare early response and transiently expressed genes.
Loss of the mRNA-like region in mitochondrial tmRNAs of jakobids
Authors: JACOB YANNICK , SEIF ELIAS , PAQUET PIERRE-OLIVIER , LANG B. FRANZ
Published: March 2004

It has been postulated that a highly reduced form of transfer messenger RNA (tmRNA), a bacterial molecule involved in the rescue of stalled ribosomes during translation, is expressed in the mitochondrion of the jakobid Reclinomonas americana. Here we show that genes encoding both one-piece and two-piece tmRNAs are present in six different jakobid mitochondrial DNAs. Mitochondrial tmRNAs have retained the highly conserved tRNAAla-like domain, but they apparently lack the mRNA-like region present in all bacterial tmRNAs. Comparative analysis of jakobid mitochondrial genomes shows that a potential mRNA-like region in R. americana (orf64) is located at distant genomic positions in other jakobids. Our results strongly suggest that orf64 is a tatA homolog. Through Northern hybridization we confirm the postulated reduced size of both a one-piece tmRNA in Jakoba libera and a two-piece tmRNA in Seculamonas ecuadoriensis. The J. libera tmRNA is post-transcriptionally modified by addition of a 3′ CCA tail, processed in vitro by RNase P RNA, and specifically charged with alanine in vitro by alanyl-tRNA synthetase. Our results strongly support the functionality of these reduced mitochondrial tmRNAs.
Two strategically placed base pairs in helix 8 of mammalian signal recognition particle RNA are crucial for the SPR19-dependent binding of protein SRP54
Authors: YIN JIAMING , YANG CHING-HUI , ZWIEB CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2004

Signal recognition particle (SRP) guides secretory proteins to biological membranes in all organisms. Assembly of the large domain of mammalian SRP requires binding of SRP19 prior to the binding of protein SRP54 to SRP RNA. The crystal structure of the ternary complex reveals the parallel arrangement of RNA helices 6 and 8, a bridging of the helices via a hydrogen bonded A149–A201 pair and protein SRP19, and two A minor motifs between the asymmetric loop of helix 8 (A213 and A214) and helix 6. We investigated which residues in helix 8 are responsible for the SRP19-dependent binding of SRP54 by taking advantage of the finding that binding of human SRP54 to Methanococcus jannaschii SRP RNA is independent of SRP19. Chimeric human/M. jannaschii SRP RNA molecules were synthesized containing predominantly human SRP RNA but possessing M. jannaschii SRP RNA-derived substitutions. Activities of the chimeric RNAs were measured with respect to protein SRP19 and the methionine-rich RNA-binding domain of protein SRP54 (SRP54M). Changing A213 and A214 to a uridine has no effect on the SRP19-dependent binding of SRP54M. Instead, the two base pairs C189–G210 and C190–G209, positioned between the conserved binding site of SRP54 and the asymmetric loop, are critical for conveying SRP19 dependency. Furthermore, the nucleotide composition of five base pairs surrounding the asymmetric loop affects binding of SRP54M significantly. These results demonstrate that subtle, and not easily perceived, structural differences are of crucial importance in the assembly of mammalian SRP.
A multiprotein complex involved in chloroplast group II intron splicing
Authors: PERRON KARL , GOLDSCHMIDT-CLERMONT MICHEL , ROCHAIX JEAN-DAVID
Published: March 2004

The psaA gene of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii consists of three exons that are widely separated on the chloroplast genome and transcribed independently. The exons are flanked by group II intron sequences. Maturation of the psaA mRNA requires two steps of splicing in trans between the transcripts of exons 1, 2, and 3. At least 14 nuclear loci and one chloroplast gene (tscA) are involved in this process. Recently the genes of three of these nuclear factors have been cloned. Raa3 is involved in the first trans-splicing reaction, and Raa1 and Raa2 are required for the second trans-splicing reaction. Here we show that Raa1 and Raa2 can be coimmunoprecipitated and that they are part of a high molecular weight complex of 400–500 kD. The size and integrity of the complex are affected by mutations in other complementation groups, suggesting that the corresponding proteins may also be components of this multiprotein complex or required for its assembly. Raa1 is also associated with a larger complex.
Practical and general synthesis of 5′-adenylated RNA (5′-AppRNA)
Authors: SILVERMAN SCOTT K.
Published: March 2004

A simple strategy is reported for 5′-adenylation of nearly any RNA sequence of indefinite length. The 5′-adenylated product (5′-AppRNA) is an activated RNA that is structurally similar to 5′-triphosphorylated RNA, which is usually prepared by in vitro transcription using T7 RNA polymerase. In the new 5′-adenylation strategy, the RNA substrate is first 5′-monophosphorylated either by T4 polynucleotide kinase, by in vitro transcription in the presence of excess GMP, or by appropriate derivatization during solid-phase synthesis. The RNA is then 5′-adenylated using ATP and T4 RNA ligase, in an interrupted version of the natural adenylation–ligation mechanism by which T4 RNA ligase joins two RNA substrates. Here, the final ligation step of the mechanism is inhibited with complementary DNA blocking oligonucleotide(s) that permit adenylation to occur with good yield. The 5′-AppRNA products of this approach should be valuable as activated RNAs for in vitro selection experiments as an alternative to 5′-triphosphorylated RNAs, among other likely applications. The 5′-terminal nucleotide of an RNA substrate to be adenylated using the new method is not restricted to guanosine, in contrast to 5′-triphosphorylated RNA prepared by in vitro transcription. Therefore, using the new approach, essentially any RNA obtained from solid-phase synthesis or other means can be activated by 5′-adenylation in a practical manner.
In vivo recruitment of exon junction complex proteins to transcription sites in mammalian cell nuclei
Authors: CUSTÓDIO NOÉLIA , CARVALHO CÉLIA , CONDADO INÊS , ANTONIOU MICHAEL , BLENCOWE BENJAMIN J. , CARMO-FONSECA MARIA
Published: March 2004

Studies over the past years indicate that there is extensive coupling between nuclear export of mRNA and pre-mRNA processing. Here, we visualized the distribution of exon junction complex (EJC) proteins and RNA export factors relative to sites of abundant pre-mRNA synthesis in the nucleus. We analyzed both HeLa cells infected with adenovirus and murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells stably transfected with the human β-globin gene. Using in situ hybridization and confocal microscopy, we observe accumulation of EJC proteins (REF/Aly, Y14, SRm160, UAP56, RNPS1, and Magoh) and core spliceosome components (U snRNPs) at sites of transcription. This suggests that EJC proteins bind stably to pre-mRNA cotranscriptionally. No concentration of the export factors NXF1/TAP, p15, and Dbp5 was detected on nascent transcripts, arguing that in mammalian cells these proteins bind the mRNA shortly before or after release from the sites of transcription. These results also suggest that binding of EJC proteins to the mRNA is not sufficient to recruit TAP-p15, consistent with recent findings showing that the EJC does not play a crucial role in mRNA export. Contrasting to the results obtained in MEL cells expressing normal human β-globin transcripts, mutant pre-mRNAs defective in splicing and 3′end processing do not colocalize with SRm160, REF, UAP56, or Sm proteins. This shows that the accumulation of EJC proteins at transcription sites requires efficient processing of the nascent pre-mRNAs, arguing that transcription per se is not sufficient for the stable assembly of the EJC.
Disrupted Bodies: Experiencing the Newly Limited Body in Stroke
Authors: Faircloth Christopher , Boylstein Craig , Rittman Maude , Young Mary Ellen
Published: March 2004

This article explores the intersection of recovery and bodily practices among stroke survivors. Drawing on the extensive literature on the socially constructed body in general, on chronic illness, and on interactionist thought, we explore bodily experience as a mechanism that informs stroke survivors' understanding and practices of everyday life in recovery. We ask a central question: what practical mechanisms does the survivor employ to provide meaning to her or his newly disrupted body? Data gathered from in‐depth interviews with fifty‐one discharged stroke survivors show that they use three specific technologies of bodily management and meaning‐making. These are managing the body within a mind‐body dualism, testing the body in its everyday practices, and orienting to the body as a biographically informed phenomenon.
Intrathyroidal Branchial Cleft-like Cyst with Heterotopic Salivary Gland-type Tissue
Authors: Park Ji-Young , Kim Gou Young , Suh Yeon-Lim
Published: March 2004

A rare case is described of intrathyroidal branchial cleft-like cyst associated with unusual heterotopic tissues including the salivary gland type tissue, fat, and cartilage. This coexistence in the thyroid gland has not been described previously, to our knowledge. The patient was a 7-year-old girl with a growing mass in the left lateral neck. The ultrasonography revealed a cystic lesion in the left thyroid. Histologically, the cyst was lined by squamous or respiratory-type epithelium resting on the fibrous tissue containing lymphoid tissues with follicle formation and solid cell nests (SCNs). This cyst was intimately associated with heterotopic tissues including lobules of well-differentiated seromucinous salivary glands, mature fat tissue, and islands of the cartilage. This association of branchial cleft-like cyst with SCNs and unusual heterotopic tissues in the normal thyroid suggests a possible origin from the SCN as ultimobranchial vestigial structures.
‘Prestige’ oil spill and Navidad flow
Authors: Garcia-Soto C.
Published: March 2004

The spread of the oil spill from the tanker ‘Prestige’ was analysed in relation to the occurrence of the exceptional 2002/2003 Navidad using airborne and AVHRR satellite measurements. Altimeter-derived geostrophic velocity and Envisat ASAR observations were also used to investigate the structure of this Cantabrian extension of the poleward current around Iberia.
Structure and taxonomic composition of subtidal nematode and macrofauna assemblages at four stations around the UK coast
Authors: Schratzberger M. , Whomersley P. , Kilbride R. , Rees H.L.
Published: March 2004

The diversity and structure of meiobenthic nematodes and macrobenthic infauna were studied at four widely spaced subtidal sites around the UK coast in relation to a number of measured environmental variables. The stations were situated on soft sediments at water depths of 53 to 95 m and are intended as long-term monitoring locations as part of the UK National Marine Monitoring Programme. Similar benthic assemblages were encountered in comparable environmental conditions. The distribution of nematode and macrofauna species was mainly governed by the geographical location of the habitat and the granulometric composition of the substrate. There was no evidence of any adverse effect on the measures of benthic assemblage structure arising from trace metal concentrations in the sediment, indicating the relatively unpolluted nature of the offshore locations under investigation. Nematode and macrofauna assemblages exhibited stable patterns over time periods of three years.
Population biology and habitat of the stauromedusa Haliclystus auricula in southern Chile
Authors: Zagal Carolina J.
Published: March 2004

The population biology and habitat of Haliclystus auricula was studied from samples taken every two months in southern Chile between November 2001 and November 2002. A total of 3790 medusae were collected and examined. The abundance of H. auricula varied seasonally. Maximum densities occurred in summer (1405/m2) and minimum densities during the winter, when the population gradually disappeared. Gonads were observed in medusae starting from a size of 2·0 mm. Stauromedusae were found most often on the red filamentous alga Ceramium rubrum (69%), followed by Gymnogongrus furcellatus (12%) and Ulva sp. (10%). There were highly significant differences in mean abundance of medusae on these three algae (P<0·05). The remaining 9% of medusae were found on other seaweeds. The smallest medusae (0·08–0·9 mm umbrella height) were found exclusively on C. rubrum. The highest densities were recorded in the midlittoral zone.
Diet of the stauromedusa Haliclystus auricula from southern Chile
Authors: Zagal Carolina J.
Published: March 2004

The diet of Haliclystus auricula was studied from the gut contents of Stauromedusae collected every two months in southern Chile between November 2001 and November 2002. A total of 3790 medusae were collected and examined. Stauromedusae prey consisted primarily of harpacticoid copepods (68·4%), followed by gammarid amphipods (15·4%), chironomid fly larvae (9·2%) and podocopid ostracods (5·9%). The remaining 1·1% of the diet was made up of empidid fly larvae, polychaete worms, isopods, juvenile decapod crustaceans and gastropods. Gut content was observed in 31% of the stauromedusae collected and only in medusae with an umbrella height greater than 0·4 mm. Frequency of medusae with prey items in their gut content increased with stauromedusae size. The type of prey most frequently found in the smallest medusae were copepods, whilst larger individuals contained mainly amphipods. A strong tendency for the length of prey consumed to increase with medusae size was found.
Biology of the cocktail shrimp, Trachysalambria curvirostris (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in the Yellow Sea of Korea
Authors: Cha H.K. , Oh C.W. , Choi J.H.
Published: March 2004

Trachysalambria curvirostris occurs widely along the south and west coasts of Korea with a range extending from Kanghwado in the north-west, down to Sarangdo in the south-east. With seasonal warming of the waters starting in April, the shrimps begin to migrate from deep waters to the coastal area. Zoea and mysis larvae occurred from June to August. Sex ratio showed seasonal variations, with a mean value of 56·7% for the females. The species produces one cohort a year, with the ovaries ripening from June to July. Insemination appeared to take place from June to August, as more than half of the females sampled in the study over 15–16 mm carapace length were inseminated. Mean gonadosomatic index (GSI) reached a maximum between June and July. The smallest mature female found was 15 mm carapace length (CL). Size at 50% sexual maturity (CL50), determined from both mature females and inseminated females, was 15·37 mm and 16·49 mm CL, respectively. Fecundity was directly proportional to the size of the female, with clutch sizes varying from 16,380 eggs in the smallest female to 114,621 eggs in the largest, and the eggs ranged from 230 μm to 340 μm in diameter. The life span of females appeared to be 14–15 months according to size frequency distributions, while that of the male was 13–14 months. Population growth was estimated by the modified von Bertalanffy growth function incorporating seasonal variation in growth. Based on the growth parameters (K=2·00 y−1 and L∞=24·64 mm CL for females, and K=2·00 y−1 and L∞=19·00 mm CL for males) growth curves showed that females grew faster and reached a larger size at age than males. This result is supported by differences in growth performance indices (ϕ′).
Rare predation by the intertidal crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus on the limpet Patella depressa
Authors: Silva Ana , Boaventura Diana , Flores Augusto , Ré Pedro , Hawkins Stephen J.
Published: March 2004

The predatory effects of Pachygrapsus marmoratus on populations of the intertidal limpet Patella depressa were analysed on rocky shores located on the central coast of Portugal. Nocturnal observations on crab feeding behaviour were conducted and experimental exclusion cages were set in the substratum to assess density effects on limpets. The results indicated that although crabs feed on adult limpets the predatory level was minimal. Crabs used consistent tactics to detach limpets from the substratum but the majority of the attacks were unsuccessful, possibly due to morphological and behavioural adaptations of limpets. An alternative recruitment hypothesis is advanced to explain non-significant differences between experimental treatments and a possible predatory role on shaping levels of recruitment on lower levels of the shore is considered.
Population structure and reproduction of three sympatric species of hermit crabs in the north-western Mediterranean
Authors: Macpherson E. , Raventos N.
Published: March 2004

The populations of three sympatric hermit crabs, Pagurus excavatus, Anapagurus alboranensis and Anapagurus petiti were studied in a shallow (15–25 m) sandy area in the north-western Mediterranean. Seasonal abundance, seasonal size frequency, sex ratio and reproductive periods were examined. Pagurus excavatus was the largest and most abundant species in the zone. Pagarus excavatus and Anapagarus alboranensis are sexually dimorphic in relation to size, with males reaching larger sizes than females. However, the males and females of Anapagurus petiti reach similar large sizes. Anapagurus petiti has a sex ratio that is female biased, whereas A. alboranensis and P. excavatus are 1:1. Anapagurus petiti showed a higher reproductive activity during warmer seasons, while in A. alboranensis the proportion of ovigerous females was high throughout the year, with a minimum in autumn. The activity and clutch size of P. excavatus decreased during summer.
Records of giant squid in the north-eastern Atlantic, and two records of male Architeuthis sp. off the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Guerra A. , González A.F. , Dawe E.G. , Rocha F.
Published: March 2004

A review of the verified reports to date of Architeuthis spp. showed that 33·9% (115 specimens) of worldwide reports were derived from the north-eastern Atlantic. The sex of each specimen, nature of the report, as well as the season and area of collection are presented. Biological data are presented on the two first males of Architeuthis sp. captured off the Iberian Peninsula. The first male (42 kg and 98 cm mantle length) was caught at 43°54·26′N 5°29·38′W by pair trawlers on 13 September 2002. Spermatophores ranged from 11 to 20 cm in length. The peculiar observation of other spermatophores embedded in the skin near the proximal part of the ventral, ventro-lateral and dorso-lateral arms is discussed. The second male (66 kg and 122 cm mantle length) was found floating on the surface off Gijón on 16 September 2003. Although mature, no spermatophores embedded in the skin were observed. A comparison was undertaken of several morphometric measurements between these two males and five other north-eastern Atlantic males from which data were available.
Morphogenesis of the salt gland in the viviparous Oman shark, Iago omanensis (Triakidae) from the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea)
Authors: Fishelson L. , Baranes A. , Delarea Y.
Published: March 2004

The morphogenesis and cytogenesis of the salt gland was studied in various embryonic stages of the viviparous Oman shark, Iago omanensis, from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. The primordium of the gland is revealed in embryos of 18 mm total length (TL) as a protrusion of the gut posterior to the spiral valve, enveloped in the peritoneal epithelium. In 30 mm TL embryos the glandular parenchyma begins to be organized into secretory tubules extending radially and opening into the central canal of the gland. From this stage on the developments include: thickening of the gland capsule and formation of internal lobules by extensions of connective tissue; strong amplification of the basolateral cell membranes of secretory cells into the cell-cytosols; enlargement of the gland by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the ion-transporting cells. In 65 (±5) mm TL embryos the gland closely resembles that in adult fish and in pre-term juveniles of 165 (±5) mm TL the gland in general morphology and cytology is identical to that of adults. The results demonstrate that at time of liberation into the environment the juvenile of Iago omanensis is provided for osmoregulation with a functional gland.
Abundance of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the shallow rocky subtidal and the relationship to winter seawater temperature
Authors: Magill S.H. , Sayer M.D.J.
Published: March 2004

Two inshore rocky subtidal sites on the west coast of Scotland (Saulmore Point, Firth of Lorn, 056°27′N 005°24′W and Davy's Rock, Firth of Clyde, 055°46′N 004°53′W) were surveyed for the presence of juvenile (0+) Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua between September 1995 and November 2001. A total of 951 juveniles were recorded at Saulmore Point and 34 at Davy's Rock. At Saulmore Point the abundance was highly seasonal, being observed between June and December only. Juveniles were present in only three out of six survey years, with a maximum abundance of 0·89 individuals m−2 recorded in 1996. Maximum abundance of juveniles at Saulmore Point was negatively correlated with winter seawater temperature, indicating that winter temperatures may be a useful indicator of subsequent juvenile abundance levels in inshore habitats.
Inter- and intra-gender analyses of feeding ecology of the worm pipefish (Nerophis lumbriciformis)
Authors: Lyons D.O. , Dunne J.J.
Published: March 2004

Small vagile epiphytic crustaceans formed the greatest proportion of the diet of worm pipefish. There were significant differences in the number (Mann–Whitney U=22006·5, P<0·001) and diversity (Mann–Whitney U=11546·0, P<0·05) of prey consumed by male and female pipefish. Harpacticoid copepods are the most numerically dominant form of prey consumed. Further gender analysis of mature pipefish revealed that reproductively mature females and egg-bearing male worm pipefish show significantly greater predatory effort (Kruskal–Wallis H=24·15, df=2, P<0·001). Increased feeding activity, within these groups, is suggested to alleviate the substantial reproductive costs for both female and egg-bearing male pipefish.
Continuation cognitive-behavioural therapy maintains attributional style improvement in depressed patients responding acutely to fluoxetine
Authors: PETERSEN T. , HARLEY R. , PAPAKOSTAS G. I. , MONTOYA H. D. , FAVA M. , ALPERT J. E.
Published: March 2004

Background. Little is known about how continuation and maintenance cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) influences important psychological constructs that may be associated with long-term outcome of major depressive disorder. The goal of this study was to examine whether CBT would help maintain attributional style changes experienced by patients during acute phase fluoxetine treatment.

Method. Three hundred and ninety-one patients with major depressive disorder were enrolled in an open, fixed-dose 8 week fluoxetine trial. Remitters to this acute phase treatment (N=132) were randomized to receive either fixed-dose fluoxetine (meds only) or fixed-dose fluoxetine plus cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT+meds) during a 6-month continuation treatment phase. The Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ) was completed by patients at three time points – acute phase baseline, continuation phase baseline and continuation phase endpoint. Analysis of covariance was used to compare continuation phase ASQ composite score changes between groups.

Results. Patients in both treatment groups experienced significant gains in positive attributional style during the acute phase of treatment. Continuation phase ASQ composite change scores differed significantly between treatment groups, with the CBT+meds group maintaining acute phase positive attributional style changes, and the meds only group exhibiting a worsening of attributional style. The two treatment groups did not significantly differ in rates of relapse and final continuation phase visit HAMD-17 scores.

Conclusions. In this sample, the addition of CBT to continuation psychopharmacological treatment was associated with maintenance of acute treatment phase attributional style gains. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of such gains in the long-term course of depressive illness.
Is the female preponderance in major depression secondary to a gender difference in specific anxiety disorders?
Authors: PARKER G. , HADZI-PAVLOVIC D.
Published: March 2004

Background. While a female preponderance in unipolar depression is a consistent finding in community-based studies, determinants remain speculative. This study aimed to examine whether a female preponderance in certain anxiety disorders drives a gender difference in depression.

Method. The relevant data from the National Comorbidity Study (NCS) are analysed.

Results. We observed a biphasic pattern in the emergence of a female preponderance in the depressive and anxiety disorders, with an initial pre-pubertal or early adolescent onset, and after attenuation in early to middle adulthood, re-emergence in mid- to late-adulthood. Analyses focused on determinants of the initial female preponderance. Female gender, presence of an anxiety disorder and variable ages of onset in the anxiety disorder all contributed to the increased chance of an initial depressive episode. Some specificity in linking the onset of depressive temporally in early adolescence with two anxiety disorders was demonstrated, specifically generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

Conclusions. The separate anxiety disorders and their age of onset had variable links with depression, but female gender remained a significant predictor of depression after accounting for the effects of prior anxiety.
North Wales randomized controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy for acute schizophrenia spectrum disorders: outcomes at 6 and 12 months
Authors: STARTUP M. , JACKSON M. C. , BENDIX S.
Published: March 2004

Background. Recent reviews of randomized controlled trials have concluded that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is effective, as an addition to standard care, in the treatment of people suffering from schizophrenia. Most of the trials have been conducted with stabilized out-patients. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for in-patients suffering acute psychotic episodes, when delivered under conditions representative of current clinical practice.

Method. Consecutive admissions meeting criteria were recruited. After screening, 43 were assigned at random to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group and 47 were assigned to TAU plus CBT. At baseline, 6 months and 12 months, patients were rated on symptoms and social functioning. CBT (maximum 25 sessions) began immediately after baseline assessment.

Results. The CBT group gained greater benefit than the TAU group on symptoms and social functioning. A larger proportion of the CBT group (60%) than the TAU group (40%) showed reliable and clinically important change, and none of them (v. 17%) showed reliable deterioration compared with baseline.

Conclusions. CBT for patients suffering acute psychotic episodes can produce significant benefits when provided under clinically representative conditions.
No evidence for links between autism, MMR and measles virus
Authors: CHEN W. , LANDAU S. , SHAM P. , FOMBONNE E.
Published: March 2004

Background. We examined whether, in the UK, there is an increased risk of autism (AD) following exposures, in early life, to: (1) wild measles; (2) live attenuated measles, alone or in combination as MMR; and (3) the alteration of the mumps strain within MMR.

Method. We conducted time trend analyses of 2407 AD subjects born between 1959–93; and for comparison, 4640 Down's syndrome (DS) subjects born between 1966–93. Between 1968–86, we correlated variations in AD and DS births with wild measles incidence. Between 1959–93, we tested for abrupt changes in the long-term AD birth trend for the effects of introducing: (1) monovalent measles vaccines in 1968; (2) MMR immunization in 1988; and (3) the ‘overnight switch’ from mixed use of Urabe MMR to exclusive use of Jeryl–Lynn MMR in 1992. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used as measures of association.

Results. We found no significant association between AD births and exposure (prenatal and post-natal up to 18 months age) to population rates of measles infections, and no ‘step-up’ increase in AD births associated with the introduction of monovalent measles and MMR vaccines, and changing mumps strain. An unexpected reduction in AD births of 21% (95% CI 6·9–33·3%; P=0·005) among the post-1987 birth cohorts was detected.

Conclusion. No increased risk of AD following exposures to wild measles and vaccinations with monovalent measles, and Urabe or Jeryl–Lynn variants of MMR was detected. The precise meaning of the detected AD births reduction is unclear. Our study cannot exclude rare complications of MMR, given its correlational design.
Social cognition, brain networks and schizophrenia
Authors: LEE K.-H. , FARROW T. F. D. , SPENCE S. A. , WOODRUFF P. W. R.
Published: March 2004

Background. A better understanding of the neural basis of social cognition including mindreading (or theory of mind) and empathy might help to explain some deficits in social functioning in people with schizophrenia. Our aim was to review neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies on social cognition, as they may shed light on the neural mechanisms of social cognition and its dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia.

Method. A selective literature review was undertaken.

Results. Neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies suggest convergence upon specific networks for mindreading and empathy (the temporal cortex, amygdala and the prefrontal cortex). The frontal lobe is likely to play a central role in enabling social cognition, but mindreading and empathic abilities may require relatively different weighting of subcomponents within the same frontal-temporal social cognition network.

Conclusions. Disturbances in social cognition may represent an abnormal interaction between frontal lobe and its functionally connected cortical and subcortical areas. Future studies should seek to explore the heterogeneity of social dysfunction within schizophrenia.
Do people with schizophrenia display theory of mind deficits in clinical interactions?
Authors: McCABE R. , LEUDAR I. , ANTAKI C.
Published: March 2004

Background. Having a ‘theory of mind’ (ToM) means that one appreciates one's own and others' mental states, and that this appreciation guides interactions with others. It has been proposed that ToM is impaired in schizophrenia and experimental studies show that patients with schizophrenia have problems with ToM, particularly during acute episodes. The model predicts that communicative problems will result from ToM deficits.

Method. We analysed 35 encounters (>80 h of recordings) between mental health professionals and people with chronic schizophrenia (out-patient consultations and cognitive behaviour therapy sessions) using conversation analysis in order to identify how the participants used or failed to use ToM relevant skills in social interaction.

Results. Schizophrenics with ongoing positive and negative symptoms appropriately reported first and second order mental states of others and designed their contributions to conversations on the basis of what they thought their communicative partners knew and intended. Patients recognized that others do not share their delusions and attempted to reconcile others' beliefs with their own but problems arose when they try to warrant their delusional claims. They did not make the justification for their claim understandable for their interlocutor. Nevertheless, they did not fail to recognize that the justification for their claim is unconvincing. However, the ensuing disagreement did not lead them to modify their beliefs.

Conclusions. Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated intact ToM skills in conversational interactions. Psychotic beliefs persisted despite the realization they are not shared but not because patients cannot reflect on them and compare them with what others believe.
Cortisol does not mediate the suppressive effects of psychiatric morbidity on natural killer cell activity: a cross-sectional study of patients with early breast cancer
Authors: GARLAND MALCOLM R. , LAVELLE ENA , DOHERTY DEREK , GOLDEN-MASON LUCY , FITZPATRICK PATRICIA , HILL ARNOLD , WALSH NOEL , O'FARRELLY CLIONA
Published: March 2004

Background. There is evidence that depression impairs natural killer cell activity (NKA); this could have implications for anti-tumour immunity. Our aim was to examine the role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in suppressing NKA in a population of patients with early breast cancer, screened for depression. Secondary aims were to study the relationship between psychological, endocrine and immune variables and baseline tumour characteristics.

Methods. A cross-sectional population of female patients (n=55) with early breast cancer was sampled prior to primary surgery. Structured interview and psychometric instruments measured psychological distress. Flow cytometry was used to enumerate NK cells and lymphocytes were cryopreserved for use in a 51Cr-release assay, to estimate NKA. Midnight and three early morning saliva samples were collected to measure free cortisol levels. Tumour characteristics were obtained from hospital laboratory data.

Results. A high rate of psychological morbidity (40%) was observed in the population. NKA was reduced in those with past or current psychiatric illness compared to those without (344 v. 553 LU20 and 455 v. 569 LU20 respectively, p<0·05 for both). Cortisol was not related to psychological status but was modestly positively correlated to NKA. A positive correlation was observed between the Fighting Spirit subscale of the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale and tumour size (r=0·383, p=0·012)

Conclusions. Our data support the evidence that psychological morbidity is associated with immune dysfunction; however, the most obvious candidate mediator of this effect, the HPA axis, does not appear responsible for this effect. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
A randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention for families of patients with a first episode of psychosis
Authors: LEAVEY GERARD , GULAMHUSSEIN SALEENA , PAPADOPOULOS CHRIS , JOHNSON-SABINE ERIC , BLIZARD BOB , KING MICHAEL
Published: March 2004

Background. Carers' satisfaction with psychiatric services related to information and advice is generally poor. This may be particularly true for services trying to meet the needs of ethnically diverse communities. It is important that services attempt to ameliorate carers' concerns as early as possible. The authors aimed to assess the impact of a brief educational and advice support service on carers of patients with a first episode of psychotic illness.

Method. Carers of all patients identified with a first episode of psychosis in a defined psychiatric catchment area of North London were invited to participate. Following consent from patients and relatives, relatives were randomly allocated to receive (in addition to usual services) a brief intervention comprising education and advice about the disorder from a support team or to usual care from community psychiatric services.

Results. One hundred and six carers were recruited to the study. Take-up of the intervention was less than expected and the intervention had little impact. The authors found no differences over time between the randomized arms for relatives' satisfaction (F=2·3, p=0·14, df=1) or number of days spent by patients in hospital over nine months from entry to the trial (F=1·7, p=0·18, df=1).

Conclusions. It was found that the support and advice intervention for families had little impact on their satisfaction or on patients' outcomes. However, failure to take up the intervention threatens the conclusions as the power to show an effect was reduced. Although family interventions, in general, are considered an important adjunct to the treatment of patients with chronic psychosis, there may be difficulties in providing an educational and support intervention shortly after first onset. How and when psychiatric services provide information and advice to carers of people newly diagnosed with a psychosis requires further study.
Ectoparasite load in European vespertilionid bats
Authors: Zahn Andreas , Rupp Doris
Published: March 2004

The parasite load of seven European bat species (Myotis daubentonii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis myotis, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis nattereri, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus) was compared and tested to see if there was a relationship between high parasite load and poor body condition in bats. Considerable variations of the parasite load between host species, ages and sexes were found, which can be attributed to roosting conditions and behavioural differences of the bats. Overall, male bats had the fewest parasites. Very different parasite population densities were found in different years, and also at the same time at different sites. A generally high parasite load during the nursing season was not observed. There was no strong trend of increasing parasite load in bats with decreasing condition. If weak bats had more parasites than other individuals, the high number of parasites seemed to be a symptom and not the direct cause of the bad condition.
Measures of pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) burrow geometry: correlates of fractal dimension
Authors: Romañach Stephanie S. , Le Comber Steven C.
Published: March 2004

For many burrowing species of mammals, the shape of the burrow may affect the success with which resources are acquired. Parameters used to characterize burrows have included: number of branches, mean segment length, turn angle, and linearity. However, the interactions among these parameters are unclear, making it desirable to find a single measure to characterize burrow geometry. For this reason, fractal dimension has been proposed as a measure of burrow geometry. However, the ways in which fractal dimension relates to other burrow metrics are not obvious. In this study, we examine correlations between fractal dimension and other measures of burrow geometry, using burrows of the pocket gopher Thomomys bottae. We also investigate whether burrows excavated by pocket gophers of different age, sex, and at two locations differing in food abundance have different fractal dimensions. We show that there are strong correlations between fractal dimension and other measures of burrow geometry, but that replacing fractal dimension with any single measure of burrow geometry discards important information about burrow structure. We conclude that fractal dimension offers a useful way of describing burrow geometry. No differences were found in burrow fractal dimension between pocket gophers of different ages or sex or in sites of different productivities, and we conclude that the factors that determine the pattern of burrowing in this species are invariant with respect to these parameters.
The importance of rodents in the diet of jungle cat (Felis chaus), caracal (Caracal caracal) and golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Mukherjee Shomita , Goyal S. P. , Johnsingh A. J. T. , Pitman M. R. P. Leite
Published: March 2004

Many small carnivores include rodents in their diet. However, due to varying evolutionary strategies, carnivores differ in their metabolism and energy requirements. Hence, comparisons of diet between carnivores would be more meaningful if the body size and energetics of the predators are considered. The diet of three small carnivores (jungle cat Felis chaus; caracal Caracal caracal; golden jackal Canis aureus) from a semi‐arid part of western India was studied through scat analysis, and the importance of rodents in their diet was estimated as a percentage of their daily energy requirement. Although percentage frequency in scats and biomass consumption showed rodents to be equally important to all three carnivores, energy calculations showed that rodents were more important as prey for the felids than the jackal. Up to 70% of the daily metabolizable energy in felids was obtained from rodents, as compared to 45% in the jackal. Rodents are generally viewed as pests, and their importance to the small carnivore community is overlooked. Change in land use over the decades in the arid/semi‐arid tract of western India has led to several adverse as well as favourable modifications in rodent assemblages, which could influence the persistence of species like the caracal and jungle cat in this region, that largely depend on rodents for their survival.
Mitochondrial sequences and karyotypes reveal hidden diversity in African pouched mice (subfamily Cricetomyinae, genus Saccostomus)
Authors: Corti Marco , Castiglia Riccardo , Annesi Flavia , Verheyen Walter
Published: March 2004

The African rodent genus Saccostomus is common and widespread in the savannas, scrubby areas and cultivated fields from south Ethiopia and Somalia through East Africa down to the Cape Province. Its systematics and taxonomy are however poorly known, with two species currently recognized, S. mearnsi and S. campestris, the former is typical of the Somali–Maasai domain and the latter is typical of Zambezian–South African. The karyotypic findings and the analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b for some populations from Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa are presented showing that the diversity within the genus is much higher than previously reported and believed, and that S. mearnsi and S. campestris rather represent species complexes, still actively speciating. The times of cladogenetic events and the extent of chromosomal variability within the genus that may be coupled with speciation are discussed. Finally, the possible taxonomy is considered in the context of the wide karyotypic variation shown by each species, the extent and the boundaries of which are still largely unknown, limiting therefore their definitive taxonomic assignment.
AL-ĠAZĀLĪ'S CONCEPT OF PROPHECY: THE INTRODUCTION OF AVICENNAN PSYCHOLOGY INTO Aš‘ARITE THEOLOGY
Authors: GRIFFEL FRANK
Published: March 2004

The traditional argument of Muslim theologians that aims to verify the claims of a true prophet and distinguish him from an impostor is based on the acceptance of miracles performed in history and testified through an uninterrupted chain of tradition (tawātur). A second argument that equally involves transmission through tawātur is based on the prophet’s virtuous and impeccable character establishing the trustworthiness (sidq) of the prophet. These are, for instance, the types of proofs (singl. huˇgˇga) mentioned by the Baghdadian Mu‘tazilī al-Gˇāhiz (d. 255/869) in his monograph Huˇgaˇg al-nubuwwa. For theologians of the Aš‘arite school this approach to the verification of prophecy posed a problem. According to classical Aš‘arite theology, good is what God commands and bad is what he forbids. If God chooses prophets to reveal knowledge about what is right and what is wrong, and thus also reveal knowledge about how to live a virtuous life, how can those whom the prophets call upon know that the prophets have a virtuous character before they even know the criteria for virtue? Early Aš‘arite theologians indeed accepted that all prophets had a most virtuous character. This fact, however, became apparent only after their message gained acceptance within their community and it cannot be regarded as a viable verification of the claim of a prophet to those he calls upon. Al-Aš‘arī (d. 324/935), for instance, is said to have accepted a number of indications that allow humans to distinguish a prophet from ordinary people. He does not mention the claim
based on the impeccable moral conduct of prophets. In fact, he
stresses that in order to distinguish a true prophet from other
people who are close to God (awliyā'), but who have no
message to reveal, one should put oneÕs trust only in the
occurrence of true prophetic miracles.
PRIORITÉ DE L'EIΔOΣ OU DU [Gcy ]ENOΣ ENTRE ANDRONICOS ET ALEXANDRE: VESTIGES ARABES ET GRECS INÉDITS
Authors: RASHED MARWAN
Published: March 2004

La diffusion d'Alexandre d'Aphrodise, en raison de la qualité inégalée de son exégèse d'Aristote, est celle des textes vivants. Simplicius est plus érudit, Philopon plus critique, Averroès plus savant. Mais Alexandre possédait un art de la synthèse entre l'analyse philologique de la lettre et la saisie de l'orientation générale d'un texte, qui fait de lui l'Exégète par excellence. On comprend, dans ces conditions, que sa transmission ne soit pas le relais linéaire d'un ‘‘témoin” figé. Citons aussi bien le recours extensif de Simplicius, au VIe siècle, à ses commentaires physiques que la renaissance philosophique des IXe–Xe siècles en terre d’Islam, qui s'accompagne d'un mouvement massif de traduction de textes alexandriques. Or s'il apparaît de plus en plus clairement que c'est la nécessité de bâtir une ontologie du sensible aristotélicienne, subordonnée à l'ontologie platonicienne des Formes divines, qui a poussé le ‘‘platonicien” Simplicius à puiser dans les commentaires de son prédécesseur, on ne s’est pas encore assez interrogé sur le sens de l'intérêt aigu des philosophes islamiques pour Alexandre. Pourquoi, par exemple, alors que les Byzantins, quand ils ont eu le choix entre Alexandre et Simplicius, ont choisi Simplicius, les Arabes se sont-ils systématiquement décidés pour Alexandre?
On a summer maximum in the occurrence frequency of 150 km (F1) radar echoes over Pohnpei
Authors: Tsunoda Roland T. , Ecklund Warner L.
Published: March 2004

Using three and a half years of 50 MHz radar data collected from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (6.96°N, 158.19°E geographic, 0.3° magnetic dip latitude), we show for the first time that the occurrence frequency of 150 km (or F1) echoes has a broad but conspicuous maximum during northern summer in this longitude sector with minimal activity in other months. Given a seasonal similarity to sporadic E (Es), we suggest that an Es‐layer instability [Cosgrove and Tsunoda, 2002] generates a polarization electric field (), which maps along geomagnetic field lines to the F1 region. There, forms thin plasma sheets that provide gradients to excite 3‐m‐scale plasma waves via an interchange process.