bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Liverpool Violence Assessment: an investigator‐based measure of serious violence
Authors: Nathan Rajan , Rollinson Lynn , Harvey Katie , Hill Jonathan
Published: March 2006

Background

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) identifies adults with persistent offending behaviour and social dysfunction. However, it lacks discrimination within high‐risk and criminal populations and gives little indication of an individual's history of violence. Existing measures of violence have significant limitations. The Liverpool Violence Assessment (LiVA) is an investigator‐based standardized interview for measuring patterns of violence.

Method

A total of 61 male prisoners who had been sentenced for serious violent offences were interviewed using the LiVA and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV antisocial personality disorder and alcohol and drug dependence. Official records of offending were examined.

Results

The inter‐rater reliability for the LiVA was high. There were significant correlations between histories of violence assessed by the LiVA and official records, but the frequency of self‐reported violence was much higher than in the official records. Antisocial personality disorder was associated with increased violence. However, analyses revealed marked variability of the levels of violence among those with antisocial personality disorder and contrasting patterns of association of violence with antisocial personality disorder depending on the context.

Conclusion

The LiVA is a reliable and valid measure of the patterns and characteristics of violence. The findings suggest that the causes of violence should be studied in their own right and not only as a feature of ASPD. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Practice‐based outcomes of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) targeting anger and violence, with male forensic patients: a pragmatic and non‐contemporaneous comparison
Authors: Evershed Sue , Tennant Allison , Boomer Debbie , Rees Anne , Barkham Michael , Watson Alison
Published: March 2006

Objective

To examine the effectiveness of an eighteen‐month treatment based on dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) targeting anger and violence, on a group of male forensic patients.

Method

Eight male forensic patients in a high security hospital who met the criteria for borderline personality disorder measured by the Personality Assessment Inventory underwent 18 months of treatment. They completed three psychometric tests at pre‐, mid‐ and post‐treatment and at a six‐month follow up. A comparison group (TAU) of nine patients, assessed as having similar personality disorders, received the usual treatment available in the hospital but excluding DBT. They completed the same tests at the same time intervals corresponding to the pre‐, mid‐ and post‐testing of the DBT group. In both groups, all instances behaviours related to anger and violence were monitored for three six‐month periods, prior to, during and post‐treatment.

Results

Overall, patients in the DBT group made greater gains than patients in the TAU group in reducing the seriousness of violence‐related incidents, and in self report measures of hostility, cognitive anger, disposition to anger, outward expression of anger and anger experience.

Conclusion

The results suggest a potential for DBT to impact positively and lastingly on violent behaviour and components of anger in male forensic patients when compared with standard treatment. The power of the current study to detect group differences was reduced by small ns, large confidence intervals, and a non‐contemporaneous comparison group. Cost‐effective strategies are proposed to take forward research on DBT with this population. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Patterns of self‐harm and attempted suicide among white and black/mixed race female prisoners
Authors: Borrill Jo , Burnett Rachel , Atkins Richard , Miller Sarah , Briggs Daniel , Weaver Tim , Maden Anthony
Published: March 2006

Aim

The aim was to investigate ethnic differences in lifetime self‐harm and attempted suicide in women prisoners, and to examine relationships between self‐harm, suicide and substance use and dependence.

Background

Previous studies have suggested that there may be ethnic differences in the proportion of prisoners reporting substance misuse, self‐harm and attempted suicide, although relatively few minority ethnic women have been studied in the UK. This study examines drug and alcohol dependence in white and black British women in prison, and explores possible associations with self‐harm, suicide attempts, and family violence.

Methods

301 women (190 white, 111 black or mixed race) were interviewed in ten prisons from different parts of England. Measures included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification test (AUDIT), the severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), section C (suicidality) of the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview.

Results

Half of the women in the sample reported at least one act of self‐harm in their life and 46% reported making a suicide attempt at some time. Lifetime self‐harm was associated with a history of harmful drinking and with being a victim of violence, including physical assault, sexual assault and violence from family and friends. Lifetime suicide attempts were associated with reported violence from family or friends. Current high suicide risk was most common among women on remand.

Drug dependence and reported violence from family or friends were both more common amongst white women than black/mixed race women. Self‐harm and attempted suicide were generally more common among white women, but black/mixed race women dependent on drugs had the highest proportion of women reporting self‐harm. There was tentative support for three‐way association between ethnicity, dependence and self‐harm; this raises the possibility that drug dependence may be a predictor of self‐harm in the black female prison population, which is worthy of further investigation. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Childhood behaviour as related to subsequent drinking offences and violent offending: a prospective study of 11‐ to 14‐year‐old youths into their fourth decade
Authors: Eklund Jenny M. , Klinteberg Britt af
Published: March 2006

Background

Childhood hyperactivity has previously been found to be closely connected to subsequent alcohol problems and violent offending among men considered to be without major mental disorders. For others, these associations might be moderated or confounded by other factors, predominantly comorbid conduct disorder.

Aims

The purpose of the study was to investigate aspects of childhood hyperactive behaviour in relation to alcohol or violent offences in adult life, taking the possible confounders of early criminality and aggressive behaviour into account.

Method

A total of 192 young male lawbreakers and 95 non‐criminal controls were followed from age 11–14 years into their thirties. Information on aspects of hyperactivity, aggressive behaviour, early criminality and later offences was included in the analyses.

Results

The results supported the hypothesis that aspects of childhood hyperactive behaviour were significantly associated with later drinking offences and violent offending. Further analyses revealed attention difficulties to be the component of hyperactivity most contributing to the relationship. When taking possible confounding variables into consideration, attention difficulties were related to subsequent violent offending among boys with early criminality, independently of early aggressive behaviour. Early criminality, attention difficulties and aggressive behaviour, however, often co‐occurred in the same individual. Subsequent drinking offences or violent offending appeared seven times more often among individuals with all early behavioural problems as compared with those who had no such problems.

Conclusion

Complex antisocial behaviours in adult life commonly represent persistence of complex childhood behavioural difficulties, but among young lawbreakers there does appear to be a subgroup of boys with a main problem of attention difficulties who go on to violent offending, even in the absence of early manifestation of aggression. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Does personality change and, if so, what changes?
Authors: Duggan Conor
Published: March 2006

Background

Although the question of whether or not personality changes is fundamental to much of what clinicians do, we do not appear to be very curious about the question itself.

Method

This paper considers three separate but related issues: (a) Does personality change? (b) If it does, then what changes? (c) How can we show that change has taken place? Costa and McCrea have produced a model of personality that helps to answer (a) and (b), as it distinguishes ‘Basic Tendencies’ from ‘Characteristic Adaptations’. The former are largely innate, fixed dispositions that produce the latter (which are highly variable) depending on its interaction with differing environments. Thus, personality is both static and dynamic depending on its definition. It will also be argued that detecting change is complex as there are many alternative definitions of the relevant outcome variable. Moreover, measuring several different outcomes does not help as change in one measure is often not matched by a concordant change in another. Some practical examples are provided to support this position.

Conclusions

In the absence of a firm theoretical base, the author believes that only limited conclusions can be drawn about the efficacy of treatment in personality disorder. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Neurobiological substrates of antisocial and borderline personality disorder: preliminary results of a functional fMRI study
Authors: Völlm Birgit , Richardson Paul , Stirling John , Elliott Rebecca , Dolan Mairead , Chaudhry Imran , Del Ben Christina , Mckier Shane , Anderson Ian , Deakin Bill
Published: March 2006

Background

Neuropsychological and imaging studies of patients with antisocial (ASPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are suggestive of frontal lobe dysfunction in these individuals. In normal subjects functional brain imaging has been used to investigate the neuroanatomy of impulse control. There are no such imaging studies in personality‐disordered populations.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate which neuronal networks are involved in response inhibition in Cluster B personality disorders and whether these are different from healthy subjects.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that the personality‐disordered sample would have attenuated orbitofrontal cortex responses during performance of a Go/NoGo task compared with healthy controls.

Method

Eight inpatients with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of borderline or antisocial personality disorder and eight healthy controls were scanned using fMRI while performing a Go/NoGo task. Impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS) and the Impulsiveness‐Venturesomeness‐Empathy (IVE) inventory.

Results

In the control group the main focus of activation during response inhibition was in the prefrontal cortex, specifically the right dorsolateral and the left orbitofrontal cortex. Active regions in the patient group showed a more bilateral and extended pattern of activation across the medial, superior and inferior frontal gyri extending to the anterior cingulate.

Conclusions

fMRI is a useful tool to detect brain activation during response inhibition. ASPD and BPD patients activate different neural networks to successfully inhibit pre‐potent responses. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precursors and correlates of criminal behaviour in women
Authors: Messer Julie , Maughan Barbara , Quinton David , Taylor Alan
Published: March 2006

Background

The precursors and correlates of criminal behaviour in women were examined in this longitudinal study of women in their late thirties.

Methods

The sample consisted of a high‐risk group of women (n = 86) and a comparison group ( n = 97): the former had been raised in institutional care. Questionnaire measures of childhood behaviour problems and detailed interview data from two time points in adulthood were obtained, along with official records of offending.

Results

In terms of childhood precursors, antisocial behaviour, institutional rearing, hyperactivity and adolescent conduct disorder were found to be significantly related to offending. Later adolescent factors were also found to be important: mixing with deviant peers and leaving school without any qualifications or plans for work. Correlates of offending in adulthood included difficulties in mental health, drug use, marriage and parenting. Further analysis was undertaken to clarify the associations by using ex‐care status and conduct disorder as covariates.

Discussion

Well‐established predictors of offending in male samples seem quite as important for women and girls. The findings also suggested strong links between offending and problems in parenting. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Criminological psychology in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Farrington David P.
Published: March 2006

Background

This article aims to review key issues that criminological psychologists should address in the twenty‐first century, especially in relation to why people become offenders, why people commit offences, and the link between explanation and the prevention and reduction of offending.

Conclusions

It is important to explain between‐individual differences in the development of criminal potential and within‐individual differences in the commission of crimes. More research is needed on protective factors, on investigating which risk factors are causes, and on causal mechanisms linking risk factors and offending. Questions about situational influences on offending should be included in longitudinal studies of the development of offenders. Comprehensive theories of offending need to be developed and tested. More longitudinal and experimental studies need to be carried out by criminological psychologists. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Legal psychology in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Bull Ray
Published: March 2006

Background

This paper examines some of the major topics that legal psychology began to focus on at the end of the last century.

Aim

The purpose is to contend that such topics (the reliability of ear‐witness testimony, the conducting of identification parades/line ups, the interviewing of suspects, the interviewing of vulnerable witnesses/victims) are deserving of greater attention in this new century.

Conclusions

Legal psychologists should be brave enough to research with methodological rigour complex, real‐world topics of importance to society and to advise relevant professional groups on how to improve their performance. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
What is the role of fantasy in sex offending?
Authors: Howitt Dennis
Published: March 2006

Background

Forensic practitioners conventionally accept that sexual fantasy plays a crucial role in the more serious forms of sexual offending. Fantasy is believed to escalate as part of an increasing cycle of offending severity.

Aim

This paper explores the various possible roles of sexual fantasy in sex offending.

Method

The research literature on the role of sexual fantasy in the sexual behaviours of offender and non‐offender groups is surveyed. Using research evidence, the strengths of the different models that emerge are assessed.

Results

Fantasy in non‐offenders has been shown to be a separate domain of experience that serves to arouse sexually but does not guide behaviour. A number of different models of fantasy in offending are considered: (a) fantasy as a blueprint for offending; (b) fantasy as a rehearsal for offending; (c) fantasy as a means of sexual arousal; (d) fantasy and offending having common origins; and (e) fantasy enhancement/renewal as a cause of offending.

Conclusions

It is argued that the study of sexual fantasy in non‐contact sex offenders may have theoretical and practical benefits for research and practice with sex offenders in general. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A preliminary empirical test of Silverthorn and Frick's delayed‐onset pathway in girls using an urban, African‐American, US‐based sample
Authors: White Norman A. , Piquero Alex R.
Published: March 2006

Background

Silverthorn and Frick argued that there is no pathway to criminal activity among girls that is analogous to the early‐onset/life‐course‐persistent‐type one among boys. Instead, they argued for a female‐specific theory in which even girls with the same high‐risk backgrounds and criminal outcomes as early‐onset/life‐course‐persistent boys show delayed‐onset offending.

Aims

To test the Silverthorn–Frick model of gender‐specific pathways to offending in an independent cohort.

Methods

A cohort of 987 urban, African‐American males and females participated in the Philadelphia portion of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project which collected biological, psychological and sociological variables. By age 18, 220 of these individuals had incurred a least one police contact, of which 64 did so under the age of 13. A criminal history follow‐up was conducted in 1998 when cohort members had all reached their mid‐thirties.

Results

Females and males were equally likely to experience early‐onset offending (police contact by age 13), but female late‐onset offenders resembled male early‐onset offenders on nine of 10 risk factors. Male early‐onset offenders had worse criminal outcomes compared with female and male late‐onset offenders, but did not differ from female early‐onset offenders. Female late‐onset offenders showed many similarities on key risk factors to male late‐onset offenders.

Conclusions

Silverthorn and Frick may have over‐estimated the outcome similarity of late‐onset offending females to early‐onset males and under‐estimated occurrence of early‐onset‐life‐course persistent offending in females. In so far as cohort studies such as these inform social policy, it is likely to be important that they are interpreted with sensitivity to minority needs. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Effects of ssDNA sequences on non‐sequence‐specific protein binding
Authors: Mou Tung‐Chung , Shen Michelle , Abdalla Saada , Delamora Diego , Bochkareva Elena , Bochkarev Alexey , Gray Donald M.
Published: March 2006

The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of single‐stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) are significantly perturbed by the binding of single‐stranded DNA binding proteins such as the Ff bacteriophage gene 5 protein (g5p) and the A domain of the 70 kDa subunit of human replication protein A (RPA70‐A). These two proteins have similar OB‐fold secondary structures, although their CD spectra at wavelengths below 250 nm differ greatly. The spectrum of g5p is dominated by a tyrosyl La band at 229 nm, while that of RPA70‐A is dominated by its β secondary structure. Despite differences in their inherent spectral properties, these two proteins similarly perturb the spectra of bound nucleic acid oligomers. CD spectra of free, non‐protein‐bound ssDNAs are dependent on interactions of the nearest‐neighboring nucleotides in the sequence. The CD spectra (per mol of nucleotide) of simple repetitive sequences 48 nucleotides in length and containing simple combinations of A and C are related by nearest‐neighbor equations. For example, 3 × Δϵ[d(AAC)16] = 3 × Δϵ[d(ACC)16] + Δϵ[d(A)48] − Δϵ[d(C)48]. Moreover, nearest‐neighbor equations relate the spectra of ssDNAs when they are bound by g5p, indicating that each type of perturbed nearest neighbor has a similar average structure within the binding site of the protein. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enantioselective metabolism of ifosfamide by the kidney
Authors: Aleksa Katarina , Ito Shinya , Koren Gideon
Published: March 2006

Ifosfamide (IF), a potent chemotherapeutic agent for solid tumors, is known to cause high rates of nephrotoxicity, which is most likely due to the renal production of the metabolite chloroacetaldehyde. Enantioselective oxidation of IF has been shown in the liver but has never been reported in the kidney. Using porcine and human kidney samples, as well as the renal porcine cell line LLCPK‐1, we document enantioselective metabolism of IF with prevalent production of theN‐dechloroethylifosfamide (DCEIF) metabolites from the (S)‐IF enantiomer compared to the amount ofN‐DCEIF metabolites produced from the (R)‐IF enantiomers. Since IF enantiomers appear to be equally effective in chemotherapy, these results suggest that replacing the clinically standard racemic mixture of IF with (R)‐IF may decrease renal metabolism of the drug and hence may decrease nephrotoxicity. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mortality, morbidity, and cost associated with febrile neutropenia in adult cancer patients
Authors: Kuderer Nicole M. , Dale David C. , Crawford Jeffrey , Cosler Leon E. , Lyman Gary H.
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Hospitalization for febrile neutropenia (FN) in cancer patients is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and cost. The study was undertaken to better define mortality, length of stay (LOS), cost, and risk factors associated with mortality and prolonged hospitalization in cancer patients with FN.

METHODS

The longitudinal discharge database derived from 115 US medical centers was used to study all adult cancer patients hospitalized with FN between 1995 and 2000, comprising a total of 41,779 patients. Primary outcomes included mortality, LOS, and cost per episode.

RESULTS

Overall, in‐hospital mortality was 9.5%. Patients without any major comorbidities had a 2.6% risk of mortality, whereas 1 major comorbidity was associated with a 10.3% and more than 1 major comorbidity with a ≥21.4% risk of mortality, respectively. Mean (median) length of stay was 11.5 (6) days, and the mean (median) cost was $19,110 ($8,376) per episode of FN. Patients hospitalized for ≥10 days (35% of all patients) accounted for 78% of overall cost. Independent major risk factors for inpatient mortality included invasive fungal infections, Gram‐negative sepsis, pneumonia and other lung disease, cerebrovascular, renal, and liver disease. Main predictors for LOS ≥10 days included leukemia, invasive fungal infections, other types of infection, and several comorbid conditions.

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with increased mortality, LOS, and cost in hospitalized adult cancer patients with FN include patient characteristics, type of malignancy, comorbidities, and infectious complications. These factors may be useful in identifying patients at increased risk of serious medical complications and mortality for more aggressive supportive care measures. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Localization and characterization of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide receptors in the human cerebellum during development
Authors: Basille Magali , Cartier Dorthe , Vaudry David , Lihrmann Isabelle , Fournier Alain , Freger Pierre , Gallo‐Payet Nicole , Vaudry Hubert , Gonzalez Bruno
Published: March 2006

Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors are actively expressed in the cortical layers of the cerebellum of rodents and contribute to cerebellar development. The present report provides the first anatomical localization and characterization of PACAP receptors in the developing human cerebellum. RT‐PCR analysis from 15‐week‐old fetuses to 22‐year‐old subject showed that PAC1‐R and VPAC1‐R are expressed in the cerebellum at all stages, whereas VPAC2‐R mRNA was barely detectable. In situ hybridization labeling indicated that, in human fetuses, PAC1‐R mRNA is associated with the external granule cell layer (EGL), a germinative neuroepithelium, and with the internal granule cell layer (IGL). The distribution pattern of VPAC1‐R mRNA was very similar to that of PAC1‐R mRNA, whereas VPAC2‐R mRNA was visualized only in 7–22‐year‐old subjects. The localization of [125I]PACAP27 binding sites was fully consistent with the distribution of PAC1‐R and VPAC1‐R mRNA. Pharmacological characterization revealed that, in the EGL and IGL from 15–24‐week‐old fetuses and in the granule cell layer from 7–22‐year‐old patients, binding sites exhibit a PAC1‐R profile. In contrast, PACAP binding sites observed in the molecular layer and medulla of the adult cerebellum consisted of a heterogeneous population of PAC1‐R and VPAC(1/2)‐R. Altogether, these data provide the first evidence that PACAP receptors are expressed in the human cerebellar cortex. PAC1‐R is the predominant PACAP receptor found in fetuses, and both PAC1‐R and VPAC1‐R are expressed in the mature cerebellum. These observations suggest that PACAP has neurodevelopmental functions in the human cerebellum. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:468–478, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter vGluT2 in a subset of cones of the mouse retina
Authors: Wässle Heinz , Regus‐Leidig Hanna , Haverkamp Silke
Published: March 2006

Cone photoreceptors have a continuous release of glutamate that is modulated by light. Vesicular glutamate transporters (vGluT) play an essential role for sustaining this release by loading synaptic vesicles in the cone synapse, the so‐called cone pedicle. In the present study mouse retinas were immunostained for vGluT1 and vGluT2. vGluT1 was localized to all cone pedicles and rod spherules, whereas vGluT2 was found in only 10% of the cone pedicles. The vGluT2‐expressing cones were characterized in more detail. They are distributed in a regular array, suggesting they are a distinct type. Their proportion does not differ between dorsal (L‐cone‐dominated) and ventral (S‐cone‐dominated) retina, and they are not the genuine blue cones of the mouse retina. During development, vGluT1 and vGluT2 expression in cones starts at around P0 and right from the beginning vGluT2 is only expressed in a subset of cones. Bipolar cells contact the vGluT2‐expressing cones and other cones nonselectively. The possible functional role of vGluT2 expression in a small fraction of cones is discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 495:544–555, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development‐dependent and ‐independent ubiquitin expression in divisions of the cockroach mushroom body
Authors: Brown Sheena M. , Strausfeld Nicholas J.
Published: March 2006

It has been proposed that the alpha and beta divisions of the mushroom bodies support intermediate and long‐term memory whereas the gamma lobes support short‐term memory. Here we investigate developmentally dependent versus developmentally independent alterations of mushroom body structure with special emphasis on its lobes. We show that in the cockroach mushroom bodies there are two types of plastic remodeling. One is developmental, in which episodic addition of new circuitry to the alpha and beta lobes is accomplished by newly born Kenyon cells. The second is revealed as a persistent alteration of structure within the gamma lobe. In the alpha/beta lobes, newly generated Kenyon cell axons extend glutamate‐immunoreactive collaterals across layers of the axons of mature Kenyon cells. At specific times in each developmental episode (instar) these collaterals express ubiquitin, undergo localized degeneration, and are scavenged by glial cells. In contrast, the mature Kenyon cells that comprise the gamma lobe express detectable ubiquitin throughout each developmental episode. This pattern of ubiquitin expression suggests that the gamma lobe circuitry undergoes continuous modification independent of development. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:556–571, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identical twins discordant for type 1 diabetes show a different pattern of in vitro CD56+ cell activation
Authors: Goodier Martin R. , Nawroly Niga , Beyan Huriya , Hawa Mohammed , Leslie R. David G. , Londei Marco
Published: March 2006

Background

Recent studies in animal models indicate a role for natural killer (NK) cells in the protection against type 1 diabetes. In humans, a reduction of NK cell numbers has been reported in identical twins discordant for type 1 diabetes, irrespective of whether they have the disease. Here we have tested whether the activation and expansion of human NK cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reveals differences between these twins.

Methods

Proportions of CD56+ NK cells and T‐cells and Va24Vb11+ NK‐T cells from diabetic and non‐diabetic twins was assessed before and after activation using flow cytometry. NK receptor usage was monitored by PCR and flow cytometry.

Results

The profile of the expressed Killer Cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) repertoire (using mRNA) in freshly isolated NK cells was identical in pairs of identical twins, despite marked variation among individual twins as well as controls. Basal numbers of CD56+ and CD94+ (CD3− and CD3+) cells and Vα24+Vβ11+ NK‐T cells were similarly strongly correlated between identical twins (p < 0.006 for all correlations). Following LPS stimulation, the pattern of KIR mRNA expression remained unaltered in twins and the proportion of NK cells and Vα24+Vβ11+ NK‐T cells remained correlated between pairs of twins. However, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of CD56+ cells and CD94+ cells (whether defined as CD3− or CD3+) responding to LPS in the diabetic compared to the non‐diabetic twin (p = 0.031 and 0.025, respectively).

Conclusion:

This reduction in NK cell expansion in response to LPS in patients with type 1 diabetes is consistent with a non‐genetically determined alteration in the innate immune response either predisposing to or resulting from the disease. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diminished IFN‐γ response to diabetes‐associated autoantigens in children at diagnosis and during follow up of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Karlsson Faresjö Maria , Vaarala Outi , Thuswaldner Sophie , Ilonen Jorma , Hinkkanen Ari , Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: March 2006

Background

Imbalance of T‐helper (Th)1‐ and Th2‐like cytokines has been associated with type 1 diabetes. We therefore studied the immune deviation in antigen‐specific T cells from diagnosis onwards in type 1 diabetic children.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 15 children after 4 days, 3 months and 18 months of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, from 15 healthy children matched by age and gender to the type 1 diabetic children and from 14 children with and 35 children without HLA‐risk genes. Secretion of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) was detected by ELISPOT after stimulation with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65, protein and aa 247–279), recombinant tyrosinphosphatase (IA‐2), insulin, ovalbumin and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).

Results

Secretion of IFN‐γ in PBMC stimulated with GAD65 (p < 0.05), the GAD65‐peptide (p < 0.01), IA‐2 (p < 0.01), and insulin (p < 0.01) was lower in diabetic children at diagnosis than in healthy children. Stimulation of PBMC with GAD65 and IA‐2 decreased the secretion of IFN‐γ in children with HLA‐risk genotype. Spontaneous and antigen‐induced IFN‐γ secretion increased significantly after diagnosis of the disease, but did not exceed the levels observed in healthy children. Fasting C‐peptide levels at diagnosis correlated with insulin‐induced IFN‐γ (R = 0.52; p = 0.05) and negatively with spontaneous IL‐4 secretion (R = −0.62; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

A diminished IFN‐γ secretion and the association of fasting C‐peptide levels with cytokine response in children with type 1 diabetes suggest that factors related to β‐cell function in type 1 diabetes may modify T‐cell function. Thus, the T‐cell responses detected at or after diagnosis may not reflect the pathogenic process leading to type 1 diabetes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses, Structures and Characterisation of Two CuII Polymers with 8‐Connected Topologies Based on Highly Connected SBUs
Authors: Zhang Jian , Kang Yao , Zhang Jie , Li Zhao‐Ji , Qin Ye‐Yan , Yao Yuan‐Gen
Published: March 2006

Two hydrothermally synthesised 3D metal‐coordination polymers, namely [Cu(isonicotinate)(nicotinate)]n (1), with an 8‐connected CsCl topology, and [Cu2(μ3‐OH)(isonicotinate)2(BDC)0.5]n (2), with an unusual 8‐connected 35.411.58.64 topology, demonstrate that highly connected SBUs can be employed in the construction of complicated frameworks. The temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibilities for the two complexes were also determined. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Photoinduced Processes in a Dendritic Zn Porphyrin Structure with a Free‐Base Porphyrin Core
Authors: Flamigni Lucia , Talarico Anna Maria , Ventura Barbara , Sooambar Chloé , Solladié Nathalie
Published: March 2006

The photophysical characterization of a nonameric porphyrin assembly made up of a central free‐base and eight peripheral zinc porphyrins connected by flexible nucleosidic linkers, and the identification of the photoinduced processes taking place in the array, is reported. Both singlet–singlet and triplet–triplet energy transfer from the peripheral zinc porphyrins to the free‐base porphyrin core is detected. The kinetic parameters of singlet–singlet energy transfer are interpreted by assuming the existence of several nonequilibrated conformations in the array due to the flexibility of the linkages. A fast quenching of the donor beyond the time detection limit of the instrument is also hypothesized and assigned to strong interactions between the zinc chromophores in close contact which can give self‐quenching phenomena. For the zinc porphyrin triplet excited state, a triplet–triplet annihilation is detected at moderate photon flux as a consequence of multi‐excitation of the same array. Drastic reduction of the photon flux allows us to determine the triplet energy transfer rate from zinc porphyrin to free‐base porphyrin, which is the final recipient of the energy collected by the array. The decay of the triplet state of the core free‐base porphyrin is prolonged with respect to the model, indicating a shielding effect of the peripheral groups. Complexation experiments with monodentate and didentate bases have been performed in order to gain insight into the spatial arrangement of the zinc porphyrin chromophores and the proposed mechanism of self‐quenching. Association of didentate bases increases the rigidity of the multi‐porphyrin structure and improves the energy collection ability.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
In Search of Binary Hybrid Systems in Manganese Chemistry: The Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Structural Characterization, and Magnetic Properties of a New Species in the Aqueous MnII‐Quinic System
Authors: Menelaou Melita , Raptopoulou Catherine P. , Terzis Aris , Tangoulis Vassilis , Salifoglou Athanasios
Published: March 2006

Manganese is a metal with diverse (bio)chemical reactivity in aqueous media in the presence of biologically relevant ligands. Key to that reactivity is the existence of soluble and bioavailable forms of MnII across the physiological range of pH. To probe the interactions arising between MnII and the low‐molecular‐mass ligand D‐(–)‐quinic acid, research efforts were targeted at the synthetic aqueous chemistry in the requisite binary system. The pH‐specific synthetic reaction of MnII with D‐(–)‐quinic acid led to the isolation of the new species [Mn2(C7H11O6)4]n·nH2O (1). Complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (EPR, FTIR), thermal and magnetic studies, and X‐ray crystallography. The molecular lattice of 1 reveals the presence of dimeric units of MnII centers, with the quinate ligands coordinated to the metal ions through variable binding modes, indicating the diversity of chemical reactivity in the system. The octahedral MnII centers in the molecular assembly of 1 serve as chemical prototypes of the forms of interactions that most likely develop in biologically relevant fluids, similar to those encountered in plant exudates and plant cellular structures. Concurrently, the physicochemical features of 1 (from the 3D hydrogen‐bonding network to the magnetic susceptibility properties and EPR spectral results) exemplify the key features that constitute the rudiments of MnII‐organic hybrid lattices of specific functions and (bio)chemical reactivity patterns. The collective properties of 1 are discussed in the context of their occurrence in natural binary MnII‐influenced systems and advanced metal‐hybrid materials of potential applications. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Illusory and spurious correlations: distinct phenomena or joint outcomes of exemplar‐based category learning?
Authors: Meiser Thorsten , Hewstone Miles
Published: March 2006

Stereotype formation about novel groups was analyzed with trivariate stimulus distributions that were generated by group membership, valence of behavior, and a context variable. Within this stimulus setting, we manipulated the confounding role of the context variable and the distinctiveness of events in terms of their relative infrequency. The experimental procedure allowed us to analyze illusory and spurious correlations in a joint framework, to conduct focused tests for memory effects of relative infrequency and to investigate the detection of covariations with the context variable. The results revealed that illusory and spurious correlations were formed without enhanced memory for infrequent events and with existing covariations of the confounding context factor being well extracted. These observations suggest that illusory and spurious correlations can be understood without assuming specific cognitive processes that are tied to the particular characteristics of a given stimulus distribution, such as enhanced memory in the case of relative infrequency and neglect of a context variable in the case of a confounding factor. Instead, computer simulations with an exemplar‐based learning model demonstrated that exemplar‐based category learning may provide a coherent and integrative theoretical framework for illusory correlations, spurious correlations and true contingency learning in social cognition. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian hierarchical model for local precipitation by downscaling large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns
Authors: Mendes Jorge M. , Turkman K. F. , Corte‐Real J.
Published: March 2006

Precipitation over the Western part of Iberian Peninsula is known to be related to the large‐scale sea level pressure field and thus to advection of humidity into this area. The major problem is to downscale this synoptic atmospheric information to local daily precipitation patterns. One way to handle this problem is by weather‐state models, where, based on the pressure field, each day is classified into a weather state and precipitation is then modeled within each weather state via multivariate distributions.

In this paper, we propose a spatiotemporal Bayesian hierarchical model for precipitation. Basic objective and novelty of the paper is to capture and model the essential spatiotemporal relationships that exist between large‐scale sea level pressure field and local daily precipitation. A specific local spatial ordering that mimics the essential large‐scale patterns is used in the likelihood. The model is then applied to a network of rain gauge stations in the river Tagus valley. The inference is then carried out using appropriate MCMC methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on vapor phase extraction of rose oil enhanced by β‐glucosidase
Authors: Zhiping Yang , Weirong Yao , He Qian
Published: March 2006

β ‐Glucosidase was applied in vapor extraction of rose oil to enhance the release of aroma compounds. Before vapor extraction, the rose flower was first hydrolyzed by β‐glucosidase. The conditions of enzyme hydrolysis were optimized, including the amount of β‐glucosidase, stirring rate, time, temperature of the enzymatic reaction, the ratio of rose to buffer, and the time of vapor extraction. Compared with the aroma released from rose without enzyme hydrolysis, the odor was preferred by a panel of assessors. The distillates were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The amount of aroma released from rose with enzyme hydrolysis was much more than the control, by calculating the total peak area. The difference between the components of the two samples were also identified. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental and skill effects on the neural correlates of semantic processing to visually presented words
Authors: Chou Tai‐Li , Booth James R. , Bitan Tali , Burman Douglas D. , Bigio Jordan D. , Cone Nadia E. , Lu Dong , Cao Fan
Published: March 2006

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to explore the neural correlates of semantic judgments to visual words in a group of 9‐ to 15‐year‐old children. Subjects were asked to indicate if word pairs were related in meaning. Consistent with previous findings in adults, children showed activation in bilateral inferior frontal gyri (Brodmann area [BA] 47, 45) and left middle temporal gyrus (BA 21). Words with strong semantic association elicited significantly greater activation in bilateral inferior parietal lobules (BA 40), suggesting stronger integration of highly related semantic features. By contrast, words with weak semantic association elicited greater activation in left inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45) and middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), suggesting more difficult feature search and more extensive access to semantic representations. We also examined whether age and skill explained unique variance in the patterns of activation. Increasing age was correlated with greater activation in left middle temporal gyrus (BA 21) and inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), suggesting that older children have more elaborated semantic representations and more complete semantic integration processes, respectively. Decreasing age was correlated with activation in right superior temporal gyrus (BA 22) and decreasing accuracy was correlated with activation in right middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), suggesting the engagement of ancillary systems in the right hemisphere for younger and lower‐skill children. Hum. Brain Mapping 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of molecular weight on the transfection efficiency of novel polyurethane as a biodegradable gene vector
Authors: Shau Min‐Da , Tseng S‐Ja , Yang Tsung‐Fu , Cherng Jong‐Yuh , Chin Wei‐Kuo
Published: March 2006

New polyurethane 2‐diethylaminoethylamine‐polyurethane (LGEA‐PU) containing poly(ethylene glycol) segments and tertiary amines was synthesized. LGEA‐PU self‐assembled readily with the plasmid DNA (pCMV‐βgal) in HEPES buffer and was characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy, and XTT cell viability assays. To examine the effect of molecular weight of LGEA‐PU systems on transfection, LGEA‐PU systems of four different molecular weights (LGEA‐PU99, LGEA‐PU59, LGEA‐PU24, and LGEA‐PU7) were prepared. This study found that LGEA‐PU99, LGEA‐PU59, and LGEA‐PU24 were able to bind plasmid DNA and yielded positively charged complexes with a nano‐sized transfection (<200 nm). The LGEA‐PU59/DNA complexes were able to transfect COS‐7 cells in vitro with higher transfection efficiency than the other LGEA‐PU systems. These results demonstrated that molecular weights of LGEA‐PU systems had a significant effect on transferring ability, except for LGEA‐PU99, which showed the strongest DNA condensation. Examination of the cytotoxicity of PEI and LGEA‐PU systems revealed that LGEA‐PU systems had lower cytotoxicity. In this article, LGEA‐PU59 seemed to be a novel cationic polyurethane for gene delivery and an interesting candidate for further study. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
In vitro and in vivo proposal of an artificial esophagus
Authors: Marzaro Maurizio , Vigolo Simonetta , Oselladore Barbara , Conconi Maria Teresa , Ribatti Domenico , Giuliani Stefano , Nico Beatrice , Perrino Giampiero , Nussdorfer Gastone Giovanni , Parnigotto Pier Paolo
Published: March 2006

Artificial materials and autologous tissues used for esophageal reconstruction often induce complications like stenosis and leakage at long‐term follow‐up. This study evaluates the possibility to obtain in vitro an implantable tissue‐engineered esophagus composed of homologous esophageal acellular matrix and autologous smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Acellular matrices obtained by detergent‐enzymatic method did not present any major histocompatibility complex marker and expressed bFGF as protein, showing angiogenic activity in vivo on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Moreover, they supported cell adhesion, and inasmuch as just after 24 h from seeding, the scaffold appeared completely covered by SMCs. To verify the biocompatibility of our constructs, defects created in the porcine esophageal wall were covered using homologous acellular matrices with and without cultures of autologous SMCs. At 3 week from surgery, the patches composed of only acellular matrices showed a more severe inflammatory response and were negative for α‐smooth muscle actin immunostaining. In contrast, the cell‐matrix implants presented ingrowth of SMCs, showing an early organization into small fascicules. Collectively, these results suggest that patches composed of homologous esophageal acellular matrix and autologous SMCs may represent a promising tissue‐engineering approach for the repair of esophageal injuries. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Regeneration of bicortical defects in the iliac crest of estrogen‐deficient sheep, using new biodegradable polyurethane bone graft substitutes
Authors: Gogolewski Sylwester , Gorna Katarzyna , Turner A. Simon
Published: March 2006

Porous scaffolds for cancellous bone graft substitutes were prepared from new experimental biodegradable aliphatic polyurethane elastomers with varying hydrophilicity. The ratios of the hydrophilic‐to‐hydrophobic content in the polymers were 30–70, 50–50, and 70–30%, respectively. The hydrophilic component consisted of poly(ethylene oxide) diol and the hydrophobic component of poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) diol. To promote the materials' biological performance, the calcium complexing moiety, the polysaccharide, and vitamin D3were incorporated into the polymer chain upon synthesis. The scaffolds had an interconnected porous structure with an average pore size in the range of 300–2000 μm and pore‐to‐volume ratios of (85 ± 5)%. The bone substitutes were implanted (press‐fit) in biocortical 10 × 10 mm2defects created in the tuber coxae of 21 skeletally mature Warhill ewes, which were ovariectomized 12 months prior to implantation. At the time of euthanasia at 18 and 25 months, all the defects in the ilium implanted with polyurethane bone substitutes had healed with new bone. The extent of bone healing depended on the chemical composition of the polymer from which the implant was made, although for the same material there were animal‐related differences in healing. The structure of the newly formed cancellous bone was radiographically and histologically similar to the native bone. The implants from polymers with the incorporated calcium‐complexing additive were the most effective promoters of bone healing, followed by those with vitamin D3and polysaccharide‐containing polymer. There was no bone healing in the control defects. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Controlling biofilm formation with an N‐halamine‐based polymeric additive
Authors: Luo Jie , Chen Zhaobin , Sun Yuyu
Published: March 2006

An N‐halamine‐based polymeric additive, poly[(6‐morpholino‐s‐triazine‐2,4‐diyl)‐N‐chloro‐[2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐piperidyl)imino]‐hexamethylene[(2,2,6,6–4‐piperidyl) imino]] (APA‐1), was prepared in this study. The chemical structure of APA‐1 was confirmed by iodometric titration, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR analysis. APA‐1 was incorporated into polyurethane through solvent casting. The resultant materials demonstrated potent antimicrobial functions against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Zone of inhibition studies showed that APA‐1 inactivated the bacteria through contact, without leaching out of the polyurethane samples. In vitro studies illustrated that APA‐1‐containing polyurethane could prevent the colonization and biofilm formation of S. epidermidis for at least 28 days. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006