bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Absence of a Marcus Inversion Region for Electron Transfer at the Metal-Redox Electrolyte Interface
Authors: Matthews D
Published: September 2010

The theory of electron transfer at the metal- redox electrolyte interface is described by starting with the work of Gurney and incorporating that of Gerischer and Marcus. This GGM model brings together diverse approaches to the description of electron transfer at electrodes. The electron transfer is described in terms of nuclear configuration potential energy diagrams, electronic configuration potential energy diagrams, electron distribution functions and rate distribution functions. The distinction between microscopic energies and macroscopic (thermodynamic) energies is made and the concept of the Fermi level of the redox electrolyte is clarified. The model of identical parabolas is used for the nuclear configuration diagrams and this is shown to lead to Gaussian electron distribution functions for the redox electrolyte. The rate distribution is obtained from the overlap between occupied and unoccupied states of the metal and redox electrolyte. Integration of the rate distribution gives the rate which is calculated as a function of the electrode potential for various values of the reorganization energy λ. It is shown that the variation of symmetry factor β is small for high λ and that the Tafel plots do not show significant decrease in rate at high overpotentials in the anomalous or inversion region. The Tafel plots for charge transfer (mass transfer is assumed to be fast at all potentials) tend to a limiting value with only a small decrease at high overpotential. This contrasts with the prediction based on nuclear configuration potential energy curves and is attributed to the fact that the overlap is between a Gaussian and a Fermi function rather than between two Gaussians, the latter being the case for homogeneous reactions.
Convergent Routes to the [1,3]Dioxolo[4,5-j]phenanthridin-6(5H)-one and 2,3,4,4a-Tetrahydro[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-j]phenanthridin-6(5H)-one Nuclei. Application to Syntheses of the Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids Crinasiadine, N-Methylcrinasiadine and Trisphaeridine
Authors: Banwell MG , Cowden CJ
Published: September 2010

Convergent routes to the title nuclei, (1) and (6), have been developed. Thus, Suzuki coupling of boronic acid (8) with aryl bromide (9) gave the biarylylcarbamate (7) which, on treatment with phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3), underwent Bischler-Napieralski cyclization to give, after acid hydrolysis, the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid crinasiadine (1). The cyclization reaction proceeds via an intermediate chlorophenanthridine (11) which can be isolated and N- methylated. Hydrolysis of the resulting iminium species (17) then afforded N- methylcrinasiadine (2). On the other hand, hydrogenolytic dechlorination of compound (II) affords trisphaeridine (14). Related chemistry has been employed in the preparation of 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro[1,3] dioxolo [4,5-j]phenanthridin-6(5H)-one (6), the tetracyclic skeleton associated with the narcissus alkaloids lycoricidine (3) and narciclasine (4). Thus, treatment of the gem- dibromocyclopropane (20) with silver cyanate resulted in ring opening thereby affording the allylic isocyanate (25) which could be intercepted with added methanol to give carbamate (24). Suzuki coupling of this last compound with boronic acid (8) gave product (18) which was subjected to treatment with and resulted in the formation of (�)-(6). This latter sequence could be adapted to the preparation of both (R)-(6) and (S)-(6).
Global modeling of transcriptional responses in interaction networks
Authors: Lahti Leo , Knuuttila Juha E. A. , Kaski Samuel
Published: September 2010

Motivation: Cell-biological processes are regulated through a complex network of interactions between genes and their products. The processes, their activating conditions and the associated transcriptional responses are often unknown. Organism-wide modeling of network activation can reveal unique and shared mechanisms between tissues, and potentially as yet unknown processes. The same method can also be applied to cell-biological conditions in one or more tissues.

Results: We introduce a novel approach for organism-wide discovery and analysis of transcriptional responses in interaction networks. The method searches for local, connected regions in a network that exhibit coordinated transcriptional response in a subset of tissues. Known interactions between genes are used to limit the search space and to guide the analysis. Validation on a human pathway network reveals physiologically coherent responses, functional relatedness between tissues and coordinated, context-specific regulation of the genes.

Availability: Implementation is freely available in R and Matlab at http://www.cis.hut.fi/projects/mi/software/NetResponse

Contact:  leo.lahti@iki.fi; samuel.kaski@tkk.fi

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Single‐Balloon Enteroscopy in Children: Initial Experience at a Pediatric Center
Authors: Barth Bradley A , Channabasappa Nandini
Published: September 2010

Single‐balloon enteroscopy (SBE) allows deep endoscopic access to the jejunum and ileum in adults; however, there are no published series describing the safety of, and indications for, SBE in a pediatric population.

Seven pediatric patients (5–17 years) underwent SBE in a 9‐month period. Five of 7 procedures achieved the goal. There were no serious complications, and SBE positively affected patient management in 5 of 7 cases.

We conclude that SBE is feasible in a pediatric population and can positively affect patient care.
Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance in non-typhoidal salmonellae associated with systemic manifestations from India
Authors: Menezes G. A. , Khan M. A. , Harish B. N. , Parija S. C. , Goessens W. , Vidyalakshmi K. , Baliga S. , Hays J. P.
Published: September 2010

Extended-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are essential antimicrobials for treating invasive salmonellosis, although emerging resistance to these antimicrobials is of growing concern, especially in India. Therefore, a study was conducted to characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes, types of extended-spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL) gene plasmids and serological relationships of 21 non-typhoidalSalmonellaisolates from patients who attended three different hospitals in India from 2006 to 2008. The isolates were cultured from stool, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained from patients presenting with diarrhoea and accompanying systemic manifestations such as fever, vomiting and meningism. Non-typhoidalSalmonellaisolates were investigated using serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. PCR screening was also performed to detect theβ-lactamase,qnrandaac(6′)-Ib-crgenes and class 1 integrons. Sequencing for quinolone resistance mutations and plasmid replicon typing were also performed. An antimicrobial resistance microarray was used for preliminary screening and identification ofblaTEMandblaSHVgenes, and phenotypic testing for the presence of efflux pumps was also performed. Ten out of 21 isolates (48 %) possessed the extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance phenotype, with PCR amplification and sequencing revealing that isolates possessed TEM-1, SHV-12, DHA-1, OXA-1-like and CTX-M-15 ESBL genes. FIIsplasmid replicons were detected in seven isolates (33 %). The involvement of efflux pumps was detected in four isolates (19 %) resistant to ciprofloxacin. It was concluded that SHV-12-carryingSalmonellaserotype Agona may play an important role in ESBL-mediated resistance in non-typhoidal salmonellae in India. The very high percentage (48 %) of ESBL-producing non-typhoidal salmonellae isolated from these patients represents a real and immediate challenge to the effective antimicrobial therapy ofSalmonellainfections associated with systemic manifestations. Continued surveillance for the presence of ESBL-producing (non-typhoidal) salmonellae in India is essential.
Comparative Analysis of Pistil Transcriptomes Reveals Conserved and Novel Genes Expressed in Dry, Wet, and Semidry Stigmas
Authors: Allen Alexandra M. , Lexer Christian , Hiscock Simon J.
Published: September 2010

Fertilization in angiosperms depends on a complex cellular “courtship” between haploid pollen and diploid pistil. These pollen-pistil interactions are regulated by a diversity of molecules, many of which remain to be identified and characterized. Thus, it is unclear to what extent these processes are conserved among angiosperms, a fact confounded by limited sampling across taxa. Here, we report the analysis of pistil-expressed genes in Senecio squalidus (Asteraceae), a species from euasterid II, a major clade for which there are currently no data on pistil-expressed genes. Species from the Asteraceae characteristically have a “semidry stigma,” intermediate between the “wet” and “dry” stigmas typical of the majority of angiosperms. Construction of pistil-enriched cDNA libraries for S. squalidus allowed us to address two hypotheses: (1) stigmas of S. squalidus will express genes common to wet and dry stigmas and genes specific to the semidry stigma characteristic of the Asteraceae; and (2) genes potentially essential for pistil function will be conserved between diverse angiosperm groups and therefore common to all currently available pistil transcriptome data sets, including S. squalidus. Our data support both these hypotheses. The S. squalidus pistil transcriptome contains novel genes and genes previously identified in pistils of species with dry stigmas and wet stigmas. Comparative analysis of the five pistil transcriptomes currently available (Oryza sativa, Crocus sativus, Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum, and S. squalidus), representing four major angiosperm clades and the three stigma states, identified novel genes and conserved genes potentially regulating pollen-pistil interaction pathways common to monocots and eudicots.
Association of a novel long non‐coding RNA in 8q24 with prostate cancer susceptibility
Authors: Chung Suyoun , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Uemura Motohide , Piao Lianhua , Ashikawa Kyota , Hosono Naoya , Takata Ryo , Akamatsu Shusuke , Kawaguchi Takahisa , Morizono Takashi , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Daigo Yataro , Matsuda Koichi , Kamatani Naoyuki , Nakamura Yusuke , Kubo Michiaki
Published: September 2010

Recent genome‐wide association studies reported strong and reproducible associations of multiple genetic variants in a large “gene‐desert” region of chromosome 8q24 with susceptibility to prostate cancer (PC). However, the causative or functional variants of these 8q24 loci and their biological mechanisms associated with PC susceptibility remain unclear and should be investigated. Here, focusing on its most centromeric region (so‐called Region 2: Chr8: 128.14‐128.28 Mb) among the multiple PC loci on 8q24, we performed fine mapping and re‐sequencing of this critical region and identified SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) between rs1456315 and rs7463708 (chr8: 128,173,119‐128,173,237 bp) to be most significantly associated with PC susceptibility (P = 2.00 × 10−24, OR = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.56–1.93). Importantly, we show that this region was transcribed as a ∼13 kb intron‐less long non‐coding RNA (ncRNA), termed PRNCR1 (prostate cancer non‐coding RNA 1), and PRNCR1 expression was upregulated in some of the PC cells as well as precursor lesion prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Knockdown of PRNCR1 by siRNA attenuated the viability of PC cells and the transactivation activity of androgen receptor, which indicates that PRNCR1 could be involved in prostate carcinogenesis possibly through androgen receptor activity. These findings could provide a new insight in understanding the pathogenesis of genetic factors for PC susceptibility and prostate carcinogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 245–252)
Luteinizing hormone, testosterone and inhibin B levels in the peripubertal period and racial/ethnic differences among boys aged 6–11 years: analyses from NHANES III, 1988–1994
Authors: Lee Peter A. , Gollenberg Audra L. , Hediger Mary L. , Himes John H. , Zhang Zhiwei , Louis Germaine M. Buck
Published: September 2010

Objective  To determine whether the initial physical findings of puberty are accompanied by hormonal evidence of pubertal activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis and whether racial/ethnic differences exist, we have analysed hormone levels in relation to age, onset of puberty and race/ethnicity.

Design  Cross‐sectional analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and inhibin B from banked sera from a representative sample of US boys aged 6·0–11·99 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III.

Patients  Eight hundred and twenty‐eight boys having sera including 228 non‐Hispanic white (NHW), 266 non‐Hispanic black (NHB), 288 Mexican‐American (MA) and 46 ‘other’.

Measurements  Using analysis of variance and linear regression techniques, concentrations of LH, T and inhibin B were compared by race/ethnicity for all boys and pubertal status (Tanner’s Staging 1, 2 and 3+) for boys aged 8 years and older. Receiver operating curves were utilized to identify cut‐points predictive of pubertal HPG status.

Results  Mean hormones levels progressively increased with age. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicate hormones are consistent with pubertal onset as indicated by Tanner stage 2, except for T and genital stage 2. Inhibin B and LH levels increased significantly by genital stage after adjusting for age and race/ethnicity, while LH and T concentrations increased significantly across pubic hair stages. Levels of inhibin B were significantly higher for NHB boys compared with other racial/ethnic groups.

Conclusions  In these cross‐sectional findings, hormone levels rise gradually as boys approach the peripubertal age, whereas an abrupt rise was not associated with the onset of physical changes of puberty.
Forecasting the effects of global change scenarios on bioaccumulation patterns in great lakes species
Authors: NG CARLA A. , GRAY KIMBERLY A.
Published: September 2010

Climate change will have substantial impacts on biodiversity, particularly for aquatic species. Warming temperatures and changing weather patterns will also remobilize and modify chemical partitioning. Holding millions of cubic yards of sediments contaminated with persistent legacy chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, the Laurentian Great Lakes are a laboratory for observing interactions between biological and chemical responses to climate change. They provide a wide range of habitat to a variety of species, from littoral forage fish to deep‐water predators. In this paper, we couple bioenergetic and bioaccumulation models to investigate the biological and chemical effects of climate change in the Great Lakes. We consider three species: round goby, a warm‐water invasive forage fish; mottled sculpin, a cool‐water native forage fish; and lake trout, a cold‐water native predator. Using our coupled models, we calculate the accumulation of a representative persistent chemical, PCB‐77, under four climate scenarios for Lake Erie and Lake Superior. Predator–prey (lake trout–round goby) interactions and food availability (high–low) are incorporated into our simulations. For cool‐ to cold‐water species (sculpin, lake trout) we find that warm temperatures limit growth. For warm‐water species (round goby) cold temperatures limit growth. The impact of climate warming on growth depends on the winter lows as well as the summer highs of the scenario, in combination with the species' critical upper and lower thermal limits. We find conditions for high growth and consumption rates generally lead to high bioaccumulation. However, this can be confounded by predator–prey dynamics, as mismatches in the temperature preferences of predator and prey can lead to mismatches in relative growth and uptake rates. As predator–prey dynamics are expected to undergo substantial shifts with changing climate, these relative thermal sensitivities will be key in determining the implications of climate change for bioaccumulation, particularly in top predator species.
Factor VII deficiency: defining the clinical picture and optimizing therapeutic options
Authors: LAPECORELLA M. , MARIANI G. ,   FOR THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRY ON CONGENITAL FACTOR VII DEFICIENCY
Published: September 2010

Summary.  Factor VII (FVII) deficiency is the most frequent among rare congenital bleeding disorders, accounting for one symptomatic individual per 500 000 population, apparently without any racial/ethnic predilection. FVII deficiency prevalence in the general population is probably higher because of the presence of asymptomatic and poorly symptomatic individuals. In accordance with the role of FVII as part of the initiating complex of the extrinsic coagulation pathway, laboratory diagnosis is easy, because FVII deficiency is the only congenital bleeding disorder characterized by isolated prolonged prothrombin time. Molecular diagnosis is available, and a broad spectrum of mutations has been characterized in the FVII gene, which is located in chromosome 13. Clinical manifestations are heterogeneous, ranging from severe life‐threatening haemorrhages, such as cerebral, gastrointestinal, and joint haemorrhages, to miscellaneous minor bleeding. The main clinical features in our database (International Registry on Congenital FVII Deficiency database, n = 515) are as follows: (i) the absence of a clear‐cut and consistent correlation between bleeding symptoms and FVII clotting levels; (ii) an excess of symptomatic women compared with men; (iii) frequent surgery‐related bleeding, which is often a diagnostic tool in previously asymptomatic individuals. Several therapeutic options are possible, including plasma‐derived and recombinant products, but therapeutic schedules, optimal dosages, and administration times still have to be precisely defined, and clinical studies, including online registries such as the Seven Treatment Evaluation Registry, are actually ongoing to achieve in a better manner a safe, rational and standardized substitution treatment for this congenital disorder.
Nursing care quality and adverse events in US hospitals
Authors: Lucero Robert J , Lake Eileen T , Aiken Linda H
Published: September 2010

Aim.  To examine the association between nurses’ reports of unmet nursing care needs and their reports of patients’ receipt of the wrong medication or dose, nosocomial infections and patient falls with injury in hospitals.

Background.  Because nursing activities are often difficult to measure, and data are typically not collected by health care organisations, there are few studies that have addressed the association between nursing activities and patient outcomes.

Design.  Secondary analysis of cross‐sectional data collected in 1999 from 10,184 staff nurses and 168 acute care hospitals in the US.

Methods.  Multivariate linear regression models estimated the effect of unmet nursing care needs on adverse events given the influence of patient factors and the care environment.

Results.  The proportion of necessary nursing care left undone ranged from 26% for preparing patients and families for discharge to as high as 74% for developing or updating nursing care plans. A majority of nurses reported that patients received the wrong medication or dose, acquired nosocomial infections, or had a fall with injury infrequently. However, nurses who reported that these adverse events occurred frequently varied considerably [i.e. medication errors (15%), patient falls with injury (20%), nosocomial infection (31%)]. After adjusting for patient factors and the care environment, there remained a significant association between unmet nursing care needs and each adverse event.

Conclusion.  The findings suggest that attention to optimising patient care delivery could result in a reduction in the occurrence of adverse events in hospitals.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The occurrence of adverse events may be mitigated when nurses complete care activities that require them to spend time with their patients. Hospitals should engage staff nurses in the creation of policies that influence human resources management to enhance their awareness of the care environment and patient care delivery.
Oral cryotherapy reduces mucositis and improves nutrition – a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Svanberg Anncarin , Öhrn Kerstin , Birgegård Gunnar
Published: September 2010

Aim and objective.  To investigate if oral cryotherapy during myeloablative therapy may influence frequency and severity of mucositis, nutritional status and infection rate after bone marrow transplantation.

Background.  Patients treated with intensive myeloablative treatment before bone marrow transplantation are all at risk to develop mucositis. Oral mucositis causes severe pain and oral dysfunction, which can contribute to local and systemic infections and bleeding; it may even interrupt cancer therapy. Oral mucositis also decreases the oral food intake, which increases the risk for malnutrition and infection. Reduced food intake, loss of fat and muscles, alterations in energy and substrate metabolism leads to malnutrition.

Design.  A randomised controlled trial with a random assignment to experimental or control group.

Method.  A stratified randomisation was used with regard to the type of transplantation. Mucositis was measured on WHO mucositis scale. Number of days of total parenteral nutrition, infection rate, weight, albumin levels and days at hospital was compared.

Results.  There were significantly fewer patients in the experimental group with mucositis grade 3–4 than in the control group and significantly lower number of days in the hospital (allogeneic patients). Less total parenteral nutrition was needed in the experimental group in both settings, and the S‐albumin level was significantly better preserved. No significant difference could be found with regard to infection rate.

Conclusion.  Oral cryotherapy reduced mucositis, number of hospital days, the need for total parenteral nutrition and resulted in a better nutritional status.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses caring for patients treated with myeloablative therapy should place high priority to prevent oral mucositis and hereby reduce its side effects.
The accuracy of primary care teams in diagnosing disorders of the shoulder
Authors: Patel Shelain , Hossain Fahad S , Colaco Henry B , El‐Husseiny Moataz , Lee Marcus H
Published: September 2010

Objective  The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to determine the accuracy of diagnoses given by a multitude of primary care services to patients referred to an orthopaedic upper limb surgeon with a focus towards shoulder pathology.

Methods  Records of all patients referred to a single upper limb surgeon over a 1‐year period were reviewed. The diagnosis in the primary care setting was compared with the initial working diagnosis in the specialist clinic and against the final diagnosis following specialist investigation/intervention.

Results  114 eligible patients were identified. General practitioners referred 35% of patients, musculoskeletal triage services referred 63% of patients and independent physiotherapists referred 2% of patients. It was found that 37% of patients were not given a diagnosis by the primary care team. When a diagnosis was given, accuracy was 50% (κ = 0.28) when correlated against that given by an orthopaedic upper limb surgeon.

Conclusions  Our findings suggest that knowledge of shoulder conditions is limited amongst primary care practitioners. There does not appear to be any difference in accuracy between general practitioners and musculoskeletal triage services.
Enablement in health care context: a concept analysis
Authors: Hudon Catherine , St‐Cyr Tribble Denise , Bravo Gina , Poitras Marie‐Eve
Published: September 2010

Rationale, aims and objectives  The enablement process is defined as a professional intervention aiming to recognize, support and emphasize the patient's capacity to have control over her or his health and life. The purpose of this article was to study the enablement concept through a concept analysis in the health care context to identify: (1) its attributes and (2) its antecedents and consequents.

Method  A concept analysis was performed according to the method of Rodgers. The literature was reviewed from 1980 to June 2008, using search strategies adapted to the databases Cinahl, Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and Social Works Abstract, and hand searching. All articles contributing to a deeper understanding of the concept were included. The analysis was carried out according to a thematic analysis procedure, as described by Miles & Huberman.

Results  The search identified 1305 citations. After in‐depth assessment of 148 potentially eligible citations, 61 articles were included in the review. Five articles were added with hand searching. Sixty‐seven per cent of these articles were related to nursing. The attributes of the enablement concept included: contribution to the therapeutic relationship; consideration of the person as a whole; facilitation of learning; valorization of the person's strengths; implication and support to decision making; and broadening of the possibilities.

Conclusion  These attributes could be used as a basis for other studies on enablement. Conceptual and empirical work is still needed to better position this concept among others such as patient‐centred care, shared decision making and patient's participation.
Analysis of N‐ and O‐linked protein glycosylation in children with Prader‐Willi syndrome
Authors: Munce T. , Heussler H. S. , Bowling F. G.
Published: September 2010

Background  Current genotype‐phenotype correlations in Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) are struggling to give an explanation of the diversity in phenotype and there is a need to move towards a molecular understanding of PWS. A range of functions related to glycoproteins are involved in the pathophysiology of PWS and it may be that abnormal glycosylation is contributing to the biological phenotype. The objective of this study was to investigate the state of N‐ and O‐linked glycosylation in children with Prader‐Willi syndrome.

Methods  Twenty‐three children with PWS and 20 non‐PWS controls were included in the study. Protein N‐linked glycosylation was assessed by analysing serum transferrin through mass spectrometry and protein O‐linked through isoelectric focusing (IEF) of serum apolipoprotein C‐III (apoC‐III), confirmed by mass spectrometry.

Results  The results of this analysis indicated that the N‐linked glycosylation pathway in PWS is normal. A subgroup of PWS individuals was found to have a hyposialylated pattern of apoC‐III isoforms. This was independent of the underlying genetic mechanism and is the first report of an apoC‐III IEF abnormality in PWS.

Conclusions  This is the first report of apoC‐III hyposialylation in PWS. As this field is in its infancy, additional study is required before these findings may be used in clinical settings.
Tn10/IS10 transposition is downregulated at the level of transposase expression by the RNA‐binding protein Hfq
Authors: Ross Joseph A. , Wardle Simon J. , Haniford David B.
Published: September 2010

We show in this work that disruption of the hfq gene in Escherichia coli causes a large increase in IS10 transposition when IS10 is present on a multi‐copy plasmid. Hfq is an RNA‐binding protein that regulates the expression of a large number of genes at the post‐transcriptional level by promoting the pairing of mRNAs with partially complementary short RNAs. As the translation of IS10 transposase mRNA (RNA‐IN) is inhibited by an IS10‐encoded anti‐sense RNA (RNA‐OUT), it seemed likely that Hfq would negatively regulate Tn10/IS10 transposition by promoting anti‐sense inhibition of RNA‐IN translation. Consistent with this, we show that Hfq promotes pairing of RNA‐IN and RNA‐OUT in vitro and downregulates RNA‐IN expression in vivo. However, we also show that Hfq negatively regulates Tn10 transposition when no functional anti‐sense RNA is produced. Taken together, the results suggest that Hfq acts at two distinct steps to inhibit Tn10/IS10 transposition. This is the first example of Hfq regulating a bacterial transposition reaction.
Proportional Venn diagram and determinants of allergic respiratory diseases in Italian adolescents
Authors: Cibella Fabio , Cuttitta Giuseppina , La Grutta Stefania , Melis Mario R. , Lospalluti Maria L. , Uasuf Carina G. , Bucchieri Salvatore , Viegi Giovanni
Published: September 2010

To cite this article: Cibella F, Cuttitta G, La Grutta S, Melis MR, Lospalluti ML, Uasuf CG, Bucchieri S, Viegi G. Proportional Venn diagram and determinants of allergic respiratory diseases in Italian adolescents. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011: 22: 60–68.

Large variations in prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases are reported worldwide in children, but in epidemiological studies the use of skin prick tests (SPT) and spirometry along with questionnaires is not common in the Mediterranean Area. The present work was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of current asthma (CA), rhinoconjunctivitis (RC), and eczema (E), with atopy and respiratory function, and the role of risk factors for allergic respiratory diseases. A total of 2150 Italian schoolchildren were cross‐sectionally investigated through respiratory questionnaire, SPT, and spirometry. A proportional Venn diagram quantified the distribution of CA, RC, and E, stratifying for allergic sensitization to show differences in prevalence of allergic diseases among subjects with and without positive SPT. CA prevalence was 4.2%, RC 17.9%, and E 5.3%. CA and RC increased, while E decreased, with respect to previous local studies. Allergic sensitization prevalence (evaluated as positive response to at least one SPT) was 39.2%. A double Venn diagram identified 15 categories. Atopic CA was threefold more frequent than non‐atopic CA. Atopic vs non‐atopic RC and E were 9.6% vs 10.3% and 2.0% vs 3.3%, respectively. Atopic vs non‐atopic RC associated with CA were 1.6% vs 0.5%; the same figures for RC associated with E were 0.8% vs 1.3%. Asymptomatic atopic subjects were 27.0%. Atopy, RC, parental asthma, and environmental risk factors were associated with CA. Atopy and environmental factors were risk factors also for RC. Asthma and traffic exposure were linked to reduced lung function. Respiratory allergic diseases are still increasing and largely concomitant in Italian adolescents. Atopy is more important for CA than RC. Avoiding exposures to measured environmental risk factors would prevent 41% of current asthma and 34% of rhinoconjunctivitis.
Fossils and phylogeny uncover the evolutionary history of a unique antipredator behaviour
Authors: CLUCAS B. , ORD T. J. , OWINGS D. H.
Published: September 2010

Recently, two squirrel species (Spermophilusspp.) were discovered to anoint their bodies with rattlesnake scent as a means of concealing their odour from these chemosensory predators. In this study, we tested multiple species with predator scents (rattlesnake and weasel) to determine the prevalence of scent application across the squirrel phylogeny. We reconstructed the evolutionary history of the behaviour using a phylogenetic analysis and fossil records of historic predator co‐occurrence. Squirrels with historical and current rattlesnake co‐occurrence all applied rattlesnake scent, whereas no relationship existed between weasel scent application and either weasel or rattlesnake co‐occurrence. This was surprising because experimental tests confirmed rattlesnake and weasel scent were both effective at masking prey odour from hunting rattlesnakes (the primary predator of squirrels). Ancestral reconstructions and fossil data suggest predator scent application in squirrels is ancient in origin, arising before co‐occurrences with rattlesnakes or weasels in response to some other, now extinct, chemosensory predator.
Colourful stripes send mixed messages to safe and risky partners in a diffuse cleaning mutualism
Authors: LETTIERI L. , STREELMAN J. T.
Published: September 2010

The steps by which neutral, random and/or negative biological interactions evolve into mutualistic ones remain poorly understood. Here, we studyElacatinusgobies and the ‘client’ fishes they clean. Colourful stripes are common to mutualist cleaners and noncleaning sister species. Blue stripes are unique to cleaners and are more conspicuous to predators than are basal yellow or green stripes. In turn, we focused on the role of colour as a potentially specialized signal. We show that cleaners may possess a chemical defence and demonstrate that stripes are sufficient to elicit client posing behaviour and to deter attack, corroborating the putative role of chemistry. Analysis of previously published records shows that yellow cleaners interact with predatory clients less often compared to green and blue cleaners. Our results highlight evolution from predator resistance to advertising with conspicuous signals. Similar trajectories, via recognizable signals to risky partners, may be common in other diffuse mutualisms.
Current and future molecular approaches to investigate the white pine blister rust pathosystem
Authors: Richardson B. A. , Ekramoddoulah A. K. M. , Liu J.‐J. , Kim M.‐S. , Klopfenstein N. B.
Published: September 2010

Molecular genetics is proving to be especially useful for addressing a wide variety of research and management questions on the white pine blister rust pathosystem. White pine blister rust, caused by Cronartium ribicola, is an ideal model for studying biogeography, genetics, and evolution because: (1) it involves an introduced pathogen; (2) it includes multiple primary and alternate hosts occurring in large, relatively undisturbed ecosystems; (3) some hosts exhibit endemic resistance; and (4) the disease interaction is long enduring. Molecular techniques are used to investigate population genetics, phylogenetics, hybrids, and proteomics in white pine (Pinus, subgenus Strobus) and blister rust (Cronartium) and the genetics of resistance and virulence in the blister rust pathosystem. These techniques include genetic markers, mapping, microarrays, sequencing, association genetics, genomics, and genecology. Molecular genetics contributes to gene conservation, breeding for resistance, and ecosystem management.
Silvicultural approaches for management of eastern white pine to minimize impacts of damaging agents
Authors: Ostry M. E. , Laflamme G. , Katovich S. A.
Published: September 2010

Since the arrival to North America ofCronartium ribicola, management of eastern white pine has been driven by the need to avoid the actual or, in many areas, the perceived damage caused by white pine blister rust. Although white pine has lost much of its former dominance, it remains a valuable species for biotic diversity, aesthetics, wildlife habitat and forest products. Understanding its silvics and damaging agents provides a sound basis for the silvicultural activities of site selection, regeneration and stand tending. The species can be successfully grown in many locations despite herbivory, competition, white pine weevil and blister rust. Forest managers can minimize damage by applying knowledge of local conditions (climate, soils, physiography and vegetation) to hazard assessment, site selection and preparation, vegetation management, and pruning. With appropriate management and a long‐term commitment, many eastern forests can be beneficially reforested to eastern white pine with little impact from blister rust and other damaging agents.
Blister rusts in China: hosts, pathogens, and management
Authors: Zhang X. Y. , Lu Q. , Sniezko R. A. , Song R. Q. , Man G.
Published: September 2010

China has 12 taxa of white pines (subgenus Strobus), including species of wide distribution valuable to plantation forestry and species of rare endemics only distantly related to other white pines. The most important forest diseases of these white pines are caused by the blister rust fungi of the genus Cronartium that alternate to telial host species of Ribes and Pedicularis. The most serious infestations have occurred in southwestern China on Pinus armandii and in northeastern China on P. koraiensis. The blister rust pathogen on P. armandii has usually been identified as Cronartium ribicola. Several lines of evidence, however, imply this pathogen on P. armandii is different from a pathogen on P. koraiensis that appears more closely related to C. ribicola in North America, Europe, and other Asian countries. In China, C. ribicola is designated as a quarantine pest. Silvicultural control of blister rust relies on pruning and thinning infected trees, herbicide removal of telial hosts, and chemical treatment of blister rust cankers. Although plantation forestry is important in China, little information is available on the genetics of resistance in Chinese white pines to native blister rust fungi. Challenges and opportunities are identified in forest management and research for disease assessment and control, rust systematics and biology, and genetic interactions in the white pine blister rust pathosystem.
Quantitative Bestimmung des „direkten” und des „indirekten” Bilirubins im Serum der Haustiere
Authors: Berger H.‐J.
Published: September 2010

Im Serum gesunder Tiere werden quantitative Bestimmungen des Gesamtbilirubins und des direkten Bilirubins mit der Methode von Jendrassik‐Grof bzw. der von Jendrassik‐Gleghorn in der Fassung von With durchgeführt. Zur Untersuchung kommen Pferde, Fohlen, Rinder, Kälber, Schafe, Ziegen, Schweine und Hunde.

„Direktes” und „indirektes” Bilirubin ist bei alien Tierarten nachzuweisen und der Bilirubinindex beträgt 1. Nur bei Kälbern liegen die Werte zwischen 0,5 und 7.

Die Höhe des Bilirubinspiegels ist von der Tierart und dem Alter abhängig. Nahrungsentzug für 1 bis 2 Tage bewirkt eine Erhöhung der Werte.

Quantitative analysis of “direct” and “indirect” bilirubin in the serum of domestic animals

Using the method of Jendrassik‐Grof or that of Jendrassik‐Gleghorn modified by With, estimations were made of total and direct bilirubin in the serum of normal horses, foals, cattle, calves, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs.

“Direct” and “indirect” bilirubin can be demonstrated in the serum of all these species and the bilirubin index is always 1, except in the calf where it lies between 0.5 and 7.

The bilirubin picture varies with species and age. Witholding food for 1–2 days causes a rise in the bilirubin in the blood.

L'analyse quantitative de la bilirubine «directe» et «indirecte» dans le sérum des animaux domestiques

Dans le sérum d'animaux sains on effectua des analyses quantitatives de la bilirubine totale et de la bilirubine directe par la méthode de Jendrassik‐Grof, resp. de Jendrassik‐Cleghorn selon la version de With. Ces examens furent faits chez le cheval, le poulain, le boeuf, le veau, le mouton, la chèvre, le porc et le chien.

La bilirubine „directe” et la bilirubine „indirecte” peuvent être décelées chez tous les animaux et l'index de bilirubine est égal à. 1. Chez le veau seulement, il varie de 0,5 à 7.

Le taux de bilirubine dépend de l'espèce animale et de l'âge de l'animal. Une privation de nourriture pendant 1 à 2 jours a pour effet d'augmenter ces valeurs.

Determinación cuantitativa de la bilirrubina «directa» e «indirecta» en el suero de los animates domésticos

En el suero de animales sanos se realizan determinaciones cuantitativas de la bilirrubina total y de la bilirrubina directa con las técnicas de Jendrassik‐Grof y de Jendrassik‐Cleghorn, respectivamente, en la versión dada por With.

A la investigación se sometieron caballos, potros, vacas, terneras, ovejas, cabras, cerdos y perros.

En todas las especies animales se puede identificar tanto la bilirrubina „directa” como la „indirecta”, y el índice bilirrubínico es igual a 1. Sólo en las terneras, los valores oscilan entre 0,5 y 7.

La altura del nivel bilirrubínico depende de la especie animal y de la edad. El ayuno durante 1–2 días hace que aumenten los valores.
Plasma membrane microdomains in aging and disease
Authors: Ohno‐Iwashita Yoshiko , Shimada Yukiko , Hayashi Masami , Inomata Mitsushi
Published: September 2010

The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells participates in signal transduction and many other cellular events to maintain the physiological state of cells. In recent decades, much attention has been paid to membrane microdomains, called lipid rafts or membrane rafts, as signaling platforms in the plasma membrane. Lipid rafts are lateral lipid clusters enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids in which particular molecules are concentrated and participate in membrane‐mediated signaling events. Recent studies have shown a close relationship between lipid rafts and the age‐associated decline and dysregulation of cellular signaling pathways, such as T‐cell receptor signaling and cellular senescence‐related signaling. Lipid rafts have also been implicated in senile diseases and in lifestyle‐related diseases whose incidences increase with age. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10 (Suppl. 1): S41–S52.
Model mice for tissue‐specific deletion of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene
Authors: Shimizu Takahiko , Nojiri Hidetoshi , Kawakami Satoru , Uchiyama Satoshi , Shirasawa Takuji
Published: September 2010

Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD) is a mitochondrial enzyme that converts toxic O2‐ to H2O2. Previous studies have reported that a systemic deficiency in Mn‐SOD causes neonatal lethality in mice. Therefore, no mouse model is available for the analysis of the pathological role of O2‐ injuries in adult tissues. To explore an adult‐type mouse model, we generated tissue‐specific Mn‐SOD conditional knockout mice using a Cre‐loxp system. First, we generated liver‐specific Mn‐SOD‐deficient mice by crossbreeding with albumin‐Cre transgenic mice. Mn‐SOD proteins were significantly downregulated in the liver of liver‐specific Mn‐SOD knockout mice. Interestingly, the mutant mice showed no obvious morphological abnormalities or biochemical alterations in the liver, suggesting a redundant or less important physiological role for Mn‐SOD in the liver than previously thought. Next, we generated heart/muscle‐specific Mn‐SOD‐deficient mice by crossbreeding muscle creatine kinase‐Cre transgenic mice. The mutant mice developed progressive dilated cardiomyopathy with specific molecular defects in mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, brain‐specific Mn‐SOD‐deficient mice that had been developed by crossbreeding with nestin‐Cre transgenic mice developed a spongiform encephalopathy‐like pathology associated with gliosis and died within 3 weeks of birth. These results imply that the superoxide generated in mitochondria plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of pathologies in the heart and brain, but not in the liver. In conclusion, we successfully generated various tissue‐specific Mn‐SOD conditional knockout mice that provide useful tools for the analysis of various oxidative stress‐associated diseases. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10 (Suppl. 1): S70–S79.
Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy
Authors: Tanga M. R. , De Maio Francis , Ewing .J. Burke
Published: September 2010

Though both acute appendicitis and pregnancy are seen very commonly in everyday practice as separate entities, it is surprising that these two conditions are not seen together frequently. A review of the literature testifies to this fact. A review of 24 cases of acute appendicitis in pregnancy forms the subject matter of this communication.
Spontaneous Rupture of the Second Trimester Gravid Uterus due to Placenta Percreta
Authors: Toongsuwan Sommai , Bhadrakom Chaiphorn
Published: September 2010

Three cases of rupture of the uterus due to placenta percreta in the second trimester are presented making the total of ten in the English literature. The aetiological factors, the usual site of rupture and the method of treatment are discussed.
Monetary Policy Impulses and Retail Interest Rate Pass‐Through in Asian Banking Markets
Authors: Wang Kuan‐Min
Published: September 2010

This paper considers the integration of financial markets and mutual influences of monetary policies in the USA and Asia based on monthly data from 1994 to 2007. We used panel‐type and time‐series and quantile panel‐type error correction models to test the influences of expected and unexpected monetary policy impulses on the interest rate pass‐through mechanism in the financial markets of 9 Asian countries and the USA. The empirics show that if interest rate integration exists in the financial markets, the following effects are observed: (i) positive impulses of unexpected monetary policy will lead to an increase in the long‐run multiplier of the retail interest rate; (ii) the adjustment of retail interest rates with short‐run disequilibrium will lead to an increase in the long‐run markup; and (iii) the empirical results of quantile regression prove that when the interest variation is greater than the 0.5th quantile and unexpected monetary policy impulses are greater than the expected monetary policy impulses, the short‐run interest rate pass‐through mechanism becomes more unstable.
Who Are the Potential Smokers of Smuggled Cigarettes?
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Fan , Chen Sheng‐Hung , Lee Jie‐Min , Jeng Huei‐Yann
Published: September 2010

Although smuggled cigarettes have been a prevalent problem and a severe challenge to public health and welfare around the world, little is known about the behavior associated with smoking smuggled cigarettes and the issue is difficult to study due to data limitations. By means of a population‐based tobacco survey conducted in Taiwan, the present paper applies a latent class model to identify potential smokers who are either currently or will at some point in the future be consuming smuggled cigarettes. This methodology, in contrast to the traditional discrete models, allows potential smokers who are more inclined to smoke smuggled cigarettes to be endogenously classified. The empirical results indicate that socio‐demographic factors do increase the inclination to smoke smuggled cigarettes after unobserved heterogeneity has been accounted for.
Cannabidiol inhibits synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal cultures and slices via multiple receptor pathways
Authors: Ledgerwood CJ , Greenwood SM , Brett RR , Pratt JA , Bushell TJ
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSECannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as an interesting compound with therapeutic potential in several CNS disorders. However, whether it can modulate synaptic activity in the CNS remains unclear. Here, we have investigated whether CBD modulates synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal cultures and acute slices.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe effect of CBD on synaptic transmission was examined in rat hippocampal cultures and acute slices using whole cell patch clamp and standard extracellular recordings respectively.

KEY RESULTSCannabidiol decreased synaptic activity in hippocampal cultures in a concentration‐dependent andPertussistoxin‐sensitive manner. The effects of CBD in culture were significantly reduced in the presence of the cannabinoid receptor (CB1) inverse agonist, LY320135 but were unaffected by the 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonist, WAY100135. In hippocampal slices, CBD inhibited basal synaptic transmission, an effect that was abolished by the proposed CB1receptor antagonist, AM251, in addition to LY320135 and WAY100135.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSCannabidiol reduces synaptic transmission in hippocampalin vitropreparations and we propose a role for both 5‐HT1Aand CB1receptors in these CBD‐mediated effects. These data offer some mechanistic insights into the effects of CBD and emphasize that further investigations into the actions of CBD in the CNS are required in order to elucidate the full therapeutic potential of CBD.