bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verbal Fluency in Bilingual Spanish/English Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Authors: Salvatierra Judy , Rosselli Monica , Acevedo Amarilis , Duara Ranjan
Published: July 2007

Studies have demonstrated that in verbal fluency tests, monolinguals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) show greater difficulties retrieving words based on semantic rather than phonemic rules. The present study aimed to determine whether this difficulty was reproduced in both languages of Spanish/English bilinguals with mild to moderate AD whose primary language was Spanish. Performance on semantic and phonemic verbal fluency of 11 bilingual AD patients was compared to the performance of 11 cognitively normal, elderly bilingual individuals matched for gender, age, level of education, and degree of bilingualism. Cognitively normal subjects retrieved significantly more items under the semantic condition compared to the phonemic, whereas the performance of AD patients was similar under both conditions, suggesting greater decline in semantic verbal fluency tests. This pattern was produced in both languages, implying a related semantic decline in both languages. Results from this study should be considered preliminary because of the small sample size.
Gender and Serious Violence
Authors: Haynie Dana L. , Steffensmeier Darrell , Bell Kerryn E.
Published: July 2007

Applying insights from social influence literature, in combination with key elements of gender organization and socialization, the effect of friendship sex composition and exposure to peer violence on girls' and boys' involvement in serious violence is examined. It is hypothesized that the impact of opposite-sex friendships on violence will differ for female youth compared to male youth. The exceptionally detailed friendship network data available in the Add Health for a sample of adolescents ( N = 14,044) is used to examine these hypotheses. Findings are supportive of hypotheses and indicate that exposure to opposite-sex friends increases females' odds of engaging in serious violence but operate to reduce males' involvement in serious violence. In addition, among females, peer influence is magnified as the proportion of opposite sex friends increases in their friendship network. In contrast, among males, exposure to opposite sex friends does not operate to suppress (or magnify) the effect of peer exposure to violence.
Gender Differences in the Predictors of Juvenile Delinquency
Authors: Daigle Leah E. , Cullen Francis T. , Wright John Paul
Published: July 2007

At the heart of the gender-specificity debate is the argument that gender-neutral theories cannot adequately explain female delinquency. Instead, it has been asserted that theories should incorporate risk factors that capture females' unique experiences. In this context, the current study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health to address the generality-specificity debate. The analysis includes variables not only from traditional criminological theories and the newer life-course approach but also from the feminist perspective. Results from multivariate analyses show that although there are some similarities in the predictors of male and female delinquency, differences also emerged. Variables measuring general strain and involvement are stronger predictors for males, whereas only attachment to school is stronger for females. One feminist theory variable and one life-course variable exhibit stronger effects in the models for females. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are also addressed.
Gender Differences in Mental Health Symptoms Among Delinquent and Community Youth
Authors: Cauffman Elizabeth , Lexcen Frances J. , Goldweber Asha , Shulman Elizabeth P. , Grisso Thomas
Published: July 2007

Although research indicates that female offenders demonstrate higher rates of mental health symptoms than male offenders, the lack of data on directly comparable groups of delinquent and community youths has limited this comparison. The current study includes adolescents detained in juvenile detention facilities (girls = 157; boys = 276) or who resided in the community (girls = 193; boys = 242) from four different geographical locales. Results indicate that the relative magnitude of gender differences was greater in detained youths than in community youths, with detained girls exhibiting greater levels of symptomatology than would be predicted on the basis of gender or setting alone. Although it may be self-evident that detained populations exhibit higher levels of externalizing problems than community populations, the present study helps to quantify such differences by using common measures and demographically matched samples and demonstrates that detained versus community differences are larger among girls than among boys.
The Education of Sisyphus
Authors: Weddington Hank S.
Published: July 2007

This article examines the idea of suicide as a metaphor for transformative education. Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus is used as a framework for discussing the absurdity of education as well as the lucidity available through an openness to personal and professional transformation. An argument is made for a rhythmic progression of lucidity and comfort where occurrences of transformation (suicide) allow moments of freedom from the continual tension of lucidity as well as stimuli for new periods of lucidity. By way of this progression, existence remains firmly within the absurd while allowing for a “hopeful hopelessness” that perpetuates action in the face of unreasonable circumstances. Also examined is the quality that marks a suicidal (educative) transformation in contrast to a nonsuicidal (additive) transformation. The article concludes with a classroom narrative that depicts the absurd situation and the resulting suicide.
Furthering Their Own Demise: How Kansa Indian Death Customs Accelerated Their Depopulation
Authors: Dixon Benjamin Y.
Published: July 2007

This essay examines the survival of the Kansa Indians prior to major contact with Euro-Americans, how Euro-American contact disrupted their survival, and how the Kansa responded to those disruptions. The research presented here focuses on the impact of wildlife depletion and Euro-American diseases leading up to the tribe's massive depopulation in the late nineteenth century. The most striking finding is that the cultural practices and religious customs with which the Kansa responded to these tremendous changes made matters worse for them. Their adherence to death customs, in particular, accelerated their depopulation when they endured back-to-back years of epidemics and starvation. This raises important questions about the specific influence of death customs and other practices used by Amerindian groups in response to depopulation following contact with Euro-Americans.
A cytoskeletal-based perimeter fence selectively corrals a sub-population of cell surface Kv2.1 channels
Authors: Tamkun Michael M. , O'Connell Kristen M. S. , Rolig Annah S.
Published: July 2007

The Kv2.1 delayed-rectifier channel trafficks to 1-3 μm2 clusters on the surface of neurons and transfected HEK cells. Single quantum dot (Qdot) tracking and FRAP approaches were used to quantify the diffusion of GFP-labeled Kv2.1 channels on the cell surface and address the mechanisms underlying the formation of these unique membrane structures. Mean square displacement analysis of single Kv2.1 channel tracks inside or outside the surface clusters yielded mean diffusion coefficients of 0.03±0.02 μm2/second and 0.06±0.05 μm2/second, respectively. Kv2.1 channels outside the clusters effectively ignore the cluster boundary, readily diffusing through these microdomains. However, in 5% of the tracks analyzed, single, non-clustered channels were observed to cross into a cluster and become corralled within the cluster perimeter. Alexa Fluor 594-labelled phalloidin staining and mCherry-Kv2.1 co-expression with GFP-actin indicated that the Kv2.1 surface clusters form where the cortical actin cytoskeleton is reduced. Kv2.1 channels lacking the C-terminus do not form clusters, freely diffusing over the cell surface with a mean diffusion coefficient of 0.07±0.04 μm2/second. These data support a model whereby the Kv2.1 clusters are formed by sub-membrane cytoskeletal structures that limit the lateral diffusion of only the sub-population of Kv2.1 channels carrying the appropriate modifications on the Kv2.1 C-terminus.
Centrosome replication in hydroxyurea-arrested CHO cells expressing GFP-tagged centrin2
Authors: Kuriyama Ryoko , Terada Yasuhiko , Lee Kyung S. , Wang Christopher L. C.
Published: July 2007

Centrosome duplication is tightly coupled with the cell cycle and neither too many nor too few centrosomes are induced in a normal cell. To study how centrosome assembly is regulated, we analyzed the abnormal process of multiple centrosome replications in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells induced by hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to uncouple the centrosome cycle from the cell cycle. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged centrin2 expressed in CHO cells labels both centrioles and the pericentriolar material (PCM). Counting fluorescent spots of GFP-centrin in synchronized cells showed that in G1/S-arrested cells, centrioles are initially duplicated in a template manner. Further treatment with HU overrides the suppression of excess centriole/centrosome replication in a cell where the full complement of centrioles/centrosomes already exists. Time-lapse fluorescence microscopy revealed that small centrin-containing foci emerged in the cytoplasm during HU treatment. These foci are surrounded by a PCM cloud and their number continuously increases as cells are exposed to HU for longer periods of time. Both the centrosome and cytoplasmic foci are highly mobile, continuously changing their position in a manner dependent on microtubules/microtubule dynamics. The centrosome number increases as small foci grow in size and resolve into recognizable centrosomes. As this occurs in a random fashion, the cells arrested longer with HU induced highly heterogeneous numbers of centrosomes.
An Efficient Route to Cyclic Polymers by ATRP–RCM Process
Authors: Hayashi Shotaro , Adachi Kaoru , Tezuka Yasuyuki
Published: July 2007

An efficient synthetic route to cyclic polymers has been demonstrated through atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and subsequent ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction. Thus, telechelic poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) having allyl groups was synthesized by ATRP of methyl acrylate with a difunctional initiator and the subsequent end-capping reaction with allyltributyltin. The following RCM reaction proceeded even under dilution in the presence of the Grubbs catalyst to give a cyclic PMA in a high yield.
Plastic Shottky Barriers Fabricated by a Line Patterning Technology
Authors: Yan Hu , Endo Shunsuke , Hara Yusuke , Okuzaki Hidenori
Published: July 2007

Plastic Shottky barriers were fabricated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and aluminum as the p-type semiconductor and the metal, respectively, by a facile line-patterning technology in which multiple-line-patterning was utilized for the designed patterns. Based on the measurements of current–voltage and capacitance–voltage characteristics, various electrical parameters of the Shottky barriers were extracted. As a result, the barrier height, work function of the PEDOT:PSS and rectification ratio were 0.78, 4.8 eV and 1.6×102, respectively.
Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Three- and Six-Membered Metallacycles Composed of Iron, Germanium, and Sulfur Atoms
Authors: Okazaki Masaaki , Kimura Hiromitsu , Komuro Takashi , Okada Hiroshi , Tobita Hiromi
Published: July 2007

Ultraviolet irradiation of Cp∗(CO)2FeGeMe2SPh in the presence of acetone afforded trans-[Cp∗Fe(CO){μ-κ2Ge,S-GeMe2SPh}]2, while the introduction of a bulkier substituent on the sulfur atom allowed selective formation of the three-membered metallacycle Cp∗(CO)Fe{κ2Ge,S-GeMe2SMes} (Mes = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3).
Influence of a novel male on the social behaviour of a captive group of mature female long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Jones E. , Byrne B. , Chance M. R. A.
Published: July 2007

The replacement of a sexually mature, but sexually inactive, male by a novel mature male in a small colony of Macaca fascicularis brought about changes in social behaviour and structure. Particularly striking were the heightened levels of all sexual activity, especially in the females' invitation to the male to copulate. Cohesiveness around the male increased. Increased levels of agonism were noted and changes in the agonistic female hierarchy resulted. The grooming relationships in the colony were also significantly altered.
Control of nephrocalcinosis by manipulating the calcium: phosphorus ratio in commercial rodent diets
Authors: Clapp M. J. L. , Wade Julie D.
Published: July 2007

Changing the calcium: phosphorus ratio in 2 commercial diets from 0·73 and 0·84 to 1·25 and 1·20 reduced the incidence of nephrocalcinosis (which occurred almost entirely in female rats) virtually to nil.
Method for the microassay of endogenous creatinine in blood and urine of small murid rodents
Authors: Hewitt S.
Published: July 2007

The estimation of endogenous creatinine clearance yields information useful to the renal physiologist without the need to introduce a marker compound. The method has been limited in its application to mammalian species of bodyweight 200 g and above due to the blood sample size required. A modification is described whereby this procedure may be applied to animals of bodyweight as low as 25 g. Use of this microassay is illustrated in an investigation of the effect of salt and urea loading on renal function in an Australian desert mouse, Notomys alexis.
Susceptibility of Cattle to First-passage Intracerebral Inoculation with Chronic Wasting Disease Agent from White-tailed Deer
Authors: Hamir A. N. , Miller J. M. , Kunkle R. A. , Hall S. M. , Richt J. A.
Published: July 2007

Fourteen, 3-month-old calves were intracerebrally inoculated with the agent of chronic wasting disease (CWD) from white-tailed deer (CWDwtd) to compare the clinical signs and neuropathologic findings with those of certain other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE, prion diseases) that have been shown to be experimentally transmissible to cattle (sheep scrapie, CWD of mule deer [CWDmd], bovine spongiform encephalopathy [BSE], and transmissible mink encephalopathy). Two uninoculated calves served as controls. Within 26 months postinoculation (MPI), 12 inoculated calves had lost considerable weight and eventually became recumbent. Of the 12 inoculated calves, 11 (92%) developed clinical signs. Although spongiform encephalopathy (SE) was not observed, abnormal prion protein (PrPd) was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) in central nervous system tissues. The absence of SE with presence of PrPd has also been observed when other TSE agents (scrapie and CWDmd) were similarly inoculated into cattle. The IHC and WB findings suggest that the diagnostic techniques currently used to confirm BSE would detect CWDwtd in cattle, should it occur naturally. Also, the absence of SE and a distinctive IHC pattern of CWDwtd and CWDmd in cattle suggests that it should be possible to distinguish these conditions from other TSEs that have been experimentally transmitted to cattle.
Effects of Autologous Stem Cells on Immunohistochemical Patterns and Gene Expression of Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors in Doxorubicin Cardiomyopathy in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Aupperle H. , Garbade J. , Schubert A. , Barten M. , Dhein S. , Schoon H.-A. , Mohr F.-W.
Published: July 2007

This study aims to investigate the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in chronic doxorubicin cardiomyopathy in a rabbit model and to evaluate the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in this disease. Thirty-nine 3-month-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group 1 ( n = 9) was the untreated control. Groups 2–4 were treated with 6 weeks of doxorubicin (3 mg/kg). Group 2 ( n = 6) received no further treatment. In group 3 ( n = 9), animals were treated with culture medium (CM) alone. In group 4 ( n = 15), autologous MSCs (1.5–2.0 X 106/ml) were injected in the left ventricular (LV) wall. Hearts were stained with HE and picrosirius red. MMP-1, −2, −3 and −9 and TIMP-2 and −3 were detected immunohistochemically. The mRNA levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results confirmed that doxorubicin treatment resulted in minimal myocardial fibrosis and showed that expression of MMPs increased and TIMP-3 decreased. The injection procedure resulted in increased myocardial fibrosis in groups 3 and 4. After MSC injection, MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-3 expression was higher than that in group 2. CM injection led to more fibrosis, elevated TIMP-3, but diminished MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression compared with MSC injection. The mRNA levels of MMPs and TIMPs were not significantly different among all groups. In conclusion, chronic doxorubicin cardiomyopathy was characterized by increased MMP and decreased TIMP-3 expression. MSCs injection into the LV resulted in marked differences of collagen content and MMP/TIMP expression in the whole heart, although significant numbers of living MSCs were not detected after 4 weeks.
Orbital (Retrobulbar) Meningioma in a Simmental Cow
Authors: Reis J. L. , Kanamura C. T. , Machado G. M. , França R. O. , Borges J. R. J. , Santos R. L.
Published: July 2007

A 12-year-old Simmental cow was presented with a moderately firm irregular whitish mass of approximately 5 cm in diameter, occupying the right orbit. Microscopically, a poorly differentiated neoplasm was observed. The immunohistochemical panel included cytokeratins, vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen, Factor VIII, CD34, Mart-1, Melan A, smooth muscle actin, desmin, chromogranin, neuron-specific enolase, S-100 protein, and MIB-1. The neoplasm was negative for all of them, with the exception of vimentin and S-100 protein. Transmission electron microscopy revealed abundant desmosomes. These findings support the diagnosis of orbital (retrobulbar) meningioma.
Genitourinary Rhabdomyosarcoma with Systemic Metastasis in a Young Dog
Authors: Bae I.-H. , Kim Y. , Pakhrin B. , You M.-H. , Hwang C.-Y. , Kim J.-H. , Kim D.-Y.
Published: July 2007

A 2-year-old intact female Golden Retriever presented due to rapidly progressing depression, ascites, dysuria, abdominal pain, and severe vaginal bleeding. At necropsy, the retroperitoneal space was expanded by multiple coalescing neoplastic nodules and the uterine wall was thickened with poorly defined neoplastic infiltrates. The urinary bladder was markedly thickened due to botryoid nodules exhibiting exophytic growth into the lumen. Metastases to lung, liver, kidney, and abdominal and thoracic lymph nodes were also noted. Microscopically, the genital tract and retroperitoneal masses were consistent with the alveolar subtype of rhabdomysarcoma, while the urinary bladder mass had characteristics of the embryonal subtype. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells in all these tissue sites were intensely positive for desmin, sacromeric actin, and vimentin, while they were uniformly negative for cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin. Phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin stain revealed cross-striations in the cytoplasm of scattered neoplastic cells. Based on the gross findings, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma with multisystemic metastases was made.
Intramedullary Cavernous Malformation of the Spinal Cord in Two Dogs
Authors: MacKillop E. , Olby N. J. , Linder K. E. , Brown T. T.
Published: July 2007

Intramedullary cavernous malformations (CVMs) of the spinal cord were diagnosed in 2 adult dogs that presented for paraparesis. An intramedullary spinal cord lesion was identified on a myelogram in the first dog, and expansion of the vertebral canal was evident on radiographs in the second. Extensive intraparenchymal hemorrhage was found on gross postmortem examination in both dogs, and a distinct lobulated intramedullary mass was evident in the second dog. Microscopically, both lesions were composed of dilated, thin-walled vascular channels with little-to-no intervening neural parenchyma. Both dogs had evidence of channel thrombosis along with perilesional hemorrhage and hemosiderin accumulation. The second dog had additional degenerative changes, including thickened fibrous channel walls with hyalinization, foci of mineralization, and occasional tongues of entrapped gliotic neuropil. CVMs appear to be an uncommon cause of both acute and chronic spinal cord disease in the dog.
Lenticular Invasion by a Ciliary Body Adenocarcinoma in a Dog
Authors: Hendrix D. V. H. , Donnell R. L.
Published: July 2007

Ciliary body adenocarcinomas are well-recognized tumors in dogs; however, invasion of the lens by the tumor has not been described in veterinary species. Evaluation of the right eye of a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever revealed a ciliary body mass spanning from the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock position that was impinging on the lens. Histologic evaluation of the enucleated eye revealed a ciliary body adenocarcinoma with lens invasion. Where the tumor encroached on the lens, the lens capsule was absent and there was scrolling of the broken ends of the capsule. Tumor cells were juxtaposed to the lens fibers and dissecting between the lens fibers. There were no inflammatory cells within the lens associated with the breaks in the capsule or within the anterior chamber. To our knowledge this is the first report of lens invasion by a tumor in any veterinary species.
Comparison of Different Intravenous Bisphosphonate Regimens for Paget's Disease of Bone
Authors: Merlotti Daniela , Gennari Luigi , Martini Giuseppe , Valleggi Fabrizio , De Paola Vincenzo , Avanzati Annalisa , Nuti Ranuccio
Published: July 2007

This randomized study compared different intravenous bisphosphonates in PDB. Zoledronate was superior with respect to pamidronate in achieving biochemical remission, with therapeutic response maintained in most patients at 15 mo. Single neridronate and zoledronate infusion showed a similar efficacy in up to 90% of patients nonresponders to pamidronate.

Introduction: Intravenous bisphosphonates represent a common therapy for Paget's disease of bone (PDB). However, there have been few head to head randomized trials comparing intravenous bisphosphonates.

Materials and Methods: We performed a 15-mo, randomized study comparing different intravenous bisphosphonates in 90 subjects with active PDB. At baseline, patients were randomly assigned to receive pamidronate (30 mg, IV, for 2 consecutive days every 3 mo; n = 60) or zoledronate (4 mg, IV; n = 30). After 6 mo, nonresponders to pamidronate were crossed over to zoledronate or neridronate (100 mg, IV, for 2 consecutive days). The primary efficacy endpoint was therapeutic response at 6 mo, defined as normalization of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or a reduction of at least 75% in total ALP excess.

Results: At 6 mo, 97% of patients receiving zoledronate had a therapeutic response compared with 45% of patients receiving pamidronate. Normalization of ALP was achieved in 93% of patients in the zoledronate group and in 35% of patients in the pamidronate group. ALP normalization was maintained in 79% and 65% of zoledronate-treated patients after 12 and 15 mo, respectively; loss of therapeutic response was observed in 2 of 30 (6%) at 12 and 15 mo. At 6 mo, 27 patients showing therapeutic response to pamidronate continued the treatment, whereas nonresponders were crossed-over to neridronate (n = 15) or zoledronate (n = 18). Among these subjects, 14 of 15 (93%) in the neridronate group and 17 of 18 (94%) in the zoledronate group achieved a therapeutic response. Similar normalization rates were observed between neridronate- (80%) and zoledronate- (83%) treated subjects. Normalization and therapeutic response were maintained at 9 mo from treatment (corresponding to 15 mo from the baseline visit) in either neridronate or zoledronate groups.

Conclusions: Single neridronate and zoledronate infusion showed a similar efficacy in achieving biochemical remission in up to 90% of patients nonresponders to pamidronate. Therapeutic response to zoledronate seems to be maintained in most patients at 15 mo.
Cytotype Regulation by TelomericPElements inDrosophila melanogaster: Evidence for Involvement of an RNA Interference Gene
Authors: Simmons Michael J , Ryzek Don-Felix , Lamour Cecile , Goodman Joseph W , Kummer Nicole E , Merriman Peter J
Published: July 2007

P elements inserted at the left telomere of the X chromosome evoke the P cytotype, a maternally inherited condition that regulates the P-element family in the Drosophila germline. This regulation is completely disrupted in stocks heterozygous for mutations in aubergine, a gene whose protein product is involved in RNA interference. However, cytotype is not disrupted in stocks heterozygous for mutations in two other RNAi genes, piwi and homeless (spindle-E), or in a stock heterozygous for a mutation in the chromatin protein gene Enhancer of zeste. aubergine mutations exert their effects in the female germline, where the P cytotype is normally established and through which it is maintained. These effects are transmitted maternally to offspring of both sexes independently of the mutations themselves. Lines derived from mutant aubergine stocks reestablish the P cytotype quickly, unlike lines derived from stocks heterozygous for a mutation in Suppressor of variegation 205, the gene that encodes the telomere-capping protein HP1. Cytotype regulation by telomeric P elements may be tied to a system that uses RNAi to regulate the activities of telomeric retrotransposons in Drosophila.
A Dense Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Genetic Linkage Map of Grapevine (Vitis viniferaL.) Anchoring Pinot Noir Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Contigs
Authors: Troggio Michela , Malacarne Giulia , Coppola Giuseppina , Segala Cinzia , Cartwright Dustin A , Pindo Massimo , Stefanini Marco , Mank Rolf , Moroldo Marco , Morgante Michele , Grando M Stella , Velasco Riccardo
Published: July 2007

The construction of a dense genetic map for Vitis vinifera and its anchoring to a BAC-based physical map is described: it includes 994 loci mapped onto 19 linkage groups, corresponding to the basic chromosome number of Vitis. Spanning 1245 cM with an average distance of 1.3 cM between adjacent markers, the map was generated from the segregation of 483 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genetic markers, 132 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and 379 AFLP markers in a mapping population of 94 F1 individuals derived from a V. vinifera cross of the cultivars Syrah and Pinot Noir. Of these markers, 623 were anchored to 367 contigs that are included in a physical map produced from the same clone of Pinot Noir and covering 352 Mbp. On the basis of contigs containing two or more genetically mapped markers, region-dependent estimations of physical and recombinational distances are presented. The markers used in this study include 118 SSRs common to an integrated map derived from five segregating populations of V. vinifera. The positions of these SSR markers in the two maps are conserved across all Vitis linkage groups. The addition of SNP-based markers introduces polymorphisms that are easy to database, are useful for evolutionary studies, and significantly increase the density of the map. The map provides the most comprehensive view of the Vitis genome reported to date and will be relevant for future studies on structural and functional genomics and genetic improvement.
Synthetic Lethality of Drosophila in the Absence of the MUS81 Endonuclease and the DmBlm Helicase Is Associated With Elevated Apoptosis
Authors: Trowbridge Kirsten , McKim Kim , Brill Steven J , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: July 2007

Mus81-Mms4 (Mus81-Eme1 in some species) is a heterodimeric DNA structure-specific endonuclease that has been implicated in meiotic recombination and processing of damaged replication forks in fungi. We generated and characterized mutations in Drosophila melanogaster mus81 and mms4. Unlike the case in fungi, we did not find any role for MUS81-MMS4 in meiotic crossing over. A possible role for this endonuclease in repairing double-strand breaks that arise during DNA replication is suggested by the finding that mus81 and mms4 mutants are hypersensitive to camptothecin; however, these mutants are not hypersensitive to other agents that generate lesions that slow or block DNA replication. In fungi, mus81, mms4, and eme1 mutations are synthetically lethal with mutations in genes encoding RecQ helicase homologs. Similarly, we found that mutations in Drosophila mus81 and mms4 are synthetically lethal with null mutations in mus309, which encodes the ortholog of the Bloom Syndrome helicase. Synthetic lethality is associated with high levels of apoptosis in proliferating tissues. Lethality and elevated apoptosis were partially suppressed by a mutation in spn-A, which encodes the ortholog of the strand invasion protein Rad51. These findings provide insights into the causes of synthetic lethality.
A Gain-of-Function Screen for Genes That Influence Axon Guidance Identifies the NF-κB Protein Dorsal and Reveals a Requirement for the Kinase Pelle in Drosophila Photoreceptor Axon Targeting
Authors: Mindorff Elizabeth N , O'Keefe David D , Labbé Alain , Yang Jennie Ping , Ou Yimiao , Yoshikawa Shingo , van Meyel Donald J
Published: July 2007

To identify novel regulators of nervous system development, we used the GAL4-UAS misexpression system in Drosophila to screen for genes that influence axon guidance in developing embryos. We mobilized the Gene Search (GS) P element and identified 42 lines with insertions in unique loci, including leak/roundabout2, which encodes an axon guidance receptor and confirms the utility of our screen. The genes we identified encode proteins of diverse classes, some acting near the cell surface and others in the cytoplasm or nucleus. We found that one GS line drove misexpression of the NF-κB transcription factor Dorsal, causing motor axons to bypass their correct termination sites. In the developing visual system, Dorsal misexpression also caused photoreceptor axons to reach incorrect positions within the optic lobe. This mistargeting occurred without observable changes of cell fate and correlated with localization of ectopic Dorsal in distal axons. We found that Dorsal and its inhibitor Cactus are expressed in photoreceptors, though neither was required for axon targeting. However, mutation analyses of genes known to act upstream of Dorsal revealed a requirement for the interleukin receptor-associated kinase family kinase Pelle for layer-specific targeting of photoreceptor axons, validating our screen as a means to identify new molecular determinants of nervous system development in vivo.
Synteny and Chromosome Evolution in the Lepidoptera: Evidence From Mapping in Heliconius melpomene
Authors: Pringle Elizabeth G , Baxter Simon W , Webster Claire L , Papanicolaou Alexie , Lee Siu F , Jiggins Chris D
Published: July 2007

The extent of conservation of synteny and gene order in the Lepidoptera has been investigated previously only by comparing a small subset of linkage groups between the moth Bombyx mori and the butterfly Heliconius melpomene. Here we report the mapping of 64 additional conserved genes in H. melpomene, which contributed 47 markers to a comparative framework of 72 orthologous loci spanning all 21 H. melpomene chromosomes and 27 of the 28 B. mori chromosomes. Comparison of the maps revealed conserved synteny across all chromosomes for the 72 loci, as well as evidence for six cases of chromosome fusion in the Heliconius lineage that contributed to the derived 21-chromosome karyotype. Comparisons of gene order on these fused chromosomes revealed two instances of colinearity between H. melpomene and B. mori, but also one instance of likely chromosomal rearrangement. B. mori is the first lepidopteran species to have its genome sequenced, and the finding that there is conserved synteny and gene order among Lepidoptera indicates that the genomic tools developed in B. mori will be broadly useful in other species.
A Clonal Genetic Screen for Mutants Causing Defects in Larval Tracheal Morphogenesis in Drosophila
Authors: Baer Magdalena M , Bilstein Andreas , Leptin Maria
Published: July 2007

The initial establishment of the tracheal network in the Drosophila embryo is beginning to be understood in great detail, both in its genetic control cascades and in its cell biological events. By contrast, the vast expansion of the system during larval growth, with its extensive ramification of preexisting tracheal branches, has been analyzed less well. The mutant phenotypes of many genes involved in this process are probably not easy to reveal, as these genes may be required for other functions at earlier developmental stages. We therefore conducted a screen for defects in individual clonal homozygous mutant cells in the tracheal network of heterozygous larvae using the mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker (MARCM) system to generate marked, recombinant mitotic clones. We describe the identification of a set of mutants with distinct phenotypic effects. In particular we found a range of defects in terminal cells, including failure in lumen formation and reduced or extensive branching. Other mutations affect cell growth, cell shape, and cell migration.
Temporal Control of Cell-Specific Transgene Expression inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Bacaj Taulant , Shaham Shai
Published: July 2007

Cell-specific promoters allow only spatial control of transgene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. We describe a method, using cell-specific rescue of heat-shock factor-1 (hsf-1) mutants, that allows spatial and temporal regulation of transgene expression. We demonstrate the utility of this method for timed reporter gene expression and for temporal studies of gene function.
Comparative Analyses Between Lolium/Festuca Introgression Lines and Rice Reveal the Major Fraction of Functionally Annotated Gene Models Is Located in Recombination-Poor/Very Recombination-Poor Regions of the Genome
Authors: King Julie , Armstead Ian P , Donnison S Iain , Roberts Luned A , Harper John A , Skøt Kirsten , Elborough Kieran , King Ian P
Published: July 2007

Publication of the rice genome sequence has allowed an in-depth analysis of genome organization in a model monocot plant species. This has provided a powerful tool for genome analysis in large-genome unsequenced agriculturally important monocot species such as wheat, barley, rye, Lolium, etc. Previous data have indicated that the majority of genes in large-genome monocots are located toward the ends of chromosomes in gene-rich regions that undergo high frequencies of recombination. Here we demonstrate that a substantial component of the coding sequences in monocots is localized proximally in regions of very low and even negligible recombination frequencies. The implications of our findings are that during domestication of monocot plant species selection has concentrated on genes located in the terminal regions of chromosomes within areas of high recombination frequency. Thus a large proportion of the genetic variation available for selection of superior plant genotypes has not been exploited. In addition our findings raise the possibility of the evolutionary development of large supergene complexes that confer a selective advantage to the individual.
Successful Intermittent Prophylaxis With Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole 2 Days per Week for Pneumocystis carinii (jiroveci) Pneumonia in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Lindemulder Susan , Albano Edythe
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVE. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of dosing trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole on 2 consecutive days per week for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii (jiroveci) pneumonia in a pediatric leukemia and lymphoma population and to determine whether trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole contributes to neutropenia during maintenance therapy.

METHODS. Charts were reviewed for all pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma diagnosed between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2002. Data were collected through April 1, 2004.

RESULTS. A total of 575 charts were reviewed; 529 patients were included in the analysis. A total of 482 (345 leukemia, 137 lymphoma) patients were evaluated on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole dosed 2 consecutive days per week for 268074 patient-days. No breakthrough cases were documented in compliant patients; 2 noncompliant patients developed P carinii pneumonia. A total of 238 patients who were on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis and 13 patients who were receiving an alternative medication prophylaxis were evaluated for neutropenia during maintenance therapy. The median number of maintenance days on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 605.5 days and on alternative drug was 617 days. The median number of neutropenic maintenance days on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 15.5 days and on the alternative drug was 16 days. The median proportion of neutropenic days per patient was 0.029 on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and 0.022 on the alternative drug.

CONCLUSIONS. Intermittent dosing of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole on 2 consecutive days per week is an effective alternative prophylactic regimen for P carinii pneumonia in pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma. This analysis does not support a difference in neutropenia during maintenance therapy between patients who are treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole versus an alternative drug.
Is Victimization From Bullying Associated With Medicine Use Among Adolescents? A Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Survey in Denmark
Authors: Due Pernille , Hansen Ebba Holme , Merlo Juan , Andersen Anette , Holstein Bjørn E.
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to examine whether being a victim of bullying was associated with medicine use, taking into account the increased prevalence of physical and psychological symptoms.

METHODS. The study population included all students in grades 5, 7, and 9 (mean ages: 11.6, 13.6, and 15.6 years, respectively) in a random sample of schools in Denmark (participation rate: 88.5%; N = 5205). The students reported health problems, medicine use, bullying, and a range of psychosocial conditions in an anonymous standardized questionnaire. The outcome measure was self-reported medicine use for headache, stomachache, difficulties in getting to sleep, and nervousness. The determinant was frequency of exposure to bullying, measured with 1 item.

RESULTS. In multivariate models adjusted for age and social class, we found that adolescent victims of bullying used medicine for pains and psychological problems more often than did adolescents who were not bullied. The increased odds of using medicine were not explained by the higher prevalence of symptoms among the bullied children.

CONCLUSIONS. We found victimization from bullying to be associated with medicine use, even when we controlled for the higher prevalence of symptoms among bullied victims. The medications that adolescents use can have adverse effects, in addition to the potentially health-damaging effects of bullying. Policy makers, health care professionals, and school staff should be aware that the adolescent victims of bullying are prone to excess use of medicine, and preventive actions should be taken to decrease the level of bullying as well as the use of medicine among adolescents.
Patterns and Interrelationships of Body-Fat Measures Among Rural Chinese Children Aged 6 to 18 Years
Authors: Wang Hongjian , Story Rachel E. , Venners Scott A. , Wang Binyan , Yang Jianhua , Li Zhiping , Wang Liuliu , Liu Xue , Tang Genfu , Xing Houxun , Xu Xiping , Wang Xiaobin
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to compare BMI and waist circumference with dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry–based measures of adiposity and to describe the pattern and interrelations of these surrogate and direct adiposity measures in prepubertal and pubertal rural Chinese children.

METHODS. This was a cross-sectional study of 2493 children aged 6 to 18 years from a population-based cohort of twin pairs. Dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry–based measurements included total body fat, percentage of body fat, trunk fat, and percentage of trunk fat. Age- and gender-specific patterns and interrelationships among BMI, waist circumference, and dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry–based measurements were described by using smoothing plots and age- and gender-specific correlation analyses.

RESULTS. In girls, BMI, waist circumference, total body fat, percentage of body fat, trunk fat, and percentage of trunk fat all increased linearly with age. In boys, BMI and waist circumference increased linearly with age, but total body fat, percentage of body fat, and trunk fat did not increase significantly with age. In both genders, percentage of trunk fat reached a nadir around 12 years of age and then increased with age. Before puberty (6–11 years), BMI and waist circumference were correlated well with total body fat, percentage of body fat, and trunk fat in both genders. During puberty (12–18 years), the correlations between BMI and each of the dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry–based measurements were higher in girls than in boys. Similar trends were found in the correlations between waist circumference and each of the dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry–based measurements.

CONCLUSIONS. In this relatively lean rural Chinese population, BMI and waist circumference were highly correlated with each other and were good surrogates of total body fat, trunk fat, and percentage of body fat in prepubertal children of both genders and in pubertal girls. However, both BMI and waist circumference overestimated total and trunk fat, especially percentage of body fat in pubertal boys.
Frequency and Characteristics of Pediatric and Adolescent Visits in Naturopathic Medical Practice
Authors: Weber Wendy , Taylor James A. , McCarty Rachelle L. , Johnson-Grass Amy
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. This work sought to identify naturopathic physicians in Washington State who frequently provide pediatric care and to describe the conditions treated and therapies recommended for children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. A mailed survey of licensed naturopathic physicians residing in Washington State collected demographic information and practice descriptions. For naturopathic physicians treating ≥5 pediatric patients per week, data were collected on the conditions seen and treatments provided to children during a 2-week period.

RESULTS. Of 499 surveys delivered to providers, 251 surveys were returned (response rate: 50.3%). Among the 204 naturopathic physicians currently practicing, only 31 (15%) saw ≥5 children per week. For these pediatric naturopathic physicians, pediatric visits constituted 28% of their office practice. Pediatric naturopathic physicians were more likely to be licensed midwives (19.4% vs 0.6%) and treated significantly more patients per week (41.6 vs 20.2) than naturopathic physicians who provided less pediatric care. Eighteen of the 31 pediatric naturopathic physicians returned data on 354 pediatric visits; 30.5% of the visits were by children <2 years old, and 58.5% were by those <6 years old. The most common purpose for presentation included health supervision visits (27.4%), infectious disease (20.6%), and mental health conditions (12.7%). Pediatric naturopathic physicians provided immunizations during 18.6% of health supervision visits by children <2 years old and 27.3% of visits by children between the ages of 2 and 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS. Although most naturopathic physicians in Washington treat few children, a group of naturopathic physicians provide pediatric care as a substantial part of their practice. Based on the ages of children seen and the conditions treated, pediatric naturopathic physicians may provide the majority of care for some children. Efforts should be made to enhance collaboration between naturopathic physicians and conventional providers so that optimal care can be provided to children.
Injuries in Canadian Youth Ice Hockey: The Influence of Relative Age
Authors: Wattie Nick , Cobley Stephen , Macpherson Alison , Howard Andrew , Montelpare William J. , Baker Joseph
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between relative age and injury prevalence in Canadian youth ice hockey.

METHODS. In study 1, youth ice hockey–related injuries (among children 10–15 years of age) collected by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program between 1995 and 2002 were analyzed. The relative ages of injured children were compared across different age groups and injury characteristics (mechanism of injury and severity of injury). In study 2, injuries reported in the Hockey Canada Insurance Database were analyzed. The relative ages of injured children at different levels of play (ie, representative versus house league teams) were compared.

RESULTS. In study 1, the majority of injured players were of older relative age. However, relative age was not related to mechanism of injury or severity of injury. In study 2, ∼40% of injured players at the highest level of play were relatively older, whereas only 20% to 25% of house league injured players were relatively older.

CONCLUSION. Relatively older children within ice hockey age groups are at increased risk of injury compared with their younger peers. Furthermore, the risk of injury for relatively older players is greater at more competitive levels of play. This study proposes that the relative age advantage associated with selection to Canadian youth ice hockey teams is accompanied by an increased risk of injury.
Abnormal Thermoregulatory Responses in Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Relation to Clinical Symptoms
Authors: Wyller Vegard Bruun , Godang Kristin , Mørkrid Lars , Saul Jerome Philip , Thaulow Erik , Walløe Lars
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common and disabling disease of unknown etiology. Accumulating evidence indicates dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. To further explore the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, we investigated thermoregulatory responses dependent on catecholaminergic effector systems in adolescent patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. A consecutive sample of 15 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome aged 12 to 18 years and a volunteer sample of 57 healthy control subjects of equal gender and age distribution were included. Plasma catecholamines and metanephrines were measured before and after strong cooling of 1 hand. Acral skin blood flow, tympanic temperature, heart rate, and mean blood pressure were measured during moderate cooling of 1 hand. In addition, clinical symptoms indicative of thermoregulatory disturbances were recorded.

RESULTS. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome reported significantly more shivering, sweating, sudden change of skin color, and feeling unusually warm. At baseline, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome had higher levels of norepinephrine, heart rate, epinephrine, and tympanic temperature than control subjects. During cooling of 1 hand, acral skin blood flow was less reduced, vasoconstrictor events occurred at lower temperatures, and tympanic temperature decreased more in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome compared with control subjects. Catecholamines increased and metanephrines decreased similarly in the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS. Adolescent patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have abnormal catecholaminergic-dependent thermoregulatory responses both at rest and during local skin cooling, supporting a hypothesis of sympathetic dysfunction and possibly explaining important clinical symptoms.