bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of abdominal obesity in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: de Moraes A. C. F. , Fadoni R. P. , Ricardi L. M. , Souza T. C. , Rosaneli C. F. , Nakashima A. T. A. , Falcão M. C.
Published: May 2010

The objectives of this study were to (i) review extant literature on the prevalence of abdominal obesity (AO) in adolescents of both sex (10–19 years old); (ii) analyse the cut‐off points used for the diagnosis of AO and (iii) compare its prevalence between developed and developing countries. The search was carried out using online databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, SCIELO and BioMed Central), references cited by retrieved articles and by contact with the authors, considering articles published from the establishment of the databanks until 19 October 2009. Only original articles and those using waist circumference in the diagnosis were considered. Twenty‐nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen of these studies were performed in developed countries. The prevalence of AO varied from 3.8% to 51.7% in adolescents from developing countries. The range of results was smaller among developed countries; with values from 8.7% to 33.2%. Eighteen different cut‐off points were used. It was concluded the AO prevalence is high among adolescents, but is not clear what sex has a higher proportion and it is greater in adolescents from developing countries; however, there is no consensus in the literature about the criteria to be used.
Political Memoirs and New Labour: Interpretations of Power and the ‘Club Rules’
Authors: Richards David , Mathers Helen
Published: May 2010

This article uses the Westminster Model to construct a framework for interpreting the nature of power relations presented in British political memoirs, one that emphasises the role of ‘historical impact’. It then argues that the model's ethos has a culture of honourable secrecy and club regulation which conditions the memoirs of politicians and civil servants in contrasting ways. The article examines the current batch of New Labour memoirs and observes that, despite attempts at reform, a culture of club regulation persists. This is evidenced in a detailed case study of David Blunkett's diaries. The article concludes by suggesting that if the legitimising mythology of the Westminster Model is to be sustained by Britain's political elite, then it will require a more robust form of regulation.
What are MPs for?
Authors: WRIGHT TONY
Published: May 2010

After the expenses scandal, it is time to ask what Members of Parliament are for. The traditional formal arguments are inadequate as they fail to engage with what MPs actually do. A typology is useful in illuminating the different ways in which MPs see their role: as Lickspittles, Loyalists, Localists, Legislators, Loners and Loose Cannons. Current trends in the performance of these roles can be identified, raising questions about the nature of politics and the vitality of Parliament.
Brugada‐like cardiac disease in myotonic dystrophy type 2: report of two unrelated patients
Authors: Rudnik‐Schöneborn S. , Schaupp M. , Lindner A. , Kress W. , Schulze‐Bahr E. , Zumhagen S. , Elbracht M. , Zerres K.
Published: May 2010

Background:  Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder caused by CCTG repeat expansions within intron 1 of the ZNF9 gene on chromosome 3q. Cardiac conduction disturbances, supraventricular arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy are described in DM2 but Brugada‐like features have not yet been reported. Brugada syndrome (BS) is a genetically heterogeneous cardiac conduction disorder which is characterized by a significant ST‐segment elevation upon ECG evaluations and bears an increased risk for sudden cardiac death.

Case reports:  We report two unrelated patients with genetically confirmed DM2 who developed clinical relevant cardiac arrhythmias with syncopal events from 35 (patient 1) and 47 years (patient 2). Brugada‐like ECG findings were present in both patients. Family history was negative for BS, but the mothers of both index patients were also affected by DM2 and had different ventricular rhythm disturbances. SCN5A gene sequencing revealed an unknown genetic variant c.4140 C > A, p.N1380K, in patient 1, while no mutation was detected in patient 2.

Discussion:  Our observations may suggest that Brugada‐like cardiac arrhythmias can occur in DM2, as this seems also to be the case in DM1. The chance association of two independent inherited disorders has to be considered and cannot be excluded in one of our patients. However, on statistical grounds, this possibility cannot explain all observed cases of DM with Brugada‐like cardiac disease.
Die Zweckentfremdung des kommunalen Kassenkredits – eine rechtlich-ökonomische Analyse
Authors: Gröpl Christoph , Heinemann Friedrich , Kalb Alexander
Published: May 2010

The volume of short-term liquidity credit (“Kassenkredit”) of the German municipalities has increased rapidly in the last two decades. This development suggests that this debt instrument has been diverted from its original purpose, namely as an instrument of bridging short-run liquidity shortfalls. In this paper we analyze the reasons for this development - from a legal and institutional perspective on the one hand, and from an economic perspective on the other hand. One key result of the analysis is that this development is partly due to the lacking intervention of municipal supervision institutions from the L¨ander (German Federal States). Obviously, the Länder tolerate the abuse of the Kassenkredit in order to avoid more open types of debt. In addition, we investigate how the introduction of the doubly-entry bookkeeping in the municipalities affects the (improper) use of short-term liquidity credits. Finally, we point to the potential of the municipal Kassenkredit as a loophole in the new German constitutional debt brake.
Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] is a potent ligand for selectively labeling α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Hone Arik J. , Whiteaker Paul , Mohn Jesse L. , Jacob Michele H. , Michael McIntosh J.
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 994–1006.

The α7* (*denotes the possible presence of additional subunits) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype is widely expressed in the vertebrate nervous system and implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders that compromise thought and cognition. In this report, we demonstrate that the recently developed fluorescent ligand Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] labels α7 nAChRs in cultured hippocampal neurons. However, photobleaching of this ligand during long image acquisition times prompted us to develop a new derivative. In photostability studies, this new ligand, Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A], was significantly more resistant to bleaching than the Cy3 derivative. The classic α7 ligand α‐bungarotoxin binds to α1* and α9* nAChRs. In contrast, Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] potently (IC501.8 nM) and selectively blocked α7 nAChRs but not α1* or α9* nAChRs expressed inXenopusoocytes. Selectivity was further confirmed by competition binding studies of native nAChRs in rat brain membranes. The fluorescence properties of Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] were assessed using human embryonic kidney‐293 cells stably transfected with nAChRs; labeling was observed on cells expressing α7 but not cells expressing α3β2, α3β4, or α4β2 nAChRs. Further imaging studies demonstrate that Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] labels hippocampal neurons from wild‐type mice but not from nAChR α7 subunit‐null mice. Thus, Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] represents a potent and selective ligand for imaging α7 nAChRs.
Effect of pharmacological chaperones on brain tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase 2
Authors: Calvo Ana C. , Scherer Tanja , Pey Angel L. , Ying Ming , Winge Ingeborg , McKinney Jeffrey , Haavik Jan , Thöny Beat , Martinez Aurora
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 853–863.

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the tryptophan hydroxylases (TPH1 and TPH2) are structurally and functionally related enzymes that share a number of ligands, such as amino acid substrates, pterin cofactors and inhibitors. We have recently identified four compounds (I‐IV) with pharmacological chaperone effect for PAH and phenylketonuria mutants (Pey et al. (2008) J. Clin. Invest. 118, 2858–2867). We have now investigated the effect of these compounds on the brain enzymes TH and TPH2, comparative to hepatic PAH. As assayed by differential scanning fluorimetry each of the purified human PAH, TH and TPH2 was differently stabilized by the compounds and only 3‐amino‐2‐benzyl‐7‐nitro‐4‐(2‐quinolyl)‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1‐one (compound III) stabilized the three enzymes. We also investigated the effect of compounds II‐IV in wild‐type mice upon oral loading with 5 mg/kg/day. Significant effects were obtained by treatment with compound III – which increased total TH activity in mouse brain extracts by 100% but had no measurable effects either on TPH activity nor on monoamine neurotransmitter metabolites dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acid – and with 5,6‐dimethyl‐3‐(4‐methyl‐2‐pyridinyl)‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydrothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one (compound IV) – which led to a 10–30% decrease of these metabolites. Our results indicate that pharmacological chaperones aiming the stabilization of one of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases should be tested on other members of the enzyme family. Moreover, compound III stabilizes in vitro the human TH mutant R202H, associated to autosomal recessive l‐DOPA‐responsive dystonia, revealing the potential of pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of disorders associated with TH misfolding.
IL‐1β induces expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and cell migration via a c‐Src‐dependent, growth factor receptor transactivation in A549 cells
Authors: Cheng Ching‐Yi , Kuo Chang‐Ting , Lin Chih‐Chung , Hsieh Hsi‐Lung , Yang Chuen‐Mao
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP‐9) expression is regulated by mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF‐κB. IL‐1β also stimulates transactivation of growth factor receptors and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt., leading to the expression of inflammatory proteins. Here, we investigated whether these transactivation mechanisms participated in IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐9 expression in A549 cells.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A549 cells were treated with/without pharmacological inhibitors and neutralizing antibody or transfected with dominant negative mutants and siRNA of particular protein kinases before stimulation with IL‐1β. Cell migration was measured by in vitro scratch assay. Expression and enzymatic activity of MMP‐9 were analysed by Western blot and gelatin zymography. Transcriptional activity of MMP‐9 was analysed by RT‐PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter assays.

KEY RESULTS Inhibition of MMP‐9 expression by inhibitors of Src (PP1), platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and epithelial growth factor (EGF) receptor or transfection with siRNA for Src and Akt prevented IL‐1β‐induced migration of A549 cells. These tyrosine kinases were involved through phosphorylation of Src, PDGF, or EGF receptors (EGFRs) via the formation of Src/PDGFR or Src/EGFR complexes, attenuated by PP1. IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐9 expression through EGFR transactivation was diminished by inhibitors of MMPs and heparin‐binding EGF‐like factor (HB‐EGF), or a neutralizing HB‐EGF antibody. IL‐1β‐stimulated activation and translocation of Akt and NF‐κB (p65); the recruitment of activated NF‐κB (p65) to the MMP‐9 promoter region was attenuated by LY294002.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐9 expression and cell migration was mediated through c‐Src‐dependent transactivation of EGFR/PDGFR/PI3K/Akt linking to the NF‐κB pathway in A549 cells.
Combretastatin A‐4 inhibits cell growth and metastasis in bladder cancer cells and retards tumour growth in a murine orthotopic bladder tumour model
Authors: Shen Cheng‐Huang , Shee Jia‐Jen , Wu Jin‐Yi , Lin Yi‐Wen , Wu Jiann‐Der , Liu Yi‐Wen
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Bladder cancer is a highly recurrent cancer after intravesical therapy, so new drugs are needed to treat this cancer. Hence, we investigated the anti‐cancer activity of combretastatin A‐4 (CA‐4), an anti‐tubulin agent, in human bladder cancer cells and in a murine orthotopic bladder tumour model.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cytotoxicity of CA‐4 was measured by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, propidium iodide (PI) staining assay and clonogenic survival assay. In vivo microtubule assembly assay, cell cycle analyses, Western blot and cell migration assay were used to study the mechanism of CA‐4. The effect of intravesical CA‐4 therapy on the development of tumours was studied in the murine orthotopic bladder tumour model.

KEY RESULTS

CA‐4 inhibited microtubule polymerization in vivo. Cytotoxic IC50 values of CA‐4 in human bladder cancer cells were below 4 nM. Analyses of cell‐cycle distribution showed CA‐4 obviously induced G2‐M phase arrest with sub‐G1 formation. The analyses of apoptosis showed that CA‐4 induced caspase‐3 activation and decreased BubR1 and Bub3 in cancer cells. In addition to apoptosis, CA‐4 was also found to induce the formation of multinucleated cells. CA‐4 had a significantly reduced cell migration in vitro. Importantly, the in vivo study revealed that intravesical CA‐4 therapy retarded the development of murine bladder tumours.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These data demonstrate that CA‐4 kills bladder cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe. It inhibited cell migration in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Hence, CA‐4 intravesical therapy could provide another strategy for treating superficial bladder cancers.
Red blood cell transfusion practice in elective orthopedic surgery: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Vuille‐Lessard Élise , Boudreault Daniel , Girard François , Ruel Monique , Chagnon Miguel , Hardy Jean‐François
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: The indications for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions remain unclear despite published guidelines. Our hypothesis was that the transfusion practice varies inside the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 701 charts of patients who underwent a knee or hip arthroplasty or prosthesis revision in three hospitals of the CHUM were reviewed. Demography, hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, details on transfusions, and postoperative adverse events (AEs) were collected up until discharge. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of RBC transfusion. Secondary outcomes were the nadir Hb, number of units transfused, discharge Hb, blood losses, and postoperative AEs.

RESULTS: The rate of postoperative transfusion was 29%. We found no significant difference between odds ratios of each site for sex, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, type of procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, weight, height, body mass index, body surface area, and estimated blood volume. Overall, patients were transfused at a Hb between 75 and 80 g/L. Eighty‐five percent of postoperative transfusions could be predicted using only nadir Hb and adding patient characteristics did not substantially improve the model (86.1%). Discharge Hb was below 100 g/L in 66% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference among hospitals regarding the way RBC transfusions are used. Our data suggest that physicians mainly based their decision to transfuse on a single variable, the Hb concentration, with the use of a restrictive strategy. Future trials should focus on the optimal transfusion trigger to adopt in major orthopedic surgery.
Methoprene modulates the effect of diet on male melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, performance at mating aggregations
Authors: Haq Ihsan ul , Cáceres C. , Hendrichs J. , Teal P. E. A. , Stauffer C. , Robinson A. S.
Published: May 2010

The effect of access to dietary protein (P) (hydrolyzed yeast) and/or treatment with a juvenile hormone analogue, methoprene (M), (in addition to sugar and water) on male aggregation (lekking) behaviour and mating success was studied in a laboratory strain of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Six‐day‐old males were treated with (1) protein and methoprene (M+P+), (2) only protein (M−P+), or (3) only methoprene (M+P−), and compared with 14‐day‐old sexually mature untreated males (M−P−). The lekking behaviour of the four groups of males when competing for virgin sexually mature females (14 –16 days old) was observed in field cages. The following parameters were measured at male aggregations: lek initiation, lek participation, males calling, male–male interaction, female acceptance index, and mating success. For all these parameters, the M+P+ males significantly outperformed the other males. Moreover, for all parameters, there was a similar trend with M+P+ > M−P+ > M−P− > M+P−. More M+P+ males called and initiated and participated in lek activities than all other types of male, which resulted in higher mating success. They had also fewer unsuccessful copulation attempts than their counterparts. Whereas treatment with methoprene alone had a negative effect in young males with only access to sugar, access to dietary protein alone significantly improved young male sexual performance; moreover, the provision of methoprene together with protein had a synergistic effect, improving further male performance at leks. The results are of great relevance for enhancing the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) against this pest species. The fact that access to dietary protein and treatment of sterile males with methoprene improves mating success means that SIT cost‐effectiveness is increased, as more released males survive to sexual maturity.
In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy detects pigmentary changes in melasma at a cellular level resolution
Authors: Kang Hee Young , Bahadoran Philippe , Suzuki Itaru , Zugaj Didier , Khemis Abdallah , Passeron Thierry , Andres Philippe , Ortonne Jean‐Paul
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy detects pigmentary changes in melasma at a cellular level resolution. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e228–e233.

Abstract:  Melasma is a frequent pigmentary disorder caused by abnormal melanin deposits in the skin. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a repetitive imaging tool that provides real‐time images of the skin at nearly histological resolution. As melanin is the strongest endogenous contrast in human skin, pigmentary disorders are the most suitable candidates for RCM examination but RCM features of melasma have never been reported. This study investigates the pilot use of RCM in melasma to provide a set of well‐described morphological criteria with histological correlations. RCM images were acquired from melasma skin and compared to adjacent control skin in 26 patients. Skin biopsies were obtained from eight patients. In the epidermis, RCM showed in all patients a significant increase in hyperrefractile cobblestoning cells. These cells corresponded to hyperpigmented basal keratinocytes in histology. In six patients, dendritic cells corresponding to activated melanocytes were also found in the epidermis. In the dermis, RCM identified in nine patients plump bright cells corresponding to melanophages. Interestingly, for a given patient, the topographic distribution of melanophages in melasma lesions was very heterogeneous. RCM also showed a significant increase in solar elastosis and blood vessels in the dermis. RCM is a non‐invasive technique that detects pigmentary changes in melasma at a cellular level resolution. Therefore, RCM provides an innovative way to classify melasma by pigment changes.
Interaction of cardiac and muscle mechanical afferents on baroreflex control of the sinus node during dynamic exercise
Authors: Vorluni L. , Volianitis S.
Published: May 2010

The effects of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors and muscle mechanoreceptors stimulation on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and heart rate variability (HRV) were evaluated by measuring continuously and non‐invasively systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse interval (PI) during upright and supine passive cycling. BRS and HRV were evaluated with the cross‐correlation method (xBRS) and in the frequency domain, respectively. At rest, the shift from upright to supine posture enhanced xBRS from 16.4±12.1 to 23.4±12.9 ms/mmHg, and the high frequency (HF, 0.15–0.4 Hz) power of HRV from 48.9±18.6 to 55.1±14.7 normalized units (NU), while it attenuated the low‐frequency (LF, 0.04–0.15 Hz) power from 51.1±18.6 to 44.9±14.7 NU (P<0.05), respectively. During both upright and supine passive exercise, xBRS and the HF power were attenuated (10.0±8.0 and 12.5±9.0 ms/mmHg; 41.1±21.2 and 41.5±12.7 NU, respectively; P<0.05) and the LF power increased (58.8±21.2 and 58.5±12.7 NU, P<0.05), compared with rest. The effect of mechanoreflex activation overrides that of the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors loading resulting in decreased cardiac vagal outflow and reduced BRS during supine passive exercise.
Inspiratory flow resistive loading improves respiratory muscle function and endurance capacity in recreational runners
Authors: Mickleborough T. D. , Nichols T. , Lindley M. R. , Chatham K. , Ionescu A. A.
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of inspiratory flow resistive loading (IFRL) on respiratory muscle function, exercise performance and cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to exercise. Twenty‐four recreational road runners (12 male) were randomly assigned from each gender into an IFRL group (n=8) and sham‐IFRL group (n=8), which performed IFRL for 6 weeks, or a control group (n=8). Strength (+43.9%Δ), endurance (+26.6%Δ), maximum power output (+41.9%Δ) and work capacity (+38.5%Δ) of the inspiratory muscles were significantly increased (P<0.05) at rest following the study period in IFRL group only. In addition, ventilation (−25.7%Δ), oxygen consumption (−13.3%Δ), breathing frequency (−11.9%Δ), tidal volume (−16.0%Δ), heart rate (HR) (−13.1%Δ), blood lactate concentration (−38.9%Δ) and the perceptual response (−33.5%Δ) to constant workload exercise were significantly attenuated (P<0.05), concomitant with a significant improvement (P<0.05) in endurance exercise capacity (+16.4%Δ) during a treadmill run set at 80% in IFRL group only. These data suggest that IFRL can alter breathing mechanics, attenuate the oxygen cost, ventilation, HR, blood lactate and the perceptual response during constant workload exercise and improve endurance exercise performance in recreational runners.
Left ventricular function in elite rowers in relation to training‐induced structural myocardial adaptation
Authors: Mantziari A. , Vassilikos V. P. , Giannakoulas G. , Karamitsos T. D. , Dakos G. , Girasis C. , Papadopoulou K. N. , Ditsios K. , Karvounis H. , Styliadis I. H. , Parcharidis G.
Published: May 2010

To examine left ventricular (LV) function in elite young athletes in relation to structural adaptation to prolonged intense training. Conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed in 15 elite rowers and 12 sedentary matched controls. Rowers had increased LV mass index, septal (12 vs 10 mm, P<0.005) and posterior wall thicknesses (12 vs 9 mm, P<0.001) and increased relative wall thickness. Septal and lateral systolic velocities were enhanced in rowers (septal Sm=8.5 vs 6.3 cm/s, P<0.001; lateral Sm=11.4 vs 8.0 cm/s, P<0.005), representing a 35% and 42% increase, respectively. Similarly, septal and lateral early diastolic velocities were enhanced (septal Em=12.1 vs 9.5 cm/s, P<0.01; lateral Em=16.6 vs 11.6 cm/s, P<0.001), representing a 27% and 43% increase, respectively. Systolic and early diastolic TDI velocities of the lateral wall showed a positive correlation (r=0.65, P<0.01) in athletes indicating a parallel improvement of systolic and diastolic function, while LV stiffness was decreased [(E/Em)/(LV end‐diastolic diameter)=1.13 vs 1.57, P<0.005). Both systolic and diastolic LV function were improved in elite rowers, despite a pattern of concentric hypertrophy.
Health‐related fitness in adolescents: underweight, and not only overweight, as an influencing factor. The AVENA study
Authors: Artero E. G. , España‐Romero V. , Ortega F. B. , Jiménez‐Pavón D. , Ruiz J. R. , Vicente‐Rodríguez G. , Bueno M. , Marcos A. , Gómez‐Martínez S. , Urzanqui A. , González‐Gross M. , Moreno L. A. , Gutiérrez A. , Castillo M. J.
Published: May 2010

This study investigated differences in health‐related fitness (20‐m shuttle run, handgrip, bent arm hang, standing long jump, shuttle run 4 × 10 m and sit and reach tests) in 2474 Spanish adolescents (1196 boys and 1278 girls; age 13–18.5 years) classed as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese according to body mass index. Body fat and fat‐free mass were derived from skinfold thickness. The prevalence of underweight was higher than obesity in girls (4.8% vs 3.0%, respectively; P<0.05) and the opposite in boys (3.9% vs 5.8%, respectively; P<0.05). Underweight was associated with a higher performance in the bent arm hang test in girls (P<0.05) and a lower performance in handgrip in both genders (P<0.01) compared with normal weight. Overweight and obese adolescents presented a lower performance in 20‐m shuttle run, bent arm hang, standing long jump and shuttle run 4 × 10 m tests (P<0.001), but a higher performance in handgrip strength (P<0.001) compared with normal weight. In weight‐bearing tests, the association became non‐significant after adjusting for fat mass. In conclusion, not only overweight and obesity but also underweight seem to be determinants of health‐related fitness in adolescents. The associations could be related to differences in body composition.
Aerobic exercise training as a potential source of natural antibodies protective against human immunodeficiency virus‐1
Authors: Veljkovic M. , Dopsaj V. , Stringer W. W. , Sakarellos‐Daitsiotis M. , Zevgiti S. , Veljkovic V. , Glisic S. , Dopsaj M.
Published: May 2010

Despite the effectiveness of HAART in controlling HIV‐1 replication, the emergence of drug‐resistant viruses in infected patients and the severe side effects caused by the currently used drug regimens and the lack of an effective vaccine necessitate the continued search for new therapeutic strategies for prevention and therapy of HIV disease. Previously we reported that natural autoantibodies, recognizing peptide FTDNAKTI (peptide NTM1) derived from the C2 domain of HIV‐1 gp120, contribute to the control of HIV disease. Here we demonstrated that sera from well‐trained athletic (HIV‐negative) subjects showed high reactivity with peptide NTM1. This result confirms that aerobic exercise training stimulates production of natural autoantibodies, which recognize peptide NTM1. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that these natural autoantibodies could slow down disease progression by blocking the superantigenic site on HIV‐1 gp120. The results suggest that aerobic exercise training may be a promising non‐toxic and inexpensive adjunctive anti‐HIV therapy.
Effects of an anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program on performance in adolescent female soccer players
Authors: Vescovi J. D. , VanHeest J. L.
Published: May 2010

Female soccer players are three times more likely to suffer a non‐contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear compared with male soccer players. Several ACL injury prevention programs have been developed and are used to reduce injury risk. However, to date there is limited information on how such programs affect physical performance. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of the Prevent Injury Enhance Performance (PEP) program in adolescent female soccer players. Four soccer teams were randomly assigned to an intervention (PEP) or control (CON) group and assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks on linear sprinting, countermovement jump (CMJ), and two agility tests. A mixed model factorial ANOVA with repeated measures was used to assess for treatment effects on the dependent variables. Improvements in 27.3 and 36.6 m sprint times (<0.10 s) were evident during the first 6 weeks for PEP, but reverted back to baseline values by 12 weeks; there were no changes for 9.1 or 18.2 m sprint times in either group. There was no change in the CMJ height for PEP; however, there was a decrement at 6 and 12 weeks compared with baseline in CON. Performance on the Illinois and pro‐agility tests declined in both groups. Our findings demonstrate that improvements in linear sprint performance were small and transient in adolescent female soccer players, and that there was no benefit of the PEP program on CMJ or agility performance. ACL injury prevention programs designed as a structured warm‐up routine seem to lack the necessary stimulus to enhance athletic performance.
Effects of age and MAOA genotype on the neural processing of social rejection
Authors: Sebastian C. L. , Roiser J. P. , Tan G. C. Y. , Viding E. , Wood N. W. , Blakemore S.‐J.
Published: May 2010

Adolescents are often sensitive to peer rejection, a factor that might contribute to the risk of affective disorder in this age group. Previous studies suggest a significant overlap among socioaffective brain regions involved in the response to social rejection, regions continuing to develop functionally during adolescence and regions influenced by monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) polymorphism. The current study investigated whether the neural response to social rejection is functionally immature in adolescents compared with adults, and whether these responses are modulated by MAOA genotype. Blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent response was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging during a rejection‐themed emotional Stroop task in 19 adolescents (aged 14–16) and 16 adults (aged 23–28) genotyped for MAOA polymorphism. Similar numbers of MAOA‐L and MAOA‐H carriers were recruited to maximize power to detect genotype effects. Main effects of rejection stimuli (relative to neutral and acceptance control stimuli) were seen in predicted socioaffective brain regions. Adolescents did not show the adult pattern of modulation by rejection stimuli in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, suggesting continued functional maturation of this regulatory region during adolescence. Age and genotype interacted in the left amygdala, in which the predicted effect of genotype on responses to rejection stimuli was seen in the adults, but not in the adolescents. The data suggest continued functional development of the circuitry underlying the processing of social rejection between adolescence and adulthood, and show that the effects of MAOA genotype on neural responses may vary with age.
The effect of a microbead dentifrice on microbial load in oral microenvironments
Authors: Sreenivasan PK , Haraszthy VI , Zambon JJ
Published: May 2010

To cite this article:
 
Int J Dent Hygiene
9, 2011; 136–142 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2010.00465.x Sreenivasan PK, Haraszthy VI, Zambon JJ.The effect of a microbead dentifrice on microbial load in oral microenvironments.

Abstract:  Objectives:  The human oral cavity contains several microenvironments or ecologic niches. While mechanical plaque control is well known to reduce the number of supragingival dental plaque bacteria, there is little data on antimicrobial effects in other oral ecologic niches. The present study examined the effects of mechanical plaque control using a microbead dentifrice on bacteria colonizing oral ecologic niches.

Methods:  Twenty‐two adults (aged 18–70 years) including nine generalized moderate chronic periodontitis subjects and 13 periodontally healthy subjects having average gingival indices ≥1 and plaque indices ≥1.5 completed a 1 week washout phase and refrained from oral hygiene the morning of baseline sample collection. Microbial samples from supragingival dental plaque, buccal mucosa, dorsal surface of the tongue and whole mixed saliva were obtained. Subjects brushed with a microbead dentifrice and, after 10 min, sampling was repeated. The number of anaerobic bacteria was determined by culture on non‐selective media and transformed to log10 for statistical analyses.

Results:  Mechanical plaque control using the microbead dentifrice resulted in statistically significant reductions in bacterial numbers in each ecologic niche (P < 0.001). The greatest reduction in the number of viable bacteria occurred in samples taken from the buccal mucosa (97.22%) followed by a 95.22% reduction in supragingival plaque bacteria, a 94.51% reduction in the number of bacteria on the dorsal surface of the tongue and a 91.57% reduction in the number of bacteria in whole mixed saliva.

Conclusions:  Mechanical plaque control using a microbead dentifrice reduces microbial load in microenvironments throughout the human oral cavity.
Barrow Island's Biosecurity: Catching the Unknown Invader
Authors: Jarrad Frith , Whittle Peter , Barrett Susan , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: May 2010

When industry meets a conservation area, animals or plants from outside may hitch a lift and potentially wreak havoc. How can you be sure of catching the intruders — or at least 80% sure? A government directive instructed Frith Jarrad, Peter Whittle, Susan Barrett and Kerrie Mengersen to come up with a statistically measurable scheme.
Genetic and Isotopic Analysis and the UK Border Agency
Authors: Balding David , Weale Michael , Richards Michael , Thomas Mark
Published: May 2010

Can DNA analysis really be used to screen asylum seekers by identifying their country of origin? The immigration authority apparently believed so, and almost put such a scheme into immediate action — without, it seems, consulting academic scientists on the matter. David Balding, Michael Weale, Michael Richards and Mark Thomas examine a worrying story.
Edward Simpson: Bayes at Bletchley Park
Authors: Simpson Edward
Published: May 2010

Edward Simpson CB ceased being an active statistician in 1947, when he joined the Civil Service. But statistics owes him much. He is the Simpson of Simpson's index of diversity1 and of Simpson's paradox2, the bizarre apparent contradiction which he published in 1951 and which has puzzled students of statistics ever since. Perhaps more importantly, for the world as well as for statistics, from 1942 to 1945 he was a code breaker at Bletchley Park, where Alan Turing and others broke enemy ciphers and the world's first modern computer was developed. Here Edward Simpson tells the hitherto unpublished story of the part that Bayesian statistics played in breaking two of the enemy ciphers.
Age in Medieval Plagues and Pandemics: Dances of Death or Pearson's Bridge of Life?
Authors: Hanley James , Turner Elizabeth
Published: May 2010

Death has long obsessed humanity. In times of plague and pandemic even more so. Medieval man saw four horsemen of the apocalypse, and of them, Death by disease was gathering the greatest harvest. How randomly did he gather? And how random is the death toll in later pandemics?James Hanley and Elizabeth Turner look at Karl Pearson's visualisations of mortality.
A new phospholipase A2isolated from the sea anemoneUrticina crassicornis – its primary structure and phylogenetic classification
Authors: Razpotnik Andrej , Križaj Igor , Šribar Jernej , Kordiš Dušan , Maček Peter , Frangež Robert , Kem William R. , Turk Tom
Published: May 2010

Disulfide pairings and active site residues are highly conserved in secretory phospholipases A2(PLA2s). However, secretory PLA2s of marine invertebrates display some distinctive structural features. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of a PLA2from the northern Pacific sea anemone,Urticina crassicornis(UcPLA2), containing a C27N substitution and a truncated C‐terminal sequence. This novel cnidarian PLA2shares about 60% identity and almost 70% homology with two putative PLA2s identified in the starlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) genome project. UcPLA2lacks hemolytic and neurotoxic activities. A search of available sequences revealed that Asn27‐‘type’ PLA2s are present in a few other marine animal species, including some vertebrates. The possibility that the C27N replacement represents a structural adaptation for PLA2digestion/activity in the marine environment was not supported by experiments testing the influence of ionic strength on UcPLA2enzymatic activity. Because of the highly divergent sequences among invertebrate group I PLA2s, it is currently not possible to identify orthologous relationships. As the Asn27‐containing PLA2s are scattered among the other invertebrate group I PLA2s, they do not constitute a new, monophyletic PLA2clade.
The ATPase activities of sulfonylurea receptor 2A and sulfonylurea receptor 2B are influenced by the C‐terminal 42 amino acids
Authors: de Wet Heidi , Fotinou Constantina , Amad Nawaz , Dreger Matthias , Ashcroft Frances M.
Published: May 2010

Unusually among ATP‐binding cassette proteins, the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) acts as a channel regulator. ATP‐sensitive potassium channels are octameric complexes composed of four pore‐forming Kir6.2 subunits and four regulatory SUR subunits. Two different genes encode SUR1 (ABCC8) and SUR2 (ABCC9), with the latter being differentially spliced to give SUR2A and SUR2B, which differ only in their C‐terminal 42 amino acids. ATP‐sensitive potassium channels containing these different SUR2 isoforms are differentially modulated by MgATP, with Kir6.2/SUR2B being activated more than Kir6.2/SUR2A. We show here that purified SUR2B has a lower ATPase activity and a 10‐fold lower Km for MgATP than SUR2A. Similarly, the isolated nucleotide‐binding domain (NBD) 2 of SUR2B was less active than that of SUR2A. We further found that the NBDs of SUR2B interact, and that the activity of full‐length SUR cannot be predicted from that of either the isolated NBDs or NBD mixtures. Notably, deletion of the last 42 amino acids from NBD2 of SUR2 resulted in ATPase activity resembling that of NBD2 of SUR2A rather than that of NBD2 of SUR2B: this might indicate that these amino acids are responsible for the lower ATPase activity of SUR2B and the isolated NBD2 of SUR2B. We suggest that the lower ATPase activity of SUR2B may result in enhanced duration of the MgADP‐bound state, leading to channel activation.
3′‐ to 5′ DNA unwinding by TIP49b proteins
Authors: Papin Christophe , Humbert Odile , Kalashnikova Anna , Eckert Kelvin , Morera Solange , Käs Emmanuel , Grigoriev Mikhail
Published: May 2010

TIP49b (reptin) is an essential eukaryotic AAA+ ATPase involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as chromatin remodeling during double‐strand break repair, transcriptional regulation, control of cell proliferation and small nucleolar RNA biogenesis. How it acts at the molecular level remains largely unknown. In the present study, we show that both human TIP49b and its yeast orthologue, Rvb2p, cooperatively bind single‐stranded DNA as monomers. Binding stimulates a slow ATPase activity and supports a 3′‐ to 5′ DNA unwinding activity that requires a 3′‐protruding tail ≥ 30 nucleotides. The data obtained indicate that DNA unwinding of 3′‐ to 5′ junctions is also constrained by the length of flanking duplex DNA. By contrast, TIP49b hexamers were found to be inactive for ATP hydrolysis and DNA unwinding, suggesting that, in cells, protein factors that remain unknown might be required to recycle these into an active form.

Structured digital abstract

MINT‐7804328: TIP49b (uniprotkb:Q4QQS4) and TIP49b (uniprotkb:Q4QQS4) bind (MI:0407) by electron microscopy (MI:0040)

MINT‐7804638: tip49b (uniprotkb:Q4QQS4) and tip49b (uniprotkb:Q4QQS4) bind (MI:0407) by molecular sieving (MI:0071)
Delineation of the roles of FadD22, FadD26 and FadD29 in the biosynthesis of phthiocerol dimycocerosates and related compounds in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Siméone Roxane , Léger Mathieu , Constant Patricia , Malaga Wladimir , Marrakchi Hedia , Daffé Mamadou , Guilhot Christophe , Chalut Christian
Published: May 2010

Phthiocerol and phthiodiolone dimycocerosates (DIMs) and phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) are complex lipids located at the cell surface of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that play a key role in the pathogenicity of tuberculosis. Most of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds are clustered on a region of the M. tuberculosis chromosome, the so‐called DIM + PGL locus. Among these genes, four ORFs encode FadD proteins, which activate and transfer biosynthetic intermediates onto various polyketide synthases that catalyze the formation of these lipids. In this study, we investigated the roles of FadD22, FadD26 and FadD29 in the biosynthesis of DIMs and related compounds. Biochemical characterization of the lipids produced by a spontaneous Mycobacterium bovis BCG mutant harboring a large deletion within fadD26 revealed that FadD26 is required for the production of DIMs but not of PGLs. Additionally, using allelic exchange recombination, we generated an unmarked M. tuberculosis mutant containing a deletion within fadD29. Biochemical analyses of this strain revealed that, like fadD22, this gene encodes a protein that is specifically involved in the biosynthesis of PGLs, indicating that both FadD22 and FadD29 are responsible for one particular reaction in the PGL biosynthetic pathway. These findings were also supported by in vitro enzymatic studies showing that these enzymes have different properties, FadD22 displaying a p‐hydroxybenzoyl‐AMP ligase activity, and FadD29 a fatty acyl‐AMP ligase activity. Altogether, these data allowed us to precisely define the functions fulfilled by the various FadD proteins encoded by the DIM + PGL cluster.
Pectin methylesterases of pollen tissue, a major allergen in olive tree
Authors: Salamanca Guillermo , Rodríguez Rosalía , Quiralte Joaquín , Moreno Carmen , Pascual Cristina Y. , Barber Domingo , Villalba Mayte
Published: May 2010

Olive tree (Olea europaea) pollen is a main cause of allergy in Mediterranean areas and North America. A novel allergen, Ole e 11, has been detected by proteomic techniques. Protein bands binding IgE from allergic sera were excised from a 2D electrophoresis gel and analysed by Edman degradation and MALDI‐TOF MS. Four peptides were sequenced and used for designing primers to clone the cDNA codifying the protein. Ole e 11 consists of a 342 amino acid length polypeptide with a molecular mass of 37.4 kDa and a pI of 7.8. The allergen was identified as a pectin methylesterase and showed low identity with other members of this family from foods such as those from carrot (23%), orange (25%) and tomato (24%), and higher identity with those from Arabidopsis thaliana (57%) and Salsola kali (54%) pollen. The protein was overproduced in Pichia pastoris, purified, and characterized as an active enzyme. CD analysis rendered 3%α‐helix, 50%β‐sheet and 27%β‐turns for its secondary structure, which is in agreement with other pectin methylesterase structures. The recombinant protein was demonstrated to be immunologically equivalent to the natural form by immunoblotting, indirect ELISA and inhibition experiments, using polyclonal antiserum and sera from olive pollen allergic patients. The prevalence fluctuated between 55.9% and 75.6% in three different allergic populations. The availability of this new olive pollen allergen could improve the component‐resolved diagnosis. Its allergenic relevance is stepped up by the biotechnological use of these enzymes to improve organoleptic properties in processing foods and further confirms the need to include it in an accurate diagnosis.
The quasar mass—luminosity plane — III. Smaller errors on virial mass estimates
Authors: Steinhardt Charles L. , Elvis Martin
Published: May 2010

We use 62185 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR5 sample to explore the quasar mass–luminosity plane view of virial mass estimation. Previous work shows deviations of ∼0.4 dex between virial and reverberation masses. The decline in quasar number density for the highest Eddington ratio quasars at each redshift provides an upper bound of between 0.13 and 0.29 dex for virial mass estimate statistical uncertainties. Across different redshift bins, the maximum possible Mgii mass uncertainties average 0.15 dex, while Hβ uncertainties average 0.21 dex and Civ uncertainties average 0.27 dex. Any physical spread near the high-Eddington-ratio boundary will produce a more restrictive bound. A comparison of the sub-Eddington boundary slope using Hβ and Mgii masses finds better agreement with uncorrected Mgii masses than with recently proposed corrections. The best agreement for these bright objects is produced by a multiplicative correction by a factor of 1.19, smaller than the factor of 1.8 previously reported as producing the best agreement for the entire SDSS sample.
1,4‐Thienodiazepine‐2,5‐diones via MCR (I): Synthesis, Virtual Space and p53‐Mdm2 Activity
Authors: Huang Yijun , Wolf Siglinde , Bista Michal , Meireles Lidio , Camacho Carlos , Holak Tad A. , Dömling Alexander
Published: May 2010

1,4‐Thienodiazepine‐2,5‐diones have been synthesized via the Ugi‐Deprotection‐Cyclization (UDC) approach starting from Gewald 2‐aminothiophenes in a convergent and versatile manner. The resulting scaffold is unprecedented, cyclic, and peptidomimetic with four points of diversity introduced from readily available starting materials. In addition to eighteen synthesized and characterized compounds, a virtual compound library was generated and evaluated for chemical space distribution and drug‐like properties. A small focused compound library of 1,4‐thienodiazepine‐2,5‐diones has been screened for the activity against p53‐Mdm2 interaction. Biological evaluations demonstrated that some compounds exhibited promising antagonistic activity.
Two pselaphine species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) new to Korea
Authors: KIM Tae‐Kyu , NOMURA Shûhei , AHN Kee‐Jeong
Published: May 2010

Two pselaphine staphylinid species –Stipesa rudisSharp andTainochus nitidusNomura – are identified for the first time in the Korean peninsula.
Henoticonus triphylloides Reitter (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) new to Korea
Authors: SONG Jeong‐Hun , AHN Kee‐Jeong
Published: May 2010

Henoticonus triphylloides Reitter is identified for the first time in Korea. A habitus photo, description, and illustrations of the diagnostic characters are provided.
First record of the beetle family Sphindidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) in Korea
Authors: KIM Yoon‐Gi , KIM Yoon‐Ho , AHN Kee‐Jeong
Published: May 2010

The beetle family Sphindidae, represented by Aspidiphorus japonicus Reitter and A. sakaii Sasaji, are identified for the first time in Korea. Illustrations of habitus, descriptions, and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided.
Modernising pay in the UK public services: trends and implications
Authors: Perkins Stephen J. , White Geoff
Published: May 2010

The emerging character of the UK government's public sector pay reforms during the second and third (New) Labour terms of office is reviewed and contextualised. Three settings are examined where pay reform has been actively employed – with the accent on harmonisation, simplification and devolution of practice, with the express intention of restoring public service workforce morale, while improving services to clients – namely, local government, the National Health Service and the Higher Education sector. The evidence is interpreted as illustrating undoubted change, but also significant areas where progress has been less than intended, measured against the government's original programme goals. Equal pay considerations appear to have dominated all three projects reviewed: the failure to date of public sector managements to capitalise on opportunities the new pay architecture affords them to change local working practices may be attributed to a combination of factors discussed in the article. These have given rise to tensions as efforts have been pursued to transplant private sector pay techniques, somewhat hastily in some cases, without due consideration of the institutional context within which public services and proximal institutions function.