bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hexagons and triangles in the Rayleigh–Bénard problem: quintic-order equations on a hexagonal lattice
Authors: Fujimura K , Yamada S
Published: June 2008

On a weakly nonlinear basis, we revisit the pattern formation problem in the Boussinesq convection, for which nonlinear terms of the quadratic order are known to vanish from amplitude equations. It is thus necessary to proceed to the quintic-order approximation in order for the amplitude equations to be generic. By deriving the quintic amplitude equations from the governing PDEs, we examined the bifurcation of steady solutions under rigid–free, rigid–rigid and free–free boundary conditions. Right above the criticality, all the axial solutions are obtained including up- and down-hexagons under the asymmetric boundary conditions and hexagons and regular triangles under the symmetric conditions. Hexagons and regular triangles are unstable whereas rolls are stable as has already been predicted by the cubic-order amplitude equations. Irrespective of the boundary conditions, quintic-order terms stabilize hexagons except near the criticality; rolls and hexagons thus coexist stably in an open region. This suggests that amplitude equations of higher order are possible to predict
re-entrant hexagons
.
High-Resolution Whole-Mount Imaging of Three-Dimensional Tissue Organization and Gene Expression Enables the Study of Phloem Development and Structure inArabidopsis
Authors: Truernit Elisabeth , Bauby Hélène , Dubreucq Bertrand , Grandjean Olivier , Runions John , Barthélémy Julien , Palauqui Jean-Christophe
Published: June 2008

Currently, examination of the cellular structure of plant organs and the gene expression therein largely relies on the production of tissue sections. Here, we present a staining technique that can be used to image entire plant organs using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This technique produces high-resolution images that allow three-dimensional reconstruction of the cellular organization of plant organs. Importantly, three-dimensional domains of gene expression can be analyzed with single-cell precision. We used this technique for a detailed examination of phloem cells in the wild type and mutants. We were also able to recognize phloem sieve elements and their differentiation state in any tissue type and visualize the structure of sieve plates. We show that in the altered phloem development mutant, a hybrid cell type with phloem and xylem characteristics develops from initially normally differentiated protophloem cells. The simplicity of sieve element data collection allows for the statistical analysis of structural parameters of sieve plates, essential for the calculation of phloem conductivity. Taken together, this technique significantly improves the speed and accuracy of the investigation of plant growth and development.
Usefulness of Sau‐PCR for molecular epidemiology of nosocomial outbreaks due to Burkholderia cepacia which occurred in a local hospital in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Yan He , Shi Lei , Alam M.J. , Li Lin , Yang Liansheng , Yamasaki Shinji
Published: June 2008

The aim of the present study was to determine the source of nosocomial outbreak due to Burkholderia cepacia by molecular techniques. A total of 11 B. cepacia strains were isolated; nine from blood and one from sputum of patients without cystic fibrosis, and one from reverse osmosis water at a local hospital in Guangzhou, China. Analyses of 11 strains by the Sau‐PCR assay and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis revealed that nine strains obtained from the blood of outpatients in a hemodialysis unit and one strain from reverse osmosis water had identical DNA profiles, indicating that the reverse osmosis water supply could be a source of infection.
Pulmonary eosinophilia correlates with allergen deposition to the lower respiratory tract in a mouse model of asthma
Authors: Siddiqui S. , Morris J. , Avery N. , Wyand S. , Rood D. , Silbart L. K.
Published: June 2008

Background
Eosinophilic infiltration into the airways is frequently associated with allergic asthma; however, the role of antigen deposition in mediating this phenomenon has not been studied in detail.

Objective
Using a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA) allergy, we examined how differential deposition of OVA during antigen challenge affects pulmonary eosinophilia, immune response and airway hyper‐reactivity (AHR).

Methods
Differential allergen deposition to the upper respiratory tract (URT) alone or combined upper and lower respiratory tract (ULRT) was accomplished by administering OVA intranasally to either anaesthetized or unanaesthetized mice, respectively. BALB/c mice (6–7 weeks old) were sensitized with OVA–alum via the intraperitoneal route, and then challenged intranasally using OVA, with or without anaesthesia. AHR, enumeration of inflammatory cells and quantitative measurement of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histopathology and immune responses were subsequently assessed.

Results
In sensitized animals challenged via the ULRT route, a profound eosinophilia and goblet cell hyperplasia was observed in lung tissue. Conversely, sensitized mice receiving an identical challenge dose via the URT route alone exhibited only negligible levels of inflammation. Interestingly, AHR and OVA‐specific IgG1 and IgE systemic responses were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion
This study indicates that direct exposure of allergen in the deep lung is highly correlated with airway eosinophilia and lung inflammation, but does not correlate with AHR or immune response.
Microbicidal protein psoriasin is a multifunctional modulator of neutrophil activation
Authors: Zheng Yan , Niyonsaba François , Ushio Hiroko , Ikeda Shigaku , Nagaoka Isao , Okumura Ko , Ogawa Hideoki
Published: June 2008

As effector cells in host defence, neutrophils actively destroy invading microorganisms via a potent antimicrobial arsenal composed of oxidants and antimicrobial peptides. Psoriasin, an Escherichia coli‐cidal antimicrobial protein, has been found to be overexpressed in psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by infiltration of neutrophils. In addition to its microbicidal activities and chemotaxis of neutrophils reported previously, we hypothesized that psoriasin might regulate other neutrophil functions such as cytokine and chemokine production, reactive oxygen species generation, and release of antimicrobial peptides. In the current study, we demonstrate that psoriasin activates neutrophils to produce a range of cytokines and chemokines including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8/CXCL8, tumour necrosis factor‐α, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α)/CCL3, MIP‐1β/CCL4 and MIP‐3α/CCL20. Furthermore, psoriasin induces phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), but not c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), both of which are required for the production of cytokines and chemokines as evidenced by the inhibitory effects of p38 and ERK inhibitors on psoriasin‐mediated neutrophil activation. Moreover, psoriasin stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils, most likely via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activation. Finally, we demonstrate that psoriasin enhances messenger RNA expression of α‐defensins, termed human neutrophil peptides (HNP) 1 to 3, and induces their extracellular release. Besides its antimicrobial properties, therefore, psoriasin may contribute to innate immunity through enhancing neutrophil host defence functions at sites of inflammation or infection.
Cigarette smoke increases Toll‐like receptor 4 and modifies lipopolysaccharide‐mediated responses in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Pace Elisabetta , Ferraro Maria , Siena Liboria , Melis Mario , Montalbano Angela M. , Johnson Malcolm , Bonsignore Maria R. , Bonsignore Giovanni , Gjomarkaj Mark
Published: June 2008

Airway epithelium is emerging as a regulator of innate immune responses to a variety of insults including cigarette smoke. The main goal of this study was to explore the effects of cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) on Toll‐like receptor (TLR) expression and activation in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16‐HBE). The CSE increased the expression of TLR4 and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding, the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation, the release of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and the chemotactic activity toward neutrophils. It did not induce TLR2 expression or extracellular signal‐regulated signal kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation. The LPS increased the expression of TLR4 and induced both NF‐κB and ERK1/2 activation. The combined exposure of 16‐HBE to CSE and LPS was associated with ERK activation rather than NF‐κB activation and with a further increase of IL‐8 release and of chemotactic activity toward neutrophils. Furthermore, CSE decreased the constitutive interferon‐inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10) release and counteracted the effect of LPS in inducing both the IP‐10 release and the chemotactic activity toward lymphocytes. In conclusion, cigarette smoke, by altering the expression and the activation of TLR4 via the preferential release of IL‐8, may contribute to the accumulation of neutrophils within the airways of smokers.
Conformation of human leucocyte antigen‐C molecules at the surface of human trophoblast cells
Authors: Apps Richard , Gardner Lucy , Hiby Sue E. , Sharkey Andrew M. , Moffett Ashley
Published: June 2008

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐C is expressed at lower levels than other classical HLA‐I molecules on somatic cells. Surface HLA‐C proteins can occur as conventionally β2‐microglobulin (β2m)‐associated complexes or as open conformers dissociated from peptide and/or β2m. We investigated the conformation of HLA‐C molecules on normal human trophoblast cells, which invade the maternal decidua during placentation. A panel of monoclonal antibodies to different conformations of HLA‐I molecules was used in flow cytometry and surface immunoprecipitation experiments. On the surface of trophoblast cells only β2m‐associated complexes of HLA‐C molecules were detected. In contrast, both open conformers and β2m‐associated HLA‐C could be detected on other cells from the decidua, HLA‐C‐transfectants and cell lines. The levels of HLA‐C expressed on primary trophoblast cells could be detected by antibodies specific to non‐β2m‐associated conformations because binding was seen after acid‐induced denaturation of surface proteins. In contrast to HLA‐G molecules on trophoblasts, we found no evidence for the presence of disulphide‐linked multimers of HLA‐C complexes. These results show that most HLA‐C molecules present at the trophoblast cell surface are in the conventional β2m‐associated conformation. These findings have implications regarding the stability of trophoblast HLA‐C molecules and how they interact with receptors on decidual leucocytes during placentation.
Effect of several pre‐treatments on the physical characteristics of dehulled fraction of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L)
Authors: Tiwari Brijesh K. , JaganMohan Rangarajan , Vasan Bala S.
Published: June 2008

Processing of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) involves pre‐treatment in order to loosen the hull, followed by dehulling. In this study, different pre‐treatments were investigated and different parameters such as moisture gain, temperature change during different steps of processing and dehulled fractions were measured and analysed. The highest temperature observed after pre‐treatment was 92.1 °C and the lowest was 24.6 °C, for hydrothermal and wet methods, respectively. It was found that the hydrothermally treated pigeon pea gave the highest amount of dehulled grains, followed by the dry method. There were higher amounts of brokens (17.6 g) in case of wet method and lower (6.2 g) in case of dry method. Hydrothermal treatment was found suitable when compared with other pre‐treatments. Cooked samples were tested against a 9‐point hedonic scale and hydrothermally treated samples were found to have better acceptability.
The PhoQ histidine kinases of Salmonella and Pseudomonas spp. are structurally and functionally different: evidence that pH and antimicrobial peptide sensing contribute to mammalian pathogenesis
Authors: Prost Lynne R. , Daley Margaret E. , Bader Martin W. , Klevit Rachel E. , Miller Samuel I.
Published: June 2008

The PhoQ sensor kinase is essential for Salmonella typhimurium virulence for animals, and a homologue exists in the environmental organism and opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S. typhimurium PhoQ (ST‐PhoQ) is repressed by millimolar concentrations of divalent cations and activated by antimicrobial peptides and at acidic pH. ST‐PhoQ has a periplasmic Per‐ARNT‐Sim domain, a fold commonly employed for ligand binding. However, substrate binding is instead accomplished by an acidic patch in the periplasmic domain that interacts with the inner membrane through divalent cation bridges. The DNA sequence encoding this acidic patch is absent from Pseudomonas phoQ (PA‐PhoQ). Here, we demonstrate that PA‐PhoQ binds and is repressed by divalent cations, and can functionally complement a S. typhimurium phoQ‐null mutant. Mutational analysis and NMR spectroscopy of the periplasmic domains of ST‐PhoQ and PA‐PhoQ indicate distinct mechanisms of binding divalent cation. The data are consistent with PA‐PhoQ binding metal in a specific ligand‐binding pocket. PA‐PhoQ was partially activated by acidic pH but not by antimicrobial peptides. S. typhimurium expressing PA‐PhoQ protein were attenuated for virulence in a mouse model, suggesting that the ability of Salmonella to sense host environments via antimicrobial peptides and acidic pH is an important contribution to pathogenesis.
Role of hexosamine biosynthesis in Leishmania growth and virulence
Authors: Naderer Thomas , Wee Edmund , McConville Malcolm J.
Published: June 2008

Leishmania parasites incorporate N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) into surface‐expressed glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) glycolipids and N‐linked glycans. To investigate whether these glycoconjugates are required for infectivity of promastigote and intracellular amastigote stages, we generated a Leishmania major mutant lacking the gene encoding glutamine : fructose‐6‐phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT). The L. majorΔgfat mutant is unable to synthesize GlcN‐6‐phosphate de novo and is auxotrophic for GlcN or GlcNAc. GlcN starvation leads to the rapid depletion of dolichol‐linked oligosaccharides and GPI precursors, hypersensitivity to elevated temperatures encountered in the mammalian host and eventual parasite death. Short‐term tunicamycin treatment induces a similar hypersensitivity to temperature, indicating that N‐linked glycans are required for thermotolerance and viability. L. majorΔgfat promastigotes are unable to proliferate in ex vivo infected macrophages, demonstrating that GlcN(Ac) levels in the phagolysosome are low. In contrast, Δgfat amastigotes grow as well as wild‐type amastigotes in macrophages and induce lesions in susceptible mice. These stages still require GlcN(Ac) for viability but can apparently scavenge all of their glucosamine requirements from the macrophage phagolysosome. These results highlight significant differences in the nutrient requirements of promastigote and amastigote stages and suggest that enzymes involved in UDP‐GlcNAc biosynthesis are essential for pathogenesis in the mammalian host.
The biosecurity threat to the UK and global environment from international trade in plants
Authors: Brasier C. M.
Published: June 2008

Native plant communities, woodlands and landscapes in the UK and across the world are suffering from pathogens introduced by human activities. Many of these pathogens arrive on or with living plants. The potential for damage in the future may be large, but current international regulations aimed at reducing the risks take insufficient account of scientific evidence and, in practice, are often highly inadequate. In this Letter I outline the problems and discuss some possible approaches to reducing the threats.
Temporal variation in contamination of pine engraver beetles withFusarium circinatumin native Monterey pine forests in California
Authors: Erbilgin N. , Ritokova G. , Gordon T. R. , Wood D. L. , Storer A. J.
Published: June 2008

The relative importance of beetle species associated withFusarium circinatum‐infected Monterey pines was investigated in three Monterey pine forests along the coast of central California, USA from April to November in 2004 and 2005.Fusarium circinatumwas frequently isolated fromIps mexicanusandI. plastographus. The mean percentage isolation based upon numbers ofI. mexicanusandI. plastographuscarrying propagules ofF. circinatumwas 17·7 and 10·9% in 2004 and 16·7 and 17·3% in 2005, respectively. The mean percentage isolation was high in the spring and early summer and low in late summer and autumn in all three locations for both species. Isolation was higher from beetles emerging from harvestedF. circinatum‐infected pine‐stems than for trapped beetles, 42·4% forI. mexicanusand 45·9% forI. plastographus. The mean (± SE) propagule load of trappedI. mexicanuswas 269·5 (± 14·1) in 2004 and 281·7 (± 35·7) in 2005 and was 216·1 (± 28·9) in 2004 and 251·9 (± 28·4) in 2005 forI. plastographus. Mean propagule loads decreased from May to November in all locations for both species. Propagule loads of beetles emerged from infected stems were lower than that of trapped beetles, with means of 89·4 (± 23·2) and 93·0 (± 23·2) forI. mexicanusandI. plastographus, respectively. Thus beetles must acquire fungal propagules from more than one infected host. These results also suggest that higher contamination rates and propagule loads in spring and early summer may indicate a higher risk of pitch canker transmission, relative to late summer or autumn.
Effect of pea canopy architecture on splash dispersal of Mycosphaerella pinodes conidia
Authors: Schoeny A. , Menat J. , Darsonval A. , Rouault F. , Jumel S. , Tivoli B.
Published: June 2008

To investigate the hypothesis that disrupting pathogen movement within the plant canopy could slow the development of aschochyta blight, the effect of pea canopy architecture on splash dispersal of Mycosphaerella pinodes‐conidia was studied in controlled conditions using a rainfall simulator generating rain events (2 mm) in still air. In intra‐plant dispersal experiments, a source constituted by a semi‐leafless pea plant with a single infectious lesion (108 pycnidia per cm2 of lesion, 1685 conidia per pycnidium) was placed in the middle of eight healthy target plants. Spore deposition was estimated by the number of lesions that developed on each stipule of the source (auto‐deposition) and target (allo‐deposition) plants after incubation. Rates of deposition on the source and target plants were 0·53 and 0·47, respectively. On the source plant, most of the spores were splashed downwards, with few spores remaining at the infectious node and very few spores moving upwards. In inter‐plant dispersal experiments, potted plants were grouped to constitute 1‐m2 canopies. A range of canopy architectures was achieved by using different plant densities and growth stages. A suspension of conidia was placed in the centre of each canopy. Resulting horizontal dispersal gradients were generally described by a negative exponential model. Canopies with a leaf area index (LAI) greater than 0·48 produced gradients with slopes that were not significantly different. A less dense canopy (LAI 0·36) produced a significantly steeper slope. Half‐distances were short and ranged between 1·6 and 6·5 cm. The barrier rate, calculated as the ratio of the mean number of lesions assessed on isolated plants to the mean number of lesions assessed on plants in canopies, increased with increasing canopy LAI.
AtMYBL2, a protein with a single MYB domain, acts as a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Matsui Kyoko , Umemura Yoshimi , Ohme‐Takagi Masaru
Published: June 2008

In Arabidopsis, MYB transcription factors regulate flavonoid biosynthesis via the formation of protein complexes with a basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor and a WD40 repeat protein. Several R3‐type single‐MYB proteins (R3‐MYB), such as CPC and TRY, act as negative regulators of the development of epidermal cells. However, such regulators of flavonoid biosynthesis have not yet been reported, to our knowledge. We show here that an R3‐MYB protein, AtMYBL2, acts as a transcriptional repressor and negatively regulates the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in Arabidopsis. In an AtMYBL2 knockout line (mybl2), the expression of the DFR and TT8 genes was enhanced and resulted in the ectopic accumulation of anthocyanin, while ectopic expression of AtMYBL2 or of a chimeric repressor that is a dominant negative form of AtMYBL2 suppressed the expression of DFR and TT8, and the biosynthesis of anthocyanin. The expression of AtMYBL2 was detected in various tissues but not in those in which anthocyanin accumulated or TT8 was expressed. The minimal repression domain of AtMYBL2 was found to be the six amino acids (TLLLFR) at the carboxyl terminus, and TLLLFR appears to be a novel repression motif that is different from the ERF‐associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif. The defective phenotype of mybl2 mutants was complemented by 35S:AtMYBL2 but enhanced by a truncated form of AtMYBL2 from which the repression domain had been deleted. AtMYBL2 bound directly to TT8 protein and this complex suppressed the expression of DFR and TT8. The repression activity of AtMYBL2 appears to play a critical role in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Light induction of Arabidopsis SIG1 and SIG5 transcripts in mature leaves: differential roles of cryptochrome 1 and cryptochrome 2 and dual function of SIG5 in the recognition of plastid promoters
Authors: Onda Yayoi , Yagi Yusuke , Saito Yukiko , Takenaka Nobuhiro , Toyoshima Yoshinori
Published: June 2008

In higher plants, multiple nuclear‐encoded sigma factors activate select subsets of plastid gene promoters in a partially redundant manner. We analysed the light induction profiles of transcripts from six Arabidopsis sigma factor (AtSIG) genes in mature leaves, focusing on the effects of wavelength and intensity. Red‐light illumination (660 nm) of dark‐adapted plants strongly induced AtSIG1 transcripts, while blue‐light illumination (470 nm) caused strong and rapid induction of AtSIG1 and AtSIG5 transcripts. The fluence response differed in blue‐light‐responsive rapid induction in AtSIG1 and AtSIG5. AtSIG1 transcripts increased to plateau with a threshold of 2 μmol m−2 sec−1 under all fluences examined (1–50 μmol m−2 sec−1), and AtSIG5 transcripts were induced with a distinct two‐phase profile, with the lower‐fluence induction similar to that of AtSIG1 and further enhancement with increasing fluences greater than 10 μmol m−2 sec−1. Blue‐light‐receptor mutational analysis revealed that AtSIG5‐specific two‐phase induction is mediated through cryptochrome 1 and cryptochrome 2 at lower fluences and more significantly through cryptochrome 1 at higher fluences. In mature chloroplasts, the promoters of psbA and psbD are predominantly recognized by AtSIG5 among six sigma factors. Using a protoplast transient expression assay with AtSIG5–AtSIG1 chimeric genes, we present evidence that AtSIG5 contains determinants for activating the psbD blue‐light‐responsive promoter (BLRP) in region 4.2 rather than region 2.4. Amino acid scanning within AtSIG5 region 4.2 revealed that Asn484, but not Arg493, functions as a key residue for psbD BLRP activation. Arginine 493 may be involved in psbA promoter recognition.
Strawberry plant relationship through the stolon
Authors: Savini Gianluca , Giorgi Veronica , Scarano Emanuela , Neri Davide
Published: June 2008

Stolon is an elongated, two‐node, vegetative, axillary shoot, which supports the ramet (rooted rosette) until it is completely independent on its own roots. The reciprocal capacity of the ramets, in a single runner chain, to sustain the growth and share locally abundant resources or to tolerate a local stress, is still in debate. This capacity may play an important role for improving nursery plant production and for better understanding the natural clonal multiplication. To describe strawberry stolon action, in plant‐to‐plant relationship, bare‐rooted Camarosa ramets, joint in couples by their own stolons (generally, second and third ramet in a runner chain) were transplanted in two pots. The couples of ramets were treated in a factorial experiment with decortication (peeling a 2‐mm ring of bark from the stolon), removal of root system or glyphosate application to one of the two ramets. In the studied system, the older ramet was referred as mother and the other as daughter. The two ramets were very similar in age and seem to act with a very limited hierarchic prevalence of the mother. When the root system of one ramet was eliminated, leaf number and chlorophyll content had a very slight decrease, independently in the mother ramet or in the daughter. The decortication did not reduce water integration, in any group of plants, but limited assimilate allocation towards the daughter ramet when the mother ramet had a severe root cut (not vice versa). The glyphosate action resulted localized in the sprayed ramet, which reduced chlorophyll content within 2 days and expired after 4 days.
An investigation on the anticandidal activity of some traditional medicinal plants in Turkey
Authors: Yiğit Demet , Yiğit Nimet , Özgen Ufuk
Published: June 2008

Methanol and chloroform extracts obtained from eight plant species belonging to six families, which were selected depending on their use in Turkish folk medicine, including Mentha longifolia L. (Labiatae), Mentha piperita L. Hudson (Labiatae), Prongos ferulaceae (Umbelliferae), Galium verum L. (Rubiaceae), Salvia limbata C. A Meyer (Labiatae), Artemisia austriaca Jacq. (Artemiceae), Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae) and Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) were evaluated for their in vitro anticandidal activity. The anticandidal activity of extracts against 99 human pathogenic clinical isolates belonging to 35 Candida albicans, 33 Candida tropicalis and 31 Candida glabrata and standard strains of Candida spp. (C. albicans ATCC 10231, C. glabrata ATCC 80030 and C. tropicalis ATCC 22019) were tested by disc diffusion method and the active extracts were assayed for the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Chloroform extracts of plants have no inhibitory effect against both clinical and standard strains of Candida spp., whereas methanol extracts exhibited good activity. Among the plants tested, M. piperita showed the highest anticandidal activity with 12.3 mm inhibition zone and 1.25 mg ml−1 MIC value against C. albicans, M. longifolia, P. lanceolata and A. austriaca also displayed activity against C. albicans and C. tropicalis.
Decreased oxidation susceptibility of plasma low density lipoproteins in patients with Gilbert's syndrome
Authors: Yesilova Zeki , Serdar Muhittin , Ercin C Nuri , Gunay Alp , Kilciler Guldem , Hasimi Adnan , Uygun Ahmet , Kurt İsmail , Erbil M Kemal , Dagalp Kemal
Published: June 2008

Background and Aim:  The association of hyperbilirubinemia in Gilbert's syndrome (GS) with a decrease in prevalence of coronary artery disease is a well‐known phenomenon. In this study, the state of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation which has been postulated to be a significant determinant at the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerotic disorders was investigated among individuals with GS.

Methods:  For this purpose, serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, apolipoprotein A and B, bilirubins, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, and the sensitivity of LDL oxidation levels, as well as serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotranserfase, gamma glutamil transferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, were determined in 17 patients with Gilbert's syndrome and 15 healthy adults.

Results:  There was no significant difference between the groups except the indirect bilirubin parameter (P < 0.001). In comparison with the healthy individuals, LDL oxidation levels between 75 and 120 min were significantly lower (P < 0.005) along with prolonged lag‐phase in GS patients, indicating a delay in oxidation susceptibility.

Conclusion:  It is suggested that the chronic hyperbilirubinemia leading to a lag‐phase prolongation in LDL oxidation and a decrease in LDL oxidation may be reason for the low percentage of coronary artery disease.
Dimensions of On‐the‐Job Learning Styles
Authors: Berings Marjolein G.M.C. , Poell Rob F. , Simons P. Robert‐Jan
Published: June 2008

The aim of this study is to identify dimensions of on‐the‐job learning styles that can create an awareness among employees and offer them opportunities for the improvement of their on‐the‐job learning. In order to be able to select relevant dimensions, we propose four criteria: dimensions should: (a) concern activities and behaviour; (b) be changeable by learners; (c) be applicable to the workplace context; and (d) be uni‐dimensional. After reviewing the literature in light of these criteria, we conclude that employees need to be aware of four core dimensions of on‐the‐job learning styles: (a) whether they are reproductive or developmental learners; (b) whether they tend to learn alone, from others, or with others; (c) whether they are holistic or analytical learners; and (d) how they engage in reflection (e.g. the depth of reflection).

Le but de cette étude est d’identifier les dimensions composant des styles d’apprentissage sur le tas et plus particulièrement la création d’une conscience parmi les salariés et l’opportunité d’accroître les possibilités d’apprentissage sur le tas. Afin de sélectionner des dimensions appropriées, nous proposons 4 critères: les dimensions doivent a) concerner des activités et le comportement, b) être variables selon les apprenants, c) être applicable dans un contexte de travail et d) être uni‐dimensionnel. Une revue de la littérature à la lumière de ces critères montre que les salariés ont besoin d’être conscients de 4 dimensions fondamentales des styles d’apprentissage sur le tas: a) Sont‐ils des apprenants “passifs” ou “actifs” ? b) Tendent‐ils à apprendre seul, avec d’autres ou d’autres personnes ? c) Sont‐ils des apprenants holistiques ou analytiques ? et d) Quelle est la façon dont ils s’engagent dans une réflexion (e.g. la profondeur de la réflexion)?
EXPRESSIVE‐ASSERTIVISM*
Authors: BOISVERT DANIEL R.
Published: June 2008

Abstract: Hybrid metaethical theories attempt to incorporate essential elements of expressivism and cognitivism, and thereby to accrue the benefits of both. Hybrid theories are often defended in part by appeals to slurs and other pejoratives, which have both expressive and cognitivist features. This paper takes far more seriously the analogy between pejoratives and moral predicates. It explains how pejoratives work, identifies the features that allow pejoratives to do that work, and models a theory of moral predicates on those features. The result is an expressivist theory that, among other advantages, is immune to embedding difficulties and avoids an overlooked difficulty concerning attitude ascriptions that is lethal to most other hybrid theories.
DISPOSITIONAL COMPATIBILISM AND FRANKFURT‐TYPE EXAMPLES
Authors: HAJI ISHTIYAQUE
Published: June 2008

Abstract: This article critically examines Kadri Vihvelin's proposal that to have free will is to have the ability to make choices on the basis of reasons, and to have this ability is to have a bundle of dispositions that can be exercised in more than one way. It is argued that partisans of Frankfurt examples can still make a powerful case for the view that being able to do otherwise, even on Vihvelin's compatibilist explication of ‘could have done otherwise,’ is not required for moral responsibility.
NO CHOICE: REFORMING SOCIAL HOUSING IN ENGLAND
Authors: King Peter
Published: June 2008

This paper considers the current and future prospects for social housing. It looks at the key issues of choice and affordability that dominate housing policy, how this links social housing to the dominant tenure of owner‐occupation and how government has sought to control social housing allowing for a managed decline of the sector. The final part of the paper proposes some reforms which will introduce real choice into rented housing and empower low‐income households. This, however, will necessitate the end of social housing as a distinct tenure.
VOUCHERS AND SCHOOL CHOICE: THE EVIDENCE
Authors: Forster Greg
Published: June 2008

In the USA, states are increasingly adopting school choice policies, and a large body of empirical research using especially high‐quality methods has studied their effects. It consistently finds that school choice improves academic outcomes for those who use it, improves outcomes at nearby government schools, and has other positive effects.
Interactive behaviours for building independence in exceptional youth
Authors: Topping K. J. , Foggie J.
Published: June 2008

A project, which deployed key workers (KWs) to support vulnerable young people (YPs) in post‐school transition, aiming to enhance independence and employability, was evaluated. KWs and client YPs were interviewed, and KWs were observed in interaction with YPs. The clients interviewed were generally very positive about the project. Most KWs reported they used a wide range of interactive behaviours with their clients, but the correlation with behavioural observations was weak. Observation suggested a few behaviours were used frequently, but most very rarely. In particular, actually observed building active independence behaviours were very few. Implications for future research, policy and practice are discussed.
Triage of ovarian masses
Authors: CHIA Yin Nin , MARSDEN Donald E. , ROBERTSON Greg , HACKER Neville F.
Published: June 2008

Background: Triage of ovarian masses for appropriate management is important in ensuring the best outcome for patients. The Risk of Malignancy Indices (RMI) seem to represent a low cost and effective tool for triage and management of women with ovarian masses.

Aim: To review patients with an ovarian mass referred to the Gynaecological Cancer Centre at the Royal Hospital for Women, and to assess the effectiveness of the RMI in differentiating benign from malignant tumours in this group of patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of the case records of all patients with an ovarian mass referred to our centre from January 2003 to December 2005 was undertaken.

Results: Two hundred and four patients were eligible for RMI calculation. An RMI of < 200 correctly identified 83 of 108 (77%) benign ovarian tumours. An RMI of > 200 correctly identified 11 of 19 (58%) borderline ovarian tumours and 70 of 77 (91%) invasive ovarian tumours. An RMI of > 200 had a sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 77%, positive predictive value of 76% and negative predictive value of 85% in detecting both borderline and invasive ovarian tumours. The false negative rate for invasive tumours was 9%.

Conclusions: This study showed that using RMI at a cut‐off of 200 for referral could have prevented 83 benign cases (41%) from being referred. We propose that the RMI could be utilised as a triage tool for referral of ovarian masses to gynaecological cancer centres.
Sexual function, delivery mode history, pelvic floor muscle exercises and incontinence: A cross‐sectional study six years post‐partum
Authors: DEAN Nicola , WILSON Don , HERBISON Peter , GLAZENER Cathryn , AUNG Thiri , MACARTHUR Christine
Published: June 2008

Background: There is controversy over the effect of mode of delivery, pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME), incontinence and sexual function.

Aim: To investigate the relationship of sexual function with delivery mode history, PFMEs and incontinence.

Methods: This was a cross‐sectional postal survey of women, six years post‐partum, who had given birth in maternity units in Aberdeen, Birmingham and Dunedin and had answered a previous questionnaire. Each sexual function question was analysed separately by anova.

Results: At six years post‐index delivery, 4214 women responded, of whom 2765 (65%) answered the optional ten sexual function questions. Although there was little association between delivery mode history and most sexual function questions, women who had delivered exclusively by caesarean section scored significantly better on the questions relating to their perception of vaginal tone for their own (P‐value < 0.0001) and partner's (P‐value 0.002) sexual satisfaction, especially when compared with women who had had vaginal and instrumental deliveries. Women who reported that they were currently performing PFME scored significantly better on seven questions. Women with urinary or faecal incontinence scored significantly poorer on all sexual function questions.

Conclusions: Mode of delivery history appeared to have minimal effect on sexual function. Current PFME performance was positively associated with most aspects of sexual function, however, all aspects were negatively associated with urinary and faecal incontinence.
Expression of HIPK2 in cervical cancer: Correlation with clinicopathology and prognosis
Authors: AL‐BEITI Mariam A. M. , LU Xin
Published: June 2008

Objective:  Homeodomain‐interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is a member of a recently identified nuclear protein kinase family that act as co‐repressors for homeodomain transcription factors. This study was carried out to investigate the expression of HIPK2, and its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis in cervical carcinoma.

Study design:  Forty‐three cases of cervical cancer and ten cases of normal cervical tissue were analysed retrospectively between January 2002 and December 2006 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. The expression of HIPK2, p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of HIPK2 and clinicopathological factors as well as prognosis was statistically analysed.

Results:  The nuclear positive rate of HIPK2 was significantly higher in the cervical cancer group than in the control group (76.7% vs 10.0%, P < 0.05). The expression of HIPK2 was significantly lower in stage I tumours than in stage II/III tumours (60.9% vs 95.0%, P < 0.05), indicating that HIPK2 expression is correlated with the development of cervical cancer. HIPK2 expression was higher in cervical adenocarcinoma than that in squamous cell carcinoma (90.0% vs 72.7%), but there was no significant difference. The positive rate of HIPK2 in well, moderately and poorly differentiated carcinoma was 83.3, 73.3, 100%, respectively, but the difference was not significant. There was no significant difference between the expression of HIPK2 protein and prognosis. HIPK2 expression was significantly higher than p53 in cervical cancer (P < 0.05), but there was no correlation between HIPK2 and p53.

Conclusion:  The expression of HIPK2 may play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis.
Injuries in people with self‐reported epilepsy: A population‐based study
Authors: Téllez‐Zenteno José F. , Hunter Gary , Wiebe Samuel
Published: June 2008

Summary

Purpose: To identify the prevalence of injuries in people with epilepsy (PWE) in the general population.

Method: We examined the prevalence of injuries obtained through the previously validated, door‐to‐door Canadian Community Health Survey (CHS) (n = 130,882). The 12‐month weighted prevalence of injuries serious enough to limit normal activities was calculated for people with epilepsy and for the general population. Among those reporting injuries, variables of interest were compared in PWE and in the general population using risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI95).

Results: The 12‐month weighted prevalence of injuries was not different in PWE (14.9%) and in the general population (13.3%) (RR: 1.1, CI95: 0.90–1.3). Among individuals reporting injuries, the only significant differences were a lower frequency of sports‐related injuries in PWE (RR: 0.7, CI95: 0.4–0.9), and a three‐times higher frequency of hospitalization following injuries in PWE (RR: 3.0, CI95: 1.3–4.7). Orthopedic injuries were the most frequent type of injury in both groups, but the differences were not significant. Although there were some trends, no significant differences between PWE and the general population were seen with regard to place where injury occurred, mechanism of injury, and number of injuries.

Conclusions: The overall rate of injuries limiting activities did not differ between PWE and the general population. There was a higher rate of injury‐related hospital admission in PWE, which could reflect that hospitalization is related to seizures and to comorbidities, and not injuries alone, or a more cautious attitude of clinicians towards injuries in PWE.
ALCOHOL/DRUG DEPENDENCY IN HOMELESS YOUTH
Authors: Barczyk Amanda , Thompson Sanna
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  By age 16, half of all adolescents use alcohol and about one‐quarter use marijuana. The pervasiveness of substance abuse is remarkably higher among homeless youth as compared to the general youth population. A significant need exists to develop appropriate drug and alcohol treatment that takes into account the unique perspectives of drug use in the culture of homelessness. While predictors, such as criminal involvement, academic failure, victimization, and “street” involvement are useful in understanding substance use among homeless youth, further research on alcohol/drug dependency is needed to develop effective interventions for this population.

Methods:  A convenience sample of 153 homeless youth accessing services at a street outreach center participated. Those 18‐23 years of age, whose case managers had identified them as drug or alcohol users, were recruited. Following informed consent, youth completed a quantitative questionnaire.

Results:  The sample averaged 21 years of age, were predominantly white (67.3%) and male (65.4%). Results indicated that 98.7% of these youth reported drinking alcohol, using amphetamines (39.2%), heroin (46.4%), and/or marijuana (91.5%); 57.8% of youth interviewed were identified as dependent on substances and 61.0% were dependent on alcohol. Logistic regression analyses indicated that participants who received support from substance‐using street friends (OR=2.1) and were dependent on substances (OR=4.9) increased the likelihood of alcohol dependency, while the more positive youth felt about drug use (OR=.88), the more confident they were in their ability to decrease their drug use (OR=.65), or earned money by selling blood/plasma (OR=.06) decreased the likelihood of alcohol dependence (model χ2 = 63.8, p<.001). Similar analyses of drug dependence showed that those who felt changing drug use behavior was important (OR=1.3), carried a weapon (OR=3.1), or were alcohol dependent (OR=2.7) were more likely to be drug dependent (model chi‐square = 49.1, p<.001).

Conclusions:  This study confirms the magnitude of alcohol/drug dependence among homeless youth and demonstrates the varying predictors for alcohol and drug dependency. While school‐based substance use prevention programs are available for adolescents, effective programs for homeless youth are nearly non‐existent and needed. This study highlights the need for service agencies proving care for these youth to assess their alcohol and drug use. Although typical drug treatment is not feasible for these agencies, developing assessment and referral mechanisms and brief interventions that target alcohol/drug issues are needed.
THE IMPACT OF PERPETRATORS' ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE DURING AND AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT
Authors: Busch‐Armendariz Noël Bridget , DiNitto Diana , Bohman Thomas , Woo Hyeyoung
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  This study examines the impact of perpetrators' drug and alcohol use during and after sexual assault.

Methods: The study relies on data provided by a representative sample of women in Texas who responded to a random digit dial survey and reported that they were sexually assaulted at some time in their lives. Questions about sexual assault victimization were drawn largely from the National Violence Against Women Survey. A series of binary logistic regressions was conducted to determine the impact of perpetrator's alcohol and drug use on violence during and after the assault.

Results:  Perpetrators' alcohol or drug use at the time of the sexual assault resulted in a greater likelihood of concurrent violence, including, hitting, slapping, kicking, use of a weapon, threats to harm or kill, and physical injury during the assault, and victims who experienced an alcohol– or drug‐related sexual assault lost more time from work, school, home duties, and recreation. These impacts occurred regardless of the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim, location of the sexual assault, or ethnicity of the victim.

Conclusions:  This information can assist educators, advocates, and policy makers in directing efforts to limit alcohol and drug use and preventing situations where sexual violence is likely to emerge.
PSYCHIATRIC DISTRESS AND OTHER CORRELATES ASSOCIATED WITH BEING A VICTIM OF PHYSICAL ABUSE IN FEMALE INMATES
Authors: Sampson McClain , Umberger Tom , Waidhofer Kristi , Mullen Patricia Dolan , Velasquez Mary M. , Von Sternberg Kirk
Published: June 2008

Having a history of physical abuse is found in a large proportion of women in jails. Nearly 60% of female inmates recruited into Project Success, a NIAAA‐funded randomized controlled trial which tested the efficacy of an intervention to reduce the risk of alcohol‐exposed pregnancy, reported having been a victim of physical abuse in the year before coming to jail. The purpose of this study was to examine current psychiatric distress and to identify demographic characteristics and various life situations (i.e., homelessness, standard of living) associated with having been a victim of abuse in these female inmates. Secondary data analyses were conducted on baseline data from women recruited into Project Success two weeks prior to release from urban jails. Women reporting at least one occurrence of physical abuse in the year before coming to jail (n=122) were compared to women reporting no occurrence (n=83). Profile Analysis was used to examine the differences in current psychiatric distress, as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory, between the women reporting abuse and those reporting no abuse. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore variables that were correlated with membership in the group of women with a recent history of abuse. For the BSI profiles, significant differences were found on the overall mean level of distress (p=.002) between the abused and not abused groups. The women with a recent history of abuse showed significantly more distress with higher mean scores on the obsessive‐compulsive (p= .030), interpersonal sensitivity (p= .026), depression (p=.012), hostility (p= .025), paranoid ideation (p= .009) and psychoticism (p= .007) subscales. In addition, women who reported homelessness in the year before coming to jail had almost five times greater likelihood of having a history of abuse (O.R. 4.81, 95% C.I. 1.66, 13.94).The odds of being in the abuse category were nearly two to one for women who had a partner who drinks excessively (O.R. 2.00, 95% C.I., 1.11, 3.60). Women who reported a poor or near poor standard of living were over two times as likely (O.R., 2.26, 95% C.I., 1.08, 4.69) and inmates with a history of sex abuse were almost four times as likely to have been physically abused (O.R. 3.78, 95% C.I., 1.22, 11.68). These findings suggest that large numbers of female inmates could benefit from increased mental health services in jail and interventions aimed at supporting successful reintegration into the community by addressing the myriad of stressful life situations that place these women at risk.