bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomics and proteomics of immune modulatory effects of a butanol fraction of echinacea purpurea in human dendritic cells
Authors: Wang Chien-Yu , Staniforth Vanisree , Chiao Ming-Tsang , Hou Chia-Chung , Wu Han-Ming , Yeh Kuo-Chen , Chen Chun-Houh , Hwang Pei-Ing , Wen Tuan-Nan , Shyur Lie-Fen , Yang Ning-Sun
Published: October 2008

Background

Echinaceaspp. extracts and the derived phytocompounds have been shown to induce specific immune cell activities and are popularly used as food supplements or nutraceuticals for immuno-modulatory functions. Dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen presenting cells, play an important role in both innate and adaptive immunities. In this study, we investigated the specific and differential gene expression in human immature DCs (iDCs) in response to treatment with a butanol fraction containing defined bioactive phytocompounds extracted from stems and leaves ofEchinacea purpurea, that we denoted [BF/S+L/Ep].

Results

Affymetrix DNA microarray results showed significant up regulation of specific genes for cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-18) and chemokines (CXCL 2, CCL 5, and CCL 2) within 4 h after [BF/S+L/Ep] treatment of iDCs. Bioinformatics analysis of genes expressed in [BF/S+L/Ep]-treated DCs revealed a key-signaling network involving a number of immune-modulatory molecules leading to the activation of a downstream molecule, adenylate cyclase 8. Proteomic analysis showed increased expression of antioxidant and cytoskeletal proteins after treatment with [BF/S+L/Ep] and cichoric acid.

Conclusion

This study provides information on candidate target molecules and molecular signaling mechanisms for future systematic research into the immune-modulatory activities of an important traditional medicinal herb and its derived phytocompounds.
Improved coverage of cDNA-AFLP by sequential digestion of immobilized cDNA
Authors: Weiberg Arne , Pöhler Dirk , Morgenstern Burkhard , Karlovsky Petr
Published: October 2008

Background

cDNA-AFLP is a transcriptomics technique which does not require prior sequence information and can therefore be used as a gene discovery tool. The method is based on selective amplification of cDNA fragments generated by restriction endonucleases, electrophoretic separation of the products and comparison of the band patterns between treated samples and controls. Unequal distribution of restriction sites used to generate cDNA fragments negatively affects the performance of cDNA-AFLP. Some transcripts are represented by more than one fragment while other escape detection, causing redundancy and reducing the coverage of the analysis, respectively.

Results

With the goal of improving the coverage of cDNA-AFLP without increasing its redundancy, we designed a modified cDNA-AFLP protocol. Immobilized cDNA is sequentially digested with several restriction endonucleases and the released DNA fragments are collected in mutually exclusive pools. To investigate the performance of the protocol, software tool MECS (Multiple Enzyme cDNA-AFLP Simulation) was written in Perl. cDNA-AFLP protocols described in the literatur and the new sequential digestion protocol were simulated on sets of cDNA sequences from mouse, human andArabidopsis thaliana. The redundancy and coverage, the total number of PCR reactions, and the average fragment length were calculated for each protocol and cDNA set.

Conclusion

Simulation revealed that sequential digestion of immobilized cDNA followed by the partitioning of released fragments into mutually exclusive pools outperformed other cDNA-AFLP protocols in terms of coverage, redundancy, fragment length, and the total number of PCRs. Primers generating 30 to 70 amplicons per PCR provided the highest fraction of electrophoretically distinguishable fragments suitable for normalization. ForA. thaliana, human and mice transcriptome, the use of two marking enzymes and three sequentially applied releasing enzymes for each of the marking enzymes is recommended.
Prioritizing genes of potential relevance to diseases affected by sex hormones: an example of Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Schmeier Sebastian , MacPherson Cameron R , Hofmann Oliver , Hide Winston A , Taylor Stephen , Willcox Nick , Bajic Vladimir B
Published: October 2008

Background

About 5% of western populations are afflicted by autoimmune diseases many of which are affected by sex hormones. Autoimmune diseases are complex and involve many genes. Identifying these disease-associated genes contributes to development of more effective therapies. Also, association studies frequently imply genomic regions that contain disease-associated genes but fall short of pinpointing these genes. The identification of disease-associated genes has always been challenging and to date there is no universal and effective method developed.

Results

We have developed a method to prioritize disease-associated genes for diseases affected strongly by sex hormones. Our method uses various types of information available for the genes, but no information that directly links genes with the disease. It generates a score for each of the considered genes and ranks genes based on that score. We illustrate our method on early-onset myasthenia gravis (MG) using genes potentially controlled by estrogen and localized in a genomic segment (which contains the MHC and surrounding region) strongly associated with MG. Based on the considered genomic segment 283 genes are ranked for their relevance to MG and responsiveness to estrogen. The top three ranked genes, HLA-G, TAP2 and HLA-DRB1, are implicated in autoimmune diseases, while TAP2 is associated with SNPs characteristic for MG. Within the top 35 prioritized genes our method identifies 90% of the 10 already known MG-associated genes from the considered region without using any information that directly links genes to MG. Among the top eight genes we identified HLA-G and TUBB as new candidates. We show that ourab-initioapproach outperforms the other methods for prioritizing disease-associated genes.

Conclusion

We have developed a method to prioritize disease-associated genes under the potential control of sex hormones. We demonstrate the success of this method by prioritizing the genes localized in the MHC and surrounding region and evaluating the role of these genes as potential candidates for estrogen control as well as MG. We show that our method outperforms the other methods. The method has a potential to be adapted to prioritize genes relevant to other diseases.
The dual transcriptional regulator CysR in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 controls a subset of genes of the McbR regulon in response to the availability of sulphide acceptor molecules
Authors: Rückert Christian , Milse Johanna , Albersmeier Andreas , Koch Daniel J , Pühler Alfred , Kalinowski Jörn
Published: October 2008

Background

Regulation of sulphur metabolism in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 has been studied intensively in the last few years, due to its industrial as well as scientific importance. Previously, the gene cg0156 was shown to belong to the regulon of McbR, a global transcriptional repressor of sulphur metabolism in C. glutamicum. This gene encodes a putative ROK-type regulator, a paralogue of the activator of sulphonate utilisation, SsuR. Therefore, it is an interesting candidate for study to further the understanding of the regulation of sulphur metabolism in C. glutamicum.

Results

Deletion of cg0156, now designated cysR, results in the inability of the mutant to utilise sulphate and aliphatic sulphonates. DNA microarray hybridisations revealed 49 genes with significantly increased and 48 with decreased transcript levels in presence of the native CysR compared to a cysR deletion mutant. Among the genes positively controlled by CysR were the gene cluster involved in sulphate reduction, fpr2 cysIXHDNYZ, and ssuR. Gel retardation experiments demonstrated that binding of CysR to DNA depends in vitro on the presence of either O-acetyl-L-serine or O-acetyl-L-homoserine. Mapping of the transcription start points of five transcription units helped to identify a 10 bp inverted repeat as the possible CysR binding site. Subsequent in vivo tests proved this motif to be necessary for CysR-dependent transcriptional regulation.

Conclusion

CysR acts as the functional analogue of the unrelated LysR-type regulator CysB from Escherichia coli, controlling sulphide production in response to acceptor availability. In both bacteria, gene duplication events seem to have taken place which resulted in the evolution of dedicated regulators for the control of sulphonate utilisation. The striking convergent evolution of network topology indicates the strong selective pressure to control the metabolism of the essential but often toxic sulphur-containing (bio-)molecules.
Transgenic rice expressing Allium sativumleaf agglutinin (ASAL) exhibits high-level resistance against major sap-sucking pests
Authors: Yarasi Bharathi , Sadumpati Vijayakumar , Immanni China Pasalu , Vudem Dasavantha Reddy , Khareedu Venkateswara Rao
Published: October 2008

Background

Rice (Oryza sativa) productivity is adversely impacted by numerous biotic and abiotic factors. An approximate 52% of the global production of rice is lost annually owing to the damage caused by biotic factors, of which ~21% is attributed to the attack of insect pests. In this paper we report the isolation, cloning and characterization of Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (asal) gene, and its expression in elite indica rice cultivars using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method. The stable transgenic lines, expressing ASAL, showed explicit resistance against major sap-sucking pests.

Results

Allium sativum leaf lectin gene (asal), coding for mannose binding homodimeric protein (ASAL) from garlic plants, has been isolated and introduced into elite indica rice cultivars susceptible to sap-sucking insects, viz., brown planthopper (BPH), green leafhopper (GLH) and whitebacked planthopper (WBPH). Embryogenic calli of rice were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harbouring pSB111 super-binary vector comprising garlic lectin gene asal along with the herbicide resistance gene bar, both under the control of CaMV35S promoter. PCR and Southern blot analyses confirmed stable integration of transgenes into the genomes of rice plants. Northern and western blot analyses revealed expression of ASAL in different transgenic rice lines. In primary transformants, the level of ASAL protein, as estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, varied between 0.74% and 1.45% of the total soluble proteins. In planta insect bioassays on transgenic rice lines revealed potent entomotoxic effects of ASAL on BPH, GLH and WBPH insects, as evidenced by significant decreases in the survival, development and fecundity of the insects.

Conclusion

In planta insect bioassays were carried out on asal transgenic rice lines employing standard screening techniques followed in conventional breeding for selection of insect resistant plants. The ASAL expressing rice plants, bestowed with high entomotoxic effects, imparted appreciable resistance against three major sap-sucking insects. Our results amply demonstrate that transgenic indica rice harbouring asal exhibit surpassing resistance against BPH, GLH and WBPH insects. The prototypic asal transgenic rice lines appear promising for direct commercial cultivation besides serving as a potential genetic resource in recombination breeding.
Identification, cloning and characterization of sis7 and sis10 sugar-insensitive mutants of Arabidopsis
Authors: Huang Yadong , Li Chun Yao , Biddle Kelly D , Gibson Susan I
Published: October 2008

Background

The levels of soluble sugars, such as glucose and sucrose, help regulate many plant metabolic, physiological and developmental processes. Genetic screens are helping identify some of the loci involved in plant sugar response and reveal extensive cross-talk between sugar and phytohormone response pathways.

Results

A forward genetic screen was performed to identify mutants with increased resistance to the inhibitory effects of high levels of exogenous sugars on earlyArabidopsisseedling development. The positional cloning and characterization of two of thesesugar insensitive(sis) mutants, both of which are also involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis or response, are reported. Plants carrying mutations inSIS7/NCED3/STO1orSIS10/ABI3are resistant to the inhibitory effects of high levels of exogenous Glc and Suc. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses indicate transcriptional upregulation of ABA biosynthesis genes by high concentrations of Glc in wild-type germinating seeds. Gene expression profiling revealed that a significant number of genes that are expressed at lower levels in germinatingsis7-1/nced3-4/sto1-4seeds than in wild-type seeds are implicated in auxin biosynthesis or transport, suggesting cross-talk between ABA and auxin response pathways. The degree of sugar insensitivity of differentsis10/abi3mutant seedlings shows a strong positive correlation with their level of ABA insensitivity during seed germination.

Conclusion

Mutations in theSIS7/NCED3/STO1gene, which is primarily required for ABA biosynthesis under drought conditions, confer a sugar-insensitive phenotype, indicating that a constitutive role in ABA biosynthesis is not necessary to confer sugar insensitivity. Findings presented here clearly demonstrate that mutations inABI3can confer a sugar-insensitive phenotype and help explain previous, mixed reports on this topic by showing that ABA and sugar insensitivity exhibit a strong positive correlation in differentabi3mutants. Expression profiling revealed a potentially novel regulation of auxin metabolism and transport in an ABA deficient mutant,sis7-1/nced3-4/sto1-4.
Emergency department physician training in Jamaica: a national public hospital survey
Authors: Crandon Ivor W , Harding Hyacinth E , Cawich Shamir O , Williams Eric W , Williams-Johnson Jean
Published: October 2008

Background

Emergency Department (ED) medical officers are often the first medical responders to emergencies in Jamaica because pre-hospital emergency response services are not universally available. Over the past decade, several new ED training opportunities have been introduced locally. Their precise impact on the health care system in Jamaica has not yet been evaluated. We sought to determine the level of training, qualifications and experience of medical officers employed in public hospital EDs across the nation.

Methods

A database of all medical officers employed in public hospital EDs was created from records maintained by the Ministry of Health in Jamaica. A specially designed questionnaire was administered to all medical officers in this database. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 10.0.

Results

There were 160 ED medical officers across Jamaica, of which 47.5% were males and the mean age was 32.3 years (SD +/- 7.1; Range 23–57). These physicians were employed in the EDs for a mean of 2.2 years (SD +/- 2.5; Range 0–15; Median 2.5) and were recent graduates of medical schools (Mean 5.1; SD +/- 5.9; Median 3 years).

Only 5.5% of the medical officers had specialist qualifications (grade III/IV), 12.8% were grade II medical officers and 80.5% were grade I house officers or interns. The majority of medical officers had no additional training qualifications: 20.9% were exposed to post-graduate training, 27.9% had current ACLS certification and 10.3% had current ATLS certification.

Conclusion

The majority of medical officers in public hospital EDs across Jamaica are relatively inexperienced and inadequately trained. Consultant supervision is not available in most public hospital EDs. With the injury epidemic that exists in Jamaica, it is logical that increased training opportunities and resources are required to meet the needs of the population.
Retrospective study of adenovirus in autopsied pulmonary tissue of pediatric fatal pneumonia in South China
Authors: Ou Zhi-Ying , Zeng Qi-Yi , Wang Feng-Hua , Xia Hui-Min , Lu Jun-Peng , Xia Jian-Qing , Gong Si-Tang , Deng Li , Zhang Jian-Tao , Zhou Rong
Published: October 2008

Background

Adenovirus are the important pathogen of pediatric severe pneumonia. The aim of this study is to analyze the infection, subtype and distribution of adenovirus in autopsied pulmonary tissue of fatal pneumonia in infants and children, and the relationships between adenovirus infection and respiratory illness in South China.

Methods

Nested PCR was performed on DNA extracted from autopsied lung tissue from patients who died of severe pneumonia, and the positive nested PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The adenovirus in autopsied pulmonary tissue was also analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay in a blind way.

Results

In the 175 autopsied pulmonary tissues, the positive percentage of adenovirus was 9.14% (16/175) and 2.29% (4/175) detected with nested PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. There are three cases of adenovirus serotype 3, twelve cases of adenovirus serotype 4 and one case of serotype 41 determined by sequencing of the cloned positive nested PCR products.

Conclusion

Adenovirus is an important cause of severe pneumonia, and these data suggest that adenovirus serotype 4 might be an important pathogen responsible for the fatal pneumonia in Guangzhou, South China.
Blood culture collection technique and pneumococcal surveillance in Malawi during the four year period 2003–2006: an observational study
Authors: Mtunthama Neema , Gordon Stephen B , Kusimbwe Temwa , Zijlstra Eduard E , Molyneux Malcolm E , French Neil
Published: October 2008

Background

Blood culture surveillance will be used for assessing the public health effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Africa. Between 2003 and 2006 we assessed blood culture outcome and performance in adult patients in the central public hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, before and after the introduction of a dedicated nurse led blood culture team.

Methods

A prospective observational study.

Results

Following the introduction of a specialised blood culture team in 2005, the proportion of contaminated cultures decreased (19.6% in 2003 to 5.0% in 2006), blood volume cultured increased and pneumococcal recovery increased significantly from 2.8% of all blood cultures to 6.1%. With each extra 1 ml of blood cultured the odds of recovering a pneumococcus increased by 18%.

Conclusion

Standardisation and assessment of blood culture performance (blood volume and contamination rate) should be incorporated into pneumococcal disease surveillance activities where routine blood culture practice is constrained by limited resources.
TCMGeneDIT: a database for associated traditional Chinese medicine, gene and disease information using text mining
Authors: Fang Yu-Ching , Huang Hsuan-Cheng , Chen Hsin-Hsi , Juan Hsueh-Fen
Published: October 2008

Background

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a complementary and alternative medical system in Western countries, has been used to treat various diseases over thousands of years in East Asian countries. In recent years, many herbal medicines were found to exhibit a variety of effects through regulating a wide range of gene expressions or protein activities. As available TCM data continue to accumulate rapidly, an urgent need for exploring these resources systematically is imperative, so as to effectively utilize the large volume of literature.

Methods

TCM, gene, disease, biological pathway and protein-protein interaction information were collected from public databases. For association discovery, the TCM names, gene names, disease names, TCM ingredients and effects were used to annotate the literature corpus obtained from PubMed. The concept to mine entity associations was based on hypothesis testing and collocation analysis. The annotated corpus was processed with natural language processing tools and rule-based approaches were applied to the sentences for extracting the relations between TCM effecters and effects.

Results

We developed a database, TCMGeneDIT, to provide association information about TCMs, genes, diseases, TCM effects and TCM ingredients mined from vast amount of biomedical literature. Integrated protein-protein interaction and biological pathways information are also available for exploring the regulations of genes associated with TCM curative effects. In addition, the transitive relationships among genes, TCMs and diseases could be inferred through the shared intermediates. Furthermore, TCMGeneDIT is useful in understanding the possible therapeutic mechanisms of TCMs via gene regulations and deducing synergistic or antagonistic contributions of the prescription components to the overall therapeutic effects. The database is now available at http://tcm.lifescience.ntu.edu.tw/.

Conclusion

TCMGeneDIT is a unique database that offers diverse association information on TCMs. This database integrates TCMs with biomedical studies that would facilitate clinical research and elucidate the possible therapeutic mechanisms of TCMs and gene regulations.
Cutaneous and mucosal human papillomaviruses differ in net surface charge, potential impact on tropism
Authors: Mistry Nitesh , Wibom Carl , Evander Magnus
Published: October 2008

Papillomaviruses can roughly be divided into two tropism groups, those infecting the skin, including the genus beta PVs, and those infecting the mucosa, predominantly genus alpha PVs. The L1 capsid protein determines the phylogenetic separation between beta types and alpha types and the L1 protein is most probably responsible for the first interaction with the cell surface. Virus entry is a known determinant for tissue tropism and to study if interactions of the viral capsid with the cell surface could affect HPV tropism, the net surface charge of the HPV L1 capsid proteins was analyzed and HPV-16 (alpha) and HPV-5 (beta) with a mucosal and cutaneous tropism respectively were used to study heparin inhibition of uptake. The negatively charged L1 proteins were all found among HPVs with cutaneous tropism from the beta- and gamma-PV genus, while all alpha HPVs were positively charged at pH 7.4. The linear sequence of the HPV-5 L1 capsid protein had a predicted isoelectric point (pI) of 6.59 and a charge of -2.74 at pH 7.4, while HPV-16 had a pI of 7.95 with a charge of +2.98, suggesting no interaction between HPV-5 and the highly negative charged heparin. Furthermore, 3D-modelling indicated that HPV-5 L1 exposed more negatively charged amino acids than HPV-16. Uptake of HPV-5 (beta) and HPV-16 (alpha) was studied in vitro by using a pseudovirus (PsV) assay. Uptake of HPV-5 PsV was not inhibited by heparin in C33A cells and only minor inhibition was detected in HaCaT cells. HPV-16 PsV uptake was significantly more inhibited by heparin in both cells and completely blocked in C33A cells.
Distinct Expression of Synaptic NR2A and NR2B in the Central Nervous System and Impaired Morphine Tolerance and Physical Dependence in Mice Deficient in Postsynaptic Density-93 Protein
Authors: Liaw Wen-Jinn , Zhu Xu-Guang , Yaster Myron , Johns Roger A , Gauda Estelle B , Tao Yuan-Xiang
Published: October 2008

Postsynaptic density (PSD)-93, a neuronal scaffolding protein, binds to and clusters N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunits NR2A and NR2B at cellular membranes in vitro. However, the roles of PSD-93 in synaptic NR2A and NR2B targeting in the central nervous system and NMDAR-dependent physiologic and pathologic processes are still unclear. We report here that PSD-93 deficiency significantly decreased the amount of NR2A and NR2B in the synaptosomal membrane fractions derived from spinal cord dorsal horn and forebrain cortex but did not change their levels in the total soluble fraction from either region. However, PSD-93 deficiency did not markedly change the amounts of NR2A and NR2B in either synaptosomal or total soluble fractions from cerebellum. In mice deficient in PSD-93, morphine dose-dependent curve failed to shift significantly rightward as it did in wild type (WT) mice after acute and chronic morphine challenge. Unlike WT mice, PSD-93 knockout mice also showed marked losses of NMDAR-dependent morphine analgesic tolerance and associated abnormal sensitivity in response to mechanical, noxious thermal, and formalin-induced inflammatory stimuli after repeated morphine injection. In addition, PSD-93 knockout mice displayed dramatic loss of jumping activity, a typical NMDAR-mediated morphine withdrawal abstinence behavior. These findings indicate that impaired NMDAR-dependent neuronal plasticity following repeated morphine injection in PSD-93 knockout mice is attributed to PSD-93 deletion-induced alterations of synaptic NR2A and NR2B expression in dorsal horn and forebrain cortex neurons. The selective effect of PSD-93 deletion on synaptic NMDAR expression in these two major pain-related regions might provide the better strategies for the prevention and treatment of opioid tolerance and physical dependence.
A randomised, double-masked phase III/IV study of the efficacy and safety of Avastin® (Bevacizumab) intravitreal injections compared to standard therapy in subjects with choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration: clinical trial design
Authors: Patel Praveen J , Bunce Catey , Tufail Adnan ,   the ABC Trial Investigators
Published: October 2008

Background

The management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) has been transformed by the introduction of agents delivered by intravitreal injection which block the action of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (anti-VEGF agents). One such agent in widespread use is bevacizumab which was initially developed for use in oncology. Most of the evidence supporting the use of bevacizumab for nAMD has come from interventional case series and this clinical trial was initiated because of the increasing and widespread use of this agent in the treatment of nAMD (an off-label indication) despite a lack of definitive unbiased safety and efficacy data.

Methods and design

The Avastin® (bevacizumab) for choroidal neovascularisation (ABC) trial is a double-masked randomised controlled trial comparing intravitreal bevacizumab injections to standard therapy in the treatment of nAMD. Patients are randomised to intravitreal bevacizumab or standard therapy available at the time of trial initiation (verteporfin photodynamic therapy, intravitreal pegaptanib or sham treatment). Ranibizumab treatment was not included in the control arm as it had not been licensed for use at the start of recruitment for this trial. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients gaining ≥ 15 letters of visual acuity at 1 year and secondary outcomes include the proportion of patients with stable vision and mean visual acuity change.

Discussion

The ABC Trial is the first double-masked randomised control trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of nAMD. This trial fully recruited in November 2007 and results should be available in early 2009. Important design issues for this clinical trial include (a) defining the control group (b) use of gain in vision as primary efficacy end-point and (c) use of pro re nata treatment using intravitreal bevacizumab rather than continuous therapy.

Trial registration

Current controlled trials ISRCTN83325075
Loss of transforming growth factor-beta 2 leads to impairment of central synapse function
Authors: Heupel Katharina , Sargsyan Vardanush , Plomp Jaap J , Rickmann Michael , Varoqueaux Frédérique , Zhang Weiqi , Krieglstein Kerstin
Published: October 2008

Background

The formation of functional synapses is a crucial event in neuronal network formation, and with regard to regulation of breathing it is essential for life. Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily act as intercellular signaling molecules during synaptogenesis of the neuromuscular junction of Drosophila and are involved in synaptic function of sensory neurons of Aplysia.

Results

Here we show that while TGF-β2 is not crucial for the morphology and function of the neuromuscular junction of the diaphragm muscle of mice, it is essential for proper synaptic function in the pre-Bötzinger complex, a central rhythm organizer located in the brainstem. Genetic deletion of TGF-β2 in mice strongly impaired both GABA/glycinergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the pre-Bötzinger complex area, while numbers and morphology of central synapses of knock-out animals were indistinguishable from their wild-type littermates at embryonic day 18.5.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that TGF-β2 influences synaptic function, rather than synaptogenesis, specifically at central synapses. The functional alterations in the respiratory center of the brain are probably the underlying cause of the perinatal death of the TGF-β2 knock-out mice.
Network evaluation from the consistency of the graph structure with the measured data
Authors: Saito Shigeru , Aburatani Sachiyo , Horimoto Katsuhisa
Published: October 2008

Background

A knowledge-based network, which is constructed by extracting as many relationships identified by experimental studies as possible and then superimposing them, is one of the promising approaches to investigate the associations between biological molecules. However, the molecular relationships change dynamically, depending on the conditions in a living cell, which suggests implicitly that all of the relationships in the knowledge-based network do not always exist. Here, we propose a novel method to estimate the consistency of a given network with the measured data: i) the network is quantified into a log-likelihood from the measured data, based on the Gaussian network, and ii) the probability of the likelihood corresponding to the measured data, named the graph consistency probability (GCP), is estimated based on the generalized extreme value distribution.

Results

The plausibility and the performance of the present procedure are illustrated by various graphs with simulated data, and with two types of actual gene regulatory networks in Escherichia coli: the SOS DNA repair system with the corresponding data measured by fluorescence, and a set of 29 networks with data measured under anaerobic conditions by microarray. In the simulation study, the procedure for estimating GCP is illustrated by a simple network, and the robustness of the method is scrutinized in terms of various aspects: dimensions of sampling data, parameters in the simulation study, magnitudes of data noise, and variations of network structures.

In the actual networks, the former example revealed that our method operates well for an actual network with a size similar to those of the simulated networks, and the latter example illustrated that our method can select the activated network candidates consistent with the actual data measured under specific conditions, among the many network candidates.

Conclusion

The present method shows the possibility of bridging between the static network from the literature and the corresponding measurements, and thus will shed light on the network structure variations in terms of the changes in molecular interaction mechanisms that occur in response to the environment in a living cell.
Barber's hair sinus in a female hairdresser: uncommon manifestation of an occupational disease: a case report
Authors: Efthimiadis Christopher , Kosmidis Christopher , Anthimidis George , Grigoriou Marios , Levva Sofia , Fachantidis Panagiotis , Psihidis George
Published: October 2008

Background

Barber's disease is an acquired occupational disease produced by short customers' hairs that penetrate the interdigital spaces of the hands. The lesion has been reported to occur mostly on the hands of male hairdressers. The purpose of this article is to report a rare case of a female hairdresser who developed a pilonidal sinus in the interdigital web of her non-dominant hand and review the relevant literature.

Case presentation

A 29 year-old Greek female hairdresser underwent surgical excision of the pilonidal sinus and curettage. She was not hospitalised, while prompt resolution of the condition and prevention of recurrence was achieved.

Conclusion

Pilonidal sinus of the interdigital spaces of the hand is a rare and preventable acquired occupational disease. The personal hygiene with thorough removal of any hairs that have penetrated the epidermis during the working day could prevent the formation of the disease. Surgical excision, curettage and primary healing seem to be a safe method of treatment.
Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome after bone marrow transplantation presenting with "crazy-paving" pattern on high-resolution computed tomography: a case report
Authors: Gasparetto Taisa Davaus , Marchiori Edson , Guimarães Marina B , Escuissato Dante Luiz , Zanetti Gláucia
Published: October 2008

The authors present the high-resolution computed tomography findings of a patient with idiopathic pneumonia syndrome after bone marrow transplantation. The main finding consisted of extensive ground-glass opacities superimposed to mild interlobular septal thickening, resulting in the appearance termed "crazy-paving". Following the clinical, laboratorial and imaging criteria, the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary syndrome was defined and corticosteroids were introduced. The clinical symptoms improved in the following days, and the patient was discharged from the hospital.
The Ninth Report of the Commissioners in Lunacy, to the Lord Chancellor; ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, May 15, 1855
Authors: J. C. B.
Published: October 2008

This Report includes the transactions which occured during the year 1844. It was presented on the 31st of March, and the public who are interested in lunacy matters, have reason to feel obliged to the Commissioners for the promptness of its preparation and publication.
The NHS and Community Care Act, 1990
Authors: Thornicroft Graham
Published: October 2008

This is the first in a series of articles to be published serially in the Psychiatric Bulletin on recent government policy and legislation. Each article will describe a different piece of legislation and place it in its international perspective, highlighting how it will affect individual psychiatric practice, users of mental health services and the working relationship with purchasers and managers. The articles are aimed at all practising psychiatrists and those in training who wish to familiarise themselves with the important recent legislation that is having a profound effect on the practice of psychiatry in the UK. The legislation that will be covered includes the NHS and Community Care Act, The Health of the Nation community care plans and mental illness specific grant, the care programme approach, discharge and aftercare planning procedures, NHS trusts, fundholding and commissioning general practitioners and the purchaser provider split. There will be a summarising article to reflect common themes and trends. The series was commissioned by Dr Sara Davies and Dr Jeanette Smith, Trainee Editors at the Psychiatric Bulletin.

The National Health Service and Community Care Act, 1990, enacts some provisions contained in the Working for Patients and Caring for People White Papers. The former measures were introduced immediately in 1990 and contain, for example, the legal basis for NHS trusts and fund-holding GPs. Most of the community care sections of the Act were delayed in their implementation until April 1993. The key element is allocating the main coordinating responsibility as ‘lead agency’ to local social service authorities; they are charged with conducting ‘needs assessments’ on clients presenting with problems. Whether, however, there is a legal obligation upon social services departments to provide care for people with unmet needs to not yet dear.
Continuing medical education: consultant psychiatrists' experiences and opinions
Authors: Sensky Tom
Published: October 2008

A representative sample of 307 consultant psychiatrists was canvassed regarding experiences and views of continuing medical education (CME). Full responses were received from 73%. The results indicated that most respondents already participated in a range of CME activities, inducing attendance at local and other educational meetings, and teaching. Those respondents who had few consultant peers, or who did not teach psychiatric trainees or medical students, also participated in fewer CME activities. Nearly half the sample funded their CME activities wholly or in part from their own pockets. The majority of respondents supported some form of specialist accediation based on participation in CME.
Depression: counting the costs
Authors: Haddad Peter M.
Published: October 2008

The Merck Essay Prize was inaugurated in 1993. All trainee psychiatrists (senior house officers, registrars or senior registrars) in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland were eligible to submit an essay on the topic: ‘Depression: Counting the Costs’. The winning essay by Dr Peter Haddad is printed here. The runners-up in Joint second place were Dr J. Bray, Lecturer, University of Leicester (Leicester General Hospital) and Dr R. Bullock, Senior Registrar, St Mary Abbots Hospital, London.

Depressive illness is the commonest form of mental disorder in the community. Its effects are far-reaching and include psychological suffering and social disruption for affected individuals and their families, increased mortality, and direct and indirect financial costs for society. Only about half of all cases of depression are recognised by doctors and not all of these receive effective treatment. The costs of depression could be reduced if detection and treatment were improved. Addressing this is a major challenge for psychiatric services.
In-patient care for people with a learning disability and a mental illness
Authors: Hurst John , Nadarajah Jay , Cumella Stuart
Published: October 2008

People with the dual diagnosis of mental illness and mental retardation have proved difficult to resettle from hospital. Yet there is considerable evidence that, if diagnosed correctly, treatment for such patients can be effective (e.g. Matson, 1981; Welch ft Sigman, 1980). This paper describes the outcome of treatment at a specialist unit for patients with dual diagnosis.
Section 136 agreements in a regional health authority
Authors: Klijnsma Marinus P. , Bartlett Annie E.A. , Cohen Andrea
Published: October 2008

The limited previous research on usage of section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) has either confined itself to description of socio-demographic and clinical data (Dunn ft Fahy, 1990) or considered procedural issues solely in urban areas (Rogers ft Faulkner, 1987). This is despite the repeated concern of the Mental Health Act Commission (1991), which has noted more widespread difficulties in the use of section 136, highlighting individual failures by local services to adhere to the Code of Practice MHA (Department of Health and Welsh Office, 1990). This study attempts a region-wide survey of section 136 agreements and the corresponding frequency of use of the procedures. This is in line with the Reed Committee recommendations (Department of Health/Home Office, 1992), which prioritised early diversion from custody as an area of research, and emphasised the desirability of multi-agency section 136 agreements.
A real work project: Beckside Computer Workshop
Authors: Caplan Richard , Underwood Stan
Published: October 2008

Beckside Computer Workshop is a small rehabilitation project based in the south of the city of Lincoln. The project aims to provide young people who have a history of schizophrenia with an opportunity to acquire basic keyboard and computing skills and at the same time to improve their ability to operate confidently in new social situations. Some are recruited from a health service funded rehabilitation hostel but most participants are living in the community. Ultimately, it is hoped that some of those taking part will eventually gain meaningful employment.
An update on the activities of the College Research Unit
Authors: Lelliott Paul
Published: October 2008

The College Research Unit (CRU) has expanded rapidly since the Psychiatric Bulletin published a description of its establishment and early audit work (Lelliott, 1992).
Responsibilities and role of the consultant psychiatrist in the multidisciplinary team
Authors: Cameron Vanessa
Published: October 2008

A small working group has recently been established, under the chairmanship of the President, to produce a policy statement setting out the core responsibilities of consultant psychiatrists and their role in the NHS, and elaborating on the role of consultants in each of the psychiatric specialties. It is intended that this statement will clarify the statutory and other responsibilities of the consultant psychiatrist in all areas of psychiatric practice.
General practitioner involvement in a group home
Authors: Kendrick Tony
Published: October 2008

This paper describes the experience of a general practitioner employed to provide physical care to 12 highly dependent residents of a group home. In the first year after their discharge from hospital the residents required a mean of 15 contacts each, 90% of which occurred during regular twice-weekly visits to the home. Previously unmet needs for physical care were identified on screening, including visual, dental and footcare problems which were usually correctable. Smoking and obesity were common and resistant to intervention. Shared care policies are described which were developed together with the nursing staff and visiting mental health professionals.
Fast stream psychiatric rehabilitation after recent hospital closure
Authors: Simpson Steve , Middleton Nick
Published: October 2008

A six year retrospective study was performed on the referrals to a fast stream rehabilitation unit in Plymouth (‘114’). In the wake of recent hospital closure, an historical perspective on the changes within the service and the model of our new rehabilitation service is presented. Clinical features, demographical details, outcomes and duration of stay were examined. New strains have been put on acute psychiatry resources and it was demonstrated that the rehabilitation process has had a beneficial effect on acute general psychiatric bed usage.
The use of clozapine in South Manchester
Authors: Seabourne Alice , Thomas Christopher S.
Published: October 2008

We describe a survey examining the use of clozapine in South Manchester since 1990. The aims were to determine the patient characteristics, type of illness, response to treatment and recording of this information. The case-notes of the first 25 patients to receive clozapine between 1990 and 1992 were audited. Guidelines about who should receive this drug and what objective assessments should be performed were agreed by the consultant group. The audit demonstrated that 24 patients suffered from chronic schizophrenia which had failed to respond to conventional neuroleptics. Routine mental state examinations were regularly performed but objective assessments using standardised rating scales were employed infrequently. Sixteen out of 25 improved on clozapine but at the end of 1992 only ten subjects were still receiving this drug. The majority had been discontinued because of side effects.
Lithium audit in the Scottish Borders
Authors: Taylor John R. , Dewar Ian G.
Published: October 2008

This paper describes the process of lithium audit at Dingleton Hospital, showing that improvements in clinical practice can be achieved and maintained by implementation of the audit cycle. Even our small audit involved all of the medical staff and several other professional groups and we found this multidisciplinary approach encouraged change.
The man who mistook brain lesions for theatre
Authors: Crichton Paul
Published: October 2008

Paul Crichton reviews and reviles The Man Who, a ‘theatrical research’ inspired by the work of Oliver Sacks.
Psychiatry in former East and West Germany since reunification
Authors: Bauer Manfred
Published: October 2008

Discussion of the need to reform psychiatric services in former West Germany started relatively late. It was only in the late 1960s, when the government changed from the conservative Christian Democrats to a coalition of the Social Democratic and Liberal Parties, that psychiatry became a public issue for the first time since World War II. Parliament appointed an expert commission, which after four years gave a comprehensive report in which the inadequate care of mentally ill patients was criticised.
A genetic test for Alzheimer's disease?
Authors: Lovestone Simon , Harper Peter
Published: October 2008

Recent years have seen considerable progress in understanding the genetic basis of many diseases. There has also been a welcome and informed public debate regarding the ethical and social implications of genetic research, including predictive testing of adult onset illnesses. The UK Huntington's Prediction Consortium, a forum open to scientists, clinicians and representives from patient organisations, has established protocols for testing and has facilitated development of clinical genetic services. It has been suggested that the Huntington's disease experience might prove informative for other conditions, and a meeting was held on 5 January 1994 at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, to discuss recent research findings and possible genetic testing in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Professionals from a number of disciplines took part along with representatives of the Alzheimer's Disease Society. It was decided to form a consortium that would meet regularly and produce guidelines for future clinical applications of possible genetic tests.
Compliance with depot medication and readmission to hospital of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Gardner Justin , Hill Oscar
Published: October 2008

This paper examines the relationship between noncompliance with depot medication and readmission to hospital of patients with schizophrenia. Noncompliance is associated with being of no fixed abode and readmission under the Mental Health Act. The merits of a community supervision order are discussed.
Rescinding responsibilities as nearest relative and displacing the nearest relative
Authors: Cooke Fiona , Watkins Julia , Adams Clive
Published: October 2008

A case report is presented which highlights two important, but rarely evoked, aspects of mental health law. In this case, the mentally ill person's nearest relative did not wish to act as such and rescinded his responsibility in favour of another. This other person objected to the use of section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and displacement of her as nearest relative was considered. Some cases from the literature are cited to help clarify the meaning of “unreasonable objection” as used in the Mental Health Act 1983.
Attitudes of general practitioners and child psychiatrists to treatment methods
Authors: Mutale Theodore I.R.
Published: October 2008

The Introduction of the new contract and budget-holding practices hat given general practitioners more say in the care given to their patients by secondary care units and other providers of health core. It is therefore important that the views of GPs be taken into account when service requirements are determined. This study compares the treatment choices of GPs with those of consultant child psychiatrists in the management of childhood psychological disorder. The doctors were also asked to indicate treatments they thought were harmful or ineffective. To the best of my knowledge this is the first UK study to compare child psychiatrists' and GPs' treatment priorities.
Providing a forensic psychiatric service to Cardiff Prison
Authors: Huckle Phil , Williams Tegwyn
Published: October 2008

The extrication of seriously mentally disordered offenders from all stages in the criminal justice system from arrest to imprisonment is a major role for both general and forensic psychiatry. A survey of inmates in Cardiff Prison referred to an ‘out-patient’ forensic psychiatric service held weekly is presented. An alarming number of referrals were patients with schizophrenia.