bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment by oral creatine, L‐arginine and L‐glycine in six severely affected patients with creatine transporter defect
Authors: Valayannopoulos Vassili , Boddaert Nathalie , Chabli Allel , Barbier Valerie , Desguerre Isabelle , Philippe Anne , Afenjar Alexandra , Mazzuca Michel , Cheillan David , Munnich Arnold , de Keyzer Yves , Jakobs Cornelis , Salomons Gajja S. , de Lonlay Pascale
Published: June 2011

Background

X‐linked cerebral creatine deficiency is caused by the deficiency of the creatine transporter (CTP) encoded by the SLC6A8 gene.

Patients and Methods

We report here a series of six patients with severe CTP deficiency, four males and two females; clinical presentations include mild to severe mental retardation (6/6), associated with psychiatric symptoms (5/6: autistic behaviour, chronic hallucinatory psychosis), seizures (2/6) and muscular symptoms (2/4 males). Diagnosis was suspected upon elevated urinary creatine/creatinine (except in one of the female patients) and on a markedly decreased creatine peak on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Diagnosis was confirmed by molecular analysis that identified four novel mutations not reported so far, including a mutation found twice in two male patients. All patients were treated successively and according to the same protocol by creatine alone then combined to its precursors, L‐glycine and L‐arginine for 42 months.

Results and conclusion

In our patients, creatine supplementation alone or with its precursors L‐glycine and L‐arginine showed benefit only in the muscular symptoms of the disease and no improvement in the cognitive and psychiatric manifestations and did not modify brain creatine content on MRS of male and female CTP deficient patients. New treatment strategies are required including creatine derivatives transported independently from CTP or using alternative pathways and transporters.
Methodology and tools for quality improvement in maternal and newborn health care
Authors: Raven Joanna , Hofman Jan , Adegoke Adetoro , van den Broek Nynke
Published: June 2011

Objective

To gain an overview of approaches, methodologies, and tools used in quality improvement of maternal and newborn health in low‐income countries.

Methods

Electronic search of MEDLINE and organizational databases for literature describing approaches, methodologies, and tools used to improve the quality of maternal and newborn health care in low‐income countries. Relevant papers and reports were reviewed and summarized.

Results

Developing a culture of quality is an important requisite for successful quality improvement. Methodologies to improve quality include the development of standards and guidelines and the performance of mortality, near‐miss, and criterion‐based audits. Tools for data collection and process description were identified, and examples of work to improve quality of care are provided.

Conclusion

The documented experience with the identified approaches, methodologies, and tools indicates that none is sufficient by itself to achieve a desirable improvement in quality of care. The choice of methodologies and tools depends on the healthcare system and its available resources. There is a lack of studies that describe the process of quality improvement and a need for research to provide evidence of the effectiveness of the identified methods and tools.
Evidence for a persistent, environment-dependent and deteriorating subtype of subclinical psychotic experiences: a 6-year longitudinal general population study
Authors: Wigman J. T. W. , van Winkel R. , Raaijmakers Q. A. W. , Ormel J. , Verhulst F. C. , Reijneveld S. A. , van Os J. , Vollebergh W. A. M.
Published: June 2011

Background

Research suggests that subclinical psychotic experiences during adolescence represent the behavioral expression of liability for psychosis. Little is known, however, about the longitudinal trajectory of liability in general population samples.

Method

Growth mixture modeling was used to examine longitudinal trajectories of self-reported positive psychotic experiences in the Youth Self Report (YSR), completed three times over a period of 6 years by a general population cohort of adolescents aged 10–11 years at baseline (n=2230).

Results

Four groups with distinct developmental trajectories of low, decreasing, increasing and persistent levels of mild positive psychotic experiences were revealed. The persistent trajectory was associated strongly with cannabis use, childhood trauma, developmental problems and ethnic minority status, and consistently displayed strong associations with factors known to predict transition from subclinical psychotic experience to clinical psychotic disorder (severity of and secondary distress due to psychotic experiences, social and attentional problems and affective dysregulation) and also with high levels of parental-reported psychotic experiences and use of mental health care at the end of the follow-up period. Progressively weaker associations were found for the increasing, decreasing and low trajectories respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the outcome of early developmental deviation associated with later expression of psychotic experiences is contingent on the degree of later interaction with environmental risks inducing, first, persistence of psychotic experiences and, second, progression to onset of need for care and service use. Insight into the longitudinal dynamics of risk states in representative samples may contribute to the development of targeted early intervention in psychosis.
Comparison of relative validity of food group intakes estimated by comprehensive and brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaires against 16 d dietary records in Japanese adults
Authors: Kobayashi Satomi , Murakami Kentaro , Sasaki Satoshi , Okubo Hitomi , Hirota Naoko , Notsu Akiko , Fukui Mitsuru , Date Chigusa
Published: June 2011

Objective

To compare the relative validity of food group intakes derived from a comprehensive self-administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ) and a brief-type DHQ (BDHQ) developed for the assessment of Japanese diets during the previous month using semi-weighed dietary records (DR) as a reference method.

Design

Between November 2002 and September 2003, a 4 d DR (covering four non-consecutive days), a DHQ (150-item semi-quantitative questionnaire) and a BDHQ (fifty-eight-item fixed-portion-type questionnaire) were completed four times (once per season) at 3-month intervals.

Setting

Three areas in Japan: Osaka, Nagano and Tottori.

Subjects

Ninety-two Japanese women aged 31–69 years and ninety-two Japanese men aged 32–76 years.

Results

Median food group intakes were estimated well for approximately half of the food groups. No statistically significant differences were noted between a 16 d DR and the first DHQ (DHQ1) or between the DR and the first BDHQ (BDHQ1) in fifteen (44 %) and fifteen (52 %) food items for women and in fourteen (41 %) and sixteen (55 %) food items for men, respectively, indicating that both questionnaires estimated median values reasonably well. Median Spearman's correlation coefficients with the DR were 0·43 (range: −0·09 to 0·77) for DHQ1 and 0·44 (range: 0·14 to 0·82) for BDHQ1 in women, with respective values of 0·44 (range: 0·08 to 0·87) and 0·48 (range: 0·22 to 0·83) in men, indicating reasonable ranking ability. Similar results were observed for mean values of the four DHQ and BDHQ.

Conclusions

In terms of food intake estimates, both the DHQ and the BDHQ showed reasonable validity.
A LOOP SPACE FORMULATION FOR GEOMETRIC LIFTING PROBLEMS
Authors: WALDORF KONRAD
Published: June 2011

We review and then combine two aspects of the theory of bundle gerbes. The first concerns lifting bundle gerbes and connections on those, developed by Murray and by Gomi. Lifting gerbes represent obstructions against extending the structure group of a principal bundle. The second is the transgression of gerbes to loop spaces, initiated by Brylinski and McLaughlin and with recent contributions of the author. Combining these two aspects, we obtain a new formulation of lifting problems in terms of geometry on the loop space. Most prominently, our formulation explains the relation between (complex) spin structures on a Riemannian manifold and orientations of its loop space.
A novel fungal family of oligopeptide transporters identified by functional metatranscriptomics of soil eukaryotes
Authors: Damon Coralie , Vallon Laurent , Zimmermann Sabine , Haider Muhammad Z , Galeote Virginie , Dequin Sylvie , Luis Patricia , Fraissinet-Tachet Laurence , Marmeisse Roland
Published: June 2011

Functional environmental genomics has the potential to identify novel biological functions that the systematic sequencing of microbial genomes or environmental DNA may fail to uncover. We targeted the functions expressed by soil eukaryotes using a metatranscriptomic approach based on the use of soil-extracted polyadenylated messenger RNA to construct environmental complementary DNA expression libraries. Functional complementation of a yeast mutant defective in di/tripeptide uptake identified a novel family of oligopeptide transporters expressed by fungi. This family has a patchy distribution in the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota and is present in the genome of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strain. High throughput phenotyping of yeast mutants expressing two environmental transporters showed that they both displayed broad substrate specificity and could transport more than 60–80 dipeptides. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes one environmental transporter induced currents upon dipeptide addition, suggesting proton-coupled co-transport of dipeptides. This transporter was also able to transport specifically cysteine. Deletion of the two copies of the corresponding gene family members in the genome of the wine yeast strain severely reduced the number of dipeptides that it could assimilate. These results demonstrate that these genes are functional and can be used by fungi to efficiently scavenge the numerous, low concentration, oligopeptides continuously generated in soils by proteolysis.
Strongly quadrature-dependent noise in superconducting microresonators measured at the vacuum-noise limit
Authors: Gao J. , Vale L. R. , Mates J. A. B. , Schmidt D. R. , Hilton G. C. , Irwin K. D. , Mallet F. , Castellanos-Beltran M. A. , Lehnert K. W. , Zmuidzinas J. , Leduc H. G.
Published: June 2011

We measure frequency- and dissipation-quadrature noise in superconducting microresonators with sensitivity near the vacuum noise level using a Josephson parametric amplifier. At an excitation power of 100 nW, frequency noise rises orders of magnitude above the vacuum noise, but no excess dissipation-quadrature noise is observed above the vacuum noise level. Our results suggest that using quantum amplifiers in dissipation measurement may greatly improve the sensitivity of microresonator readout, which has important implications for applications such as detectors, qubits, and nanomechanical oscillators.
Magnetocaloric effect in layered NdMn2Ge0.4Si1.6
Authors: Wang J. L. , Campbell S. J. , Cadogan J. M. , Studer A. J. , Zeng R. , Dou S. X.
Published: June 2011

A giant magnetocaloric effect has been observed in NdMn2Ge0.4Si1.6 associated with the first-order magnetic phase transition from antiferromagnetism to ferromagnetism around TC=36K. The magnetic entropy change –ΔSM and adiabatic temperature change ΔTad have been determined from magnetization and specific heat measurements (B=0–5 T) with –ΔSM calculated by the Maxwell relation and Clausius–Clapeyron method. The values –ΔSMmax=12.3 J kg−1 K−1 and refrigerant capacity ∼95 J/kg for ΔB=0–2 T as derived from the Maxwell relation, together with the small hysteresis (thermal <0.5 K; magnetic field <0.1 T), indicate the potential of NdMn2Ge0.4Si1.6 for refrigeration applications.
Hidden possibilities in controlling optical soliton in fiber guided doped resonant medium
Authors: Kundu Anjan
Published: June 2011

Fiber guided optical signal propagating in a Erbium doped nonlinear resonant medium is known to produce cleaner solitonic pulse, described by the self induced transparency (SIT) coupled to nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We discover two new possibilities hidden in its integrable structure, for amplification and control of the optical pulse. Using the variable soliton width permitted by the integrability of this model, the broadening pulse can be regulated by adjusting the initial population inversion of the dopant atoms. The effect can be enhanced by another innovative application of its constrained integrable hierarchy, proposing a system of multiple SIT media. These theoretical predictions are workable analytically in details, correcting a well known result.
You Do Not Talk about Fight Club if You Do Not Notice Fight Club: Inattentional Blindness for a Simulated Real-World Assault
Authors: Chabris Christopher F , Weinberger Adam , Fontaine Matthew , Simons Daniel J
Published: June 2011

Inattentional blindness—the failure to see visible and otherwise salient events when one is paying attention to something else—has been proposed as an explanation for various real-world events. In one such event, a Boston police officer chasing a suspect ran past a brutal assault and was prosecuted for perjury when he claimed not to have seen it. However, there have been no experimental studies of inattentional blindness in real-world conditions. We simulated the Boston incident by having subjects run after a confederate along a route near which three other confederates staged a fight. At night only 35% of subjects noticed the fight; during the day 56% noticed. We manipulated the attentional load on the subjects and found that increasing the load significantly decreased noticing. These results provide evidence that inattentional blindness can occur during real-world situations, including the Boston case.
genBlastG: using BLAST searches to build homologous gene models
Authors: She Rong , Chu Jeffrey Shih-Chieh , Uyar Bora , Wang Jun , Wang Ke , Chen Nansheng
Published: June 2011

Motivation: BLAST users frequently expect to obtain homologous genes with certain similarity to their query genes. But what they get from BLAST searches are often collections of local alignments called high-scoring segment pairs (HSPs). On the other hand, most homology-based gene finders have been built using computation-intensive algorithms, without taking full advantage of BLAST searches that have been perfected over the last decades.

Results: Here we report an efficient algorithm, genBlastG that directly uses the HSPs reported by BLAST to define high-quality gene models.

Availability:  http://genome.sfu.ca/genblast/download.html

Contact:  chenn@sfu.ca

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Imaging red blood cells with the atomic force microscope
Authors: Zachée Pierre , Snauwaert Johan , Vandenberghe Peter , Hellemans Louis , Boogaerts Marc
Published: June 2011

Summary. A novel technique for the reproduction of ultramorphological images and details of the surface of normal and pathological red blood cells (RBC) was investigated. The atomic force microscope (AFM) provided high‐resolution images of cell surfaces. The RBC dimensions obtained by this technique revealed differences between native red cells in smears and glutaraldehyde‐fixed red cells. It was shown that fixed red blood cells were best suited for the ultramorphological imaging of the cell surface.
Health‐related quality of life and children's happiness with their childcare
Authors: Lloyd K.
Published: June 2011

Background  Almost without exception, research into the range and quality of childcare provision, and its correlates with children's development, comes from the perspective of adults. Parents, childcare workers, teachers and the general public have all been asked for their views on childcare. In contrast, there is a dearth of information on attitudes to childcare provision and its correlates from the perspective of the children themselves.

Methods  A total of 3657 Primary 7 children, who are 10 or 11 years of age, completed the KIDSCREEN‐27 health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measure along with questions on their childcare provision as part of an online survey carried out in schools.

Results  Most children receiving childcare from people other than their parents were completely happy with their care. Childcare was related to poorer HRQoL for girls on four of the five KIDSCREEN domains, although the effect sizes were small. For both boys and girls, there were statistically significant, although modest, correlations between happiness with childcare and scores on all five domains of the KIDSCREEN‐27.

Conclusions  Overall, the findings suggest that most children are happy with their care and that any differences between the HRQoL of those who are cared for by their parents and those who are not are small to moderate.
Acquired undescended testis: putting the pieces together
Authors: Hack W. W. M. , Goede J. , van der Voort‐Doedens L. M. , Meijer R. W.
Published: June 2011

Acquired undescended testis is now a well‐recognized disorder. It is seen in 1.5% of pre‐pubertal boys and accounts for the 1–2% orchidopexy rate in older boys. Its pathogenesis remains largely unclear, but it may be caused by a fibrous remnant of the processus vaginalis. There is much controversy over its management, and the proper management awaits a randomized‐controlled trial. Until now, follow‐up data are available only for cases of spontaneous descent or pubertal orchidopexy. It is speculated that acquired undescended testis is in fact congenital and because of a short funiculus at birth, allowing a low‐scrotal position early in life. However, as the boy grows, the testis might evolve into an undescended state. When testosterone surges at puberty, spontaneous descent occurs in three of every four cases.
Effects of polydeoxyribonucleotide on the histological damage and the altered spermatogenesis induced by testicular ischaemia and reperfusion in rats
Authors: Minutoli L. , Antonuccio P. , Squadrito F. , Bitto A. , Nicotina P. A. , Fazzari C. , Polito F. , Marini H. , Bonvissuto G. , Arena S. , Morgia G. , Romeo C. , Caputi A. P. , Altavilla D.
Published: June 2011

The effects of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), an agonist of the A2A adenosine receptors which when activated positively influences sperm activity, were tested in an experimental testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury model. Anaesthetized male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to testicular torsion‐induced ischaemia, followed by reperfusion (TI/R). Immediately after detorsion, randomized animals, including SHAM, received intraperitoneal injections of: (i) vehicle (1 mL/kg 0.9% NaCl solution); (ii) PDRN (8 mg/kg); (iii) DMPX (3,7‐dimethyl‐1‐propargilxanthine, 0.1 mg/kg); or (iv) PDRN (8 mg/kg) + DMPX (0.1 mg/kg). Animals were euthanized at 1, 7 and 30 days following reperfusion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is normally associated with adenosine A2A receptor stimulation. After treatment, VEGF mRNA/protein expression quantified by qPCR and Western blot, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA measured by qPCR, VEGF and VEGFR1 assessed using immunohistochemical methods, histological staining and spermatogenic activity were all analysed. Testis ischaemia‐reperfusion (TI/R) injury caused increases in VEGF mRNA and protein, VEGFR1 and eNOS mRNA, histological damage and reduced spermatogenic activity. Immunostaining showed a lower expression of VEGF in germinal epithelial cells and a strong expression of VEGFR1 in Leydig cells after TI/R. PDRN administration increased significantly VEGF message/protein, VEGFR1 and eNOS message, decreased histological damage and ameliorated spermatogenic activity. PDRN might be useful in the management of testicular torsion.
Detection of feline herpes virus 1 via polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in cats with ulcerative facial dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma complex reaction patterns and mosquito bite hypersensitivity
Authors: Persico Paola , Roccabianca Paola , Corona Antonio , Vercelli Antonella , Cornegliani Luisa
Published: June 2011

Ulcerative dermatitis caused by feline herpes virus 1 (FHV‐1) is an uncommon disease characterized by cutaneous ulcers secondary to epidermal, adnexal and dermal necrosis. Differential diagnoses for FHV‐1 lesions include, but are not limited to, mosquito bite hypersensitivity and eosinophilic granuloma complex. Histopathological diagnosis of FHV‐1 dermatitis is based on the detection of the intranuclear inclusion bodies. In cases where intranuclear inclusions are missing but clinical and histological findings are compatible with FHV‐1 dermatitis, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and PCRs have been used. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the presence of FHV‐1 by IHC and PCR in skin biopsies and compared the results of the two tests. Sixty‐four skin biopsy specimens from cats with compatible lesions were reviewed and tested via PCR and IHC for evidence of FHV‐1. Polymerase chain reaction was positive in 12 of 64 biopsies; PCR and IHC were positive only in two of 64 biopsies, and these cases were considered true positive cases. The higher number of PCR‐positive cases was possibly attributed to amplification of viral DNA from a live attenuated vaccination, but a previous FHV‐1 infection with subsequent amplification of latently inserted FHV‐1 could not be excluded. If clinical signs and histopathology suggest FHV‐1 infection in the absence of typical inclusion bodies, IHC is the preferred diagnostic test; PCR may be useful for initial screening, but due to false positives is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis.
Immunohistochemical ETS‐related gene detection in a Japanese prostate cancer cohort: Diagnostic use in Japanese prostate cancer patients
Authors: Furusato Bungo , van Leenders Geert J.H.L. , Trapman Jan , Kimura Takahiro , Egawa Shin , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Furusato Masakuni , Visakorpi Tapio , Hano Hiroshi
Published: June 2011

Chromosomal rearrangements that result in high expression levels of the ETS‐related gene (ERG) present in approximately 50% of prostate cancer (PCa) patients, making this one of the most common oncogenic alterations in PCa. However, ERG overexpression at the protein level has not been rigorously evaluated in Japanese PCa patients. In this study, we evaluated ERG expression using antibody‐based detection in 230 prostate specimens in a Japanese PCa cohort. Overall, we identified 20.1% ERG‐positive PCa cases. ERG was not detected in benign glands. The specificity of ERG staining for detecting PCa was almost 100%; all of the ERG‐positive samples were also diagnosed as PCa. The expression level of the ERG protein correlated with clinicopathological variables, including grade (P= 0.038), stage (P= 0.005), and metastatic status (P= 0.014). No correlation was observed with age (P= 0.196) or with preoperative prostate‐specific antigen level (P= 0.322). Although the frequency of ERG‐positive cases in Japanese PCa patients (20.1%) was lower than that reported in a PCa cohort in Western countries (approximately 50%), our study demonstrates that the clinical utility of ERG detection at the protein level can serve as an ancillary tool for diagnosing PCa in the Japanese population.
KL‐6 and CEA levels in epithelial lining fluid microsamples predict response to gefitinib in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: KAMIYA KAZUNORI , WATANABE MASAZUMI , KOHNO MITSUTOMO , IZUMI YOTARO , HORINOUCHI HIROHISA , KAWAMURA MASAFUMI , SHIMADA NAOKI , NOMORI HIROAKI
Published: June 2011

Background and objective:  Both Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are known to be tumour markers in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of the present study was to assess whether or not intrabronchial epithelial lining fluid (ELF) levels of these markers predicted tumour response better than serum levels in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with gefitinib.

Methods:  ELF samples were obtained both from near the tumour and from the contralateral lung using a bronchoscopic microsampling technique, before and 2 weeks after the start of gefitinib treatment. Serum samples were taken concurrently. Among the 22 patients enrolled in the study, 14 (64%) showed partial responses or stabilization of disease with gefitinib treatment (treatment responders), while 8 (36%) showed progression of disease (treatment non‐responders), 4 weeks after the start of treatment.

Results:  ELF KL‐6 levels near the tumour decreased significantly after 2 weeks in the treatment responders group (P = 0.011), whereas there was a marginal increase in the treatment non‐responders group (P = 0.049). ELF CEA levels near the tumour decreased significantly after 2 weeks in the treatment responders group (P = 0.004), whereas there was no significant change in the treatment non‐responders group. For both markers, neither the serum levels nor the levels in contralateral ELF showed any significant changes in either group of patients.

Conclusions:  Both KL‐6 and CEA levels in ELF near the tumour predicted tumour response in NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib, whereas serum levels did not.
Borderline papillary serous tumor of the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube with peritoneal implants
Authors: Ondic Ondrej , Kalis Vladimir , Sima Radek
Published: June 2011

Diagnosis of Borderline papillary serous tumor of the fallopian tube was comprehensively established by Zheng in 1996 supported mostly by a histological similarity to its ovarian counterpart. It is a very rare entity with eight cases published so far and the ninth case described here as a 41‐year‐old woman presented with non‐specific lower abdominal pain, dyspareunia and dysuria. Left adnexal mass was identified and she was operated on. It turned out the tumor was attached exclusively to the left tube, with no connection to any of the surrounding structures and with histology of borderline serous tumor with non‐invasive implants in the left and right ovary and visceral peritoneum. Reviewing available data on genetics of these tumors there was diploid status in one examined tumor, and in our case no mutations of KRAS, BRAF and p53 genes were found. Histomorphology remains the mainstay of diagnosis and staging operation is the mainstay of patient management. Prognosis is uncertain with a 6‐year survival documented in one case.
Primary extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the vulva
Authors: Sawada Morio , Tochigi Naobumi , Sasajima Yuko , Hasegawa Tadashi , Kasamatsu Takahiro , Kitawaki Jo
Published: June 2011

Primary extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) of the vulva is extremely rare. There is little available information about the biological behavior and treatment strategy for primary EMC of the vulva. We report a rare case of primary EMC of the vulva treated surgically. A 24‐year‐old Japanese woman had demonstrated a small and elastic mass of the vulva and underwent enucleation of the mass at a previous hospital, but a definitive histopathological diagnosis was not obtained. Therefore, the patient was referred to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment. We histopathologically diagnosed the tumor as primary EMC of the vulva and performed vulvectomy with vulvoperineal reconstruction. Microscopic examination of the resected specimens demonstrated residual tumor nodules of EMC. However, there were no viable tumor cells at the surgical margin. Approximately two years after wide local excision was performed, the patient is doing well and there is no apparent recurrence of EMC.
Aberrant DNA methylation status of endometriosis: Epigenetics as the pathogenesis, biomarker and therapeutic target
Authors: Nasu Kaei , Kawano Yukie , Tsukamoto Yoshiyuki , Takano Masayuki , Takai Noriyuki , Li Haili , Furukawa Yuichi , Abe Wakana , Moriyama Masatsugu , Narahara Hisashi
Published: June 2011

Endometriosis, a common, benign, estrogen‐dependent disease affecting 3–10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue that is found primarily in the peritoneum, ovaries and rectovaginal septum. Recently, endometriosis has been alternatively described as an immune disease, a genetic disease and a disease caused by exposure to environmental factors, in addition to its usual description as a hormonal disease. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that various epigenetic aberrations play definite roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Epigenetic alterations reported to date in endometriosis include the genomic DNA methylation of progesterone receptor‐B, E‐cadherin, homeobox A10, estrogen receptor‐β, steroidogenic factor‐1 and aromatase. Aberrant expression of DNA methyltransferases, which attach a methyl group to the 5‐carbon position of cytosine bases in the CpG island of the promoter region and silence the corresponding gene expression, has also been demonstrated in endometriosis. This review summarizes the recent studies on the aberrant DNA methylation status and aberrant expression of DNA methyltransferases, which regulate DNA methylation, in endometriosis. We also discuss the recent information on the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of epigenetic alterations occurring in endometriosis.
Vacuolated Beggiatoa‐like filaments from different hypersaline environments form a novel genus
Authors: Hinck Susanne , Mußmann Marc , Salman Verena , Neu Thomas R. , Lenk Sabine , de Beer Dirk , Jonkers Henk M.
Published: June 2011

In this study, members of a specific group of thin (6–14 µm filament diameter), vacuolated Beggiatoa‐like filaments from six different hypersaline microbial mats were morphologically and phylogenetically characterized. Therefore, enrichment cultures were established, filaments were stained with fluorochromes to show intracellular structures and 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. Morphological characteristics of Beggiatoa‐like filaments, in particular the presence of intracellular vacuoles, and the distribution of nucleic acids were visualized. In the intracellular vacuole nitrate reached concentrations of up to 650 mM. Fifteen of the retrieved 16S rRNA gene sequences formed a monophyletic cluster and were phylogenetically closely related (≥ 94.4% sequence identity). Sequences of known filamentous sulfide‐oxidizing genera Beggiatoa and Thioploca that comprise non‐vacuolated and vacuolated filaments from diverse habitats clearly delineated from this cluster. The novel monophyletic cluster was furthermore divided into two sub‐clusters: one contained sequences originating from Guerrero Negro (Mexico) microbial mats and the other comprised sequences from five distinct Spanish hypersaline microbial mats from Ibiza, Formentera and Lake Chiprana. Our data suggest that Beggiatoa‐like filaments from hypersaline environments displaying a thin filament diameter contain nitrate‐storing vacuoles and are phylogenetically separate from known Beggiatoa. Therefore, we propose a novel genus for these organisms, which we suggest to name ‘Candidatus Allobeggiatoa’.
Genetic structure of marine Borrelia garinii and population admixture with the terrestrial cycle of Lyme borreliosis
Authors: Gómez‐Díaz Elena , Boulinier Thierry , Sertour Natacha , Cornet Muriel , Ferquel Elisabeth , McCoy Karen D.
Published: June 2011

Despite the importance of population structure for the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria, the spatial and ecological heterogeneity of these populations is often poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of the Lyme borreliosis (LB) spirochaete Borrelia garinii in its marine cycle involving colonial seabirds and different host races of the seabird tick Ixodes uriae. Multilocus sequence analyses (MLSA) on eight chromosomal and two plasmid loci (ospA and ospC) indicate that B. garinii circulating in the marine system is highly diverse. Microevolution in marine B. garinii seems to be mainly clonal, but recombination and selection do occur. Sequence types were not evenly distributed among geographic regions, with substantial population subdivision between Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basins. However, no geographic structuring was evident within regions. Results of selection analyses and phylogenetic discordance between chromosomal and plasmid loci indicate adaptive evolution is likely occurring in this system, but no pattern of host or vector‐associated divergence was found. Recombination analyses showed evidence for population admixture between terrestrial and marine strains, suggesting that LB spirochaetes are exchanged between these enzootic cycles. Importantly, our results highlight the need to explicitly consider the marine system for a complete understanding of the evolutionary ecology and global epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis.
A distinct freshwater‐adapted subgroup of ANME‐1 dominates active archaeal communities in terrestrial subsurfaces in Japan
Authors: Takeuchi Mio , Yoshioka Hideyoshi , Seo Yuna , Tanabe Susumu , Tamaki Hideyuki , Kamagata Yoichi , Takahashi Hiroshi A. , Igari Shunichiro , Mayumi Daisuke , Sakata Susumu
Published: June 2011

Anaerobic methane‐oxidizing archaea (ANME) are known to play an important role in methane flux, especially in marine sediments. The 16S rRNA genes of ANME have been detected in terrestrial freshwater subsurfaces. However, it is unclear whether ANME are actively involved in methane oxidation in these environments. To address this issue, Holocene sediments in the subsurface of the Kanto Plain in Japan were collected for biogeochemical and molecular analysis. The potential activity of the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) (0.38–3.54 nmol cm−3 day−1) was detected in sediment slurry incubation experiments with a 13CH4 tracer. Higher AOM activity was observed in low‐salinity treatment compared with high‐salinity condition (20‰), which supports the adaptation of ANME in freshwater habitats. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis clearly revealed the presence of a distinct subgroup of ANME‐1, designated ANME‐1a‐FW. Phylogenetic analysis of the mcrA genes also implied the presence of the distinct subgroup in ANME‐1. ANME‐1a‐FW was found to be the most dominant active group in the archaeal communities on the basis of 16S rRNA analysis (75.0–93.8% of total archaeal 16S rRNA clones). Sulfate‐reducing bacteria previously known as the syntrophic bacterial partners of ANME‐1 was not detected. Our results showed that ANME‐1a‐FW is adapted to freshwater habitats and is responsible for AOM in terrestrial freshwater subsurface environments.
Interpretative Flexibility of the Event‐City: Security, Branding and Urban Entrepreneurialism at the European Football Championships 2008
Authors: KLAUSER FRANCISCO R.
Published: June 2011

Sport mega‐events not only give rise to major economic and socio‐cultural opportunities for host cities and nations, but also arouse increased local, national and international security concerns. This article, which focuses on the European Football Championships 2008 in Austria and Switzerland (Euro 2008), seeks to link business and security issues associated with sport mega‐events. More specifically, it sets out to investigate the ‘interpretative flexibility’— for purposes of security, branding and urban entrepreneurialism — of two types of spatial enclosures, set up temporarily in the host cities of the Euro 2008: UEFA fan zones and stadium security rings. Emphasis will be placed on the building up and articulation of the successive layers of meaning of these zones through various mechanisms of institutional learning and policy transfer. The ‘making’ of fan zones and stadium security rings will hence be positioned within a complex field of agencies, driving forces and motivations in terms of business and security, including a range of international processes and stipulations, as well as diverse local and national predispositions and impulses.

Les méga‐évènements sportifs offrent des possibilités économiques et socio‐culturelles considérables pour les villes et pays d'accueil, mais ils accentuent aussi les problématiques de sécurité locales, nationales et internationales. En s'intéressant à l'Euro 2008 de football qui s'est tenu en Autriche et en Suisse, cet article relie les enjeux économiques et sécuritaires associés à ce genre d'événement. Plus particulièrement, il étudie la ‘flexibilité interprétative’— en termes de sécurité, de stratégie de marque et d'entrepreneurialisme urbain — propre à deux types de cadres spatiaux créés temporairement dans les villes d'accueil de l'Euro 2008: les UEFA Fan Zones et les périmètres de sécurité des stades. Le but est d'examiner la superposition et l'articulation des différents niveaux de signification de ces zones à travers plusieurs mécanismes d'apprentissage institutionnel et de transfert d'action publique. La ‘fabrication’ des Fan Zones et des périmètres de sécurité des stades sera donc replacée dans un cadre complexe d'agences, de dynamiques et de motivations en matière d'activitééconomique et de sécurité, révélant ainsi toute une série de conditions et de processus internationaux, ainsi que différentes prédispositions et initiatives d'ordre local et national.
The Development and Standardization of Testing Methods for Genetically Modified Organisms and their Derived ProductsF
Authors: Zhang Dabing , Guo Jinchao
Published: June 2011

Dabing Zhang (Corresponding author)

As the worldwide commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) increases and consumers concern the safety of GMOs, many countries and regions are issuing labeling regulations on GMOs and their products. Analytical methods and their standardization for GM ingredients in foods and feed are essential for the implementation of labeling regulations. To date, the GMO testing methods are mainly based on the inserted DNA sequences and newly produced proteins in GMOs. This paper presents an overview of GMO testing methods as well as their standardization.
Lapachol suppresses cell proliferation and secretion of interleukin-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scars
Authors: Matsui Takuya , Ito Chihiro , Oda Makiko , Itoigawa Masataka , Yokoo Kazuhisa , Okada Tadashi , Furukawa Hiroshi
Published: June 2011

Objectives

The pathogenesis and therapy of hypertrophic scar have not yet been established. Our aim was to investigate the antiproliferative and antisecretory effects of lapachol, isolated from the stem bark of Avicennia rumphiana Hall. f., on hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Methods

The effects of lapachol on hypertrophic scar fibroblast proliferation were measured using the MTT assay, cell-cycle analyses and lactate dehydrogenase assays. The type I collagen α-chain (COL1A1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA and/or protein levels of hypertrophic scar-fibroblasts were quantitated by real-time PCR and ELISA.

Key findings

Lapachol at 25 and 50 µm significantly inhibited the in vitro proliferation of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, but not fibroblasts from non-lesional skin sites. In addition, lapachol had no apparent effect on cell cycle and lactate dehydrogenase activity in conditioned medium from lapachol-treated hypertrophic scar fibroblasts was nearly equal to that in medium from vehicle-treated cells. Lapachol treatment also inhibited COL1A1 and PAI-1 mRNA levels in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, but did not affect IL-6 mRNA levels. The protein levels of IL-6 and PAI-1 in conditioned medium from hypertrophic scar fibroblasts treated with 50 µm lapachol were lower than those from vehicle-treated hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Lapachol decreased the proliferation rate of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. As IL-6 and PAI-1 secretion was also lowered in lapachol-treated hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, our findings suggested that lapachol may have suppressed extracellular matrix hyperplasia in wound healing and possibly alleviated the formation of hypertrophic scar.
A qualitative study of physicians' and nurses' experiences of multidisciplinary collaboration with pharmacists participating at case conferences
Authors: Halvorsen Kjell H , Stensland Per , Granas Anne Gerd
Published: June 2011

Objectives

Previous studies have revealed a range of drug-related problems for nursing home and hospital patients. Different attempts to reduce drug-related problems have been tested. Medication reviews performed by pharmacists and subsequent presentation of findings at case conferences is one of these methods. Physicians' and nurses' experiences from multidisciplinary collaboration with pharmacists have to a lesser degree been investigated. This study aims to describe how Norwegian physicians and nurses experience collaborating with pharmacists at case conferences to reduce drug-related problems in elderly patients.

Methods

This was a qualitative interview study using systematic text condensation. The setting was nursing homes (long-term care) and hospital wards (gerontology and rheumatology). Four physicians and eight nurses participated and the main outcome was physicians' and nurses' experiences of multidisciplinary collaboration with pharmacists.

Key findings

Organizational problems were experienced including, among others, what professional contribution team members could expect from pharmacists and what professional role the pharmacist should have in the multidisciplinary team. Both professions reported that ambiguities as to when and if the pharmacist was supposed to attend their regular meetings resulted in some aggravation. On the other hand, the participants valued contributions from pharmacists with regard to pharmaceutical skills, and felt that this raised awareness on prescribing quality.

Conclusions

Physicians and nurses valued the pharmacists' services and reported that this collaboration improved patients' drug therapy. However, before implementing this service in nursing homes there is a need to make an organizational framework for this collaboration to support the professional role of the pharmacist.
Self-Piercing Riveting of Wrought Magnesium AZ31 Sheets
Authors: Wang J. W. , Liu Z. X. , Shang Y. , Liu A. L. , Wang M. X. , Sun R. N. , Wang Pei-Chung
Published: June 2011

The high strength-to-weight ratio of magnesium alloys makes them attractive for automotive applications. These materials have been used for the engine cradle, seat frame, and shock tower applications to reduce vehicle weight. Despite these advantages, there are limiting factors to the application of magnesium alloys. One of these factors is the joining of magnesium alloys. Although there are various joining processes available, self-piercing riveting (SPR) is particularly promising. It provides not only the speed but also the necessary structural strength. However, because of the large amount of deformation associated with the process and the limited formability of magnesium at room temperature, SPR often results in part cracking of the riveted magnesium alloys, which reduces the part quality. In this study, a method of preheating the magnesium alloy before riveting was adopted to improve the joint quality. The fabrication of the desired SPR joints was investigated as a function of the preheat temperature and strain rate. To determine the optimum preheat temperature, Zener–Hollomon parameter was employed. Experiments were conducted to validate the proposed preheat temperature. Magnesium alloy AZ31 with a thickness of 2 mm was preheated with various temperatures prior to self-piercing riveting. The appearances, cross-sections, and mechanical tests of the SPR magnesium AZ31 joints were investigated. It was found that a preheat temperature of 180–200°C largely eliminated the discrepancies in SPR 2 mm thick magnesium AZ31 joints. The joint strength increases with increasing preheat temperature from ambient to 200°C. The strength increase is attributed to the reduction in joint discrepancies and an increase in mechanical interlock between the rivet and work pieces. The current findings on the development of a method can be used to determine the preheat temperature for self-piercing riveting of magnesium castings.
Streptococcus agalactiae Alpha-Like Protein 1 Possesses Both Cross-Reacting and Alp1-Specific Epitopes
Authors: Kvam Augusta I. , Mavenyengwa Rooyen T. , Radtke Andreas , Maeland Johan A.
Published: June 2011

Most isolates of group B streptococci (GBS) express an alpha-like protein (Alp), Cα (encoded bybca), Alp1 (also called epsilon;alp1), Alp2 (alp2), Alp3 (alp3), Alp4 (alp4), or R4/Rib (rib). These proteins are chimeras with a mosaic structure and with antigenic determinants with variable immunological cross-reactivities between the Alps, including Alp1 and Cα cross-reactivity. This study focused on antigenic domains of Alp1, studied by using rabbit antisera in immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based tests and whole cells of GBS or trypsin-extracted and partially purified antigens from the strains A909 (serotype Ia/Cα, Cβ) and 335 (Ia/Alp1). Alp1 and Cα shared an antigenic determinant, Alp1/Cα common, not harbored by other Alps, probably located in the Alp1 and Cα repeat units, as these units are nearly identical in genomic sequence. An antigenic Alp1 determinant was Alp1 specific and was most likely located in the N-terminal unit of Alp1 in which an Alp1-specific primer site for PCR is also located. In addition, Alp1 possessed a domain with low immunogenicity which cross-reacted immunologically with Alp2 and Alp3, with unknown location in Alp1. Alp1 was partially degraded by trypsin during antigen extraction but with the antigenic domains preserved. The results indicate that Cα and Alp1 are immunologically related in the same manner that R4 (Rib) and Alp3 are related. The domain called Alp1 specific should be important in GBS serotyping as a surface-anchored serosubtype marker. The Alp1/Cα common determinant may be of prime interest as an immunogenic domain in a GBS vaccine.
Detection of AmpC Beta-Lactamase in Escherichia coli: Comparison of Three Phenotypic Confirmation Assays and Genetic Analysis
Authors: Peter-Getzlaff S. , Polsfuss S. , Poledica M. , Hombach M. , Giger J. , Böttger E. C. , Zbinden R. , Bloemberg G. V.
Published: June 2011

Two mechanisms account for AmpC activity in
Escherichia coli
, namely, mutations in the
ampC
promoter and attenuator regions resulting in
ampC
overexpression and acquisition of plasmid-carried
ampC
genes. In this study, we analyzed 51 clinical
E. coli
isolates with reduced susceptibility to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, piperacillin-tazobactam, or extended-spectrum cephalosporins for the presence of AmpC production. Three phenotypic AmpC confirmation assays (cefoxitin-cloxacillin disk diffusion test, cefoxitin-EDTA disk diffusion test, and AmpC Etest) were compared for the detection of AmpC activity. All 51 isolates were characterized genetically by mutational analysis of the chromosomal
ampC
promoter/attenuator region and by PCR detection of plasmid-carried
ampC
genes. Altogether, 21/51 (41%)
E. coli
isolates were considered true AmpC producers. AmpC activity due to chromosomal
ampC
promoter/attenuator mutations was found in 12/21 strains, and plasmid-carried
ampC
genes were detected in 8/21 isolates. One strain contained both
ampC
promoter mutations and a plasmid-carried
ampC
gene. All three phenotypic tests were able to detect the majority (>90%) of AmpC-positive strains correctly. Cefoxitin resistance was found to be a discriminative parameter, detecting 20/21 AmpC-producing strains. Susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, e.g., ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and cefotaxime, was found in 9 of the 21 AmpC-positive strains. Considering the elevated zone diameter breakpoints of the 2010 CLSI guidelines, 2/21 AmpC-positive strains were categorized as susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins.