bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Cytokine Analysis in a Positive Chemoprevention Trial: Selenium, Interleukin-2, and an Association with Squamous Preneoplastic Disease
Authors: Roth Mark J. , Katki Hormuzd A. , Wei Wen-Qiang , Qiao You-Lin , Bagni Rachel , Wang Guo-Qing , Whitby Denise , Dong Zhi-Wei , Gail Mitchell H. , Limburg Paul J. , Giffen Carol A. , Taylor Philip R. , Dawsey Sanford M.
Published: June 2010

This study represents a multiplex cytokine analysis of serum from a 10-month randomized, controlled trial of 238 subjects that investigated the effects of selenomethionine and/or celecoxib in subjects with mild or moderate esophageal squamous dysplasia. The original chemoprevention study found that, among those with mild dysplasia, selenomethionine treatment favorably altered dysplasia grade. The current analysis found that selenomethionine downregulated interleukin (IL)-2 by 9% (P = 0.04), whereas celecoxib downregulated IL-7 by 11% (P = 0.006) and upregulated IL-13 by 17% (P = 0.008). In addition, an increase in IL-7 tertile from baseline to t10 was significantly associated with an increase in dysplasia grade, both overall [odds ratio (OR), 1.47; P = 0.03] and among those with mild dysplasia at t0 (OR, 2.53; P = 0.001). An increase in IL-2 tertile from baseline to t10 was also nonsignificantly associated with worsening dysplasia for all participants (OR, 1.32; P = 0.098) and significantly associated with worsening dysplasia among those with mild dysplasia at baseline (OR, 2.0; P = 0.01). The association of increased IL-2 with worsening dysplasia remained significant in those on selenomethionine treatment who began the trial with mild dysplasia (OR, 2.52; P = 0.03). The current study shows that selenomethionine supplementation decreased serum IL-2 levels, whereas celecoxib treatment decreased IL-7 levels and increased IL-13 levels during a 10-month randomized chemoprevention trial. An increase in IL-2 or IL-7 was associated with increased severity of dysplasia over the course of the trial, especially in those who began the trial with mild dysplasia. The favorable effect of selenomethionine on esophageal dysplasia in the original trial may have been mediated in part by its effect in reducing the levels of IL-2. Cancer Prev Res; 3(7); 810–7. ©2010 AACR.
A Novel Sulindac Derivative Lacking Cyclooxygenase-Inhibitory Activities Suppresses Carcinogenesis in the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate Model
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhang Jinhui , Wang Lei , Quealy Emily , Gary Bernard D. , Reynolds Robert C. , Piazza Gary A. , Lü Junxuan
Published: June 2010

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including sulindac are well documented to be highly effective for cancer chemoprevention. However, their cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibitory activities cause severe gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular toxicities, limiting their chronic use. Recent studies suggest that COX-independent mechanisms may be responsible for the chemopreventive benefits of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and support the potential for the development of a novel generation of sulindac derivatives lacking COX inhibition for cancer chemoprevention. A prototypic sulindac derivative with a N,N-dimethylammonium substitution called sulindac sulfide amide (SSA) was recently identified to be devoid of COX-inhibitory activity yet displays much more potent tumor cell growth-inhibitory activity in vitro compared with sulindac sulfide. In this study, we investigated the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway as a potential target for its COX-independent antineoplastic mechanism and evaluated its chemopreventive efficacy against prostate carcinogenesis using the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate model. The results showed that SSA significantly suppressed the growth of human and mouse prostate cancer cells expressing AR in strong association with G1 arrest, and decreased AR level and AR-dependent transactivation. Dietary SSA consumption dramatically attenuated prostatic growth and suppressed AR-dependent glandular epithelial lesion progression through repressing cell proliferation in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate mice, whereas it did not significantly affect neuroendocrine carcinoma growth. Overall, the results suggest that SSA may be a chemopreventive candidate against prostate glandular epithelial carcinogenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 3(7); 885–95. ©2010 AACR.
Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Agonist-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Contractility via Inhibition of Rho-Kinase Activity
Authors: Je Hyun Dong , Lee Myeong Hwan , Jeong Ji Hoon , Park Sun Young , Sohn Uy Dong
Published: June 2010

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of resveratrol on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Resveratrol at a low concentration (0.03 mmol/l) relaxed directly and more markedly fluoride-induced vascular contraction than phorbol ester-induced contraction. Furthermore, resveratrol more markedly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels than phorbol ester-induced increases. It also more markedly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels than pERK1/2 levels, suggesting that the mechanism involved the inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of resveratrol on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.
Modest but Increased Penetration through Damaged Skin: An Overview of the in vivo Human Model
Authors: Gattu S. , Maibach H.I.
Published: June 2010

Background/Aim: Quantifying percutaneous penetration of topical drugs as well as those compounds relevant to occupational exposure is important for assessing their delivery, efficacy and toxicology. Methods for assessing penetration are established for intact skin; however, what may be equally relevant is how much penetration occurs through damaged skin. Methods: The Embase database was accessed online in March 2009 in search of human in vivo studies measuring penetration through damaged or diseased skin. Results: Few studies have measured penetration through damaged human skin in vivo. A majority demonstrate a modest enhancement in penetration, with the exception of microdialysis studies that show a significant enhancement. The enhancement generally favored hydrophilic molecules over lipophilic molecules. Conclusions: Damaged or diseased skin may display a modest increase in penetration compared to intact skin, which is dependent on the method of measurement; however, additional studies with consistent methods are needed to fully elucidate how much penetration occurs through the many types and degrees of damaged skin.
Multimodel Estimates of Atmospheric Response to Modes of SST Variability and Implications for Droughts
Authors: Pegion Philip J. , Kumar Arun
Published: June 2010

A set of idealized global model experiments was performed by several modeling centers as part of the Drought Working Group of the U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability component of the World Climate Research Programme (CLIVAR). The purpose of the experiments was to assess the role of the leading modes of sea surface temperature (SST) variability on the climate over the continents, with particular emphasis on the influence of SSTs on surface climate variability and droughts over the United States. An analysis based on several models gives more creditability to the results since it relies on the assessment of impacts that are robust across different models.

Coordinated atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations forced with three modes of SST variability were analyzed. The results show that the SST-forced precipitation variability over the central United States is dominated by the SST mode with maximum loading in the central Pacific Ocean. The SST mode with loading in the Atlantic Ocean, and a mode that is dominated by trends in SSTs, lead to a smaller response.

Based on the response to the idealized SSTs, the precipitation response for the twentieth century was also reconstructed. A comparison with the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) simulations forced with the observed SSTs illustrates that the reconstructed precipitation variability was similar to the one in the AMIP simulations, further supporting the conclusion that the SST modes identified in the present analysis play a dominant role in the precipitation variability over the United States. One notable exception is the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and further analysis regarding this major climate extreme is discussed.
Climate Sensitivity Distributions Dependence on the Possibility that Models Share Biases
Authors: Lemoine Derek M.
Published: June 2010

Uncertainty about biases common across models and about unknown and unmodeled feedbacks is important for the tails of temperature change distributions and thus for climate risk assessments. This paper develops a hierarchical Bayes framework that explicitly represents these and other sources of uncertainty. It then uses models’ estimates of albedo, carbon cycle, cloud, and water vapor–lapse rate feedbacks to generate posterior probability distributions for feedback strength and equilibrium temperature change. The posterior distributions are especially sensitive to prior beliefs about models’ shared structural biases: nonzero probability of shared bias moves some probability mass toward lower values for climate sensitivity even as it thickens the distribution’s positive tail. Obtaining additional models of these feedbacks would not constrain the posterior distributions as much as narrowing prior beliefs about shared biases or, potentially, obtaining feedback estimates having biases uncorrelated with those impacting climate models. Carbon dioxide concentrations may need to fall below current levels to maintain only a 10% chance of exceeding official 2°C limits on global average temperature change.
The Geographies of Education and Relationships in a Multicultural City
Authors: Bunar Nihad
Published: June 2010

Given the institutional and financial opportunity to choose any school — public or private/independent — in the city, how are we to understand students choosing to stay in their low-performing, high-poverty schools with bad reputations? Drawing on interviews with 53 students from two urban schools in Stockholm and Malmö, as well as on the secondary literature and theoretical perspectives on community discourse and the freedom of choice policy, I argue that we will never understand why students choose to stay if we consider only the values of the pedagogical commodities exchanged in the educational quasi-market. The analytical gaze ought to embrace sociological perspectives on the local community and schools, including individual strategies in relation to school choice and the power of relations, categorization and stigmatization. Thus, I conclude that neither deficiency in information, transportation costs and time nor some murky cultural-religious incentives are behind the decision to stay. The major incentive can be found in the ongoing negotiations between different aspects of community and school discourse that young people develop, whereby, among other things, the prospect of losing a network and the feeling of safety and becoming an outsider in exchange for gaining access to a ‘Swedish’ middle-class school is, for the time being, not deemed a fair deal.
Selection, Availability, and Opportunity: The Conditional Effect of Poverty on Terrorist Group Participation
Authors: Kavanagh Jennifer
Published: June 2010

Poverty is often identified as a determinant of terrorist group participation, but existing research reveals mixed support for this relationship. Some studies find that macroeconomic decline is associated with increased production of terrorists, but micro-level research suggests terrorists have above average socioeconomic status and educational attainment. In this article, the author argues that poverty should increase terrorist group participation only for individuals with high education. The author suggests that as a result of terrorist group selection preferences and the lower opportunity costs for militant group membership in economically depressed environments, the likelihood of terrorist group participation should be highest for the highly educated, poor members of any population. The author tests the hypotheses using data from Krueger and Maleckova (2003) on participation in Hezbollah, adding an interaction term to their model. The results support the hypotheses. Poverty increases the likelihood of participation in Hezbollah only for those with at least high school education.
Strategies Students Adopted When Learning to Play an Improvised Blues in an E-Learning Environment
Authors: Seddon Frederick , Biasutti Michele
Published: June 2010

In this investigative study, the authors sought to reveal the learning strategies adopted by participants as they learned to play a 12-bar improvised blues with both hands together on a musical keyboard in an e-learning environment. There were 3 participants, 2 female and 1 male. Participants’ average age was 21 years. They worked individually in an e-learning environment with the assistance of “Blues Activities” text and supporting audio material. A remote facilitator was available via e-mail to provide advice, support, and encouragement during and after each of the learning sessions. Video observation techniques were employed, and a coding scheme emerged via a qualitative analysis procedure. A time analysis of the video data based on the emergent coding scheme revealed the percentages of time participants spent in five distinct learning activities, which were interpreted as instruction, copying, practicing, playing, and evaluating. The findings of the current study provide an insight into the learning strategies adopted by these 3 participants in this particular learning situation and provide empirical support for theories of learning to play by ear proposed in prior research reviewed in this article.
Patterns of Interaction in Police Interviews
Authors: Beune Karlijn , Giebels Ellen , Taylor Paul J.
Published: June 2010

The authors analyzed authentic, videotaped police interviews ( N = 27) to examine how the use of different influencing behaviors by police officers affects the provision of information by suspects. The analysis focused on variations in cue-response patterns across suspects from cultures that tend to use more direct and content-oriented communication (i.e., low-context cultures) and cultures in which communication is typically more indirect and context orientated (i.e., high-context cultures). As expected, rational arguments were more effective in eliciting case-related personal information from low-context suspects than from high-context suspects. Contrary to the authors’ expectations, high-context rather than low-context suspects seemed to respond negatively in terms of explicitly refusing to give information to police behavior coded as being kind. Additional analyses considered the effects of two types of intimidating behavior (intimidating the individual vs. the context) across the low- and high-context suspects. Results showed that intimidating the individual was more effective at eliciting case-related personal information from low-context suspects, whereas intimidating the context appeared to be more effective in eliciting case-related contextual information for high-context suspects.
Early Events in Vascular Injury in the Rat Induced by the Phosphodiesterase IV Inhibitor SCH 351591
Authors: Weaver James L. , Zhang Jun , Knapton Alan , Miller Terry , Espandiari Parvaneh , Smith Roger , Gu Yi-Zhong , Snyder Ronald D.
Published: June 2010

Treatment with drugs from multiple classes induces vascular injury with medial necrosis, hemorrhage, endothelial damage, and inflammation. Previous research has suggested early events might be occurring well in advance of the full lesions that appear forty-eight to seventy-two hours after dosing with SCH 351591, a PDE IV inhibitor. This study was performed to study early events in detail. Rats were dosed with 20 mg/kg of drug by gavage and sacrificed at times between fifteen and 240 minutes after dosing. Tissues were collected for histopathological analysis and gene expression studies. Serum was collected for biomarker analysis. The data from biomarker analysis showed a three-part response with an early phase that was maximal at fifteen to thirty minutes, a second phase from forty-five to 180 minutes, and the third phase that was starting to rise at four hours. The first phase included increases in lymphocytes, serum histamine, and serum nitrite. The second phase shows continued elevation of serum nitrite. The third phase was marked by an increase in serum GRO/CINC-1. At fifteen minutes, histopathology showed activation of mast cells, but not degranulation. Increases in endothelial activation and perivascular inflammatory cells were first apparent at thirty minutes and increased through 240 minutes.
Increased p16CDKN2A Protein Within Feline Cutaneous Viral Plaques, Bowenoid In Situ Carcinomas, and a Subset of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Munday J. S. , French A. F. , Peters-Kennedy J. , Orbell G. M. B. , Gwynne K.
Published: June 2010

Cutaneous viral plaques and bowenoid in situ carcinomas (BISCs) in cats are thought to be caused by papillomavirus (PV) infection. There is evidence that PVs may also cause some feline invasive squamous cell carcinomas (ISCCs). Human oncogenic PVs degrade retinoblastoma (RB) protein, impairing cell cycle control. Loss of RB function also increases p16CDKN2A protein (p16), and increased p16 immunoreactivity within a human oral ISCC indicates that the neoplasm was caused by PV infection. In the present study, p16 immunoreactivity was evaluated in 14 feline viral plaques, 14 BISCs, 7 non–solar-induced ISCCs, 11 solar-induced ISCCs, and 14 trichoblastomas. Increased p16 was present within all viral plaques, BISCs, and non–solar-induced ISCCs. In contrast, little p16 immunoreactivity was visible in the solar-induced ISCCs or trichoblastomas. PV DNA was consistently amplified from viral plaques, BISCs, and non–solar-induced ISCCs. However, just 5 solar-induced ISCCs and 1 trichoblastoma contained PV DNA. Given that both increased p16 immunoreactivity and PV DNA were present within viral plaques, BISCs, and non–solar-induced ISCCs, all 3 may be caused by PV infection. This suggests that feline non–solar-induced ISCCs may develop as a result of neoplastic progression from viral plaques and BISCs. Whether PVs promote this progression is unknown; however, evidence from this study suggests the PV that is associated with viral plaques and BISCs is able to disrupt the p16–RB pathway and therefore could have oncogenic potential. Immunohistochemical detection of p16 appears to be a useful technique to investigate the role of PVs in feline skin disease.
Differences Between Users and Nonusers of Day Care Centers Among Frail Older Persons in Israel
Authors: Iecovich Esther , Carmel Sara
Published: June 2010

Day care centers are one of the core community-based services for frail older persons. The purpose of the study is to examine differences in characteristics of users and nonusers of day care centers among frail older people and factors that explain service utilization. Personal interviews are conducted with 333 respondents, of whom 81 were users. Based on the behavioral model of Andersen, the results show that both groups significantly differed in most predisposing (age, marital status), enabling (having a homecare worker), and need (IADL [instrumental activities of daily living]) factors. The findings lend support to Andersen’s behavioral model and suggest that further research is needed to assess underutilization of day care centers. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Classification of the Gait Patterns of Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Their Relationship to Function
Authors: Sienko Thomas Susan , Buckon Cathleen E. , Nicorici Alina , Bagley Anita , McDonald Craig M. , Sussman Michael D.
Published: June 2010

Corticosteroids have recently been shown to reduce expected loss of muscle strength in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and extend the time they can walk. We evaluated 43 boys with the condition to determine whether taking corticosteroids is associated with differences in gait pattern, gross motor skills, energy efficiency, and timed motor performance. We used the gait deviation index to quantify the degree of gait pathology and a single measure of gait quality. There were minimal differences in gait pattern, gross motor skills, energy efficiency, or timed motor performance in boys who took corticosteroids compared with those who did not. Clustering by gait deviation index, however, revealed subtle differences between groups in gait patterns, gross motor skills, and energy efficiency. We conclude that, in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, gait pattern deviations are related to function, which can provide further insight into the understanding of disease progression and treatment options to enhance function and maintain ambulation.
Threats and Acts of Intimate Partner Violence Reported by Users at Norwegian Women’s Shelters
Authors: Alsaker Kjersti , Kristoffersen Kjell , Moen Bente E. , Baste Valborg
Published: June 2010

Women ( n = 87) at women’s shelters in Norway, a country of high welfare and gender equality, reported a multitude of severe threats and actual acts of physical, sexual and psychological violence. An individual threatening to kill his partner represented a significant increased risk for experiencing serious acts of violence, especially when the threats were repeated. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all the women’s shelters. Experiences of violence were measured by The Severity of Violence against Women Scale (SVAWS) and the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Index (PMWI).
Unintended Pregnancy and Intimate Partner Violence Before and During Pregnancy Among Latina Women in Los Angeles, California
Authors: Martin Kathryn R. , Garcia Lorena
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between unintended pregnancy and intimate partner violence (IPV) before and during pregnancy among Latinas. A cross-sectional interview measuring pregnancy intent, IPV, and acculturation, using the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA-II), was conducted among Latina women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy at clinics in Los Angeles (n = 313). Overall, 44% of women reported an unintended pregnancy. The prevalence of physical (any) and emotional (only) abuse 12 months before pregnancy was 11% and 22%, respectively. Although both types of IPV decreased during pregnancy (10% and 19%, respectively), most reports of physical IPV during pregnancy (53%) were among women who did not report physical abuse before pregnancy. After adjusting for other factors, physical IPV before pregnancy was not associated with unintended pregnancy (adjusted OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.40, 2.16). The prevalence of unintended pregnancy was highest (76%) among highly acculturated Latinas. However, when an unintended pregnancy occurred among less acculturated Latinas, who comprised the majority of the sample (n = 270), it was associated with greater risk of physical IPV during pregnancy (unadjusted OR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.06, 6.23); although the confidence interval included one after adjusting for other factors (adjusted OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 0.98, 7.92). An unintended pregnancy may have a unique impact on relationships in the context of Latino culture, where family and pregnancy are highly valued. Pregnancy often creates an opportunity for providers to discuss issues related to abuse and family planning with women who do not regularly access care. The results from this study may be used to increase the cultural sensitivity with which violence and reproductive health are addressed among the diverse population of Latinas when they connect with prenatal services.
Co-Occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse in Hong Kong Chinese Families
Authors: Ko Ling Chan
Published: June 2010

This study examines the prevalence of co-occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child abuse and neglect (CAN) in a cohort of Chinese parents drawn from a large representative sample in Hong Kong. It also investigates the risk factors for CAN with a special emphasis on the role of IPV. A subsample of 2,363 parents was invited to complete the Conflict Tactics Scale and a demographic questionnaire examining the risk factors for CAN. Results show that among the perpetrators of child maltreatment, 37% and 36%, respectively, admitted they had been perpetrators and victims of IPV over their lifetime. Physical and psychological violence between spouses were the characteristics most significantly associated with child maltreatment. This suggests that intervention for CAN should include an assessment of IPV history. Integrative treatment for children suffering from CAN and interparental violence may be considered in intervention programs to combat CAN and IPV.
Mediators and Moderators of Change in Adjustment Following Intervention for Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Graham-Bermann Sandra A. , Howell Kathryn H. , Lilly Michelle , DeVoe Ellen
Published: June 2010

Children aged 6 to 12 who were exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) within the last year participated in an intervention program found to be successful in reducing their internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. However, little is known about factors that may contribute to this efficacy. Both fixed and modifiable risk factors that predicted change in children’s adjustment after the intervention were identified and tested. There was a significant relationship between the extent of exposure to IPV, gender, change in mothers’ mental health, and change in child adjustment. Among fixed factors, length of exposure to violence was found to moderate the relationship between the amount of the child’s and mother’s participation in the intervention and change in child adjustment, specifically internalizing behavioral problems. Among the modifiable risk factors, change in mother’s mental health, specifically symptoms of posttraumatic stress, was found to mediate the relationship between the amount of intervention participation and change in child adjustment. These findings can be used to inform and enhance evidence-based clinical services for children exposed to IPV.
Blaming the Victim and Exonerating the Perpetrator in Cases of Rape and Robbery: Is There a Double Standard?
Authors: Bieneck Steffen , Krahé Barbara
Published: June 2010

Research in legal decision making has demonstrated the tendency to blame the victim and exonerate the perpetrator of sexual assault. This study examined the hypothesis of a special leniency bias in rape cases by comparing them to cases of robbery. N = 288 participants received descriptions of rape and robbery of a female victim by a male perpetrator and made ratings of victim and perpetrator blame. Case scenarios varied with respect to the prior relationship (strangers, acquaintances, ex-partners) and coercive strategy (force vs. exploiting victim intoxication). More blame was attributed to the victim and less blame was attributed to the perpetrator for rape than for robbery. Information about a prior relationship between victim and perpetrator increased ratings of victim blame and decreased perceptions of perpetrator blame in the rape cases, but not in the robbery cases. The findings support the notion of a special leniency bias in sexual assault cases.
Damage Detection Method for Composite Structures Based on a Combined Technique of Cross Modal Strain Energy and Niche Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Yan Y.J. , Yang H.F. , Wu Z.Y. , Ge X.
Published: June 2010

This paper presents an effective method for structural damage detection using the combined technique of the up-to-date cross modal strain energy (CMSE) and niche genetic algorithms (GAs). The traditional modal strain energy method is not convenient for structural damage detection because it needs to compare the modal information between the same modes of the baseline and damaged structures, and also requires the analytical and measured modes to be consistent in scale, or to be normalized, but no such constraint is required for the CMSE method. However, the current CMSE method is still deficient because it cannot effectively determine the locations of structural damage. In order to overcome the shortcoming of the CMSE method in structural damage detection, a combined method of the CMSE with the niche GAs is proposed in this paper to enhance the capability of identifying structural damage location. Numerical studies of damage detection for the case of a model of an airfoil of composite material are given, and the obtained results show that the method proposed in this paper is successful to detect the damage of complex structures.
Brief report: Electroconvulsive therapy for malignant catatonia in an autistic adolescent
Authors: Wachtel Lee Elizabeth , Griffin Margaret Merrie , Dhossche Dirk Marcel , Reti Irving Michael
Published: June 2010

A 14-year-old male with autism and mild mental retardation developed malignant catatonia characterized by classic symptoms of catatonia, bradycardia and hypothermia. Bilateral electroconvulsive therapy and lorazepam were required for resolution. The case expands the occurrence of catatonia in autism into its malignant variant.
Visual influences on speech perception in children with autism
Authors: Iarocci Grace , Rombough Adrienne , Yager Jodi , Weeks Daniel J. , Chua Romeo
Published: June 2010

The bimodal perception of speech sounds was examined in children with autism as compared to mental age—matched typically developing (TD) children. A computer task was employed wherein only the mouth region of the face was displayed and children reported what they heard or saw when presented with consonant-vowel sounds in unimodal auditory condition, unimodal visual condition, and a bimodal condition. Children with autism showed less visual influence and more auditory influence on their bimodal speech perception as compared to their TD peers, largely due to significantly worse performance in the unimodal visual condition (lip reading). Children with autism may not benefit to the same extent as TD children from visual cues such as lip reading that typically support the processing of speech sounds. The disadvantage in lip reading may be detrimental when auditory input is degraded, for example in school settings, whereby speakers are communicating in frequently noisy environments.
The Munich Myocardial Infarction Registry: impact of C-reactive protein and kidney function on hospital mortality in diabetic patients
Authors: Schnell Oliver , Braun Karl Friedrich , Müller Martin , Standl Eberhard , Otter Wolfgang
Published: June 2010

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse hospital mortality with regards to the presence of diabetes, elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and impaired kidney function (IKF) on admission.

Methods: All patients in the Munich Myocardial Infarction Registry (1999—2004, n = 2,015) were assessed. In both the diabetic ( n = 770, 38%) and non-diabetic ( n = 1,245, 61.2%) groups, CRP and kidney function on admission were analysed with regards to hospital outcome.

Results: In diabetic patients, both a CRP level >7 mg/L and a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min were independent risk factors for mortality (odds ratio [OR] 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8—6.9 and OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.4—8.3, respectively). In non-diabetic patients with CRP levels equal or below the median and absence of IKF, hospital mortality was 0.7% whereas the presence of the triad of diabetes, CRP levels above the median and IKF increased hospital mortality to 23.5%.

Conclusion: The registry demonstrates that the presence of the triad of diabetes, elevated CRP levels and reduced GFR on admission is associated with an excessive hospital mortality. Optimised early interventions are to be initiated to potentially overcome the unfavourable prognosis.
Interaction prediction and classification of PDZ domains
Authors: Kalyoncu Sibel , Keskin Ozlem , Gursoy Attila
Published: June 2010

Background

PDZ domain is a well-conserved, structural protein domain found in hundreds of signaling proteins that are otherwise unrelated. PDZ domains can bind to the C-terminal peptides of different proteins and act as glue, clustering different protein complexes together, targeting specific proteins and routing these proteins in signaling pathways. These domains are classified into classes I, II and III, depending on their binding partners and the nature of bonds formed. Binding specificities of PDZ domains are very crucial in order to understand the complexity of signaling pathways. It is still an open question how these domains recognize and bind their partners.

Results

The focus of the current study is two folds: 1) predicting to which peptides a PDZ domain will bind and 2) classification of PDZ domains, as Class I, II or I-II, given the primary sequences of the PDZ domains. Trigram and bigram amino acid frequencies are used as features in machine learning methods. Using 85 PDZ domains and 181 peptides, our model reaches high prediction accuracy (91.4%) for binary interaction prediction which outperforms previously investigated similar methods. Also, we can predict classes of PDZ domains with an accuracy of 90.7%. We propose three critical amino acid sequence motifs that could have important roles on specificity pattern of PDZ domains.

Conclusions

Our model on PDZ interaction dataset shows that our approach produces encouraging results. The method can be further used as a virtual screening technique to reduce the search space for putative candidate target proteins and drug-like molecules of PDZ domains.
Transdifferentiation-inducing HCCR-1 oncogene
Authors: Ha Seon-Ah , Kim Hyun K , Yoo JinAh , Kim SangHee , Shin Seung M , Lee Youn S , Hur Soo Y , Kim Yong W , Kim Tae E , Chung Yeun J , Jeun Shin S , Kim Dong W , Park Yong G , Kim Jin , Shin Soon Y , Lee Young H , Kim Jin W
Published: June 2010

Background

Cell transdifferentiation is characterized by loss of some phenotypes along with acquisition of new phenotypes in differentiated cells. The differentiated state of a given cell is not irreversible. It depends on the up- and downregulation exerted by specific molecules.

Results

We report here that HCCR-1, previously shown to play an oncogenic role in human cancers, induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in human and mouse, respectively. The stem cell factor receptor CD117/c-Kit was induced in this transdifferentiated (EMT) sarcoma tissues. This MET occurring in HCCR-1 transfected cells is reminiscent of the transdifferentiation process during nephrogenesis. Indeed, expression of HCCR-1 was observed during the embryonic development of the kidney. This suggests that HCCR-1 might be involved in the transdifferentiation process of cancer stem cell.

Conclusions

Therefore, we propose that HCCR-1 may be a regulatory factor that stimulates morphogenesis of epithelia or mesenchyme during neoplastic transformation.
Gene trap mutation of murine Outer dense fiber protein-2 gene can result in sperm tail abnormalities in mice with high percentage chimaerism
Authors: Tarnasky Heide , Cheng Min , Ou Young , Thundathil Jacob C , Oko Richard , van der Hoorn Frans A
Published: June 2010

Background

Outer dense fiber protein 2, Odf2, is a major component of the outer dense fibers, ODF, in the flagellum of spermatozoa. ODF are associated with microtubule doublets that form the axoneme. We recently demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of Odf2 is important for sperm motility. In the course of a study of Odf2 using Odf2 mouse knockout lines we observed that males of a high percentage chimaerism, made using XL169 embryonic stem cells, were infertile, whereas mice of low-medium percentage chimaerism were fertile.

Results

XL169 ES cells have a β-geo gene trap cassette inserted in the Odf2 gene. To determine possible underlying mechanisms resulting in infertility we analyzed epididymal sperm and observed that >50% displayed bent tails. We next performed ultrastructural analyses on testis of high percentage XL169 chimaeric mice. This analysis showed that high percentage XL169 chimaeric mice produce elongating spermatids that miss one or more entire outer dense fibers in their midpiece and principal piece. In addition, we observed elongating spermatids that show thinning of outer dense fibers. No other obvious abnormalities or defects are present in elongating spermatids. Spermatozoa from the caput and cauda epididymis of XL169 mice of high percentage chimaerism show additional tail defects, including absence of one or more axonemal microtubule doublets and bent tails. Sperm with bent tails display abnormal motility.

Conclusions

Our results document the possible impact of loss of one Odf2 allele on sperm tail structure and function, resulting in a novel sperm tail phenotype.
The antigen presentation function of bone marrow-derived mast cells is spatiotemporally restricted to a subset expressing high levels of cell surface FcεRI and MHC II
Authors: Gong Jian , Yang Ning-Sun , Croft Michael , Weng I-Chun , Sun Liangwu , Liu Fu-Tong , Chen Swey-Shen
Published: June 2010

Background

At present, it is highly controversial whether pure mast cells can serve as antigen presenting cells, and it is not known whether the capacity of antigen presenting function is temporally restricted to a particular subset of differentiated mast cells. Evidence is presented for a novel surface FcεRIhi, MHC II +, and c-kit + pure mast cell subset, temporally restricted as antigen-presenting cells in the immune axis of T-cell activation.

Results

Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) cultured in the presence of IL-3 for three weeks are pure mast cells based on surface expression of lineage-specific marker, c-kit and FcεRI. Herein we present the first demonstration that approximately 98.7% c-kit + and FcεRI expressing BMMC, further depleted of any contaminated professional antigen-presenting cells, are still fully capable of presenting antigens, i.e., OVA protein, OVA peptide, and IgE-TNP-OVA, to OVA peptide-specific T-cell hybridomas. Notably, IgE-dependent antigen presentation is more efficient compared to that resulting from direct antigen uptake. Importantly, we present the novel finding that only surface FcεRIhimast cells, also expressing surface MHC II exhibited antigen-presenting function. In contrast, surface FcεRIlomast cells without expressing surface MHC II were not capable of antigen presentation. Interestingly, the antigen-presenting function of BMMC was irrevocably lost during the third and fourth week in IL-3 or SCF containing cultures.

Conclusions

This is the first observation to attribute a spatiotemporally restricted antigen-presenting function to a subset of three-week old pure BMMC expressing both high levels of surface FcεRI and surface MHC II. We propose that mast cells play an important role in immune deviating and/or sustaining the activation of infiltrating CD4 T-cells, and modulating T-cell mediated allergic inflammation via its flexibility to present antigens and antigen-IgE complexes.
A process optimization for bio-catalytic production of substituted catechols (3-nitrocatechol and 3-methylcatechol
Authors: Prakash Dhan , Pandey Janmejay , Tiwary Bhupendra N , Jain Rakesh K
Published: June 2010

Background

Substituted catechols are important precursors for large-scale synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other industrial products. Most of the reported chemical synthesis methods are expensive and insufficient at industrial level. However, biological processes for production of substituted catechols could be highly selective and suitable for industrial purposes.

Results

We have optimized a process for bio-catalytic production of 3-substituted catechols viz. 3-nitrocatechol (3-NC) and 3-methylcatechol (3-MC) at pilot scale. Amongst the screened strains, two strains viz. Pseudomonas putida strain (F1) and recombinant Escherichia coli expression clone (pDTG602) harboring first two genes of toluene degradation pathway were found to accumulate 3-NC and 3-MC respectively. Various parameters such as amount of nutrients, pH, temperature, substrate concentration, aeration, inoculums size, culture volume, toxicity of substrate and product, down stream extraction, single step and two-step biotransformation were optimized at laboratory scale to obtain high yields of 3-substituted catechols. Subsequently, pilot scale studies were performed in 2.5 liter bioreactor. The rate of product accumulation at pilot scale significantly increased up to ~90-95% with time and high yields of 3-NC (10 mM) and 3-MC (12 mM) were obtained.

Conclusion

The biocatalytic production of 3-substituted catechols viz. 3-NC and 3-MC depend on some crucial parameters to obtain maximum yields of the product at pilot scale. The process optimized for production of 3-substituted catechols by using the organisms P. putida (F1) and recombinant E. coli expression clone (pDTG602) may be useful for industrial application.
Inhibition of gap junctional Intercellular communication in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by triphenyltin chloride through MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways
Authors: Lee Chung-Hsun , Chen I-Hui , Lee Chia-Rong , Chi Chih-Hsien , Tsai Ming-Che , Tsai Jin-Lian , Lin Hsiu-Fen
Published: June 2010

Background

Organotin compounds (OTCs) have been widely used as stabilizers in the production of plastic, agricultural pesticides, antifoulant plaints and wood preservation. The toxicity of triphenyltin (TPT) compounds was known for their embryotoxic, neurotoxic, genotoxic and immunotoxic effects in mammals. The carcinogenicity of TPT was not well understood and few studies had discussed the effects of OTCs on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of cells.

Method

In the present study, the effects of triphenyltin chloride (TPTC) on GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells were evaluated, using the scrape-loading dye transfer technique.

Results

TPTC inhibited GJIC after a 30-min exposure in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor did not modify the response, but the specific MEK 1 inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 decreased substantially the inhibition of GJIC by TPTC. After WB-F344 cells were exposed to TPTC, phosphorylation of Cx43 increased as seen in Western blot analysis.

Conclusions

These results show that TPTC inhibits GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by altering the Cx43 protein expression through both MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways.
Tattoos: what is their significance?
Authors: Khosla Vivek , Joseph Verghese , Gordon Harvey
Published: June 2010

The prevalence of tattoos is higher among people with mental disorders and those likely to come in contact with mental health services. The motivations for acquiring a tattoo are varied and tattoos can give clues to the presence of particular psychiatric conditions and to the inner world of patients. Psychiatrists need to be aware of the health and safety issues surrounding the tattooing procedure and be able to give appropriate advice to their patients if they wish to acquire a tattoo. The issue of capacity must be considered. This may be particularly relevant for clinicians working with adolescents, the most common age group for acquiring tattoos. Owing to the high proportion of adults who subsequently regret their tattoos and the associated psychological and social distress, clinicians should be aware of methods of tattoo removal.
Attachment theory in psychiatric rehabilitation: informing clinical practice
Authors: Berry Katherine , Drake Richard
Published: June 2010

This article highlights the relevance of attachment theory for psychiatric rehabilitation services and discusses practice implications derived from the theory. Attachment theory can guide the development of interpersonal relationships during recovery and this aspect of rehabilitation is emphasised here. Attachment theory can also be used to help staff predict and understand problematic behaviours such as violence and aggression, and different styles of recovery. The theory can help promote positive staff–service-user relationships by highlighting the qualities of effective caregivers and the way in which people with different attachment styles might benefit from different approaches. We conclude by suggesting ways of teaching rehabilitation staff to become more effective attachment figures.
Childhood adversities as risk factors for onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour
Authors: Bruffaerts Ronny , Demyttenaere Koen , Borges Guilherme , Haro Josep Maria , Chiu Wai Tat , Hwang Irving , Karam Elie G. , Kessler Ronald C. , Sampson Nancy , Alonso Jordi , Andrade Laura Helena , Angermeyer Matthias , Benjet Corina , Bromet Evelyn , de Girolamo Giovanni , de Graaf Ron , Florescu Silvia , Gureje Oye , Horiguchi Itsuko , Hu Chiyi , Kovess Viviane , Levinson Daphna , Posada-Villa Jose , Sagar Rajesh , Scott Kate , Tsang Adley , Vassilev Svetlozar M. , Williams David R. , Nock Matthew K.
Published: June 2010

Background

Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, but the precise effect of childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour (suicide ideation, plans and attempts) are not well understood.

Aims

To examine the associations between childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour across 21 countries worldwide.

Method

Respondents from nationally representative samples (η = 55 299) were interviewed regarding childhood adversities that occurred before the age of 18 years and lifetime suicidal behaviour.

Results

Childhood adversities were associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt and ideation in both bivariate and multivariate models (odds ratio range 1.2–5.7). The risk increased with the number of adversities experienced, but at a decreasing rate. Sexual and physical abuse were consistently the strongest risk factors for both the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour, especially during adolescence. Associations remained similar after additional adjustment for respondents' lifetime mental disorder status.

Conclusions

Childhood adversities (especially intrusive or aggressive adversities) are powerful predictors of the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviours.