bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of nested polymerase chain reaction for the rapid diagnosis of infant botulism type B
Authors: KAKINUMA HIROAKI , MARUYAMA HIROMI , YAMAKAWA KIYOTOKA , NAKAMURA SHINICHI , TAKAHASHI HIROAKI
Published: January 2011

A nested polymerase chain reaction was utilized to successfully detect the type B botulinum neurotoxin gene of Clostridium botulinum in feces from a 6‐month‐old patient, who had already been diagnosed with type B infant botulism by mouse bio‐assay. This method of rapid diagnosis without enrichment culture of feces can be applied to other types of toxins in the use of the type‐specific primers. Further investigations, however, are required to define the sensitivity and specificity of the method.
Clinicopathological characteristics of the focal and segmental form of idiopathic membranous nephropathy: Comparison with the typical form of this disease
Authors: YAMAMOTO S. , INABA S. , YOSHIDA R. , TAKAHASHI T. , ISHIHARA S. , SAKAI Y. , ARAI M. , KUROSE K. , MATSUKURA H. , MIYAWAKI T.
Published: January 2011

Although idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is thought to represent a diffuse glomerulopathy, it was found that three of 31 children histologically diagnosed as IMN showed focal and segmental deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3 on the glomerular capillary walls. The present study attempted to comparatively investigate clinical and pathological features of the diffuse group and the focal segmental group in 31 IMN children. Immunofluorescence study revealed that 28 of 31 IMN exhibited diffuse granular deposition of IgG along glomerular capillary walls. In contrast, focal and segmental deposition of IgG and C3 was noted in three children with IMN. In addition, focal and segmental electron‐dense deposits were identified in these cases. In two children of the focal segmental group, immunofluorescent patterns of IgG deposition were unchanged even at the second biopsy. The focal segmental form of IMN tended to occur in younger children than diffuse IMN. However, other clinical parameters such as the range of proteinuria, hematuria, serum albumin and prognosis did not show any significant differences between both groups. Electrophoretic profiles of urinary proteins on sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were not different between both groups. It is proposed that the focal segmental form of IMN may have a distinctive glomerulopathy from the typical form of IMN.
Psychosocial aspects and psychiatric disorders in children with thalassemia major
Authors: AYDIN BEKIR , YAPRAK IŞIN , AKARSU DUYGU , ÖKTEN NURDAN , üLGEN MEVLüT
Published: January 2011

β‐thalassemia major (TM), a chronic, genetically determined hematological disorder, has received little investigation on the psychological aspects of the disease and the psychosocial adjustment of patients with this anemia. In the present study, the aim was to assess the mental capacity, self‐image, hopelessness and anxiety displayed by children who suffered from TM, and to investigate the existence of psychiatric disorders in these children. Twenty‐five children (16 boys and 9 girls) with TM, 12.0–19.6 years old, from the Hematology Unit of the Department of Pediatrics at the SSK Tepecik Teaching Hospital, were included in the study. Fifteen healthy cases matched for age, sex and socio‐economic status were used as controls. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), Offer Self‐Image Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, Symptom Check List (revised) and the Family Assessment Device were performed on all patients. Then, the patients were evaluated for a psychiatric disorder by a psychiatrist (according to the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV of the American Psychiatric Association). The results for the patients and control cases were compared statistically using Mann‐Whitney and Kruskal‐Wallis tests. Self‐image was found to be significantly lower in patients with TM than in control cases (P < 0.01). Hopelessness and Trait‐Anxiety scores were determined to be significantly higher in patients with TM than in control cases (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Eighty percent of the patients with TM have had at least one psychiatric disorder. As a result, the study showed that most of the patients with TM had severe psychosocial problems. Relying on these data, it was concluded that medical therapy of these patients should be supported with psychological aid and psychiatric treatment.
Studies on the site of renal tubular defect in Bartter's syndrome
Authors: KIKUCHI MASAHIRO , SATO MARIKO , CHIBA AKIKO , CHIBA YASUSHI , NAGAO KAZUYA , SUZUKI TOSHIYUKI , FUJIGAKI YOKO , HOSHINO HISAO
Published: January 2011

Renal tubular function was studied in an 8‐month‐old male infant with Bartter's syndrome, which is characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, normotensive hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism, and reduced pressor response to angiotensin II. Chloride transport along the diluting segment (CH2O/CH2O + CCl) was impaired. Furthermore, furosemide did not elicit normal natriuresis, which suggested impaired chloride reabsorptive capacity at the furosemide‐sensitive ascending limb of Henle's loop. Loss of antidiuretic hormone‐mediated urinary concentration was in support of this. These findings pointed to the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop as the site of the primary defect in this child.
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia associated with anti‐human platelet antigen‐3a antibody
Authors: TAKADA HIDETOSHI , NAKAMURA SHIGEYUKI , NISHIGUCHI TOSHIHIRO , MIYAKE KAZUYA , HAMADA KEISUKE , OSHIKAWA HIDETSUGU , SHINGU TOSHIMITSU , MORITA SHOJI , SHIBATA YOICHI
Published: January 2011

A sister and brother with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (NAITP) caused by maternal anti‐human platelet antigen (HPA)‐3a are reported. The children had transient severe thrombocytopenia in the newborn period, and were treated with intravenous γ‐globulin and platelet concentrates from random donors. Although the sister had intracranial hemorrhage on day 2 postnatally, the development of the child has been normal and no neurological sequelae have been observed. The brother only had bloody stool when the platelet count was low, and did not have severe hemorrhagic manifestations. The diagnosis of NAITP was made by the sera from the mother, which contained anti‐HPA‐3a antibody directed against platelets of the children. The rate of recurrence might be high in this family, because the father of the patients was found to be homozygous for the HPA‐3a gene.
Prolonged isoflurane anesthesia in a case of catastrophic asthma
Authors: MIYAGI TOSHIHIKO , GUSHIMA YASUHIRO , MATSUMOTO TOMOAKI , OKAMOTO KAZUFUMI , MIIKE TERUHISA
Published: January 2011

A 13‐year‐old female patient with life‐threatening asthma was treated with the inhalational anesthetic agent, 1% isoflurane, for 202 h (140 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) hours). The patient survived and exhibited no significant side effects attributable to the medication. The present patient report provides additional clinical information supporting the utilization of long‐term isoflurane general anesthesia in the management of refractory status asthmaticus that have not responded to aggressive medical management.
A comparison of GlideScope® videolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for nasotracheal intubation in children
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Jung , Kim Jin‐Tae , Kim Hee‐Soo , Kim Chong‐Sung , Kim Seong‐Deok
Published: January 2011

Background:  The relative effectiveness of GlideScope® videolaryngoscopy (GV) for nasotracheal intubation in pediatric patients is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of GV for nasotracheal intubation compared with direct laryngoscopy (DL) in pediatric patients.

Methods:  Our patient cohort consisted of 80 children <10 years of age who required nasotracheal intubation for elective dental or facial surgery. The patients were randomly allocated to GV (n = 40) or DL (n = 40) group. The time to intubation (TTI), glottic view grade, frequency of Magill forceps use, and degree of difficulty in intubation were evaluated.

Results:  The median TTI was similar between the groups. The TTI of the former 20 patients was faster in the DL group (53.3 s, interquartile range: 42.0–64.3) than GV group (65.9 s, interquartile range: 56.0–93.9) (P = 0.007), whereas the TTI of the latter 20 patients was comparable between the groups. There were no significant differences in glottic view grade, frequency of Magill forceps use, and degree of difficulty in intubation between the two groups.

Conclusions:  GV can provide similar intubation performance characteristics compared with DL when used for nasotracheal intubation in pediatric patients. However, experience is needed to be skillful in the GV to acquire comparable TTI with DL.
Role of modeling and simulation in pediatric investigation plans
Authors: Manolis Efthymios , Osman Tariq Eldirdiry , Herold Ralf , Koenig Franz , Tomasi Paolo , Vamvakas Spiros , Raymond Agnes Saint
Published: January 2011

Ethical and practical constraints encourage the optimal use of resources in pediatric drug development. Modeling and simulation has emerged as a promising methodology acknowledged by industry, academia, and regulators. We previously proposed a paradigm in pediatric drug development, whereby modeling and simulation is used as a decision tool, for study optimization and/or as a data analysis tool. Three and a half years since the Paediatric Regulation came into force in 2007, the European Medicines Agency has gained substantial experience in the use of modeling and simulation in pediatric drug development. In this review, we present examples on how the proposed paradigm applies in real case scenarios of planned pharmaceutical developments. We also report the results of a pediatric database search to further ‘validate’ the paradigm. There were 47 of 210 positive pediatric investigation plan (PIP) opinions that made reference to modeling and simulation (data included all positive opinions issued up to January 2010). This reflects a major shift in regulatory thinking. The ratio of PIPs with modeling and simulation rose to two in five based on the summary reports. Population pharmacokinetic (POP‐PK) and pharmacodynamics (POP‐PD) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic models are widely used by industry and endorsed or even imposed by regulators as a way to circumvent some difficulties in developing medicinal products in children. The knowledge of the effects of age and size on PK is improving, and models are widely employed to make optimal use of this knowledge but less is known about the effects of size and maturation on PD, disease progression, and safety. Extrapolation of efficacy from different age groups is often used in pediatric medicinal development as another means to alleviate the burden of clinical trials in children, and this can be aided by modeling and simulation to supplement clinical data. The regulatory assessment is finally judged on clinical grounds such as feasibility, ethical issues, prioritization of studies, and unmet medical need. The regulators are eager to expand the use of modeling and simulation to elucidate safety issues, to evaluate the effects of disease (e.g., renal or hepatic dysfunction), and to qualify mechanistic models that could help shift the current medicinal development paradigm.
Catabolic pathway for 2‐nitroimidazole involves a novel nitrohydrolase that also confers drug resistance
Authors: Qu Yi , Spain Jim C.
Published: January 2011

Antibiotic resistance in pathogens can be mediated by catabolic enzymes thought to originate from soil bacteria, but the physiological functions and evolutionary origins of the enzymes in natural ecosystems are poorly understood. 2‐Nitroimidazole (2NI) is a natural antibiotic and an analogue of the synthetic nitroimidazoles used for treatment of tuberculosis, Chagas' disease and cancer. Mycobacterium sp. JS330 was isolated from soil based on its ability to use 2NI as a sole growth substrate. The initial step in the degradation pathway is the hydrolytic denitration of 2NI to produce imidazol‐2‐one and nitrite. The amino acid sequence of 2NI nitrohydrolase is highly divergent from those of biochemically characterized enzymes, and it confers drug resistance when it is heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The unusual enzymatic reaction seems likely to determine the flux of nitroimidazole in natural ecosystems and also represents the discovery of a previously unreported drug resistance mechanism in soil before its identification in clinical situations.
Convergent dynamics of the juvenile European sea bass gut microbiota induced by poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate
Authors: De Schryver Peter , Dierckens Kristof , Bahn Thi Quyen Quyen , Amalia Rezki , Marzorati Massimo , Bossier Peter , Boon Nico , Verstraete Willy
Published: January 2011

Poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a bacterial energy and carbon storage compound which exhibits a controlling effect on the gastrointestinal microbiota. Its beneficial activities for aquaculture have already been shown in terms of increased disease resistance and growth performance in a number of studies. However, the action of PHB on the intestinal microbial community in the treated animals has not yet been studied in depth. In this research, the effects of PHB on the microbiota composition in the intestinal tract of juvenile sea bass were examined. It was found that fish cohabiting in the same tank were on average 87% similar regarding the intestinal microbiota. When subjected to the same treatment and environmental conditions but reared in different tanks, the compositions of the enteric communities diverged. The provision of PHB overruled this tank effect by sustaining a microbial core community in the gut that represented 60% of the total bacterial diversity at the highest PHB level of 10%. The microbial community compositions converged between replicate tanks upon supplementation of PHB and were characterized by high dynamics and increased evenness. The results are discussed in the framework of hypotheses that try to relate the intestinal microbial community composition to the health status of the host organisms.
Reasons to be Fearful, One, Two, Three: The ‘Preventing Violent Extremism’ Agenda
Authors: Stevens David
Published: January 2011

In an oft-neglected chapter of his Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith applies his economic arguments to the question of religious groups, arguing that a peaceable society is most efficiently secured not by state sponsorship of religion, but by an absence of support; in essence a free market of religious ideas. This article applies Smith's insights, and the wealth of supporting material from the intervening years, to the question of Islamic radicalisation in the UK. Contrary to current attempts to produce and support ‘moderate’ Islamic groups via state subsidy, I argue that such action actually runs the risk of fuelling extremism. The UK's Preventing Violent Extremism agenda is based on a mistaken assumption about why individuals join radical groups, as well as a false picture of how religious groups operate.
GLOBALIZATION AND STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS
Authors: Arora Rashmi Umesh
Published: January 2011

Globalization has different connotations for different social sciences and its social, economic and cultural impact have been examined by a number of studies. This study uses a novel approach to apply Rostow's stages of economic growth in the context of Indian states and examines whether the states in India are ready for globalization. An important finding of the study is that not only are the different states in India at different stages of growth, but also in some states, features of different stages as set out by Rostow were found co‐existing at the same time. Foreign direct investment and other indicators are higher in states which are at higher stages of development and vice versa.
Emerging Asia: Decoupling or Recoupling
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Lee Jong‐Wha , Park Cyn‐Young
Published: January 2011

In this paper, we investigate the degree of real economic interdependence between emerging East Asian and major industrial countries to shed light on the heated debate over the ‘decoupling’ of emerging East Asia. We first document the evolution of macroeconomic interdependence for emerging East Asian economies through changing trade and financial linkages at both the regional and global levels. Then, by employing a panel vector autoregression (VAR) model, we estimate the degree of real economic interdependence before and after the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis. Empirical findings show that real economic interdependence increased significantly in the post‐crisis period, suggesting ‘recoupling’, rather than decoupling, in recent years. Output shocks from major industrial countries have a significant positive effect on emerging East Asian economies. More interestingly, the reverse is also true. Output shocks from emerging East Asia (and China) have a significant positive effect on output in major industrial countries. The result suggests that macroeconomic interdependence between emerging East Asia and industrial countries have become ‘bi‐directional’, defying the traditional notion of the ‘North–South relationship’ as one of ‘uni‐directional’ dependence.
Internationalisation and Economic Performance of Enterprises: Evidence from Polish Firm‐level Data
Authors: Hagemejer Jan , Kolasa Marcin
Published: January 2011

This article provides evidence on the relative performance of internationalised firms using Polish firm‐level data, spanning the period 1996–2005 and covering all medium and large enterprises. We distinguish between three modes of internationalisation: foreign direct investment, exporting and importing of capital goods. Our results point strongly at the superior performance of foreign affiliates vs domestic firms, exporters vs non‐exporters, and importers vs non‐importers: internationalised firms are larger, more capital intensive, pay higher wages and are more productive than purely domestic firms. Foreign ownership is the strongest factor accounting for gains from internationalisation. The premia from exporting are substantially lower, though also significantly positive. The performance of capital goods importers is also higher compared to non‐importers and is to some extent related to their involvement in other types of international activity. The results are robust to the choice of specification and productivity estimator. The analysed enterprises recorded a sizeable and broad‐based productivity improvement over the period under consideration. Not only the initial levels of productivity of exporters, importers and foreign affiliates were on average significantly higher that those of their non‐internationalised counterparts, but they also recorded faster productivity gains (manifested in increasing productivity premia), so that the discrepancies grew even larger. We also perform the analysis of productivity spillovers from internationalised firms onto own, downstream and upstream sectors. We find evidence of significant horizontal and backward spillovers from all three types of international activity. Our results suggest that trade externalities are rather of a horizontal nature, while those related to foreign direct investment operate mainly via backward linkages.
Do Financial Constraints Matter for Foreign Market Entry? A Firm‐level Examination
Authors: Stiebale Joel
Published: January 2011

Recent theoretical and empirical contributions stress the importance of financial development for international trade. This paper investigates whether financial constraints matter for foreign market entry at the firm level using dynamic panel data techniques. Dynamic Probit and Tobit models that account for state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity are used to analyse the effect of financial indicators on export activities. The empirical framework tests for heterogeneous effects among different quartiles of the size and productivity distribution, across previous exporters and potential starters, and across different types of industries as those are predicted by theoretical models. The empirical analysis is applied to a large panel dataset of French manufacturing firms over the years 1998–2005. The data contain a high share of small firms that are usually the most likely to be financially constrained. Although financial indicators are significantly correlated with export status and export share, there is no evidence that financial constraints have a direct impact on foreign market participation or sales in foreign markets once observed and unobserved firm heterogeneity is controlled for. This result is robust to using alternative estimation techniques and also holds for subgroups of firms that are more likely to face financial constraints and industries that are more dependent on financial factors.
HOW THE OLD LEFT HAS FOUND A NEW PLACE IN THE MEMORY GAME
Authors: Hutton Patrick H.
Published: January 2011

In his new book, How Modernity Forgets, Paul Connerton seeks to show a relationship between the workings of late capitalism and the institutionalization of forgetfulness in ever more abstract conceptions of space and time. He uses this argument to explain why the topic of collective memory has waxed so large in contemporary historical scholarship. I interpret his argument in light of his earlier work on habit memory and his still earlier critique of Frankfurt School social theory. I close with some comments on his study in the context of recent work on mnemonic practices in modern culture.
THE FRONTIER REMIX
Authors: Mokoena Hlonipha
Published: January 2011

In The Deaths of Hintsa: Postapartheid South Africa and the Shape of Recurring Pasts, Premesh Lalu claims to offer a critique of apartheid's colonial past. Emblematic of this colonial past is the 1835 killing and mutilation of the Xhosa king Hintsa. Lalu uses this violent event to argue against the evidence provided by the colonial archives. He argues that the killing of Hintsa was not an empirical fact but a product of the colonial imagination. The review argues that although the critique of apartheid's colonial past is timely, the book is not about Hintsa and does not therefore offer an alternative narrative of the death of the Xhosa king.
New approach for glyco‐ and lipidomics – Molecular scanning of human brain gangliosides by TLC‐Blot and MALDI‐QIT‐TOF MS
Authors: Valdes‐Gonzalez Tania , Goto‐Inoue Naoko , Hirano Wakako , Ishiyama Hironobu , Hayasaka Takahiro , Setou Mitsutoshi , Taki Takao
Published: January 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 678–683.

We have developed a TLC‐Blot system that makes possible the direct analysis of blotted glycosphingolipids on a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane from a high‐performance TLC plate by immunological staining, chemical staining, enzymatic treatment and mass spectrometric (MS) analysis. An ion trap type matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐quadrupole ion trap‐time of flight (MALDI‐QIT‐TOF) MS apparatus improved not only the molecular identification but also the analysis of molecular species of lipids on the polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. A new approach for glyco‐ and lipidomics, molecular scanning technology by a combination of TLC‐Blot and MALDI‐QIT‐TOF MS, was developed and applied to human brain gangliosides separated from the tissues of patients with neural diseases and control patients. The results clearly showed a change of ganglioside composition, in addition to identifying individual ganglioside molecular species, in the hippocampus gray matter of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The results strongly suggested that metabolic changes of gangliosides played an important role in the progression of this disease. The present technology with molecular imaging should provide valuable information for elucidating the significance of molecular species in neuronal functions such as neural transmission, memory, and learning.
Representations of hysterectomy as a transition process in Finnish women’s and health magazines
Authors: Nykanen Kaisa , Suominen Tarja , Nikkonen Merja
Published: January 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 608–616 Representations of hysterectomy as a transition process in Finnish women’s and health magazines

The purpose of this article was to describe representations of hysterectomy in Finnish women’s and health magazines. The data used in the study were obtained from six Finnish women’s and health magazines. Using content analysis, 42 articles were analysed. We identified two main categories, information about care and treatment and women’s experiences. In the first category, there emerged six subcategories: role of uterus, indications for hysterectomy, operative techniques of hysterectomy, alternative methods of treatment, pros and cons of hysterectomy and patient guidance. The second category consisted of women’s experiences of hysterectomy as a period of transition. The components of the transition theory were confirmed by the women’s stories. We also wanted to highlight the fact that the result shows that nurses were missing from the media coverage regarding hysterectomy.
Wellbeing among people with dementia and their next of kin over a period of 3 years
Authors: Holst Göran , Edberg Anna‐Karin
Published: January 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 549–557
 
Wellbeing among people with dementia and their next of kin over a period of 3 years

Little is known about the dyadic experience over time of people with dementia and their next of kin. The aim of this study was to investigate the state of mind of people with dementia, their next of kin’s experience of burden and satisfaction, and factors associated with these experiences over a 3‐year period. The sample consisted of 32 people with dementia living at home with family caregivers in the south of Sweden. Data were collected during the period 2004–2007 and consisted of patients self reports (GDS), dementia nurse assessment (MMSE, Berger and ADL) and next‐of‐kin assessment (patient’s state of mind and care provision). Data also consisted of next‐of‐kin’s self reports concerning health, burden and satisfaction. The result showed that patients’ state of mind was mainly positive at baseline but a deterioration was seen over time in the patient’s mood and cognitive functioning together with an increase in ADL‐dependency and suspected depression. Dependency in personal ADL entailed a higher risk of being in a negative state of mind. For next of kin the experience of burden increased while satisfaction decreased over the 3 years. The inter‐relationship between the patients’ mood and the caregiver’s satisfaction and burden seems to get stronger over time. At baseline caregiver burden was mainly related to the next of kins’ general health and to patient behaviours that were difficult to handle. During the progression of the disease caregiver satisfaction becomes increasingly related to patient state of mind and dependency. There is, however, a need for more research focusing on the specific inter‐relational aspects as previous studies have mainly focused on either the situation for the person with dementia or on the caregiver.
Learning to live with illness: experiences of persons with recent diagnoses of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kneck Åsa , Klang Birgitta , Fagerberg Ingegerd
Published: January 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25: 558–566
 
Learning to live with illness: experiences of people recently diagnosed with diabetes

Background:  The process of learning to live with an illness is complex. By better understanding the learning process for persons with diabetes in the early stage of the illness, the role of the health care can be shown.

Aim:  To reach an understanding of how learning to live with diabetes is experienced in the first 2 months after diagnosis.

Method:  A qualitative descriptive design was used, and interviews were conducted. Thirteen participants with a recent diagnosis of diabetes were included and asked to narrate about their experience of living with diabetes. Qualitative inductive content analysis was used.

Findings: Four themes emerged: ‘taken over by a new reality’, ‘the body plays a role in life’, ‘different ways of learning’ and ‘the healthcare service as a necessary partner’.

Conclusion:  People with short‐term experience of the illness gained knowledge through personal resources such as their own experience and self‐reflection. The learning process includes an inner dialogue between the self, the body and the life. Participants were concerned with grasping a new reality and understanding a different self and body where lifestyle changes and uncertainty were present. When health care was accessible and sensitive to their needs, those with short‐term experience of diabetes chose the staff as key players in the early stages of their life with diabetes.
Insights into chemotaxonomic composition and carbon cycling of phototrophic communities in an artesian sulfur‐rich spring (Zodletone, Oklahoma, USA), a possible analog for ancient microbial mat systems
Authors: BÜHRING S. I. , SIEVERT S. M. , JONKERS H. M. , ERTEFAI T. , ELSHAHED M. S. , KRUMHOLZ L. R. , HINRICHS K.‐U.
Published: January 2011

Zodletone spring in Oklahoma is a unique environment with high concentrations of dissolved‐sulfide (10 mm) and short‐chain gaseous alkanes, exhibiting characteristics that are reminiscent of conditions that are thought to have existed in Earth’s history, in particular the late Archean and early‐to‐mid Proterozoic. Here, we present a process‐oriented investigation of the microbial community in two distinct mat formations at the spring source, (1) the top of the sediment in the source pool and (2) the purple streamers attached to the side walls. We applied a combination of pigment and lipid biomarker analyses, while functional activities were investigated in terms of oxygen production (microsensor analysis) and carbon utilization (13C incorporation experiments). Pigment analysis showed cyanobacterial pigments, in addition to pigments from purple sulfur bacteria (PSB), green sulfur bacteria (GSB) and Chloroflexus‐like bacteria (CLB). Analysis of intact polar lipids (IPLs) in the source sediment confirmed the presence of phototrophic organisms via diacylglycerol phospholipids and betaine lipids, whereas glyceroldialkylglyceroltetraether additionally indicated the presence of archaea. No archaeal IPLs were found in the purple streamers, which were strongly dominated by betaine lipids. 13C‐bicarbonate‐ and ‐acetate‐labeling experiments indicated cyanobacteria as predominant phototrophs in the source sediment, carbon was actively fixed by PSB/CLB/GSB in purple streamers by using near infrared light. Despite the presence of cyanobacteria, no oxygen could be detected in the presence of light, suggesting anoxygenic photosynthesis as the major metabolic process at this site. Our investigations furthermore indicated photoheterotrophy as an important process in both habitats. We obtained insights into a syntrophically operating phototrophic community in an ecosystem that bears resemblance to early Earth conditions, where cyanobacteria constitute an important contributor to carbon fixation despite the presence of high sulfide concentrations.
Inhibitor of PI3Kγ ameliorates TNBS‐induced colitis in mice by affecting the functional activity of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+regulatory T cells
Authors: Dutra RC , Cola M , Leite DFP , Bento AF , Claudino RF , Nascimento AFZ , Leal PC , Calixto JB
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐γ (PI3Kγ) is implicated in many pathophysiological conditions, and recent evidence has suggested its involvement in colitis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AS605240, a relatively selective PI3Kγ inhibitor, in experimental colitis and its underlying mechanisms.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Acute colitis was induced in mice by treatment with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS), and the effect of AS605240 on colonic injury was assessed. Pro‐inflammatory mediators and cytokines were measured by immunohistochemistry,elisa, real time‐polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry.

KEY RESULTS

Oral administration of AS605240 significantly attenuated TNBS‐induced acute colitis and diminished the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and vascular endothelial growth factor. The colonic levels and expression of IL‐1β, CXCL‐1/KC, MIP‐2 and TNF‐α were also reduced following therapeutic treatment with AS605240. Moreover, AS605240 reduced MIP‐2 levels in a culture of neutrophils stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The mechanisms underlying these actions of AS605240 are related to nuclear factor‐κ (NF‐κB) inhibition. Importantly, the PI3Kγ inhibitor also up‐regulated IL‐10, CD25 and FoxP3 expression. In addition, a significant increase in CD25 and FoxP3 expression was found in isolated lamina propria CD4+T cells of AS605240‐treated mice. The effect of AS605240 on Treg induction was further confirmed by showing that concomitantin vivoblockade of IL‐10R significantly attenuated its therapeutic activity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that AS605240 protects mice against TNBS‐induced colitis by inhibiting multiple inflammatory components through the NF‐κB pathway while simultaneously inducing an increase in the functional activity of CD4+CD25+Treg. Thus, AS605240 may offer a promising new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.
The Language of Diplomacy
Authors: GUL ABDULLAH
Published: January 2011

Is Internet freedom an absolute, universal value like freedom of speech? If there are limits, how and by whom can they be established? Is crying fire or scaling firewalls anymore acceptable in cyberspace than in physical space? What is the impact on the discourse between nations, cultures and individuals?

In this section, we gather a collage of comments from various key players from Google to Wikileaks to the US State Department along with comments by one of the most cogent analysts of the Net and the president of Turkey.
The Splintering of the G‐20
Authors: KENNEDY PAUL
Published: January 2011

The solidarity of the G‐20 nations in staving off global financial crisis two years ago has deteriorated into a brawl over currency valuations, trade imbalances and sovereign debt, reflecting the great powershift from the West to the East and the emerging economies.

In this section, we invited comments from historians, a former head of state who successfully navigated the Asian financial crisis and a prominent Chinese dissident.
The Long‐term Solution for Europe
Authors: ATTALI JACQUES , PAMBOUKIS HARIS
Published: January 2011

The solidarity of the G‐20 nations in staving off global financial crisis two years ago has deteriorated into a brawl over currency valuations, trade imbalances and sovereign debt, reflecting the great powershift from the West to the East and the emerging economies.

In this section, we invited comments from historians, a former head of state who successfully navigated the Asian financial crisis and a prominent Chinese dissident.
The Next 40 Years Will Be the Most Important in History
Authors: MORRIS IAN
Published: January 2011

The solidarity of the G‐20 nations in staving off global financial crisis two years ago has deteriorated into a brawl over currency valuations, trade imbalances and sovereign debt, reflecting the great powershift from the West to the East and the emerging economies.

In this section, we invited comments from historians, a former head of state who successfully navigated the Asian financial crisis and a prominent Chinese dissident.
Terminal Arteriolar Network Structure/Function and Plasma Cytokine Levels in db/db and ob/ob Mouse Skeletal Muscle
Authors: GEORGI MELISSA K. , VIGILANCE JACQUELINE , DEWAR ANTHONY M. , FRAME MARY D.
Published: January 2011

Please cite this paper as: Georgi, Vigilance, Dewar, and Frame (2011). Terminal Arteriolar Network Structure/Function and Plasma Cytokine Levels in db/db and ob/ob Mouse Skeletal Muscle. Microcirculation 18(3), 238–251.

Objective:  To investigate the terminal arteriolar network structure and function in relation to circulating plasma cytokine levels in db/db, ob/ob, and their genetic background control, C57/bl6, mice.

Methods:  Arteriolar network size and erythrocyte distribution were observed in the resting cremaster muscle (n = 45, pentobarbital 50 mg/kg i.p.). Structural remodeling and inflammatory state were related to 21 plasma cytokine levels.

Results:  db/db networks were shorter, had fewer branches, and smaller diameters than C57/bl6 controls. ob/ob networks were longer, with similar branch numbers, however with non‐uniform diameters. Shunting of erythrocytes to the specific terminal arteriolar branches of the network (functional rarefaction) was prominent in db/db and ob/ob, with further evidence of shunting between networks seen as no flow to 50% of ob/ob arteriolar networks.

Conclusions:  Altered levels of plasma cytokines are consistent with structural remodeling seen in db/db, and a pro‐inflammatory state for both db/db and ob/ob. Differences in network structure alone predict overall reduced uniform oxygen delivery in db/db or ob/ob. Shunting probably increases heterogeneous oxygen delivery and is strain‐dependent.
A Work Approach to Determine Vickers Indentation Fracture Toughness
Authors: Feng Yihui , Zhang Taihua , Yang Rong
Published: January 2011

According to the comparison of Vickers microindentation tests and Vickers macroindentation tests on several brittle materials, it is found that the ratio of hardness (H) to elastic modulus (E) is sensitive to well‐developed radial cracks, but the ratio of unloading work (Wu) to total loading work (Wt) is not. Based on this finding together with the approximate linear relationship between the ratio of H to reduced modulus (Er) and Wu/Wt, a new approach taking Wu/Wt instead of H/E as the input parameter to determine Vickers indentation fracture toughness is proposed. For this proposed approach, all input parameters can be obtained in one single instrumented indentation test for fracture toughness, thus the test procedure can be simplified significantly. The formula of the newly proposed approach is calibrated by the macroindentation tests on several brittle materials. The validity of the new approach is investigated by comparing its estimation with the old one's.
Intraguild interactions among generalist predator functional groups drive impact on herbivore and decomposer prey
Authors: Sanders Dirk , Schaefer Matthias , Platner Christian , Griffiths Georgianne J. K.
Published: January 2011

Different functional groups of generalist predators may complement each other in controlling prey populations; but intraguild interactions, common among generalist predators, may also reduce the strength of top–down control. In natural communities greater alterations to ecosystem function are expected if a whole functional group declines in abundance or is lost. Therefore studying functional group diversity is important for predicting effects of predator loss. We studied the top–down impact of web‐building spiders, hunting spiders and ants, which are highly abundant generalist predators in most terrestrial ecosystems, on prey from the herbivore and decomposer system of a grassland food web. The density of the three predator groups was manipulated by continuous removal in a three‐factorial designed field experiment, which was carried out for two years.

We found no positive effect of increasing predator functional group richness on prey control. However there was evidence for strong composition effects between the functional groups. The presence of ants in predator assemblages reduced the prey suppression through mostly trait‐mediated intraguild interactions, while hunting and web‐building spiders contributed additively to prey suppression and reduced the density of herbivore and decomposer prey by 50–60%. A trophic cascade on plant biomass triggered by web‐builders and hunting spiders was diminished at levels of higher predator group diversity.

In conclusion, our experiments showed that intraguild interactions strongly influence the strength of top–down control by generalist predators. Among spiders there was evidence for a positive relation between functional group richness and prey suppression but the overall outcome strongly depended on the occurrence of interference, driven by trait‐mediated indirect interactions.
Effect of dentin etching and chlorhexidine application on metalloproteinase‐mediated collagen degradation
Authors: Osorio Raquel , Yamauti Mónica , Osorio Estrella , Ruiz‐Requena María E. , Pashley David , Tay Franklin , Toledano Manuel
Published: January 2011

Osorio R, Yamauti M, Osorio E, Ruiz‐Requena ME, Pashley D, Tay F, Toledano M. Effect of dentin etching and chlorhexidine application on metalloproteinase‐mediated collagen degradation.
 
Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119: 79–85. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci

Dentin matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the degradation of collagen in resin–dentin interfaces. This study evaluated whether collagen degradation can be prevented by chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) after different dentin demineralization procedures. The demineralization of human dentin was performed with phosphoric acid (PA), EDTA or acidic monomers (Clearfil SE Bond and Xeno V). Specimens were stored (for 24 h, or for 1 or 3 wk) in the presence or absence of CHX. In half of the groups, active MMP‐2 was incorporated into the storage solution. At the end of each storage period, the C‐terminal telopeptide (ICTP) concentration (which indicates the amount of collagen degradation) was measured in the storage solution. Collagen degradation was higher in PA‐ and EDTA‐demineralized dentin. Chlorhexidine digluconate reduced collagen degradation in these groups only for 24 h. When dentin was demineralized with Clearfil SE Bond or Xeno V, collagen degradation was reduced by up to 30%, but the addition of exogenous MMP‐2 significantly increased collagen degradation. In self‐etchant‐treated dentin, the inhibitory effect of CHX on MMPs lasted for up to 3 wk. Treating dentin with EDTA, PA or self‐etching agents produces enough demineralization to permit cleavage of the exposed collagen. Monomer infiltration may exert protection on demineralized collagen, probably through immobilization of MMPs. The partial inhibitory action of CHX on MMP activity produced by self‐etching adhesives was prolonged compared with the short‐acting PA‐ or EDTA‐treated dentin.
Effect of diabetes on orthodontic tooth movement in a mouse model
Authors: Braga Sarah M. G. , de Albuquerque Taddei Silvana R. , Andrade Ildeu , Queiroz‐Junior Celso M. , Garlet Gustavo P. , Repeke Carlos E. , Teixeira Mauro M. , da Silva Tarcília A.
Published: January 2011

Braga SMG, de Albuquerque Taddei SR, Andrade I Jr, Queiroz‐Junior CM, Garlet GP, Repeke CE, Teixeira MM, da Silva TA. Effect of diabetes on orthodontic tooth movement in a mouse model. Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119: 7–14. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci

Orthodontic tooth movement is achieved by the remodeling of alveolar bone in response to mechanical loading. Type 1 diabetes results in bone remodeling, suggesting that this disease might affect orthodontic tooth movement. The present study investigated the effects of the diabetic state on orthodontic tooth movement. An orthodontic appliance was placed in normoglycemic (NG), streptozotocin‐induced diabetes (DB), and insulin‐treated DB (IT) C57BL6/J mice. Histomorphometric analysis and quantitative PCR of periodontium were performed. The DB mice exhibited greater orthodontic tooth movement and had a higher number of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphate (TRAP) ‐positive osteoclasts than NG mice. This was associated with increased expression of factors involved in osteoclast activity and recruitment (Rankl, Csf1, Ccl2, Ccl5, and Tnfa) in DB mice. The expression of osteoblastic markers (Runx2, Ocn, Col1, and Alp) was decreased in DB mice. Reversal of the diabetic state by insulin treatment resulted in morphological findings similar to those of NG mice. These results suggest that the diabetic state up‐regulates osteoclast migration and activity and down‐regulates osteoblast differentiation, resulting in greater orthodontic tooth movement.
Anxiety and depressive disorders and dental fear among adults in Finland
Authors: Pohjola Vesa , Mattila Aino K , Joukamaa Matti , Lahti Satu
Published: January 2011

Pohjola V, Mattila AK, Joukamaa M, Lahti S. Anxiety and depressive disorders and dental fear among adults in Finland.
 
Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119: 55–60. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci

We studied the association between dental fear and anxiety or depressive disorders, as well as the comorbidity of dental fear with anxiety and depressive disorders, controlling for socio‐demographic characteristics, dental attendance, and dental health. Nationally representative data on Finnish adults, ≥ 30 yr of age (n = 5,953), were gathered through interviews and clinical examination. Dental fear was measured using the question: ‘How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?’ Anxiety and/or depressive disorders were assessed using a standardized structured psychiatric interview according to criteria presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) (DSM‐IV).Those with depressive disorders, generalized anxiety disorder or social phobia more commonly reported high dental fear than did those without these disorders. When age, gender, education, dental attendance, and the number of decayed, missing, and restored teeth were considered, those with generalized anxiety disorder were more likely to have high dental fear than were participants with neither anxiety nor depressive disorders. The comorbidity of depressive and anxiety disorders also remained statistically significantly associated with dental fear; those with both depressive and anxiety disorders were more likely to have high dental fear than were those without these disorders. Our findings support the suggestion that some individuals may have a personality that is vulnerable to dental fear.
No evidence for a role ofCRISPLD2in non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in an Italian population
Authors: Girardi Ambra , Martinelli Marcella , Carinci Francesco , Morselli Paolo G. , Caramelli Elisabetta , Scapoli Luca
Published: January 2011

Girardi A, Martinelli M, Carinci F, Morselli PG, Caramelli E, Scapoli L. No evidence for a role of CRISPLD2 in non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in an Italian population. Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119: 102–105. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci

Non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is a malformation with variable phenotypes, resulting from a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have supported a role for the 16q24 region and its candidate gene,CRISPLD2, in clefting. A replication study is necessary to confirm these findings. The aim of the present study was to test, by genetic linkage and association analyses, whether the candidate gene,CRISPLD2, represents a risk factor for NSCLP. The analysis of 39 multigenerational families provided formal exclusion of a linkage between NSCLP and theCRISPLD2locus under different genetic models and non‐parametric analyses. The family‐based study of 239 unrelated probands and their parents revealed no association between any particular allele or haplotype and NSCLP. Therefore, the present investigation did not support the hypothesis of the involvement ofCRISPLD2in NSCLP malformation, at least with regard to the Italian population.