bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Trouble with Girls Today: Professional Perspectives on Young Women’s Offending
Authors: Sharpe Gilly
Published: December 2009

Drawing on recent empirical research, this article discusses youth justice professionals’ beliefs about the causes of young women’s offending, and examines whether ‘moral panics’ proclaiming that we are witnessing an explosion in female youth crime and disorder are reflected in contemporary youth justice discourse. I found disturbing evidence that girls continue to be drawn into the youth justice system for welfare reasons — as a result of the criminalization of domestic disputes or because of concerns about their sexual vulnerability. The widespread cultural belief that girls are getting worse received some support amongst youth justice practitioners and managers, although many professionals expressed confusion as to whether female youthful behaviour has deteriorated or whether girls are subject to more intensive and formalized methods of governance than hitherto. The implications of these findings for the criminalization of girls are discussed.
Reflective learning in action research
Authors: Walakira Eddy Joshua
Published: December 2009

The Community Dialogue (CD) approach is considered to be significant in teasing out the realities, concerns, priorities and challenges of meeting the needs of young people, which can form the basis for more appropriate preventive interventions. Community dialogue approaches were used in our study, which involved a broad participation of different stakeholders as part of understanding the social contexts of the youth and sexuality, as well as reflecting on what actions the different stakeholders could undertake to reverse the current HIV and AIDS infection trends among the youth. The strategy underscored the community priorities as the basis for intervention/action. After thinking through and discussing the various intervention options, women and girls within their groups reached consensus to implement selected micro-projects which would be combined with HIV/ AIDS education activities. This article describes the key lessons learnt from implementation of these micro-projects through reflection. It describes and analyses the processes and nature of participation, the experiences of participants and facilitators, the challenges and issues relevant to address HIV/AIDS focusing on personal, social and economic considerations within the context of interventions.
Cinemaethnographic Specta(c)torship: Discursive Readings of What We Choose to (Dis)possess
Authors: Holmes Rachel
Published: December 2009

This article examines critical methodological issues emerging from the interstices of applied educational research, social science research, and arts-based research, bringing criticality into the field of childhood. The author aims to question how she might w(rest)le (un)comfortably with “what is worth looking at” when studying children. Maneuvering between observations of children in classrooms and representations of children in film, the author will not only consider ways she enacts discrete performances of specta(c)torship but also how she might resist revoking one performance for another within her “practices of looking” by conjuring the menace of ambivalent narratives. Rather than falling into familiar framing devices that serve to embrace some, but prohibit other ways of seeing, she will procure notions of colonialism and restless hybridity to incite antagonistic play on the edges of ethnographic specta(c)torship, drawing on Stronach’s notion of “lean-to” concepts.
Review: Item Analysis of ADAS-Cog: Effect of Baseline Cognitive Impairment in a Clinical AD Trial
Authors: Sevigny Jeffrey J. , Yahong Peng  , Lian Liu  , Lines Christopher R.
Published: December 2009

We explored the association of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog) item scores with AD severity using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the same study. Post hoc analyses were performed using placebo data from a 12-month trial of patients with mild-to-moderate AD (N = 281 randomized, N = 209 completed). Baseline distributions of ADAS-Cog item scores by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) sum of boxes score (measures of dementia severity) were estimated using local and nonparametric regressions. Mixed-effect models were used to characterize ADAS-Cog item score changes over time by dementia severity (MMSE: mild = 21-26, moderate = 14-20; global CDR: mild = 0.5-1, moderate = 2). In the cross-sectional analysis of baseline ADAS-Cog item scores, orientation was the most sensitive item to differentiate patients across levels of cognitive impairment. Several items showed a ceiling effect, particularly in milder AD. In the longitudinal analysis of change scores over 12 months, orientation was the only item with noticeable decline (8%-10%) in mild AD. Most items showed modest declines (5%-20%) in moderate AD.
Willingness to be Screened and Tested for Cognitive Impairment: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Authors: Williams Christine L. , Tappen Ruth M. , Rosselli Monica , Keane Florence , Newlin Kelley
Published: December 2009

Objective: The purpose was to describe (a) individuals’ reasons for participating in cognitive screening and (b) reasons to pursue testing after screening across 4 ethnic groups: African American, Afro-Caribbean, European American, and Hispanic American. Methods: Prior to memory screening, 119 adults were interviewed regarding their thoughts about memory screening and follow-up testing. Interviews were coded and differences between ethnic groups were compared. Results: More African Americans and European Americans were concerned about their memory. More Hispanic Americans planned to seek professional help if needed. Hispanic Americans were most optimistic about treatment. Conclusions: Future research is needed to better understand cultural factors that influence older adults’ willingness to be screened for cognitive impairment and to pursue follow-up testing when recommended.
Tenofovir-Emtricitabine-Efavirenz in HIV-I-Infected Adults in Senegal: A 96-Week Pilot Trial in Treatment-Naive Patients
Authors: Landman R. , Poupard M. , Diallo M. , Ngom Gueye N.F. , Diakhate N. , Ndiaye B. , Toure Kane C. , Trylesinski A. , Diop H. , Mboup S. , Koita Fall M.B. , Delaporte E. , Benalycherif A. , Girard P.M. , Sow P.S.
Published: December 2009

We report the results of a pilot open-label trial of a tenofovir (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC)/efavirenz (EFV) combination conducted in Dakar, Senegal. Forty HIV-1-infected patients, naive of antiretroviral treatment and without active opportunistic disease, were included and followed through 96 weeks. At weeks 48 and 96, respectively, 82.5% and 85% of patients had HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/mL (72.5% and 77.5% with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL). Between baseline and week 96, the mean (SD) CD4 count increased from 126 (102) to 338 (155) cells/mm3. The mean (SD) creatinine clearance decreased from 92 (36) to 73 (19) mL/min (P = .001). Treatment adherence was at least 94% at all scheduled visits. The efficacy and tolerability of a TDF/FTC/EFV combination were high and similar to those observed in Northern countries. This drug combination can be recommended in limited-resource countries, as did the World Health Organization (WHO) and should be made readily available as a fixed-dose combination.
Epidemiology of Opportunistic Infections and Its Correlation With CD4 T-Lymphocyte Counts and Plasma Viral Load Among HIV-Positive Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in India
Authors: Gautam Hitender , Bhalla Preena , Saini Sanjeev , Uppal Beena , Kaur Ravinder , Baveja Chander Prakash , Dewan Richa
Published: December 2009

The study was conducted to find the correlation of CD4 counts and plasma viral load (PVL) with opportunistic infections (OIs) in HIV-positive patients. A total of 43 drug-naive patients enrolled in the study. Absolute CD4 counts and PVL were measured. On the basis of symptoms, sputum, stool, and blood samples were obtained for laboratory tests. Oral swabs were obtained from all the patients. Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia was found in 45.2% patients (odds ratio [OR] = 12.8 for CD4 counts ≤100 cells/ mm3 and 8.5 for PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL). Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB; OR = 8.0 for PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL) and streptococcal pneumonia (detected only with CD4 counts <50 cells/mm 3 and PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL) were seen in 41.9% and 12.9% patients, respectively. Among patients with diarrhea, Giardia lamblia was detected in 31% patients (OR = 3.0 for CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm3 and 4.0 for PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL) and Cryptosporidium in 17.2% patients (OR = 1.8 for CD4 counts ≤100 cells/mm3 and found only with PVL >4.0 log10 copies/mL). Shigellosis and Clostridium difficile toxin was present in 13.6% patients and 6.8% patients, respectively.
Lack of Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Bacteremia in HIV-Infected Patients in an Urban US Setting
Authors: Forrest Graeme N. , Wagner Lee-Ann M. , Talwani Rohit , Gilliam Bruce L.
Published: December 2009

Non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS) bacteremia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals worldwide. Recent reports have noted increasing resistance of NTS isolates to fluoroquinolones, the recommended first-line therapy for NTS bacteremia. The outcomes and risk factors for NTS bacteremia in HIV-infected patients in an urban US setting were evaluated. From January 2002 to December 2006, 26 episodes of NTS bacteremia were identified in 16 patients. The risk factors for NTS bacteremia were low CD4 count, high viral load, and lack of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Recurrences appeared related to lack of immune reconstitution in patients not on ART. Unlike reports from Asia, no fluoroquinolone resistance was identified in any of the Salmonella strains isolated in this setting. Optimal treatment of NTS in the HIV-infected patient in the United States should include therapy with fluoroquinolones as well as attaining complete viral suppression and immune reconstitution with ART.
Current Concepts in the Evaluation and Treatment of the Shoulder in Overhead-Throwing Athletes, Part 1: Physical Characteristics and Clinical Examination
Authors: Reinold Michael M. , Gill Thomas J.
Published: December 2009

The overhead-throwing athlete is a challenging sports medicine patient. The repetitive microtraumatic stresses imposed on the athlete’s shoulder joint complex during the throwing motion constantly places the athlete at risk for injury. These stresses may effect several adaptations to normal shoulder range of motion, strength, and scapula position. The clinician should therefore appreciate the unique physical characteristics of the overhead-throwing athlete to accurately evaluate and treat throwing-related injuries.
Congenital Splenic Cyst: A Rare Prenatal Finding
Authors: Having Karen , Anderson Shannon
Published: December 2009

A congenital splenic cyst is a rare prenatal sonographic finding. This case reports a 17.6 × 15.1-mm cystic structure visualized in the upper pole of the fetal spleen during a sonographic examination of a primigravida woman in her late 20s who presented at an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 36 weeks, 6 days. This finding was not documented in an earlier scan performed at an EGA of 19 weeks. Etiology, pathogenesis, follow-up, treatment, and differential diagnoses associated with congenital splenic cyst are presented.
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during platelet storage: consequences for platelet recovery and hemostatic function in vivo
Authors: Canault Matthias , Duerschmied Daniel , Brill Alexander , Stefanini Lucia , Schatzberg Daphne , Cifuni Stephen M. , Bergmeier Wolfgang , Wagner Denisa D.
Published: December 2009

Platelets undergo several modifications during storage that reduce their posttransfusion survival and functionality. One important feature of these changes, which are known as platelet storage lesion, is the shedding of the surface glycoproteins GPIb-α and GPV. We recently demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17) mediates mitochondrial injury-induced shedding of adhesion receptors and that TACE activity correlates with reduced posttransfusion survival of these cells. We now confirm that TACE mediates receptor shedding and clearance of platelets stored for 16 hours at 37°C or 22°C. We further demonstrate that both storage and mitochondrial injury lead to the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) in platelets and that TACE-mediated receptor shedding from mouse and human platelets requires p38 MAP kinase signaling. Protein kinase C, extracellular regulated-signal kinase MAPK, and caspases were not involved in TACE activation. Both inhibition of p38 MAPK and inactivation of TACE during platelet storage led to a markedly improved posttransfusion recovery and hemostatic function of platelets in mice. p38 MAPK inhibitors had only minor effects on the aggregation of fresh platelets under static or flow conditions in vitro. In summary, our data suggest that inhibition of p38 MAPK or TACE during storage may significantly improve the quality of stored platelets.
Hydroxychloroquine protects the annexin A5 anticoagulant shield from disruption by antiphospholipid antibodies: evidence for a novel effect for an old antimalarial drug
Authors: Rand Jacob H. , Wu Xiao-Xuan , Quinn Anthony S. , Ashton Anthony W. , Chen Pojen P. , Hathcock James J. , Andree Harry A. M. , Taatjes Douglas J.
Published: December 2009

Annexin A5 (AnxA5) is a potent anticoagulant protein that crystallizes over phospholipid bilayers (PLBs), blocking their availability for coagulation reactions. Antiphospholipid antibodies disrupt AnxA5 binding, thereby accelerating coagulation reactions. This disruption may contribute to thrombosis and miscarriages in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We investigated whether the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), might affect this prothrombotic mechanism. Binding of AnxA5 to PLBs was measured with labeled AnxA5 and also imaged with atomic force microscopy. Immunoglobulin G levels, AnxA5, and plasma coagulation times were measured on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and a syncytialized trophoblast cell line. AnxA5 anticoagulant activities of APS patient plasmas were also determined. HCQ reversed the effect of antiphospholipid antibodies on AnxA5 and restored AnxA5 binding to PLBs, an effect corroborated by atomic force microscopy. Similar reversals of antiphospholipid-induced abnormalities were measured on the surfaces of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and syncytialized trophoblast cell lines, wherein HCQ reduced the binding of antiphospholipid antibodies, increased cell-surface AnxA5 concentrations, and prolonged plasma coagulation to control levels. In addition, HCQ increased the AnxA5 anticoagulant activities of APS patient plasmas. In conclusion, HCQ reversed antiphospholipid-mediated disruptions of AnxA5 on PLBs and cultured cells, and in APS patient plasmas. These results support the concept of novel therapeutic approaches that address specific APS disease mechanisms.
Secondhand smoke inhibits both Cl- and K+ conductances in normal human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Savitski Amy N , Mesaros Clementina , Blair Ian A , Cohen Noam A , Kreindler James L
Published: December 2009

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is an independent risk factor for asthma, rhinosinusitis, and more severe respiratory tract infections in children and adults. Impaired mucociliary clearance with subsequent mucus retention contributes to the pathophysiology of each of these diseases, suggesting that altered epithelial salt and water transport may play an etiological role. To test the hypothesis that SHS would alter epithelial ion transport, we designed a system forin vitroexposure of mature, well-differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells to SHS. We show that SHS exposure inhibits cAMP-stimulated, bumetanide-sensitive anion secretion by 25 to 40% in a time-dependent fashion in these cells. Increasing the amount of carbon monoxide to 100 ppm from 5 ppm did not increase the amount of inhibition, and filtering SHS reduced inhibition significantly. It was determined that SHS inhibited cAMP-dependent apical membrane chloride conductance by 25% and Ba2+-sensitive basolateral membrane potassium conductance by 50%. These data confirm previous findings that cigarette smoke inhibits chloride secretion in a novel model of smoke exposure designed to mimic SHS exposure. They also extend previous findings to demonstrate an effect on basolateral K+conductance. Therefore, pharmacological agents that increase either apical membrane chloride conductance or basolateral membrane potassium conductance might be of therapeutic benefit in patients with diseases related to SHS exposure.
The zebrafish prospero homolog prox1 is required for mechanosensory hair cell differentiation and functionality in the lateral line
Authors: Pistocchi Anna , Feijóo Carmen G , Cabrera Pablo , Villablanca Eduardo J , Allende Miguel L , Cotelli Franco
Published: December 2009

Background

The lateral line system in zebrafish is composed of a series of organs called neuromasts, which are distributed over the body surface. Neuromasts contain clusters of hair cells, surrounded by accessory cells.

Results

In this report we describe zebrafishprox1mRNA expression in the migrating primordium and in the neuromasts of the posterior lateral line. Furthermore, using an antibody against Prox1 we characterize expression of the protein in different cell types within neuromasts, and we show distribution among the supporting cells and hair cells.

Conclusion

Functional analysis using antisense morpholinos indicates thatprox1activity is crucial for the hair cells to differentiate properly and acquire functionality, while having no role in development of other cell types in neuromasts.
Haplotypes of the porcine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta gene are associated with backfat thickness
Authors: Meidtner Karina , Schwarzenbacher Hermann , Scharfe Maren , Severitt Simone , Blöcker Helmut , Fries Ruedi
Published: December 2009

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-inducible transcription factors. It is a key regulator of lipid metabolism. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta gene (PPARD) has been assigned to a region on porcine chromosome 7, which harbours a quantitative trait locus for backfat. Thus, PPARD is considered a functional and positional candidate gene for backfat thickness. The purpose of this study was to test this candidate gene hypothesis in a cross of breeds that were highly divergent in lipid deposition characteristics.

Results

Screening for genetic variation in porcine PPARD revealed only silent mutations. Nevertheless, significant associations between PPARD haplotypes and backfat thickness were observed in the F2 generation of the Mangalitsa × Piétrain cross as well as a commercial German Landrace population. Haplotype 5 is associated with increased backfat in F2 Mangalitsa × Piétrain pigs, whereas haplotype 4 is associated with lower backfat thickness in the German Landrace population. Haplotype 4 and 5 carry the same alleles at all but one SNP. Interestingly, the opposite effects of PPARD haplotypes 4 and 5 on backfat thickness are reflected by opposite effects of these two haplotypes on PPAR-δ mRNA levels. Haplotype 4 significantly increases PPAR-δ mRNA levels, whereas haplotype 5 decreases mRNA levels of PPAR-δ.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for an association between PPARD and backfat thickness. The association is substantiated by mRNA quantification. Further studies are required to clarify, whether the observed associations are caused by PPARD or are the result of linkage disequilibrium with a causal variant in a neighbouring gene.
Transcriptomic response of the mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma atroviride to the presence of a fungal prey
Authors: Seidl Verena , Song Lifu , Lindquist Erika , Gruber Sabine , Koptchinskiy Alexeji , Zeilinger Susanne , Schmoll Monika , Martínez Pedro , Sun Jibin , Grigoriev Igor , Herrera-Estrella Alfredo , Baker Scott E , Kubicek Christian P
Published: December 2009

Background

Combating the action of plant pathogenic microorganisms by mycoparasitic fungi has been announced as an attractive biological alternative to the use of chemical fungicides since two decades. The fungal genusTrichodermaincludes a high number of taxa which are able to recognize, combat and finally besiege and kill their prey. Only fragments of the biochemical processes related to this ability have been uncovered so far, however.

Results

We analyzed genome-wide gene expression changes during the begin of physical contact betweenTrichoderma atrovirideand two plant pathogensBotrytis cinereaandRhizoctonia solani, and compared with gene expression patterns of mycelial and conidiating cultures, respectively. About 3000 ESTs, representing about 900 genes, were obtained from each of these three growth conditions. 66 genes, represented by 442 ESTs, were specifically and significantly overexpressed during onset of mycoparasitism, and the expression of a subset thereof was verified by expression analysis. The upregulated genes comprised 18 KOG groups, but were most abundant from the groups representing posttranslational processing, and amino acid metabolism, and included components of the stress response, reaction to nitrogen shortage, signal transduction and lipid catabolism. Metabolic network analysis confirmed the upregulation of the genes for amino acid biosynthesis and of those involved in the catabolism of lipids and aminosugars.

Conclusion

The analysis of the genes overexpressed during the onset of mycoparasitism inT. atroviridehas revealed that the fungus reacts to this condition with several previously undetected physiological reactions. These data enable a new and more comprehensive interpretation of the physiology of mycoparasitism, and will aid in the selection of traits for improvement of biocontrol strains by recombinant techniques.
Novel Tn4371-ICE like element in Ralstonia pickettiiand Genome mining for comparative elements
Authors: Ryan Michael P , Pembroke J Tony , Adley Catherine C
Published: November 2009

Background

Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) are important factors in the plasticity of microbial genomes. An element related to the ICE Tn4371 was discovered during a bioinformatic search of the Ralstonia pickettii 12J genome. This element was analysed and further searches carried out for additional elements.

A PCR method was designed to detect and characterise new elements of this type based on this scaffold and a culture collection of fifty-eight Ralstonia pickettii and Ralstonia insidiosa strains were analysed for the presence of the element.

Results

Comparative sequence analysis of bacterial genomes has revealed the presence of a number of uncharacterised Tn4371-like ICEs in the genomes of several β and γ- Proteobacteria. These elements vary in size, GC content, putative function and have a mosaic-like structure of plasmid- and phage-like sequences which is typical of Tn4371-like ICEs. These elements were found after a through search of the GenBank database. The elements, which are found in Ralstonia, Delftia, Acidovorax, Bordetella, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Congregibacter, Shewanella, Pseudomonas Stenotrophomonas, Thioalkalivibrio sp. HL-EbGR7, Polaromonas, Burkholderia and Diaphorobacter sp. share a common scaffold. A PCR method was designed (based on the Tn4371- like element detected in the Ralstonia pickettii 12J genome) to detect and characterise new elements of this type.

Conclusion

All elements found in this study possess a common scaffold of core genes but contain different accessory genes. A new uniform nomenclature is suggested for ICEs of the Tn4371 family. Two novel Tn4371-like ICE were discovered and characterised, using the novel PCR method described in two different isolates of Ralstonia pickettii from laboratory purified water.
Global transcriptional response of pig brain and lung to natural infection by Pseudorabies virus
Authors: Yuan JF , Zhang SJ , Jafer O , Furlong RA , Chausiaux OE , Sargent CA , Zhang GH , Affara NA
Published: December 2009

Background

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an alphaherpesviruses whose native host is pig. PRV infection mainly causes signs of central nervous system disorder in young pigs, and respiratory system diseases in the adult.

Results

In this report, we have analyzed native host (piglets) gene expression changes in response to acute pseudorabies virus infection of the brain and lung using a printed human oligonucleotide gene set from Illumina. A total of 210 and 1130 out of 23,000 transcript probes displayed differential expression respectively in the brain and lung in piglets after PRV infection (p-value < 0.01), with most genes displaying up-regulation. Biological process and pathways analysis showed that most of the up-regulated genes are involved in cell differentiation, neurodegenerative disorders, the nervous system and immune responses in the infected brain whereas apoptosis, cell cycle control, and the mTOR signaling pathway genes were prevalent in the infected lung. Additionally, a number of differentially expressed genes were found to map in or close to quantitative trait loci for resistance/susceptibility to pseudorabies virus in piglets.

Conclusion

This is the first comprehensive analysis of the global transcriptional response of the native host to acute alphaherpesvirus infection. The differentially regulated genes reported here are likely to be of interest for the further study and understanding of host viral gene interactions.
Non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src is required for ischemia-stimulated neuronal cell proliferation via Raf/ERK/CREB activation in the dentate gyrus
Authors: Tian He-Ping , Huang Bao-Sheng , Zhao Jie , Hu Xiao-Han , Guo Jun , Li Li-Xin
Published: December 2009

Background

Neurogenesis in the adult mammalian hippocampus may contribute to repairing the brain after injury. However, Molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus (DG) following ischemic stroke insult are poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the potential regulatory capacity of non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src on ischemia-stimulated cell proliferation in the adult DG and its underlying mechanism.

Results

Src kinase activated continuously in the DG 24 h and 72 h after transient global ischemia, while SU6656, the Src kinase inhibitor significantly decreased the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling-positive cells of rats 7 days after cerebral ischemia in the DG, as well as down-regulated Raf phosphorylation at Tyr(340/341) site, and its down-stream signaling molecules ERK and CREB expression followed by 24 h and 72 h of reperfusion, suggesting a role of Src kinase as an enhancer on neuronal cell proliferation in the DG via modifying the Raf/ERK/CREB cascade. This hypothesis is supported by further findings that U0126, the ERK inhibitor, induced a reduction of adult hippocampal progenitor cells in DG after cerebral ischemia and down-regulated phospho-ERK and phospho-CREB expression, but no effect was detected on the activities of Src and Raf.

Conclusion

Src kinase increase numbers of newborn neuronal cells in the DG via the activation of Raf/ERK/CREB signaling cascade after cerebral ischemia.
Coding of shape from shading in area V4 of the macaque monkey
Authors: Arcizet Fabrice , Jouffrais Christophe , Girard Pascal
Published: December 2009

Background

The shading of an object provides an important cue for recognition, especially for determining its 3D shape. However, neuronal mechanisms that allow the recovery of 3D shape from shading are poorly understood. The aim of our study was to determine the neuronal basis of 3D shape from shading coding in area V4 of the awake macaque monkey.

Results

We recorded the responses of V4 cells to stimuli presented parafoveally while the monkeys fixated a central spot. We used a set of stimuli made of 8 different 3D shapes illuminated from 4 directions (from above, the left, the right and below) and different 2D controls for each stimulus. The results show that V4 neurons present a broad selectivity to 3D shape and illumination direction, but without a preference for a unique illumination direction. However, 3D shape and illumination direction selectivities are correlated suggesting that V4 neurons can use the direction of illumination present in complex patterns of shading present on the surface of objects. In addition, a vast majority of V4 neurons (78%) have statistically different responses to the 3D and 2D versions of the stimuli, while responses to 3D are not systematically stronger than those to 2D controls. However, a hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the different classes of stimuli (3D, 2D controls) are clustered in the V4 cells response space suggesting a coding of 3D stimuli based on the population response. The different illumination directions also tend to be clustered in this space.

Conclusion

Together, these results show that area V4 participates, at the population level, in the coding of complex shape from the shading patterns coming from the illumination of the surface of corrugated objects. Hence V4 provides important information for one of the steps of cortical processing of the 3D aspect of objects in natural light environment.
Modulation of auditory evoked responses to spectral and temporal changes by behavioral discrimination training
Authors: Draganova Rossitza , Wollbrink Andreas , Schulz Matthias , Okamoto Hidehiko , Pantev Christo
Published: December 2009

Background

Due to auditory experience, musicians have better auditory expertise than non-musicians. An increased neocortical activity during auditory oddball stimulation was observed in different studies for musicians and for non-musicians after discrimination training. This suggests a modification of synaptic strength among simultaneously active neurons due to the training. We used amplitude-modulated tones (AM) presented in an oddball sequence and manipulated their carrier or modulation frequencies. We investigated non-musicians in order to see if behavioral discrimination training could modify the neocortical activity generated by change detection of AM tone attributes (carrier or modulation frequency). Cortical evoked responses like N1 and mismatch negativity (MMN) triggered by sound changes were recorded by a whole head magnetoencephalographic system (MEG). We investigated (i) how the auditory cortex reacts to pitch difference (in carrier frequency) and changes in temporal features (modulation frequency) of AM tones and (ii) how discrimination training modulates the neuronal activity reflecting the transient auditory responses generated in the auditory cortex.

Results

The results showed that, additionally to an improvement of the behavioral discrimination performance, discrimination training of carrier frequency changes significantly modulates the MMN and N1 response amplitudes after the training. This process was accompanied by an attention switch to the deviant stimulus after the training procedure identified by the occurrence of a P3a component. In contrast, the training in discrimination of modulation frequency was not sufficient to improve the behavioral discrimination performance and to alternate the cortical response (MMN) to the modulation frequency change. The N1 amplitude, however, showed significant increase after and one week after the training. Similar to the training in carrier frequency discrimination, a long lasting involuntary attention to the deviant stimulus was observed.

Conclusion

We found that discrimination training differentially modulates the cortical responses to pitch changes and to envelope fluctuation changes of AM tones. This suggests that discrimination between AM tones requires additional neuronal mechanisms compared to discrimination process between pure tones. After the training, the subjects demonstrated an involuntary attention switch to the deviant stimulus (represented by the P3a-component in the MEG) even though attention was not prerequisite.
Analysis of a post-translational steroid induction system for GIGANTEA in Arabidopsis
Authors: Günl Markus , Liew Eric FungMin , David Karine , Putterill Joanna
Published: December 2009

Background

To investigate the link between the flowering time gene GIGANTEA (GI) and downstream genes, an inducible GI system was developed in Arabidopsis thaliana L. Heynh. Transgenic Arabidopsis plant lines were generated with a steroid-inducible post-translational control system for GI. The gene expression construct consisted of the coding region of the GI protein fused to that of the ligand binding domain of the rat glucocorticoid receptor (GR). This fusion gene was expressed from the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and was introduced into plants carrying the gi-2 mutation. Application of the steroid dexamethasone (DEX) was expected to result in activation of the GI-GR protein and its relocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.

Results

Application of DEX to the transgenic plant lines rescued the late flowering phenotype conferred by the gi-2 mutation. However, despite their delayed flowering in the absence of steroid, the transgenic lines expressed predicted GI downstream genes such as CONSTANS (CO) to relatively high levels. Nevertheless, increased CO and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) transcript accumulation was observed in transgenic plants within 8 h of DEX treatment compared to controls which was consistent with promotion of flowering by DEX. Unlike CO and FT, there was no change in the abundance of transcript of two other putative GI downstream genes HEME ACTIVATOR PROTEIN 3A (HAP3A) or TIMING OF CHLOROPHYLL A/B BINDING PROTEIN 1 (TOC1) after DEX application.

Conclusion

The post-translational activation of GI and promotion of flowering by steroid application supports a nuclear role for GI in the floral transition. Known downstream flowering time genes CO and FT were elevated by DEX treatment, but not other proposed targets HAP3A and TOC1, indicating that the expression of these genes may be less directly regulated by GI.
SolEST database: a "one-stop shop" approach to the study of Solanaceae transcriptomes
Authors: D'Agostino Nunzio , Traini Alessandra , Frusciante Luigi , Chiusano Maria Luisa
Published: December 2009

Background

Since no genome sequences of solanaceous plants have yet been completed, expressed sequence tag (EST) collections represent a reliable tool for broad sampling of Solanaceae transcriptomes, an attractive route for understanding Solanaceae genome functionality and a powerful reference for the structural annotation of emerging Solanaceae genome sequences.

Description

We describe the SolEST database http://biosrv.cab.unina.it/solestdb which integrates different EST datasets from both cultivated and wild Solanaceae species and from two species of the genus Coffea. Background as well as processed data contained in the database, extensively linked to external related resources, represent an invaluable source of information for these plant families. Two novel features differentiate SolEST from other resources: i) the option of accessing and then visualizing Solanaceae EST/TC alignments along the emerging tomato and potato genome sequences; ii) the opportunity to compare different Solanaceae assemblies generated by diverse research groups in the attempt to address a common complaint in the SOL community.

Conclusion

Different databases have been established worldwide for collecting Solanaceae ESTs and are related in concept, content and utility to the one presented herein. However, the SolEST database has several distinguishing features that make it appealing for the research community and facilitates a "one-stop shop" for the study of Solanaceae transcriptomes.
Confirmation of the genetic association of CTLA4 and PTPN22 with ANCA-associated vasculitis
Authors: Carr Edward J , Niederer Heather A , Williams Julie , Harper Lorraine , Watts Richard A , Lyons Paul A , Smith Kenneth GC
Published: December 2009

Background

The genetic contribution to the aetiology of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is not well defined. Across different autoimmune diseases some genes with immunomodulatory roles, such asPTPN22, are frequently associated with multiple diseases, whereas specific HLA associations, such asHLA-B27, tend to be disease restricted. We studied ten candidate loci on the basis of their immunoregulatory role and prior associations with type 1 diabetes (T1D). These includedPTPN22,CTLA4andCD226, which have previously been associated with AAV.

Methods

We genotyped the following 11 SNPs, from 10 loci, in 641 AAV patients using TaqMan genotyping: rs2476601 inPTPN22, rs1990760 inIFIH1, rs3087243 inCTLA4, rs2069763 inIL2, rs10877012 inCYP27B1, rs2292239 inERBB3, rs3184504 inSH2B3, rs12708716 inCLEC16A, rs1893217 and rs478582 inPTPN2and rs763361 inCD226. Where possible, we performed a meta-analysis with previous analyses.

Results

BothCTLA4rs3087243 andPTPN22rs2476601 showed association with AAV,P= 6.4 × 10-3andP= 1.4 × 10-4respectively. The minor allele (A) ofCTLA4rs3087243 is protective (odds ratio = 0.84), whereas the minor allele (A) ofPTPN22rs2476601 confers susceptibility (odds ratio = 1.40). These results confirmed previously described associations with AAV. After meta-analysis, thePTPN22rs2476601 association was further strengthened (combinedP= 4.2 × 10-7, odds ratio of 1.48 for the A allele). The other 9 SNPs, including rs763361 inCD226, showed no association with AAV.

Conclusion

Our study of T1D associated SNPs in AAV has confirmedCTLA4andPTPN22as susceptibility loci in AAV. These genes encode two key regulators of the immune response and are associated with many autoimmune diseases, including T1D, autoimmune thyroid disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and now AAV.
Safety and tolerability of artemether-lumefantrine versus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for malaria in young HIV-infected and uninfected children
Authors: Katrak Shereen , Gasasira Anne , Arinaitwe Emmanuel , Kakuru Abel , Wanzira Humphrey , Bigira Victor , Sandison Taylor G , Homsy Jaco , Tappero Jordan W , Kamya Moses R , Dorsey Grant
Published: December 2009

Background

Artemisinin combination therapy has become the standard of care for uncomplicated malaria in most of Africa. However, there is limited data on the safety and tolerability of these drugs, especially in young children and patients co-infected with HIV.

Methods

A longitudinal, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected children aged 4-22 months in Tororo, Uganda. Participants were randomized to treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) upon diagnosis of their first episode of uncomplicated malaria and received the same regimen for all subsequent episodes. Participants were actively monitored for adverse events for 28 days and then passively for up to 63 days after treatment. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (registration # NCT00527800).

Results

A total of 122 children were randomized to AL and 124 to DP, resulting in 412 and 425 treatments, respectively. Most adverse events were rare, with only cough, diarrhoea, vomiting, and anaemia occurring in more than 1% of treatments. There were no differences in the risk of these events between treatment groups. Younger age was associated with an increased risk of diarrhoea in both the AL and DP treatment arms. Retreatment for malaria within 17-28 days was associated with an increased risk of vomiting in the DP treatment arm (HR = 6.47, 95% CI 2.31-18.1, p < 0.001). There was no increase in the risk of diarrhoea or vomiting for children who were HIV-infected or on concomitant therapy with antiretrovirals or trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole prophylaxis.

Conclusion

Both AL and DP were safe and well tolerated for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in young HIV-infected and uninfected children.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00527800; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00527800
Spatial clusters of violent deaths in a newly urbanized region of Brazil: highlighting the social disparities
Authors: Minamisava Ruth , Nouer Simonne S , de Morais Neto Otaliba L , Melo Lícia Kamila , Andrade Ana Lucia SS
Published: December 2009

Background

Deaths due to homicides and traffic accidents among youth are a public health issue worldwide. Studies of the complex network of cause and effect on this topic point to both poverty and health inequalities. Different investigational approaches to intentional and unintentional deaths combined with socioeconomic variables can help create a better understanding of the association between violence and socioeconomic conditions. This study analyzed the spatial distribution and potential clusters of risk for intentional and unintentional deaths among youths aged 15-24 years in Goiânia, a newly urbanized city in central Brazil.

Methods

Death data and residential addresses were extracted from the national Mortality Information System and validated by household visits. To detect all potential cases, we prospectively investigated every death classified as a transport accident, assault, legal intervention, intentional self-harm, unknown underlying cause, and undetermined intent according to the ICD-10.

The Geographical Information System was used to plot residential addresses, and cases were interactively geocoded to the residential address level using a digital map of the municipality. Spatial scan statistic was applied (Poisson model) to identify clusters of census tracts with high mortality due to intentional injuries and traffic accidents. The socioeconomic variables obtained using census data were compared between the most likely cluster and other areas of the municipality.

Results

The most violent deaths among young people were due to intentional injuries. Between August 2005 and August 2006, 145 addresses for cases of intentional injuries and traffic accidents were located and geocoded. No significant clusters for deaths due to traffic accidents were found within the municipality. One significant cluster (RR = 4.65; p = 0.029) composed of 14 cases of intentional deaths, mostly homicides, was detected in an emergent, populated, and very poor area on the outskirts of the town. This cluster had a significantly higher proportion of people with the lowest educational status, lowest income, and poor housing conditions in comparison to the remainder of the municipality.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the link between social inequalities and intentional deaths, clearly showing the need for urgent social interventions to reduce violence and premature mortality.
Factors associated with non-participation and drop-out in a lifestyle intervention for workers with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Groeneveld Iris F , Proper Karin I , van der Beek Allard J , Hildebrandt Vincent H , van Mechelen Willem
Published: December 2009

Background

Non-response and drop-out are problems that are commonly encountered in health promotion trials. Understanding the health-related characteristics of non-participants and drop-outs and the reasons for non-participation and drop-out may be beneficial for future intervention trials.

Methods

Male construction workers with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were invited to participate in a lifestyle intervention study. In order to investigate the associations between participation and CVD risk factors, and drop-out and CVD risk factors, crude and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The reasons for non-participation and drop-out were assessed qualitatively.

Results

20% of the workers who were invited decided to participate; 8.6% of the participants dropped out before the first follow-up measurement. The main reasons for non-participation were 'no interest', 'current (para-)medical treatment', and 'feeling healthy', and for drop-out they were 'lack of motivation', 'current (para-)medical treatment', and 'disappointment'. Participants were 4.2 years older, had a higher blood pressure, higher total cholesterol, and lower HDL cholesterol than non-participants, and were more likely to report 'tiredness and/or stress' and 'chest pain and/or shortness of breath'. After adjusting for age, most risk factors were not significantly associated with participation. Drop-outs were 4.6 years younger than those who completed the study. The prevalence of smoking was higher among non-participants and drop-outs.

Conclusion

Participants had a worse CVD risk profile than non-participants, mainly because of the difference in age. Non-participants and drop-outs were younger and more likely to be smokers. The main reasons for non-participation and drop-out were health-related. Investigators in the field of health promotion should be encouraged to share comparable information.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN60545588
Left hemisphere predominance of pilocarpine-induced rat epileptiform discharges
Authors: Xia Yang , Lai Yongxiu , Lei Lei , Liu Yansu , Yao Dezhong
Published: December 2009

Background

The left cerebral hemisphere predominance in human focal epilepsy has been observed in a few studies, however, there is no related systematic study in epileptic animal on hemisphere predominance. The main goal of this paper is to observe if the epileptiform discharges (EDs) of Pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats could present difference between left hemisphere and right hemisphere or not.

Methods

The electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electrohippocampogram (EHG) from Pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats were recorded and analyzed using Synchronization likelihood (SL) in order to determine the synchronization relation between different brain regions, then visual check and cross-correlation analysis were adopted to evaluate if the EDs were originated more frequently from the left hemisphere than the right hemisphere.

Results

The data show that the synchronization between left-EHG and right-EHG, left-ECoG and left-EHG, right-ECoG and right-EHG, left-ECoG and right-ECoG, are significantly strengthened after the brain functional state transforms from non-epileptiform discharges to continuous-epileptiform discharges(p < 0.05). When the state transforms from continuous EDs to periodic EDs, the synchronization is significantly weakened between left-ECoG and left-EHG, left-EHG and right-EHG (p < 0.05). Visual check and the time delay (τ) based cross-correlation analysis finds that 10 out of 13 EDs have a left predominance (77%) and 3 out of 13 EDs are right predominance (23%).

Conclusion

The results suggest that the left hemisphere may be more prone to EDs in the Pilocarpine-induced rat epilepsy model and implicate that the left hemisphere might play an important role in epilepsy states transition.
Plasma PLTP activity is inversely associated with HDL-C levels
Authors: Chen Xueying , Sun Aijun , Mansoor Ather , Zou Yunzeng , Ge Junbo , Lazar Jason M , Jiang Xian-Cheng
Published: December 2009

Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is an important modulator of lipoprotein metabolism, including interparticle phospholipid transfer, remodeling of HDL, cholesterol and phospholipid efflux from peripheral tissues, and the production of hepatic VLDL. PLTP also plays an important role in inflammation and oxidative stress. Accordingly, PLTP has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the association between PLTP activity and lipoprotein metabolism in a Chinese patients cohort with or without coronary heart disease (CHD group n = 407, control group n = 215), the PLTP activity was measured and PLTP genotyping was screened for sequence anomalies by PCR. We found that human plasma PLTP activity was negatively associated with plasma HDL and apoA-I levels, and positively associated with plasma TG, apoB and apoE levels. We also found that PLTP rs2294213 polymorphism was tended to be associated with increased plasma PLTP activity.