bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of the Interact Short Form as a tool to evaluate emotion of people with profound intellectual disabilities
Authors: Liu K. P. Y. , Lee T. , Yan A. , Siu C. W. M. , Choy F. W. Y. , Leung K. L. K. , Siu T. Y. , Kwan A. C. S.
Published: October 2007

Background  One of the essential purposes of intervention programmes for people with profound intellectual disabilities (ID) is to enhance the desirable mood and behaviour and decrease the undesirable ones through stabilizing their emotion. There is lack of validated instrument to offer a comprehensive measure that covers the mood and behaviour, both desirable and undesirable, appropriate for people with profound ID.

Method  This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Interact Short Form for evaluating the mood and behaviour of people with profound ID, and at the same time, review their emotional profile using the Interact Short Form. Both content validity using expert panel review and construct validity by means of factor analysis were investigated. A total of 75 people with profound ID were recruited. Inter‐rater reliability was tested. The results of the Interact Short Form were described to reflect the emotional profile of this group of participants.

Results  Using the results of expert panel review and those from factor analysis, we found three subscales representing the mood and behaviour of people with profound ID. They were: ‘emotional expression’, ‘interests towards tasks’ and ‘behaviours to environment’. All three subscales were found to be internally consistent (α = 0.71–0.88). The Interact Short Form– People with profound ID version also showed good inter‐rater reliability (mean = 0.72). The results of the Interact Short Form showed that this group of participants had fairly stable emotion under the structured setting and activities in the residential institutions where data were collected.

Conclusions  The Interact Short Form– People with profound ID version serves as a helpful tool for both clinical and research use in assessing the mood and behaviour of people with profound ID in a simple, comprehensive and systematic way.
C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 in the prediction of late outcome events after acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Hartford M. , Wiklund O. , Mattsson Hultén L. , Persson A. , Karlsson T. , Herlitz J. , Caidahl K.
Published: October 2007

Objective.  We investigated whether levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (sPLA2‐IIA) and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐I) predict late outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Design.  Prospective longitudinal study. CRP (mg L−1), IL‐6 (pg mL−1), sPLA2‐IIA (ng mL−1) and ICAM‐1 (ng mL−1) were measured at days 1 (n = 757) and 4 (n = 533) after hospital admission for ACS. Their relations to mortality and rehospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI) and congestive heart failure (CHF) were determined.

Setting.  Coronary Care Unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Subjects.  Patients with ACS alive at day 30; median follow‐up 75 months.

Results.  Survival was related to day 1 levels of all markers. After adjustment for confounders, CRP, IL‐6 and ICAM‐1, but not sPLA2‐IIA, independently predicted mortality and rehospitalization for CHF. For CRP, the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.3 for mortality (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–1.5, P = 0.003) and 1.4 for CHF (95% CI: 1.1–1.9, P = 0.006). For IL‐6, HR was 1.3 for mortality (95% CI: 1.1–1.6, P < 0.001) and 1.4 for CHF (95% CI: 1.1–1.8, P = 0.02). For ICAM‐1, HR was 1.2 for mortality (95% CI: 1.0–1.4, P = 0.04) and 1.3 for CHF (95% CI: 1.0–1.7, P = 0.03). No marker predicted MI. Marker levels on day 4 provided no additional predictive value.

Conclusions.  In patients with ACS, CRP, IL‐6, sPLA2‐IIA and ICAM‐1 are associated with long‐term mortality and CHF, but not reinfarction. CRP, IL‐6 and ICAM‐1 provide prognostic information beyond that obtained by clinical variables.
Differential leucocyte count and the risk of future coronary artery disease in healthy men and women: the EPIC‐Norfolk Prospective Population Study
Authors: Rana J. S. , Boekholdt S. M. , Ridker P. M. , Jukema J. W. , Luben R. , Bingham S. A. , Day N. E. , Wareham N. J. , Kastelein J. J. P. , Khaw K.‐T.
Published: October 2007

Abstract.  Rana JS, Boekholdt SM, Ridker PM, Jukema JW, Luben R, Bingham SA, Day NE, Wareham NJ, Kastelein JJP, Khaw K‐T. (Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; and Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK). Differential leucocyte count and the risk of future coronary artery disease in healthy men and women: the EPIC‐Norfolk Prospective Population Study. J Intern Med 2007; 262: 678–689.

Background:  We examined the relationship between granulocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte counts and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men and women. There is paucity of data on the differential leucocyte count and its relationship with the risk of CHD and CVD.

Methods:  This prospective study comprised 7073 men and 9035 women who were 45–79 years of age and were residents of Norfolk. United Kingdom.

Results:  During an average of 8 years of follow‐up we identified 857 incident CHD events and 2581 CVD incident events. Increased total leucocyte count was associated with increased risk for both CHD and CVD. The highest quartile of granulocyte count was associated with increased risk when compared to lowest quartile for CHD (men HR 1.70 95% CI: 1.30–2.21; women HR 1.24 95% CI: 0.91–1.69) and for CVD (men HR 1.46 95% CI: 1.24–1.71; women HR 1.20 95% CI: 1.02–1.42). The association remained unchanged when the analyses were restricted to nonsmokers and when risk was assessed for every 1000 cells L−1 increase in cell count. In multivariable models, despite adjusting for C‐reactive protein (CRP), the granulocyte count remained an independent predictor of CHD and CVD risk, especially amongst men. Lymphocyte or monocyte counts were not significantly associated with increased risk. In all analyses, additionally adjusting for CRP did not affect the results materially.

Conclusions:  In conclusion, we found that the higher risk for CHD and CVD associated with increased total leucocyte count seems to be accounted for by the increased granulocyte count.
Application of the parametric bootstrap method to determine statistical errors in quantitative X‐ray microanalysis of thin films
Authors: ARMIGLIATO ALDO , BALBONI ROBERTO , ROSA RODOLFO
Published: October 2007

We applied the parametric bootstrap to the X‐ray microanalysis of Si‐Ge binary alloys, in order to assess the dependence of the Ge concentrations and the local film thickness, obtained by using previously described Monte Carlo methods, on the precision of the measured intensities. We show how it is possible by this method to determine the statistical errors associated with the quantitative analysis performed in sample regions of different composition and thickness, but by conducting only one measurement. We recommend the use of the bootstrap for a broad range of applications for quantitative microanalysis to estimate the precision of the final results and to compare the performances of different methods to each other. Finally, we exploited a test based on bootstrap confidence intervals to ascertain if, for given X‐ray intensities, different values of the estimated composition in two points of the sample are indicative of an actual lack of homogeneity.
Bundles of hexagonally arranged tubules in timothy grass pollen: Detection of a novel pollen component using anhydrous fixation and image analysis techniques in transmission electron microscopy
Authors: GROTE MONIKA , KRZYZANEK VLADISLAV , REICHELT RUDOLF
Published: October 2007

Pollen from timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) was subjected to various aqueous and non‐aqueous fixation and preparation protocols for transmission electron microscopy. Only in the cytoplasm of anhydrously prepared pollen grains were conspicuous inclusions observed that range in size from less than 1 μm up to 8 or 10 μm. These bodies have so far not been described in the literature. Higher magnifications show that these inclusions consist of bundles of hexagonally arranged small tubules. In order to obtain details of the ultrastructure of this novel pollen component, TEM micrographs of ultrathin sections of hexagonally arranged tubules were analyzed using Fourier transform techniques of image analysis. It was found that the tubules form groups with quasi‐periodic hexagonal arrangement, with an average centre‐to‐centre spacing between the neighbouring tubules of approximately 42 nm. Individual tubules are formed by 12 or 13 particles. The outer diameter of the tubules ranges between 22 and 24 nm. From our experiments, we conclude that the quasi‐periodic hexagonally arranged tubules forming conspicuous cytoplasmic inclusions in dry timothy grass pollen grains are structurally similar to microtubules.
Fabrication of high‐quality SNOM probes by pre‐treating the fibres before chemical etching
Authors: YANG JING , ZHANG JIASEN , LI ZHI , GONG QIHUANG
Published: October 2007

A new method to fabricate high‐quality fibre probes for scanning near‐field optical microscopes by pre‐treating the fibre before chemical etching was proposed and implemented. In the pre‐treating process, the diameter of the fibre is reduced to a range of 7 –20 μm by etching one end of the fibre in the HF solution and a taper angle is formed simultaneously. Then the tapered part of the fibre is coated with a thick layer of plastic film and etched in the HF solution again. High‐quality probes are obtained with an apex diameter as low as ∼20 nm and a large cone angle.
Feasibility of detecting trabecular bone around percutaneous titanium implants in rabbits by in vivo microfocus computed tomography
Authors: STOPPIE NELE , WEVERS MARTINE , NAERT IGNACE
Published: October 2007

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility of in vivo imaging of trabecular bone around titanium implants by means of microfocus computed tomography (micro‐CT) and the use of rabbits for this purpose.

Materials and Methods: Ten male rabbits type Hollander, received a titanium implant (1.7 mm diameter and 10 mm length) in the trabecular bone of the left tibia. Seven weeks later a micro‐CT scan was taken. Four rabbits were used to monitor potential harmful effects from X‐ray absorption until 4 weeks after scanning. A second group of six rabbits was used for testing the hypothesis that a good correlation exists between in vivo micro‐CT images and histological images of trabecular bone around titanium implants. The six rabbits were scanned and sacrificed immediately. The tibias were extracted and submitted to standard histological procedures. This resulted in a total of 12 histological sections and their corresponding 12 micro‐CT images. Bone area measurements were performed at the left and right side of the implant in three regions: 0–500, 500–1000 and 1000–1500 μm distance from the implant interface. Intra‐class correlations (ICC) were calculated between both techniques.

Results: The four rabbits did not show any sign of radiodermatitis 4 weeks after scanning. In the micro‐CT images of the group of six rabbits, trabeculae are visible, but not well defined, due to the presence of noise in the image. The ICC for the right implant side were 0.44 for zone 0–500 μm, 0.48 for zone 500–1000 μm and 0.40 for zone 1000–1500 μm. The ICC for the left implant side could not be calculated.

Conclusion: A low agreement was found between the bone measurements from histology and in vivo micro‐CT images. The use of the in vivo micro‐CT for trabecular bone imaging around metallic implants should be restricted to track tendencies in follow‐up studies.
Characterization of the calcification of cardiac valve bioprostheses by environmental scanning electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: DELOGNE CHRISTOPHE , LAWFORD PATRICIA V , HABESCH STEVEN M , CAROLAN VIKKI A
Published: October 2007

Bioprosthetic heart valve tissue and associated calcification were studied in their natural state, using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Energy dispersive X‐ray micro‐analysis, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the various calcific deposits observed with ESEM. The major elements present in calcified valves were also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy. To better understand the precursor formation of the calcific deposits, results from the elemental analyses were statistically correlated. ESEM revealed the presence of four broad types of calcium phosphate crystal morphology. In addition, two main patterns of organization of calcific deposits were observed associated with the collagen fibres. Energy dispersive X‐ray micro‐analysis identified the crystals observed by ESEM as salts containing mainly calcium and phosphate with ratios from 1.340 (possibly octacalcium phosphate, which has a Ca/P ratio of 1.336) to 2.045 (possibly hydroxyapatite with incorporation of carbonate and metal ion contaminants, such as silicon and magnesium, in the crystal lattice). Raman and fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy also identified the presence of carbonate and the analyses showed spectral features very similar to a crystalline hydroxyapatite spectrum, also refuting the presence of precursor phases such as β‐tricalcium phosphate, octacalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. The results of this study raised the possibility of the presence of precursor phases associated with the early stages of calcification.
Orientational analysis of planar fibre systems observed as a Poisson shot‐noise process
Authors: KÄRKKÄINEN SALME , LANTUÉJOUL CHRISTIAN
Published: October 2007

We consider two‐dimensional fibrous materials observed as a digital greyscale image. The problem addressed is to estimate the orientation distribution of unobservable thin fibres from a greyscale image modelled by a planar Poisson shot‐noise process. The classical stereological approach is not straightforward, because the point intensities of thin fibres along sampling lines may not be observable. For such cases,Kärkkäinenet al.(2001)suggested the use of scaled variograms determined from grey values along sampling lines in several directions. Their method is based on the assumption that the proportion between the scaled variograms and point intensities in all directions of sampling lines is constant. This assumption is proved to be valid asymptotically for Boolean models and dead leaves models, under some regularity conditions. In this work, we derive the scaled variogram and its approximations for a planar Poisson shot‐noise process using the modified Bessel function. In the case of reasonable high resolution of the observed image, the scaled variogram has an approximate functional relation to the point intensity, and in the case of high resolution the relation is proportional. As the obtained relations are approximative, they are tested on simulations. The existing orientation analysis method based on the proportional relation is further experimented on images with different resolutions. The new result, the asymptotic proportionality between the scaled variograms and the point intensities for a Poisson shot‐noise process, completes the earlier results for the Boolean models and for the dead leaves models.
Association between food mixing ability and mandibular movements during chewing of a wax cube
Authors: YOSHIDA E. , FUEKI K. , IGARASHI Y.
Published: October 2007

Summary  The purpose of this study was to clarify whether masticatory movements during chewing of a wax cube associate with food mixing ability. Twenty‐six dentate subjects (mean age 25·3 years) were directed to chew a two‐coloured paraffin wax cube for 10 strokes on preferred chewing side. Mixing Ability Index (MAI) was determined from the colour mixture and shape of the chewed wax cube. MAI was employed as an estimate of food mixing ability. Mandibular movements during chewing of the wax cube were recorded using a six‐degrees‐of freedom jaw movements recording system, and motion of a lower incisal point of the mandible was computed. Twelve parameters of masticatory movements in relation to mandibular excursion, angle, velocity, cycle duration, duration of each phase were measured for each masticatory cycle. In addition, unilateral maximum biting was performed, and the maximum force during biting was measured using a force‐transducer. A multiple regression analysis identified vertical amplitude, closing duration, closing angle and maximum bite force as significant predictors accounting for 63% of inter‐subject variation (adjusted R2) in the MAI (P < 0·05). Only some parameters of masticatory movements seem to have an influence on the MAI in dentate subjects.
Frequency of temporomandibular disorder signs in individuals with cerebral palsy
Authors: ORTEGA A. O. L. , GUIMARÃES A. S. , CIAMPONI A. L. , MARIE S. K. N.
Published: October 2007

Summary  This study aimed to determine the frequency of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) signs in 68 individuals with cerebral palsy, aged between 3 and 23 years. TMD signs were evaluated according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria to assess temporomandibular joint sounds, lateral jaw deviation during opening and closing movements and limitation of maximum mouth opening (>40 mm). The frequency of TMD signs observed in the cerebral palsy group (46/68–67·6%) was higher than in the control group (17/68–25%). The clinical scenario of CP seems to make these individuals more prone to the development of TMD signs.
Differential anti‐inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of simulated digests of indomethacin and an herbal composite (MobilityTM) in a cartilage explant model of articular inflammation
Authors: PEARSON W. , ORTH M. W. , LINDINGER M. I.
Published: October 2007

Herbs are an increasingly popular treatment option for horses with cartilage inflammation, despite a relative paucity of research demonstrating efficacy. The research objective was to evaluate the differential anti‐inflammatory and chondroprotective efficacy of a simulated digest of indomethacin and a commercially available herbal product in a cartilage model of osteoarthritis. Cartilage explant was integrated with simulated digestion of indomethacin and the herbal product in order to account, at least in part, for the actions of major digestive enzymes and pH. The resulting digests were ultrafiltrated (50 kDa), to account for absorption from the GI tract and movement into the cartilage matrix. We hypothesized that (i) a simulated digest of indomethacin would block interleukin 1β‐(IL‐1) dependent formation of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO) without protecting cartilage against IL‐1‐induced glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release, and (ii) the herbal product would reduce PGE2and NO in IL‐1‐stimulated explants, and inhibit release of GAG, in IL‐1‐stimulated explants. Results showed that indomethacin is an effective anti‐inflammatory, evidenced by strong inhibition of IL‐1‐induced PGE2and NO from cartilage explants. However, indomethacin provided no protection against IL‐1‐induced GAG release. Simulated digest of the herbal extract significantly inhibited IL‐1‐induced NO production and GAG release, while having a slight increase in PGE2. These data provide evidence for the anti‐inflammatory effect of indomethacin on IL‐1‐stimulated cartilage explants, and the herbal product MobilityTMmay be a useful adjunct in arthritis because of its chondroprotective properties in IL‐1‐stimulated cartilage.
LplA1‐dependent utilization of host lipoyl peptides enables Listeria cytosolic growth and virulence
Authors: Keeney Kristie M. , Stuckey Jeanne A. , O'Riordan Mary X. D.
Published: October 2007

The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes replicates within the cytosol of mammalian cells. Mechanisms by which the bacterium exploits the host cytosolic environment for essential nutrients are poorly defined. L. monocytogenes is a lipoate auxotroph and must scavenge this critical cofactor, using lipoate ligases to facilitate attachment of the lipoyl moiety to metabolic enzyme complexes. Although the L. monocytogenes genome encodes two putative lipoate ligases, LplA1 and LplA2, intracellular replication and virulence require only LplA1. Here we show that LplA1 enables utilization of host‐derived lipoyl peptides by L. monocytogenes. LplA1 is dispensable for growth in the presence of free lipoate, but necessary for growth on low concentrations of mammalian lipoyl peptides. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the intracellular growth defect of the ΔlplA1 mutant is rescued by addition of exogenous lipoic acid to host cells, suggesting that L. monocytogenes dependence on LplA1 is dictated by limiting concentrations of available host lipoyl substrates. Thus, the ability of L. monocytogenes and other intracellular pathogens to efficiently use host lipoyl peptides as a source of lipoate may be a requisite adaptation for life within the mammalian cell.
LeuO antagonizes H‐NS and StpA‐dependent repression in Salmonella enterica ompS1
Authors: De la Cruz Miguel Ángel , Fernández‐Mora Marcos , Guadarrama Carmen , Flores‐Valdez Mario Alberto , Bustamante Víctor H. , Vázquez Alejandra , Calva Edmundo
Published: October 2007

The ompS1 gene encodes a quiescent porin in Salmonella enterica. We analysed the effects of H‐NS and StpA, a paralogue of H‐NS, on ompS1 expression. In an hns single mutant expression was derepressed but did not reach the maximum level. Expression in an stpA single mutant showed the same low repressed level as the wild type. In contrast, in an hns stpA background, OmpS1 became abundant in the outer membrane. The expression of ompS1 was positively regulated by LeuO, a LysR‐type quiescent regulator that has been involved in pathogenesis. Upon induction of the cloned leuO gene into the wild type, ompS1 was completely derepressed and the OmpS1 porin was detected in the outer membrane. LeuO activated the P1 promoter in an OmpR‐dependent manner and P2 in the absence of OmpR. LeuO bound upstream of the regulatory region of ompS1 overlapping with one nucleation site of H‐NS and StpA. Our results are thus consistent with a model where H‐NS binds at a nucleation site and LeuO displaces H‐NS and StpA.
Allelic diversity associated with aridity gradient in wild emmer wheat populations
Authors: PELEG ZVI , SARANGA YEHOSHUA , KRUGMAN TAMAR , ABBO SHAHAL , NEVO EVIATAR , FAHIMA TZION
Published: October 2007

The association between allelic diversity and ecogeographical variables was studied in natural populations of wild emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides (Körn.) Thell.], the tetraploid progenitor of cultivated wheat. Patterns of allelic diversity in 54 microsatellite loci were analyzed in a collection of 145 wild emmer wheat accessions representing 25 populations that were sampled across naturally occurring aridity gradient in Israel and surrounding regions. The obtained results revealed that 56% of the genetic variation resided among accessions within populations, while only 44% of the variation resided between populations. An unweighted pair‐group method analysis (UPGMA) tree constructed based on the microsatellite allelic diversity divided the 25 populations into six major groups. Several groups were comprised of populations that were collected in ecologically similar but geographically remote habitats. Furthermore, genetic differentiation between populations was independent of the geographical distances. An interesting evolutionary phenomenon is highlighted by the unimodal relationship between allelic diversity and annual rainfall (r = 0.74, P < 0.0002), indicating higher allelic diversity in populations originated from habitats with intermediate environmental stress (i.e. rainfall 350–550 mm year−1). These results show for the first time that the ‘intermediate‐disturbance hypothesis’, explaining biological diversity at the ecosystem level, also dominates the genetic diversity within a single species, the lowest hierarchical element of the biological diversity.
TAC1, a major quantitative trait locus controlling tiller angle in rice
Authors: Yu Baisheng , Lin Zhongwei , Li Haixia , Li Xiaojiao , Li Jiayang , Wang Yonghong , Zhang Xia , Zhu Zuofeng , Zhai Wenxue , Wang Xiangkun , Xie Daoxin , Sun Chuanqing
Published: October 2007

A critical step during rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation is dense planting: a wider tiller angle will increase leaf shade and decrease photosynthesis efficiency, whereas a narrower tiller angle makes for more efficient plant architecture. The molecular basis of tiller angle remains unknown. This research demonstrates that tiller angle is controlled by a major quantitative trait locus, TAC1 (Tiller Angle Control 1). TAC1 was mapped to a 35‐kb region on chromosome 9 using a large F2 population from crosses between an indica rice, IR24, which displays a relatively spread‐out plant architecture, and an introgressed line, IL55, derived from japonica rice Asominori, which displays a compact plant architecture with extremely erect tillers. Genetic complementation further identified the TAC1 gene, which harbors three introns in its coding region and a fourth 1.5‐kb intron in the 3′‐untranslated region. A mutation in the 3′‐splicing site of this 1.5‐kb intron from ‘AGGA’ to ‘GGGA’ decreases the level of tac1, resulting in a compact plant architecture with a tiller angle close to zero. Further sequence verification of the mutation in the 3′‐splicing site of the 1.5‐kb intron revealed that the tac1 mutation ‘GGGA’ was present in 88 compact japonica rice accessions and TAC1 with ‘AGGA’ was present in 21 wild rice accessions and 43 indica rice accessions, all with the spread‐out form, indicating that tac1 had been extensively utilized in densely planted rice grown in high‐latitude temperate areas and at high altitudes where japonica rice varieties are widely cultivated.
NaRALF, a peptide signal essential for the regulation of root hair tip apoplastic pH in Nicotiana attenuata, is required for root hair development and plant growth in native soils
Authors: Wu Jinsong , Kurten Erin L. , Monshausen Gabriele , Hummel Grégoire M. , Gilroy Simon , Baldwin Ian T.
Published: October 2007

Rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) is a 49‐amino‐acid peptide that rapidly alkalinizes cultivated tobacco cell cultures. In the native tobacco Nicotiana attenuata, NaRALF occurs as a single‐copy gene and is highly expressed in roots and petioles. Silencing the NaRALF transcript by transforming N. attenuata with an inverted‐repeat construct generated plants (irRALF) with normal wild‐type (WT) above‐ground parts, but with roots that grew longer and produced trichoblasts that developed into abnormal root hairs. Most trichoblasts produced a localized ‘bulge’ without commencing root hair tip growth; fewer trichoblasts grew, but were only 10% as long as those of WT plants. The root hair phenotype was associated with slowed apoplastic pH oscillations, increased pH at the tips of trichoblasts and decreased accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the root hair initiation zone. The root hair growth phenotype was partially restored when irRALF lines were grown in a low‐pH‐buffered medium, and reproduced in WT plants grown in a high‐pH‐buffered medium. When irRALF plants were grown in pH 5.6, 6.7 and 8.1 soils together with WT plants in glasshouse experiments, they were out‐competed by WT plants in basic, but not acidic, soils. When WT and irRALF lines were planted into the basic soils of the native habitat of N. attenuata in the Great Basin Desert, irRALF plants had smaller leaves, shorter stalks, and produced fewer flowers and seed capsules than did WT plants. We conclude that NaRALF is required for regulating root hair extracellular pH, the transition from root hair initiation to tip growth and plant growth in basic soils.
Visualization of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate in the plasma membrane of suspension‐cultured tobacco BY‐2 cells and whole Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Van Leeuwen Wessel , Vermeer Joop E.M. , Gadella Theodorus W.J. , Munnik Teun
Published: October 2007

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] is an important signalling lipid in mammalian cells, where it functions as a second‐messenger precursor in response to agonist‐dependent activation of phospholipase C (PLC) but also operates as a signalling molecule on its own. Much of the recent knowledge about it has come from a new technique to visualize PtdIns(4,5)P2in vivo, by expressing a green or yellow fluorescent protein (GFP or YFP) fused to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of human PLCδ1 that specifically binds PtdIns(4,5)P2. In this way, YFP‐PHPLCδ1 has been shown to predominantly label the plasma membrane and to transiently translocate into the cytoplasm upon PLC activation in a variety of mammalian cell systems. In plants, biochemical studies have shown that PtdIns(4,5)P2 is present in very small quantities, but knowledge of its localization and function is still very limited. In this study, we have used YFP‐PHPLCδ1 to try monitoring PtdIns(4,5)P2/PLC signalling in stably‐transformed tobacco Bright Yellow‐2 (BY‐2) cells and Arabidopsis seedlings. In both plant systems, no detrimental effects were observed, indicating that overexpression of the biosensor did not interfere with the function of PtdIns(4,5)P2. Confocal imaging revealed that most of the YFP‐PHPLCδ1 fluorescence was present in the cytoplasm, and not in the plasma membrane as in mammalian cells. Nonetheless, four conditions were found in which YFP‐PHPLCδ1 was concentrated at the plasma membrane: (i) upon treatment with the PLC inhibitor U73122; (ii) in response to salt stress; (iii) as a gradient at the tip of growing root hairs; (iv) during the final stage of a BY‐2 cell division. We conclude that PtdIns(4,5)P2, as in animals, is present in the plasma membrane of plants, but that its concentration in most cells is too low to be detected by YFP‐PHPLCδ1. Hence, the reporter remains unbound in the cytosol, making it unsuitable to monitor PLC signalling. Nonetheless, YFP‐PHPLCδ1 is a valuable plant PtdIns(4,5)P2 reporter, for it highlights specific cells and conditions where this lipid becomes abnormally concentrated in membranes, raising the question of what it is doing there. New roles for PtdIns(4,5)P2 in plant cell signalling are discussed.
Restoration of DWF4 expression to the leaf margin of a dwf4 mutant is sufficient to restore leaf shape but not size: the role of the margin in leaf development
Authors: Reinhardt Beate , Hänggi Emanuel , Müller Sabrine , Bauch Marion , Wyrzykowska Joanna , Kerstetter Randall , Poethig Scott , Fleming Andrew J.
Published: October 2007

The role of the margin in leaf development has been debated over a number of years. To investigate the molecular basis of events in the margin, we performed an enhancer trap screen to identify genes specifically expressed in this tissue. Analysis of one of these lines revealed abnormal differentiation in the margin, accompanied by an abnormal leaf size and shape. Further analysis revealed that this phenotype was due to insertion of the trap into DWF4, which encodes a key enzyme in brassinolide biosynthesis. Transcripts for this gene accumulated in a specific and dynamic pattern in the epidermis of young leaf primordia. Targeted expression of DWF4 to a subset of these cells (the leaf margin) in a dwf4 mutant background led to both restoration of differentiation of a specific group of leaf cells (margin cells) and restoration of wild‐type leaf shape (but not leaf size). Ablation of these cells led to abrogation of leaf development and the formation of small round leaves. These data support the hypothesis that events in the margin play an essential role in leaf morphogenesis, and implicate brassinolide in the margin as a key mediator in the control of leaf shape, separable from a general function of this growth factor in the control of organ size.
Suffering in psoriasis patients: its relation with illness severity and subjective well‐being
Authors: Reimus J. L. M. , Vingerhoets A. J. J. M. , Soons P. H. G. M. , Korstanje M. J.
Published: October 2007

Objective The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship among subjective illness impact, subjective well‐being, and psoriasis severity as assessed by dermatologists. Furthermore, subjective well‐being of psoriasis patients was compared to available norm data.

Methods Fifty‐nine psoriasis patients participated in this study. The following measures were administered: (a) the Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure – Revised (PRISM‐R), yielding Self‐Illness Separation (SIS), and Illness Perception Measure (IPM); (b) subjective health status; (c) life satisfaction, and (d) psychological well‐being. In addition, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was determined by dermatologists.

Results Psoriasis patients scored significantly below the norm data on subjective health status and psychological well‐being. No differences were found concerning life satisfaction.

PASI failed to correlate significantly with any of the disease impact and subjective health measures. Neither did SIS correlate significantly with any of the subjective health measures, whereas IPM was negatively associated with subjective health status, life satisfaction, and psychologic well‐being. In a regression analysis with PASI as the dependent measures, none of the subjective health measures showed up as a relevant predictor.

Conclusion In comparison with the norm data, psoriasis patients report less subjective health status and well‐being whereas their life satisfaction is not affected. There is no clear association among illness impact, subjective well‐being, and illness severity as assessed by dermatologists.
Recent advances in medical dermatology
Authors: Clark Lily N. , Lebwohl Mark
Published: October 2007

Collectively, new developments in the field of medical dermatology will ultimately lead to improved patient care. We review several new findings in the dermatologic literature including the following: new questions regarding the malignant potential of anti‐tumor necrosis factor agents, which are widely used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis; anti‐interleulin‐12, a promising anticytokine for the treatment of psoriasis; diagnostic advances in the detection of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis; advances in the primary prevention of human papillomavirus and herpes zoster; and new therapeutic options with existing medications for neuropathic pain and pruritus.
Is nitric oxide involved in the pathophysiology of essential hyperhidrosis?
Authors: Karaca Semsettin , Kulac Mustafa , Uz Efkan , Barutcu Irfan , Yilmaz H. Ramazan
Published: October 2007

Background  Essential hyperhidrosis (EH) is a disorder of excessive, bilateral, and relatively symmetric sweating occurring in the axillae, palms, soles, or craniofacial region without obvious etiology. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in eccrine clear cells, reported by an immunohistochemical technique, has suggested that nitric oxide (NO) may play a role in the physiology of production and/or excretion of sweat in the human skin eccrine gland.

Aim  To determine plasma NO levels in patients with EH and healthy controls.

Methods  We assessed the levels of plasma NO in patients with EH (n = 31) in comparison with those in age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 28). Total nitrite (nitrite + nitrate) was measured by a spectrophotometer at 545 nm after the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by copperized cadmium granules.

Results  Plasma NO levels were found to be significantly increased in EH patients in comparison with the control group (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions  These findings indicate a possible role of increased plasma NO levels in the pathophysiology of EH.
Practical guidelines for the management of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens–Johnson syndrome
Authors: Fromowitz Jeffrey S. , Ramos‐Caro Francisco A. , Flowers Franklin P.
Published: October 2007

Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens–Johnson syndrome are acute life‐threatening dermatoses characterized by extensive sloughing and mucositis. At the University of Florida, we use practical guidelines for the management of these gravely ill patients. These can be of help to other practitioners.
The percentage of patients achieving PASI 75 after 1 month and remission time after climatotherapy at the Dead Sea
Authors: Harari Marco , Novack Lena , Barth Joachim , David Michael , Friger Michael , Moses Shimon W.
Published: October 2007

Background  Dead Sea climatotherapy (DSC) is a highly effective treatment for psoriasis; however, there are scanty data concerning the duration of post‐therapy remission.

Objective  Assessment of the duration of remission in patients suffering from plaque‐type psoriasis after a 4‐week DSC.

Methods  Sixty‐four patients from Germany (66% men; average age: 41.5 years) underwent a 4‐week course of DSC between September 2001 and November 2002. After returning home, patients were asked to inform their dermatologist immediately when new lesions appeared. In parallel, they were called every 3 months by telephone. All patients who reported new skin lesions underwent a physical examination, including a Psoriasis Assessment Severity Index (PASI).

Outcomes  (1) Time of recurrence of a psoriatic lesion after complete or almost complete clearance, defined as duration of remission; (2) time that elapsed until a relapse of 50% of the PASI improvement occurred, defined as duration of therapeutic effect.

Results  Mean PASI value before and after treatment was 31.7 and 1.42, showing a 95.5% improvement. All patients reached PASI 50, and 75.9% of them reached PASI 75 after 1 month of DSC. The median time of remission was 23.1 weeks. The median time of duration of therapeutic effect was 33.6 weeks. Statistical multivariable analysis indicated that a patient's younger age at the time of treatment was associated with a longer period of remission.

Conclusion   Four‐week DSC is an effective remittive treatment for plaque‐type psoriasis. The period of remission induced compares favorably with other accepted modalities of treatment.
Dermoscopic features of accessory nipples
Authors: Oztas Murat Orhan , Gurer Mehmet Ali
Published: October 2007

Case 1  A 27‐year‐old woman presented with a 6 × 6 mm, soft, pink–brown papule located on the right axilla (Fig. 1). Dermoscopic examination showed a central scar‐like white‐colored area, a cleft‐like appearance in the central area, and a fine pigment network in the periphery of the lesion (Fig. 2).

Clinical appearance of Case 1

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Dermoscopic appearance of Case 1 (Arrow → Cleft responding to nipple tip)

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Case 2  A 5‐year‐old girl presented with a 4 × 4 mm pink nodule on her left abdominal region. Dermoscopic examination showed a central scar‐like white‐colored area, and a fine pigment network in the periphery of the lesion.

Case 3  An 18‐year‐old man presented to our outpatient clinic suffering from a firm, tender, painful, 7 × 7 mm brownish pink nodule located on his left hypochondrium. Upon dermoscopic examination, a central white scar‐like area was detected. A cleft‐like appearance was also detected in the central region. In the periphery of the lesion, there was a fine pigment network.

Case 4  An 8‐year‐old girl reported to our outpatient clinic with a congenital 5 × 5 mm brownish papule on her right inguinal region. Dermoscopic examination showed a central white scar‐like area, a cleft‐like appearance in the central region, and a fine pigment network in the periphery of the lesion (Fig. 3).

Dermoscopic appearance of Case 4 (Arrows → Cleft responding to nipple tip)

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Case 5  A 2‐month‐old girl was referred to our pigmented lesions clinic with a 3 × 3 mm brownish pink papule located on the right subcostal region lesion that had been noted by a pediatrician. Dermoscopic examination showed a central white area, central streak, and a very faint pigmented network at the periphery.
Etanercept for the treatment of refractory pyoderma gangrenosum: a brief series
Authors: Charles Carlos A. , Leon Argentina , Banta Meggan R. , Kirsner Robert S.
Published: October 2007

Background  Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. Therapy for PG involves local wound care along with topical and systemic anti‐inflammatory and other immunodulatory agents. Etanercept is one such immunomodulator with activity against the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor.

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in the treatment of PG ulcers.

Methods  A retrospective analysis was performed on seven patients with 11 refractory PG ulcers treated with subcutaneous injections of etanercept (25–50 mg twice weekly).

Results  All seven patients with PG responded well to etanercept. Eight of the 11 ulcers (73%) completely healed with the mean time of (12.5 weeks), while the other three ulcers had marked reduction in size (within 8–18 weeks). Etanercept was well tolerated. No serious side‐effects were reported. Only one patient discontinued the drug secondary to side‐effects.

Conclusion  Etanercept is an alternative treatment option for patients with refractory ulcers due to PG.
Clinical and molecular analysis of NF‐κB essential modulator in Chinese incontinentia pigmenti patients
Authors: Zou Chao Chun , Zhao Zheng Yan
Published: October 2007

Objective  To analyze clinical manifestation and gene of NF‐κB essential modulator (NEMO) in 12 pediatric incontinentia pigmenti (IP) patients.

Methods  Twelve pediatric probands with three of their mothers were enrolled in this study. Physical examinations were undertaken for all patients and questionnaires requesting additional medical and developmental data were sent to the patients’ families. The deletion of exon 4–10 and all 10 exons of NEMO gene were analyzed in these cases. Skin biopsy was performed in one case.

Results  All 15 patients had skin pigmentation abnormality and were diagnosed according to classic skin lesions. The prevalence of the dental, neurologic system, hair abnormality, and definite family history were 80.0%, 41.67%, 58.33%, and 25.0%, respectively. Histopathological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of IP with ectodermal dysplasia. In NEMO gene, deletion of exons 4–10 were noted in three cases and two of their mothers. A deletion of 19545 T in exon 6 was noted in one case and her mother. A 21690 T to C mutation in intron 8 of NEMO were found in another one case and her mother.

Conclusion  The results suggest that skin lesion are the most prominent findings in clinics and the traditional diagnosis of IP is based on classic melanin pigmentation. Nucleotide deletion of exons 4–10 and single nucleotide mutation/polymorphism were found in these patients, which might account for etiopathogenesis of IP.
HUMAN GENETIC STUDY: Association analysis of genes encoding the nociceptin receptor (OPRL1) and its endogenous ligand (PNOC) with alcohol or illicit drug dependence
Authors: Xuei Xiaoling , Flury‐Wetherill Leah , Almasy Laura , Bierut Laura , Tischfield Jay , Schuckit Marc , Nurnberger John I. , Foroud Tatiana , Edenberg Howard J.
Published: October 2007

Recent studies in animal models have shown that the nociceptin system, comprising nociceptin (or OFQ/N, encoded byPNOC) and the nociceptin receptor (an opioid receptor‐like protein encoded byOPRL1), may be involved in alcohol and other drug reward pathways. To determine whether the nociceptin system is associated with alcohol or illicit drug dependence in humans, we analyzed 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inOPRL1and 15 SNPs inPNOCin a sample of 1923 European Americans from 219 multiplex alcohol dependent families ascertained by the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. The SNPs spanned both genes and several kb of their flanking sequences, and were in high linkage disequilibrium. Neither gene was associated with alcohol or illicit drug dependence, although two SNPs inPNOCshowed marginal association with alcoholism and one with illicit drug dependence (P = 0.04–0.05). Secondary analyses suggested that two adjacent SNPs in intron 1 ofOPRL1were marginally associated with opioid dependence (P = 0.05); none of the SNPs inPNOCwere associated with opioid dependence.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Changes in leptin, ghrelin, growth hormone and neuropeptide‐Y after an acute model of MDMA and methamphetamine exposure in rats
Authors: Kobeissy Firas H. , Jeung Jennifer A. , Warren Matthew W. , Geier Jacqueline E. , Gold Mark S.
Published: October 2007

Club drug abuse is a growing problem in the United States. Beyond addiction and toxicity are endocrine effects which are not well characterized. Specifically, the changes in appetite following exposure to drugs of abuse are an interesting but poorly understood phenomenon. Serum hormones such as leptin, ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), and neuropeptide‐Y (NP‐Y) are known to affect appetite, but have not been studied extensively with drugs of abuse. In this work, we examine the effects of club drugs 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (ecstasy) and methamphetamine (METH) (doses of 5, 20 and 40 mg/kg) on serum concentrations of these hormones in adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after drug administration. In a dose‐dependent manner, MDMA was shown to cause transient significant decreases in serum leptin and GH followed by a base line recovery after 24 hours. Conversely, serum ghrelin increased and normalized after 24 hours. Interestingly, serum NP‐Y showed a steady decrease in both treatment of MDMA and METH at different time points and dosages. In humans, abuse of these drugs reduces eating. As evident from these data, acute administration of METH and MDMA had significant effects on different serum hormone levels involved in appetite regulation. Future studies should be performed to see how chronic, low dose drug administration would affect hormone levels and try to answer questions about the physiological mechanisms involved in the anorexic paradigm observed in drug use.
REVIEW: HPA‐axis activity in alcoholism: examples for a gene–environment interaction
Authors: Clarke Toni‐Kim , Treutlein Jens , Zimmermann Ulrich S. , Kiefer Falk , Skowronek Markus H. , Rietschel Marcella , Mann Karl , Schumann Gunter
Published: October 2007

Genetic and environmental influences are both known to be causal factors in the development and maintenance of substance abuse disorders. This review aims to focus on the contributions of genetic and environmental research to the understanding of alcoholism and how gene–environment interactions result in a variety of addiction phenotypes. Gene–environment interactions have been reviewed by focusing on one of the most relevant environmental risk factors for alcoholism, stress. This is examined in more detail by reviewing the functioning of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and its genetic and molecular components in this disorder. Recent evidence from animal and human studies have shown that the effects of stress on alcohol drinking are mediated by core HPA axis genes and are associated with genetic variations in those genes. The findings of the studies discussed here suggest that the collaborations of neuroscience, psychobiology and molecular genetics provide a promising framework to elucidate the exact mechanisms of gene–environment interactions as seen to convene upon the HPA axis and effect phenotypes of addiction.