bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical facial cancer treatment: the silencing of disfigurement in nurse–patient interactions
Authors: Konradsen Hanne , Kirkevold Marit , Zoffmann Vibeke
Published: September 2009

Title.  Surgical facial cancer treatment: the silencing of disfigurement in nurse–patient interactions.

Aim.  The aim of this study was to explore and explain how disfigurement is addressed in interactions between patient and nurse during the period in hospital immediately after undergoing disfiguring facial surgery.

Background.  Facial disfigurement as a result of head and neck or eye cancer surgery is associated with psychosocial problems; however no successful intervention program has been developed. Empirically derived knowledge about what goes on in the patient–nurse interaction is missing.

Method.  A grounded theory design was used, with data derived from audio‐recorded conversations between and individual interviews with 14 patients and their connected nurses, from three participating university hospitals. Data were collected in 2007.

Findings.  A substantive model with silencing disfigurement as a core category was developed. The model included three categories; minimizing disfigurement, disfigurement is a luxurious problem and another time, another place. A condition of implicit and unverified professional assumptions about addressing the issue of disfigurement became an underlying character. Without this the core category could not exist.

Conclusion.  The model elucidates a silencing process maintained by preconceived assumptions which need to be challenged to help patients adjust to their changed appearance after facial cancer treatment.
Tales of resistance and other emancipatory functions of storytelling
Authors: Grassley Jane S. , Nelms Tommie P.
Published: September 2009

Title.  Tales of resistance and other emancipatory functions of storytelling.

Aim.  This paper is the report of a study to explore how the process of storytelling might facilitate women’s emancipatory knowing, using examples from women’s breastfeeding stories.

Background.  Storytelling, as an interactive process, can give women a way to explain pivotal life events, justify choices, examine reality and find meaning in experiences. Emancipatory functions of storytelling have been identified as contextual grounding, bonding with others, validating and affirming experiences, venting and catharsis, resisting oppression and educating others.

Method.  Secondary data analysis was conducted in 2008 on breastfeeding stories originally gathered from 13 women from 2002 to 2004 for a feminist hermeneutic study of maternal breastfeeding confidence. The stories were re‐examined through the lens of the emancipatory functions of storytelling. Illustrations of contextual grounding, validating and affirming experiences, venting and catharsis and acts of resistance were found in the breastfeeding stories and presented as exemplars of emancipatory knowing.

Findings.  Women revealed the difficulties they encountered breastfeeding, transforming these experiences as they discovered their meaning. They described collisions that occurred when personal, familial, healthcare professionals’ or cultural expectations differed from their experience. The stories suggested possible liberation from old ideologies about breastfeeding as women redefined the difficulties they encountered.

Conclusion.  Storytelling has potential as a simple, yet profound, and powerful emancipatory intervention which nurses can use to help women in their care make sense of and transform experiences of health and illness. Storytelling may have global implications for nursing practice and research.
Parenting stress in mothers of adults with an intellectual disability: parental cognitions in relation to child characteristics and family support
Authors: Hill C. , Rose J.
Published: September 2009

Background  There is a body of evidence that indicates that the cognitions of parents of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) play an important role in influencing parental stress. However, there is a paucity of evidence about the experience of parents of adult children with ID. This study sought to apply a model of parenting stress to mothers of adults with ID. Of particular interest were the parental cognitions of parenting self‐esteem and parental locus of control.

Method  Face‐to face interviews were administered with 44 mothers of adults with ID. They completed the Vineland Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviour Scale, the Family Support Scale, the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, a shortened version of the Parental Locus of Control Scale and the Parenting Stress Index.

Results  Correlations were observed between parenting stress and the other study variables. Regression analysis revealed that parental cognitive variables predicted 61% of the variance in parenting stress. Parenting satisfaction, a subscale of the measure of parenting sense of competence, mediated the relationships between adaptive behaviour and parenting stress and between family support and parenting stress.

Conclusions  These results indicate the importance of cognitive variables in the stress of mothers of adults with ID. Potential avenues of future research might focus on the experience of fathers and the impact of positive perceptions as a cognitive factor.
An efflux transporter PbrA and a phosphatase PbrB cooperate in a lead‐resistance mechanism in bacteria
Authors: Hynninen Anu , Touzé Thierry , Pitkänen Leena , Mengin‐Lecreulx Dominique , Virta Marko
Published: September 2009

The gene cluster pbrTRABCD from Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 is thought to encode a unique, specific resistance mechanism for lead. However, the exact functions of these genes are unknown. In this study we examine the metal specificity and functions of pbrABCD by expressing these genes in different combinations and comparing their ability to restore Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ resistance in a metal‐sensitive C. metallidurans strain DN440. We show that lead resistance in C. metallidurans is achieved through the cooperation of the Zn/Cd/Pb‐translocating ATPase PbrA and the undecaprenyl pyrophosphate phosphatase PbrB. While PbrA non‐specifically exported Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+, a specific increase in lead resistance was observed when PbrA and PbrB were coexpressed. As a model of action for PbrA and PbrB we propose a mechanism where Pb2+ is exported from the cytoplasm by PbrA and then sequestered as a phosphate salt with the inorganic phosphate produced by PbrB. Similar operons containing genes for heavy metal translocating ATPases and phosphatases were found in several different bacterial species, suggesting that lead detoxification through active efflux and sequestration is a common lead‐resistance mechanism.
Cellular localization of choline‐utilization proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae using novel fluorescent reporter systems
Authors: Eberhardt Alice , Wu Ling J. , Errington Jeff , Vollmer Waldemar , Veening Jan‐Willem
Published: September 2009

The molecular mechanisms underlying cell growth, cell division and pathogenesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae are still not fully understood. Single‐cell methodologies are potentially of great value to investigate S. pneumoniae cell biology. Here, we report the construction of novel plasmids for single and double cross‐over integration of functional fusions to the gene encoding a fast folding variant of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the S. pneumoniae chromosome. We have also established a zinc‐inducible system for the fine control of gfp‐fusion gene expression and for protein depletion experiments in S. pneumoniae. Using this novel single cell toolkit, we have examined the cellular localization of the proteins involved in the essential process of choline decoration of S. pneumoniae teichoic acid. GFP fusions to LicA and LicC, enzymes involved in the activation of choline, showed a cytoplasmic distribution, as predicted from their primary sequences. A GFP fusion to the choline importer protein LicB showed clear membrane localization. GFP fusions to LicD1 and LicD2, enzymes responsible for loading of teichoic acid subunits with choline, are also membrane‐associated, even though both proteins lack any obvious membrane spanning domain. These results indicate that the decoration of teichoic acid by the LicD enzymes is a membrane‐associated process presumably occurring at lipid‐linked teichoic acid precursors.
ZipN, an FtsA‐like orchestrator of divisome assembly in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803
Authors: Marbouty Martial , Saguez Cyril , Cassier‐Chauvat Corinne , Chauvat Franck
Published: September 2009

We pursued the characterization of the divisome of the spherical‐celled cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803, through deletion, site‐directed mutagenesis, GFP tagging, two‐hybrid and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. We presently report that the DivIVA‐like protein Cdv3 is essential to both cell growth and division, whereas the AmiC, AmpH, FtsE, FtsN, SpoIID, YlmD, YlmE and YlmG proteins are dispensable. With the exception of the self‐interacting protein YlmD, none of these dispensable factors appeared to interact with ZipN, the crucial cytokinetic factor we previously characterized. By contrast, we found that ZipN interacts with itself and the self‐interacting protein Cdv3, as well as with all other crucial cytokinetic factors we previously characterized, namely: FtsZ, FtsI, FtsQ, SepF and ZipS. We also identified ZipN amino acids selectively involved in ZipN interaction with one of its following partners, Cdv3, FtsQ or SepF. Finally, we found no direct interaction between Cdv3, SepF and ZipS. Collectively, these results indicate that ZipN is a central player of divisome assembly in cyanobacteria, similarly to the FtsA protein of E. coli that is absent in cyanobacteria and chloroplast.
Role of NtrC‐regulated exopolysaccharides in the biofilm formation and pathogenic interaction of Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Kim Han‐Suk , Park Soon‐Jung , Lee Kyu‐Ho
Published: September 2009

Vibrio vulnificus has been shown to require a global transcription factor, NtrC for mature biofilm development via controlling the biosyntheses of lipopolysaccharide and exopolysaccharide (EPS). Biofilm formation and EPS production were dramatically increased in a medium including a tricarboxylic acid cycle‐intermediate as a carbon source. These phenotypes required functional NtrC and were abolished by the addition of ammonium chloride. During the initial stage of biofilm formation, both expression of the ntrC gene and the cellular content of NtrC protein increased. Thus, the regulatory roles of NtrC in EPS biosynthesis were studied with three gene clusters for EPS biosyntheses. Transcriptions of the three clusters were positively controlled by NtrC and showed maximal expression at the early stage of biofilm development. Mutants deficient in one of the genes (VV1_2661, VV2_1579 and VV1_2305) in each cluster showed decreased production of EPS, attenuated ability to form biofilm and lowered cytoadherence to human epithelial cells. However, mutations in VV2_1579 and VV1_2305 resulted in lower cytotoxicity to human cells and mortality to mice than the mutation in VV1_2661. These results demonstrate that NtrC‐regulated EPS are crucial in biofilm formation of V. vulnificus, and some EPS components play important roles in interacting with hosts.
YabA of Bacillus subtilis controls DnaA‐mediated replication initiation but not the transcriptional response to replication stress
Authors: Goranov Alexi I. , Breier Adam M. , Merrikh Houra , Grossman Alan D.
Published: September 2009

yabA encodes a negative regulator of replication initiation in Bacillus subtilis and homologues are found in many other Gram‐positive species. YabA interacts with the β‐processivity clamp (DnaN) of DNA polymerase and with the replication initiator and transcription factor DnaA. Because of these interactions, YabA has been proposed to modulate the activity of DnaA. We investigated the role of YabA in regulating replication initiation and the activity of DnaA as a transcription factor. We found that YabA function is mainly limited to replication initiation at oriC. Loss of YabA did not significantly alter expression of genes controlled by DnaA during exponential growth or after replication stress, indicating that YabA is not required for modulating DnaA transcriptional activity. We also found that DnaN activates replication initiation apparently through effects on YabA. Furthermore, association of GFP‐YabA with the replisome correlated with the presence of DnaN at replication forks, but was independent of DnaA. Our results are consistent with models in which YabA inhibits replication initiation at oriC, and perhaps DnaA function at oriC, but not with models in which YabA generally modulates the activity of DnaA in response to replication stress.
The rice transcription factor IDEF1 is essential for the early response to iron deficiency, and induces vegetative expression of late embryogenesis abundant genes
Authors: Kobayashi Takanori , Itai Reiko Nakanishi , Ogo Yuko , Kakei Yusuke , Nakanishi Hiromi , Takahashi Michiko , Nishizawa Naoko K.
Published: September 2009

Higher plants maintain iron homeostasis by regulating the expression of iron (Fe)‐related genes in accordance with Fe availability. The transcription factor IDEF1 regulates the response to Fe deficiency in Oryza sativa (rice) by recognizing CATGC sequences within the Fe deficiency‐responsive cis‐acting element IDE1. To investigate the function of IDEF1 in detail, we analyzed the response to Fe deficiency in transgenic rice plants exhibiting induced or repressed IDEF1 expression. Fe‐deficiency treatment in hydroponic culture revealed that IDEF1 knock‐down plants are susceptible to early‐stage Fe deficiency, in contrast to IDEF1‐induced plants. Time‐course expression analyses using quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR revealed that the IDEF1 expression level was positively correlated with the level of induction of the Fe utilization‐related genes OsIRO2, OsYSL15, OsIRT1, OsYSL2, OsNAS1, OsNAS2, OsNAS3 and OsDMAS1, just after the onset of Fe starvation. However, this overall transactivation mediated by IDEF1 became less evident in subsequent stages. Microarray and in‐silico analyses revealed that genes positively regulated by IDEF1, especially at the early stage, exhibit over‐representation of CATGC and IDE1‐like elements within the proximal promoter regions. These results indicate the existence of early and subsequent responses to Fe deficiency, with the former requiring IDEF1 more specifically. Proximal regions of IDEF1‐regulated gene promoters also showed enrichment of RY elements (CATGCA), which regulate gene expression during seed maturation. The expression of several genes encoding late embryogenesis abundant proteins, including Osem, was induced in Fe‐deficient roots and/or leaves in an IDEF1‐dependent manner, suggesting a possible function of seed maturation‐related genes in Fe‐deficient vegetative organs.
Leishmaniasis in Turkey: molecular characterization of Leishmania from human and canine clinical samples
Authors: Toz Seray Ozensoy , Nasereddin Abedelmajeed , Ozbel Yusuf , Ertabaklar Hatice , Culha Gulnaz , Sevil Naser , Ziya Alkan M. , Jaffe Charles L.
Published: September 2009

Human leishmaniasis, both visceral and cutaneous, and canine leishmaniasis have been reported in Turkey for centuries. However, the advent of new diagnostic tools during the last 30 years has led to the recognition that leishmaniasis is an important public health problem throughout the country. In most disease foci both canine and human leishmaniases exist together and identification of parasite species causing these diseases is a pre‐requisite for understanding disease epidemiology. A total of 109 samples obtained from human and canine leishmaniasis cases were examined using internal transcribed spacer 1 PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Our results indicate that two species, Leishmania tropica and Leishmania infantum, are primarily responsible for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively, in Turkey. However, a new focus of human cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum in Hatay region is described. This finding further stresses the importance of Leishmania species molecular characterization in prescribing appropriate therapy and understanding the disease’s transmission in different endemic foci.
GENETIC STUDY: The interaction between the dopamine transporter gene and age at onset in relation to tobacco and alcohol use among 19‐year‐olds
Authors: Schmid Brigitte , Blomeyer Dorothea , Becker Katja , Treutlein Jens , Zimmermann Ulrich S. , Buchmann Arlette F. , Schmidt Martin H. , Esser Günter , Banaschewski Tobias , Rietschel Marcella , Laucht Manfred
Published: September 2009

Recent evidence suggests that heterogeneity in the age at onset could explain the inconsistent findings of association studies relating the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene with alcohol and nicotine consumption. The aim of this study was to examine interactions between two DAT1 polymorphisms and different initiation ages with regard to alcohol and tobacco consumption levels and dependence. Two hundred and ninety‐one young adults (135 males, 156 females) participating in the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk were genotyped for the 40‐bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and rs27072 polymorphisms of DAT1. Age at initiation was assessed at age 15 and 19 years. Information about current alcohol and tobacco consumption was obtained at age 19 years using self‐report measures and structured interviews. Results suggest that age at onset of intensive consumption moderated the association of the DAT1 gene with early adult substance use and dependence, revealing a DAT1 effect only among individuals homozygous for the 10r allele of the 40‐bp VNTR who had started daily smoking or being intoxicated early in life. Equally, carriers of the T allele of the rs27072 polymorphism reporting an early age at first intoxication showed higher current alcohol consumption at age 19 years. In contrast, no interaction between rs27072 and the age at first cigarette with regard to later smoking was observed. These findings provide evidence that the DAT1 gene interacts with an early heavy or regular drug exposure of the maturing adolescent brain to predict substance (ab)use in young adulthood. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
HUMAN STUDY: Preconscious attentional bias in cigarette smokers: a probe into awareness modulation on attentional bias
Authors: Yan Xiaodan , Jiang Yi , Wang Jin , Deng Yuan , He Sheng , Weng Xuchu
Published: September 2009

It has been frequently reported that smokers showed attentional bias toward smoking‐related stimuli. The current study aimed to examine whether such bias was also present when subjects were unaware of the presented stimuli and the possible role of awareness modulation on attentional bias. With a psychophysical approach (interocular suppression), we suppressed subjects' awareness to the cigarette pictures presented to one of their eyes. The visual dot probe task was modified to increase the perceptual load and to control the physical features between two rivaling images. Twenty‐eight male smokers and 25 male non‐smokers participated in the experiment. We found a significant interaction between experiment conditions and subject groups, with only the smoker group showed attentional bias toward cigarette pictures in unaware condition. Moreover, smokers' attentional bias in unaware condition was negatively correlated with their scores on Cigarette Dependence Scale while their attentional bias in aware condition was positively correlated with scores on Questionnaires of Smoking Urges. Such dissociation indicates the possibility of awareness modulation on attentional bias: it is possible that in aware condition, the attentional bias was modulated by smoking urge in awareness, thus concealed the effect of dependence degree. Further studies indicated that awareness modulated attentional bias through many factors, such as craving, quit attempt, attitude and disgust. Interestingly, non‐smokers also showed attentional bias in aware condition, which further suggested that due to awareness modulation, attentional bias could even be addiction‐unrelated.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Acquisition and reinstatement of MDMA‐induced conditioned place preference in mice pre‐treated with MDMA or cocaine during adolescence
Authors: Daza‐Losada Manuel , Rodríguez‐Arias Marta , Aguilar María A. , Miñarro José
Published: September 2009

Those who take ecstasy are more likely to consume other drugs than non‐users with cocaine abuse being reported by 75.5% of high school student MDMA (± 3,4‐methylenedioxymetamphetamine hydrochloride) users. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of exposure during adolescence to MDMA, cocaine or to both drugs on the MDMA‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in adult mice. Animals received two daily administrations of saline, 10 mg/kg of MDMA, 25 mg/kg of cocaine or 10 mg/kg of MDMA plus 25 mg/kg of cocaine over 3 days (from PD28 to 30). Three weeks after pre‐treatment, the MDMA‐induced CPP procedure was initiated (PD52). Acquisition of CPP was induced with a sub‐threshold dose of MDMA (1.25 mg/kg) only in animals treated during adolescence with MDMA alone. Preference was established in all the groups after conditioning with 10 mg/kg of MDMA, while the time required to achieve extinction was longer in those pre‐treated with cocaine or MDMA alone (46 and 28 sessions, respectively). Moreover, preference was reinstated with progressively lower priming doses of MDMA in mice pre‐treated with MDMA or cocaine alone. These results demonstrate that early exposure to MDMA or cocaine induces long‐lasting changes that last until adulthood and modify the response of animals to MDMA.
RESEARCH FOCUS ON COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN ANIMALS: An animal model of compulsive food‐taking behaviour
Authors: Heyne Andrea , Kiesselbach Christoph , Sahún Ignasi , McDonald Jerome , Gaiffi Monica , Dierssen Mara , Wolffgramm Jochen
Published: September 2009

The increase in the incidence of obesity and eating disorders has promoted research aimed at understanding the aetiology of abnormal eating behaviours. Apart from metabolic factors, obesity is caused by overeating. Clinical reports have led to the suggestion that some individuals may develop addictive‐like behaviours when consuming palatable foods, and compulsive eating plays a similar dominant role in obesity as compulsive drug taking does in drug addiction. The progress made in the development of treatment strategies for obesity is limited, in part, because the physiological and neurological causes and consequences of compulsive eating behaviour are not clearly understood and cannot readily be studied in human subjects. We have developed experimental approaches that reflect the functioning of the components of eating control, including compulsive food taking in rats. Rats that are given free choice between standard chow and a palatable, chocolate‐containing ‘Cafeteria Diet’ (CD) develop distinct signs of compulsive food taking that appear at an early stage. These include the inability to adapt intake behaviour in periods of limited or bitter‐tasting CD access, continued food intake during resting phases and changes in fine structure of feeding (duration, distribution and recurrence of feeding bouts). The model will help examine the neurobiological underpinnings of compulsive food seeking and food taking and provides a possibility to study the effects of novel anti‐obesity compounds on compulsive eating and other components of food‐taking behaviour in detail. For future use of genetic models, the possibility of a transfer to a mouse was discussed.
Co‐researching with people with learning disabilities: an experience of involvement in qualitative data analysis
Authors: Tuffrey‐Wijne Irene , Butler Gary
Published: September 2009

Background  People with learning disabilities have been included in research as co‐researchers since the 1990s. However, there is limited literature about the processes of involving people with learning disabilities in the more intellectual and analytical stages of the research process.

Aims  To examine the potential contribution of people with learning disabilities to data analysis in qualitative research.

Methods  This article is a reflection on one research experience. The two authors include one researcher with and one without learning disabilities. They each describe their experience and understanding of user involvement in analysing the data of an ethnographic study of people with learning disabilities who had cancer. The researcher with learning disabilities was given extensive vignettes and extracts from the research field notes, and was supported to extract themes, which were cross‐compared with the analysis of other members of the research team.

Results  The researcher with learning disabilities coped well with the emotive content of the data and with the additional support provided, he was able to extract themes that added validity to the overall analysis. His contribution complemented those of the other members of the research team. There were unexpected benefits, in particular, in terms of a more reciprocal and supportive relationship between the two researchers.

Conclusion  It is possible and valuable to extend involvement to data analysis, but to avoid tokenism and maintain academic rigour, there must be a clear rationale for such involvement. Extra support, time and costs must be planned for.
Clinical features of chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome in 208 Chilean patients
Authors: Repetto GM , Guzmán ML , Puga A , Calderón JF , Astete CP , Aracena M , Arriaza M , Aravena T , Sanz P
Published: September 2009

Patients with chromosome 22q11 deletion syndrome exhibit significant phenotypic variability. Epidemiologic data suggest a higher incidence in Hispanics, but limited clinical information is available from Latin‐American patients. We describe the clinical features of Chilean patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome and compare their findings with those reported in large European, Japanese and US series. Data were obtained from 208 patients from five medical centers. Mean age at diagnosis was 5.2 years, with a median of 2.3 years. Congenital heart defects were present in 59.6%, lower than other large series that averaged 75.8%. Palate abnormalities were present in 79%, higher than previous reports averaging 56%. Patients with congenital heart disease were diagnosed earlier (median 0.3 years of age) than those without heart defects (median 5.6 years) and had greater mortality attributable to the syndrome (9.8%vs2.4%, respectively). The differences in frequencies of major anomalies may be due to growing awareness of more subtle manifestations of the syndrome, differences in clinical ascertainment or the presence of modifier factors. These observations provide additional data useful for patient counseling and for the proposal of health care guidelines.
Identification of 11 novel mutations in USH2A among Japanese patients with Usher syndrome type 2
Authors: Nakanishi H , Ohtsubo M , Iwasaki S , Hotta Y , Mizuta K , Mineta H , Minoshima S
Published: September 2009

Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by retinitis pigmentosa and hearing loss. USH type 2 (USH2) is the most common type of USH and is frequently caused by mutations in USH2A, which accounts for 74–90% of USH2 cases. This is the first study reporting the results of scanning for USH2A mutations in Japanese patients with USH2. In 8 of 10 unrelated patients, we identified 14 different mutations. Of these mutations, 11 were novel. Although the mutation spectrum that we identified differed from that for Caucasians, the incidence of mutations in USH2A was 80% for all patients tested, which is consistent with previous findings. Further, c.8559‐2A>G was identified in four patients and accounted for 26.7% of mutated alleles; it is thus a frequent mutation in Japanese patients. Hence, mutation screening for c.8559‐2A>G in USH2A may prove very effective for the early diagnosis of USH2.
CFTR (TG)m(T)n polymorphism in patients with CBAVD in a population expressing low incidence of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Chiang H‐S , Lu J‐F , Liu C‐H , Wu Y‐N , Wu C‐C
Published: September 2009

As it is well established that an association exists between congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) and cystic fibrosis gene mutations, we investigated CFTR(TG)m(T)n polymorphism within a Taiwanese population that exhibits a very low incidence of CF. Sixty‐three patients with CBAVD and 86 age‐matched normal control subjects were evaluated. Temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis was used for CFTR mutational analysis. No major CFTR mutation was found in the patient series. A single prominent CFTR mutation, IVS8‐5T, was present; however, (50.8% of 63 cases and 33.3% of 126 alleles), and exhibited a high prevalence of 12 or 13 TG repeats (93.8% of 32 cases and 95.2% of 42 alleles with IVS8‐5T). Although these results are similar to those of Japanese CBAVD patients, they are higher than the common frequency (about 21%) found among Caucasian CBAVD patients. The very high percentage (42.9%) of patients with no CFTR mutations is also an ethnic characteristic. We concluded that CBAVD patients from Taiwan, who express a very low incidence of CF, were less affected by CFTR mutations, with the exception of IVS8‐5T linked to either 12 or 13 TG repeats, which does exhibit a high prevalence among CBAVD patients tested.
A novel HLA‐DRB1*120204 allele found in a Chinese individual
Authors: Ji Y. , Sun Y. , Xie J. H. , Yang J. H. , Liu Y. , Du K. M.
Published: September 2009

The HLA‐DRB1*120204 allele differs by a single synonymous nucleotide change from the DRB1*120201 allele at position 203 in exon 2 from C to G.
Identification of a new HLA‐Cw*01 variant, Cw*0121, by sequence‐based typing in a Chinese patient
Authors: Li Z. , Zhang H. , Jin S.‐Z.
Published: September 2009

HLA‐Cw*0121 allele was identified in a Chinese patient. It is identical to Cw*0104 except for five nucleotides changes.
Identification of HLA‐B*9521 in Taiwan
Authors: Chu C.‐C. , Chen Y.‐F. , Lee H.‐L. , Lin C.‐Y. , Lin M.
Published: September 2009

We here report a new HLA‐B allele, B*9521, which differs from B*1544 at codon 67 (TCC→TGC).
A novel HLA‐Cw*04 allele, Cw*04010103, identified by genomic full length cloning and sequencing
Authors: Xu Y. , Deng Z. , Zeng J. , Gao S. , Wang D.
Published: September 2009

A novel human leukocyte antigen‐Cw*04 allele, Cw*04010103, was identified by genomic full length cloning and sequencing from a male Chinese donor. It differs from the closest related allele Cw*04010101 by one nucleotide exchange at nt 1111 (G>A) in intron 3.
Human neutrophil alloantigen‐1a, ‐1b, ‐2, ‐3a and ‐4a frequencies in Brazilians
Authors: Norcia A. M. M. I. , Sugano E. Y. K. , Chiba A. K. , Moritz E. , Guirao F. P. , Yamamoto M. , Bordin J. O.
Published: September 2009

Human neutrophil reactive antibodies may cause clinical disorders such as transfusion‐related acute lung injury, febrile transfusion reactions, alloimmune neonatal neutropenia, immune neutropenia after stem cell transplantation, refractoriness to granulocyte transfusion, drug‐induced neutropenia and autoimmune neutropenia. Using the granulocyte immunofluorescence test by flow cytometry, the phenotypic frequencies of the human neutrophil alloantigens (HNA)‐1a, ‐1b, ‐2, ‐3a and ‐4a were determined in 100 healthy Brazilian persons. Neutrophils were separated from blood samples by sedimentation, centrifugated and incubated with HNA‐specific alloantibody plus fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled F(ab')2 fragments of anti‐human IgG. The results showed that the phenotype frequencies of HNA‐1a, ‐1b, ‐2a, ‐3a and ‐4a were 65%, 83%, 97%, 95% and 94%, respectively. We detected that neutrophils from 17% of Brazilians typed positive only with anti‐HNA‐1a (HNA‐1a/a), 35% only with anti‐HNA‐1b (HNA‐1b/b) and 48% reacted with both antibodies (HNA‐1a/b). The frequencies found for HNA‐1a and ‐1b were quite similar to that reported among Africans and American‐Africans, but different from those found in Japanese and Chinese. In addition, our data showed that the frequencies of HNA‐2, ‐3a and ‐4a in Brazilians were comparable with those observed in Caucasians. The determination of HNAs frequencies among populations with distinct racial backgrounds is important not only for anthropological reasons, but also for neonatal typing in suspected cases of alloimmune neutropenia or when patients are severely neutropenic.
The association between early sensitization patterns and subsequent allergic disease. The DARC birth cohort study
Authors: Kjaer Henrik Fomsgaard , Eller Esben , Andersen Klaus Ejner , Høst Arne , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten
Published: September 2009

Prevention of allergic diseases depends on early identification of clinical markers preceding such disorders. This study describes the natural course of sensitization as measured by skin prick test (SPT) and specific immunoglobulin E (S‐IgE) and analyses the association between early sensitization patterns and subsequent allergic disease at 6 yr of age. In an ongoing population‐based birth cohort study of 562 children, follow‐up visits were performed at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36, and 72 months. Visits included an interview, physical examination, SPTs, and S‐IgE measurements for 12 food and inhalant allergens. The frequency of S‐IgE sensitization to ≥1 inhalant allergen was constant from 0 to 6 months (9–10%), decreased at 12–18 months before increasing from 36 months onwards. S‐IgE sensitization to at least one food allergen remained constant from 0 to 6 yr. SPT sensitization to food and inhalant allergens appeared from 3 and 12 months, respectively. Early food sensitization (S‐IgE) between 3 and 18 months was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with atopic dermatitis (OR: 4.0 [1.6–9.9]) and asthma (OR 4.0 [1.1–12.5]) at the age of 6 yr. Children with atopic dermatitis, asthma, or rhinoconjunctivitis, and sensitization at 6 yr, were sensitized to food allergens to a large extent (53%, 42%, and 47%, respectively) already at 6 months. Early inhalant sensitization (S‐IgE) did not increase the risk of later allergic disease. Early atopic dermatitis (0–18 months) was also highly associated with subsequent allergic disease. Children with early food sensitization and/or atopic dermatitis would be a proper target group for future interventional studies.
Assessing the Importance of Social Factors in Bird Song Learning: A Test Using Computer‐Simulated Tutors
Authors: Burt John M. , O’Loghlen Adrian L. , Templeton Christopher N. , Campbell S. Elizabeth , Beecher Michael D.
Published: September 2009

We used a mixed live/synthetic tutoring design to investigate whether the social factors of eavesdropping on adult singing interactions and/or direct interaction with a tutor would influence song learning in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Males were brought into the laboratory at 4–5 d‐old, hand‐raised and then tutored by two pairs of adult song sparrows in June and July From January through March of the next year, subjects received tutoring from computer simulations of two of the original live tutors. The first, non‐interactive, model simulated one of the earlier tutors singing ‘naturalistic’ bouts of song with no interaction with the subject. The second, interactive, model simulated a different early tutor that behaved similarly to the non‐interactive model, but synchronized its singing with the subject, and tried to match the subject’s song. Subjects learned relatively more from their interactive late tutor and his early partner, and showed no tendency to learn more from their late than their early‐only tutors. These results support the eavesdropping hypothesis, and also suggest that direct interaction with the tutor is a relevant social factor.
Recovery from Drought Stress at the Shooting Stage in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus)
Authors: Müller T. , Lüttschwager D. , Lentzsch P.
Published: September 2009

Periods of drought frequently affect the development of winter rape at the shooting stage in spring. A growth chamber study was conducted to determine the effects of 13 days of strong water deficit at the shooting stage followed by rewatering on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The osmolality and the efficiency of photosystem II in leaves were measured by means of a vapour pressure osmometer and a chlorophyll fluorometer, respectively. The activities of sucrose cleaving enzymes in leaves were determined through invertase as well as sucrose synthase tests. A higher osmotic pressure was observed 2 days after water deprivation. Extracellular and vacuolar invertases as well as chlorophyll fluorescence were decreased with delay. Rewatering led to a gradual decrease in the osmotic pressure and a delayed increase in the enzyme activities as well as the photosynthetic efficiency. A linear regression model could predict osmolality in well‐watered plants based on the extracellular enzyme activity and growth stage. The ontogenetic and stress‐related pattern of extracellular invertase activity could indicate a role of this enzyme in balancing source‐sink relations. The onset of flowering was not influenced by drought, but the period of this stage was prolonged. Though, the ontogenetic stages of stressed and unstressed plants were the same at the time of harvest, the development of seed biomass was significantly depressed under stress.
Environmental and Varietal Influences on the Fatty Acid Composition of Rapeseed, Soybeans and Sunflowers
Authors: Werteker M. , Lorenz A. , Johannes H. , Berghofer E. , Findlay C. S.
Published: September 2009

The fatty acid (FA) composition of oil crops is of some importance under technological as well as under nutritional aspects. The influence of temperature on this parameter in rapeseed, soybeans and sunflowers was investigated under practical agricultural conditions, whereby varietal variations were taken into account. The analysed plant material originated from variety testing trials located in different climatic zones of Austria. As a measure of the climatic conditions of a location, the mean temperature of the last 30 days before harvest was calculated. Despite the low temperature differences between the various locations, moderate but significant negative correlations between temperature and the share of linolenic (18 : 3), respectively, linoleic (18 : 2) acid on the whole quantity of FAs in rapeseed (R² = 0.18–0.42), soybeans (R² = 0.11–0.13) and sunflowers (R² = 0.15) were found. Furthermore, there was a good negative correlation in the case of sunflower seeds between temperature and oil level (R² = 0.45). The environmental influence on the share of polyunsaturated FAs differed between the different species. The results show that quality of vegetable oils is as well a question of environment as of variety.
Trace metal concentration in water and sediments of satellite lakes within Lake Victoria (Kenya) basin
Authors: Mwamburi Job
Published: September 2009

Lakes Kanyaboli, Sare and Namboyo are three important freshwater satellite lakes in the northern region of the Lake Victoria (Kenya) basin. Lake Simbi, a small alkaline ‐saline crater‐lake is located near the southern shoreline of the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria. The three freshwater lakes provide unique aquatic habitats for the important indigenous fish species and other aquatic biodiversity, as well as serving as water resources for the surrounding communities. Surface and sediment samples were collected and examined to characterize these lake systems. Metal partitioning among the various defined geochemical phases also was determined. Based on the measured concentrations, the satellite lake waters are relatively uncontaminated with regard to Al (aluminium), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr). Levels of most elements were below detection limits, as well as being well below the desirable drinking water guideline values proposed by the World Health Organization. The exception was the elevated iron (Fe) contents (>300 μg L−1). The sediments exhibited a relatively low level of contamination with regard to heavy metals. The mean values of the measured metals in the sediments were compared to levels in adjacent Lake Victoria. The study results from these poorly‐studied, and relatively unperturbed ecosystems, compared to the main body of lake Victoria, highlight their importance as conservation areas, despite the small‐scale fishery activity, potential threats from human activities and their sensitivity to fluctuating environmental conditions.
Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1 in preterm infants with chronic lung disease
Authors: Sato Miho , Mori Masaaki , Nishimaki Shigeru , An Hiromi , Naruto Takuya , Sugai Toshiyuki , Shima Yoshio , Seki Kazuo , Yokota Shumpei
Published: September 2009

Background:  It is clear that inflammation plays an important role in developing chronic lung disease in preterm infants. The purpose of the present study is to investigate changes of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1 levels over time in infants with chronic lung disease.

Methods:  The serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1 were measured after delivery, and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age in 10 infants with chronic lung disease and in 18 infants without chronic lung disease.

Results:  The serum level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1 was significantly higher in infants with chronic lung disease than in infants without chronic lung disease after delivery. The differences between these two groups remained up to 28 days of age.

Conclusion:  Prenatal inflammation with persistence into postnatal inflammation may be involved in the onset of chronic lung disease.
Evaluation of angiogenesis with vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with thalassemia major
Authors: Olgar Seref , Kara Aslıhan , Hicyilmaz Hicran , Balta Nihal , Canatan Duran
Published: September 2009

Background:  Thalassemia major (TM) is an important cause of severe anemia that necessitates regular blood transfusion to prevent the profound weakness and cardiac decompensation caused by the anemia. However, iron overloading is an inevitable consequence of prolonged transfusion therapy. In addition, extramedullary hematopoiesis and hemosiderosis cause spleen, liver and marrow enlargement. In recent years the role of angiogenesis has been investigated in physiological and pathological conditions. However, it is known that angiogenetic factors, especially the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cause differentiation of the hemangioblast.

Methods:  The effect of angiogenesis hasn't been investigated in TM patients yet, and in this study, angiogenesis was researched in 43 thalassemic patients by serum VEGF measurement.

Results:  VEGF levels were not affected by hemoglobin levels, ferritin levels, or chelation type (P > 0.05). However, VEGF was positively affected by chelation starting age and negatively affected by yearly transfusion requirement of TM patients (P < 0.05). In addition, VEGF of patients who underwent splenectomy were higher than those who didn't undergo splenectomy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Early chelating age will negatively influence the VEGF level, which increases angiogenesis, however, early starting transfusion age and regular blood transfusion will positively influence the VEGF level, which decreases angiogenesis in thalassemic patients.
Passive smoking is associated with lower serum HDL‐C levels in school children
Authors: Hirata Kuniyo , Yamano Yuko , Suzuki Hidetaka , Miyagawa Sanpei , Nakadate Toshio
Published: September 2009

Background:  In recent years, a number of studies have reported that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) reduces high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels in children, as well as in adults. Further, a number of countries have indicated that passive smoking increases the risk of early arteriosclerosis onset. Here, to evaluate the effects of ETS exposure, we conducted a cross‐sectional epidemiological study on primary school children in Japan using answers from a questionnaire survey, as well as urine cotinine and lipid metabolism‐related variable measurements.

Methods:  A total of 121 sixth‐grade primary school children participated in this study by completing a questionnaire about their food intake, lifestyle and family smoking habits. Early in the morning, we also measured height, weight, blood pressure, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL‐C, and blood sugar, as well as urine levels of cotinine and creatinine under unfed conditions.

Results:  From the questionnaire, 40 and 81 children reported being exposed and not exposed to ETS, respectively. Serum HDL‐C levels, which were adjusted for the degree of corpulence and exercise habits, were significantly lower in the passive smoker group than the non‐passive‐smoker group (65.3 and 72.1 mg/dL, respectively; P= 0.012). In addition, proportional differences in serum HDL‐C levels were also observed based on the amount of cigarettes smoked at home by family members of the child.

Conclusions:  Results suggest that ETS exposure at home is associated in a dose‐related manner with lower serum HDL‐C levels in primary school children. In addition, our results suggest that smoking in the presence of children who are not usually exposed to ETS increases the risk of arteriosclerosis. Given these findings, we strongly recommend the establishment of anti‐passive‐smoking measures.
Ehlers–Danlos type IV in pregnancy with a history of myocardial infarction
Authors: Ohkuchi Akihide , Matsubara Shigeki , Takahashi Kayoko , Inoue Soichiro , Saito Tsutomu , Mitsuhashi Takeshi , Yamagata Takanori , Takahashi Naoto , Watanabe Atsushi , Shimada Takashi , Suzuki Mitsuaki
Published: September 2009

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV is an autosomal dominantly inherited connective tissue disorder caused by abnormal type III collagen resulting from heterogenous mutations of the type III procollagen gene (COL3A1). The maternal mortality rate per pregnancy in EDS type IV has been reported as 11.5% to 25%. A 30‐year‐old Japanese primiparous woman, with a brother who had suffered a bowel rupture due to EDS type IV, became pregnant. She also suffered from myocardial infarction due to coronary artery dissections at 24 years old, and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Due to uncontrollable uterine contractions, beta 2‐stimulants were administered during 18 to 29 weeks of gestation. Therefore, we performed a cesarean section at 29 weeks of gestation to prevent uterine rupture. She and her baby were discharged without any complications. It was revealed that she had the same mutation as her brother, Gly220Trp, in the (Gly‐X‐Y)n repeat of the triple‐helical domain of COL3A1.