bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale in essential tremor: A population‐based study in three Spanish communities
Authors: Louis Elan D. , Benito‐León Julián , Bermejo‐Pareja Félix
Published: May 2008

Essential tremor (ET) is associated with both functional disability and depression. Each could contribute to a poor sense of well‐being and low morale. We hypothesized that morale would be lower in ET cases than controls. Using a population‐based, cross‐sectional design, morale was assessed in 187 ET cases and 561 matched controls living in three communities in central Spain using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) (range = 0 [low morale]–17), which included three‐dimensions of psychological well‐being: agitation, lonely dissatisfaction, and attitude toward own aging. The PGCMS score was lower in ET cases than controls (9.41 ± 3.21 vs. 10.39 ± 2.92, P < 0.001), as were the Agitation subscore (3.17 ± 1.71 vs. 3.78 ± 1.67, P< 0.001) and Lonely Dissatisfaction subscore (3.75 ± 1.34 vs. 4.02 ± 1.24, P < 0.05). Nearly one‐half of the ET cases were classified as having low morale compared with only one‐third of controls (P = 0.006). In a linear regression analysis adjusting for demographic factors and multiple comorbid conditions, ET cases had a lower log PGCMS score than controls (P < 0.001). Exclusion of participants on antidepressant medication did not change the results. Our results indicate that morale is significantly lower in community‐dwelling ET cases than in matched controls. This lower morale could in part be a proxy for mild, untreated depression. It therefore seems important to detect and then possibly treat this problem to improve the psychological well‐being of patients with this disease. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Push and release test predicts better Parkinson fallers and nonfallers than the pull test: Comparison in OFF and ON medication states
Authors: Valkovič Peter , Brožová Hana , Bötzel Kai , Růžička Evžen , Benetin Ján
Published: May 2008

The aim of this study was to compare the Pull Test—Retropusion Test and the Push and Release Test (P&R) as regards their ability to predict Parkinson (PD) fallers and nonfallers in relation to their medication state. Eighty‐two PD patients participated in the study. Fallers (N = 36) and nonfallers (N = 46) were grouped on the basis of their fall history. Fallers were those who had fallen at least once within the last 6 months. The two groups were compared on the basis of the patients' performance in the Pull and the P&R tests, both in their “OFF” and “ON” medication state. The overall accuracy of the classification of PD patients as fallers and nonfallers was determined by means of binomial logistic regression (BLR) and the analysis of the “area under the receiver operating characteristics curve” (AUC). In the OFF medication state, the statistical analysis revealed that the Pull Test was accurate (methods BLR (AUC)) in 85.4% (0.87) of cases and the P&R Test in 86.6% (0.90). In the ON medication state, the Pull Test was only 76.8% (0.78) accurate, while the P&R Test was 87.8% (0.87) accurate. Both clinical tests are valid and relatively equivalent when assessing patients in their OFF medication state; however, the P&R Test is more accurate than the Pull Test in the ON state. This indicates that it is more widely applicable in clinical practice. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Agents used for chemoprevention of prostate cancer may influence PSA secretion independently of cell growth in the LNCaP model of human prostate cancer progression
Authors: Peternac Daniel , Klima Irena , Cecchini Marco G. , Schwaninger Ruth , Studer Urs E. , Thalmann George N.
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory growth effects of different potential chemopreventive agents in vitro and to determine their influence on PSA mRNA and protein expression with an established screening platform.

METHODS

LNCaP and C4‐2 cells were incubated with genistein, seleno‐l‐methionine, lycopene, dl‐alpha‐tocopherol, and trans‐beta‐carotene at three different concentrations and cell growth was determined by the MTT assay. PSA mRNA expression was assessed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and secreted PSA protein levels were quantified by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Genistein, seleno‐l‐methionine and lycopene inhibited LNCaP cell growth, and the proliferation of C4‐2 cells was suppressed by seleno‐l‐methionine and lycopene. PSA mRNA expression was downregulated by genistein in LNCaP but not C4‐2 cells. No other compound tested altered PSA mRNA expression. PSA protein expression was downregulated by genistein, seleno‐l‐methionine, dl‐alpha‐tocopherol in LNCaP cells. In C4‐2 cells only genistein significantly reduced the secretion of PSA protein.

CONCLUSIONS

In the LNCaP progression model PSA expression depends on the compound, its concentration and on the hormonal dependence of the cell line used and does not necessarily reflect cell growth or death. Before potential substances are evaluated in clinical trials using PSA as a surrogate end point marker, their effect on PSA mRNA and protein expression has to be considered to correctly assess treatment response by PSA. Prostate 68:1307–1318, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translationally regulated C/EBPβ isoform expression upregulates metastatic genes in hormone‐independent prostate cancer cells
Authors: Kim Myoung H. , Field Jerrel
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND

C/EBPβ is a transcription factor regulating key biological processes including cellular growth and differentiation and its increased expression correlates with tumor invasiveness. Recently, the increased expression of C/EBPβ was reported in proliferative inflammatory atrophy of the prostate, associating with increased COX‐2 expression and androgen receptor (AR) downregulation.

METHODS

C/EBPβ expression was determined in DU‐145, PC‐3 and LNCaP cells by immunoblotting. Transient transfection of C/EBPβ expression vectors was performed to investigate translational regulation of its isoform expression. Reporter gene analysis was performed to investigate transcriptional activity of C/EBPβ on metastatic gene expression.

RESULTS

We determined that transcriptionally active, full‐length C/EBPβ isoforms were dominantly expressed in hormone‐independent DU‐145 and PC‐3 cells, while transcription‐repressing truncated isoform was dominant in hormone‐dependent LNCaP cells. Our results further showed lack of full‐length isoform expression from the transiently transfected C/EBPβ expression vector in LNCaP cells compared to that in PC‐3 cells transfected with the same vector, while the expression of truncated isoform was comparable in both cell lines. Interestingly, however, the most upstream initiation site A null mutation restored translation of full‐length isoform in LNCaP cells. These results suggest that full‐length C/EBPβ isoform expression in LNCaP cells may be suppressed at the upstream initiation sites, likely at site A. Most importantly, C/EBPβ overexpression significantly upregulated promoter activities of IL‐8, COX‐2, and anti‐apoptotic Bfl‐1 genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that C/EBPβ is an important transcription factor upregulating metastatic gene expression and that its isoform expression is differentially regulated at the translational level in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 68:1362–1371, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of prostate efferent neurotrasmission by amikacin
Authors: Gardi Mario , Nigro Filippo , Ragazzi Eugenio , Sacco Emilio , Volpe Andrea , Totaro Angelo , Pinto Francesco , Bassi Pierfrancesco
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that manipulation of the autonomic nerve supply to the prostate leads to loss of functional and structural integrity of the gland, and that these changes may be useful in treating prostatic diseases. This study investigates the effect of amikacin on prostate efferent neurotransmission in vitro, in both rat and human prostate samples.

METHODS

Prostate samples, obtained from male Wistar rats and 8 patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia, were studied by measurement of isometric contraction induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), noradrenalin, carbachol, serotonin and ATP, in the presence or absence of amikacin 10−3 M in a low‐Ca medium.

RESULTS

Amikacin significantly reduced EFS‐induced contraction of isolated rat and human prostate samples by 45 ± 6.5% (P < 0.01) and 47 ± 6% (P < 0.01), respectively. Contraction was restored after addition of calcium chloride 2 × 10−3 M. Amikacin‐induced relaxation in rat prostate samples was greater than the effect of magnesium and weaker than those of prazosin and verapamil, but comparable in extent with the latter. No significant effect was observed on rat prostate contractile response to noradrenaline as to ATP in the presence of amikacin. Rat prostate contraction to carbachol and serotonin was inhibited by 35 ± 11% (P < 0.05) and 59 ± 11.7% (P < 0.01), respectively, after addition of amikacin 10−3 M.

CONCLUSIONS

Amikacin reduces in vitro both rat and human prostate contraction elicited by pre‐junctional stimulation, but does not affect prostate contraction evoked by post‐junctional stimulation. Our results indicate that amikacin affects prostatic efferent neurotransmission. Prostate 68:1330–1335, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The variable sampling rate X̄ control charts for monitoring autocorrelated processes
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chang , Chou Chao‐Yu
Published: May 2008

Recent studies demonstrated that the adaptive X̄ control charts are more efficient than fixed parmeters (FP) X̄ control chart from statistical and economic criteria. The usual assumption for designing a control chart is that the observations from the process are independent. However, for many processes, such as chemical processes, consecutive measurements are often highly correlated, especially when the interval between samples is small. In the present paper, the observations are modeled as an AR(1) process plus a random error, and the properties of the variable sampling rate (VSR) X̄ charts are evaluated and studied under this model. Based on the study, the VSR X̄ chart is faster than the FP, variable sampling interval and variable sample size X̄ control charts in detecting mean shifts. However, when the level of autocorrelation is high or the process mean shift is large, the advantage of the VSR X̄ chart is reduced. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The meaning of stress from schoolchildren's perspective
Authors: Kostenius Catrine , Öhrling Kerstin
Published: May 2008

Researching schoolchildren's lived experiences of stress was seen in this article as a holistic approach to stress research. The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of stress from schoolchildren's perspective. A total of 23 Swedish schoolchildren, aged 10–12 years, wrote open letters and were interviewed. The phenomenological–hermeneutical analysis resulted in five themes: being out of time; being less than one can be; being run by others; being in a fleeing, fighting body; and being lifted to excel. This updated understanding of the meaning of stress for schoolchildren included an emerged focus on their being caught in life's challenges. These challenges included a lack of freedom and time, as well as an opportunity for potential growth. Our understanding of the schoolchildren's lived experiences of stress may be used to facilitate the development of early stress intervention. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legalising norms of democracy in the Americas
Authors: HAWKINS DARREN , SHAW CAROLYN
Published: May 2008

Why have states legalised international norms promoting domestic democracy in some regions of the world? This issue poses a difficult puzzle because standard assumptions about state preferences for sovereignty make the creation of strong, binding international rules on democracy unlikely. We identify four possible answers: the interests of powerful states, common government interests in domestic policy lock-in, the absence of fears that powerful states will use the rules to intervene unilaterally in domestic affairs, and the robustness of pre-existing norms. We explore our argument by applying it to the Organization of American States (OAS), a fairly unlikely organisation for the strong legalisation of international rules. Our findings suggest that legalisation of democracy is quite difficult to achieve. State interests in locking in democratic benefits and state power – even hegemonic power – are necessary but insufficient. An important set of new democracies attempted legalisation in the 1950s, yet failed. The United States, as strong a regional hegemon as ever, attempted further legalisation in 2005, yet failed. Motives and power must be accompanied by low fears of unilateral intervention and high levels of norm robustness in order to produce results.
Beyond standards before status: democratic governance and non-state actors
Authors: GARDNER ANNE-MARIE
Published: May 2008

Are international standards of democratic governance applied to sub-state actors as well as to states? By examining the international response to self-determination claims, this article demonstrates that the international community does indeed hold sub-state groups accountable to such standards. Claimant groups that have internalised human rights and democratic norms are more likely to receive international support in the form of empowerment (promoting some form of self-governance). Through a comparison of the Kosovars’ quest for self-determination with the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians’ claim, the article suggests that ‘standards before status’ is neither unique to Kosovo nor a deviation from the pre-1999 international response to that claim.
Canadian content regulations and the formation of a national scene
Authors: Henderson Scott
Published: May 2008

This article addresses the ongoing impact of Canadian Content Regulations as applied to commercial radio. While commercial broadcasters have repeatedly called for a relaxation of the regulations in response to the changing music industry, particularly the increased impact of the Internet, it is possible to demonstrate that the regulations have had a positive impact on Canadian listening habits. An examination of the ‘national’ charts provided by Last.fm, a website that tracks users’ listening habits, shows that Canadian users listen to Canadian tracks in excess of the amounts currently regulated for radio. Commercial broadcasters’ claims that the regulations prevent them from competing fairly with new technology thus run counter to such evidence. As official charts, and hence commercial playlists are still reliant on older modes of tracking music, via in-store purchases, an incomplete picture of the current state of the industry exists, and it is this picture that seems to shape the claims made by the commercial industry. Additionally, this paper explores the rise of a successful Canadian ‘scene’, spearheaded by bands such as Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, that demonstrates the impact of policy in creating a national music culture that is confident enough to no longer have to be explicitly Canadian, either sonically or lyrically. Cancon regulations would appear to have aided in situating Canadian acts comfortably within a wider music culture within Canada.
Erhebung der Patientenzufriedenheit im Notfallzentrum eines Schweizer Universitätsspitals: Konzept und Ergebnisse (Teil 1)
Authors: Müller-Staub Maria , Meer Ruth , Briner Gabi , Probst Marie-Therese , Needham Ian
Published: May 2008

Der Artikel stellt Teile einer breit angelegten Studie zur Patientenzufriedenheit bezüglich Pflege ambulanter Patientinnen eines Notfallzentrums vor. Bisherige Studien fokussierten auf stationär verlegte Patientinnen und es liegen kaum pflegespezifische Resultate vor. Patientenzufriedenheit umfasst drei Dimensionen: Interaktion/Personenbezogene Dimension, Information/Einbezug und Wissen der Pflegenden. In einer deskriptiven Querschnittstudie beantworteten 114 Patientinnen einen Fragebogen zur Patientenzufriedenheit mit der erhaltenen Pflege. Patientenzufriedenheit wurde mit 37 Items auf einer 5-stufigen Likertskala gemessen. Als Zielwert wurden 85% der Maximalwerte festgelegt. Zu den Dimensionen der Zufriedenheit wurden Gesamt- und Mittelwerte berechnet. Psychometrische Eigenschaften des Instruments wurden getestet und die Kriteriumsvalidität analysiert. Die Zielwerte zu Interaktion, Einbezug und Wissen wurden nicht erreicht. Die Aussagen «Ich hatte Vertrauen zu den Pflegenden» und «Bei Gesprächen waren keine unerwünschten Zuhörer im Raum» zeigten die höchsten Werte. Die Aussage «Die Pflegenden waren interessiert daran, wie sich die Krankheit auf mein Leben auswirkt» ergab die tiefsten Werte. In den Dimensionen Einbezug und Wissen vermissten die Patienten die Wahrnehmung ihres psychischen Ergehens, von Durst und Hunger sowie von Körperpflege durch die Pflegenden. Die Studienergebnisse bieten wichtige Hinweise für Qualitätsverbesserungen. Die Testung des Messinstrumentes zeigte gute Resultate (Cronbachs alpha .83, .82, .70); die Kriteriumsvalidität wurde bestätigt. Weitere Resultate werden im Teil 2 vorgestellt und diskutiert (Müller-Staub, Meer, Briner, Probst & Needham, 2008).
Decadal variations in equatorial Pacific ecosystems and ferrocline/pycnocline decoupling
Authors: Rodgers Keith B. , Aumont Olivier , Menkes Christophe , Gorgues Thomas
Published: May 2008

The equatorial Pacific Ocean is known for its large interannual to decadal variability in circulation. In particular, the changes that occurred in 1976/1977 have received considerable attention in the climate dynamics literature, and recently there has been much attention focused on changes that may have occurred there in 1997/1998. Unfortunately, because of data sparsity, the impact of these changes or shifts on ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystems remains largely unknown. Here a three‐dimensional ocean circulation model (the ORCA2 configuration of OPA) which has a food web/biogeochemistry model (PISCES) embedded in it, and which has been forced with both NCEP‐1 and ERA‐40 reanalysis fluxes over multiple decades, is used as a tool to investigate decadal changes and their associated mechanisms. Our main finding with the model is that a decrease in the amplitude of the surface zonal wind stress in the tropical Pacific in the mid‐to‐late‐1970s leads to a decrease in Fe and Chl concentrations in the upwelling regions of the eastern equatorial Pacific after 1976/1977. These changes find expression predominantly during the upwelling season (the seasonal maximum for Fe and Chl concentrations), when surface Fe and Chl concentrations tend to be significantly higher pre‐1976/1977 than post‐1976/1977. The changes in Chl concentrations need to be understood as modulations of the amplitude of the seasonal cycle, rather than as a “biological regime shift” (an abrupt transition from one mean state to another). In contrast to what is found for Fe and Chl, for NO3 the decadal changes in surface concentrations in the upwelling region about 1976/1977 can be described as a shift in the mean state. It is shown that the response in surface Fe and Chl in the upwelling region about 1976/1977 is proportionally larger than the decadal changes in surface wind stress forcing, and it is also larger than the previously reported change in the strength of the meridional overturning strength of the subtropical cells (STCs). Importantly, this amplified response reflects a decoupling of the ferrocline and pycnocline within the equatorial Pacific. In this way, the presence of a time‐invariant sediment source for Fe can substantially amplify the ecosystem response to decadal variability in ocean circulation.
A wintertime uptake window for anthropogenic CO2 in the North Pacific
Authors: Rodgers Keith B. , Sarmiento Jorge L. , Aumont Olivier , Crevoisier Cyril , de Boyer Montégut Clement , Metzl Nicolas
Published: May 2008

An ocean model has been forced with NCEP reanalysis fluxes over 1948–2003 to evaluate the pathways and timescales associated with the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 over the North Pacific. The model reveals that there are two principal regions of uptake, the first in the region bounded by 35–45°N and 140–180°E, and the second along a band between 10–20°N and between 120°W and 180°E. For both of these regions, the dominant timescale of variability in uptake is seasonal, with maximum uptake occurring during winter and uptake being close to zero or slightly negative during summer when integrated over the basin. A decadal trend toward increased uptake of anthropogenic CO2 consists largely of modulations of the uptake maximum in winter. For detection of anthropogenic changes, this implies that in situ measurements will need to resolve the seasonal cycle in order to capture decadal trends in ΔpCO2. As uptake of anthropogenic CO2 occurs preferentially during winter, observationally based estimates which do not resolve the full seasonal cycle may result in underestimates of the rate of uptake of anthropogenic CO2. There is also a sizable circulation‐driven decadal trend in the seasonal cycle of sea surface ΔpCO2 for the North Pacific, with maximum changes found near the boundary separating the subtropical and subpolar gyres in western and central regions of the basin. These changes are due to a trend in the large‐scale circulation of the gyres, which itself is driven by a trend in the wind stress over the basin scale. This trend in the three‐dimensional circulation is more important than the local trend in mixed layer depth (MLD) in contributing to the decadal trend in ΔpCO2.
Dependence of nucleation rates on sulfuric acid vapor concentration in diverse atmospheric locations
Authors: Kuang C. , McMurry P. H. , McCormick A. V. , Eisele F. L.
Published: May 2008

Correlations between concentrations of newly formed particles and sulfuric acid vapor were analyzed for twenty one nucleation events measured in diverse continental and marine atmospheric environments. A simple power law model for formation rates of 1 nm particles, J1 = K · [H2SO4]P, where P and K are least squares parameters, was tested for each environment. We found that, to within experimental uncertainty, P = 2. Constraining P to 2, the prefactor Kkinetic ranges from 10−14 to 10−11 cm3s−1. According to the nucleation theorem, an exponent value of 2 indicates that the critical cluster contains two sulfuric acid molecules. Existing nucleation rate expressions based on classical nucleation theory predict significantly larger values of P. The prefactor values vary with environment and are 1 to 4 orders of magnitude below the hard‐sphere collision limit. These results provide a simple parameterization for atmospheric new particle formation that could be used in global climate models.
Rapid determination of Me for strong to great shallow earthquakes
Authors: Di Giacomo Domenico , Grosser Helmut , Parolai Stefano , Bormann Peter , Wang Rongjiang
Published: May 2008

We propose a new rapid procedure for determining the energy magnitude Me for shallow events from broadband teleseismic P‐wave signals within the distance range 20°–98°. To accomplish this task, we compute spectral amplitude decay functions for different periods using numerical simulations based on the reference Earth model AK135Q. By means of these functions, we correct the spectra of the teleseismic recordings for the propagation path effects, and calculate the radiated seismic energy ES, and hence Me. We use cumulative P‐wave windows for simulating a real‐ or near real‐time procedure and test it for 61 shallow earthquakes. The results show that our approach is able to provide a rapid and reliable Me determination within 7–15 minutes after the earthquake origin time, and is therefore suitable for implementation in rapid response systems.
Equation of state of NaMgF3 postperovskite: Implication for the seismic velocity changes in the D″ region
Authors: Hustoft Justin , Catalli Krystle , Shim Sang‐Heon , Kubo Atsushi , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Kunz Martin
Published: May 2008

Recent first‐principles calculations have proposed that bulk sound speed (VΦ) decreases at the perovskite (Pv) → postperovskite (PPv) transition. Yet some measurements suggest an increase in VΦ at the PPv transition in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 and NaMgF3. Our new measurements on NaMgF3 up to 50 GPa under quasi‐hydrostatic stress conditions reveal that the VΦ of PPv remains lower than that of Pv near the PPv transition, consistent with a first‐principles study on NaMgF3. Combined with similar observations in (Mg,Fe)SiO3, MgGeO3, and CaIrO3, our result on NaMgF3 suggests that the VΦ decrease is a robust trend in the PPv transition and is controlled more by crystal structure than by chemical composition. Our finding also strengthens the proposal that the elastic properties of PPv can explain the small P‐wave increase across the D″ discontinuity and the anticorrelation between the VΦ and S‐wave velocity anomalies in the D″ region.
Strategies for Resection Using Portal Vein Embolization: Metastatic Liver Cancer
Authors: de Baere Thierry , Madoff David C , de Baere Thierry , Elias Dominique , Goere Diane , Kohneh-Sahrhi Niaz
Published: May 2008

The oncological landscape is constantly changing with the development of new curatively intended therapeutic strategies. More and more, liver metastases are amenable to resection following the progress achieved as a result of new oncological concepts (i.e., treat detectable disease with surgery and ablative therapies and treat the remaining nondetectable disease with efficient chemotherapy) as well as improved chemotherapeutic and ablation techniques. One of the major limitations to extending the indications for liver resection is the volume of the future remnant liver (FRL). To overcome these limitations, portal vein embolization (PVE) has played a key role in obtaining preoperative hypertrophy of the FRL and thus has reduced postoperative morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, thermal ablation of multiple bilateral liver metastases makes it difficult to predict the volume of parenchyma scheduled for ablation. Furthermore, prolonged chemotherapy impairs liver parenchyma function, which has a negative impact on liver hypertrophy. In the future, both volumetric and functional assessment of the FRL will be used to determine whether PVE is necessary before hepatectomy in individual patients and new strategies (e.g., PVE used alone or combined with other treatments; timing of PVE may vary) will be based on these principles. This article presents various current strategies for the use of PVE in patients with metastatic liver cancer.
Asymmetric mitosis: Unequal segregation of proteins destined for degradation
Authors: Fuentealba Luis C. , Eivers Edward , Geissert Douglas , Taelman Vincent , De Robertis E. M.
Published: May 2008

Mitotic cell division ensures that two daughter somatic cells inherit identical genetic material. Previous work has shown that signaling by the Smad1 transcription factor is terminated by polyubiquitinylation and proteasomal degradation after essential phosphorylations by MAPK and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). Here, we show that, unexpectedly, proteins specifically targeted for proteasomal degradation are inherited preferentially by one mitotic daughter during somatic cell division. Experiments with dividing human embryonic stem cells and other mammalian cultured cell lines demonstrated that in many supposedly equal mitoses the segregation of proteins destined for degradation (Smad1 phosphorylated by MAPK and GSK3, phospho-β-catenin, and total polyubiquitinylated proteins) was asymmetric. Transport of pSmad1 targeted for degradation to the centrosome required functional microtubules.
In vivo
, an antibody specific for Mad phosphorylated by MAPK showed that this antigen was associated preferentially with one of the two centrosomes in
Drosophila
embryos at cellular blastoderm stage. We propose that this remarkable cellular property may be explained by the asymmetric inheritance of peripheral centrosomal proteins when centrioles separate and migrate to opposite poles of the cell, so that one mitotic daughter remains pristine. We conclude that many mitotic divisions are unequal, unlike what was previously thought.
Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection After Low Transverse Cesarean Section
Authors: Olsen Margaret A. , Butler Anne M. , Willers Denise M. , Devkota Preetishma , Gross Gilad A. , Fraser Victoria J.
Published: May 2008

Background.

Independent risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean section have not been well documented, despite the large number of cesarean sections performed and the relatively common occurrence of SSI.

Objective.

To determine independent risk factors for SSI after low transverse cesarean section.

Design.

Retrospective case-control study.

Setting.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a 1,250-bed tertiary care hospital.

Patients.

A total of 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section during the period from July 1999 to June 2001.

Methods.

Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for SSI or wound complication and/or data on antibiotic use during the surgical hospitalization or at readmission to the hospital or emergency department, we identified potential cases of SSI in a cohort of patients who underwent a low transverse cesarean section. Cases of SSI were verified by chart review using the definitions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Control patients without SSI or endomyometritis were randomly selected from the population of patients who underwent cesarean section. Independent risk factors for SSI were determined by logistic regression.

Results.

SSIs were identified in 81 (5.0%) of 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section. Independent risk factors for SSI included development of subcutaneous hematoma after the procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 11.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 4.1–33.2]), operation performed by the university teaching service (aOR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.4–5.2]), and a higher body mass index at admission (aOR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0–1.1]). Cephalosporin therapy before or after the operation was associated with a significantly lower risk of SSI (aOR, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1–0.5]). Use of staples for skin closure was associated with a marginally increased risk of SSI.

Conclusions.

These independent risk factors should be incorporated into approaches for the prevention and surveillance of SSI after surgery.
Using Samples to Estimate the Sensitivity and Specificity of a Surveillance Process
Authors: McBryde Emma S. , Kelly Heath , Marshall Caroline , Russo Philip L. , McElwain D. L. Sean , Pettitt Anthony N.
Published: May 2008

Determining sensitivity and specificity of a postoperative infection surveillance process is a difficult undertaking. Because postoperative infections are rare, vast numbers of negative results exist, and it is often not reasonable to assess them all. This study gives a methodological framework for estimating sensitivity and specificity by taking only a small sample of the number of patients who test negative and comparing their findings to the reference or “gold standard” rather than comparing the findings of all patients to the gold standard. It provides a formula for deriving confidence intervals for these estimates and a guide to minimum requirements for sampling results.
Analysis of DEMO scenarios with the CRONOS suite of codes
Authors: Garcia J. , Giruzzi G. , Artaud J.F. , Basiuk V. , Decker J. , Imbeaux F. , Peysson Y. , Schneider M.
Published: May 2008

The CRONOS suite of codes and the GLF23 theory-based transport model are used to perform a 1.5D analysis of the DEMO design. The study uses plasma parameters similar to those obtained in the European Power Plant Conceptual Study in the case of a scenario with moderate inductive current, high bootstrap current fraction, relatively small major radiusR= 7.5 m and minor radiusa= 2.5 m and high elongation and triangularity. It is shown how it is possible to obtain a high fusion power of 2600 MW and high fusion gainQ= 26.5 by adding 98 MW off-axis neutral beam at a moderately high Greenwald fraction of 1.2. A non-inductive current fraction of 88% is obtained mainly from the bootstrap current at the plasma edge, where a high pedestal of 7.8 keV has been considered in order to optimize the alpha power. It is also shown how by adding 66 MW of electron cyclotron waves to the previous scenario a 100% non-inductive current steady-state scenario can be obtained with a reversedqprofile. However, in this case the fusion gain drops to 17.2 due to the higher input power. The application of LH waves is also discussed.
Using inferred residue contacts to distinguish between correct and incorrect protein models
Authors: Miller Christopher S. , Eisenberg David
Published: May 2008

Motivation: The de novo prediction of 3D protein structure is enjoying a period of dramatic improvements. Often, a remaining difficulty is to select the model closest to the true structure from a group of low-energy candidates. To what extent can inter-residue contact predictions from multiple sequence alignments, information which is orthogonal to that used in most structure prediction algorithms, be used to identify those models most similar to the native protein structure?

Results: We present a Bayesian inference procedure to identify residue pairs that are spatially proximal in a protein structure. The method takes as input a multiple sequence alignment, and outputs an accurate posterior probability of proximity for each residue pair. We exploit a recent metagenomic sequencing project to create large, diverse and informative multiple sequence alignments for a test set of 1656 known protein structures. The method infers spatially proximal residue pairs in this test set with good accuracy: top-ranked predictions achieve an average accuracy of 38% (for an average 21-fold improvement over random predictions) in cross-validation tests. Notably, the accuracy of predicted 3D models generated by a range of structure prediction algorithms strongly correlates with how well the models satisfy probable residue contacts inferred via our method. This correlation allows for confident rejection of incorrect structural models.

Availability: An implementation of the method is freely available at http://www.doe-mbi.ucla.edu/services

Contact:  david@mbi.ucla.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fecundity of Northeast Atlantic spurdog (Squalus acanthias)
Authors: Ellis Jim R. , Keable Jennie
Published: May 2008

Ellis, J. R., and Keable, J. 2008. Fecundity of Northeast Atlantic spurdog (Squalus acanthias). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 979–981. A large catch of mature, female spurdog (Squalus acanthias) was made on 22 November 2005 in the Irish Sea. Examination of a subsample of 202 of these fish (82–117-cm total length, L) indicated that 28% were carrying near-term pups, 70% year one pups, and 1% candles. Uterine fecundity (F) for those fish that were not considered to have aborted pups (n = 179) ranged from 3 to 21 and increased with total length, where F = 0.428 L−31.87. The upper limits of these fecundity estimates are the highest recorded for spurdog in the Northeast Atlantic. These data are discussed in relation to previously published fecundity estimates and the possibility of a density-dependent increase in fecundity.
Effort allocation and marine protected areas: is the North Sea Plaice Box a management compromise?
Authors: Kjærsgaard Jens , Frost Hans
Published: May 2008

Kjærsgaard, J., and Frost, H. 2008. Effort allocation and marine protected areas: is the North Sea Plaice Box a management compromise? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1203–1215. A complex bioeconomic model is used to study the economic and biological consequences of establishing a marine protected area (MPA). The model is a multispecies age-structured bioeconomic model that treats days at sea and number of vessels, for different fleets fishing inside and outside the protected area, as endogenous variables. A simulation applies an adaptive investment rule that determines fleet size from year to year, and an optimization procedure provides a benchmark for a profit-maximizing solution over time. In contrast to most conventional studies on MPAs, fishing within the protected area is possible. Moreover, the stock is not divided between inside and outside the protected area, although the abundance of different age classes in each area differs. Therefore, the economic and biological impacts of fishing inside or outside are different. The North Sea flatfish fishery is used as a case study, so the analysis is particularly relevant because North Sea flatfish regulation is currently under revision.
An invasive lineage of sculpins,Cottussp. (Pisces, Teleostei) in the Rhine with new habitat adaptations has originated from hybridization between old phylogeographic groups
Authors: Nolte Arne W , Freyhof Jörg , Stemshorn Kathryn C , Tautz Diethard
Published: May 2008

Fish abundance surveys in the Rhine system have shown in the past two decades that there is a rapid upriver invasion of a freshwater sculpin of the genusCottus. These fish are found in habitats that are atypical for the known speciesCottus gobio, which is confined to small cold streams within the Rhine drainage. Phylogeographic analysis based on mitochondrial haplotypes and diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms indicates that the invasive sculpins are hybrids between two old lineages from the River Scheldt drainage and the River Rhine drainage, although it is morphologically more similar to the Scheldt sculpins. Most importantly, however, the invasive population possesses a unique ecological potential that does not occur in either of the source populations from the Rhine or the Scheldt, which allows the colonization of new habitats that have previously been free of sculpins. Microsatellite analysis shows that the new lineage is genetically intermediate between the old lineages and that it forms a distinct genetic group across its whole expansion range. We conclude that hybridization between long separated groups has lead to the fast emergence of a new, adaptationally distinct sculpin lineage.
Activation of LVGCCs and CB1 receptors required for destabilization of reactivated contextual fear memories
Authors: Suzuki Akinobu , Mukawa Takuya , Tsukagoshi Akinori , Frankland Paul W. , Kida Satoshi
Published: May 2008

Previous studies have shown that inhibiting protein synthesis shortly after reactivation impairs the subsequent expression of a previously consolidated fear memory. This has suggested that reactivation returns a memory to a labile state and that protein synthesis is required for the subsequent restabilization of memory. While the molecular mechanisms underlying the restabilization of reactivated memories are being uncovered, those underlying the initial destabilization are not known at all. Using a contextual fear conditioning paradigm in mice, here we show that LVGCCs or CB1 receptors in hippocampus are required for the initial destabilization of reactivated memory. Either pharmacological blockade of hippocampal protein synthesis or genetic disruption of CREB-dependent transcription disrupts memory restabilization following reactivation. However, these effects were completely blocked when mice were treated with inhibitors of either LVGCCs or CB1 receptors, indicating that LVGCCs or CB1 receptors are required for the initial destabilization of reactivated memory. In control experiments, we show that blockade of LVGCCs or CB1 receptors does not interfere with the ability of ANI to block protein synthesis, or with the ability of ANI to impair initial consolidation. These experiments begin to reveal mechanisms underlying the destabilization of previously consolidated memories following reactivation and indicate the importance of activation of LVGCCs and CB1 in this process.
Excess of unpaired males in one of the World's most endangered seabirds, the Chatham Island taiko Pterodroma magentae
Authors: Lawrence Hayley A. , Millar Craig D. , Taylor Graeme A. , Macdonald Linda D. , Lambert David M.
Published: May 2008

The Chatham Island taiko Pterodroma magentae (tchaik) is one of the World's most endangered seabirds with a population size of between 120–150 individuals that includes only 8–15 breeding pairs. Molecular techniques were used to identify the sex of taiko, which is difficult to assign morphologically. Blood samples were obtained from almost the entire known living population and from some birds now thought to be dead. We report an approximately even sex ratio in taiko chicks and adults associated with breeding burrows, but a large male‐biased ratio in non‐breeding adult birds caught on the ground. This finding suggests that unpaired males may be having difficulty in attracting females to burrows and that this situation may be an example of the Allee effect, that reduced density of potential mates acts to decrease population productivity. Identification of the sex of taiko using a molecular technique has important implications for the conservation management of this critically endangered species, including the future transfer of taiko chicks to a predator‐excluded breeding site.
Expression profiling and mapping of defence response genes associated with the barley–Pyrenophora teres incompatible interaction
Authors: BOGACKI P. , OLDACH K. H. , WILLIAMS K. J.
Published: May 2008

Barley net‐ and spot‐form of net blotch disease are caused by two formae of the hemibiotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres (P. t. f. teres and P. t. f. maculata). In the present study, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used in combination with quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase PCR to identify and profile the expression of defence response (DR) genes in the early stages of both barley–P. teres incompatible and compatible interactions. From a pool of 307 unique gene transcripts identified by SSH, 45 candidate DR genes were selected for temporal expression profiling in infected leaf epidermis. Differential expression profiles were observed for 28 of the selected candidates, which were grouped into clusters depending on their expression profiles within the first 48 h after inoculation. The expression profiles characteristic of each gene cluster were very similar in both barley–P. t. f. teres and barley–P. t. f. maculata interactions, indicating that resistance to both pathogens could be mediated by induction of the same group of DR genes. Chromosomal map locations for 21 DR genes were identified using four doubled‐haploid mapping populations. The mapped DR genes were distributed across all seven barley chromosomes, with at least one gene mapping to within 15 cM of another on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 5H and 7H. Additionally, some DR genes appeared to co‐localize with loci harbouring known resistance genes or quantitative trait loci for net blotch resistance on chromosomes 6H and 7H, as well as loci associated with resistance to other barley diseases. The DR genes are discussed with respect to their map locations and potential functional role in contributing to net blotch disease resistance.
The JAK2V617F mutation and thrombosis
Authors: Austin S. K. , Lambert J. R.
Published: May 2008

Since the discovery of the JAK2V617F mutation, the clinical and pathological consequences of this acquired defect have been extensively investigated to determine whether its presence characterises a distinct subgroup of myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). MPD management remains highly dependent on the patient’s thrombotic risk. Whether the presence of the JAK2V617F mutation modifies the thrombotic risk is currently contentious, although there is increasing clinical evidence to suggest that the mutation may be variably associated with thrombosis. These observations are further supported by laboratory parameters which suggest that the JAK2V617F mutation may confer increased activation of leucocytes and platelets in MPD. The role of screening for the JAK2V617F mutation in patients presenting with thrombosis without overt MPD is unclear, but appears justified in cases of idiopathic splanchnic vein thrombosis.
Attenuation of cell motility observed with high doses of sphingosine 1‐phosphate or phosphorylated FTY720 involves RGS2 through its interactions with the receptor S1P
Authors: Kohno Takayuki , Igarashi Yasuyuki
Published: May 2008

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) stimulation enhances cell motility via the G‐protein coupled S1P receptor S1P1. This ligand‐induced, receptor‐mediated cell motility follows a typical bell‐shaped dose–response curve, that is, stimulation with low concentrations of S1P enhances cell motility, whereas excess ligand stimulation does not enhance it. So far, the attenuation of the response at higher ligand concentrations has not been explained. We report here that S1P1 interacts with the regulator of G protein signaling (RGS)‐2 protein, which is a GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) for heterotrimeric G proteins, in a concentration dependent manner. The RGS2–S1P1 complex dissociated at higher ligand concentrations, yet it was unaffected at low concentrations, suggesting that the dissociated RGS2 is involved in the concurrent decrease of cell motility. In RGS2 knockdown cells, the decrease of cell motility induced by high ligand concentrations was rescued. S1P1 internalization was not implicated in the attenuation of the response. Similar results were observed upon stimulation with the phosphorylated form of FTY720 (FTYP), which is an S1P1 agonist. In conclusion, the suppressed response in cell motility induced by excess S1P or FTYP via S1P1 is regulated by RGS2 functioning through a mechanism that is independent of S1P1 internalization.
Effects of light intensity and duration on leaf hydraulic conductance and distribution of resistance in shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula)
Authors: Sellin Arne , Õunapuu Eele , Kupper Priit
Published: May 2008

Variation in leaf hydraulic conductance (KL) and distribution of resistance in response to light intensity and duration were examined in shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). KL was determined on detached shoots using the evaporative flux method (transpiration was measured with a porometer and water potential drop with a pressure chamber). Although KL depended on light duration per se, its dynamics was largely determined by leaf temperature (TL). Both upper‐crown leaves and branches developed in well‐illuminated environment exhibited higher hydraulic efficiency compared with the lower crown, accounting for vertical trends of apparent soil‐to‐leaf hydraulic conductance in canopy of silver birch revealed in our previous studies. KL varied significantly with light intensity, the highest values for both shade and sun foliage were recorded at photosynthetic photon flux density of 330 μmol m−2 s−1. Light responses of KL were associated evidently with an irradiance‐mediated effect on extravascular tissues involving regulation of cell membrane aquaporins. Effects of irradiance on KL resulted in changes of ΨL, bringing about considerable alteration in partitioning of the resistance between leaves and branch (leafless shoot stem): the contribution of leaves to the shoot total resistance decreased from 94% at −1.0 MPa to 75% at −0.2 MPa. Treatment with HgCl2 decreased hydraulic conductance of both leaves and branches, implying that condition of bordered pit membranes or shoot living tissues may be involved in responses of xylem conductance to Hg2+.