bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energetics of charged domain walls in ferroelectric crystals
Authors: Liu Y. Y. , Liu J. J. , Xie S. H. , Li J. Y.
Published: October 2007

We calculated the energy variation due to the emergence of a new domain in barium titanate single crystal using equivalent inclusion method, and energy minimizing domain morphology and orientations have been identified. It is found that the energy difference between the charged and uncharged domain walls is relatively small, and the charged domain wall is metastable. It is also concluded that the compatibility of transformation strain plays a more important role in ferroelectric domain configurations than polarization compatibility, and the incompatibility of piezoelectric strain is insignificant.
Improved thermoelectric figure of merit in n-type CoSb3 based nanocomposites
Authors: Mi J. L. , Zhao X. B. , Zhu T. J. , Tu J. P.
Published: October 2007

Nanocomposites offer a promising approach to incorporate nanostructured constituents to bulk thermoelectric materials. n-type CoSb3 nanocomposites were prepared by hot pressing the mixture of nanoscale and microsized CoSb3 powders synthesized by solvothermal method and melting, respectively. Microstructure analysis shows that the bulk materials are composed of nano- and micrograins. The nanocomposite structures are effective in reducing thermal conductivity more than electrical conductivity, hence in improving the thermoelectric performance. A dimensionless figure of merit of 0.71 is obtained for the nanocomposite with 40wt% nanopowder inclusions, about 54% increase of that without nanopowder inclusions.
Anisotropy of electron-phonon coupling in single wurtzite CdS nanowires
Authors: Fan H. M. , Ni Z. H. , Feng Y. P. , Fan X. F. , Kuo J. L. , Shen Z. X. , Zou B. S.
Published: October 2007

Orientation dependent electron phonon (EP) coupling on single wurtzite CdS nanowires with average diameter of 60nm has been studied using polarized Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of nanowires are compared with those of bulk ribbon. Different from the bulk sample, the EP coupling of the nanowires is polarized along the longitudinal axis of wire and the diametral coupling strength exhibits a minimum due to the finite size effect of the Fröhlich potential. These results show that the highly anisotropic geometry of CdS nanowires is a dominant factor in determining the anisotropy of EP coupling.
Post-fire stimulation of soil biogenic emission of CO2 in a sandy soil of a Mediterranean shrubland
Authors: Fierro Angelo , Rutigliano Flora Angela , Marco Anna De , Castaldi Simona , Santo Amalia Virzo De
Published: October 2007

Fire is a frequent perturbation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems, altering soil organic matter turnover. In a Mediterranean shrubland subjected to experimental fire, soil CO2 emissions were measured over an annual cycle in burned and unburned sites using static chambers. Some chemical–physical parameters affecting soil C turnover (soil nitrogen and organic carbon content, pH, soil temperature and water content) and some microbial indicators of soil C turnover, i.e. soil potential respiration, microbial carbon, metabolic quotient and coefficient of endogenous mineralisation, were also measured. A high spatial variability of CO2 effluxes was detected in control as well as in burned plots, with 8.9 and 16.6% respectively of ‘hot spots’ of gas emission; the ‘hot spots’ contributed 33% to the whole annual soil CO2 emission in control plots and 54.1% in the burned plots. No relationship between temperature and CO2 effluxes was found. In contrast, the data showed that soil water availability is the main climatic factor affecting field CO2 effluxes in the burned plots. Laboratory measurements under 55% of water-holding capacity showed a stimulating action of fire on soil organic matter mineralisation as indicated by coefficient of endogenous mineralisation, microbial carbon and metabolic quotient values. We concluded that fire could decrease the efficiency of soil microflora at conserving C.
Evidence of a bactericidal permeability increasing protein in an invertebrate, theCrassostrea gigas Cg-BPI
Authors: Gonzalez Marcelo , Gueguen Yannick , Destoumieux-Garzón Delphine , Romestand Bernard , Fievet Julie , Pugnière Martine , Roquet Françoise , Escoubas Jean-Michel , Vandenbulcke Franck , Levy Ofer , Sauné Laure , Bulet Philippe , Bachère Evelyne
Published: October 2007

A cDNA sequence with homologies to members of the LPS-binding protein and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) family was identified in the oysterCrassostrea gigas. The recombinant protein was found to bind LPS, to display bactericidal activity againstEscherichia coli, and to increase the permeability of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. This indicated that it is a BPI rather than an LPS-binding protein. Byin situhybridization, the expression of theC. gigasBPI (Cg-bpi) was found to be induced in hemocytes after oyster bacterial challenge and to be constitutive in various epithelia of unchallenged oysters. Thus,Cg-bpitranscripts were detected in the epithelial cells of tissues/organs in contact with the external environment (mantle, gills, digestive tract, digestive gland diverticula, and gonad follicles). Therefore,Cg-BPI, whose expression profile and biological properties are reminiscent of mammalian BPIs, may provide a first line of defense against potential bacterial invasion. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of a BPI in an invertebrate.
Telomere uncapping in progenitor cells with critical telomere shortening is coupled to S-phase progression
in vivo
Authors: Rajaraman Sripriya , Choi Jinkuk , Cheung Peggie , Beaudry Veronica , Moore Helen , Artandi Steven E.
Published: October 2007

Telomeres protect chromosome ends and serve as a substrate for telomerase, a reverse transcriptase that adds DNA repeats to the telomere terminus. In the absence of telomerase, telomeres progressively shorten, ultimately leading to telomere uncapping, a structural change at the telomere that activates DNA damage responses and leads to ligation of chromosome ends. Telomere uncapping has been implicated in aging and cancer, yet the precise mechanism of uncapping and its relationship to cell cycle remain to be defined. Here, we show that telomeres uncap in an S-phase-dependent manner in gastrointestinal progenitors of
TERT
−/−
mice. We develop an
in vivo
assay that allows a quantitative kinetic assessment of telomere dysfunction-induced apoptosis and its relationship to cell cycle. By exploiting the mathematical relationship between rates of generation and clearance of apoptotic cells, we show that 86.2 ± 8.8% of apoptotic gastrointestinal cells undergo programmed cell death either late in S-phase or in G
2
. Apoptosis is primarily triggered via a signaling cascade from newly uncapped telomeres to the tumor suppressor p53, rather than by chromosome fusion-bridge breakage, because mitotic blockade did not alter the rate of newly generated apoptotic bodies. These data support a model in which rapidly dividing progenitor cells within a tissue with short telomeres are vulnerable to telomere uncapping during or shortly after telomere replication.
Hormone replacement therapy in Denmark, 1995–2004
Authors: LØKKEGAARD ELLEN , LIDEGAARD ØJVIND , NØRGAARD MØLLER LISBETH , AGGER CARSTEN , HELMS ANDREASEN ANNE , Jørgensen Torben
Published: October 2007

Background. Recently, the Danish National Register of Medicinal Product Statistics (NRM) was opened for research purposes, and therefore, on an individual basis, can merge with other national registers. The aim of this study was to analyse the use of hormones based on the individual data of the entire Danish female population, with the focus on a detailed evaluation of specific hormone regimens and factors associated with systemic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods. All Danish female citizens, aged 15–70 years during the study period 1995–2004, were identified in the Civil Registration System, and their redeemed prescriptions for hormones and medication for diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and heart conditions were retrieved from the NRM. Information on habitation, education, employment and gynaecological surgery was obtained from other national registers. Results. After 2002, the use of HRT was reduced by 65%. In 2002, HRT was most prevalent in women aged 55–59 years, when an average of 200 defined daily doses per 1,000 women per day was recorded. In 2002, approximately 39% of women aged 50–57 years were ever exposed to HRT. The mean duration of HRT was 5 years in an 8‐year time window. During the study period, there was a significant decline in the use of systemic hormones, initially due to a decrease in cyclic combined therapy, but after 2002 continuous combined therapy decreased rapidly. HRT was positively associated with middle‐term education, employment status, and living in urban areas. Women treated for diabetes used hormones less frequently than women without diabetes. Women using antiarrhythmics or antihypertensives used hormones more often than women not using this medication. HRT was positively associated with gynaecological surgery. Conclusion. One in five women, aged 50‐59 years, redeemed daily HRT. Use of HRT declined from 1995 to 2002, but more than halved after 2002. HRT is associated to redemption of other medications of significance for health.
Preferences for involvement in treatment decision‐making among Norwegian women with urinary incontinence
Authors: O'DONNELL MÁIRE , HUNSKAAR STEINAR
Published: October 2007

Background. Current health policies advocate patient participation in treatment decision‐making. Objective. To explore whether role preferences among women with urinary incontinence (UI) change depending on the treatment decision‐making context. We also explore what factors are associated with role preferences and changes in role preferences. Methods. A national telephone survey of 265 women with UI identified from 1,000 randomly selected Norwegian women aged 18 or over. The interview included questions on socioeconomic factors, general health status, UI‐related factors, and role preferences. Women were categorised as preferring an ‘active’, ‘collaborative’, or ‘passive’ role in treatment decision‐making based on their selection of a response from the Control Preferences Scale. Results. Women's preferences changed significantly when considering UI treatment decision‐making compared to treatment decision‐making generally (p<0.001). A total of 60% preferred an active role in UI treatment decisions compared to 38% when considering treatment decision‐making generally. Multivariable analyses found that higher education was significantly associated with preferring an active role in general treatment decision‐making. For UI treatment decision‐making, women aged 60 or over and those who were married or had a partner were less likely to prefer an active compared to a collaborative role. Conclusions. Women with UI prefer a more active role when considering UI treatment decision‐making compared to treatment decision‐making generally. Factors associated with role preferences vary depending on the decision‐making context, with older women and those who were married or had a partner more likely to prefer an active role when considering UI treatment decision‐making.
Leisure time physical activity during pregnancy and impact on gestational diabetes mellitus, pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery and birth weight: a review
Authors: HEGAARD HANNE K. , PEDERSEN BENTE K. , BRUUN NIELSEN BIRGITTE , DAMM PETER
Published: October 2007

Background. It has been questioned whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy is beneficial or deleterious to pregnancy outcome, and whether a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy has a negative impact on pregnancy. Answers to these questions are of general interest, since some young women are very physically active during leisure time, while others have a sedentary lifestyle. Method. In this review, we analysed the association between LTPA and the selected pregnancy outcomes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery, and birth weight. Results. The prevailing literature clearly indicates that LTPA before and/or during pregnancy has a protective effect on the development of GDM and pre‐eclampsia. Furthermore, LTPA does not seem to have a negative impact on the rate of preterm delivery or on birth weight. Conclusion. Thus, it seems relevant that health authorities recommend 30 min of daily physical activity to healthy pregnant women.
The effect of vaginal distension on the female urinary bladder and urethral sphincters
Authors: SHAFIK AHMED , EL SIBAI OLFAT , SHAFIK ALI A. , SHAFIK ISMAIL A.
Published: October 2007

Aims.A mention of effect of vaginal distension, as induced by penile thrusting at coitus, on urinary bladder (UB) and urethral sphincters could not be traced in literature. We investigated the hypothesis that, upon vaginal distension, UB undergoes inhibited activity, while external and internal urethral sphincters (IUS) exhibit increased activity in order to guard against urine leakage during coitus.Methods. Response of UB and external and IUS to vaginal balloon distension was recorded in 28 healthy women (age 35.6±3.3 years). A vaginal condom was inflated with air in increments of 50 up to 200 ml, and vesical pressure as well as electromyographic (EMG) activity of external and IUS were registered. The test was repeated after separate anaesthetisation of vagina, UB and external and IUS.Results.On vaginal distension, vesical pressure was reduced in the ratio of expansion of vaginal volume up to a certain capacity, beyond which vesical pressure ceased to decline when distending volume was augmented. Similarly, IUS EMG activity increased progressively on incrementally added vaginal distension up to 150‐ml distension, beyond which any further vaginal distension did not produce an additional increase of EMG activity; the external urethral sphincter (EUS) EMG activity showed no response. Vaginal distension, while the vagina, UB and external and IUS had been separately anaesthetised, produced no significant change.Conclusion.Vaginal balloon distension seems to effect vesical wall relaxation and increase IUS tone. This appears to provide a mechanism that prevents urine leak during coitus. Vesical and IUS response to vaginal distension are suggested to be mediated through a reflex we term ‘vagino‐vesicosphincteric reflex’, which seems to be evoked by vaginal distension during penile thrusting. The reflex may prove of diagnostic significance in sexual disorders.
Occurrence and determinants of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use in pregnancy
Authors: YANG TUBAO , WALKER MARK C. , KREWSKI DANIEL , YANG QIUYING , GARNER PETER , YANG TUBAO , WALKER MARK C. , KREWSKI DANIEL , YANG QIUYING , GARNER PETER , FRASER WILLIAM , OLATUNBOSUN OLUFEMI , NIMROD CARL , YANG TUBAO , WALKER MARK C. , KREWSKI DANIEL , YANG QIUYING , GARNER PETER , FRASER WILLIAM , OLATUNBOSUN OLUFEMI , NIMROD CARL , WU WEN SHI
Published: October 2007

Objective. To estimate the rate of prescription trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use in pregnancy, and to analyse the association between maternal characteristics and use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in pregnancy. Methods. A population‐based study was conducted based on a 50% random sample of women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2000. The rate of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use during pregnancy was estimated. The exposure in each trimester was also estimated. Associations between maternal characteristics and pregnancy trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use were evaluated using multiple logistical regression with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the association measures. Results. A total of 18,575 women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan during the study period were included in the analysis. Among them, 596 (3.2%) had at least 1 prescription for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole during pregnancy, 389 (2.1%) in the first trimester, 208 (1.1%) in the second trimester, and 195 (1.1%) in the third trimester. Women with chronic health conditions (6.2%) had a 2‐fold increased risk of exposure compared to women without a chronic health condition (2.8%). Younger women (<20 years) with parity ≥3 and women on Saskatchewan assistance plan were also at increased risk. There were variations in exposure by trimester. For example, teenage women without chronic health conditions were at increased risk of use in the second and third trimester. Conclusions. Some 3.2% of women are exposed to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole during pregnancy. Women with chronic health problems, of younger age, and of lower socioeconomic status are at elevated risk of exposure to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole during pregnancy.
Uterine rupture and perinatal outcome
Authors: WIDÉN PETTERSSON KATARINA , GRUNEWALD CHARLOTTA , THOMASSEN PETER
Published: October 2007

Background. In view of the increasing number of caesarean sections (CS), we wanted to investigate the clinical aspects of uterine rupture including perinatal outcome. Methods. A retrospective investigation of 24,181 deliveries at Stockholm South General Hospital between 1999 and 2004. Patient notes from cases with ICD‐codes 0710 and 0711 were studied together with charts from previous deliveries and neonatal data from the Paediatric Department. Results. Some 22 cases of uterine rupture were found, giving an incidence of 0.9 per 1,000 deliveries. In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy. In 19/22 cases, the rupture occurred in patients with a previous uterine scar, 18 of whom were delivered at term and one at 16 gestational weeks. One case of intrauterine fetal death was noted. Of the remaining 20 newborns, 9 had a 5‐min Apgar ≤7, one died after 3 days, and one had neurological sequele at follow‐up. The remaining 18 newborns were healthy at discharge and up to 1 year of age. Conclusions. A previous uterine scar was the single most obvious risk factor. A positive finding was the relatively low risk of long‐term post‐asphyctic sequele in the newborns.
Comprehension problems in children with specific language impairment: does mental imagery training help?
Authors: Joffe Victoria L. , Cain Kate , Marić Nataša
Published: October 2007

Background: Children with specific language impairment experience story comprehension deficits. Research with typically developing children, poor comprehenders and poor readers has shown that the use of mental imagery aids in the comprehension of stories.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention programme in the use of mental imagery to improve the literal and inferential comprehension of children with specific language impairment.

Methods & Procedures: Nine children with specific language impairment were trained to produce mental images for sentences and stories in five 30‐min sessions. Their ability to answer literal and inferential questions about short narratives was assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention and compared with the performance of 16 same‐age typically developing controls.

Outcome & Results: The intervention improved the question–answering performance of the children with specific language impairment for both literal and inferential questions: the improvement was only significant for the literal questions.

Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that a relatively short intervention in the use of mental imagery is an effective way to boost the story comprehension of children with specific language impairment.
CMOS integrated cantilevers with sub-µm tips for surface temperature measurement
Authors: Wu Chi-Pei , Yang Sidney S , Hung Shi-Jie , Tu Cheng-Ting , Lu Michael S-C
Published: October 2007

This work presents CMOS micromachined dielectric cantilevers with integrated sharp tips for surface temperature measurement. The integrated cantilever can perform electrothermal actuation and piezoresistive sensing for maintaining a proper tip–sample contact. For a cantilever 280 µm long, the measured thermoelectric power from the aluminum/polysilicon thermocouple is 22.6 ± 0.36 µV °C−1, the measured time constant is 796 µs, and the drift due to thermal actuation is 0.15 ± 0.057 µV °C−1. The measured displacement by thermal actuation is 2.2 µm at 17.8 mW and the measured thermal time constant is 79.6 µs. The measured piezoresistive sensitivity and pre-amp noise are 0.48 mV µm−1and 0.7 µV Hz−1/2, respectively, producing an equivalent input-referred noise displacement of 1.45 nm Hz−1/2.
VisGenome: visualization of single and comparative genome representations
Authors: Jakubowska Joanna , Hunt Ela , Chalmers Matthew , McBride Martin , Dominiczak Anna F.
Published: October 2007

Summary: VisGenome visualizes single and comparative representations for the rat, the mouse and the human chromosomes at different levels of detail. The tool offers smooth zooming and panning which is more flexible than seen in other browsers. It presents information available in Ensembl for single chromosomes, as well as homologies (orthologue predictions including ortholog one2one, apparent ortholog one2one, ortholog many2many) for any two chromosomes from different species. The application can query supporting data from Ensembl by invoking a link in a browser.

Availability:  http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~asia/VisGenome

Contact:  asia@dcs.gla.ac.uk
Neurochemical Mechanism of Electroacupuncture: Anti‐Injury Effect on Cerebral Function after Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Authors: Zhong Shubo , Li Zhongren , Huan Lianjin , Chen Bo-Ying
Published: October 2007

We explored the neurochemical mechanism of electroacupuncture′s (EA) protective effect on brain function in focal cerebral ischemia rats, using cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats established by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, Sham+EA, MCAO and MCAO+EA. The rats in Sham+EA and MCAO+EA were accepted EA treatment at ‘GV26’ and ‘GV20’ acupoints for 30 min. Electric stimulation was produced by a G‐6805 generator and neurological deficit scores were recorded. Mitochondria respiratory function and the activities of respiratory enzymes were measured by a computer‐aided Clark oxygen electrode system. Results showed that EA treatment might reduce the neurological deficit score, and significantly improve respiratory control ratio (RCR), the index of mitochondrial respiratory function, and increase the activities of succinic dehydrogenase, NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome C oxidase in the MCAO rats. Results suggest that EA might markedly decrease the neurological deficit score, promote the activities of respiratory enzymes and reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in improvement of respiratory chain function and anti‐oxidative capability of brain tissues in the infarct penumbra zone. This be a mechanism of EA′s anti‐injury effect on brain function in MCAO rats.
Iyengar Yoga Increases Cardiac Parasympathetic Nervous Modulation among Healthy Yoga Practitioners
Authors: Khattab Kerstin , Khattab Ahmed A. , Ortak Jasmin , Richardt Gert , Bonnemeier Hendrik
Published: October 2007

Relaxation techniques are established in managing of cardiac patients during rehabilitation aiming to reduce future adverse cardiac events. It has been hypothesized that relaxation‐training programs may significantly improve cardiac autonomic nervous tone. However, this has not been proven for all available relaxation techniques. We tested this assumption by investigating cardiac vagal modulation during yoga.We examined 11 healthy yoga practitioners (7 women and 4 men, mean age: 43 ± 11; range: 26–58 years). Each individual was subjected to training units of 90 min once a week over five successive weeks. During two sessions, they practiced a yoga program developed for cardiac patients by B.K.S. Iyengar. On three sessions, they practiced a placebo program of relaxation. On each training day they underwent ambulatory 24 h Holter monitoring. The group of yoga practitioners was compared to a matched group of healthy individuals not practicing any relaxation techniques. Parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) were determined hourly by a blinded observer. Mean RR interval (interval between two R‐waves of the ECG) was significantly higher during the time of yoga intervention compared to placebo and to control (P < 0.001 for both). The increase in HRV parameters was significantly higher during yoga exercise than during placebo and control especially for the parameters associated with vagal tone, i.e. mean standard deviation of NN (Normal Beat to Normal Beat of the ECG) intervals for all 5‐min intervals (SDNNi, P < 0.001 for both) and root mean square successive difference (rMSSD, P < 0.01 for both). In conclusion, relaxation by yoga training is associated with a significant increase of cardiac vagal modulation. Since this method is easy to apply with no side effects, it could be a suitable intervention in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
A Review of Yoga Programs for Four Leading Risk Factors of Chronic Diseases
Authors: Yang Kyeongra
Published: October 2007

Yoga, a form of physical activity, is rapidly gaining in popularity and has many health benefits. Yet healthcare providers have been slow to recognize yoga for its ability to improve health conditions, and few interventions have been developed that take full advantage of its benefits. The purpose of this article is to review published studies using yoga programs and to determine the effect of yoga interventions on common risk factors of chronic diseases (overweight, hypertension, high glucose level and high cholesterol). A systematic search yielded 32 articles published between 1980 and April 2007. The studies found that yoga interventions are generally effective in reducing body weight, blood pressure, glucose level and high cholesterol, but only a few studies examined long‐term adherence. Additionally, not enough studies included diverse populations at high risk for diabetes and its related common health problems.
In Vitro Evaluation of the Antiviral Activity of an Extract of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Pits on a Pseudomonas Phage
Authors: Jassim Sabah A. A. , Naji Mazen A.
Published: October 2007

A crude acetone extract of the pit of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was prepared and its antiviral activity evaluated against lytic Pseudomonas phage ATCC 14209‐B1, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25668 as the host cell. The antiviral activity of date pits was found to be mediated by binding to the phage, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of <10 μg ml−1. The decimal reduction time (D‐values), the concentration exponent (η) and the phage inactivation kinetics were determined. The date pit extracts show a strong ability to inhibit the infectivity of Pseudomonas phage ATCC 14209‐B1 and completely prevented bacterial lysis, which it is hoped will promote research into its potential as a novel antiviral agent against pathogenic human viruses.
Regional Brain Activation during Meditation Shows Time and Practice Effects: An Exploratory FMRI Study
Authors: Baron Short E. , Kose Samet , Mu Qiwen , Borckardt Jeffery , Newberg Andrew , George Mark S. , Kozel F. Andrew
Published: October 2007

Meditation involves attentional regulation and may lead to increased activity in brain regions associated with attention such as dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined whether DLPFC and ACC were activated during meditation. Subjects who meditate were recruited and scanned on a 3.0 Tesla scanner. Subjects meditated for four sessions of 12 min and performed four sessions of a 6 min control task. Individual and group t‐maps were generated of overall meditation response versus control response and late meditation response versus early meditation response for each subject and time courses were plotted. For the overall group (n = 13), and using an overall brain analysis, there were no statistically significant regional activations of interest using conservative thresholds. A region of interest analysis of the entire group time courses of DLPFC and ACC were statistically more active throughout meditation in comparison to the control task. Moreover, dividing the cohort into short (n = 8) and long‐term (n = 5) practitioners (>10 years) revealed that the time courses of long‐term practitioners had significantly more consistent and sustained activation in the DLPFC and the ACC during meditation versus control in comparison to short‐term practitioners. The regional brain activations in the more practised subjects may correlate with better sustained attention and attentional error monitoring. In summary, brain regions associated with attention vary over the time of a meditation session and may differ between long‐ and short‐term meditation practitioners.
Low-temperature photochemistry in photosystem II from
Thermosynechococcus elongatus
induced by visible and near-infrared light
Authors: Boussac Alain , Sugiura Miwa , Lai Thanh-Lan , Rutherford A. William
Published: October 2007

The active site for water oxidation in photosystem II (PSII) consists of a Mn
4
Ca cluster close to a redox-active tyrosine residue (TyrZ). The enzyme cycles through five sequential oxidation states (S
0
to S
4
) in the water oxidation process. Earlier electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) work showed that metalloradical states, probably arising from the Mn
4
cluster interacting with TyrZ, can be trapped by illumination of the S
0
, S
1
and S
2
states at cryogenic temperatures. The EPR signals reported were attributed to S
0
TyrZ, S
1
TyrZ and S
2
TyrZ, respectively. The equivalent states were examined here by EPR in PSII isolated from
Thermosynechococcus elongatus
with either Sr or Ca associated with the Mn
4
cluster. In order to avoid spectral contributions from the second tyrosyl radical, TyrD, PSII was used in which Tyr160 of D2 was replaced by phenylalanine. We report that the metalloradical signals attributed to TyrZ interacting with the Mn cluster in S
0
, S
1
, S
2
and also probably the S
3
states are all affected by the presence of Sr. Ca/Sr exchange also affects the non-haem iron which is situated approximately 44 Å units away from the Ca site. This could relate to the earlier reported modulation of the potential of
Q
A
by the occupancy of the Ca site. It is also shown that in the S
3
state both visible and near-infrared light are able to induce a similar Mn photochemistry.
Cerebellar abscess and meningitis, caused by Shewanella putrefaciens and Klebsiella pneumoniae, associated with chronic otitis media
Authors: Yilmaz Gurdal , Aydin Kemalettin , Bektas Devrim , Caylan Rahmet , Caylan Refik , Koksal Iftihar
Published: October 2007

Shewanella putrefaciens is a facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacterium. It is found in various environments and has been isolated worldwide. S. putrefaciens is a rare cause of brain abscesses and meningitis. This is a case report of a cerebellar abscess and meningitis caused by Shewanella putrefaciens and Klebsiella pneumoniae in a river trap fisherman.
Prevalence of aflatoxin B1 in liver biopsies of proven hepatocellular carcinoma in India determined by an in-house immunoperoxidase test
Authors: Murugavel K. G. , Naranatt P. P. , Shankar E. M. , Mathews S. , Raghuram K. , Rajasambandam P. , Jayanthi V. , Surendran R. , Murali A. , Srinivas U. , Palaniswamy K. R. , Srikumari D. , Thyagarajan S. P.
Published: October 2007

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. The incidence of HCC in India is reportedly low and varies from 0.2  to 1.9 %. Aflatoxins, secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are potent human carcinogens implicated in HCC. The prevalence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) as co-carcinogen was analysed using an in-house immunoperoxidase test in 31 liver biopsies and 7 liver-resection specimens from histopathologically proven HCC, and in 15 liver biopsies from cirrhosis patients (control group). Serum was tested for hepatitis B and C serological markers using commercial assays, and for AFB1 using an in-house ELISA with a sensitivity of ∼1 ng ml−1 for AFB1. In spite of positive AFB1 immunostaining in HCC cases, all serum specimens, from both HCC and the control groups, were AFB1-negative. There were 18 (58.1 %) HCC cases that revealed AFB1 in liver biopsies; 68.8 % (n=11) of non-B non-C hepatitis cases with HCC and 46.1 % (n=6) of the hepatitis B surface-antigen-positive subjects were positive for AFB1. Out of the two hepatitis B/hepatitis C virus co-infected cases, one was positive for AFB1. Of seven tumour-resection samples, six were positive for AFB1. Only one case revealed AFB1 in the non-tumour area of the resected material. Thus AFB1 staining was significantly associated with tumour tissue (P=0.03). Aflatoxins proved to have a significant association with HCC in this peninsular part of the subcontinent. The impact seems to be a cumulative process, as revealed by the AFB1 deposits in HCC liver tissue, even though the serum levels were undetectable.
Liver abscess due to Neisseria sicca after repeated transcatheter arterial embolization
Authors: Chung Hsing-Chun , Teng Lee-Jene , Hsueh Po-Ren
Published: October 2007

Neisseria sicca is rarely associated with clinical infections and to the authors' knowledge this organism has not been reported as a causative agent of infected biloma (liver abscess). A case of a diabetic man with infected biloma due to N. sicca after repeated transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma is reported. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous cefotaxime and metronidazole. The biochemical profile and 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing results of the isolate were in agreement with those of N. sicca.
Detection of acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy by IgG avidity and PCR analysis
Authors: Iqbal Jamshaid , Khalid Nabila
Published: October 2007

AcuteToxoplasma gondiiinfection in early pregnancy carries the risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus with serious sequelae. However, serological testing for IgG/IgM anti-Toxoplasmaantibodies may fail to differentiate between a recent and past infection. Two hundred and twenty-four Kuwaiti women in their first trimester were screened for IgG/IgM antibodies by the Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS) and VIDAS IgG-avidity tests. On serological screening, 119 (53.1 %) women were positive for IgG antibodies and 31 (13.8 %) for IgM antibodies. Nine of the IgM-positive and 7 IgM-negative women had low-avidity antibodies. However, the IgG-avidity test detected low-avidity antibodies only in 9 (29 %) of the 31 IgM-positive women, suggesting a recent infection; 19 (61.3 %) women had high-avidity antibodies, indicating that the infection was acquired in the distant past. Based on IgM serology alone, at least 31 IgM-positive women may have been wrongly labelled as having acuteToxoplasmainfection thus warranting appropriate therapeutic intervention. All the 19 IgM-positive women with high-avidity antibodies were confirmed negative forToxoplasmaDNA on PCR analysis. Compared with PCR analysis, the VIDAS avidity test was a helpful tool for the diagnosis of recentToxoplasmainfection in IgM-negative women with low-avidity antibodies and IgM-positive women with high-avidity antibodies; the specificity was >85 –100 %. It is concluded that the VIDAS avidity test when used in combination with VIDAS IgG/IgM tests is a valuable assay for the exclusion of ongoing or recently acquiredT. gondiiinfection in pregnant women in their first trimester and that it decreases significantly the necessity for follow-up testing and unnecessary therapeutic intervention.
Differential binding of Shiga toxin 2 to human and murine neutrophils
Authors: Griener Thomas P. , Mulvey George L. , Marcato Paola , Armstrong Glen D.
Published: October 2007

Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2) are responsible for initiating haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a serious extraintestinal complication caused by enterohaemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157 : H7 infection in humans. Shiga toxins are classical AB5-type exotoxins, consisting of a globotriaosylceramide (Gb3)-binding B subunit pentamer and an enzymic A subunit. It is demonstrated in this study that Stx2 binds to human neutrophils by a non-classical mechanism that is independent of Gb3. In contrast, the investigation revealed that Stx2 binds to murine neutrophils by the classical Gb3-dependent mechanism. Moreover, whereas the human serum amyloid P (HuSAP) component inhibited Stx2 binding to murine neutrophils, HuSAP increased Stx2 binding to human neutrophils by 84.2 % (P≤0.002, Student'st-test). These observations may explain why HuSAP protects mice from the lethal effects of Stx2, whereas there is no indication that HuSAP plays a similar protective role in humans infected byE. coliO157 : H7.
Evaluation of vt2-subtyping methods for identifying vt2g in verotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Krüger Alejandra , Lucchesi Paula M. A. , Parma Alberto E.
Published: October 2007

Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) are important pathogens that can cause severe human disease, including haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic–uraemic syndrome. A new variant of verotoxin, vt2g, has recently been described. It was possible to find this variant for the first time in Argentina among VTEC isolated from cattle. The present study evaluated the identification of this gene with three conventional methods used for subtyping the vt2 gene. The results show that it is possible to screen VTEC strains for the presence of vt2g without the implementation of new protocols.
Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Shigella flexneri isolates collected in Asian countries
Authors: Choi Seon Young , Jeon Yoon-Seong , Lee Je Hee , Choi Boram , Moon Sun Hwa , von Seidlein Lorenz , Clemens John D. , Dougan Gordon , Wain John , Yu Jun , Lee Je Chul , Seol Sung Yong , Lee Bok Kwon , Song Jae-Hoon , Song Manki , Czerkinsky Cecil , Chun Jongsik , Kim Dong Wook
Published: October 2007

The multilocus sequence typing scheme used previously for phylogenetic analysis of Escherichia coli was applied to 107 clinical isolates of Shigella flexneri. DNA sequencing of 3423 bp throughout seven housekeeping genes identified eight new allele types and ten new sequence types among the isolates. S. flexneri serotypes 1–5, X and Y were clustered together in a group containing many allelic variants while serotype 6 formed a distinct group, as previously established.
Campylobacter insulaenigrae causing septicaemia and enteritis
Authors: Chua Kyra , Gürtler Volker , Montgomery Janet , Fraenkel Margaret , Mayall Barrie C. , Grayson M. Lindsay
Published: October 2007

Campylobacter insulaenigrae is a novel species that has been recently only isolated from marine mammals. This is the first report of C. insulaenigrae causing enteritis and septicaemia in a patient with end-stage hepatic and renal disease.
Conserved C-Terminal Motifs of the Arabidopsis Proteins APETALA3 and PISTILLATA Are Dispensable for Floral Organ Identity Function
Authors: Piwarzyk Eileen , Yang Yingzhen , Jack Thomas
Published: October 2007

The B-class genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and their orthologs in other species have been the focus of studies to elucidate the development of petals and stamens in angiosperm flowers. Evolutionary analysis indicates that B-class genes have undergone multiple gene duplication events in angiosperms. The resultant B-class lineages are characterized by short, conserved amino acid sequences at the extreme C-terminal end of the B-class proteins. AP3 is a member of the euAP3 lineage that contains both the euAP3 and PI-derived motifs at the C terminus. PI is a member of the PI lineage that contains the C-terminal PI motif at the C terminus. Despite conservation over a wide evolutionary distance, the function of C-terminal motifs is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that truncated forms of AP3 and PI, which lack the conserved C-terminal motifs, function to direct floral organ identity specification in Arabidopsis plants. By contrast, larger truncations, which remove the third putative amphipathic α-helix in the K domain of AP3 or PI, are nonfunctional. We conclude that the euAP3 and PI-derived motifs of AP3 and the PI motif of PI are not essential for floral organ identity function of AP3 and PI in Arabidopsis.
A Guide to Choosing Vectors for Transformation of the Plastid Genome of Higher Plants
Authors: Lutz Kerry Ann , Azhagiri Arun Kumar , Tungsuchat-Huang Tarinee , Maliga Pal
Published: October 2007

Plastid transformation, originally developed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), has recently been extended to a number of crop species enabling in vivo probing of plastid function and biotechnological applications. In this article we report new plastid vectors that enable insertion of transgenes in the inverted repeat region of the plastome between the trnV and 3′rps12 or trnI and trnA genes. Efficient recovery of transplastomic clones is ensured by selection for spectinomycin (aadA) or kanamycin (neo) resistance genes. Expression of marker genes can be verified using commercial antibodies that detect the accumulation of neomycin phosphotranseferase II, the neo gene product, or the C-terminal c-myc tag of aminoglycoside-3″-adenylytransferase, encoded by the aadA gene. Aminoglycoside-3″-adenylytransferase, the spectinomycin inactivating enzyme, is translationally fused with green fluorescent protein in two vectors so that transplastomic clones can be selected by spectinomycin resistance and visually identified by fluorescence in ultraviolet light. The marker genes in the new vectors are flanked by target sites for Cre or Int, the P1 and phiC31 phage site-specific recombinases. When uniform transformation of all plastid genomes is obtained, the marker genes can be excised by Cre or Int expressed from a nuclear gene. Choice of expression signals for the gene of interest, complications caused by the presence of plastid DNA sequences recognized by Cre, and loss of transgenes by homologous recombination via duplicated sequences are also discussed to facilitate a rational choice from among the existing vectors and to aid with new target-specific vector designs.
Root Plasma Membrane Transporters Controlling K+/Na+ Homeostasis in Salt-Stressed Barley
Authors: Chen Zhonghua , Pottosin Igor I. , Cuin Tracey A. , Fuglsang Anja T. , Tester Mark , Jha Deepa , Zepeda-Jazo Isaac , Zhou Meixue , Palmgren Michael G. , Newman Ian A. , Shabala Sergey
Published: October 2007

Plant salinity tolerance is a polygenic trait with contributions from genetic, developmental, and physiological interactions, in addition to interactions between the plant and its environment. In this study, we show that in salt-tolerant genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare), multiple mechanisms are well combined to withstand saline conditions. These mechanisms include: (1) better control of membrane voltage so retaining a more negative membrane potential; (2) intrinsically higher H+ pump activity; (3) better ability of root cells to pump Na+ from the cytosol to the external medium; and (4) higher sensitivity to supplemental Ca2+. At the same time, no significant difference was found between contrasting cultivars in their unidirectional 22Na+ influx or in the density and voltage dependence of depolarization-activated outward-rectifying K+ channels. Overall, our results are consistent with the idea of the cytosolic K+-to-Na+ ratio being a key determinant of plant salinity tolerance, and suggest multiple pathways of controlling that important feature in salt-tolerant plants.
ArabidopsisCryptochrome 2 Completes Its Posttranslational Life Cycle in the Nucleus
Authors: Yu Xuhong , Klejnot John , Zhao Xiaoying , Shalitin Dror , Maymon Maskit , Yang Hongyun , Lee Janet , Liu Xuanming , Lopez Javier , Lin Chentao
Published: October 2007

CRY2 is a blue light receptor regulating light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and photoperiodic flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana. The CRY2 protein is found primarily in the nucleus, and it is known to undergo blue light–dependent phosphorylation and degradation. However, the subcellular location where CRY2 exerts its function or undergoes blue light–dependent phosphorylation and degradation remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the function and regulation of conditionally nuclear-localized CRY2. Our results show that CRY2 mediates blue light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and photoperiodic promotion of floral initiation in the nucleus. Consistent with this result and a hypothesis that blue light–dependent phosphorylation is associated with CRY2 function, we demonstrate that CRY2 undergoes blue light–dependent phosphorylation in the nucleus. CRY2 phosphorylation is required for blue light–dependent CRY2 degradation, but only a limited quantity of CRY2 is phosphorylated at any given moment in seedlings exposed to blue light, which explains why continuous blue light illumination is required for CRY2 degradation. Finally, we showed that CRY2 is ubiquitinated in response to blue light and that ubiquitinated CRY2 is degraded by the 26S proteasome in the nucleus. These findings demonstrate that a photoreceptor can complete its posttranslational life cycle (from protein modification, to function, to degradation) inside the nucleus.
Long‐term stewardship and our capital markets
Authors: Wellum Jonathan Mark
Published: October 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the three areas of corporate governance, intellectual capital and strategic business valuation from the perspective of a long‐term value investor.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins by briefly laying out the investment tenets of a long‐term value investor and then proceeds to align long‐term value investing with long‐term stewardship of economic resources. The paper is a transcript of a keynote presentation delivered at the 1st McMaster World Congress on Strategic Business Valuation.

Findings

In the area of intellectual capital the paper points out that the concept of intellectual capital falls far short of the fuller and more necessary view on intellectual knowledge which should be replaced or at least augmented with the notion of wisdom.

Practical implications

Any notion of strategic valuation or pricing of assets based on their economic value will be significantly impacted by one's investment principles and time horizon. The paper mentions two examples of inefficiencies in the market due to divergent time horizons. The two examples discussed are income trusts and principal protected notes.

Originality/value

One's investment philosophy or principles which largely determine time horizon will have a significant impact on how one approaches the important areas of corporate governance, intellectual capital and strategic business valuation. The concern of the paper is to the extent that we have become more short‐term in our investment principles; this will have serious long‐term negative impacts on the capital markets.