bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The DRAGO gamma camera
Authors: Fiorini C. , Gola A. , Peloso R. , Longoni A. , Lechner P. , Soltau H. , Strüder L. , Ottobrini L. , Martelli C. , Lui R. , Madaschi L. , Belloli S.
Published: April 2010

In this work, we present the results of the experimental characterization of the DRAGO (DRift detector Array-based Gamma camera for Oncology), a detection system developed for high-spatial resolution gamma-ray imaging. This camera is based on a monolithic array of 77 silicon drift detectors (SDDs), with a total active area of 6.7 cm2, coupled to a single 5-mm-thick CsI(Tl) scintillator crystal. The use of an array of SDDs provides a high quantum efficiency for the detection of the scintillation light together with a very low electronics noise. A very compact detection module based on the use of integrated readout circuits was developed. The performances achieved in gamma-ray imaging using this camera are reported here. When imaging a 0.2 mm collimated C57o source (122 keV) over different points of the active area, a spatial resolution ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 mm was measured. The depth-of-interaction capability of the detector, thanks to the use of a Maximum Likelihood reconstruction algorithm, was also investigated by imaging a collimated beam tilted to an angle of 45° with respect to the scintillator surface. Finally, the imager was characterized with in vivo measurements on mice, in a real preclinical environment.
Measurement of type-I edge localized mode pulse propagation in scrape-off layer using optical system of motional Stark effect diagnostics in JT-60U
Authors: Suzuki T. , Oyama N. , Asakura N.
Published: April 2010

Propagation of plasma ejected by type-I edge localized mode (ELM) has been measured in scrape-off layer (SOL) of the JT-60U tokamak, using optical system of motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostics as beam emission spectroscopy (BES) diagnostics through a new technique developed. This MSE/BES system measures Dα emission from heating neutral beam excited by collisions with the ejected plasma, as well as background light (e.g., bremsstrahlung). While spatio-temporal change in the beam emission gives information on propagation of the ejected plasma, the background light that is observed simultaneously in all spatial channels veils the information. In order to separate the beam emission and the background light, a two-wavelength detector is newly introduced into the MSE/BES system. The detector observes simultaneously at the same spatial point in two distinct wavelengths using two photomultiplier tubes through two interference filters. One of the filters is adjusted to the central wavelength of the beam emission for the MSE diagnostics, and the other is outside the beam emission spectrum. Eliminating the background light, temporal change in the net beam emission in the SOL has been evaluated. Comparing conditionally averaged beam emission with respect to 594 ELMs in a discharge at five spatial channels (0.02–0.3 m outside the main plasma near equatorial plane), radial velocity of the ELM pulse propagation in SOL is evaluated to be 0.8–1.8 km/s (∼1.4 km/s for least-mean-squared fitting).
Experimental and theoretical investigations of a plasma fireball dynamics
Authors: Niculescu O. , Dimitriu D. G. , Paun V. P. , Matasaru P. D. , Scurtu D. , Agop M.
Published: April 2010

Periodic current bursts observed in the dynamic current-voltage characteristic of a probe in the presence of a plasma fireball in dynamic state were modeled in the frame of the scale relativity model, based on both the fractal space-time concept and the generalization of Einstein’s principle of relativity to scale transformations. The bursts appear in the probe characteristic when a certain relation exists between the fireball dynamics frequency and the frequency of the probe voltage sweep. The double layer dynamics is described by a set of time-dependent Schrödinger-type equations and the self-structuring is given by means of the negative differential resistance. The obtained experimental and theoretical results are proven to be in very good agreement.
Behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans in alternating electric field and its application to their localization and control
Authors: Rezai Pouya , Siddiqui Asad , Selvaganapathy Ponnambalam Ravi , Gupta Bhagwati P.
Published: April 2010

Caenorhabditis elegans is an attractive model organism because of its genetic similarity to humans and the ease of its manipulation in the laboratory. Recently, it was shown that a direct current electric field inside microfluidic channel induces directed movement that is highly sensitive, reliable, and benign. In this letter, we describe the worm’s movement response to alternating electric fields in a similar channel setup. We demonstrate that the 1 Hz and higher frequency of alternating current field can effectively localize worms in the channel. This discovery could potentially help design microfluidic devices for high throughput automated analysis of worms.
The role played by self-orientational properties in nematics of colloids with molecules axially symmetric
Authors: Alarcón-Waess O.
Published: April 2010

The self-orientational structure factor as well as the short-time self-orientational diffusion coefficient is computed for colloids composed by nonspherical molecules. To compute the short-time dynamics the hydrodynamic interactions are not taken into account. The hard molecules with at least one symmetry axis considered are: rods, spherocylinders, and tetragonal parallelepipeds. Because both orientational properties in study are written in terms of the second and fourth order parameters, these automatically hold the features of the order parameters. That is, they present a discontinuity for first order transitions, determining in this way the spinodal line. In order to analyze the nematic phase only, we choose the appropriate values for the representative quantities that characterize the molecules. Different formalisms are used to compute the structural properties: de Gennes–Landau approach, Smoluchowski equation and computer simulations. Some of the necessary inputs are taken from literature. Our results show that the self-orientational properties play an important role in the characterization and the localization of axially symmetric phases. While the self-structure decreases throughout the nematics, the short-time self-diffusion does not decrease but rather increases. We study the evolution of the second and fourth order parameters; we find different responses for axial and biaxial nematics, predicting the possibility of a biaxial nematics in tetragonal parallelepiped molecules. By considering the second order in the axial-biaxial phase transition, with the support of the self-orientational structure factor, we are able to propose the density at which this occurs. The short-time dynamics is able to predict a different value in the axial and the biaxial phases. Because the different behavior of the fourth order parameter, the diffusion coefficient is lower for a biaxial phase than for an axial one. Therefore the self-structure factor is able to localize continuous phase transitions involving axially symmetric phases and the short-time self-orientational diffusion is able to distinguish the ordered phase by considering the degree of alignment, that is, axial or biaxial.
Design of an atomic layer deposition reactor for hydrogen sulfide compatibility
Authors: Dasgupta Neil P. , Mack James F. , Langston Michael C. , Bousetta Al , Prinz Fritz B.
Published: April 2010

A customized atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor was designed with components compatible with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) chemistry. H2S is used as a reactant for the ALD of metal sulfides. The use of H2S in an ALD reactor requires special attention to safety issues due to its highly toxic, flammable, and corrosive nature. The reactor was designed with respect to materials compatibility of all wetted components with H2S. A customized safety interlock system was developed to shut down the system in the event of toxic gas leakage, power outage, loss of building ventilation or compressed air pressure. ALD of lead sulfide (PbS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) were demonstrated with no chemical contamination or detectable release of H2S.
Molecular beam-thermal hydrogen desorption from palladium
Authors: Lobo R. F. M. , Berardo F. M. V. , Ribeiro J. H. F.
Published: April 2010

Among the most efficient techniques for hydrogen desorption monitoring, thermal desorption mass spectrometry is a very sensitive one, but in certain cases can give rise to uptake misleading results due to residual hydrogen partial pressure background variations. In this work one develops a novel thermal desorption variant based on the effusive molecular beam technique that represents a significant improvement in the accurate determination of hydrogen mass absorbed on a solid sample. The enhancement in the signal-to-noise ratio for trace hydrogen is on the order of 20%, and no previous calibration with a chemical standard is required. The kinetic information obtained from the hydrogen desorption mass spectra (at a constant heating rate of 1 °C/min) accounts for the consistency of the technique.
Ferromagnetic and ordered MnSi(111) epitaxial layers
Authors: Magnano E. , Bondino F. , Cepek C. , Parmigiani F. , Mozzati M. C.
Published: April 2010

We report a comprehensive study of ordered MnSi films grown on Si(111) which provides clear proofs that these MnSi films have the same magnetic and electronic properties of bulk MnSi compound, so closing a long-standing question. Furthermore, our measurements show the presence of a room-temperature ferromagnetic transition consistent with the ferromagnetic ground state predicted for Mn atoms with reduced coordination near surfaces and interfaces of silicon by recent calculations of Hortamani et al. [Phys. Rev. B 78, 104402 (2008)]. The possibility of growing layers on semiconductors which are ferromagnetic at room temperature (RT) is of paramount importance for nonvolatile memories and spintronic devices based on the injection of spin-polarized current from a ferromagnetic metal into a semiconductor. In this perspective MnSi films grown on Si substrates represent an interesting case study.
Thermal stability comparison of TaN on HfO2 and Al2O3
Authors: Kwon Jinhee , Chabal Yves J.
Published: April 2010

Changes in gate stacks (TaN/high-κ/SiO2/Si) are investigated during thermal processing using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Ta–O bonds, present in the initial tantalum nitride films, are crystallized in contact with HfO2 at 700–800 °C and completely dissociate at 900 °C, resulting in a microcrystalline TaNx phase. The TaN remains amorphous, however, with Al2O3 as the underlying dielectric layer. A partial reduction into a metallic Ta occurs after dissociation of Ta–N and Ta–O bonds, and Al2O3 decomposes at 700 °C. Dissociated Al atoms diffuse into all the neighboring layers to form silicate and Ta- and N-bound Al.
Controlling blinking in multilayered quantum dots
Authors: Wang Ruimin , Zhang Yanpeng , Gan Chenli , Muhammad Javed , Xiao Min
Published: April 2010

The fluorescence intermittency of multilayered quantum dots (QDs) is experimentally investigated. The measured blinking statistical probabilities for QDs of different shell structures and at different excitation powers are compared with the diffusion controlled electron transfer model. The results show that the power law statistics for the “on” and “off” events depend strongly on the structure and thicknesses of the shells. Strongly suppressed blinking behavior is observed in the CdSe/CdS/ZnCdS/ZnS QDs.
Standard Chemical Thermodynamic Properties of Isomer Groups of Monochloroalkanes
Authors: Alberty Robert A. , Chung Michael B.
Published: April 2010

The chemical thermodynamic properties of isomer groups of monochloroalkanes from C2H5Cl to C8H17Cl in the ideal gas phase have been calculated from 298.15 to 1500 K using new Benson group values from Bozzelli. Increments in isomer group properties per CH2 have been calculated to show the extent to which thermodynamic properties of higher isomer groups may be obtained by linear extrapolation. Equilibrium mole fractions within isomer groups have been calculated for the ideal gas state. Values of C°p, S°, ΔfH°, and ΔfG are given for all species of monochloroalkanes from CH3Cl to C8H17Cl in SI units for a standard state pressure of 1 bar. The values calculated here are compared with values published by the Thermodynamics Research Center (Texas A&M University) on June 30, 1981.
Understanding the School Journey: Integrating Data on Travel and Environment
Authors: Pooley Colin , Whyatt Duncan , Walker Marion , Davies Gemma , Coulton Paul , Bamford Will
Published: April 2010

Travel to and from school is a regular part of life for most children. Such movement can also have important social, economic, and environmental implications, both for individuals and for wider society. This paper uses innovative methods to examine the complexity of the school journey, and to relate it to exposure to air pollution and engagement with the environment through which children pass. Some thirty lower secondary school pupils used mobile phone and global positioning system technology to record their routes to and from school in four study periods. They were asked to take photographs and write text messages relating to their route, and these data were then linked to modelled air pollution on the routes through which pupils travelled. Results demonstrate that for most children the journey to and from school is highly variable and contingent on other factors. Pupils who travelled independently (on foot, by bicycle, or by bus) were most likely to engage with their immediate environment, and small variations in route choice had significant effects on their cumulative exposure to air pollution. It is argued that the results shed new light on the everyday experience of the school journey, and have implications for health promotion and transport planning in towns.
Development Plans versus Conservation: Explanation of Emergent Conflicts and State Political Handling
Authors: Apostolopoulou Evangelia , Pantis John D
Published: April 2010

The growing establishment of protected areas incorporating profitable economic activity and conservation initiatives has been characterized by the exacerbation of existent conflicts and the emergence of new ones around them. Over the last two decades the participation of ‘civil society’ in protected areas governance under the mutual goal of sustainable development has become increasingly key to resolving natural resource conflicts. Schinias Greek Natura site, simultaneously national park and Olympic canoeing centre, provides a case study to investigate the roots and outcomes of natural resource conflicts within the context of the coexistence of development and conservation agendas and collaborative governance. Following a grounded-theory approach and drawing on insights from political ecology and environmental governance literature we have been able to reveal the political, socioeconomic, and conservation conflicts arising during implementation of state development and conservation policies. It appears that governmental political handling exacerbated these conflicts, leading to political manipulation to justify policy failure and promote nature privatization. We conclude that conflict resolution compatible with nature protection and social justice cannot occur in isolation from resolving crucial socioeconomic problems, strengthening transparency, and an accurate scientific analysis of the particularities of local communities to guide the formation and implementation of state policies.
The Intensity of Ethnic Residential Clustering: Exploring Scale Effects Using Local Indicators of Spatial Association
Authors: Poulsen Michael , Johnston Ron , Forrest James
Published: April 2010

Most analyses of ethnic residential segregation in cities rely on single-number indices that pay no attention to the degree of spatial clustering of the areas in which a group is either underrepresented or overrepresented. Recently, local statistical measures have been proposed as a set of approaches to overcome this deficiency. One such method—the Getis–Ord G*—is used to portray patterns of segregation in Auckland, New Zealand. That procedure requires analysts to make a number of judgments about the parameters of the statistics deployed, but also offers greater insights into scale effects in the measurement and delineation of segregation. We examine the information that can be derived from changing two of those parameters—the distance band used to define spatial proximity and the statistical significance of the local statistic—using data on two ethnic groups (Asians and Pacific Islanders) in Auckland. The procedure is also combined with a recently developed approach to measuring absolute segregation levels, thereby giving a fuller picture of both the extent of residential clustering and its intensity for those two groups.
Commercial Counterurbanisation: An Emerging Force in Rural Economic Development
Authors: Bosworth Gary
Published: April 2010

After rapid urban growth and industrialisation, the postwar era has seen counterurbanisation become a dominant demographic trend in the UK. Much has been written about the residential patterns of counterurbanisation, but the associated growth of rural business has attracted less attention. The author proposes the term ‘commercial counterurbanisation’ to describe the growth of rural economies stimulated by inward migration. In the North East of England, in-migrants own over half of rural microbusinesses, they are more growth-oriented, and they are responsible for considerably more employment than the whole of the agriculture sector. In arguing that commercial counterurbanisation is more than just a spatial decentralisation of business activity, the author explores the social as well as the economic motivations of ‘counterurbanising’ business owners. Commercial counterurbanisation can be a two-stage process, as the decision to work in a rural area or run a rural business may occur several years after a residential move. Where this time lag exists, in-migrant business owners will be influenced by different factors in different locations. In the context of neoendogenous development, the balance of local and extralocal forces is particularly significant. This leads to the conclusion that in-migrant business owners need to become embedded into the rural community for the wider rural economy to realise the maximum benefits from commercial counterurbanisation.
Experimental detection of knotted conformations in denatured proteins
Authors: Mallam Anna L. , Rogers Joseph M. , Jackson Sophie E.
Published: April 2010

Structures that contain a knot formed by the path of the polypeptide backbone represent some of the most complex topologies observed in proteins. How or why these topological knots arise remains unclear. By developing a method to experimentally trap and detect knots in nonnative polypeptide chains, we find that two knotted methyltransferases, YibK and YbeA, can exist in a trefoil-knot conformation even in their chemically unfolded states. The unique denatured-state topology of these molecules explains their ability to efficiently fold to their native knotted structures in vitro and offers insights into the potential role of knots in proteins. Furthermore, the high prevalence of the denatured-state knots identified here suggests that they are either difficult to untie or that threading of any untied molecules is rapid and spontaneous. The occurrence of such knotted topologies in unfolded polypeptide chains raises the possibility that they could play an important, and as yet unexplored, role in folding and misfolding processes in vivo.
Structure of the histone chaperone CIA/ASF1–double bromodomain complex linking histone modifications and site-specific histone eviction
Authors: Akai Yusuke , Adachi Naruhiko , Hayashi Yohei , Eitoku Masamitsu , Sano Norihiko , Natsume Ryo , Kudo Norio , Tanokura Masaru , Senda Toshiya , Horikoshi Masami
Published: April 2010

Nucleosomes around the promoter region are disassembled for transcription in response to various signals, such as acetylation and methylation of histones. Although the interactions between histone-acetylation-recognizing bromodomains and factors involved in nucleosome disassembly have been reported, no structural basis connecting histone modifications and nucleosome disassembly has been obtained. Here, we determined at 3.3 Å resolution the crystal structure of histone chaperone cell cycle gene 1 (CCG1) interacting factor A/antisilencing function 1 (CIA/ASF1) in complex with the double bromodomain in the CCG1/TAF1/TAF(II)250 subunit of transcription factor IID. Structural, biochemical, and biological studies suggested that interaction between double bromodomain and CIA/ASF1 is required for their colocalization, histone eviction, and pol II entry at active promoter regions. Furthermore, the present crystal structure has characteristics that can connect histone acetylation and CIA/ASF1-mediated histone eviction. These findings suggest that the molecular complex between CIA/ASF1 and the double bromodomain plays a key role in site-specific histone eviction at active promoter regions. The model we propose here is the initial structure-based model of the biological signaling from
hi
stone
mo
difications to
st
ructural change of the nucleosome (hi-MOST model).
Defensin‐mRNA Expression in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Is Modulated in Children With Celiac Disease and Helicobacter pylori–positive Gastritis
Authors: Vordenbäumen Stefan , Pilic Denisa , Otte Jan‐Michel , Schmitz Frank , Schmidt‐Choudhury Anjona
Published: April 2010

Objectives:

Defensins are expressed in epithelial cells as cationic peptides with antimicrobial properties. Because of their role as immunologically important effector molecules, their contribution in maintaining a stable microenvironment in the gastrointestinal tract has recently received much attention. The present study was designed to further characterize expression patterns of defensins in diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract in children, particularly in Helicobacter pylori (Hp)–associated gastritis or celiac disease (CD).

Patients and Methods:

Semiquantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out with gene‐specific primers for human β‐defensin 1 to 6 (hBD1 to 6) and human α‐defensin 5 and 6 (hD5 and 6) in mucosal biopsies of children diagnosed as having CD (n = 11; 4.2–16.2 years) or Hp gastritis (n = 18; 3.2–16.7 years). Levels of expression were compared with those of healthy individuals (n = 21; 2.8–14.6 years). Expression levels in Hp‐infected specimens were furthermore compared with those with histologic inflammation not associated with Hp infection (n = 30; 3.6–15.7 years).

Results:

Expression of hBD2 was upregulated in the antrum and corpus of patients with Hp gastritis, whereas inflammation without detection of Hp was not associated with any change in defensin gene expression. In patients with CD, expression of hBD2 was upregulated in the antrum, whereas hBD1 and 4 were downregulated in duodenal biopsies.

Conclusions:

Different pathological conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract lead to specific modulations of defensin gene expression in children. Especially the pathophysiological role of hBD2 in Hp infection and hBD1 and 4 in CD warrant further attention.
X-ray micro-tomography of Carboniferous stem-Dictyoptera: new insights into early insects
Authors: Garwood Russell , Sutton Mark
Published: April 2010

Computer reconstructions ofArchimylacris eggintoni, a Carboniferous stem-group dictyopteran (‘roachoid’), are presented. A siderite-hosted specimen was scanned using high-resolution X-ray microtomography (µCT), and a ‘virtual fossil’ was created with a resolution of 17.7 µm. This has revealed the morphology in great detail, including adhesive limb structures indicative of climbing and specializations for rapid movement. The antennae are filiform, and the mandibles are comparable to those of certain extant cockroaches, suggesting a similar generalist, saprophagous diet. The reconstruction reveals a high degree of specialization, and provides insights into the mode of life of these common Palaeozoic insects. Further µCT study of insect fossils has the potential to supplement wing venation with new characters, and hence improve fossil insect phylogenies.
Evidence for distributed light sensing in the skin of cuttlefish,Sepia officinalis
Authors: Mäthger Lydia M. , Roberts Steven B. , Hanlon Roger T.
Published: April 2010

We report that the skin of cuttlefish,Sepia officinalis, contains opsin transcripts suggesting a possible role of distributed light sensing for dynamic camouflage and signalling. The mRNA coding for opsin from various body regions was amplified and sequenced, and gene expression was detected in fin and ventral skin samples. The amino acid sequence of the opsin polypeptide that these transcripts would produce was identical in retina and fin tissue samples, but the ventral skin opsin transcripts differed by a single amino acid. The diverse camouflage and signalling body patterns of cephalopods are visually controlled, and these findings suggest a possible additional mechanism of light sensing and subsequent skin patterning. Cuttlefish, along with a number of other cephalopod species, have been shown to be colour-blind. Since the opsin in the fin is identical to that of the retina (λmax= 492 nm), and the ventral transcripts are also unlikely to be spectrally different, colour discrimination by the skin opsins is unlikely. However, spectral discrimination could be provided by involving other skin structures (chromatophores and iridophores), which produce changeable colours and patterns. This ‘distributed sensing’ could supplement the otherwise visually driven dynamic camouflage system by assisting with colour or brightness matching to adjacent substrates.
Ejaculatory strategies associated with experience of losing
Authors: Okada Kensuke , Yamane Takashi , Miyatake Takahisa
Published: April 2010

Modulation of behaviours as a result of fighting experience has been observed in many animals and can influence pre-copulatory sexual selection. This study investigated how fighting experience affects ejaculatory strategies. In male flour beetles,
Gnatocerus cornutus
, experience of losing a fight decreases a male's aggressiveness for up to 4 days. We found that males losing a fight show increased ejaculatory investment, but there was no ejaculatory modulation owing to winning. However, the increase in ejaculate investment following a loss was no longer observed after 5 days. These results indicate that males adjust their investment in sperm competition according to their experience, and that fighting experience can significantly influence pre- and post-copulatory reproductive tactics.
Population size predicts technological complexity in Oceania
Authors: Kline Michelle A. , Boyd Robert
Published: April 2010

Much human adaptation depends on the gradual accumulation of culturally transmitted knowledge and technology. Recent models of this process predict that large, well-connected populations will have more diverse and complex tool kits than small, isolated populations. While several examples of the loss of technology in small populations are consistent with this prediction, it found no support in two systematic quantitative tests. Both studies were based on data from continental populations in which contact rates were not available, and therefore these studies do not provide a test of the models. Here, we show that in Oceania, around the time of early European contact, islands with small populations had less complicated marine foraging technology. This finding suggests that explanations of existing cultural variation based on optimality models alone are incomplete because demography plays an important role in generating cumulative cultural adaptation. It also indicates that hominin populations with similar cognitive abilities may leave very different archaeological records, a conclusion that has important implications for our understanding of the origin of anatomically modern humans and their evolved psychology.
Antiviral effect of Bosentan and Valsartan during coxsackievirus B3 infection of human endothelial cells
Authors: Funke Carsten , Farr Martin , Werner Bianca , Dittmann Sven , Überla Klaus , Piper Cornelia , Niehaus Karsten , Horstkotte Dieter
Published: April 2010

In viral myocarditis, adeno- and enteroviruses have most commonly been implicated as causes of infection. Both viruses require the human coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) to infect the myocardium. Due to its crucial role for viral entry, CAR-downregulation may lead to novel approaches for treatment for viral myocarditis. In this study, we report on pharmaceutical drug influences on CAR levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) detected by immunoblotting, quantitative real time-PCR and cellular susceptibility to the cardiotropic coxsackie-B3 virus strain Nancy (CVB3). Our results indicate, for the first time, a dose-dependent CAR mRNA and protein downregulation upon Valsartan and Bosentan treatment. Most interestingly, drug-induced CAR diminution significantly reduced the viral load in CVB3-infected HUVEC. In order to assess the regulatory effects of both drugs in detail, we knocked down their protein targets, the G-protein coupled receptors angiotensin-II type-1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type-A and -B receptors (ETAR/ETBR) in HUVEC. Receptor-specific gene silencing indicates that CAR gene expression is regulated by agonistic and antagonistic binding to ETBR, but not ETAR. In addition, neither stimulation nor inhibition of AT1R seemed to be involved in CAR gene regulatory processes. Our study indicates that Valsartan and Bosentan protected human endothelial cells from CVB3-infection. Therefore, besides their well-known anti-hypertensive effects these drugs may also protect the myocardium and other tissues from coxsackie- and adenoviral infection.
Histone acetylation in heterochromatin assembly: Figure 1.
Authors: Kim Jeong-Hoon , Workman Jerry L.
Published: April 2010

Histone acetylation is generally considered a mark involved in activating gene expression by making chromatin structures less compact. In the April 1, 2010, issue of Genes & Development, Xhemalce and Kouzarides (pp. 647–652) demonstrate that the acetylation of histone H3 at Lys 4 (H3K4) plays a role in the formation of repressive heterochromatin in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. H3K4 acetylation mediates a switch of chromodomain proteins associated with methylated H3K9 during heterochromatin assembly.
Parental perspectives on caring for a child with chronic kidney disease: an in‐depth interview study
Authors: Tong A. , Lowe A. , Sainsbury P. , Craig J. C.
Published: April 2010

Background  Children diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) depend on their parents for complex, continuous and intensive support. The study aimed to explore the experiences of parents who have children with CKD.

Methods  Parents of 20 children with CKD, recruited from two paediatric hospitals in Australia, participated in an in‐depth interview, qualitative study.

Results  Four major themes were identified: (1) absorbing the clinical environment: parents struggled to accept the diagnosis and permanence of CKD, felt traumatized watching their child undergo invasive clinical procedures, battled to meet appointments, negotiated with staff for their child's needs and felt disempowered; (2) medicalizing parenting: parents became caregivers, a role which was stressful, exhausting and overwhelming. Dialysis was unrelenting and consumed the time, thoughts and energy of parents who felt at fault if their child developed infections and other complications. Parents struggled with their child's psychological problems and episodic aggressive behaviour; (3) disrupting family norms: CKD caused spousal tension, sibling neglect and influenced family planning; (4) coping strategies and support structures: Parents depended on support from their health care providers and valued meeting and learning from other parents of CKD children. Parents also expressed information needs and suggested methods of communicating information.

Conclusions  Despite facing profound and pervasive difficulties, parents strived to fulfil their dual parental and health care provider responsibilities. Parents appear to need better support structures to help them cope with the difficulties encountered during all stages of their child's illness.
Functional disability in paediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain
Authors: Wendland M. , Jackson Y. , Stokes L. D.
Published: April 2010

Background  Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is common in childhood, affecting approximately 12% of children and adolescents. Children with RAP tend to experience impairments in functioning, such as increased school absences, anxiety and depression.

Methods  The current study investigated the potential influences on the relation between functional disability and RAP in 100 school‐aged children. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test two models: main effects and moderation of the relation between abdominal pain symptoms, child anxiety, child depression, maternal emotional distress, maternal encouragement of child illness behaviour and functional disability.

Results  The results indicated support for abdominal pain symptoms and child depression in predicting functional disability. The results also indicated that child anxiety and child depression each moderated the relation between pain symptoms and functional disability.

Conclusions  Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of potential influences on the development of functional disability in youth.
Inflammation reduces HDL protection against primary cardiac risk
Authors: Corsetti James P. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Sparks Charles E. , Dullaart Robin P. F.
Published: April 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 483–489

Background  We recently reported high high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol as a predictor of recurrent risk in a subgroup of postinfarction patients defined by hypercholesterolemia and high C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels. We investigated whether a similar high‐risk subgroup might exist for incident cardiovascular disease.

Material and Methods  A graphical exploratory data analysis tool was used to identify high‐risk subgroups in a male population‐based cohort (n = 3405) from the prevention of renal and vascular end‐stage disease study by generating 3‐dimensional mappings of risk over the HDL‐cholesterol/CRP domain with subsequent use of Kaplan–Meier analysis to verify high‐risk. Within‐subgroup risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results  Mappings revealed two high‐risk subgroups: a low HDL‐cholesterol/high CRP subgroup and a high HDL‐cholesterol/high CRP subgroup. The low HDL‐cholesterol subgroup demonstrated a pattern of metabolic syndrome dyslipidemia contrasted with a predominantly unremarkable biomarker pattern for the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup. However, in the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup, CRP levels were higher than the low HDL‐cholesterol subgroup; and within the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup, CRP predicted risk. Moreover, in the high HDL‐cholesterol subgroup, risk was associated with lower triglyceride levels in conjunction with presumptively larger HDL particles.

Conclusions  High HDL‐cholesterol and high CRP levels define a subgroup of men at high‐risk for incident cardiovascular disease. High HDL cholesterol‐associated risk likely relates to impaired HDL particle remodelling in the setting of inflammation. This approach may facilitate identification of additional inflammation‐related mechanisms underlying high HDL cholesterol‐associated risk; and potentially influence management of such patients.
Expression of STAMP2 in monocytes associates with cardiovascular alterations
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Hao , Zhang Wei , Gong Hui‐Ping , Guo Zhong‐Xiu , Zhao Jing , Shang Yuan‐Yuan , Feng Jin‐Bo , Zhang Yun , Zhong Ming
Published: April 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 490–496

Background  Metabolic and inflammatory pathways crosstalk at many levels. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of six‐transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) in macrophages and tried to search for the association between the decreased STAMP2 expression, if any, and carotid atherosclerosis as well as cardiac adaptations.

Materials and methods  A total of 97 unrelated Chinese subjects were recruited including 48 subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 49 controls. Clinical and biochemical characteristics were collected from subjects, with quantification of STAMP2 in monocyte/macrophages. All subjects underwent ultrasonography.

Results  STAMP2 expression in macrophages was significantly decreased in MetS as compared with the control group (10·25 ± 9·20 vs. 15·20 ± 9·18, P = 0·009), especially in women patients. Partial correlation analysis showed that STAMP2 expression in macrophages correlated with BMI (r = −0·375, P = 0·045), age (r = 0·414, P = 0·026) and HDL (r = 0·377, P = 0·044) after controlling for systolic blood pressure (SBP). Furthermore, STAMP2 expression was correlated with PI (r = −0·454, P = 0·013), LVEF (r = −0·503, P = 0·005), LA‐ESR (r = −0·424, P = 0·022), LA‐S (r = 0·469, P = 0·010) and mitral E/A ratio (r = 0·492, P = 0·005) after controlling for SBP. Still, in multivariable analysis, STAMP2 expression was independently associated with IMTmean, PI and mitral E/A ratio.

Conclusions  In MetS patients, especially women patients, STAMP2 expression was down‐regulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cell, which was correlated with carotid atherosclerosis and cardiac adaptation.
ADHD symptom presentation and trajectory in adults with borderline and mild intellectual disability
Authors: Xenitidis K. , Paliokosta E. , Rose E. , Maltezos S. , Bramham J.
Published: April 2010

Background  This study examined symptoms and lifetime course of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults with borderline and mild Intellectual Disability (ID).

Method  A total of 48 adults with ID and ADHD were compared with 221 adults with ADHD without ID using the informant Barkley scale for childhood and adulthood symptoms.

Results  The ADHD/ID group presented with greater severity of (adult and childhood) symptoms compared with the non‐ID group. For the ADHD/non‐ID group, most symptoms improved significantly from childhood to adulthood, whereas only two symptoms changed significantly for the ID group. Principal component analysis revealed scattered loading of different items into five components for the ADHD/ID group that were not consistent with the classic clusters of inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. A negative correlation was found between severity of symptoms and IQ.

Conclusions  ADHD in adults with ID may have a more severe presentation and an uneven and less favourable pattern of improvement across the lifespan in comparison with adults without ID.
Neuropsychological components of intellectual disability: the contributions of immediate, working, and associative memory
Authors: Edgin Jamie O. , Pennington Bruce F. , Mervis Carolyn B.
Published: April 2010

Background  Efficient memory functions are important to the development of cognitive and functional skills, allowing individuals to manipulate and store information. Theories of memory have suggested the presence of domain‐specific (i.e. verbal and spatial) and general processing mechanisms across memory domains, including memory functions dependent on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus. Comparison of individuals who have syndromes associated with striking contrasts in skills on verbal and spatial tasks [e.g. Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS)] allows us to test whether or not these dissociations may extend across cognitive domains, including PFC and hippocampal memory processes.

Methods  The profile of memory function, including immediate memory (IM), working memory (WM) and associative memory (AM), was examined in a sample of adolescents and young adults with DS (n = 27) or WS (n = 28), from which closely CA‐ and IQ‐matched samples of individuals with DS (n = 18) or WS (n = 18) were generated. Relations between memory functions and IQ and adaptive behaviour were also assessed in the larger sample.

Results  Comparisons of the two matched groups indicated significant differences in verbal IM (DS < WS), spatial IM (DS > WS) and spatial and verbal AM (DS > WS), but no between‐syndrome differences in WM. For individuals with DS, verbal IM was the most related to variation in IQ, and spatial AM related to adaptive behaviour. The pattern was clearly different for individuals with WS. Verbal and spatial AM were the most related to variation in IQ, and verbal WM related to adaptive behaviour.

Conclusions  These results suggest that individuals with these two syndromes have very different patterns of relative strengths and weaknesses on memory measures, which do not fully mirror verbal and spatial dissociations. Furthermore, different patterns of memory dysfunction relate to outcome in individuals with each syndrome.
Adaptation and validation of the Tower of London test of planning and problem solving in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Masson J. D. , Dagnan D. , Evans J.
Published: April 2010

Background  There is a need for validated, standardised tools for the assessment of executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study examines the validity of a test of planning and problem solving (Tower of London) with adults with ID.

Method  Participants completed an adapted version of the Tower of London (ToL) while day‐centre staff completed adaptive function (Adaptive Behaviour Scale – Residential and Community: Second Edition, modified version) and dysexecutive function (DEX‐Independent Rater) questionnaires for each participant. Correlation analyses of test and questionnaire variables were undertaken.

Results  The adapted ToL has a robust structure and shows significant associations with independent living skills, challenging behaviour and behaviours related to dysexecutive function.

Conclusions  The adapted ToL is a valid test for use with people with ID. However, there is also a need to develop other ecologically valid tools based on everyday planning tasks undertaken by people with ID.
Effectiveness of a computerised working memory training in adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities
Authors: Van der Molen M. J. , Van Luit J. E. H. , Van der Molen M. W. , Klugkist I. , Jongmans M. J.
Published: April 2010

Background  The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a computerised working memory (WM) training on memory, response inhibition, fluid intelligence, scholastic abilities and the recall of stories in adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities attending special education.

Method  A total of 95 adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities were randomly assigned to either a training adaptive to each child's progress in WM, a non‐adaptive WM training, or to a control group.

Results  Verbal short‐term memory (STM) improved significantly from pre‐ to post‐testing in the group who received the adaptive training compared with the control group. The beneficial effect on verbal STM was maintained at follow‐up and other effects became clear at that time as well. Both the adaptive and non‐adaptive WM training led to higher scores at follow‐up than at post‐intervention on visual STM, arithmetic and story recall compared with the control condition. In addition, the non‐adaptive training group showed a significant increase in visuo‐spatial WM capacity.

Conclusion  The current study provides the first demonstration that WM can be effectively trained in adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities.
An SSR from the leucine‐rich repeat region of the rose Rdr1 gene family is a useful resistance gene analogue marker for roses and other Rosaceae
Authors: Terefe D. , Debener T.
Published: April 2010

With 1 figure and 1 table

We developed the Rd1LRR microsatellite marker from a highly conserved part of the LRR region of nine completely sequenced Rdr1 paralogues of a black spot‐resistant Rosa multiflora genotype. The black spot resistance gene Rdr1 belongs to the class of nucleotide‐binding site and leucine‐rich repeat (NBS‐LRR)‐encoding genes. The occurrence of a distinct (CT)n repeat in each Rdr1 paralogue allowed us to fingerprint rose genotypes for the diversity within the Rdr1 gene family. PCR analysis with Rd1LRR in 34 rose cultivars resulted in 52 distinct bands corresponding to a minimum of 52 different NBS‐LRR encoding resistance gene analogue genes. In addition, 31 wild rose species and 34 accessions of R. arvensis were analysed with this marker. The high diversity for the number and allelic composition of Rd1LRR banding patterns even within individuals of R. arvensis indicated that the Rdr1 locus is highly diverse. The Rd1LRR may be used in future mapping projects for tests of cosegregation of new resistance specificities to the Rdr1 gene cluster. Furthermore, this marker is a useful tool for the identification of distinct Rdr1 genes in cloning experiments.
Carbimazole‐induced agranulocytosis: does antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody have a role?
Authors: Yip G. , Ekinci E. , Lee S. T. , Jerums G. , Grossmann M.
Published: April 2010

Carbimazole is a drug that is widely used for hyperthyroid disorders, such as Graves' disease. Agranulocytosis is a rare idiosyncratic adverse reaction to the drug which is potentially fatal. This report describes a patient with a history of successfully treated pyoderma gangrenosum, who developed agranulocytosis 3 weeks after commencement of carbimazole for Graves' disease. It may give credence to the theory that implicates antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in the pathogenesis of agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs.
Hypertension in children with poorly functioning unilateral kidneys: predictors of resolution after nephrectomy
Authors: El‐Hout Yaser , Licht Christoph , Pippi Salle Joao L. , Ngan Bo‐Yee , Bagli Darius J. , Lorenzo Armando J. , Farhat Walid A.
Published: April 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To identify the outcome of nephrectomy and predictors of hypertension (HTN) resolution in children with poorly functioning unilateral kidneys (differential renal function, DRF of <15%), as concurrent HTN is often an indication for nephrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a 7.5‐year period, a single centre retrospective analysis of 89 children with unilateral nonfunctioning/poorly functioning kidney who underwent nephrectomy was conducted. Preoperative HTN was present in 18 children (20.2%). The childrens’ characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, pathology, side), cause of nonfunction, diagnostics including preoperative proteinuria (dipstick) and DRF (nuclear scan), pathological features of specimen and follow‐up were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean (median; range) age at nephrectomy was 6.8 (5; 0.333–14) years with a mean (median; range) follow‐up of 2.4 (3; 0.083–5.5) years. The mean (median; range) DRF was 6.5 (1; 0–15)%. Twelve of 18 children (67%) resolved their HTN. Age at nephrectomy, sex, side of nonfunctioning kidney and surgical approach (78% laparoscopic nephrectomy) did not correlate with HTN resolution. Persistence of HTN seemed to correlate with residual function of more than a DRF threshold of 5% (P= 0.05), the presence of preoperative qualitative proteinuria by dipstick (P= 0.03) and inflammation on pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

HTN resolved after nephrectomy for poorly functioning unilateral kidney in most of the children. Persistence of HTN is probably multifactorial. Ipsilateral residual function before nephrectomy, preoperative proteinuria and pathological features of nephrectomy specimen may serve as clinically useful markers for outcome prediction.