bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Begleitsymptomatik bei tief greifenden Entwicklungsstörungen
Authors: Noterdaeme Michele A. , Wriedt Elke
Published: July 2010

Fragestellung: Neuere Untersuchungen belegen eine höhere Prävalenz für autistische Störungen als die ersten epidemiologischen Untersuchungen erwarten ließen. In dieser Untersuchung wird überprüft, wie häufig eine Intelligenzminderung sowie komorbide psychiatrische Störungen in einer klinischen Stichprobe von Patienten mit tief greifenden Entwicklungsstörungen anzutreffen sind. Methodik: Die Stichprobe besteht aus 601 Patienten mit einer tief greifenden Entwicklungsstörung. Für alle Patienten wurde das Intelligenzniveau bestimmt. Auf Achse I wurden bis zu zwei weitere Diagnosen kodiert sowie behandlungsrelevante Symptome erfasst (Ess- und Schlafstörungen, autoaggressives Verhalten), auf den Achsen V und VI die psychosozialen Belastungsfaktoren und das Gesamtniveau der psychosozialen Anpassung. Ergebnisse: Bei 26 % der Patienten lag das Intelligenzniveau im Normbereich (N = 158). 54 % aller Patienten (N = 325) hatten eine, 19 % (N = 110) zwei weitere psychiatrische Diagnosen. Die häufigsten Diagnosen waren externalisierende Störungen (N = 221). Internalisierende (N = 96) und sonstige Störungen (N = 114) kamen nur halb so oft vor. Autoaggressives Verhalten lag vor allem bei schweren Intelligenzminderungen vor. Es gab einen signifikanten Zusammenhang zwischen dem Auftreten von (auto-)aggressivem Verhalten und dem Ausmaß der psychosozialen Anpassung. Schlussfolgerungen: Patienten mit tief greifenden Entwicklungsstörungen zeigen eine Vielzahl komorbider Symptome. Das Vorliegen externalisierender Störungen beeinträchtigt die psychosoziale Anpassung.
Aripiprazol
Authors: Frölich Jan , Starck Martina , Banaschewski Tobias , Lehmkuhl Gerd
Published: July 2010

Fragestellung: Fallberichte von sieben Patienten mit Ticstörungen mit einer Krankheitsdauer von mindestens zwei Jahren sollen Hinweise zur Wirksamkeit des partiellen Dopamin-Agonisten, Aripiprazol, geben, welches sich in der Behandlung von Ticstörungen als wirksam und gut verträglich erwiesen hat. Methodik: Fünf Patienten mit einem Tourette-Syndrom (TS) und zwei mit chronisch motorischer Ticstörung (Alter 8;7–18;1 Jahre), bei denen zuvor eingesetzte Neuroleptika ungenügend wirksam waren oder wegen nicht tolerierbarer Nebenwirkungen abgesetzt werden mussten, wurden mindestens acht Wochen lang mit Aripiprazol behandelt. Vor und nach der Behandlung beantworteten die Eltern der Patienten das Ausmaß der vokalen und motorischen Ticsymptomstärke auf der Yale-Tourette-Syndrom-Symptomliste. Ergebnisse: Innerhalb des Beobachtungszeitraums kam es zu einem deutlichen Rückgang der motorischen Ticsymptomatik um 66 % sowie zu einem Rückgang der vokalen Ticsymptomstärke um 26 %, bei einer mittleren Tagesdosis von 14.3 mg (min. 5 mg, max. 30 mg). Symptome einer komorbiden Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Störung sowie einer Zwangserkrankung wurden durch die Behandlung nicht wesentlich beeinflusst. Während der Behandlung traten leichte Nebenwirkungen wie Bauchschmerzen, Müdigkeit und Weinerlichkeit auf. Behandlungsabbrüche wurden nicht beobachtet. Schlussfolgerungen: Aripiprazol stellt womöglich eine wirkungsvolle und gut verträgliche, nebenwirkungsarme Alternative zur bisher üblichen neuroleptischen Behandlung von Ticstörungen dar. Die Wirksamkeit, insbesondere im Hinblick auf Komorbiditäten, sollte in klinisch kontrollierten Studien verifiziert werden.
Transcriptional control of genes involved in ciliogenesis: a first step in making cilia
Authors: Thomas Joëlle , Morlé Laurette , Soulavie Fabien , Laurençon Anne , Sagnol Sébastien , Durand Bénédicte
Published: July 2010

Cilia and flagella have essential functions in a wide range of organisms. Cilia assembly is dynamic during development and different types of cilia are found in multicellular organisms. How this dynamic and specific assembly is regulated remains an important question in cilia biology. In metazoans, the regulation of the overall expression level of key components necessary for cilia assembly or function is an important way to achieve ciliogenesis control. The FOXJ1 (forkhead box J1) and RFX (regulatory factor X) family of transcription factors have been shown to be important players in controlling ciliary gene expression. They fulfill a complementary and synergistic function by regulating specific and common target genes. FOXJ1 is essential to allow for the assembly of motile cilia in vertebrates through the regulation of genes specific to motile cilia or necessary for basal body apical transport, whereas RFX proteins are necessary to assemble both primary and motile cilia in metazoans, in particular, by regulating genes involved in intraflagellar transport. Recently, different transcription factors playing specific roles in cilia biogenesis and physiology have also been discovered. All these factors are subject to complex regulation to allow for the dynamic and specific regulation of ciliogenesis in metazoans.
Determinants of activity in glutaredoxins: anin vitroevolved Grx1-like variant ofEscherichia coliGrx3
Authors: Elgán Tobias H. , Planson Anne-Gaëlle , Beckwith Jon , Güntert Peter , Berndt Kurt D.
Published: July 2010

The Escherichia coli glutaredoxins 1 and 3 (Grx1 and Grx3) are structurally similar (37% sequence identity), yet have different activities in vivo. Unlike Grx3, Grx1 efficiently reduces protein disulfides in proteins such as RR (ribonucleotide reductase), whereas it is poor at reducing S-glutathionylated proteins. An E. coli strain lacking genes encoding thioredoxins 1 and 2 and Grx1 is not viable on either rich or minimal medium; however, a M43V mutation in Grx3 restores growth under these conditions and results in a Grx1-like protein [Ortenberg, Gon, Porat and Beckwith (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 101, 7439–7944]. To uncover the structural basis of this change in activity, we have compared wild-type and mutant Grx3 using CD and NMR spectroscopy. Ligand-induced stability measurements demonstrate that the Grx3(M43V/C65Y) mutant has acquired affinity for RR. Far-UV CD spectra reveal no significant differences, but differences are observed in the near-UV region indicative of tertiary structural changes. NMR 1H-15N HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) spectra show that approximately half of the 82 residues experience significant (Δδ>0.03 p.p.m.) chemical shift deviations in the mutant, including nine residues experiencing extensive (Δδ≥0.15 p.p.m.) deviations. To test whether the M43V mutation alters dynamic properties of Grx3, H/D (hydrogen/deuterium) exchange experiments were performed demonstrating that the rate at which backbone amides exchange protons with the solvent is dramatically enhanced in the mutant, particularly in the core of the protein. These data suggest that the Grx1-like activity of the Grx3(M43V/C65Y) mutant may be explained by enhanced intrinsic motion allowing for increased specificity towards larger substrates such as RR.
Human ERAL1 is a mitochondrial RNA chaperone involved in the assembly of the 28S small mitochondrial ribosomal subunit
Authors: Dennerlein Sven , Rozanska Agata , Wydro Mateusz , Chrzanowska-Lightowlers Zofia M. A. , Lightowlers Robert N.
Published: July 2010

The bacterial Ras-like protein Era has been reported previously to bind 16S rRNA within the 30S ribosomal subunit and to play a crucial role in ribosome assembly. An orthologue of this essential GTPase ERAL1 (Era G-protein-like 1) exists in higher eukaryotes and although its exact molecular function and cellular localization is unknown, its absence has been linked to apoptosis. In the present study we show that human ERAL1 is a mitochondrial protein important for the formation of the 28S small mitoribosomal subunit. We also show that ERAL1 binds in vivo to the rRNA component of the small subunit [12S mt (mitochondrial)-rRNA]. Bacterial Era associates with a 3′ unstructured nonanucleotide immediately downstream of the terminal stem–loop (helix 45) of 16S rRNA. This site contains an AUCA sequence highly conserved across all domains of life, immediately upstream of the anti-Shine–Dalgarno sequence, which is conserved in bacteria. Strikingly, this entire region is absent from 12S mt-rRNA. We have mapped the ERAL1-binding site to a 33 nucleotide section delineating the 3′ terminal stem–loop region of 12S mt-rRNA. This loop contains two adenine residues that are reported to be dimethylated on mitoribosome maturation. Furthermore, and also in contrast with the bacterial orthologue, loss of ERAL1 leads to rapid decay of nascent 12S mt-rRNA, consistent with a role as a mitochondrial RNA chaperone. Finally, whereas depletion of ERAL1 leads to apoptosis, cell death occurs prior to any appreciable loss of mitochondrial protein synthesis or reduction in the stability of mitochondrial mRNA.
EphB–ephrin-B2 interactions are required for thymus migration during organogenesis
Authors: Foster Katie E. , Gordon Julie , Cardenas Kim , Veiga-Fernandes Henrique , Makinen Taija , Grigorieva Elena , Wilkinson David G. , Blackburn C. Clare , Richie Ellen , Manley Nancy R. , Adams Ralf H. , Kioussis Dimitris , Coles Mark C.
Published: July 2010

Thymus organogenesis requires coordinated interactions of multiple cell types, including neural crest (NC) cells, to orchestrate the formation, separation, and subsequent migration of the developing thymus from the third pharyngeal pouch to the thoracic cavity. The molecular mechanisms driving these processes are unclear; however, NC-derived mesenchyme has been shown to play an important role. Here, we show that, in the absence of ephrin-B2 expression on thymic NC-derived mesenchyme, the thymus remains in the cervical area instead of migrating into the thoracic cavity. Analysis of individual NC-derived thymic mesenchymal cells shows that, in the absence of ephrin-B2, their motility is impaired as a result of defective EphB receptor signaling. This implies a NC-derived cell-specific role of EphB–ephrin-B2 interactions in the collective migration of the thymic rudiment during organogenesis.
Resolution of activated background information in text comprehension
Authors: Wang Ruiming , Mo Lei , He Xianyou , Smythe Ian , Wang Suiping
Published: July 2010

The present experiments explored the resolution of activated background information in text comprehension. In Experiment 1, participants read passages that contained an elaboration section that was either consistent or qualified (inconsistent but then corrected to be consistent) with respect to the subsequently presented target sentence (see O'Brien et al., 1998). However, the experiment used two target sentences, and several filler sentences were inserted between the first and second target sentence. The results showed that the reading times for the first target sentence in the qualified elaboration version were significantly longer than those in the consistent elaboration version. These were consistent with O'Brien's study, and further indicated that the basic process captured by the memory‐based view appears to generalize to the Chinese reader better than does the here‐and‐now view. More importantly, the results showed that the reading times for the second target sentence in the qualified elaboration version were as long as those in the consistent elaboration version. These further indicated that the activation of background information not only maintained the coherence of the text, but also allowed for the relevant information to be updated, resulting in a unified information set. When the information was reactivated during ongoing reading, it would be in the form of unified information. In Experiment 2, the first target sentence in each passage from Experiment 1 was converted to a filler sentence, and the second target sentence became the target sentence. The results of Experiment 2 showed that the reading times for the target sentence in the qualified elaboration version were significantly longer than those for the consistent elaboration version. These indicated that the delay between the target sentences and the elaboration section was not responsible for the lack of differences in Experiment 1, and confirmed the conclusion of Experiment 1.
The origin of Bohm diffusion, investigated by a comparison of different modelling methods
Authors: Bultinck E , Mahieu S , Depla D , Bogaerts A
Published: July 2010

‘Bohm diffusion’ causes the electrons to diffuse perpendicularly to the magnetic field lines. However, its origin is not yet completely understood: low and high frequency electric field fluctuations are both named to cause Bohm diffusion. The importance of including this process in a Monte Carlo (MC) model is demonstrated by comparing calculated ionization rates with particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions (PIC/MCC) simulations. A good agreement is found with a Bohm diffusion parameter of 0.05, which corresponds well to experiments. Since the PIC/MCC method accounts for fast electric field fluctuations, we conclude that Bohm diffusion is caused by fast electric field phenomena.
Ohmic contact properties of non-polar a-plane GaN films on r-plane sapphire substrates
Authors: Baik Kwang Hyeon , Seo Yong Gon , Kim Jaebum , Hwang Sung-Min , Lim Wantae , Chang C Y , Pearton S J , Ren F , Jang Soohwan
Published: July 2010

The properties of Ti/Al/Ni/Au Ohmic contacts on n-type a-plane
GaN epitaxial layers directly grown on r-plane
sapphire substrates are reported. The minimum specific contact resistance of ∼10−5 Ω cm2 was achieved after annealing at 650–700 °C. Ohmic contact properties were measured using transmission line method patterns oriented in both the m- and c-axis directions of a-plane GaN. The sheet resistance of a-plane GaN along the c-axis was two times higher than that along the m-axis, which shows significant electric anisotropy in the two orientations.
Microporous SiO2-based solid electrolyte with improved polarization response for 0.8 V transparent thin-film transistors
Authors: Sun Jia , Jiang Jie , Lu Aixia , Wan Qing
Published: July 2010

The polarization mechanism of a microporous SiO2-based solid electrolyte is developed and three polarizations (electric double layer formation, ionic relaxation and dipole relaxation) are identified. The polarization response of the microporous SiO2-based solid electrolyte is optimized by tuning the deposition temperature and the improved specific capacitance is 1 µF cm−2 at 1 kHz and remains above 0.6 µF cm−2 even at 10 kHz. Ultralow-voltage transparent In–Zn–O thin-film transistors (TFTs) gated by such dielectrics are fabricated at low temperatures. The field-effect mobility, current on/off ratio and subthreshold swing are estimated to be 46.2 cm2 V−1 s−1, ∼106 and 69 mV/decade, respectively. Such TFTs hold promise for portable electronic applications.
Temperature profiles in filamentary dielectric barrier discharges at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Jidenko N , Bourgeois E , Borra J-P
Published: July 2010

Physico-chemical properties of atmospheric pressure filamentary dielectric barrier discharges (f-DBD) depend on coupled electrical characteristics and thermal profiles. In this paper, a method for studying thermal and electrical effects is developed. Therefore, thermal profiles of f-DBD are studied for well-defined electrical characteristics of quasi-identical filaments with controlled distribution in time and space. The temperatures of gas, dielectric surface and plasma depend on the surface density and on the temporal frequency of filaments, defining the input power, and can be tuned by controlling heat transfers. Different methods to control these temperatures are depicted. Moreover, heat transfer through conduction and convection from dielectric surface is shown to be the dominant heating mechanism of the flowing gas in the reactor. Finally, experimental results show that the local temperature gradient around each filament can be controlled by the frequency of the applied voltage. Actually, the temperature difference between the filament and the surrounding gas is constant below 10 kHz but increases linearly with the frequency above 10 kHz. At high frequency, the time between two successive filaments occurring at the same position becomes smaller than the relaxation time constant of thermal exchanges (∼0.1 ms). Hence, this rise in local temperature can be attributed to time-limited heat transfers from the filament axis.
Energy band alignment between Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 and high and low work function conducting oxides—from hole to electron injection
Authors: Chen F , Schafranek R , Li S , Wu W B , Klein A
Published: July 2010

The interface formation between Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) and RuO2 and between PZT and In2O3 : Sn (ITO), respectively, was characterized using in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). No interface reaction was observed for the interfaces studied. The Fermi level position at the interface (Schottky barrier height) is strongly different for the two electrode materials. A Fermi level position of 1.0 ± 0.1 eV above the valence band maximum (VBM) is observed for the contact between PZT and the high work function oxide RuO2. For the contact between PZT and the low work function oxide ITO a Fermi level position of 2.1 ± 0.2 eV above the VBM is found.
High-speed and localized resistive switching characteristics of double-layer SrZrO3 memory devices
Authors: Lin Meng-Han , Wu Ming-Chi , Huang Chun-Yang , Lin Chen-Hsi , Tseng Tseung-Yuen
Published: July 2010

The fabrication of SrZrO3 (SZO) memory devices with oxygen-rich (OR) and oxygen-deficient (OD) double layers, their resistive switching (RS) characteristics and mechanisms are investigated in this study. Due to the difference in oxygen content between the OR and OD layers formed by an oxygen flow control (OFC) process during SZO deposition, the RS region is effectively reduced and localized within the OR layer, which leads to a low operation voltage and stable RS behaviours. Furthermore, the OFC SZO device exhibits high-speed switching (10 ns) over 400 times and long retention (>106 s), showing promising potential for next-generation nonvolatile memory applications.
The effects of grain boundary response and electrode contact response on the dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12
Authors: Li M , Zhang D F , Wang W Y , Wang G , Chen X L
Published: July 2010

The influences of dc bias on complex impedance, complex module and dielectric response of CaCu3Ti4O12 for different sintering durations have been investigated to elucidate the origin of its dielectric properties. It is found that both the electrode contact response and grain boundary response contribute to the dielectric constant of CaCu3Ti4O12. The origins of the semicircles in complex impedance plots of CaCu3Ti4O12 have also been investigated. At 120 °C, the mid-frequency semicircle in complex impedance plots represents the electrode contact response and the low-frequency semicircle may correspond to the oxygen-vacancy relevant response. The semicircle of the grain boundary response in the complex impedance plot is covered by the semicircle of the electrode contact response at this temperature.
Low-temperature resistivity and microstructure of reactive magnetron co-sputtered Ta–Si–N thin films
Authors: Chung C K , Nautiyal A , Chen T S
Published: July 2010

The low-temperature electrical property of composite tantalum silicon nitride (Ta–Si–N) thin films deposited at low and high nitrogen flow ratios (FN2%) has been investigated. The microstructure and morphology of both quasi-amorphous Ta–Si–N films were characterized by a grazing incident x-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope, which could influence the electrical resistivity of Ta–Si–N at low temperatures of 10–300 K. The film deposited at low FN2% had a lower resistivity because of low N content compared with that at high FN2%. The resistivity of Ta–Si–N at low FN2% distinctly decreased with increasing temperature at 10–300 K while that at high FN2% had a steep drop at 70–120 K. The transport mechanism of Ta–Si–N resistivity at low temperatures was discussed by the weak localization model. The film deposited at high FN2% showed crossover from 2D localization to 3D localization while that at low FN2% exhibited only the 3D localization. Both samples showed that electron–phonon scattering was the dominant scattering mechanism in both 2D and 3D weak localization effects.
Control of quantum phenomena: past, present and future
Authors: Brif Constantin , Chakrabarti Raj , Rabitz Herschel
Published: July 2010

Quantum control is concerned with active manipulation of physical and chemical processes on the atomic and molecular scale. This work presents a perspective of progress in the field of control over quantum phenomena, tracing the evolution of theoretical concepts and experimental methods from early developments to the most recent advances. Among numerous theoretical insights and technological improvements that produced the present state-of-the-art in quantum control, there have been several breakthroughs of foremost importance. On the technology side, the current experimental successes would be impossible without the development of intense femtosecond laser sources and pulse shapers. On the theory side, the two most critical insights were (i) realizing that ultrafast atomic and molecular dynamics can be controlled via manipulation of quantum interferences and (ii) understanding that optimally shaped ultrafast laser pulses are the most effective means for producing the desired quantum interference patterns in the controlled system. Finally, these theoretical and experimental advances were brought together by the crucial concept of adaptive feedback control (AFC), which is a laboratory procedure employing measurement-driven, closed-loop optimization to identify the best shapes of femtosecond laser control pulses for steering quantum dynamics towards the desired objective. Optimization in AFC experiments is guided by a learning algorithm, with stochastic methods proving to be especially effective. AFC of quantum phenomena has found numerous applications in many areas of the physical and chemical sciences, and this paper reviews the extensive experiments. Other subjects discussed include quantum optimal control theory, quantum control landscapes, the role of theoretical control designs in experimental realizations and real-time quantum feedback control. The paper concludes with a perspective of open research directions that are likely to attract significant attention in the future.
Experimental fisheries for black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) in the Azores, Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Machete Miguel , Morato Telmo , Menezes Gui
Published: July 2010

Machete, M., Morato, T., and Menezes, G. 2011. Experimental fisheries for black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) in the Azores, Northeast Atlantic – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 302–308. In this study, we used fisheries observers' data to analyse and describe the experimental fishing of black scabbardfish in the Azores in terms of type of gear, fishing operation, catch per unit effort (cpue), and fish size compositions. Standardized catch in numbers per 1000 hooks varied from 103 to 210 fish with an overall average of 132 fish per 1000 hooks. Recorded cpue values were similar to those recorded for Madeira and mainland Portugal in early 2000 but were higher than those observed in mainland Portugal for recent years. Bycatch was similar to that observed for other longline fisheries but much lower than in the North Atlantic deep-water trawl fishery. Fish size composition showed differences between locations in the Azores. Fish in Pico and São Jorge/Graciosa were consistently smaller than in other areas sampled and this may reflect the occurrence of an additional species, Aphanopus intermedius, in this area as proposed by gene analyses. Black scabbardfish (of possibly two species) may be considered an alternative resource for Azorean fisheries. Based on experience from other scabbardfish fisheries, however, it is suggested that fishing mortality should be maintained at a low level, traditional fishing methods should be encouraged, and bycatch should be closely monitored. Future studies of biology and distribution, stock assessments, and fisheries management advice should take into account the probable occurrence of two very similar species in the area. This study also highlights the importance of maintaining the fishery monitoring programme for the black scabbardfish fisheries in the Azores.
Presence of capsular locus genes in immunochemically identified encapsulated and unencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae sputum isolates obtained from elderly patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection
Authors: Kurola Paula , Erkkilä Leena , Kaijalainen Tarja , Palmu Arto A. , Hausdorff William P. , Poolman Jan , Jokinen Jukka , Kilpi Terhi M. , Leinonen Maija , Saukkoriipi Annika
Published: July 2010

The principal virulence factor ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeis capsular polysaccharide, and encapsulated pneumococci are more common causes of disease than unencapsulated strains. This study analysed the presence of capsular genes in 59 pneumococcal isolates using two PCR methods targeted at thecpsAandcpsBgenes of the capsular biosynthesis locus. The PCR method targeted at thecpsBgene, reported to be essential for encapsulation, was developed in this study. Of 59 pneumococcal isolates, 49 (83 %) were obtained from the sputum samples of elderly patients (≥65 years) with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 10 (17 %) were from those with other acute lower respiratory tract infections (ARIs). Forty (82 %) of the CAP isolates and two (20 %) of the ARI isolates were encapsulated, as assessed by conventional immunochemical methods. Forty-one (98 %) of the 42 encapsulated strains had thecpsBgene present, and in 38 strains thecpsAgene was also detected. One of the unencapsulated isolates gave a positive result for thecpsBgene, and neither of the capsular locus genes were present in all the other unencapsulated strains. The distribution of encapsulated and unencapsulated isolates differed significantly between the two patient groups regardless of whether the presence of capsule was determined immunochemically (P<0.001) or bycpsBPCR (P=0.002). ThecpsBPCR developed here was found to be a rapid and reliable method to detect the pneumococcal capsule locus and may have potential in sputum diagnostics when investigating the pneumococcal aetiology of CAP.
Non-O1, non-O139 Vibrio cholerae bacteraemia in a cirrhotic patient
Authors: Petsaris O. , Nousbaum J. B. , Quilici M. L. , Le Coadou G. , Payan C. , Abalain M. L.
Published: July 2010

Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 or O139 are the aetiological agents of cholera. The pathogenicity of non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae is less well known. These worldwide bacteria are responsible for gastrointestinal infections or, more rarely, bacteraemia in patients with an underlying disease, leading to life-threatening complications. We report a case of non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae bacteraemia due to a haemolytic strain in a cirrhotic patient. Early antibiotherapy allowed a good outcome. The aim of this case report is to underline the virulence of non-choleragenic Vibrio strains, possibly linked to haemolysin production, and the potential danger of consuming undercooked seafood or exposing wounds to sea water in cirrhotic patients.
A simplified multiplex PCR assay for fast and easy discrimination of globally distributed staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec types in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ghaznavi-Rad Ehsanollah , Nor Shamsudin Mariana , Sekawi Zamberi , van Belkum Alex , Neela Vasanthakumari
Published: July 2010

A multiplex PCR assay was developed for the identification of major types and subtypes of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The method uses a novel 9 valent multiplex PCR plus two primer pairs for S. aureus identification and detection of meticillin resistance. All 389 clinical MRSA isolates from Malaysia and 18 European isolates from the Harmony collection harbouring different SCCmec types that we tested were correctly characterized by our PCR assay. SCCmec type III and V were by far the most common types among both hospital- and community-acquired Malaysian MRSA isolates, with an apparent emergence of MRSA harbouring the IVh type.
Genome-wide analysis and literature-based survey of lipoproteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Remans Kim , Vercammen Ken , Bodilis Josselin , Cornelis Pierre
Published: July 2010

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen able to cause acute or chronic infections. Like all otherPseudomonasspecies,P. aeruginosahas a large genome, >6 Mb, encoding more than 5000 proteins. Many proteins are localized in membranes, among them lipoproteins, which can be found tethered to the inner or the outer membrane. Lipoproteins are translocated from the cytoplasm and their N-terminal signal peptide is cleaved by the signal peptidase II, which recognizes a specific sequence called the lipobox just before the first cysteine of the mature lipoprotein. A majority of lipoproteins are transported to the outer membrane via the LolCDEAB system, while those having an avoidance signal remain in the inner membrane. InEscherichia coli, the presence of an aspartate residue after the cysteine is sufficient to cause the lipoprotein to remain in the inner membrane, while inP. aeruginosathe situation is more complex and involves amino acids at position +3 and +4 after the cysteine. Previous studies indicated that there are 185 lipoproteins inP. aeruginosa, with a minority in the inner membrane. A reanalysis led to a reduction of this number to 175, while new retention signals could be predicted, increasing the percentage of inner-membrane lipoproteins to 20 %. About one-third (62 out of 175) of the lipoprotein genes are present in the 17Pseudomonasgenomes sequenced, meaning that these genes are part of the core genome of the genus. Lipoproteins can be classified into families, including those outer-membrane proteins having a structural role or involved in efflux of antibiotics. Comparison of various microarray data indicates that exposure to epithelial cells or some antibiotics, or conversion to mucoidy, has a major influence on the expression of lipoprotein genes inP. aeruginosa.
Treatment of opioid dependence in adolescents and young adults with extended release naltrexone: preliminary case‐series and feasibility
Authors: Fishman Marc J. , Winstanley Erin L. , Curran Erin , Garrett Shannon , Subramaniam Geetha
Published: July 2010

Background  Opioid dependence is an increasing problem among adolescents and young adults, but in contrast to the standard in the adult population, adoption of pharmacotherapies has been slow. Extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX) is a promising treatment that has been receiving increasing interest for adult opioid dependence. Clinical chart abstractions were performed on a convenience sample of 16 serial adolescent and young adult cases (mean age 18.5 years) treated for opioid dependence with XR‐NTX who attended at least one out‐patient clinical follow‐up visit.

Case descriptions  Of these 16 cases, 10 of 16 (63%) were retained in treatment for at least 4 months and nine of 16 (56%) had a ‘good’ outcome defined as having substantially decreased opioid use, improvement in at least one psychosocial domain and no new problems due to substance use.

Conclusions  These descriptive results suggest that XR‐NTX in the treatment of adolescents and young adults with opioid dependence is well tolerated over a period of 4 months and feasible in a community‐based treatment setting, and associated with good outcomes in a preliminary, small non‐controlled case‐series. This probably reflects an overall trend towards greater adoption of medication treatments for this population.
Effects of a 5‐HT3 antagonist, ondansetron, on fasting and postprandial small bowel water content assessed by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Marciani L. , Wright J. , Foley S. , Hoad C. L. , Totman J. J. , Bush D. , Hartley C. , Armstrong A. , Manby P. , Blackshaw E. , Perkins A. C. , Gowland P. A. , Spiller R. C.
Published: July 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 655–663

Background  5‐HT3 antagonists have been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS‐D). Using a recently validated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method, we have demonstrated reduced fasting small bowel water content (SBWC) in IBS‐D associated with accelerated small bowel transit. We hypothesized that slowing of transit with ondansetron would lead to an increase in SBWC by inhibiting fasting motility.

Aim  To assess the effects of ondansetron compared with placebo in healthy volunteers on SBWC and motility in two different groups of subjects, one studied using MRI and another using manometry.

Methods  Healthy volunteers were given either a placebo or ondansetron on the day prior to and on the study day. Sixteen volunteers underwent baseline fasting and postprandial MRI scans for 270 min. In a second study, a separate group of n = 18 volunteers were intubated and overnight migrating motor complex (MMC) recorded. Baseline MRI scans were carried out after the tube was removed.

Results  Fasting SBWC was markedly increased by ondansetron (P < 0.0007). Ondansetron reduced the overall antroduodenal Motility Index (P < 0.04). The subjects who were intubated had significantly lower fasting SBWC (P < 0.0002) compared with the group of subjects who were not intubated.

Conclusions  The 5‐HT3 receptor antagonism increased fasting small bowel water. This was associated with reduced fasting antroduodenal Motility Index which may explain the clinical benefit of such drugs.
Advanced glycation end‐products and the kidney
Authors: Busch Martin , Franke Sybille , Rüster Christiane , Wolf Gunter
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (8): 742–755

Background Advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) are increased in situations with hyperglycemia and oxidative stress such as diabetes mellitus. They are products of nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins and lipids. The kidney plays an important role in clearance and metabolism of AGEs.

Methods Medline©and other relevant databases were searched. In addition, key review articles were scanned for relevant original publication. Finally, original data from our research group were also included.

Results Kidney podocytes and endothelial cells express specific receptors for AGEs. Their activation leads to multiple pathophysiological effects including hypertrophy with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, altered migration, and generation of proinflammatory cytokines. AGEs have been primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy and diabetic microvascular complications. AGEs are also involved in other primary renal diseases as well as in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. However, serum or plasma concentrations of AGEs do not correlate well with cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is likely due to the fact that serum concentrations failed to correlate with AGEs deposited in target tissues. Several inhibitors of the AGE‐RAGE axis are currently tested for various indications.

Conclusion AGEs and their receptors are involved in the pathogenesis of vascular and kidney disease. The role of circulating AGEs as biomarkers for cardiovascular risk estimation is questionable. Whether putative inhibitors of AGEs will get the maturity for its therapeutic use in the future remains open.
Forearm vasodilator reactivity in homozygous carriers of the 9p21·3 rs1333049 G>C polymorphism
Authors: Aschauer Stefan , Mittermayer Friedrich , Wagner Claudia C. , Schmidt Wolfgang M. , Brunner Martin , Haslacher Helmuth , Wolzt Michael , Müller Markus
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (8): 700–705

Aim  Recently, a novel susceptibility locus for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been identified on chromosome 9p21·3, linked to the single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1333049 G>C. However, the physiological mechanism through which this locus confers an increased CAD‐risk is still unknown. The aim of the present case–control study was to test whether this chromosome 9p21·3 locus, represented by the rs1333049 variant, is associated with altered vasodilator resistance vessel function in healthy young volunteers.

Design and results  A total of 97 healthy male volunteers were screened for homozygous carriers of either the G‐ or the C‐allele, the minor allele in European populations. Forearm blood flow (FBF) reactivity to acetylcholine (ACh) and glycerol trinitrate (GTN) was then studied in 10 C/C‐genotype carriers compared with 10 control subjects harbouring the G/G‐genotype. FBF responses to ACh and GTN were reduced in subjects homozygous for the C‐allele of the rs1333049 SNP (P < 0·05). FBF reactivity to the highest dose of ACh and GTN was 95% and 74% lower when compared with control subjects with the G/G‐genotype.

Conclusion  Our study revealed a functional impairment in forearm artery vasodilator resistance in carriers of the rs1333049 C/C‐genotype, thus providing evidence for a first physiological functional link underlying the genetic association of the 9p21·3 locus with an increased cardiovascular risk.
A retrospective analysis of histological prognostic factors for the development of lymph node metastases from auricular squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Clark Richard R , Soutar David S , Hunter Keith D
Published: July 2010

Clark R R, Soutar D S & Hunter K D (2010) Histopathology 57, 138–146 A retrospective analysis of histological prognostic factors for the development of lymph node metastases from auricular squamous cell carcinoma

Aims:  Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the auricle has a high risk of metastatic spread, which is associated with high mortality. Identification of patients with a high risk of lymph node metastases would allow prophylactic treatment to the draining lymph nodes, but there are no established clinical or histopathological criteria to predict which tumours have a high risk of metastasis. The aim was to determine such criteria.

Methods and results:  The study was a retrospective analysis of the clinical and histological features of 229 cases of SCC of the auricle, with a minimum of 2 years’ clinical follow‐up. Overall, lymph node metastases were present in 24 cases (10.5%). Of the patients with metastatic disease 66.7% died, despite multi‐modality treatment. Tumours with a depth of invasion >8 mm or a depth of invasion between 2 and 8 mm in conjunction with evidence of destructive cartilage invasion, lymphovascular invasion or a non‐cohesive invasive front had a high risk of metastasis (56% and 24%, respectively).

Conclusions:  Patients with high‐risk tumours, as assessed histopathologically, should be considered for prophylactic therapy to or staging of the regional lymph nodes.
Simultaneous assessment of DNA ploidy and biomarker expression in paraffin‐embedded tissue sections
Authors: Fleskens Stijn J H M , Takes Robert P , Otte‐Höller Irene , Van Doesburg Lisanne , Smeets Annemieke , Speel Ernst‐Jan M , Slootweg Pieter J , Van Der Laak Jeroen A W M
Published: July 2010

Fleskens S J H M, Takes R P, Otte‐Höller I, van Doesburg L, Smeets A, Speel E‐J M, Slootweg P J & van der Laak J A W M (2010) Histopathology 57, 14–26 Simultaneous assessment of DNA ploidy and biomarker expression in paraffin‐embedded tissue sections

Aims:  Aneuploidy is a potential biomarker for predicting progression of premalignancies. Ploidy assessment is mostly performed on nuclei isolated from tissue sections. Ploidy assessment in situ in tissue sections may be a large improvement, enabling selective sampling of nuclei, thus allowing the correlation between ploidy and histology. Existing ploidy analysis methods in sections suffer from limited sensitivity. The aim was to reliably assess ploidy in sections, combined with simultaneous assessment of other markers at the individual cell level.

Methods and results:  Ploidy was measured in 22 paraffin‐embedded oral premalignancies. The DNA stoichiometric Feulgen procedure was used on isolated nuclei, as well as fluoresence in situ hybridization analysis. In tissue sections, Feulgen was combined with immunohistochemistry for Ki67 proliferation marker, enabling distinction between cycling euploid and aneuploid cells. Aneuploidy was reliably detected in tissue sections (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92%). One section in which aneuploidy was detected was misclassified in isolated nuclei analysis. Sections were also successfully analysed using our model combined with DNA double strand break marker γ‐H2AX in fluorescence microscopy, underlining the power of biomarker evaluation on single cells in tissue sections.

Conclusions:  The analysis model proposed in this study enables the combined analysis of histology, genotypic and phenotypic information.
Chitosan/double‐stranded RNA nanoparticle‐mediated RNA interference to silence chitin synthase genes through larval feeding in the African malaria mosquito (Anopheles gambiae)
Authors: Zhang X. , Zhang J. , Zhu K. Y.
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the expression of two chitin synthase genes, AgCHS1 and AgCHS2, can be repressed by chitosan/AgCHS dsRNA‐based nanoparticles through larval feeding in Anopheles gambiae. The AgCHS1 transcript level and chitin content were reduced by 62.8 and 33.8%, respectively, in the larvae fed on chitosan/AgCHS1 dsRNA nanoparticles compared with those of the control larvae fed on chitosan/GFP dsRNA nanoparticles. Our study suggested for the first time that RNA interference (RNAi) in mosquito larvae is systemic, and demonstrated that the larvae fed on the nanoparticles assembled from AgCHS1 and AgCHS2 dsRNA increased larval susceptibilities to diflubenzuron, and calcofluor white (CF) or dithiothreitol, respectively. These results suggest great potential for using such a nanoparticle‐based RNAi technology for high‐throughput screening of gene functions and for developing novel strategies for pest management.
Carbon isotope fractionation of amino acids in fish muscle reflects biosynthesis and isotopic routing from dietary protein
Authors: McMahon Kelton W. , Fogel Marilyn L. , Elsdon Travis S. , Thorrold Simon R.
Published: July 2010

1. Analysis of stable carbon isotopes is a valuable tool for studies of diet, habitat use and migration. However, significant variability in the degree of trophic fractionation (Δ13CC‐D) between consumer (C) and diet (D) has highlighted our lack of understanding of the biochemical and physiological underpinnings of stable isotope ratios in tissues.

2. An opportunity now exists to increase the specificity of dietary studies by analyzing the δ13C values of amino acids (AAs). Common mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus, Linnaeus 1766) were reared on four isotopically distinct diets to examine individual AA Δ13CC‐D variability in fish muscle.

3. Modest bulk tissue Δ13CC‐D values reflected relatively large trophic fractionation for many non‐essential AAs and little to no fractionation for all essential AAs.

4. Essential AA δ13C values were not significantly different between diet and consumer (Δ13CC‐D = 0·0 ± 0·4‰), making them ideal tracers of carbon sources at the base of the food web. Stable isotope analysis of muscle essential AAs provides a promising tool for dietary reconstruction and identifying baseline δ13C values to track animal movement through isotopically distinct food webs.

5. Non‐essential AA Δ13CC‐D values showed evidence of both de novo biosynthesis and direct isotopic routing from dietary protein. We attributed patterns in Δ13CC‐D to variability in protein content and AA composition of the diet as well as differential utilization of dietary constituents contributing to the bulk carbon pool. This variability illustrates the complicated nature of metabolism and suggests caution must be taken with the assumptions used to interpret bulk stable isotope data in dietary studies.

6. Our study is the first to investigate the expression of AA Δ13CC‐D values for a marine vertebrate and should provide for significant refinements in studies of diet, habitat use and migration using stable isotopes.
Health literacy, self‐reported status and health promoting behaviours for adolescents in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Li‐Chun
Published: July 2010

Aim and objective.  The objective of this study was to analyse the associations between health literacy, health status and health‐promoting behaviours among Taiwan adolescents.

Background.  Limited health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes such as low use of preventive services, poor self‐reported health conditions and absence of health‐promoting behaviours in adults. However, these factors have not been analysed in adolescents. The associations between health literacy and health outcome in adolescents provide helpful insights in conducting health education programmes for health professionals.

Design.  A cross‐sectional survey.

Methods.  The survey analysed a purposive sample of 1601 senior/vocational high school students from six counties in Taiwan. Data for health literacy and health‐promoting behaviours were collected by the Chinese version (short form) of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents (c‐sTOFHLAd) and health‐promoting behaviour scale with subscales for the following health‐promoting behaviours: nutrition, exercise, stress management, interpersonal relations, health responsibility and self‐actualisation.

Results.  Adolescents with low health literacy were less likely to perceive good health status [adjusted odd ratio, (AOR) = 0·59, 95%CI = 0·41–0·86] and less likely to exhibit health‐promoting behaviours (AOR = 0·58, 95%CI = 0·39–0·86) than those with high health literacy were, especially in nutrition (AOR = 0·62, 95%CI = 0·43–0·89) and interpersonal relations (AOR = 0·61, 95%CI = 0·43–0·87) subscales. Adolescents with high and low health literacy did not significantly differ in the following health‐promoting behaviours: exercise, stress management, health responsibility and self‐actualisation.

Conclusion.  Health literacy is vital for promoting health in adolescents, especially in the domains of nutrition and interpersonal relations.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Health professionals should conduct health literacy assessments for adolescents prior to designing health education programmes for those with low health literacy to develop health literacy skills as to perform health promoting behaviours.