bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One‐Year Changes in Symptoms of Depression and Weight in Overweight/Obese Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes in the Look AHEAD Study
Authors: Faulconbridge Lucy F. , Wadden Thomas A. , Rubin Richard R. , Wing Rena R. , Walkup Michael P. , Fabricatore Anthony N. , Coday Mace , Van Dorsten Brent , Mount David L. , Ewing Linda J. ,   Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: October 2011

Depressed individuals are frequently excluded from weight loss trials because of fears that weight reduction may precipitate mood disorders, as well as concerns that depressed participants will not lose weight satisfactorily. The present study examined participants in the Look AHEAD study to determine whether moderate weight loss would be associated with incident symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation, and whether symptoms of depression at baseline would limit weight loss at 1 year. Overweight/obese adults with type 2 diabetes (n = 5,145) were randomly assigned to an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) or a usual care group, Diabetes Support and Education (DSE). Of these, 5,129 participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and had their weight measured at baseline and 1 year. Potentially significant symptoms of depression were defined by a BDI score ≥10. Participants in ILI lost 8.6 ± 6.9% of initial weight at 1 year, compared to 0.7 ± 4.8% for DSE (P < 0.001, effect size = 1.33), and had a reduction of 1.4 ± 4.7 points on the BDI, compared to 0.4 ± 4.5 for DSE (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.23). At 1 year, the incidence of potentially significant symptoms of depression was significantly lower in the ILI than DSE group (6.3% vs. 9.6%) (relative risk (RR) = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5, 0.8; P < 0.001). In the ILI group, participants with and without symptoms of depression lost 7.8 ± 6.7% and 8.7 ± 6.9%, respectively, a difference not considered clinically meaningful. Intentional weight loss was not associated with the precipitation of symptoms of depression, but instead appeared to protect against this occurrence. Mild (or greater) symptoms of depression at baseline did not prevent overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes from achieving significant weight loss.
Adiposity and Incident Heart Failure in Older Adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Djoussé Luc , Bartz Traci M. , Ix Joachim H. , Zieman Susan J. , Delaney Joseph A. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Gottdiener John S. , Siscovick David S. , Kizer Jorge R.
Published: October 2011

While several studies have reported a positive association between overall adiposity and heart failure (HF) risk, limited and inconsistent data are available on the relation between central adiposity and incident HF in older adults. We sought to examine the association between waist circumference (WC) and incident HF and assess whether sex modifies the relation between WC and HF.

Prospective study using data on 4,861 participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study (1989–2007). HF was adjudicated by a committee using information from medical records and medications. We used Cox proportional hazard models to compute hazard ratio (HR). The mean age was 73.0 years for men and 72.3 years for women; 42.5% were men and 15.3% were African Americans. WC was positively associated with an increased risk of HF: each standard deviation of WC was associated with a 14% increased risk of HF (95% CI: 3%–26%) in a multivariable model. There was not a statistically significant sex‐by‐WC interaction (P = 0.081). BMI was positively associated with incident HF (HR: 1.22 (95% CI: 1.15–1.29) per standard deviation increase of BMI); however, this association was attenuated and became nonstatistically significant upon additional adjustment for WC (HR: 1.09 (95% CI: 0.99–1.21)). In conclusion, a higher WC is associated with an increased risk of HF independent of BMI in community‐living older men and women.
Physical Activity‐Associated Gene Expression Signature in Nonhuman Primate Motor Cortex
Authors: Mitchell Amanda C. , Leak Rehana K. , Garbett Krassimira , Zigmond Michael J. , Cameron Judy L. , Mirnics Károly
Published: October 2011

It has been established that weight gain and weight loss are heavily influenced by activity level. In this study, we hypothesized that the motor cortex exhibits a distinct physical activity‐associated gene expression profile, which may underlie changes in weight associated with movement. Using DNA microarrays we profiled gene expression in the motor cortex of a group of 14 female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with a wide range of stable physical activity levels. We found that neuronal growth factor signaling and nutrient sensing transcripts in the brain were highly correlated with physical activity. A follow‐up of AKT3 expression changes (a gene at the apex of neuronal survival and nutrient sensing) revealed increased protein levels of total AKT, phosphorylated AKT, and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), one of AKT's main downstream effectors. In addition, we successfully validated three other genes via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (cereblon (CRBN), origin recognition complex subunit 4‐like, and pyruvate dehydrogenase 4 (PDK4)). We conclude that these genes are important in the physical activity‐associated pathway in the motor cortex, and may be critical for physical activity‐associated changes in body weight and neuroprotection.
Seeking help chaow baan ways in southern Thailand
Authors: Suwankhong Dusanee , Liamputtong Pranee , Rumbold Bruce
Published: October 2011

Although modern health care facilities exist in rural areas, Thai people continue to seek help from traditional healers. This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of patients of traditional healers in southern Thailand. An ethnographic method was used comprising participant observation and in-depth interviews with 23 patients of traditional healers. Fieldwork data showed that patients sought help from traditional healers for both common and emergency illnesses, and for treatment of localised symptoms as well as chronic health conditions. The participants believed that there was no single healing system that could promote total well-being: they looked for the one that could best help them to return to normal health. Individuals expected that any healing form would be complementary or an alternative to another. The findings of this study have implications for the provision of health care to local people. They add weight to arguments that health policymakers could increase choice within the Thai health care system by formally incorporating and promoting the role of traditional healers, recognising them as an important resource in primary health care.
Granulosa cells are refractory to FSH action in individuals with a low antral follicle count
Authors: Scheetz Danielle , Folger Joseph K. , Smith George W. , Ireland James J.
Published: October 2011

The reason ovarian function and fertility are diminished in women with a low antral follicle count (AFC), despite significant numbers of follicles remaining in ovaries, is unknown. The bovine model is unique to address this question because cattle and women with a low AFC exhibit similar phenotypic characteristics including a diminished ovarian reserve, reduced circulating concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) but heightened FSH secretion during reproductive cycles. Because women and cattle with a low AFC respond minimally to gonadotropin stimulation during IVF cycles or superovulation, granulosa cells in individuals with a low AFC are hypothesised to be refractory to FSH. The present study evaluates this hypothesis by testing whether capacity of granulosa cells to respond to FSH differs between cattle with a low and a high AFC. Granulosa cells from cattle with a low (≤15 follicles ≥3 mm in diameter) or a high (≥25 follicles) AFC were cultured with different doses of FSH. Treatments were evaluated by measurement of oestradiol (E), progesterone (P) and AMH in media and abundance of mRNAs for aromatase (CYP19A1), AMH, FSH receptor (FSHR) and oxytocin (OXT). Progesterone and OXT mRNA are well-established markers of granulosa cell luteinisation. Although high doses of FSH induced granulosa cell luteinisation, basal and FSH-induced increases in E and AMH production and expression of mRNAs for CYP19A1, FSHR and AMH in granulosa cells were much lower, while P production and OXT mRNA expression were higher in non-luteinised and luteinised granulosa cells from the low than the high AFC group. Granulosa cells in cattle with a low AFC are refractory to FSH action, which could explain why ovarian function, responsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation and fertility are diminished in individuals with a low versus a high AFC.
The role of the male cloacal gland in reproductive success in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: Singh R. P. , Sastry K. V. H. , Pandey N. K. , Singh K. B. , Malecki I. A. , Farooq U. , Mohan J. , Saxena V. K. , Moudgal R. P.
Published: October 2011

The adult male Japanese quail has a well developed cloacal gland that produces meringue-like white foam. The physiological significance of the cloacal gland and its foam is still unclear. Therefore, we conducted two experiments to establish the functional role of the cloacal gland and its foam in natural mating and oviducal sperm transport. In the first experiment, artificial insemination of equal numbers of spermatozoa diluted in foam extract and normal saline once in a week were used to determine the role of foam in sperm transport in the female oviduct. After artificial insemination, eggs were collected to measure fertility, the duration of the fertile period, sperm holes and attached spermatozoa in the perivitelline membrane. Higher (P < 0.05) fertility and greater duration of the fertile period were observed when semen was inseminated along with foam extract compared with normal saline. Further, the sperm holes and trapped spermatozoa in the perivitelline membrane were also higher (P < 0.05) in the presence of foam extract. In the second experiment, two males with bigger and smaller cloacal gland areas were allowed to mate with a female. The mating attempts of males with larger cloacal gland were more successful (P < 0.05) than males with smaller cloacal glands. Our results indicated that cloacal foam improves sperm transport in the female oviduct and that males with larger cloacal gland areas are preferred during mating.
microRNAs play critical roles in the survival and recovery of
Caenorhabditis elegans
from starvation-induced L1 diapause
Authors: Zhang Xiaochang , Zabinsky Rebecca , Teng Yudong , Cui Mingxue , Han Min
Published: October 2011

Environmental stresses and nutrition availability critically affect animal development. Numerous animal species across multiple phyla enter developmental arrest for long-term survival in unfavorable environments and resume development upon stress removal. Here we show that compromising overall microRNA (miRNA) functions or mutating certain individual miRNAs impairs the long-term survival of nematodes during starvation-induced L1 diapause. We provide evidence that miRNA miR-71 is not required for the animals’ entry into L1 diapause, but plays a critical role in long-term survival by repressing the expression of insulin receptor/PI3K pathway genes and genes acting downstream or in parallel to the pathway. Furthermore, miR-71 plays a prominent role in developmental recovery from L1 diapause partly through repressing the expression of certain heterochronic genes. The presented results indicate that interactions between multiple miRNAs and likely a large number of their mRNA targets in multiple pathways regulate the response to starvation-induced L1 diapause.
A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB (ABIN1) controls Toll-like receptor-mediated CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β activation and protects from inflammatory disease
Authors: Zhou Jingran , Wu Ruiqiong , High Anthony A. , Slaughter Clive A. , Finkelstein David , Rehg Jerold E. , Redecke Vanessa , Häcker Hans
Published: October 2011

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed on innate immune cells and trigger inflammation upon detection of pathogens and host tissue injury. TLR-mediated proinflammatory-signaling pathways are counteracted by partially characterized anti-inflammatory mechanisms that prevent exaggerated inflammation and host tissue damage as manifested in inflammatory diseases. We biochemically identified a component of TLR-signaling pathways, A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB (ABIN1), which recently has been linked by genome-wide association studies to the inflammatory diseases systemic lupus erythematosus and psoriasis. We generated ABIN1-deficient mice to study the function of ABIN1 in vivo and during TLR activation. Here we show that ABIN1-deficient mice develop a progressive, lupus-like inflammatory disease characterized by expansion of myeloid cells, leukocyte infiltrations in different parenchymatous organs, activated T and B lymphocytes, elevated serum Ig levels, and the appearance of autoreactive antibodies. Kidneys develop glomerulonephritis and proteinuria, reflecting tissue injury. Surprisingly, ABIN1-deficient macrophages exhibit normal regulation of major proinflammatory signaling pathways and mediators but show selective deregulation of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and its target genes, such as colony-stimulating factor 3 (
Csf3
)

, nitric oxide synthase, inducible
(Nos2
), and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (
S100a8
). Their gene products, which are intimately linked to innate immune cell expansion (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor), cytotoxicity (inducible nitric oxide synthase), and host factor-derived inflammation (S100A8), may explain, at least in part, the inflammatory phenotype observed. Together, our data reveal ABIN1 as an essential anti-inflammatory component of TLR-signaling pathways that controls C/EBPβ activity.
Questioning the functional relevance of mitochondrial supercomplexes by time-resolved analysis of the respiratory chain
Authors: Trouillard Martin , Meunier Brigitte , Rappaport Fabrice
Published: October 2011

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells as they feed metabolism with its major substrate. Oxidative-phosphorylation relies on the generation, by an electron/proton transfer chain, of an electrochemical transmembrane potential utilized to synthesize ATP. Although these fundamental principles are not a matter of debate, the emerging picture of the respiratory chain diverges from the linear and fluid scheme. Indeed, a growing number of pieces of evidence point to membrane compartments that possibly restrict the diffusion of electron carriers, and to supramolecular assembly of various complexes within various kinds of supercomplexes that modulate the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the components of the chain. Here, we describe a method that allows the unprecedented time-resolved study of the respiratory chain in intact cells that is aimed at assessing these hypotheses. We show that, in yeast, cytochrome
c
is not trapped within supercomplexes and encounters no particular restriction to its diffusion which questions the functional relevance of these supramolecular edifices.
Protein LidA from Legionella is a Rab GTPase supereffector
Authors: Schoebel Stefan , Cichy Adam L. , Goody Roger S. , Itzen Aymelt
Published: October 2011

The causative agent of Legionnaires disease,
Legionella pneumophila
, injects several hundred proteins into the cell it infects, many of which interfere with or exploit vesicular transport processes. One of these proteins, LidA, has been described as a Rab effector (i.e., a molecule that interacts preferentially with the GTP-bound form of Rab). We describe here the structure and biochemistry of a complex between the Rab-binding domain of LidA and active Rab8a. LidA displays structural peculiarities in binding to Rab8a, forming a considerably extended interface in comparison to known mammalian Rab effectors, and involving regions of the GTPase that are not seen in other Rab:effector complexes. In keeping with this extended binding interface, which involves four α-helices and two pillar-like structures of LidA, the stability of LidA-Rab interactions is dramatically greater than for other such complexes. For Rab1b and Rab8a, these affinities are extraordinarily high, but for the more weakly bound Rab6a,
K
d
values of 4 nM for the inactive and 30 pM for the active form were found. Rab1b and Rab8a appear to bind LidA with
K
d
values in the low picomolar range, making LidA a Rab supereffector.
Mechanism of the hydrophobic effect in the biomolecular recognition of arylsulfonamides by carbonic anhydrase
Authors: Snyder Phillip W. , Mecinović Jasmin , Moustakas Demetri T. , Thomas Samuel W. , Harder Michael , Mack Eric T. , Lockett Matthew R. , Héroux Annie , Sherman Woody , Whitesides George M.
Published: October 2011

The hydrophobic effect—a rationalization of the insolubility of nonpolar molecules in water—is centrally important to biomolecular recognition. Despite extensive research devoted to the hydrophobic effect, its molecular mechanisms remain controversial, and there are still no reliably predictive models for its role in protein–ligand binding. Here we describe a particularly well-defined system of protein and ligands—carbonic anhydrase and a series of structurally homologous heterocyclic aromatic sulfonamides—that we use to characterize hydrophobic interactions thermodynamically and structurally. In binding to this structurally rigid protein, a set of ligands (also defined to be structurally rigid) shows the expected gain in binding free energy as hydrophobic surface area is added. Isothermal titration calorimetry demonstrates that enthalpy determines these increases in binding affinity, and that changes in the heat capacity of binding are negative. X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulations are compatible with the proposal that the differences in binding between the homologous ligands stem from changes in the number and organization of water molecules localized in the active site in the bound complexes, rather than (or perhaps in addition to) release of structured water from the apposed hydrophobic surfaces. These results support the hypothesis that structured water molecules—including both the molecules of water displaced by the ligands and those reorganized upon ligand binding—determine the thermodynamics of binding of these ligands at the active site of the protein. Hydrophobic effects in various contexts have different structural and thermodynamic origins, although all may be manifestations of the differences in characteristics of bulk water and water close to hydrophobic surfaces.
Deletion of the de novo DNA methyltransferase
Dnmt3a
promotes lung tumor progression
Authors: Gao Qing , Steine Eveline J. , Barrasa M. Inmaculada , Hockemeyer Dirk , Pawlak Mathias , Fu Dongdong , Reddy Seshamma , Bell George W. , Jaenisch Rudolf
Published: October 2011

Alterations in DNA methylation have been associated with genome-wide hypomethylation and regional de novo methylation in numerous cancers. De novo methylation is mediated by the de novo methyltransferases Dnmt3a and 3b, but only Dnmt3b has been implicated in promoting cancer by silencing of tumor-suppressor genes. In this study, we have analyzed the role of Dnmt3a in lung cancer by using a conditional mouse tumor model. We show that Dnmt3a deficiency significantly promotes tumor growth and progression but not initiation. Changes in gene expression show that Dnmt3a deficiency affects key steps in cancer progression, such as angiogenesis, cell adhesion, and cell motion, consistent with accelerated and more malignant growth. Our results suggest that
Dnmt3a
may act like a tumor-suppressor gene in lung tumor progression and may be a critical determinant of lung cancer malignancy.
Efficacy of a Physicians’ Pocket Guide about Prenatal Substance Use: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Midmer Deana , Kahan Meldon , Kim Theresa , Ordean Alice , Graves Lisa
Published: October 2011

A pocket guide on management of substance use during pregnancy was developed by a group of Canadian care providers. One hundred and fifteen family medicine residents in 6 Canadian teaching sites were randomized to receive either the pocket guide or a paper summary on similar clinical topics, based on UpToDate, a comprehensive Web-based resource. At baseline, both groups completed a survey containing questions on beliefs, attitudes, experience, and training on pregnancy and substance use. Participants then answered 28 multiple choice questions about substance use in pregnancy, using either the pocket guide or UpToDate. Finally participants were asked to rate ease of use for the 2 resources. The results showed that the pocket guide group had higher knowledge scores than the UpToDate group overall and at each study site (61.27% vs. 42.86%, P < .001). The residents found the pocket guide easier to use than UpToDate (mean = 2.73 vs. 4.36, P < .001), and were more likely to want to use it again (96% for pocket card, 78% for UpToDate, P = .005). It is concluded that the pocket guide is a practical source of clinical information at point of care, particularly for “orphan” subjects such as substance use in pregnancy.
International Differences in Alcohol Use According to Sexual Orientation
Authors: Bloomfield Kim , Wicki Matthias , Wilsnack Sharon , Hughes Tonda , Gmel Gerhard
Published: October 2011

Most research on sexual orientation and alcohol use in the United States has found higher rates of alcohol use and abuse among gay men and lesbians. Studies from other countries have found smaller or no differences between sexual minority and heterosexual women and men. The present study used general population survey data from 14 countries to examine high-volume and risky single-occasion drinking by sexual orientation. Data from 248 gay men and lesbians and 3720 heterosexuals were analyzed in a case-control design. In several countries partnered or recently partnered gay men and lesbians had no greater risk of heavy drinking or engaging in heavy drinking than heterosexual controls. Only lesbians in North America showed higher risk for both indicators. Future general population health research should include larger samples of gays and lesbians and use more comprehensive measures of sexual orientation for investigating the prevalence of health risk factors.
A Case Series of Buprenorphine/Naloxone Treatment in a Primary Care Practice
Authors: Doolittle Benjamin , Becker William
Published: October 2011

Physicians’ adoption of buprenorphine/naloxone treatment is hindered by concerns over feasibility, cost, and lack of comfort treating patients with addiction. We examined the use of buprenorphine/naloxone in a community practice by two generalist physicians without addiction training, employing a retrospective chart review. From 2006–2010, 228 patients with opiate abuse/dependence were treated with buprenorphine/naloxone using a home-induction protocol. Multiple co-morbidities including diabetes (23% of patients), hypertension (36%), Hepatitis C (43%), and depression (74%) were concurrently managed. In this diverse sample, 1/228 experienced precipitated withdrawal during induction. Of the convenience subsample analyzed (n = 28), 82% (+/−10%) had negative urine drug tests for opioids; 92% (+/−11%) were negative for cocaine; 88% (+/−12%) were positive for buprenorphine. This case series demonstrated feasibility and safety of a low-cost buprenorphine/naloxone home induction protocol employed by generalists. Concurrent treatment of multiple comorbidities conforms with the patient-centered medical home ideal. Randomized trials of this promising approach are needed.
Psychosocial Factors Related to Cannabis Use Disorders
Authors: Brook Judith S. , Lee Jung Y. , Finch Stephen J. , Koppel Jonathan , Brook David W.
Published: October 2011

The objective of this study was to explore the association between psychosocial risk and protective factors and cannabis use disorders (CUDs) in a cohort of African American and Puerto Rican young adults. A representative sample ( N = 838) from the East Harlem area of New York City was assessed at 4 points in time (at mean ages 14.1, 19.2, 24.5, and 29.2). The psychosocial measures came from 6 domains: personality attributes, family, peer, work, neighborhood, and substance use. The psychosocial measures were assessed at each of the first 3 waves of the study, and CUDs were assessed at the fourth and final wave of the study. Multivariate logistic regression and a cumulative risk analysis were conducted. Increased psychological symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.39; P < .01), problems resulting from cannabis use (OR = 2.69; 95% CI, 1.33–5.46; P < .01), frequent arguments with one's partner (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.09–3.10; P < .05), high levels of deviance (OR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.21–2.71; P < .01), and frequent acts of violence directed toward the participant (OR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.42; P < .05) were all associated with an increased risk for CUDs. An increase in the number of risks was associated with an increase in the probability of having CUDs at the fourth wave (again, at a mean age of 29.2). A decrease in the number of risk factors may lead to a decrease in CUDs.
Characterization of the role of COP9 signalosome in regulating cullin E3 ubiquitin ligase activity
Authors: Choo Yin Yin , Boh Boon Kim , Lou Jessica Jie Wei , Eng Jolane , Leck Yee Chin , Anders Benjamin , Smith Peter G. , Hagen Thilo
Published: October 2011

Cullin RING ligases (CRLs) are the largest family of cellular E3 ubiquitin ligases and mediate polyubiquitination of a number of cellular substrates. CRLs are activated via the covalent modification of the cullin protein with the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8. This results in a conformational change in the cullin carboxy terminus that facilitates the ubiquitin transfer onto the substrate. COP9 signalosome (CSN)-mediated cullin deneddylation is essential for CRL activity in vivo. However, the mechanism through which CSN promotes CRL activity in vivo is currently unclear. In this paper, we provide evidence that cullin deneddylation is not intrinsically coupled to substrate polyubiquitination as part of the CRL activation cycle. Furthermore, inhibiting substrate-receptor autoubiquitination is unlikely to account for the major mechanism through which CSN regulates CRL activity. CSN also did not affect recruitment of the substrate-receptor SPOP to Cul3, suggesting it may not function to facilitate the exchange of Cul3 substrate receptors. Our results indicate that CSN binds preferentially to CRLs in the neddylation-induced, active conformation. Binding of the CSN complex to active CRLs may recruit CSN-associated proteins important for CRL regulation. The deneddylating activity of CSN would subsequently promote its own dissociation to allow progression through the CRL activation cycle.
Model for self-polarization and motility of keratocyte fragments
Authors: Ziebert Falko , Swaminathan Sumanth , Aranson Igor S.
Published: October 2011

Computational modelling of cell motility on substrates is a formidable challenge; regulatory pathways are intertwined and forces that influence cell motion are not fully quantified. Additional challenges arise from the need to describe a moving deformable cell boundary. Here, we present a simple mathematical model coupling cell shape dynamics, treated by the phase-field approach, to a vector field describing the mean orientation (polarization) of the actin filament network. The model successfully reproduces the primary phenomenology of cell motility: discontinuous onset of motion, diversity of cell shapes and shape oscillations. The results are in qualitative agreement with recent experiments on motility of keratocyte cells and cell fragments. The asymmetry of the shapes is captured to a large extent in this simple model, which may prove useful for the interpretation of experiments.
Prevalence and Social Correlates of Sexual Intercourse among School-Going Adolescents in Thailand
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa
Published: October 2011

Adolescent sexuality is a relevant public health issue, as it affects risk to contract HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The assessment of prevalence of sexual intercourse among adolescents may guide policies and programmes aimed at reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections among this age group. Using data from the Thailand Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2008, we assessed the prevalence of sexual intercourse in the last 12 months and its associated factors among adolescents (). Overall the prevalence of sexual intercourse in the past 12 months was 11.0% (14.6% males and 7.6% females). Variables positively associated with the outcome in multivariable analysis were male gender (; 95% CI 1.14–242), older age, ≥15 years (, 1.80–3.74), current alcohol use (, 1.46–3.36), psychosocial distress (, 1.44–3.09) and among females current smoking (, 1.62–18.48), lifetime drug use (, 1.04–18.3) and lack of parental or guardian bonding (, 0.27–0.97). Efforts to control unhealthy lifestyles (substance use) and psychosocial distress may impact on adolescents' sexual activity.
Nanoexposure, Unusual Diseases, and New Health and Safety Concerns
Authors: Song Yuguo , Tang Shichuan
Published: October 2011

Accumulating studies in animals have shown that nanoparticles could cause unusual rapid lung injury and extrapulmonary toxicity. Whether exposure of workers to nanoparticles may result in some unexpected damage as seen in animals is still a big concern. We previously reported findings regarding a group of patients exposed to nanoparticles and presenting with an unusual disease. The reported disease was characterized by bilateral chest fluid, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural granuloma, and multiorgan damage and was highly associated with the nanoparticle exposure. To strengthen this association, further information on exposure and the disease was collected and discussed. Our studies show that some kinds of nanomaterials, such as silica nanoparticles and nanosilicates, may be very toxic and even fatal to occupational workers exposed to them without any effective personal protective equipment. More research and collaborative efforts on nanosafety are required in order to prevent and minimize the potential hazards of nanomaterials to humans and the environment.
Molecular Characterization ofRht-1Dwarfing Genes in Hexaploid Wheat
Authors: Pearce Stephen , Saville Robert , Vaughan Simon P. , Chandler Peter M. , Wilhelm Edward P. , Sparks Caroline A. , Al-Kaff Nadia , Korolev Andrey , Boulton Margaret I. , Phillips Andrew L. , Hedden Peter , Nicholson Paul , Thomas Stephen G.
Published: October 2011

The introduction of the Reduced height (Rht)-B1b and Rht-D1b semidwarfing genes led to impressive increases in wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields during the Green Revolution. The reduction in stem elongation in varieties containing these alleles is caused by a limited response to the phytohormone gibberellin (GA), resulting in improved resistance to stem lodging and yield benefits through an increase in grain number. Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 encode DELLA proteins, which act to repress GA-responsive growth, and their mutant alleles Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b are thought to confer dwarfism by producing more active forms of these growth repressors. While no semidwarfing alleles of Rht-A1 have been identified, we show that this gene is expressed at comparable levels to the other homeologs and represents a potential target for producing novel dwarfing alleles. In this study, we have characterized additional dwarfing mutations in Rht-B1 and Rht-D1. We show that the severe dwarfism conferred by Rht-B1c is caused by an intragenic insertion, which results in an in-frame 90-bp insertion in the transcript and a predicted 30-amino acid insertion within the highly conserved amino-terminal DELLA domain. In contrast, the extreme dwarfism of Rht-D1c is due to overexpression of the semidwarfing Rht-D1b allele, caused by an increase in gene copy number. We show also that the semidwarfing alleles Rht-B1d and Rht-B1e introduce premature stop codons within the amino-terminal coding region. Yeast two-hybrid assays indicate that these newly characterized mutations in Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 confer “GA-insensitive” dwarfism by producing DELLA proteins that do not bind the GA receptor GA INSENSITIVE DWARF1, potentially compromising their targeted degradation.
Case of muscle abscess due to disseminated nocardiosis in a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and review of the published work
Authors: UKAI Yoshiko , FUJIMOTO Noriki , FUJII Norikazu , SHIRAI Masae , WAKABAYASHI Makiko , UENISHI Toshiaki , KOIZUMI Yusuke , HODOHARA Keiko , SHIMIZU Kaoru , TANAKA Toshihiro
Published: October 2011

Although disseminated nocardiosis has been increasing with the expansion of immunosuppressive therapy and improvement in diagnostic methods, muscle abscess is a rare complication. There have been only nine case reports of muscle abscess due to Nocardia infection in the English‐language published work. We present a case of muscle abscess with disseminated nocardiosis, and review the published work. The patient had been taking prednisolone at 20 mg a day for autoimmune hemolytic anemia for 14 years. She presented with erythema on her thigh resembling cellulitis. Computed tomography showed muscle abscess. The isolated organism was identified as Nocardia farcinica employing polymerase chain reaction and antibiotic sensitivity testing. The diagnosis of muscle abscess due to nocardiosis can be easily missed because there are no characteristic symptoms.
Are geothermal streams important sites of nutrient uptake in an agricultural and urbanising landscape (Rotorua, New Zealand)?
Authors: HOELLEIN TIMOTHY J. , BRUESEWITZ DENISE A. , HAMILTON DAVID P.
Published: October 2011

1. Lakes in the Rotorua region of New Zealand are affected by eutrophication from urbanisation and agricultural land use. Some lake tributaries contain geothermally influenced waters, and it is currently unknown whether geothermal tributaries are active sites of nutrient cycling or represent point sources of nutrients to the lakes.

2. Using government data sets, we characterised the physicochemical conditions of geothermal and non‐geothermal streams. We then measured ecosystem metabolism and reach‐scale uptake of nitrate (), ammonium () and phosphate () in summer 2010 (n = 8 streams). Finally, we used government data to compare annual nutrient flux from geothermal and non‐geothermal surface water inputs to Lake Rotoiti.

3. As expected, geothermal streams had higher temperature, conductivity and nutrient concentrations and lower pH. However, primary production, community respiration and uptake rates in geothermal streams were not different from those in their non‐geothermal counterparts. Uptake rates of were higher in geothermal streams, and uptake was below detection in geothermal streams, probably due to the saturation by naturally high concentrations.

4. A comparison of Lake Rotoiti inputs suggested that geothermal streams are not significant sources of and , while geothermal inputs of represent an average of 46% of total flux from Lake Rotoiti tributaries.

5. Despite their high temperature and low pH, geothermal streams are active sites of photosynthesis, respiration and and cycling, indicating dynamic biofilm communities.

6. Management options for geothermal streams, if any, should focus on retention (e.g. uptake or coupled nitrification and denitrification) but could prove challenging given the persistent, naturally occurring high flux.
The Anopheles gambiae alpha‐tubulin‐1b promoter directs neuronal, testes and developing imaginal tissue specific expression and is a sensitive enhancer detector
Authors: Lycett G. J. , Amenya D. , Lynd A.
Published: October 2011

A knowledge gap in mosquito functional genetic analysis is the dearth of characterized regulatory regions that can target tissue specific transgene expression. To broaden the tools available, a promoter region of the Anopheles gambiaeα‐tubulin1b gene has been assayed following fusion to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene and stable transformation of An. gambiae. In eight transgenic lines, the Angtub α1b regulatory region directed a core profile of tissue specific expression in the head, chordotonal organs, ventral nerve cord and testes. This profile overlaps those seen for α2‐tubulin expression in Drosophila melanogaster and Bombyx mori. In addition, widespread position dependant expression was observed in other specific tissues that were unique to each line. For example, in different lines, expression was observed in larval and adult muscles, fatbody, cuticle and midgut secretory cells. The majority of genomic transgene insertions were mapped to within 10 kb of a gene, suggesting that the Angtub α1b basal promoter is particularly sensitive to enhancers and may be suitable to form the basis of a sensitive enhancer trapping construct, in combination with a binary expression system such as Gal4‐UAS.
Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their neonates in spring time in western Turkey
Authors: Halicioglu Oya , Aksit Sadik , Koc Feyza , Akman Sezin A. , Albudak Esin , Yaprak Isin , Coker Isil , Colak Ayfer , Ozturk Can , Gulec Ebru S.
Published: October 2011

Halicioglu O, Aksit S, Koc F, Akman SA, Albudak E, Yaprak I, Coker I, Colak A, Ozturk C, Gulec ES. Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their neonates in spring time in western Turkey. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 53–60.

Although Turkey is located in a sunny region, vitamin D deficiency is still a serious health problem in pregnant women and their infants, especially among the low socio‐economic status Turkish population. This study was carried out in order to measure serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] concentrations of the pregnant women in the last trimester and in their neonates at delivery and to determine the factors associated with maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations.

Among the patients visiting the Ege Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in the period March to May 2008, 258 healthy pregnant women ≥37 weeks of gestation were included in this study. The information on different characteristics such as the number of pregnancies and births, nutritional status, vitamin and mineral support during gestation, educational status, clothing style and the economic level of the family was collected from women. Blood samples from the mothers and umbilical cord of the newborns were taken to measure 25(OH)D. The mean 25(OH)D concentrations of the mothers and their infants were 11.5 ± 5.4 ng/mL and 11.5 ± 6.8 ng/mL, respectively. We found a strong positive correlation between maternal serum and umbilical cord blood 25(OH)D concentrations (r = 0.651, P < 0.001). The concentration of 25(OH)D was ≤20 ng/mL in 233 mothers (90.3%) and ≤10 ng/mL in 130 mothers (50.4%). Maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations related strongly to factors such as uncovered dressing style, sufficient consumption of dairy products and multivitamin use during gestation (P < 0.05). About half (52.7%) of these women had a covered dressing style. 25(OH)D concentrations of these covered dressing mothers and their infants were 9.7 ± 5.1 ng/mL and 9.7 ± 5.6 ng/mL, respectively, which were significantly lower compared with those of uncovered mothers and their babies (P < 0.001).

This study showed that, despite a sunny environment, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent among the mothers and their neonates. This is generally due to the life style and nutritional status of the mothers. These findings suggest that much more effective vitamin D prophylaxis programmes should be implemented for pregnant women as well as for their babies.
Parent–offspring correlation estimate of heritability for late blight resistance conferred by an accession of the tomato wild species Solanum pimpinellifolium
Authors: Merk Heather L. , Foolad Majid R.
Published: October 2011

With 3 figures and 1 table

Late blight (LB), caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a destructive disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). To gain adequate control of LB in tomato, new sources of resistance are being identified and characterized with the aim of introducing resistance genes to elite tomato germplasm. In this study, heritability (h2) of LB resistance conferred by a S. pimpinellifolium resistant accession (PI 270443) was estimated using populations developed from crosses with a LB‐susceptible tomato breeding line. In the F2 population, 986 seedlings were evaluated for LB, and 50 resistant and 40 susceptible individuals were selected and self‐pollinated to generate F3 progeny. Seedlings of the F3 progeny were evaluated for LB in two separate experiments. Using parent–offspring correlation analysis, h2 of LB resistance was estimated to be 0.86, indicating that this resistance was highly heritable and could be transferred to the cultivated tomato via phenotypic selection. The number of resistance genes involved was estimated to be two. Breeding efforts to transfer this resistance to elite tomato lines and genetic mapping to identify the underlying resistance genes are underway.
Gastric cancer in young patients: Clues on a possible separate entity requiring a watchful approach
Authors: de Vries Annemarie C , Kuipers Ernst J
Published: October 2011

See article in J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2011; 26: 1626–1629.
Open Innovation Climate Measure: The Introduction of a Validated Scale
Authors: Remneland‐Wikhamn Björn , Wikhamn Wajda
Published: October 2011

Open innovation describes how organizations open up their innovation processes for external influence and collaboration. Despite this recent, and increasingly popular, development in the industry as well as in academic literature, the field lacks valid assessment tools. As a supportive organizational climate is argued to be a crucial element for successful implementation of open innovation, we propose in this paper Open Innovation Climate Measure (OICM). This three‐dimensional assessment tool is tested in three units located in a multinational automotive corporation in the process of incorporating open innovation principles in practice.
Board Size, Corporate Information Environment and Cost of Capital
Authors: Upadhyay Arun , Sriram Ram
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Prior academic research has found a discount for equity holders but a premium for bondholders of firms with large boards. We argue that these results could have been impacted by the relation between board size and corporate information environment, which is absent in prior empirical analyses. In this study, we examine the impact of board size on both the equity holders and bondholders by analyzing how board size affects the information environment of a firm. Using a sample of S&P 1500 firms, our study finds that board size is positively associated with variables that proxy for information transparency. Further tests indicate that firms with larger boards pay lower weighted average cost of capital and that the discount is greater for firms that are less transparent. We find that firms with greater transparency do not benefit from larger boards. These results hold even when we use alternative measures of cost of capital. Overall, the results suggest that investors perceive larger boards as providing a more transparent information environment, which leads to a lower cost of capital for the firm.
Noisy clocks and silent sunrises: measurement methods of daily activity pattern
Authors: Nouvellet P. , Rasmussen G. S. A. , Macdonald D. W. , Courchamp F.
Published: October 2011

From insects to mammals, many animals engage in behaviours known to follow cyclic patterns over days (e.g. singing, diving or foraging behaviours). Many of them are regulated by external factors, such as light intensity, and are thus associated with sunrise, sunset or zenith. However, these astronomical events do not occur at the same time everyday: they vary with both the time of the year and the latitude. Logically, therefore, behaviour timing should be recorded relative to these events. Yet, in the field, recording the timing of behaviour is much less difficult with a clock, which is often deemed a suitable common proxy. In this paper, we assess the potential methodological problems associated with analyzing behaviours on the basis of clock time rather than with the actual position of the sun. To demonstrate the important difference between these methods of analysis, we first simulated a behaviour set at sunrise and compared the time of occurrence with the two methods. We then used a dataset, based on a long‐term monitoring of hunting behaviour of African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus, to reveal how using clock time can result in erroneous assumptions about behaviour. Finally, we investigated the occurrence of sun time records in published field studies. As a majority of them did not take into account the relevance of astronomical events, it is probable that many result in faulty behavioural timings. The model presented can change clock‐recorded time into actual deviation from astronomical events to assist current protocols as well as correct the already recorded datasets.
Analyzing Speech to Detect Financial Misreporting
Authors: HOBSON JESSEN L. , MAYEW WILLIAM J. , VENKATACHALAM MOHAN
Published: October 2011

We examine whether vocal markers of cognitive dissonance are useful for detecting financial misreporting. We use speech samples of CEOs during earnings conference calls, and generate vocal dissonance markers using automated vocal emotion analysis software. We begin by assessing construct validity for the software‐generated dissonance markers by correlating them with four dissonance‐from‐misreporting proxies obtained in a laboratory setting. We find a positive association between these proxies and vocal dissonance markers generated by the software, suggesting the software's dissonance markers have construct validity. Applying the software to CEO speech, we find that vocal dissonance markers are positively associated with the likelihood of irregularity restatements. The diagnostic accuracy levels are 11% better than chance and of similar magnitude to models based solely on financial accounting information. Moreover, the association between vocal dissonance markers and irregularity restatements holds even after controlling for financial accounting and linguistic‐based predictors. Our results provide new evidence on the role of vocal cues in detecting financial misreporting.
Sweet Syndrome in Children
Authors: Uihlein Lily C. , Brandling‐Bennett Heather A. , Lio Peter A. , Liang Marilyn G.
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features of Sweet syndrome in children. Our study population consisted of seven children diagnosed with Sweet syndrome over a 22‐year period. Age, sex, appearance and location of lesions, associated signs and symptoms, past medical history, pathology, and subsequent disease course were documented for each patient. Fever and typical lesions were reported in most of patients in our study. The majority of patients presented with less‐typical findings, such as pustules, vesicles, bullae, oral ulcerations, atrophic scars, and evidence of pathergy. Of the seven children in our study, four were found to have a preceding nonspecific upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection, and two were diagnosed with an underlying hematologic malignancy. Our results suggest that atypical lesions are relatively common in children with Sweet syndrome and that underlying malignancy is associated with a minority of cases of pediatric Sweet syndrome.
A Case of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome with Gastrointestinal and Central Nervous System Involvement
Authors: Huang William , Rhodes Arthur
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, or Bean syndrome, is a rare sporadic disorder of venous malformations of the skin and internal viscera. We report a rare case of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome with gastrointestinal and central nervous system involvement.