bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute treatment with the organochalcogen 3‐butyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐(phenyltelluro)oct‐en‐1‐one produces behavioral changes and inhibition of creatine kinase activity in the brain of rats
Authors: Funchal Cláudia , de Andrade Rodrigo Binkowski , Turcatel Elias , Guerra Robson Brum , Wannmacher Clovis Milton Duval , Gomez Rosane
Published: July 2011

Organotellurium compounds have been synthesized since 1840, but their pharmacological and toxicological properties are still incipient. Therefore, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of acute administration with the organochalcogen 3‐butyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐(phenyltelluro)oct‐en‐1‐one on the activity of brain creatine kinase (CK), a key enzyme in energy metabolism, and on behaviors in the open field test of 30‐day‐old rats. Animals were treated intraperitoneally with a single dose of the organotellurium (125, 250, or 500 μg/kg body weight) and after 55 min of the drug administration the open field test was carried out. Behavior analyses were performed during 5 min and the number of the squares crossed, number of rearing, number of groomings and number of fecal boli were recorded by an observer. Then, the animals were sacrificed and the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the cerebellum were dissected, and CK activity and sulfhydryl content were measured in the brain. The organotellurium increased the ambulation and rearing behaviors in the open field test at doses of 250 and 500 μg/kg. Moreover, the compound inhibited CK activity and provoked a reduced of thiol content measured by the sulfhydryl assay in all the tissues studied. Therefore, changes in energy homeostasis and motor behavior in rats treated with this organotellurium support the hypotheses that the brain is a potential target to pharmacological and toxicological effects of this compound.
Multiple endorsers and multiple endorsements: The influence of message repetition, source congruence and involvement on brand attitudes
Authors: Rice Dan Hamilton , Kelting Katie , Lutz Richard J.
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates the effects of source congruence on brand attitudes in two situations: multiple brand endorsements by one celebrity and multiple celebrity endorsers of one brand. Under low involvement conditions, brand attitudes become more negative as a celebrity endorses multiple brands and more favorable with multiple endorsers. In high involvement conditions, strong source congruence overrides the negative effect of multiple brands, and the positive effect of multiple endorsers is found only with strong congruence. We interpret these results as suggestive of a frequency knowledge cue that dominates under low involvement but is non‐diagnostic in high involvement scenarios.
RETRACTED: Frequent alterations of LOH11CR2A, PIG8 and CHEK1 genes at chromosomal 11q24.1‐24.2 region in breast carcinoma: Clinical and prognostic implications
Authors: Sinha Satyabrata , Singh Ratnesh K. , Bhattacharya Nilanjana , Mukherjee Nupur , Ghosh Susmita , Alam Neyaz , Roy Anup , Roychoudhury Susanta , Panda Chinmay Kumar
Published: July 2011

To understand the importance of frequent deletions at chromosome 11q24.1‐24.2 region in breast carcinoma, alterations (deletion/methylation) of the candidate genes LOH11CR2A, ROBO3, ROBO4, HEPACAM, PIG8 and CHEK1 located in this region were analyzed in 106 breast carcinoma samples. Among these genes, LOH11CR2A showed highest frequency of deletion (56%), followed by PIG8 (35%), CHEK1 (31%) and ROBO3/ROBO4/HEPACAM loci (28%). Comparable frequency of promoter methylation (26–35%) was observed for LOH11CR2A, CHEK1 and PIG8. Overall alterations (deletion/methylation) of these genes were in the following order: LOH11CR2A (60%) > PIG8 (46%) > CHEK1 (41%) and showed significant association with each other. Breast carcinoma samples that were estrogen/progesterone receptor negative showed significantly high deletion and overall alterations than estrogen/progesterone receptor positive samples for LOH11CR2A, CHEK1 and PIG8. The methylation and overall alteration of LOH11CR2A were significantly associated with tumor stages in breast carcinoma. However, in early/late onset and estrogen/progesterone receptor positive/negative breast carcinoma, the overall alterations of LOH11CR2A, PIG8 and CHEK1 were differentially associated with advanced stages, tumor grade and lymph node metastasis. Alterations of PIG8 and CHEK1 were significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with early age of onset of the disease indicating significant prognostic importance. Quantitative mRNA expression analysis detected reduced expression of the genes in the order LOH11CR2A > CHEK1 > PIG8. Immunohistochemical analysis showed reduced protein expression of PIG8 and CHEK1 that was concordant with their molecular alterations. Thus, our study suggests that LOH11CR2A, PIG8 and CHEK1 are candidate tumor suppressor genes associated with breast carcinoma and have significant clinical as well as prognostic importance.
Gesundheit in prekären Arbeitsverhältnissen
Authors: Mümken Sarah
Published: July 2011

Einleitung

Obwohl prekär Beschäftigte im Hinblick auf ihre gesundheitliche Situation eine exponierte Gruppe bilden, steht die Forschung in diesem Bereich noch an ihren Anfängen. Bislang konzentrierten sich Studien zum Zusammenhang von Arbeit und Gesundheit vorrangig auf „klassische“ Vollzeitbeschäftigung und auch Unsicherheit in unterschiedlichster Form wird nur selten als Stressor untersucht.
Verhaltenspräventive Intervention in einem DAX-30 Industriebetrieb – Ergebnisse einer kontrollierten und randomisierten Studie
Authors: Gündel Harald , Limm Heribert , Heinmüller Mechthild , Marten-Mittag Birgitt , Angerer Peter
Published: July 2011

Einleitung

Chronischer Stress am Arbeitsplatz erhöht das Risiko gravierender Gesundheitsstörungen. Nach Implementierung eines speziellen Stressbewältigungstrainings in einem Betrieb wurde der Langzeiteffekt untersucht. 174 Teilnehmer, randomisiert in Interventions- (IG) oder Warte-Kontrollgruppe (KG), nahmen teil. Eine zweifaktorielle Varianzanalyse belegte signifikant bessere Effekte bzgl. Stressreaktivität in der IG. α-Amylase, als Marker für die Sympathikusaktivierung, nahm in der IG stärker ab. Die Stressmanagement-Intervention erwies sich 1 Jahr nach Beginn der Intervention als wirksam.
Space Boundaries in Schizophrenia
Authors: Delevoye-Turrell Yvonne , Vienne Cyril , Coello Yann
Published: July 2011

The present study evaluates whether in schizophrenia deficits in specifying social distances appropriately for interindividual interactions might be related to abnormal capabilities in specifying the boundaries of reachable space. Using a stop-distance paradigm, 20 patients with schizophrenia and their controls judged from seven preselected angles when a target reached the boundaries of peripersonal space. Results revealed that spatial perception was similar for patients and controls throughout the workspace with more accurate judgments in the preferred hemi-field. Nevertheless, patients were significantly more variable in their judgments; this variability was correlated with the PANSS disorganization cluster. In task 2, participants were required to judge either the boundaries of reachable space (target was an object) or to evaluate social distances (target was a person). Results revealed here again increased judgment variability in schizophrenia, in both situations. Of key importance was that results were normalized in the patients, when judgments were made through voluntary movement. These results argue for a similar brain mechanism for the determination of space and social distances. Furthermore, they suggest an important role of voluntary movement for the creation of stronger motor representations of action goals, which provide the basis for more accurate judgments of space boundaries during both physical and social interactions. The findings are discussed in light of the embodied theory of cognition and their implications for social skills in patients suffering from mental illnesses.
Why Your Highness Needs the People
Authors: Lakens Daniël , Semin Gün R. , Foroni Francesco
Published: July 2011

Earlier research ( Schubert, 2005 ) showed that power is represented in vertical space: powerful = up and powerless = down. We propose that power is not simply structured in space in absolute terms, but that relational differences in power moderate the vertical representation of the powerful above the powerless. Two studies reveal that, when power differences are present (vs. absent), the vertical representation of power increases reliably. Power-related words were positioned higher in vertical space (Experiments 1A and 1B), and translated above guessing average by the upper higher one of two Chinese ideographs (Experiments 2A and 2B) when power was manipulated within rather than between participants in an experimental task. These studies support the view that power relations constitute an important aspect of the vertical representation of power.
Social-ecological interactions, management panaceas, and the future of wild fish populations
Authors: van Poorten Brett T. , Arlinghaus Robert , Daedlow Katrin , Haertel-Borer Susanne S.
Published: July 2011

We explored the social and ecological outcomes associated with emergence of a management panacea designed to govern a stochastic renewable natural resource. To that end, we constructed a model of a coupled social-ecological system of recreational fisheries in which a manager supports naturally fluctuating stocks by stocking fish in response to harvest-driven satisfaction of resource users. The realistic assumption of users remembering past harvest experiences when exploiting a stochastically fluctuating fish population facilitates the emergence of a stocking-based management panacea over time. The social benefits of panacea formation involve dampening natural population fluctuations and generating stability of user satisfaction. It also maintains the resource but promotes the eventual replacement of wild fish by hatchery-descended fish. Our analyses show this outcome is particularly likely when hatchery-descended fish are reasonably fit (e.g., characterized by similar survival relative to wild fish) and/or when natural recruitment of the wild population is low (e.g., attributable to habitat deterioration), which leaves the wild population with little buffer against competition by stocked fish. The potential for release-based panacea formation is particularly likely under user-based management regimes and should be common in a range of social-ecological systems (e.g., fisheries, forestry), whenever user groups are entitled to engage in release or replanting strategies. The net result will be the preservation of a renewable resource through user-based incentives, but the once natural populations are likely to be altered and to host nonnative genotypes. This risks other ecosystem services and the future of wild populations.
Quantifying the sequence–function relation in gene silencing by bacterial small RNAs
Authors: Hao Yue , Zhang Zhongge J. , Erickson David W. , Huang Min , Huang Yingwu , Li Junbai , Hwa Terence , Shi Hualin
Published: July 2011

Sequence–function relations for small RNA (sRNA)-mediated gene silencing were quantified for the sRNA RyhB and some of its mRNA targets in
Escherichia coli
. Numerous mutants of RyhB and its targets were generated and their in vivo functions characterized at various levels of target and RyhB expression. Although a core complementary region is required for repression by RyhB, variations in the complementary sequences of the core region gave rise to a continuum of repression strengths, correlated exponentially with the computed free energy of RyhB-target duplex formation. Moreover, sequence variations in the linker region known to interact with the RNA chaperone Hfq also gave rise to a continuum of repression strengths, correlated exponentially with the computed energy cost of keeping the linker region open. These results support the applicability of the thermodynamic model in predicting sRNA–mRNA interaction and suggest that sequences at these locations may be used to fine-tune the degree of repression. Surprisingly, a truncated RyhB without the Hfq-binding region is found to repress multiple targets of the wild-type RyhB effectively, both in the presence and absence of Hfq, even though the former is required for the activity of wild-type RyhB itself. These findings challenge the commonly accepted model concerning the function of Hfq in gene silencing—both in providing stability to the sRNAs and in catalyzing the target mRNAs to take on active conformations—and raise the intriguing question of why many endogenous sRNAs subject their functions to Hfq-dependences.
Unemployment and mental health in a favorable labor market
Authors: Houssemand Claude , Meyers Raymond
Published: July 2011

Labour market variables may moderate the link between unemployment and mental health, as has been found in numerous research papers. The aim of this study was to test, in the context of a very favorable labor market, (1) the detrimental effect of unemployment on mental health and (2) the predictive validity of mental health on further employment status. The population of the study comprised 384 newly registered unemployed persons. Mental health was assessed through four variables: self‐esteem, psychological distress, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. The results did not confirm previous studies. Using analyses of variance for repeated measures and linear regression, a negative change of mental health was not found after 6 and 12 months’ unemployment, and the four measurements of mental health at registration did not predict employment status 6 and 12 months later. Results are discussed in terms of moderating variables that capture Luxembourg labor market specificities.
The ecology of role play: Intentionality and cultural evolution
Authors: Papadopoulou Marianna
Published: July 2011

This study examines the evolutionary function of children's pretence. The everyday, cultural environment that children engage with is of a highly complex structure. Human adaptation, thus, becomes, by analogy, an equally complex process that requires the development of life skills. Whilst in role play children engage in ‘mimesis’ and recreate the ecology of their world in order to gradually appropriate its structures. Role play enables them to create their group cultures, through which they communally explore and assign meaning to their worlds and themselves in it. The research took place in a Greek state school and employed participant and non‐participant observation of the children's role play sessions. The findings, grouped under four thematic categories, may reflect the players’ adaptation and evolutionary processes but also the expression of their deeply rooted, existential concerns at that particular stage of their development.
Curriculum and pedagogy in Key Stage 2: a survey of policy and practice in small rural primary schools
Authors: Richards Colin
Published: July 2011

Small primary schools have often been criticized for their staff's inevitably limited curricular expertise and consequent difficulty in providing a full National Curriculum for their pupils. Yet in terms of standards of attainment and quality of teaching such schools are rated rather more favourably than larger ones in OFSTED inspections. Based on an investigation of policy and practice in thirteen small primary schools this article attempts to examine the reality of small schools’ planning and implementation of National Curriculum requirements at Key Stage 2 and suggests possible reasons for their ‘better’ performance, at least as judged by OFSTED inspectors.
Spiritual and religious struggles in the workplace
Authors: Exline Julie J. , Bright David S.
Published: July 2011

Recent research on spirituality in the workplace has documented its potential benefits. This article complements these prior writings by providing a brief overview of spiritual and religious struggles in work settings. Struggles could occur at the organizational level, as leaders wrestle with decisions about whether and how to encourage expressions of spirituality or religion in the workplace. Other conflicts could surround interpersonal disagreements in religious beliefs or values. Some employees may also experience more private spiritual struggles at work involving the pursuit of virtue, doubts and shifts in belief, crises of meaning, and anger or other negative feelings toward God or a Higher Power. Although any of these spiritual or religious challenges could create stress in work settings, they could also serve as catalysts for growth and positive change. We propose that the time is ripe for increased research on spiritual and religious struggles within the workplace.
Responsivity and detectivity modelling of thermal radiation sensors based on a biased thermocouple
Authors: Dillner Ulrich , Kessler Ernst , Meyer Hans-Georg
Published: July 2011

Thermal radiation sensors are based on two signal transduction stages: radiation to thermal and thermal to electrical. The most common of these sensors are the radiation thermocouple using the Seebeck effect and the bolometer applying the thermoresistive effect. While the bolometer requires a bias current for signal generation the thermocouple is generally operated unbiased. The paper theoretically investigates a biased thermocouple instead, which can be thought of as a combination of both thermal radiation sensor types. Its responsivity and detectivity are calculated based on previous theories of the performance of bolometers and radiation thermocouples, respectively, thereby including the Peltier effect. The electrical resistance and thermal conductance of the thermocouple as input parameters for these calculations are modelled using a simple strip geometry to facilitate one-dimensional analytical electrothermal modelling.
Distinguishing bulk traps and interface states in deep-level transient spectroscopy
Authors: Coelho A V P , Adam M C , Boudinov H
Published: July 2011

A new method for the distinction of discrete bulk deep levels and interface states related peaks in deep-level transient spectroscopy spectra is proposed. The measurement of two spectra using different reverse voltages while keeping pulse voltage fixed causes different peak maximum shifts in each case: for a reverse voltage modulus increase, a bulk deep-level related peak maximum will remain unchanged or shift towards lower temperatures while only interface states related peak maximum will be able to shift towards higher temperatures. This method has the advantage of being non-destructive and also works in the case of bulk traps with strong emission rate dependence on the electric field. Silicon MOS capacitors and proton implanted GaAs Schottky diodes were employed to experimentally test the method.
Photoluminescence characteristics of as-synthesized and annealed ZnS:Cu,Al nanocrystals
Authors: Nguyen Tri Tuan , Trinh Xuan Anh , Nguyen Le Hung , Pham Thanh Huy
Published: July 2011

As-synthesized ZnS:Cu,Al nanocrystals with average size of 2–3 nm show abroad emission band peaking at 445 nm (blue) and a shoulder at around 540 nm (green). Annealing the nanocrystals in nitrogen gas results in a reduction in the intensity of the blue emission while enhancing the intensity of the green emission band. The maximum of the green emission is first redshifted to around 590 nm when the annealing temperature is increased to 400 °C, and later blueshifted to 564 and 500 nm for the samples annealed at 500 °C and 600 °C for 1 h, respectively. The lower phase-transition temperature (from zinc blende to wurtzite) and the donor–acceptor pair luminescence process in nanocrystals are discussed.
Remote state preparation with unit success probability
Authors: Nguyen Ba An , Cao Thi Bich , Nung Van Don , Kim Jaewan
Published: July 2011

Remote state preparation is a secure and faithful method for transmitting known quantum states by means of local operation and classical communication. Existing protocols in the general case succeed just with probabilities of less than 100%. In this paper, we design a protocol to remotely prepare the most general single-qubit state that always succeeds. To achieve unit success probability, the preparer is allowed to use additional local resources and implement adaptive measurements. Our protocol is meaningful because the most expensive resource, i.e. the quantum channel previously shared between the preparer and the receiver, remains the same as in the original protocol (Pati 2000 Phys. Rev. A 63 014302), which, however, succeeds only half the time.
Annotation concept synthesis and enrichment analysis: a logic-based approach to the interpretation of high-throughput experiments
Authors: Jiline Mikhail , Matwin Stan , Turcotte Marcel
Published: July 2011

Motivation: Annotation Enrichment Analysis (AEA) is a widely used analytical approach to process data generated by high-throughput genomic and proteomic experiments such as gene expression microarrays. The analysis uncovers and summarizes discriminating background information (e.g. GO annotations) for sets of genes identified by experiments (e.g. a set of differentially expressed genes, a cluster). The discovered information is utilized by human experts to find biological interpretations of the experiments.

However, AEA isolates and tests for overrepresentation only individual annotation terms or groups of similar terms and is limited in its ability to uncover complex phenomena involving relationship between multiple annotation terms from various knowledge bases. Also, AEA assumes that annotations describe the whole object of interest, which makes it difficult to apply it to sets of compound objects (e.g. sets of protein–protein interactions) and to sets of objects having an internal structure (e.g. protein complexes).

Results: We propose a novel logic-based Annotation Concept Synthesis and Enrichment Analysis (ACSEA) approach. ACSEA fuses inductive logic reasoning with statistical inference to uncover more complex phenomena captured by the experiments. We evaluate our approach on large-scale datasets from several microarray experiments and on a clustered genome-wide genetic interaction network using different biological knowledge bases. The discovered interpretations have lower P-values than the interpretations found by AEA, are highly integrative in nature, and include analysis of quantitative and structured information present in the knowledge bases. The results suggest that ACSEA can boost effectiveness of the processing of high-throughput experiments.

Contact:  mjiline@site.uottawa.ca
CSO validator: improving manual curation workflow for biological pathways
Authors: Jeong Euna , Nagasaki Masao , Ikeda Emi , Sekiya Yayoi , Saito Ayumu , Miyano Satoru
Published: July 2011

Summary: Manual curation and validation of large-scale biological pathways are required to obtain high-quality pathway databases. In a typical curation process, model validation and model update based on appropriate feedback are repeated and requires considerable cooperation of scientists. We have developed a CSO (Cell System Ontology) validator to reduce the repetition and time during the curation process. This tool assists in quickly obtaining agreement among curators and domain experts and in providing a consistent and accurate pathway database.

Availability: The tool is available on http://csovalidator.csml.org.

Contact:  masao@hgc.jp
A Lasso regression model for the construction of microRNA-target regulatory networks
Authors: Lu Yiming , Zhou Yang , Qu Wubin , Deng Minghua , Zhang Chenggang
Published: July 2011

Motivation: MicroRNAs have recently emerged as a major class of regulatory molecules involved in a broad range of biological processes and complex diseases. Construction of miRNA-target regulatory networks can provide useful information for the study and diagnosis of complex diseases. Many sequence-based and evolutionary information-based methods have been developed to identify miRNA–mRNA targeting relationships. However, as the amount of available miRNA and gene expression data grows, a more statistical and systematic method combining sequence-based binding predictions and expression-based correlation data becomes necessary for the accurate identification of miRNA–mRNA pairs.

Results: We propose a Lasso regression model for the identification of miRNA–mRNA targeting relationships that combines sequence-based prediction information, miRNA co-regulation, RISC availability and miRNA/mRNA abundance data. By comparing this modelling approach with two other known methods applied to three different datasets, we found that the Lasso regression model has considerable advantages in both sensitivity and specificity. The regression coefficients in the model can be used to determine the true regulatory efficacies in tissues and was demonstrated using the miRNA target site type data. Finally, by constructing the miRNA regulatory networks in two stages of prostate cancer (PCa), we found the several significant miRNA-hubbed network modules associated with PCa metastasis. In conclusion, the Lasso regression model is a robust and informative tool for constructing the miRNA regulatory networks for diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases.

Availability: The R program for predicting miRNA–mRNA targeting relationships using the Lasso regression model is freely available, along with the described datasets and resulting regulatory network, at http://biocompute.bmi.ac.cn/CZlab/alarmnet/. The source code is open for modification and application to other miRNA/mRNA expression datasets.

Contact:  zhangcg@bmi.ac.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Using fishery-dependent data to inform the development and operation of a co-management initiative to reduce cod mortality and cut discards
Authors: Holmes S. J. , Bailey N. , Campbell N. , Catarino R. , Barratt K. , Gibb A. , Fernandes P. G.
Published: July 2011

Holmes, S. J., Bailey, N., Campbell, N., Catarino, R., Barratt, K., and Gibb, A., and Fernandes, P. G. 2011. Using fishery-dependent data to inform the development and operation of a co-management initiative to reduce cod mortality and cut discards. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1679–1688. The Scottish conservation credits scheme is a voluntary programme introduced in 2008, designed to reduce mortality and discarding of cod in line with EU Common Fisheries Policy management objectives. The scheme was expanded in 2009, building on the initial elements of real-time closures (RTCs) and gear requirements. Various measures were agreed in a co-management framework involving fishers, non-governmental organizations, government officials, and scientists. The main objective was to encourage cod avoidance and the reduction of cod discards using spatial tools such as RTCs and seasonal closures, along with gear options that reduce cod capture. The scheme was incentivized by rewarding participation with additional days at sea. Real-time monitoring was carried out with extensive use of fishery-dependent information, allowing management to be adapted as required and to address emerging problems. The use of vessel monitoring system data, logbook records, fishers’ knowledge, and observer data is described in terms of implementing and assessing the scheme. Compliance with the closure elements of the scheme was judged to have been good, and estimated catch rates by the Scottish fleet met target criteria, but the assessed catch savings of cod from RTCs were less than predicted. Modifications to the scheme were introduced for 2010, reflecting improved knowledge and experience.
Complications of Alcohol Use
Authors: Booker Matthew
Published: July 2011

Problem drinking is a significant public health concern in the UK and is receiving growing media attention. While the headlines often focus on the harm of teenage ‘binge drinking’, the more subtle and far reaching psychosocial implications of chronic alcohol misuse can often be overlooked. GPs are well placed to recognize and manage the diverse health complications of alcohol misuse. Evidence suggests that even minimal brief interventions can have a significant positive impact on individuals who drink to excess. This article discusses some of the medical and psychosocial complications of both acute and chronic alcohol use that GPs should be aware of in order to assess and reduce the harm caused by alcohol within the primary care setting.
Differences in Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus‐specific and herpesvirus‐non‐specific immune responses in classic Kaposi sarcoma cases and matched controls in Sicily
Authors: Amodio Emanuele , Goedert James J. , Barozzi Patrizia , Riva Giovanni , Firenze Alberto , Bonura Filippa , Viviano Enza , Romano Nino , Luppi Mario
Published: July 2011

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) might develop because of incompetent immune responses, both non‐specifically and specifically against the KS‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 classic (non‐AIDS) KS cases, 13 KSHV seropositives (without KS) and 15 KSHV‐seronegative controls were tested for interferon‐γ T‐cell (enzyme‐linked immunospot [Elispot]) responses to KSHV‐latency‐associated nuclear antigen (LANA), KSHV‐K8.1 and CMV/Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) peptide pools. The forearm and thigh of each participant was also tested for delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) against common recall antigens. Groups were compared with Fisher exact test and multinomial logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A KSHV Elispot response was detected in 10 (67%) classic KS cases, 11 (85%) KSHV seropositives (without KS) and two (13%) seronegative controls. All four cases with KSHV‐LANA responses had current KS lesions, whereas five of six cases with KSHV‐K8.1 responses had no lesions (P = 0.048). No case responded to both LANA and K8.1. Compared with the seronegative controls, the risk for classic KS was inversely related to DTH in the thigh (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.94, P = 0.01), directly associated with DTH in the forearm (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02–1.80, P = 0.04) and tended to be increased fivefold per KSHV Elispot response (OR 5.13, 95% CI 0.86–30.77, P = 0.07). Compared with KSHV seropositives (without KS), the risk for classic KS was reduced fivefold (OR 0.20, CI 0.03–0.77, P = 0.04) per KSHV response. The CMV/EBV Elispot responses were irrelevant. Deficiency of both KSHV‐specific and KSHV‐non‐specific immunity is associated with classic KS. This might clarify why Kaposi sarcoma responds to immune reconstitution. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1769–1773)
Adrenergic and cardiac dysfunction in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Birgander Mats , Juul‐Möller Steen , Bondeson Anne‐Greth , Bondeson Lennart , Rydberg Erik
Published: July 2011

Objective  Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and premature death, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adrenergic dysfunction may be a contributing factor.

Patients and methods  Forty‐nine patients with mild PHPT (serum calcium 2·7 ± 0·1 mm) and 48 control subjects, matched for age and sex, were examined; patients within 1 month before parathyroidectomy (PTX) and 6 months postoperatively; control subjects at inclusion. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analysed in 24‐h electrocardiograms, and plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured at rest and immediately after standardized physical tests.

Results  At baseline, the patients showed, compared to the controls, reduced stress‐related increase of circulating epinephrine (P < 0·05) and norepinephrine (P < 0·05). No significant change was observed 6 months after PTX. At baseline, there were no significant differences between patients and controls in HRV or heart rate, but 6 months after curative PTX, the patients showed significantly reduced HRV in both frequency and time domain, and their maximum and average heart rate had decreased (P = 0·011 and P = 0·018, respectively). The patients with the highest preoperative levels of circulating parathyroid hormone showed the greatest changes in heart rate and HRV postoperatively.

Conclusions  This study demonstrates a previously unknown impairment of catecholamine response to physical stress in PHPT along with changes of HRV, also indicating adrenergic dysfunction. These factors should be considered in the ongoing controversy regarding the management of patients with mild ‘asymptomatic’ PHPT.
Evidence for visfatin as an independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Pepene Carmen E.
Published: July 2011

Objective  Emerging evidence links adipocyte‐secreted hormones, in particular adiponectin and visfatin, to cardiovascular pathology. Although adipocytokines dysregulation is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) within the context of obesity and insulin resistance, their participation in the process of vascular injury remains elusive.

Design and Methods  This prospective, case–control study enrolled 102 young women (69 patients with PCOS and 33 eumenorrheic age‐matched controls); serum adiponectin, resistin and visfatin, testosterone, SHBG, lipids, glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were simultaneously measured in all participants. Body composition analysis was performed using dual X‐ray absorptiometry. Endothelium impairment was assessed by carotid artery intimae‐media thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow‐mediated vasodilatation (FMD), respectively.

Results  In PCOS, both univariate and multivariate analyses evidenced that circulating visfatin was significantly related to free testosterone (P = 0·024) and brachial artery FMD (P = 0·008; P < 0·01 in multivariate analyses). By every visfatin tertile, a stepwise decrease in FMD was observed in all and PCOS only (P = 0·036), not confounded by age, body mass index, total body fat mass, testosterone, SHBG or HOMA‐IR. Multiple regression analysis retained visfatin and free testosterone as independent predictors of FMD, explaining about 20% of FMD variability. Adiponectin correlated with CIMT and hs‐CRP, but the association was driven by age, body mass and body fat. No relationship between resistin and endothelial markers was found.

Conclusion  Visfatin may be a candidate to play a role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in PCOS, independently of additional risk factors.
Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in Bowen’s disease: an observational and descriptive study in 51 lesions
Authors: Truchuelo M. , Fernández‐Guarino M. , Fleta B. , Alcántara J. , Jaén P.
Published: July 2011

Introduction  Bowen disease (BD) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ affects both skin and mucous membranes and has the potential to progress to invasive SCC. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been approved recently for the treatment of BD. Some studies have demonstrated its efficacy and good cosmetic outcome.

Objective  To assess the efficacy of PDT in the treatment of BD.

Patients and methods  We carried out an observational, retrospective and descriptive study. A total of 47 patients with 51 lesions of BD were included. All the lesions were confirmed with previous cutaneous biopsy. All patients were treated with the standard protocol. Topical methyl‐aminolaevulinic acid was occluded during 3 h and followed by illumination with red‐light (630 nm, 38 J/cm2, 7.5 min). Clinical and fluorescence photographs images were taken before each session. All patients received two sessions one week apart. Clinical response was classified in partial or complete response. Fluorescence response was classified in negative, intermediate or intense. The follow‐up period and the adverse events observed including pain were also collected.

Results  A total of 20 men and 27 women with a mean age of 75.57 years old were treated with PDT. Lesions were most frequently located in the lower limbs. Globally, 76.09% of the lesions achieved complete response after 2 sessions with a medium follow‐up of 16.61 months. Fluorescence of the lesions disappeared when clinical response was achieved, but not always. The most common adverse effect was an immediate burning sensation. All lesions showed an excellent cosmetic result.

Conclusion  Photodynamic therapy is an effective treatment for BD in terms of both clinical remission and cosmetic results, with good tolerance and minimal adverse effects.
Neuronal tryptophan hydroxylase expression in BALB/cJ and C57Bl/6J mice
Authors: Bach Helene , Arango Victoria , Huang Yung‐Yu , Leong Sharlene , John Mann J. , Underwood Mark D.
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 1067–1074.

BALB/c is an inbred stress‐sensitive mouse strain exhibiting low brain serotonin (5‐HT) content and a 5‐HT biosynthetic enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph2) variant reported to have lower catalytic activity compared with other inbred base strains. To evaluate other mechanisms that may explain low 5‐HT, we compared BALB/cJ mice and a control inbred strain C57Bl/6J mice, for expression of Tph2 mRNA, TPH2 protein and regional levels of 5‐HT and its metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Tph2 mRNA and TPH2 protein in brainstem dorsal raphe nuclei was assayed by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry respectively. 5‐HT and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid were determined by HPLC. BALB/cJ mice had 20% less Tph2 mRNA and 28% fewer TPH2 immunolabeled neurons than C57Bl/6J mice (t = −2.59, p = 0.02). The largest difference in Tph2 transcript expression was in rostral dorsal raphe nuclei (t = 2.731, p = 0.008). 5‐HT was 15% lower in the midbrain and 18% lower in the cerebral cortex of BALB/cJ compared with C57Bl/6J mice (p < 0.05). The behavioral differences in BALB/cJ mice relative to the C57Bl/6J strain may be due in part, to fewer 5‐HT neurons and lower Tph2 gene expression resulting in less 5‐HT neurotransmission. Future studies quantifying expression per neuron are needed to determine whether less expression is explained by fewer neurons or also less expression per neuron, or both.
Mutants of β‐strand β3 and the loop B in the interface between α7 subunits of a homomeric acetylcholine receptor show functional and pharmacological alterations
Authors: Criado Manuel , Mulet José , Gerber Susana , Sala Salvador , Sala Francisco
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 968–978.

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) requires a global conformational change involving a number of domains of the protein. Structural data from Torpedo nAChR suggest that adjacent subunits might be functionally coupled at the interface between the β‐strand β3 and the loop B through a salt bridge between α1Asp152 and γArg78. We have checked this hypothesis in homomeric α7 nAChRs by mutating residues at these (Gly152 and Arg79) and neighboring locations and analyzing the results obtained after expression of single and double mutants in Xenopus oocytes. We found that Arg79 mutants showed a decreased gating function when challenged with different agonists, being the reduction more important for dimethylphenylpiperazinium. EC50 values in these mutants were also increased up to 30‐fold. In contrast, mutating Gly152 only showed significant higher EC50 values for ACh. However, all Gly153 mutants presented increased gating function and lower EC50 values with no significant differences among them. When analyzing several mutant cycles it is concluded that Arg79 is functionally coupled to Gly152, but neither to Gly153 nor to Asp157. These data suggest an involvement of the minus side of homomeric α7 nAChRs in their gating function, reinforcing the significance of complementary subunits in the gating of neuronal nAChRs.
Deficiency in apolipoprotein E has a protective effect on diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Karavia Eleni A. , Papachristou Dionysios J. , Kotsikogianni Ioanna , Giopanou Ioanna , Kypreos Kyriakos E.
Published: July 2011

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) mediates the efficient catabolism of the chylomicron remnants very low‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein from the circulation, and the de novo biogenesis of high‐density lipoprotein. Lipid‐bound apoE is the natural ligand for the low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr), LDLr‐related protein 1 and other scavenger receptors. Recently, we have established that deficiency in apoE renders mice resistant to diet‐induced obesity. In the light of these well‐documented properties of apoE, we sought to investigate its role in the development of diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). apoE‐deficient, LDLr‐deficient and control C57BL/6 mice were fed a western‐type diet (17.3% protein, 48.5% carbohydrate, 21.2% fat, 0.2% cholesterol, 4.5 kcal·g−) for 24 weeks and their sensitivity to NAFLD was assessed by histological and biochemical methods. apoE‐deficient mice were less sensitive than control C57BL/6 mice to diet‐induced NAFLD. In an attempt to identify the molecular basis for this phenomenon, biochemical and kinetic analyses revealed that apoE‐deficient mice displayed a significantly delayed post‐prandial triglyceride clearance from their plasma. In contrast with apoE‐deficient mice, LDLr‐deficient mice fed a western‐type diet for 24 weeks developed significant accumulation of hepatic triglycerides and NAFLD, suggesting that apoE‐mediated hepatic triglyceride accumulation in mice is independent of LDLr. Our findings suggest a new role of apoE as a key peripheral contributor to hepatic lipid homeostasis and the development of diet‐induced NAFLD.
Net Production and Consumption of Fluorescent Colored Dissolved Organic Matter by Natural Bacterial Assemblages Growing on Marine Phytoplankton Exudates
Authors: Romera-Castillo Cristina , Sarmento Hugo , Álvarez-Salgado Xosé Antón , Gasol Josep M. , Marrasé Celia
Published: July 2011

An understanding of the distribution of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the oceans and its role in the global carbon cycle requires a better knowledge of the colored materials produced and consumed by marine phytoplankton and bacteria. In this work, we examined the net uptake and release of CDOM by a natural bacterial community growing on DOM derived from four phytoplankton species cultured under axenic conditions. Fluorescent humic-like substances exuded by phytoplankton (excitation/emission [Ex/Em] wavelength, 310 nm/392 nm; Coble's peak M) were utilized by bacteria in different proportions depending on the phytoplankton species of origin. Furthermore, bacteria produced humic-like substances that fluoresce at an Ex/Em wavelength of 340 nm/440 nm (Coble's peak C). Differences were also observed in the Ex/Em wavelengths of the protein-like materials (Coble's peak T) produced by phytoplankton and bacteria. The induced fluorescent emission of CDOM produced by prokaryotes was an order of magnitude higher than that of CDOM produced by eukaryotes. We have also examined the final compositions of the bacterial communities growing on the exudates, which differed markedly depending on the phytoplankton species of origin.
Alteromonas
and
Roseobacter
were dominant during all the incubations on
Chaetoceros
sp. and
Prorocentrum minimum
exudates, respectively.
Alteromonas
was the dominant group growing on
Skeletonema costatum
exudates during the exponential growth phase, but it was replaced by
Roseobacter
afterwards. On
Micromonas pusilla
exudates,
Roseobacter
was replaced by
Bacteroidetes
after the exponential growth phase. Our work shows that fluorescence excitation-emission matrices of CDOM can be a helpful tool for the identification of microbial sources of DOM in the marine environment, but further studies are necessary to explore the association of particular bacterial groups with specific fluorophores.
Comparison of the Host Specificities of Two Bacteroidales Quantitative PCR Assays Used for Tracking Human Fecal Contamination
Authors: Van De Werfhorst Laurie C. , Sercu Bram , Holden Patricia A.
Published: July 2011

The sewage-associated real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays BacHum and HF183 SYBR were compared for specificity against local fecal sources. Both assays were equally sensitive to sewage, but BacHum showed substantially more false-positive results for cat, dog, gull, and raccoon feces.
Volatile Compound Fingerprinting of Mixed-Culture Fermentations
Authors: de Bok Frank A. M. , Janssen Patrick W. M. , Bayjanov Jumamurat R. , Sieuwerts Sander , Lommen Arjen , van Hylckama Vlieg Johan E. T. , Molenaar Douwe
Published: July 2011

With the advent of the -omics era, classical technology platforms, such as hyphenated mass spectrometry, are currently undergoing a transformation toward high-throughput application. These novel platforms yield highly detailed metabolite profiles in large numbers of samples. Such profiles can be used as fingerprints for the accurate identification and classification of samples as well as for the study of effects of experimental conditions on the concentrations of specific metabolites. Challenges for the application of these methods lie in the acquisition of high-quality data, data normalization, and data mining. Here, a high-throughput fingerprinting approach based on analysis of headspace volatiles using ultrafast gas chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (ultrafast GC/TOF-MS) was developed and evaluated for classification and screening purposes in food fermentation. GC-MS mass spectra of headspace samples of milk fermented by different mixed cultures of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were collected and preprocessed in MetAlign, a dedicated software package for the preprocessing and comparison of liquid chromatography (LC)-MS and GC-MS data. The Random Forest algorithm was used to detect mass peaks that discriminated combinations of species or strains used in fermentations. Many of these mass peaks originated from key flavor compounds, indicating that the presence or absence of individual strains or combinations of strains significantly influenced the concentrations of these components. We demonstrate that the approach can be used for purposes like the selection of strains from collections based on flavor characteristics and the screening of (mixed) cultures for the presence or absence of strains. In addition, we show that strain-specific flavor characteristics can be traced back to genetic markers when comparative genome hybridization (CGH) data are available.
Novel Antiphytopathogenic Compound 2-Heptyl-5-Hexylfuran-3-Carboxylic Acid, Produced by Newly Isolated Pseudomonas sp. Strain SJT25
Authors: Wang Xiao-Ying , Xu Yu-Quan , Lin Shuang-Jun , Liu Zhen-Zhen , Zhong Jian-Jiang
Published: July 2011

Pseudomonassp. strain SJT25, which strongly antagonizes plant pathogens, was isolated from rice rhizosphere soil by a bioactivity-guided approach. A novel antiphytopathogenic compound was isolated from the fermentation broth ofPseudomonassp. SJT25 and identified as 2-heptyl-5-hexylfuran-3-carboxylic acid. This compound showed antimicrobial activities bothin vitroandin vivo.
Creation of a Cellooligosaccharide-Assimilating Escherichia coli Strain by Displaying Active Beta-Glucosidase on the Cell Surface via a Novel Anchor Protein
Authors: Tanaka Tsutomu , Kawabata Hitomi , Ogino Chiaki , Kondo Akihiko
Published: July 2011

We demonstrated direct assimilation of cellooligosaccharide using
Escherichia coli
displaying beta-glucosidase (BGL). BGL from
Thermobifida fusca
YX (Tfu0937) was displayed on the
E. coli
cell surface using a novel anchor protein named Blc. This strain was grown successfully on 0.2% cellobiose, and the optical density at 600 nm (OD
600
) was 1.05 after 20 h.