bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Psychopathology Scores in Patients with Schizophrenia: An Experimental Study
Authors: Smith Robert C. , Infante Mauricio , Ali Akeela , Nigam Sanjay , Kotsaftis Antonis
Published: December 2009

Cigarette smoking and/or nicotine administration have been shown to transiently ameliorate several psychophysiological deficits in patients with schizophrenia such as indicators of deficient sensory gating and attention, but acute effects of smoking on positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia have not been evaluated in experimental paradigms. The current study assessed whether smoking of cigarettes, after 6–12 h abstinence, transiently alters the expression of negative and/or positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia who have a history of regular smoking. In a double–blind, placebo controlled study patients with schizophrenia participated in two sessions in which they smoked either cigarettes moderately high in nicotine content or denicotinized cigarettes. They were interviewed pre–and postsmoking to obtain ratings of PANSS and SANS scales, and had blood pressure and pulse serially recorded before and after smoking. Pulse rate and blood pressure were slightly higher after smoking in the high nicotine cigarette session. Negative symptom scores on both scales were significantly lower after cigarette smoking compared to same–day predrug baseline, but there were no differences in active versus denicotinized cigarette drug effects. These results suggest that acute smoking of cigarettes reduces negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia in this experimental paradigm. Future work needs to identify the mechanism responsible for this behavioral effect.
Use of Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Tobacco among Characters on Prime–Time Television
Authors: Long Judith A. , O'Connor Patrick G. , Gerbner George , Concato John
Published: December 2009

Previous research of addictive substances suggests that use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and tobacco is overrepresented on prime–time television (TV). These studies, however, have relied on frequency counts of the substance, rather than the prevalence of use among characters. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of alcohol, illicit drug, and tobacco users among characters on prime–time TV during 1995 and 1996 with rates of use in the United States. In addition, we determined if the ratio of male to female, young to old, and white to minority addictive substance users on prime–time TV were similar to the equivalent U.S. ratios. Comparing results for prime–time TV characters versus the U.S. population (respectively), 11.0% (99% CI, 9.8–12.1) drank alcohol versus 51.0%; 0.8% (99% CI, 0.5–1.1) used illicit drugs versus 6.1 %; and 2.5% (99% CI, 2.0–3.1) smoked tobacco versus 28.9%. In addition, no consistent pattern was evident in our analyses that assessed whether addictive substance users on prime–time TV were more frequently represented as men, young, or minority compared to the similar U.S. ratio. These results indicate that contrary to prevailing beliefs, alcohol, illicit drug, and tobacco users are uncommon on prime–time TV and are less prevalent than in the U.S. population.
Cognitive Variables in Alcohol Dependent Patients with Elevated Depressive Symptoms: Changes and Predictive Utility as a Function of Treatment Modality
Authors: Ramsey Susan E. , Brown Richard A. , Stuart Gregory L. , Burgess Ellen S. , Miller Ivan W.
Published: December 2009

The aim of the current study was to examine, through posthoc analyses, changes in and predictive utility of mood–related cognitive variables as a function of treatment modality in a group of alcohol dependent patients with elevated depressive symptoms. In addition to the background partial hospital treatment for alcoholism which lasted a mean of 21.2 days, study patients (n = 35) received cognitive–behavioral treatment for depression (CBT–D) or a control treatment consisting of relaxation training (RTC). While both groups showed improvement on dysfunctional attitudes during treatment, only the CBT–D group improved on measures of alcohol–related expectancies. Changes in cognitive variables during treatment predicted drinking outcomes, and the predictors of drinking outcomes varied across the two treatments. Among the RTC patients, changes in positive alcohol–related expectancies were negatively correlated with drinking frequency and quantity at follow–up. However, for the CBT–D patients, changes in self–efficacy concerning negative mood situations and negative alcohol–related expectancies were negatively correlated with drinking at longer–term follow–up. The results of this study provide evidence concerning the mechanisms by which the treatment modalities examined may affect patient outcome. Although these results are preliminary in nature, they do suggest that future research might examine efforts to capitalize on these mechanisms through the facilitation of changes found to predict better drinking outcomes in this study.
Measurement of Maternal Alcohol Consumption in a Pregnant Population
Authors: Savage Christine L. , Wray Janet N. , Ritchey P. Neal , Fulmer Meg
Published: December 2009

Alcohol is a known teratogenic substance that operates under a dose–response mechanism. Before we conducted a larger study that examines the use of alcohol both before pregnancy and during pregnancy, it was important to pilot our method for measuring a pregnant mothers alcohol use that would allow us to capture the number of drinks consumed per day while addressing recall bias. The purpose of this study was 1) to pilot the Time Line Followback (TLFB) method developed by Sobell and Sobell (1992, Measuring Alcohol Use. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press) as a method for examining alcohol use during pregnancy and 2) to determine if the use of a study protocol that included biological markers of alcohol use would affect our ability to recruit subjects. Using a descriptive design, we tested our protocol for collecting alcohol use data with 10 mothers receiving prenatal care. We measured alcohol use using the TLFB method (Sobell and Sobell, 1992, Measuring Alcohol Use. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 1996). We also collected collected biological blood markers for heavy alcohol use. Of the 10 maternal subjects we recruited, 5 mothers (50%) reported alcohol use during pregnancy. We successfully recruited 10 out of 11 mothers approached and had a 100% retention rate for the second interview. The TLFB method is viable for measuring fetal alcohol exposure over the pregnancy, and the collection of blood samples did not impact our ability to recruit or retain mothers.
Smoking Characteristics of a Homeless Population
Authors: Butler James , Okuyemi Kolawole S. , Jean Samuel , Nazir Niaman , Ahluwalia Jasjit S. , Resnicow Ken
Published: December 2009

When addressing tobacco control and smoking cessation measures, the homeless have been perceived as a difficult to reach population. The purpose of this study was to examine the smoking characteristics of a homeless population. Data were derived from a larger study that examined smoking among inner–city residents. Homeless smokers (n = 107) were compared to nonhomeless smokers (n = 491) on sociodemographics, smoking characteristics, motivation to quit, and smoking cessation experiences. Results showed that homeless smokers were more likely to be white, smoke more cigarettes per day, initiate smoking at a younger age, and have a longer smoking history. Knowledge about the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting was equally high in both groups. Homeless smokers were less likely to be preparing to quit smoking compared to nonhomeless smokers. These factors place homeless smokers at increased risk of tobacco–related diseases. Programs are needed to design and test effective cessation interventions for homeless smokers.
A Staging System to Predict Prognosis among Methadone Maintenance Patients, Based on Admission Characteristics
Authors: Favrat Bernard , Rao Surita , O'Connor Patrick G. , Schottenfeld Richard
Published: December 2009

As U.S. general internists play an increasing role in providing opioid maintenance therapy in practice offices, they are having to face the challenge of identifying patients who need specialized services especially at the outset of treatment. In methadone maintenance treatment, prognostic studies have failed to find robust predictors on the basis of single predictive variables. We hypothesize that a multivariable staging system will predict treatment outcome more accurately than single variables. We reviewed baseline and treatment data regarding 226 consecutive patients admitted to a methadone maintenance program in New Haven, Connecticut, from January 1, 1993 to March 28, 1994, and followed until December 1, 1996. The staging system was developed from the data on the first 112 patients, confirmed in the remaining 114 patients, and then applied to the entire cohort of 226 patients. Retention was the main outcome measure used in developing the staging system. The staging system was also validated as a predictor of illicit drug use during treatment and adverse discharge. In the staging system one point is scored for each of the following: use of more than two bags of heroin daily, previous prison term, previous period in reform school, and a history of diseases related to substance use, e.g., endocarditis, hepatitis, abscesses, and overdose. The total score classifies patients as Stage I (0 and 1 points), Stage II (2 points), or Stage III (3 and 4 points). This staging system was significantly associated with retention in a proportional–hazards model, and no other variable added any additional predictive influence. The specific stage was also found to be a significant predictor of adverse discharge. Although additional validation is necessary in other populations, we found the staging system to be a useful and simple way of identifying patients at risk for early attrition and adverse discharge.
Gabapentin for the Treatment of Ethanol Withdrawal
Authors: Voris John , Smith Nancy L. , Rao Subba M. , Thome Diana L. , Flowers Queen J.
Published: December 2009

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are the drug of choice for the suppression of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Gabapentin, a drug approved for use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures, has none of the BZD–type difficulties (drug interactions, abuse potential). We retrospectively report on the use of gabapentin for ethanol withdrawal in 49 patients. Thirty–one patients were treated in the outpatient program and 18 in the general inpatient psychiatric unit. Positive outcomes as evidenced by completion of gabapentin therapy were achieved in 25 out of 31 outpatients and 17 out of 18 inpatients. Statistical significance was reached regarding the positive relationship between prior ethanol use and inpatient “as needed”; benzodiazepine use. Both sets of data suggest that gabapentin works well for the mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal patient.
A Case of Factitious Disorder Presenting as Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Mitchell Damon , Francis Joseph P.
Published: December 2009

Factitious disorders involve the feigning of physical or psychological symptoms in order to assume the patient role. Pseudologia fantastica, which involves the pathological creation of fabrications about one's background, is an associated feature of factitious disorders. Substance abuse disorders are also associated with factitious disorders. However, the manifestation of factitious complaints as substance abuse has yet to be reported in the literature. This case study describes a patient referred to a residential substance abuse treatment program who was discovered to have factitious alcohol dependence and prominent pseudologia fantastica.
Reducing Bias in Observational Research on Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Authors: Fiellin David A. , Samet Jeffrey H. , O'Connor Patrick G.
Published: December 2009

Observational methods are often used to study alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Observational cohorts and case‐control studies are useful in research on prognosis and in situations where ethical concerns might prevent the use of clinical trial designs. In addition, case‐control studies are appropriate for studying the rare but serious complications of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Despite their appeal and suitability, these methods are subject to a number of biases that can render their results suspect. Susceptibility, diagnostic suspicion, and exposure suspicion bias are among the important biases to consider in observational studies on alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Strategies for reducing these biases include the creation of inception cohorts, the use of operational definitions, and blinding. Increased attention to these strategies should help clinicians and researchers improve the practice of caring for patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
The Natural History of Smoking Cessation among Medical Patients in a Smoke‐Free Hospital
Authors: Goodman Matthew J. , Nadkarni Mohan , Schorling John B.
Published: December 2009

Our purpose was to determine the frequency and predictors of quitting smoking among patients hospitalized on the medical services of a smoke‐free hospital All smokers admitted to the medical services of a single university teaching hospital were eligible and 129 patients were enrolled. A questionnaire detailing demographic information, stages of change, smoking behavior while hospitalized, and intention to remain abstinent on discharge was administered. The primary discharge diagnosis was obtained from the medical record. Patients were followed at 3‐ and 6‐month intervals for continuous abstinence, with expired carbon monoxide confirmation at 6 months. A total of 7% of smoking patients receiving usual medical care were continuously abstinent at 6 months. Of those who relapsed, 45% did so by the time of discharge, 18% within the first week, 20% between 1 week and 3 months, and 10% between 3 and 6 months after discharge. All patients who were abstinent at 6 months had been admitted for coronary artery disease (CAD). Nine of the 38 patients with CAD were abstinent, versus none of 93 with another diagnosis (p < .001). Smokers admitted to a smoke‐free hospital had a high rate of relapse, especially early after discharge. Patients admitted for CAD had a greater likelihood of successfully quitting. Designing hospital‐based smoking cessation interventions with a focus on early relapse prevention may help improve smoking cessation rates.
Stage of Change as a Predictor of Abstinence among Alcohol‐Dependent Subjects in Pharmacotherapy Trials
Authors: Hernandez‐Avila Carlos A. , Burleson Joseph A. , Kranzler Henry R.
Published: December 2009

In order to evaluate the stages of change model as a predictor of abstinence among alcoholics, we examined abstinence rates at the end of treatment and at a 6‐month posttreatment follow‐up in 113 alcohol‐dependent subjects participating in two 12‐week, placebo‐controlled pharmacotherapy trials. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine the predictive validity of stages of change variables. At the end of treatment and at follow‐up, individuals with a higher predisposition toward action were more likely to be abstinent. Subjects who received an active medication (buspirone or fluoxetine) were more likely also to remain abstinent during the 6‐month posttreatment follow‐up. Scores on measures of precontemplation, contemplation, and maintenance failed to predict abstinence either at the end of treatment or at follow‐up. Although none of the stages of change measures were associated with treatment completion, married or cohabiting individuals were more likely to complete treatment. Despite that scores on the precontemplation, contemplation, and maintenance subscales were not associated with abstinence, a measure of readiness for action contributed significantly to the prediction model
Schizophrenic Patients and Cocaine Use: Antecedents to Hospitalization and Course of Treatment
Authors: Dermatis Helen , Galanter Marc , Egelko Susan , Westreich Laurence
Published: December 2009

This study was designed to assess whether cocaine abuse was associated with a different set of antecedents and course for hospitalized schizophrenic patients. Forty‐three cocaine‐using and 27 non‐cocaine‐using patients with schizophrenia admitted to a dual diagnosis unit were compared with regard to antecedents to hospitalization such as prior treatment episodes, reliance on drugs for pleasure and tension reduction, and criminal history as well as course of hospital treatment. Cocaine‐using patients were more likely to have had a history of prior inpatient drug treatment and to rely on drugs to a greater extent for tension reduction and pleasure. There was a trend for cocaine users to have a history of arrests for violent crimes. Although cocaine‐using patients exhibited lower levels of global distress during the first week of hospitalization, they were no different from their counterparts who abused nonpsychostimulant drugs with regard to outcome of hospital treatment. These findings suggest that the lifetime course of illness among schizophrenic patients presenting for hospitalization who abuse cocaine may be characterized by episodes of repeated inpatient drug treatment and impaired impulse control. More rigorous discharge planning and aftercare program monitoring in the community as well as stress management interventions directed to tension reduction are therefore warranted.
Comparison of Three Methods to Assess Binge Consumption: One‐Week Retrospective Drinking Diary, AUDIT, and Quantity/Frequency
Authors: Shakeshaft Anthony P. , Bowman Jenny A. , Sanson‐Fisher Rob W.
Published: December 2009

Binge consumption contributes substantially to the occurrence of alcohol‐related harm. Despite its importance, binge drinking is not well defined in the literature. The present study examines the proportions of respondents identified as binge drinkers by three separate measures: a 1‐week retrospective drinking diary (RD), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and a quantity/frequency (QF) question. Overall, AUDIT detected the highest proportion of binge drinkers, followed by QF and RD. There was also good agreement between QF and RD, as well as QF and AUDIT. Ultimately, the measure of choice should be that which provides information most appropriate to the purposes of each study.
Evaluation of a Grief Group for Women in Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
Authors: McComish Judith Fry , Greenberg Rivka , Kent‐Bryant Jennifer , Chruscial Heather L. , Ager Joel , Hines Florice , Ransom Scott B.
Published: December 2009

Most women in substance abuse treatment have experienced significant losses. This preliminary study examined the effectiveness of a therapy group addressing grief and loss among women enrolled in a gender‐specific residential substance abuse treatment program. The intervention group consisted of 24 grief group participants and the comparison group consisted of 31 nonparticipants. Qualitative analysis revealed a pattern: participants identified traumatic loss, moved to emotional loss and abandonment by their own mothers, then focused on their own children. Data obtained at induction and at exit or follow‐up were used for quantitative analysis. Length of stay, self‐esteem, depression, mood, and parenting attitudes were assessed using standardized instruments. Women who participated in the grief group remained in treatment longer. While both groups were depressed and had low self‐esteem at induction, the self‐esteem of nonparticipants was significantly lower than that of participants. Both groups improved over time on mood, depression, and parenting. At exit or follow‐up, participants had higher self‐esteem. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that higher self‐esteem at induction made it possible for women to participate in and benefit from the grief group, thus contributing to length of stay. To test this hypothesis we conducted regression analyses which found that, individually, group status (participation) and self‐esteem explained 11% of the variance in length of stay. However, since the number of women with available data varied for group status and self‐esteem, group status was a significant predictor of length of stay and self‐esteem showed only a trend toward significance. These findings support our hypothesis. The women's pattern of disclosure and the hypotheses drawn from the results of this preliminary analysis will be examined further in an evaluation of a series of groups focused on loss and grief.
A Treatment Algorithm for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Cocaine‐Dependent Adults: A One‐Year Private Practice Study with Long‐Acting Stimulants, Fluoxetine, and Bupropion
Authors: Castaneda Ricardo , Sussman Norman , Levy Robert , Trujillo Manuel
Published: December 2009

A subgroup of adults in private treatment for cocaine dependence in remission reported a therapeutic effect from cocaine during the initial phases of cocaine addiction and, also, met DSM‐IV criteria for ADHD. We report evidence that study subjects probably medicated their ADHD symptoms with cocaine and describe a 1‐year treatment algorithm featuring long‐acting stimulants that was effective in the management of their ADHD and cocaine dependence. Nineteen stable patients in full remission from all substance dependence were entered into an open label, prospective, treatment trial for ADHD. The treatment schedule consisted of the progressive introduction—and discontinuation of ineffective medication—of each of several medications in the following order: fluoxetine, bupropion, pemoline, sustained‐release methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine spansules, and methamphetamine gradumets. Treatment of ADHD was successful. Several treatment regimens, especially those including long‐acting stimulants, alone or in combination with other agents, were highly effective. All but 1 of the 19 subjects had a fully effective response for at least 1 full year. Mean UTAH scale scores were 7.4 before any medications were administered and 1.6 at the end of the study. Treatment proved successful in suppressing ADHD symptoms, with minimal cocaine slips or side effects.
Treating Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders: An Overview of Practice Issues and Treatment Outcome
Authors: Winters Ken C.
Published: December 2009

The knowledge base and research gaps of the adolescent drug abuse treatment field are discussed. In addition to summarizing several challenges faced by clinicians treating drug‐abusing adolescents, traditional and emerging treatment strategies are described. The treatment outcome literature is seen as having several weaknesses, including that most studies are limited to descriptive designs. The author suggests that the most important research priority for the field is to address meaningfully the issue of which treatment approaches work best for which types of adolescent drug abusers.
Alcide de Gasperi: 1881–1954–a political life in a troubled century
Authors: Pombeni Paolo , Nobili Schiera Giuliana
Published: December 2009

Alcide De Gasperi's political life spanned the first half of the twentieth century. It went from his education in a small local environment, but within the multinational setting of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, to his period of enforced, yet intellectually very productive, public silence during the period of Fascist Italy, and then to his period in the limelight during the years of postwar reconstruction, the re-establishment of democracy and the construction of European unity. A group of scholars has documented the evolution of an outstanding leader by publishing a critical edition of De Gasperi's Scritti e discorsi politici, a collection of writings and speeches from the outset of his career until the end of his life. This article illustrates the research that has been carried out so far; the criteria behind the collection and editing of sources on De Gasperi; and the chronological periods and thematic issues around which the whole body of De Gasperi's political writings have been collated.
Intricate straining of manganese-doped (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–BaTiO3–(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 lead-free ferroelectric ceramics
Authors: Shieh J , Lin Y C , Chen C S
Published: December 2009

The strain hystereses of lead-free a(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–bBaTiO3–c(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 (abbreviated as BNBK 100a/100b/100c) ferroelectric compositions inside and outside the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) were investigated previously by the authors, and it was found that BNBK 85.4/2.6/12, a composition well within the MPB, possesses notable actuating properties such as an induced electrostrain of about 0.14%. In this study, BNBK 85.4/2.6/12 is doped with various amounts of manganese (Mn) to improve its sinterability and ferroelectric characteristics. Intricate strain hysteresis behaviours are observed upon Mn doping—an electrostrain of above 0.1% can be maintained when the Mn doping amount is between 0.5 and 1.5 mol%. Once outside this doping range, the induced electrostrain is considerably smaller. By examining the evolution of crystalline phase composition with Mn doping, the mole content of the rhombohedral phase is shown for the first time to be a critical factor in deciding the straining behaviours of the Mn-doped BNBK 85.4/2.6/12 ceramics. To each increasing step in Mn doping level, there is a marked similarity in the evolutions of the induced electrostrain and rhombohedral phase content. The rhombohedral ferroelectric phase possesses more equivalent crystallographic directions for non-180° polarization switching, and accordingly, the Mn-doped BNBK compositions with relatively higher rhombohedral phase contents exhibit larger electrostrains.
Time-correlated transport of potassium ions through a thin poly-p-xylylene membrane
Authors: Schröck Konstanze , Schulze Susanne , Schlemmer Andreas , Weitzel Karl-Michael
Published: December 2009

The transport of potassium ions through a 1 µm thick free-standing membrane of poly-para-xylylene (PPX) has been investigated under high vacuum conditions as a function of the impact energy of the potassium ions impinging onto the membrane. The experiment employs a c.w. potassium ion beam generated by thermionic emission from heated synthetic Leucite. Ions transmitted through the membrane are detected by a pair of microchannel plates detecting single particles. The analysis of the pulse-pair correlation function of successive ion detection events reveals a sharp drop in the width of the probability distribution between impact energies of 1300 and 1400 V. The maximum probability of the smallest waiting times exhibits a complementary increase. These variations are interpreted as an indication of a change in the underlying transport mechanism, most likely connected to a local electrical breakdown induced by pronounced space charge zones as a consequence of the ion bombardment. An upper limit for the relevant surface potential is discussed.
Scattering for 𝐻̇^{1/2} bounded solutions to the cubic, defocusing NLS in 3 dimensions
Authors: Kenig Carlos , Merle Frank
Published: December 2009

We show that if a solution of the defocusing cubic NLS in 3d remains bounded in the homogeneous Sobolev norm of order

1

/

2

1/2

in its maximal interval of existence, then the interval is infinite and the solution scatters. No radial assumption is made.
Multilinear operators with non-smooth kernels and commutators of singular integrals
Authors: Duong Xuan , Grafakos Loukas , Yan Lixin
Published: December 2009

We obtain endpoint estimates for multilinear singular integral operators whose kernels satisfy regularity conditions significantly weaker than those of the standard Calderón-Zygmund kernels. As a consequence, we deduce endpoint

L
1

×
⋯
×

L
1

L^1 \times \dots \times L^1

to weak

L

1

/

m

L^{1/m}

estimates for the

m
m

th-order commutator of Calderón. Our results reproduce known estimates for

m
=
1
,
2

m = 1, 2

but are new for

m
≥
3

m \ge 3

. We also explore connections between the

2
2

nd-order higher-dimensional commutator and the bilinear Hilbert transform and deduce some new off-diagonal estimates for the former.
Prudence and Plagiarism in the 1740 Continuation of Defoe's Roxana
Authors: Seager Nicholas
Published: December 2009

A number of spurious continuations of Defoe’s Roxana (1724) were published up to the end of the nineteenth century. One unjustly neglected later version is that which appeared in 1740, attributed to Elizabeth Applebee. At least seven different texts are worked into the Applebee edition, making it a complex production, the major source being William de Britaine’s seventeenth-century conduct manual, Humane Prudence. This article recovers the complicated publication history of the latter work and traces its modification and use in the 1740 Roxana. It concludes by asking why the continuations of Defoe’s novel have been neglected, asserting that their history can reveal much about the opportunism of eighteenth century publishers, the commercial pressures on print culture of the time, and shifting expectations about narrative closure.
Ownership of Shakespeare First Folios over Four Centuries
Authors: West Anthony James
Published: December 2009

This note provides an account of the provenance (who owned, bought, sold, and received a copy or copies) of the Shakespeare First Folio, summarizing overall shifts in ownership from 1623 to the present. It is striking how few institutions owned a First Folio in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A marked shift to institutional ownership is observable in the nineteenth century.
α3, a transposable element that promotes host sexual reproduction
Authors: Barsoum Emad , Martinez Paula , Åström Stefan U.
Published: December 2009

Theoretical models predict that selfish DNA elements require host sex to persist in a population. Therefore, a transposon that induces sex would strongly favor its own spread. We demonstrate that a protein homologous to transposases, called α3, was essential for mating type switch in Kluyveromyces lactis. Mutational analysis showed that amino acids conserved among transposases were essential for its function. During switching, sequences in the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions of the α3 gene were joined, forming a DNA circle, showing that α3 mobilized from the genome. The sequences encompassing the α3 gene circle junctions in the mating type α (MATα) locus were essential for switching from MATα to MATa, suggesting that α3 mobilization was a coupled event. Switching also required a DNA-binding protein, Mating type switch 1 (Mts1), whose binding sites in MATα were important. Expression of Mts1 was repressed in MATa/MATα diploids and by nutrients, limiting switching to haploids in low-nutrient conditions. A hairpin-capped DNA double-strand break (DSB) was observed in the MATa locus in mre11 mutant strains, indicating that mating type switch was induced by MAT-specific DSBs. This study provides empirical evidence for selfish DNA promoting host sexual reproduction by mediating mating type switch.
Population responses to anthropogenic disturbance: lessons from three‐spined sticklebacksGasterosteus aculeatusin eutrophic habitats
Authors: Candolin U.
Published: December 2009

Human‐induced environmental changes differ from most natural changes in which they happen at a faster rate and require quicker responses from populations. The first response of populations is usually phenotypically plastic alterations of morphology, physiology and behaviour. This plasticity can be favourable and move the population closer to an adaptive peak in the altered environment and, hence, maintain a viable population, or be maladaptive and move the population further from the peak and increase the risk of extinction. The radiation of the three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatusfrom the ocean to different freshwater habitats has provided much information on adaptation to new environmental conditions. Currently, human‐induced eutrophication is changing the breeding areas of these fish, which creates a model system for investigation of responses to rapid environmental disturbance. Results show that a primary reaction is plastic alterations of behaviour, with some adjustments being adaptive while others are not. At the same time, the strength of sexual selection on several traits is relaxed, which could increase the relative importance of survival selection. Whether this will restore population viability depends on the amount of standing genetic variation in the right direction. Human disturbances can be dramatic and resolution of the limit of flexibility and the possibility of genetic adaptation should be important targets of future research.
Disentangling the role of MHC‐dependent ‘good genes' and ‘compatible genes' in mate‐choice decisions of three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus under semi‐natural conditions
Authors: Lenz T. L. , Eizaguirre C. , Scharsack J. P. , Kalbe M. , Milinski M.
Published: December 2009

To investigate and disentangle the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐based ‘good genes' and ‘compatible genes' in mate choice, three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus with specific MHC IIB genotypes were allowed to reproduce in an outdoor enclosure system. Here, fish were protected from predators but encountered their natural parasites. Mate choice for an intermediate genetic distance between parental MHC genotypes was observed, which would result in intermediate diversity in the offspring, but no mate choice based on good genes was found under the current semi‐natural conditions. Investigation of immunological variables revealed that the less‐specific innate immune system was more active in individuals with a genetically more divergent MHC allele repertoire. This suggests the need to compensate for an MHC‐diminished T‐cell repertoire and potentially explains the observed mate choice for intermediate MHC genetic distance. The present findings support a general pattern of mate choice for intermediate MHC diversity (i.e. compatible genes). In addition, the potentially dynamic role of MHC good genes in mate choice under different parasite pressures is discussed in the light of present and previous results.
Reproductive potential of Schistocephalus solidus‐infected male three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus from two U.K. populations
Authors: Macnab V. , Katsiadaki I. , Barber I.
Published: December 2009

Male three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus from two U.K. populations with endemic infections of the cestode Schistocephalus solidus were brought into the laboratory prior to the breeding season and transferred to nesting tanks under conditions designed to stimulate sexual maturation. Nesting and courtship behaviours were scored over a 35 day period, after which fish were euthanized and the liver, spleen, kidney and gonads were weighed. Among G. aculeatus from a park pond in Leicester, U.K., infected males rarely engaged in reproductive behaviours and exhibited reduced indices of sexual development, body condition and general health, with effects being largely independent of relative parasite mass (parasite index, IP). In contrast, the reproductive behaviour of infected fish from Kendoon Loch in Dumfriesshire, U.K. appeared to be less severely affected, with infected fish regularly building nests and courting females under laboratory conditions. This was paralleled by a more limited effect of infection on physiological indicators of development, condition and general health. Furthermore, behavioural and physiological variables typically correlated with IP among infected fish from this population. Although comparing the performance of infected fish from the two populations directly was difficult due to potentially confounding factors, the results support the findings of recent studies showing that the effects of S. solidus on host reproduction are unlikely to be uniform across G. aculeatus populations. One possibility is that variation in the effects of infection arises from differences in the co‐evolutionary association times of G. aculeatus with the parasite.
Latitudinal variation in photoperiodic response of the three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatusin western North America
Authors: Yeates‐Burghart Q. S. , O'Brien C. , Cresko W. A. , Holzapfel C.M. , Bradshaw W. E.
Published: December 2009

Reproductive maturation in both male and female three‐spined sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatuswas strongly photoperiodic in a northern population (Alaska, 61° N) but not in a southern population (Oregon, 43° N) from western North America. Increasing reliance on photoperiod with increasing latitude is a general phenomenon among vertebrates, and is probably due to the anticipation of a narrower window of opportunity for reproduction and development at higher latitudes.
Three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus as a model for exploring behavioural biology
Authors: Huntingford F. A. , Ruiz‐Gomez M. L.
Published: December 2009

Niko Tinbergen chose the three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus for his classic behavioural studies because they are small, robust, common and easy to house in the laboratory under reasonably natural conditions and also because their behaviour, while sufficiently simple to be tractable, is still sufficiently complex to be interesting. An analysis of citation records shows that this was an inspired choice. Research on these small fish has addressed all four of Tinbergen's famous questions (causation, development, functions and evolution) and has contributed to the understanding of many different behavioural systems. The G. aculeatus literature is used here to explore several themes in fundamental behavioural biology (diet choice, shoaling, behavioural syndromes and sexual signalling) and the extent to which research using G. aculeatus has informed both fundamental and applied behavioural biology, the latter in the context of aquaculture research.
Recurrence and mortality dynamics for breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy according to estrogen receptor status: Different mortality but similar recurrence
Authors: Demicheli Romano , Biganzoli Elia , Ardoino Ilaria , Boracchi Patrizia , Coradini Danila , Greco Marco , Moliterni Angela , Zambetti Milvia , Valagussa Pinuccia , Gukas Isaac D. , Bonadonna Gianni
Published: December 2009

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 826–830)

The purpose was to ascertain whether the recurrence risk patterns for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive (P) and ER‐negative (N) breast cancer support the ER‐related clinical divergence suggested by the observed different mortality patterns and gene expression profiles. Both recurrence and death were considered in a series of 771 patients undergoing mastectomy. ER status was available for 539 patients. The hazard rates for recurrence and mortality throughout 15 years of follow‐up were assessed. The recurrence dynamics displays a bimodal pattern for both ERP and ERN tumors with comparable peak timings. The two curves cross during the 3rd year. By contrast, the mortality dynamics are definitely different for ERP and ERN tumors: during the early follow‐up period ERN patients have their highest mortality risk, while ERP patients have their lowest mortality risk. The two curves cross during the 5th year. In spite of the different mortality dynamics, the recurrence dynamics do not demonstrate a major distinction in timing between ERP and ERN breast cancers, suggesting that the metastasis development process following mastectomy is apparently similar for both ER categories. The observed differences in the mortality risk are plausibly attributable to ER‐related factors influencing the clinical course from recurrence to death. These clinical findings apparently contradict the occurrence of two different types of breast cancer, notwithstanding the distinct epidemiological, clinical, and molecular features linked to ERP and ERN tumors, although ER levels may concur to establish the event risk levels.
Mandipropamid targets the cellulose synthase‐like PiCesA3 to inhibit cell wall biosynthesis in the oomycete plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans
Authors: BLUM MATHIAS , BOEHLER MARTINE , RANDALL EVA , YOUNG VANESSA , CSUKAI MICHAEL , KRAUS SABRINA , MOULIN FLORENCE , SCALLIET GABRIEL , AVROVA ANNA O. , WHISSON STEPHEN C. , FONNE‐PFISTER RAYMONDE
Published: December 2009

Oomycete plant pathogens cause a wide variety of economically and environmentally important plant diseases. Mandipropamid (MPD) is a carboxylic acid amide (CAA) effective against downy mildews, such as Plasmopara viticola on grapes and potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans. Historically, the identification of the mode of action of oomycete‐specific control agents has been problematic. Here, we describe how a combination of biochemical and genetic techniques has been utilized to identify the molecular target of MPD in P. infestans. Phytophthora infestans germinating cysts treated with MPD produced swelling symptoms typical of cell wall synthesis inhibitors, and these effects were reversible after washing with H2O. Uptake studies with 14C‐labelled MPD showed that this oomycete control agent acts on the cell wall and does not enter the cell. Furthermore, 14C glucose incorporation into cellulose was perturbed in the presence of MPD which, taken together, suggests that the inhibition of cellulose synthesis is the primary effect of MPD. Laboratory mutants, insensitive to MPD, were raised by ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) mutagenesis, and gene sequence analysis of cellulose synthase genes in these mutants revealed two point mutations in the PiCesA3 gene, known to be involved in cellulose synthesis. Both mutations in the PiCesA3 gene result in a change to the same amino acid (glycine‐1105) in the protein. The transformation and expression of a mutated PiCesA3 allele was carried out in a sensitive wild‐type isolate to demonstrate that the mutations in PiCesA3 were responsible for the MPD insensitivity phenotype.
Is there a relationship between foetal position and both preferred lying posture after birth and pattern of subsequent postural deformity in non‐ambulant people with cerebral palsy?
Authors: Porter D. , Michael S. , Kirkwood C.
Published: December 2009

Background  A pattern of postural deformity was observed in a previous study that included an association between direction of spinal curvature and direction of windsweeping with more windswept deformities occurring to the right and lateral spinal curvatures occurring convex to the left. The direction of this pattern was found to be associated with preferred lying posture in early life. The aim of this study was to test the association between foetal position and both the preferred lying posture after birth, and the direction of subsequent postural deformity in non‐ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods  A retrospective cohort study was carried out involving 60 participants at level five on the gross motor function classification for CP. Foetal position during the last month of pregnancy was taken from antenatal records and parents were interviewed to identify preferred lying posture in the first year of life. At the time of the physical assessment ages ranged from 1 year and 1 month to 19 years with a median age of 13 years and 1 month.

Results  Foetal presentation was found to be associated with the preferred lying posture with participants carried in a left occipito‐anterior/lateral position more likely to adopt a supine head right lying posture, and vice versa. An association was also observed between the foetal position and asymmetrical postural deformity occurring later in life with participants carried in a left occipito‐anterior/lateral presentation more likely to have a convex left spinal curve, a lower left pelvic obliquity, and a windswept hip pattern to the right.

Conclusions  Clinicians should be aware of the association between foetal presentation, asymmetrical lying posture, and the direction of subsequent postural deformity for severely disabled children. A hypothesis is described that might help to explain these findings.
Legal dilemmas for clinicians involved in the care and treatment of children and young people with mental disorder
Authors: Bowers M. , Dubicka B.
Published: December 2009

Background  The 2008 revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice describes the legal framework governing the admission to hospital and treatment of children and young people for mental disorders as complex. Clinicians are required to be conversant with common law principles as well as the Mental Health Act (MHA), Children Act, Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Family Law Reform Act, Human Rights Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Professionals working with the MHA and the MCA have a legal duty to have regard to the respective Codes of Practice (MHA Code and MCA Code). In addition there is a need to keep up‐to‐date with developments in case law. The recent guidance from the National Institute for Mental Health in England, ‘The Legal Aspects of the Care and Treatment of Children and Young People with Mental Disorder’ draws all of the legal regimes together and suggests pointers on the most appropriate course of action when the regimes overlap.

Discussion  This paper will aim to highlight legal dilemmas relating to the care and treatment of under 18‐year‐olds for mental disorder and to discuss the impact of these on clinical practice. The new legal framework will be discussed with reference to hypothetical cases. Key issues include age and maturity, capacity, deprivation of liberty and the zone of parental control (ZPC).

Conclusions  It is essential that clinicians are aware of their responsibilities within the new legal framework in order to avoid becoming a target for litigation. This paper is aimed at meeting the recommendation for clinicians to be aware of their responsibilities and engage in appropriate training.
Environmental controls on water use efficiency during severe drought in an Ozark Forest in Missouri, USA
Authors: YANG BAI , PALLARDY STEPHEN G. , MEYERS TILDEN P. , GU LIAN‐HONG , HANSON PAUL J. , WULLSCHLEGER STAN D. , HEUER MARK , HOSMAN KEVIN P. , RIGGS JEFFERY S. , SLUSS DANIEL W.
Published: December 2009

To accurately predict ecosystem responses induced by climate warming at local‐to‐global scales, models are in need of more precise knowledge of response during periods of environmental stress such as drought. In this paper, we studied environmental control of canopy‐level water use efficiency (WUE) during drought at an eddy flux site in an oak‐hickory forest in central Missouri, USA. Two consecutive severe droughts in the summers of 2006 and 2007 afforded coverage of a broad range of environmental conditions. We stratified data to obtain subranges that minimized cross‐correlations among putative WUE‐controlling factors. Our results showed that WUE was subject to control by atmospheric saturation deficit (ASD), soil water potential (SWP) and the ratio of diffuse to total photosynthetically active radiation (If/It). Generally, WUE was found to scale with 1/(ASD)0.5, consistent with predictions from stomatal optimization theory. In contrast, SWP andIf/Itwere related to WUE in a linear fashion. ASD was better correlated with WUE than either of the other two factors. It was also observed that the relationship between WUE and any single controlling factor was subject to influence of the other two. One such example was an opposite response of WUE to SWP between low and high ASD values, suggesting a breakdown of stomatal optimality under severe environmental stresses and a shift from optimal stomatal regulation to nonstomatal regulation at leaf scale. We have demonstrated that different data handling (stratified vs. nonstratified) or selection (hourly vs. daily) could lead to different conclusions on the relationship between WUE and its controls. For this reason, we recommend modelers to be cautious when applying WUE‐response formulas at environmental conditions or at time scales different from those at which they are derived.