bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process Monitoring the Inactivation of Ricin and Model Proteins by Disinfectants Using Fluorescence and Biological Activity
Authors: Cole Kenneth D. , Gaigalas Adolfas , Almeida Jamie L.
Published: April 2008

It is important to develop rapid and reliable processes to monitor the decontamination of toxins released to the environment. The inactivation of the protein toxin ricin by the disinfectants bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and monochloramine was measured by the effect on mammalian cell cytotoxicity. The effect of the disinfectants on the native fluorescence (due mainly to tryptophan and to a lesser extent tyrosine) of ricin was also measured in parallel. Reactions of the disinfectants resulted in a decrease in the native fluorescence that was measured in real time in a noninvasive manner. We compared the inactivation of two well‐characterized model enzymes to the behavior of ricin. The model enzymes studied were lysozyme, a small basic enzyme stabilized with internal disulfide bonds, and heart‐muscle‐type lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a large protein composed of four subunits. The biological activities of the model enzymes were measured in parallel with their fluorescence. Gel electrophoresis showed a large number of modifications of the proteins caused by the disinfectants reflected in changes in mobility and the formation of higher‐order aggregates. Size‐exclusion chromatography showed that the disinfectants did not break down the subunit structure of ricin but instead resulted in an increased size and heterogeneity of the protein. Size‐exclusion chromatography of LDH indicated that the subunits were dissociated and that higher‐order aggregates were also formed. Bleach caused a rapid inactivation of biological activity correlated with a rapid decrease in the fluorescence. Monochloramine required much higher concentrations for significant effects and the kinetics of the reactions were slow, with half‐life values of the decrease on the order of minutes. Each protein showed individual differences in responses to the disinfectants, but there was a consistent correlation between the loss of fluorescence and the decrease in biological activity. These results indicate that the monitoring the fluorescence is a useful process with limitations that can be used to monitor the inactivation of toxins using disinfectants.
Screening depressiver Störungen mittels Allgemeiner Depressions-Skala (ADS-K) und State-Trait Depressions Scales (STDS-T)
Authors: Lehr Dirk , Hillert Andreas , Schmitz Edgar , Sosnowsky Nadia
Published: April 2008

Zusammenfassung. Cut-Off-Werte dienen in Screening-Tests einer ökonomischen Identifikation von Erkrankungen bzw. Fällen. In zwei Fall-Kontroll-Studien wurden jeweils Patienten mit depressiven Störungen und klinisch unauffällige Kontrollgruppen untersucht. Zum Screening depressiver Störungen wurde in der ersten Studie (N = 296) die Allgemeine Depressions-Skala in ihrer Kurzversion (ADS-K), in der zweiten (N = 154) die State-Trait Depression Scales in ihrer Traitvariante (STDS-T) eingesetzt. Der Anwendungsbereich der Instrumente wurde zunächst in Rasch-Analysen mittels Item-Person-Map untersucht. Hiernach eignen sich beide Instrumente für Populationen mit leicht überdurchschnittlicher bis hin zu klinisch relevanter Depressivität. Receiver-Operating-Characteristics (ROC)-Kurven zeigten hohe diskriminatorische Fähigkeiten für ADS-K und STDS-T an. Unterschiedliche Cut-Off-Werte wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Sensitivität, Spezifität sowie ihres Youden-Indexes evaluiert. Nach dem Youden-Index lag der optimale Cut-Off-Wert für die Diagnostik einer depressiven Störung bei ADS-K ≥ 18, für die STDS-T bei ≥ 25 Punkten. Die Analyse liefert eine rationale Grundlage für kategoriale diagnostische Entscheidungen.
Optimally oriented “fault‐valve” thrusts: Evidence for aftershock‐related fluid pressure pulses?
Authors: Micklethwaite S.
Published: April 2008

A thrust‐vein network from the Triumph gold deposit, Western Australia, is explained in terms of an extremely high rate of fluid‐pressure increase, prior to failure, relative to the rate of stress increase. The thrust fault is a small‐displacement fault characterized by a thick, fault‐parallel shear vein, plus multiple low‐angle extension veins, with orientations that demonstrate the thrust was optimally oriented relative to the locally imposed crustal stresses. Large extension veins have irregular margins, are dominantly composed of coarse milky quartz with no obvious laminations or solid inclusion trails, and are regularly spaced along the thrust (1–2 m). The fault‐vein geometries indicate the Triumph thrust is a rare candidate for “fault‐valve” failure of an optimally oriented thrust, and it is possible the structure formed in a small number of failure events, during load weakening of the thrust. An analysis using the Coulomb criterion shows that load weakening of a thrust occurs when fluid pressure increases relative to tectonic stress by a factor dependent on the orientation of the thrust. Thrust and reverse faults in dry crust load strengthen prior to failure, but the poroelastic behavior of sealed, fluid‐saturated crust is enough to induce load weakening in compressive environments; thus poroelastic load weakening is expected to be an important failure mechanism in hydrothermal environments. However, in the case of the Triumph thrust, dilatant shear failure necessitates a fluid pressure increase which is an order of magnitude larger still. The observations and results are consistent with a pulse of high fluid pressure migrating up through fault or fracture networks that have elevated permeability relative to the wall rock, under conditions of transiently low differential stress. Fluid pressure differences resulted between the fault and wall rock, leading to extension fracture and fault failure. Such conditions may occur when adjacent large earthquakes induce damage, breach overpressured fluid reservoirs, and generate fluid‐pressure driven aftershocks.
Transport and fate of bacteria in porous media: Coupled effects of chemical conditions and pore space geometry
Authors: Torkzaban Saeed , Tazehkand Shiva S. , Walker Sharon L. , Bradford Scott A.
Published: April 2008

Experimental and theoretical studies were undertaken to explore the coupled effects of chemical conditions and pore space geometry on bacteria transport in porous media. The retention of Escherichia coli D21g was investigated in a series of batch and column experiments with solutions of different ionic strength (IS) and ultrapure quartz sand. Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) calculations and results from batch experiments suggested that bacteria attachment to the sand surface was negligible when the IS was less than or equal to 50 mM. Breakthrough data from column experiments showed significant cell retention and was strongly dependent on the IS. This finding indicates that cell retention was dependent on the depth of the secondary energy minimum which increases with IS. When the IS of the influent bacteria‐free solution was decreased to 1 mM, only a small fraction of the retained bacteria was released from the column. The remaining retained bacteria, however, were recovered from the sand, which was excavated from the column and suspended in a cell‐free electrolyte having the original IS. These observations suggest that the solution chemistry is not the only parameter controlling bacteria retention in the porous media. Computational simulations of flow around several collector grains revealed the retention mechanism, which is dependent on both the solution chemistry and the pore space geometry. Simulations demonstrate that the pore space geometry creates hydrodynamically disconnected regions. The number of bacterial cells that may be transported to these relatively “immobile” regions will theoretically be dependent on the depth of the secondary energy minimum (i.e., the IS). Once bacteria are trapped in these immobile regions, reduction of the secondary energy minimum does not necessarily release the cells owing to hydrodynamic constraints.
Merging of the α and β relaxations and aging via the Johari–Goldstein modes in rapidly quenched metallic glasses
Authors: Hachenberg Jörg , Bedorf Dennis , Samwer Konrad , Richert Ranko , Kahl Annelen , Demetriou Marios D. , Johnson William L.
Published: April 2008

This paper provides evidence that the physical aging of deeply and rapidly quenched metallic glasses is promoted by the Johari–Goldstein slow β relaxation, resulting in a significant irreversible increase in the mechanical modulus on initial heating. Dynamic mechanical analysis has been used to characterize relaxation phenomena of a strong and a fragile metallic glass. In addition, we can extrapolate the temperature dependence of β- and α-relaxation peaks to higher temperatures and calculate the merging temperature for both types of glasses.
P -type semiconducting gas sensing behavior of nanoporous rf sputtered CaCu3Ti4O12 thin films
Authors: Joanni E. , Savu R. , Bueno P. R. , Longo E. , Varela J. A.
Published: April 2008

The fabrication of nanoporous sputtered CaCu3Ti4O12 thin films with high gas sensitivity is reported in this work. The porous microstructure and the nanocrystalline nature of the material promoted the diffusion of the atmosphere into the film, shortening the response time of the samples. Behaving as p-type semiconductor, the material presents enhanced sensitivity even at low working temperatures. Impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed in order to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the performance of the devices.
Huge positive magnetoresistance in a gated AlGaAs∕GaAs high electron mobility transistor structure at high temperatures
Authors: Liang C.-T. , Tseng Yen Shung , Wu Jau-Yang , Lin Sheng-Di , Yang Chun-Kai , Li Yu-Ru , Chen Kuang Yao , Lin Po-Tsun , Lin Li-Hung
Published: April 2008

Magnetoresistivity measurements on a gated AlGaAs∕GaAs high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structure were performed at high temperatures T. By changing the applied gate voltage Vg, we can investigate the observed huge positive magnetoresistance (PMR) at different effective disorder and density inhomogeneity within the same HEMT structure. The observed PMR value increases with increasing disorder in the depletion mode (Vg⩽0). Moreover, the PMR value is not limited by the quality of the HEMT structure at T=80K. Such results pave the way for low-cost, high-throughput GaAs-based HEMT fabrication for future magnetic sensing and recording devices fully compatible with the mature HEMT technology.
Host-Dependent Expression of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae Hydrogenase Is Controlled at Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Levels in Legume Nodules
Authors: Brito Belén , Toffanin Annita , Prieto Rosa-Isabel , Imperial Juan , Ruiz-Argüeso Tomás , Palacios Jose M.
Published: April 2008

The legume host affects the expression of Rhizobium leguminosarum hydrogenase activity in root nodules. High levels of symbiotic hydrogenase activity were detected in R. leguminosarum bacteroids from different hosts, with the exception of lentil (Lens culinaris). Transcription analysis showed that the NifA-regulated R. leguminosarum hydrogenase structural gene promoter (P1) is poorly induced in lentil root nodules. Replacement of the P1 promoter by the FnrN-dependent promoter of the fixN gene restored transcription of hup genes in lentil bacteroids, but not hydrogenase activity. In the PfixN-hupSL strain, additional copies of the hup gene cluster and nickel supplementation to lentil plants increased bacteroid hydrogenase activity. However, the level of activity in lentil still was significantly lower than in pea bacteroids, indicating that an additional factor is impairing hydrogenase expression inside lentil nodules. Immunological analysis revealed that lentil bacteroids contain reduced levels of both hydrogenase structural subunit HupL and nickel-binding protein HypB. Altogether, results indicate that hydrogenase expression is affected by the legume host at the level of both transcription of hydrogenase structural genes and biosynthesis or stability of nickel-related proteins HypB and HupL, and suggest the existence of a plant-dependent mechanism that affects hydrogenase activity during the symbiosis by limiting nickel availability to the bacteroid.
Resistance of the Soybean Cultivar Archer to Pythium Damping-Off and Root Rot Caused by Several Pythium spp.
Authors: Bates G. D. , Rothrock C. S. , Rupe J. C.
Published: April 2008

Archer, a maturity group I soybean cultivar with demonstrated flood tolerance and resistance to Pythium ultimum, was compared with Hutcheson, a widely planted maturity group V cultivar in Arkansas, for resistance to P. ultimum, P. irregulare, P. aphanidermatum, P. vexans, and group HS. Emergence and establishment assays demonstrated that Archer had greater emergence and fewer disease symptoms after 10 days for all pathogenic species of Pythium than did Hutcheson. Archer also demonstrated higher root weights and fewer disease symptoms compared with Hutcheson in assays conducted for 6 weeks. Similar results were found using two different seed lots of the cultivars, suggesting that the results were not due to seed quality differences. This study indicates that resistance in Archer to Pythium damping-off and root rot compared with Hutcheson is robust, with efficacy over a number of Pythium spp. and a range of plant developmental stages.
New Legume Hosts of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Based on Greenhouse Evaluations
Authors: Slaminko T. L. , Miles M. R. , Frederick R. D. , Bonde M. R. , Hartman G. L.
Published: April 2008

Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal organism of soybean rust, was first found in the continental United States in 2004 and has been found on soybean, kudzu, Florida beggarweed, and three Phaseolus species in the field. The pathogen has been reported to occur on more than 90 legume species worldwide and it is likely to infect native and introduced legume species in the United States. The objective of this study was to determine if 176 species representing 57 genera of legumes, the majority of which are either native or naturalized to soybean-growing areas of the United States, could be hosts of P. pachyrhizi. Between one and three accessions of each species, a total of 264 accessions, were inoculated with a mixture of four isolates of P. pachyrhizi. Severity and sporulation were rated on a 1-to-5 scale at 14 and 28 days after inoculation. P. pachyrhizi was confirmed by the presence of sporulating uredinia and/or immunological assay on 65 new species in 25 genera; 12 of these genera have not been reported previously as hosts. Many of the newly identified hosts grow in the southern United States, and like kudzu, could serve as overwintering hosts for P. pachyrhizi.
Transmission Efficiency of Papaya ringspot virus by Three Aphid Species
Authors: Kalleshwaraswamy C. M. , Kumar N. K. Krishna
Published: April 2008

The transmission efficiency of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) by three aphid vectors (i.e., Aphis gossypii, A. craccivora, and Myzus persicae) was studied. Efficiency was measured by single-aphid inoculation, group inoculation (using five aphids), duration of virus retention, and the number of plants following a single acquisition access period (AAP) to which the aphids could successfully transmit the virus. Single-aphid inoculation studies indicated that M. persicae (56%) and A. gossypii (53%) were significantly more efficient in transmitting PRSV than A. craccivora (38%). Further, in the former two species, the time required for initiation of the first probe on the inoculation test plant was significantly shorter compared to A. craccivora. PRSV transmission efficiency was 100% in all three species when a group of five aphids were used per plant. There was a perceptible decline in transmission efficiency as the sequestration period increased, although M. persicae successfully transmitted PRSV after 30 min of sequestration. A simple leaf-disk assay technique was employed for evaluating the transmission efficiency of three species of aphids. The results of leaf-disk assays also indicated that A. gossypii (48%) and M. persicae (56%) were more efficient PRSV vectors than A. craccivora. Using leaf-disk assays, the ability of individual aphids to inoculate PRSV serially to a number of plants was studied. Following a single AAP on an infected leaf, M. persicae was more efficient than the other two species with 52.5% transmission after the first inoculation access period (IAP). However, its inoculation efficiency significantly decreased with the second and subsequent IAPs. A. gossypii was able to transmit PRSV sequentially up to four successive leaf disks, but with significantly declining efficiency. Since A. gossypii is reported to be the numerically dominant vector in south India in addition to being a more efficient vector capable of inoculating PRSV to multiple plants, it should be the target vector for control strategies.
The effect of inertial coupling on seismic reflection amplitudes
Authors: Arora Ashish , Tomar S.K.
Published: April 2008

A problem of reflection and transmission of elastic waves at a plane interface between a uniform elastic solid half‐space and a porous elastic half‐space containing two immiscible fluids is investigated. The theory developed by Lo, Sposito and Majer for porous media containing two immiscible fluids is employed to find out the reflection and transmission coefficients. The incident wave is assumed to propagate through the uniform elastic half‐space and two cases are considered. In the first case, a beam of plane longitudinal wave is assumed to be incident and in the second case, a beam of transverse wave is assumed to be incident at the interface. By taking granite as impervious elastic medium and columbia fine sandy loam containing air‐water mixture as porous medium, reflection and transmission coefficients are obtained. By neglecting the inertial coupling coefficients, these coefficients are reduced to those obtained by Tomar and Arora using the theory of Tuncay and Corapcioglu. It is found that the inertial coupling parameters significantly affect the phase speeds and the amplitude ratios of the transmitted waves.
T helper cell type 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17 responses to myelin basic protein and disease activity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hedegaard Chris J. , Krakauer Martin , Bendtzen Klaus , Lund Henrik , Sellebjerg Finn , Nielsen Claus H.
Published: April 2008

Autoreactive T cells are thought to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the stimulatory effect of human myelin basic protein (MBP) on mononuclear cell (MNC) cultures from 22 patients with MS and 22 sex‐matched and age‐matched healthy individuals, and related the patient responses to disease activity, as indicated by magnetic resonance imaging. The MBP induced a dose‐dependent release of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) by patient‐derived MNCs. The patients’ cells produced higher amounts of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α, and lower amounts of IL‐10, than cells from healthy controls (P < 0·03 to P < 0·04). Five patients with MS and no controls, displayed MBP‐induced CD4+ T‐cell proliferation. These high‐responders exhibited enhanced production of IL‐17, IFN‐γ, IL‐5 and IL‐4 upon challenge with MBP, as compared with the remaining patients and the healthy controls (P < 0·002 to P < 0·01). A strong correlation was found between the MBP‐induced CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and production of IL‐17, IFN‐γ, IL‐5 and IL‐4 (P < 0·0001 to P < 0·01) within the patient group, and the production of IL‐17 and IL‐5 correlated with the number of active plaques on magnetic resonance images (P = 0·04 and P = 0·007). These data suggest that autoantigen‐driven CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and release of IL‐17 and IL‐5 may be associated with disease activity. Larger studies are needed to confirm this.
The psychometric properties of the hospital anxiety and depressions scale adapted for use with people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Dagnan D. , Jahoda A. , McDowell K. , Masson J. , Banks P. , Hare D.
Published: April 2008

Background  There is increasing recognition of depression in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). There is a need to develop well‐standardised self‐report measures for both clinical and research purposes. This paper presents some psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) adapted for use with people with ID. The anhedonic emphasis in the depression scale of the HADS may be particularly useful for people with ID who present with high rates of physical co‐morbidity.

Method  A total of 197 people with ID completed an adapted HADS; 32 participants also completed the Zung Depression Scale and 42 also completed the Glasgow Depression Scale.

Results  The obtained factor structure is similar to the original form of the scale used with people without ID. However, the underlying question wording of the HADS, where most depression items are phrased positively and most anxiety items are phrased negatively, makes clear interpretation of the factor structure difficult. The HADS has an adequate internal reliability and correlates well with other self‐report measures of depression.

Conclusions  The HADS may need further adaptation; however, the measurement of anhedonia is a useful addition to the self‐report measures of depression available for people with ID.
Psychosocial profile in men and women with unexplained chest pain
Authors: Jerlock M. , Kjellgren K. I. , Gaston‐Johansson F. , Lissner L. , Manhem K. , Rosengren A. , Welin C.
Published: April 2008

Objective.  The aim of this study was to compare men and women with unexplained chest pain (UCP) to a randomly selected population sample free of clinical heart disease with regard to sleep problems, mental strain at work, stress at home, negative life events and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).

Design and subjects.  The study was conducted at a university hospital in Sweden including 231 patients aged 25–69 without any organic cause for chest pain. As a reference group, 1069 participants, were recruited from the INTERGENE population‐based study.

Results.  Patients with UCP had more sleep problems (OR = 1.8, P < 0.0001), were almost three times more worried about stress at work (OR = 2.9, P < 0.0001), or had more stress at home (OR = 2.8, P < 0.0001), and were twice as likely to have negative life events (OR = 2.1, P < 0.0001). Women, but not men, with UCP, had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, smoking, diabetes and hypertension) compared with references. With regard to HRQOL, UCP patients scored significantly lower than references in all dimensions of the SF‐36.

Conclusions.  In comparison with a healthy reference group, patients with UCP reported more sleep problems, mental strain at work, stress at home and negative life events and had lower health‐related quality of life. Aside from immigration the strongest independent psychosocial factors were mental strain at work and negative life events last year in men and stress at home in women.
Physician gender is associated with the quality of type 2 diabetes care
Authors: Berthold H. K. , Gouni‐Berthold I. , Bestehorn K. P. , Böhm M. , Krone W.
Published: April 2008

Objectives.  Patient gender influences the quality of medical care whilst the role of physician gender is not well established. To investigate the influence of physician gender on quality of care in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design and methods.  Cross‐sectional study in 51 053 outpatients (48.6% male), treated by 3096 office‐based physicians (66.3% male; 74.0% general practitioners, 21.8% internists and 4.2% diabetologists). Outcome measures included processes of care, intermediate outcomes and medical management. Quality of care measures were based on current ADA guidelines. Hierarchical regression models were used to avoid case‐mix bias and to correct for physician‐level clustering. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated controlling for age, gender, disease duration and presence of atherosclerotic disease.

Results.  The patients of female physicians were more often women, more obese, older and had more often atherosclerotic disease (34% in the total cohort). The patients of female physicians more often reached target values in glycaemic control (HbA1c < 6.5%; OR 1.14; 1.05–1.24, P = 0.002), blood lipoproteins (LDL‐C < 100 mg dL−1; OR 1.16; 1.06–1.27, P = 0.002), and blood pressure (systolic values < 130 mmHg; OR 1.11; 1.02–1.22, P = 0.018). They were more likely to receive antihypertensive drug therapy in general (OR 1.35; 1.24–1.46, P < 0.0001) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in particular (OR 1.17; 1.09–1.25, P < 0.0001). The patients of female physicians less often performed glucose self‐monitoring (OR 0.83; 0.76–0.91, P < 0.0001) and less often received oral hypoglycaemic agents (OR 0.88; 0.82–0.95, P = 0.001).

Conclusions.  Physician gender influences quality of care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Female physicians provide an overall better quality of care, especially in prognostically important risk management.
A tomato HD‐Zip homeobox protein, LeHB‐1, plays an important role in floral organogenesis and ripening
Authors: Lin Zhefeng , Hong Yiguo , Yin Mingan , Li Chunyang , Zhang Ke , Grierson Don
Published: April 2008

Ethylene is required for climacteric fruit ripening. Inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis genes, 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) synthase and ACC oxidase, prevents or delays ripening, but it is not known how these genes are modulated during normal development. LeHB‐1, a previously uncharacterized tomato homeobox protein, was shown by gel retardation assay to interact with the promoter of LeACO1, an ACC oxidase gene expressed during ripening. Inhibition of LeHB‐1 mRNA accumulation in tomato fruit, using virus‐induced gene silencing, greatly reduced LeACO1 mRNA levels, and inhibited ripening. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of LeHB‐1 by viral delivery to developing flowers elsewhere on injected plants triggered altered floral organ morphology, including production of multiple flowers within one sepal whorl, fusion of sepals and petals, and conversion of sepals into carpel‐like structures that grew into fruits and ripened. Our findings suggest that LeHB‐1 is not only involved in the control of ripening but also plays a critical role in floral organogenesis.
Optimal Factor Taxation under Wage Bargaining: A Dynamic Perspective
Authors: Koskela Erkki , Thadden Leopold von
Published: April 2008

We consider the issue of steady-state optimal factor taxation in a Ramsey-type dynamic general equilibrium setting with two distinct distortions: (i) taxes on capital and labour are the only available tax instruments for raising revenues and (ii) labour markets are subject to an inefficiency resulting from wage bargaining. If considered in isolation, the two distortions create conflicting demands on the wage tax, while calling for a zero capital tax. By combining the two distortions, we arrive at the conclusion that both instruments should be used, implying that the zero capital tax result in general is no longer valid under imperfectly competitive labour markets.
Understanding the moral economy of post‐Soviet societies: an investigation into moral sentiments and material interests in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Sanghera Balihar , Ilyasov Aibek , Satybaldieva Elmira
Published: April 2008

The article offers three competing conceptual approaches to the moral economy in post‐Soviet societies: the economic market, the socially embedded and the moral sentiments approaches. We aim to contribute to the debate on how post‐Soviet economies are socially constituted, paying particular attention to their moral and ethical aspects, and arguing for a cross‐disciplinary account of Kyrgyzstani market society that engages with political economy, post‐communism and moral philosophy. We analyse how, as vulnerable and dependent human beings, we care for and have responsibilities for others, though it is a struggle to pursue these concerns and commitments and to have compassion in a harsh economic environment. We suggest that the moral sentiments approach reveals how moral emotions inform and motivate economic behaviour and affect human well‐being. By analysing the transition in the public sector, social networks and real markets in Kyrgyzstan, this perspective explains how shame, frustration and anger dominate people's lives and how corruption emerges in the absence of both positive moral emotions and human capabilities.
Prolonged neurophysiologic effects of levetiracetam after oral administration in humans
Authors: Epstein Charles M. , Girard‐Siqueira Lhys , Ehrenberg Joshua Andrew
Published: April 2008

Summary

Purpose: To determine whether neurophysiological effects of levetiracetam (LEV) outlast its serum half‐life of approximately 7 h. Demonstration of prolonged effects would help to explain the efficacy of LEV at conventional dosing intervals that are longer than the serum half‐life.

Methods: Following an oral dose of LEV 3 g in 12 normal volunteers, we compared transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures of motor threshold (MT) and recruitment with LEV serum levels and subjective ratings of toxicity over 48 h. Subjects used a two‐dimensional visual‐analog scale to estimate the time course of any side effects.

Results: LEV serum levels and subjective toxicity both peaked around 1 h after oral administration. MT elevation was delayed in comparison to peak serum levels and subjective toxicity. MT was maximally elevated at 6–9 h, and recruitment maximally reduced at 0.6–9 h. Changes in both measures had recovered by approximately 50% at 24 h. Despite the time difference between toxicity and TMS changes, toxicity estimates correlated with the maximum increase in MT.

Conclusion: There is a substantial time lag between LEV serum levels and TMS measures of neuronal effects, and a similar temporal dissociation between subjective toxicity and maximum TMS change. The time course of neurophysiological effects, as measured by TMS, may help to explain the sustained clinical efficacy of LEV despite a short peripheral half‐life.
Policy Substance and Performance in American Lawmaking, 1877–1994
Authors: Lapinski John S.
Published: April 2008

This article reconsiders the importance of including policy issue content and legislative significance in our study of lawmaking. Specifically, it demonstrates theoretically why lawmaking might vary by policy substance and empirically shows how incorrect conclusions would be drawn if lawmaking is studied by pooling enactments instead of disaggregating laws by policy issue content. It accomplishes this by bringing new tools, including a policy classification system and a way to measure the significance of public laws, to help overcome an array of measurement‐related problems that have stymied our ability to better understand lawmaking. The policy coding schema introduced is applied, by careful individual human coding, to every public law enacted between 1877 and 1994 (n = 37,767). The policy issue and significance data are used to construct a number of new measures of legislative performance and are useful to test hypotheses within studies of Congress and American Political Development.
Glucose in the dialysate: Historical perspective and possible implications?
Authors: SHARMA Rajiv , ROSNER Mitchell H.
Published: April 2008

Hemodialysate solutions often contain high concentrations of glucose (up to 200 mg/dL). The historical reasons for the addition of glucose to the dialysate included: (1) aid in performance of ultrafiltration and (2) minimization of nutritional (caloric) losses during dialysis. However, recent experimental evidence supports the fact that exposure to high levels of glucose may be pro‐inflammatory. Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with dialysis and its linkage to chronic inflammation, the routine use of glucose in the dialysate may warrant reexamination. This review examines the utility of glucose in the dialysate and discusses the potential implications on chronic inflammation in patients with end‐stage renal disease. While there is currently no evidence for a casual relationship between dialysate glucose concentration and the chronic inflammation seen in ESRD, this possibility is explored.
Endophthalmitis: A rare complication of arteriovenous fistula infection
Authors: DESAI Madhav , RAPOOR Ram , GUDITHI Swarna Latha , KUMAR Ravi , PRASAD Neela , DAKSHINAMURTY Kaligotla Venkata
Published: April 2008

Vascular access infection is a frequent problem in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Infection of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is less common than dialysis catheter‐associated infection. Previous case reports described endophthalmitis secondary to hemodialysis catheter‐related infection, but not secondary to native AVF infection. We report a rare patient of endophthalmitis as a metastatic infection of AVF cannulation site abscess. A 19‐year‐old girl on maintenance hemodialysis for the past 2 years has presented with a history of fever, chills, and rigor of 3‐days duration and painful dimness of vision in the left eye of 1‐night duration. It was followed by redness of the eye, photophobia, and ocular discharge. On examination, the patient was febrile with an abscess near cannulation site of AVF. There was no perception of light in the left eye, conjunctiva was congested, cornea was clear, hypopyon present, and pupil was mid‐dilated, not reacting to light. Lens was clear. Vitreitis and exudative retinal detachment was present. Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from blood, pus from AVF abscess and vitreous fluid. Diagnosis of endophthalmitis was confirmed by B‐scan ultrasound. She was treated with both intravenous and intraocular antibiotics and drainage of pus from AVF abscess and therapeutic vitrectomy. Though arteriovenous abscess responded to sensitive antibiotics and drainage, vision has not improved much. Strict aseptic precautions during regular AVF cannulation are required. Lapses may lead to loss of vision apart from described complications like access closure, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis.
Impact of intradialytic exercise on arterial compliance and B‐type natriuretic peptide levels in hemodialysis patients
Authors: TOUSSAINT Nigel D. , POLKINGHORNE Kevan R. , KERR Peter G.
Published: April 2008

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of mortality in end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), and arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an independent predictor of all‐cause and CV mortality. B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are high in patients with CV disease and ESKD, and increases in BNP may also be a marker of CV risk. Regular exercise has many benefits on quality of life and physical strength and may also improve CV risk, but few studies have addressed the impact of exercise on CV risk in ESKD. We performed a prospective cross‐over trial in 19 hemodialysis (HD) patients to assess the impact of regular exercise on surrogate markers of CV risk‐arterial compliance and BNP levels. Exercise involved the use of a bicycle ergometer for minimum 30 min at each HD session for 3 months, with a 1‐month washout period. Group A (n=9) exercised for the first 3 months only, while group B (n=10) performed no intradialytic exercise initially and exercised for 3 months at cross‐over (month 4). Pulse wave velocity was performed using a SphygmoCor device, with concurrent measurements of BNP and other serum markers, at the commencement of the study, at 3 months, and on completion. The mean PWV (A: 10.4±3.1 m/s, B: 9.8±3.8 at baseline) showed a trend toward improvement with exercise (A: 8.7±2.7, p=0.07), and no significant change without (B: 10.5±3.6, p=0.31). After cross‐over, there was an increase in PWV in group A with cessation of exercise (9.75±2.4, p=0.01 vs. 3 months) and an improvement in group B with exercise (9.33±2.3, p=0.11 vs. 3 months). When comparing PWV after 3 months of exercise vs. 3 months of no exercise (paired t test), there was a significant difference in favor of exercise (9.04±0.59 vs. 10.16±0.74, p=0.008). The mean BNP levels following 3 months of exercise were also lower than those after 3 months of no exercise (504.4±101.2 vs. 809.4±196.1[N<100], p=0.047). There was an overall improvement in PWV, and to a lesser extent BNP levels, with 3 months of intradialytic exercise compared with no exercise, suggesting that regular exercise in ESKD may be associated with improvements in arterial compliance and a reduction in CV risk.
Viral reactivation is not related to septic complications after major surgical resections
Authors: VOGEL T. , VADONIS R. , KÜHN J. , EING B. R. , SENNINGER N. , HAIER J.
Published: April 2008

Anastomotic leakage and septic complications are the most important determinants of postoperative outcome after major surgical resections. Malignant diseases and surgical trauma can influence immune responses and the ability to react against infectious factors, such as bacteria and viruses. Comparable immune suppression can cause viral reactivation in transplantation and trauma patients. In this prospective study, patients who underwent major surgical resections for oesophageal or pancreatic cancer were investigated for the potential involvement of viral reactivation in the development of septic complications. 86 patients (40 oesophageal resections, 27 pancreatic resections, 19 surgical explorations) were included. Viral antigens, viral DNA, antibodies against viral structures (IgG, IgM, IgA) and, in part, viral cultivation were performed for CMV, EBV, HSV1, HSV2, HZV6 and VZV in serum, urine, sputum and swabs from buccal mucosa preoperatively and at postoperative days 1, 3 and 5. Test results were compared with the postoperative outcome (30‐day morbidity, in‐hospital mortality) and clinical scores (SOFA, TISS). For statistical analyses Student's t‐tests and Chi2‐tests were used. The overall complication rate was 19.8% (30‐day morbidity) with an in‐hospital mortality of 1.2% (1/86 patients). Postoperatively, anti‐CMV‐IgG titres were significantly reduced (p<0.05) and remained suppressed in patients with septic complications. Anti‐CMV‐gB‐IgG were also reduced, but showed considerable interindividual differences. Anti‐CMV‐IgA and ‐IgM did not show significant alterations in the postoperative course. In addition, direct viral detection methods did not support viral reactivation in patients in any of the investigated groups. The reduction of anti‐CMV antibodies is likely caused by an immune suppression, specifically by reduced B‐cell counts after major surgical interventions. Viral reactivation, however, did not occur in the early postoperative period as a specific risk for septic complications.
Interaction with model membranes and pore formation by human stefin B – studying the native and prefibrillar states
Authors: Rabzelj Sabina , Viero Gabriella , Gutiérrez‐Aguirre Ion , Turk Vito , Dalla Serra Mauro , Anderluh Gregor , Žerovnik Eva
Published: April 2008

Human stefin B, from the family of cystatins, is used as a model amyloidogenic protein in studies of the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation and related cytotoxicity. Interaction of the protein’s prefibrillar oligomers/aggregates with predominantly acidic phospholipid membranes is known to correlate with cellular toxicity. In the present study, we measured membrane interaction of the prefibrillar and native states for three variants: the Y31 isoform studied previously, the wild‐type protein and the G4R mutant; the latter is observed in progressive myoclonus epilepsy of type 1. In addition to using critical pressure and surface plasmon resonance, we assessed membrane permeabilization by calcein release and electrophysiological measurements. It was demonstrated for the first time that wild‐type stefin B and the Y31 isoform are able to form pores in planar lipid bilayers, whereas G4R destroys the bilayer by a non pore‐forming process. Similarities to other amyloidogenic proteins and the possible physiological implications of our findings are discussed.
Physical Activity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Overweight in Rural Youth
Authors: Moore Justin B. , Davis Catherine L. , Baxter Suzanne Domel , Lewis Richard D. , Yin Zenong
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT: 
Background:

Research suggests significant health differences between rural dwelling youth and their urban counterparts with relation to cardiovascular risk factors. This study was conducted to (1) determine relationships between physical activity and markers of metabolic syndrome, and (2) to explore factors relating to physical activity in a diverse sample of rural youth. Methods: Data were collected from 4th, 6th, 8th, and 11th grade public school students in the rural Southeastern United States in the spring of 2002. Physiological data included anthropometrics, fasting glucose, lipids, hemodynamics, and skinfold measurements. Psychosocial data included parental support for physical activity, accessibility of physical activity facilities, and safety concerns for physical activity. Behavioral data included self‐reported physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Results: After adjusting for sex, race, and age, subjects with low level of physical activity were 3 times more likely to be positive for metabolic syndrome compared to those reporting a high level of physical activity. Subjects reporting a low level of physical activity were 2.4 times more likely to be overweight compared to subjects reporting a high level of physical activity. Students with high levels of physical activity were more likely to have parents who provided money for physical activity lessons and sports teams. Conclusions: Rural youth with low levels of physical activity participation were at increased risks for metabolic syndrome and overweight. Effective physical activity promotions addressing supports for physical activity are urgently needed in rural America.
Stroke Knowledge Among Urban and Frontier First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians in Montana
Authors: McNamara Michael J. , Oser Carrie , Gohdes Dorothy , Fogle Crystelle C. , Dietrich Dennis W. , Burnett Anne , Okon Nicholas , Russell Joseph A. , DeTienne James , Harwell Todd S. , Helgerson Steven D.
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT: 
Purpose: To assess stroke knowledge and practice among frontier and urban emergency medical services (EMS) providers and to evaluate the need for additional prehospital stroke training opportunities in Montana. Methods: In 2006, a telephone survey of a representative sample of EMS providers was conducted in Montana. Respondents were stratified into 2 groups: those working in urban and frontier counties. Findings: Compared to EMS providers from urban counties, those from frontier counties were significantly more likely to be older (mean age 44.7 vs 40.1 years), have fewer personnel working in their service (mean 17.7 vs 28.6), to be located farther away from a computed tomography scan (CT scan) (mean 41.3 vs 17.6 miles), and to be volunteers (84% vs 49%). They were also less likely to have a stroke protocol (58% vs 66%) and use a stroke screening tool (36% vs 47%) than their urban counterparts. There were no significant differences between frontier and urban EMS respondents' ability to correctly identify 4 or more stroke warning signs (58% vs 61%), 4 or more stroke risk factors (46% vs 43%), or the 3‐hour recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) treatment window (56% vs 57%). Approximately two thirds of respondents from urban and frontier counties believed they had adequate stroke knowledge, but 90% indicated they were interested in additional stroke‐related training. Conclusions: Although stroke knowledge did not differ between urban and frontier groups, stroke screens and stroke protocols were less likely to be used in the frontier areas. Training opportunities and the implementation of stroke protocols and screening tools are needed for EMS providers, particularly in frontier counties.
Isolation and characterization of 13 microsatellite loci for Percichthys trucha (Percichthyidae)
Authors: PATERSON IAN G. , WALDE SANDRA J. , CUSSAC VICTOR E. , HABIT EVELYN , RUZZANTE DANIEL E.
Published: April 2008

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci are described for the South American freshwater fish Percichthys trucha. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 21 and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.304 to 0.915 in a sample of 47 individuals from four different sampling locations.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Cycas debaoensis Y. C. Zhong et C. J. Chen (Cycadaceae)
Authors: YANG YANG , LI YONG , LI LIN‐FENG , GE XUE‐JUN , GONG XUN
Published: April 2008

Cycas debaoensis is one of the critically endangered cycad species endemic to China. In this study, we described the development of six microsatellite markers from the genome of C. debaoensis using the protocol of fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) and two microsatellite markers derived from the database of expressed sequence tags (dbEST). Polymorphism of each locus was assessed in 60 adult individuals of the cycad. The average allele number of the microsatellites was 2.6 per locus, ranging from two to five. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0833 to 0.7333 and from 0.0805 to 0.7188, respectively. Despite its rarity, only one locus (Y177) deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium due to the excessive homozygosity. The marker transferability of the eight primer pairs was tested on other four congeneric species that also occur in China.
Twelve polymorphic microsatellites in Oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense
Authors: FENG J. B. , LI J. L.
Published: April 2008

Oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, is a commercially important freshwater prawn species in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Due to overfishing for food, the wild stocks M. nipponense are endangered. Twenty microsatellite loci were isolated from the M. nipponense. Twelve of these loci were polymorphic (seven to 16 alleles per locus), with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.68 to 0.86 (n = 48). These polymorphic loci provide a valuable tool for assessing genetic diversity of wild and cultured populations.
Melatonin potentiates rod signals to ON type bipolar cells in fish retina
Authors: Ping Yong , Huang Hai , Zhang Xin‐Jun , Yang Xiong‐Li
Published: April 2008

Melatonin is involved in regulation of a variety of physiological functions through activation of specific G‐protein coupled receptors. However, the neuromodulatory role of melatonin, released from photoreceptors in the retina, is poorly understood. Here we show that melatonin enhances the sensitivity of the rod signal pathway by potentiating signal transfer from rod photoreceptors to ON bipolar cells (Rod‐ON‐BCs). Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings showed that melatonin induced a sustained inward current from Rod‐ON‐BCs, through activation of the melatonin MT2 receptor, which was identified as one mediated by a cGMP‐dependent cation channel. Consistent with this, melatonin was found, using immunocytochemistry, to increase intracellular cGMP levels, which was identified due to an inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Physiologically, melatonin potentiated responses of Rod‐ON‐BCs to simulated light flashes (brief puffs of CPPG, an mGluR6 antagonist, in the presence of l‐AP4, an mGluR6 agonist), which was mediated by cGMP‐dependent kinase, and increased the amplitude of the scotopic electroretinographic b‐wave, a reflection of Rod‐ON‐BC activity. These results suggest that melatonin, being at a higher level at night, may improve the signal/noise ratio for rod signals in the outer retina by enhancing signal transfer from rods to BCs.