bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemokine receptor CCR2 undergoes transportin1‐dependent nuclear translocation
Authors: Favre Nicolas , Camps Montserrat , Arod Christian , Chabert Christian , Rommel Christian , Pasquali Christian
Published: October 2008

Chemokines (CCs) are small chemoattractant cytokines involved in a wide variety of biological and pathological processes. Released by cells in the milieu, and extracellular matrix and activating signalling cascades upon binding to specific G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), they trigger many cellular events. In various pathologies, CCs are directly responsible for excessive recruitment of leukocytes to inflammatory sites and recent studies using chemokine receptor (CCR) antagonists permitted these molecules to reach the market for medical use. While interaction of CCs with their receptors has been extensively documented, downstream GPCR signalling cascades triggered by CC are less well understood. Given the pivotal role of chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in monocyte recruitment, activation and differentiation and its implication in several autoimmune‐inflammatory pathologies, we searched for potential new CCR2‐interacting proteins by engineering a modified CCR2 that we used as bait. Herein, we show the direct interaction of CCR2 with transportin1 (TRN1), which we demonstrate is followed by CCR2 receptor internalization. Further characterization of this novel interaction revealed that TRN1‐binding to CCR2 increased upon time in agonist treated cells and promotes its nuclear translocation in a TRN1‐dependent manner. Finally, we provide evidence that following translocation, the receptor localizes at the outer edge of the nuclear envelope where it is finally released from TRN1.
Quantitative phosphoproteomics by mass spectrometry: Past, present, and future
Authors: Nita‐Lazar Aleksandra , Saito‐Benz Hideshiro , White Forest M.
Published: October 2008

Protein phosphorylation‐mediated signaling networks regulate much of the cellular response to external stimuli, and dysregulation in these networks has been linked to multiple disease states. Significant advancements have been made over the past decade to enable the analysis and quantification of cellular protein phosphorylation events, but comprehensive analysis of the phosphoproteome is still lacking, as is the ability to monitor signaling at the network level while comprehending the biological implications of each phosphorylation site. In this review we highlight many of the technological advances over the past decade and describe some of the latest applications of these tools to uncover signaling networks in a variety of biological settings. We finish with a concise discussion of the future of the field, including additional advances that are required to link protein phosphorylation analysis with biological insight.
Analysis of protein phosphorylation by monolithic extraction columns based on poly(divinylbenzene) containing embedded titanium dioxide and zirconium dioxide nano‐powders
Authors: Rainer Matthias , Sonderegger Harald , Bakry Rania , Huck Christian W. , Morandell Sandra , Huber Lukas A. , Gjerde Douglas T. , Bonn Günther K.
Published: October 2008

The potential of an organic monolith with incorporated titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles was evaluated for the selective enrichment of phosphorylated peptides from tryptic digests. A pipette tip was fitted with a monolith based on divinylbenzene (DVB) of highly porous structure, which allows sample to pass through the monolithic bed. The enrichment of phosphopeptides was enhanced by increasing the pipetting cycles during the sample preparation and a higher recovery could be achieved with adequate buffer systems. A complete automated process was developed for enrichment of phosphopeptides leading to high reproducibility and resulting in a robust method designed to minimize analytical variance while providing high sensitivity at high sample throughput. The effect of particle size on the selectivity of phosphopeptides was investigated by comparative studies with nano‐ and microscale TiO2 and ZrO2 powders. Eleven phosphopeptides from α‐casein digest could be recovered by an optimized mixture of microscale TiO2/ZrO2 particles, whereas nine additional phosphopeptides could be retained by the same mixture of nano‐structured material. When compared to conventional immobilized metal‐ion affinity chromatography and commercial phosphorylation‐enrichment kits, higher selectivity was observed in case of self fabricated tips. About 20 phosphopeptides could be retained from α‐casein and five from β‐casein digests by using TiO2 and ZrO2 based extraction tips. Further selectivity for phosphopeptides was demonstrated by enriching a digest of in vitro phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (ERK1). Two phosphorylated peptides of ERK1 could be identified by MALDI‐MS/MS measurements and a following MASCOT database search.
Prospective assessment of protracted bacterial bronchitis: Airway inflammation and innate immune activation
Authors: Marchant Julie M. , Gibson Peter G. , Grissell Terry V. , Timmins Naomi L. , Masters I. Brent , Chang Anne B.
Published: October 2008

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a common cause of paediatric chronic moist cough. PBB is defined as the presence of isolated chronic moist cough which resolves with antibiotic therapy within 2 weeks and an absence of pointers suggesting alternative diagnoses. Our aim was to describe the clinical profile and examine the airway cellularity and likely promoters of neutrophilic inflammation in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of children with PBB compared with chronic cough due to other causes and controls. We explored the innate immune signaling receptors, toll‐like receptors (TLR)‐2 and TLR‐4, as well as relevant effector molecules. A cross‐sectional comparison was made of 100 children median age 2.58 years (with either PBB, coughing due to another cause or no cough controls) who underwent flexible bronchoscopy with lavage. BAL was evaluated for airway cytology, microbiology, inflammatory mediators interleukin 8 (IL‐8) and active matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) and TLR‐2 and TLR‐4 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Children with PBB had marked airway neutrophilia and increased median cytokine levels when compared to those with cough that resolved naturally and no cough controls: IL‐8 0.67 versus 0.07 and 0.06 ng/ml (P < 0.005) and active MMP‐9 7.25 versus 1.35 and 0.38 ng/ml (P < 0.005). The values for TLR‐2 and TLR‐4 mRNA expression were significantly elevated in children with PBB when compared to the control group. PBB is a paediatric condition which presents with chronic moist cough and its airway profile is characterized by intense neutrophilic airway inflammation with marked inflammatory mediator response and evidence of innate immune activation. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2008; 43:1092–1099. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic cough and tonsillar hypertrophy: A case series
Authors: Gurgel Richard K. , Brookes James T. , Weinberger Miles M. , Smith Richard J.
Published: October 2008

Two patients with intractable chronic cough were found to have tonsillar tissue impinging on their epiglottis. In both case, tonsillectomy was curative. The observations in these patients are consistent with a previous report indicating chronic cough from the uvula in contact with the epiglottis with cough cessation following uvulectomy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:1147–1149. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calibration of respiratory inductance plethysmograph in preterm infants with different respiratory conditions
Authors: Emeriaud Guillaume , Eberhard André , Benchetrit Gila , Debillon Thierry , Baconnier Pierre
Published: October 2008

Respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) is a method for respiratory measurements particularly attractive in infants because it is noninvasive and it does not interfere with the airway. RIP calibration remains controversial in neonates, and is particularly difficult in infants with thoraco‐abdominal asynchrony or with ventilatory assist. The objective of this study was to evaluate a new RIP calibration method in preterm infants either without respiratory disease, with thoraco‐abdominal asynchrony, or with ventilatory support. This method is based on (i) a specifically adapted RIP jacket, (ii) the least squares method to estimate the volume/motion ribcage and abdominal coefficients, and (iii) an individualized filtering method that takes into account individual breathing pattern. The reference flow was recorded with a pneumotachograph. The accuracy of flow reconstruction using the new method was compared to the accuracy of three other calibration methods, with arbitrary fixed RIP coefficients or with coefficients determined according to qualitative diagnostic calibration method principle. Fifteen preterm neonates have been studied; gestational age was (mean ± SD) 31.7 ± 0.8 weeks; birth weight was 1,470 ± 250 g. The respiratory flow determined with the new method had a goodness of fit at least equivalent to the other three methods in the entire group. Moreover, in unfavorable conditions—breathing asynchrony or ventilatory assist—the quality of fit was significantly higher than with the three other methods (P < 0.05, repeated measures ANOVA). Accuracy of tidal volume measurements was at least equivalent to the other methods, and the breath‐by‐breath differences with reference volumes were lower, although not significantly, than with the other methods. The goodness of fit of the reconstructed RIP flow with this new method—even in unfavorable respiratory conditions—provides a prerequisite for the study of flow pattern during the neonatal period. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2008; 43:1135–1141. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reproducibility of spirometry during cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations
Authors: Sanders Don B. , Rosenfeld Margaret , Mayer‐Hamblett Nicole , Stamey David , Redding Gregory J.
Published: October 2008

Objectives:

To compare the within day variation of spirometry between hospital admission, discharge, and outpatient follow up among children with cystic fibrosis (CF) hospitalized for a pulmonary exacerbation.

Hypothesis:

Within day variation of spirometry will be greater at hospital admission than at hospital discharge or outpatient follow up.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of spirometry data for all patients with CF ≥6 years old admitted to our pediatric CF center for a pulmonary exacerbation in 2004 or 2005. For patients who had previously performed spirometry successfully, measurements were used from one admission only during 2004–2005 if the spirometry occurred within 3 days of hospital admission, 3 days of discharge, or at a follow up clinic visit when well. We compared the within day coefficients of variation (CV) for FVC, FEV1, and FEF25–75 between time points using the Wilcoxon signed rank‐test. We also determined the change in spirometry that is likely to be beyond measurement variability during inpatient treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation.

Results:

Spirometry data were available from 40 subjects at admission and follow up and 35 at hospital discharge. There was no significant difference in CV at admission, discharge, and follow up for FVC, FEV1, or FEF25–75. The mean (SD) CV was 3.1% (2.7) for FVC, 3.2% (2.1) for FEV1, and 9.7% (7.0) for FEF25–75 at admission, 2.8% (2.2) for FVC, 3.1% (2.1) for FEV1, and 8.1% (6.7) for FEF25–75 at discharge, and 2.7% (1.7) for FVC, 2.8% (2.0) for FEV1, and 8.4% (7.8) for FEF25–75 at follow up. These are similar to previous reports of outpatients with CF. The improvement in spirometry that exceeded measurement variability for our cohort was 80 ml for FVC, 70 ml for FEV1, and 220 ml/sec for FEF25–75.

Conclusions:

The presence of an acute pulmonary exacerbation in children and adolescents with CF does not substantially contribute to the within day variation in spirometry. Within day variation of spirometry for children with CF during pulmonary exacerbations is similar to previously reported values from clinically stable CF patients. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2008; 43:1142–1146. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential expression of ceruloplasmin isoforms in the cerebrospinal fluid of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Authors: Conti Antonio , Iannaccone Sandro , Sferrazza Barbara , De Monte Lucia , Cappa Stefano , Franciotta Diego , Olivieri Stefano , Alessio Massimo
Published: October 2008

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a fatal degenerative disease that selectively affects motor neurons, likely results from a complex interplay among oxidative injury, excitotoxic stimulation, protein aggregation and genetic factors. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) protein is a ferroxidase that oxidizes toxic ferrous iron to its nontoxic ferric form, protecting the central nervous system (CNS) from iron deposition. Cp is thus considered as one of the main systems dedicated to the protection of the CNS from oxidative stress damage. We investigated Cp protein behaviour in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of ALS patients of recent onset. An increased expression of Cp was observed in ALS (n = 16) compared to two control groups (healthy subjects, n = 11 and peripheral neuropathy patients, n = 10). 2‐DE analysis revealed a differential expression of Cp isoforms in ALS patients compared to controls. ALS samples showed an increase in the relative abundance of more basic Cp forms, corresponding to the nonsialylated proteins. Despite the increase in protein expression, ferroxidase activity evaluated in the CSF of ALS patients was comparable to that of the controls, indicating a Cp functional impairment. Ceruloplasmin isoforms profile may be proposed as disease feature that could provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of ALS pathogenesis.
Quantitative Determination of ε‐phase in polymorphic HNIW using X‐ray Diffraction Patterns
Authors: Chen Huaxiong , Chen Shusen , Li Lijie , Jin Shaohua
Published: October 2008

An X‐ray diffraction method was applied for the quantitative determination of the ε‐Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) in polymorphs of HNIW. The XRD patterns of four polymorphs illustrate the unique nonoverlapping peak at 19.9° which belongs to ε‐HNIW. The intensity ratio of the peak at 19.9° of ε‐HNIW to the peak at 79.6° of α‐Al2O3 is proportional to the weight ratio of standard ε‐HNIW to the internal standard of α‐Al2O3, which enables the internal standard method. When the particle size of the sample is less than 10 μm, the content of ε‐HNIW ranging from 70 to 100 wt.‐% can be determined with an absolute error below 2.0%.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐QIT‐TOF)‐based imaging mass spectrometry reveals a layered distribution of phospholipid molecular species in the mouse retina
Authors: Hayasaka Takahiro , Goto‐Inoue Naoko , Sugiura Yuki , Zaima Nobuhiro , Nakanishi Hiroki , Ohishi Kentaro , Nakanishi Setsuko , Naito Takayuki , Taguchi Ryo , Setou Mitsutoshi
Published: October 2008

We recently developed a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐QIT‐TOF)‐based imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) system. This system enables us to perform structural analyses using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), as well as to visualize phospholipids and peptides in frozen sections. In the retina, phototransduction is regulated by the light‐sensitive interaction between visual pigment‐coupled receptor proteins, such as rhodopsin, and G proteins, such as transducin. There are some reports that the conformation of rhodopsin is influenced by the composition of phospholipids in the lipid bilayer membrane. However, these results were based on in vitro experiments and have not been analyzed in vivo. In this study, we visualized and identified phospholipids in mouse retinal sections with the MALDI‐QIT‐TOF‐based IMS system. From a spectrum obtained by raster‐scanned analysis of the sections, ions with high signal intensities were selected and analyzed by MS/MS. As a result, sixteen ions were identified as being from four diacyl‐phosphatidylcholine (PC) species, i.e., PC (16:0/16:0), PC (16:0/18:1), PC (16:0/22:6), and PC (18:0/22:6), with different ion forms. The ion images revealed different distributions on the retinal sections: PC (16:0/18:1) was distributed in the inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer, PC (16:0/16:0) in the outer nuclear layer and inner segment, and both PC (16:0/22:6) and PC (18:0/22:6) in the outer segment and pigment epithelium. In conclusion, our in vivo IMS analyses demonstrated a three‐zone distribution of PC species on the retinal sections. This approach may be useful for analyzing lipid changes and their contribution to phototransduction in the retina. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explanation in science trade books recommended for use with elementary students
Authors: Smolkin Laura B. , McTigue Erin M. , Donovan Carol A. , Coleman Julianne M.
Published: October 2008

Given concerns with the low levels of explanation in science education classrooms, it has been suggested that text may supply a higher percentage of explanatory discourse than do classroom teachers. However, given that textbooks have been shown to differ little from teacher discourse in percentages of explanation, the present study sought to examine explanatory aspects of highly recommended trade books teachers might use in their science instruction. To that end, we examined a total of 43 trade books, 24 life science and 19 physical science, 7182 clauses in all, for the presence of explanation. We found significantly higher percentages (32.87) of explanatory clauses in physical science trade books than in life science (23.34) trade books. This trend was particularly pronounced in the physical science trade books targeted for the primary‐grade audience. Our results suggest that trade books may represent an option for infusing more focus on explanation in the science classroom. However, we also caution that teacher background may limit the effectiveness of this larger presence of explanation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Sci Ed93:587–610, 2009
Analysis of multi‐user detection of multi‐rate transmissions in multi‐cellular CDMA
Authors: Smida Besma , Affes Sofiène
Published: October 2008

In this paper, we address the issue of multi‐user receiver design in realistic multi‐cellular and multi‐rate CDMA systems based on performance analysis. We consider the multi‐user detection (MUD) technique, denoted interference subspace rejection (ISR), because it offers a wide range of canonic suppression modes that range in performance and complexity between interference cancellers and linear receivers. To further broaden our study, we propose a modified ISR scheme called hybrid ISR to cope better with multi‐rate transmissions. The performance analysis, which is based on the Gaussian assumption (GA) and validated by simulations, takes into account data estimation errors, carrier frequency mismatch, imperfect power control, identification errors of time‐varying multipath Rayleigh channels and intercell interference. This analysis enables us to optimize the selection of the MUD mode for multi‐rate transmissions in different operating conditions. The effectiveness of interference cancellation is indeed investigated under different mobile speeds, numbers of receiving antennas, near‐far situations, channel estimation errors, and out‐cell to in‐cell interference ratios. This investigation suggests that the out‐of‐cell interference, the residual in‐cell interference, the noise enhancement as well as low mobility favor the simplest MUD modes as they offer the best performance/complexity tradeoffs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the effect of reservation period on performance of IEEE 802.16 R‐MAC protocol
Authors: Doha Ahmed , Hassanein Hossam , Takahara Glen
Published: October 2008

The IEEE 802.16 standard is gaining broad consideration to serve the expanding demand for broadband access networks. In this standard, the best effort traffic uses the reservation multiple access control (MAC) mechanism, which is widely adopted in recent broadband network technologies. The goal of this paper is to study the performance of the MAC protocol of the best effort traffic in the IEEE 802.16 standard with emphasis on the size of the reservation period. We use a two‐stage Markov chain model to capture all possible events on the reservation and service periods. This allows the computation of the inflow and outflow of bandwidth requests (BWRs) and their associated data packets which leads to the delay and throughput formulas. By means of illustrative examples and numerical results, validated through simulation, we investigate the key importance of the size of reservation period. We highlight potential performance improvement, through opportunistic dynamic control of the size of the reservation period to enhance the performance of reservation MAC protocol. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐Time Intraoperative Assessment of Residual Liver Functional Reserve Using Pulse Dye Densitometry
Authors: Akita Hirofumi , Sasaki Yo , Yamada Terumasa , Gotoh Kunihito , Ohigashi Hiroaki , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Yano Masahiko , Ishikawa Osamu , Imaoka Shingi
Published: October 2008

Background

For a safe major hepatectomy, preoperative methods that can reliably estimate postoperative liver function are necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of ICG‐R15 measured by pulse dye densitometry to predict residual liver function prior to hepatectomy.

Patients and method

In 29 patients who underwent various types of hepatectomies, indocyanine green (ICG)‐R15 was measured by pulse dye densitometry at the time of opening the abdomen (laparotomy phase), clamping the Glisson’s pedicles to cutting (clamping phase), and closing abdomen after hepatectomy (resection phase). The relationships among these measurements and postoperative liver function were examined.

Results

The mean ICG‐R15 was 12.3 ± 6.0% preoperatively (±SD), 9.3 ± 7.0% at laparotomy, 18.8 ± 11.6% at clamping, and 20.1 ± 10.9% at resection. The preoperative and laparotomy and the clamping and resection ICG‐R15 values correlated significantly. Eleven (38%) patients developed postoperative hyperbilirubinemia [total bilirubin (T‐Bil) >3.0 mg/dl]. The postoperative peak T‐Bil correlated significantly with clamping ICG‐R15 (r = 0.637, p = 0.0002), but not with preoperative ICG‐R15 (r = 0.283, p = 0.137), total clamp time (r = 0.005, p = 0.975), and blood loss (r = 0.097, p = 0.615). Multivariate analysis identified ICG‐R15 measured at clamping as the only determinant of postoperative peak T‐Bil (r = 0.612). ICG‐R15 measured at clamping correlated with the postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.046).

Conclusions

ICG‐R15 can be measured in real time during surgery by pulse dye densitometry. ICG‐R15 measured by this technique before hepatectomy provides a direct and reliable measure of postoperative residual liver function, thus helping in surgical decision making regarding the extent of hepatectomy.
Decisions About Testing and Termination of Pregnancy for Different Fetal Conditions: A Qualitative Study of European White and Pakistani Mothers of Affected Children
Authors: Ahmed Shenaz , Hewison Jenny , Green Josephine M. , Cuckle Howard S. , Hirst Janet , Thornton Jim G.
Published: October 2008

The aim of this study is to explore reasons for and against prenatal testing and termination for a range of conditions in women from two different ethnic backgrounds. A total of 19 Pakistani and European women in West Yorkshire, UK, who either had a child with a genetic condition or had terminated a pregnancy for one, completed a questionnaire about their attitudes regarding prenatal testing and termination for 30 different fetal conditions and were interviewed about their reasons for their responses. There were more similarities than differences between the Pakistani and European white women. The most important factor in most women's decisions about termination of pregnancy was their perception of the quality of the life of a child with the genetic condition, in particular, whether the child would be “suffering.” This was described as either physical suffering, as a result of medical treatment, or as emotional suffering, as a result of psychological and/or social factors. These findings highlight the need for detailed information about the potential quality of life for the child and the child's family to enable parents to make informed choices, particularly the extent to which the child is likely to suffer, the nature of such potential “suffering” and the extent to which the child could lead a “normal” life. The findings also challenge stereotypes about cultural differences in attitudes about termination of pregnancy.
The prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Sowemimo Oluyomi A.
Published: October 2008

A study of gastrointestinal parasites in 269 faecal samples from dogs (Canis familiaris) collected from Ile-Ife, Nigeria between January and December 2004, revealed seven helminth species:Toxocara canis33.8%,Ancylostomasp. 34.6%,Toxascaris leonina3.3%,Trichuris vulpis3.7%,Dipylidium caninum4.1%,Uncinaria stenocephala0.7% andTaeniasp. 1.1%. The faecal egg intensities, determined as mean eggs per gram of faeces ( ± SEM) were:T. canis393.8 ± 83.4,Ancylostomasp. 101.5 ± 32.8,T. leonina14.3 ± 7.9,T. vulpis3.4 ± 1.5,D. caninum2.2 ± 0.8,U. stenocephala0.2 ± 0.2. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in dogs of age 0–6 months than in older age groups. There was no significance difference in overall prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites between male (58.3%) and female (50.0%) dogs (P>0.05). The prevalence of helminth parasites was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in free-ranging than in kennelled dogs. The prevalence of helminth parasites was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in African shepherds than in Alsatians and other exotic breeds. Each helminth parasite had similar prevalences and intensities among both genders (P>0.05) except inT. vulpis. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites may continue to rise due to lack of functional veterinary clinics for dog care in Ile-Ife. Therefore, there is the need to establish a veterinary facility in Ile-Ife.
Successful ageing among low-income older people in South Korea
Authors: CHUNG SOONDOOL , PARK SOO-JUNG
Published: October 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate ‘successful ageing’ among low income elderly people in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). A sample of men and women aged 65 or more years who received welfare benefits and social welfare services from senior welfare centres and who had good cognition were identified and recruited by the staff of eight such centres in Seoul, the capital city of the country. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a structured questionnaire using measures and instruments that were selected following a literature review and previous studies of low-income older people. The survey instrument was pre-tested with seven subjects to ensure the comprehensibility of the items, and 220 main interviews were conducted in the respondents' homes and at senior welfare centres during October and November 2006. Factor analysis identified three factors in successful ageing: ‘a positive attitude towards life’, ‘success of adult children’, and ‘relationships with others’. Men reported higher scores on successful ageing than women. It was concluded that the concept of ‘successful ageing’ does apply to low-income elderly people in Korean, although its components have little to do with material or social success as conceived by previous studies of the general elderly population in either western or Asian countries.
Older people's sense of coherence: relationships with education, former occupation and living arrangements
Authors: CIAIRANO SILVIA , RABAGLIETTI EMANUELA , MARTINI ROBERTA DE , GILETTA MATTEO
Published: October 2008

Few studies have explored the combination of individual and contextual conditions that influence psychological health among older people. This study aimed to analyse the sense of coherence (SOC) in a sample of Italian senior citizens in relation to gender, educational level, living arrangements and former employment, when controlling for age. The short version of the SOC scale (Antonovsky 1987), which has items for the ‘comprehensibility’, ‘manageability’ and ‘meaningfulness’ components, was administered to a sample of 198 senior citizens of both genders and with an average age of 68.5 years. The findings showed that: (a) senior citizens with a higher level of education and who had retired from jobs with a high level of responsibility perceived reality as more controllable, manageable and meaningful; (b) with greater age, the perception that life's challenges are worth facing decreased; and (c) there was an interaction between living arrangements and education level,viz. those with higher education, and those with lower education living with a spouse or partner, perceived reality as more meaningful and their life challenges as worth facing. It is important to investigate further the activities that help maintain a high sense of coherence throughout the life span, and to design social policies that support senior citizens who live alone, because they appear psychologically weaker than others.
Determinants of older and younger workers' job satisfaction and organisational commitment in the contrasting labour markets of Belgium and Sweden
Authors: CLAES RITA , VAN DE VEN BART
Published: October 2008

Throughout the industrialised world, promoting the retention of older workers is high on the agenda of governments, employers, unions and the media, but not at any price. If persuading older workers to stay at work longer is to benefit companies and wider society, then the employees should be committed and satisfied with their decision. This study explores the factors that keep older workers satisfied and committed at work by contrasting samples of older (aged 50 or more years) and younger workers (up to 25 years) in favourable (Sweden) and unfavourable labour markets (Belgium). The core research question is whether the influential factors are different for the two age groups, after controlling for country, gender, educational level, employment sector, supervisory position, and the employee's financial contribution to the household. The predictors included workers' self-reports of skill discretion (i.e. the range of skills used on the job), organisational fairness, and perceived job insecurity. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that, across age groups, skill discretion and organisational fairness predicted both job satisfaction and organisational commitment. For older workers there was a negative impact of perceived job insecurity on job satisfaction and organisational commitment. The national context only affected younger workers. In the unfavourable Belgian labour market, they were more satisfied and committed to their organisation.
Magnetic resonance imaging methods in developmental science: A primer
Authors: Hunt Ruskin H. , Thomas Kathleen M.
Published: October 2008

Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are increasingly common research methods among investigators interested in typically and atypically developing populations. However, the effective use of these tools requires an understanding of the basis of the magnetic resonance signal, as well as some of the additional experimental complications that arise when collecting MRI data from developmental populations. This primer provides a foundation for investigators who wish to utilize MRI methods in their research and whose primary interest involves typically and atypically developing populations. The basic concepts of MRI physics are introduced, as well as the typical MRI scanner components and their role in MRI data acquisition. In addition, a variety of scan types (structural, functional, diffusion tensor) are discussed, along with a number of important experimental design factors that can impact the quality and utility of the data collected. Special consideration is given to working with pediatric and special populations.
Charting the typical and atypical development of the social brain
Authors: Pelphrey Kevin A. , Carter Elizabeth J.
Published: October 2008

We describe recent progress in our program of research that aims to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify and delineate the brain systems involved in social perception and to chart the development of those systems and their roles as mechanisms supporting the development of social cognition in children, adolescents, and adults with and without autism. This research program was initiated with the intention of further specifying the role of the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) region in the network of neuroanatomical structures comprising the social brain. Initially, this work focused on evaluating STS function when typically developing adults were engaged in the visual analysis of other people's actions and intentions. We concluded that that the STS region plays an important role in social perception via its involvement in representing and predicting the actions and social intentions of other people from an analysis of biological–motion cues. These studies of typically developing people provided a set of core findings and a methodological approach that informed a set of fMRI studies of social perception dysfunction in autism. The work has established that dysfunction in the STS region, as well as reduced connectivity between this region and other social brain structures including the fusiform gyrus and amygdala, play a role in the pathophysiology of social perception deficits in autism. Most recently, this research program has incorporated a developmental perspective in beginning to chart the development of the STS region in children with and without autism.
Neurodevelopment and executive function in autism
Authors: O'Hearn Kirsten , Asato Miya , Ordaz Sarah , Luna Beatriz
Published: October 2008

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits, and repetitive behavior. Studies investigating the integrity of brain systems in autism suggest a wide range of gray and white matter abnormalities that are present early in life and change with development. These abnormalities predominantly affect association areas and undermine functional integration. Executive function, which has a protracted development into adolescence and reflects the integration of complex widely distributed brain function, is also affected in autism. Evidence from studies probing response inhibition and working memory indicate impairments in these core components of executive function, as well as compensatory mechanisms that permit normative function in autism. Studies also demonstrate age-related improvements in executive function from childhood to adolescence in autism, indicating the presence of plasticity and suggesting a prolonged window for effective treatment. Despite developmental gains, mature executive functioning is limited in autism, reflecting abnormalities in wide-spread brain networks that may lead to impaired processing of complex information across all domains.
Reward-related processing in the human brain: Developmental considerations
Authors: Fareri Dominic S. , Martin Laura N. , Delgado Mauricio R.
Published: October 2008

The pursuit of rewarding experiences motivates everyday human behavior, and can prove beneficial when pleasurable, positive consequences result (e.g., satisfying hunger, earning a paycheck). However, reward seeking may also be maladaptive and lead to risky decisions with potentially negative long-term consequences (e.g., unprotected sex, drug use). Such risky decision making is often observed during adolescence, a time in which important structural and functional refinements occur in the brain's reward circuitry. Although much of the brain develops before adolescence, critical centers for goal-directed behavior, such as frontal corticobasal ganglia networks, continue to mature. These ongoing changes may underlie the increases in risk-taking behavior often observed during adolescence. Further, typical development of these circuits is vital to our ability to make well-informed decisions; atypical development of the human reward circuitry can have severe implications, as is the case in certain clinical and developmental conditions (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). This review focuses on current research probing the neural correlates of reward-related processing across human development supporting the current research hypothesis that immature or atypical corticostriatal circuitry may underlie maladaptive behaviors observed in adolescence.
Developmental changes and individual differences in risk and perspective taking in adolescence
Authors: Crone Eveline A. , Bullens L. , van der Plas E. A. A. , Kijkuit E. J. , Zelazo P. D.
Published: October 2008

Despite the assumed prevalence of risk-taking behavior in adolescence, the laboratory evidence of risk taking remains scarce, and the individual variation poorly understood. Drawing from neuroscience studies, we tested whether risk and reward orientation are influenced by the perspective that adolescents take when making risky decisions. Perspective taking was manipulated by cuing participants prior to each choice whether the decision was made for “self,” or from the perspective of an “other” (the experimenter in Experiment 1; a hypothetical peer in Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, we show a developmental decrease in risk-taking behavior across different stages of adolescence. In addition, all age groups made fewer risky choices for the experimenter, but the difference between self and other was larger in early adolescence. In Experiment 2, we show that high sensation-seeking (SS) adolescents make more risky choices than low SS adolescents, but both groups make a similar differentiation for other individuals (low risk-taking or high risk-taking peers). Together, the results show that younger adolescents and high SS adolescents make more risky choices for themselves, but can appreciate that others may make fewer risky choices. The developmental change toward more rational decisions versus emotional, impulsive decisions may reflect, in part, more efficient integration of others’ perspectives into one's decision making. These developmental results are discussed regarding brain systems important for risk taking and perspective taking.
The development of emotion-related neural circuitry in health and psychopathology
Authors: Monk Christopher S.
Published: October 2008

Disturbances in the detection of, response to, and interpretation of emotion are common in many forms of psychopathology. The amygdala, striatum, and structures within the prefrontal cortex are highly involved in mediating these stages of emotion processing, and evidence indicates that these regions show structural and functional alterations in different types of psychopathology, including anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. However, we do not know how genes and the environment interact to alter development of these brain regions in ways that give rise to emotion-related psychopathology. This review discusses the current understanding of brain regions that are involved in emotional functioning, how they develop, and how they are altered in three forms of psychopathology: anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. Following this, a framework is described that may facilitate the integration of investigations of genetic variation and brain function with symptom and diagnostic measures. The framework involves three components: (a) a greater emphasis on simultaneously analyzing multiple levels (genes, brain function, behavior, symptoms, and diagnoses); (b) further integration of developmental considerations, including timing of environmental events, adaptations (or maladaptations), and disorder-related trajectories that guide some children toward atypical experiences; and (c) greater cross-talk between animal and human investigations to take advantage of biological measures that cannot be acquired in humans.
The role of the amygdala in bipolar disorder development
Authors: Garrett Amy , Chang Kiki
Published: October 2008

The amygdala has received great interest as a possible neurophysiological substrate of bipolar disorder (BD). This review summarizes information about the structure and function of the amygdala with attention to its role in experienced emotion and mood. We review the evidence for amygdala pathology in psychiatric conditions and discuss the role of the amygdala in BD during development. There appear to be consistent findings in the neuroimaging literature that suggest an etiological model for BD that involves abnormalities in the structure and function of the amygdala, but also depends on the failure of prefrontal cortical regions to modulate amygdala activity. In addition, evidence is accumulating to suggest that this model has flexible outcomes, depending on factors intrinsic and extrinsic to BD, and may follow several possible paths across the course of maturational development.
Developmental disruptions in neural connectivity in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia
Authors: Karlsgodt Katherine H. , Sun Daqiang , Jimenez Amy M. , Lutkenhoff Evan S. , Willhite Rachael , van Erp Theo G. M. , Cannon Tyrone D.
Published: October 2008

Schizophrenia has been thought of as a disorder of reduced functional and structural connectivity. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, structural magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and small animal imaging have advanced our ability to investigate this hypothesis. Moreover, the power of longitudinal designs possible with these noninvasive techniques enable the study of not just how connectivity is disrupted in schizophrenia, but when this disruption emerges during development. This article reviews genetic and neurodevelopmental influences on structural and functional connectivity in human populations with or at risk for schizophrenia and in animal models of the disorder. We conclude that the weight of evidence across these diverse lines of inquiry points to a developmental disruption of neural connectivity in schizophrenia and that this disrupted connectivity likely involves susceptibility genes that affect processes involved in establishing intra- and interregional connectivity.
Paying attention to reading: The neurobiology of reading and dyslexia
Authors: Shaywitz Sally E. , Shaywitz Bennett A.
Published: October 2008

Extraordinary progress in functional brain imaging, primarily advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging, now allows scientists to understand the neural systems serving reading and how these systems differ in dyslexic readers. Scientists now speak of the neural signature of dyslexia, a singular achievement that for the first time has made what was previously a hidden disability, now visible. Paralleling this achievement in understanding the neurobiology of dyslexia, progress in the identification and treatment of dyslexia now offers the hope of identifying children at risk for dyslexia at a very young age and providing evidence-based, effective interventions. Despite these advances, for many dyslexic readers, becoming a skilled, automatic reader remains elusive, in great part because though children with dyslexia can be taught to decode words, teaching children to read fluently and automatically represents the next frontier in research on dyslexia. We suggest that to break through this “fluency” barrier, investigators will need to reexamine the more than 20-year-old central dogma in reading research: the generation of the phonological code from print is modular, that is, automatic and not attention demanding, and not requiring any other cognitive process. Recent findings now present a competing view: other cognitive processes are involved in reading, particularly attentional mechanisms, and that disruption of these attentional mechanisms play a causal role in reading difficulties. Recognition of the role of attentional mechanisms in reading now offer potentially new strategies for interventions in dyslexia. In particular, the use of pharmacotherapeutic agents affecting attentional mechanisms not only may provide a window into the neurochemical mechanisms underlying dyslexia but also may offer a potential adjunct treatment for teaching dyslexic readers to read fluently and automatically. Preliminary studies suggest that agents traditionally used to treat disorders of attention, particularly attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, may prove to be an effective adjunct to improving reading in dyslexic students.
Longitudinal association between infant disorganized attachment and childhood posttraumatic stress symptoms
Authors: Macdonald Helen Z. , Beeghly Marjorie , Grant-Knight Wanda , Augustyn Marilyn , Woods Ryan W. , Cabral Howard , Rose-Jacobs Ruth , Saxe Glenn N. , Frank Deborah A.
Published: October 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether children with a history of disorganized attachment in infancy were more likely than children without a history of disorganized attachment to exhibit symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at school age following trauma exposure. The sample consisted of 78 8.5-year-old children from a larger, ongoing prospective study evaluating the effects of intrauterine cocaine exposure (IUCE) on children's growth and development from birth to adolescence. At the 12-month visit, children's attachment status was scored from videotapes of infant–caregiver dyads in Ainsworth's strange situation. At the 8.5-year visit, children were administered the Violence Exposure Scale—Revised, a child-report trauma exposure inventory, and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents by an experienced clinical psychologist masked to children's attachment status and IUCE status. Sixteen of the 78 children (21%) were classified as insecure–disorganized/insecure–other at 12 months. Poisson regressions covarying IUCE, gender, and continuity of maternal care indicated that disorganized attachment status at 12 months, compared with nondisorganized attachment status, significantly predicted both higher avoidance cluster PTSD symptoms and higher reexperiencing cluster PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that the quality of early dyadic relationships may be linked to differences in children's later development of posttraumatic stress symptoms following a traumatic event.
Winning Fast in Sparse Graph Construction Games
Authors: FELDHEIM OHAD N. , KRIVELEVICH MICHAEL
Published: October 2008

A graph construction game is a Maker–Breaker game. Maker and Breaker take turns in choosing previously unoccupied edges of the complete graphKN. Maker's aim is to claim a copy of a given target graphGwhile Breaker's aim is to prevent Maker from doing so. In this paper we show that ifGis ad-degenerate graph onnvertices andN>d1122d+9n, then Maker can claim a copy ofGin at mostd1122d+7nrounds. We also discuss a lower bound on the number of rounds Maker needs to win, and the gap between these bounds.