bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen-starvation-induced chlorosis in Synechococcus PCC 7942: adaptation to long-term survival
Authors: Görl Margit , Sauer Jörg , Baier Tina , Forchhammer Karl
Published: June 2009

When deprived of essential nutrients, the non-diazotrophic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 undergoes a proteolytic degradation of the phycobiliproteins, its major light-harvesting pigments. This process is known as chlorosis. This paper presents evidence that the degradation of phycobiliproteins is part of an acclimation process in which growing cells differentiate into non-pigmented cells able to endure long periods of starvation. The time course of degradation processes differs for various photosynthetic pigments, for photosystem I and photosystem II activities and is strongly influenced by the illumination and by the experimental conditions of nutrient deprivation. Under standard experimental conditions of combined nitrogen deprivation, three phases of the differentiation process can be defined. The first phase corresponds to the well-known phycobiliprotein degradation, in phase 2 the cells lose chlorophyll a prior to entering phase 3, the fully differentiated state, in which the cells are still able to regenerate pigmentation after the addition of nitrate to the culture. An analysis of the protein synthesis patterns by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis during nitrogen starvation indicates extensive differential gene expression, suggesting the operation of tight regulatory mechanisms.
Isolation of a unique benzothiophene-desulphurizing bacterium, Gordona sp. strain 213E (NCIMB 40816), and characterization of the desulphurization pathway
Authors: Gilbert Steven C. , Morton John , Buchanan Sheena , Oldfield Christopher , McRoberts Andrew
Published: June 2009

Gordona sp. strain 213E (NCIMB 40816) grew in pure culture in a mineral salts medium containing fructose as a source of carbon and energy, and benzothiophene (BTH) as the sole source of sulphur. During growth a phenolic compound accumulated, as indicated by the production of a blue colour on addition of Gibb's reagent. Therefore this pathway is analogous to the dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulphurization pathway of Rhodococcus sp. strain IGTS8, in which 2-hydroxybiphenyl accumulates during growth with DBT as the sole sulphur source. Ethyl acetate extraction of the culture medium yielded the metabolites benzothiophene S-oxide (BTHO), benzothiophene S,S-dioxide (BTHO2), benzo[c][1,2]oxathiin 6-oxide (BcOTO), 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)ethan 1-al (HPEal) and benzofuran (BFU). The deduced pathway for BTH desulphurization is BTH ? BTHO ? BTHO2 ? HPESi- ? HPEal. HPESi- is (Z)-2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)ethen 1-sulphinate, the stable aqueous-solution form of BcOTO. It was concluded that HPEal was the Gibb's-reagent-reactive phenolic compound which accumulated in the culture medium of strain 213E during growth, and that the presence of BFU was due to partial condensation of HPEal during the ethyl acetate extraction procedure. Gordona sp. strain 213E was unable to grow in a mineral salts medium containing fructose as a source of carbon and energy and DBT as the sole sulphur source. BTH-desulphurization-active cells (grown using BTH as sole sulphur source) were unable to desulphurize DBT. Likewise Rhodococcus sp. strain IGTS8 was unable to grow using BTH as the sole sulphur source, and DBT-desulphurization-active cells of strain IGTS8 (grown using DBT as sole sulphur source) were unable to desulphurize BTH. This absence of cross-reactivity is discussed in terms of fundamental differences in the chemistry of the DBT- and BTH-desulphurization reactions.
Construction of a single-copy integration vector and its use to study gene expression in Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Tran Lam-Son Phan , Szabó Lóránd , Orosz László , Sík Tibor , Holczinger András
Published: June 2009

A versatile system consisting of an integrational vector and a bacitracin (Bt)-producing ß-galactosidase (ß-Gal)-negative (Lac−) Bacillus licheniformis TLH strain was constructed to quantify promoter activity and to study gene regulation in a single-copy set-up. The vector pTLH utilizes the promoterless Escherichia coli lacZ gene derived from pQF52 and contains the pBR322 origin of replication and a kanamycin-resistance gene for selection in both B. licheniformis and E. coli. The vector also contains an inner part of the first gene of the Bt synthetase (bts) operon which enables its integration into the bts of B. licheniformis by Campbell-type recombination. This recombination event can be easily tested on a Micrococcus flavus lawn where loss of Bt production, i.e. no clearing zone on the lawn, is indicative of the proper integration. The Lac−
B. licheniformis TLH strain was developed by elimination of the natural ß-Gal activity of B. licheniformis strain ATCC 10716 UM12 using NTG mutagenesis.
An inner cell wall protein (cwp1) from conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Bidochka Michael J. , St Leger Raymond J. , Joshi Lokesh , Roberts Donald W.
Published: June 2009

Following the removal of the rodlet layer from aerial or submerged conidia of the entomopathogenic deuteromycetous fungus Beauveria bassiana, SDS-insoluble, formic-acid-extractable proteins were found in the residual cell wall material. Two major proteins (12·8 and 14·0 kDa) were extracted with formic acid from fractured aerial and submerged conidia but not from blastospores. Oxidation of the sample extracted by formic acid resulted in a single protein band (15·4 kDa) as judged by SDS-PAGE. Antibodies against this cell wall protein (cwp1) did not cross-react with cell wall extracts from the entomopathogenic deuteromycetous fungi Verticillium lecanii or Metarhizium anisopliae. Western blot analysis of two-dimensional gels revealed at least three acidic isoforms (pl 4·0-4·8) of cwp1. Immunohistological studies revealed that the cwp1 was primarily localized in the cell wall of aerial and submerged conidia but not in blastospores, Immunolocalization was possible only if the conidia were previously boiled in 5% (v/v) β-mercaptoethanol. The N-terminal sequence of cwp1 showed no similarities with other published sequences. Our results suggest that at least two major species of SDS-insoluble, formic-acid-extractable proteins exist in cell walls of B. bassiana aerial or submerged conidia; one is the hydrophobin which occurs in the outermost rodlet layer and the other, cwp1, occurs primarily next to the rodlet layer.
Zinc- and arsenic-resistant strains of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans have increased copy numbers of chromosomal resistance genes
Authors: Kondratyeva Tamara F. , Muntyan Lyudmila N. , Karavaiko Grygory I.
Published: June 2009

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to examine chromosomal DNA from various strains of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans: these were the reference strain VKM-458, strains isolated from different environments and pilot plants for processing gold-bearing concentrates, and strains experimentally adapted to high zinc and arsenic concentrations in growth medium. The restriction endonuclease Xbal digested T. ferrooxidans VKM-458 chromosomal DNA into a number of fragments sufficient for identification of their size and calculation of the size of the entire genome (2855/pm44 kb). Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the chromosomal DNA in various strains suggests the usefulness of this approach for analysis of the diversity of T. ferrooxidans strains and for the study of strain stability under conditions of industrial utilization. A comparison of Xbal-restriction patterns in parent strains and in strains with acquired enhanced resistance to zinc or arsenic revealed amplification of certain fragments in the resistant strains, i.e. a 98 kb fragment in strain TFZ and a 28 kb fragment in strain VKM-458As2. We suggest that the enhanced resistance to toxic metals in T. ferrooxidans is gained through increase of the copy number of resistance genes and enhanced synthesis of proteins involved in resistance.
Evolution of the korA-oriV segment of promiscuous IncP plasmids
Authors: Thomas Christopher M. , Smith Christopher A. , Ibbotson John P. , Johnston Lynda , Wang Naijin
Published: June 2009

Plasmids belonging to Escherichia coli incompatibility group P are of particular interest because they can transfer between, and be stably maintained in, almost all Gram-negative bacterial species. The segment of the IncPα plasmid genome between the key regulatory gene korA and the vegetative replication origin, oriV, encodes a series of operons co-regulated with replication and transfer functions by the KorA protein. To determine which of these genes are likely to have an important role in IncP plasmid survival the equivalent region of the distantly related IncPβ plasmid R751 was sequenced. Sequence comparisons show that the kla operon (formerly the kilA locus, which is also responsible for a cryptic tellurite-resistance determinant) is completely absent from R751. Similarly in the kle region, which encodes genes associated with the KilE+ phenotype of unknown function, kleC and kleD, which we proposed arose by a duplication of kleA and kleB, are also completely absent. The genes that are conserved are klcA (formerly kilC, responsible for the KilC+, and recently proposed to be involved in overcoming restriction barriers during transfer), klcB (an ORF interrupted by Tn 1 insertion in RK2), korC (a transcriptional repressor which controls the kleK and kle operons), and kleA, kleB, kleE and kleF. A striking feature of the organization in R751 is the lack of the strong transcriptional termination signals which are present in IncPα plasmids. The degree of divergence between the plasmids facilitates the identification of motifs of probable functional importance in the primary protein sequences.
Choline- and acetylcholine-induced changes in the morphology of Fusarium graminearum: evidence for the involvement of the choline transport system and acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Robson Geoffrey D. , Wiebe Marilyn G. , Cunliffe Bryan , Trinci Anthony P. J.
Published: June 2009

The response of Fusarium graminearum to choline, acetylcholine and a number of related analogues was investigated and their ability to induce a morphological response quantified. A number of mutants resistant to the alkylating agent nitrogen mustard (nim strains) were generated and found to have lost the ability to transport choline. These mutants were found to be insensitive to choline and acetylcholine but not to betaine, ethanolamine and other analogues. In addition, the non-competitive inhibitor hemicholinium-3 was also found to reduce the morphological effect of choline, proving that transport of choline into the hypha is essential for the morphological response. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors blocked the morphological response to acetylcholine but had no effect on the response to choline, suggesting the presence of a membrane- or wall-bound acetylcholinesterase that hydrolyses acetylcholine to choline which subsequently induces the morphological response. Studies on the in vivo chitin synthase activity revealed that addition of choline caused a transient 75% increase in chitin synthase activity within 30 s, the rate rapidly returning to that observed before the addition of choline. No such effect was observed with the nim mutants.
Erwinia chrysanthemi at high osmolarity: influence of osmoprotectants on growth and pectate lyase production
Authors: Gouesbet Gwenola , Jebbar Mohamed , Bonnassie Sylvie , Hugouvieux-Cotte-Pattat Nicole , Himdi-Kabbab Souad , Blanco Carlos
Published: June 2009

The mechanism of osmotic stress adaptation was investigated in the phytopathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi. Growth of the bacterium was inhibited by elevated medium osmolarity, and exogenous glycine betaine, proline, ectoine or pipecolate permitted recovery of growth at inhibitory osmolarity. Osmoprotectants were taken up by transporters induced by elevated osmolarity, and their level of accumulation within the cell was dependent on the osmolarity of the growth medium. The influence of osmolarity and osmoprotectants on the production of pectate lyases (PLs) was investigated. Increased medium osmolarity resulted first in an induction of PL activity, followed by a shift to the basal level at higher osmolyte concentrations. This induction was reversed by osmoprotectants in the medium. The increased PL activity was attributed in part to the induced transcription of the main PL gene, pelE, and all the osmoprotectants that were analysed were found to prevent pelE induction. PL activity was partially inhibited in vitro by high ionic strength but not by elevated concentrations of sugars, and the addition of osmoprotectants at 1 mM had no effect on PL activity in vitro.
cAMP-cAMP receptor protein complex: five binding sites in the control region of the Escherichia coli mannitol operon
Authors: Ramseier Tom M. , Saier Milton H.
Published: June 2009

The control region of the mannitol (mtl) operon of Escherchia coli has been shown to contain five cAMP receptor protein (CRP) binding sequences, the most yet reported for any operon. A DNA fragment encompassing the entire mtl operon regulatory region was generated by PCR, and the binding of the cAMP-CRP complex was studied. Using restrictional analysis to separate, delineate and destroy the various putative CRP binding sites, all five sites were shown to be functional for CRP binding in vitro. Four of these sites bound the cAMP-CRP complex with high affinity while the fifth site (the most distal relative to the transcriptional start site) bound the complex with lower affinity. Simultaneous binding of cAMP-CRP complexes to several of these sites was demonstrated. The results serve to identify and define five dissimilar CRP binding sites in a single operon of E. coli. A model for mtl operon transcriptional initiation and repression complexes is presented.
I-Ceul recognition sites in the rrn operons of the Bacillus subtilis 168 chromosome: inherent landmarks for genome analysis
Authors: Toda Tsutomu , Itaya Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2009

The Bacillus subtilis 168 circular chromosome yielded ten fragments on I-Ceui endonuclease digestion. I-Ceul recognizes a 26 bp sequence that is located within the gene encoding the 235 subunit of the rRNA in Chlamydomonas eugametos, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. The precise locations of the I-Ceul sites of the B. subtilis chromosome were determined on a Notl-Sfil physical map by (i) double digestion analyses with I-Ceul and Sfil, (ii)comparison of mutant strains lacking a specific rrn operon, (iii)using an I-Ceul linking clone and (iv) analysis of nucleotide sequence data of some rrn operons. In conclusion, all the I-Ceul sites were located within the B. subtilis rrn operons and the I-Ceul sites were conserved in all the B. subtilis 168 derivatives tested. Thus, variations in size of the I-Ceul fragments must be due to genome alterations. A B. subtilis 168 strain was investigated with I-Ceul. We demonstrated that the aberrant structure was the outcome of the inversion of an ~ 1700 kb DNA segment.
Identification of symbiosis-specific c-type cytochromes and a putative oxidase in bacteroids of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae
Authors: Vargas Carmen , Wu Guanghui , Delgado Maria-Jesus , Poole Robert K. , Downie J. Allan
Published: June 2009

Covalently bound haem proteins and cytochromes were analysed in Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae free-living cells and nitrogen-fixing bacteroids isolated from pea nodules. Increased levels of spectroscopically detectable cytochrome c in bacteroids were correlated with the appearance of two proteins of Mr
30000 and 28000 that contained covalently bound haem. Conversely, bacteroids had undetectable levels of a periplasmic cytochrome c of M
r 14000 that is normally present in free-living bacteria. Difference spectra confirmed that the terminal oxidases, cytochromes aa
3 and d, were absent, and photodissociation spectra revealed novel components that may be due to a bacteroid terminal oxidase.
Correlation of isocitrate lyase activity and riboflavin formation in the riboflavin overproducer Ashbya gossypii
Authors: Schmidt Georg , Stahmann K.-Peter , Kaesler Bruno , Sahm Hermann
Published: June 2009

Summary: Isocitrate lyase (ICL) was assayed during batch cultivations of Ashbya gossypii on soybean oil or glucose as carbon source. On soybean oil, a correlation between enzyme activity and riboflavin synthesis was observed. On glucose as carbon source, riboflavin overproduction started in the late growth phase when glucose was exhausted. ICL activity appeared in parallel and reached a maximum of 0.41 U (mg protein)-1. This suggested synthesis of vitamin B2 from the intracellular reserve fat. ICL specific activity correlated with the enzyme concentration detected by specific antibodies. Itaconate, an efficient inhibitor of ICL, was used as an antimetabolite to screen mutants with enhanced ICL activity. Cultivations of an itaconate-resistant mutant on soybean oil revealed a 15% increase in enzyme specific activity and a 25-fold increase in riboflavin yield compared to the wild-type. On the other hand, growth experiments on glucose resulted in an eightfold increase in riboflavin yield but showed a 33% reduction in ICL specific activity compared to the wild-type grown on the same medium. These results support the idea of an ICL bottleneck in the riboflavin overproducer A. gossypii when plant oil is used as the substrate.
Analysis of the sakacin P gene cluster from Lactobacillus sake Lb674 and its expression in sakacin-negative Lb. sake strains
Authors: Hühne Kathrin , Axelsson Lars , Holck Askild , Kröckel Lothar
Published: June 2009

Sakacin P is a small, heat-stable, ribosomally synthesized peptide produced by certain strains of Lactobacillus sake. It inhibits the growth of several Gram-positive bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes. A 7.6 kb chromosomal DNA fragment from Lb. sake Lb674 encompassing all genes responsible for sakacin P production and immunity was sequenced and introduced into Lb. sake strains Lb790 and Lb706X which are bacteriocin-negative and sensitive to sakacin P. The transformants produced sakacin P in comparable amounts to the parental strain, Lb674. The sakacin P gene cluster comprised six consecutive genes: sppK, sppR, sppA, spiA, sppT and sppE, all transcribed in the same direction. The deduced proteins SppK and SppR resembled the histidine kinase and response regulator proteins of bacterial two-component signal transducing systems of the AgrB/AgrA-type. The genes sppA and spiA encoded the sakacin P preprotein and the putative immunity protein, respectively. The predicted proteins SppT and SppE showed strong similarities to the proposed transport proteins of several other bacteriocins and to proteins implicated in the signal-sequence-independent export of Escherichia coli haemolysin A. Deletion and frameshift mutation analyses showed that sppK, sppT and sppE were essential for sakacin P production in Lb706X. The putative SpiA peptide was shown to be involved in immunity to sakacin P. Analogues of sppR and spiA were found on the chromosomes of Lb. sake Lb706X and Lb790, indicating the presence of an incomplete spp gene cluster in these strains.
The QUTA activator and QUTR repressor proteins of Aspergillus nidulans interact to regulate transcription of the quinate utilization pathway genes
Authors: Lamb Heather K. , Newton Giles H. , Levett Lisa J. , Cairns Elaine , Roberts Clive F. , Hawkins Alastair R.
Published: June 2009

Genetic evidence suggests that the activity of the native QUTA transcription activator protein is negated by the action of the QUTR transcription repressor protein. When Aspergillus nidulans was transformed with plasmids containing the wild-type qutA gene, transformants that constitutively expressed the quinate pathway enzymes were isolated. The constitutive phenotype of these transformants was associated with an increased copy number of the transforming qutA gene and elevated qutA mRNA levels. Conversely, when A. nidulans was transformed with plasmids containing the qutR gene under the control of the constitutive pgk promoter, transformants with a super-repressed phenotype (unable to utilize quinate as a carbon source) were isolated. The super-repressed phenotype of these transformants was associated with an increased copy number of the transforming qutR gene and elevated qutR mRNA levels. These copy-number-dependent phenotypes argue that the levels of the QUTA and QUTR proteins were elevated in the high-copy-number transformants. When diploid strains were formed by combining haploid strains that contained high copy numbers of either the qutA gene (constitutive phenotype) or the qutR gene (super-repressing; non-inducible phenotype), the resulting diploid phenotype was one of quinate-inducible production of the quinate pathway enzymes, in a manner similar to wild-type. The simplest interpretation of these observations is that the QUTR repressor protein mediates its repressing activity through a direct interaction with the QUTA activator protein. Other possible interpretations are discussed in the text. Experiments in which truncated versions of the QUTA protein were produced in the presence of a wild-type QUTA protein indicate that the QUTR repressor protein recognizes and binds to the C-terminal half of the QUTA activator protein.
An immunochemical study of serological cross-reaction between lipopolysaccharides from Vibrio cholerae O22 and O139
Authors: Isshiki Yasunori , Kondo Seiichi , Iguchi Takehiro , Sano Yasuhiro , Shimada Toshio , Hisatsune Kazuhito
Published: June 2009

A comparative chemical and serological study of the LPS of Vibrio cholerae O139 and O22 was performed. Chemical analysis revealed that the sugar composition of the LPS of strain O22 was quite similar to that of O139 LPS. Each contained D-glucose, L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, colitose (3,6-dideoxy-L-galactose), D-fructose, D-glucosamine, D-quinovosamine and D-galacturonic acid. The O-antigenic relationship between the two strains was analysed by passive haemolysis (PH) and passive haemolysis inhibition (PHI) tests with the respective LPS being used as antigens to sensitize sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and, in the latter case, as inhibitors in a PH system that consisted of LPS-sensitized SRBC, guinea-pig complement and anti-O139 or anti-O22 antiserum, both unabsorbed and absorbed with the heterologous antigen. In the PH experiment, unabsorbed anti-O139 antiserum had haemolytic titres of 66000 and 22000 against O139 LPS- and O22 LPS-sensitized SRBC, respectively; unabsorbed anti-O22 antiserum had haemolytic titres of 900 and 13000, respectively. Thus, the anti-O139 antiserum contained an antibody that reacted with a heterologous O22 antigen at a high titre (22000) and this antibody was completely removed from anti-O139 antiserum with the O22 antigen. The anti-O22 antiserum contained an antibody that reacted with the heterologous O139 antigen at a low titre (900) and this antibody was completely removed from anti-O22 antiserum with the O139 antigen. In PHI tests O139 LPS and O22 LPS each strongly inhibited (the ID50 of LPS ranged from 0.03 to 0.14 μg ml−1) the heterologous haemolytic systems of both O139 LPS-sensitized SRBC/anti-O22 antiserum and O22 LPS-sensitized SRBC/anti-O139 antiserm, which are substantially equivalent to the common antigen factor in the O139 LPS-sensitized SRBC/anti-O22 antiserum system and the common antigen factor in the O22 LPS-sensitized SRBC/anti-O139 antiserum system, respectively. The results indicated that the O antigen of O139 is closely related to that of O22 in an a,b-a,c type of relationship where a is common antigenic factor, b is an O139-specific antigenic factor and c is an O22-specific antigenic factor.
Expression of periplasmic α-amylase of Xanthomonas campestris K-11151 in Escherichia coli and its action on maltose
Authors: Abe Jun-ichi , Shibata Yuko , Fujisue Mami , Hizukuri Susumu
Published: June 2009

A gene encoding the periplasmic α-amylase of Xanthomonas campestris K-11151 was cloned into Escherichia coli using pUC19 as a vector. An ORF of 1578 bp was deduced to be the amylase structural gene. The primary structure of the enzyme had little identity with other α-amylases, except with the enzyme from Bacillus megaterium. The enzyme was expressed in E. coli from the lac promoter of pUC19 and was found to be transported to the periplasmic space. The expressed enzyme showed the same thermal stability, optimum temperature and substrate specificity as the enzyme from X. campestris. The enzyme formed maltotetraose, but not 61- nor 62-maltosyl-maltose, from maltose by the reverse reaction, and the tetraose was then hydrolysed to maltotriose and glucose. The addition of maltotriose enhanced the production of glucose from maltose. In addition, maltose was formed by the condensation of glucose by the enzyme. Thus, the periplasmic α-amylase of X. campestris was shown to produce glucose from maltose by hydrolysing maltotetraose and possibly higher maltooligosaccharides, which were the products of a condensation reaction, as a major pathway, and by direct hydrolysis of maltose as a minor pathway.
Evaluation of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland lipid infusion protocol in bupivacaine induced cardiac arrest in rabbits
Authors: Cave G. , Harvey M. G. , Winterbottom T.
Published: June 2009

Infusion of lipid emulsion has been demonstrated to facilitate return of spontaneous circulation in animal models and human cases of local anaesthetic induced cardiac arrest. Guidelines for lipid application exist; however, experimental evidence of efficacy at recommended dosing is lacking. In 20 sedated, mechanically ventilated, and invasively monitored New Zealand White rabbits, asystole was induced via bolus bupivacaine injection. Animals were randomised to receive either 20% Intralipid administered according to Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland guidelines, or identical volumes of 0.9% saline solution, in addition to standard Advanced Cardiac Life Support resuscitative measures. Seven lipid treated rabbits developed return of spontaneous circulation vs four saline treated animals (p = 0.370). A trend toward sooner return of spontaneous circulation in the lipid treated group was observed (2.4 (0.53) vs 3.8 (1.7) min; p = 0.082). Five animals in the lipid treated group survived to protocol termination vs nil animals from the saline treated group (p = 0.033). The current Association of Anaesthestists of Great Britain and Ireland lipid infusion protocol provides a useful beginning for lipid emulsion administration.
Expressed emotion in children: associations with sibling relationships
Authors: Yelland I. , Daley D.
Published: June 2009

Objective  To investigate the reliability and validity of the expressed emotion (EE) measure, the Pre‐school Five Minute Speech Sample (PFMSS), in child‐to‐child sibling relationships.

Method  A total of 106 boys aged 7–11 were recruited from 12 mainstream primary schools in North Wales. The children completed the PFMSS regarding their sibling and two self‐report measures of sibling relationship: the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ) and a Child Visual Analogue Scale (CVAS). The parents of 60 participants completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire regarding the behavioural problems of the participating child and his younger sibling.

Results  The PFMSS demonstrated good inter‐rater and code–recode reliability. The significant associations between EE dimensions such as relationship, positive comments and critical comments with various components of the SRQ and CVAS provided support for the concurrent validity of the PFMSS. Significantly higher levels of Conflict and Rivalry and significantly lower levels of Warmth/Closeness on the SRQ were reported by children with high EE, demonstrating good discriminant validity for the PFMSS. There was no significant association between the child's EE profile and the behavioural difficulties of both siblings as reported by parents.

Conclusions  The study found that the PFMSS is a valid and reliable measure of child EE. Future research is needed to clarify the concurrent validity of the warmth and initial statement components of the measure as well as the association between EE dimensions and behaviour.
The quality of life of young people with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Cutler D. , Murphy T. , Gilmour J. , Heyman I.
Published: June 2009

Background  The study examined a UK sample of 57 young people with Tourette syndrome (TS).

Aims  The purpose of this study was to consider the impact of TS on young people's Quality of Life (QoL).

Methods  The study used a mixed methods design, combining focus groups and questionnaire data. Child report questionnaires measured QoL and TS symptom severity.

Results  The results showed that the QoL of children with TS was significantly worse than that of children in a UK normative sample. Analysis of transcripts from the groups identified four main themes; ‘TS can be distressing and disabling’, ‘struggling to fit into society's expectations of normal behaviour’, ‘needing to control tics’ and ‘TS is one part of who I am’.

Conclusions  Poorer QoL was associated with increased symptom severity in terms of tics, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis and obsessive compulsive behaviours.
Effectiveness of educational materials designed to change knowledge and behaviors regarding crying and shaken‐baby syndrome in mothers of newborns: a randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Reading Richard
Published: June 2009

.
 
Barr R. G.,
Rivara F. P.,
Barr M.,
Cummings P.,
Taylor J.,
Lengua L. J. &
Meredith‐Benitz E.
(
2009
)

,
123
,
972
–
980
.
 
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008‐0908
.

Background Infant crying is an important precipitant for shaken‐infant syndrome.

Objective To determine if parent education materials [The Period of PURPLE Crying (PURPLE)] change maternal knowledge and behaviour relevant to infant shaking.

Methods This study was a randomized, controlled trial conducted in prenatal classes, maternity wards and pediatric practices. There were 1374 mothers of newborns randomly assigned to the PURPLE intervention and 1364 mothers to the control group. Primary outcomes were measured by telephone 2 months after delivery. These included two knowledge scales about crying and the dangers of shaking; three scales about behavioural responses to crying generally and to unsoothable crying, and caregiver self‐talk in response to unsoothable crying; and three questions concerning the behaviours of sharing of information with others about crying, walking away if frustrated and the dangers of shaking.

Results The mean infant crying knowledge score was greater in the intervention group (69.5) compared with controls (63.3). Mean shaking knowledge was greater for intervention subjects (84.8) compared with controls (83.5). For reported maternal behavioural responses to crying generally, responses to unsoothable crying, and for self‐talk responses, mean scores for intervention mothers were similar to those for controls. For the behaviours of information sharing, more intervention mothers reported sharing information about walking away if frustrated and the dangers of shaking, but there was little difference in sharing information about infant crying. Intervention mothers also reported increased infant distress.

Conclusions Use of the PURPLE education materials seem to lead to higher scores in knowledge about early infant crying and the dangers of shaking, and in sharing of information behaviours considered to be important for the prevention of shaking.
Neutralization of LIGHT ameliorates acute dextran sodium sulphate‐induced intestinal inflammation
Authors: Jungbeck Michaela , Daller Barbara , Federhofer Josef , Wege Anja K. , Wimmer Nadin , Männel Daniela N. , Hehlgans Thomas
Published: June 2009

Emerging data indicate that alterations in the expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily members play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. Recent results demonstrated that sustained transgenic expression of lymphotoxin‐like inducible protein that competes with glycoprotein D for binding herpesvirus entry mediator on T cells (LIGHT; TNFSF14) induced severe intestinal inflammation, suggesting a specific role of LIGHT‐mediated signalling to the intestinal compartment. In order to dissect the role of LIGHT in intestinal inflammation, we used LIGHT‐deficient mice in the mouse model of acute dextran sodium sulphate‐induced colitis. Interestingly, LIGHT‐deficient mice were characterized by strongly reduced signs of intestinal inflammation compared with wild‐type mice in this experimental model. Determination of mouse LIGHT mRNA expression in colon tissues of wild‐type mice revealed a strong induction of mouse LIGHT mRNA expression during acute DSS‐induced colitis. We therefore generated anti‐mouse LIGHT monoclonal antibodies in LIGHT‐deficient mice which bind specifically to LIGHT and are capable of neutralizing the activity of LIGHT in vitro and in vivo. With these antibodies, we demonstrated that neutralization of LIGHT during acute DSS‐induced colitis resulted in reduced signs of intestinal inflammation. These data suggest that LIGHT is an important mediator in intestinal inflammation and may serve as a new target for therapeutic intervention.
Accuracy in documentation – a study of peripheral venous catheters
Authors: Ahlqvist Margary , Berglund Britta , Wirén Mikael , Klang Birgitta , Johansson Eva
Published: June 2009

Aim.  The aim was to explore the extent of postinsertion documentation of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) in patients’ medical records, including the descriptions used to explain the PVC insertion site and determinants of PVC documentation.

Background.  Documentation in medical records is an important precondition for the safe handling of patients PVC. However, factors associated with documentation of PVCs and how the insertion site is described in medical records has not previously been studied.

Design.  This was a cross‐sectional and descriptive study.

Methods.  A sample of 933 adult inpatients (women 45·7%) with PVC was recruited from medical and surgical wards at one university hospital and two general hospitals. A data collection form was used for registration of the insertion site of the PVC, hand side, lumen size, patient’s age and gender. PVC documentation from medical records was transcribed. Factors associated with the documentation were analysed using logistic regression.

Results.  Ten descriptions used to explain the insertion site of the PVCs were identified in the patients’ medical record. Any kind of PVC documentation was found in 71·8% and documentation that included insertion site, hand side and lumen size was recorded in 46·2% of the observed PVCs. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that PVC documentation was associated with medical wards at general hospitals (OR 4·59; 95% CI 3·10–6·81; p < 0·0001) and smaller lumen size (22 gauge) (OR 1·81; 95% CI 1·19–2·84, p = 0·006).

Conclusion.  The extent of PVC documentation in medical records was low and descriptions used to explain the PVC insertion sites were found to vary appreciably. General hospitals and in particular medical wards and smaller lumen size, were associated with PVC documentation that included insertion site, hand side and lumen size.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Development of terms is needed to assure standardisation of postinsertion PVC documentation. Education of nurses on proper PVC documentation should be given priority.
Empirical Likelihood for Non‐Smooth Criterion Functions
Authors: MOLANES LOPEZ ELISA M. , KEILEGOM INGRID VAN , VERAVERBEKE NOËL
Published: June 2009

Abstract. Suppose thatX1,…, Xnis a sequence of independent random vectors, identically distributed as ad‐dimensional random vectorX. Letbe a parameter of interest andbe some nuisance parameter. The unknown, true parameters (μ0,ν0) are uniquely determined by the system of equationsE{g(X,μ0,ν0)} =  0, whereg =  (g1,…,gp+q) is a vector ofp+qfunctions. In this paper we develop an empirical likelihood (EL) method to do inference for the parameterμ0. The results in this paper are valid under very mild conditions on the vector of criterion functionsg. In particular, we do not require thatg1,…,gp+qare smooth inμorν. This offers the advantage that the criterion function may involve indicators, which are encountered when considering, e.g. differences of quantiles, copulas, ROC curves, to mention just a few examples. We prove the asymptotic limit of the empirical log‐likelihood ratio, and carry out a small simulation study to test the performance of the proposed EL method for small samples.
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES NOW AND BENEFITS TOMORROW: HOW SOON IS TOMORROW?
Authors: MÉON PIERRE‐GUILLAUME , SEKKAT KHALID , WEILL LAURENT
Published: June 2009

This paper investigates the timing of the impact of changes in checks and balances on macroeconomic efficiency in a panel of countries. Using Battese and Coelli's one‐stage approach, we find that increasing checks and balances results in greater efficiency. Furthermore, the impact of institutional changes on efficiency is delayed, with a full effect showing after five to six years. This finding remains robust after distinguishing developed and developing countries, including country‐fixed effects and using alternative functional forms of the production frontier and alternative measures of checks and balances. The relation is also robust to controlling for endogeneity.
T.F. Torrance on Biblical Interpretation
Authors: SARISKY DARREN
Published: June 2009

T.F. Torrance's writing contains an account of theological interpretation of Scripture which is pregnant with insight but which has received little attention to date. Depth exegesis, as Torrance calls his program, takes its cue from a theological understanding of the Bible: the nature of the text determines the interpretive strategies readers should apply to it. Depth exegesis helpfully sketches out key aspects of the reader's situation, depicting the sense in which biblical interpretation is an encounter with God. Nevertheless, Torrance's view gives inadequate attention to the literary and historical side of interpretation and, relatedly, portrays the reader as altogether too passive. In spite of these weaknesses, reflecting on depth exegesis can be fruitful for future discussions of theological interpretation.
Evolutionarily independent genes and genomes and insights on genetic structure, evolution and conservation of the collis group of darters
Authors: Oswald K. J. , Rohde F. C. , Arndt R. G. , Grady J. M. , Quattro J. M.
Published: June 2009

Comparing variation across evolutionarily independent characters, notably nuclear and mitochondrial genes, yields a more robust estimate of diversification than is generally recovered from individual characters. Patterns of variation across multiple molecular markers from the mitochondrial (16SrRNA, cytochrome b) and nuclear (ldhA6 and aldB) genomes were examined from six populations of Etheostoma collis and two populations of Etheostoma saludae, species aligned in the collis groups. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that sequence variation among individuals from the Roanoke, Tar and Neuse Rivers and the Catawba and Pee Dee Rivers, respectively, form highly supported, deeply divergent clades. Relationships of alleles sampled from Saluda River E. saludae and Cape Fear River E. collis to these lineages are unresolved, but all groups are reciprocally monophyletic for both nuclear and mtDNA loci. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that historical factors have had a strong influence on the distribution of genetic variation among populations. Genetic variation within the collis group is consistent with all previously proposed taxonomic hypotheses for the collis group, providing no taxonomic insights. From a conservation standpoint, each population of the collis group is an ESU, thereby warranting a drainage‐specific management strategy.
Farmed arctic foxes on the Fennoscandian mountain tundra: implications for conservation
Authors: Norén K. , Kvaløy K. , Nyström V. , Landa A. , Dalén L. , Eide N. E. , Østbye E. , Henttonen H. , Angerbjörn A.
Published: June 2009

Hybridization between wild and captive‐bred individuals is a serious conservation issue that requires measures to prevent negative effects. Such measures are, however, often considered controversial by the public, especially when concerning charismatic species. One of the threats to the critically endangered Fennoscandian arctic fox Alopex lagopus is hybridization with escaped farm foxes, conveying a risk of outbreeding depression through loss of local adaptations to the lemming cycle. In this study, we investigate the existence of escaped farm foxes among wild arctic foxes and whether hybridization has occurred in the wild. We analysed mitochondrial control region sequences and 10 microsatellite loci in samples from free‐ranging foxes and compared them with reference samples of known farm foxes and true Fennoscandian arctic foxes. We identified the farm fox specific mitochondrial haplotype H9 in 25 out of 182 samples, 21 of which had been collected within or nearby the wild subpopulation on Hardangervidda in south‐western Norway. Genetic analyses of museum specimens collected on Hardangervidda (1897–1975) suggested that farm fox genotypes have recently been introduced to the area. Principal component analysis as well as both model‐ and frequency‐based analyses of microsatellite data imply that the free‐ranging H9s were farm foxes rather than wild arctic foxes and that the entire Hardangervidda population consisted of farm foxes or putative hybrids. We strongly recommend removal of farm foxes and hybrids in the wild to prevent genetic pollution of the remaining wild subpopulations of threatened arctic foxes.
Physical exercise is required for environmental enrichment to offset the quantitative effects of dark‐rearing on the S‐100β astrocytic density in the rat visual cortex
Authors: Argandoña Enrike G. , Bengoetxea Harkaitz , Lafuente José V.
Published: June 2009

After birth, exposure to visual inputs modulates cortical development, inducing numerous changes in all of the components of the visual cortex. Most of the cortical changes thus induced occur during what is called the critical period. Astrocytes play an important role in the development, maintenance and plasticity of the cortex as well as in the structure and function of the vascular network. Visual deprivation induces a decrease in the astroglial population, whereas enhanced experience increases it. Exposure to an enriched environment has been shown to prevent the effects of dark‐rearing in the visual cortex. Our purpose was to study the effects of an enriched environment on the density of astrocytes per reference surface at the visual cortex of dark‐reared rats, in order to determine if enhanced experience is able to compensate the quantitative effects of visual deprivation and the role of physical exercise on the enrichment paradigm. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats were raised in one of the following rearing conditions: control rats with standard housing (12‐h light/dark cycle); in total darkness for the dark‐rearing experiments; and dark‐rearing in conditions of enriched environment without and with physical exercise. The astrocytic density was estimated by immunohistochemistry for S‐100β protein. Quantifications were performed in layer IV. The somatosensorial cortex barrel field was also studied as control. The volume of layer IV was stereologically calculated for each region, age and experimental condition. From the beginning of the critical period, astrocyte density was higher in control rats than in the enriched environment group without physical exercise, with densities of astrocytes around 20% higher at all of the different ages. In contrast, when the animals had access to voluntary exercise, densities were significantly higher than even the control rats. Our main result shows that strategies to apply environmental enrichment should always consider the incorporation of physical exercise, even for sensorial areas such as the visual area, where complex enriched experience by itself is not enough to compensate the effects of visual deprivation.
Increasing public awareness about hepatitis C: development and validation of the brief hepatitis C knowledge scale
Authors: Balfour Louise , Kowal John , Corace Kimberly M. , Tasca Giorgio A. , Krysanski Valerie , Cooper Curtis L. , Garber Gary
Published: June 2009

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is silently becoming a major public health problem. Currently, no validated HCV knowledge measures exist. This study aimed to develop and validate a brief measure to assess general knowledge about HCV risk factors, modes of transmissions, and treatment options. A total of 406 individuals participated in this cross‐sectional study. All participants completed the proposed 19‐item Brief HCV Knowledge Scale. Participants were: HCV mono‐infected patients (n = 83), HCV–human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infected patients (n = 24), HIV mono‐infected patients (n = 128) community healthcare workers (n = 89), and college students (n = 82). Two‐week test–retest data were collected for the college student sample. Psychometric evaluation of the proposed scale demonstrated high levels of validity (content and construct validity) and reliability (internal consistency and retest stability). Factor analysis indicated a one‐factor solution, which accounted for 49% of the variance. HCV knowledge was positively correlated with length of time since HCV diagnosis (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). HCV treatment‐experienced patients obtained significantly higher HCV knowledge scores (82% correct) than HCV treatment‐naïve patients (72% correct) (p < 0.05). HCV knowledge in College students (43% correct) and HIV patients (54% correct) was significantly lower than in HCV patients (77% correct) and community healthcare workers (80% correct) (p < 0.001). Community workers’ HCV knowledge was positively correlated with years of HCV work experience (r = 0.30, p < 0.01). This self‐administered Brief HCV Knowledge scale has high levels of validity and reliability across patient, healthcare provider and college student populations. It has valuable applications as a clinical teaching tool with patients and healthcare providers and could be used as an outcome indicator in novel HCV educational intervention studies.
5‐HT1A receptors are involved in the effects of xaliproden on G‐protein activation, neurotransmitter release and nociception
Authors: Martel J‐C , Assié M‐B , Bardin L , Depoortère R , Cussac D , Newman‐Tancredi A
Published: June 2009

Background and purpose:  Xaliproden (SR57746A) is a 5‐HT1A receptor agonist and neurotrophic agent that reduces oxaliplatin‐mediated neuropathy in clinical trials. The present study investigated its profile on in vitro transduction, neurochemical responses and acute nociceptive pain tests in rats.

Experimental approach:  Xaliproden was tested on models associated with 5‐HT1A receptor activation including G‐protein activation, extracellular dopamine and 5‐HT levels measured by microdialysis and formalin‐induced pain. Activation of 5‐HT1A receptors was confirmed by antagonism with WAY100635.

Key results:  Xaliproden exhibited high affinity for rat (r) and human (h) 5‐HT1A receptors (pKi= 8.84 and 9.00). In [35S]GTPγS (guanosine 5'‐O‐(3‐[35S]thio)triphosphate) assays it activated both hippocampal r5‐HT1A[pEC50/EMAX of 7.58/61% (%5‐HT)] and recombinant h5‐HT1A receptors (glioma C6‐h5‐HT1A: 7.39/62%; HeLa‐h5‐HT1A: 7.24/93%). In functional [35S]GTPγS autoradiography, xaliproden induced labelling in structures enriched with 5‐HT1A receptors (hippocampus, lateral septum, prefrontal and entorhinal cortices). Xaliproden inhibited in vivo binding of [3H]WAY100635 to 5‐HT1A receptors in mouse frontal cortex and hippocampus (ID50: 3.5 and 3.3 mg·kg−1, p.o. respectively). In rat, it increased extracellular dopamine levels in frontal cortex and reduced hippocampal 5‐HT levels (ED50: 1.2 and 0.7 mg·kg−1, i.p. respectively). In a rat pain model, xaliproden inhibited paw licking and elevation (ED50: 1 and 3 mg·kg−1, i.p. respectively) following formalin injection in the paw. All effects were reversed by pretreatment with WAY100635.

Conclusions and implications:  These results indicate that activation of 5‐HT1A receptors is the principal mechanism of action of xaliproden and provide further support for the utility of 5‐HT1A receptor activation as an anti‐nociceptive strategy.