bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative injury triggers autophagy in astrocytes: The role of endogenous zinc
Authors: Lee Sook‐Jeong , Cho Kyung Sook , Koh Jae‐Young
Published: February 2009

We have recently demonstrated that the accumulation of labile zinc in lysosomes during oxidative stress causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) in cultured hippocampal neurons. Since autophagy involves fusion of autophagic vacuoles (AVs) with lysosomes, zinc accumulation may start in AVs. In the present study, we examined the role of endogenous zinc in H2O2‐induced autophagy and cell death in mouse astrocyte cultures. Live‐cell confocal imaging of astrocytes transfected with GFP‐LC3 revealed that the number of AVs positive for LC3 (microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3) increased following exposure to H2O2 or ferrous chloride (FeCl2). Staining of RFP‐LC3‐transfected astrocytes with FluoZin‐3 indicated that the levels of labile zinc increased in AVs as well as in the cytosol and nuclei. The majority of AVs were double‐stained with LysoTracker, indicating that they were fused with lysosomes. Chelation of zinc with tetrakis [2‐pyridylmethyl]ethylenediamine (TPEN) decreased the number of AVs in H2O2‐treated astrocytes, whereas exposure to zinc increased their number, suggesting that dysregulation of zinc homeostasis is mechanistically linked to autophagy. Unexpectedly, inhibition of autophagy blocked the rise in labile zinc levels. Astrocytic death induced by H2O2 was accompanied by LMP. Autophagy inhibitors (3‐methyladenine, bafilomycin‐1) or TPEN attenuated LMP and cell death in astrocytes. These results support the possibility that endogenous zinc plays a key role in autophagy under oxidative stress in astrocytes, and suggest that autophagy is a necessary preceding event for LMP and cell death in oxidative injury. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amphiregulin is a factor for resistance of glioma cells to cannabinoid‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Lorente Mar , Carracedo Arkaitz , Torres Sofía , Natali Francesco , Egia Ainara , Hernández‐Tiedra Sonia , Salazar María , Blázquez Cristina , Guzmán Manuel , Velasco Guillermo
Published: February 2009

Gliomas, one of the most malignant forms of cancer, exhibit high resistance to conventional therapies. Identification of the molecular mechanisms responsible for this resistance is therefore of great interest to improve the efficacy of the treatments against these tumors. Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of marijuana, and other cannabinoids inhibit tumor growth in animal models of cancer, including glioma, an effect that relies, at least in part, on the ability of these compounds to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. By analyzing the gene expression profile of two sub‐clones of C6 glioma cells with different sensitivity to cannabinoid‐induced apoptosis, we found a subset of genes with a marked differential expression in the two sub‐clones. Furthermore, we identified the epidermal growth factor receptor ligand amphiregulin as a candidate factor to mediate the resistance of glioma cells to cannabinoid treatment. Amphiregulin was highly overexpressed in the cannabinoid‐resistant cell line, both in culture and in tumor xenografts. Moreover, in vivo silencing of amphiregulin rendered the resistant tumors xenografts sensitive to cannabinoid antitumoral action. Amphiregulin expression was associated with increased extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation, which mediated the resistance to THC by blunting the expression of p8 and TRB3—two genes involved in cannabinoid‐induced apoptosis of glioma cells. Our findings therefore identify Amphirregulin as a factor for resistance of glioma cells to THC‐induced apoptosis and contribute to unraveling the molecular bases underlying the emerging notion that targeted inhibition of the EGFR pathway can improve the efficacy of antitumoral therapies. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exogenous Nanog alleviates but is insufficient to reverse embryonic stem cells differentiation induced by PI3K signaling inhibition
Authors: Liu Na , Lu Min , Feng Xiao Ming , Ma Feng Xia , Fang Zhi Hong , Tian Xue Mei , Ren Qian , Zhang Lei , Liu Bin , Huang Ping Ping , Liu Lin , Han Zhong Chao
Published: February 2009

PI3K signaling pathway plays a significant role in embryonic stem cells (ES cells) self‐renewal. Overexpression of Nanog maintains mouse ES cells pluripotency independent of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). However, little is known about the effect of PI3K signaling pathway on ES cells with Nanog overexpression. Our experiments aimed to explore the relationship between PI3K signaling pathway and Nanog expression in ES cells. We observed the effect of LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K pathway, on wild‐type J1 cells and Nanog overexpressing (Ex‐Nanog) J1 cells in the presence or absence of LIF. With LY294002 treatment, both of them lost their ES features even in the presence of LIF. But the differentiation induced by LY294002 on Ex‐Nanog J1 cells was slighter lower than that on wild‐type J1 cells. These results indicate that inhibition of PI3K pathway induces mouse ES cells differentiation. Exogenous Nanog sustains mouse ES cells pluripotency independent of LIF, and alleviates the differentiation induced by LY294002. But it is insufficient to totally reverse the differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1041–1047, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of the disintegrin metalloproteinase ADAM15 in prostate cancer progression
Authors: Lucas Neali , Day Mark L.
Published: February 2009

The metalloproteinase ADAM15 is a multi‐domain disintegrin protease that is upregulated in a variety of human cancers. ADAM15 mRNA and protein levels are increased in prostate cancer and its expression is significantly increased during metastatic progression. It is likely that ADAM15 supports disease progression differentially through the action of its various functional domains. ADAM15 may downregulate adhesion of tumor cells to the extracellular matrix, reduce cell–cell adhesion, and promote metastasis through the activity of its disintegrin and metalloproteinase domains. Additionally, ADAM15 can influence cell signaling by shedding membrane‐bound growth factors and other proteins that interact with receptor tyrosine kinases, leading to receptor activation. There is also evidence supporting a role for ADAM15 in angiogenesis and angioinvasion of tumor cells, which are critical for unrestrained tumor growth and metastatic spread. Given its diverse functions, ADAM15 may represent a pivotal regulatory component of tumor progression, an important target for therapeutic intervention, or emerge as a biomarker of disease progression. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 967–974, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oncogenic nucleoporin CAN/Nup214 interacts with vitamin D receptor and modulates its function
Authors: Miyauchi Yoshiteru , Sakaguchi Naoko , Okada Tomoko , Makishima Makoto , Ozono Keiichi , Michigami Toshimi
Published: February 2009

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a ligand‐dependent transcription factor and should be located in nucleus to transactivate target genes. To explore the molecules that interact with VDR and facilitate its nuclear localization, we screened a human kidney cDNA library using the yeast two‐hybrid approach, and found that VDR binds to the carboxy‐terminal region of an oncogenic nucleoporin, CAN/Nup214. CAN/Nup214 was originally identified through its involvement in a certain type of acute myeloid leukemia, and is a component of nuclear pore complex (NPC). Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the interaction between VDR and the carboxy‐terminus of CAN/Nup214 containing a cluster of the phenylalanine‐glycine (FG) repeat in mammalian cells. The exogenously expressed full‐length CAN/Nup214 was localized predominantly at the nuclear envelope, suggesting its integration in the NPCs. We then examined the effects of exogenous expression of full‐length CAN/Nup214 and its carboxy‐terminal fragment on the VDR‐mediated transactivation. The overexpression of full‐length CAN/Nup214 facilitated the VDR‐mediated transactivation, while the expression of the carboxy‐terminal fragment suppressed it. The DNA‐binding domain of VDR was required for the facilitation of the VDR‐dependent transactivation by CAN/Nup214. Although the subcellular distribution of VDR was not obviously altered by the overexpression of full‐length CAN/Nup214 or the carboxy‐terminal fragment, the expression of the carboxy‐terminal fragment inhibited the interaction between full‐length CAN/Nup214 and VDR. These results indicate that CAN/Nup214 interacts with VDR and modulates its function as a transcription factor. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1090–1101, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
vOX2 glycoprotein of human herpesvirus 8 modulates human primary macrophages activity
Authors: Salata Cristiano , Curtarello Matteo , Calistri Arianna , Sartori Elena , Sette Paola , de Bernard Marina , Parolin Cristina , Palù Giorgio
Published: February 2009

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) is a lymphotropic herpesvirus linked to several disorders such as Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease. Several HHV‐8 proteins regulate host innate and adaptive immune response; in particular, orfK14 is expressed as an immediate early gene during the viral lytic cycle and encodes a surface glycoprotein (vOX2), significantly homologous to the cellular OX2, which delivers inhibitory signals to macrophages. Although it has been suggested that vOX2 may down‐regulate basophil and neutrophil functions, its role in macrophages, a cell type lytically infected by HHV‐8 in vivo, is still controversial. Therefore, we investigated the effect of vOX2 expression in human primary monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs). In this report, we demonstrate that vOX2‐expressing MDMs in basal conditions are induced to produce inflammatory cytokines and display higher phagocytic activity with respect to mock cells. By contrast, an opposite effect is exhibited by vOX2 in MDMs undergoing IFN‐γ‐activation, with a down‐modulation of the cytokine production and phagocytic activity. Moreover, we observed that, when MDMs are co‐cultured with vOX2‐expressing cells, the inflammatory cytokine release is increased, independently from the MDM activation state. Interestingly, we could correlate our results with the mRNA transcript level of the vOX2 cellular CD200R receptor. Finally, we demonstrate a down‐regulation of the MHC class I and class II molecules on the cell surface of vOX2‐transduced MDMs. Our results provide new insights into the immunomodulatory effects of HHV‐8 vOX2 protein. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 698–706, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methodology for biomechanical testing of fresh anterior wall vaginal samples from postmenopausal women undergoing cystocele repair
Authors: Zimmern Philippe E. , Eberhart Robert C. , Bhatt Aradhana
Published: February 2009

Goal

To explore the methodological challenges of biomechanical testing of freshly harvested human anterior vaginal wall (HAVW) samples.

Method

Longitudinal full‐thickness samples of HAVW were excised during cystocele repair in postmenopausal women and age‐matched controls. Two methods of tissue storage during transport were compared. All samples were prepared for uniaxial testing within 2 hr of harvest and loaded at a rate of 0.5 mm/sec, until irreversible deformation was observed. Young's modulus and other parameters were extracted from the tensile stress–strain curves.

Results

Samples were obtained over 2 years from 42 patients. Significant differences in biomechanical parameters were noted based on the degree of hydration of the tissue, suggesting that the wetter samples were mechanically weaker.

Conclusions

This study reports on a new method for testing the biomechanical properties of freshly harvested HAVW tissues and the impact of tissue hydration during transport between the operating room and the testing lab. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:325–329, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nocturia: An austrian study on the multifactorial etiology of this symptom
Authors: Klingler H. Christoph , Heidler Helmut , Madersbacher Helmut , Primus Guenter
Published: February 2009

Aims

To identify the different factors contributing to nocturia in a clinical setting.

Patients and Methods

Three hundred twenty‐four patients (133 women, 191 men; mean age 63 years) were entered into this multi‐institutional study. When presenting with nocturia we obtained detailed medical history and performed urine analysis, post‐void residual volume and renal ultrasonography. Bothersome score and quality of life were evaluated using visual analogue scale and Kings' Health Questionnaire (KHQ), respectively. Patients were asked to complete a 48‐hr voiding diary (VD). Nocturia and its associated problems were evaluated using KHQ and VD in conjunction with concurrent health variables.

Results

Mean nocturia was 2.8 in men versus in 3.1 women. Fifty percent of patients were aged >65 years, 60% had daytime lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as well as nocturia, 33% had cardiac pathologies and 7% had peripheral edema. Principal causes for nocturia were global polyuria in 17%, nocturnal polyuria (NP) in 33% and reduced functional capacity <250 ml in 16.2%; 21.2% had mixed forms of NP and reduced bladder capacity and 12.6% suffered from other causes. Mean bothersome score was higher in women (P < 0.001) and in patients with NP (P = 0.012). Quality of life was significantly lower in women (P = 0.001), in patients aged >65 years (P = 0.029) and in those with reduced functional capacity (P < 0.001). Mean voided 24‐hr urine was higher in women (P = 0.033) and in patients aged <65 years (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

Nocturia had a high impact on bothersome score, strong associations with poor health and other LUTS. NP was the predominant cause of nocturia. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:427–431, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bayesian hierarchical uncertainty quantification by structural equation modeling
Authors: Jiang Xiaomo , Mahadevan Sankaran
Published: February 2009

Uncertainty quantification is playing an increasingly important role in assessing the performance, safety, and reliability of complex physical systems in the absence of adequate amount of experimental data. Simulation of a complex system involves multiple levels of modeling, such as material (lowest level) to component to subsystem to system (highest level). This paper presents a Bayesian structural equation modeling approach to quantify both epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties in hierarchical model development. A generalized structural equation modeling with latent variables is presented to model three sets of relationships in hierarchical model development, namely, model predictions vs experimental observations at each individual level, model predictions at lower vs higher levels, and experimental data at lower vs higher levels. The three sets of relationships are represented by a hierarchical Bayes network, and the influencing factors between them are estimated by a Bayesian regression approach. Both measurement and prediction errors at various levels are quantified through the Bayesian method. The variability of input variables in the computational model is updated and quantified using various levels of measurement data via Bayesian inference and the structural equation modeling parameters. The proposed methodology is illustrated with a transient heat conduction example problem. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prolonged QTc interval in children and young adults with sickle cell disease at steady state
Authors: Liem Robert I. , Young Luciana T. , Thompson Alexis A.
Published: February 2009

Background

Prolongation of the QTc interval may be more common than previously believed among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). The clinical associations and natural history of QTc prolongation remain unclear in this population. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of prolonged QTc and evaluate its relationship to clinical factors in children and young adults with SCD.

Procedures

We analyzed data from subjects 10 to 25 years old with SCD enrolled in our pulmonary hypertension screening protocol. Screening included echocardiography (ECHO), 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and laboratory testing at steady state. QTc interval >440 msec was considered prolonged.

Results

ECG data from 76 subjects (57% male, mean age 14.2 ± 3 years old, range 10–24) were analyzed. We observed prolonged QTc in 29/76 (38%) subjects. Despite evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 50/76 (66%) subjects, the frequency of LVH was not significantly different in subjects with and without QTc prolongation. When compared to subjects with normal QTc, subjects with prolonged QTc had higher mean tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (2.51 ± 0.27 m/sec vs. 2.33 ± 0.26 m/sec, P = 0.010) as well as higher mean lactate dehydrogenase (433 ± 142 IU/L vs. 343 ± 142 IU/L, P = 0.000) and aspartate aminotransferase (48 ± 20 IU/L vs. 39 ± 15 IU/L, P = 0.026). A larger proportion of subjects with prolonged QTc also had a history of recurrent acute chest syndrome (66% vs. 38%, P = 0.038).

Conclusions

We conclude that QTc prolongation is a frequent finding in SCD not associated with LVH. Elevated pulmonary pressures, hemolysis and acute chest syndrome may represent risk factors for prolonged QTc in this population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:842–846. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transition of patients with sickle cell disease from pediatric to adult care: Assessing patient readiness
Authors: McPherson Marianne , Thaniel Lisa , Minniti Caterina P.
Published: February 2009

Background

Transfer of care from pediatric to adult‐oriented providers is challenging for adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). The need for transition programs is known, however many SCD patients leave pediatric care without adequate preparation. This study has two aims: to assess adolescent SCD patients' preparation for transition and to identify variables that predict patient readiness.

Procedure

Adolescent patients receiving care at a pediatric SCD center received a survey regarding essential steps of the transition process. Patients' level of prior thought, interest, anticipated difficulty, and perceived importance of transition were graded on a scale of 0 to 3. Knowledge of individual transition plans was scaled 0 to 4. Responses were analyzed according to age, sex, and disease severity.

Results

Seventy patients ages 14 to 20 years (median 16.7 years) were assessed. Mean readiness scores were low, with greatest deficiencies in prior thought (mean 0.88 [0.66–1.09]), knowledge (mean 0.85 [0.61–1.09]), anticipated difficulty (mean 1.42 [1.23–1.61]), and interest (mean 1.71 [1.47–1.95]). Perceived importance of transition received the highest score (mean 2.71 [2.58–2.84]). Younger age (≤16 years) was associated with less knowledge (P = 0.003) and interest (P = 0.023); disease severity (≥3 crises/year) was associated with lower interest (P = 0.043) but greater anticipated difficulty (P = 0.001). Anticipated difficulty trended higher among females (P = 0.028).

Conclusions

Adolescents with SCD acknowledge the importance but demonstrate poor preparation for transition to adult‐oriented care. Readiness improves with age but remains insufficient. This analysis highlights the need for improvements in anticipatory guidance for transition during adolescence. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:838–841. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in derivatives of 3‐amino‐propenethial
Authors: Raissi H. , Jalbout A. F. , Fazli M. , Yoosefian M. , Ghiassi H. , Wang Z. , de Leon A.
Published: February 2009

Intramolecular H‐bonds existing for derivatives of 3‐amino‐propenethial have been studied using the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory. The nature of these interactions, known as resonance assisted hydrogen bonds, has been discussed. The topological properties of the electron density distributions for N—H—S intramolecular bridges have been analyzed in terms of the Bader theory of atoms in molecules. Correlations between the H‐bond strength and topological parameters have been also studied. Furthermore, we obtained the exact value of the intramolecular hydrogen bond energies by the related rotamers method. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 3‐imino‐propenylamine: Theoretical investigations
Authors: Raissi H. , Jalbout A. F. , Farsi H. , Abbasi B. , de Leon A. , Moghiminia S.
Published: February 2009

Intramolecular H‐bonds existing for derivatives of 3‐imino‐propenylamine have been studied using the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory. The nature of these interactions, known as resonance‐assisted hydrogen bonds, has been discussed. Vibrational frequencies for α‐derivatives were calculated at the same level of theory. The topological properties of the electron density distributions for NH···N intramolecular bridges have been analyzed in terms of the Bader theory of atoms in molecules (AIM). Calculation for 3‐imino‐propenylamine derivatives in water solution were also carried out at B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory. Finally, the analysis of hydrogen bond in this molecule and their derivatives by quantum theory of natural bond orbital methods fairly support the ab initio results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Hybrid density functional calculations of nuclear magnetic shieldings using Slater‐type orbitals and the zeroth‐order regular approximation
Authors: Krykunov Mykhaylo , Ziegler Tom , Lenthe Erik van
Published: February 2009

We report the implementation of an algorithm for the calculation of the exact Hartree–Fock exchange with Slater‐type orbitals (STOs). Similar to the article of Watson et al., J Chem Phys, 2003, 119, 6475, it is based on the fitting of each atomic orbital pair. However, our algorithm avoids the evaluation of three‐center two‐electron integrals and, as a result, makes it possible to carry out hybrid DFT calculations for larger size molecules and compounds with heavy elements. For the first time, the NMR chemical shifts of transition metal complexes have been calculated with STOs and hybrid density functionals. To take into account the relativistic effects, we have employed the zeroth‐order regular approximation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
On variational estimates for exchange‐correlation interaction obtained within super‐CI approach to MCSCF approximation
Authors: Gusarov Sergey , Fedorova Tatiana A. , Dmitriev Yuri Yu. , Kovalenko Andriy
Published: February 2009

Variation approximations for the exchange‐correlation interaction are considered which can be obtained when necessary conditions of the generalized Brillouin's theorem are fulfilled. It is done in the post‐Hartree–Fock approach to the electronic structure theories. The corresponding approximations appear within the two‐step Super‐CI self‐consistent procedure of the MCSCF one‐particle optimization. The basic formalism used is in close connection with the formalism of the extended Koopmans' theorem but here the extended Koopmans' matrix itself is calculated in a self‐consistent way. It is based on the singular value decomposition of the Koopmans' matrix. The final hermitian Koopmans' matrix satisfies the conditions of the generalized Brillouin's theorem. It commutes with the density matrix and equations for self‐consistent orbitals are transformed to the generalized Hartree–Fock equations with additional hermitian exchange correlation matrix. This matrix is interpreted as a matrix of the exchange‐correlation interaction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
A model to predict the response of the benthic macroalga Spirogyra to reduced base flow in the tropical Australia
Authors: Townsend S. A. , Padovan A. V.
Published: February 2009

A model was developed to predict the impact of reduced dry season base flow, due to groundwater and river extraction, on the standing crop of Spirogyra along an 18 km reach of the Daly River, located in the Australian wet/dry tropics. The alga can constitute up to 40% of the primary producer standing crop and is a food source for turtles. Outputs from a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model and the observed maximum biomass of Spirogyra for a range of shear velocities were used to predict the maximum potential standing crop (MPSC) of Spirogyra. With reduced flow, hydraulic conditions became less favourable for the growth of Spirogyra, whilst the area of suitable substrata was not as responsive. The MPSC of Spirogyra was predicted for the minimum dry season flow for a 47 year period of hydrographic record using two hypothetical extraction scenarios. Both scenarios produced MPSCs that were frequently less than the minimum crop under natural flows and underscored the need for a minimum flow to maintain a MPSC that exceeded the historic minimum. The MPSC, however, is unlikely to be attained due to autogenic sloughing, nutrient supply and other factors, thus the model is best considered an index of the impact of reduced river flows. The model communicates a reduction in the standing crop of Spirogyra due to reduced dry season base flows and an inferred impact on its dependent fauna and the river's nutrient dynamics. The model demonstrates the utility of applying a benthic algal model to evaluate the ecological impact of modified flow regimes and contribute to environmental flow recommendations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phylogenomic Relationships of Rice Oxalate Oxidases to the Cupin Superfamily and Their Association with Disease Resistance QTL
Authors: Carrillo Maria Gay C. , Goodwin Paul H. , Leach Jan E. , Leung Hei , Vera Cruz Casiana M.
Published: February 2009

Rice oxalate oxidase genes (OXO) may play a role in resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae. Genome analyses showed four tandemly duplicated OXO genes, OsOXO1–OsOXO4, which mapped to a blast resistance QTL in chromosome 3. These genes have >90% nucleotide and amino acid identity, but they have unique gene structures, conserved motifs, and phylogeny compared to the 70 other members of the cupin superfamily in the Nipponbare genome, which were divided into several classes. In resistant and susceptible Vandana/Moroberekan advanced backcross lines, only OsOXO4 was expressed during rice–M. oryzae interactions, and its expression increased earlier in resistant than susceptible lines. The earlier expression of OsOXO4 in resistant lines correlated with a 26-bp promoter insertion containing an additional copy of the bacterial responsive nodulation cis-element. Our results showed that OsOXO1–4 are in a separate class of rice cupin genes and supports a role for the promoter variant of OsOXO4 in resistance to M. oryzae.
Cross‐cultural invariance of the Academic Expectations Stress Inventory: Adolescent samples from Canada and Singapore
Authors: Ang Rebecca P. , Klassen Robert M. , Chong Wan Har , Huan Vivien S. , Wong Isabella Y.F. , Yeo Lay See , Krawchuk Lindsey L.
Published: February 2009

We provide further evidence for the two‐factor structure of the 9‐item Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI) using confirmatory factor analysis on a sample of 289 Canadian adolescents and 310 Singaporean adolescents. Examination of measurement invariance tests the assumption that the model underlying a set of scores is directly comparable across groups. This study also examined the cross‐cultural validity of the AESI using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis across both the Canadian and Singaporean adolescent samples. The results suggested cross‐cultural invariance of form, factor loadings, and factor variances and covariances of the AESI across both samples. Evidence of AESI's convergent and discriminant validity was also reported. Findings from t‐tests revealed that Singaporean adolescents reported a significantly higher level of academic stress arising from self expectations, other expectations, and overall academic stress, compared to Canadian adolescents. Also, a larger cross‐cultural effect was associated with academic stress arising from other expectations compared with academic stress arising from self expectations.
Subgrouping low back pain: A comparison of the STarT Back Tool with the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire
Authors: Hill Jonathan C. , Dunn Kate M. , Main Chris J. , Hay Elaine M.
Published: February 2009

Introduction Clinicians require brief, practical tools to help identify low back pain (LBP) subgroups requiring early, targeted secondary prevention. The STarT Back Tool (SBT) was recently validated to subgroup LBP patients into early treatment pathways.

Aim: To test the SBT's concurrent validity against an existing, popular LBP subgrouping tool, the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ), and to compare the clinical characteristics of subgroups identified by each tool.

Methods: Two hundred and forty‐four consecutive ‘non‐specific’ LBP consulters at 8 UK GP practices aged 18–59 years were invited to complete a questionnaire. Measures included the ÖMPSQ and SBT, disability, fear, catastrophising, pain intensity, episode duration and demographics. Instruments were compared using Spearman's correlations, tests for subgroup agreement and discriminant analysis of subgroup characteristics according to reference standards.

Results: Completed SBT (9‐items) and ÖMPSQ (24‐items) data was available for 130/244 patients (53%). The correlation of SBT and ÖMPSQ scores was ‘excellent (rs = 0.80). Subgroup characteristics were similar across the low, medium and high subgroups, but, the proportions allocated to ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’ risk groups were different, with fewer patients in the SBT's high risk group. Both instruments similarly discriminated for reference standards such as disability, catastrophising, fear, comorbid pain and time off work. The ÖMPSQ was better at discriminating pain intensity, while the SBT was better for discriminating bothersomeness of back pain and referred leg pain.

Conclusions: The SBT baseline psychometrics performed similarly to the ÖMPSQ, but the SBT is shorter and easier to score and is an appropriate alternative for identifying high risk LBP patients in primary care.
A 12-week lutein supplementation improves visual function in Chinese people with long-term computer display light exposure
Authors: Ma Le , Lin Xiao-Ming , Zou Zhi-Yong , Xu Xian-Rong , Li Ying , Xu Rui
Published: February 2009

We aimed to examine the effect of different doses of lutein supplementation on visual function in subjects with long-term computer display light exposure. Thirty-seven healthy subjects with long-term computer display light exposure ranging in age from 22 to 30 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group L6 (6 mg lutein/d, n 12); Group L12 (12 mg lutein/d, n 13); and Group Placebo (maltodextrin placebo, n 12). Levels of serum lutein and visual performance indices such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity were measured at weeks 0 and 12. After 12-week lutein supplementation, serum lutein concentrations of Groups L6 and L12 increased from 0·356 (sd 0·117) to 0·607 (sd 0·176) μmol/l, and from 0·328 (sd 0·120) to 0·733 (sd 0·354) μmol/l, respectively. No statistical changes from baseline were observed in uncorrected visual acuity and best-spectacle corrected visual acuity, whereas there was a trend toward increase in visual acuity in Group L12. Contrast sensitivity in Groups L6 and L12 increased with supplementation, and statistical significance was reached at most visual angles of Group L12. No significant change was observed in glare sensitivity over time. Visual function in healthy subjects who received the lutein supplement improved, especially in contrast sensitivity, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein may have beneficial effects on the visual performance.
Writing dictated words and picture names: Syllabic boundaries affect execution in Spanish
Authors: ÁLVAREZ CARLOS J. , COTTRELL DAVID , AFONSO OLIVIA
Published: February 2009

Two experiments examined the role of syllables in writing Spanish words. In Experiment 1, participants had to write single words that were aurally presented. The interletter intervals (ILIs) between critical letters were measured. Longer ILIs were found in the intersyllabic than the intrasyllabic condition. In Experiment 2, the inputs were pictures to remove any potential phonological bias stemming from the input stimulus. Results suggested that the linguistic nature of the input is not determining the output. Post hoc analyses revealed that other characteristics of the stimuli cannot explain the results. These results indicate that syllables are essential units of processing in writing Spanish and that central processes related to spelling and the graphemic buffer affect peripheral processes at movement execution.
A cross-linguistic and bilingual evaluation of the interdependence between lexical and grammatical domains
Authors: SIMON-CEREIJIDO GABRIELA , GUTIÉRREZ-CLELLEN VERA F.
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine within- and across-language relationships between lexical and grammatical domains by focusing on measures of lexical diversity and grammatical complexity in Spanish and English. One hundred ninety-six preschool and school-aged Latino children with different levels of English and Spanish proficiencies and different language abilities produced narratives in Spanish, English, or both. Analyses revealed strong associations between lexical (number of different words and number of different verbs) and grammatical measures (mean length of utterances in words and use of ditransitive predicates), supporting the domain interdependence hypothesis within a language. Cross-linguistic comparisons indicate a greater diversity of verbs and ditransitive predicates in Spanish compared to English for this population. In the language samples of children who produced narratives in the two languages, there was no relationship between the two domains across languages. The lack of cross-language correlations may be related to other variables influencing lexical and semantic development in bilingual learners. Methodological issues to be considered in future studies with bilingual speakers are discussed.
Food choices of the mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: the influence of nutrients, phenolics and availability
Authors: Ganas Jessica , Ortmann Sylvia , Robbins Martha M.
Published: February 2009

The factors that influence food choice have implications for animal survival, reproduction and population growth. We conducted a 1-y study of food choice by four mountain gorilla groups that consumed herbs and fruit at two locations differing spatially and temporally in food availability in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. We collected data on 45 important foods consumed by the gorillas, the availability of those foods in each gorilla group's home range and their corresponding nutrient and phenolic concentrations. Employing a linear multiple regression, we tested three hypotheses regarding the influence of food availability and the nutritional and phenolic concentrations of food on food choice. Regardless of changes in herb availability, the choice of herbs was positively influenced by their abundance and sugar concentrations and negatively influenced by their fibre, condensed tannin and protein concentrations. Furthermore, regardless of changes in fruit availability, the choice of fruit was positively influenced by its abundance and negatively influenced by its condensed tannin concentrations. During periods of low fruit availability, the gorillas did not increase the consumption of herbs high in fibre and sugar. The choice of herbs low in fibre had less of an influence on food choice at the location with lower fruit availability than the other location. Our results underscore the importance of incorporating both availability and nutrient concentrations into studies of food choice; by doing so we found Bwindi gorillas were able to choose abundant, relatively high-quality foods year round.
New GPS technology improves fix success for large mammal collars in dense tropical forests
Authors: Tobler Mathias W.
Published: February 2009

There have been few telemetry studies on large and medium-sized mammals from Neotropical lowland forests. This can partly be explained by the difficulty of tracking animals with radio-telemetry in these forests, often in remote areas with poor access due to limited transportation infrastructure. Researchers have been forced to follow their collared animals by aeroplane (Crawshaw 1995, Fragoso 1998, Rabinowitz & Nottingham 1986), but aerial telemetry is dangerous and involves difficult logistics and high costs. GPS (Global Positioning System) collars that allow the collection of data automatically at long intervals would be a good alternative. The effect of canopy cover on GPS fix success and location accuracy was of concern from the beginning and has been widely investigated in temperate forests (D'Eon 2003, Di Orio et al. 2003, Dussault et al. 1999, Moen et al. 1996, Rempel et al. 1995). All studies found a significant decrease in fix success and a large increase in location errors under forest canopy. Tropical lowland rain forests have a much denser canopy than temperate forests, and up to now the performance of GPS collars in tropical forest has been very poor. Rumiz & Venegas (2006) showed that while GPS collars worked in the dry forest of the Bolivian Chaco, they only obtained a successful fix in 1–3% of all attempts in the lowland forest of the Madidi National Park, Bolivia.
Emerging temporality: past tense and temporal/aspectual markers in Spanish-speaking children's intra-conversational narratives
Authors: UCCELLI PAOLA
Published: February 2009

This study describes how young Spanish-speaking children become gradually more adept at encoding temporality using grammar and discourse skills in intra-conversational narratives. The research involved parallel case studies of two Spanish-speaking children followed longitudinally from ages two to three. Type/token frequencies of verb tense, temporal/aspectual markers and narrative components were analyzed to explore interrelationships among grammatical and discourse skills. Children progressed from scattered unsystematic means of encoding temporality to mastering a basic linguistic system that included devices to mark location of events, temporal relations and aspectual meanings. The consolidation of perfective past tense to express narrative events marked a crucial developmental point which preceded an explosion of additional verb tenses and temporal markers. The value of spontaneous language data, and the need to study grammar and discourse simultaneously to construct a comprehensive developmental picture are highlighted. Results are discussed in relation to theoretical proposals on the development of temporality.
Grammaticality judgments in autism: Deviance or delay
Authors: EIGSTI INGE-MARIE , BENNETTO LOISA
Published: February 2009

Language in autism has been the subject of intense interest, because communication deficits are central to the disorder, and because autism serves as an arena for testing theories of language acquisition. High-functioning older children with autism are often considered to have intact grammatical abilities, despite pragmatic impairments. Given the heterogeneity in language skills at younger ages, this assumption merits further investigation. Participants with autism (n=21, aged nine to seventeen years), matched on chronological age, receptive vocabulary and IQ, to 22 typically developing individuals, completed a grammaticality judgment task. Participants with autism were significantly less sensitive than controls, specifically for third person singular and present progressive marking. Performance interacted with sentence length, with lower sensitivity to errors occurring at the end of the longest stimulus sentences. Performance sensitivity was associated with onset of single word and phrase speech, and with severity of autistic symptomatology. Implications of findings are discussed.
Informing surveillance programmes by investigating spatial dependency of subclinicalSalmonellainfection
Authors: BENSCHOP J. , STEVENSON M. A. , DAHL J. , MORRIS R. S. , FRENCH N. P.
Published: February 2009

The aim of this paper is to investigate local spatial dependency with regard toSalmonellaseropositivity in data from the Danish swine salmonellosis control programme and its application in informing surveillance strategies. We applied inhomogeneous and observed-differenceK-function estimation, and geo-statistical modelling to data from the Danish swine salmonellosis control programme. Slaughter-pig farm density showed large variation at both the country-wide and local level in Denmark (median 0·23, range 0·02–0·47 farms/km2). The spatial distribution of pig farms followed a random inhomogeneous Poisson process but was not aggregated. We found evidence for aggregation ofSalmonellacase farms over that of all farms at distances of up to 6 km and semivariogram analyses ofSalmonellaseropositivity revealed spatial dependency between pairs of farms up to 4 km apart. The strength of the spatial dependency was positively associated with slaughter-pig farm density. We proposed sampling more intensively those farms within a 4 km radius of farms that were identified with a highSalmonellastatus, and reduced sampling of farms that are within this radius of ‘Salmonella-free’ farms. Our approach has the potential to optimize sampling strategies while maintaining consumer confidence in food safety and also has potential to be used for other zoonotic disease surveillance systems.
Nest protectors provide a cost-effective means of increasing breeding success in Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea
Authors: KEO OMALISS , COLLAR NIGEL J. , SUTHERLAND WILLIAM J.
Published: February 2009

A main cause of nestling loss of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea appeared to be mammalian predation. Predator-exclusion devices were added to a randomly selected half of 52 nesting trees, with the other half acting as controls. The number of young fledged per nest was 50% higher for protected nests than control nests. Each protected nest produced almost two-thirds (0.63) of an extra chick. During the nestling period, the daily nestling survival rate was (99.9%) (equivalent to 90% survival over the nestling period) for protected nests and 99.3% (61.3% survival over the whole period) for control nests. Nest protection devices cost US$5 per tree. Each extra nestling fledged as a result of this intervention therefore cost $8. If it was also necessary to pay to locate the nests, then the cost of protecting each nest would be $140 and the cost of producing each extra chick $224. Trees with protectors added were significantly more likely to be reused in the next year than unprotected trees.
Current status of Peruvian Terns Sternula lorata in Perú: threats, conservation and research priorities
Authors: ZAVALAGA CARLOS B. , HARDESTY JESSICA , MORI GINA P. , CHÁVEZ-VILLAVICENCIO CÉSAR , TELLO ALEJANDRO
Published: February 2009

Peruvian Terns Sternula lorata breed in the sand desert plains of the coast of Perú and northern Chile. Because of their long-term population decline, Peruvian Tern is categorized as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. The observations that formed the basis for that decision were made in the 1970s and 1990s. In this study, we compile information on distribution, numbers, habitat use and threats of Peruvian Terns that has become available between 2003 and 2008 from 14 localities on the Peruvian coast. Peruvian Tern sites are located between the mangroves of San Pedro de Vice in the north (5o31’S) and the wetlands of Ite in the south (17o56’S). From the 14 locations, five are reported for first time: Virrilá, Eten, Huanchaco, isla Mazorca and Ite. There were only four active breeding sites: Pacasmayo, Paraíso, Pampa Lechuzas and Tres Hermanas-Yanyarina; however, some localities were visited outside the breeding season and should be surveyed between October and February to search for nests. The presence of 283 individuals was confirmed at the 14 sites in an area of approximately 1,388 ha (which represents only 0.35% of the total suitable area for nesting along the Peruvian coast). Thus, the number of Peruvian Terns in Perú should increase with systematic surveys. Here for the first time we report the importance of wetlands for the Peruvian Terns (43% of the sightings occurred in this habitat). Wetlands can offer optimal conditions for feeding, but the cost of using them is becoming higher with a sharp increase of human expansion into coastal areas and urban development around wetlands. We identified the following threats affecting Peruvian Terns on their feeding and breeding grounds: 1) recreational activities; 2) off-road driving by fishermen and tourists; 3) wetland pollution and water use for irrigation; 4) conversion of desert plains to agricultural land; 5) management of wetland water levels; 6) presence of feral cats and dogs, and 7) oil exploration on the desert plains. These adverse factors can be eradicated by the protection of tern sites and public awareness and education. Conservation actions, monitoring and research priorities are suggested.
Prenatal identification of the pulmonary arterial supply in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia
Authors: Seale Anna N. , Ho Siew Y. , Shinebourne Elliot A. , Carvalho Julene S.
Published: February 2009

Objective

To define the patterns of flow of blood to the lungs in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia.

Background

In this condition, supply of blood to the lungs is provided via an arterial duct or systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries, or very rarely through other conduits such as coronary arterial fistulas or an aortopulmonary window. The intrapericardial pulmonary arteries vary in size, and may be absent. These variables influence the prognosis and management.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective review of cases from a tertiary service for fetal cardiology, identifying all cases of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia diagnosed antenatally between January, 1997, and April, 2006. We established pre- and postnatal outcomes, and compared the prenatal diagnosis with postnatal or autopsy findings.

Results

Of 6587 fetuses scanned during this period, 11 were diagnosed as having tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and no other cardiac defect. In 5, arterial flow to the lungs was via an arterial duct, and in the other 6, the main identified source of flow was systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries. Of the latter 6 pregnancies, 4 were terminated, along with 3 of the 5 with ductal supply. The presence of systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries was confirmed at postmortem examination in 3 instances, and in the two delivered neonates, in neither of whom was an infusion of prostaglandin commenced.

Conclusion

The patterns of pulmonary flow can be identified prenatally in the setting of tetralogy with pulmonary atresia. Supply through systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries impacts on counselling, introducing uncertainty regarding postnatal surgical management.
The magnetic navigation system allows avoidance of puncturing a baffle during ablation of a postincisional macroreentrant tachycardia
Authors: Schwagten Bruno , Cuypers Judith , Szili-Torok Tamas
Published: February 2009

An 18-year-old female patient with tricuspid atresia, discordant ventriculo-arterial connections, a total cavo-pulmonary connection, and a Damus-Kaye-Stansel suffered with atrial tachycardia. Use of a magnetically navigated catheter made it possible to create an electro-anatomical map of both atriums using a retrograde approach. It then proved possible to ablate successfully the tachycardia in the left atrium thanks to the unique capabilities of the magnetic navigation system.