bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Written Disclosure Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Substance Use Disorder Inpatients
Authors: Bragdon Rodney A. , Lombardo Thomas W.
Published: July 2012

Comprehensive exposure-based approaches to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are effective, but they are time intensive and not widely used because of factors such as client noncompliance and fears of iatrogenic effects. Exposure by writing disclosure (WD), modeled after Pennebaker’s brief stress-reduction procedure, may circumvent these obstacles. WD treatment reduces PTSD symptoms in trauma victims but has rarely been tested in diagnosed PTSD participants and never in substance use disorder (SUD) populations—despite high comorbidity rates. The authors applied a standard Pennebaker WD treatment for 45 SUD inpatients screened for full or subsyndromal PTSD in an uncontrolled study. Results suggested potential strong cost-effectiveness: Posttreatment outcome measures showed significant symptom reductions, which remained stable at 3-month follow-up. With converging evidence from future controlled studies, WD strategies may emerge as effective and easily implemented treatment options for PTSD in SUD treatment settings.
Towards a discourse-theoretical account of authority and obligation in the postnational constellation
Authors: Trejo-Mathys Jonathan
Published: July 2012

Normative questions concerning political authority and political obligation are widely seen as central questions of political philosophy. Current global transformations require an innovative response from normative political thinking about these two topics. In light of a concrete example of the supranational forms of authority and obligation that have been and are emerging beyond the national state and beyond the traditional domains of international law, I lay out what has become the standard approach to authority and obligation and indicate why this approach is inadequate in contemporary circumstances. I sketch an alternative approach and suggest how the most promising exemplar of this kind, Habermas’ discourse theory of law and politics, can better deal with the example. Having thus made plausible the advantages of the discourse theory of the alternative approach, I end with an ‘internal’ critique of Habermas’ own recent writings on the global political order.
Measuring Urban Teachers’ Beliefs About African American Students
Authors: Natesan Prathiba , Kieftenbeld Vincent
Published: July 2012

Understanding urban teachers’ beliefs about African American students has become important because (a) many teachers are reluctant to teach students from other cultures, and (b) most teachers are European American. To construct a psychometrically sound measure of teacher beliefs, the authors investigate the measurement properties of a teacher beliefs factor. This factor was selected from an inventory of items that purported to measure urban teachers’ cultural awareness and beliefs. Measurement invariance of the teacher beliefs factor across European American, African American, and Hispanic American teachers addressed its construct validity. The authors examine the psychometric properties of these items using graded response multilevel analysis. The final 5-item factor showed highest level of invariance for African American and European American teachers but did not fit Hispanic American teachers well. All the five items had good psychometric properties. Analyses of latent means showed that African American teachers had more positive beliefs about African American students than European American teachers did. However, the latent scores were bimodally distributed for African American teachers showing that one subgroup of African American teachers had similar beliefs as European American teachers while another subgroup had more positive beliefs.
Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Epistemic Belief Inventory (EBI)
Authors: Teo Timothy
Published: July 2012

The psychometric properties of the scores on the Epistemic Belief Inventory were examined using an exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factor) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a total sample of 1,242 elementary school teachers. Results of the EFA supported the hypothesized five-factor model but the items had loaded on different factors. Overall, the results showed that the five-factor model did not fit the data and that the EBI was not interpretable with the sample in this study.
Structural Validity of the Polish Adaptation of the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS-C)
Authors: Cieciuch Jan , Harasimczuk Justyna , Döring Anna K.
Published: July 2012

Recent years have witnessed an increasing number of studies, also in the field of educational psychology, on values within the framework proposed by Schwartz, involving younger and younger respondents. A fresh impetus to studies on children’s values was given by the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS-C), which was developed by Döring and her colleagues. This article presents the development and structural validation of the Polish version of the PBVS-C, which measures Schwartz’s four higher-order values self-transcendence, self-enhancement, openness to change, and conservation. A theory-based multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis performed in a sample of 910 children (aged 8-12 years) revealed a differentiated value structure that closely corresponds to Schwartz’s prototype. These findings are discussed in light of cross-cultural assessment in childhood.
Nation-States and Love of Neighbour: Impartiality and the ordo amoris
Authors: Reed Esther D.
Published: July 2012

This paper is about love of one’s neighbour near and far given humanity’s division into nations. The primary dialogue partner is Peter Singer and his preference utilitarian approach to moral reasoning wherein the challenge is to count the welfare of individuals impartially, regardless—or, at least, with far less regard than is often given—of divisions into nation-states. The claim is made that, despite the considerable and proper challenges from Singer and other so-called new cosmopolitans, it remains possible and, indeed, necessary at the present time for Christian people to work with an account of nation and nationhood as permitted within divine providence. This claim is cast in terms of traditional Christian teaching about the order of love (L. ordo amoris).
Tree-ring derived millennial precipitation record for the south-central Tibetan Plateau and its possible driving mechanism
Authors: He Minhui , Yang Bao , Bräuning Achim , Wang Jianglin , Wang Zhangyong
Published: July 2012

Knowledge of Asian monsoon variability remains limited because of sparse instrumental data available only for short time series. Here, an updated tree-ring width record covering the period ad 1037–2009 was developed for the south-central Tibetan Plateau (TP). Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship ( r = 0.71) between the tree-ring index and annual (previous July to current June) precipitation series for the instrumental period 1963–2008, which accounts for 50.41% of the rainfall variability. Based on a linear regression model, the longest available regional precipitation history was reconstructed. Spatial correlation between tree ring width and annual precipitation data from previous July to current June indicates that the reconstruction is representative of precipitation changes on the south-central TP. Regional wet conditions occurred during ad 1095–1161, 1376–1403, 1414–1446, 1518–1537, 1549–1572, 1702–1757, 1848–1878 and 1891–1913, while dry periods were identified during ad1189–1242, 1256–1314, 1329–1357, 1470–1491, 1573–1623, 1636–1686, 1761–1821, 1823–1847, 1879–1890 and 1931–1985. The negative correlation between our reconstructed precipitation and India monsoon rainfall series indicates the seesaw pattern over northern and southern monsoon Asia. It is suggested that solar radiation-induced sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the tropical Pacific influence regional rainfall patterns. The degree of this influence has been stable at the multidecadal scale during the past 1000 years.
Relevance of Immobility and Importance of Risk Assessment Management for Medically Ill Patients
Authors: Hull Russell D.
Published: July 2012

Recent or continued immobility is a significant risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in acutely ill medical patients. Patients may benefit from thromboprophylaxis; however, its optimal duration remains unclear. The Extended Clinical Prophylaxis in Acutely Ill Medical Patients (EXCLAIM) study was the first trial to systematically investigate how the degree of immobilization relates to the risk of developing VTE. EXCLAIM offers insights into the duration of VTE risk associated with reduced mobility and helps identify which patients would benefit most from extended-duration thromboprophylaxis. Further recent studies suggest that extended-duration thromboprophylaxis may be in order in certain high-risk patients to protect the patients from the risk of VTE events occurring, particularly in the posthospitalization period. Baseline d-dimer data and level of mobility could be included in risk assessment. Physicians are recommended to consider the use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis based on individual risk assessment management (RAM) and balance of benefit and harm.
The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency on Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Demir Mehmet , Uyan Umut , Melek Mehmet
Published: July 2012

Background:

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension. Vitamin D deficiency activates the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, which affects the cardiovascular system. For this reason, it could be suggested that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and atrial fibrillation (AF). In our study, we compared 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels between nonvalvular AF, valvular AF, and control groups in sinus rhythm.

Method:

A total of 102 patients with nonvalvular chronic AF without any other cardiovascular disease (mean age 62.51 ± 5.88; group I) and 96 patients with AF, which is associated with mitral valve disease (mean age 61.51 ± 5; group II) were included in our study. Of all, 100 age-matched healthy people with sinus rhythm were accepted as control groups (mean age 61.35 ± 5.44). Routine biochemical parameters, 25-OHD and parathormone levels were performed.

Results:

Baseline characteristics of the study groups were comparable. Group I patients had a lower vitamin D level than group II and the control group (6.51 ± 4.89, 9.24 ± 7.39, and 11.18 ± 6.98 ng/mL, P < .001, respectively). In groups I and II, the patients’ left atrium diameter and systolic pulmonary artery pressure are higher than the control group.

Conclusion:

As a result, our study revealed a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and nonvalvular AF.
Do Firstborn Children Have an Increased Risk of ADHD?
Authors: Marín Adela Masana , Seco Fernando Lopez , Serrano Susana Martí , García Silvia Acosta , Gaviria Gómez Ana Milena , Ney Inti
Published: July 2012

Objective: Although previous reports have found no birth-order influence on ADHD risk, the authors hypothesize that being the firstborn is a risk factor for developing ADHD. Method: They selected all of the currently treated ADHD outpatients (n = 748) from our database. Families with adopted sons, nonnuclear families, and families with only one child and with sons (affected or unaffected) younger than 6 or older than 18 years were excluded. A total of 181 families with 213 ADHD sons met the inclusion criteria. We used all siblings without a clinical diagnosis of ADHD and who had no contact with our service as our unaffected controls (n = 173). Results: The bivariate analysis showed that ADHD was associated with birth order and that firstborn children had nearly twice the ADHD risk of children with other birth orders. Conclusion: birth order can be an ADHD risk factor in clinical samples.
{Im}materiality
Authors: Heylighen Ann , Strickfaden Megan
Published: July 2012

“{Im}materiality: Designing for More Sense/s” is an edited compilation of articles that explore the complexity of embodied human experience within the built environment. A particular aim of these collected works is to look toward how deepening one’s understandings of the experiences of bodies in space and place can contribute to future built environments. The contributors to this special issue are trained in practice-based disciplines such as architecture, product development, and ergonomics. At the same time, they bring in particular theoretical backgrounds of research experience in anthropology, design history and theory, and sociology. They come together through a focus on heterogeneous experiences of disability to articulate themes and issues that illustrate immaterial connections to the material world.
Identification and the practices of identity and privacy in everyday digital communication
Authors: Wessels Bridgette
Published: July 2012

The growth of e-services and social networking sites is generating popular online participation in which pre-digital ways of securing the privacy of individual identity are undermined. The characteristics of digital communication mean technology developers, policymakers, service providers and individuals are rethinking senses of identity, processes of identification and what privacy means in everyday life. To ensure that identity and privacy are respected in communication raises two issues. One, there is a gap between social context of communication practice and the technological feasibility of privacy tools. Two, the concept of privacy is not fully adapted and refined for use in the digital networked age. This paper outlines the way in which privacy in digital communication is being interpreted, and discusses the ways in which identification is a useful concept in developing knowledge and systems to support contemporary practices of privacy.
Open innovation in digital journalism: Examining the impact of Open APIs at four news organizations
Authors: Aitamurto Tanja , Lewis Seth C.
Published: July 2012

This article examines the relative value of open innovation principles for digital media, exemplified by the emergence of Open Application Programming Interfaces (Open APIs) at four news organizations: The New York Times, The Guardian, USA Today and NPR. The use of Open APIs represents a shift toward an open innovation paradigm that may help address twin challenges facing the news industry: the need for improved R&D and the need for new revenue streams. This paper extends the interdisciplinary study of open innovation to digital communication. Findings indicate that the use of Open APIs has accelerated R&D through knowledge-sharing with web developers; generated new means of commercializing content by extending a firm’s product portfolio; and forged innovation networks that function as external R&D departments. The article discusses the constant negotiation between openness and control, and open and closed paradigms in journalism.
‘There’s a network out there you might as well tap’: Exploring the benefits of and barriers to exchanging informational and support-based resources on Facebook
Authors: Vitak Jessica , Ellison Nicole B.
Published: July 2012

Research has established a positive relationship between Facebook use and perceptions of social capital, a construct that describes the total resources − both potential and actual − available in one’s social network. However, the process through which social capital conversions occur is unclear. This study presents results from semi-structured interviews with 18 adult Facebook users (ages 25 to 55) about their Facebook use, focusing on how participants use the site to request and provide social support (associated with bonding social capital) and information (associated with bridging social capital). Findings describe how Facebook use facilitates interactions related to social capital and users’ beliefs about the potential negative outcomes of these interactions, providing insight into how users negotiate potential benefits and risks when making decisions about site use.
Understanding mediated appearances and their proliferation: The case of the phone rings and the ‘crisis of the summons’
Authors: Licoppe Christian
Published: July 2012

This article investigates the effects of the appearance of distant individuals through different media and the role of the devices through which these appearances occur (e.g. rings, telephone rings, ‘pop-up’ windows, notifications). Revisiting the theories of performativity, the author shows how, by defining the concept more broadly, we are able to understand the performative effects of such occurrences, which imply artefactual mediations. This ‘techno-pragmatic’ approach is applied to the case of telephone rings. The article highlights a ‘crisis of the summons’ with regard to telephone rings, stemming from the tension between the demand for accessibility and connectivity, on the one hand, and individuals’ concern to protect themselves, on the other.
Transformative travel: A mobilities perspective
Authors: Lean Garth L
Published: July 2012

Physical travel has traditionally been viewed as an agent of transformation. The research conducted on this topic, however, is surprisingly narrow in scope. Few studies have attempted to look beyond a particular tourism/travel segment or discipline and most utilise a restricted range of methods and analysis. These investigations have also failed to consider the long-term impacts of corporeal travel and how changes continue to evolve over time. Drawing upon a holistic and interdisciplinary study of transformative travel, this article argues that in a mobile world, it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to distance themselves from elements that maintain a particular way of thinking and acting. While a traveller may physically remove their body from a specific geographic location, contemporary and historic flows of people, ideas, information, objects, memories and symbols create mobile spaces, places, landscapes and identities, where both familiarity and difference abound. Transformation through physical travel becomes a complex social phenomenon.
I am not a tourist: Aims and implications of “traveling”
Authors: Week Lara
Published: July 2012

Popular reaction against the uncomfortable aspects of modern mass tourism has led to the emergence of new forms of cross-cultural travel. One important form is traveling, in which self-described “travelers” aim to dissociate themselves from tourism altogether. As travelers, rather than tourists, these people present themselves as engaged in a morally superior alternative that does not create the same problems as tourism. This article shows that in the light of critiques of mass tourism, traveling in fact exacerbates existing problems raised by these critiques, in the domains of economic inequity, mobility, and representation. The failure of traveling to overcome these problems of tourism lies in the travelers’ fixation on having “authentic” experiences and in their interpretation of the authentic non-West as being outside modernity.
Experience with sunitinib in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Schmidinger Manuela , Larkin James , Ravaud Alain
Published: July 2012

Following approval of the oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib malate for the treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in Europe and the USA in 2006, the agent has had a substantial impact on the treatment landscape in this setting. Sunitinib is now recommended in international treatment guidelines for the first-line treatment of favourable- or intermediate-risk mRCC and as an alternative option in poor-risk mRCC. In the 6 years since the approval of sunitinib, the range of agents available for the treatment of mRCC has expanded substantially, and this, together with a number of additional therapies in late-stage development, has increased the treatment options available to patients. Results from a phase III trial and a global expanded access study have provided robust data to support the efficacy of sunitinib in mRCC, including in real-world populations. Data also suggest a significant quality of life benefit with sunitinib, with superior patient-reported outcomes observed with this agent compared with interferon-α therapy. Both clinical and real-world study data also support the safety profile of sunitinib; most treatment-associated adverse events are mild to moderate in severity and can be managed effectively with close monitoring and proactive management. Clinical experience with sunitinib has demonstrated that therapy management, involving optimal dosing, maximum treatment duration and prompt and effective adverse event management, supports optimal patient outcomes with sunitinib. In this review we discuss clinical experience with sunitinib in mRCC, with an emphasis on real-world data, and utilize clinical case studies to examine the successful implementation of therapy management strategies for optimal patient outcomes. An increasing body of evidence suggests that side effects associated with sunitinib therapy, including hypertension, hand–foot syndrome and hypothyroidism, may represent effective markers of treatment response, and these will also be discussed.
A Clinical Improvement Project
Authors: Prabhakaran Lathy , A Y Nur Adillah , Abisheganaden John , Lim Ghee Hian , Chee Jane Wai Yan , Lee Tan Wei , Sattar Fatimah , Liew Christine Nyuk Lian
Published: July 2012

Introduction. Patients seen at the emergency department (ED) with poor asthma control at a tertiary hospital in Singapore were fast-tracked to the asthma clinic to stabilize and optimize asthma control. However, the default rates at the fast track clinic (FTC) were high since its initiation, hence the need to initiate a quality improvement project to tackle the default rate as well as to reduce patients’ health care utilization and cost. Aim. The aims were to reduce the default rate of referred appointments from the ED to the FTC from the current 50% to less than 10%, to assess the demographic factors associated with patients canceling and defaulting appointments, and to assess short-term health care utilization and costs for patients who were referred to the FTC. Method. Quality improvement project using the clinical practice improvement methodology. Results. The default rates at the FTC were reduced from 50% to less than 10%. There were significant reductions in health care utilization in the 3-month post-FTC scheduled visits ( P < .001) in terms of revisits to the ED, readmissions, and cost. Age and ethnicity were found to be significantly associated with cancellations and defaults in the univariate model. The ethnic Malays were 2.4 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-5.2) more likely to default when compared with ethnic Chinese ( P = .032). In terms of age, the relative risk ratio of default decreased by a factor of 0.96 (95% CI = 0.93-0.99) for every year increase in age ( P = .003). Conclusion. The clinical practice improvement project aided in reducing default rates to less than 10%. There were reductions in the number of ED revisits, rehospitalization, and cost for patients who showed up at the FTC as well as for those who defaulted and cancelled appointments. However, it did not indicate that those who showed up at the FTCs were doing better than those who cancelled or defaulted in terms of cost and reduction in health care utilization.
Surface hardening of AISI 4340 steel by laser linear oscillation scanning
Authors: Qiu F , Kujanpää V
Published: July 2012

This study investigated the surface hardening of AISI 4340 steel by linear oscillation scanning with a fibre laser. Various frequencies and amplitudes of oscillation were used under laser power of 2020 and 3020 W. Microscopic evaluation was done, and the effect of oscillation frequency on the hardened depth was examined. Hardness profiles were measured along the centre of the irradiated track toward the feeding direction of the laser, across the irradiated width and into the depth below the irradiated surface. The homogeneity of hardness and hardened depth with different processing parameters was investigated. The hardness profiles were compared with the results obtained with conventional single track hardening.
Targeting of mTORC1/2 by the mTOR kinase inhibitor PP242 induces apoptosis in AML cells under conditions mimicking the bone marrow microenvironment
Authors: Zeng Zhihong , Shi Yue Xi , Tsao Twee , Qiu YiHua , Kornblau Steven M. , Baggerly Keith A. , Liu Wenbin , Jessen Katti , Liu Yi , Kantarjian Hagop , Rommel Christian , Fruman David A. , Andreeff Michael , Konopleva Marina
Published: July 2012

The interactions between the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is known to promote survival of AML cells. In this study, we used reverse phase-protein array (RPPA) technology to measure changes in multiple proteins induced by stroma in leukemic cells. We then investigated the potential of an mTOR kinase inhibitor, PP242, to disrupt leukemia/stroma interactions, and examined the effects of PP242 in vivo using a mouse model. Using RPPA, we confirmed that multiple survival signaling pathways, including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), were up-regulated in primary AML cells cocultured with stroma. PP242 effectively induced apoptosis in primary samples cultured with or without stroma. Mechanistically, PP242 attenuated the activities of mTORC1 and mTORC2, sequentially inhibited phosphorylated AKT, S6K, and 4EBP1, and concurrently suppressed chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in primary leukemic cells and in stromal cells cultured alone or cocultured with leukemic cells. In the in vivo leukemia mouse model, PP242 inhibited mTOR signaling in leukemic cells and demonstrated a greater antileukemia effect than rapamycin. Our findings indicate that disrupting mTOR/AKT signaling with a selective mTOR kinase inhibitor can effectively target leukemic cells within the BM microenvironment.
Some properties of starlike harmonic mappings
Authors: Aydog̃an Melike , Yemisci Arzu , Polatog̃lu Yaşar
Published: July 2012

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Analysis of high dimensional data using pre-defined set and subset information, with applications to genomic data
Authors: Guo Wenge , Yang Mingan , Xing Chuanhua , Peddada Shyamal D
Published: July 2012

Background

Based on available biological information, genomic data can often be partitioned into pre-defined sets (e.g. pathways) and subsets within sets. Biologists are often interested in determining whether some pre-defined sets of variables (e.g. genes) are differentially expressed under varying experimental conditions. Several procedures are available in the literature for making such determinations, however, they do not take into account information regarding the subsets within each set. Secondly, variables (e.g. genes) belonging to a set or a subset are potentially correlated, yet such information is often ignored and univariate methods are used. This may result in loss of power and/or inflated false positive rate.

Results

We introduce a multiple testing-based methodology which makes use of available information regarding biologically relevant subsets within each pre-defined set of variables while exploiting the underlying dependence structure among the variables. Using this methodology, a biologist may not only determine whether a set of variables are differentially expressed between two experimental conditions, but may also test whether specific subsets within a significant set are also significant.

Conclusions

The proposed methodology; (a) is easy to implement, (b) does not require inverting potentially singular covariance matrices, and (c) controls the family wise error rate (FWER) at the desired nominal level, (d) is robust to the underlying distribution and covariance structures. Although for simplicity of exposition, the methodology is described for microarray gene expression data, it is also applicable to any high dimensional data, such as the mRNA seq data, CpG methylation data etc.
CalpB modulates border cell migration in Drosophila egg chambers
Authors: Kókai Endre , Páldy Ferencz Sándor , Somogyi Kálmán , Chougule Anil , Pál Margit , Kerekes Éva , Deák Péter , Friedrich Péter , Dombrádi Viktor , Ádám Géza
Published: July 2012

Background

Calpains are calcium regulated intracellular cysteine proteases implicated in a variety of physiological functions and pathological conditions. The Drosophila melanogaster genome contains only two genes, CalpA and CalpB coding for canonical, active calpain enzymes. The movement of the border cells in Drosophila egg chambers is a well characterized model of the eukaryotic cell migration. Using this genetically pliable model we can investigate the physiological role of calpains in cell motility.

Results

We demonstrate at the whole organism level that CalpB is implicated in cell migration, while the structurally related CalpA paralog can not fulfill the same function. The downregulation of the CalpB gene by mutations or RNA interference results in a delayed migration of the border cells in Drosophila egg chambers. This phenotype is significantly enhanced when the focal adhesion complex genes encoding for α-PS2 integrin ( if), β-PS integrin ( mys) and talin ( rhea) are silenced. The reduction of CalpB activity diminishes the release of integrins from the rear end of the border cells. The delayed migration and the reduced integrin release phenotypes can be suppressed by expressing wild-type talin-head in the border cells but not talin-headR367A, a mutant form which is not able to bind β-PS integrin. CalpB can cleave talin in vitro, and the two proteins coimmunoprecipitate from Drosophila extracts.

Conclusions

The physiological function of CalpB in border cell motility has been demonstrated in vivo. The genetic interaction between the CalpB and the if, mys, as well as rhea genes, the involvement of active talin head-domains in the process, and the fact that CalpB and talin interact with each other collectively suggest that the limited proteolytic cleavage of talin is one of the possible mechanisms through which CalpB regulates cell migration.
Adaptive evolution of Toll-like receptor 5 in domesticated mammals
Authors: Smith Sarah A , Jann Oliver C , Haig David , Russell George C , Werling Dirk , Glass Elizabeth J , Emes Richard D
Published: July 2012

Background

Previous studies have proposed that mammalian toll like receptors (TLRs) have evolved under diversifying selection due to their role in pathogen detection. To determine if this is the case, we examined the extent of adaptive evolution in the TLR5 gene in both individual species and defined clades of the mammalia.

Results

In support of previous studies, we find evidence of adaptive evolution of mammalian TLR5. However, we also show that TLR5 genes of domestic livestock have a concentration of single nucleotide polymorphisms suggesting a specific signature of adaptation. Using codon models of evolution we have identified a concentration of rapidly evolving codons within the TLR5 extracellular domain a site of interaction between host and the bacterial surface protein flagellin.

Conclusions

The results suggest that interactions between pathogen and host may be driving adaptive change in TLR5 by competition between species. In support of this, we have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in sheep and cattle TLR5 genes that are co-localised and co-incident with the predicted adaptive codons suggesting that adaptation in this region of the TLR5 gene is on-going in domestic species.
Reassessment of the function of somatolactin alpha in lipid metabolism using medaka mutant and transgenic strains
Authors: Sasano Yuko , Yoshimura Asami , Fukamachi Shoji
Published: July 2012

Background

Somatolactin alpha (SLa) is a fish-specific peptide hormone secreted from the pituitary. In medaka, SLa functions to darken the skin color and lack of SLa makes it pale. Transcription of SLa is enhanced or suppressed when fish are kept in dark or bright conditions, respectively, indicating SLa’s important role in background acclimation of the skin color. Bizarrely, however, the lack of SLa seems to cause the additional defect of increased triglycerides in organs, which could not be rescued (decreased) by its overexpression.

Results

To assess this enigmatic result, we investigated genetic (the SLa, Slc45a2, r, and Y genes) and nongenetic (age, fasting, water temperature, and background color) effects on hepatic triglycerides. These experiments found that percent hepatic triglycerides quickly change in response to external/internal environments. Effects of SLa seemed to be much less obvious, although it may increase the proportion of hepatic triglycerides at least during certain breeding conditions or under certain genetic backgrounds.

Conclusions

The present results do not exclude the possibility that SLa takes part in lipid metabolism or other physiological processes. However, we suggest that skin-color regulation is the only definite role of SLa so far demonstrated in this species.
Genomic and transcriptomic insights into the thermo-regulated biosynthesis of validamycin in Streptomyces hygroscopicus 5008
Authors: Wu Hang , Qu Shuang , Lu Chenyang , Zheng Huajun , Zhou Xiufen , Bai Linquan , Deng Zixin
Published: July 2012

Background

Streptomyces hygroscopicus 5008 has been used for the production of the antifungal validamycin/jinggangmycin for more than 40 years. A high yield of validamycin is achieved by culturing the strain at 37°C, rather than at 30°C for normal growth and sporulation. The mechanism(s) of its thermo-regulated biosynthesis was largely unknown.

Results

The 10,383,684-bp genome of strain 5008 was completely sequenced and composed of a linear chromosome, a 164.57-kb linear plasmid, and a 73.28-kb circular plasmid. Compared with other Streptomyces genomes, the chromosome of strain 5008 has a smaller core region and shorter terminal inverted repeats, encodes more α/β hydrolases, major facilitator superfamily transporters, and Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent regulatory phosphatases. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of 7.5% of coding sequences was increased at 37°C, including biosynthetic genes for validamycin and other three secondary metabolites. At 37°C, a glutamate dehydrogenase was transcriptionally up-regulated, and further proved its involvement in validamycin production by gene replacement. Moreover, efficient synthesis and utilization of intracellular glutamate were noticed in strain 5008 at 37°C, revealing glutamate as the nitrogen source for validamycin biosynthesis. Furthermore, a SARP-family regulatory gene with enhanced transcription at 37°C was identified and confirmed to be positively involved in the thermo-regulation of validamycin production by gene inactivation and transcriptional analysis.

Conclusions

Strain 5008 seemed to have evolved with specific genomic components to facilitate the thermo-regulated validamycin biosynthesis. The data obtained here will facilitate future studies for validamycin yield improvement and industrial bioprocess optimization.
Expanded ataxin-7 cause toxicity by inducing ROS production from NADPH oxidase complexes in a stable inducible Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) model
Authors: Ajayi Abiodun , Yu Xin , Lindberg Staffan , Langel Ülo , Ström Anna-Lena
Published: July 2012

Background

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is one of nine inherited neurodegenerative disorders caused by polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions. Common mechanisms of disease pathogenesis suggested for polyQ disorders include aggregation of the polyQ protein and induction of oxidative stress. However, the exact mechanism(s) of toxicity is still unclear.

Results

In this study we show that expression of polyQ expanded ATXN7 in a novel stable inducible cell model first results in a concomitant increase in ROS levels and aggregation of the disease protein and later cellular toxicity. The increase in ROS could be completely prevented by inhibition of NADPH oxidase (NOX) complexes suggesting that ATXN7 directly or indirectly causes oxidative stress by increasing superoxide anion production from these complexes. Moreover, we could observe that induction of mutant ATXN7 leads to a decrease in the levels of catalase, a key enzyme in detoxifying hydrogen peroxide produced from dismutation of superoxide anions. This could also contribute to the generation of oxidative stress. Most importantly, we found that treatment with a general anti-oxidant or inhibitors of NOX complexes reduced both the aggregation and toxicity of mutant ATXN7. In contrast, ATXN7 aggregation was aggravated by treatments promoting oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrates that oxidative stress contributes to ATXN7 aggregation as well as toxicity and show that anti-oxidants or NOX inhibition can ameliorate mutant ATXN7 toxicity.
Developmental trajectory of the endocannabinoid system in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Long Leonora E , Lind Jonna , Webster Maree , Weickert Cynthia Shannon
Published: July 2012

Background

Endocannabinoids provide control over cortical neurotransmission. We investigated the developmental expression of key genes in the endocannabinoid system across human postnatal life and determined whether they correspond to the development of markers for inhibitory interneurons, which shape cortical development. We used microarray with qPCR validation and in situ hybridisation to quantify mRNA for the central endocannabinoid receptor CB1R, endocannabinoid synthetic enzymes (DAGLα for 2-arachidonylglycerol [2-AG] and NAPE-PLD for anandamide), and inactivating enzymes (MGL and ABHD6 for 2-AG and FAAH for anandamide) in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (39 days - 49 years).

Results

CB1R mRNA decreases until adulthood, particularly in layer II, after peaking between neonates and toddlers. DAGLα mRNA expression is lowest in early life and adulthood, peaking between school age and young adulthood. MGL expression declines after peaking in infancy, while ABHD6 increases from neonatal age. NAPE-PLD and FAAH expression increase steadily after infancy, peaking in adulthood.

Conclusions

Stronger endocannabinoid regulation of presynaptic neurotransmission in both supragranular and infragranular cortical layers as indexed through higher CB1R mRNA may occur within the first few years of human life. After adolescence, higher mRNA levels of the anandamide synthetic and inactivating enzymes NAPE-PLD and FAAH suggest that a late developmental switch may occur where anandamide is more strongly regulated after adolescence than earlier in life. Thus, expression of key genes in the endocannabinoid system changes with maturation of cortical function.
Cold-acclimation limits low temperature induced photoinhibition by promoting a higher photochemical quantum yield and a more effective PSII restoration in darkness in the Antarctic rather than the Andean ecotype of Colobanthus quitensis Kunt Bartl (Cariophyllaceae)
Authors: Bascuñán-Godoy Luisa , Sanhueza Carolina , Cuba Marely , Zuñiga Gustavo E , Corcuera Luis J , Bravo León A
Published: July 2012

Background

Ecotypes of Colobanthus quitensis Kunt Bartl (Cariophyllaceae) from Andes Mountains and Maritime Antarctic grow under contrasting photoinhibitory conditions, reaching differential cold tolerance upon cold acclimation. Photoinhibition depends on the extent of photodamage and recovery capability. We propose that cold acclimation increases resistance to low-temperature-induced photoinhibition, limiting photodamage and promoting recovery under cold. Therefore, the Antarctic ecotype (cold hardiest) should be less photoinhibited and have better recovery from low-temperature-induced photoinhibition than the Andean ecotype. Both ecotypes were exposed to cold induced photoinhibitory treatment (PhT). Photoinhibition and recovery of photosystem II (PSII) was followed by fluorescence, CO2 exchange, and immunoblotting analyses.

Results

The same reduction (25%) in maximum PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm) was observed in both cold-acclimated (CA) and non-acclimated (NA) plants under PhT. A full recovery was observed in CA plants of both ecotypes under dark conditions, but CA Antarctic plants recover faster than the Andean ecotype.

Under PhT, CA plants maintain their quantum yield of PSII, while NA plants reduced it strongly (50% and 73% for Andean and Antarctic plants respectively). Cold acclimation induced the maintenance of PsaA and Cyt b6/f and reduced a 41% the excitation pressure in Antarctic plants, exhibiting the lowest level under PhT. xCold acclimation decreased significantly NPQs in both ecotypes, and reduced chlorophylls and D1 degradation in Andean plants under PhT.

NA and CA plants were able to fully restore their normal photosynthesis, while CA Antarctic plants reached 50% higher photosynthetic rates after recovery, which was associated to electron fluxes maintenance under photoinhibitory conditions.

Conclusions

Cold acclimation has a greater importance on the recovery process than on limiting photodamage. Cold acclimation determined the kinetic and extent of recovery process under darkness in both C. quitensis ecotypes. The greater recovery of PSII at low temperature in the Antarctic ecotype was related with its ability to maintain PsaA, Cyt b6/f and D1 protein after photoinhibitory conditions. This is probably due to either a higher stability of these polypeptides or to the maintenance of their turnover upon cold acclimation. In both cases, it is associated to the maintenance of electron drainage from the intersystem pool, which maintains QA more oxidized and may allow the synthesis of ATP and NADPH necessaries for the regeneration of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate in the Calvin Cycle. This could be a key factor for C. quitensis success under the harsh conditions and the short growing period in the Maritime Antarctic.
Is single reading with computer-aided detection (CAD) as good as double reading in mammography screening? A systematic review
Authors: Azavedo Edward , Zackrisson Sophia , Mejàre Ingegerd , Heibert Arnlind Marianne
Published: July 2012

Background

In accordance with European guidelines, mammography screening comprises independent readings by two breast radiologists (double reading). CAD (computer-aided detection) has been suggested to complement or replace one of the two readers (single reading + CAD).

The aim of this systematic review is to address the following question: Is the reading of mammographic x-ray images by a single breast radiologist together with CAD at least as accurate as double reading?

Methods

The electronic literature search included the databases Pub Med, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library. Two independent reviewers assessed abstracts and full-text articles.

Results

1049 abstracts were identified, of which 996 were excluded with reference to inclusion and exclusion criteria; 53 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Finally, four articles were included in the qualitative analysis, and one in a GRADE synthesis.

Conclusions

The scientific evidence is insufficient to determine whether the accuracy of single reading + CAD is at least equivalent to that obtained in standard practice, i.e. double reading where two breast radiologists independently read the mammographic images.
Chronic kidney disease among high school students of Kinshasa
Authors: Bukabau Justine B , Makulo Jean-Robert R , Pakasa Nestor M , Cohen Eric P , Lepira François B , Kayembe Patrick K , Nseka Nazaire M , Sumaili Ernest K
Published: July 2012

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major worldwide health problem. However, its burden among adolescents and young adults is unknown, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate its prevalence in the school environment. The concordance of usual formulas used to estimate renal function was also assessed.

Methods

In an epidemiological cross sectional study, a random sample of 524 pupils (263 boys, mean age of 18.7 ± 1.4 years) from school environment of Kinshasa were studied. Recorded parameters of interest were anthropometric, proteinuria, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) according to the Schwartz formula using uncalibrated creatinine levels from one random measurement. CKD was defined as the presence of kidney damage (daily proteinuria ≥ 300 mg) and/or reduced kidney function (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). Concordances between eGFR according to Schwartz, Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) indexed for BSA and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) study equations were computed using the kappa coefficient.

Results

The prevalence of CKD by the Schwartz formula was 1.5%. By stage, 0.8% had CKD stage 1 (proteinuria with normal eGFR) and 0.8% had CKD stage 3 (eGFR, 30 to 59 ml/min/1.73 m2). The prevalence of proteinuria ≥ 300 mg/day was 1% (one case had 2.7g/day). Agreement between eGFR according to Schwartz formula and the MDRD formula was excellent (kappa: 88.8%). Although correlations between all formulas were excellent (0.99; 0.87, and 0.89), agreement was poor between eGFR according to Schwartz and C-G indexed BSA equation (kappa: 52.7%) and, poorer with C-G unadjusted for BSA (kappa: 26.9%).

Conclusion

In the large African city of Kinshasa, 2% of high school students have CKD. This high prevalence rate emphasizes the need for appropriate detection and prevention measures in this vulnerable young age population group.
Trend analysis of hospital admissions attributable to tobacco smoking, Northern Territory Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations, 1998 to 2009
Authors: Pircher Sabine LM , Li Shu Qin , Guthridge Steven L
Published: July 2012

Background

Tobacco smoking is a well-recognised risk factor for many diseases [1]. This study assesses the extent of smoking-attributable hospitalisation in the Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations, and examines smoking-attributable hospitalisation trends for the years 1998/99 to 2008/09.

Methods

Hospital discharge data were used for the analysis. The proportion of conditions attributable to tobacco smoking was calculated using the aetiological fraction method. Age-adjusted smoking-attributable hospitalisation rates were calculated to describe the impact of tobacco smoking on the health of Territorians. A negative binominal regression model was applied to examine trends in smoking-attributable hospitalisations.

Results

Aboriginal Territorians were found to have higher rates of smoking-attributable hospitalisation, with Aboriginal males more than three times and Aboriginal females more than four times more likely to be hospitalised for smoking-attributable conditions than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. The age-adjusted hospitalisation rate for Aboriginal males increased by 31% and for Aboriginal females by 18% during the study period. There were more modest increases for NT non-Aboriginal males and females (5% and 17% respectively). The increase among Aboriginal males occurred up until 2005/06 followed by moderation in the trend. There were small reductions in smoking-attributable hospitalisation rates among all populations in younger age groups (less than 25 years).

Conclusions

Aboriginal Territorians experience much higher smoking-attributable hospitalisation rates than non-Aboriginal Territorians. The scale of the smoking burden and suggestion of recent moderation among Aboriginal men reinforce the importance of tobacco control interventions that are designed to meet the needs of the NT’s diverse population groups. Preventing smoking and increasing smoking cessation rates remain priorities for public health interventions in the NT.