bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of continuity and change over 10 years in young women's smoking
Authors: McDermott Liane , Dobson Annette , Owen Neville
Published: February 2009

Aims  To examine prospectively continuity and change in smoking behaviour and associated attributes over a 10‐year period.

Design, setting and participants  Participants (initially aged 18–23 years) in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health completed postal questionnaires in 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The analysis sample was 6840 women who participated in all surveys and provided complete smoking data.

Measurements  Outcome variables were transitions in smoking behaviour between surveys 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4 and 1 and 4. Attributes that differentiated continuing smokers from quitters, relapsers from ex‐smokers and adopters from never smokers were examined for each survey period. Explanatory variables included previous smoking history, demographic, psychosocial, life‐style risk behaviour and life‐stage transition factors.

Findings  Over 10 years, 23% of participants either quit, re‐started, adopted or experimented with smoking. Recent illicit drug use and risky or high‐risk drinking predicted continued smoking, relapse and smoking adoption. Marriage or being in a committed relationship was associated significantly with quitting, remaining an ex‐smoker and not adopting smoking. Living in a rural or remote area and lower educational attainment were associated with continued smoking; moderate and high physical activity levels were associated positively with remaining an ex‐smoker.

Conclusions  Life‐style and life‐stage factors are significant determinants of young women's smoking behaviour. Future research needs to examine the inter‐relationships between tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use, and to identify the determinants of continued smoking among women living in rural and remote areas. Cessation strategies could examine the role of physical activity in relapse prevention.
Homicide in Chicago from 1890 to 1930: prohibition and its impact on alcohol‐ and non‐alcohol‐related homicides
Authors: Asbridge Mark , Weerasinghe Swarna
Published: February 2009

Aim The aim of the current paper is to examine the impact of the enactment of constitutional prohibition in the United States in 1920 on total homicides, alcohol‐related homicides and non‐alcohol‐related homicides in Chicago.

Design Data are drawn from the Chicago Historical Homicide Project, a data set chronicling 11 018 homicides in Chicago between 1870 and 1930. Interrupted time–series and autoregression integrated moving average (ARIMA) models are employed to examine the impact of prohibition on three separate population‐adjusted homicide series. All models control for potential confounding from World War I demobilization and from trend data drawn from Wesley Skogan's Time–Series Data from Chicago.

Findings Total and non‐alcohol‐related homicide rates increased during prohibition by 21% and 11%, respectively, while alcohol‐related homicides remained unchanged. For other covariates, alcohol‐related homicides were related negatively to the size of the Chicago police force and positively to police expenditures and to the proportion of the Chicago population aged 21 years and younger. Non‐alcohol‐related homicides were related positively to police expenditures and negatively to the size of the Chicago police force.

Conclusions While total and non‐alcohol‐related homicides in the United States continued to rise during prohibition, a finding consistent with other studies, the rate of alcohol‐related homicides remained unchanged. The divergent impact of prohibition on alcohol‐ and non‐alcohol‐related homicides is discussed in relation to previous studies of homicide in this era.
Facilitating involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous during out‐patient treatment: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Walitzer Kimberly S. , Dermen Kurt H. , Barrick Christopher
Published: February 2009

Aim  This study evaluated two strategies to facilitate involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)—a 12‐Step‐based directive approach and a motivational enhancement approach—during skills‐focused individual treatment.

Design  Randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline, end of treatment and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment.

Participants, setting and intervention  A total of 169 alcoholic out‐patients (57 women) assigned randomly to one of three conditions: a directive approach to facilitating AA, a motivational enhancement approach to facilitating AA or treatment as usual, with no special emphasis on AA.

Measurements  Self‐report of AA meeting attendance and involvement, alcohol consumption (percentage of days abstinent, percentage of days heavy drinking) and negative alcohol consequences.

Findings  Participants exposed to the 12‐Step directive condition for facilitating AA involvement reported more AA meeting attendance, more evidence of active involvement in AA and a higher percentage of days abstinent relative to participants in the treatment‐as‐usual comparison group. Evidence also suggested that the effect of the directive strategy on abstinent days was mediated partially through AA involvement. The motivational enhancement approach to facilitating AA had no effect on outcome measures.

Conclusions  These results suggest that treatment providers can use a 12‐Step‐based directive approach to effectively facilitate involvement in AA and thereby improve client outcome.
Methadone and impairment in apprehended drivers
Authors: Bernard Jean‐Paul , Mørland Jørg , Krogh Mette , Khiabani Hassan Zaré
Published: February 2009

Aims According to Norwegian guidelines, patients who are in opioid‐assisted rehabilitation programmes are permitted to drive a motor vehicle provided that certain requirements are met. The purpose of this study was to investigate apprehended drivers who had methadone in their blood at the time of apprehension and, further, the relationship between blood methadone concentration and impairment as measured by the clinical test of impairment (CTI).

Methods The division of Forensic Toxicology and Drug Abuse (DFTDA) at the Norwegian Institute of Public Heath analyses blood samples from all drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs nation‐wide. Cases with positive results for methadone in blood were collected over the period 2001–2006.

Results A total of 635 drivers with methadone found in their blood samples were identified. The majority of drivers were men (>80%), aged between 30 and 40 years. Methadone was the only psychoactive drug detected in blood in only 10 cases. Benzodiazepines were a frequent finding (in approximately 90% of cases). A significant difference in blood methadone concentration was found between cases where only methadone was detected [median 0.46 mg/l (range 0.19–0.65)] and cases where methadone was detected in combination with other psychoactive drugs [median 0.28 mg/l (range 0.06–1.24)]. A CTI had been carried out, in conjunction with blood sampling, in 577 of the cases. A concentration–impairment relationship was not seen for methadone in these cases.

Conclusions Cases of driving impairment involving methadone alone were very rare, with combination use most frequent. No correlation between methadone concentration and impairment as judged by the CTI was seen either for these cases or for the material as a whole.
Changes and predictors of change in the physical health status of heroin users over 24 months
Authors: Williamson Anna , Darke Shane , Ross Joanne , Teesson Maree
Published: February 2009

Aims  (i) To describe the course of physical health among the ATOS cohort over 24 months; and (ii) to examine the effects of treatment, drug use patterns and social and psychological factors on health status over 24 months.

Design  Longitudinal cohort.

Setting  Sydney, Australia.

Participants  A total of 615 heroin users recruited for the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS).

Findings  The general health of the cohort improved significantly over 24 months. Significant predictors of poor health over 24 months were: being older, being female, past month heroin, other opiate and tobacco use, past month unemployment and current major depression. Spending a greater proportion of time in residential rehabilitation (RR) was associated with better health over 24 months. No other treatment factors demonstrated a significant, independent relationship with health.

Conclusions  The physical health of dependent heroin users is affected by drug use and psychosocial problems. RR treatment appears to be particularly beneficial to the health of heroin users, suggesting the importance of a comprehensive approach to improving health among this group.
Mortality risk up to 25 years after initiation of treatment among 420 Swedish women with alcohol addiction
Authors: Haver Brit , Gjestad Rolf , Lindberg Staffan , Franck Johan
Published: February 2009

Aims  Women treated for alcohol addiction have mortality rates three to five times those of women from the general population (GP). However, these figures may be inflated because socially disadvantaged women with advanced drinking careers are over‐represented in previous studies. Our aim was to study the long‐term mortality of socially relatively well‐functioning patients coming to their first treatment, compared to matched GP controls.

Design  The mortality rates and causes of death were compared between patients and their matched GP controls, using data from the Causes of Death Register throughout the follow‐up period (0–25 years).

Setting  A specialized treatment programme for women only, called ‘Early treatment for Women with Alcohol Addiction’ (EWA) at the Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Participants  Subjects (n = 420) receiving their first treatment at the EWA programme, compared to a group of matched GP women (n = 2037).

Findings  The women patients had significantly higher mortality than matched GP controls throughout the whole follow‐up period, with a relative risk of 2.4. However, the younger women had four times higher mortality than their matched controls. The peak of deaths occurred during the first 5 years, and alcohol‐related causes of death were highly over‐represented, as were uncertain suicides and accidents.

Conclusions  First‐time‐treated women with alcohol addiction have a substantially lower mortality than reported previously from clinical samples, except for the youngest group. Our figures were corrected for confounding factors such as socio‐demographic status. We believe our results could apply to broader groups of heavy drinking women, inside or outside specialized treatment settings.
The food habits of a Malagasy Giant: Hipposideros commersoni (E. Geoffroy, 1813)
Authors: Rakotoarivelo Andrinajoro A. , Ralisata Mahefatiana , Ravoahangimalala Olga Ramilijaona , Rakotomalala Marlène R. , Racey Paul A. , Jenkins Richard K. B.
Published: February 2009

Hipposideros commersoni is a large microchiropteran bat endemic to Madagascar. We analysed fragments of its prey from faeces and from underneath feeding perches to describe its diet from four sites. Diet was similar across sites and Coleoptera was the main prey item by percentage volume (75%), followed by Hemiptera (13%). Carabidae and Scarabidae were the most frequent coleopterans found in the diet. Direct observations (n = 3) were made of bats flying short distances from perches along forest trails to prey on Cicadidae (c. 20 mm in length) located on tree trunks. There were differences in the composition of faecal samples collected form netted bats and pellets collected under feeding perches, with the latter consisting of more Blattoptera (Blattellidae ‘cockroaches’). Hipposideros commersoni appears to have a unique foraging behaviour and diet among Malagasy microchiropterans and its preference for certain Coleoptera and other large invertebrates may account for reported seasonal variation in body fattening and activity.
Systematic review: clinical efficacy of chelator agents and zinc in the initial treatment of Wilson disease
Authors: WIGGELINKHUIZEN M. , TILANUS M. E. C. , BOLLEN C. W. , HOUWEN R. H. J.
Published: February 2009

Background  No consensus is available on the optimal initial treatment in Wilson disease.

Aim  To assess systematically the available literature of treatment in newly presenting patients with a presymptomatic, hepatic or neurological presentation of Wilson disease.

Methods  A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases was performed. Original studies on clinical efficacy of d‐penicillamine, trientine, tetrathiomolybdate or zinc monotherapy as initial treatment in Wilson disease were included. A descriptive analysis of the relevant published data was performed.

Results  One randomized trial and 12 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were quite heterogeneous and generally of low validity. Nevertheless, according to currently available data, patients with hepatic presentation of Wilson disease are probably most effectively treated by d‐penicillamine. Zinc seems to be preferred above d‐penicillamine for treatment of presymptomatic and neurological patients, as in these subgroups, the tolerance profile is in favour of zinc, while no obvious differences in clinical efficacy could be observed.

Conclusions  There is lack of high‐quality evidence to estimate the relative treatment effects of the available drugs in Wilson disease. Therefore, multicentre prospective randomized controlled comparative trials are necessary.
Antigenic stimulation with cytochrome P450 2J expressed in mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells regulates host anti-tumour immunity
Authors: Homma S , Koido S , Sagawa Y , Suzuki H , Komita H , Nagasaki E , Takahara A , Horiguchi-Yamada J , Tajiri H , Zeldin D C , Obata T
Published: February 2009

Cytochrome P450 2J subfamily (CYP2J) enzymes expressed in mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells were identified as an antigen recognized by specific CD4+ T cells and the structure of its T cell epitope was determined by proteomics-based exploration. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II binding peptides were isolated from I-Ak/peptide complex of dendritic cells (DCs) loaded or unloaded with MIH-2 mouse HCC cells. MHC class II-binding peptides found in MIH-2-loaded DCs but not in unloaded DCs were determined by tandem mass spectrometric analysis. The peptide, consisting of amino acid 276–290 (DFIDAFLKEMTKYPE) of mouse CYP2J enzymes, was identified as an antigenic peptide presented in the context of MHC class II. Preventive treatment of mice with CYP2J peptide stimulated interferon (IFN)-γ production of splenocytes and suppressed the growth of implanted CYP2J-positive MIH-2 cells but not CYP2J-negative murine bladder tumour cells. However, continuous treatment of MIH-2-bearing mice with CYP2J peptide significantly suppressed IFN-γ production of splenocytes and accelerated the growth of implanted MIH-2 tumours in vivo. Increased frequencies of CD4+forkhead box P3 regulatory T cells and CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid suppressor cells were observed in splenocytes from the continuously immunized mice. These results indicate that antigenecity of CYP2J isoforms expressed in HCC cells activate host anti-tumour immunity at an initial stage of HCC, but suppress host anti-tumour immunity with excessive antigenic stimulation at an advanced stage.
Vulnerability of carbon storage in North American boreal forests to wildfires during the 21st century
Authors: BALSHI M. S. , MCGUIRE A. D. , DUFFY P. , FLANNIGAN M. , KICKLIGHTER D. W. , MELILLO J.
Published: February 2009

The boreal forest contains large reserves of carbon. Across this region, wildfires influence the temporal and spatial dynamics of carbon storage. In this study, we estimate fire emissions and changes in carbon storage for boreal North America over the 21st century. We use a gridded data set developed with a multivariate adaptive regression spline approach to determine how area burned varies each year with changing climatic and fuel moisture conditions. We apply the process‐based Terrestrial Ecosystem Model to evaluate the role of future fire on the carbon dynamics of boreal North America in the context of changing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and climate in the A2 and B2 emissions scenarios of the CGCM2 global climate model. Relative to the last decade of the 20th century, decadal total carbon emissions from fire increase by 2.5–4.4 times by 2091–2100, depending on the climate scenario and assumptions about CO2 fertilization. Larger fire emissions occur with warmer climates or if CO2 fertilization is assumed to occur. Despite the increases in fire emissions, our simulations indicate that boreal North America will be a carbon sink over the 21st century if CO2 fertilization is assumed to occur in the future. In contrast, simulations excluding CO2 fertilization over the same period indicate that the region will change to a carbon source to the atmosphere, with the source being 2.1 times greater under the warmer A2 scenario than the B2 scenario. To improve estimates of wildfire on terrestrial carbon dynamics in boreal North America, future studies should incorporate the role of dynamic vegetation to represent more accurately post‐fire successional processes, incorporate fire severity parameters that change in time and space, account for human influences through increased fire suppression, and integrate the role of other disturbances and their interactions with future fire regime.
Impacts of climate on prey abundance account for fluctuations in a population of a northern wader at the southern edge of its range
Authors: PEARCE‐HIGGINS JAMES W. , DENNIS PETER , WHITTINGHAM MARK J. , YALDEN DEREK W.
Published: February 2009

Understanding the mechanisms by which climate change will affect animal populations is vital for adaptive management. Many studies have described changes in the timing of biological events, which can produce phenological mismatch. Direct effects on prey abundance might also be important, but have rarely been studied. We examine the likely importance of variation in prey abundance in driving the demographics of a European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) population at its southern range margin. Previous studies have correlated plover productivity with the abundance of their adult cranefly (Tipulidae) prey, and modelled the phenology of both plover breeding and cranefly emergence in relation to temperature. Our analyses demonstrate that abundance of adult craneflies is correlated with August temperature in the previous year. Correspondingly, changes in the golden plover population are negatively correlated with August temperature 2 years earlier. Predictions of annual productivity, based on temperature‐mediated reductions in prey abundance, closely match observed trends. Modelled variation in annual productivity for a future scenario of increasing August temperatures predicts a significant risk of extinction of the golden plover population over the next 100 years, depending upon the magnitude of warming. Direct effects of climate warming upon cranefly populations may therefore cause northward range contractions of golden plovers, as predicted by climate envelope modelling. Craneflies are an important food source for many northern and upland birds, and our results are likely to have wide relevance to these other species. Research into the potential for habitat management to improve the resilience of cranefly populations to high temperature should be an urgent priority.
Carbon dynamics in topsoil and in subsoil may be controlled by different regulatory mechanisms
Authors: SALOMÉ CLÉMENCE , NUNAN NAOISE , POUTEAU VALÉRIE , LERCH THOMAS Z. , CHENU CLAIRE
Published: February 2009

It is estimated that in excess of 50% of the soil carbon stock is found in the subsoil (below 20–30 cm). Despite this very few studies have paid attention to the subsoil. Although surface and subsurface horizons differ in pedological, environmental and physicochemical features, which are all likely to affect the mechanisms and biological actors involved, models of carbon dynamics tend to assume that the underlying processes are identical in all horizons, but with lower gross fluxes in the subsurface. The aim of this study was to test this assumption by analysing factors governing organic matter decomposition in topsoil (from depths of 5–10 cm) and subsoil (from depths of 80–100 cm). To this end, we established incubations that lasted 51 days, in which factors that were thought to control organic matter mineralization were altered: oxygen concentration, soil structure and the energetic and nutritional status. At the end of the incubation period, the microbial biomass was measured and the community level physiological profiles established. The mineralization per unit organic carbon proved to be as important in the subsoil as it was in surface samples, in spite of lower carbon contents and different catabolic profiles. Differences in the treatment effects indicated that the controls on C dynamics were different in topsoil and subsoil: disrupting the structure of the subsoil caused a 75% increase in mineralization while the surface samples remained unaffected. On the other hand, a significant priming affect was found in the topsoil but not in the subsoil samples. Spatial heterogeneity in carbon content, respiration and microbial communities was greater in subsoil than in topsoil at the field scale. These data suggest greater attention should be paid to the subsoil if global C dynamics is to be fully understood.
Synergistic effects of climate change and local stressors: CO2 and nutrient‐driven change in subtidal rocky habitats
Authors: RUSSELL BAYDEN D. , THOMPSON JO‐ANNE I. , FALKENBERG LAURA J. , CONNELL SEAN D.
Published: February 2009

Climate‐driven change represents the cumulative effect of global through local‐scale conditions, and understanding their manifestation at local scales can empower local management. Change in the dominance of habitats is often the product of local nutrient pollution that occurs at relatively local scales (i.e. catchment scale), a critical scale of management at which global impacts will manifest. We tested whether forecasted global‐scale change [elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and subsequent ocean acidification] and local stressors (elevated nutrients) can combine to accelerate the expansion of filamentous turfs at the expense of calcifying algae (kelp understorey). Our results not only support this model of future change, but also highlight the synergistic effects of future CO2 and nutrient concentrations on the abundance of turfs. These results suggest that global and local stressors need to be assessed in meaningful combinations so that the anticipated effects of climate change do not create the false impression that, however complex, climate change will produce smaller effects than reality. These findings empower local managers because they show that policies of reducing local stressors (e.g. nutrient pollution) can reduce the effects of global stressors not under their governance (e.g. ocean acidification). The connection between research and government policy provides an example whereby knowledge (and decision making) across local through global scales provides solutions to some of the most vexing challenges for attaining social goals of sustainability, biological conservation and economic development.
Designing for inquiry‐based learning with the Learning Activity Management System
Authors: Levy P. , Aiyegbayo O. , Little S.
Published: February 2009

This paper explores the relationship between practitioners' pedagogical purposes, values and practices in designing for inquiry‐based learning in higher education, and the affordances of the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) as a tool for creating learning designs in this context. Using a qualitative research methodology, variation was identified in participants' conceptions of inquiry‐based learning pedagogy and in their approaches to inquiry‐based learning design. LAMS was found to offer design affordances that are compatible with more strongly teacher‐led conceptions of, and approaches to, inquiry‐based learning pedagogy. The paper draws some implications for the further development and use of design tools for inquiry‐based learning. The authors suggest that, in addition to tools created for teachers, there may be a valuable role for tools that explicitly support students as designers of their own inquiry processes and activities.
Kisspeptin/Metastin: A Key Molecule Controlling Two Modes of Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone/Luteinising Hormone Release in Female Rats
Authors: Uenoyama Y. , Tsukamura H. , Maeda K.‐I.
Published: February 2009

Kisspeptin (also known as metastin), a hypothalamic peptide, has attracted attention as a key molecule in the release of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) in various mammalian species, such as rodents, sheep and primates. Two populations of kisspeptin neurones in the brain may control two modes of GnRH release to time the onset of puberty and regulate oestrous cyclicity in rats and mice. One population of kisspeptin neurones, located in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, appears to be responsible for the induction of the GnRH surge that leads to the luteinising hormone surge and ovulation. The other, located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, appears to be involved in generating GnRH pulses, resulting in luteinising hormone pulses followed by follicular development and steroidogenesis in the ovary. The present review focuses on the physiological role of the two populations of kisspeptin neurones in controlling gonadal functions by generating the two modes of GnRH release in a female rat model.
Dental arch morphology in south‐east Asian adults with obstructive sleep apnoea: geometric morphometrics
Authors: BANABILH S. M. , SUZINA A. H. , DINSUHAIMI S. , SAMSUDIN A. R. , SINGH G. D.
Published: February 2009

Summary  The association between dental arch morphology and the aetiology of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is not clear. To compare dental arch morphology in 108 Asian adults with and without ''OSA, overnight'' hospital polysomnography was performed, and sleep reports were obtained for all subjects. Standardized digital photographs were also taken of the subjects’ upper and lower study models. Using 25 homologous landmarks, mean OSA and control dental arch configurations were computed, and subjected to finite‐element morphometry (FEM), t‐tests and principal components analysis (PCA). Mean upper and lower OSA dental arch morphologies were statistically different from respective Control upper and lower arch morphologies (P < 0·05). FEM of the upper arch indicated that the mean OSA configuration was 7–11% narrower in the transverse plane in the incisor and canine regions when compared with the control configuration, and inter‐landmark analysis (ILA) confirmed this finding. FEM for the lower arch indicated that the mean OSA configuration was 10–11% narrower in the antero‐posterior plane in the pre‐molar and molar regions, and confirmed by ILA. Using PCA, significant differences were also found between the two groups in the lower arch using the first two eigenvalues, which accounted for 90% of the total shape change (P < 0·001). Supporting their role as aetiological factors, size and shape differences in dental arch morphology are found in patients with OSA.
The impact of stress and anxiety on the pressure pain threshold of myofascial pain patients
Authors: VEDOLIN G. M. , LOBATO V. V. , CONTI P. C. R. , LAURIS J. R. P.
Published: February 2009

Summary  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of stress and anxiety on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of masticatory muscles and on the subjective pain report. Forty‐five women, students, with mean age of 19·75 years, were divided into two groups: group 1:29 presenting with masticatory myofascial pain (MFP), according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and group 2: 16 asymptomatic controls. An electronic algometer registered the pain thresholds on four different occasions throughout the academic year. To measure levels of stress, anxiety and pain, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used. Three‐way anova and Tukey’s tests were used to verify differences in PPT between groups, times and sites. Levels of anxiety and VAS were compared using Mann–Whitney test, while Friedman’s test was used for the within‐groups comparison at different times (T1 to T4). The chi‐squared and Cochran tests were performed to compare groups for the proportion of subjects with stress (α = 0·05). Differences in PPT recordings between time (P = 0·001) and sites (P < 0·001) were detected. Higher levels of anxiety and lower PPT figures were detected at T2 (academic examination) (P = 0·001). There was no difference between groups for anxiety and stress at any time (P > 0·05). The MFP group also has shown significant increase of VAS at the time of academic examination (P < 0·001). External stressors such as academic examinations have a potential impact on masticatory muscle tenderness, regardless of the presence of a previous condition such as masticatory myofascial pain.
Why cause matters
Authors: WHITELAW A.
Published: February 2009

Recently, some commentators have suggested, for either pragmatic or philosophical reasons, that the cause of mental distress is irrelevant. In this paper it is suggested that downplaying the role of cause leads to ignoring the link between abuse and mental health difficulties which is disempowering for individuals, short‐sighted for service provision and fails to challenge the social structures, inequalities, conditions, practices, values and attitudes that allow abuse to happen. Acknowledging the causal link between abuse and mental health difficulties implies that in addition to building recovery focused therapeutic relationships with individuals, as mental health nurses we need to take seriously our role in mental health promotion from infancy onwards and to acknowledge the importance of being politically aware and involved.
Binary constructs of forensic psychiatric nursing: a pilot study
Authors: MASON T. , DULSON J. , KING L.
Published: February 2009

The aim was to develop an Information Gathering Schedule (IGS) relevant to forensic psychiatric nursing in order to establish the perceived differences in the three levels of security, high, medium and low. Perceived differences in the role constructs of forensic psychiatric nursing is said to exist but the evidence is qualitative or anecdotal. This paper sets out a pilot study beginning in 2004 relating to the development of two rating scales for inclusion into an IGS to acquire data on the role constructs of nurses working in these environments. Following a thematic analysis from the literature two sets of binary frameworks were constructed and a number of questions/statements relating to them were tested. The Thurstone Scaling test was applied to compute medians resulting in a reduction to 48 and 20 items for each respective framework. Two 7‐point Likert scales were constructed and test–retest procedures were applied on a sample population of forensic psychiatric nurses. Student's t‐test was conducted on the data and the results suggest that the IGS is now suitable for application on a larger study. The IGS was piloted on a small sample of forensic psychiatric nurses. The two scales were validated to coefficient values ranging from 0.7 to 0.9. Amendments were made and the IGS was considered acceptable.
In vitrokinetics of hepatic albendazole sulfoxidation in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), tilapia (Oreochromissp.), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and induction of EROD activity in ABZ‐dosed channel catfish
Authors: GONZÁLEZ J. F. , SHAIKH B. , REIMSCHUESSEL R. , KANE A. S.
Published: February 2009

Liver microsomes from market‐size (n = 6) rainbow trout, channel catfish and tilapia were used to investigatein vitrobiotransformation kinetics of albendazole (ABZ). ABZ was transformed to a single metabolite, ABZ sulfoxide (ABZ‐SO). Catfish displayed the highest maximal velocity (Vmax = 264.0 ± 58.6 pmols ABZ‐SO/min/mg protein) followed by tilapia (112.3 ± 8.2) and rainbow trout (73.3 ± 10.3).Vmaxin catfish was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the other two species. Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) values (μm) varied significantly among the species: rainbow trout (3.9 ± 0.5), tilapia (9.2 ± 1.7) and catfish (22.0 ± 3.2). However,Vmax/Kmratios showed no difference among the three species, making them equally efficient performing this phase I biotransformation reaction. In a second series of experiments, channel catfish (n = 6 per treatment) were dosedin vivowith gel‐food containing ABZ (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Fish were killed at 24, 48, 72 and 120 h after dosage. Control fish were fed ABZ‐free feed. Induction of ethoxyresorufin‐o‐deethylase activity was significant (P < 0.05) in all ABZ‐dosed treatments as compared with controls.
The impact of hepatic steatosis on the natural history of chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Cross T. J. S. , Quaglia A. , Hughes S. , Joshi D. , Harrison P. M.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  Since patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) often have hepatic steatosis, this retrospective analysis aimed to assess whether steatosis influences fibrosis progression. We studied 112 HCV RNA positive subjects (median age 44, IQR 39–51 years), who had two liver biopsies performed (median biopsy interval 50, 34–74 months). Fibrosis was staged using the Ishak method and steatosis by the Kleiner system (<5% steatosis = S0, 5–33% = S1, 33–66% = S2, and >66% = S3). The subjects were untreated because they had mild fibrosis (n = 59), declined therapy (n = 48), or had co‐existing disease precluding treatment (n = 5). On first liver biopsy, 60 (54%) had S0, 34 (30%) had S1, 12 (11%) had S2, and 6 (5%) had S3. Steatosis was associated with genotype 3, odds ratio 4.8 (95% CI 1.3–16.7, P = 0.02). Twenty‐three patients (21%) had disease progression on the second biopsy, defined as an increase in Ishak score by ≥1 stage. On univariate analysis, fibrosis progression was associated with older age (P = 0.004), higher AST (P = 0.04), and steatosis (P = 0.005) but on multivariate analysis, only baseline steatosis was significant, odds ratio 14.3 (2.1–111.1, P = 0.006). Kaplan‐Meier analysis demonstrated that steatosis impacted on time to progression to both significant fibrosis (Ishak ≥F3) and cirrhosis (Ishak F5‐6) (P = 0.001 and P = 0.049, respectively). The finding that steatosis was significantly associated with fibrosis progression indicates that, independent of baseline fibrosis stage, patients should be considered for anti‐viral treatment if steatosis is present. Furthermore, strategies to reduce steatosis may have a beneficial effect on fibrosis progression and, therefore, patient outcome.
Analysis of cytosolic and plastidic serine acetyltransferase mutants and subcellular metabolite distributions suggests interplay of the cellular compartments for cysteine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: KRUEGER STEPHAN , NIEHL ANNETTE , LOPEZ MARTIN M. CARMEN , STEINHAUSER DIRK , DONATH ANDREA , HILDEBRANDT TATJANA , ROMERO LUIS C. , HOEFGEN RAINER , GOTOR CECILIA , HESSE HOLGER
Published: February 2009

In plants, the enzymes for cysteine synthesis serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and O‐acetylserine‐(thiol)‐lyase (OASTL) are present in the cytosol, plastids and mitochondria. However, it is still not clearly resolved to what extent the different compartments are involved in cysteine biosynthesis and how compartmentation influences the regulation of this biosynthetic pathway. To address these questions, we analysed Arabidopsis thaliana T‐DNA insertion mutants for cytosolic and plastidic SAT isoforms. In addition, the subcellular distribution of enzyme activities and metabolite concentrations implicated in cysteine and glutathione biosynthesis were revealed by non‐aqueous fractionation (NAF). We demonstrate that cytosolic SERAT1.1 and plastidic SERAT2.1 do not contribute to cysteine biosynthesis to a major extent, but may function to overcome transport limitations of O‐acetylserine (OAS) from mitochondria. Substantiated by predominantly cytosolic cysteine pools, considerable amounts of sulphide and presence of OAS in the cytosol, our results suggest that the cytosol is the principal site for cysteine biosynthesis. Subcellular metabolite analysis further indicated efficient transport of cysteine, γ‐glutamylcysteine and glutathione between the compartments. With respect to regulation of cysteine biosynthesis, estimation of subcellular OAS and sulphide concentrations established that OAS is limiting for cysteine biosynthesis and that SAT is mainly present bound in the cysteine–synthase complex.
Placing Regulatory T cells into Global Theories of Immunity: an Analysis of Cohn’s Challenge to Integrity (Dembic)
Authors: Anderson C. C.
Published: February 2009

In broadening the integrity model, Zlatko Dembic provided one of the few plausible explanations for the existence of regulatory T cells that has been postulated to date and at the same time highlighted deficiencies of the associative antigen recognition model. In defending the virtues of associative antigen recognition, Melvin Cohn has challenged the integrity model and the concept that regulatory T cells have a role in defining the specificity of immune responses. The critique of Cohn’s analysis I present here suggests that a greater consideration of quantitative evolutionary constraints removes most of the challenges to integrity.
Chemokine responsiveness of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory and CD4+ CD25− T cells from atopic and nonatopic donors
Authors: Ahern D. , Lloyd C. M. , Robinson D. S.
Published: February 2009

Background:  Allergic inflammation is associated with Th2‐type T cells, which can be suppressed by CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Both express chemokine receptors (CCR) 4 and CCR8, but the dynamics of expression and effect of atopic status are unknown.

Objective:  To examine the expression of chemokine receptors by CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ CD25− T cells from atopic and nonatopic donors, and document response to allergen stimulation in vitro.

Methods:  Chemokine receptor expression was examined by flow cytometry and quantitative PCR of CD4+ CD25hi and CD4+ CD25− T cells from atopics and nonatopics. Responsiveness to chemokines was by actin polymerization. Dynamics of chemokine receptor expression in 6‐day allergen‐stimulated cultures was analysed by carboxyfluoroscein succinimidyl ester labelling.

Results:  CD4+ CD25hi Tregs preferentially expressed CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6 and CCR8. CD4+ CD25hi Tregs responded to the chemokine ligands for CCR4, CCR6 and CCR8 (CCL17, 22, 20 and 1 respectively), with no differences between atopic and nonatopic donors. Over 6‐day allergen stimulation, CD4+ CD25+ T‐cells downregulated CCR4 and upregulated CCR7, in contrast to CD4+ CD25− effector cells, which downregulated CCR7 and upregulated CCR4.

Conclusions:  CCR4, CCR6 and CCR8 have potential roles in localization of both CD4+ CD25+ regulatory and CD4+ CD25− effector T cells to sites of allergic inflammation. Upregulation of CCR7 and downregulation of CCR4 upon allergen stimulation of Tregs may allow their recirculation from sites of inflammation, in contrast to retention of effector T cells.
The polymorphisms of interleukin 17A (IL17A) gene and its association with pediatric asthma in Taiwanese population
Authors: Wang J. Y. , Shyur S. D. , Wang W. H. , Liou Y. H. , Lin C. G. J. , Wu Y. J. , Wu L. S. H.
Published: February 2009

Background:  The interleukin 17A (IL17A) gene, located on chromosome 6p and linked to asthma phenotype, is a highly potential candidate gene conferring asthma susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL17A and asthma in Taiwanese children.

Methods:  We selected and performed genotyping on nine SNPs that encompass the genomic region of IL17A in Taiwanese children with or without asthma. A total of 1939 subjects containing 1027 subjects in testing group and 931 subjects in validation group were recruited in this study.

Results:  After Bonferroni correction, SNP rs8193036 was found to have a weak association (P = 0.0074 × 9 = 0.066) in genotype frequency test. This association was confirmed by validation group. Logistic regression adjusted allergy comorbidity and gender showed a slightly weaker association.

Conclusions:  The results indicated an independent role of IL17A promoter polymorphism rs8193036 in the association with pediatric asthma in Taiwanese population.
Ragweed sensitization in Europe – GA2LEN study suggests increasing prevalence1
Authors: Burbach G. J. , Heinzerling L. M. , Röhnelt C. , Bergmann K.‐C. , Behrendt H. , Zuberbier T.
Published: February 2009

Ambrosia has now reached threshold for high prevalence allergen in Europe.
High external phosphate (Pi) increases sodium ion uptake and reduces salt tolerance of ‘Pi‐tolerant’ soybean
Authors: Phang Tsui‐Hung , Shao Guihua , Liao Hong , Yan Xiaolong , Lam Hon‐Ming
Published: February 2009

Previous studies on the interaction between environmental inorganic phosphate (Pi) and salinity stress using soybean cultivars sensitive to high external Pi had two limitations: (1) the phenotype was dominated by overaccumulation of phosphorus (P); and (2) no detailed analysis was performed for sodium ion uptake. In this study, we focused on the effects of high external Pi on the sodium ion uptake in ‘Pi‐tolerant’ soybean cultivars. The P accumulation in Pi‐tolerant soybean Union was much lower [9.0 mg g−1 dry weight (DW); contrasting to 38–76 mg g−1 DW in the ‘Pi‐sensitive’ soybean cultivars]. At in planta level, high level of external Pi significantly (P < 0.001) increased net sodium ion uptake and aggravated salinity stress symptoms. The effects of high external Pi diminished when de‐rooted plants were used, suggesting that root is the primary organ interacting with Pi in the growth medium. Two‐cell models, including soybean suspension cells and the tobacco Bright Yellow‐2 cell line, were also employed to study the effects of high external Pi at the cellular level. Consistent to in planta results, high external Pi uplifted cellular sodium ion uptake and reduced cell viability under salinity stress. Gene expression analyses further showed that HPi (2 mM Pi supplements; excessive level of Pi) could reduce the fold of induction of GmSOS1 and GmCNGC under salinity stress, suggesting that they may be possible molecular targets involved in the interaction between high external Pi and Na+ uptake.
Reorganization of cortical hand representation in congenital hemiplegia
Authors: Vandermeeren Yves , Davare Marco , Duque Julie , Olivier Etienne
Published: February 2009

When damaged perinatally, as in congenital hemiplegia (CH), the corticospinal tract usually undergoes an extensive reorganization, such as the stabilization of normally transient projections to the ipsilateral spinal cord. Whether the reorganization of the corticospinal projections occurring in CH patients is also accompanied by a topographical rearrangement of the hand representations in the primary motor cortex (M1) remains unclear. To address this issue, we mapped, for both hands, the representation of the first dorsal interosseous muscle (1DI) in 12 CH patients by using transcranial magnetic stimulation co‐registered onto individual three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging; these maps were compared with those gathered in age‐matched controls (n = 11). In the damaged hemisphere of CH patients, the representation of the paretic 1DI was either found in the hand knob of M1 (n = 5), shifted caudally (n = 5), or missing (n = 2). In the intact hemisphere of six CH patients, an additional, ipsilateral, representation of the paretic 1DI was found in the hand knob, where it overlapped exactly the representation of the non‐paretic 1DI. In the other six CH patients, the ipsilateral representation of the paretic 1DI was either shifted caudally (n = 2) or was lacking (n = 4). Surprisingly, in these two subgroups of patients, the representation of the contralateral non‐paretic 1DI was found in a more medio‐dorsal position than in controls. The present study demonstrates that, besides the well‐known reorganization of the corticospinal projections, early brain injuries may also lead to a topographical rearrangement of the representations of both the paretic and non‐paretic hands in M1.
Hemispheric differences in basilar dendrites and spines of pyramidal neurons in the rat prelimbic cortex: activity‐ and stress‐induced changes
Authors: Perez‐Cruz Claudia , Simon Mária , Czéh Boldizsár , Flügge Gabriele , Fuchs Eberhard
Published: February 2009

Pyramidal neurons of the rat medial prefrontal cortex have been shown to react to chronic stress by retracting their apical dendrites and by spine loss. We extended these findings by focusing on the basilar dendritic tree of layer III pyramidal neurons in both hemispheres of the rat prelimbic cortex. Animals were subjected to daily restraint stress for 1 week (6 h/day), during either the resting or the activity period. The morphology of basilar dendrites and spines of Golgi–Cox‐stained neurons in the left and right hemispheres was digitally reconstructed and analyzed. We observed the following: (i) there was an inherent hemispheric asymmetry in control rats during the resting period: the number of spines on proximal dendrites was higher in the left than in the right hemisphere; (ii) basal dendrites in controls displayed a diurnal variation: there was more dendritic material during the resting period than in the activity period; (iii) chronic stress reduced the length of basal dendrites in only the right prelimbic cortex; (iv) chronic stress reduced spine density on proximal basal dendrites; (v) restraint stress during the activity period had more pronounced effects on the physiological stress parameters than restraint stress during the resting period. Our results show dynamic hemisphere‐dependent structural changes in pyramidal neurons of the rat prelimbic cortex that are tightly linked to periods of resting and activity. These morphological alterations reflect the capacity of the neurons to react to external stimuli and mirror presumptive changes in neuronal communication.
A common gene exclusion mechanism used by two chemosensory systems
Authors: Capello Luca , Roppolo Daniele , Jungo Véronique Pauli , Feinstein Paul , Rodriguez Ivan
Published: February 2009

Sensory coding strategies within vertebrates involve the expression of a limited number of receptor types per sensory cell. In mice, each vomeronasal sensory neuron transcribes monoallelically a single V1R pheromone receptor gene, chosen from a large V1R repertoire. The nature of the signals leading to this strict receptor expression is unknown, but is apparently based on a negative feedback mechanism initiated by the transcription of the first randomly chosen functional V1R gene. We show, in vivo, that the genetic replacement of the V1rb2 pheromone receptor coding sequence by an unrelated one from the odorant receptor gene M71 maintains gene exclusion. The expression of this exogenous odorant receptor in vomeronasal neurons does not trigger the transcription of odorant receptor‐associated signalling molecules. These results strongly suggest that despite the different odorant and vomeronasal receptor expression sites, function and transduction cascades, a common mechanism is used by these chemoreceptors to regulate their transcription.