bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociometric Assessment of Leadership Status in Substance Abuse Training
Authors: Gallagher Richard E. , Berry Lisa C. , Schoener Eugene P.
Published: December 2009

A learner-centered clinical faculty development program in substance abuse, conducted at an urban medical school, was evaluated using a sociometric approach. This fellowship program was based upon the premise that faculty fellows would become academic opinion leaders in the sense that other clinical faculty, as well as residents and students, would seek them out for their knowledge and expertise on substance abuse. A survey instrument designed to test this hypothesis was distributed to all full-time clinical faculty in the fellows’ departments (General Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine) at the beginning and upon conclusion of training. Significant pre-post differences were observed on the dimensions of advice/consultation, clinical management, teaching, and research. In all but one case, the changes in perception were positive, and specific to the subject of substance abuse, and represented all of the dimensions. Posttraining perceptions were extremely favorable compared with those of established leaders. The exceptional case in which a negative change in perception occurred after the fellowship appeared to be influenced by a radical change in the fellow's administrative role. These findings suggest that a faculty development program of this kind can generate academic opinion leaders. It remains to be seen whether or not this position can be translated into a persistent academic presence.
Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTCs)
Authors: Rohrer Susanne R. , Diesenhaus Herman I. , Jaffe Jerome H. , Morgan Edward T. , Kilpatrick Nancy S.
Published: December 2009

In response to a perceived shortage in the public sector of well-trained addiction treatment professionals and a Congressional mandate, CSAT initiated the ATTC program (1) to increase the number of health and allied health practitioners in nonprofit alcohol and other drug abuse treatment (AODA) programs, (2) to link publicly funded AODA programs with institutions that train health and allied health care practitioners in order to improve the competency of practitioners who presently practice in those programs, and (3) to strengthen addiction treatment curricula used to train health and allied health care practitioners. The ATTCs are multidisciplinary in scope, encompassing addictions counseling and a minimum of three other substance abuse-related disciplines such as medicine, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, and criminal justice. The ATTC program supports faculty, training needs assessments, curricula refinement, internships, preceptorships, and other activities related to the development of AODA clinical training programs. ATTCs provide discipline-specific and multidisciplinary preemployment training and continuing professional education opportunities. The ATTC program was initiated in FY 1994 through cooperative agreements with 11 recipients. In the first year each ATTC completed an initial planning phase, with full implementation begun during FY 1995. A comprehensive process and outcome evaluation of the individual ATTCs as well as the overall program will be performed.
Increasing Primary Care Providers’ Willingness to Intervene in Alcohol- and Drug-Related Problems: A Review1
Authors: Roche Ann M.
Published: December 2009

Over the past decade increased attention has focused on the role of primary care physicians in the treatment of drug and alcohol problems. Compelling arguments have been proffered in their support including high prevalence levels within community populations and frequency of presentation in primary care settings. In addition, ready access, the nonstigmatizing setting, and proven efficacy of physician-delivered early intervention add further weight to primary care provider involvement. However, a complex relationship exists between treatment providers and potential recipients-and greater involvement is hampered by numerous factors. For instance, substantial evidence suggests that primary care providers are less than enthusiastic, are inadequately informed, and perform poorly with regard to identification and treatment of drug and alcohol problems. These deficits are examined from several perspectives. Doctors’ willingness to intervene (WTI) is discussed in relation to a recently developed model which encompasses four key components: the doctor factor, the patient factor, the context factor, and the doctor-patient interaction factor. Some components of this model are discussed in relation to barriers to wider involvement by primary care physicians. The extent to which poor knowledge levels may impact upon provision of treatment is examined and discussed in light of recent Australian and Canadian surveys of primary care physicians’ knowledge and attitudes. Finally, consideration is given to a novel application of Skog's (1) social contagion theory, to the effect that when patients are successfidly counseled to reduce their alcohol consumption, they influence their social contacts to do likewise. Such an effect would multiply the benefits to the community arising from the provider's successful detection and management of an individual patient's alcohol or other drug-related problems. An experimental protocol to test this theory is described.
Recent Major Life Stressors among White and Black Alcoholic Women
Authors: Johnson N. Peter , Michels Philip J. , Sheridan David
Published: December 2009

Three-hundred nine alcoholic and nonalcoholic women were matched as a function of age (20-29 vs. 30-39 vs. 40-49) and race (black vs. white) and compared regarding the occurrence of a number of recent (within the last 2 years) major life stressors, which included assessment of relationship, residential and job/school changes, legal difficulties, and changes in leisure activities. Results of odds-ratio analyses indicated that alcoholic women reported significantly more recent life stress on 11 of the 19 variables sampled. Vie race and age of the respondent did not significantly alter the relationship of alcoholism to recent life stress.
Proposed asynchronous data collection scheme for stroboscopic neutron imaging on spallation sources for the examination of running engines
Authors: Schillinger B.
Published: December 2009

Even the most powerful steady-state neutron sources do not deliver sufficient flux for neutron imaging with microsecond time resolution. The future pulsed neutron spallation sources will offer a much higher peak flux, but have a low repetition rate that makes sequential data collection and synchronization for repetitive motions rather difficult. This paper proposes an asynchronous data collection scheme for recording movies of fast continuous repetitive motions like running combustion engines.
Pericentrin in cellular function and disease
Authors: Delaval Benedicte , Doxsey Stephen J.
Published: December 2009

Pericentrin is an integral component of the centrosome that serves as a multifunctional scaffold for anchoring numerous proteins and protein complexes. Through these interactions, pericentrin contributes to a diversity of fundamental cellular processes. Recent studies link pericentrin to a growing list of human disorders. Studies on pericentrin at the cellular, molecular, and, more recently, organismal level, provide a platform for generating models to elucidate the etiology of these disorders. Although the complexity of phenotypes associated with pericentrin-mediated disorders is somewhat daunting, insights into the cellular basis of disease are beginning to come into focus. In this review, we focus on human conditions associated with loss or elevation of pericentrin and propose cellular and molecular models that might explain them.
Non–cell autonomous toxicity in neurodegenerative disorders: ALS and beyond
Authors: Ilieva Hristelina , Polymenidou Magdalini , Cleveland Don W.
Published: December 2009

Selective degeneration and death of one or more classes of neurons is the defining feature of human neurodegenerative disease. Although traditionally viewed as diseases mainly affecting the most vulnerable neurons, in most instances of inherited disease the causative genes are widely—usually ubiquitously—expressed. Focusing on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), especially disease caused by dominant mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), we review here the evidence that it is the convergence of damage developed within multiple cell types, including within neighboring nonneuronal supporting cells, which is crucial to neuronal dysfunction. Damage to a specific set of key partner cells as well as to vulnerable neurons may account for the selective susceptibility of neuronal subtypes in many human neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD), Parkinson's disease (PD), prion disease, the spinal cerebellar ataxias (SCAs), and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Extranasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization at Admission to an Acute Care Veterans Affairs Hospital
Authors: Baker Stacey E. , Brecher Stephen M. , Robillard Ernest , Strymish Judith , Lawler Elizabeth , Gupta Kalpana
Published: December 2009

Objective.

To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for extranasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and its relationship to nasal colonization among veterans hospitalized for acute care.

Design.

Prospective observational study.

Setting.

Veterans Affairs (VA) acute care hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Patients.

Convenience sample of 150 patients hospitalized within the previous 36 hours and screened for nasal MRSA who were not known to have an active MRSA infection or MRSA isolates recovered from a wound during the past 12 months.

Methods.

Potential risk factors for MRSA colonization were assessed, and oropharynx, axilla, hand, perirectal, wound, and catheter insertion site samples were obtained for culture. MRSA was identified in chromogenic agar and confirmed by use of routine culture techniques. Nasal MRSA colonization was detected by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results.

Nasal swab samples analyzed by use of PCR yielded results positive for MRSA in 16 (11%) of 150 patients. Extranasal cultures yielded positive results for 3 (2%) of 134 patients who tested negative for nasal MRSA colonization and for 9 (56%) of 16 patients who tested positive for nasal MRSA colonization (odds ratio [OR], 56.1 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 12.4-254.6]; P <.001). The oropharynx was the most commonly colonized extranasal site (10 patients [7%]). Independent risk factors for extranasal MRSA colonization included nasal MRSA colonization (OR, 66.9 [95% CI, 11.8-379.7]; P <.001) and end-stage hepatic disease (OR, 98.5 [95% CI, 3.1-3,112.4]; P = .01).

Conclusions.

Extranasal MRSA colonization is infrequent among veterans admitted for acute care to VA Boston Healthcare System. Extranasal MRSA colonization was strongly associated with nasal MRSA colonization, which suggests that the VA MRSA Prevention Initiative is not missing a large number of MRSA-colonized patients by focusing on nasal-only screening.
Primary care burden and treatment of patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Scotland
Authors: Hawkins Nathaniel M. , Jhund Pardeep S. , Simpson Colin R. , Petrie Mark C. , MacDonald Michael R. , Dunn Francis G. , MacIntyre Kate , McMurray John J.V.
Published: December 2009

Aims

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexist and present major challenges to healthcare providers. The epidemiology, consultation rate, and treatment of patients with HF and COPD in primary care are ill‐defined.

Methods and results

This was an analysis of cross‐sectional data from 61 primary care practices (377 439 patients) participating in the Scottish Continuous Morbidity Recording scheme. The prevalence of COPD in patients with HF increased from 19.8% in 1999 to 23.8% in 2004. In 2004, the prevalence was similar in men and women (24.8% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.09), increased with age up to 75 years, and increased with greater socioeconomic deprivation (most deprived 31.3% vs. least deprived 18.6%, P = 0.01). Contact rates for HF or COPD in those with both conditions were greater than disease‐specific contact rates in patients with either condition alone. Although overall beta‐blocker prescribing increased over time; the adjusted odds of beta‐blocker prescription in patients with COPD was low and failed to improve [odds ratio 0.30 (0.28–0.32), P < 0.001]. In 2004, only 18% of individuals with HF and COPD were prescribed beta‐blockers vs. 41% in those without COPD.

Conclusion

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a frequent comorbidity in patients with HF and represents a significant healthcare burden to primary care. Although beta‐blocker prescribing in the community has increased, less than a fifth of patients with HF and COPD received beta‐blockers.
The acoustic properties of Salpa thompsoni
Authors: Wiebe Peter H. , Chu Dezhang , Kaartvedt Stein , Hundt Anna , Melle Webjorn , Ona Egil , Batta-Lona Paola
Published: December 2009

Wiebe, P. H., Chu, D., Kaartvedt, S., Hundt, A., Melle, W., Ona, E., and Batta-Lona, P. 2010. The acoustic properties of Salpa thompsoni. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 583–593. Aggregations of the salp Salpa thompsoni were encountered during the Antarctic krill and ecosystem-studies cruise on the RV “G.O. Sars” from 19 February to 27 March 2008. The salp's in situ target strength (TS), size, number of individuals in aggregate chains, and chain angle of orientation were determined. Shipboard measurements were made of Salpa thompsoni's material properties. Individual aggregates were mostly 45.5–60.6 mm in mean length; relatively rare solitaries were ∼100 mm. Chains ranged from 3 to at least 121 individuals, and in surface waters (<20 m), they showed no preferred angle of orientation. Sound-speed contrast (h) ranged from 1.0060 to 1.0201 and density contrast (g) estimates between 1.0000 and 1.0039. The in situ TS distributions peaked between −75 and −76 dB at 38 kHz, with a secondary peak at approximately −65 dB. TS ranged between −85 and −65 dB at 120 and 200 kHz and peaked around −74 dB. The measured in situ TS of salps reasonably matched the theoretical scattering-model predictions based on multi-individual chains. The backscattering from aggregate salps gives rise to TS values that can be similar to krill and other zooplankton with higher density and sound-speed contrasts.
The Type III–Secreted Protein NopE1 Affects Symbiosis and Exhibits a Calcium-Dependent Autocleavage Activity
Authors: Wenzel Mandy , Friedrich Lars , Göttfert Michael , Zehner Susanne
Published: December 2009

The type III–secreted proteins NopE1 and NopE2 of Bradyrhizobium japonicum contain a repeated domain of unknown function (DUF1521), which is present in a few uncharacterized proteins. A nopE1/nopE2 double mutant strain exhibited higher nodulation efficiency on Vigna radiata KPS2 than the wild type or single nopE1 or nopE2 mutants. This indicates that both proteins are effectors that functionally overlap. To test translocation into the plant cell compartment during symbiosis, NopE1 and NopE2 were fused with adenylate cyclase (cya) as reporter. A fusion with the full-length proteins or N-terminal peptides resulted in increased cAMP levels in nodules, indicating translocation. Purified NopE1 exhibited self-cleavage in the presence of Ca2+. Two identical cleavage sites (GD'PHVD) were identified inside the DUF1521 domains. The C-terminal cleavage site was analyzed by alanine scanning. Protein variants in which aspartate or proline next to the cleavage sites was substituted displayed no cleavage. A noncleavable protein was obtained by exchange of the aspartate residues preceding both cleavage sites. Complementation analysis with the noncleavable NopE1 variant did not restore wild-type phenotype on Vigna radiata KPS2, indicating a physiological role of NopE1 cleavage in effector function.
Senescing sexual ornaments recover after a sabbatical
Authors: Velando Alberto , Drummond Hugh , Torres Roxana
Published: December 2009

Somatic deterioration in ageing animals may arise from allocation of resources to reproduction at the expense of repair and maintenance. Thus, accumulated reproductive effort is likely to progressively limit the expression of sexual ornaments at older ages. We analysed the effect of age and reproductive effort on the sexual attractiveness (foot colour) of male blue-footed boobies. Using a long-term dataset, we found that, as animals age and accumulate reproductive events, the expression of foot colour deteriorates. In addition, after non-breeding events males displayed more colourful feet compared with males that reproduced the year before, suggesting that sabbatical years facilitate recovery. Our results indirectly support the idea that allocation of resources to reproduction limits sexual attractiveness and that animals could cope with the negative effects of senescence on sexual ornaments by skipping some breeding events.
Next-generation tools for evolutionary invasion analyses
Authors: Hurford Amy , Cownden Daniel , Day Troy
Published: December 2009

Evolutionary invasion analysis is a powerful technique for modelling in evolutionary biology. The general approach is to derive an expression for the growth rate of a mutant allele encoding some novel phenotype, and then to use this expression to predict long-term evolutionary outcomes. Mathematically, such ‘invasion fitness’ expressions are most often derived using standard linear stability analyses from dynamical systems theory. Interestingly, there is a mathematically equivalent approach to such stability analyses that is often employed in mathematical epidemiology, and that is based on so-called ‘next-generation’ matrices. Although this next-generation matrix approach has sometimes also been used in evolutionary invasion analyses, it is not yet common in this area despite the fact that it can sometimes greatly simplify calculations. The aim of this article is to bring the approach to a wider evolutionary audience in two ways. First, we review the next-generation matrix approach and provide a novel, and easily intuited, interpretation of how this approach relates to more standard techniques. Second, we illustrate next-generation methods in evolutionary invasion analysis through a series of informative examples. Although focusing primarily on evolutionary invasion analysis, we provide several insights that apply to biological modelling in general.
Deficit in visual temporal integration in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Nakano Tamami , Ota Haruhisa , Kato Nobumasa , Kitazawa Shigeru
Published: December 2009

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are superior in processing local features. Frith and Happe conceptualize this cognitive bias as ‘weak central coherence’, implying that a local enhancement derives from a weakness in integrating local elements into a coherent whole. The suggested deficit has been challenged, however, because individuals with ASD were not found to be inferior to normal controls in holistic perception. In these opposing studies, however, subjects were encouraged to ignore local features and attend to the whole. Therefore, no one has directly tested whether individuals with ASD are able to integrate local elements over time into a whole image. Here, we report a weakness of individuals with ASD in naming familiar objects moved behind a narrow slit, which was worsened by the absence of local salient features. The results indicate that individuals with ASD have a clear deficit in integrating local visual information over time into a global whole, providing direct evidence for the weak central coherence hypothesis.
Inhibitory interneurons of the human prefrontal cortex display conserved evolution of the phenotype and related genes
Authors: Sherwood Chet C. , Raghanti Mary Ann , Stimpson Cheryl D. , Spocter Muhammad A. , Uddin Monica , Boddy Amy M. , Wildman Derek E. , Bonar Christopher J. , Lewandowski Albert H. , Phillips Kimberley A. , Erwin Joseph M. , Hof Patrick R.
Published: December 2009

Inhibitory interneurons participate in local processing circuits, playing a central role in executive cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex. Although humans differ from other primates in a number of cognitive domains, it is not currently known whether the interneuron system has changed in the course of primate evolution leading to our species. In this study, we examined the distribution of different interneuron subtypes in the prefrontal cortex of anthropoid primates as revealed by immunohistochemistry against the calcium-binding proteins calbindin, calretinin and parvalbumin. In addition, we tested whether genes involved in the specification, differentiation and migration of interneurons show evidence of positive selection in the evolution of humans. Our findings demonstrate that cellular distributions of interneuron subtypes in human prefrontal cortex are similar to other anthropoid primates and can be explained by general scaling rules. Furthermore, genes underlying interneuron development are highly conserved at the amino acid level in primate evolution. Taken together, these results suggest that the prefrontal cortex in humans retains a similar inhibitory circuitry to that in closely related primates, even though it performs functional operations that are unique to our species. Thus, it is likely that other significant modifications to the connectivity and molecular biology of the prefrontal cortex were overlaid on this conserved interneuron architecture in the course of human evolution.
Extreme variability among mammalian V1R gene families
Authors: Young Janet M. , Massa Hillary F. , Hsu Li , Trask Barbara J.
Published: December 2009

We report an evolutionary analysis of the V1R gene family across 37 mammalian genomes. V1Rs comprise one of three chemosensory receptor families expressed in the vomeronasal organ, and contribute to pheromone detection. We first demonstrate that Trace Archive data can be used effectively to determine V1R family sizes and to obtain sequences of most V1R family members. Analyses of V1R sequences from trace data and genome assemblies show that species-specific expansions previously observed in only eight species were prevalent throughout mammalian evolution, resulting in “semi-private” V1R repertoires for most mammals. The largest families are found in mouse and platypus, whose V1R repertoires have been published previously, followed by mouse lemur and rabbit (∼215 and ∼160 intact V1Rs, respectively). In contrast, two bat species and dolphin possess no functional V1Rs, only pseudogenes, and suffered inactivating mutations in the vomeronasal signal transduction gene Trpc2. We show that primate V1R decline happened prior to acquisition of trichromatic vision, earlier during evolution than was previously thought. We also show that it is extremely unlikely that decline of the dog V1R repertoire occurred in response to selective pressures imposed by humans during domestication. Functional repertoire sizes in each species correlate roughly with anatomical observations of vomeronasal organ size and quality; however, no single ecological correlate explains the very diverse fates of this gene family in different mammalian genomes. V1Rs provide one of the most extreme examples observed to date of massive gene duplication in some genomes, with loss of all functional genes in other species.
Targeted chromosomal deletions in human cells using zinc finger nucleases
Authors: Lee Hyung Joo , Kim Eunji , Kim Jin-Soo
Published: December 2009

We present a novel approach for generating targeted deletions of genomic segments in human and other eukaryotic cells using engineered zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs). We found that ZFNs designed to target two different sites in a human chromosome could introduce two concurrent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the chromosome and give rise to targeted deletions of the genomic segment between the two sites. Using this method in human cells, we were able to delete predetermined genomic DNA segments in the range of several-hundred base pairs (bp) to 15 mega-bp at frequencies of 10−3 to 10−1. These high frequencies allowed us to isolate clonal populations of cells, in which the target chromosomal segments were deleted, by limiting dilution. Sequence analysis revealed that many of the deletion junctions contained small insertions or deletions and microhomologies, indicative of DNA repair via nonhomologous end-joining. Unlike other genome engineering tools such as recombinases and meganucleases, ZFNs do not require preinsertion of target sites into the genome and allow precise manipulation of endogenous genomic scripts in animal and plant cells. Thus, ZFN-induced genomic deletions should be broadly useful as a novel method in biomedical research, biotechnology, and gene therapy.
TheREDUCED LEAFLETGenes Encode Key Components of the trans-Acting Small Interfering RNA Pathway and Regulate Compound Leaf and Flower Development inLotus japonicus
Authors: Yan Jun , Cai Xuefei , Luo Jianghong , Sato Shusei , Jiang Qunyi , Yang Jun , Cao Xiangling , Hu Xiaohe , Tabata Satoshi , Gresshoff Peter M. , Luo Da
Published: December 2009

The endogenous trans-acting small interfering RNA (ta-siRNA) pathway plays a conserved role in adaxial-abaxial patterning of lateral organs in simple-leafed plant species. However, its function in compound-leafed species is largely unknown. Using the compound-leafed species Lotus japonicus, we identified and characterized two independent mutants, reduced leaflet1 (rel1) and rel3, whose most conspicuous defects in compound leaves are abaxialized leaflets and reduction in leaflet number. Concurrent mutations in REL genes also compromise flower development and result in radial symmetric floral organs. Positional cloning revealed that REL1 and REL3 encode the homologs of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) SUPPRESSOR OF GENE SILENCING3 and ARGONAUTE7/ZIPPY, respectively, which are key components of the ta-siRNA pathway. These observations, together with the expression and functional data, demonstrated that the ta-siRNA pathway plays conserved yet distinct roles in the control of compound leaf and flower development in L. japonicus. Moreover, the phenotypic alterations of lateral organs in ta-siRNA-deficient mutants and the regulation of downstream targets by the ta-siRNA pathway in L. japonicus were similar to those in the monocots but different from Arabidopsis, indicating many parallels between L. japonicus and the monocots in the control of lateral organ development by the ta-siRNA pathway.
Postprandial metabolic increment of southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii ingesting high or low‐lipid sardines Sardinops sagax
Authors: Fitzgibbon Q. P. , Seymour R. S.
Published: December 2009

This study examined the postprandial metabolism and swimming speed of southern bluefin tuna Thunnus maccoyii when fed sardines Sardinops sagax of either high‐lipid and high‐energy content or low‐lipid and low‐energy content. Five groups of two or three T. maccoyii (mean ±s.e. mass = 19·8 ± 0·5 kg, n = 14) were fed either low [2·2% lipid, 5·5 MJ kg−1 gross energy (GE)] or high‐lipid (12·9%, 9·2 MJ kg−1 GE) S. sagax. Before feeding, T. maccoyii swam at 0·74 ± 0·03 body lengths s−1 (n = 5) and their routine metabolic rate was 305 ± 15 mg kg−1 h−1. Swimming speed and metabolic rate of T. maccoyii increased following feeding. Thunnus maccoyii swam 1·3 and 1·8 times faster during digestion of low and high‐lipid S. sagax, respectively. Postprandial peak metabolic rate, duration of elevated metabolism and total postprandial metabolic increment were all greater for T. maccoyii that ingested high‐lipid S. sagax. When total postprandial increment is represented as a proportion of ingested energy, there was no difference between high and low‐lipid meals, equating to between 30 and 35% of ingested energy. It was estimated that increased postprandial swimming costs account for 25 and 46% of the total postprandial metabolic response for low and high‐lipid S. sagax meals, respectively. Specific dynamic action (SDA) accounts for c. 20% of ingested energy regardless of S. sagax lipid level. These results confirm that the postprandial metabolic increment of T. maccoyii is greater than most other fish species. Much of the high cost of postprandial metabolic increment can be attributed to increased postprandial swimming costs. For T. maccoyii, it appears that activity and SDA are not independent, which complicates bioenergetic evaluation. High postprandial metabolic costs accentuate the great energetic requirements of T. maccoyii.
The effect of progressive hypoxia on spontaneous activity in single and shoaling golden grey mulletLiza aurata
Authors: Lefrançois C. , Ferrari R. S. , Moreira da Silva J. , Domenici P.
Published: December 2009

The hypothesis of a differential effect of hypoxia on activity in shoalingv.solitary fish was tested in golden grey mulletLiza aurata. In both solitary and shoaling fish, (1) swimming activity increased significantly at ≤ 60% air saturation compared with normoxia, (2) aquatic surface respiration increased significantly below 15% air saturation and (3) a significant increase in ventilation frequency was observed between 40 and 10% air saturation. Swimming activity was higher in shoaling than in solitary fish, possibly due to social interactions in shoaling fish. Despite showing a higher swimming activity, shoaling individuals showed similar ventilation frequency to the less active solitary fish. This suggests that shoaling exerts a calming effect onL. aurata, probably related to increased safety while in numbers. In addition, shoaling fish spent a higher proportion of time performing aquatic surface respiration at 15% air saturation (i.e.the highest oxygen level at which aquatic surface respiration was observed) than solitary fish, possibly because of (1) synchronization of aquatic surface respiration in shoaling fish and (2) lower risk of predation perceived by shoaling fish.
Hypoxia and life‐history traits in a eurytopic African cichlid
Authors: Reardon E. E. , Chapman L. J.
Published: December 2009

This study quantified variation in key life‐history traits of the widespread African mouth‐brooding cichlidPseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae. Egg size, number, batch reproductive effort, size at maturity and brooding efficiency were compared among field populations across a wide range of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations from extreme hypoxia to normoxia. In the laboratory, a similar suite of characters was quantified in F1 of low‐ and high‐DO origin reared under low or high DO. In general, females from low‐DO habitats and females reared under low DO were characterized by a smaller size at maturity and no difference in batch reproductive effort when compared with females from high‐DO habitats or females reared under normoxia. A trade‐off between egg size and number was evident in the field and in the laboratory‐rearing experiment, but the direction of the trade‐off differed. Egg size was negatively correlated with egg number across field populations; females collected from low‐DO sites generally had more, smaller eggs relative to females from high‐DO sites. In the laboratory‐rearing experiment, F1 females of high‐DO origin produced larger, fewer eggs than F1 females of low‐DO origin, lending support to the field results and suggesting a heritable component to these traits. There was also an element of developmental plasticity, F1 females raised under low DO produced larger, fewer eggs compared with F1 females raised under high DO (regardless of population) suggesting that DO may interact with other variables to determine egg size in the field.
Courtship sounds and associated behaviours in the Canestrini's goby Pomatoschistus canestrinii
Authors: Malavasi S. , Valerio C. , Torricelli P.
Published: December 2009

Courtships sounds and associated behaviours were recorded in the Canestrini's goby Pomatoschistus canestrinii using a simultaneous video–acoustic system: the male exhibited a display composed of both a visual (rapid head movements) and an acoustic component (thump sound), and its intensity was positively associated with that of a female visual display.
The efficacy of the aquatic anaesthetic AQUI‐S® for anaesthesia of a small freshwater fish, Melanotaenia australis
Authors: Young M. J.
Published: December 2009

For stage four anaesthesia of the western rainbowfish Melanotaenia australis the most efficacious concentration of AQUI‐S® was found to be 80 mg l−1 when five different doses were tested at 27° C (range 26·5–27·5° C). This gave a mean ±s.e. (n = 10) induction time of 140·4 ± 8·9 s and recovery time of 180·2 ± 8·9 s and resulted in 10% mortality when fish were continuously exposed for 15 min. All fish given this dose during induction and recovery time trials ate within 1 h of recovery, and there was zero mortality during a subsequent 1 month monitoring period.
Diet and trophic plasticity of an herbivorous blenny Scartella cristata of subtropical rocky shores
Authors: Mendes T. C. , Villaça R. C. , Ferreira C. E. L.
Published: December 2009

The goals of the present study were to investigate the feeding rates of Scartella cristata, accounting for different water temperature regimes, and to analyse spatial and seasonal variations in its diet. The feeding rate of S. cristata was higher in warmer waters and was not correlated with season. A typical herbivorous diel feeding pattern was observed, with a steady increase in bite rate throughout the morning until a plateau in the early afternoon, followed by an abrupt decrease until the end of the daylight period. The gut contents of S. cristata included at least 41 different items. Detritus and algae (mainly filamentous) comprised most of the bulk of S. cristata's diet. Scartella cristata also exhibited significant seasonal and spatial variability in its diet. This study highlights the importance of detritus within the epilithic algal matrix in the diet of S. cristata and pinpoints that, as in coral reefs, the detrital pathway exerts an important role in the trophodynamics of subtropical rocky shores where these fish are abundant.
Are the dynamics of gastric evacuation of natural prey in a piscivorous flatfish different from what is going on in a gadoid?
Authors: Krog C. , Andersen N. G.
Published: December 2009

Despite the fact that the stomach of turbot Psetta maxima is a curved tube that forms a half circle, it was demonstrated that gastric evacuation in this predatory flatfish fed natural prey closely followed the surface‐dependent cylinder model developed from studies on gadoids with a straight stomach. Evacuation experiments were performed on two size groups of P. maxima fed sandeel Ammodytes tobianus as well as on P. maxima fed brown shrimp Crangon crangon at three different temperatures. This enabled the provision of a gastric evacuation model for studies on P. maxima, which takes into account the effects of the explanatory variables predator size, temperature, prey energy density and resistance of prey to the digestive processes in the stomach. Basically, the cylinder model predicts that a square‐root function accurately describes gastric evacuation, which is inconsistent with the conclusion of a previous study on P. maxima that evacuation of A. tobianus is essentially linear with time. Use of the cylinder model to the values of the explanatory variables presented in the latter study, however, gave accurate predictions of the actually acquired evacuation data, which points to the generic value of the model.
The parasite fauna of characids’ (Osteichthyes: Characidae) Anambra River, Nigeria
Authors: Echi P. C. , Ezenwaji H. M. G.
Published: December 2009

Baseline information on the parasites of frequently caught species of the characids namely Hydrocynus vittatus, Alestes baremoze, Brycinus macrolepidotus and Brycinus leuciscus was investigated in Anambra River from August 2004 to July 2005. The parasites recovered were the Myxosporid, Myxobolus sp (Protozoa), Polyopistocotylids, Diplozoon ghanense and Neodipolzoon polycotyleus (Monogeneans), the Caryophyllid Caryophylleus sp (Cestoda) and Rhabdochona sp (Nematoda). The prevalence of Caryophylleus sp in B. macrolepidotus (14.2%) and A. baremoze (8.1%) as well as Rhabdochon sp and Myxobolus sp in H. vittatus (9.6% and 7.8% respectively) was relatively high (>7.0%); while the other parasite species Myxobolus sp in B. leuciscus (2%), D. ghanense in B. macrolepidotus (1.9%) and N. polycotyleus in A. baremoze (1.9%) had a much lower prevalence (2.7%). Distribution of parasites was clearly seasonal. Dissolved oxygen (8.0–14.0) mg l−1 and pH (5.5–7.0) influenced the occurrence of the parasites whereas temperature (20.1–27.5 DC) showed no much effect.
Respective contributions of tectonic and gravity‐driven processes on the structural pattern in the Eastern Nile deep‐sea fan: insights from physical experiments
Authors: Loncke L. , Vendeville B. C. , Gaullier V. , Mascle J.
Published: December 2009

In the Nile deep‐sea fan, thin‐skinned deformation detaching on a layer of Messinian salt has generated an upslope to downslope progression from growth faults, to polygonal minibasins bounded by salt ridges, to buckle folds. Such progression is common in salt‐bearing passive margins, where gravity spreading of the salt–sediment system causes proximal thin‐skinned extension on the shelf and upper slope, and distal contraction along and in front of the lower slope. In the Eastern Nile deep‐sea fan, this structural progression seems to be restricted to a corridor bounded by NW–SE‐trending lineaments more than 200 km in length. These are associated with salt ridges and record strike–slip movements. In the absence of a large grid of deep‐penetrating seismic data accurately imaging the basement, different likely hypotheses have been advanced about the origin of this corridor: (1) it may result from possible deep‐seated tectonics related to the Rift of Suez, combined with salt‐related deformation or, (2) by complex interaction between the overburden's gravity spreading and pre‐existing pre‐Messinian paleo‐topographic features, particularly the possible buttressing effect of a seamount located North of the eastern Nile deep‐sea fan. In order to understand how this corridor could have been generated, we used a series of physical experiments to test the effect on three‐dimensional spreading of a sediment lobe of the following parameters: (1) active, crustal, oblique extension, (2) a dormant subsalt graben, (3) a passive buttress, such as a seamount and (4) complex paleo‐topographic features along the Egyptian margin affecting initial salt distribution. These experiments show that the presence of a distal buttress, combined with a complex Messinian topography best explain the complex deformational pattern observed in the eastern Nile deep‐sea fan.
Pathogenesis of the erythroid failure in Diamond Blackfan anaemia
Authors: Sieff Colin A. , Yang Jing , Merida‐Long Lilia B. , Lodish Harvey F.
Published: December 2009

Diamond Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a severe congenital failure of erythropoiesis. Despite mutations in one of several ribosome protein genes, including RPS19, the cause of the erythroid specificity is still a mystery. We hypothesized that, because the chromatin of late erythroid cells becomes condensed and transcriptionally inactive prior to enucleation, the rapidly proliferating immature cells require very high ribosome synthetic rates. RNA biogenesis was measured in primary mouse fetal liver erythroid progenitor cells; during the first 24 h, cell number increased three to fourfold while, remarkably, RNA content increased sixfold, suggesting an accumulation of an excess of ribosomes during early erythropoiesis. Retrovirus infected siRNA RPS19 knockdown cells showed reduced proliferation but normal differentiation, and cell cycle analysis showed a G1/S phase delay. p53 protein was increased in the knockdown cells, and the mRNA level for p21, a transcriptional target of p53, was increased. Furthermore, we show that RPS19 knockdown decreased MYB protein, and Kit mRNA was reduced, as was the amount of cell surface KIT protein. Thus, in this small hairpin RNA murine model of DBA, RPS19 insufficient erythroid cells may proliferate poorly because of p53‐mediated cell cycle arrest, and also because of decreased expression of the key erythroid signalling protein KIT.
Co‐morbidities and quality of life in elderly persons with haemophilia
Authors: Franchini Massimo , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio
Published: December 2009

The life expectancy and quality of life of persons with haemophilia has dramatically increased since the 1970s, with the exception of the increased rate of deaths observed during the 1980s and the 1990s due to blood‐borne viral infections. Improvements of factor replacement therapy, treatment of infectious diseases and comprehensive health care provided by specialised haemophilia centres are the main determinants of the increasing age of the haemophilia population. As a consequence, a growing number of these patients develop age‐related co‐morbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The care of these previously rare conditions is a new challenge for caregivers in haemophilia centres. This review focuses on co‐morbidities in the ageing haemophilia patients, their impact on quality of life and their complex management.
Prospective association between food sensitization and food allergy: results of the LISA birth cohort study
Authors: Schnabel E. , Sausenthaler S. , Schaaf B. , Schäfer T. , Lehmann I. , Behrendt H. , Herbarth O. , Borte M. , Krämer U. , Von Berg A. , Wichmann H.‐E. , Heinrich J. ,   for the LISA Study Group
Published: December 2009

Background
Food allergy is common, especially in childhood, where 6–8% of children are affected. Identification of early and efficient markers for later development of food allergy is very important.

Objective
We examined the ability of repeated measurements of food sensitization in early childhood to predict doctor‐diagnosed food allergy (DDFA) at the age of 6 years.

Methods
The analysis was based on data from a prospective birth cohort study. Information was collected by parental questionnaires, and blood samples were obtained at 2 and 6 years of age. Children with repeated determination of sensitization to food allergens at 2 and 6 years of age were categorized into the sensitization phenotypes: no, early onset, late onset and persistent sensitization. The association between sensitization phenotypes and DDFA was prospectively investigated using multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results
Of 3097 children recruited at birth, a complete follow‐up of IgE measurements and questionnaires at 1.5, 2 and 6 years were available for 1082 children. Early food allergen sensitization (fx5) was a strong risk for DDFA at 6 years [odds ratio (OR)=4.7; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 2.0–11.2] and for a new onset of DDFA at 6 years (OR=4.1; 95% CI 1.5–11.3). Additionally, persistent food allergen sensitization increased the risk of DDFA at 6 years (OR=6.1; 95% CI 2.7–13.7). Early sensitized children with a history of parental atopy showed the highest risk for DDFA at 6 years.

Conclusion
Food‐sensitized children during the first 2 years of life, especially with a family history of atopy, might be considered as a susceptible subgroup that requires specific attention concerning the development of food allergy‐related symptoms.

>Cite this as: E. Schnabel, S. Sausenthaler, B. Schaaf, T. Schäfer, I. Lehmann, H. Behrendt, O. Herbarth, M. Borte, U. Krämer, A. von Berg, H.‐E. Wichmann, J. Heinrich, and for the LISA Study Group, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 450–457.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during pregnancy induces CD4 T‐cell differentiation and modulates responses to Bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccine in HIV‐uninfected infants
Authors: Miles David J. C. , Gadama Louis , Gumbi Anita , Nyalo Flora , Makanani Bonus , Heyderman Robert S.
Published: December 2009

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐negative infants born to HIV‐positive mothers frequently exhibit a range of immunological abnormalities. We tested the hypothesis that HIV during pregnancy affects the ability of CD4 T cells of HIV‐negative infants to respond to vaccine challenge by recruiting HIV‐negative infants born to HIV‐negative and HIV‐positive mothers and measuring their responses to Bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccine given at birth. At 2 weeks, maternal HIV status did not influence CD4 T‐cell counts or differentiation, but by 10 weeks CD4 counts of infants born to HIV‐positive mothers fell to a level characteristic of HIV‐positive infants. Among the CD4 T‐cell populations, markers of differentiation (CCR7− CD45RA− CD27−) and senescence (CD57, PD‐1) were more common among infants born to HIV‐positive mothers than among infants born to HIV‐negative mothers. At 2 weeks of age, we assessed the effector response to heat‐killed BCG and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) by overnight interferon (IFN)‐γ enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot‐forming cell assay (ELISpot), but found no measurable effect of maternal HIV status. At 10 weeks, we assessed CD4 T‐cell memory by measuring proliferation in response to the same antigens. We observed a bimodal response that allowed infants to be classified as high or low responders and found that fewer infants born to HIV‐positive mothers were able to mount a robust proliferative response, suggesting that their reduced CD4 counts and increased differentiation indicated a deficiency in their ability to develop immunological memory.
Activation of mannan‐binding lectin‐associated serine proteases leads to generation of a fibrin clot
Authors: Gulla Krishana C. , Gupta Kshitij , Krarup Anders , Gal Peter , Schwaeble Wilhelm J. , Sim Robert B. , O’Connor C. David , Hajela Krishnan
Published: December 2009

The lectin pathway of complement is activated upon binding of mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins (FCNs) to their targets. Upon recognition of targets, the MBL‐and FCN‐associated serine proteases (MASPs) are activated, allowing them to generate the C3 convertase C4b2a. Recent findings indicate that the MASPs also activate components of the coagulation system. We have previously shown that MASP‐1 has thrombin‐like activity whereby it cleaves and activates fibrinogen and factor XIII. MASP‐2 has factor Xa‐like activity and activates prothrombin through cleavage to form thrombin. We now report that purified L‐FCN‐MASPs complexes, bound from serum to N‐acetylcysteine‐Sepharose, or MBL‐MASPs complexes, bound to mannan‐agarose, generate clots when incubated with calcified plasma or purified fibrinogen and factor XIII. Plasmin digestion of the clot and analysis using anti‐D‐dimer antibodies revealed that the clot was made up of fibrin and was similar to that generated by thrombin in normal human plasma. Fibrinopeptides A and B (FPA and FPB, respectively) were released after fibrinogen cleavage by L‐FCN‐MASPs complexes captured on N‐acetylcysteine‐Sepharose. Studies of inhibition of fibrinopeptide release indicated that the dominant pathway for clotting catalysed by the MASPs is via MASP‐2 and prothrombin activation, as hirudin, a thrombin inhibitor that does not inhibit MASP‐1 and MASP‐2, substantially inhibits fibrinopeptide release. In the light of their potent chemoattractant effects on neutrophil and fibroblast recruitment, the MASP‐mediated release of FPA and FPB may play a role in early immune activation. Additionally, MASP‐catalysed deposition and polymerization of fibrin on the surface of micro‐organisms may be protective by limiting the dissemination of infection.