bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of proteases and plasmin‐acquired activity in migration of Peptostreptococcus micros through a reconstituted basement membrane
Authors: Grenier D. , Bouclin R.
Published: August 2006

Background/aims:  Peptostreptococcus micros is a gram‐positive bacterium that has been associated with chronic periodontitis and endodontic infections. The aims of this study were to investigate the production of proteases and the acquisition of plasmin activity by rough and smooth morphotypes of P. micros. The contribution of these properties in the migration of bacteria through a reconstituted basement membrane was also evaluated.

Methods:  Protease activities were determined using chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates as well as by zymography. Plasminogen binding activity was studied using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The role of proteases and plasmin‐acquired activity in tissue penetration was investigated using Matrigel.

Results:  The rough morphotype strains of P. micros, but not the smooth morphotype strains, were found to possess chymotrypsin‐like and gelatinase activities, both of which were inhibited by a serine protease inhibitor. By zymography, three gelatinase bands (165, 129, and 115 kDa) were identified. Both morphotypes of P. micros can bind human plasminogen on their cell surface. Once bound to P. micros, plasminogen activators of bacterial (streptokinase) and human (urokinase) origins were found to activate plasminogen into plasmin. Our results also showed that plasmin activity can be acquired by P. micros following co‐incubation with human brain microvascular endothelial cells in culture. When non‐coated cells were used, the rough morphotype strain (HG1262), which possesses chymotrypsin‐like and gelatinase activities, showed a better capacity to penetrate a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) than the smooth morphotype strain (HG1251). Penetration of the Matrigel by P. micros HG1262 was inhibited by the presence of a serine protease inhibitor. In addition, cells of P. micros with plasmin activity showed a significantly greater tissue penetration capacity.

Conclusion:  Our study suggests that endogenous proteolytic activities of P. micros as well as plasmin‐acquired activity, may facilitate dissemination of bacterial cells to surrounding periodontal tissues and blood vessels.
Polymerase chain reaction‐based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in the evaluation of oral microbiota
Authors: Li Y. , Saxena D. , Barnes V. M. , Trivedi H. M. , Ge Y. , Xu T.
Published: August 2006

Background/aims:  Clinical evaluation of oral microbial reduction after a standard prophylactic treatment has traditionally been based on bacterial cultivation methods. However, not all microbes in saliva or dental plaque can be cultivated. Polymerase chain reaction‐based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) is a cultivation‐independent molecular fingerprinting technique that allows the assessment of the predominant bacterial species present in the oral cavity. This study sought to evaluate the oral microbial changes that occurred after a standard prophylactic treatment with a conventional oral care product using PCR‐DGGE.

Methods:  Twelve healthy adults participated in the study. Pooled plaque samples were collected at baseline, 24 h after prophylaxis (T1), and 4 days after toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste (T4). The total microbial genomic DNA of the plaque was isolated. PCR was performed with a set of universal bacterial 16S rDNA primers. The PCR‐amplified 16S rDNA fragments were separated by DGGE. The effects of the treatment and of dental brushing were assessed by comparing the PCR‐DGGE fingerprinting profiles.

Results:  The mean numbers of detected PCR amplicons were 22.3 ± 6.1 for the baseline group, 13.0 ± 3.1 for the T1 group, and 13.5 ± 4.3 for the T4 group; the differences among the three groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The study also found a significant difference in the mean similarities of microbial profiles between the baseline and the treatment groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  PCR‐based DGGE has been shown to be an excellent means of rapidly and accurately assessing oral microbial changes in this clinical study.
Impacts of land‐use change on nitrogen status and mineralization in the Mulga Lands of Southern Queensland
Authors: MATHERS NICOLE J. , HARMS BEN , DALAL RAM C.
Published: August 2006

Abstract:  In the semiarid Mulga Lands of southern Queensland soil nitrogen (N) levels have declined after clearance of the native mulga (Acacia aneura F. Muell. ex Benth.) and conversion to grazed buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) pasture. At three mulga sites, declines in soil total N ranged from 14% to 28% in the surface 10 cm of soil. In situ net N mineralization from December 2003 until November 2004 in the surface 10 cm was 49.5 kg N ha−1 year−1 in the mulga woodland, 48.2 kg N ha−1 year−1 in the young (<5 years old) buffel pasture (previously sown to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and 34.6 kg N ha−1 year−1 in the old buffel pasture (>20 years). Ammonium‐N was the dominant N pool under mulga in the top 30 cm, while nitrate‐N was dominant under the buffel pastures. Although ammonium‐N under mulga was significantly different to that for 21‐year‐old buffel pasture at all depths, nitrification and net N mineralization were not different between the three land uses at any depth or in the entire 90 cm profile. The Soil Nitrogen Availability Predictor model was used to predict field N mineralization rates for the mulga woodland and 21‐year‐old buffel pasture by using a medium‐term (6‐week) laboratory incubation to establish basal rates of N mineralization. The Soil Nitrogen Availability Predictor overestimated annual net N mineralization in the 0–30 cm depth of mulga by 9% and underestimated it by 28% for the old buffel pasture. The Soil Nitrogen Availability Predictor could be modified further to accurately predict net N mineralization for the mulga woodlands.
Comparison of ﬁre patterns and ﬁre frequency in two tropical savanna bioregions
Authors: FELDERHOF LEASIE , GILLIESON DAVID
Published: August 2006

Abstract  Fire is a signiﬁcant determinant of vegetation structure in Australia’s savannas and has been implicated in the decline of many species. Identifying the patterns of ﬁre in the landscape is fundamental to understanding vegetation dynamics but variation over time and space makes generalization difﬁcult and speciﬁc management recommendations elusive. In order to improve the knowledge base for ﬁre management in tropical savannas, we investigated interregional variation in ﬁre patterns in two Queensland bioregions, the Mount Isa Inlier (MII) and Cape York Peninsula (CYP), over a 5‐year period (1999–2003). Remotely sensed satellite data were used to identify burnt areas on a monthly basis for the western half of the CYP bioregion and about two‐thirds of the smaller MII. Fire scars were mapped from JPEG‐compressed, low‐resolution Landsat images using geographical information system technology and data were investigated to determine annual burning patterns. Patterns were interpreted with regard to meteorological information and recent ﬁre history. The area burnt per annum on western CYP was generally an order of magnitude greater than the area burnt on the MII. In the biggest ﬁre year, nearly 74% (5 295 098 ha) of the CYP landscape burnt, compared with 35% (1 770 771 ha) of the MII landscape. The minimum percentage of the CYP study area burnt in 1 year between 1999 and 2003 was 43.1%, compared with 1.6% for the MII. The reliability and amount of seasonal rainfall was a strong determinant of differences in time of ﬁre occurrence and area burnt between regions. Widespread wildﬁres were signiﬁcantly related to above average rainfall in the preceding 12 months in the Mt. Isa area but not in CYP. Rainfall also affected ﬁre frequency. Predictable wet season rainfall on CYP allowed for a biennial ﬁre return interval, while on the semiarid MII, the average ﬁre return interval was 5 years or longer. We conclude that the ﬁre patterns in the semiarid MII are similar to those reported for arid Australia, while ﬁre patterns in western CYP are comparable with other mesic savanna areas.
Does disturbance and restoration of alpine grassland soils affect the genetic structure and diversity of bacterial and N2‐fixing populations?
Authors: Gros Raphaël , Jocteur Monrozier Lucile , Faivre Pierre
Published: August 2006

Responses of bacterial communities to disturbance and restoration processes were investigated on alpine grassland soil. Bulk soil, rhizosphere soil and two soil separates, i.e. sand‐size (2000‐200 μm) and silt‐size (50‐2 μm) were sampled from undisturbed grassland soil to soil under restoration for 1 month, 1 year, 4 years and 13 years after disturbance. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of nifH gene pools were used to assay genetic structure of the bacterial communities and N2‐fixing guild. According to the distribution of ARISA band length in bacterial phyla, the dominance of ARISA bands below 400 bp showed that Gram‐positive bacteria would be predominant in the studied grassland soil when not disturbed. Disturbance affected the genetic structure of bacterial community and of N2‐fixing guild in relation to their location within the selected habitats. Shifts in IGS and nifH profiles of bulk soil metagenome were larger than those observed from sand‐size‐ and silt‐size‐fractions, accounting for 40–50% of the variance in the profiles. Restoration of the genetic structure of telluric bacteria community and N2‐fixing populations was found to be influenced by the spatial heterogeneity of the soil and niche diversification. Particular bacterial genetic structure within distinct habitats were evidenced and must be defined as subdivisions of the meta‐community of bulk soil. Scale of soil microbial diversity/stability relationships is discussed with special attention to disconnected bacterial habitat compared with whole soil with multiple niches.
Managing Uncertainty in Creative Industries: Lessons from Jerry Springer the Opera
Authors: Dempster Anna M.
Published: August 2006

This article considers the impact of uncertainty on entrepreneurial performance in the UK theatre industry. The article identifies and evaluates the major determinants of demand uncertainty –audience composition, critical acclaim and media coverage– whose management is key to entrepreneurial success. An in‐depth historical case study of the controversial production, Jerry Springer the Opera, analyses the evolution of these three distinct sources of uncertainty and illustrates that they should not be treated in isolation since they interact in complex ways which change with time. The case study shows how the entrepreneurs involved used a multi‐staged production process as a strategy to market test their product and to distribute their risks across agents and over time. The article therefore considers what contributed to both the successes and failures of these entrepreneurs as well as highlighting important strategic lessons for managing uncertainty in creative industries.
Entrepreneurs’ Intentions and Partnership Towards Innovation: Evidence from the Japanese Film Industry
Authors: Yamada Jin‐ichiro , Yamashita Masaru
Published: August 2006

Many scholars have researched in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation; nevertheless, little attention has been given to a causal relationship between these two concepts; entrepreneurial intention and innovation. In the conventional view, a single outstanding entrepreneur has an intention to induce innovation, and connects market opportunities and resources. However, this view cannot fully explain the situation of entrepreneurial activities led by a team. This article presents a new research framework in entrepreneurship research. First, an entrepreneur can have a relational intention that leads to constructing a partnership. Second, such a partnership, not an individual entrepreneur, has an emerged innovative intention that leads to carrying out innovation in order to establish the competitive advantage. Adopting this framework, we examine cases in the Japanese film industry and clarifying the relational development between entrepreneur’s intention and innovation. From this study a new theoretical foundation on the dynamics of entrepreneurial intentions and outcomes in creative industries arises, and it unpacks the initial stage of innovation where organizations are newly created by employing micro viewpoints such as individuals and partnerships.
WHAT ARE DESIRES GOOD FOR? TOWARDS A COHERENT ENDORSEMENT THEORY
Authors: Bykvist Krister
Published: August 2006

Desire‐based theories of well‐being are often said to accept (G), x is good for a person just in case he wants it, and (B), x is better for a person than y just in case he prefers x to y. I shall argue that (G) and (B) are inconsistent, and this inconsistency resists any plausible refinement of these principles. The inconsistency is brought out by cases in which our wants and preferences for certain life‐options are contingent on which life‐option we realize. My argument can be generalized to endorsement theories that define a person’s good as the right combination of some kind of objective desirability and subjective endorsement, and allow preferences to be tie‐breakers when the compared objects are equally desirable (or incommensurable). My conclusions will not just be negative. I shall argue that if the choice is between (G) and (B), the most attractive option is to keep (G), slightly refined, and drop (B).1
Just the Imagination: Why Imagining Doesn’t Behave Like Believing
Authors: SHAUN NICHOLS
Published: August 2006

Abstract:  According to recent accounts of the imagination, mental mechanisms that can take input from both imagining and from believing will process imagination‐based inputs (pretense representations) and isomorphic beliefs in much the same way. That is, such a mechanism should produce similar outputs whether its input is the belief that p or the pretense representation that p. Unfortunately, there seem to be clear counterexamples to this hypothesis, for in many cases, imagining that p and believing that p have quite different psychological consequences. This paper sets out some central problem cases and argues that the cases might be accommodated by adverting to the role of desires concerning real and imaginary situations.
Ontological Symmetry in Language: A Brief Manifesto
Authors: SCHLENKER PHILIPPE
Published: August 2006

Abstract: In the tradition of quantified modal logic, it was assumed that significantly different linguistic systems underlie reference to individuals, to times and to ‘possible worlds’. Various results from recent research in formal semantics suggest that this is not so, and that there is in fact apervasive symmetrybetween the linguistic means with which we refer to these three domains. Reference to individuals, times and worlds is uniformly effected through generalized quantifiers, definite descriptions, and pronouns, and in each domain grammatical features situate the reference of terms as near, far or ‘further’ from the actual or from a reported speech act. We outline various directions in which a program ofontological symmetrycould be developed, and we offer in theAppendixa symmetric fragment developed in a logic that can be seen as a compromise between an extensional and an intensional system.
Two Varieties of Conditionals and Two Kinds of Defeaters Help Reveal Two Fundamental Types of Reasoning
Authors: GUY POLITZER , JEAN‐FRANÇOIS BONNEFON
Published: August 2006

Abstract:  Two notions from philosophical logic and linguistics are brought together and applied to the psychological study of defeasible conditional reasoning. The distinction between disabling conditions and alternative causes is shown to be a special case of Pollock’s (1987) distinction between ‘rebutting’ and ‘undercutting’ defeaters. ‘Inferential’ conditionals are shown to come in two varieties, one that is sensitive to rebutters, the other to undercutters. It is thus predicted and demonstrated in two experiments that the type of inferential conditional used as the major premise of conditional arguments can reverse the heretofore classic, distinctive effects of defeaters.
Regression‐based Multivariate Linkage Analysis with an Application to Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index
Authors: Wang T. , Elston R.C.
Published: August 2006

Multivariate linkage analysis has been suggested for the analysis of correlated traits, such as blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI), because it may offer greater power and provide clearer results than univariate analyses. Currently, the most commonly used multivariate linkage methods are extensions of the univariate variance component model. One concern about those methods is their inherent sensitivity to the assumption of multivariate normality which cannot be easily guaranteed in practice. Another problem possibly related to all multivariate linkage analysis methods is the difficulty in interpreting nominal p‐values, because the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic has not been well characterized. Here we propose a regression‐based multivariate linkage method in which a robust score statistic is used to detect linkage. The p‐value of the statistic is evaluated by a simple and rapid simulation procedure. Theoretically, this method can be used for any number and type of traits and for general pedigree data. We apply this approach to a genome linkage analysis of blood pressure and body mass index data from the Beaver Dam Eye Study.
Variation of Estimates of SNP and Haplotype Diversity and Linkage Disequilibrium in Samples from the Same Population Due to Experimental and Evolutionary Sample Size
Authors: Visscher P. M.
Published: August 2006

Studies of genetic polymorphisms and diversity between and within human populations are increasingly characterised by a very large number of genetic markers but using a relatively small number of individuals from which DNA samples were taken. In this report we examine the limitations of a small experimental sample size relative to a large genomic sample size, and quantify the sampling variance of a number of measures of diversity and linkage disequilibrium. The relationship between sample size and observed levels of polymorphism and haplotype diversity at the level of a gene is investigated under a neutral model of sequence evolution, using coalescent simulations. It is shown that the effect of evolutionary sampling, as manifested by differences between samples (genes) in measures of diversity estimated using very large sample sizes, is substantial, with a coefficient of variation of the number of detected polymorphic SNPs or haplotypes in the order of 15%. The effect of experimental design (sample size) is also very large, and a number of ‘significant’ results reported in the literature can be explained by sampling alone. The expected correlation coefficient of measures of linkage disequilibrium across samples from the same population has been quantified and found to be consistent with empirical estimates from the literature.
A Two‐Stage Approach to the Correction of Ascertainment Bias in Complex Genetic Studies Involving Variance Components
Authors: Bowden J. , Thompson J. R. , Burton P. R.
Published: August 2006

Correction for ascertainment bias is a vital part of the analysis of genetic epidemiology studies that needs to be undertaken whenever subjects are not recruited at random. Adjustment often requires extensive numerical integration, which can be very slow or even computationally infeasible, especially if the model includes many fixed and random effects. In this paper we propose a two‐stage method for ascertainment bias correction. In the first stage we estimate parameters that pertain to the ascertained population, that is the population that would be selected into the sample if the ascertainment criterion were applied to everyone. In the second stage we convert the estimates for the ascertained population into general population parameter estimates. We illustrate the method with simulations based on a simple model and then describe how the method can be used with complex models. The two‐stage approach avoids some of the integration required in direct adjustment, hence speeding up the process of model fitting.
The Fate of 12 Recessive Mutations in A Single Village
Authors: Zlotogora J. , Hujerat Y. , Barges S. , Shalev S. A. , Chakravarti A.
Published: August 2006

In a Muslim Arab village, relatively isolated because of the preference of consanguineous marriages, we studied the fate of 12 mutations in 5 different genes. The study was based on carriers detected among relatives of affected patients and of carriers discovered in a random sample of 424 adults.

Most of the mutations have been introduced by a carrier(s) originating from another village, but a few have been de novo events. Mutations that are very frequent in the entire village were introduced soon after the foundation of the village. Examples of such mutations are [GBJ2, 35Gdel] and [MEFV, M680I], with a carrier frequency of 7.8% and 6.2%, respectively. Many of the other mutations that are rare were introduced recently into the village and are frequent only among the descendants of the first couple carrying the mutation. For instance all the carriers of [ARSA, Q190H], responsible for metachromatic leukodystrophy, were found among the 218 descendants of a couple who were living in the village 4 generations ago.

Since the village is typical for the region this study allows for some general conclusions to be drawn. In a population with a high degree of inbreeding the diagnosis of a single family with a patient(s) affected with a recessive disorder points to a recent event, while the finding of a rare disease in several families from an inbred population points to an older mutation. Mutations are often “exported” from one population to another by marriage. In the new inbred population this novel mutation will either be lost or will become frequent as the result of a founder effect. These observations are important for genetic counselling in the case of a recent mutation, since only the descendants of the founder couple are at risk, while in the case of older mutations the risk may be for the entire village. In the case of those frequent ancient mutations, the risk for a relative of an affected individual will be similar whether he marries a close relative or any random individual in the village.
Dissecting the Genetic History of São Tomé e Príncipe: A New Window from Y‐Chromosome Biallelic Markers
Authors: Trovoada M.J. , Tavares L. , Gusmão L. , Alves C. , Abade A. , Amorim A. , Prata M.J.
Published: August 2006

Twenty biallelic Y chromosome markers were analyzed in Angolares, Forros and Tongas, three population groups from the African archipelago of São Tomé e Príncipe. While most male lineages belonged to sub‐Saharan haplogroups, the component of European origin added up 23.9% in the archipelago. This contrasts with the reported absence of European mtDNA lineages, and the combined findings testify to a strong sex‐biased admixture process during the long‐lasting colonial period in São Tomé e Príncipe. Furthermore, the male mediated European component was clearly found to be out of proportion to the small demographic impact of the Portuguese on the islands, reflecting high variance in the reproductive success of the individuals that contributed to its peopling.

The male portion of European ancestry was 33.3% in Forros, 27.3% in Tongas and approximately two‐fold less, 14.5%, in Angolares. The Angolares also showed the lowest haplogroup diversity and the most reduced number of different haplogroups. The current results reinforce our previous evidence pointing to remarkable restrictions in gene flow between Angolares and other São Tomean inhabitants, in agreement with their considerable isolation and confinement to the south‐eastern tip of São Tomé until recently.
Effects of perceptual load on startle reflex modification at a long lead interval
Authors: Thorne Gary L. , Dawson Michael E. , Schell Anne M.
Published: August 2006

Inhibition of the startle eyeblink response at long lead intervals has been hypothesized to occur when attention is directed away from the modality of the startle stimulus, particularly if attention is directed to a stimulus of high perceptual load. In a test of this hypothesis, participants performed a delayed‐matching‐to‐sample task. On each trial a pattern of dots (the sample) was followed by a second pattern of dots (the target). The task was to say whether the sample and target patterns matched. Perceptual load was manipulated by varying the number of dots in the sample. Auditory startle stimuli were presented 1200 ms after onset of the samples. A linear increase in startle magnitude was found as the number of dots increased. The results are not consistent with the hypothesis that startle inhibition occurs when the lead and startle stimuli are in different modalities under conditions of high perceptual load.
Association between P3 event‐related brain potential amplitude and adolescent problem behavior
Authors: Iacono William G. , McGue Matt
Published: August 2006

This study examined P3 event‐related brain potential amplitude and the age of onset of adolescent problem behaviors associated with the development of externalizing psychopathology. Five hundred and one male and 627 female 17‐year‐old twins reported whether and when they had initiated tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use, had police contact, or had sexual intercourse. P3 amplitude was recorded using a visual oddball task. Each of these behaviors was associated with reduced P3 amplitude. When these five behaviors were used to create a composite early problem behavior scale reflecting onset prior to age 15, higher scores were associated with smaller P3 amplitudes. P3 amplitude reduction has been associated with genetic risk for alcoholism and other externalizing disorders associated with disinhibited behavior. Our results suggest that reduced P3 may also be associated with early expression of behaviors that predict the development of these disorders.
Preattentively grouped tones do not elicit MMN with respect to each other
Authors: Ritter Walter , De Sanctis Pierfilippo , Molholm Sophie , Javitt Daniel C. , Foxe John J.
Published: August 2006

To promote preattenive grouping of two sets of tones, one set of tones with a combination of frequency and ear of delivery was intermixed with another set of tones with a different combination of frequency and ear of delivery. The ERPs elicited by tones delivered to one ear that were preceded by three or four tones delivered in a row to the other ear were associated with an enhanced N1, due to the changes in frequency and ear of delivery with respect to the immediately preceding tones. However, no mismatch negativity (MMN) was obtained, even though these tones differed from the previious tones on the two dimensions of frequency and ear of delivery. The data were interpreted to signify that preattentively grouped sets of tones do not elicit MMN with respect to one another. This implies that once acoustic input has been preattentively grouped, the MMN system is dedicated to detecting changes that occur within but not between preattentively grouped stimuli.
Effects of pain‐related anxiety on components of the pain event‐related potential
Authors: Warbrick Tracy , Sheffield David , Nouwen Arie
Published: August 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate whether components of pain event‐related potentials (ERPs) are modulated by anxiety. Pain ERPs in response to electrical stimulation were collected from 14 healthy individuals in a neutral condition and a condition where pain‐related anxiety was induced. The amplitude of the N140 component of the ERP was found to be larger in the anxiety condition than the neutral condition. Arousal, as indicated by alpha power, did not differ between conditions. Differences in valence and focused attention to the painful stimuli may account for the increases in the N140 in the anxiety condition.
Infrared reflectance as an alternative to EMG for measuring prepulse inhibition of startle eyeblink
Authors: Lovelace Christopher T. , Elmore Wade R. , Filion Diane L.
Published: August 2006

The “gold standard” measure of the human startle eyeblink response is the ocular electromyogram (EMG). However, EMG measurement is not always feasible, as with special populations or during functional neuroimaging. We evaluated an alternative, nonelectrical, noncontact measure that uses infrared (IR) light reflected from the eye. By simultaneously recording IR and EMG during an acoustic prepulse inhibition of startle paradigm, we were able to directly compare the two measures and evaluate the relative reliability and validity of the IR measure as an index of startle response modulation. Although fewer responses were detected using IR than EMG, both measures were equally sensitive to prepulse modulation of response amplitude, latency, and probability. We conclude that when the goal is simply to assess the effects of a prepulse on the startle response, IR reflectance is an adequate alternative to EMG.
Nitric oxide production in the basal forebrain is required for recovery sleep
Authors: Kalinchuk A. V. , Lu Y. , Stenberg D. , Rosenberg P. A. , Porkka‐Heiskanen T.
Published: August 2006

Sleep homeostasis is the process by which recovery sleep is generated by prolonged wakefulness. The molecular mechanisms underlying this important phenomenon are poorly understood. Here, we assessed the role of the intercellular gaseous signaling agent NO in sleep homeostasis. We measured the concentration of nitrite and nitrate, indicative of NO production, in the basal forebrain (BF) of rats during sleep deprivation (SD), and found the level increased by 100 ± 51%. To test whether an increase in NO production might play a causal role in recovery sleep, we administered compounds into the BF that increase or decrease concentrations of NO. Infusion of either a NO scavenger, 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, or a NO synthase inhibitor, Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME), completely abolished non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) recovery sleep. Infusion of a NO donor, (Z)‐1‐[N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐N‐(2‐ammonioethyl)amino]diazen‐1‐ium‐1,2diolate (DETA/NO), produced an increase in NREM that closely resembled NREM recovery after prolonged wakefulness. The effects of inhibition of NO synthesis and the pharmacological induction of sleep were effective only in the BF area. Indicators of energy metabolism, adenosine, lactate and pyruvate increased during prolonged wakefulness and DETA/NO infusion, whereas L‐NAME infusion during SD prevented the increases. We conclude that an increase in NO production in the BF is a causal event in the induction of recovery sleep.
Phosphorylation of the tubulin‐binding protein, stathmin, by Cdk5 and MAP kinases in the brain
Authors: Hayashi Kanehiro , Pan Yong , Shu Hongjun , Ohshima Toshio , Kansy Janice W. , White Charles L. , Tamminga Carol A. , Sobel André , Curmi Patrick A. , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Bibb James A.
Published: August 2006

Regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics is essential to neuronal plasticity during development and adulthood. Dysregulation of these mechanisms may contribute to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. The neuronal protein kinase, cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), is involved in multiple aspects of neuronal function, including regulation of cytoskeleton. A neuroproteomic search identified the tubulin‐binding protein, stathmin, as a novel Cdk5 substrate. Stathmin was phosphorylated by Cdk5 in vitro at Ser25 and Ser38, previously identified as mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 MAPKδ sites. Cdk5 predominantly phosphorylated Ser38, while MAPK and p38 MAPKδ predominantly phosphorylated Ser25. Stathmin was phosphorylated at both sites in mouse brain, with higher levels in cortex and striatum. Cdk5 knockout mice exhibited decreased phospho‐Ser38 levels. During development, phospho‐Ser25 and ‐Ser38 levels peaked at post‐natal day 7, followed by reduction in total stathmin. Inhibition of protein phosphatases in striatal slices caused an increase in phospho‐Ser25 and a decrease in total stathmin. Interestingly, the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients had increased phospho‐Ser25 levels. In contrast, total and phospho‐Ser25 stoichiometries were decreased in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's patients. Thus, microtubule regulatory mechanisms involving the phosphorylation of stathmin may contribute to developmental synaptic pruning and structural plasticity, and may be involved in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect of chronic hypoglycaemia on glucose concentration and glycogen content in rat brain: a localized 13C NMR study
Authors: Lei Hongxia , Gruetter Rolf
Published: August 2006

While chronic hypoglycaemia has been reported to increase unidirectional glucose transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and to increase GLUT1 expression at the endothelium, the effect on steady‐state brain d‐glucose and brain glycogen content is currently unknown. Brain glucose and glycogen concentrations were directly measured in vivo using localized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) following 12–14 days of hypoglycaemia. Brain glucose content was significantly increased by 48%, which is consistent with an increase in the maximal glucose transport rate, Tmax, by 58% compared with the sham‐treated animals. The localized 13C NMR measurements of brain glucose were directly validated by comparison with biochemically determined brain glucose content after rapid focused microwave fixation (1.4 s at 4 kW). Both in vivo MRS and biochemical measurements implied that brain glycogen content was not affected by chronic hypoglycaemia, consistent with brain glucose being a major factor controlling brain glycogen content. We conclude that the increased glucose transporter expression in chronic hypoglycaemia leads to increased brain glucose content at a given level of glycaemia. Such increased brain glucose concentrations can result in a lowered glycaemic threshold of counter‐regulation observed in chronic hypoglycaemia.
Recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor protects against MPTP‐induced dopaminergic cell death in mice by altering Bcl‐2/Bax expression levels
Authors: Cao Xu‐Qing , Arai Hiroyuki , Ren Yong‐Ri , Oizumi Hideki , Zhang Ning , Seike Shiho , Furuya Tsuyoshi , Yasuda Toru , Mizuno Yoshikuni , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: August 2006

Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has been used for the treatment of neutropenia in hematologic disorders. The neuroprotective effects of G‐CSF were reported in neurological disease models. In the present study, we examined whether G‐CSF can protect dopaminergic neurons against MPTP‐induced cell death in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Mice of one group were injected intraperitoneally with MPTP for five consecutive days, those of another group with MPTP and intraperitoneal G‐CSF at 2 days and 1 day before the first MPTP injection, and 30 min before each MPTP injection, while control mice received saline injections. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting analysis, and HPLC were performed to evaluate damage of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and expression of Bcl‐2 and Bax protein. MPTP induced dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra. G‐CSF significantly prevented MPTP‐induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons (p < 0.05), increased Bcl‐2 protein and decreased Bax protein expression. Our findings indicate that G‐CSF provides neuroprotection against MPTP‐induced cell death and this effect is mediated by increasing Bcl‐2 expression levels and decreasing Bax expression levels in C57BL/6 mice.
Progressive loss of a glial potassium channel (KCNJ10) in the spinal cord of the SOD1 (G93A) transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Kaiser Melanie , Maletzki Iris , Hülsmann Swen , Holtmann Bettina , Schulz‐Schaeffer Walter , Kirchhoff Frank , Bähr Mathias , Neusch Clemens
Published: August 2006

Transgenic mice expressing the superoxide dismutase G93A mutation (SOD1G93A) were used to investigate the role of glial inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir)4.1 channels, which buffer extracellular K+ increases in response to neuronal excitation. A progressive decrease in Kir4.1 immunoreactivity was observed predominantly in the ventral horn of SOD1G93A mutants. Immunoblotting of spinal cord extracts mirrored these changes by showing a loss of Kir4.1 channels from presymptomatic stages onwards. Kir4.1 channels were found to be expressed in the spinal cord grey matter, targetting astrocytes and clustering around capillaries, supporting their role in clearance of extracellular K+. To understand the functional implications of extracellular K+ increases, we challenged the NSC34 motor neurone cell line with increasing extracellular K+ concentrations. Exposure to high extracellular K+ induced progressive motor neurone cell death. We suggest that loss of Kir4.1 impairs perineural K+ homeostasis and may contribute to motor neurone degeneration in SOD1G93A mutants by K+ excitotoxic mechanisms.
Quality of life in Polish respondents: psychometric properties of the Polish WHOQOL – Bref
Authors: Jaracz Krystyna , Kalfoss Mary , Górna Krystyna , Bączyk Grażyna
Published: August 2006

The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Polish WHOQOL – Bref in a sample of 908 respondents. The Bref is a generic quality of life (QoL) instrument designed for cross – cultural use. Correlational and multivariate analyses confirmed the relevancy of individual items and domains supporting the construct validity of the scale. Multiple regression analyses of the domain scores with two overall questions (dependent variable) showed that all four domains made a significant contribution in explaining the variance in overall QoL. The psychological domain made the strongest contribution (unstandardized B coefficient = 0.10, r2 = 0.41), followed by the social, environmental and physical domains. When overall health satisfaction was considered as the dependent variable, the physical domain contributed most strongly (unstandardized B coefficient = 0.21, r2 = 0.43) followed by the psychological and environmental domains. Exploratory factor analyses resulted in a four factors solution with 24 items explaining 49.6% of the cumulative variance. Confirmatory factor analyses lended marginal support for the goodness of fit of the four‐domain model. The physical domain was found to be strongest in differentiating between unhealthy and healthy subjects, followed by psychological and social domains. Acceptable internal consistency was shown with Cronbach's alpha coefficients being greater than 0.70 for all domains with the exception of the social domain. Further exploration of the scales validity and conceptual clarity need further testing in Polish and international samples.
Translation of the short version of the Perinatal Grief Scale into Swedish
Authors: Adolfsson Annsofie , Larsson Per‐Göran
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  Women's emotions and grief after miscarriage are influenced not only by the context in which the miscarriage occurred but also by their past experience, the circumstances around the miscarriage and their future prospects. Their emotions therefore express a specific form of grief. Normally the time needed to work through the loss varies. A number of different scales, measuring women's emotions and grief after miscarriage have been published. One instrument that measures the specific grief, such as the grief after miscarriage is the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) that was designed to measure grief after perinatal loss and has good reliability and validity.

Aims:  The purpose of this study was to translate the PGS into Swedish and to use the translation in a small pilot study.

Material and method:  The original short version of the PGS was first translated from English into Swedish and then back‐translated into English, using different translators. During translation and back‐translation, not only the linguistic and grammatical aspects were considered but also cultural differences. The Likert 5‐point and a 10‐point scale were tested in a pilot study where 12 volunteers anonymously answered the PGS twice. The intra‐personal correlations were compared and analysed with weighted κ‐coefficient.

Findings:  In all, five different versions were tested before the final Swedish version was established. The weighted κ‐coefficient for the volunteers was 0.58, which is regarded as representing good reproducibility.

Conclusion:  The PGS was translated successfully into Swedish and could be used in a Swedish population. As this work is rather time‐consuming we therefore wish to publish the Swedish version so that it may be used by other researchers.
Factors that influence first‐time mothers’ choice and experience of early discharge
Authors: Löf Maria , Svalenius Elizabeth Crang , Persson Eva K.
Published: August 2006

Objective:  The aim of this study was to describe factors that influenced first‐time mothers’ choice of and experiences during the first postnatal week, after early discharge without a domiciliary visit by the midwife.

Design:  Interviews were analysed using content analysis.

Settings and participants:  The nine participants were recruited from the Maternity Department at a University Hospital in Sweden. The catchment area included both an urban and rural population.

Measurements and findings:  One main category and three subcategories emerged from the text. The main category was a feeling of confidence and security and the subcategories were being able to meet the needs of the baby, feeling ‘back to normal’ and receiving support.

Key conclusion:  Factors that influenced first‐time mothers’ choice and experience of early discharge were their sense of confidence and security, that they had support from their partner and that they could trust the follow‐up organization.

Implications for practice:  A booked telephone call and a follow‐up visit to the midwife can be sufficient as a programme for first‐time mothers choosing early discharge.
Background factors related to and/or influencing occupation in mentally disordered offenders
Authors: Lindstedt Helena , Ivarsson Ann‐Britt , Söderlund Anne
Published: August 2006

Objective:  Knowledge of background and occupational related factors of mentally disordered offenders are missing. It is essential to understand these issues when planning discharge from forensic psychiatric hospital care to enable community dwelling.

Aims:  One aim was to investigate mentally disordered offenders’ background factors, confidence in and how they value occupations. Another aim was to investigate MDOs background factors’ in relation to and the influences on Occupational Performance and Social Participation.

Method:  Data was collected with an explorative, correlative design after informed consent, from 74 mentally disordered offenders (mean age 34,2) cared for in forensic psychiatric hospitals. Assessments were Allen Cognitive Level Screen, Capability to Perform Daily Occupations, Interview Schedule of Social Interaction, Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, Self‐efficacy Scale and Importance scale. Eight background factors were assembled from the individual forensic psychiatric investigation.

Findings:  Most of the investigated background factors relate to and half of them influence occupational performance, particular the cognitive aspect of occupational performance. The influences on occupation originate from adulthood, such as suffering from schizophrenia, psycho/social problems, and having performed violent crimes. These findings indicate that staff in forensic hospital care should initiate rehabilitation with knowledge about MDOs’ complex daily occupations. For avoiding information bias, information gathering preceding treatment planning should be performed in collaboration between caring staff and mentally disordered offenders.
Themes of effective coping in physical disability: an interview study of 26 persons who have learnt to live with their disability
Authors: Persson Lars‐Olof , Rydén Anna
Published: August 2006

The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of effective coping in physical disability and/or chronic illness. Twenty‐six well‐adjusted adults with various disabilities were interviewed. The interviews focused on how they perceived they had managed to master problems encountered by their disability and their personal views about how one should act and think to manage a life with a disability. The protocols were content analysed according to grounded theory. Five categories were extracted – self‐trust, problem‐reducing actions, change of values, social trust and minimization. These categories clustered around two broader bipolar constructs – acknowledgement of reality vs. creation of hope and trust in oneself vs. trust in others. The different themes of coping complemented each other and tended to be used in different contexts in a flexible manner. Both the extracted categories and the core concepts have been extensively described in the coping literature, supporting their validity. The importance of understanding coping processes from the disabled's point of view is discussed.
Age‐related changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation and nitric oxide dependent vasodilation: evidence for a novel mechanism involving sphingomyelinase and ceramide‐activated phosphatase 2A
Authors: Smith Anthony R. , Visioli Francesco , Frei Balz , Hagen Tory M.
Published: August 2006

Aging is the single most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The underlying etiologies that elevate CVD risk are unknown, but increased vessel rigidity appears to be a major hallmark of cardiovascular aging. We hypothesized that post‐translational signaling pathways become disrupted with age and adversely affect endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and endothelial‐derived nitric oxide (NO) production. Using arterial vessels and isolated endothelia from old (33‐month) vs. young (3‐month) F344XBrN rats, we show a loss of vasomotor function with age that is attributable to a decline in eNOS activity and NO bioavailability. An altered eNOS phosphorylation pattern consistent with its inactivation was observed: phosphorylation at the inhibitory threonine 494 site increased while phosphorylation at the activating serine 1176 site declined by 50%. Loss of phosphorylation on serine 1176 was related to higher ceramide‐activated protein phosphatase 2 A activity, which was driven by a 125% increase in ceramide in aged endothelia. Elevated ceramide levels were attributable to chronic activation of neutral sphingomyelinases without a concomitant increase in ceramidase activity. This imbalance may stem from an observed 33% decline in endothelial glutathione (GSH) levels, a loss known to differentially induce neutral sphingomyelinases. Pretreating aged vessel rings with the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor, GW4869, significantly reversed the age‐dependent loss of vasomotor function. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism that at least partly explains the persistent loss of eNOS activity and endothelial‐derived NO availability in aging conduit arteries.
Developmental Attachment Psychotherapy with Fostered and Adopted Children
Authors: Howe David
Published: August 2006

Developmental attachment theory and research is now beginning to inform practice, particularly in the field of foster care and adoption. A brief outline of attachment theory and the four main patterns of attachment is followed by a review of attachment‐based support services and psychotherapies with fostered and adopted children, including infants, preschoolers, school age children, and caregivers. Particular attention is given to the behaviour, defensive strategies and developmental needs of fostered and adopted children with pre‐placement histories of abuse and neglect.