bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of exopolysaccharide‐deficient mutants of Mycoplasma pulmonis
Authors: Daubenspeck James M. , Bolland Jeffrey R. , Luo Wenyi , Simmons Warren L. , Dybvig Kevin 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe presence of capsular exopolysaccharide (EPS) in Mollicutes has been inferred from electron micrographs for over 50 years without conclusive data to support the production of complex carbohydrates by the organism. Mycoplasma pulmonis binds the lectin Griffonia simplicifolia I (GS‐I), which is specific for terminal β‐linked galactose residues. Mutants that failed to produce the EPS bound by GS‐I were isolated from a transposon library. All of the mutants had the transposon located in open reading frame MYPU_7410 or MYPU_7420. These overlapping genes are predicted to code for a heterodimeric pair of ABC transporter permeases and may code for part of a new pathway for synthesis of EPS. Analysis by lectin‐affinity chromatography in conjunction with gas chromatography demonstrated that the wild‐type mycoplasma produced an EPS (EPS‐I) composed of equimolar amounts of glucose and galactose that was lacking in the mutants. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the mutants had an increased propensity to form a biofilm on glass surfaces, colonized mouse lung and trachea efficiently, but had a decreased association with the A549 lung cell line. Confounding the interpretation of these results is the observation that the mutants missing EPS‐I had an eightfold overproduction of an apparent second EPS (EPS‐II) containing N‐acetylglucosamine.
Evolution of the Nile deep‐sea turbidite system during the Late Quaternary: influence of climate change on fan sedimentation
Authors: DUCASSOU EMMANUELLE , MIGEON SÉBASTIEN , MULDER THIERRY , MURAT ANNE , CAPOTONDI LUCILLA , BERNASCONI STEFANO M. , MASCLE JEAN 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper presents an overview of the evolution of the Nile deep‐sea turbidite system during the last 200 kyr, over a series of glacial to interglacial cycles. Six individual deep‐sea fans were identified from an extensive field data set. Each fan comprises a canyon, channel system and terminal lobes. Two of these fan systems were possibly active at the same time, at least during some periods. Large‐scale slope failures destroyed channel segments and caused the formation of new submarine fan systems. These slope failures thus played an important role in the overall evolution of the turbidite system. During the last glacial maximum (ca 25 to 14·8 ka) the central and eastern parts of the Nile deep‐sea turbidite system were relatively inactive. This inactivity corresponds to a lowstand in sea‐level, and a period of arid climate and relatively low sediment discharge from the Nile fluvial system. Rapid accumulation of fluvial flood‐derived deposits occurred across the shallower part of the submarine delta during sea‐level rise between ca 14·8 and 5 ka. The most recent deep‐sea channel–lobe system was very active during this period of rising sea‐level, which is also associated with a wetter continental climate and increased sediment and water discharge from the Nile. Increased sediment deposition in shallower water areas led to occasional large‐scale slope failure. The Nile deep‐sea turbidite system was largely inactive after ca 5 ka. This widespread inactivity is due to retreat of the coastline away from the continental shelf break, and to a more arid continental climate and reduced discharge of sediment from the Nile. The Nile deep‐sea turbidite system may be more active during periods of rising and high sea‐level associated with wetter climates, than during lowstands, and may rapidly become largely inactive during highstands in sea‐level coupled with arid periods. These acute responses to climate change have produced sedimentary/stratigraphic features that diverge from traditional sequence models in their nature and timing. This large‐scale sedimentary system responded to monsoon‐driven climate change and sea‐level change in a system‐wide and contemporaneous manner.
Cortical folding difference between patients with early‐onset and patients with intermediate‐onset bipolar disorder
Authors: Penttilä Jani , Cachia Arnaud , Martinot Jean‐Luc , Ringuenet Damien , Wessa Michèle , Houenou Josselin , Galinowski André , Bellivier Frank , Gallarda Thierry , Duchesnay Edouard , Artiges Eric , Leboyer Marion , Olié Jean‐Pierre , Mangin Jean‐François , Paillère‐Martinot Marie‐Laure 
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  Cerebral abnormalities have been detected in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). In comparison to BD with a later onset, early‐onset BD has been found to have a poorer outcome. However, it is yet unknown whether neuroanatomical abnormalities differ between age‐at‐onset subgroups of the illness. We searched for cortical folding differences between early‐onset (before 25 years) and intermediate‐onset (between 25 and 45 years) BD patients.Methods:  Magnetic resonance images of 22 early‐onset BD patients, 14 intermediate‐onset BD patients, and 50 healthy participants were analyzed using a fully automated method to extract, label, and measure the sulcal area in the whole cortex. Cortical folding was assessed by computing global sulcal indices (the ratio between total sulcal area and total outer cortex area) for each hemisphere, and local sulcal indices for 12 predefined regions in both hemispheres.Results:  Intermediate‐onset BD patients had a significantly reduced local sulcal index in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in comparison to both early‐onset BD patients and healthy subjects, and lower global sulcal indices in both hemispheres in comparison to healthy subjects (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). Brain tissue volumes did not differ between groups.Conclusions:  This study provided the first evidence of a neuroanatomic difference between intermediate‐onset and early‐onset BD, which lends further support to the existence of different age‐at‐onset subgroups of BD.
Retrospective age at onset of bipolar disorder and outcome during two‐year follow‐up: results from the STEP‐BD study
Authors: Perlis Roy H , Dennehy Ellen B , Miklowitz David J , DelBello Melissa P , Ostacher Michael , Calabrese Joseph R , Ametrano Rebecca M , Wisniewski Stephen R , Bowden Charles L , Thase Michael E , Nierenberg Andrew A , Sachs Gary 
Published: May 2009

Objective:  Symptoms of bipolar disorder are increasingly recognized among children and adolescents, but little is known about the course of bipolar disorder among adults who experience childhood onset of symptoms.Methods:  We examined prospective outcomes during up to two years of naturalistic treatment among 3,658 adult bipolar I and II outpatients participating in a multicenter clinical effectiveness study, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP‐BD). Age at illness onset was identified retrospectively by clinician assessment at study entry.Results:  Compared to patients with onset of mood symptoms after age 18 years (n = 1,187), those with onset before age 13 years (n = 1,068) experienced earlier recurrence of mood episodes after initial remission, fewer days of euthymia, and greater impairment in functioning and quality of life over the two‐year follow‐up. Outcomes for those with onset between age 13 and 18 years (n = 1,403) were generally intermediate between these two groups.Conclusion:  Consistent with previous reports in smaller cohorts, adults with retrospectively obtained early‐onset bipolar disorder appear to be at greater risk for recurrence, chronicity of mood symptoms, and functional impairment during prospective observation.
The anterior cingulate ERK pathway contributes to regulation of behavioral excitement and hedonic activity
Authors: Creson Thomas K , Hao Yanlei , Engel Sharon , Shen Yi , Hamidi Anahita , Zhuo Min , Manji Husseini K , Chen Guang 
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  Several intracellular signaling cascades, such as the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), Wnt‐signaling/GSK‐3, PLC/PKC, and PI3K pathways, have been shown to be affected directly or indirectly by mood stabilizers. Clinical imaging studies reveal that mood disorders are associated with structural and/or metabolic changes in specific brain regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Here we investigated the extent to which perturbation of one of the affected pathways, the ERK pathway, in the ACC influences affective‐related behavior.Methods:  The regional perturbation was induced by two means: local continuous infusion of PD98059, an ERK pathway inhibitor, and microinjection of a lentiviral‐mediated gene delivery system encoding functional negative ERK1. The outcomes were monitored with a battery of affective‐related tests similar to those used in several previous studies.Results:  Compared to their respective controls, rats infused with PD98059 or injected with the lentiviral negative ERK1 construct displayed hyperactivities in multiple tests, exhibited preferentially more open‐arm activity in the elevated‐plus‐maze test, consumed more sweetened liquid in a saccharin preference test, and showed heightened response to amphetamine.Conclusions:  These data support a role for the ACC ERK pathway in the regulation of affective‐related behaviors. However, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) comprises at least three other regions that will need to be similarly examined before specific roles of the ACC ERK pathway can be definitively attributed to affective behaviors. Additionally, responses of other signaling pathways to mood stabilizers in these mPFC regions, as well as the limbic regions to which they project, will be important to examine.
Ultra‐brief pulse ECT in bipolar and unipolar depressive disorder: differences in speed of response
Authors: Sienaert Pascal , Vansteelandt Kristof , Demyttenaere Koen , Peuskens Joseph 
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  There is little evidence for differences in response and speed of response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) between patients with bipolar and patients with unipolar depressive disorder. In the only prospective study to date, Daly et al. (Bipolar Disord 2001; 3: 95–104) found patients with bipolar depression to show more rapid clinical improvement and require fewer treatments than unipolar patients. In this study, response and speed of response of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression treated with ultra‐brief pulse ECT were compared.Methods:  All patients (n = 64) participated in a randomized trial comparing ultra‐brief pulse bifrontal ECT at 1.5 times seizure threshold and unilateral ECT at 6 times seizure threshold. Thirteen patients (20.3%) had DSM‐IV‐defined bipolar depression. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Clinical Global Impression scale were administered at baseline and repeated weekly during and after the course of treatment by a blinded rater. At the same time point, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Patient Global Impression scale were administered. Speed of response was analyzed using survival analyses.Results:  Patients with bipolar and unipolar depression did not differ in rates of response or remission following the ECT course, nor in response to unilateral or bifrontal ECT. Patients with bipolar depression, however, showed a more rapid response than patients with unipolar depression.Conclusions:  Patients with bipolar depression tend to show more rapid clinical improvement with ECT than patients with unipolar depression.
Fronto‐temporal dysregulation in remitted bipolar patients: an fMRI delayed‐non‐match‐to‐sample (DNMS) study
Authors: Robinson Jennifer L , Bearden Carrie E , Monkul E Serap , Tordesillas‐Gutiérrez Diana , Velligan Dawn I , Frangou Sophia , Glahn David C 
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  Bipolar disorder is associated with working memory (WM) impairments that persist during periods of symptomatic remission. However, the neural underpinnings of these deficits are not well understood.Methods:  Fifteen clinically remitted bipolar patients and 15 demographically matched healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a novel delayed‐non‐match‐to‐sample (DNMS) task. This nonverbal DNMS task involves two conditions, one requiring the organization of existing memory traces (‘familiarity’), and one involving the formation of new memory traces (‘novelty’). These processes are thought to differentially engage the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe, respectively.Results:  Although behavioral performance did not differ between groups, bipolar patients and controls exhibited significantly different patterns of neural activity during task performance. Patients showed relative hyperactivation in the right prefrontal gyrus and relative hypoactivation in visual processing regions compared to healthy subjects across both task conditions. During the novelty condition, patients showed a pattern of hypoactivation relative to controls in medial temporal regions, with relative hyperactivation in the anterior cingulate.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that disruption in fronto‐temporal neural circuitry may underlie memory difficulties frequently observed in patients with bipolar disorder.
Enzymatic properties of the 20S proteasome in wheat endosperm and its biochemical characteristics after seed imbibition
Authors: Shi C. , Rui Q. , Xu L. L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe 20S proteasome from wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Yangmai 158) endosperm was purified to apparent homogeneity by three sequential centrifugations and gradient PAGE (GPAGE). The purified 20S proteasome clearly cleaved peptidyl‐arylamide bonds in the model synthetic substrates Z‐GGL‐AMC and Z‐GGR‐AMC, which are used to reflect chymotrypsin‐like and trypsin‐like activity, respectively. For both substrates, the optimum pH was 8.0, but the optimum temperatures for chymotrypsin‐like and trypsin‐like activity were 55 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Both enzyme activities were clearly inhibited by MG115 and PMSF. Polyubiquitinated proteins remained constant from 0 to 7 days after seed imbibition, but caseinolytic activity and the amount of the 20S proteasome associated with the aleurone layer decreased from 1 to 2 days after imbibition (DAI), then increased from 2 to 4 DAI, and reached a maximum at 4 DAI that was retained until 7 DAI. An increase was seen in the mRNA level of the β5 subunit of the 20S proteasome from 2 DAI, and caseinolytic activity and the amount of the 20S proteasome increased from 3 DAI onwards. In addition, the main storage proteins of the wheat endosperm could not be hydrolyzed by the 20S proteasome. The evidence suggests that the main role of the 20S proteasome may not be to degrade massive proteins of the wheat endosperm after seed imbibition.
Regular immunohistochemical localization of endothelin‐1 and endothelin‐B receptor in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic human adrenocortical cells
Authors: Hiraki Hiroyukl , Hoshi Nobuo , Hasegawa Hiroshl , Tanigawa Toshitaka , Emura Lwao , Seito Tsutomu , Yamakl Toshifumi , Fukuda Takeakl , Watanabe Kazuo , Suzuki Toshimitsu 
Published: May 2009

The locallzation of endothelin (ET)‐l/blg ET‐1, ET‐3/big ET‐3, ET‐A and ET‐B receptor was Immunohistochemlcally examined in human adrenal glands composed of 36 normal cases, nine hyperplasla, 70 adenomas and seven carcinomas of cortical cells. In normal adrenals, ET‐1/blg ET‐1 and ET‐B receptor were regularly detected In the cortical cells, especially in the zona fasciculata for ET‐1 and zone glomerulosa for ET‐B receptor but not in the medulla, while ET‐A receptor localized occasionally in endothelial cells or rarely in cortical cells and ET‐3/blg ET‐3 was very limited In the cortical cells. In hyperplasia, adenoma and carcinoma, ET‐1 /big ET‐1 and ET‐B receptor showed frequent localization, although focal distrlbutlon of the ET‐B receptor was rather predominant in these groups. ET‐A receptor and ET‐3/big ET‐3 were very Infrequently expressed. Functioning versus non‐functioning and hypertensive versus normotenshe cases revealed no significant differences in the frequency of posltive cells for ET‐l /big ET‐1, ET‐3/big ET‐3, ET‐A receptor or ET‐B receptor. Alternatively, the frequency of lmmunoreactivtty to ET‐1/big ET‐1 or ET‐B receptor significantly decreased in hyperplasia, adenoma and carcinoma, when compared wlth that of normal adrenal cortex.The present study, therefore, indicates that ET‐1 /big ET‐1 and ET‐B receptor are a prevalent Iigand‐receptor system In normal and hyperplastic/neoplastic adrenocortical cells, even wkh a malignant prdle, and may contribute in maintalnlng adrenocortical cell function or cell viability but not cell growth or systemic hypertension.
Lay Understanding of Macroeconomic Causation: The Good‐Begets‐Good Heuristic
Authors: Leiser David , Aroch Ronen 
Published: May 2009

The functioning of the economic system is complex and technical. For its part, the public is constantly presented with information on economic causality. It is important for its members to assimilate this information, whether to further their personal goals or to engage advisedly in the democratic process. We presented economically untrained and trained participants with questions of the form: “Ifvariable Aincreases, how will this affectvariable B?” for all the combinations of 19 key economic indicators. Economically untrained participants were willing to commit themselves on most questions, despite their medium to low self‐report of understanding the concepts involved. Analysis of the pattern of responses reveals the use of a simple shortcut, the good‐begets‐good heuristic, which yields a sense of competence in the absence of understanding of the causal mechanism involved.Le fonctionnement du système économique est complexe et technique, et le public est constamment confrontéà des informations se référant à une causalitééconomique. Il est important que le public les assimile, que ce soit pout poursuivre ses buts personnels ou pour participer en connaissance de cause au processus démocratique. Nous avons présentéà des sujets, ayant bénéficié ou non d'une formation en économie, des questions sous la forme: “Si la variable A augmente, comment cela affectera‐t‐il la variable B?” pour toutes les combinaisons possibles de 19 indicateurs économiques clés. Les sujets sans formation économique sont disposés à prendre position sur la plupart des questions, malgré une auto‐évaluation assez basse quant à leur compréhension des concepts impliqués. L'analyse de la structure des réponses révèle l'utilisation d'un simple raccourci, l'heuristique “le bien engendre le bien”, ce qui leur donne un sentiment de compétence alors qu'ils ne comprennent pas le mécanisme causal en jeu.
Cost–Benefit Associations and Financial Behavior
Authors: Kamleitner Bernadette , Hoelzl Erik 
Published: May 2009

Financial behavior involves costs and benefits. How strongly costs and benefits are perceived as being related to each other is hypothesised to influence affect, cognition, and behavior. Thus, the subject of cost–benefit associations is relevant in several domains of applied psychology. Illustrated by examples from applied areas like consumption, work, and citizenship, the current paper underlines the importance of cost–benefit associations by presenting theoretical approaches to their analysis and discussing major antecedents and consequences.Le comportement financier implique des coûts et des bénéfices. Nous testons la façon dont la perception des liens entre coûts et bénéfices influence l'affect, la cognition et les comportements. L'analyse des liens coûts‐bénéfices est pertinente pour différents domaines de la psychologie appliquée. Illustrés par des exemples pris dans des domaines d'application comme la consommation, le travail et la citoyenneté, cet article souligne l'importance des liens coûts‐bénéfices en présentant les approches théoriques qui ont servis à leur analyse et en discutant de leurs antécédents et leurs conséquences majeurs.
The Scarcity Bias
Authors: Mittone Luigi , Savadori Lucia 
Published: May 2009

Two experiments provided empirical support for the scarcity bias, that is, when the subjective value of a good increases due to the mere fact that it is scarce. We define scarcity as the presence of limited resources and competition on the demand side (i.e. not enough for two people). In Experiment 1, 180 students were divided into two conditions. The same good was abundant in one condition but scarce in the other one. The scarcity condition involved a partner (competitor) to create scarcity, while the abundant condition did not. Results showed that more participants chose a good when it was scarce than when it was abundant, for two out of four sets of items (ballpoints, snacks, pencils, and key rings). Experiment 2 employed 171 participants and a WTA (willingness to accept) elicitation procedure of the subjective value of the good. Results showed that the scarce good was given a higher WTA price by those participants choosing it, than by those who did not, compared to the WTA of the abundant good, despite the fact that both types of participants assigned a lower market price to the scarce good, as compared to the abundant one.Deux expériences ont confirmé empiriquement le biais de rareté (la valeur subjective d'un bien s'accroît en raison de sa seule rareté). La rareté est définie par une demande conflictuelle car confrontée à des ressources limitées (tout le monde ne pourra pas être satisfait). La première expérience fit appel à 180 étudiants répartis sur deux conditions. Le même bien était abondant dans l'une des conditions et rare dans l'autre. La condition de rareté impliquait la présence d'un concurrent pour créer la pénurie, concurrent inexistant dans la condition d'abondance. Les résultats ont montré que davantage de participants se sont portés sur un bien quand il était rare que lorsqu'il était abondant, cela pour deux des quatre séries d'items (stylos à bille, casse‐croûte, crayons, porte‐clefs). 171 sujets participèrent à la seconde expérience qui utilisa une procédure de mise en évidence de la valeur subjective du bien (WTA: prix jugé acceptable pour se procurer le bien). Il apparaît que le bien rare bénéficiait de la part de ceux qui le choisissait d'un prix WTA supérieur à celui octroyé par ceux qui le délaissaient, par comparaison au WTA du bien abondant, et cela en dépit du fait que les deux catégories de sujets accordaient un prix de vente inférieur au bien rare par rapport à celui qui était largement disponible.
Object permanence and method of disappearance: looking measures further contradict reaching measures
Authors: Charles Eric P. , Rivera Susan M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPiaget proposed that understanding permanency, understanding occlusion events, and forming mental representations were synonymous; however, accumulating evidence indicates that those concepts arenotunified in development. Infants reach for endarkened objects at younger ages than for occluded objects, and infants’ looking patterns suggest that they expect occluded objects to reappear at younger ages than they reach for them. We reaffirm the latter finding in 5‐ to 6‐month‐olds and find similar responses to faded objects, but we fail to find that pattern in response to endarkened objects. This suggests that looking behavior and reaching behavior are both sensitive to method of disappearance, but with opposite effects. Current cognition‐oriented (i.e. representation‐oriented) explanations of looking behavior cannot easily accommodate these results; neither can perceptual‐preference explanations, nor the traditional ecological reinterpretations of object permanence. A revised ecological hypothesis, invoking affordance learning, suggests how these differences could arise developmentally.