bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Status of insecticide susceptibility in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from malaria surveillance sites in The Gambia
Authors: Betson Martha , Jawara Musa , Awolola Taiwo Samson 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Vector control is an effective way of reducing malaria transmission. The main vector control methods include the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Both interventions rely on the continuing susceptibility of Anopheles to a limited number of insecticides. However, insecticide resistance, in particular pyrethroid-DDT cross-resistance, is a challenge facing malaria vector control in Africa because pyrethroids represent the only class of insecticides approved for treating bed nets and DDT is commonly used for IRS. Here baseline data are presented on the insecticide susceptibility levels of malaria vectors prior to The Gambian indoor residual spraying intervention programme.

Methods

Anopheles larvae were collected from six malaria surveillance sites (Brikama, Essau, Farafenni, Mansakonko, Kuntaur and Basse) established by the National Malaria Control Programme and the UK Medical Research Council Laboratories in The Gambia. The mosquitoes were reared to adulthood and identified using morphological keys and a species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. Two- to three-day old adult female mosquitoes were tested for susceptibility to permethrin, deltamethrin and DDT using standard WHO protocols, insecticide susceptibility test kits and treated papers.

Results
All Anopheles mosquitoes tested belonged to the Anopheles gambiae complex. Anopheles arabiensis was predominant (54.1%), followed by An. gambiae s.s. (26.1%) and Anopheles melas (19.8%). Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. arabiensis were found at all six sites. Anopheles melas was recorded only at Brikama. Mosquitoes from two of the six sites (Brikama and Basse) were fully susceptible to all three insecticides tested. However, DDT resistance was found in An. gambiae from Essau where the 24 hours post-exposure mortality was <80% but 88% for permethrin and 92% for deltamethrin.

Conclusion
This current survey of insecticide resistance in Anopheles provides baseline information for monitoring resistance in The Gambia and highlights the need for routine resistance surveillance as an integral part of the proposed nation wide IRS intervention using DDT.
A class of DNA-binding peptides from wheat bud causes growth inhibition, G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in HeLa cells
Authors: Mancinelli Loretta , De Angelis Paula M , Annulli Lucia , Padovini Valentina , Elgjo Kjell , Gianfranceschi Gian Luigi 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Deproteinized DNA from eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells still contains a low-molecular weight peptidic fraction which can be dissociated by alkalinization of the medium. This fraction inhibits RNA transcription and tumor cell growth. Removal from DNA of normal cells causes amplification of DNA template activity. This effect is lower or absent in several cancer cell lines. Likewise, the amount of active peptides in cancer cell DNA extracts is lower than in DNA preparation of the corresponding normal cells. Such evidence, and their ubiquitous presence, suggests that they are a regulatory, conserved factor involved in the control of normal cell growth and gene expression.

Results
We report that peptides extracted from wheat bud chromatin induce growth inhibition, G2 arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells. The growth rate is decreased in cells treated during the S phase only and it is accompanied by DNA damage and DNA synthesis inhibition. In G2 cells, this treatment induces inactivation of the CDK1-cyclin B1 complex and an increase of active chk1 kinase expression.

Conclusion
The data indicate that the chromatin peptidic pool inhibits HeLa cell growth by causing defective DNA replication which, in turn, arrests cell cycle progression to mitosis via G2 checkpoint pathway activation.
Drug choice, spatial distribution, HIV risk, and HIV prevalence among injection drug users in St. Petersburg, Russia
Authors: Kruse Gina Rae , Barbour Russell , Heimer Robert , Shaboltas Alla V , Toussova Olga V , Hoffman Irving F , Kozlov Andrei P 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
The HIV epidemic in Russia has been driven by the unsafe injection of drugs, predominantly heroin and the ephedrine derived psychostimulants. Understanding differences in HIV risk behaviors among injectors associated with different substances has important implications for prevention programs.

Methods
We examined behaviors associated with HIV risk among 900 IDUs who inject heroin, psychostimulants, or multiple substances in 2002. Study participants completed screening questionnaires that provided data on sociodemographics, drug use, place of residence and injection- and sex-related HIV risk behaviors. HIV testing was performed and prevalence was modeled using general estimating equation (GEE) analysis. Individuals were clustered by neighborhood and disaggregated into three drug use categories: Heroin Only Users, Stimulant Only Users, and Mixed Drug Users.

Results
Among Heroin Only Users, younger age, front/backloading of syringes, sharing cotton and cookers were all significant predictors of HIV infection. In contrast, sharing needles and rinse water were significant among the Stimulant Only Users. The Mixed Drug Use group was similar to the Heroin Only Users with age, front/back loading, and sharing cotton significantly associated with HIV infection. These differences became apparent only when neighborhood of residence was included in models run using GEE.

Conclusion
The type of drug injected was associated with distinct behavioral risks. Risks specific to Stimulant Only Users appeared related to direct syringe sharing. The risks specific to the other two groups are common to the process of sharing drugs in preparation to injecting. Across the board, IDUs could profit from prevention education that emphasizes both access to clean syringes and preparing and apportioning drug with these clean syringes. However, attention to neighborhood differences might improve the intervention impact for injectors who favor different drugs.
A method for studying decision-making by guideline development groups
Authors: Gardner Benjamin , Davidson Rosemary , McAteer John , Michie Susan ,   the "Evidence into Recommendations" study group
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Multidisciplinary guideline development groups (GDGs) have considerable influence on UK healthcare policy and practice, but previous research suggests that research evidence is a variable influence on GDG recommendations. The Evidence into Recommendations (EiR) study has been set up to document social-psychological influences on GDG decision-making. In this paper we aim to evaluate the relevance of existing qualitative methodologies to the EiR study, and to develop a method best-suited to capturing influences on GDG decision-making.

Methods
A research team comprised of three postdoctoral research fellows and a multidisciplinary steering group assessed the utility of extant qualitative methodologies for coding verbatim GDG meeting transcripts and semi-structured interviews with GDG members. A unique configuration of techniques was developed to permit data reduction and analysis.

Results
Our method incorporates techniques from thematic analysis, grounded theory analysis, content analysis, and framework analysis. Thematic analysis of individual interviews conducted with group members at the start and end of the GDG process defines discrete problem areas to guide data extraction from GDG meeting transcripts. Data excerpts are coded both inductively and deductively, using concepts taken from theories of decision-making, social influence and group processes. These codes inform a framework analysis to describe and explain incidents within GDG meetings. We illustrate the application of the method by discussing some preliminary findings of a study of a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) acute physical health GDG.

Conclusion
This method is currently being applied to study the meetings of three of NICE GDGs. These cover topics in acute physical health, mental health and public health, and comprise a total of 45 full-day meetings. The method offers potential for application to other health care and decision-making groups.
Landmark survival as an end-point for trials in critically ill patients – comparison of alternative durations of follow-up: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Taori Gopal , Ho Kwok M , George Carol , Bellomo Rinaldo , Webb Steven AR , Hart Graeme K , Bailey Michael J 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Interventional ICU trials have followed up patients for variable duration. However, the optimal duration of follow-up for the determination of mortality endpoint in such trials is uncertain. We aimed to determine the most logical and practical mortality end-point in clinical trials of critically ill patients.

Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data involving 369 patients with one of the three specific diagnoses (i) Sepsis (ii) Community acquired pneumonia (iii) Non operative trauma admitted to the Royal Perth Hospital ICU, a large teaching hospital in Western Australia (WA cohort). Their in-hospital and post discharge survival outcome was assessed by linkage to the WA Death Registry. A validation cohort involving 4609 patients admitted during same time period with identical diagnoses from 55 ICUs across Australia (CORE cohort) was used to compare the patient characteristics and in-hospital survival to look at the Australia-wide applicability of the long term survival data from the WA cohort.

Results
The long term outcome data of the WA cohort indicate that mortality reached a plateau at 90 days after ICU admission particularly for sepsis and pneumonia. Mortality after hospital discharge before 90 days was not uncommon in these two groups. Severity of acute illness as measured by the total number of organ failures or acute physiology score was the main predictor of 90-day mortality. The adjusted in-hospital survival for the WA cohort was not significantly different from that of the CORE cohort in all three diagnostic groups; sepsis (P = 0.19), community acquired pneumonia (P = 0.86), non-operative trauma (P = 0.47).

Conclusions
A minimum of 90 days follow-up is necessary to fully capture the mortality effect of sepsis and community acquired pneumonia. A shorter period of follow-up time may be sufficient for non-operative trauma.
Zebrafish reward mutants reveal novel transcripts mediating the behavioral effects of amphetamine
Authors: Webb Katharine J , Norton William HJ , Trümbach Dietrich , Meijer Annemarie H , Ninkovic Jovica , Topp Stefanie , Heck Daniel , Marr Carsten , Wurst Wolfgang , Theis Fabian J , Spaink Herman P , Bally-Cuif Laure 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Background
Addiction is a pathological dysregulation of the brain's reward systems, determined by several complex genetic pathways. The conditioned place preference test provides an evaluation of the effects of drugs in animal models, allowing the investigation of substances at a biologically relevant level with respect to reward. Our lab has previously reported the development of a reliable conditioned place preference paradigm for zebrafish. Here, this test was used to isolate a dominant N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutant, no addiction (nad
dne3256), which fails to respond to amphetamine, and which we used as an entry point towards identifying the behaviorally relevant transcriptional response to amphetamine.

Results
Through the combination of microarray experiments comparing the adult brain transcriptome of mutant and wild-type siblings under normal conditions, as well as their response to amphetamine, we identified genes that correlate with the mutants' altered conditioned place preference behavior. In addition to pathways classically involved in reward, this gene set shows a striking enrichment in transcription factor-encoding genes classically involved in brain development, which later appear to be re-used within the adult brain. We selected a subset of them for validation by quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization, revealing that specific brain areas responding to the drug through these transcription factors include domains of ongoing adult neurogenesis. Finally, network construction revealed functional connections between several of these genes.

Conclusions
Together, our results identify a new network of coordinated gene regulation that influences or accompanies amphetamine-triggered conditioned place preference behavior and that may underlie the susceptibility to addiction.
Innate immune control and regulation of influenza virus infections
Authors: McGill Jodi , Heusel Jonathan W , Legge Kevin L 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis manuscript reviews the current literature on the importance of innate immune cells in the control of influenza virus infections.Adaptive immune responses are critical for the control and clearance of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that innate immune cells, including natural killer cells, alveolar macrophages (aMϕ), and dendritic cells (DC) are essential following IAV infection in the direct control of viral replication or in the induction and regulation of virus-specific adaptive immune responses. This review will discuss the role of these innate immune cells following IAV infection, with a particular focus on DC and their ability to induce and regulate the adaptive IAV-specific immune response.
Why do antidepressants take so long to work? A cognitive neuropsychological model of antidepressant drug action
Authors: Harmer Catherine J. , Goodwin Guy M. , Cowen Philip J. 
Published: July 2009

BackgroundThe neuropharmacological actions of antidepressants are well characterised but our understanding of how these changes translate into improved mood are still emerging.AimsTo investigate whether actions of antidepressant drugs on emotional processing are a mediating factor in the effects of these drugs in depression.MethodWe examined key published findings that explored the effects of antidepressants on behavioural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures of emotional processing.ResultsNegative emotional bias has been reliably associated with depression. Converging results suggest that antidepressants modulate emotional processing and increase positive emotional processing much earlier than effects on mood. These changes in emotional processing are associated with neural modulation in limbic and prefrontal circuitry.ConclusionsAntidepressants may work in a manner consistent with cognitive theories of depression. Antidepressants do not act as direct mood enhancers but rather change the relative balance of positive to negative emotional processing, providing a platform for subsequent cognitive and psychological reconsolidation.
Impact of childhood exposure to a natural disaster on adult
mental health: 20-year longitudinal follow-up study
Authors: McFarlane Alexander C. , Van Hooff Miranda 
Published: July 2009

BackgroundStudies examining the impact of childhood disaster exposure on the
development of adult psychopathology report increased rates of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychopathology.AimsTo examine the rates of PTSD and other lifetime DSM–IV disorders in
adults exposed to an Australian bushfire disaster as children in 1983
using a matched control sample recruited at the time of the original
study.MethodA total of 1011 adults recruited from an original sample of 1531 were
assessed 20 years following the fires using the Composite International
Diagnostic Interview (CIDI–2.1).ResultsResults showed only a small direct impact of the fires on adult
psychiatric morbidity. A higher proportion of bushfire survivors met
criteria for ‘any DSM–IV disorder’ and ‘any anxiety’.ConclusionsFindings suggest that the long-term impact of a prominent trauma in
childhood should be assessed in the context of other lifetime trauma in
order to provide a more accurate account of PTSD prevalence rates.
Differences in mortality and suicidal behaviour between treated and never-treated people with schizophrenia in rural China
Authors: Ran Mao-Sheng , Chan Cecilia Lai-Wan , Chen Eric Yu-Hai , Mao Wen-Jun , Hu Shi-Hui , Tang Cui-Ping , Lin Fu-Rong , Conwell Yeates 
Published: July 2009

BackgroundMany people with schizophrenia remain untreated in the community. Long-term mortality and suicidal behaviour among never-treated individuals with schizophrenia in the community are unknown.AimsTo explore 10-year mortality and suicidal behaviour among never-treated individuals with schizophrenia.MethodWe used data from a 10-year prospective follow-up study (1994–2004) among people with schizophrenia in Xinjin County, Chengdu, China.ResultsThe mortality rate for never-treated individuals with schizophrenia was 2761 per 100 000 person-years during follow-up. There were no significant differences of rates of suicide and all-cause mortality between never-treated and treated individuals. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for never-treated people was 10.4 (95% CI 7.2–15.2) and for treated individuals 6.5 (95% CI 5.2–8.5). Compared with treated people, never-treated individuals were more likely to be older, poorer, have a longer duration of illness, marked symptoms and fewer family members.ConclusionsThe never-treated individuals have similar mortality to and a higher proportion of marked symptoms than treated people, which may reflect the poor outcome of the individuals without treatment. The higher rates of mortality, homelessness and never being treated among people with schizophrenia in low- and middle-income nations might challenge presumed wisdom about schizophrenia outcomes in these countries.
Recruitment from foundation year 2 posts into specialty training: a potential success story?
Authors: Boyle Ann M. , Chaloner Deborah A. , Millward Timothy , Rao Vidhya , Messer Charlotte 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThis paper examines the characteristics of a foundation year 2 post in psychiatry from the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland foundation programme, where all three of the trainees who occupied the post in its first year were successfully appointed to specialty training posts in psychiatry. We discuss the potential strengths of foundation posts in psychiatry as a possible recruitment aid into specialty training in psychiatry in the UK.
Community work – a cure for stigma and social exclusion?
Authors: Schneider Justine 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIt is possible to tackle exclusion by altering the nature of transactions between individuals and groups, including mental health services. One way to do this is to cultivate ‘social capital’ or interdependence between individuals and groups – as well as giving, each is entitled, but not compelled, to claim something in return. It is difficult, if not impossible, to sustain stigma and social exclusion when people are meeting mutual needs, building trust and helping each other. Mental health providers can foster social capital by creating community cohesion, namely interdependent relationships between individuals and organisations. This approach has been put into practice in the USA, where providers assert that small investments in building social capital return many times the cost. In the UK there is evidence that community development can make a contribution to mental health but it does not fit well with conventional approaches to mental health services – it calls for different skills and a vision that is collective rather than individualised.
A comparison of the Psychiatric Bulletin in two time periods: 1988–1992 and 2002–2006
Authors: Hanna Dalia , Smyth Rosemary 
Published: July 2009

Aims and MethodWe sought to gain an impression of how the Psychiatric Bulletin has changed over time. We took a ‘snapshot’ of the journal in two time periods, comparing characteristics of articles published early in its development (1988–1992) with those published more recently in its current format (2002–2006).ResultsThe Bulletin has become more scientific, with the proportion of articles categorised as ‘original’ increasing from 31% (217/700) in the early period to 47% (263/565) in the later period. There is less emphasis on history of psychiatry and the arts.Clinical ImplicationsChanges in the Bulletin are in line with psychiatry and medicine in general, placing more emphasis and value on research with systematic methodology.
Inertial feeding in the teiid lizard Tupinambis merianae: the effect of prey size on the movements of hyolingual apparatus and the cranio-cervical system
Authors: Montuelle Stéphane J. , Herrel Anthony , Schaerlaeken Vicky , Metzger Keith A. , Mutuyeyezu Alexandre , Bels Vincent L. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARY
In most terrestrial tetrapods, the transport of prey through the oral cavity is accomplished by movements of the hyolingual apparatus. Morphological specializations of the tongue in some lizard taxa are thought to be associated with the evolution of vomerolfaction as the main prey detection mode. Moreover, specializations of the tongue are hypothesized to compromise the efficiency of the tongue during transport; thus, driving the evolution of inertial transport. Here we use a large teiid lizard, Tupinambis merianae, as a model system to test the mechanical link between prey size and the use of inertial feeding. We hypothesize that an increase in prey size will lead to the increased recruitment of the cranio-cervical system for prey transport and a reduced involvement of the tongue and the hyolingual apparatus. Discriminant analyses of the kinematics of the cranio-cervical, jaw and hyolingual systems show that the transport of large prey is indeed associated with a greater utilization of the cranio-cervical system (i.e. neck and head positioning). The tongue retains a kinematic pattern characteristic of lingual transport in other lizards but only when processing small prey. Our data provide evidence for an integration of the hyolingual and cranio-cervical systems; thus, providing partial support for an evolutionary scenario whereby the specialization of the tongue for chemoreception has resulted in the evolution of inertial transport strategies.
Fluid–structure interactions of skeleton-reinforced fins:performance analysis of a paired fin in lift-based propulsion
Authors: Shoele Kourosh , Zhu Qiang 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYWe investigate the thrust generation capacity of a thin foil consisting of a membrane strengthened by embedded rays that is geometrically, structurally and kinematically similar to pectoral fins of bony fishes during lift-based labriform locomotion. Our numerical model includes a fully nonlinear Euler–Bernoulli beam model of the skeleton and a boundary-element model of the surrounding flow field. The fin undergoes a dorso–ventral flapping activated by rotations of the rays. Both the trailing edge vortices(TEV) and the leading edge vortices (LEV) are accounted for and modeled as shear layers. The thrust generation and propulsion efficiency are examined and documented. Our results show that synchronization of rays is pivotal to the performance of the system. A primary factor that determines the performance of the fin is phase lags between the rays, which create variations of the effective angle of attack at the leading edge as well as shape changes throughout the fin surface. Structural flexibility of the rays leads to passive deformations of the fin, which can increase the thrust generation and the propulsion efficiency.