bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Saliva DHEA and cortisol responses following short‐term corticosteroid intake
Authors: Jollin L. , Thomasson R. , Le Panse B. , Baillot A. , Vibarel‐Rebot N. , Lecoq A. M. , Amiot V. , De Ceaurriz J. , Collomp K. 
Published: October 2009

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (2): 183–186AbstractBackground  Given the high correlation between the serum and saliva hormone values demonstrated at rest, saliva provides a convenient non‐invasive way to determine dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol concentrations. However, to our knowledge, pituitary adrenal recovery following short‐term suppression with corticosteroids has never been investigated in saliva. The aim of this study was therefore to examine how steroid hormone concentrations in saliva are influenced by short‐term corticosteroid administration.Materials and methods  We studied saliva DHEA and cortisol concentrations before, during (day 1–day 7) and following (day 8–day 16) the administration of oral therapeutic doses of prednisone (50 mg daily for 1 week) in 11 healthy recreationally trained women.Results  Mean saliva DHEA and cortisol concentrations decreased immediately after the start of prednisone treatment (P < 0·05). Three days after concluding prednisone administration, both saliva DHEA and cortisol had returned to pretreatment levels.Conclusions  These data are consistent with previous studies on blood samples and suggest that non‐invasive saliva samples may offer a practical approach to assessing pituitary‐adrenal function continuously during and after short‐term corticosteroid therapy.
Zoning: focused support: a trust wide implementation project
Authors: GAMBLE C. , DODD G. , GRELLIER J. , HEVER M. , O'CONNER C. , CLARKE T. , CHIPERE R. , MELLOR M. , NESS M. 
Published: October 2009

Accessible summary

Applying pragmatic risk management procedures to facilitate the sharing of clinical knowledge in and across mental health teams.

AbstractZoning: focused support is pragmatic risk management support procedure that enhances adherence to operational policies, provides a forum in which staff can receive support and visually facilitates the sharing of clinical knowledge. This paper presents a 3‐year multi‐method management project that sought to introduce zoning principles into all teams of an inner city Mental Health NHS Trust. By changing the language and culture of the organization findings indicate that there has been a positive attitudinal shift in how the approach is perceived. It is considered to be of value to staff, service users and their families and 73% of teams are now using it routinely.
Statistical methods in spatial genetics
Authors: GUILLOT GILLES , LEBLOIS RAPHAËL , COULON AURÉLIE , FRANTZ ALAIN C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe joint analysis of spatial and genetic data is rapidly becoming the norm in population genetics. More and more studies explicitly describe and quantify the spatial organization of genetic variation and try to relate it to underlying ecological processes. As it has become increasingly difficult to keep abreast with the latest methodological developments, we review the statistical toolbox available to analyse population genetic data in a spatially explicit framework. We mostly focus on statistical concepts but also discuss practical aspects of the analytical methods, highlighting not only the potential of various approaches but also methodological pitfalls.
A cryptochrome‐like protein is involved in the regulation of photosynthesis genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Hendrischk Anne‐Kathrin , Frühwirth Sebastian Walter , Moldt Julia , Pokorny Richard , Metz Sebastian , Kaiser Gebhard , Jäger Andreas , Batschauer Alfred , Klug Gabriele 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBlue light receptors belonging to the cryptochrome/photolyase family are found in all kingdoms of life. The functions of photolyases in repair of UV‐damaged DNA as well as of cryptochromes in the light‐dependent regulation of photomorphogenetic processes and in the circadian clock in plants and animals are well analysed. In prokaryotes, the only role of members of this protein family that could be demonstrated is DNA repair. Recently, we identified a gene for a cryptochrome‐like protein (CryB) in the α‐proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The protein lacks the typical C‐terminal extension of cryptochromes, and is not related to the Cry DASH family. Here we demonstrate that CryB binds flavin adenine dinucleotide that can be photoreduced by blue light. CryB binds single‐stranded DNA with very high affinity (Kd∼10−8 M) but double‐stranded DNA and single‐stranded RNA with far lower affinity (Kd∼10−6 M). Despite of that, no in vitro repair activity for pyrimidine dimers in single‐stranded DNA could be detected. However, we show that CryB clearly affects the expression of genes for pigment‐binding proteins and consequently the amount of photosynthetic complexes in R. sphaeroides. Thus, for the first time a role of a bacterial cryptochrome in gene regulation together with a biological function is demonstrated.
GENETIC STUDY: 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism, mood disorders and MDMA use in a 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Martín‐Santos Rocío , Torrens Marta , Poudevida Sandra , Langohr Klaus , Cuyás Elisabet , Pacifici Roberta , Farré Magí , Pichini Simona , De La Torre Rafael 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTA 3‐year longitudinal prospective study was conducted to compare the incidence of substance use disorders (SUD) and non‐substance use disorders (NSUD) among ecstasy users and two control groups: one of cannabis users and the other of non‐drug users. The 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism related to NSUD was also studied. A total of 94 subjects were included: 37 ecstasy users, 23 cannabis users and 34 non‐drug users. SUD and NSUD disorders were diagnosed according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders criteria using the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders. Incidence Rates (IR) are presented. The 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism was analyzed. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was studied. The results of the study showed that the highest IR of SUD was cannabis abuse/dependence in both the ecstasy (IR: 48.6/100 person–year) and cannabis (IR: 2.5/100 person–year) groups. There were no new cases of SUD in non‐drug users at follow‐up. The highest IR of NSUD was primary mood disorder in both the ecstasy (IR: 4.2/100 person–year) and in the non‐drug (IR: 1.3/100 person–year) groups (P < 0.282). There were no new cases of NSUD in the cannabis group at follow‐up. 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism was associated with lifetime of primary mood disorders in ecstasy group (P = 0.018). Ecstasy use was associated with a higher rate of cannabis abuse/dependence disorders and mood disorders than cannabis use. In the ecstasy users, 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism may result in a high vulnerability to primary mood disorders.
Detecting positive selection in the budding yeast genome
Authors: LI Y.‐D. , LIANG H. , GU Z. , LIN Z. , GUAN W. , ZHOU L. , LI Y.‐Q. , LI W.‐H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAvailable abundant genomic data allows us to study the evolution of the yeast genome at a fine scale. In this study, we examined the adaptive evolution of coding and promoter regions in three Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. First, using a maximum‐likelihood approach, we identified 76 positively selected genes (PSG) whose coding regions likely have undergone positive selection in the recent past. These genes show significant bias in terms of biological function and they show over‐representation of charged amino acids at positively selected sites. Next, using recent data on yeast transcription‐start sites to define core‐promoter regions, we identified 31 positively selected promoters, and their corresponding genes are significantly enriched in transmembrane transporter function. We found PSG show no correlation with promoter adaption or expression variation, suggesting that positive selection on coding regions and positive selection on promoter regions are not coupled. Together, our study provides insights into the evolution of S. cerevisiae strains from different environments.
Sib‐mating in the ant Plagiolepis pygmaea: adaptative inbreeding?
Authors: THURIN N. , ARON S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMultiple functional queens in a colony (polygyny) and multiple mating by queens (polyandry) in social insects challenge kin selection, because they dilute inclusive fitness benefits from helping. Colonies of the ant Plagiolepis pygmaea brash contain several hundreds of multiply mated queens. Yet, within‐colony relatedness remains unexpectedly high. This stems from low male dispersal, extensive mating among relatives and adoption of young queens in the natal colony. We investigated whether inbreeding results from workers expelling foreign males, and/or from preferential mating between related partners. Our data show that workers actively repel unrelated males entering their colony, and that queens preferentially mate with related males. These results are consistent with inclusive fitness being a driving force for inbreeding: by preventing outbreeding, workers reduce erosion of relatedness within colonies due to polygyny and polyandry. That virgin queens mate preferentially with related males could result from a long history of inbreeding, which is expected to reduce depression in species with regular sibmating.
A comparison of diagnostic efficacies among different reagent strips and automated cell count in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Rerknimitr Rungsun , Limmathurotsakul Danai , Bhokaisawan Narudee , Kongkam Pradermchai , Treeprasertsuk Sombat , Kullavanijaya Pinit 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  Currently, decision to give antibiotics in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) suspected patient depends mainly on the result of manual cell count, which requires significant waiting period. Recently, many reports on the efficacies of reagent strips and a few reports of automated cell count are available but there has been no direct comparison study.Aims:  This prospective study was to assess the diagnostic efficacies of different reagent strips (Aution, Multistix, Combur) and automated cell count.Methods and Results:  A total of 250 paracenteses were performed. There were 40 specimens obtained from patients with clinical suspicion for SBP, the rest were obtained from non SBP suspected patients. Thirty specimens from 250 samples (12%) were diagnosed as SBP by manual cell count. Automated system provided higher value for SBP diagnosis in all parameters (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy; 87.5–99.1%) whereas the strip tests provided lower number in all parameters (80–98.6%). Multistix provided the lowest sensitivity (80%). The false negative rates by Aution, Multistix, Combur tests and automated cell count were 10%, 20%, 10% and 3.3%, respectively. By lowering the cut off for SBP diagnosis with the automated system to 200 cells/mm3, there was no false negative.Conclusions:  Comparing to reagent strips, automated cell count is a better screening tool for SBP diagnosis because it provides higher validity scores and a lower false negative rate. However, the discrepancy of cell count reading may occur, we suggest using a lower cut off for SBP diagnosis by the automated system.
Development of novel 5‐fluorouracil carrier erythrocyte with pharmacokinetics and potent antitumor activity in mice bearing malignant ascites
Authors: Wang Guo‐Ping , Guan Yong‐Song , Jin Xin‐Rong , Jiang Sha‐Sha , Lu Ze‐Jun , Wu Yang , Li Yang , Li Mei , Luo Feng 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  To investigate pharmacokinetics and potency of antitumor activity of a novel 5‐fluorouracil carrier erythrocyte (RBC‐FU) in mice bearing malignant ascites.Methods:  RBC‐FU was synthesized with a hyperosmotic technique. The entrapment efficiency of targeted carrier erythrocytes was determined by reverse dialysis method with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for analyzing the quantity of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). After a H22 hepatocarcinoma malignant ascites model was established in Kunming mice, 5‐FU encapsulated by carrier erythrocytes (for Group A) and 5‐FU solution (for Group B) at 20 mg per kg were injected into the peritoneal cavity of the mice, respectively. Blood and ascites samples were collected at different times to detect 5‐FU quantity by HPLC. Body weight and survival time of mice were recorded in Group A, B and the Control Group in which mice were injected with normal saline only.Results:  5‐FU was effectively encapsulated into erythrocytes, with an encapsulating effect as 55 ± 0.50%. In Group A, the maximum concentration (Cmax) and the area under curve (AUC) in peritoneal exudates were significantly higher than those of Group B (P < 0.05). On the other hand, 5‐FU level in serum was significantly lower than that in peritoneal exudates of Group A and B (P < 0.05). High drug levels in the abdominal cavity in Group A were maintained longer than those in Group B. Compared with that in Group B and the control, the quantity of malignant ascites in Group A had significant regression and the survival time was prolonged.Conclusion:  The hyperosmotic method described here could be suitable for producing this novel RBC‐FU as a liposomal drug of potential value for treating malignant ascites by intraperitoneal administration.
High volume naked DNA tail‐vein injection restores liver function in Fah‐knock out mice
Authors: Eggenhofer Elke , Doenecke Axel , Renner Philipp , Slowik Przemyslaw , Piso Pompiliu , Geissler Edward K. , Schlitt Hans J. , Dahlke Marc H. , Popp Felix C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  Despite pharmaceutical treatment with NTBC (2‐2‐nitro‐4‐fluoromethylbenzoyl‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione), a high incidence of liver malignancies occur in humans and mice suffering from hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) caused by mutation of the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (fah) gene.Methods:  To evaluate the efficacy of a definitive treatment for HT1, we transfected fah knockout mice with naked plasmid DNA using high volume tail‐vein injection. This approach was chosen to reduce the occurrence of insertional mutagenesis that is frequently observed when using other (retro‐)viral vectors. To prolong gene expression, the fah gene was cloned between adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐specific inverted terminal repeats (ITRs).Results:  All animals treated with high volume plasmid DNA injections could be successfully weaned off NTBC and survived in the long term without any further pharmacological support. Up to 50% fah positive hepatocytes were detected in livers of naked plasmid DNA‐treated animals and serum liver function tests approximated those of wild‐type controls.Conclusions:  Naked plasmid DNA transfection offers a promising alternative treatment for HT1. Minimizing side‐effects makes this approach especially appealing.
Pythium insidiosum keratitis in an Australian child
Authors: Badenoch Paul R , Mills Richard AD , Chang John H , Sadlon Tania A , Klebe Sonja , Coster Douglas J 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA 3‐year‐old girl from the Northern Territory developed suppurative keratitis after swimming in pools. A mycelial organism suspected to be Pythium insidiosum was cultured. Treatment with polyhexamethylene biguanide and voriconazole for 5 days was unsuccessful, and a corneal graft was performed. The infection was cleared and when last seen 14 months after surgery the patient had a stable graft and useful vision. The identification of the organism was confirmed by rRNA gene sequencing. P. insidiosum is an oomycete, an organism more closely related to kelp than to fungi. Masses of hyphae were seen in sections and, for the first time, the ultrastructure of P. insidiosum in human tissue is described. The staining characteristics of cultured hyphae were assessed; lactofuchsin and acridine orange were found to be the most useful methods. Although the diagnosis of P. insidiosum keratitis is not difficult, and the organism is susceptible in vitro to a number of antimicrobial agents, early corneal transplantation remains the treatment of choice.
Ancient Egypt to modern ophthalmology: via Otago, New Zealand
Authors: Coster Douglas J 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this report is to document the contribution of two New Zealanders, Barrie Jones and Rowland Wilson, to the development of modern ophthalmology. Their related contribution was made over a period of 80 years; it began in Egypt with Wilson, developed when they worked together in Dunedin and where they created the foundations for the brilliant career that Jones was to go on to in London. Their story emphasizes the impact of teaching and mentorship. It highlights the extended reach of teaching and the power of continuity in research.
Initial Australasian experience with portal‐enteric drainage in simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation
Authors: Kave Ben , Yii Ming , Bell Roger , Kanellis John , Scott David , Saunder Alan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground: Pancreas–kidney transplantation is currently the most effective method to re‐establish euglycaemia in insulin‐dependent diabetics with associated renal failure. The standard technique employed has been bladder drainage of exocrine secretions coupled with systemic venous drainage (‘systemic‐bladder’ (SB) drainage). The more physiological technique, enteric exocrine with portal venous drainage (‘portal‐enteric’ (PE) drainage), has been utilized sparingly in the past as a result of fears of technical complications. This paper compares the Monash Medical Centre experience with both techniques.Methods: A total of 68 simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantations were performed at Monash Medical Centre from 1991 until 2004. The first 37 received SB drainage. Since March 2001, 27 have received PE drainage. This retrospective study compared the SB group (n= 37) with the PE group (n= 27), with a 2‐year follow‐up, examining a number of surgical outcomes.Results: Two‐year patient (94.3 versus 96.0%), kidney (89.2 versus 85.2%), pancreas (77.9 versus 71.4%) and event‐free (73.0 versus 67.7%) survivals were all similar between the SB and PE groups, respectively. Although surgery took longer in PE subjects (4 h : 47 min ± 0:48 versus 5 h : 16 min ± 1:00;P= 0.045), less intraoperative transfusions were required (1.3 ± 1.43 versus 0.52 ± 0.90;P= 0.024). Length of hospital stay and time to insulin independence were similar. Pancreas graft thrombosis rates were similar (10.8% SB versus 7.4% PE,P= 0.497).Conclusions: PE drainage is a safe and viable method for pancreas transplantation, which can be performed with excellent outcomes. An increased rate of complications with PE drainage has not been demonstrated in this series.
Metagenome and mRNA expression analyses of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea of the ANME‐1 group
Authors: Meyerdierks Anke , Kube Michael , Kostadinov Ivaylo , Teeling Hanno , Glöckner Frank Oliver , Reinhardt Richard , Amann Rudolf 
Published: October 2009

SummaryMicrobial consortia mediating the anaerobic oxidation of methane with sulfate are composed of methanotrophic Archaea (ANME) and Bacteria related to sulfate‐reducing Deltaproteobacteria. Cultured representatives are not available for any of the three ANME clades. Therefore, a metagenomic approach was applied to assess the genetic potential of ANME‐1 archaea. In total, 3.4 Mbp sequence information was generated based on metagenomic fosmid libraries constructed directly from a methanotrophic microbial mat in the Black Sea. These sequence data represent, in 30 contigs, about 82–90% of a composite ANME‐1 genome. The dataset supports the hypothesis of a reversal of the methanogenesis pathway. Indications for an assimilatory, but not for a dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathway in ANME‐1, were found. Draft genome and expression analyses are consistent with acetate and formate as putative electron shuttles. Moreover, the dataset points towards downstream electron‐accepting redox components different from the ones known from methanogenic archaea. Whereas catalytic subunits of [NiFe]‐hydrogenases are lacking in the dataset, genes for an [FeFe]‐hydrogenase homologue were identified, not yet described to be present in methanogenic archaea. Clustered genes annotated as secreted multiheme c‐type cytochromes were identified, which have not yet been correlated with methanogenesis‐related steps. The genes were shown to be expressed, suggesting direct electron transfer as an additional possible mode to shuttle electrons from ANME‐1 to the bacterial sulfate‐reducing partner.
Structure and function of bordered pits: new discoveries and impacts on whole‐plant hydraulic function
Authors: Choat Brendan , Cobb Alexander R. , Jansen Steven 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBordered pits are cavities in the lignified cell walls of xylem conduits (vessels and tracheids) that are essential components in the water‐transport system of higher plants. The pit membrane, which lies in the center of each pit, allows water to pass between xylem conduits but limits the spread of embolism and vascular pathogens in the xylem. Averaged across a wide range of species, pits account for > 50% of total xylem hydraulic resistance, indicating that they are an important factor in the overall hydraulic efficiency of plants. The structure of pits varies dramatically across species, with large differences evident in the porosity and thickness of pit membranes. Because greater porosity reduces hydraulic resistance but increases vulnerability to embolism, differences in pit structure are expected to correlate with trade‐offs between efficiency and safety of water transport. However, trade‐offs in hydraulic function are influenced both by pit‐level differences in structure (e.g. average porosity of pit membranes) and by tissue‐level changes in conduit allometry (average length, diameter) and the total surface area of pit membranes that connects vessels. In this review we address the impact of variation in pit structure on water transport in plants from the level of individual pits to the whole plant.

Contents

Summary
1

I.
Introduction
2

II.
The basic structures
2

III.
Safety of transport ‐ pits as safety valves
5

IV.
Hydraulic resistance of pits and pit membranes ‐ the cost of safety
9

V.
Impacts of pit function on whole‐plant hydraulics
14

VI.
Future directions
15

Acknowledgements
15

References
15
In AβPP‐overexpressing cultured human muscle fibers proteasome inhibition enhances phosphorylation of AβPP751 and GSK3β activation: effects mitigated by lithium and apparently relevant to sporadic inclusion‐body myositis
Authors: Terracciano Chiara , Nogalska Anna , Engel W. King , Askanas Valerie 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMuscle fiber degeneration in sporadic inclusion‐body myositis (s‐IBM) is characterized by accumulation of multiprotein aggregates, including aggregated amyloid‐β (Aβ)‐precursor protein 751 (AβPP751), Aβ, phosphorylated tau, and other ‘Alzheimer‐characteristic’ proteins. Proteasome inhibition is an important component of the s‐IBM pathogenesis. In brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and AD transgenic‐mouse models, phosphorylation of neuronal AβPP695 (p‐AβPP) on Thr668 (equivalent to T724 of AβPP751) is considered detrimental because it increases generation of cytotoxic Aβ and induces tau phosphorylation. Activated glycogen synthase kinase3β (GSK3β) is involved in phosphorylation of both AβPP and tau. Lithium, an inhibitor of GSK3β, was reported to reduce levels of both the total AβPP and p‐AβPP in AD animal models. In relation to s‐IBM, we now show for the first time that (1) In AβPP‐overexpressing cultured human muscle fibers (human muscle culture IBM model: (a) proteasome inhibition significantly increases GSK3β activity and AβPP phosphorylation, (b) treatment with lithium decreases (i) phosphorylated‐AβPP, (ii) total amount of AβPP, (iii) Aβ oligomers, and (iv) GSK3β activity; and (c) lithium improves proteasome function. (2) In biopsied s‐IBM muscle fibers, GSK3β is significantly activated and AβPP is phosphorylated on Thr724. Accordingly, treatment with lithium, or other GSK3β inhibitors, might benefit s‐IBM patients.