bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of environmental diversification on species diversification in New Caledonian caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae)
Authors: Espeland Marianne , Johanson Kjell A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAim To test whether environmental diversification played a role in the diversification of the New Caledonian Hydropsychinae caddisflies.Location New Caledonia, south‐west Pacific.Methods The phylogeny of the New Caledonian Hydropsychinae caddisflies was hypothesized using parsimony and Bayesian methods on molecular characters. The Bayesian analysis was the basis for a comparative analysis of the correlation between phylogeny and three environmental factors: geological substrate (ultrabasic, non‐ultrabasic), elevation and precipitation. Phylogenetic divergence times were estimated using a relaxed clock method, and environmental factors were mapped onto a lineage‐through‐time plot to investigate the timing of environmental diversification in relation to species radiation. The correlation between rainfall and elevation was tested using independent contrasts, and the gamma statistic was calculated to infer the diversification pattern of the group.Results The diversification of extantOrthopsyche–Caledopsychespecies began in the Middle–Late Oligocene, when much of the island of New Caledonia was covered by ultrabasic substrate and mountain forming was prevalent. Most lineages originated in the Middle–Late Miocene, a period associated with long‐term climate oscillation. Optimization of environmental factors on the phylogeny demonstrated that the New Caledonian Hydropsychinae group adapted to ultrabasic substrate early in its evolutionary history. The clade living mostly on ultrabasic substrate was far more species‐rich than the clade living mostly on non‐ultrabasic substrate. Elevation and rainfall were significantly correlated with each other. The lineage‐through‐time plot revealed that the main environmental diversification preceded species diversification. A constant speciation through time was rejected, and the negative gamma indicates that most of the diversification occurred early in the history of the clade. According to the inferred phylogeny, the genusOrthopsycheMcFarlane is a synonym underCaledopsycheKimmins, andAbacaria caledonaOláh & Barnard should also be included inCaledopsyche.Main conclusions The age of the radiation does not support a vicariance origin of New Caledonian Hydropsychinae caddisflies. Environmental diversification pre‐dates lineage diversification, and thus environmental heterogeneity potentially played a role in the diversification of the group, by providing a variety of fragmented habitats to disperse into, promoting speciation. The negative gamma indicates that the speciation rate slowed as niches started to fill.
Phosphatidylserine synthase and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase are essential for cell wall integrity and virulence in Candida albicans
Authors: Chen Ying‐Lien , Montedonico Anthony E. , Kauffman Sarah , Dunlap John R. , Menn Fu‐Min , Reynolds Todd B. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryPhospholipid biosynthetic pathways play crucial roles in the virulence of several pathogens; however, little is known about how phospholipid synthesis affects pathogenesis in fungi such as Candida albicans. A C. albicans phosphatidylserine (PS) synthase mutant, cho1Δ/Δ, lacks PS, has decreased phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and is avirulent in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The cho1Δ/Δ mutant exhibits defects in cell wall integrity, mitochondrial function, filamentous growth, and is auxotrophic for ethanolamine. PS is a precursor for de novo PE biosynthesis. A psd1Δ/Δ psd2Δ/Δ double mutant, which lacks the PS decarboxylase enzymes that convert PS to PE in the de novo pathway, has diminished PE levels like those of the cho1Δ/Δ mutant. The psd1Δ/Δ psd2Δ/Δ mutant exhibits phenotypes similar to those of the cho1Δ/Δ mutant; however, it is slightly more virulent and has less of a cell wall defect. The virulence losses exhibited by the cho1Δ/Δ and psd1Δ/Δ psd2Δ/Δ mutants appear to be related to their cell wall defects which are due to loss of de novo PE biosynthesis, but are exacerbated by loss of PS itself. Cho1p is conserved in fungi, but not mammals, so fungal PS synthase is a potential novel antifungal drug target.
The role of the FliK molecular ruler in hook‐length control in Salmonella enterica
Authors: Erhardt Marc , Hirano Takanori , Su Yichu , Paul Koushik , Wee Daniel H. , Mizuno Shino , Aizawa Shin‐Ichi , Hughes Kelly T. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryA molecular ruler, FliK, controls the length of the flagellar hook. FliK measures hook length and catalyses the secretion‐substrate specificity switch from rod‐hook substrate specificity to late substrate secretion, which includes the filament subunits. Here, we show normal hook‐length control and filament assembly in the complete absence of the C‐ring thus refuting the previous ‘cup’ model for hook‐length control. Mutants of C‐ring components, which are reported to produce short hooks, show a reduced rate of hook–basal body assembly thereby allowing for a premature secretion‐substrate specificity switch. Unlike fliK null mutants, hook‐length control in an autocleavage‐defective mutant of flhB, the protein responsible for the switch to late substrate secretion, is completely abolished. FliK deletion variants that retain the ability to measure hook length are secreted thus demonstrating that FliK directly measures rod‐hook length during the secretion process. Finally, we present a unifying model accounting for all published data on hook‐length control in which FliK acts as a molecular ruler that takes measurements of rod‐hook length while being intermittently secreted during the assembly process of the hook–basal body complex.
Mitochondrial DNA polymerase POLIB is essential for minicircle DNA replication in African trypanosomes
Authors: Bruhn David F. , Mozeleski Brian , Falkin Laurie , Klingbeil Michele M. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe unique mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes is a catenated network of minicircles and maxicircles called kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). The network is essential for survival, and requires an elaborate topoisomerase‐mediated release and reattachment mechanism for minicircle theta structure replication. At least seven DNA polymerases (pols) are involved in kDNA transactions, including three essential proteins related to bacterial DNA pol I (POLIB, POLIC and POLID). How Trypanosoma brucei utilizes multiple DNA pols to complete the topologically complex task of kDNA replication is unknown. To fill this gap in knowledge we investigated the cellular role of POLIB using RNA interference (RNAi). POLIB silencing resulted in growth inhibition and progressive loss of kDNA networks. Additionally, unreplicated covalently closed precursors become the most abundant minicircle replication intermediate as minicircle copy number declines. Leading and lagging strand minicircle progeny similarly declined during POLIB silencing, indicating POLIB had no apparent strand preference. Interestingly, POLIB RNAi led to the accumulation of a novel population of free minicircles that is composed mainly of covalently closed minicircle dimers. Based on these data, we propose that POLIB performs an essential role at the core of the minicircle replication machinery.
Epigenetic mechanisms regulate stage differentiation in the minimized protozoan Giardia lamblia
Authors: Sonda Sabrina , Morf Laura , Bottova Iveta , Baetschmann Hansruedi , Rehrauer Hubert , Caflisch Amedeo , Hakimi Mohamed‐Ali , Hehl Adrian B. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryHistone modification is an important mechanism regulating both gene expression and the establishment and maintenance of cellular phenotypes during development. Regulation of histone acetylation via histone acetylases and deacetylases (HDACs) appears to be particularly crucial in determining gene expression patterns. In this study we explored the effect of HDAC inhibition on the life cycle of the human pathogen Giardia lamblia, a highly reduced parasitic protozoan characterized by minimized cellular processes. We found that the HDAC inhibitor FR235222 increased the level of histone acetylation and induced transcriptional regulation of ∼2% of genes in proliferating and encysting parasites. In addition, our analyses showed that the levels of histone acetylation decreased during differentiation into cysts, the infective stage of the parasite. Importantly, FR235222 treatment during encystation reversed this histone hypo‐acetylation and potently blocked the formation of cysts. These results provide the first direct evidence for epigenetic regulation of gene expression in this simple eukaryote. This suggests that regulation of histone acetylation is involved in the control of Giardia stage differentiation, and identifies epigenetic mechanisms as a promising target to prevent Giardia transmission.
AcrA suppressor alterations reverse the drug hypersensitivity phenotype of a TolC mutant by inducing TolC aperture opening
Authors: Weeks Jon W. , Celaya‐Kolb Teresa , Pecora Sara , Misra Rajeev 
Published: February 2010

SummaryIn Escherichia coli, the TolC–AcrAB complex forms a major antibiotic efflux system with broad substrate specificity. During the complex assembly, the periplasmic helices and bottom turns of TolC are thought to interact with a hairpin helix of AcrA and hairpin loops of AcrB respectively. In the present study we show that a four‐residue substitution in TolC's turn 1, which connects outer helices 3 and 4 proximal to TolC's periplasmic aperture, confers antibiotic hypersensitivity, without affecting TolC‐mediated phage or colicin infection. However, despite the null‐like drug sensitivity phenotype, chemical cross‐linking analysis revealed no apparent defects in the ability of the mutant TolC protein to physically interact with AcrA and AcrB. A role for TolC turn 1 residues in the functional assembly of the tripartite efflux pump complex was uncovered through isolating suppressor mutations of the mutant TolC protein that mapped within acrA and by utilizing a labile AcrA protein. The data showed that AcrA‐mediated suppression of antibiotic sensitivity was achieved by dilating the TolC aperture/channel in an AcrB‐dependent manner. The results underscore the importance of the periplasmic turn 1 of TolC in the functional assembly of the tripartite efflux complex and AcrA in transitioning TolC from its closed to open state.
Health‐related quality of life of food allergic patients measured with generic and disease‐specific questionnaires
Authors: Flokstra‐de Blok B. M. J. , Van Der Velde J. L. , Vlieg‐Boerstra B. J. , Oude Elberink J. N. G. , DunnGalvin A. , Hourihane J. O’B. , Duiverman E. J. , Dubois A. E. J. 
Published: February 2010

To cite this article: Flokstra‐de Blok BMJ, van der Velde JL, Vlieg‐Boerstra BJ, Oude Elberink JNG, DunnGalvin A, Hourihane JO’B, Duiverman EJ, Dubois AEJ. Health‐related quality of life of food allergic patients measured with generic and disease‐specific questionnaires. Allergy 2010; 65: 1031–1038.AbstractBackground:  Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) has never been measured with both generic and disease‐specific questionnaires in the same group of food allergic patients. The aim of this study was to compare HRQL of food allergic patients as measured with generic and disease‐specific questionnaires.Methods:  Generic questionnaires (CHQ‐CF87 and RAND‐36) and disease‐specific HRQL questionnaires (FAQLQ‐CF, ‐TF and ‐AF) were completed by 79 children, 74 adolescents and 72 adults with food allergy. Floor and ceiling effects, percentage of agreement and multivariate stepwise regression analysis were used to compare the generic and disease‐specific measurements.Results:  The Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaires (FAQLQs) showed minimal floor or ceiling effects. The CHQ‐CF87 and RAND‐36 showed minimal floor effects, but remarkable ceiling effects (>73%) were found for the scales role functioning‐emotional (RE), role functioning‐behaviour (RB), role functioning‐physical (RP) in children and adolescents and the scale RE (>79%) in adults. Additionally, we found low percentages of agreement between the generic and disease‐specific questionnaires to identify the same food allergic patients with the best or worst HRQL. Only patients with the best disease‐specific HRQL also tended to have the best generic HRQL. Finally, the explained variance in HRQL by patient characteristics was higher in the disease‐specific questionnaires (30.7–62.8%) than in the generic scales (6.7–31.7%).Conclusion:  Disease‐specific HRQL questionnaires may be more suitable to measure clinically important impairments in HRQL or HRQL differences over time in food allergic patients. However, generic HRQL questionnaires are indispensable for the comparison between different diseases and are thus complementary.
CD8+ T cells mediate skin allergy to amoxicillin in a mouse model
Authors: Rozieres A. , Vocanson M. , Rodet K. , Benetiere J. , Bienvenu J. , Berard F. , Hennino A. , Nicolas J.‐F. 
Published: February 2010

To cite this article: Rozieres A, Vocanson M, Rodet K, Benetiere J, Bienvenu J, Berard F, Hennino A, Nicolas J‐F. CD8+ T cells mediate skin allergy to amoxicillin in a mouse model. Allergy 2010; 65: 996–1003.AbstractBackground:  Delayed allergic skin reactions to drugs are common iatrogenic diseases mediated by activation of specific T cells in the skin.Methods:  To better understand the role of T cells in these diseases, we developed a mouse model of drug allergy induced by skin sensitization to amoxicillin (amox), a penicillin antibiotic frequently involved in delayed drug allergy.Results:  Whereas wild‐type mice could not be sensitized to amox, CD4+ T‐cell‐deficient mice developed an amox‐specific allergic skin response, mediated by IFN‐γ‐producing CD8+ T cells. Amox‐specific CD8+ T cells, induced in lymphoid organs at a high frequency during sensitization, were recruited in the skin upon challenge. CD8+ T cells were effectors of the allergic skin reaction to amox as in vivo treatment with depleting anti‐CD8 mAbs abrogated the skin inflammatory reaction and as purified CD8+ T cells could adoptively transfer the allergic response to naive recipients.Conclusion:  CD8+ T cells mediate penicillin skin allergy.
Primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma: Dermoscopic and immunohistochemical features
Authors: Upjohn Edward , Braue Anna , Ryan Andrew 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTA 73‐year‐old man presented a 9‐month history of an enlarging nodule on his right temple. Dermoscopy revealed a non‐pigmented lesion with ulceration, fibrosis and pale globules. An excisional biopsy was carried out and histology showed a biphasic tumour with a basal cell carcinoma like epithelial component and a dermal undifferentiated sarcoma, with pleomorphic spindle cells and numerous osteoclast‐like giant cells. Based on immunohistochemistry findings, a diagnosis of primary cutaneous carcinosarcoma was made and the patient underwent wide local excision.
Clinical improvement in Darier's disease with photodynamic therapy
Authors: Avery Helen L , Hughes Bronwyn R , Coley Carol , Cooper Hywel L 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTWe report a patient with Darier's disease successfully treated with photodynamic therapy. She had previously been recalcitrant to treatment with emollients, topical corticosteroids and retinoids. Photodynamic therapy was trialled with significant clinical improvement in her cutaneous symptoms and signs that was maintained for over 27 months.
Annular erythema as a sign of recurrent breast cancer
Authors: Tan Eugene , Kuper‐Hommel Marion , Rademaker Marius 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThree women with known breast cancer presented with very similar annular erythemas of their chest walls. All women were in remission from their breast cancer for at least 6 months. Their breast cancers had initially responded well to multi‐modality treatment with no clinical or radiologic evidence of recurrence, until the development of the annular erythema. In the first case, the annular erythema was treated unsuccessfully as a dermatitis and then as tinea corporis. In the second case, subacute cutaneous lupus was considered but lupus antibodies were negative. In the third case, the annular erythema was promptly recognized and biopsied. Histology in all three cases revealed identical findings of invasive ductal carcinoma involving the lymphatics of the skin. Immunohistochemical staining of the carcinoma was positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 but negative for oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Annular erythema can pose a wide differential but rarely has it been described as a sign of locally recurrent cancer. These cases highlight the importance of recognizing this entity in the oncologic patient, where prompt skin biopsies can confirm the diagnosis and allow early initiation of therapy.
Relationship of alexithymia and temperament and character dimensions with lifetime post‐traumatic stress disorder in male alcohol‐dependent inpatients
Authors: Evren Cuneyt , Dalbudak Ercan , Cetin Rabia , Durkaya Mine , Evren Bilge 
Published: February 2010

Aims:  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of lifetime post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in male alcohol‐dependent inpatients and to investigate the relationship of PTSD with alexithymia and temperament and character dimensions.Methods:  Participants were 156 consecutively admitted male alcohol‐dependent subjects. Patients were investigated using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20) and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).Results:  Among alcohol‐dependent inpatients 32.1% were considered as having lifetime PTSD. Mean scores of alexithymia, novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA) and self‐transcendence (ST) were higher in the PTSD group, whereas age and self‐directedness (S) were lower. Among age and other factors of TAS‐20, ‘difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF)’ predicted PTSD in a logistic regression model. When age and personality dimensions of TCI were taken as independent variables, S predicted PTSD in the logistic regression model. Finally, among subscales of TCI, ‘impulsiveness versus reflection’ (NS2) and ‘congruent second nature versus bad habits’ (S5) predicted PTSD.Conclusions:  Alexithymia and personality traits, particularly high DIF and S scores are related with lifetime PTSD diagnosis, even when controlling for age among alcohol‐dependent inpatients. Causal relationships between alexithymia, personality dimensions and PTSD, and their implications on treatment are not clear and should be evaluated in longitudinal studies.
Randomized, single‐blind, trial of sertraline and buspirone for treatment of elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Mokhber Naghmeh , Azarpazhooh Mahmoud Reza , Khajehdaluee Mohammad , Velayati Arash , Hopwood Malcolm 
Published: February 2010

Aim:  Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in elderly people is common, but few systematic studies regarding the best treatments have been performed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sertraline and buspirone in the treatment of elderly patients with GAD.Methods:  Based on selection criteria, 46 patients were recruited who met DSM‐IV criteria for GAD. Patients were randomly assigned to sertraline (50–100 mg/day) or buspirone (10–15 mg/day) for 8 weeks in a single‐blind trial. The primary outcome measure used in the present study was the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HRSA).Results:  Both sertraline and buspirone had significant anxiolytic efficacy. A steady decrease in the total HRSA scores for both groups was observed throughout the study period. After 2 and 4 weeks, buspirone was found to be significantly superior to sertraline (P < 0.001), but at the end of study period this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.16). The mean HRSA score after 8 weeks significantly decreased in subjects treated with sertraline (P < 0.001), and buspirone (P < 0.001). No clinically adverse events or changes in laboratory test results were observed during the study period.Conclusion:  Both sertraline and buspirone appear to be efficacious and well tolerated in the treatment of GAD in elderly patients. Further studies with larger sample size, evaluating the effect of medical illness, cognitive impairment, depression, and combined therapy with support and psychotherapy are needed.
Regional cerebral blood flow changes in female to male gender identity disorder
Authors: Nawata Hideyuki , Ogomori Koji , Tanaka Mariko , Nishimura Ryoji , Urashima Hajime , Yano Rika , Takano Koichi , Kuwabara Yasuo 
Published: February 2010

Aims:  Despite a range of research on gender identity disorder (GID), at present there is no scientific consensus on whether the etiology of GID is mental or physical. In particular recent advances in the technology of neuroimaging research have led to an increased understanding of the biological basis of various mental disorders. GID also should be evaluated from this perspective. The aim of the present study was therefore to do the first trial to examine the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in GID.Methods:  Persons considered biologically male fulfilling the GID criteria are termed male to female (MTF) and, conversely, persons considered biological female are termed female to male (FTM). We compared 11 FTM subjects and nine age‐ and handedness‐matched female control subjects. None of the subjects was regularly taking medication and none had any kind of physical or psychiatric comorbidity. To evaluate rCBF in GID subjects and control subjects, statistical parametric mapping analysis of 99mTc‐ethyl‐cysteinate dimer single‐photon emission computed tomography was used.Results:  GID subjects had a significant decrease in rCBF in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and a significant increase in the right insula compared to control subjects.Conclusions:  The ACC and insula are regions that have been noted as being related to human sexual behavior and consciousness. From these findings, useful insights into the biological basis of GID were suggested.
Factors associated with postpartum depression and abusive behavior in mothers with infants
Authors: Choi Hyungin , Yamashita Tatsuhisa , Wada Yoshihisa , Narumoto Jin , Nanri Hiromi , Fujimori Akihito , Yamamoto Haruka , Nishizawa Susumu , Masaki Daiki , Fukui Kenji 
Published: February 2010

Aims: This study was conducted to examine factors associated with postpartum depression and abusive behavior in mothers with infants.Methods: Data were collected from baby check‐ups in Japan and 413 participants were included in an analysis using: (i) an Original Questionnaire; (ii) the Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale (ZSDS); (iii) the Parental Bonding Instrument; and (iv) the Childcare Anxiety Scale (CAS). Covariance structural analyses were performed to examine interconnections among the Parental Bonding Instrument subscales, CAS subscales (‘worry about parenting’, ‘burden of nursing time’, ‘difficulty of bonding’), ZSDS, ‘fear of being abusive’, and ‘abusive behavior’.Results: Of the 413 mothers, 14.5% showed higher than moderate levels of depression (ZSDS ≥ 50). In covariance structural analyses, ‘depression’ was strongly influenced by ‘worry about parenting’ in all variances, but was not associated with ‘abusive behavior’. ‘Worry about parenting’ also had a strong influence on ‘fear of being abusive’, but did not affect ‘abusive behavior’. Low ‘maternal care’ had most influence on ‘difficulty of bonding’, and ‘difficulty of bonding’ only affected ‘abusive behavior’.Conclusions: The outcome of this study suggests that excessive worrying related to postpartum depression, ‘fear of being abusive’, and bonding difficulty are primary predictors of child abuse. Postpartum depression was not a predictor for abusive behavior after exclusion of the impact of bonding difficulties on abusive behavior. Therefore, the correlation between postpartum depression and abusive behavior identified in previous reports may have been influenced by bonding difficulties.