bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solute channels of the outer membrane: from bacteria to chloroplasts
Authors: Duy Daniela , Soll Jürgen , Philippar Katrin 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Chloroplasts, unique organelles of plants, originated from endosymbiosis of an ancestor of today's cyanobacteria with a mitochondria-containing host cell. It is assumed that the outer envelope membrane, which delimits the chloroplast from the surrounding cytosol, was thus inherited from its Gram-negative bacterial ancestor. This plastid-specific membrane is thus equipped with elements of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin. In particular, the membrane-intrinsic outer envelope proteins (OEPs) form solute channels with properties reminiscent of porins and channels in the bacterial outer membrane. OEP channels are characterised by distinct specificities for metabolites and a quite peculiar expression pattern in specialised plant organs and plastids, thus disproving the assumption that the outer envelope is a non-specific molecular sieve. The same is true for the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, which functions as a permeability barrier in addition to the cytoplasmic membrane, and embeds different classes of channel pores. The channels of these prokaryotic prototype proteins, ranging from unspecific porins to specific channels to ligand-gated receptors, are exclusively built of β-barrels. Although most of the OEP channels are formed by β-strands as well, phylogeny based on sequence homology alone is not feasible. Thus, the comparison of structural and functional properties of chloroplast outer envelope and bacterial outer membrane channels is required to pinpoint the ancestral OEP ‘portrait gallery’.
A comparison of humor styles, coping humor, and mental health between Chinese and Canadian university students
Authors: Chen Guo-Hai , Martin Rod A 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis research compares the structure and correlates of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and Coping Humor Scale (CHS) in the Chinese context with those of Canadian samples. Chinese translations of the HSQ, CHS, and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were administered to 354 Chinese university students (M = 23.4 years of age, SD = 3.6). As in the original Canadian samples, four humor factors were found in the HSQ: Affliative, Self-enhancing, Aggressive, and Self-defeating humor, and one factor was found in the CHS. The HSQ and CHS scale reliabilities in the Chinese sample were generally acceptable. Chinese participants, as compared to Canadian norms, reported significantly lower scores on the HSQ subscales and CHS, particularly on Aggressive humor. No significant gender differences were found on the four HSQ subscales in the Chinese sample, whereas Canadian males reported more use of Aggressive and Self-defeating humor than did females. Although no gender difference was found on Coping humor in the Canadian samples, Chinese males had significantly higher scores on this scale than did females. In both the Chinese and Canadian samples, younger participants reported more use of Affliative and Aggressive humor than did older ones. Affliative, Self-enhancing, and Coping humor were negatively correlated, while Aggressive and Selfdefeating humor were positively correlated with the subscales and General Symptomatic Index of the SCL-90. Regression results indicated that mental health is more strongly related to Self-enhancing, Self-defeating, and Coping humor than Affliative and Aggressive humor. Overall, the findings support the theoretical structure and usefulness of the HSQ and CHS in the Chinese context.
Orthographic puns: The case of Japanese kyoka
Authors: Takanashi Hiroko 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper proposes a cognitive model for processing humor in puns written in kanji (logographs) and kana (phonographs) in kyoka. Kyoka is a genre of playful Japanese poetry, and it characteristically employs puns for language play and humor. This study shows how kyoka poets manipulate the use of kanji and kana orthography to trick their readers in different ways, directing readers to different processing routes of kanji and kana puns. Kanji puns offer direct access to one particular meaning, and the discovery of another hidden meaning is a surprise. Kana puns, on the other hand, produce semantic ambiguity, and the discovery of the two meanings results from an appreciation of their incompatibility. This study adds a visual aspect to the sound aspect of puns, and demonstrates ways in which cultural resources affect their processing.
Compounding construction in Thai: Its contribution to humor
Authors: Jaroenkiatboworn Kanjana 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper analyzes some jokes in Thai, which is an isolating language. The focus of this paper is on a linguistic construction, which has high potential for structural ambiguities in Thai, that is, noun compound. The result of this study shows that they are a good resource for constructing two types of ambiguities in Thai jokes: case relation ambiguity, which is the ambiguity of surface realization of case relation, in which a noun or noun phrase can have more than one semantic role, and class ambiguity, which is an ambiguity that causes one word class to be mistaken for another class. As researches on puns in non-inflectional languages are rarely talked of in relation to others, this work might shed light on the study of puns from a new perspective.
Diagnostic Tests for Children Who Are Referred for the Investigation of Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Batista Dalia L. , Riar Jehan , Keil Meg , Stratakis Constantine A. 
Published: August 2007

OBJECTIVE. Endogenous Cushing syndrome in children is a rare disorder that is most frequently caused by pituitary or adrenocortical tumors. Diagnostic criteria have generally been derived from studies of adult patients despite significant differences in both the physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the epidemiology of Cushing syndrome in childhood. The purpose of this study was to identify the tests that most reliably and efficiently diagnose pituitary or adrenal tumors in a large cohort of pediatric patients with Cushing syndrome.
METHODS. A retrospective review of clinical data of children who were referred to a tertiary care center for evaluation for Cushing syndrome during the years 1997 to 2005 was conducted. A total of 125 consecutive children were studied retrospectively; 105 were found to have Cushing syndrome, which was confirmed histologically; and 20 children who did not have Cushing syndrome or any other endocrinopathy served as the control group. The following tests were performed in all children: midnight and morning cortisol, corticotropin hormone, urinary free cortisol and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid levels, ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, and overnight high-dosage dexamethasone suppression test. Imaging of the pituitary and adrenal glands was also obtained. The main outcome measure was the sensitivity of these parameters for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome at 100% specificity.
RESULTS. A midnight cortisol value of ≥4.4 μg/dL confirmed the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome in almost all children, with a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100%. Suppression of morning cortisol levels &gt;20% in response to an overnight, high-dosage dexamethasone test excluded all patients with adrenal tumors and identified almost all patients with pituitary tumors (sensitivity: 97.5%; specificity: 100%).
CONCLUSIONS. Our study suggests that among children who were referred for the evaluation of possible Cushing syndrome, a single cortisol value at midnight followed by overnight high-dosage dexamethasone test led to rapid and accurate confirmation and diagnostic differentiation, respectively, of hypercortisolemia caused by pituitary and adrenal tumors.
Trivalent Live Attenuated Intranasal Influenza Vaccine Administered During the 2003–2004 Influenza Type A (H3N2) Outbreak Provided Immediate, Direct, and Indirect Protection in Children
Authors: Piedra Pedro A. , Gaglani Manjusha J. , Kozinetz Claudia A. , Herschler Gayla B. , Fewlass Charles , Harvey Dianne , Zimmerman Nadine , Glezen W. Paul 
Published: August 2007

OBJECTIVE. Live attenuated influenza vaccine may protect against wild-type influenza illness shortly after vaccine administration by innate immunity. The 2003–2004 influenza A (H3N2) outbreak arrived early, and the circulating strain was antigenically distinct from the vaccine strain. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of influenza vaccines for healthy school-aged children when administered during the influenza outbreak.DESIGN/METHODS. An open-labeled, nonrandomized, community-based influenza vaccine trial was conducted in children 5 to 18 years old. Age-eligible healthy children received trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine. Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine was given to children with underlying health conditions. Influenza-positive illness was compared between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children. Medically attended acute respiratory illness and pneumonia and influenza rates for Scott and White Health Plan vaccinees were compared with age-eligible Scott and White Health Plan nonparticipants in the intervention communities. Herd protection was assessed by comparing age-specific medically attended acute respiratory illness rates in Scott and White Health Plan members in the intervention and comparison communities.RESULTS. We administered 1 dose of trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine or trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine to 6569 and 1040 children, respectively (31.5% vaccination coverage), from October 10 to December 30, 2003. The influenza outbreak occurred from October 12 to December 20, 2003. Significant protection against influenza-positive illness (37.3%) and pneumonia and influenza events (50%) was detected in children who received trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine but not trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. Trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine recipients had similar protection against influenza-positive illness within 14 days compared with &gt;14 days (10 of 25 vs 9 of 30) after vaccination. Indirect effectiveness against medically attended acute respiratory illness was detected in children 5 to 11 and adults 35 to 44 years of age.CONCLUSION. One dose of trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine was efficacious in children even when administered during an influenza outbreak and when the dominant circulating influenza virus was antigenically distinct from the vaccine strain. We hypothesize that trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine provides protection against influenza by both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms.
Depression, Hopelessness, and Sleep in Cancer Patients' Desire for Death
Authors: Mystakidou Kyriaki , Parpa Efi , Tsilika Eleni , Pathiaki Maria , Galanos Antonis , Vlahos Lambros 
Published: August 2007

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of clinical characteristics and risk factors for hastened death in advanced cancer patients. Methods: Patients completed the Greek version of Schedule of Attitudes toward Hastened Death (G-SAHD), a sleep quality measure, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a Greek version of a depression inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a hopelessness scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the assessment of pain. Patients: The final sample consisted of 102 terminally ill cancer patients attending a Palliative Care Unit. Results: Statistically significant associations were found between G-SAHD and patients performance status (ECOG) (χ2 = 8.62, p = 0.003). Strongest associations were observed between desire for death, depression, and hopelessness ( r = 0.468, p < 0.0005, r = 0.678, p < 0.0005, respectively). In the prediction of G-SHAD the contribution of “hopelessness” ( p < 0.0005), “depression” ( p < 0.0005), “use of sleeping medication” ( p < 0.0005), and “sleep quality” (p=0.001) was high (59% of variance). Conclusion: Depression, hopelessness, and sleep quality appeared to have a statistically significant relationship with desire for hastened death. Health care professionals finding desire for death in advanced cancer patients should not only consider depression and hopelessness, but also other factors such as poor sleep quality in their diagnostic formulations in order to provide the appropriate treatment.
Specific Psychiatric Morbidity among a Sample of Asthmatics in South Western Nigeria
Authors: Mosaku Samuel K. , Erhabor Gregory E. , Morakinyo Olufemi 
Published: August 2007

Objective: This study was to identify specific psychiatric morbidity among asthma patients and to compare their rates to controls. Method: Hundred consecutive asthmatics were screened using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), and the Present State Examination (PSE). The same instruments were also administered to 75 healthy individuals, and 75 orthopaedic patients. Results: Patients with asthma had a higher occurrence of psychopathology. The specific psychiatric diagnoses among asthmatics were generalized anxiety disorder (23%), depressive disorder (11%), while 2% had panic disorder. Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity is more common among asthmatics, than the general population and other patient group.
Religiosity, Anxiety, and Depression among a Sample of Iranian Medical Students
Authors: Vasegh Sasan , Mohammadi Mohammad-Reza 
Published: August 2007

Objective: There are many studies of religion and mental health in a Christian context, but studies in Islamic countries are few. Most previous studies used only a single question for measuring religion, and several of them showed negative associations between religion and indexes of anxiety or depression among older people. This study preliminary assesses the associations between religious variables, anxiety, and depression in a sample of Muslim students. Method: This cross-sectional study examines a sample of medical students (N=285) for association(s) between religiosity, anxiety, and depression. The subjects completed a Muslim religiosity questionnaire including religious beliefs, emotions, and behaviors subscales and the Beck anxiety and depression inventories during their psychiatry rotation at Roozbeh psychiatric hospital, Tehran, Iran. Results: all the three religious subscales were negatively associated with and negatively predicted depression and anxiety; but only prediction of anxiety by the religious beliefs score was statistically significant. Conclusions: These findings provide further evidence for a protective role of religion against anxiety and depression but more studies are required.
The Prevalence of Anxiety Symptoms and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Somatic Disorders in Urban China: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Fu Chao-Wei , Tan Alison W. , Sheng Feng , Luan Rong-Sheng , Zhan Si-Yan , Chen Wei-Qing , Wang Wei-Bing , Rosenberg Daniel M. , Xu Biao 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients with somatic diseases in urban China. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in four major cities of China from June to August in 2004. There were 2111 eligible subjects with Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Epilepsy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Dyspepsia, and Menopausal Syndrome, and 317 Post-natal women were recruited from general hospitals. Self-completed hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) questionnaire was used for screening anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Subjects with a HAD score of >=9 were further assessed with Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) by certified psychologists or psychiatrists. Results: The prevalence of “screened” depressive and anxiety symptoms using HAD were 11 ∼ 19% and 11 ∼ 22% respectively in patients with above somatic diseases and post-natal women. Assessed by HAMA/HAMD scale, the prevalence of “definite” depressive symptoms was 30% ∼ 59% in subjects with “screened” depressive symptoms, and 44% ∼ 84% in subjects with “screened” anxiety symptoms. About half of the subjects had co-morbidity depressive and anxiety symptoms. Less than one-fourth of these subjects had ever been diagnosed as depressive/anxiety disorders and been treated prior to the investigation. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence and low diagnosis and treatment rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with these somatic diseases in China.
Effects of cholinesterase inhibitor metrifonate on naive rats and rats with a model of hypoxia-induced impaired memory
Authors: Dimitrova Darinka , Getova Damianka , Belovezdov Vesselin 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Cholinesterase inhibitors are currently used in the therapy of different kind of dementia to improve brain memory functions. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor metrifonate was studied in naive rats and in rats with a model of sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia. One active avoidance test and in two passive avoidance tests were used. In the active avoidance test metrifonate increased the number of avoidances during the learning session only. In both passive avoidance tests, metrifonate prolonged latency differently during the learning session and in short-term or in long-term memory retention. Hypoxic rats showed lower numbers of avoidances in learning and memory retention sessions. Metrifonate increased the number of avoidances during the learning session for hypoxic rats. In the step-through passive avoidance test, metrifonate increased the latency of reactions in the learning session and in long-term memory retention tests. In the step-down passive avoidance test, the groups with hypoxia and metrifonate did not change the latency of reaction in the learning and long-term memory retention sessions, but increased the latency of reactions in the short-term memory retention test. Morphological data showed a significant impaired neuronal structure in a CA1 zone of the hippocampus in hypoxic rats and a tendency to preserving in rats treated with metrifonate. Our results suggest that metrifonate improves cognitive functions in naive and in hypoxic rats.
Narrowing the DYT6 dystonia region and evidence for locus heterogeneity in the Amish–Mennonites
Authors: Saunders‐Pullman Rachel , Raymond Deborah , Senthil Geetha , Kramer Patricia , Ohmann Erin , Deligtisch Amanda , Shanker Vicki , Greene Paul , Tabamo Rowena , Huang Neng , Tagliati Michele , Kavanagh Patricia , Soto‐Valencia Jeannie , Aguiar Patricia de Carvalho , Risch Neil , Ozelius Laurie , Bressman Susan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe DYT6 gene for primary torsion dystonia (PTD) was mapped to chromosome 8p21‐q22 in two Amish–Mennonite families who shared a haplotype of marker alleles across a 40 cM linked region. The objective of this study was to narrow the DYT6 region, clinically characterize DYT6 dystonia in a larger cohort, and to determine whether DYT6 is associated with dystonia in newly ascertained multiplex families. We systematically examined familial Amish–Mennonite dystonia cases, identifying five additional members from the original families, as well as three other multiplex Amish–Mennonite families, and evaluated the known DYT6 haplotype and recombination events. One of the three new families carried the shared haplotype, whereas the region was excluded in the two other families, suggesting genetic heterogeneity for PTD in the Amish–Mennonites. Clinical features in the five newly identified DYT6 carriers were similar to those initially described. In contrast, affected individuals from the excluded families had a later age of onset (46.9 years vs. 16.1 years in the DYT6), and the dystonia was both more likely to be of focal distribution and begin in the cervical muscles. Typing of additional markers in the DYT6‐linked families revealed recombinations that now place the gene in a 23 cM region surrounding the centromere. In summary, the DYT6 gene is in a 23 cM region on chromosome 8q21‐22 and does not account for all familial PTD in Amish–Mennonites. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth hormone analysis and treatment in Ellis–van Creveld syndrome
Authors: Versteegh Florens G.A. , Buma Sannine A. , Costin Gertrude , de Jong Wilfried C. , Hennekam Raoul C.M. ,   EvC Working Party
Published: August 2007

AbstractLittle is known on growth, growth hormone (GH) levels and GH treatment in patients with Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EvC). The aim of the present study was to assess growth, growth hormone status and the possible effectiveness of GH treatment in literature and in a small series of EvC patients. A review of literature indicated retarded growth for most EvC patients (−2 to −4.5 SDS) and minimal data on GH levels or treatment which did not allow any conclusion. We studied eight EvC patients, seven of whom were treated with GH. Four were GH deficient (GHD) and four were GH sufficient. In all patients treated with GH, first year growth velocity increased. In three of the four GHD and in one GH‐sufficient patient a gain in height SDS was noted. In the present small EvC series GHD occurred more often than expected. Patient acquisition through the Growth Hormone Database will have caused a significant bias, but the present results indicate that GH treatment may improve growth in at least some patients with EvC. Therefore we conclude that EvC patients may benefit from being tested for GHD and, if indicated, treated. In addition a prospective study to evaluate GH status and linear growth in patients with EvC as well as the potential effectiveness of GH treatment is warranted. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal detection and outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) associated with deletion of chromosome 15q26: Two patients and review of the literature
Authors: Klaassens M. , Galjaard R.J.H. , Scott D.A. , Brüggenwirth H.T. , van Opstal D. , Fox M.V. , Higgins R.R. , Cohen‐Overbeek T.E. , Schoonderwaldt E.M. , Lee B. , Tibboel D. , de Klein A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe birth defect characterized by a defect in the diaphragm with pulmonary hypoplasia and postnatal pulmonary hypertension. Approximately 50% of CDH cases are associated with other non‐pulmonary congenital anomalies (so called non‐isolated CDH) and in 5–10% of cases there is a chromosomal etiology. The majority of CDH cases are detected prenatally. In some cases prenatal chromosome analysis reveals a causative chromosomal anomaly, most often aneuploidy. Deletion of 15q26 is the most frequently described structural chromosomal aberration in patients with non‐isolated CDH. In this paper we report on two patients with a deletion of 15q26 and phenotypes similar to other patients with CDH caused by 15q26 deletions. This phenotype consists of intra‐uterine growth retardation, left‐sided CDH, cardiac anomalies and characteristic facial features, similar to those seen in Fryns syndrome. We propose that when this combination of birth defects is identified, either pre‐ or postnatally, further investigations to confirm or exclude a deletion of 15q26 are indicated, since the diagnosis of this deletion will have major consequences for the prognosis and, therefore, can affect decision making. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A microduplication of CBP in a patient with mental retardation and a congenital heart defect
Authors: Thienpont Bernard , Breckpot Jeroen , Holvoet Maureen , Vermeesch Joris R. , Devriendt Koen 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRubinstein–Taybi syndrome is a well‐characterized genetic syndrome caused by haploinsufficiency of CBP in a majority of individuals. In 10% of cases a microdeletion in 16p13.3 affecting CBP is detected. We report on a patient with a de novo 345–480 kb micro‐duplication the region, encompassing only CBP and TRAP1. This boy presented with various minor physical anomalies, moderate mental retardation, and an atrial septal defect, but none of the other typical characteristics of the Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome, such as the broad thumbs and first toes or facial characteristics. This finding implicates CBP as one of the causative genes for the trisomy 16p13 syndrome, and indicates this is a contiguous gene syndrome. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.