bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between exploratory eye movement, P300, and reaction time in schizophrenia
Authors: Takahashi Sakae , Tanabe Eiichi , Sakai Teiichiro , Matsuura Masato , Matsushima Eisuke , Obayashi Shigeru , Kojima Takuya 
Published: July 2008

Aims:  Exploratory eye movement (EEM), P300 and reaction time (RT) tests may relate to the important parts of information processing in the human brain. Therefore the aim of the present study was to compare EEM, P300 and RT test data in schizophrenic and normal control groups to investigate whether schizophrenic patients have information processing abnormalities. In addition, the potential correspondence between the three tests was examined in order to investigate the information processing dysfunctions seen in schizophrenic patients.Methods:  The EEM, P300 and RT performances were recorded in 34 schizophrenic and 36 normal control subjects. Ten parameters were measured: four from the EEM test (number of eye fixations, total eye scanning length, cognitive search score and responsive search score [RSS]); two from the P300 test (amplitude and latency); and four from the RT test (simple reaction time, index of reaction time crossover [IRT‐crossover], set index and coefficient of variation).Results:  These parameters in the schizophrenic patients differed significantly from those in the control group. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between the RSS and the IRT‐crossover in the schizophrenic patients.Conclusion:  The present group comparisons (schizophrenia vs normal controls) are consistent with previous studies in that the abnormalities in EEM, P300 and RT tests in schizophrenic patients were able to be replicated. Moreover, based on the former psychological theory, it is reasonable to propose that the RSS is associated with the IRT‐crossover. The present results may contribute to elucidation of the pathophysiological signature of schizophrenia.
Predictors of subjective and objective quality of life in outpatients with schizophrenia
Authors: Yamauchi Ken , Aki Hirofumi , Tomotake Masahito , Iga Jun‐Ichi , Numata Syusuke , Motoki Ikuyo , Izaki Yumiko , Tayoshi Shinya , Kinouchi Sawako , Sumitani Satsuki , Tayoshi Sumiko , Takikawa Yumiko , Kaneda Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Takahide , Ishimoto Yasuhito , Ueno Syu‐Ichi , Ohmori Tetsuro 
Published: July 2008

Aim:  In recent years, greater attention has been given to quality of life (QOL) in schizophrenia and several studies reported that negative and depressive symptoms and cognitive dysfunction are related to patient QOL. But because a variety of QOL measures have been used in the previous studies, there seems to be no unanimous predictors for subjective and objective QOL. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between clinical variables and subjective and objective QOL in outpatients with schizophrenia, using schizophrenia disease‐specific QOL measures. Particular attention was paid to cognitive function as a predictor of QOL.Methods:  Schizophrenia symptoms of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were divided into five factors: positive factor, negative factor, cognitive factor, emotional discomfort, and hostility. The study sample consisted of 84 schizophrenia outpatients. Subjective and objective QOL were assessed with Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS) and the Quality of Life Scale (QLS), respectively.Results:  Subjective QOL correlated significantly with emotional discomfort, positive factor, negative factor, extrapyramidal symptoms and cognitive factor, while objective QOL correlated with negative factor, cognitive factor, emotional discomfort, extrapyramidal symptoms, and dose of antipsychotics. Total score and three of four subscales in the QLS correlated significantly with cognitive factor, while cognitive factor had a significant correlation with only one of three scales of SQLS. Stepwise regression showed that subjective QOL was significantly predicted by emotional discomfort and extrapyramidal symptoms, while negative factor was the most important predictor of objective QOL.Conclusion:  Cognitive dysfunction had a greater influence on objective QOL than subjective QOL. Treating depressive and negative symptoms and extrapyramidal symptoms might contribute to enhanced subjective and objective QOL.
Chronic effect of nicotine on serotonin transporter mRNA in the raphe nucleus of rats: Reversal by co‐administration of bupropion
Authors: Semba Jun'ichi , Wakuta Maki 
Published: July 2008

Aim: Epidemiologic studies suggest the existence of a biological link between nicotine withdrawal and depression. To investigate the neuronal mechanisms of the precipitation of depression during smoking cessation, an animal model of nicotine withdrawal was used, and the expression of serotonin transporter (5HTT), abnormality of which is implicated in the pathogenesis of depression, was investigated. The effect of co‐administration of bupropion, which has been clinically shown to ameliorate nicotine withdrawal symptoms, was also investigated in this model.Methods: Male Wistar rats were implanted with a minipump s.c., which delivered nicotine at a rate of 6 mg/kg per day for 12 days (days 1–12). Rats given chronic nicotine were killed on day 13, or 2 days after the removal of minipump (withdrawal day 2). In a separate experiment, bupropion (15 or 30 mg/kg per day) was injected into the nicotine infused rats on days 2–12. The expression of mRNA for 5HTT in the dorsal raphe was determined onin situhybridization.Results: Chronic nicotine infusion resulted in the reduction of 5HTT mRNA expression, which lasted through withdrawal day 2. Co‐administration of bupropion, however, significantly antagonized this reduction.Conclusions: Chronic nicotine infusion reduces the synthesis of 5HTT protein, which may consequently precipitate depression during nicotine withdrawal, but co‐administration of bupropion may ameliorate withdrawal symptoms by counteracting nicotine's effect on 5HTT.
Prevalence of and risk factors for suicide‐related outcomes in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys Japan
Authors: Ono Yutaka , Kawakami Norito , Nakane Yoshibumi , Nakamura Yosikazu , Tachimori Hisateru , Iwata Noboru , Uda Hidenori , Nakane Hideyuki , Watanabe Makoto , Naganuma Yoichi , Furukawa Toshiaki A. , Hata Yukihiro , Kobayashi Masayo , Miyake Yuko , Tajima Miyuki , Takeshima Tadashi , Kikkawa Takehiko 
Published: July 2008

Aim:  Suicide is a major public health concern in Japan but little is known about the prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. The aim of the present study was to clarify the prevalence of and risk factors for important suicide‐related outcomes.Methods:  Important suicide‐related outcomes and risk factors were assessed in face‐to‐face interviews with 2436 adult respondents in seven areas as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Mental disorders were assessed with the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).Results:  The lifetime prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 10.9%, 2.1%, and 1.9%, respectively. Risk of suicide plans and attempts was highest when suicidal ideation occurred at an early age and within the first year of ideation. In middle‐aged individuals, the period after first employment and the presence of mental disorders were risk factors.Conclusions:  Risk of suicide plans and attempts is highest when suicidal ideation occurred at an earlier age and within the first year of ideation. Mental disorders are as predictive of the suicide‐related outcomes examined here, and comorbidity is an important predictor.
Alexithymia and temperament and character model of personality in alcohol‐dependent Turkish men
Authors: Evren Cuneyt , Kose Samet , Sayar Kemal , Ozcelik Basak , Borckardt Jeffrey P. , Elhai Jon D. , Cloninger C. Robert 
Published: July 2008

Aims:  Alexithymia, a personality trait characterized as having problems identifying, describing, and working with one's own feelings, often marked by a lack of understanding of the feelings of others, is only partly described within the context of personality. The aim of the present study was therefore to study the prevalence of alexithymia among male alcohol‐dependent inpatients and investigate the relationship between alexithymia and the dimensions of Cloninger's psychobiological model of personality.Methods:  The Turkish version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20) and the Turkish version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were administered to 111 male alcohol‐dependent inpatients.Results:  TAS‐20 scores correlated positively with harm avoidance and self‐transcendence and negatively with self‐directedness and cooperativeness. Regression analysis identified high harm avoidance and self‐transcendence and low self‐directedness as independent predictors of alexithymia. Also harm avoidance and self‐transcendence predicted alexithymia in a logistic regression model.Conclusions:  Alexithymia can be explained by specific dimensions within Cloninger's psychobiological model of personality in alcohol‐dependent Turkish men.
Relationship of attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder symptoms, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and life quality in young men
Authors: Chao Che‐Yi , Gau Susan S. F. , Mao Wei‐Chung , Shyu Jia‐Fwu , Chen Yi‐Chyan , Yeh Chin‐Bin 
Published: July 2008

Aim:  Attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to be among the most frequently missed of psychiatric diagnoses in adults because its presentation in adulthood so often mimics those of better‐known disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between ADHD symptoms, depression/anxiety symptoms, and life quality in young men.Methods:  Nine hundred and twenty‐nine draftees into the Taiwanese army completed the Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale (ASRS), the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life–Brief Version, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Scale. Based on high ASRS scores, a total of 328 adults (35.3%) were identified as having ADHD: 65 (7.0%) with definite ADHD and 263 (28.3%) with probable ADHD.Results:  The 328 subjects in the ADHD group had more severe depressive, anxiety symptoms and daytime sleepiness, and had poorer quality of life than the 601 controls (all P < 0.05).Conclusions:  ADHD should be included in the differential diagnosis for young men presenting with anxiety, depression, daytime sleepiness, and poor quality of life.
Phylogenetic niche conservatism, phylogenetic signal and the relationship between phylogenetic relatedness and ecological similarity among species
Authors: Losos Jonathan B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEcologists are increasingly adopting an evolutionary perspective, and in recent years, the idea that closely related species are ecologically similar has become widespread. In this regard, phylogenetic signal must be distinguished from phylogenetic niche conservatism. Phylogenetic niche conservatism results when closely related species are more ecologically similar that would be expected based on their phylogenetic relationships; its occurrence suggests that some process is constraining divergence among closely related species. In contrast, phylogenetic signal refers to the situation in which ecological similarity between species is related to phylogenetic relatedness; this is the expected outcome of Brownian motion divergence and thus is necessary, but not sufficient, evidence for the existence of phylogenetic niche conservatism. Although many workers consider phylogenetic niche conservatism to be common, a review of case studies indicates that ecological and phylogenetic similarities often are not related. Consequently, ecologists should not assume that phylogenetic niche conservatism exists, but rather should empirically examine the extent to which it occurs.
Nitrogen additions and microbial biomass: a meta‐analysis of ecosystem studies
Authors: Treseder Kathleen K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNitrogen (N) enrichment is an element of global change that could influence the growth and abundance of many organisms. In this meta‐analysis, I synthesized responses of microbial biomass to N additions in 82 published field studies. I hypothesized that the biomass of fungi, bacteria or the microbial community as a whole would be altered under N additions. I also predicted that changes in biomass would parallel changes in soil CO2emissions. Microbial biomass declined 15% on average under N fertilization, but fungi and bacteria were not significantly altered in studies that examined each group separately. Moreover, declines in abundance of microbes and fungi were more evident in studies of longer durations and with higher total amounts of N added. In addition, responses of microbial biomass to N fertilization were significantly correlated with responses of soil CO2emissions. There were no significant effects of biomes, fertilizer types, ambient N deposition rates or methods of measuring biomass. Altogether, these results suggest that N enrichment could reduce microbial biomass in many ecosystems, with corresponding declines in soil CO2emissions.
Portal protein diversity and phage ecology
Authors: Sullivan Matthew B. , Coleman Maureen L. , Quinlivan Vanessa , Rosenkrantz Jessica E. , DeFrancesco Alicia S. , Tan G. , Fu Ross , Lee Jessica A. , Waterbury John B. , Bielawski Joseph P. , Chisholm Sallie W. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryOceanic phages are critical components of the global ecosystem, where they play a role in microbial mortality and evolution. Our understanding of phage diversity is greatly limited by the lack of useful genetic diversity measures. Previous studies, focusing on myophages that infect the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus, have used the coliphage T4 portal‐protein‐encoding homologue, gene 20 (g20), as a diversity marker. These studies revealed 10 sequence clusters, 9 oceanic and 1 freshwater, where only 3 contained cultured representatives. We sequenced g20 from 38 marine myophages isolated using a diversity of Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus hosts to see if any would fall into the clusters that lacked cultured representatives. On the contrary, all fell into the three clusters that already contained sequences from cultured phages. Further, there was no obvious relationship between host of isolation, or host range, and g20 sequence similarity. We next expanded our analyses to all available g20 sequences (769 sequences), which include PCR amplicons from wild uncultured phages, non‐PCR amplified sequences identified in the Global Ocean Survey (GOS) metagenomic database, as well as sequences from cultured phages, to evaluate the relationship between g20 sequence clusters and habitat features from which the phage sequences were isolated. Even in this meta‐data set, very few sequences fell into the sequence clusters without cultured representatives, suggesting that the latter are very rare, or sequencing artefacts. In contrast, sequences most similar to the culture‐containing clusters, the freshwater cluster and two novel clusters, were more highly represented, with one particular culture‐containing cluster representing the dominant g20 genotype in the unamplified GOS sequence data. Finally, while some g20 sequences were non‐randomly distributed with respect to habitat, there were always numerous exceptions to general patterns, indicating that phage portal proteins are not good predictors of a phage's host or the habitat in which a particular phage may thrive.
Ontogeny of manipulative behavior and nut‐cracking in young tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella): a Perception–action perspective
Authors: De Resende Briseida Dogo , Ottoni Eduardo B. , Fragaszy Dorothy M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHow do capuchin monkeys learn to use stones to crack open nuts? Perception–action theory posits that individuals explore producing varying spatial and force relations among objects and surfaces, thereby learning about affordances of such relations and how to produce them. Such learning supports the discovery of tool use. We present longitudinal developmental data from semifree‐ranging tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) to evaluate predictions arising from Perception–action theory linking manipulative development and the onset of tool‐using. Percussive actions bringing an object into contact with a surface appeared within the first year of life. Most infants readily struck nuts and other objects against stones or other surfaces from 6 months of age, but percussive actions alone were not sufficient to produce nut‐cracking sequences. Placing the nut on the anvil surface and then releasing it, so that it could be struck with a stone, was the last element necessary for nut‐cracking to appear in capuchins. Young chimpanzees may face a different challenge in learning to crack nuts: they readily place objects on surfaces and release them, but rarely vigorously strike objects against surfaces or other objects. Thus the challenges facing the two species in developing the same behavior (nut‐cracking using a stone hammer and an anvil) may be quite different. Capuchins must inhibit a strong bias to hold nuts so that they can release them; chimpanzees must generate a percussive action rather than a gentle placing action. Generating the right actions may be as challenging as achieving the right sequence of actions in both species. Our analysis suggests a new direction for studies of social influence on young primates learning sequences of actions involving manipulation of objects in relation to surfaces.
Toddlers’ joint engagement experience facilitates preschoolers’ acquisition of theory of mind
Authors: Nelson P. Brooke , Adamson Lauren B. , Bakeman Roger 
Published: July 2008

AbstractForty‐two children participated in a longitudinal study that investigated the relationship between their joint engagement experience when toddlers and their development of theory of mind when preschoolers. Controlling for language comprehension at 30 months, higher preschool false belief scores were associated with more time in coordinated joint engagement earlier (18–21 mo, β=.34) and in symbol‐infused joint engagement later (27–30 mo, β=.35) in toddlerhood. Findings suggest that the early foundation of theory of mind development is laid as toddlers attend to both social‐emotional and symbolic aspects of shared events.
Systematic review of school‐based interventions that focus on changing dietary intake and physical activity levels to prevent childhood obesity: an update to the obesity guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
Authors: Brown T. , Summerbell C. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryTo determine the effectiveness of school‐based interventions that focus on changing dietary intake and physical activity levels to prevent childhood obesity. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched (January 2006 to September 2007) for controlled trials of school‐based lifestyle interventions, minimum duration of 12 weeks, reporting weight outcome. Thirty‐eight studies were included; 15 new studies and 23 studies included within the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence obesity guidance. One of three diet studies, five of 15 physical activity studies and nine of 20 combined diet and physical activity studies demonstrated significant and positive differences between intervention and control for body mass index. There is insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions or diet vs. physical activity interventions. School‐based physical activity interventions may help children maintain a healthy weight but the results are inconsistent and short‐term. Physical activity interventions may be more successful in younger children and in girls. Studies were heterogeneous, making it difficult to generalize about what interventions are effective. The findings are inconsistent, but overall suggest that combined diet and physical activity school‐based interventions may help prevent children becoming overweight in the long term. Physical activity interventions, particularly in girls in primary schools, may help to prevent these children from becoming overweight in the short term.
‘Fortress SA’: Xenophobic violence in South Africa
Authors: Sharp John 
Published: July 2008

There are many circumstances in which South Africans and foreigners from elsewhere in Africa pursue shared interests peacefully. Anthropological field research points to a range of these circumstances, which have largely been ignored by commentators attempting to explain the episode of mass‘xenophobic’violence that wracked South African cities and towns in May 2008. Explanations such as the one criticised in this article focus on the xenophobic attitudes of ordinary South Africans, and link these attitudes to competition for resources between locals who are poor and their equally poor counterparts from further north.Recent research indicates, however, not only that relationships between poor South Africans and poor foreigners are more complex than most commentators allow, but also that South African xenophobia begins at the top, among the leaders of the ANC government and the black and white elites whose interests it serves. This article argues that a newly‐issued report on the xenophobic violence by a government‐orientated think tank reproduces the dominant xenophobic discourse in its recommendation that the state should construct a‘Fortress SA’with impenetrable borders. Yet this report seeks to mask its adherence to official discourse by representing its proposals as a response to the xenophobic attitudes of poor South Africans.
Distinct patterns of grey matter abnormality in high‐functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome
Authors: McAlonan Gráinne M. , Suckling John , Wong Naikei , Cheung Vinci , Lienenkaemper Nina , Cheung Charlton , Chua Siew E. 
Published: July 2008

Background:  Autism exists across a wide spectrum and there is considerable debate as to whether children with Asperger’s syndrome, who have normal language milestones, should be considered to comprise a subgroup distinct other from high‐functioning children with autism (HFA), who have a history of delayed language development. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of autism are in disagreement. One possible reason is that the diagnosis of autism takes precedence over Asperger’s syndrome and a distinction in language acquisition is rarely made. We therefore planned to examine a whole brain hypothesis that the patterns of grey matter differences in Asperger’s syndrome and HFA can be distinguished.Methods:  We used voxel‐based computational morphometry to map grey matter volume differences in 33 children with either Asperger’s syndrome or high‐functioning autism compared to 55 typical developing control children balanced for age, IQ, gender, maternal language and ethnicity.Results:  Children with HFA had significantly smaller grey matter volumes in subcortical, posterior cingulate and precuneus regions than the Asperger’s group. Compared to controls, children with HFA had smaller grey matter volumes in predominantly fronto‐pallidal regions, while children with Asperger’s had less grey matter in mainly bilateral caudate and left thalamus. In addition we found a significant negative correlation between the size of a grey matter cluster around BA44 language area and the age of acquisition of phrase speech in the children with HFA. When the groups were combined we confirmed a mixed picture of smaller grey matter volumes in frontal, basal ganglia, temporal and parietal regions.Conclusions:  Our study suggests that the underlying neurobiology in HFA and Asperger’s syndrome is at least partly discrete. Future studies should therefore consider the history of language acquisition as a valuable tool to refine investigation of aetiological factors and management options in pervasive developmental disorders.