bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological markers of intellectual disability in tuberous sclerosis
Authors: RAZNAHAN ARMIN , HIGGINS NICHOLAS P. , GRIFFITHS PAUL D. , HUMPHREY AYLA , YATES JOHN R. W. , BOLTON PATRICK F. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTBackgroundIntellectual disability (ID) is highly prevalent in tuberous sclerosis (TS). Putative neurobiological risk factors include indices of cortical tuber (CT) load and epilepsy. We have used univariate and multivariate analyses, including both CT and epilepsy measures as predictors, in an attempt to clarify the pattern of cross-sectional associations between these variables and ID in TS.MethodForty-eight children, adolescents and young adults with TS were identified through regional specialist clinics. All subjects underwent thorough history taking and examination, and had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The number and regional distribution of CTs was recorded. Subjects were assigned to one of nine ordered intellectual quotient (IQ) categories (range <25 to >130) using age-appropriate tests of intelligence.ResultsOn univariate analyses, ID was significantly associated with both a history of infantile spasm (IS) (Z=−2·49, p=0·01) and total CT count (Spearman's ρ=−0·30, p=0·04). When controlling for total CT count, the presence of CTs in frontal (regression coefficient=−2·43, p=0·02) and temporal (regression coefficient=−1·60, p=0·02) lobes was significantly associated with ID. In multivariate analyses the association between IS and ID was rendered insignificant by the inclusion of the presence of CTs in temporal and frontal lobes, both of which remained associated (p=0·05 and p=0·06 respectively) with ID.ConclusionsThe presence of CTs in specific brain regions as opposed to a history of IS was associated with ID in TS. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to previous work in TS, and the neural basis of intelligence.
Who is food-insecure in California? Findings from the California Women's Health Survey, 2004
Authors: Kaiser Lucia , Baumrind Nikki , Dumbauld Sheila 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo identify factors associated with food insecurity in California women.DesignThe California Women's Health Survey is an ongoing annual telephone survey that collects data about health-related attitudes and behaviours from a randomly selected sample of women. Food insecurity of the women was measured by a 6-item subset of the Food Security Module. Statistical procedures included chi-square tests, t-tests, logistic regression analysis and analysis of covariance.SettingCalifornia, USA.SubjectsFour thousand and thirty-seven women (18 years or older).ResultsPrevalence of food insecurity was 25.7%. After controlling for income, factors associated with greater food insecurity were Hispanic or Black race/ethnicity; less than a 12th grade education; being unmarried; less than 55 years old; being Spanish-speaking; having spent less than half of one's life in the USA; sadness/depression; feeling overwhelmed; poor physical/mental health interfering with activities; and fair to poor general health. Among Food Stamp Program (FSP) participants, 71% were food-insecure. Among FSP-eligible women who had not applied for the programme, the prevalence of food insecurity was lower among women responding that they did not need food stamps than in women giving other reasons for not applying (23.9% vs. 66.9%, P < 0.001). Factors associated with food insecurity in FSP recipients included being unable to make food stamps last for 30 days, feeling overwhelmed, and having a birthplace in Mexico or Central America.ConclusionsAlong with several socio-economic variables, poor physical and mental health is associated with food insecurity. Whether food insecurity is a cause or effect of poor health remains in question.
The influence of a shift from conventional to organic olive farming on soil management and erosion risk in southern Spain
Authors: Milgroom Jessica , Auxiliadora Soriano María , Garrido José M. , Gómez José A. , Fereres Elías 
Published: March 2007

AbstractNatural resource conservation should be fundamental to organic agriculture, including the prevention of soil erosion. Soil erosion in the olive orchards of southern Spain is recognized as a serious problem causing environmental, economic and social repercussions, both on and off-site. This study describes the changes in soil management practices that accompanied a shift from conventional to organic olive farming and the corresponding effect of those management practices on erosion risk in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia. Interviews with 107 farmers were carried out in two different geographic areas to assess the socio-economic factors influencing farm management decision-making, and on-farm erosion risk evaluations and soil data (organic matter, aggregate stability, infiltration and vegetative ground cover) were taken on 25 farms to assess the effects of those decisions on soil erosion risk. Results from this study show that the shift to organic farming in olive orchards in the province of Córdoba has been accompanied by increased protection of the soil and lowered erosion risk. The most important changes in soil management practices associated with the transition from conventional to organic agriculture were the reduction in tillage and the increase in management systems that incorporate a vegetative cover controlled either by grazing livestock or mowing. However, the shift to organic farming has had more impact in the south of the province than in the north where farm management systems have historically led to less erosion.
Activation of 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT1D receptors in the rat nucleus tractus solitarius: opposing action on neurones that receive an excitatory vagal C‐fibre afferent input
Authors: Jeggo R D , Wang Y , Jordan D , Ramage A G 
Published: March 2007

Background and purpose:Central 5‐HT‐containing pathways are known to be important in cardiovascular regulation and a crucial area for this regulation is the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), which contains many of the known 5‐HT receptor subtypes. In this study the role of 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT1D receptors, targets for the antimigraine drugs known collectively as triptans, was examined in the NTS.Experiment approach:Extracellular recordings were made, in anaesthetized rats, from 109 NTS neurones that were excited by electrical stimulation of the vagus and drugs were applied ionophoretically to these neurones.Key results:The 5‐HT1B/1D receptor agonist sumatriptan applied to 64 neurones produced a 64% reduction in the firing rate of 54 of these neurones. Ketanserin, a 5‐HT1D/2A receptor antagonist, alone had little effect, but co‐applied with sumatriptan significantly attenuated this inhibition, whilst co‐application of the 5‐HT1B receptor antagonist GR55562 resulted in potentiation of this inhibition. Sumatriptan also caused a 25% reduction in vagal afferent evoked activity as well as that caused by stimulation of cardiopulmonary afferents. In another 41 neurones the 5‐HT1B receptor agonist CP‐93 129 produced a doubling of the background firing rate in 31 of these neurones and a significant increase in both vagal afferent evoked activity and that evoked by cardiopulmonary afferent activation.Conclusions and implications:Activation of 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT1D receptors have opposing actions on NTS neurones of excitation and inhibition, respectively. As both receptors are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase this would indicate that they have different anatomical locations within NTS.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 987–995. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707169
Endothelial dysfunction and compromised eNOS/Akt signaling in the thoracic aorta during the progression of Marfan syndrome
Authors: Chung A W Y , Au Yeung K , Cortes S F , Sandor G G S , Judge D P , Dietz H C , van Breemen C 
Published: March 2007

Background and purpose:Aortic complications account for the major mortality in Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in FBN1 encoding fibrillin‐1. We hypothesized that MFS impaired endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO) production in the aorta.Experimental approach:Mice (at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age) heterozygous for the Fbn1 allele encoding a cysteine substitution (Fbn1
C1039G/+, Marfan mice, n=75), the most common class of mutation in MFS, were compared with age‐matched control littermates (n=75). Thoracic and abdominal aortas from the two groups were studied.Key results:Isometric force measurements revealed that relaxation to ACh (but not to sodium nitroprusside) was diminished in the phenylephrine‐precontracted Marfan thoracic aorta at 6 months of age (pEC50=6.12±0.22; maximal response, Emax=52.7±6.8%; control: pEC50=7.34±0.19; Emax=84.8±2.2%). At one year, both inhibition of NO production with Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester, or denudation of endothelium increased the phenylephrine‐stimulated contraction in the control thoracic aorta by 35%, but had no effect in the Marfan aorta, indicating a loss of basal NO production in the Marfan vessel. From 6 months, a reduced phosphorylation of endothelial NOS (eNOS)Ser1177 and AktThr308 detected by Western blotting was observed in the Marfan thoracic aorta, which was accompanied by decreased levels of cGMP. Expressions of Akt and eNOS in the abdominal aorta were not different between the two groups.Conclusions and Implications:MFS impairs endothelial function and signaling of NO production in the thoracic aorta, suggesting the importance of NO in the age‐related progression of thoracic aortic manifestations.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 1075–1083. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707181
Consolidated Capital Regulation for Financial Conglomerates
Authors: Jackson Howell E. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractOver the past few years, financial regulators have devoted considerable attention to the development of consolidated capital rules for financial conglomerates. This chapter explores the theoretical justifications for these new requirements and explains that the case for consolidated capital oversight consists of four separate lines of argument: technical weaknesses inherent in traditional entity-level capital requirements; unique risks associated with financial conglomerates; additional diversification benefits that financial conglomerates enjoy; and recognition that financial firms increasingly employ modern risk management techniques that work on a group-wide basis. The specific rules for consolidated capital requirements that the Basel Committee proposed in April 2003 are reviewed, and it is argued that the Basel proposals constitute a relatively rudimentary system of consolidated capital requirements, dealing primarily with the technical weaknesses of entity level capital and making little effort to deal with more subtle issues such as unique risks of financial conglomerates, diversification benefits, and modern risk-management techniques. A number of significant practical considerations contribute to the relatively limited scope of the Basel Committee's proposal, which will likely prevent the development of a more comprehensive system of consolidated capital oversight for financial conglomerates in the foreseeable future.
Meeting the sexual health care needs of young people: a model that works?
Authors: Perry C. , Thurston M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIntroduction  In the UK, young people have been identified as a specific group who experience poor sexual health and there is scope for improving this if sexual health services are sensitive and relevant to their needs. This paper reports on the work of two services which were set up specifically for young people, exploring whether the model of service provision adopted was successful in engaging this group.Methods  Routine monitoring data (anonymous) in relation to all contacts with the services were collected. After the services had become established, short questionnaires were administered to young people using them.Results  For service one, 425 contacts were recorded over 34 service sessions. Of these, 149 were new clients: 52% young men (78) and 48% young women (71), with a mean age of 14 years. There were 259 repeat contacts: 74% with young men (191) and 26% with young women (68). For service two, 399 contacts were recorded over 61 service sessions. Of these, 118 were new clients: 32% young men (38) and 68% young women (80), with a mean age of 16.8 years. There were 274 repeat contacts: 40% with young men (108) and 60% (166) with young women. All of the young people were generally very satisfied with the services they received. The youngest young people were less likely to indicate that they would have accessed other sexual health services.Discussion and conclusions  This study indicates that young people of both sexes, between the ages of 11 and 19 years, can be engaged by sexual health services, if provision is modelled on ‘best practice’ and what is known about the sexual health service needs of young people. Engagement with such services is a prerequisite for addressing the diversity of sexual health needs young people are likely to have in contemporary society and the findings of this study in relation to gender and age are particularly pertinent.
Validation of a clinical prognostic model to identify low‐risk patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Aujesky D. , Perrier A. , Roy P.‐M. , Stone R. A. , Cornuz J. , Meyer G. , Obrosky D. S. , Fine M. J. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract.Objective.  To validate the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), a clinical prognostic model which identifies low‐risk patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).Design.  Validation study using prospectively collected data.Setting.  A total of 119 European hospitals.Subjects.  A total of 899 patients diagnosed with PE.Intervention.  The PESI uses 11 clinical factors to stratify patients with PE into five classes (I–V) of increasing risk of mortality. We calculated the PESI risk class for each patient and the proportion of patients classified as low‐risk (classes I and II). The outcomes were overall and PE‐specific mortality for low‐risk patients at 3 months after presentation. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values to predict overall and PE‐specific mortality and the discriminatory power using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results.  Overall and PE‐specific mortality was 6.5% (58/899) and 2.3% (21/899) respectively. Forty‐seven per cent of patients (426/899) were classified as low‐risk. Low‐risk patients had an overall mortality of only 1.2% (5/426) and a PE‐specific mortality of 0.7% (3/426). The sensitivity was 91 [95% confidence interval (CI): 81–97%] and the negative predictive value was 99% (95% CI: 97–100%) for overall mortality. The sensitivity was 86% (95% CI: 64–97%) and the negative predictive value was 99% (95% CI: 98–100%) for PE‐specific mortality. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for overall and PE‐specific mortality were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75–0.86) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68–0.86) respectively.Conclusions.  This validation study confirms that the PESI reliably identifies low‐risk patients with PE who are potential candidates for less costly outpatient treatment.
Myocardial infarction: contemporary management strategies
Authors: Gelfand E. V. , Cannon C. P. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract.Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common clinical diagnosis, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, not only in the short term, but also years following the index event. A more complete understanding of the pathophysiology of MI has ushered the era of multipronged treatment approach, with a combination of goal‐directed revascularization, a broad adjunctive pharmacological therapy and aggressive secondary prevention measures. The goals of this article are to review the basic pathophysiological processes, which lead up to a clinical diagnosis of MI, to highlight the essential elements of clinical presentation and to summarize the evidence for comprehensive therapy. Emphasis has been placed on the choice of primary reperfusion therapy for ST‐elevation MI, on risk‐stratification of patients with non‐ST elevation MI, and on rationale behind the selection of anti‐ischaemic and antithrombotic therapy. Finally, evidence‐based approach to secondary prevention is outlined.
Pro‐inflammatory genetic profiles in subjects with peripheral arterial occlusive disease and critical limb ischemia
Authors: Flex A. , Gaetani E. , Angelini F. , Sabusco A. , Chillà C. , Straface G. , Biscetti F. , Pola P. , Castellot J. J. , Pola R. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract.Objectives.  Single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding inflammatory molecules may determine genetic profiles associated with increased risk of development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated distribution and reciprocal interaction of a set of functionally important polymorphisms of genes encoding prototypical inflammatory molecules in subjects with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI). We also investigated whether synergistic interactions between these pro‐inflammatory gene polymorphisms influence the risk of PAOD and CLI.Design, subjects and methods.  In a genetic association study that included 157 PAOD patients and 206 controls, the following gene polymorphisms were analysed: C‐reactive protein (CRP) 1059 G/C, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)‐174 G/C, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)‐173 G/C, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1) – 2518 A/G, E‐selectin (E‐Sel) Ser128Arg, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) 469 E/K, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)−1 ‐1607 1G/2G, MMP‐3‐1171 5A/6A and MMP‐9‐1563 C/T.Results:  We found that IL‐6, E‐sel, ICAM‐1, MCP‐1, MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 gene polymorphisms were significantly and independently associated with PAOD. We also found that these pro‐inflammatory polymorphisms determine genetic profiles that are associated with different levels of risk for PAOD and CLI, depending on the number of high‐risk genotypes concomitantly carried by a given individual.Conclusions:  Pro‐inflammatory genetic profiles are significantly more common in subjects with PAOD. Synergistic effects between pro‐inflammatory genotypes might be potential markers for the presence and severity of atherosclerotic disorders.
Perspective: Hidden diversity in coral endosymbionts unveiled
Authors: VAN OPPEN MADELEINE J. H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractReef corals are especially sensitive to environmental change since their survival is dependent on a delicate balance between the coral host and its algal endosymbiont. Predicting the responses of reef ecosystems to global climate change requires a detailed understanding of the diversity of both partners in this symbiosis. The current perception of coral‐inhabiting symbiont diversity at nuclear ribosomal DNA is shown in this issue of Molecular Ecology to be a significant underestimate of the wide diversity that in fact exists. Apprill & Gates (2007) reveal eight‐ to tenfold greater diversity than previous methods had identified. The authors underline the importance of detailed knowledge of such diversity if we are to predict, or possibly manage, the acclimatization and adaptation of reef corals to climatic change.
Bayesian Density Regression
Authors: Dunson David B. , Pillai Natesh , Park Ju-Hyun 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe paper considers Bayesian methods for density regression, allowing a random probability distribution to change flexibly with multiple predictors. The conditional response distribution is expressed as a non-parametric mixture of regression models, with the mixture distribution changing with predictors. A class of weighted mixture of Dirichlet process priors is proposed for the uncountable collection of mixture distributions. It is shown that this specification results in a generalized Pólya urn scheme, which incorporates weights that are dependent on the distance between subjects’ predictor values. To allow local dependence in the mixture distributions, we propose a kernel-based weighting scheme. A Gibbs sampling algorithm is developed for posterior computation. The methods are illustrated by using simulated data examples and an epidemiologic application.
Acetylcholine synthesis by choline acetyltransferase of a peripheral type as demonstrated in adult rat dorsal root ganglion
Authors: Bellier Jean‐Pierre , Kimura Hiroshi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractpChAT is a splice variant of a peripheral type encoded alternatively by the gene for choline acetyltransferase of the common type (cChAT), the enzyme responsible for acetylcholine synthesis. Immunohistochemistry using pChAT antiserum has successfully visualized many known peripheral cholinergic cells, whereas most cChAT antibodies failed to do so. As, however, accumulating evidence indicates that pChAT expression also occurs in various non‐cholinergic neurons, we examined possible acetylcholine production by pChAT in rat dorsal root ganglion as a model. The present study indicated that the ganglion neurons possessed pChAT, but never cChAT, mRNA and protein. Our detailed analysis further showed that, despite low enzyme activities of both choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase, the level of acetylcholine in the ganglion was as high as to that in various brain regions receiving cholinergic innervation. By using immunoprecipitation methods, we here provide evidence that pChAT definitely has enzyme activity enough to supply physiological concentrations of acetylcholine in the ganglion. We propose that pChAT contributes both to acetylcholine neurotransmission in physiologically identified cholinergic cells and to functions yet unknown in non‐cholinergic neurons. Thus pChAT provides a new window on the role of neuronal acetylcholine.
A human neuronal tissue culture model for Lesch‐Nyhan disease
Authors: Shirley Thomas L. , Lewers J. Chris , Egami Kiyoshi , Majumdar Alokes , Kelly Mairead , Ceballos‐Picot Irene , Seidman Michael M. , Jinnah H. A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMutations in the gene encoding the purine salvage enzyme, hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) cause Lesch‐Nyhan disease, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive, neurological, and behavioral abnormalities. Despite detailed knowledge of the enzyme’s function, the key pathophysiological changes that accompany loss of purine recycling are unclear. To facilitate delineating the consequences of HPRT deficiency, four independent HPRT‐deficient sublines of the human dopaminergic neuroblastoma, SK‐N‐BE(2) M17, were isolated by targeted mutagenesis with triple helix‐forming oligonucleotides. As a group, these HPRT‐deficient cells showed several significant abnormalities: (i) impaired purine recycling with accumulation of hypoxanthine, guanine, and xanthine, (ii) reduced guanylate energy charge and GTP : GDP ratio, but normal adenylate energy charge and no changes in any adenine nucleotide ratios, (iii) increased levels of UTP and NADP+, (iv) reduced DOPA decarboxylase, but normal monoamines, and (v) reduction in cell soma size. These cells combine the analytical power of multiple lines and a human, neuronal origin to provide an important tool to investigate the pathophysiology of HPRT deficiency.