bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A discussion of individual variability, in activity‐based interventions, using the niche concept
Authors: Dada S. , Granlund M. , Alant E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  Activity‐based intervention has been defined as a child‐directed, transactional approach that uses logically occurring antecedents and consequences to develop functional and generative skills by embedding intervention of children’s individual goals and objectives in routine, planned or child‐initiated activities. In this approach, clear goals and objectives that are functional and embedded in a play activities or routines are developed. The teacher mediates the child’s environment to facilitate learning with the child directing the teacher on the pace, duration spent on the objective. Learning and development in this framework occur through both a carefully planned environment and adult facilitation. Progress made by a child using this approach focuses on observational data that describe if the child is able to respond in functional and generative ways. While activity‐based interventions are usually provided for a group of children, progress is measured by describing individual children’s responses. Individual variations in the children’s progress, despite exposure to the same interventions are an area that is seldom discussed. This article aims to explore the niche concept and its application to explaining this variation between individuals.Methods  Four children participated in this single‐subject, multiple‐probe study across four participants. A 3‐week long activity‐based aided language stimulation programme was developed. The effect of the programme was determined by describing the individual participants understanding of the 24 targeted vocabulary items.Results  The results of the activity‐based language programme are presented and the variability among the participants is discussed using the niche concept. The role of the niche concept in individual development is described and the implications thereof are discussed.Conclusions  Finally, activity‐based intervention research is placed in a systems perspective and possible outcome measures of this intervention are discussed from a multidimensional ecological perspective.
Reduced expression of C1q-mRNA in monocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Moosig F , Damm F , Knorr-Spahr A , Ritgen M , Zeuner R A , Kneba M , Ernst M , Schröder J O 
Published: October 2006

SummaryInherited C1q deficiency is associated strongly with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of our study was to evaluate the ability of monocytes from SLE patients without inherited C1q deficiency to up-regulate C1q-mRNA upon stimulation. Furthermore, we wanted to elucidate the physiological stimulus for up-regulation of C1q-mRNA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived monocytes from 10 SLE patients, 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 10 healthy controls (HC) were stimulated with dexamethasone (DXM), interferon-gamma or both. Additionally, purified monocytes from HC were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-10. C1q-mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). C1q protein was detected using the standard alkaline phosphatase/anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique. SLE monocytes were significantly less able to up-regulate C1q-mRNA when compared to RA or HC. IL-10 was identified as an important stimulus for C1q synthesis. In SLE patients there is a significant functional impairment of monocytes to synthesize C1q upon stimulation. As C1q is linked to the process of recognition and removal of apoptotic cells, this relative C1q deficiency is likely to contribute to the reduced phagocytosis of apoptotic material observed in SLE and thereby might be a central pathogenetic factor.
The major surface‐metalloprotease of the parasitic protozoan, Leishmania, protects against antimicrobial peptide‐induced apoptotic killing
Authors: Kulkarni Manjusha M. , McMaster W. Robert , Kamysz Elzbieta , Kamysz Wojciech , Engman David M. , McGwire Bradford S. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryHuman infection by the vector‐borne protozoan Leishmania is responsible for substantial worldwide morbidity and mortality. The surface‐metalloprotease (leishmanolysin) of Leishmania is a virulence factor which contributes to a variety of functions including evasion of complement‐mediated parasite‐killing and host intramacrophage survival. We tested the hypothesis that leishmanolysin serves to protect parasites from the cytolytic effects of various antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which are important components of the innate immune system. We found that members of the α‐ and θ‐defensins, magainins and cathelicidins had substantially higher leishmanicidal activity against leishmanolysin‐knock out mutants of L. major. Using the magainin analogue, pexiganan, as a model peptide we show that AMP evasion is due to rapid and extensive peptide degradation by wild‐type parasites. Pexiganan‐treatment of knock out mutants induced disruption of surface‐membrane permeability and expression of features of apoptosis including smaller cell size, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, exposure of surface phosphatidyl serine as well as induction of caspase 3/7 activity. These results demonstrate leishmanolysin as a virulence factor preventing AMP‐mediated apoptotic killing. This study serves as a platform for the dissection of the AMP‐mediated death pathways of Leishmania and demonstrates the potential that AMP evasion plays during host infection by this parasite.
Mechanisms of action of isoniazid
Authors: Timmins Graham S. , Deretic Vojo 
Published: October 2006

SummaryFor decades after its introduction, the mechanisms of action of the front‐line antituberculosis therapeutic agent isoniazid (INH) remained unclear. Recent developments have shown that peroxidative activation of isoniazid by the mycobacterial enzyme KatG generates reactive species that form adducts with NAD+ and NADP+ that are potent inhibitors of lipid and nucleic acid biosynthetic enzymes. A direct role for some isoniazid‐derived reactive species, such as nitric oxide, in inhibiting mycobacterial metabolic enzymes has also been shown. The concerted effects of these activities – inhibition of cell wall lipid synthesis, depletion of nucleic acid pools and metabolic depression – drive the exquisite potency and selectivity of this agent. To understand INH action and resistance fully, a synthesis of knowledge is required from multiple separate lines of research – including molecular genetic approaches, in vitro biochemical studies and free radical chemistry – which is the intent of this review.
Range‐wide genetic analysis provides evidence of natural isolation among populations of the Mongolian endemic Potentilla ikonnikovii Juz. (Rosaceae)
Authors: WESCHE KARSTEN , HENSEN ISABELL , UNDRAKH RAGCHAA 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIsolated populations are likely to experience a loss of genetic diversity because of reduced gene flow, and the effects of habitat fragmentation are, therefore, central issues in conservation genetics. Here, we present data on genetic diversity and isolation‐by‐distance for the rare central Asian plant Potentilla ikonnikovii (Rosaceae), which occurs in naturally fragmented populations. Sampling covered the entire distributional range of this endemic of southern Mongolia, where the species is restricted to archipelago‐like mountain systems that emerge from the semidesert lowlands of the Gobi region. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses revealed modest levels of genetic diversity at both the population and species level. A ΦST of 0.68 indicates that isolation has strong effects on population genetic structure; most variance is kept among populations rather than within, and the two most remote populations were genetically distinct. Mantel statistics showed that genetic distance was highly correlated to spatial distance (RM > 0.6). We conclude that populations of P. ikonnikovii are severely isolated in terms of genetic structure. This may lead to reduced fitness and a crude monitoring scheme is recommended.
Is early flowering in myrmecochorous plants an adaptation for ant dispersal?
Authors: GUITIÁN JAVIER , GARRIDO JOSÉ L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTo analyze the extent to which early flowering of specialized myrmecochorous plants (i.e. plants producing elaiosome‐bearing seeds) may be the result of adaptation for ant dispersal, we investigated flowering and fruiting patterns of common herb and shrub‐layer species in a beechwood forest at the western end of the Cantabrian Range (Spain). Over the same period, we estimated ant abundance, the availability of alternative foods for ants, and the rate of removal of seeds by ants. Our results indicate: (i) that the flowering peaks of most strict myrmecochores occurred approximately 4 weeks earlier than in non‐myrmecochores; (ii) that the fruiting peak of both groups of plants occurred around the same time, in early July; (iii) that the peak in ant abundance coincides with the seed availability peak, and precedes the peak in availability of alternative ant foods; and (iv) that the probability of seed removal by Formica rufibarbis (the only ant species present in the study area) varies over the season, peaking in early July. In conclusion, our results show that despite differences in seed size, plants with ant‐dispersed seeds show highly synchronous flowering, suggesting that strict myrmecochores in our study area may have adapted their phenologies to the seasonal availability of dispersers.
Integrating information and communication technologies in the Turkish primary school system
Authors: Özdemir Selçuk , Kılıç Ebru 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe paper reports on an investigation into the 1998–2003 Phase 1 of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) component of the Basic Education Program, a major project jointly funded by the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MONE) and the World Bank designed to integrate ICT into the national primary school system. The study involved a search of the literature regarding ICT integration in primary schools, an analysis of MONE and World Bank documentation and face‐to‐face interviews and a questionnaire survey to gauge the experiences and views of the administrators and computer coordinators involved in the project. The findings revealed major shortcomings in the project, and the paper concludes with recommendations for addressing these shortcomings in Phase 2 of the project, which is now under way, again under the aegis of MONE and the World Bank.
Language: Diction addiction
Authors: GREEN JONATHON 
Published: October 2006

This black diction has become America's addiction. ‐ Kanye West, 'Crack Music', 2005Kanye West, whose rocketing status in the world of rap has in the last two years made him one of its best‐known stars, should know. If black America's primary contribution to the world is its music ‐ its sportsmen tend to be found in America‐only competitions, for all that some declare themselves 'world series' ‐ then coming up fast to an equal predominence, at least in the world of slang, is black speech.
Self‐protection? Antidumping Duties, Collusion, and FDI*
Authors: Davies Ronald B. , Liebman Benjamin H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIt is well established that the threat of antidumping duties can help sustain collusion between a foreign firm and its domestic counterpart. However, when the foreign firm is a multinational with a subsidiary in the domestic country, that subsidiary can undermine efforts for protection, thereby diminishing the threat of duties that would otherwise sustain collusion. Accordingly, we show that the multinational may choose to submit to a tariff even under collusion since evidence indicates that duties are more difficult to remove than initiate. In this way, it is possible to obtain a greater degree of commitment, although it comes at a cost. Nevertheless, we prove that this can be a more profitable strategy than those previously explored. Thus, a parent firm may instruct its subsidiary to support duties against the parent. In fact, we find several cases where subsidiaries of multinationals have indeed filed for protection from their own parents.
Cross‐country Relative Price Volatility: Effects of Market Structure*
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Wong , Fujii Eiji 
Published: October 2006

AbstractUsing annual data on nine manufacturing sectors of 18 OECD countries, the article studies the implications of market structure for cross‐country relative price variability. It is found that, in accordance with predictions from a standard markup pricing model, reductions in market competition, along with increased nominal exchange rate volatility, are associated with greater variability of cross‐country relative prices. The market structure also has similar effects on components of cross‐country relative price variability. The empirical findings are robust to the inclusion of various control variables and alternative sample specifications.
Discontinuities in the male psyche: waiting, deadness and disembodiment. Archetypal and clinical approaches
Authors: Goss Phil 
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  The discontinuities of development in the male psyche that are manifested in some analyses in unconscious experiences of inner disintegration are described. Narcissism and a de‐somatized relationship to their own presence are the dominant clinical presentation in these patients. The analyst sometimes experiences these analyses as ‘dead’, as a result of the projection of a ‘dead mother’ object. The question of how psychic deadness and impotence can be worked with is examined.Clinical experience with these men shows how notions associated with the puer‐senex archetype can illuminate the stark realities of a patient's early experiences, particularly in how mother's presence is felt. A theoretical and clinical bridge is proposed between puer and narcissus to frame how a man may unconsciously strive against psychic fragmentation by clinging to an identification with both—in order to remain intact in the face of being caught in a pre‐pubescent state which reflects the insecure attachment to mother. The author describes how patients may find a more grounded embrace of reality via the use of the analyst's empathy and a greater potency through work in the transference/countertransference. These strengthening achievements help men to begin to leave the ‘dead mother’ behind.
Reduced white matter connectivity in the corpus callosum of children with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Plessen Kerstin J. , Grüner Renate , Lundervold Arvid , Hirsch Jochen G. , Xu Dongrong , Bansal Ravi , Hammar Åsa , Lundervold Astri J. , Wentzel‐Larsen Tore , Lie Stein Atle , Gass Achim , Peterson Bradley S. , Hugdahl Kenneth 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Brain imaging studies have revealed anatomical anomalies in the brains of individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS). Prefrontal regions have been found to be larger and the corpus callosum (CC) area smaller in children and young adults with TS compared with healthy control subjects, and these anatomical features have been understood to reflect neural plasticity that helps to attenuate the severity of tics.Method:  CC white matter connectivity, as measured by the Fractional Anisotropy (FA) index from diffusion tensor images, was assessed in 20 clinically well‐defined boys with Tourette syndrome and 20 age‐ and gender‐matched controls.Results:  The hypothesis that children with TS would show reduced measures of connectivity in CC fibers was confirmed for all subregions of the CC. There was no significant interaction of TS and region. Reductions in FA in CC regions may reflect either fewer interhemispheric fibers or reduced axonal myelination. FA values did not correlate significantly with the severity of tic symptoms. Group differences in measures of connectivity did not seem to be attributable to the presence of comorbid ADHD or OCD, to medication exposure, or group differences in IQ.Conclusion:  Our findings of a reduced interhemispheral white matter connectivity add to the understanding of neural connectivity and plasticity in the brains of children who have TS.
The neural correlates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an ALE meta‐analysis
Authors: Dickstein Steven G. , Bannon Katie , Xavier Castellanos F. , Milham Michael P. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent and commonly studied forms of psychopathology in children and adolescents. Causal models of ADHD have long implicated dysfunction in fronto‐striatal and frontal‐parietal networks supporting executive function, a hypothesis that can now be examined systematically using functional neuroimaging. The present work provides an objective, unbiased statistically‐based meta‐analysis of published functional neuroimaging studies of ADHD.Methods:  A recently developed voxel‐wise quantitative meta‐analytic technique known as activation likelihood estimation (ALE) was applied to 16 neuroimaging studies examining and contrasting patterns of neural activity in patients with ADHD and healthy controls. Voxel‐wise results are reported using a statistical threshold of p < .05, corrected. Given the large number of studies examining response inhibition, additional meta‐analyses focusing specifically on group differences in the neural correlates of inhibition were included.Results:  Across studies, significant patterns of frontal hypoactivity were detected in patients with ADHD, affecting anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal, and inferior prefrontal cortices, as well as related regions including basal ganglia, thalamus, and portions of parietal cortex. When focusing on studies of response inhibition alone, a more limited set of group differences were observed, including inferior prefrontal cortex, medial wall regions, and the precentral gyrus. In contrast, analyses focusing on studies of constructs other than response inhibition revealed a more extensive pattern of hypofunction in patients with ADHD than those of response inhibition.Conclusions:  To date, the most consistent findings in the neuroimaging literature of ADHD are deficits in neural activity within fronto‐striatal and fronto‐parietal circuits. The distributed nature of these results fails to support models emphasizing dysfunction in any one frontal sub‐region. While our findings are suggestive of the primacy of deficits in frontal‐based neural circuitry underlying ADHD, we discuss potential biases in the literature that need to be addressed before such a conclusion can be fully embraced.
Structure and function of the superior temporal plane in adult males with cleft lip and palate: pathologic enlargement with no relationship to childhood hearing deficits
Authors: Shriver A.S. , Canady J. , Richman L. , Andreasen N.C. , Nopoulos P. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  In a previous study from our lab, adult males with non‐syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCLP) were shown to have significantly lower temporal lobe gray matter volume than matched controls. The current study was designed to begin a regional analysis of specific subregions of the temporal lobe. The superior temporal plane (STP) is a brain region involved in the governance of auditory processing and aspects of language. The cognitive deficit of subjects with NSCLP is characterized by specific deficits in language; therefore this region of the temporal lobe is particularly important to investigate in this population. The STP has been found to be structurally abnormal in subjects with dyslexia, another developmental disorder involving language deficit. The hypothesis for the current study was that the STP in subjects with NSCLP would be structurally abnormal and that the abnormality would be related to cognitive deficit, but not to developmental hearing deficit.Methods:  Manual tracing of the STP in NSCLP males and matched controls was performed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Ratios of STP to total temporal lobe gray matter volume were calculated and compared across groups. In addition, the morphology of the STP was correlated to cognitive function as well as measures of hearing deficit during infancy and childhood.Results:  Despite overall deficit in temporal lobe gray matter, the STP is disproportionately large in subjects with NSCLP compared to controls. Further, gray matter volume of the STP was inversely correlated with IQ and language test scores in CLP subjects. Hearing loss throughout childhood and adulthood was not significantly correlated with brain morphology.Conclusions:  The structure of the superior temporal plane in adult males with NSCLP was disproportionately large. This abnormally increased volume was directly related to IQ, with greater STP volume being associated with lower cognitive functioning, thus characterizing the finding as ‘pathologic enlargement’. Moreover, there was no relationship between the structure of the STP and measures of childhood hearing impairment, supporting the notion that the language deficits of this population are more likely due to abnormal brain development than to the effects of hearing deficit during childhood.
Maternal urinary tract infection and related drug treatments during pregnancy and risk of congenital abnormalities in the offspring
Authors: Bánhidy F , Ács N , Puhó EH , Czeizel AE 
Published: October 2006

Objective  The association between urinary tract infection (UTI) of pregnant women and preterm birth/low birthweight is known, but the possible association between UTI and congenital abnormalities (CAs) was evaluated rarely. Only one study showed an association with atrial septal defect, thus we decided to check this possible association.Design  The population‐based large data set of the Hungarian Case–Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities (HCCSCA); most maternal UTIs were based on medically recorded data.Setting  The HCCSCA, 1980–1996, contained 22 843 newborns or fetuses with CAs and 38 151 matched controls, i.e. newborn infants without any HCAs.Population  Hungarian informative offspring: live births, stillbirths and prenatally diagnosed malformed fetuses.Methods  Case–control pair analysis.Main outcome measures  Twenty‐five CA groups.Results  A total of 1542 (6.75%) mothers in the case group had UTI during entire pregnancy compared with 2188 (5.74%) mothers in the control group (adjusted prevalence odds ratios [POR] with 95% CI: 1.15, 1.06–1.24). We did not find a higher prevalence of UTI during the second and/or third months of pregnancy in total case group (adjusted POR with 95% CI: 1.1, 0.9–1.2) and in any group of CAs including atrial septal defect type II.Conclusions  No evidence for the teratogenic effect of maternal UTI and related drug treatments during early pregnancy.