bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anxiety and the risk of death in older men and women
Authors: van Hout Hein P. J. , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , De Beurs Edwin , Comijs Hannie , Van Marwijk Harm , De Haan Marten , Van Tilburg Willem , Deeg Dorly J. H. 
Published: October 2004

BackgroundThere are inconsistent reports as to whether people with anxiety disorders have a higher mortality risk.AimsTo determine whether anxiety disorders predict mortality in older men and women in the community Method Longitudinal data were used from a large, community-based random sample (n=3107) of older men and women (55–85 years) in The Netherlands, with a follow-up period of 7.5 years. Anxiety disorders were assessed according to DSM–III criteria in a two-stage screening design.ResultsIn men, the adjusted mortality risk was 1.78 (95% Cl 1.01–3.13) in cases with diagnosed anxiety disorders at baseline. In women, no significant association was found with mortality.ConclusionsThe study revealed a gender difference in the association between anxiety and mortality. For men, but not for women, an increased mortality risk was found for anxiety disorders.
Minimal-contact psychotherapy for sub-threshold depression in primary care
Authors: Willemse Godelief R. W. M. , Smit Filip , Cuijpers Pim , Tiemens Bea G. 
Published: October 2004

BackgroundSub-threshold depression is a prognostic variable for major depression. Interventions in sub-threshold depression may prevent the onset of new cases of major depression.AimsTo examine the effects of minimal-contact psychotherapy in primary care patients with sub-threshold depression on the onset of major depression, on the reduction in depressive symptoms and on health-related quality of life.MethodWe conducted a randomised trial in primary care, in which patients screened for sub-threshold depression were randomly assigned to minimal-contact psychotherapy (n=107) or to usual care (n=109).ResultsOne year after baseline, the incidence of major depressive disorder was found to be significantly lower in the psychotherapy group (12%) than in those receiving usual care (18%). Small but significant effects were also found on depressive symptoms and on aspects of health-related quality of life.ConclusionsPrimary care patients with sub-threshold depression can benefit from minimal-contact psychotherapy.
Mental illness and accidental death
Authors: Gau Susan S. F. , Cheng Andrew T. A. 
Published: October 2004

BackgroundFew studies have systematically investigated the psychiatric antecedents of accidental death.AimsTo examine the patterns of psychiatric morbidities contributing to accidental death in three ethnic groups (Han, Ami and Atayal) in Taiwan.MethodA case–control psychological autopsy was conducted among 90 accidental deaths (randomly selected from a total of 413) and 180 living controls matched for age, gender, ethnicity and area of residence in Taiwan.ResultsThe risk of accidental death was significantly associated with alcohol use disorder and with other common mental disorders. When jointly considered, it was greatest when these two types of disorders co-existed, followed by common mental disorders alone. The risk of accidental death increased with the number of comorbid conditions.ConclusionsThe prevention of accidental death should be incorporated into preventive psychiatry, not just for alcohol use disorder, but also for all other common mental disorders.
Computer access, skills and training among consultants and psychiatric trainees in Northern Ireland
Authors: Brady John , Knox Stewart 
Published: October 2004

Aims and MethodComputers and information technology (IT) play an increasingly important role in the working lives of psychiatrists. Previous studies have shown that computer access and skills among psychiatric trainees were inadequate. This survey aimed to assess the level of access to, and skill in, different IT applications among consultants and trainees in Northern Ireland, as well as what training is offered and needed.ResultsMost doctors (91%) had access to the more basic applications, such as word processing, and most felt at least adequately skilled. However, access to and knowledge of statistical software was particularly poor. A minority of doctors were offered training in IT (39%), even though most employers provided this facility.Clinical ImplicationsPsychiatrists need greater access to IT, and need to make greater use of available training. This is especially relevant in light of future policy directions and the trend for evidence-based practice.
Point mutations of ras genes in human adrenal cortical tumors: Absence in adrenocortical hyperplasia
Authors: Yashiro Tohru , Hara Hisato , Fulton Noreen C. , Obara Takao , Kaplan Edwin L. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPoint mutations of ras genes (K‐, H‐, and N‐ras) at codons 12, 13, and 61 and of the Gi2α gene at codons 179 and 205, were studied in 56 primary adrenal cortical tumors and 6 adrenal cortical hyperplasias. Of 56 tumors, 24 were carcinomas and 32 were benign. The 24 carcinomas and 20 of the benign tumors were from American patients; the 12 remaining adenomas were from Japanese patients. Of the benign tumors 12 were cortisol‐producing adenomas, 15 were aldosterone‐producing adenomas, 3 were nonfunctioning adenomas, and 2 were adenomas that produced a virilizing syndrome. Tumor DNA obtained from archival formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue or fresh frozen tissue was amplified by polymerase chain reaction; and point mutations were detected by sequence‐specific oligonucleotide hybridization. Activating ras mutations were found in 7 of 56 (12.5%) of all tumors: 3 of 24 (12.5%) carcinomas and 4 of 32 (12.5%) adenomas. Of adenomas from an American population, 4 of 20 (20%) exhibited positive ras mutations, whereas none was present in the Japanese tumors. All mutations detected were adenine to guanine transitions at the second position of N‐ras codon 61, resulting in a conversion from glutamine to arginine. No mutations were found in K‐ras or H‐ras genes. Furthermore, no mutations of the Gi2α gene were identified. These findings demonstrate that N‐ras mutations at codon 61 may contribute to the genesis of both benign and malignant human adrenal cortical tumors. Finally, no mutations of the ras or Gi2α genes were identified in hyperplastic adrenocortical tissues.
Rarity of squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: Autopsy review
Authors: Harada Tanekazu , Shimaoka Katsutaro , Katagiri Makoto , Xhimizu Michio , Hosoda Yasuhiro , Ito Kunihiko 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid is thought to be rare. However, SCC not infrequently occurs in conjunction with other histologic types of tumor. We reviewed 67 thyroid cancer autopsy cases obtained from two institutions from 1969 to 1981 and from 1975 to 1992, respectively. SCC was found in 19 cases (28.4%): 2 SCCs as the only malignancy and of uniform histologic type, 9 cases of tumors mixed with papillary carcinoma, and 8 cases of SCC mixed with papillary and anaplastic carcinomas. In only four of these cases was the SCC component found in the surgical specimens. These results indicate that the presence of SCC component is more likely to be found at the later stage of the disease.
Insulin‐like growth factor I receptors and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins in human parathyroid tumors
Authors: Tanaka Reiko , Tsushima Toshio , Murakami Hitomi , Shizume Kazuo , Obara Takao 
Published: October 2004

AbstractStudies have demonstrated the presence of epidermal growth factor receptors in human parathyroid tumors. However, there is little information on the effect of other peptide growth factors on parathyroid cell growth. We therefore studied the interaction of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) with human parathyroid tumor cells. Parathyroid tissues were obtained from 24 patients with primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. There were 15 solitary adenomas, 5 carcinomas, and 4 hyperplastic tissues. First, the binding of [125I]IGF‐I to the crude membrane fractions was studied by competitive inhibition with unlabeled IGF‐I. Second, isolated parathyroid cells were cultured with IGF‐I and examined for DNA synthesis. The IGF‐binding protein (IGFBP) content of tissue homogenates was determined by ligand blot analysis. The binding of [125I]IGF‐I to parathyroid membranes was dependent on time, temperature, and pH of the medium. Maximum binding was obtained after incubation for 18 hours at 4°C. Specific binding to parathyroid cancer membranes (mean±SE, 10.75±10.55%/mg protein) was significantly (p<0.05) greater than that in adenoma tissues 3.71±2.11%/mg. The value in hyperplastic tissues (4.78±2.97%/mg) was not different from that in adenomas. Affinity cross‐linking and autoradiography demonstrated the type I IGF receptors. Cultured parathyroid cells responded to IGF‐I with increased DNA synthesis. The parathyroid tumor tissues expressed IGFBPs. These results suggest that IGF‐I and IGFBPs are involved in the growth regulation of parathyroid tumor cells.
Calcium Inhibits Bap-Dependent Multicellular Behavior in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Arrizubieta María Jesús , Toledo-Arana Alejandro , Amorena Beatriz , Penadés José R. , Lasa Iñigo 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Bap (biofilm-associated protein) is a 254-kDa staphylococcal surface protein implicated in formation of biofilms by staphylococci isolated from chronic mastitis infections. The presence of potential EF-hand motifs in the amino acid sequence of Bap prompted us to investigate the effect of calcium on the multicellular behavior of Bap-expressing staphylococci. We found that addition of millimolar amounts of calcium to the growth media inhibited intercellular adhesion of and biofilm formation by Bap-positive strain V329. Addition of manganese, but not addition of magnesium, also inhibited biofilm formation, whereas bacterial aggregation in liquid media was greatly enhanced by metal-chelating agents. In contrast, calcium or chelating agents had virtually no effect on the aggregation of Bap-deficient strain M556. The biofilm elicited by insertion of
bap
into the chromosome of a biofilm-negative strain exhibited a similar dependence on the calcium concentration, indicating that the observed calcium inhibition was an inherent property of the Bap-mediated biofilms. Site-directed mutagenesis of two of the putative EF-hand domains resulted in a mutant strain that was capable of forming a biofilm but whose biofilm was not inhibited by calcium. Our results indicate that Bap binds Ca
2+
with low affinity and that Ca
2+
binding renders the protein noncompetent for biofilm formation and for intercellular adhesion. The fact that calcium inhibition of Bap-mediated multicellular behavior takes place in vitro at concentrations similar to those found in milk serum supports the possibility that this inhibition is relevant to the pathogenesis and/or epidemiology of the bacteria in the mastitis process.
Ligand-Specific Activation of
Escherichia coli
Chemoreceptor Transmethylation
Authors: Antommattei Frances M. , Munzner Jennifer B. , Weis Robert M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Adaptation in the chemosensory pathways of bacteria like
Escherichia coli
is mediated by the enzyme-catalyzed methylation (and demethylation) of glutamate residues in the signaling domains of methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs). MCPs can be methylated in
trans
, where the methyltransferase (CheR) molecule catalyzing methyl group transfer is tethered to the C terminus of a neighboring receptor. Here, it was shown that
E. coli
cells exhibited adaptation to attractant stimuli mediated through either engineered or naturally occurring MCPs that were unable to tether CheR as long as another MCP capable of tethering CheR was also present, e.g., either the full-length aspartate or serine receptor (Tar or Tsr). Methylation of isolated membrane samples in which engineered tethering and substrate receptors were coexpressed demonstrated that the truncated substrate receptors (trTsr) were efficiently methylated in the presence of tethering receptors (Tar with methylation sites blocked) relative to samples in which none of the MCPs had tethering sites. The effects of ligand binding on methylation were investigated, and an increase in rate was produced only with serine (the ligand specific for the substrate receptor trTsr); no significant change in rate was produced by aspartate (the ligand specific for the tethering receptor Tar). Although the overall efficiency of methylation was lower, receptor-specific effects were also observed in trTar- and trTsr-containing samples, where neither Tar nor Tsr possessed the CheR binding site at the C terminus. Altogether, the results are consistent with a ligand-induced conformational change that is limited to the methylated receptor dimer and does not spread to adjacent receptor dimers.
Chlamydiaphage Chp2, a Skeleton in the φX174 Closet: Scaffolding Protein and Procapsid Identification
Authors: Clarke Ian N. , Cutcliffe Leslie T. , Everson J. Sylvia , Garner Sarah A. , Lambden Paul R. , Pead Paddy J. , Pickett Mark A. , Brentlinger Karie L. , Fane Bentley A. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Chlamydiaphage Chp2 is a member of the family
Microviridae
, of which bacteriophage φX174 is the type species. Although grouped in the same family, the relationship between the
Microviridae
coliphages and the Chp2-like viruses, which infect obligate intracellular parasitic bacteria, is quite distant, with major differences in structural protein content and scaffolding protein dependence. To investigate the morphogenesis of Chp2, large particles were isolated from infected
Chlamydophila abortus
by equilibrium and rate zonal sedimentation. A monoclonal antibody that recognizes only assembled viral coat proteins was used in these detection assays. Thus, the detected particles represent virions and/or postcapsid formation assembly intermediates. Two distinct particle types were detected, differing in both protein and DNA content. Filled particles lacked VP3, the putative internal scaffolding protein, whereas empty particles contained this protein. These results indicate that VP3 is a scaffolding protein and that the isolated VP3-containing particles most likely represent Chp2 procapsids.
Two Distinct Genotypes ofprtF2, Encoding a Fibronectin Binding Protein, and Evolution of the Gene Family inStreptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Ramachandran V. , McArthur J. D. , Behm C. E. , Gutzeit C. , Dowton M. , Fagan P. K. , Towers R. , Currie B. , Sriprakash K. S. , Walker M. J. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTThe group AStreptococcus(GAS) is an important pathogen that is responsible for a wide range of human diseases. Fibronectin binding proteins (FBPs) play an important role in promoting GAS adherence and invasion of host cells. TheprtF2gene encodes an FBP and is present in approximately 60% of GAS strains. In the present study we examined 51prtF2-positive GAS strains isolated from the Northern Territory of Australia, and here we describe two genotypes ofprtF2which are mutually exclusive. The two genotypes have been identified previously aspfbpandfbaB. We show that these genotypes map to the same chromosomal location within the highly recombinatorial fibronectin-collagen-T antigen (FCT) locus, indicating that they arose from a common ancestor, and in this study these genotypes were designated thepfbptype and thefbaBtype. Phylogenetic analysis of sevenpfbptypes, 14fbaBtypes, and 11prtF2-negative GAS strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) produced 32 distinct PFGE patterns. Interpretation of evolution based on the PFGE dendrogram by parsimony suggested that thepfbptype had a recent origin compared to thefbaBtype. A comparison of multiple DNA sequences of thepfbpandfbaBtypes revealed a mosaic pattern for the amino-terminal region of thepfbptypes. ThefbaBtype is generally conserved at the amino terminus but varies in the number of fibronectin binding repeats in the carboxy terminus. Our data also suggest that there is a possible association of thepfbpgenotype withsof(84.2%), while thefbaBgenotype was found in a majority of the GAS strains negative forsof(90.6%), indicating that these twoprtF2subtypes may be under different selective pressures.
Evidence that a B
12
-Adenosyl Transferase Is Encoded within the Ethanolamine Operon of
Salmonella enterica
Authors: Sheppard David E. , Penrod Joseph T. , Bobik Thomas , Kofoid Eric , Roth John R. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Adenosylcobalamin (Ado-B
12
) is both the cofactor and inducer of ethanolamine ammonia lyase (EA-lyase), a catabolic enzyme for ethanolamine. De novo synthesis of Ado-B
12
by
Salmonella enterica
occurs only under anaerobic conditions. Therefore, aerobic growth on ethanolamine requires import of Ado-B
12
or a precursor (CN-B
12
or OH-B
12
) that can be adenosylated internally. Several known enzymes adenosylate corrinoids. The CobA enzyme transfers adenosine from ATP to a biosynthetic intermediate in de novo B
12
synthesis and to imported CN-B
12
, OH-B
12
, or Cbi (a B
12
precursor). The PduO adenosyl transferase is encoded in an operon (
pdu
) for cobalamin-dependent propanediol degradation and is induced by propanediol. Evidence is presented here that a third transferase (EutT) is encoded within the operon for ethanolamine utilization (
eut
). Surprisingly, these three transferases share no apparent sequence similarity. CobA produces sufficient Ado-B
12
to initiate
eut
operon induction and to serve as a cofactor for EA-lyase when B
12
levels are high. Once the
eut
operon is induced, the EutT transferase supplies more Ado-B
12
during the period of high demand. Another protein encoded in the operon (EutA) protects EA-lyase from inhibition by CN-B
12
but does so without adenosylation of this corrinoid.
GntP Is the
Escherichia coli
Fructuronic Acid Transporter and Belongs to the UxuR Regulon
Authors: Bates Utz Cristina , Nguyen Ann B. , Smalley Darren J. , Anderson April B. , Conway Tyrrell 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli
has four gluconate transporters, GntP, GntU, GntT, and IdnT, which are members of the major facilitator superfamily. The physiological function of GntP was previously unknown and is the subject of this study. GntP is not induced by gluconate, and despite being located adjacent to genes involved in glucuronate catabolism,
gntP
does not encode a glucuronate transporter. Here we identify
gntP
as the gene which encodes the fructuronate transporter. We show that
gntP
is induced by fructuronate and is a new member of the UxuR regulon:
gntP
is derepressed in an
uxuR
strain, UxuR binds in vitro specifically to an operator site that overlaps the
gntP
promoter, and UxuR binding is eliminated by fructuronate. Transcription of
gntP
requires activation by cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP receptor protein. A
gntP
mutant cannot grow on fructuronate but grows normally on glucuronate and gluconate. Thus, the UxuR regulon is a module of sugar acid catabolism whose physiological role is for growth on fructuronate. Glucuronate, because it proceeds through a fructuronate intermediate, must induce the UxuR regulon and must also induce the ExuR regulon, which encodes the glucuronate transporter, ExuT, and the first step in its catabolism, UxaC. Thus, hexuronate catabolism in
E. coli
requires both the ExuR and UxuR regulons, while fructuronate catabolism requires only the UxuR regulon.
Effect of Host Species on RecG Phenotypes in
Helicobacter pylori
and
Escherichia coli
Authors: Kang Josephine , Tavakoli Don , Tschumi Ariane , Aras Rahul A. , Blaser Martin J. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Recombination is a fundamental mechanism for the generation of genetic variation.
Helicobacter pylori
strains have different frequencies of intragenomic recombination, arising from deletions and duplications between DNA repeat sequences, as well as intergenomic recombination, facilitated by their natural competence. We identified a gene, hp1523, that influences recombination frequencies in this highly diverse bacterium and demonstrate its importance in maintaining genomic integrity by limiting recombination events. HP1523 shows homology to RecG, an ATP-dependent helicase that in
Escherichia coli
allows repair of damaged replication forks to proceed without recourse to potentially mutagenic recombination. Cross-species studies done show that hp1523 can complement
E. coli recG
mutants in
trans
to the same extent as
E. coli recG
can, indicating that hp1523 has
recG
function. The
E. coli recG
gene only partially complements the hp1523 mutation in
H. pylori
. Unlike other
recG
homologs, hp1523 is not involved in DNA repair in
H. pylori
, although it has the ability to repair DNA when expressed in
E. coli
. Therefore, host context appears critical in defining the function of
recG
. The fact that in
E. coli recG
phenotypes are not constant in other species indicates the diverse roles for conserved recombination genes in prokaryotic evolution.
Z-Ring-Independent Interaction between a Subdomain of FtsA and Late Septation Proteins as Revealed by a Polar Recruitment Assay
Authors: Corbin Brian D. , Geissler Brett , Sadasivam Mahalakshmi , Margolin William 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTFtsA, a member of the ATPase superfamily that includes actin and bacterial actin homologs, is essential for cell division ofEscherichia coliand is recruited to the Z ring. In turn, recruitment of later essential division proteins to the Z ring is dependent on FtsA. In a polar recruitment assay, we found that FtsA can recruit at least two late proteins, FtsI and FtsN, to the cell poles independently of Z rings. Moreover, a unique structural domain of FtsA, subdomain 1c, which is divergent in the other ATPase superfamily members, is sufficient for this recruitment but not required for the ability of FtsA to localize to Z rings. Surprisingly, targeting the 1c subdomain to the Z ring by fusing it to FtsZ could partially suppress a thermosensitiveftsAmutation. These results suggest that subdomain 1c of FtsA is a completely independent functional domain with an important role in interacting with a septation protein subassembly.
Differential Regulation of the PanA and PanB Proteasome-Activating Nucleotidase and 20S Proteasomal Proteins of the Haloarchaeon
Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Reuter Christopher J. , Kaczowka Steven J. , Maupin-Furlow Julie A. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

The halophilic archaeon
Haloferax volcanii
produces three different proteins (α1, α2, and β) that assemble into at least two 20S proteasome isoforms. This work reports the cloning and sequencing of two
H. volcanii
proteasome-activating nucleotidase (PAN) genes (
panA
and
panB
). The deduced PAN proteins were 60% identical with Walker A and B motifs and a second region of homology typical of AAA ATPases. The most significant region of divergence was the N terminus predicted to adopt a coiled-coil conformation involved in substrate recognition. Of the five proteasomal proteins, the α1, β, and PanA proteins were the most abundant. Differential regulation of all five genes was observed, with a four- to eightfold increase in mRNA levels as cells entered stationary phase. In parallel with this mRNA increase, the protein levels of PanB and α2 increased severalfold during the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase, suggesting that these protein levels are regulated at least in part by mechanisms that control transcript levels. In contrast, the β and PanA protein levels remained relatively constant, while the α1 protein levels exhibited only a modest increase. This lack of correlation between the mRNA and protein levels for α1, β, and PanA suggests posttranscriptional mechanisms are involved in regulating the levels of these major proteasomal proteins. Together these results support a model in which the cell regulates the ratio of the different 20S proteasome and PAN proteins to modulate the structure and ultimately the function of this central energy-dependent proteolytic system.