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This review paper summarizes the observations and results of the Mars Express Mission and its application in the analysis of geological processes and landforms on Mars during the last 20 years. The Mars Express observations provided an extended data base allowing a comparative evaluation of different geological surface landforms and their time-based delimitation. High-resolution imagery and digital elevations models on a local to regional scale and spectral measurements are the basis for geological analyses of water-related surface processes on Mars. This includes the nature and discharges of valley networks, formation timescale of deltas, volumina of sedimentary deposits as well as estimating the age of geological units by crater size–frequency distribution measurements. Both the quantifying of geological processes and the determination of absolute model ages allows to constraint the evolution of Martian water-related activity in space and time. Comparative age estimation of fluvial, glacial, and lacustrine deposits, as well as their timing and episodicity, has revealed the nature and evolution of the Martian surface hydrological cycle. Fluvial and lacustrine activity phases are spread over a time span from Noachian until Amazonian periods, but detailed studies show that they have been interrupted by multiple and long-lasting phases of cessation and quiescent. In addition, evidence of glacial activity shows discrete phases of enhanced intensity correlating with increased spin-axis obliquity amplitude. The episodicity of geological processes, erosion, deposition, and glaciation on Mars demonstrate a close correlation between individual surface processes and endogenic activity as well as spin-axis/orbital variations and changing climate condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeybees Apis mellifera (European honeybee) and Apis cerana (Asian honeybee) are cosmopolitan, having colonized continents beyond their natural ranges. In tropical Australia, these alien species have recently become sympatric. The environmental and economic impacts of these species when in sympatry remain to be seen; however, any interspecific competition may be of significance. We examined conspecific and heterospecific interactions between honeybees foraging at the nectar- and pollen-providing flowers of Antipogon leptopus (Polygonaceae). We cross-classified 554 encounters by three variables; incoming bee species, resident bee species, and one of four potential responses: (1) incoming defers to resident; (2) incoming procures the flower from resident; (3) incoming and resident share the flower; or (4) both incoming and resident abandon the flower. We also measured aggression and foraging rates of workers at flowers. Both species visited similar numbers of flowers in a foraging bout and spent similar foraging times on individual flowers. Incoming A. mellifera were more likely to procure flowers from resident A. cerana, and incoming A. cerana were more likely to defer to resident A. mellifera. A. mellifera were more aggressive toward heterospecifics than conspecifics, with heterospecifics 4.5 times more likely to provoke an aggressive response. However, no significant difference between conspecific and heterospecific aggression was observed for incoming A. cerana. A. mellifera were less abundant, yet overall more likely to acquire flowers and use aggression to do so. Costs of aggression may help explain the population-scale dominance of A. cerana over A. mellifera in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity offsetting promotes the protection or restoration of biodiversity at one site to compensate for the loss of biodiversity due to development at another site. Thus populations of species at a development site may be extirpated in the belief that offsetting elsewhere will compensate for the loss of biodiversity. In this study we tested the replaceability of roadside populations of the orchid Diuris platichila threatened by development (populations 1-5, n = 50-541 plants) with a potential offset population occurring in nearby natural vegetation (population 6, n = 143 plants). We measured differences in habitat among the populations and associated differences in flowering and fruiting. We also measured genotypic diversity within and among the populations, and the capacity of soil from each population to promote the symbiotic germination of outcrossed seed from the two largest populations (populations 1-2). An evaluation of the performance of the relevant offset policy was also undertaken which was informed by these studies. Compared to the roadside populations, the potential offset site had limited flowering (except after fire) and was genotypically less diverse. Soil from the potential offset site, and populations 2, 3 and 5, supported significantly less seed germination than soil from population 1. Translocating individuals from the most genotypically diverse populations into the offset population could help to buffer against the loss of genetic diversity if offsetting was required; however, the limited reproduction and recruitment opportunities at the offset site could result in the eventual erosion of any initial increase in diversity. The offset policy failed to secure a suitable offset for a hypothesized loss of plants. More generally we conclude that offsetting approaches which do not assess genotypic diversity and recruitment capacity may fail in their objective of protecting species and that maintaining populations in safe sites may be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytology is an integral part of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. It is relevant for the diagnostics and differential diagnosis of inflammatory, hemorrhagic and neoplastic central nervous system (CNS) processes. This article summarizes the recommended procedures and typical clinical patterns. In addition, modern immunocytochemical and flow cytometry methods for CSF cytology are presented. In particular, the diagnostic contribution and clinical relevance in several CNS conditions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:With the increasing use of robotic surgery in the United States, the comparative effectiveness and differences in reimbursement of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) and open prostatectomy (ORP) in privately insured patients are unknown. Therefore, we sought to assess the differences in perioperative outcomes and hospital reimbursement in a privately insured patient population who were surgically treated for prostate cancer.Methods:Using a large private insurance database, we identified 17 610 prostate cancer patients who underwent either MIRP or ORP from 2003 to 2010. The primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), perioperative complications, 90-day readmissions rates and hospital reimbursement. Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate for differences in primary outcomes across surgical approaches.Results:Overall, 8981 (51.0%) and 8629 (49.0%) surgically treated prostate cancer patients underwent MIRP and ORP, respectively. The proportion of patients undergoing MIRP markedly rose from 11.9% in 2003 to 72.5% in 2010 (P<0.001 for trend). Relative to ORP, MIRP was associated with a shorter median LOS (1.0 day vs 3.0 days; P<0.001) and lower adjusted odds ratio of perioperative complications (OR: 0.82; P<0.001). However, the 90-day readmission rates of MIRP and ORP were similar (OR: 0.99; P=0.76). MIRP provided higher adjusted mean hospital reimbursement compared with ORP (US$19 292 vs US$17 347; P<0.001).Conclusions:Among privately insured patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, robotic surgery rapidly disseminated with over 70% of patients undergoing MIRP by 2009-2010. Although MIRP was associated with shorter LOS and modestly better perioperative outcomes, hospitals received higher reimbursement for MIRP compared with ORP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty correlated α-decay chains were observed in an experiment studying the fusion-evaporation reaction Ca + Am at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung. The decay characteristics of the majority of these 30 chains are consistent with previous observations and interpretations of such chains to originate from isotopes of element Z = 115. High-resolution α-photon coincidence spectroscopy in conjunction with comprehensive Monte-Carlo simulations allow to propose excitation schemes of atomic nuclei of the heaviest elements, thereby probing nuclear structure models near the 'Island of Stability' with unprecedented experimental precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Given the importance of physician attitudes about different treatments and the quality of life (QOL) in prostate cancer, we performed a national survey of specialists to assess treatment recommendations and perceptions of treatment-related survival and QOL.Methods:We mailed a self-administered survey instrument to a random sample of 1366 specialists in the US. Respondents were asked for treatment recommendations and survival that varied by PSA levels and Gleason scores and estimate QOL outcomes. Pearson's chi-square and multivariable regression models were used to test for differences in each outcome.Results:Response rates were similar for radiation oncologists (52.6%) and urologists (52.3%; P=0.92). Across all risk strata, urologists were more likely to recommend surgery than were radiation oncologists, for conditions ranging from PSA>20 and Gleason score 8-10 (35.2 vs 0.2%; P<0.001) to PSA 4-10 and Gleason score 7 (87.5 vs 20.9%; P<0.001). Radiation oncologists were also more likely to recommend radiation therapy relative to urologists (all P<0.001). From low- to high-risk prostate cancer, radiation oncologists and urologists perceived their treatment as being better for improving survival (all P<0.001). Each specialty also viewed their treatment as having less urinary incontinence (all P<0.001).Conclusions:Radiation oncologists and urologists both prefer the treatment modalities they offer, perceive them to be more effective and to lead to a better QOL. Patients may be receiving biased information, and a truly informed consent process with shared decision-making may be possible only if they are evaluated by both specialties before deciding upon a treatment course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlation functions play an important role for the theoretical and experimental characterization of many-body systems. In solid-state systems, they are usually determined through scattering experiments, whereas in cold gases systems, time-of-flight, and in situ absorption imaging are the standard observation techniques. However, none of these methods allow the in situ detection of spatially resolved correlation functions at the single-particle level. Here, we give a more detailed account of recent advances in the detection of correlation functions using in situ fluorescence imaging of ultracold bosonic atoms in an optical lattice. This method yields single-site- and single-atom-resolved images of the lattice gas in a single experimental run, thus gaining direct access to fluctuations in the many-body system. As a consequence, the detection of correlation functions between an arbitrary set of lattice sites is possible. This enables not only the detection of two-site correlation functions but also the evaluation of non-local correlations, which originate from an extended region of the system and are used for the characterization of quantum phases that do not possess (quasi-)long-range order in the traditional sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the completeness of quantum theory has been questioned using the concept of bipartite continuous-variable entanglement. The non-classical correlations (entanglement) between the two subsystems imply that the observables of one subsystem are determined by the measurement choice on the other, regardless of the distance between the subsystems. Nowadays, continuous-variable entanglement is regarded as an essential resource, allowing for quantum enhanced measurement resolution, the realization of quantum teleportation and quantum memories, or the demonstration of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox. These applications rely on techniques to manipulate and detect coherences of quantum fields, the quadratures. Whereas in optics coherent homodyne detection of quadratures is a standard technique, for massive particles a corresponding method was missing. Here we report the realization of an atomic analogue to homodyne detection for the measurement of matter-wave quadratures. The application of this technique to a quantum state produced by spin-changing collisions in a Bose-Einstein condensate reveals continuous-variable entanglement, as well as the twin-atom character of the state. Our results provide a rare example of continuous-variable entanglement of massive particles. The direct detection of atomic quadratures has applications not only in experimental quantum atom optics, but also for the measurement of fields in many-body systems of massive particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominance of invasive species is often assumed to be due to a superior ability to acquire resources. However, dominance in plant communities can arise through multiple interacting mechanisms, including disturbance. Inter-specific competition can be strongly affected by abiotic conditions, which can determine the outcome of competitive interactions. We evaluated competition and disturbance as mechanisms governing dominance of Phyla canescens (hereafter lippia), an invasive perennial forb from South America, in Paspalum distichum (perennial grass, hereafter water couch) meadows in floodplain wetlands of eastern Australia. Water couch meadows (in the study area) are listed under the Ramsar Convention due to their significance as habitat for migratory waterbirds. In the field, we monitored patterns of vegetation boundaries between the two species in response to flooding. Under controlled glasshouse conditions, we explored competitive interactions between the native water couch and lippia subject to different soil moisture/inundation regimes. We did this using a pairwise factorial glasshouse experiment that manipulated neighbor density (9 treatments) and soil moisture/inundation (4 treatments). In the field trial, inundation increased the cover of water couch. Under more controlled conditions, the invader had a competitive effect on the native species only under dry soil conditions, and was strongly inhibited by inundation. This suggests that dry conditions favor the growth of the invader and wetter (more historical) conditions favor the native grass. In this system, invader dominance is governed by altered disturbance regimes which give the invader a competitive advantage over the native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study conducted which investigates the reproduction of invasive plant lippia or "phyla canescens" in the wetlands in New South Wales. The researchers have selected adults plants of lippia that were isolated from other mature individuals to examine disperal distance, direction and mode of reproduction. Observation on the soil seed bank sampling is discussed. In the conclusion, the researchers emphasizes the importance of vegetative recruitment for the establishment and local expansion of lippia.

Copyright of Der Orthopäde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Interference is fundamental to wave dynamics and quantum mechanics. The quantum wave properties of particles are exploited in metrology using atom interferometers, allowing for high-precision inertia measurements. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art time standard is based on an interferometric technique known as Ramsey spectroscopy. However, the precision of an interferometer is limited by classical statistics owing to the finite number of atoms used to deduce the quantity of interest. Here we show experimentally that the classical precision limit can be surpassed using nonlinear atom interferometry with a Bose–Einstein condensate. Controlled interactions between the atoms lead to non-classical entangled states within the interferometer; this represents an alternative approach to the use of non-classical input states. Extending quantum interferometry to the regime of large atom number, we find that phase sensitivity is enhanced by 15 per cent relative to that in an ideal classical measurement. Our nonlinear atomic beam splitter follows the ‘one-axis-twisting’ scheme and implements interaction control using a narrow Feshbach resonance. We perform noise tomography of the quantum state within the interferometer and detect coherent spin squeezing with a squeezing factor of -8.2 dB (refs 11–15). The results provide information on the many-particle quantum state, and imply the entanglement of 170 atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Clinical Research in Cardiology Supplements is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The current gold standard in lumbar fusion consists of transpedicular fixation in combination with an interbody interponate of autologous bone from iliac crest. Because of the limited availability of autologous bone as well as the still relevant donor site morbidity after iliac crest grafting the need exists for alternative grafts with a comparable outcome. Forty patients with degenerative spinal disease were treated with a monosegmental spondylodesis (ventrally, 1 PEEK-cage; dorsally, a screw and rod system), and randomly placed in two groups. In group 1, autogenous iliac crest cancellous bone was used as a cage filling. In group 2 the cages were filled with an allogenic cancellous bone graft. Following 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, the clinical outcome was determined on the basis of: the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire; patient satisfaction; patient willingness to undergo the operation again; and a visual analog scale for pain. The radiological outcome was based on both fusion rate (radiographs, computed tomography), and on the bone mineral density of the grafts. After 6 months, the X-rays of the patients in group 2 had a significantly lower rate of fusion. Aside from this, there were no further significant differences. After 12 months, radiological results showed a similar fusion rate in both groups. Donor site complications consisted of five patients with hematoma, and three patients with persistent pain in group 1. No implant complications were observed. If a bone bank is available for support and accepting the low risk of possible transmission of infectious diseases, freeze-dried allogenic cancellous bone can be used for monosegmental spondylodeses. The results demonstrated an equivalent clinical outcome, as well as similar fusion rates following a 12-month period. This is in despite of a delayed consolidation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies continue to achieve clinical success for the treatment of many different diseases, particularly cancer. However, the production and purification of antibodies continues to be a time and labor-intensive process with considerable technical challenges. Gene-based delivery of antibodies may address this, via direct production within the host that achieves therapeutic levels. In this report, we validate the feasibility that gene-based delivery is a viable approach for efficacious delivery of antibodies in the preclinical and, presumably, clinical setting. We demonstrate high and sustained in vivo expression of the murine antihuman epidermal growth factor receptor antibody 14E1 following intramuscular delivery by adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/1. Incorporating the Furin/2A technology for monocistronic expression of both heavy and light chains, we achieved sustained serum levels of full-length 14E1 peaking over 1 mg ml−1 in athymic nude mice. In the A431 xenograft tumor model, 14E1 was capable of significantly inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging survival when AAV was administered prior to tumor challenge. Furthermore, 14E1 demonstrated significant antitumor efficacy against well-established tumors (∼400 mm3) when AAV was administered up to 20 days after tumor challenge. Here we demonstrate for the first time growth inhibition of a well-established tumor by a full-length antibody following delivery by AAV.Cancer Gene Therapy (2009) 16, 184–194; doi:10.1038/cgt.2008.68; published online 29 August 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entanglement, a key feature of quantum mechanics, is a resource that allows the improvement of precision measurements beyond the conventional bound attainable by classical means. This results in the standard quantum limit, which is reached in today’s best available sensors of various quantities such as time and position. Many of these sensors are interferometers in which the standard quantum limit can be overcome by using quantum-entangled states (in particular spin squeezed states) at the two input ports. Bose–Einstein condensates of ultracold atoms are considered good candidates to provide such states involving a large number of particles. Here we demonstrate spin squeezed states suitable for atomic interferometry by splitting a condensate into a few parts using a lattice potential. Site-resolved detection of the atoms allows the measurement of the atom number difference and relative phase, which are conjugate variables. The observed fluctuations imply entanglement between the particles, a resource that would allow a precision gain of 3.8 dB over the standard quantum limit for interferometric measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Clinical Research in Cardiology Supplements is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Clinical Research in Cardiology Supplements is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The ternary complex factor Net/Elk3 is downregulated in hypoxia and participates in the induction by hypoxia of several genes, including c-fos, vascular endothelial growth factor and egr-1. However, the global role of Net in hypoxia remains to be elucidated. We have identified, in a large-scale analysis of RNA expression using microarrays, more than 370 genes that are regulated by Net in hypoxia. In order to gain insights into the role of Net in hypoxia, we have analysed in parallel the genes regulated by HIF-1α, the classical factor involved in the response to hypoxia. We identified about 190 genes that are regulated by HIF-1α in hypoxia. Surprisingly, when we compare the genes induced by hypoxia that require either Net or HIF-1α, the majority are the same (75%), suggesting that the functions of both factors are closely linked. Interestingly, in hypoxia, Net regulates the expression of several genes known to control HIF-1α stability, including PHD2, PHD3 and Siah2, suggesting that Net regulates the stability of HIF-1α. We found that inhibition of Net by RNAi leads to decreased HIF-1α expression at the protein level in hypoxia. These results indicate that Net participates in the transcriptional response to hypoxia by regulation of HIF-1α protein stability.Oncogene (2008) 27, 1333–1341; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210736; published online 20 August 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate adenovirus (Ad) quantification requires labor- and time-intensive viral stock purification. While crude viral lysates can be titered by plaque assay, this cell-based assay is neither rapid nor accurate. Consequently, a method for quantification of crude, unpurified viral culture lysates is needed. Given growing interest in alternative Ad serotypes (different from well-studied and characterized serotype Ad5) for basic research and for therapeutic applications, such a method should also apply to alternative serotypes. Using a Q Sepharose XL (QSXL) column-based method, we describe a robust quantification method resulting in efficient retention of viral particles of all serotypes, while non-viral components of crude infected cultures remain largely in the flow-through. The high-performance liquid chromatography-QSXL method allows rapid, accurate adenoviral quantification in crude lysates as well as identification of the various serotypes present in mixed-serotype crude lysates. We also report on conditions that efficiently strip and regenerate the column, extending its functional life.Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 180–184. doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302851; published online 5 October 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 61 30Zn31 isotope has been produced at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the fusion-evaporation reaction 40Ca(24Mg, 2pn)61Zn at 104MeV. The experimental set-up allowed γ-rays to be detected in the CLARION Ge detector array in coincidence with the detection of recoiling nuclei in the focal plane at the end of the recoil mass spectrometer. This provides a unique identification of γ-rays belonging to 61Zn. The excited states have been explored by means of recoil- γγ coincidences, and the resulting decay scheme comprises almost 70 transitions. The data reveal numerous non-yrast states and suggest a revised spin and parity assignment for a previously observed superdeformed band. The resulting decay scheme is compared to predictions from different sets of large-scale shell model calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although the use of mammography on at regular intervals can save lives, not all women obtain the repeat mammography recommended in guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations between routine mammography use, perceived cancer risk, and actual projected cancer risk. METHODS: We include women who were 45 to 75 years of age and who had responded to the 2000 National Health Interview Survey. Women who reported that they believed their risk of getting cancer in the future was ‘medium’ or ‘high’ were considered jointly as ‘medium/high-risk perception.’ ‘Routine mammography use’ was defined as having ≥3 mammograms in the previous 6 years. We used logistic regression to determine the independent relation between cancer risk perception, projected breast cancer risk, and routine mammography use. RESULTS: Of the 6,002 women who met our inclusion criteria, 63.1% reported routine mammography use. About 76% of women in the highest quartile of projected breast cancer risk reported routine mammography use, compared with only 68%, 64%, and 51% in the third, second, and first quartiles, respectively (P<.001 chi-square test for trend). After adjusting for indicators of access to care, sociodemographic and behavioral factors, and perceived cancer risk, women in the highest quartiles of projected cancer risk were significantly more likely to report routine mammogram use than women in the lowest quartile (odds ratio [OR] of women in third and fourth quartiles were 1.57 [1.24 to 1.99], and 2.23 [1.73 to 2.87] vs the lowest quartile, respectively). Women with a higher perceived cancer risk were significantly more likely to undergo routine mammography (adjusted OR: 1.29 [1.12 to 1.48] P=.001). Cancer risk perceptions tended to be higher among women who were younger age, obese, smokers, depressed, or reported one of the following breast cancer risk factors: family breast cancer history, prior abnormal mammogram, and early age at menarche. CONCLUSION: Actual and perceived risk were independent predictors of routine mammography use, suggesting that efforts to incorporate risk profiles into clinical decision making may need to involve more than just relaying information about projected risks to patients, but also to explore how risk perceptions can be affected by this information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder in childhood with substantial heritability. Pharmacological and molecular genetic studies as well as characterization of animal models have implicated serotonergic dysfunction in the pathophysiology of ADHD. Here, we investigated the effect of polymorphic variants in the gene of the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in the brain, in children and adolescents with ADHD. We analyzed three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and downstream of the transcriptional control region of the TPH2 gene in 103 families with 225 affected children. Allelic association in families with more than one affected child was assessed using the pedigree disequilibrium test. Preferential transmissions were detected for the two SNPs in TPH2's regulatory region (rs4570625, P=0.049; rs11178997, P=0.034), but not for the third SNP in intron 2 (rs4565946, P=0.3517). Haplotype analysis revealed a strong trend of association between the regulatory region SNPs (rs4570625, rs11178997) and ADHD (P=0.064). Our results link potentially functional TPH2 variations to the pathophysiology of ADHD, and further support the relevance of 5-HT in disorders related to altered motor activity and cognitive processes.Molecular Psychiatry (2005) 10, 1126–1132. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001734; published online 23 August 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a table of contents of articles of the August 2, 2005 issue of the "European Physical Journal".

Following Coulomb excitation of the radioactive ion beam (RIB) 132Te at HRIBF, we report the first use of the recoil-in-vacuum (RIV) method to determine the g-factor of the 2+1 state to be (+)0.35(5). The advantages offered by the RIV method in the context of RIBs and modern detector arrays are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-neutron transfer reactions have been measured on two N = 50 isotones at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF). The single-particle-like states of 83Ge and 85Se have been populated using radioactive ion beams of 82Ge and 84Se and the ( d, p) reaction in inverse kinematics. The properties of the lowest-lying states --including excitation energies, orbital angular momenta, and spectroscopic factors-- have been determined for these N = 51 nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe an experiment optimized to determine the transition probabilities for excitation of the first excited 2+ state in 132Sn. The large excitation energy (4.04MeV) and consequent small excitation cross-section, together with the modest beam intensity available makes this a challenging experiment. The preliminary result is B( E2;0+ → 2+) = 0.11±0.03 e2 b2. The high efficiency and generalized nature of the setup enabled us to also measure the first 2+ state in the two-neutron nucleus 134Sn. We have determined a value of B( E2;0+ → 2+) = 0.029±0.005 e2 b2 which shows no sign of the asymmetry with respect to the N = 82 shell closure exhibited by the Te isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron-rich radioactive ion beams available from the HRIBF allow a variety of measurements around the 132Sn region, including Coulomb excitation and single-nucleon transfer. The B( E2;0+ → 2+) values for first 2+ excited states of even-even neutron-rich 132-136Te and 126-130Sn have been measured by Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. Neutron transfer onto a 134Te beam from 9Be and 13C targets, to populate single-particle states in 135Te, has also been studied. Gamma rays from the 13C(134Te, 12C) reaction were used to identify the ν i13/2 state in 135Te, at an energy of 2109 keV. These and other results, and plans for future experiments with these neutron-rich beams, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details a case report of successful sealing of post-interventional coronary artery aneurysm with coated stent which was followed-up with combined imaging. Coronary artery aneurysms are defined as dilations of more than 1.5 times the diameter of the corresponding coronary vessel. The case reported here is of a 66-year-old female with a history of moderate hypertension and hypercholesterolemia who was referred to the catheterization laboratory for coronary angiography of the left circumflex artery (LCX). Angiography revealed an impaired left ventricular function and a coronary one vessel disease with proximal subtotal stenosis of the LCX immediately after the fork of the short left main, and subtotal occlusion farther distal. It is suggested that coronary aneurysms may develop due to various causes, such as, congenital, inflammatory, syphilitic, or atherosclerotic lesions, in Kawasaki, Ehlers-Danlos, or Marfan's Syndrome, or Takayasu's arteritis.

Background:. The principle mechanisms leading to the development of atherosclerosis are long-term accumulation of lipids and cell proliferation. We have recently shown that a single nucleotide polymorphism in the c-myb gene is associated with the development of coronary artery disease in humans and intracellular lipid accumulation. C-myb expression has been further shown to be up-regulated during cell proliferation. The development of in-stent restenosis is predominantly driven by smooth muscle cell proliferation. Methods:. To study a possible association of c-myb with neointima formation in humans we genotyped 485 consecutive patients undergoing coronary stenting for a G/T-single nucleotide polymorphism in intron 6 of the cmyb gene. Restenosis was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography and angiographic follow-up after 6 months. To study the effect of c-myb on smooth muscle cell proliferation primary human smooth muscle cells were infected with recombinant adenovirus expressing c-myb, a dominant negative myb-engrailed fusion protein or control virus. Results and Conclusion:. Restenosis > 50% occurred in 27.6% of patients with at least one G-allele and in 20.8% of those without (p = 0.10). Even after adjustment for the independent risk factors diabetes mellitus, reference lumen diameter, smoking, dyslipidemia and number of diseased vessels, the observed difference in the distribution of the c-myb alleles did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.08). Adenoviral gene transfer of c-myb did not increase proliferation of cultured smooth muscle compared to control virus or untransfected cells, while the expression of the dominant negative mutant reduced proliferation of VSMC as previously shown. Our results indicate that expression of c-myb, while being important for cell cycle is not sufficient to induce smooth muscle cell proliferation. The G/T-nucleotide transversion polymorphism in intron 6 of the c-myb oncogene that has been associated with atherosclerosis and lipid accumulation is not a risk factor for human in-stent restenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is much interest in the utility of incorporating a common congener in studies of rare plants, because differences between species may be informative for conservation management. We propose here that it is the similarities between such species and even the parameters in which the rare species is comparatively more successful that can provide much useful information and opportunities. This is a benefit not often recognised within these species' comparisons. Bertya ingramii (Euphorbiaceae) is a threatened shrub known only from two small populations (<70 plants in each) in northern New South Wales, Australia. Both populations are in decline with grazed and senescing individuals and very few seedlings. In contrast, Bertya rosmarinifolia is widespread and was found to produce five-fold more seedlings than B. ingramii. A comparative study of these species involving pre- and post-seed release factors (bud to fruit ratios, flowering synchrony, breeding system, seed-set, seed viability and seed removal rates) was undertaken to determine whether there are key factors that reduce the pre- and post-dispersal reproductive potential in B. ingramii. Both species are monoecious, self-compatible and flower from August to November. In both species female flowers appear first and last, with ca. 8 weeks of intermittent synchrony between female and male flowers. In 1996, B. rosmarinifolia produced more than 100% more fruit than B. ingramii, which in part is due to bud production which is two-fold higher in B. rosmarinifolia. Seeds in both species exhibited ca. 97% viability. Germination treatments (80, 100 °C, scarified and control) revealed that for both species manual scarification produced a higher germination rate than heat or controls. An additional treatment of GA3 improved germination rates of B. ingramii seeds over most non-GA3 treatments, indicating that seeds of B. ingramii contain a conditional dormancy mechanism. Almost 100% of B. ingramii seeds were removed from experimental trays by ants and more B. ingramii seeds were removed than B. rosmarinifolia. To break the extinction vortex in which B. ingramii is involved, we propose human-assisted seed dispersal to safe sites, the augmenting of populations with ex situ germinated seedlings and the exclusion of herbivores from B. ingramii populations. The incorporation of the common congener B. rosmarinifolia was useful because it revealed that it too experienced bud loss to moths and seed removal by ants. Threat abatement for B. ingramii, particularly of moth damage, could be trialled on common B. rosmarinifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Ophthalmologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Proton-nucleus elastic scattering at intermediate energies, a well-established method for probing nuclear-matter density distributions of stable nuclei, was applied for the first time to exotic nuclei. This method is demonstrated to be an effective means for obtaining accurate and detailed information on the size and radial shape of halo nuclei. Absolute differential cross-sections for small-angle scattering were measured at energies near 700 MeV/u for the neutron-rich helium isotopes 6He and 8He, and more recently for the lithium isotopes 6Li, 8Li, 9Li and 11Li, using He and Li beams provided by the fragment separator FRS at GSI Darmstadt. Experiments were performed in inverse kinematics using the hydrogen-filled ionization chamber IKAR which served simultaneously as target and recoil-proton detector. For deducing nuclear-matter distributions, differential cross-sections calculated with the aid of the Glauber multiple-scattering theory, using various parametrizations for the nucleon density distributions as input, were fitted to the experimental cross-sections. The results on nuclear-matter radii and matter distributions are presented, and the significance of the data for a halo structure is discussed. Nuclear-matter distributions obtained for 6He and 8He conform with the concept that both nuclei compose of α-particle like cores and significant neutron halos. The matter distribution in 11Li exhibits, as expected from previous reaction cross-section studies with nuclear targets, the by far most extended halo component of all nuclei being investigated. In addition the present data allow a quantitative comparison of the structure of the He and Li isobares of either the mass number A = 6 or A = 8. The measured differential cross-sections have also been used for probing density distributions as predicted from various microscopic calculations. A few examples are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autopsy specimens of human coronary arteries were collected from 65 men and women ranging in age from 40–76 years of age. We made 209 coronary artery sections, which were graded in terms of severity of atherosclerosis by means of the Stary classification. Sections were stained using an antibody directed against the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. We found that in non-atherosclerotic sections, staining was confined to vascular smooth muscle cells in the media. However, with the advent of atherosclerosis, AT1 receptor expression was also present in atherosclerotic plaque and involved other cell types including inflammatory cells and myofibroblasts. We identified a remarkable correlation between AT1 receptor staining and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as well as intima-media thickness. These human data correspond well to animal models of atherosclerosis indicating an upregulation of AT1 receptor expression in atherosclerotic tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in the short-term (hours) and long-term (several days) photoacclimation to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) of a marine Antarctic diatom (Thalassiosira sp.). The cultures were exposed to natural solar radiation and grown over 72 h and 6 days under three experimental irradiance treatments: (1) photosynthetic available radiation (PAR) + UVR (280–700 nm), (2) PAR + UVA (315–700 nm), and (3) PAR (400–700 nm). Two MAAs were identified and quantified in the cells: porphyra-334 and shinorine. The cultures showed an initial period of growth inhibition and the rate of synthesis of MAAs (µ) was very high in all treatments in the short-term experiment and during the first 2 days of the long-term experiment. No differences between treatments were observed in the accumulation of these compounds. After 2 days of exposure, however, the MAA content per cell was several times higher than that initially found in all treatments, and the cells exposed to the PAR + UVR treatment displayed the maximum concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low transduction efficiency of viral and nonviral vectors is a major limitation in tumour gene therapy. The HSV-1 tegument protein VP22 has been shown to exhibit a novel intercellular transport property. VP22 wild-type as well as VP22 fusion proteins efficiently spread from the original expressing cell to numerous neighbouring cells, so that protein transport by VP22 chimaeric polypeptides into the surrounding cells offers a possible compensation for the inadequate gene transfer efficiencies. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of the E. coli cytosine deaminase (CD) suicide gene we made use of the VP22 transport property in CD transducing adenoviral (Ad) vectors. C- and N-terminal fusions of CD linked in-frame with VP22 were generated and cloned into recombinant adenoviral vectors. Following in vitro transduc- tion immunofluorescence analysis of Ad-transduced producer cells coplated with naive cells confirmed that the characteristic foci pattern of central producer and adjoining neighbour cells displaying nuclear staining was retained. After transduction of rat hepatoma cells with adenoviral vectors and subsequent incubation with the prodrug 5-FC, we observed enhanced cell cytotoxicity when comparing the CD-VP22 fusion (Ad-CD-VP22) with Ad-vectors expressing the CD gene only (Ad-CD). Thereby employment of Ad-vectors encoding VP22 fusion proteins opens up new possibilities to potentiate the efficiency of suicide gene therapy for the treatment of solid tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims/hypothesis. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of pancreas-kidney transplantation on the progression of macrovascular diseases in Type I diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease.¶Methods. The progression of cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease in uraemic patients with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and who had had simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation was compared with that of recipients of a kidney transplant alone. Between 1986 and 1998 a total of 11 uraemic diabetic patients received a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation and 10 diabetic patients a kidney transplant alone. All transplants functioned for at least 24 months, the mean observation period was 69 ± 37 compared with 70 ± 33 months in both patient groups. Macroangiopathic diseases were classified in four stages as described earlier.¶Results. In the group with simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation progression of cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease was observed in four patients (36 %) and progression of peripheral vascular disease in five subjects (45 %). In the cohort with kidney transplant alone four patients (40 %) showed progression of cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease and five progression of peripheral vascular disease (50 %); the difference is not significant. Mean values of HbA1 c (5.8 ± 0.2 vs 7.5 ± 0.6 %, p < 0.001) and serum triglycerides (1.2 ± 0.4 vs 2.0 ± 1.0 mmol/l, p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the patients with pancreas-kidney transplantation than in the patient group with kidney transplant alone. Serum cholesterol concentrations and blood pressures were similar in both cohorts.¶Conclusion/interpretation. From our results we concluded that pancreas-kidney transplantation reduces risk factors for the development of macroangiopathy but fails to halt progression of macrovascular diseases similar to Type I diabetic patients with kidney transplant alone. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 231–234] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on smooth muscle cell differentiation and those on vascular development in mouse and humans have long been hampered by the lack of suitable markers. Here we describe a novel, large isoform of smoothelin, a structural protein of differentiated, contractile smooth muscle cells. The protein, which is highly conserved in mouse and humans, shows homology with other cytoskeleton-associated smooth muscle cell proteins and contains an actinin-type actin-binding domain. Northern blot analysis from various mouse organs identified short and long smoothelin mRNA forms, which exhibit distinct tissue expression patterns. The short form is highly expressed in visceral muscle tissues such as intestine and stomach and is not detectable in brain, while the long mRNA form is expressed in all vascularized organs. These results may provide new tools and approaches to study both smooth muscle cell differentiation and proliferative vascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]