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Qualitative Differences (qualitative + difference)
Selected AbstractsQualitative difference between the cytotoxic T,lymphocyte responses to melanocyte antigens in melanoma and vitiligoEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 11 2005Belinda Palermo Abstract Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by depigmented macules secondary to melanocyte loss. An unusual facet is its relation to melanoma: Cytotoxic T,lymphocytes directed to melanocyte antigens are found in both conditions and imply a breakdown of tolerance, yet the resulting immune reaction is the opposite. The mechanisms at the basis of these opposite effects are not known. Here, we performed a direct comparison of whole melanocyte-specific T,cell populations in the two diseases. We demonstrate that neither precursor frequencies of Melan-A/MART-1-specific T,lymphocytes nor their status of activation differ significantly. However, by using a tetramer-based T,cell receptor down-regulation assay, we documented a higher affinity of vitiligo T,cells. We calculated that the peptide concentration required for 50% of maximal receptor down-regulation differed by 6.5-fold between the two diseases. Moreover, only vitiligo T,cells were capable of efficient receptor down-regulation and IFN-, production in response to HLA-matched melanoma cells, suggesting that this difference in receptor affinity is physiologically relevant. The differences in receptor affinity and tumor reactivity were confirmed by analyzing Melan-A/MART-1-specific clones established from the two diseases. Our results suggest that the quality, and not the quantity, of the melanocyte-specific cytotoxic responses differs between the two pathologies. [source] Odorant specificity of three oscillations and the DC signal in the turtle olfactory bulbEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2003Ying-Wan Lam Abstract The odour-induced population response in the in vivo turtle (Terepene sp.) olfactory bulb consists of three oscillatory components (rostral, middle and caudal) that ride on top of a DC signal. In an initial step to determine the functional role of these four signals, we compared the signals elicited by different odorants. Most experiments compared isoamyl acetate and cineole, odorants which have very different maps of input to olfactory bulb glomeruli in the turtle and a different perceptual quality for humans. We found substantial differences in the response to the two odours in the rise-time of the DC signal and in the latency of the middle oscillation. The rate of rise for cineole was twice as fast as that for isoamyl acetate. Similarly, the latency for the middle oscillation was about twice as long for isoamyl acetate as it was for cineole. On the other hand, a number of characteristics of the signals were not substantially different for the two odorants. These included the latency of the rostral and caudal oscillation, the frequency and envelope of all three oscillations and their locations and spatial extents. A smaller number of experiments were carried out with hexanone and hexanal; the oscillations elicited by these odorants did not appear to be different from those elicited by isoamyl acetate and cineole. Qualitative differences between the oscillations in the turtle and those in two invertebrate phyla suggest that different odour processing strategies may be used. [source] Gingival changes during pregnancy: II.JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Influence of hormonal variations on the subgingival biofilm Carrillo-de-Albornoz A, Figuero E, Herrera D, Bascones-Martínez A. Gingival changes during pregnancy: II. Influence of hormonal variations on the subgingival biofilm. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 230,240. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01514.x. Abstract Aim: To determine whether the exacerbated gingival inflammation that develops in pregnant women is related to a change in the subgingival biofilm induced by the increase in hormone levels during pregnancy. Material and Methods: This open cohort study included 48 pregnant and 28 non-pregnant women without periodontitis. Pregnant women were evaluated in the first, second and third trimester and at 3 months after delivery. Non-pregnant women were evaluated twice, with a 6-month interval, assessing microbiological, clinical and hormonal variables at each visit. Total anaerobic counts and frequency of detection and proportions were calculated. The Friedman test with the Bonferroni correction was used for intra-group comparisons and Mann,Whitney U -tests for inter-group assessment. Correlations were analysed by means of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Proportions of the subgingival periodontal pathogens did not differ throughout pregnancy, although significant differences were found for all the pathogens after delivery. Porphyromonas gingivalis -positive patients presented an increase in gingival inflammation (p<0.001) that was not related to plaque. Correlations were found between maternal hormone levels and P. gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. Conclusion: Qualitative differences in periodontal pathogens were found from pregnancy to post-partum. Patients harbouring P. gingivalis presented and increased gingival inflammatory status. [source] Identification and composition of cuticular hydrocarbons of the major Afrotropical malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae): analysis of sexual dimorphism and age-related changes,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 12 2005Beniamino Caputo Abstract Forty-eight cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from the epicuticular surface of the major Afrotropical malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. The hydrocarbons identified were 14 n -alkanes, 16 monomethyl alkanes, 13 dimethyl alkanes, 5 alkenes, with main-chain lengths ranging from C17 to C47, and the results are consistent with those from other Culicidae species. Qualitative differences were not observed between laboratory pools of three females and males, between different age-groups (0,16 days) and between single field specimens, whereas quantitative differences in CHC profiles were observed. Differences between sexes were more marked in individuals aged 0,2 days than in older ones. Both sexes undergo strong CHC profile changes with age, and individuals aged 0,2 days differ remarkably from the older ones. The possibility of exploiting these changes for estimating the age of mosquito was explored through multivariate analyses of the relative abundance of the compounds, using either the whole CHC profile or a subset of CHCs. Such a method allows us to assign more than 85% of females and 75% of males to the correct age-group. Although preliminary, these results show that the method is promising, as it has already been shown in Aedes aegypti and An. stephensi. The correct determination of the vector age (particularly in the case of the An. gambiae complex of sibling species) provides valuable information in malaria epidemiology and in evaluation of the effectiveness of vector control strategies. Further efforts will be made to validate this method on single specimens reared in seminatural conditions before being proposed to medical entomologists working in the Afrotropical region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The phenomenology of exception times: Qualitative differences between problem-focussed and solution-focussed interventionsAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Thomas Wehr Solution-focussed brief therapy (SFBT) is a prominent psychotherapeutic approach that deals with a positive focus and promises brief interventions. In two experiments, a solution-focussed technique was compared with a problem-focussed intervention. By means of a structured questionnaire, subjects were encouraged to think about a standard (Experiment 1) or a facultative topic (Experiment 2). Subsequently, they generated either one or five exceptions or exemplary problem episodes. Dependent variables were confident in coping with the problem, ease of retrieval, psychic comfort and several phenomenological properties of the autobiographical memory. A solution-oriented intervention increased self-confidence and established a positive mood. Exception times had a more positive tone and were generally more easily retrieved than problem episodes. The study confirms the claims of the SFBT for empowerment and rapid reduction of current suffering. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Arm and leg substrate utilization and muscle adaptation after prolonged low-intensity trainingACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010J. W. Helge Abstract This review will focus on current data where substrate metabolism in arm and leg muscle is investigated and discuss the presence of higher carbohydrate oxidation and lactate release observed during arm compared with leg exercise. Furthermore, a basis for a possible difference in substrate partitioning between endogenous and exogenous substrate during arm and leg exercise will be debated. Moreover the review will probe if differences between arm and leg muscle are merely a result of different training status rather than a qualitative difference in limb substrate regulation. Along this line the review will address the available studies on low-intensity training performed separately with arm or legs or as whole-body training to evaluate if this leads to different adaptations in arm and leg muscle resulting in different substrate utilization patterns during separate arm or leg exercise at comparable workloads. Finally, the influence and capacity of low-intensity training to influence metabolic fitness in the face of a limited effect on aerobic fitness will be challenged. [source] Laser diagnostic investigation of the bubble eruption patterns in the freeboard of fluidized beds: Simultaneous acetone PLIF and stereoscopic PIV measurementsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009C. R. Müller Abstract For the first time PIV has been applied simultaneously with acetone-PLIF in the freeboard of a fluidized bed. Here, the eruption profile of single bubbles and a continuous stream of bubbles were studied. As stereoscopic PIV was applied the out-of-plane component of the velocity was also measured. The out-of-plane component is not negligible. The observed bubble eruption patterns were in general agreement with the bubble model of Levy and Lockwood,24 Yorquez-Ramirez and Duursma5 and Solimene et al.1 No qualitative difference between the eruption of a single bubble and a stream of bubbles was observed. Based on the calculated vorticity of the gas in the freeboard, it was found that the bubble induced turbulence decays fairly rapidly. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] A new look at the quantum mechanics of the harmonic oscillatorANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 7-8 2007H.A. Kastrup Abstract In classical mechanics the harmonic oscillator (HO) provides the generic example for the use of angle and action variables and I > 0 which played a prominent role in the "old" Bohr-Sommerfeld quantum theory. However, already classically there is a problem which has essential implications for the quantum mechanics of the (,,I)-model for the HO: the transformation is only locally symplectic and singular for (q,p) = (0,0). Globally the phase space {(q,p)} has the topological structure of the plane ,2, whereas the phase space {(,,I)} corresponds globally to the punctured plane ,2 -(0,0) or to a simple cone with the tip deleted. From the properties of the symplectic transformations on that phase space one can derive the functions h0 = I, h1 = Icos , and h2 = - Isin , as the basic coordinates on {(,,I)}, where their Poisson brackets obey the Lie algebra of the symplectic group of the plane. This implies a qualitative difference as to the quantum theory of the phase space {(,,I)} compared to the usual one for {(q,p)}: In the quantum mechanics for the (,,I)-model of the HO the three hj correspond to the self-adjoint generators Kj, j = 0,1,2, of certain irreducible unitary representations of the symplectic group or one of its infinitely many covering groups, the representations being parametrized by a (Bargmann) index k > 0. This index k determines the ground state energy of the (,,I)-Hamiltonian . For an m -fold covering the lowest possible value for k is k = 1/m, which can be made arbitrarily small by choosing m accordingly! This is not in contradiction to the usual approach in terms of the operators Q and P which are now expressed as functions of the Kj, but keep their usual properties. The richer structure of the Kj quantum model of the HO is "erased" when passing to the simpler (Q,P)-model! This more refined approach to the quantum theory of the HO implies many experimental tests: Mulliken-type experiments for isotopic diatomic molecules, experiments with harmonic traps for atoms, ions and BE-condensates, with charged HOs in external electric fields and the (Landau) levels of charged particles in external magnetic fields, with the propagation of light in vacuum, passing through strong external electric or magnetic fields. Finally it may lead to a new theoretical estimate for the quantum vacuum energy of fields and its relation to the cosmological constant. [source] The evolution of intelligence: adaptive specializations versus general processBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 3 2001EUAN M. MAGPHAIL ABSTRACT Darwin argued that between-species differences in intelligence were differences of degree, not of kind. The contemporary ecological approach to animal cognition argues that animals have evolved species-specific and problem-specific processes to solve problems associated with their particular ecological niches: thus different species use different processes, and within a species, different processes are used to tackle problems involving different inputs. This approach contrasts both with Darwin's view and with the general process view, according to which the same central processes of learning and memory are used across an extensive range of problems involving very different inputs. We review evidence relevant to the claim that the learning and memory performance of non-human animals varies according to the nature of the stimuli involved. We first discuss the resource distribution hypothesis, olfactory learning-set formation, and the ,biological constraints' literature, but find no convincing support from these topics for the ecological account of cognition. We then discuss the claim that the performance of birds in spatial tasks of learning and memory is superior in species that depend heavily upon stored food compared to species that either show less dependence upon stored food or do not store food. If it could be shown that storing species enjoy a superiority specifically in spatial (and not non-spatial) tasks, this would argue that spatial tasks are indeed solved using different processes from those used in non-spatial tasks. Our review of this literature does not find a consistent superiority of storing over non-storing birds in spatial tasks, and, in particular, no evidence of enhanced superiority of storing species when the task demands are increased, by, for example, increasing the number of items to be recalled or the duration of the retention period. We discuss also the observation that the hippocampus of storing birds is larger than that of non-storing birds, and find evidence contrary to the view that hippocampal enlargement is associated with enhanced spatial memory; we are, however, unable to suggest a convincing alternative explanation for hippocampal enlargement. The failure to find solid support for the ecological view supports the view that there are no qualitative differences in cognition between animal species in the processes of learning and memory. We also argue that our review supports our contention that speculation about the phylogenetic development and function of behavioural processes does not provide a solid basis for gaining insight into the nature of those processes. We end by confessing to a belief in one major qualitative difference in cognition in animals: we believe that humans alone are capable of acquiring language, and that it is this capacity that divides our intelligence so sharply from non-human intelligence. [source] Self-concept and attributions about other women in women with a history of childhood sexual abuseCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 3 2010Susan J. McAlpine Abstract Self-concept literature and literature on childhood sexual abuse (CSA) suggests that women with a history of CSA may have particular ways of perceiving themselves, which, as well as impacting upon relationships within their everyday lives, may also have implications for therapy; whether this is on an individual basis or within a group. This research investigated self-concept and attributions about other women using an adapted version of the self-concept sorting task. Three groups of women were compared: women with a history of CSA, women experiencing depressed mood but without a history of CSA and a healthy non-clinical comparison group of hospital staff. To some extent the current findings supported previous studies indicating that women attempting to cope with the consequences of a history of CSA have a negative self-concept. However, there was evidence to suggest that certain self-aspects are protective or protected. Similarly, there is some support for previous evidence of difficult relationships with mothers. Possible explanations for these findings were discussed and areas for future research suggested.,Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Massage: , Although women with a history of CSA and depression have a negative view of themselves in comparison to a non-clinical group, there is no qualitative difference between these two groups. , Nor do women with a history of CSA have a more negative view of other women in general than women who are depressed. , Therefore, being aware of the likelihood that an individual may preceive herself, but not other women negatively, a therapist may use therapy to actively increase awareness and address this issue. [source] High phenotypic diversity in infecting but not in colonizing Staphylococcus aureus populationsENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Christiane Goerke Summary In hostile environments diversity within a bacterial population may be beneficial for the fitness of the microbial community as a whole. Here we analysed the population diversity of Staphylococcus aureus in infecting and colonizing situations. In the study, performed independently in two German centres, the heterogeneity of the S. aureus population was determined by quantifying the occurrence of phenotypic variants (differences in haemolysis, pigmentation, colony morphology) in primary cultures from nose, oropharyngeal and sputum specimens from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and in nose swabs from healthy S. aureus carriers. The proportion of heterogeneous samples, the number of clearly distinguishable isolates per sample and the qualitative differences between phenotypes was significantly higher in CF sputum specimens than in the other samples. The heterogeneity of the S. aureus population could be correlated with high bacterial densities in the sputum samples. In patients co-infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lower S. aureus bacterial loads and less heterogeneity in the S. aureus population were observed. Typing of all S. aureus isolates from heterogeneous samples by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis or spa typing revealed that the bacteria were polyclonal in 30%, monoclonal with minor genetic alterations in 25% or not distinguishable in 69% of the specimens. Some specimens harboured monoclonal and polyclonal variants simultaneously. Importantly, differences in antibiotic susceptibility were detected in phenotypic S. aureus variants within a single specimen. Diversification of a S. aureus population is highly favoured during chronic CF lung infection, supporting the general hypothesis that maintenance of intrahost diversity can be of adaptive value, increasing the fitness of the bacterial community. [source] Enhanced B-cell activation mediated by TLR4 and BCR crosstalk,EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2008Susana Minguet Abstract Despite the important role of B lymphocytes as a bridge between the innate and the adaptive immune system, little is known regarding lipopolysaccharide (LPS) recognition, activation of signalling networks or conceivable cooperation between LPS and the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). Here, we show that primary B cells can efficiently discriminate between different LPS chemotypes, responding with at least 100-fold higher sensitivity to rough-form LPS compared with smooth-form LPS. Using genetically modified mice, we demonstrate that B lymphocytes recognize all LPS chemotypes via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In addition, we dissect the signalling pathways that lead to CD69 upregulation upon TLR4 and BCR activation in primary B cells. Our data suggest that TLR4 and BCR induce CD69 transcription via two distinct sets of signalling molecules, exerting quantitative and qualitative differences in B-cell activation. Finally, we show that simultaneous stimulation of TLR4 and BCR additively elevates B-cell activation. In contrast, co-engagement of TLR4 and BCR by antigen-coupled LPS synergistically enhances activation of B cells, pointing out attractive targets for signalling crosstalk in B lymphocytes. [source] Patterns of calcium-binding proteins support parallel and hierarchical organization of human auditory areasEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 2 2003Oriana Chiry Abstract The human primary auditory cortex (AI) is surrounded by several other auditory areas, which can be identified by cyto-, myelo- and chemoarchitectonic criteria. We report here on the pattern of calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity within these areas. The supratemporal regions of four normal human brains (eight hemispheres) were processed histologically, and serial sections were stained for parvalbumin, calretinin or calbindin. Each calcium-binding protein yielded a specific pattern of labelling, which differed between auditory areas. In AI, defined as area TC [see C. von Economo and L. Horn (1930) Z. Ges. Neurol. Psychiatr.,130, 678,757], parvalbumin labelling was dark in layer IV; several parvalbumin-positive multipolar neurons were distributed in layers III and IV. Calbindin yielded dark labelling in layers I,III and V; it revealed numerous multipolar and pyramidal neurons in layers II and III. Calretinin labelling was lighter than that of parvalbumin or calbindin in AI; calretinin-positive bipolar and bitufted neurons were present in supragranular layers. In non-primary auditory areas, the intensity of labelling tended to become progressively lighter while moving away from AI, with qualitative differences between the cytoarchitectonically defined areas. In analogy to non-human primates, our results suggest differences in intrinsic organization between auditory areas that are compatible with parallel and hierarchical processing of auditory information. [source] SEXUAL SELECTION DRIVES RAPID DIVERGENCE IN BOWERBIRD DISPLAY TRAITSEVOLUTION, Issue 1 2000J. Albert C. Uy Abstract., Sexual selection driving display trait divergence has been suggested as a cause of rapid speciation, but there is limited supporting evidence for this from natural populations. Where speciation by sexual selection has occurred in newly diverged populations, we expect that there will be significant differences in female preferences and corresponding male display traits in the absence of substantial genetic and other morphological differentiation. Two allopatric populations of the Vogelkop bowerbird, Amblyornis inornatus, show large, qualitative differences in a suite of display traits including bower structure and decorations. We experimentally demonstrate distinct male decoration color preferences within each population, provide direct evidence of female preferences for divergent decoration and bower traits in the population with more elaborate display, and show that there is minimal genetic differentiation between these populations. These results support the speciation by sexual selection hypothesis and are most consistent with the hypothesis that changes in male display have been driven by divergent female choice. [source] Volatile constituents of different organs of Psoralea bituminosa L.FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2004Alessandra Bertoli Abstract The essential oil and SPME samples of the leaves, ,owers and seeds of Psoralea bituminosa L. were analysed by GC and GC,MS. We have investigated also the presence of monoterpene or aliphatic alcohol glucosides. The essential oils showed both qualitative and quantitative differences. The main constituents of the leaf and the ,ower essential oils were caryophyllene (23% and 18%, respectively), , -farnesene (15% and 6%, respectively), and germacrene D (24% and 18%, respectively). Signi,cant amounts (7%) of the same compounds were also directed in the seed essential oil, but tricyclene (11%) and , -pinene (50%) were the most important constituents of this oil. The volatile fractions of remaining leaf aqueous extracts after treatment with , -glucosidase revealed qualitative differences in comparison with the composition of the corresponding essential oils, and high levels of 3-hexen-1-ol (37%) and 1-octen-3-ol (27%) were observed. The SPME analysis of the fresh leaves, ,owers and seeds of P. bituminosa con,rmed the qualitative composition of the volatile oils, even if we detected signi,cative differences in the percentage ratio between monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in comparison with the oils, where sesquiterpenes were the main components. In fact the variation of the monoterpenes, tricyclene, , -pinene and camphene between the leaf oil and the corresponding headspace sample was remarkable: tricyclene increased from 0.1% to 8%, , -pinene from 0.1% to 16% and camphene from 0.3% to 10% in the SPME samples. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] IgG Subclass Responses in Childhood Helicobacter pylori Duodenal Ulcer: Evidence of T-Helper Cell Type 2 ResponsesHELICOBACTER, Issue 4 2004David I. Campbell ABSTRACT Background., Duodenal ulcer in adults chronically infected with Helicobacter pylori is associated with a polarized T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) mucosal immune response, with a predominantly immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) systemic specific response. It has been suggested that children colonized by H. pylori also produce a mucosal Th1 response, but there are few studies that have measured IgG subclass responses in children with duodenal ulcer. Materials and methods., Seven children with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection and 18 children with biopsy proven H. pylori infection but no duodenal ulcer had relative concentrations of IgG subclass responses (IgGsc) against H. pylori antigens measured by ELISA. Eighteen IgG seropositive adults acted as controls. The range of antigens recognised by IgG1 and IgG2 subclass responses were investigated by Western blots. Results., There were no differences in mean IgGsc responses between children with or without duodenal ulcer. Adults produced an IgG2 predominant response. Western blots showed no qualitative differences in antigens recognised by IgG1 or IgG2. Conclusion., Children with duodenal ulcer, in contrast to adults, produce an IgGsc response consistent with a mucosal Th2 response to H. pylori regardless of the presence of duodenal ulceration. This suggests that disease causation amongst children with H. pylori associated duodenal ulceration may not be dependant upon a mucosal Th1 biased response. [source] Human telomerase catalytic subunit gene re-expression is an early event in oral carcinogenesisHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2004B Luzar Aims:, Detection of telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) mRNA has been used as a surrogate marker for estimation of telomerase activity. The exact role and timing of telomerase re-activation, a key enzyme implicated in cellular immortalization and transformation, in the multistep process of oral carcinogenesis is still unknown. The aim was to test the hypothesis that (i) quantitative rather than qualitative differences exist in the level of hTERT mRNA expression between normal oral mucosa, different grades of oral epithelial abnormalities and squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, and that (ii) hTERT gene re-expression is an important, probably early event in oral carcinogenesis. Methods and results: The relative quantity of hTERT mRNA was analysed in 45 frozen oral epithelia representing different morphological stages of oral carcinogenesis classified according to the Ljubljana classification and in 37 oral squamous cell carcinomas, using a commercially available LightCycler Telo TAGGG hTERT Quantification kit. hTERT mRNA was not detected in normal or reactive hyperplastic oral epithelia, but was present in 43% of atypical hyperplasias (premalignant lesions), 60% of intraepithelial carcinomas and 68% of oral squamous cell carcinomas. Statistical analysis revealed two groups of oral epithelial changes, with significant differences in the levels of hTERT mRNA expression: 1, normal and reactive hyperplastic oral epithelium, and 2, atypical hyperplasia, intraepithelial carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Conclusion:, These data suggest that hTERT gene re-expression represents an early event in the multistep process of oral carcinogenesis, already detectable at the stage of precancerous oral epithelial changes. Nevertheless, other genetic aberrations appear to be necessary for progression of oral epithelial abnormalities towards invasive squamous cell carcinoma. [source] Neuropsychological functioning in buprenorphine maintained patients versus abstinent heroin abusers on naltrexone hydrochloride therapyHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 7 2009Lambros Messinis Abstract Rationale Methadone and buprenorphine are among the most widely employed pharmacological treatments currently available for opioid addiction. Cognitive effects of buprenorphine in abstinent heroin abusers are nevertheless far from being understood. Methods Neuropsychological performance of 18 buprenorphine-maintained patients (BMP) was evaluated relative to that of 32 currently abstinent heroin abusers on naltrexone hydrochloride therapy (FHAN), and 34 non-drug dependent controls. The three groups were demographically balanced. Clinical groups reported histories of similar patterns of drug use and had increased periods of abstinence from any illicit substance use including heroin. Results The BMP group performed poorer than controls on the RAVLT (encoding and delayed recall of verbal information), CTT (conceptual flexibility, executive functions) and the RBANS figure copy (visual perception) and delayed recall of visual information. There were no significant differences in any of the cognitive measures between the BMP and FHAN groups or between the FHAN group and controls. Furthermore, the non-differing percentage of abnormal cases between the two patient groups led us to infer that treatment with either BPM or FHAN is not accompanied by qualitative differences in the cognitive profiles of these patients. Conclusion Overall, results suggest that treatment with naltrexone in abstinent heroin abusers may result in less impairment of cognitive functions compared to treatment with buprenorphine. These findings are relevant for improved prognosis and treatment strategies in opioid dependence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] How does economic globalisation affect the welfare state?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WELFARE, Issue 2 2009Focusing on the mediating effect of welfare regimes In recent years the impact of globalisation on the welfare state has become a major issue in comparative policy studies. Some empirical studies demonstrate a negative relationship between globalisation and the welfare state, while others show adverse findings or a non-significant relationship. The impact of globalisation, however, can be neither uniform nor unidirectional because of the differences in the political economies of individual welfare states. Welfare regimes reflect qualitative differences in arrangements of welfare institutions and the associated enduring configuration of the welfare nexus, suggesting that welfare regimes may influence the impact of globalisation on the welfare state. We scrutinise the relationship between globalisation and the welfare state by sampling 18 affluent countries from 1980 to 2001 and concentrating on the mediating effect of three welfare regime types. Our study provides a comprehensive examination of the relationship between globalisation and the welfare state using a state-of-the-art analytical technique , the mixed-effect model. Findings suggest that welfare regimes respond differently to the impact of globalisation and therefore mediate the relationship between globalisation and the welfare state. Globalisation negatively affects the welfare state in a social democratic regime, while it marginally affects the welfare state in liberal and conservative regimes. [source] Secretion of cortisol and aldosterone as a vulnerable target for adrenal endocrine disruption , screening of 30 selected chemicals in the human H295R cell modelJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 8 2008Erik Ullerĺs Abstract The adrenal gland is a vulnerable target for toxic insult. Disruption of adrenal steroidogenesis and hormone secretion may cause serious effects on human health. A human in vitro model is needed to predict effects, and elucidate mechanisms of endocrine disruption and adrenal toxicity. The human adrenocortical cell line H295R has been used to screen for effects on sex hormones. Here, we have analyzed the effect of 30 potential endocrine disrupting chemicals on the secretion of cortisol and aldosterone from the H295R cells, using specific ELISA assays. The effect of chemicals was analyzed for basal and forskolin- or angiotensin II-stimulated hormone secretion. The chemicals were tested at the highest concentration where they displayed no evident unspecific cytotoxicity. Quantitative and qualitative differences in effects on hormone secretion were demonstrated for the various chemicals. A subset of the chemicals displayed different effects on cortisol and aldosterone secretion, and in some cases the effects were different between basal and stimulated hormone secretion. Aminoglutethimide, prochloraz, ketoconazole, 6-hydroxyflavone, imazalil and etomidate had the most marked inhibitory effects on cortisol (with or without forskolin) and ketoconazole, 6-hydroxyflavone, imazalil and etomidate had the most marked effects on aldosterone (with or without angiotensin II). The results are discussed in terms of known effects, structural similarity and possible mechanisms. We have shown that adrenal steroidogenesis is a vulnerable target for toxic insult and that the H295R assay is a useful in vitro model for screening purposes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Expression of the basal cell adhesion molecule (B-CAM) in normal and diseased human skinJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2000Thi-Mai Bernemann The basal cell adhesion molecule (B-CAM) is a 90-kD cell surface glycoprotein with a characteristic immunoglobulin domain structure. The pattern of B-CAM expression in cultured cells suggests that the molecule is associated with a substrate-adherent growth pattern in some lineages. We investigated the expression of B-CAM in normal and diseased human epidermis by means of immunohistochemistry employing a single batch of high-titer mouse monoclonal antibody G253. Snap-frozen biopsy material from normal skin (n=8), psoriasis (n=5), contact dermatitis (n=6), basal cell carcinoma (n=5) and fetal skin (n=6) was studied. In normal human skin, B-CAM was found in varying degrees throughout the epidermis with a preference for suprabasal expression, hair follicles were regularly of a B-CAM-positive phenotype. There were no qualitative differences with regard to the B-CAM expression pattern in normal skin in comparison to psoriasis and contact dermatitis. In contrast, fetal skin (15th to 18th week of gestation) was characterized by B-CAM-positive cells in the basal layer of the epidermis as well as in the outer root sheath of hair follicles. Basal cell carcinomas also regularly expressed high levels of B-CAM. A strong B-CAM-positive phenotype can be found in the outer root sheath of hair follicles of adult and fetal human skin as well as in fetal basal keratinocytes. [source] Sex differences in nutrient-dependent reproductive ageingAGING CELL, Issue 3 2009Alexei A. Maklakov Summary Evolutionary theories of aging predict that fitness-related traits, including reproductive performance, will senesce because the strength of selection declines with age. Sexual selection theory predicts, however, that male reproductive performance (especially sexual advertisement) will increase with age. In both bodies of theory, diet should mediate age-dependent changes in reproductive performance. In this study, we show that the sexes exhibit dramatic, qualitative differences in age-dependent reproductive performance trajectories and patterns of reproductive ageing in the cricket Teleogryllus commodus. In females, fecundity peaked early in adulthood and then declined. In contrast, male sexual advertisement increased across the natural lifespan and only declined well beyond the maximum field lifespan. These sex differences were robust to deviations from sex-specific dietary requirements. Our results demonstrate that sexual selection can be at least as important as sex-dependent mortality in shaping the signal of reproductive ageing. [source] A Language Without Borders: English Slang and Bulgarian Learners of EnglishLANGUAGE LEARNING, Issue 3 2007Krassimira D. Charkova This study investigated the acquisition of English slang in a foreign language context. The participants were 101 Bulgarian learners of English, 58 high school students, and 43 university students. The instrument included knowledge tests of English slang terms and questions about attitudes, sources, reasons, and methods employed in learning English as a foreign language slang. The data were analyzed through multivariate analyses of variance, discriminant function analysis, and qualitative analyses. The younger group was significantly associated with the knowledge of vulgar/offensive slang, ,= .374, ,2(12) = 91.47, p < .001. The same group showed a significantly higher appreciation of slang as a way of group belonging and projecting an image of looking cool. Overall, there were quantitative and qualitative differences between the age groups on all variables of interest, which are interpreted in view of sociopsychological factors. [source] Quality of life of children and adolescents after kidney or liver transplantation: Child, parents and caregiver's point of viewPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2003S. Manificat Abstract: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess quality of life (QoL) after kidney or liver transplantation during childhood. Self-questionnaires explored children, adolescent and parent QoL. Seventy-five transplant children, 36 transplant adolescents, 67 mothers, 34 fathers and 67 caregivers filled out the questionnaires; they were compared with a reference population. Children reported a rather good QoL, but their extra-family involvement appeared not as satisfactory as that of the reference population children. Adolescents reported a very high QoL when completing the structured format scale; however, their responses to open-ended questions showed qualitative differences compared with those of a reference population: they expressed concern about their body or health, less pleasure than ordinary adolescents to manage by themselves, and a poor relationship with peers. Mothers indicated a deep impact of the child's illness on their own QoL, and the need for psychological support. In conclusion, a rather good QoL is a long-lasting feature of kidney and liver transplantation in children. Such an assessment is mandatory to identify remaining impairments in some selected areas, either in the recipient or family. [source] Erwinia amylovora modifies phenolic profiles of susceptible and resistant apple through its type III secretion systemPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 3 2008Isabelle Pontais Fire blight is a disease affecting Maloideae caused by the necrogenic bacterium Erwinia amylovora, which requires the type III protein secretion system (TTSS) for pathogenicity. Profiles of methanol-extractable leaf phenolics of two apple (Malus × domestica) genotypes with contrasting susceptibility to this disease were analyzed by HPLC after infection. Some qualitative differences were recorded between the constitutive compositions of the two genotypes but in both of them dihydrochalcones accounted for more than 90% of total phenolics. Principal component analysis separated leaves inoculated with a virulent wild-type strain from those inoculated with a non-pathogenic TTSS-defective mutant or with water. The changes in levels of the various groups of phenolics in response to the virulent bacterium were similar between the two genotypes, with a significant decrease of dihydrochalcones and a significant increase of hydroxycinnamate derivatives. Differences between genotypes were, however, recorded in amplitude and kinetic of variation in these groups. Occurrence of oxidation and polymerization reactions is proposed, based on the browning process of infected tissues, but whether some by-products act in defense as toxic compounds remain to be tested. Among direct antibacterial constitutive compounds present in apple leaves, the dihydrochalcone phloretin only was found at levels close to lethal concentrations in both genotypes. However, E. amylovora exhibited the ability to stabilize this compound at sublethal levels even in the resistant apple, rejecting the hypothesis of its involvement in the resistance of this genotype. [source] Development pathways in learning to be a physiotherapistPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2006Ingrid Lindquist Abstract Background and Purpose.,Few studies have examined the experiences of students' professional socialization in physiotherapy. This international longitudinal study aimed to study experiences of situated learning and change in a student cohort during a physiotherapy education programme.,Method.,A phenomenographic design with semi-structured interviews was carried out with a cohort of physiotherapy students from two sites, strategically selected for variation in gender, age, educational background, work experience and academic level. Interviews were carried out after each of the first five semesters in the programme by a team of researchers. Seventy-six interviews explored students' learning experiences. Analysis identified the variation in experiences seen as important to becoming a physiotherapist.,Results.,Distinct perceptions of professional growth and progression are identified in four pathways of development: ,Reflecting on Practice'; ,Communicating with Others'; ,Performing Skills'; and ,Searching Evidence'. These pathways demonstrate qualitative differences in the focus of learning experiences and preferred learning context, and include learning in a context which supports reflection, learning as agreed by others in a context with patients and other professionals, learning physiotherapy skills in a practice context and learning formal knowledge in a context where theory can be linked with practice.,Conclusions.,In a cohort of students professional growth can be seen in a variety of development pathways. Each shows progress of professional growth in the ,what' as changes in experiences and the ,how' as ways of learning from them. In addition, the pattern of pathways in a cohort may change from one semester to another suggesting individuals may adopt different learning pathways throughout their education. Teaching staff are challenged to consider how they recognize a variation in development pathways in their student cohorts and how they purposefully ensure experiences to guide students through different learning pathways in socialization to become a physiotherapist. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Development of an HPLC-PAD-MS assay for the identification and quantification of major phenolic edelweiss (Leontopodium alpium Cass.) constituentsPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2006Stefan Schwaiger Abstract The analytical assessment of edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) herb extracts, used in traditional alpine medicine, has resulted in the development of a HPLC-PAD-MS method that allows baseline separation of almost all constituents. Peak assignment of 14 analytes was achieved by comparison of retention times, UV and mass spectra with those of reference compounds either commercially available (luteolin, apigenin and chlorogenic acid) or isolated from edelweiss plants by column chromatography. Ten of the isolated analytes were identified as the known natural products: quercetin-3- O - , - d -glucoside, luteolin-7- O - , - d -glucoside, luteolin-3,- O - , - d -glucoside, luteolin-4,- O - , - d -glucoside, apigenin-7- O - , - d -glucoside, 6-hydroxy-luteolin-7- O - , - d -glucoside, luteolin-7,4,-di- O - , - d -glucoside, chrysoeriol-7- O - , - d -glucoside, leontopodic acid and 3,5-dicaffeolyquinic acid. One analyte, 3,4,5-tri-(E)-caffeoly-d-glucaric acid proved to be a new natural product and was named leontopodic acid B. Structure elucidation was carried out by means of MS and NMR spectroscopy in all cases. The aerial plant parts of L. alpinum (capitula, inflorescence leaves, stems, stem leaves and leaves of the basal rosette) showed variable amounts of the above-mentioned constituents, although qualitative differences were not observable. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Generation of transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accumulating heterologous endo-xylanase or ferulic acid esterase in the endospermPLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Jesper Harholt Summary Endo-xylanase (from Bacillus subtilis) or ferulic acid esterase (from Aspergillus niger) were expressed in wheat under the control of the endosperm-specific 1DX5 glutenin promoter. Constructs both with and without the endoplasmic reticulum retention signal (Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu) KDEL were used. Transgenic plants were recovered in all four cases but no qualitative differences could be observed whether KDEL was added or not. Endo-xylanase activity in transgenic grains was increased between two and threefold relative to wild type. The grains were shrivelled and had a 25%,33% decrease in mass. Extensive analysis of the cell walls showed a 10%,15% increase in arabinose to xylose ratio, a 50% increase in the proportion of water-extractable arabinoxylan, and a shift in the MW of the water-extractable arabinoxylan from being mainly larger than 85 kD to being between 2 and 85 kD. Ferulic acid esterase-expressing grains were also shrivelled, and the seed weight was decreased by 20%,50%. No ferulic acid esterase activity could be detected in wild-type grains whereas ferulic acid esterase activity was detected in transgenic lines. The grain cell walls had 15%,40% increase in water-unextractable arabinoxylan and a decrease in monomeric ferulic acid between 13% and 34%. In all the plants, the observed changes are consistent with a plant response that serves to minimize the effect of the heterologously expressed enzymes by increasing arabinoxylan biosynthesis and cross-linking. [source] A proteomic view of the facultatively chemolithoautotrophic lifestyle of Ralstonia eutropha H16PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 22 2009Edward Schwartz Abstract Ralstonia eutropha H16 is an H2 -oxidizing, facultative chemolithoautotroph. Using 2-DE in conjunction with peptide mass spectrometry we have cataloged the soluble proteins of this bacterium during growth on different substrates: (i) H2 and CO2, (ii) succinate and (iii) glycerol. The first and second conditions represent purely lithoautotrophic and purely organoheterotrophic nutrition, respectively. The third growth regime permits formation of the H2 -oxidizing and CO2 -fixing systems concomitant to utilization of an organic substrate, thus enabling mixotrophic growth. The latter type of nutrition is probably the relevant one with respect to the situation faced by the organism in its natural habitats, i.e. soil and mud. Aside from the hydrogenase and Calvin-cycle enzymes, the protein inventories of the H2 -CO2 - and succinate-grown cells did not reveal major qualitative differences. The protein complement of the glycerol-grown cells resembled that of the lithoautotrophic cells. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase was present under all three growth conditions, whereas PEP carboxylase was not detectable, supporting earlier findings that PEP carboxykinase is alone responsible for the anaplerotic production of oxaloacetate from PEP. The elevated levels of oxidative stress proteins in the glycerol-grown cells point to a significant challenge by ROS under these conditions. The results reported here are in agreement with earlier physiological and enzymological studies indicating that R. eutropha H16 has a heterotrophic core metabolism onto which the functions of lithoautotrophy have been grafted. [source] Annotation: The similarities and differences between autistic disorder and Asperger's disorder: a review of the empirical evidenceTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 3 2004Kathleen E. Macintosh Background:, The ongoing controversy over the distinction between autistic disorder and Asperger's disorder is important to resolve because of the implications regarding an understanding of the aetiology and prognosis, and the diagnostic and clinical practices relating to these conditions. This paper provides a critical evaluation of current published research evidence. Method:, Databases, such as PsychINFO and Medline, as well as book chapters, reference lists from relevant articles, and recent editions of key journals were searched for all relevant studies (until 2002) which incorporated participants diagnosed with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder using either cluster analysis or comparative approaches to examine similarities and differences between these groups. Keywords used in the searches included autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, autism, high-functioning autism, and pervasive developmental disorder. Results:, On the basis of the available evidence, there seem to be few qualitative differences between autistic disorder and Asperger's disorder. Conclusion:, There is currently insufficient evidence to establish the validity of Asperger's disorder as a syndrome distinct from high-functioning autism. The findings are consistent with the view that these disorders belong on an autism spectrum. 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