Introducing IOS as an extended interactive version of the 'Inclusion of Other in the Self' scale to estimate relationship closeness.

The study of relationship closeness has a long history in psychology and is currently expanding across the social sciences, including economics. Estimating relationship closeness requires appropriate tools. Here, we introduce and test a tool for estimating relationship closeness: 'IOS'.

Characterization of the properties of a selective, orally bioavailable autotaxin inhibitor in preclinical models of advanced stages of liver fibrosis.

Background And Purpose: Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted phospholipase which hydrolyses lysophosphatidylcholine to generate lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The extracellular signalling molecule LPA exerts its biological actions through activation of six GPCRs expressed in various cell types including fibroblasts. Multiple preclinical studies using knockout animals, LPA receptor antagonists or ATX inhibitors have provided evidence for a potential role of the ATX/LPA axis in tissue fibrosis.

Biofuel by isomerizing metathesis of rapeseed oil esters with (bio)ethylene for use in contemporary diesel engines.

Rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) and (bio)ethylene are converted into biofuel with an evenly rising boiling point curve, which fulfills the strict boiling specifications prescribed by the fuel standard EN 590 for modern (petro)diesel engines. Catalyzed by a Pd/Ru system, RME undergoes isomerizing metathesis in a stream of ethylene gas, leading to a defined olefin, monoester, and diester blend. This innovative refining concept requires negligible energy input (60°C) and no solvents and does not produce waste.

A comparative study of fragment screening methods on the p38α kinase: new methods, new insights.

The stress-activated kinase p38α was used to evaluate a fragment-based drug discovery approach using the BioFocus fragment library. Compounds were screened by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on a Biacore(™) T100 against p38α and two selectivity targets. A sub-set of our library was the focus of detailed follow-up analyses that included hit confirmation, affinity determination on 24 confirmed, selective hits and competition assays of these hits with respect to a known ATP binding site inhibitor.

[Right-sided posttraumatic ruptures of the diaphragm].

The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle. It has the most significant function in respiratory excursions and the ability to maintain the negative thoracic pressure. Diaphragm injuries are relatively rare and they are the result of blunt or, in our conditions less often, penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.

[Peroperative detection of pulmonary lesions during mini-invasive surgery].

Currently, peroperative palpatory examination of the lungs represents standard method, however the development of the new mini-invasive surgery techniques devoid of palpable facilities, demands utilization of different procedures. The authors present their experiences involving detection of pulmonary lesions during thoracoscopic surgery visually, by endoscopic instruments, preoperative dye marking and peroperative ultrasonography via an endoscopic ultrasonic probe (all performed in Liberec District Hospital a.s.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonist, AVE8134, attenuates the progression of heart failure and increases survival in rats.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) agonist, AVE8134, in cellular and experimental models of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.

Methods: In Sprague Dawley rats with permanent ligation of the left coronary artery (post-MI), AVE8134 was compared to the PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone and in a second study to the ACE inhibitor ramipril. In DOCA-salt sensitive rats, efficacy of AVE8134 on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis was investigated.

[Thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection--lobectomy].

The authors bring their first experience with a purely endoscopic anatomical lung resection - lobectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. At the department of surgery, Liberec Hospital, we have, so far, done 5 operations using this new technique. Once left superior lobectomy and 4 left inferior lobectomies were carried out.

Differential regulation of synaptic vesicle proteins by antidepressant drugs.

Synaptic vesicle proteins (SVP) play a critical role in neurotransmitter release and neural plasticity, and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as depression. Antidepressant drugs not only alter the level of neurotransmitters, but also modulate de novo gene transcription and synthesis of proteins involved in neural plasticity. In order to investigate the effects of antidepressant compounds on SVP-mRNA levels, the expressions of synaptophysin, synaptotagmin, VAMP, and synapsin-I were analysed by in situ hybridization in rats which had been treated with desipramine, fluoxetine, tranylcypromine, or saline.

Transcriptional activation of cytochrome P450 CYP2C45 by drugs is mediated by the chicken xenobiotic receptor (CXR) interacting with a phenobarbital response enhancer unit.

Cytochromes P450 (CYP)-2C enzymes fulfill an important role in xenobiotic metabolism and therefore have extensively been studied in rodents and humans. However, no CYP2C genes have been described in avian species to date. In this paper, we report the cloning, functional analysis, and regulation of chicken CYP2C45.

Association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-related psychopathology and personality traits with the serotonin transporter promoter region polymorphism.

The role of the genetic polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is under discussion as a modulator for personality traits and a risk factor for several mental disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we report a significant association of this polymorphism with scores on the Wender Utah Rating Scale, which was used for the assessment of a history of ADHD-associated symptoms, indicating a higher frequency of the long variant allele in individuals with high scores. We found no association between the 5-HTT polymorphism and personality traits according to the Eysenck Impulsivity Questionnaire and the Freiburg Personality Inventory, respectively, except a significant association with social orientation.

Association analysis of HTR6 and HTR2A polymorphisms in sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

In order to identify gene variants related to the serotonergic neurotransmitter system that possibly represent a hereditary risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), patients suffering from AD and non-demented psychiatric inpatients without symptoms of dementia were genotyped for polymorphisms of HTR6 (267C/T) and HTR2A (-1438G/A). Although there was a tendency toward an increased number of the genotype TT of the 5-HT6 receptor polymorphism in AD patients when compared to controls (2.8% vs.

Stress differentially regulates synaptophysin and synaptotagmin expression in hippocampus.

Background: In view of the effects of stress on synaptic plasticity, the regulation of synaptophysin and synaptotagmin expression by immobilization was analyzed by in situ hybridization.

Methods: Rats were exposed to immobilization stress, which induced typical behavioral alterations, such as reduced locomotor activity after stress exposure. Determination of mRNA levels of the integral synaptic vesicle proteins was performed immediately after acute or chronic immobilization.

Promoter polymorphism of the 5-HT transporter and Alzheimer's disease.

The role of the deletion/insertion polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) is under discussion as a potential genetic risk factor for Alzheimers's disease (AD). Here we report significant differences in the allelic distribution of this polymorphism with a higher frequency of the short variant allele in AD patients when compared to controls. This difference was independent of the apolipoproteinE genotype.

Presenilin-1 differentially facilitates endoproteolysis of the beta-amyloid precursor protein and Notch.

Mutations in the presenilin-1 (PS1) gene are associated with Alzheimer's disease and cause increased secretion of the neurotoxic amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta). Critical intramembraneous aspartates at residues 257 and 385 are required for the function of PS1 protein. Here we investigate the biological function of a naturally occurring PS1 splice variant (PS1 Deltaexon 8), which lacks the critical aspartate 257.

Cloning and functional expression of a first inducible avian cytochrome P450 of the CYP3A subfamily (CYP3A37).

CYP3As represent a family of cytochromes P450 involved in the metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous natural and synthetic compounds. Well described in mammals, none have yet been cloned and characterized in avian species. In this paper, we report the cloning and analysis of an avian CYP3A (CYP3A37).

Amyloidogenic function of the Alzheimer's disease-associated presenilin 1 in the absence of endoproteolysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the invariant accumulation of senile plaques predominantly composed of the pathologically relevant 42-amino acid amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta42). The presenilin (PS) proteins play a key role in Abeta generation. FAD-associated mutations in PS1 and PS2 enhance the production of Abeta42, and PS1 is required for physiological Abeta production, since a gene knockout of PS1 and dominant negative mutations of PS1 abolish Abeta generation.

A loss of function mutation of presenilin-2 interferes with amyloid beta-peptide production and notch signaling.

Presenilin-1 (PS1) facilitates gamma-secretase cleavage of the beta-amyloid precursor protein and the intramembraneous cleavage of Notch1. Although Alzheimer's disease-associated mutations in the homologous presenilin (PS2) gene elevate amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta42) production like PS1 mutations, here we demonstrate that a gene ablation of PS2 (unlike that of PS1) in mice does not result in a severe phenotype resembling that of Notch-ablated animals. To investigate the amyloidogenic function of PS2 more directly, we mutagenized a conserved aspartate at position 366 to alanine, because the corresponding residue of PS1 is known to be required for its amyloidogenic function.

[Laparoscopic suturing of perforated duodenal and prepyloric ulcers].

The authors submit an account of five patients with a perforated duodenal and prepyloric ulcer. All patients were treated by laparoscopy only. A laparoscopic suture of the perforated ulcer was made without omentoplasty with lavage and drainage.

[Desmoids: are there any new developments?].

In the submitted review of the literature the authors evaluate contemporary therapeutic possibilities of mesenterial desmoids. A more detailed pattern of cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic chemotherapy, actinotherapy and hormonal therapy is presented. Surgical resection is limited by the size of the tumour and above all by early detection before the size of 15 cm is reached.

Impact of selected diagnosis-related groups on regional neonatal care.

The evaluation and reimbursement of hospital use by means of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) may have a major impact on the utilization of regional neonatal care. Medicare has already implemented the DRG system and other payors, including Medicaid, Blue Cross, and commercial insurance, are also considering adopting it. Under this approach, neonates are assigned to one of seven DRGs, each of which is reimbursed at a relatively fixed rate.