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Astigmatism in 12-year-old Australian children: comparisons with a 6-year-old population.

PURPOSE: To study the distributions of refractive (RA), corneal (CA), and internal astigmatism (IA) in 12-year-old Australian children and to explore differences from previous findings in 6-year-old children. METHODS: Eligible year 7 students (2353/3144 [75.3%], median age, 12 years) from a random cluster sample of 21 high schools in Sydney, Australia, were examined by keratometry, cycloplegic autorefraction, and review of questionnaire data. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of RA, CA, and IA > or =1.0 D in right eyes were 6.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0-8.4), 26.6% (CI, 22.1-31.1), and 26.5% (CI, 22.9-30.0), respectively. RA was predominantly with-the-rule (WTR; 40.4%, CI, 32.6 to 48.2) and against-the-rule (ATR; 43.6%, CI, 35.7-51.5), CA was WTR (88.8%, CI, 86.3-91.3), and IA was ATR (90.2%, CI, 87.8-92.6). The girls had significantly greater CA and IA prevalence, with greater ATR astigmatism and lower oblique IA than did the boys. The European white-Australian children had lower CA prevalence than did the East Asian-Australian children and higher IA prevalence than did the South Asian-Australian children. Ethnic differences in RA prevalence were not significant, when adjusted for confounders. RA was more frequently ATR in European white than in other ethnic groups. Compensation between CA and IA reduced the magnitude of RA. Comparison with the data on 6-year-old children revealed minimal differences for all astigmatic components. CONCLUSIONS: There was a relatively low prevalence of RA, due to compensation between CA and IA. The minimal differences in all components of astigmatism between the two age cohorts suggest that astigmatism is stable between ages 6 and 12 years, although this conclusion needs to be confirmed in longitudinal studies.

Adolescent↗

Utility of the trauma symptom inventory's atypical response scale in detecting malingered post-traumatic stress disorder.

The authors examined the Trauma Symptom Inventory's (TSI) ability to discriminate 88 student post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) simulators screened for genuine PTSD from 48 clinical PTSD-diagnosed outpatients. Results demonstrated between-group differences on several TSI clinical scales and the Atypical Response (ATR) validity scale. Discriminant function analysis using ATR revealed 75% correct patient classification but only 48% correct simulator classification, with an overall correct classification rate of 59% (positive predictive power [PPP] = .71; negative predictive power [NPP] = .51). Individual ATR cutoff scores did not yield impressive classification results, with the optimal cutoff (T score = 61) correctly classifying only 61% of simulators and patients (PPP = .66, NPP = .54). Although ATR was not developed as a malingered PTSD screen, instead serving as a general validity screen, caution is recommended in its current clinical use for detecting malingered PTSD.

Adolescent↗

G2 damage checkpoints: what is the turn-on?

Cells mount a coordinated response to DNA damage, activating DNA repair pathways and cell-cycle checkpoint pathways to allow time for DNA repair to occur. In human cells, checkpoint responses can be divided into p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways, the latter being predominant in G2 phase of the cell cycle. The p53-independent pathway involves a phosphorylation cascade that activates the Chk1 effector kinase and induces G2 arrest through inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2. At the top of this cascade are the ATR and ATM kinases. How ATM and ATR recognize DNA damage and activate this checkpoint pathway is only beginning to emerge. Single-stranded DNA, a result of stalled DNA replication or processing of chromosomal lesions, appears to be central to the activation of ATR. The recruitment of replication protein A to single-stranded DNA facilitates the recruitment of several complexes of checkpoint proteins. In this context, ATR is activated and then phosphorylates the C-terminus of Chk1, activating it to enforce a block to mitotic entry.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗

SPO11 is required for sex-body formation, and Spo11 heterozygosity rescues the prophase arrest of Atm-/- spermatocytes.

SPO11 introduces double-strand breaks (DSBs) that trigger the phosphorylation of H2AX during meiotic prophase. In mice, SPO11 is strictly required for initiation of meiotic recombination and synapsis, yet SPO11 is still considered to be dispensable for sex-body formation in mouse spermatocytes. We provide conclusive evidence showing that functional SPO11, and consequently recombination and synapsis, are required for phosphorylation of H2AX in the X-Y chromatin and for sex-body formation in mouse spermatocytes. We investigated the role in meiosis of the three kinases [ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), ATR (ataxia-telangiectasia- and Rad-3-related) and DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent-protein-kinase catalytic subunit)] known to phosphorylate H2AX in mitotic cells. We found that DNA-PKcs can be ruled out as an essential kinase in this process, whereas ATM is strictly required for the chromatin-wide phosphorylation of H2AX occurring in leptotene spermatocytes in response to DSBs. Remarkably, we discovered that Spo11 heterozygosity can rescue the prophase-I-arrest characteristic of ATM-deficient spermatocytes. Characterization of the rescued Atm-/- Spo11+/- mutant indicates that ATM is dispensable for sex-body formation and phosphorylation of H2AX in this subnuclear domain. The co-localization of ATR, phosphorylated H2AX and the sex chromatin observed in the Atm-/- Spo11+/- mutant, along with ATR transcription kinetics during the first wave of spermatogenesis, confirm and expand recent findings indicating that ATR is the kinase involved in H2AX phosphorylation in the sex body.

Animals↗

Effect of nonparallelism of guiding air-liquid layers on the reflection dip in attenuated total reflection.

The effect attributable to the nonparallelism of the guiding layer of a planar waveguide on the reflection dip of the attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectrum is investigated. It is considered that the reflected light from a nonparallel waveguide is, indeed, the superposition of a series of beams propagating in different directions. The ATR spectra are numerically calculated with various inclination values. Compared with those of the corresponding parallel ones, with the inclination of waveguides exceeding 1 microrad, the characteristics of the ATR spectra begin to differ considerably, and when the inclination reaches 10 microrad, the sensitivity of sensors based on the waveguide is reduced by 62.7% and 67.3% for the free space coupling structure and the prism coupling structure, respectively. When the inclination becomes larger than 100 microrad, the ATR phenomenon cannot be observed any longer.

Journal Article↗

On-line fermentation monitoring by mid-infrared spectroscopy.

A new method for on-line monitoring of fermentations using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy has been developed. The method has been used to predict the concentrations of glucose and ethanol during a baker's yeast fermentations. A completely automated flow system was employed as an interface between the bioprocess under study and the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, which was equipped with a flow cell housing a diamond attenuated total reflection (ATR) element. By using the automated flow system, experimental problems related to adherence of CO(2) bubbles to the ATR surface, as well as formation of biofilms on the ATR surface, could be efficiently eliminated. Gas bubbles were removed during sampling, and by using rinsing steps any biofilm could be removed from the ATR surface. In this way, constant measuring conditions could be guaranteed throughout prolonged fermentation times (approximately 8 h). As a reference method, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with refractive index detection was used. The recorded data from different fermentations were modeled by partial least-squares (PLS) regression comparing two different strategies for the calibration. On the one hand, calibration sets were constructed from spectra recorded from either synthetic standards or from samples drawn during fermentation. On the other hand, spectra from fermentation samples and synthetic standards were combined to form a calibration set. Differences in the kinetics of the studied fermentation processes used for calibration and prediction, as well as the precision of the HPLC reference method, were identified as the main chemometric sources of error. The optimal PLS regression method was obtained using the mixed calibration set of samples from fermentations and synthetic standards. The root mean square errors of prediction in this case were 0.267 and 0.336 g/L for glucose and ethanol concentration, respectively.

Biofilms↗

Characterization of infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization samples by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy.

Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FT-IR ATR) spectroscopy was used to characterize thin films of succinic acid, a matrix compound commonly used with infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (IR-MALDI) mass spectrometry. IR spectra of succinic acid thin films deposited alone and in combination with the analyte biomolecules insulin and cytochrome c were obtained by FT-IR ATR spectroscopy. Spectra of analyte and matrix alone were similar to those obtained previously from KBr pellets, Nujol mull, or thin-film absorption, although the ATR spectra have significantly lower background interferences. Thin films deposited from mixtures of water and methanol have additional peaks compared to films deposited from a methanol solution. These additional peaks are attributed to carboxylate groups stabilized by residual water molecules. No evidence was found to suggest that residual water absorption contributes to absorption at wavelengths typically used for IR-MALDI. Absorption of energy by analyte vibrational modes with rapid energy transfer to the matrix is suggested as a contributor to desorption and ionization consistent with the FT-IR ATR results.

Journal Article↗

Fourier transform infrared imaging of human hair with a high spatial resolution without the use of a synchrotron.

The cross-section of a human hair has been imaged for the first time using the micro attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) method in combination with a focal plane array (FPA) detector. A rigorous approach was applied to determine the spatial resolution, namely, measuring the distance over which the band absorbance changes from 95 to 5% of the maximum absorbance when passing through a sharp interface. The measured value for IR transmission was approximately 16 microm, while the value obtained using ATR imaging was approximately 5 microm. The enhanced spatial resolution achieved by this method allows the medulla of the hair (approximately 8 microm in diameter) to be imaged clearly without the need for a synchrotron source. The spatial resolution of transmission and ATR imaging is compared, and advantages of ATR imaging are discussed.

Amides↗

Monitoring the thermal gelation of cellulose ethers in situ using attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

In this work attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to probe the thermal gelation behavior of aqueous solutions of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), specifically thermal gelation and accompanying precipitation. Cloud point measurements are usually evaluated through turbidity in dilute solutions but the method cannot readily be applied to more concentrated or highly viscous solutions. From the ATR-FTIR data, intensity changes of the nu(CO) band marked the onset of gelation and information about the temperature of gelation and the effect of the gel structure on the water hydrogen bonding network was elucidated. Changes in the relative intensities of bands associated with the methoxyl groups and hydrogen-bond-forming secondary alcohol groups indicated that hydrophobic polymer chain interactions were involved in the gelation process. The dominance of inter-molecular H bonding over intra-molecular H bonding within the cellulose ether in solution was also observed. The ATR-FTIR data was in good agreement with measurements of turbidity conducted on the same systems. The work indicates significant potential for the use of ATR-FTIR for the investigation of gelation and cloud point measurements in viscous cellulosic formulations.

Ether↗

Characterization of historic silk by polarized attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for informed conservation.

When assessing historic textiles and considering appropriate conservation, display, and storage strategies, characterizing the physical condition of the textiles is essential. Our work has concentrated on developing nondestructive or micro-destructive methodologies that will permit this. Previously, we have demonstrated a correlation between the physical deterioration of unweighted and "pink" tin (IV) chloride weighted silk and certain measurable spectroscopic and chromatographic signatures, derived from polarized Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy (Pol-ATR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) microsampling analyses. The application of the Pol-ATR technique to aged silk characterization has now been extended to include a more comprehensive range of weighting methods and aging regimes. This was intended to replicate the full spectrum of states of deterioration observed in silk textiles, from pristine to heavily degraded. Breaking strength was employed as a measure of the physical integrity of the fibers, and, as expected, decreased with aging. An orientational crystallinity parameter, reflecting the microstructural ordering of the fibroin polymer within the fibers, was derived from the Pol-ATR spectra. A good correlation was observed between the breaking strength of the variety of fibers and this parameter. This suggests that the physical state of historic silk fabrics might be adequately characterized for conservation purposes by such indirect micromethodology.

Animals↗

Shining new light on old principles: localization of evanescent field interactions at infrared-attenuated total reflection sensing interfaces.

A combined experimental and spectral ray tracing approach for identifying and evaluating evanescent field interactions with discrete surface deposits along a horizontal attenuated total reflection (HATR) element is presented. By experimentally depositing poly(styrene-co-butadiene) (PSCB) residues at fixed intervals along the measurement surface of a HATR crystal, distinct regions of evanescent field interaction with the surface deposits along the multi-reflection waveguide are visualized via infrared absorption features of PSCB. The infrared-attenuated total reflection (IR-ATR) measurements were confirmed by spectral ray tracing analysis simulating transmission-absorption spectra after modeling the polymeric surface deposits as thin-film IR absorbing cylinders. The presented analytical procedures and simulations provide a generic strategy for identifying and evaluating "active" sensing regions along ATR elements. Additionally, the simulated ATR setup along with the presented spectral ray tracing procedures provide a virtual platform aiding the development, optimization, and integration of deep-sea IR-ATR sensor probes with submersible mid-infrared spectrometers for in situ marine monitoring applications, which was the initial motivation for these studies.

Algorithms↗

Combining the tape-lift method and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging for forensic applications.

Conventional Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and microscopy have been widely used in forensic science. New opportunities exist to obtain chemical images and to enhance the spatial resolution using attenuated total reflection (ATR) FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with a focal-plane array (FPA) detector. In this paper, the sensitivity limits of FT-IR imaging using three different ATR crystals (Ge, ZnSe, and diamond) in three different optical arrangements for the detection of model particles is discussed. Model systems of ibuprofen and paracetamol particles having sizes below 32 mum were studied. The collection of drug particles was achieved with the aid of two different tapes: common adhesive tape and a film of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The surface of the film with collected particles was measured directly via ATR-FT-IR imaging. Since the removal of tape from porous surfaces can be difficult, the application of micro ATR-FT-IR imaging directly to the surface of a newspaper contaminated with particles of model drugs is also discussed. In order to assess the feasibility of the chosen method in a forensic case study, the detection of diacetylmorphine hydrochloride traces in PDMS matrix and the finger surface is investigated. The scenarios considered were that of the detection of evidence collected at a crime scene with the tape lift method and the analysis of the finger of an individual after drug handling. The results show broad implications in the detection of drugs of abuse.

Acetaminophen↗

Epigenetic telomere protection by Drosophila DNA damage response pathways.

Analysis of terminal deletion chromosomes indicates that a sequence-independent mechanism regulates protection of Drosophila telomeres. Mutations in Drosophila DNA damage response genes such as atm/tefu, mre11, or rad50 disrupt telomere protection and localization of the telomere-associated proteins HP1 and HOAP, suggesting that recognition of chromosome ends contributes to telomere protection. However, the partial telomere protection phenotype of these mutations limits the ability to test if they act in the epigenetic telomere protection mechanism. We examined the roles of the Drosophila atm and atr-atrip DNA damage response pathways and the nbs homolog in DNA damage responses and telomere protection. As in other organisms, the atm and atr-atrip pathways act in parallel to promote telomere protection. Cells lacking both pathways exhibit severe defects in telomere protection and fail to localize the protection protein HOAP to telomeres. Drosophila nbs is required for both atm- and atr-dependent DNA damage responses and acts in these pathways during DNA repair. The telomere fusion phenotype of nbs is consistent with defects in each of these activities. Cells defective in both the atm and atr pathways were used to examine if DNA damage response pathways regulate telomere protection without affecting telomere specific sequences. In these cells, chromosome fusion sites retain telomere-specific sequences, demonstrating that loss of these sequences is not responsible for loss of protection. Furthermore, terminally deleted chromosomes also fuse in these cells, directly implicating DNA damage response pathways in the epigenetic protection of telomeres. We propose that recognition of chromosome ends and recruitment of HP1 and HOAP by DNA damage response proteins is essential for the epigenetic protection of Drosophila telomeres. Given the conserved roles of DNA damage response proteins in telomere function, related mechanisms may act at the telomeres of other organisms.

Alleles↗

The Australian Twin Registry.

The Australian Twin Registry (ATR), established in the late 1970s, is a volunteer registry of over 30,000 pairs of Australian twins of all zygosity types and ages unselected for their health or medical history. The ATR does not undertake research itself but acts as facilitator, providing an important national and international resource for medical and scientific researchers across a broad range of disciplines. Its core functions are the maintenance of an up-to-date database containing basic contact details and baseline information, and the management of access to the resource in ways that enhance research capacity within Australia while protecting the rights of twins. The ATR has facilitated more than 200 studies using a variety of designs, including classic biometrical twin and twin family studies, co-twin control studies, intervention studies, longitudinal studies, and studies of issues relevant specifically to twins. These have yielded more than 300 peer-reviewed publications to date. Areas of major research include studies of behavior, musculoskeletal conditions, teeth and face patterns, cardiovascular risk factors, substance abuse, and risk factors for melanoma and breast cancer. Extensive longitudinal data are available for around 10,000 pairs. DNA samples have been obtained from more than 6000 twins. Considerable efforts are devoted to maintaining the commitment of registry members and recruitment. The ATR hopes to secure funding to expand its activities, including the systematic collection of DNA samples, so that it can continue to play a major role in the development of twin research and contribute to the annotation of the human genome.

Adolescent↗

Protection from lethality and behavioral incapacitation resulting from intoxication by soman (pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) and treatment with atropine sulfate and 2-PAM chloride in the guinea pig, cavia porcellus.

The lethal and incapacitating effects of the toxic organophosphorus (OP) agent, soman were evaluated in guinea pigs. The protective effects of the standard therapies atropine sulfate (ATR) and pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM) in minimizing or reducing soman-produced lethality and incapacitation (evaluated using a modification of the rat conditioned avoidance procedure) were also studied. At 0.75 and 1.5 LD50 soman was extremely toxic and fast-acting; its effects appeared within five minutes, and its lethal effects occurred within the first three hours. Therapeutic combinations of ATR (64 or 128 mg/kg) and 2-PAM (25 or 100 mg/kg) protected animals from the lethality of soman, but not from its incapacitating effects. However, therapeutic treatment with ATR and 2-PAM also produced a behavioral toxicity in its own right, an effect which lasted for at least three hours in the guinea pig. This behavioral toxicity was lessened by reducing ATR dosage from 128 to 64 mg/kg, but 2-PAM dosage did not influence the behavioral toxicity of the treatment combinations within the range of dosages studied.

Animals↗

Regulation of MAPK activity in response to dietary sodium in the rat adrenal gland.

Stimulation of aldosterone biosynthesis by angiotensin II (AII) is thought to be mediated via the PLC, IP3 and intracellular calcium signalling pathway. MAPK (p42/p44) is involved in cell proliferation, and is also activated by AII, but its role in the adrenal response to dietary sodium is unclear. To study the relationship between AII receptor (ATR), MAPK and PKC isoforms, PKCalpha and PKCepsilon, mature Wistar rats were maintained on low or high sodium diets for 1 week. In adrenals from animals on a sodium deplete diet, total ligand binding to both ATR subtypes decreased in the zona glomerulosa (ZG). Under these conditions, active MAPK in the ZG decreased paralleling a decrease in active PKCalpha. In the inner zones (IZ), largely reflecting medullary events, low sodium did not affect MAPK activity. However active PKCalpha decreased. In adrenals from sodium-loaded animals, type 2 ATR (AT2R) binding was reduced in the ZG, while type 1 ATR (AT1R) increased in the IZ. Active MAPK increased in ZG, as did active PKCalpha and PKCepsilon. In IZ, ERK, PKCalpha and PKCepsilon were unchanged. These results suggest that in the ZG and IZ, two different modes of MAPK regulation may exist, utilising different PKC isoforms.

Adrenal Glands↗

Low pH adaptation and the acid tolerance response of Salmonella typhimurium.

Salmonella typhimurium periodically confronts acid environments during its life. These situations arise in chemically compromised ponds, soil, degradative cellular organelles, host digestive systems, and may even result from byproducts of their own metabolism. The levels of acid that are encountered range from mild to extreme. As a neutralophile, S. typhimurium prefers to grown in pH environments above pH 5.5. They can survive down to pH 4 for extended periods of time. However, the limits of endurance can be stretched if the organisms are first adapted to a moderate acid pH before exposing them to acidity below pH 4.0. This adaptation, called the acid-tolerance response (ATR), includes several log phase and stationary phase systems. Some of these systems are dependent on an alternate sigma factor for RNA polymerase called sigma s, whereas other systems are sigma s-independent. A key to the ATR is the synthesis of a series of acid shock inducible proteins (ASPs), 51 for log phase ATR and 15 for stationary phase ATR. Some of these ASPs require sigma s for their synthesis; others require the participation of the ferric uptake regulator protein Fur. Effective acid tolerance involves RecA-independent DNA repair systems, iron, and facets of fatty acid metabolism. Aspects of medium composition and carbon metabolism are also known to influence the nature of acid tolerance in this organism. In addition to aiding survival in the natural non-host environment, aspects of acid tolerance are also tied to virulence, as evidenced by the involvement of the mouse virulence locus mviA and the fact that acid-sensitive strains of S. typhimurium exhibit reduced virulence. This review summarizes these aspects of acid adaptation and includes a discussion of acid-regulated gene expression.

Acids↗

The effect of atropine or atropine methylnitrate on salt-induced hypertension in the inbred S/JR and R/JR Dahl rat.

The cholinergic antagonists atropine (ATR) and atropine methylnitrate (ATRMN) were chronically administered to inbred Dahl hypertension-sensitive (S/JR) and -resistant (R/JR) rats maintained on an 8.0% NaCl-containing diet. The effects on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and mortality were then examined during and after a four week period of treatment. Administration of ATR (7.2 mg/day) or ATRMN (2.4 mg/day) attenuated the development of salt-induced hypertension (HT) in the S/JR strain but had relatively little effect on BP in the R/JR strain. HR during the treatment period was significantly greater in S/JR and R/JR rats that received ATR or ATRMN than vehicle-treated controls. Each drug also reduced HT-related mortality in S/JR rats. In general, the effects of ATR on BP and mortality were greater than those of ATRMN. However, the results suggest that the central and peripheral cholinergic systems participate in the development of salt-induced HT in the S/JR rat.

Animals↗