Abstract Background: Specific phobia, the most common anxiety disorder, can disrupt lives, limit work efficiency, reduce self-esteem, and strain relationships. Current interventions show some degree of success, yet relapse is common. Consequently, the need for a more effective and durable intervention is evident. The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the efficacy of a new intervention, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), on individuals with spider phobia, and to determine whether further investigation is warranted. Methods: Participants who met the inclusion criterion that spider phobia impacted their daily lives were randomized to either a control group that received no intervention (N = 7), or to an experimental group that received two 30-minute sessions of NET approximately 2 weeks apart (N = 8). The primary measure was the Subjective Units of Distress Scale, and secondary measures were the Spider Questionnaire, Behavioral Assessment Test, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and change in heart rate (HR). Results: Compared with the no-intervention control group, statistical analysis indicates a significant advantage for the NET group in regard to state anxiety/subjective distress, reported fear, and avoidant behavior. The difference between the two groups for general anxious symptomatology (trait anxiety) and change in HR was not statistically significant. No adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that NET is a promising intervention for spider phobia in adults. A larger, full-scale study is required to confirm these results.

Objectives:To assess the contribution of out-of-home (OH) energy and nutrient intake to total dietary intake, and to compare out- versus in-home nutrient patterns among 27 centres in 10 countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.Methods:Between 1995 and 2000, 36 034 participants aged between 35-74 years completed a standardized 24-h dietary recall using a software programme (EPIC-Soft) that recorded the place of food/drink consumption. Eating OH was defined as the consumption of foods and beverages anywhere other than in household premises, irrespective of the place of purchase/preparation. Nutrient intakes were estimated using a standardized nutrient database. Mean intakes were adjusted for age and weighted by season and day of recall.Results:Among women, OH eating contributed more to total fat intake than to intakes of protein and carbohydrates. Among both genders, and particularly in southern Europe, OH eating contributed more to sugar and starch intakes and less to total fibre intake. The contribution of OH eating was also lower for calcium and vitamin C intakes. The composition of diet at home was different from that consumed out of home in southern countries, but was relatively similar in the north.Conclusions:In northern Europe, OH and in-home eating are homogeneous, whereas southern Europeans consider OH eating as a distinctive occasion. In most centres, women selected more fat-rich items when eating out.

Objectives:To describe the contribution of highly processed foods to total diet, nutrient intakes and patterns among 27 redefined centres in the 10 countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).Methods:Single 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from 36 034 individuals (aged 35-74 years) using a standardized computerized interview programme (EPIC-SOFT). Centre-specific mean food intakes (g/day) were computed according to their degree of food processing (that is, highly, moderately and non-processed foods) using a specifically designed classification system. The contribution (%) of highly processed foods to the centre mean intakes of diet and 26 nutrients (including energy) was estimated using a standardized nutrient database (ENDB). The effect of different possible confounders was also investigated.Results:Highly processed foods were an important source of the nutrients considered, contributing between 61%(Spain) and 78-79%(the Netherlands and Germany) of mean energy intakes. Only two nutrients, beta-carotene (34-46%) and vitamin C (28-36%), had a contribution from highly processed foods below 50% in Nordic countries, in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, whereas for the other nutrients, the contribution varied from 50 to 91%(excluding alcohol). In southern countries (Greece, Spain, Italy and France), the overall contribution of highly processed foods to nutrient intakes was lower and consisted largely of staple or basic foods (for example, bread, pasta/rice, milk, vegetable oils), whereas highly processed foods such as crisp bread, breakfast cereals, margarine and other commercial foods contributed more in Nordic and central European centres.Conclusions:Highly industrially processed foods dominate diets and nutrient patterns in Nordic and central European countries. The greater variations observed within southern countries may reflect both a larger contribution of non/moderately processed staple foods along with a move from traditional to more industrialized dietary patterns.

As renal tissue oxygen tension (P(O(2))) is determined by the balance between oxygen supply and consumption, direct tissue P(O(2)) measurements are essential when evaluating the presence of hypoxia. The present study aimed at evaluating invasively and continuously the renal medullary and cortical tissue P(O(2)) by novel fibre-optic probes in rats subjected to acute unilateral ureteral obstruction (AUUO). In parallel, regional blood flow measurements were obtained by MRI to investigate the relationship between regional blood flow and tissue oxygen tension. The abundance of transport proteins was determined by immunoblotting. In the obstructed kidney, AUUO caused a prompt decrease in medullary tissue P(O(2)) to 60% of baseline level whereas cortical tissue P(O(2)) was unchanged. By contrast, tissue P(O(2)) slightly increased in the non-obstructed kidney. These changes developed during the first 30 min after AUUO and persisted for the 3 h observation period. Medullary blood flow declined 1.5-2 h after induction of AUUO to 61% of baseline level in the obstructed kidney. By contrast, cortical blood flow increased to 108% of baseline level in the non-obstructed kidney. Finally, the abundance of phosphorylated aquaporin 2 decreased significantly in the obstructed kidney medulla, but increased in the obstructed kidney cortex. The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase abundance increased in the obstructed kidney medulla whereas the Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) co-transporter abundance remained unchanged in the obstructed kidney. In conclusion, measurements of regional blood flow reflect tissue P(O(2)) changes during AUUO suggesting that reduced regional blood flow is a predictor of local hypoxia. Furthermore, the abundance of major transport protein is independent of tissue P(O(2)).

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and identify independent risk factors for nosocomial infections in a Danish Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and to compare these findings with international results. Methods: The study was performed prospectively from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. Specific criteria for blood stream infection and respiratory tract infection adapted for neonates in our ward were worked out. Results: Six hundred and eighty-three patients were included. The overall incidence of nosocomial infection was 8.8/1000 hospital days. Blood stream infection was the most frequent type of infection, with an incidence of 5.1/1000 hospital days. Multivariate analysis showed gestational age and heart disease to be significant independent risk factors for both first time blood stream infection and respiratory tract infection, and central venous catheter and parenteral nutrition risk factors for first time blood stream infection. Conclusion: This first prospective study of nosocomial infection in a Danish Neonatal Intensive Care Unit found an overall incidence of 8.8/1000 hospital days, which is low or similar compared to other studies. Further Danish multicentre studies are needed, and we suggest that procedures related to central venous catheters should be a future focus area.

Release of bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) is associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) and a reduced abundance of the vasopressin-regulated aquaporins. To evaluate the role of the vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) we determined V2R abundance in kidneys from rats subjected to 24 h BUO or 24 h unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) followed by 48 h release. As angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blockade attenuates postobstructive polyuria and AQP2 downregulation, we examined the effect of AT1 receptor blockade on AQP2 phosphorylated at serine 256 (pS256-AQP2) and V2 receptor complex abundance in kidney inner medulla (IM). Furthermore, cAMP generation in sodium fluoride and forskolin-stimulated inner medullary membrane fractions was studied after release of BUO. V2R was significantly reduced to 12% of sham levels in IM and to 52% of sham levels in cortex and outer stripe of outer medulla (OSOM) from BUO rats. In UUO rats, V2R abundance in the obstructed kidney IM decreased to 35% of sham levels whereas it was comparable to sham levels in the non-obstructed kidney IM. No significant change was observed in cortex and OSOM. AT1 receptor blockade attenuated V2R, pS256-AQP2 and Gsalpha protein downregulation in IM and partially reversed the obstruction-induced inhibition of sodium fluoride and forskolin-stimulated cAMP generation in inner medullary membrane fractions from BUO rats. In conclusion V2R downregulation plays a pivotal role in development of NDI after release of BUO. In addition, we show that angiotensin II regulates the V2 receptor complex and pS256-AQP2 in postobstructive kidney IM, probably by stimulating cAMP generation. Key words: vasopressin receptor type 2, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, ureteral obstruction, AT1 receptor blockade.

In a phase III, double blind, randomized, noninferiority, multi-centre clinical trial, 817 infants were included and randomly assigned to vaccination with DTaP-IPV(Vero)(N=410) or DTaP-IPV(Mkc)(N=407) vaccines (Statens Serum Institute (SSI), Denmark) in the right thigh. All infants were vaccinated with Act-HIB((R))(Sanofi Pasteur, France) in the left thigh at the same time. The vaccination schedule was 2, 3.5, 5 and 16 months and serum samples were obtained at 6, 16 and 17 months. The primary objective was to demonstrate noninferiority of DTaP-IPV(Vero) to DTaP-IPV(Mkc) as regards immunological protection against polio virus types 1, 2 and 3. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of all vaccine antigens and the safety profile of the vaccines were assessed. The study demonstrated that DTaP-IPV(Vero) was noninferior to DTaP-IPV(Mkc). All antibody concentrations/titres remained at an acceptable level from the end of the primary vaccination series (i.e. 2, 3.5 and 5 months) until the time of the booster vaccination at 16 months. A good booster response was, furthermore, demonstrated for all antigens. No vaccine-related serious adverse events and no injection site granulomas or swelling of the entire thigh occurred. The frequencies of local injection site erythema and swelling as well as systemic adverse events such as fever, irritability, somnolence and decreased appetite were low and acceptable in both treatment groups. In conclusion, DTaP-IPV(Vero) is immunogenic and safe for primary vaccination and for booster vaccination of healthy children.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-fat products enriched with plant sterols in addition to a National Cholesterol Education Program step 1 diet on serum lipids and lipoproteins. METHODS: This study was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over design with a run-in period and 2 intervention periods, each lasting 4 weeks. A total of 46 mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects (age 50.6+/-9.8) completed the trial. The study products consisted of 20g low-fat margarine (35% fat) and 250ml low-fat milk (0.7% fat), in total delivering 2.3g plant sterols/d. RESULTS: Serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced by 5.5%(p<0.001, 95% CI: 2.5; 8.3) and 7.7%(p=0.001, 95% CI: 3.4; 11.9), respectively, by plant sterol-enriched products compared to placebo. Serum apolipoprotein B was significantly reduced by 4.6%(p<0.05, 95% CI: 1.7; 7.5), and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I by 3.4%(p<0.05, 95% CI: 0.1; 6.6) after plant sterol intake compared to the placebo supplement. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of low-fat margarine and milk enriched with plant sterols significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and the ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects, but had no effect on C-reactive protein and lipoprotein (a) concentrations. SPONSORSHIP: Unilever Denmark A/S.

The recently determined crystal structure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1a) with a bound ATP analogue (AMPPCP) reveals a compact state, similar to that found in the presence of ADP and aluminium fluoride. However, although the two Ca(2+)-binding sites in the membrane are known to be occluded in the latter state, in the AMPPCP-bound state the Ca(2+)-binding sites are not occluded under conditions with physiological levels of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+). It has been shown that the high concentration (10 mM) of Ca(2+) used for crystallization (in the presence of Mg(2+)) may be responsible for the discrepancy. To determine whether Ca(2+) competes with Mg(2+) and affects the nucleotide-binding site, we have subjected the AMPPCP and ADP:AlF(4)(-) bound forms to crystallographic analysis by anomalous difference Fourier maps, and we have compared AMPPCP-bound forms crystallized in the absence or in the presence of Mg(2+). We found that Ca(2+) rather than Mg(2+) binds together with AMPPCP at the phosphorylation site, whereas the ADP:AlF(4)(-) complex is associated with two magnesium ions. These results address the structure of the phosphorylation site before and during phosphoryl transfer. The bound CaAMPPCP nucleotide may correspond to the activated pre-complex, formed immediately before phosphorylation, whereas the Mg(2)ADP:AlF(4)(-) transition state complex reflects the preference for Mg(2+) in catalysis. In addition, we have identified a phosphatidylcholine lipid molecule bound at the cytosol-membrane interface.

Establishment of apical-basal cell polarity has emerged as an important process during development, and the Crumbs complex is a major component of this process in Drosophila. By comparison, little is known about the role of Crumbs (Crb) proteins in vertebrate development. We show that the FERM protein Mosaic Eyes (Moe) is a novel regulatory component of the Crumbs complex. Moe co-immunoprecipitates with Ome/Crb2a and Nok (Pals1) from adult eye and in vitro interaction experiments suggest these interactions are direct. Morpholino knockdown of ome/crb2a phenocopies the moe mutations. Moe and Crumbs proteins colocalize apically and this apical localization requires reciprocal protein function. By performing genetic mosaic analyses, we show that moe(-) rod photoreceptors have greatly expanded apical structures, suggesting that Moe is a negative regulator of Crumbs protein function in photoreceptors. We propose that Moe is a crucial regulator of Crumbs protein cell-surface abundance and localization in embryos.