bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salt tolerance of
Arabidopsis thaliana
requires maturation of
N
-glycosylated proteins in the Golgi apparatus
Authors: Kang Jae Sook , Frank Julia , Kang Chang Ho , Kajiura Hiroyuki , Vikram Meenu , Ueda Akihiro , Kim Sewon , Bahk Jeong Dong , Triplett Barbara , Fujiyama Kazuhito , Lee Sang Yeol , von Schaewen Antje , Koiwa Hisashi
Published: April 2008

Protein
N
-glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the Golgi apparatus is an essential process in eukaryotic cells. Although the
N
-glycosylation pathway in the ER has been shown to regulate protein quality control, salt tolerance, and cellulose biosynthesis in plants, no biological roles have been linked functionally to
N
-glycan modifications that occur in the Golgi apparatus. Herein, we provide evidence that mutants defective in
N
-glycan maturation, such as
complex glycan 1
(
cgl1
), are more salt-sensitive than wild type. Salt stress caused growth inhibition, aberrant root-tip morphology, and callose accumulation in
cgl1
, which were also observed in an ER oligosaccharyltransferase mutant,
staurosporin and temperature sensitive 3a
(
stt3a
). Unlike
stt3a
,
cgl1
did not cause constitutive activation of the unfolded protein response. Instead, aberrant modification of the plasma membrane glycoprotein KORRIGAN 1/RADIALLY SWOLLEN 2 (KOR1/RSW2) that is necessary for cellulose biosynthesis occurred in
cgl1
and
stt3a
. Genetic analyses identified specific interactions among
rsw2
,
stt3a
, and
cgl1
mutations, indicating that the function of KOR1/RSW2 protein depends on complex
N
-glycans. Furthermore, cellulose deficient
rsw1-1
and
rsw2-1
plants were also salt-sensitive. These results establish that plant protein
N
-glycosylation functions beyond protein folding in the ER and is necessary for sufficient cell-wall formation under salt stress.
Protection against heterologous human papillomavirus challenge by a synthetic lipopeptide vaccine containing a broadly cross-neutralizing epitope of L2
Authors: Alphs Hannah H. , Gambhira Ratish , Karanam Balasubramanyam , Roberts Jeffrey N. , Jagu Subhashini , Schiller John T. , Zeng Weiguang , Jackson David C. , Roden Richard B. S.
Published: April 2008

Persistent infection with the high-risk subset of genitotropic human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is a necessary cause of cervical cancer. Given the global burden of cervical cancer, a low-cost, broadly protective vaccine is needed. RG-1 is a cross-neutralizing and protective monoclonal antibody that recognizes residues 17–36 of HPV16 minor capsid protein L2. Because this epitope is highly conserved in divergent HPV types, we determined whether vaccination with HPV16 L2 17–36 peptide is broadly protective. The peptide was administered to BALB/c mice three times at monthly intervals, either alone or in the context of a synthetic lipopeptide vaccine candidate (P25-P2C-HPV) produced by linkage of the HPV peptide with a broadly recognized T helper epitope (P25) and the Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) ligand dipalmitoyl-
S
-glyceryl cysteine (P2C). In contrast to vaccination with the L2 17–36 peptide or P25-P2C alone, a potent L2-specific antibody response was generated to the P25-P2C-HPV lipopeptide when delivered either s.c. or intranasally. Sera from mice vaccinated with the P25-P2C-HPV lipopeptide neutralized not only HPV16 pseudovirions but also other evolutionarily divergent oncogenic genital (HPV18, HPV45) and cutaneous (HPV5, BPV1) types. The L2-specific antibody response depended on MHC class II, CD40, and MyD88 signaling. Additionally, vaccination with the P25-P2C-HPV lipopeptide protected mice from homologous challenge with HPV16 pseudovirions at cutaneous and genital sites and heterologous challenge with HPV45 pseudovirions. If provided in the appropriate context, therefore, HPV16 L2 17–36 might be used in a totally synthetic cross-protective HPV vaccine.
Blood oxygenation level-dependent contrast response functions identify mechanisms of covert attention in early visual areas
Authors: Li Xiangrui , Lu Zhong-Lin , Tjan Bosco S. , Dosher Barbara A. , Chu Wilson
Published: April 2008

Covert attention can lead to improved performance in perceptual tasks. The neural and functional mechanisms of covert attention are still under investigation. Using both rapid event-related and mixed designs, we measured the blood oxygenation level-dependent functional MRI contrast response functions over the full range of contrast (0–100%) in the retinotopically defined early visual areas (V1, V2, V3, V3A, and V4) in humans. Covert attention increased both the baseline activities and contrast gains in the five cortical areas. The effect on baseline can be decomposed into a transient trial-by-trial component and a component across an entire attention block. On average, increase in contrast gain accounted for ≈88.0%, 28.5%, 12.7%, 35.9%, and 25.2% of the trial-by-trial effects of attention in the five areas, respectively, and 22.2%, 12.8%, 7.4%, 19.7%, and 17.3% of the total effects of attention in those areas, consistent with single-unit findings in V4 and MT. The results provide strong evidence for a stimulus enhancement mechanism of attention as demonstrated in various behavioral studies.
Adipogenic capacity and the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Wang May-Yun , Grayburn Paul , Chen Shuyuan , Ravazzola Mariella , Orci Lelio , Unger Roger H.
Published: April 2008

To determine whether adipocyte storage capacity influences the onset and severity of type 2 diabetes and other components of the metabolic syndrome, we made normal and
db
/
db
mice resistant to obesity by overexpressing leptin receptor-b on the
aP2-Lepr-b
promoter. On a 4% diet, these mice have no phenotype, but on a 60% fat diet, they resist diet-induced obesity because constitutive adipocyte-specific overexpression of Lepr-b prevents obesity via the antilipogenic autocrine/paracrine action of leptin on adipocytes. After 8 months on the same 60% fat diet, body fat of transgenic mice was 70% below WT controls. Cardiac and liver fat was elevated in the transgenics, and their hyperinsulinemia was more marked, suggesting greater insulin resistance. The
aP2-Lepr-b
transgene also prevented obesity in
db
/
db
mice; at 10 weeks of age their body fat was half that of the
db
/
db
mice. This lack of obesity was attributable to reduced expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c and its target lipogenic enzymes in adipose tissue and a 6-fold increase in Pref-1 mRNA. Severe diabetes was present in transgenics at 4 weeks of age, 10 weeks before db/db controls. Echocardiographic evidence of cardiomyopathy appeared at 10 weeks, weeks before the
db
/
db
mice. Histologically, loss of β cells and myocardial fibrosis was present in the transgenic group at least 6 weeks before the
db
/
db
mice. These results suggest that the expression level of genes that regulate the adipogenic response to overnutrition profoundly influences the age of onset and severity of diet-induced type 2 diabetes and co-morbidities.
The expression of non-alignment in British and German political interviews
Authors: Fetzer Anita
Published: April 2008

Political interviews are defined as question- and answer sequences in which interviewers and interviewees negotiate validity claims. Looked upon from an interpersonal angle, the interviewer sets up a position and requests the interviewee to ratify their claim by expressing alignment or non-alignment.

This contribution examines the expression of non-alignment in a corpus of 12 interviews between journalists and the losers of the general elections in Britain (1997) and Germany (1998). The data share identical external parameters, very similar contextual features and almost identical argumentation strategies. In spite of that, the expression of non-alignment differs significantly. This is primarily due to language-specific preferences for the realization of turn-initial positions and their functions as interpersonal, topical and textual themes. In the British data, multiple themes are more frequent for the expression of non-alignment and thus assigned the status of a preferred variant; their sequential organization adheres to the sequence [[textual theme] [interpersonal theme] [topical theme]], which indicates that a negotiation of meaning is intended. Single topical themes are less frequent and therefore assigned the status of a dispreferred variant indicating that a negotiation of meaning is not intended. In the German data, the sequential organization of multiple themes does not display that kind of preference pattern and multiple themes do not necessarily indicate that a negotiation of meaning is intended. Regarding possible perlocutionary effects, the expression of non-alignment in British English is more process-oriented and thus more dynamic, while its German counterpart is more product-oriented and thus more abrupt.
Inconsistencies in spoken language
Authors: Bar-Aba Esther Borochovsky
Published: April 2008

This paper displays examples of inconsistencies in spontaneous speech. It refers to cases in which the speaker changes his manner of expression while speaking, even though there generally seems to be no objective reason for doing so.

I demonstrate the phenomenon in the use of verb tense, of person inflection, of singular/plural form, and of direct/indirect speech.

I suggest that these phenomena be viewed as cases in which the speaker tries (not necessarily consciously) to make his speech less monotonous and more attractive to the listener by providing various ways of expression differing mainly in the degree of closeness they convey between the reported event and the addressee.
Clinical value of 16-slice multidetector computed tomography in symptomatic patients with suspected coronary artery disease
Authors: Türkvatan A. , Biyikoğlu Ş. F. , Büyükbayraktar F. , Ölçer T. , Cumhur T. , Duru E.
Published: April 2008

Background: Multidetector computed tomography angiography has emerged as a rapidly developing method for the noninvasive detection of coronary artery disease.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy and limitations of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the detection of significantly (>50%) obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) using a scanner equipped with 16×0.625-mm collimation.

Material and Methods: MDCT angiography was performed in 153 patients (99 male, 54 female; mean age 55±10 years) with suspected CAD and scheduled for conventional coronary angiography (CCA). Image quality was assessed in terms of artifacts and segment visibility, and the assessable segments were screened for the presence of significant stenoses (>50% lumen diameter reduction). The diagnostic performance of MDCT for the detection of significant stenosis was compared with the results of CCA.

Results: In all 153 patients, MDCT was carried out without complications. A total of 1989 coronary artery segments were evaluated. After exclusion of 394 non-evaluable segments (19.8%), 1595 segments (80.2%) were included in the analysis. The most frequent causes of poorly assessable segments were motion artifact (36%) and severe calcification (23%). Considering only the segments judged to be evaluable, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 16-slice MDCT were 85%, 97%, 79%, and 98%, respectively. Including all segments in the analysis (evaluable and non-evaluable), the sensitivity was 74%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value 73%, and negative predictive value 97%.

Conclusion: When all coronary artery segments are included, 16-slice MDCT has moderate sensitivity and very high specificity and negative predictive value in assessing coronary artery stenoses. High specificity and negative predictive value indicate that 16-slice MDCT may be a useful tool in reliably ruling out significant lesions in patients with a low pretest probability.
Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability of pulsed arterial spin labeling for glioma grading
Authors: Kim M. J. , Kim H. S. , Kim J.-H. , Cho K.-G. , Kim S. Y.
Published: April 2008

Background: Although pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) enables the reliable qualitative grading of brain tumors, its use in quantification for glioma grading may be hampered by the limited interobserver variability associated with low spatial resolution.

Purpose: To assess the interobserver variability and diagnostic accuracy of the relative tumor perfusion signal intensity (rTPS) calculated using PASL in glioma grading.

Material and Methods: Fifty-eight patients with 61 cerebral astrocytomas underwent conventional MR imaging and PASL. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to determine the optimum thresholds for tumor grading. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for identifying high-grade gliomas were also calculated. Cohen's κ statistic was used to determine the levels of interobserver variability in the quantitative analysis of PASL.

Results: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for determining a high-grade glioma with conventional MR imaging were 77.1, 73.1, 79.4, and 70.4%, respectively. A threshold value of 1.28 for rTPS provided a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 82.9, 96.2, 96.7, and 80.6%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the rTPS between low- and high-grade astrocytomas (1.14 vs. 1.47, P<0.05). In the interobserver variability analysis, substantial agreement was obtained for the quantitative rTPS measurement from PASL (κ =0.72).

Conclusion: Quantitative perfusion measurement with PASL can improve the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative glioma grading, as compared to the application of conventional imaging alone. However, the interobserver variability for quantification is substantial.
Prophylactic implantation of inferior vena cava filter during endovascular therapies for deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity: is it necessary?
Authors: Yamagami T. , Yoshimatsu R. , Matsumoto T. , Nishimura T.
Published: April 2008

Background: There is strong controversy as to whether to use filters temporarily in the inferior vena cava (IVC) during endovascular therapies for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremity.

Purpose: To evaluate the necessity of implantation of a retrievable inferior vena cava filter during treatment of DVT in the lower extremity using various endovascular techniques.

Material and Methods: Studied were all 37 consecutive sessions of endovascular treatments performed in 34 patients with symptomatic lower-limb DVT between April 2001 and October 2006. In all sessions, a Gunther tulip retrievable vena cava filter (GTF) was implanted during the procedures. The degree of trapped thrombus in the filter was evaluated by repeated venocavography.

Results: Implantation of a total of 66 GTFs was successfully performed in 37 sessions. Worsening of or new formation of pulmonary embolism was avoided in all patients. In 20 (54.1%) of the 37 sessions, a trapped thrombus in the filter was observed. In 14, the trapped thrombus was large, filling more than half the height of the filter.

Conclusion: Temporary implantation of filters is effective in preventing pulmonary emboli during endovascular treatment of DVT in the lower extremities.
Comparative study of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of spinal bone marrow infiltration in untreated patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Hur J. , Yoon C.-S. , Hoon Ryu Y. , Yun M. J. , Suh J.-S.
Published: April 2008

Background: The presence and extent of osteolytic bone lesions in untreated patients with multiple myeloma are important factors in the staging of the disease, and the extent of bone lesions in multiple myeloma cases significantly influences decisions regarding therapy. Recently, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used to detect bone marrow involvement in patients with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of FDG-PET and MRI for the detection of bone marrow infiltration into the spine in untreated patients with multiple myeloma.

Material and Methods: Twenty-two patients with multiple myeloma underwent both FDG-PET and spine MRI. The examined spinal regions by MRI included 21 thoracic and lumbar spines, one lumbar spine, and 12 cervical spines. The following imaging sequences were performed: T1-weighted spin-echo MRI with and without fat suppression, and T2-weighted spin-echo MRI in the sagittal plane. In the patients with bone marrow abnormalities, an additional contrast-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo MR image and a fat-suppressed T1-weighted spin-echo MR image were obtained. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the criteria defined by Durie and Salmon: stage I ( n=9), stage II ( n=3), and stage III ( n=10). The number and location of lesions detected in both FGD-PET and MRI were recorded, and the lesions were compared using the McNemar test. Bone marrow biopsy results, the patient's clinical examinations, and other imaging findings (MRI, FDG-PET, etc.) were used as references.

Results: In stages I and II (37 lesions in 12 patients), FDG-PET and MRI detected lesions in 78% (29 of 37 lesions) and 86% (32 of 37 lesions), respectively. However, the difference between the abilities of FDG-PET and MRI to detect lesions was not statistically significant ( P=0.317). In stage III (101 lesions in 10 patients), FDG-PET and MRI detected lesions in 80% (81 of 101 lesions) and 92% (93 of 101 lesions), respectively. The difference between the abilities of FDG-PET and MRI to detect lesions was statistically significant ( P=0.038).

Conclusion: MRI is superior to FDG-PET in detecting bone marrow involvement in the spine of patients with advanced multiple myeloma.
Iodixanol compared to iohexol for contrast procedures: a case-matched retrospective cohort study
Authors: From A. M. , Bartholmai B. J. , Williams A. W. , McDonald F. S.
Published: April 2008

Background: Previous studies that have attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of an iso-osmolar contrast medium (IOCM) iodixanol compared to a low-osmolar contrast medium (LOCM) for contrast procedures show variable results.

Purpose: To evaluate the nephrotoxicity of the IOCM iodixanol compared to the LOCM iohexol.

Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study from April 2004 to March 2006. All contrast procedures with a pre- and post-exposure creatinine value were evaluated for inclusion. Contrast nephropathy (CN) was defined as post-exposure creatinine elevation of ≥25% or >0.5 mg/dl within 7 days of contrast exposure. Cases of iodixanol exposure were matched to control cases of iohexol exposure (1:1) based on age, sex, presence of diabetes, pre-exposure creatinine value, and type of imaging study performed. We matched 397 cases of iodixanol (IOCM) exposure to 397 cases of iohexol (LOCM) exposure. Cases of iodixanol which could not be matched to controls were not included in the analysis.

Results: After adjustment for prior creatinine, medications, contrast iodine load, prior exposure to contrast material, heart failure, and hypertension, use of iodixanol did not significantly alter rates of CN compared to iohexol (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.57–1.46; P=0.71) or mortality (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.59–1.06; P=0.12).

Conclusion: The use of the IOCM iodixanol was not associated with statistically significant protection against contrast nephropathy or all-cause mortality compared to a matched cohort of patients receiving the LOCM iohexol.
Magnetic resonance imaging of pilocytic astrocytomas: usefulness of the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (adc) value for differentiation from high-grade gliomas
Authors: Murakami R. , Hirai T. , Kitajima M. , Fukuoka H. , Toya R. , Nakamura H. , Kuratsu J. , Yamashita Y.
Published: April 2008

Background: On contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images, pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are usually well-enhanced tumors that may mimic high-grade gliomas (HGGs). On the other hand, it has been suggested that areas exhibiting minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values reflect the sites of highest cellularity within heterogeneous tumors.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the cellularity of PAs is significantly different to the cellularity of HGGs, which should result in significant differences in minimum ADC values.

Material and Methods: Between 1999 and 2005, 15 patients (nine males, six females) with histopathologically confirmed PAs underwent pretreatment MR examination including diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging. We reviewed their MR findings with respect to the size, location, morphology, contrast enhancement, and minimum ADC value of the tumors. The minimum ADC values of the 15 PAs were compared with those of 104 HGGs diagnosed during the same period.

Results: The diameter of the 15 PAs ranged from 11 to 60 mm (mean 36 mm); all were located around the ventricles, and all contained enhancing components. All except two small (11 and 14 mm) PAs contained cystic components. The minimum ADC values were significantly higher in PAs (median 1.688, range 1.375–1.897×10−3 mm2/s) than HGGs (0.997, 0.543–2.024×10−3 mm2/s) ( P<0.0001), although there was substantial overlap. Among the tumors with enhancing components, all but one PA were differentiated from the 76 HGGs with enhancing components (0.922, 0.543–1.462×10−3 mm2/s) when the minimum ADC cutoff value was set at 1.5×10−3 mm2/s.

Conclusion: The minimum ADC value may be helpful for the differentiation between PAs and HGGs. A tumor with enhancing components should be PA instead of HGG when the minimum ADC value is higher than 1.5×10−3 mm2/s.
Book Review
Authors: Smith Hans-jørgen
Published: April 2008

Cardiac Imaging. ByC. D. Claussen, S. Miller, M. Fenchel, U. Kramer, & R. Riessen. Stuttgart and New York: Thieme Verlag, 2008. ISBN: 978-3-13-145111-8. 312 pages, 257 illustrations. Price paperback: EUR 44.95
The prevalence of cam-type deformity of the hip joint: a survey of 4151 subjects of the copenhagen osteoarthritis study
Authors: Gosvig K. K. , Jacobsen S. , Sonne-Holm S. , Gebuhr P.
Published: April 2008

Background: Cam deformity is a preosteoarthritic malformation causing premature hip-joint degeneration. While the pathogenetic pathway from deformity to osteoarthrosis (OA) has been well established, almost nothing is known of the malformation's epidemiology.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of cam deformity in a large, unselected cohort from standardized anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs.

Material and Methods: The distribution of cam deformity was assessed in 3202 (1184 male, 2018 female) standardized AP pelvic radiographs using the triangular index (TI) and the α angle. The relationships between cam malformation and self-reported hip pain were evaluated, and the relative importance of known risk factors for cam malformation estimated.

Results: We found a pronounced sex-related difference in cam-deformity distribution. The overall prevalence of cam deformity was approximately 17% in men and 4% in women. The distribution of cam deformity was unaltered in subjects with normal joint-space width or other features of hip-joint degeneration. We found no significant association with self-reported hip pain, nor did we find any relative importance of possible risk factors for hip deformity, such as body-mass index (BMI), occupational exposure to heavy workloads, or concomitant acetabular dysplasia.

Conclusion:The results lend support to the thesis that cam deformity represents a silent slipped capital epiphysis, predominantly in men, and that it is a far from uncommon deformity in subjects with no apparent evidence of hip-joint osteoarthritis.
Native and aspirin-triggered lipoxins control innate immunity by inducing proteasomal degradation of TRAF6
Authors: Machado Fabiana S. , Esper Lísia , Dias Alexandra , Madan Rajat , Gu YuanYuan , Hildeman David , Serhan Charles N. , Karp Christopher L. , Aliberti Júlio
Published: April 2008

Innate immune signaling is critical for the development of protective immunity. Such signaling is, perforce, tightly controlled. Lipoxins (LXs) are eicosanoid mediators that play key counterregulatory roles during infection. The molecular mechanisms underlying LX-mediated control of innate immune signaling are of interest. In this study, we show that LX and aspirin (ASA)-triggered LX (ATL) inhibit innate immune signaling by inducing suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 2–dependent ubiquitinylation and proteasome-mediated degradation of TNF receptor–associated factor (TRAF) 2 and TRAF6, which are adaptor molecules that couple TNF and interleukin-1 receptor/Toll-like receptor family members to intracellular signaling events. LX-mediated degradation of TRAF6 inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production by dendritic cells. This restraint of innate immune signaling can be ablated by inhibition of proteasome function. In vivo, this leads to dysregulated immune responses, accompanied by increased mortality during infection. Proteasomal degradation of TRAF6 is a central mechanism underlying LX-driven immune counterregulation, and a hitherto unappreciated mechanism of action of ASA. These findings suggest a new molecular target for drug development for diseases marked by dysregulated inflammatory responses.
Existence of Kirillov–Reshetikhin crystals for nonexceptional types
Authors: Okado Masato , Schilling Anne
Published: April 2008

Using the methods of Kang et al. and recent results on the characters of Kirillov–Reshetikhin modules by Nakajima and Hernandez, the existence of Kirillov–Reshetikhin crystals

B

r
,
s

B^{r,s}

is established for all nonexceptional affine types. We also prove that the crystals

B

r
,
s

B^{r,s}

of type

B
n

(
1
)

B_n^{(1)}

,

D
n

(
1
)

D_n^{(1)}

, and

A

2
n
−
1

(
2
)

A_{2n-1}^{(2)}

are isomorphic to recently constructed combinatorial crystals for

r
r

not a spin node.
Crystal structure of the Mus81–Eme1 complex
Authors: Chang Jeong Ho , Kim Jeong Joo , Choi Jung Min , Lee Jung Hoon , Cho Yunje
Published: April 2008

The Mus81–Eme1 complex is a structure-specific endonuclease that plays an important role in rescuing stalled replication forks and resolving the meiotic recombination intermediates in eukaryotes. We have determined the crystal structure of the Mus81–Eme1 complex. Both Mus81 and Eme1 consist of a central nuclease domain, two repeats of the helix–hairpin–helix (HhH) motif at their C-terminal region, and a linker helix. While each domain structure resembles archaeal XPF homologs, the overall structure is significantly different from those due to the structure of a linker helix. We show that a flexible intradomain linker that formed with 36 residues in the nuclease domain of Eme1 is essential for the recognition of DNA. We identified several basic residues lining the outer surface of the active site cleft of Mus81 that are involved in the interaction with a flexible arm of a nicked Holliday junction (HJ). These interactions might contribute to the optimal positioning of the opposite junction across the nick into the catalytic site, which provided the basis for the “nick and counternick” mechanism of Mus81–Eme1 and for the nicked HJ to be the favored in vitro substrate of this enzyme.
Semaphorin signaling in morphogenesis: found in translation: Figure 1.
Authors: Chisholm Andrew D.
Published: April 2008

Semaphorins play diverse roles in axon guidance and epithelial morphogenetic cell movements. In this issue of Genes & Development, Nukazuka and colleagues (1025–1036) show that semaphorins regulate Caenorhabditis elegans male tail morphogenesis by stimulating the translation of specific messages, including the actin-depolymerizing enzyme cofilin.
Efficient termination of transcription by RNA polymerase I requires the 5′ exonuclease Rat1 in yeast
Authors: El Hage Aziz , Koper Michal , Kufel Joanna , Tollervey David
Published: April 2008

During transcription termination by RNA polymerase II on protein-coding genes, the nuclear 5′ exonuclease Rat1/Xrn2 degrades the nascent transcript downstream from the polyadenylation site and “torpedoes” the polymerase. We report that the activity of Rat1 is also required for efficient termination by RNA polymerase I (Pol I) on the rDNA. In strains lacking catalytically active Rat1 or its cofactor Rai1, Pol I reads through the major, “Reb1-dependent” terminator (T1) but stops downstream at the “fail-safe” terminator (T2) and replication fork barrier (RFB). The absence of both Rat1 and the RFB-binding protein Fob1 increased Pol I read-through of T2 and the RFB. We propose that cotranscriptional cleavage of the pre-rRNA by the endonuclease Rnt1 generates a loading site for the Rat1/Rai1 complex, which then degrades the nascent transcript. When Rat1 catches Pol I, which is predicted to be paused at T1, transcription is terminated.
Rapid comparative genomic analysis for clinical microbiology: The Francisella tularensis paradigm
Authors: La Scola Bernard , Elkarkouri Khalid , Li Wenjun , Wahab Tara , Fournous Ghislain , Rolain Jean-Marc , Biswas Silpak , Drancourt Michel , Robert Catherine , Audic Stéphane , Löfdahl Sven , Raoult Didier
Published: April 2008

It is critical to avoid delays in detecting strain manipulations, such as the addition/deletion of a gene or modification of genes for increased virulence or antibiotic resistance, using genome analysis during an epidemic outbreak or a bioterrorist attack. Our objective was to evaluate the efficiency of genome analysis in such an emergency context by using contigs produced by pyrosequencing without time-consuming finishing processes and comparing them to available genomes for the same species. For this purpose, we analyzed a clinical isolate of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica (strain URFT1), a potential biological weapon, and compared the data obtained with available genomic sequences of other strains. The technique provided 1,800,530 bp of assembled sequences, resulting in 480 contigs. We found by comparative analysis with other strains that all the gaps but one in the genome sequence were caused by repeats. No new genes were found, but a deletion was detected that included three putative genes and part of a fourth gene. The set of 35 candidate LVS virulence attenuation genes was identified, as well as a DNA gyrase mutation associated with quinolone resistance. Selection for variable sequences in URFT1 allowed the design of a strain-specific, highly effective typing system that was applied to 74 strains and six clinical specimens. The analysis presented herein may be completed within approximately 6 wk, a duration compatible with that required by an urgent context. In the bioterrorism context, it allows the rapid detection of strain manipulation, including intentionally added virulence genes and genes that support antibiotic resistance.
A high-resolution map of nucleosome positioning on a fission yeast centromere
Authors: Song Jun S. , Liu Xingkun , Liu X. Shirley , He Xiangwei
Published: April 2008

A key element for defining the centromere identity is the incorporation of a specific histone H3, CENPA, known as Cnp1p in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Previous studies have suggested that functional S. pombe centromeres lack regularly positioned nucleosomes and may involve chromatin remodeling as a key step of kinetochore assembly. We used tiling microarrays to show that nucleosomes are, in fact, positioned in regular intervals in the core of centromere 2, providing the first high-resolution map of regional centromere chromatin. Nucleosome locations are not disrupted by mutations in kinetochore protein genes cnp1, mis18, mis12, nuf2, mal2; overexpression of cnp1; or the deletion of ams2, which encodes a GATA-like factor participating in CENPA incorporation. Bioinformatics analysis of the centromere sequence indicates certain enriched motifs in linker regions between nucleosomes and reveals a sequence bias in nucleosome positioning. In addition, sequence analysis of nucleosome-free regions identifies novel binding sites of Ams2p. We conclude that centromeric nucleosome positions are stable and may be derived from the underlying DNA sequence.
The “pros” and “cons” of career development in the Greek public sector
Authors: Koskina Aikaterini
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and role of the politico‐administrative institutions on career development in the Greek state employment. It attempts to achieve this by exploring the extent to which such institutions are still fitted within the Napoleonic and Weberian traditions and how these may affect the policy implementation of career progression within one public organisation in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes an interpretivist inductive perspective and its nature is qualitative with an exploratory and explanatory aim. It adopts a case‐study strategy and data were collected through documentary evidence, structured questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews with key informants.

Findings

The emerging career model in the Greek public sector is still embedded within a highly bureaucratic yet clientelistic system. It frequently overlaps with employment due to external institutional influences and though being bureaucratic thus objective at national level it is political manifested thus subjective at organisational level. Objective careers have by no means disappeared while subjective careers are seen as a political vehicle for inter‐organisational advancement.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the in‐depth and rich qualitative analysis of this study further case‐examples are required in similar national and industrial contexts.

Practical implications

The study provides a useful real‐life practical example on the interlocking of career progression and political clientelism in a national context in which politico‐administrative mechanisms have traditionally oiled the wheels of the civil society.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the limited body of scientific and academic debate engaging with public sector management issues and the emerging state career models in European Mediterranean countries. It also contributes to the impartial knowledge on the traditional career mechanisms, underpinned by a relational psychological contract, that have long been an implicit feature of state employment in bureaucratic public sector organisations.
Using a strategic approach to analysis the location selection for high‐tech firms in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Hsiao‐Chi , Yu Ya‐Wen
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on selection of a location which can widely influence business strategy planning and operation profit.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the relationship between location strategy and clustering is primarily shown by obtaining location decision criteria and the impact of high‐tech firms with the decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Then, analytic network process (ANP) method is used to explain the value and benefits from cluster location.

Findings

The authors study decision‐making for location selection of high‐tech firms in Hsinchu Science Park. The example is based on two dimensions including network effect and transaction cost. Network effect plays a more significant role than transaction cost for this example location selection of high‐tech firms in Hsinchu Science Park. The Science Park is surrounded by entrepreneurial spirit, a significant talent pool, and support infrastructure.

Originality/value

This paper explores how high‐tech managers make their decisions on location strategy in Science Park.

Research limitations/implications

The authors found that cost and benefit factors of network effect dominate the major decision‐making in selection of location and has direct impact on strategic intent. They also have shown that the DEMATEL and ANP approaches are valuable for evaluating this situation.
An evaluation of the impact of the office environment on productivity
Authors: Haynes Barry P.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a validated theoretical framework for the evaluation of office productivity, which includes components to represent both the physical and the behavioural environment. It is proposed that by adopting such an approach, insights into the dynamic nature, or connectivity, of office environments can be established. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of the office environment on its occupants' perceived productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study's strength is that it is based on two sizable data sets. The data collected consists of data about the physical characteristics of the office environment and data pertaining to the behavioural environment.

Findings

Results are analysed for specific work patterns, to establish meaning and relationships. In all of the four work patterns evaluated it was found that interaction was perceived to be the component to have the most positive affect on productivity and distraction was perceived to have the most negative. It is proposed that the results in this paper will provide support for the hypothesis that it is the behavioural components of the office environment that have the greatest impact on office productivity.

Research limitations/implications

This research establishes that to truly appreciate office productivity there is a need to further understand the behavioural environment. Whilst this research evaluates different work styles and office productivity, there is a possibility to extend this to investigate personality and team role types.

Originality/value

This study establishes that it is the behavioural environment that has the greatest impact on office productivity. It demonstrates that it is the dynamic elements of the office environment, interaction and distraction that are perceived as having the greatest positive and negative influences on self assessed productivity.
Event‐based knowledge extraction from free‐text descriptions for art images by using semantic role labeling approaches
Authors: Lin Chia‐Hung , Yen Chia‐Wei , Hong Jen‐Shin , Cruz‐Lara Samuel
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how previous studies have demonstrated that non‐professional users prefer using event‐based conceptual descriptions, such as “a woman wearing a hat”, to describe and search images. In many art image archives, these conceptual descriptions are manually annotated in free‐text fields. This study aims to explore technologies to automate event‐based knowledge extractions from these free‐text image descriptions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents an approach based on semantic role labeling technologies for automatically extracting event‐based knowledge, including subject, verb, object, location and temporal information from free‐text image descriptions. A query expansion module is applied to further improve the retrieval recall. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated by measuring the retrieval precision and recall capabilities for experiments with real life art image collections in museums.

Findings

Evaluations results indicate that the proposed method can achieve a substantially higher retrieval precision than conventional keyword‐based approaches. The proposed methodology is highly applicable for large‐scale collections where the image retrieval precision is more critical than the recall.

Originality/value

The study provides the first attempt in literature for automating the extraction of event‐based knowledge from free‐text image descriptions. The effectiveness and ease of implementation of the proposed approach make it feasible for practical applications.
Using an applied learning centre as a vehicle for culture change
Authors: Riedinger Joyce
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a learning centre can be designed as a transformational vehicle to align the culture with the organization's mission and vision to achieve competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

In the setting of international clinical development in a major pharmaceutical company, this paper first describes the change strategy and tactics used in designing a learning centre. Then, the overall framework for integrating learning into day‐to‐day work is described as well as the specific methods used for bringing about this integration.

Findings

The patient‐centered approach and continuous learning and improvement environment result in exploring, managing, and mitigating risks and optimizing benefits to the patient. Clearly, this change strategy is pivotal to achieving the company mission, and it enables international clinical development to exceed industry standards.

Originality/value

The paper shows how to design and implement a learning centre as a vehicle for culture change.
Thomas Paine (1737‐1809) and Thomas Spence (1750‐1814) on land ownership, land taxes and the provision of citizens' dividend
Authors: Marangos John
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to outline and compare the land ownership, land taxes and citizens' dividend proposals by Thomas Paine and Thomas Spence.

Design/methodology/approach

Paine wrote “Agrarian justice” in which he argued that every proprietor of cultivated land owes to the society a ground‐rent for the land which the person holds because it is common property. This ground rent would take the form of a tax per year of 10 per cent on inheritances. It is this ground‐rent that would fund the payments made to every person based on some age restrictions. In response, Spence wrote “The rights of infants” in which he went a step further as he recommended the abolition of aristocracy. As a result, there would have been common ownership of land and revenue derived from land would be administered by the parishes and distributed to everyone equally.

Findings

In assessing the two proposals using the citizens' dividend criterion, each proposal has consistent and inconsistent elements.

Practical implications

It can be argued that the two proposals are primitive versions of citizens' dividend as espoused today.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to knowledge regarding the debate at the time. During that period, public opinion associated classical political economy with a resolute denial of the right to subsistence to the poor and vigorous opposition to the English Poor Law based on the ideas of Malthus. Students of social economics would benefit from this paper in placing on equal footnoting in the historical debate the counter‐proposals to the dominant position at the time.
Managerial incentives and acquisitions: a survey of the literature
Authors: Williams Melissa A. , Michael Timothy B. , Waller Edward R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize research into managerial incentives, merger activity, performance, and the use and structure of compensation to mitigate agency problems in the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss studies of size elasticity and compensation, pay for performance, changes in managerial compensation due to merger activities, incentives and risk taking, and the relationship between managerial risk aversion and acquisitions.

Findings

The paper identifies several prominent themes in the literature. First, size and performance both appear to be positively related to managerial compensation. There appears to be a strong relation between pay and performance, but results depend upon whether the pay measure includes all forms of compensation. With mergers, any merger gains seem to accrue to the acquired firm. It appears that acquiring managers can increase their pay by merging with other firms, and this is likely to happen in cases where shareholder returns are negative. Regarding managerial risk taking and compensation, it is likely that the sensitivity of a manager's equity‐based compensation (options, in particular) to changes in the total risk of the firm is an indicator of how willing managers will be to seek out more risk on behalf of shareholders.

Originality/value

This paper synthesizes a large body of research into an organized discussion of the issues relating to merger activity, managerial incentives, compensation, and pay for performance issues.
Everything you always wanted to know about interpretive consumer research but were afraid to ask
Authors: Cova Bernard , Elliott Richard
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the contents of the special issue and to clarify and extend conceptual and managerial debates concerning interpretive consumer research (ICR).

Design/methodology/approach

A discursive approach is adopted. The arguments are supported by quotes from authoritative publications in the field.

Findings

Researching the consumer has progressed far beyond the research for managerial implications and has become a major focus for the social sciences. In the field of qualitative market research, interpretive approaches to studying consumer behaviour are playing an increasing role. However, the economic and psychological heritage of consumer behaviour impedes appreciation of their aims, analytic logics, and methodological contributions. Ten issues about ICR are detailed in order to provide an integrative overview of what ICR is or is not.

Originality/value

Provides an insider's view and serves as a useful overview of debates and developments in the field.
HR professionals' views on work motivation and retention of older workers: a focus group study
Authors: Claes Rita , Heymans Mieke
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the views of human resource (HR) professionals on work motivation and retention of older workers. Furthermore, it seeks to generate qualitative data to inspire measures for future survey research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative approach, using focus groups. A total of 15 participants were purposefully selected from different organisational settings (e.g. private and public organisations, various sectors, various organisational sizes, HR departments and HR consultants) and from different areas of HR practice (e.g. recruitment, selection, training, evaluation, diversity management, industrial relations). Several procedures are applied to carry out a rigorous qualitative analysis (i.e. interview guide, video recording and field notes, prompt transcripts, double coding, direct quotes and rich data slices when presenting findings).

Findings

The paper reveals that focus groups generate rich interaction and their content analysis results in five topics: definition of older workers, diversity amongst older workers, work motivation of older workers, retention policy and practices, and contexts of work motivation and organisation retention policy/practices.

Research limitations/implications

Three focus groups with HR professionals give just a glance of the intended retention practices. Broader qualitative and quantitative research with HR professionals and older workers is needed, preferably carried out by an international and multidisciplinary team.

Practical implications

The paper provides preliminary advice to HR professionals as to which practices aim at retention of older workers, based on insights in theories on work motivation.

Originality/value

The study takes place within Belgium where far‐reaching societal reform is still needed to promote employment of older workers and to move away from the early‐retirement culture. The paper confronts the wealth of work motivation theories and the plethora of HR practices with HR professionals being challenged to retain older workers and to keep them motivated.