bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective mutism: A home-and kindergarten-based intervention for children 3–5 Years: A pilot study
Authors: Oerbeck Beate , Johansen Jorunn , Lundahl Kathe , Kristensen Hanne
Published: August 2011

The aim was to examine the outcome of a multimodal treatment for selective mutism (SM). Seven children, aged three–five years, who were referred for SM were included. The treatment started at home and was continued at kindergarten for a maximum of six months, with predefined treatment goals in terms of speaking levels, from I (“Speaks to the therapist in a separate room with a parent present”) through to VI (“Speaks in all kindergarten settings without the therapist present”). The outcome measures were the teacher-reported School Speech Questionnaire (SSQ) and the treatment goal obtained (I–VI) six months after the onset of treatment, and the SSQ and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) at one-year follow-up. Six children spoke in all kindergarten settings (VI) after a mean of 14 weeks treatment. One child, with more extensive neuro-developmental delay, spoke in some settings only (V). The mean SSQ score was 0.59 (SD = 0.51) at baseline compared with 2.68 (SD = 0.35) at the six-month evaluation and 2.26 (SD = 0.93) at one-year follow-up. The mean CGI score at baseline was 4.43 (SD = 0.79) compared with 1.14 (SD = 0.38) at follow-up. Home- and kindergarten-based treatment appears to be promising.
Listening to parents: The challenges of parenting kindergarten-aged children who are anxious
Authors: Hiebert-Murphy Diane , Williams Elizabeth A. , Mills Rosemary S. L. , Walker John R. , Feldgaier Steven , Warren Michelle , Freeman Wendy , McIntyre Michael , Cox Brian J.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the experience of parenting kindergarten-aged children who are anxious. Twenty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with parents of kindergarten-aged children who expressed interest in a parent-focused early intervention program for child anxiety offered in a local elementary school. Key concerns of the parents included their children’s separation anxiety, social anxiety, and oppositional behaviour. The child’s anxiety was identified as a stressor on the child, the parent, and the family. Parents utilized a range of parenting responses although they tended to be reactive and did not have a consistent strategy for managing the anxiety. A salient parenting struggle was whether or not to push the child to face challenging situations although there were few descriptions of overprotection or overcontrol. The findings suggest greater attention be given to the strengths of parents of children who are anxious and the ways in which parents may be a positive factor in mitigating the effects of child anxiety. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Becoming visible, being heard? Community interpretations of first-person stories about living with HIV/AIDS in Quebec daily newspapers
Authors: Nengeh Mensah Maria , Haig Thomas
Published: August 2011

In this article, we highlight first-person accounts of living with HIV/AIDS that have appeared in daily newspapers in Quebec and raise a number of questions about how these accounts are received – who is listening and how? Recent Canadian criminal trials of HIV-positive people who are alleged to have knowingly exposed sexual partners to HIV serve as a conjuncture against which we address the culture of HIV/AIDS testimonials and analyse both production and reception of these stories. Drawing on the VIHSIBILITÉ project, we ask what discursive forms and social conditions are likely to favour media discourses that foster a sense of social solidarity toward people living with HIV/AIDS. We argue that community interpretations of storytelling and closer examination of how testimonials are received may provide new tools for critically conceptualizing how HIV-positive persons can be better heard as they speak about their lives.
Mobile testimony in the information age: The powers of travel reviews
Authors: Bissell David
Published: August 2011

This article takes the proliferation of user-reviews on travel-planning websites as its empirical lens to explore some relations between mobility, affect and testimony. The aim of this article is twofold. First, the article considers what travel reviews have the capacity to do and how they perform in multiple ways. By moving beyond understandings that prioritize the representational status of travel reviews, the article considers how these narratives have an even greater capacity to intervene within the affective realm of life. With this in mind, the article moves forward to consider how these reviews might be imbricated within, and redraw assemblages of politico-economic power that are contingent on these affective relations. Second, the article considers how these reviews might also reveal something about the body’s capacity to affect and be affected by the physical event of travel. The final part of the article addresses this issue by considering the relationship between affect and testimony.
A song and dance: Branded entertainment and mobile promotion
Authors: Grainge Paul
Published: August 2011

This article considers the rise of branded entertainment within the contemporary marketing and media environment. Specifically, it examines how mobile phone marketing in the UK has sought to engage consumers and perform the social use of mobile technology through multimedia ad campaigns with an inscribed entertainment value. Focusing on brand campaigns for 3G mobile services that borrow explicitly from reality television (T-Mobile) and Hollywood film (Orange), the article explores the concept of branded entertainment in relation to the ‘popular imagination’ of mobile communication in the late 2000s. In doing so, it examines the particular relation of flash mobs to the production of brand community.
Six-Month Walking Program Changes Cognitive and ADL Performance in Patients With Alzheimer
Authors: Venturelli Massimo , Scarsini Renato , Schena Federico
Published: August 2011

Motor inactivity is typical in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease although there is evidence that physical exercise can reduce depression and enhance performance of daily activities. The aim of this study was to determine whether a walking program could reduce the functional and cognitive decline of elderly nursing home residents in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. A total of 21 patients (84 ± 5 years) were randomly assigned to a walking program (WG) or to a control group (CG). A 6-minute walking test (6WT), the Barthel index of activities of daily living (ADLs), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) tests were performed before and after 24 weeks of the program. The WG showed significant improvement in the 6WT (20%) and ADLs (23%), while the CG decreased in MMSE (−47%), the WG had a slower decline (−13%). This study indicates that it is possible to stabilize the progressive cognitive dysfunctions in nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease through a specific walking program.
Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean
Authors: Angulo-Arreola Iliana Alexandra , Bastos Francisco I. , Strathdee Steffanie A.
Published: August 2011

The Caribbean and Central America represent a formidable challenge for researchers and policy makers in the HIV field, due to their pronounced heterogeneity in terms of social, economic, and cultural contexts and the different courses the HIV epidemic has followed in the region. Such contrasting contexts and epidemics can be exemplified by 2 countries that share the island of Hispaniola, the French Creole-speaking Haiti, and the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic. Haiti has experienced the worst epidemics outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Following a protracted economic and social crisis, recently aggravated by a devastating earthquake, the local HIV epidemic could experience resurgence. The region, strategically located on the way between coca-producing countries and the profitable North American markets, has been a transshipment area for years. Notwithstanding, the impact of such routes on local drug scenes has been very heterogeneous and dynamic, depending on a combination of local mores, drug enforcement activities, and the broad social and political context. Injecting drug use remains rare in the region, but local drug scenes are dynamic under the influence of increasing mobility of people and goods to and from North and South America, growing tourism and commerce, and prostitution. The multiple impacts of the recent economic and social crisis, as well as the influence of drug-trafficking routes across the Caribbean and other Latin American countries require a sustained effort to track changes in the HIV risk environment to inform sound drug policies and initiatives to minimize drug-related harms in the region.
Collaborating with ‘virtual strangers’: Towards developing a framework for leadership in distributed teams
Authors: Al-Ani Ban , Horspool Agnes , Bligh Michelle C.
Published: August 2011

The current study qualitatively explores emergent leadership themes within distributed teams in a large international Fortune 500 organization. Sixteen employees across different organizational sites were interviewed about experiences in both collocated and distributed teams. Previous research has typically highlighted how these teams fall on a continuum of virtuality, from purely face-to-face to entirely distributed, as well as emphasizing the importance of distributed team leaders using technology to create a virtual presence along this continuum. In addition, extant research emphasizes that leadership functions may need to vary depending on the geographic and temporal dispersion of the team. Consistent with traditional leadership theories, our findings suggest that distributed team leaders play an important role both in structuring group tasks and supporting socio-emotional group processes, and these functions vary by team distribution level. The idea that distributed teams are particularly conducive to more non-traditional forms of leadership also appeared as a consistent theme.
Leaders engaged in self-leadership: Can followers tell the difference?
Authors: Brown Ronald T. , Fields Dail
Published: August 2011

Manz (1983, 1986) proposed a model in which use of strategies of self-leadership refine and focus individual work related cognitive processes and causal reasoning, leading to improved work behaviors. Organizational leaders who make greater use of self-leadership strategies should more frequently exhibit behaviors associated with effective leadership. In this study, we examined the relationships between a leader’s use of three self-leadership strategies (behavior-focused, natural reward, and constructive thought) and leader behaviors using data provided by 75 leaders and 225 of their followers working within a non-profit organization. Our analysis showed that a leader’s behavior-focused self-leadership strategies were related to three of the five leadership behaviors comprising a model of effective leadership. Constructive thought and natural reward self-leadership efforts were significantly related to leader behaviors only for leaders with high levels of internal locus of control. From a practical standpoint, the small effects experienced by followers suggest the impact of the use of self-leadership strategies on the behaviors of leaders may be limited and depend on the individual characteristics of the leader.
Distal charismatic leadership and follower effects: An examination of Conger and Kanungo’s conceptualization of charisma in China
Authors: Huiwen Lian  , Brown Douglas J. , Tanzer Norbert K. , Hongsheng Che
Published: August 2011

Conger and Kanungo’s conceptualization of charismatic leadership has received extensive investigation in Western nations and has helped us understand the nature of leadership, especially during times of uncertainty. The present study assessed whether this conceptualization of charismatic leadership is generalizable to top-level organizational leadership in Chinese society, where culture is tremendously different from Western society. Data were collected from two independent samples with full-time employees from Chinese society. Results show that although the factor structure of charismatic leadership is replicated, some behaviors are not attributed as charismatic and are less effective in the Chinese context. Results also demonstrate that charismatic leadership is positively related to followers’ job performance and job satisfaction, and such positive relations are partially mediated by followers’ identification with the leader and the organization. The implications for utilizing Conger and Kanungo’s conceptualization of charisma to investigate top-level organizational leadership in Chinese society are discussed.
How does transformational leadership impact employees’ psychological strain?
Authors: Franke Franziska , Felfe Jörg
Published: August 2011

Although transformational leadership has received much empirical attention over the last few years, there is little research linking it to health. Previous studies have predominantly used overall measures of transformational leadership, and have neglected to specify effects of the sub dimensions. Therefore, in this study, the relationships between transformational leadership and perceived strain were examined on the level of dimensions with two independent samples. Moreover, moderating processes were addressed. As expected, we found specific relations for the different leadership dimensions with perceived strain. Particularly, individualized consideration and idealized influence (attributed) appeared to be the most important predictors, whereas inspirational motivation and idealized influence (behavior) did not explain incremental variance in strain. It was revealed that the relation between leaders’ individualized consideration and idealized influence (attributed) and perceived strain is moderated by affective organizational commitment.
Leadership development: Applying the same leadership theories and development practices to different contexts?
Authors: Pinnington Ashly H.
Published: August 2011

This paper examines leadership development in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and assesses the extent that they constitute distinctive contexts for leadership approaches and practices. The results of an empirical survey issued in one country provides some evidence for sector differences whereby leadership is conceptualized and practised with a greater emphasis placed on normative, ethical considerations in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Leadership development in the private sector is more strongly motivated by instrumental economic concerns. Whilst this sector difference is not new or surprising, the potential for greater sectoral distinctiveness in leadership approaches and their development warrants more discussion by academics and practitioners in leadership development.

This study of leadership development examines five leadership approaches (charismatic, transformational, authentic, servant and spiritual) and six common leadership development practices (360 degree feedback, mentoring, coaching, networks, job assignment and action learning). Leadership development practices are similar across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Furthermore, charismatic and transformational approaches do not appear to discriminate effectively between private and public sector leadership. However, interpretation of the data strongly suggests that leadership theories and practices should be more flexible to the sectoral contexts.

Private sector models of leadership development superficially appear to be adequate in so far as they share substantial commonality with the public and not-for-profit sectors in their development practices. However, respondents from the public and not-for-profit sectors are less convinced by the importance of some of the private sector 's approaches and its dominant values such as preparedness to facilitate the leaders’ confidence and power to create effective leadership. This distinction requires further investigation in future research on theories, practices and contexts for leadership development.
Uncovering the potential of private providers’ involvement in health to strengthen comprehensive health systems: a discussion paper
Authors: Kaboru Berthollet Bwira
Published: August 2011

Health systems strengthening (HSS) is being increasingly recognized as a strategic cross-cutting issue in all World Health Organization (WHO) work. Health systems comprise six building blocks: service delivery; medical products, vaccines and technologies; health workforce; health systems financing; health information system; and leadership and governance. Public–private mix (PPM) approaches or partnerships consist of initiatives aimed at increasing collaboration and improving the relationships between public–public, public–private and private–private health providers. An important component of PPM is the clear distribution of tasks between the different providers involved in the provision of health care. In practice, most PPM initiatives are disease-specific and are often related to the health service delivery block mentioned above. Although there is widespread consensus that PPM initiatives are typically of an HSS nature, efforts to make explicit the links between PPM and health systems building blocks are rather uncommon. The present paper aims to identify – in order to facilitate operationalization – potential aspects linking PPM to health systems building blocks, using a few experiences from tuberculosis control and beyond. The paper targets policymakers, donors and health systems scientists and ends with a call for more aware and innovative leadership, for increased support of PPM initiatives covering various building blocks, and for more operational research.
Customers’ perspectives on the impact of the Pathways to Work Condition Management Programme on their health, well-being and vocational activity
Authors: Secker Jenny , Pittam Gail , Ford Fiona
Published: August 2011

Aims:

Pathways to Work is a UK initiative aimed at supporting customers on incapacity benefits to return to work. This qualitative study complements previous evaluations of Pathways to Work by exploring customers’ perceptions of the impact of the Condition Management Programme (CMP) offered to claimants with long-term health conditions.

Methods:

39 customers took part in focus groups held at the seven sites where Pathways was originally piloted. The main focus of the discussions was on perceptions of the ways in which participation had impacted on health, well-being and return to work. The discussions were audio-recorded and fully transcribed for analysis using a text analysis framework to enable the development and refinement of categories and overarching patterns in the data.

Results:

Perceived impacts on health and well-being included a more positive outlook, social contact, changed perceptions of conditions and improvements in health. Some customers also reported an increase in their vocational activity and others felt ready to embark on new activities. Factors associated with positive outcomes included the extent and quality of contact with CMP staff and practical advice about condition management. Factors impeding positive employment outcomes related mainly to obstacles to returning to work.

Conclusions:

The results indicated that CMP can assist customers to learn about and manage their health conditions and increase their vocational activity, and that CMP therefore provides a promising means of enabling people with long-term health conditions to regain a fulfilling, productive life.
Breastfeeding is associated with increased lung function at 18 years of age: a cohort study
Authors: Soto-Ramírez N. , Alexander M. , Karmaus W. , Yousefi M. , Zhang H. , Kurukulaaratchy R.J. , Raza A. , Mitchell F. , Ewart S. , Arshad S.H.
Published: August 2011

Breastfeeding has been linked with increased forced vital capacity (FVC) in children but not in older adolescents. Our aim was to investigate the effects of breastfeeding duration and infant weight gain on FVC in both developmental periods.

In a birth cohort, information on breastfeeding duration was collected at 1 and 2 yrs; spirometric tests were conducted at 10 and 18 yrs. To estimate the effect of breastfeeding duration on FVC at 18 yrs of age, we used linear models; to analyse repeated FVC measurements at 10 and 18 yrs of age, we used linear mixed models. Links between breastfeeding, infant weight gain and FVC at 10 and 18 yrs of age were analysed through path analyses.

Among 808 breastfed children, 49% were breastfed for ≥4 months. At 18 yrs of age the augmenting effect of breastfeeding on FVC was reduced with increased height. Linear mixed models identified that breastfeeding duration was associated with increased FVC. Path analysis suggested a direct effect of breastfeeding on FVC at 10 yrs of age, but an indirect effect at 18 yrs of ageviaFVC at 10 yrs of age. Although inversely related to breastfeeding, a higher weight gain in infants led to taller adolescents and, in turn, resulted in increased FVC.

In conclusion, a longer duration of breastfeeding contributes to lung health in childhood and adolescence.
RSV infection modulates IL-15 production and MICA levels in respiratory epithelial cells
Authors: Zdrenghea M.T. , Telcian A.G. , Laza-Stanca V. , Bellettato C.M. , Edwards M.R. , Nikonova A. , Khaitov M.R. , Azimi N. , Groh V. , Mallia P. , Johnston S.L. , Stanciu L.A.
Published: August 2011

The cytokine interleukin (IL)-15, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and MHC class I chain-related proteins (MIC) A and B are involved in cellular immune responses to virus infections but their role in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has not been studied. We aimed to determine how RSV infection modulates IL-15 production, MHC class I and MICA expression in respiratory epithelial cells, the molecular pathways implicated in virus-induced IL-15 production and how interferon (IFN)-γ alters RSV-induced IL-15 production and MHC class I and MICA expression.

We infected respiratory epithelial cell lines (A549 and BEAS-2B cells) and primary bronchial epithelial cells with RSV and measured production of IL-15, expression of MHC I and MICA and the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB.

We report here that RSV increases IL-15 in respiratory epithelial cellsviavirus replication and NF-κB-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, RSV infection of epithelial cells upregulated cell surface expression of MICA and levels of soluble MICA. IFN-γ upregulated RSV induction of soluble IL-15 but inhibited induction of MICA.

Upregulation of IL-15, MHC I and MICA are likely to be important mechanisms in activating immune responses to RSV by epithelial cells.
Cigarette smoke inhibits lung fibroblast proliferation by translational mechanisms
Authors: Miglino N. , Roth M. , Lardinois D. , Sadowski C. , Tamm M. , Borger P.
Published: August 2011

Cigarette smoke is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. Although cigarette smoke represses cellular proliferation, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unknown. CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) are key regulators of cell cycle progression, differentiation and pro-inflammatory gene expression, are regulated predominantly at the translational level and may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cigarette smoke on proliferation and the expression and translational regulation of C/EBPα and C/EBPβ in nondiseased primary human lung fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts were exposed to cigarette smoke-conditioned medium (10% and 20% for 24 h). Proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Protein expression levels were determined by immunoblotting and translation was monitored using a translation control reporter system.

Cigarette smoke significantly reduced fibroblast proliferation and significantly upregulated full-length C/EBPα and C/EBPβ proteins due to a shift in the translational control ofCEBPAandCEBPBmRNAs. This shift involved the re-initiation of mRNA translationviathe regulatory upstream open reading frame, which coincided with increased interleukin-8 release and a decrease in functional elastin level.

These findings provide a novel mechanism to understanding the tissue remodelling observed in the lungs of COPD patients.
Home telemonitoring (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) in children with severe asthma does not reduce exacerbations
Authors: Deschildre A. , Béghin L. , Salleron J. , Iliescu C. , Thumerelle C. , Santos C. , Hoorelbeke A. , Scalbert M. , Pouessel G. , Gnansounou M. , Edmé J-L. , Matran R.
Published: August 2011

Some children with severe asthma develop frequent exacerbations despite intensive treatment.

We sought to assess the outcome (severe exacerbations and healthcare use, lung function, quality of life and maintenance treatment) of a strategy based on daily home spirometry with teletransmission to an expert medical centre and whether it differs from that of a conventional strategy.

50 children with severe uncontrolled asthma were enrolled in a 12-month prospective study and were randomised into two groups: 1) treatment managed with daily home spirometry and medical feedback (HM) and 2) conventional treatment (CT).

The children’s mean age was 10.9 yrs (95% confidence interval 10.2–11.6). 44 children completed the study (21 in the HM group and 23 in the CT group). The median number of severe exacerbations per patient was 2.0 (interquartile range 1.0–4.0) in the HM group and 3.0 (1.0–4.0) in the CT group (p=0.38 with adjustment for age). There were no significant differences between the two groups for unscheduled visits (HM 5.0 (3.0–7.0), CT 3.0 (2.0–7.0); p=0.30), lung function (pre-β2-agonist forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) p=0.13), Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores (p=0.61) and median daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids (p=0.86).

A treatment strategy based on daily FEV1monitoring with medical feedback did not reduce severe asthma exacerbations.
Rapid early weight gain is associated with wheeze and reduced lung function in childhood
Authors: van der Gugten A.C. , Koopman M. , Evelein A.M.V. , Verheij T.J.M. , Uiterwaal C.S.P.M. , van der Ent C.K.
Published: August 2011

The aim of our study was to investigate the association between rapid weight gain in the first 3 months of life and the prevalence of wheeze in the first years of life and lung function at 5 yrs of age.

The infants selected were participating in an ongoing birth cohort. Information on growth and respiratory symptoms was collected during the first year of life, and on primary care consultations during total follow-up. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75%) were measured at 5 yrs of age.

Information on growth and respiratory symptoms was obtained for 1,431 infants, out of whom 235 children had already had 5 yrs of follow-up. Every one-point z-score increase in weight gain resulted in a 37% increase in days with wheeze (incidence rate ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.27–1.47; p<0.001) and in associated consultations by 16% (incidence rate ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.01–1.34; p=0.04). Children with rapid weight gain reported significantly more physician-diagnosed asthma. FEV1and FEF25–75%were reduced by 34 mL (adjusted regression coefficient -0.034, 95% CI -0.056– -0.013; p=0.002) and 82 mL (adjusted regression coefficient -0.082, 95% CI -0.140– -0.024; p=0.006) per every one-point z-score increase in weight gain, respectively. These associations were independent of birthweight.

Rapid early weight gain is a risk factor for clinically relevant wheezing illnesses in the first years of life and lower lung function in childhood.
Valproic acid inhibits neural progenitor cell death by activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and up-regulation of Bcl-XL
Authors: Go Hyo Sang , Seo Jung Eun , Kim Ki Chan , Han So Min , Kim Pitna , Kang Young Sun , Han Seol Heui , Shin Chan Young , Ko Kwang Ho
Published: August 2011

Background

At the beginning of neurogenesis, massive brain cell death occurs and more than 50% of cells are eliminated by apoptosis along with neuronal differentiation. However, few studies were conducted so far regarding the regulation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) death during development. Because of the physiological role of cell death during development, aberration of normal apoptotic cell death is detrimental to normal organogenesis.

Apoptosis occurs in not only neuron but also in NPCs and neuroblast. When growth and survival signals such as EGF or LIF are removed, apoptosis is activated as well as the induction of differentiation. To investigate the regulation of cell death during developmental stage, it is essential to investigate the regulation of apoptosis of NPCs.

Methods

Neural progenitor cells were cultured from E14 embryonic brains of Sprague-Dawley rats. Forin vivoVPA animal model, pregnant rats were treated with VPA (400 mg/kg S.C.) diluted with normal saline at E12. To analyze the cell death, we performed PI staining and PARP and caspase-3 cleavage assay. Expression level of proteins was investigated by Western blot and immunocytochemical assays. The level of mRNA expression was investigated by RT-PCR. Interaction of Bcl-XL gene promoter and NF-κB p65 was investigated by ChIP assay.

Results

In this study, FACS analysis, PI staining and PARP and caspase-3 cleavage assay showed that VPA protects cultured NPCs from cell death after growth factor withdrawal both in basal and staurosporine- or hydrogen peroxide-stimulated conditions. The protective effect of prenatally injected VPA was also observed in E16 embryonic brain. Treatment of VPA decreased the level of IκBα and increased the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, which subsequently enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to indicate the reduced death of NPCs by VPA at developmentally critical periods through the degradation of IκBα and the activation of NF-κB signaling. The reduced NPCs death might underlie the neurodevelopmental defects collectively called fetal valproate syndrome, which shows symptoms such as mental retardation and autism-like behavior.
High efficient isolation and systematic identification of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yang Xu-Fang , He Xu , He Jian , Zhang Li-Hong , Su Xue-Jin , Dong Zhi-Yong , Xu Yun-Jian , Li Yan , Li Yu-Lin
Published: August 2011

Background

Developing efficient methods to isolate and identify human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) remains to be one of the major challenges in tissue engineering.

Methods

We demonstrate here a method by isolating hADSCs from abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue harvested during caesarian section. The hADSCs were isolated from human adipose tissue by collagenase digestion and adherence to flasks.

Results

The yield reached around 1 × 106 hADSCs per gram adipose tissue. The following comprehensive identification and characterization illustrated pronounced features of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The fibroblast-like hADSCs exhibited typical ultrastructure details for vigorous cell activities. Karyotype mapping showed normal human chromosome. With unique immunophenotypes they were positive for CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105 and CD166, but negative for CD31, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. The growth curve and cell cycle analysis revealed high capability for self-renewal and proliferation. Moreover, these cells could be functionally induced into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and endothelial cells in the presence of appropriate conditioned media.

Conclusion

The data presented here suggest that we have developed high efficient isolation and cultivation methods with a systematic strategy for identification and characterization of hADSCs. These techniques will be able to provide safe and stable seeding cells for research and clinical application.
A first-generation integrated tammar wallaby map and its use in creating a tammar wallaby first-generation virtual genome map
Authors: Wang Chenwei , Deakin Janine E , Rens Willem , Zenger Kyall R , Belov Katherine , Marshall Graves Jennifer A , Nicholas Frank W
Published: August 2011

Background

The limited (2X) coverage of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) genome sequence dataset currently presents a challenge for assembly and anchoring onto chromosomes. To provide a framework for this assembly, it would be a great advantage to have a dense map of the tammar wallaby genome. However, only limited mapping data are available for this non-model species, comprising a physical map and a linkage map.

Results

We combined all available tammar wallaby mapping data to create a tammar wallaby integrated map, using the Location DataBase (LDB) strategy. This first-generation integrated map combines all available information from the second-generation tammar wallaby linkage map with 148 loci, and extensive FISH mapping data for 492 loci, especially for genes likely to be located at the ends of wallaby chromosomes or at evolutionary breakpoints inferred from comparative information. For loci whose positions are only approximately known, their location in the integrated map was refined on the basis of comparative information from opossum (Monodelphis domestica) and human. Interpolation of segments from the opossum and human assemblies into the integrated map enabled the subsequent construction of a tammar wallaby first-generation virtual genome map, which comprises 14336 markers, including 13783 genes recruited from opossum and human assemblies. Both maps are freely available at http://compldb.angis.org.au.

Conclusions

The first-generation integrated map and the first-generation virtual genome map provide a backbone for the chromosome assembly of the tammar wallaby genome sequence. For example, 78% of the 10257 gene-scaffolds in the Ensembl annotation of the tammar wallaby genome sequence (including 10522 protein-coding genes) can now be given a chromosome location in the tammar wallaby virtual genome map.
Testing the importance of jasmonate signalling in induction of plant defences upon cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) attack
Authors: Kuśnierczyk Anna , Tran Diem HT , Winge Per , Jørstad Tommy S , Reese John C , Troczyńska Joanna , Bones Atle M
Published: August 2011

Background

Phloem-feeding aphids deprive plants of assimilates, but mostly manage to avoid causing the mechanical tissue damage inflicted by chewing insects. Nevertheless, jasmonate signalling that is induced by infestation is important in mediating resistance to phloem feeders. Aphid attack induces the jasmonic acid signalling pathway, but very little is known about the specific impact jasmonates have on the expression of genes that respond to aphid attack.

Results

We have evaluated the function that jasmonates have in regulating Arabidopsis thaliana responses to cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) by conducting a large-scale transcriptional analysis of two mutants: aos, which is defective in jasmonate production, and fou2, which constitutively induces jasmonic acid biosynthesis. This analysis enabled us to determine which genes' expression patterns depend on the jasmonic acid signalling pathway. We identified more than 200 genes whose expression in non-challenged plants depended on jasmonate levels and more than 800 genes that responded differently to infestation in aos and fou2 plants than in wt. Several aphid-induced changes were compromised in the aos mutant, particularly genes connected to regulation of transcription, defence responses and redox changes. Due to jasmonate-triggered pre-activation of fou2, its transcriptional profile in non-challenged plants mimicked the induction of defence responses in wt. Additional activation of fou2 upon aphid attack was therefore limited. Insect fitness experiments revealed that the physiological consequences of fou2 mutation contributed to more effective protection against B. brassicae. However, the observed resistance of the fou2 mutant was based on antibiotic rather than feeding deterrent properties of the mutant as indicated by an analysis of aphid feeding behaviour.

Conclusions

Analysis of transcriptional profiles of wt, aos and fou2 plants revealed that the expression of more than 200 genes is dependent on jasmonate status, regardless of external stimuli. Moreover, the aphid-induced response of more than 800 transcripts is regulated by jasmonate signalling. Thus, in plants lacking jasmonates many of the defence-related responses induced by infestation in wt plants are impaired. Constant up-regulation of jasmonate signalling as evident in the fou2 mutant causes reduction in aphid population growth, likely as a result of antibiotic properties of fou2 plants. However, aos mutation does not seem to affect aphid performance when the density of B. brassicae populations on plants is low and aphids are free to move around.
In Mycoplasma hoministhe OppA-mediated cytoadhesion depends on its ATPase activity
Authors: Hopfe Miriam , Dahlmanns Theresa , Henrich Birgit
Published: August 2011

Background

InMycoplasma hominis, a facultative human pathogen of the human genital tract, OppA, the substrate-binding domain of the oligopeptide permease, is a multifunctional protein involved in nutrition uptake, cytoadhesion and hydrolysis of extracellular ATP.

Results

To map the function-related protein regions the ATPase activity and adhesive behavior of OppA mutants were analyzed. Mutations of the Walker BA motifs resulted in an inhibition of up to 8% of the OppA ATPase activity, whereas deletion of the N-terminal CS1 or the CS2 region, structural motifs that are conserved in bacterial OppA proteins, reduced ATPase activity to 60% and deletion of CS3, the third conserved region adjacent to the Walker B motif led to a reduction to 42% ATPase activity.

Interestingly, adhesion of the OppA mutants to immobilized HeLa cells demonstrated that two distal regions are mainly involved in adherence of OppA: the CS1 region, deletion of which led to 35% of the cytoadhesion, and the Walker BA with the adjacent upstream region CS3, deletion of which led to 25% of the cytoadhesion. The influence of the ATPase activity on the adherence ofM. hoministo HeLa cells was confirmed by the use of ATPase inhibitors which reduced mycoplasmal cytoadhesion to 50%.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the OppA-mediated cytoadherence ofMycoplasma hominis depends on both, the topology of the neighbouring CS1 and ATPase domain regions and the functionality of the ecto-ATPase activity in addition.
A bacterial PriB with weak single-stranded DNA binding activity can stimulate the DNA unwinding activity of its cognate PriA helicase
Authors: Feng Cui , Sunchu Bharath , Greenwood Mallory E , Lopper Matthew E
Published: August 2011

Background

Bacterial DNA replication restart pathways facilitate reinitiation of DNA replication following disruptive encounters of a replisome with DNA damage, thereby allowing complete and faithful duplication of the genome. In Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the primosome proteins that catalyze DNA replication restart differ from the well-studied primosome proteins of E. coli with respect to the number of proteins involved and the affinities of their physical interactions: the PriA:PriB interaction is weak in E. coli, but strong in N. gonorrhoeae, and the PriB:DNA interaction is strong in E. coli, but weak in N. gonorrhoeae. In this study, we investigated the functional consequences of this affinity reversal.

Results

We report that N. gonorrhoeae PriA's DNA binding and unwinding activities are similar to those of E. coli PriA, and N. gonorrhoeae PriA's helicase activity is stimulated by its cognate PriB, as it is in E. coli. This finding is significant because N. gonorrhoeae PriB's single-stranded DNA binding activity is weak relative to that of E. coli PriB, and in E. coli, PriB's single-stranded DNA binding activity is important for PriB stimulation of PriA helicase. Furthermore, a N. gonorrhoeae PriB variant defective for binding single-stranded DNA can stimulate PriA's helicase activity, suggesting that DNA binding by PriB might not be important for PriB stimulation of PriA helicase in N. gonorrhoeae. We also demonstrate that N. gonorrhoeae PriB stimulates ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by its cognate PriA. This activity of PriB has not been observed in E. coli, and could be important for PriB stimulation of PriA helicase in N. gonorrhoeae.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that a bacterial PriB homolog with weak single-stranded DNA binding activity can stimulate the DNA unwinding activity of its cognate PriA helicase. While it remains unclear if N. gonorrhoeae PriB's weak DNA binding activity is required for PriB stimulation of PriA helicase, the ability of PriB to stimulate PriA-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis could play an important role. Thus, the weak interaction between N. gonorrhoeae PriB and DNA might be compensated for by the strong interaction between PriB and PriA, which could result in allosteric activation of PriA's ATPase activity.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from lactating cows and in contact humans in dairy farms of Addis Ababa: a cross sectional study
Authors: Addis Zelalem , Kebede Nigatu , Sisay Zufan , Alemayehu Haile , Wubetie Alehegne , Kassa Tesfu
Published: August 2011

Background

Salmonella are the major pathogenic bacteria in humans as well as in animals. Salmonella species are leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in several countries and salmonellosis remains an important public health problem worldwide, particularly in the developing countries. The situation is more aggravated by the ever increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance strains. Cattle have been implicated as a source of human infection with antimicrobial resistant Salmonella through direct contact with livestock and through the isolation of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella from raw milk, cheddar cheese, and hamburger meat traced to dairy farms. Despiite the presence of many studies on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella in Ethiopia, nothing has been said on the degree of the situation among apparently healthy lactating cows and in contact humans. Hence this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella isolates from lactating cows and in contact humans in dairy farms of Addis Ababa.

Methods

a cross sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa by collecting milk and faecal samples from lactating cows and stool samples from humans working in dairy farms. Samples were pre-enriched in buffered peptone water followed by selective enrichment using selenite cysteine and Rapaport-Vassilidis broths. Isolation and identification was made by inoculating the selectively enriched sample on to Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar followed by confirmation of presumptive colonies using different biochemical tests. The Kibry Bauer disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial sensitivity testing.

Results

10.7% (21/195) of cows and 13.6% (3/22) of the human subjects sheded Salmonella. 83% resistance to two or more antimicrobials and 100% resistance to ampicillin were observed. Most of the isolates were relatively sensitive to ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, and chloramphenicol.

Conclusion

High proportion of Salmonella isolates developed resistance to the commonly prescribed antimicrobials and this may be a considerable risk in the treatment of clinical cases. So, wise use of antimicrobials must be practiced to combat the ever increasing situation of antimicrobial resistance.
High Lifetime Pregnancy and Low Contraceptive Usage Among Sex Workers Who Use Drugs- An Unmet Reproductive Health Need
Authors: Duff Putu , Shoveller Jean , Zhang Ruth , Alexson Debbie , Montaner Julio SG , Shannon Kate
Published: August 2011

Background

The objective of this study was to describe levels of pregnancy and contraceptive usage among a cohort of street-based female sex workers (FSWs) in Vancouver.

Methods

The study sample was obtained from a community-based prospective cohort study (2006-2008) of 211 women in street-based sex work who use drugs, 176 of whom had reported at least one prior pregnancy. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate lifetime pregnancy prevalence, pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage, abortion, adoption, child apprehension, child custody), and contraceptive usage. In secondary analyses, associations between contraceptive usage, individual and interpersonal risk factors and high number of lifetime pregnancies (defined as greater than the sample mean of 4) were examined.

Results

Among our sample, 84% reported a prior pregnancy, with a mean of 4 lifetime pregnancies (median = 3; IQR: 2-5). The median age of women reporting 5+ pregnancies was 38 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 25.0-39.0] compared to 34 years [IQR: 25.0-39.0] among women reporting 4 or fewer prior pregnancies. 45% were Caucasian and 47% were of Aboriginal ancestry. We observed high rates of previous abortion (median = 1;IQR:1-3), apprehension (median = 2; IQR:1-4) and adoption (median = 1; IQR:1-2) among FSWs who reported prior pregnancy. The use of hormonal and insertive contraceptives was limited. In bivariate analysis, tubal ligation (OR = 2.49; [95%CI = 1.14-5.45]), and permanent contraceptives (e.g., tubal ligation and hysterectomy) (OR = 2.76; [95%CI = 1.36-5.59]) were both significantly associated with having five or more pregnancies.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate high levels of unwanted pregnancy in the context of low utilization of effective contraceptives and suggest a need to improve the accessibility and utilization of reproductive health services, including family planning, which are appropriately targeted and tailored for FSWs in Vancouver.
Expression of Transketolase like gene 1 (TKTL1) predicts disease-free survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Schwaab Juliana , Horisberger Karoline , Ströbel Philipp , Bohn Beatrice , Gencer Deniz , Kähler Georg , Kienle Peter , Post Stefan , Wenz Frederik , Hofmann Wolf-Karsten , Hofheinz Ralf-Dieter , Erben Philipp
Published: August 2011

Background

For patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is recommended as standard therapy. So far, no predictive or prognostic molecular factors for patients undergoing multimodal treatment are established. Increased angiogenesis and altered tumour metabolism as adaption to hypoxic conditions in cancers play an important role in tumour progression and metastasis. Enhanced expression of Vascular-endothelial-growth-factor-receptor(VEGF-R) and Transketolase-like-1 (TKTL1) are related to hypoxic conditions in tumours. In search for potential prognostic molecular markers we investigated the expression ofVEGFR-1,VEGFR-2andTKTL1in patients with LARC treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and cetuximab.

Methods

Tumour and corresponding normal tissue from pre-therapeutic biopsies of 33 patients (m: 23, f: 10; median age: 61 years) with LARC treated in phase-I and II trials with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (cetuximab, irinotecan, capecitabine in combination with radiotherapy) were analysed by quantitative PCR.

Results

Significantly higher expression ofVEGFR-1/2was found in tumour tissue in pre-treatment biopsies as well as in resected specimen after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to corresponding normal tissue. HighTKTL1expression significantly correlated with disease free survival. None of the markers had influence on early response parameters such as tumour regression grading. There was no correlation of gene expression between the investigated markers.

Conclusion

HighTKTL-1expression correlates with poor prognosis in terms of 3 year disease-free survival in patients with LARC treated with intensified neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and may therefore serve as a molecular prognostic marker which should be further evaluated in randomised clinical trials.