bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selecting Goals
Authors: Drinkwater Sarah , Notari Angela
Published: February 2009

The advent of Public Law –457 is an important recognition of the unique role of the family in early intervention. Parents have valuable knowledge of their child's development to contribute to the interdisciplinary team, though its use has been limited. Sixteen mothers and their handicapped infants/toddlers participated in this study to determine the relationship between parent and teacher evaluations of children's level of functioning, and the degree to which the evaluations may have resulted in similar goal selection. During initial assessment, mothers and interventionists completed complementary instruments, which included the Evaluation and Programming System-I (EPS-I) and the Parent Form Level I, a questionnaire containing selected EPS-I items. Overall, the results indicate moderate to high correlations between mothers and professionals on child behavior, though mothers tended to rate children higher, and high agreement on skills that children manifest.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Cognitive Levels Test, the KeyMath-Revised, and the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised
Authors: Eaves Ronald C.
Published: February 2009

Sixty-six regular classroom children and 52 children with learning disabilities were administered the Cognitive Levels Test (CLT), the KeyMath-Revised (KMR), and the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised (WRMTR). For both groups, correlations between the CLT and WRMTR scores were found to be higher than those typically found in the literature for cognitive and reading measures. For both groups, correlations between the CLT and KMR scores were also higher than those commonly found in the literature for cognitive and math measures. With regard to differences between means, 70% of the CLT-achievement differences were significant for the learning disabled group. For the regular classroom group, only 3% of the CLT-achievement differences were significant. Overall, 81% of the combined subjects were correctly classified using the three-instrument battery.
Reliability and Validity of the Writing Essential Skill Screener — Preschool Version (WESS-P)
Authors: Erford Bradley T.
Published: February 2009

Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, item analysis, and construct and concurrent criterion-related validity of the Writing Essential Skill Screener — Preschool Version (WESS-P) were studied using four independent samples of boys and girls, ages 4 through 5. Median item difficulty was.65 and median item discrimination was.84 for the standardization sample. A decision reliability study resulted in accurate decisions being made for 92% of a sample of children with and without pre-writing skill deficiencies. A one-factor principal component solution was derived. Internal consistency was.95 and.93, whereas 30-day test-retest reliability was.91. The WESS-P yielded concurrent cirterion-related validity coefficients of.85 with the Test of Early Written Language (TEWL), and.82 with the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI), and accurately identified 92% of participants in a diagnostic validity study. The WESS-P displayed a high degree of reliability and validity for a brief pre-writing skills screener. Implications for policy and practice were discussed.
Affecting Organizational Identity
Authors: Prati L. Melita , McMillan-Capehart Amy , Karriker Joy H.
Published: February 2009

Organizational identity is an important cognitive variable that not only affects how one feels about his or her membership in the organization but also determines the participant's behavior within the organizational environment. This article discusses the relationships of managerial emotional intelligence, relational coordination, and clan organizational culture in the establishment of subordinates' organizational identity. The emotional intelligence of managers plays a key role in how they administer organizational functions. Specifically, this article theorizes how the emotionally intelligent manager may use the strategic tool of relational coordination to influence the culture of the organization and the creation of strong organizational identity in followers.
Interventions to Promote Physical Activity Among African Americans
Authors: Pekmezi Dori , Jennings Ernestine
Published: February 2009

This article provides a summary of recent physical activity intervention research conducted among African Americans. As prior reviews have been published in this area, the authors updated the literature by focusing on the past 8 years. Overall, there has been an increase in the number and methodological rigor of the studies in this area. Thirty studies published in peer-reviewed journals were included in the current review. Results from 18 of these studies indicated that interventions produced significant increases in activity behavior among African American participants. Recent improvements in this research include larger sample sizes, more randomized controlled trials, and increased use of reliable and valid self-report measures, objective assessment tools, and theoretical backgrounds for interventions. However, attrition and long-term exercise adherence remain problematic in this area of research.
`Keeping things moving': space and the construction of middle management identity in a post-NPM organization
Authors: Ainsworth Susan , Grant David , Iedema Rick
Published: February 2009

Reforms associated with New Public Management (NPM) have led to changes in the management of work and organization that challenge the stability, durability and linearity of the managerial hierarchy in contemporary public sector workplaces. Against this background, this article considers the ways in which two clinician-managers who work in a large metropolitan teaching hospital speak about their organizational roles. Reflecting the complexity of their part of the organization, the emergency department, the interviewees position themselves as operating at the interstice between the competing and contradictory spatial logics of locality and mobility. With their identities strongly anchored in emergency as locality, the clinician-managers intervene in the flows of meanings and resources that affect its processes in ways that require intra- and inter-organizational mobility and which are incommensurate with traditional perceptions of middle managers. In regarding the interviews as `practical authoring' (Shotter and Cunliffe, 2003), we note our own spatial ambiguity as academic researchers interested in organizations other than our own and suggest that our insider-outsider positionings are reflected in the interviews' complex spatialities. We conclude that the interviewees' boundary-spanning and cross-spatial self-positionings are indicative of the hybrid roles that workers under NPM increasingly embody and are in contrast to traditional perceptions of how the provision and management of public service work is carried out.
The ideology of patient information leaflets: a diachronic study
Authors: Mcmanus Jennifer
Published: February 2009

This study explores society's attitudes towards medicine, as reflected in the language of Patient Information Leaflets (PILs), and attempts to explicate how they have changed over the last century. For this purpose, Halliday's (1985) transitivity model is employed as a method of discourse analysis in order to carry out a systematic, comparative investigation of the language of early 20th-century PILs and that of their modern equivalents. The study demonstrates how the transitivity choices in the respective samples cumulatively realize a particular `world-view', and considers the implications this has for the construal of the wider social/cultural context and the projection of particular ideologies. The analyses show significant differences in transitivity patterns between the two samples, which reflect changes in the way medicine is viewed in Western culture.
Television news, narrative conventions and national imagination
Authors: Mihelj Sabina , Bajt Veronika , Pankov Miloš
Published: February 2009

By and large, contemporary news stories are stories about a particular nation, told to an audience that is seen and addressed in national terms. However, the understanding of the exact ways in which national imagination becomes engrained in the narrative conventions of news reporting is still rather limited, in particular when it comes to audiovisual genres. This article aims to fill a part of this blank by examining the links between national imagination and the narrative conventions of television news. Building on existing debates about different modes of news reporting, the article distinguishes two distinct sets of narrative conventions at work in television news: one typically found in routine reporting, the other characteristic of crisis and celebratory reporting. It is argued that each of these two sets of conventions is tied to a different form of nationalism, and normally arises in a different political climate. Links between national imagination and narrative conventions vary accordingly. To demonstrate this, the article provides a comparative analysis of narrative structures in selected samples of television news bulletins broadcast in the early 1990s in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The concluding section reflects on the external validity of the chosen case study and surveys supportive evidence from four other relevant cases, drawn from the UK and Israel.
Exploring the generic character of the modern Greek short story(διήγημα): the case of Palamas and Xenopoulos (c.1880–1930)
Authors: Karaiskou Maria
Published: February 2009

This article examines how two prominent Greek critics of the period 1880–1930 — Palamas and Xenopoulos — perceived the generic character and the narrative demands of the modern Greek short story (διήγημα). It explores the degree that two cardinal aspects in the theory of the genre — the relation of the short story with the novel and the division into two separate short-story traditions — influenced both critics in their definition of the διήγημα and in their evaluation of the work of specific short story writers. The contrast and comparison of Palamas’ and Xenopoulos’ views pinpoints the standards, contradictions and restrictions that formed the critical perspectives on the διήγημα and thus highlights its neglected critical history during the period 1880–1930, which coincided with its prevalence in mainstream Greek prose fiction.
Impaired maintenance of naturally acquired T-cell memory to the meningococcus in patients with B-cell immunodeficiency
Authors: Morales-Aza Begonia , Glennie Sarah J. , Garcez Tomaz Pereira , Davenport Victoria , Johnston Sarah L. , Williams Neil A. , Heyderman Robert S.
Published: February 2009

The importance of T cells in the generation of antigen-specific B-cell immunity has been extensively described, but the role B cells play in shaping T-cell memory is uncertain. In healthy controls, exposure to Neisseria meningitidis in the upper respiratory tract is associated with the generation of memory T cells in the mucosal and systemic compartments. However, we demonstrate that in B cell–deficient subjects with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), naturally acquired T-cell memory responses to meningococcal antigens are reduced compared with healthy control patients. This difference is not found in T-cell memory to an obligate respiratory pathogen, influenza virus. Accordingly, we show that meningococcal antigens up-regulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD40, CD86/80 expression on mucosal and systemic associated B cells and that antigen presentation stimulates T-cell proliferation. A similar reduction in N meningitidis but not influenza antigen–specific T-cell memory was observed in subjects with X-linked hyper IgM syndrome (X-HIM), implicating the interaction of CD40-CD40L in this process. Together, these data implicate B cells in the induction and maintenance of T-cell memory to mucosal colonizing bacteria such as N meningitidis and highlight the importance of B cells beyond antibody production but as a target for immune reconstitution.
The NAD biosynthesis inhibitor APO866 has potent antitumor activity against hematologic malignancies
Authors: Nahimana Aimable , Attinger Antoine , Aubry Dominique , Greaney Peter , Ireson Christopher , Thougaard Annemette V. , Tjørnelund Jette , Dawson Keith M. , Dupuis Marc , Duchosal Michel A.
Published: February 2009

APO866 inhibits nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NMPRTase), a key enzyme involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis from the natural precursor nicotinamide. Intracellular NAD is essential for cell survival, and NAD depletion resulting from APO866 treatment elicits tumor cell death. Here, we determine the in vitro and in vivo sensitivities of hematologic cancer cells to APO866 using a panel of cell lines (n = 45) and primary cells (n = 32). Most cancer cells (acute myeloid leukemia [AML], acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], mantle cell lymphoma [MCL], chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL], and T-cell lymphoma), but not normal hematopoietic progenitor cells, were sensitive to low concentrations of APO866 as measured in cytotoxicity and clonogenic assays. Treatment with APO866 decreased intracellular NAD and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at 24 hours and 48 to72 hours, respectively. The NAD depletion led to cell death. At 96 hours, APO866-mediated cell death occurred in a caspase-independent mode, and was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy. Further, in vivo administration of APO866 as a single agent prevented and abrogated tumor growth in animal models of human AML, lymphoblastic lymphoma, and leukemia without significant toxicity to the animals. The results support the potential of APO866 for treating hematologic malignancies.
A TLR2 ligand suppresses inflammation by modulation of chemokine receptors and redirection of leukocyte migration
Authors: McKimmie Clive S. , Moore Mark , Fraser Alasdair R. , Jamieson Thomas , Xu Damo , Burt Claire , Pitman Nick I. , Nibbs Robert J. , McInnes Iain B. , Liew Foo Y. , Graham Gerard J.
Published: February 2009

Toll-like receptors orchestrate rapid local protective innate-immune responses to invading pathogens and optimize leukocyte priming of subsequent adaptive responses. Paradoxically, systemic excess of the TLR2 ligand, bacterial lipoprotein (BLP), suppresses peripheral inflammatory responses. Here, we demonstrate that this phenomenon is regulated via the TLR2-dependent, cell-autonomous down-regulation of inflammatory chemokine receptor expression on a variety of leukocyte subsets. Remarkably, BLP mediated no effect on constitutive chemokine receptor expression. By tracking adoptively transferred wild-type and TLR2−/− leukocytes in vivo, we observed that BLP mediated chemokine receptor switching directed leukocytes away from inflamed sites toward secondary lymphoid organs. These data highlight a novel role for TLR ligands, such as BLP, in regulating leukocyte retention and migration away from innate immune lesions via discrete constitutive and inflammatory chemokine receptor regulation.
Interleukin-1 receptor-related protein ST2 suppresses the initial stage of bleomycin-induced lung injury
Authors: Mato N. , Fujii M. , Hakamata Y. , Kobayashi E. , Sato A. , Hayakawa M. , Ohto-Ozaki H. , Bando M. , Ohno S. , Tominaga S. , Sugiyama Y.
Published: February 2009

Acute lung injury has a range of causes, and occasionally leads to lethal respiratory failure. Despite advances in treatment, acute lung injury continues to have a high mortality rate, and thus a new therapeutic approach is needed. ST2 is an interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-related protein, and its expression is induced by various inflammatory responses. Recently, ST2 has been speculated to exert anti-inflammatory effects; therefore, we investigated the role of the ST2 in the murine model of acute lung injury.

To elucidate the function of ST2in vivo, mice that transiently overexpressed ST2 protein were prepared using the hydrodynamic gene transfer method, and lung injury was induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin.

In bleomycin-treated ST2-overexpressing mice, the increase of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was markedly suppressed. Additionally, the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-6, as well as the concentration of albumin, in BALF were reduced compared with those of controls. Furthermore, the pulmonary architecture in ST2-overexpressing mice remained almost normal, and the survival rate was significantly improved.

From these results, we concluded that ST2 has the potential to suppress the initial stage of acute lung injury, and therefore it may be a useful reagent for the treatment of acute lung injury.
Association of VEGF polymorphisms with childhood asthma, lung function and airway responsiveness
Authors: Sharma S. , Murphy A. J. , Soto-Quiros M. E. , Avila L. , Klanderman B. J. , Sylvia J. S. , Celedón J. C. , Raby B. A. , Weiss S. T.
Published: February 2009

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor implicated in asthma severity. The objective of the present study was to determine whether VEGF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with asthma, lung function and airway responsiveness.

The present authors analysed 10 SNPs in 458 white families in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP). Tests of association with asthma, lung function and airway responsiveness were performed using PBAT software (Golden Helix, Inc. Bozeman, MT, USA; available atwww.goldenhelix.com). Family and population-based, revpeated measures analysis of airflow obstruction were conducted. Replication studies were performed in 412 asthmatic children and their parents from Costa Rica.

Associations with asthma, lung function and airway responsiveness were observed in both cohorts. SNP rs833058 was associated with asthma in both cohorts. This SNP was also associated with increased airway responsiveness in both populations. An association of rs4711750 and its haplotype with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio in both cohorts was observed. Longitudinal analysis in CAMP confirmed an association of rs4711750 with FEV1/FVC decline over ∼4.5 yrs of observation.

VEGF polymorphisms are associated with childhood asthma, lung function and airway responsiveness in two populations, suggesting that VEGF polymorphisms influence asthma susceptibility, airflow obstruction and airways responsiveness.
Leptin receptor polymorphisms and lung function decline in COPD
Authors: Hansel N. N. , Gao L. , Rafaels N. M. , Mathias R. A. , Neptune E. R. , Tankersley C. , Grant A. V. , Connett J. , Beaty T. H. , Wise R. A. , Barnes K. C.
Published: February 2009

Only a fraction of all smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting a large role for genetic susceptibility. The leptin receptor (LEPR) is present in human lung tissue and may play a role in COPD pathogenesis. The present study examined the association between genetic variants in theLEPRgene and lung function decline in COPD.

In total, 429 European Americans were randomly selected from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Lung Health Study. 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inLEPRwere genotyped using the IlluminaTMGoldenGate platform (Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA). Mean annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted over the 5-yr period was calculated using linear regression. Linear regression models were also used to adjust for potential confounders. In addition,in vivoexpression of the receptor gene was assessed with immunohistochemistry on lungs from smoke-exposed inbred mice.

We identified significant associations (p<0.05) between lung function decline and 21 SNPs. Haplotype analyses confirmed several of these associations seen with individual markers. Immunohistochemistry results in inbred mice strains support a potential role of LEPR in COPD pathogenesis.

We identified genetic variants in theLEPRgene significantly associated with lung function decline in a population of smokers with COPD. Our results support a role forLEPRas a novel candidate gene for COPD.
Interferon-γ release assays do not identify more children with active tuberculosis than the tuberculin skin test
Authors: Kampmann B. , Whittaker E. , Williams A. , Walters S. , Gordon A. , Martinez-Alier N. , Williams B. , Crook A. M. , Hutton A-M. , Anderson S. T.
Published: February 2009

Data are lacking on the performance of interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) in children. Although IGRAs are recommended for screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), many clinicians wish to employ them as a diagnostic test for active tuberculosis (TB). The objective of the present study was to compare the performance of the two commercially available IGRAs and the tuberculin skin test (TST) side-by-side in children with active TB and LTBI.

In a prospective study, 209 children were investigated for active (n = 91) or latent TB (n = 118). TST, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFG-IT; Cellestis, Carnegie, Australia) and T-SPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotec, Abingdon, UK) assays were simultaneously used.

For culture-confirmed active TB, the sensitivity of the TST was 83%, compared with 80% for QFG-IT and 58% for T-SPOT.TB. IGRAs did not perform significantly better than TST, although QFG-IT was significantly better than T-SPOT.TB. The agreement between QFG-IT and T-SPOT.TB in culture-confirmed TB was poor at 66.7%. In LTBI, the agreement between QFG-IT and T-SPOT.TB was very good (92%) with moderate agreement between TST and T-SPOT.TB (75%) and QFG-IT and TST (77%).

A negative interferon-γ release assay should not dissuade paediatricians from diagnosing and treating presumed active tuberculosis. If used for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection, interferon-γ release assays could significantly reduce the numbers of children receiving chemoprophylaxis. Very good concordance between both tests was found.
Validation of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Murray M. P. , Turnbull K. , MacQuarrie S. , Pentland J. L. , Hill A. T.
Published: February 2009

Health-related quality of life is a potentially important marker for evaluating existing and new therapies in bronchiectasis. The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) is a symptom specific questionnaire designed to assess the impact of cough severity, a major symptom of bronchiectasis. This study aimed to validate the LCQ in bronchiectasis.

The validity, responsiveness and reliability of the LCQ were assessed as follows: ability to discriminate severe and mild disease; change in score following antibiotic treatment for exacerbations; repeatability over a 6-month period in stable disease; and comparison with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

In total, 120 patients (51 with severe disease, 29 with moderate disease and 40 with mild disease) completed the LCQ and SGRQ. The area under the receiver–operator curve was good for both severe and mild disease (0.84 and 0.80 respectively, p<0.0001). Following 2 weeks' antibiotic treatment, the median LCQ score (interquartile range) improved from 11.3 (9.3–13.7) to 17.8 (15–18.8) (p<0.0001). The LCQ score was repeatable over 6 months in stable disease (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.96 (95%CI 0.93–0.97), p<0.0001). Correlation between the LCQ and SGRQ scores was -0.7 in both stable disease and exacerbations (p<0.0001).

The LCQ can discriminate disease severity, is responsive to change and is reliable for use in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Secretion of flagellin by the LEE-encoded type III secretion system of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Badea Luminita , Beatson Scott A , Kaparakis Maria , Ferrero Richard L , Hartland Elizabeth L
Published: February 2009

Background

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogen that possesses a type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded within the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). The LEE is essential for A/E lesion formation and directs the secretion and translocation of multiple LEE-encoded and non-LEE encoded effector proteins into the cytosol of infected cells. In this study we used proteomics to compare proteins exported to the culture supernatant by wild type EPEC E2348/69, a ΔespADB mutant and a ΔescF T3SS mutant.

Results

We observed that flagellin was consistently and strongly present in the secretome of wild type EPEC and the ΔespADB mutant but present only weakly in the secretome of the ΔescF mutant. Given the ancestral relationship between the flagella export apparatus and virulence associated T3SSs, we investigated whether FliC could utilise the LEE-encoded T3SS for export. In the absence of a functional flagella export apparatus, we showed that FliC could be secreted by the LEE-encoded T3SS and stimulate (Toll-like receptor 5) TLR5 signalling but could not confer motility.

Conclusion

Since the secretion of FliC during A/E lesion formation would presumably be disadvantageous for the pathogen, we propose that virulence associated T3SSs and flagella T3SSs have evolved through a system of chaperones and complex regulatory pathways to be functional at different times to ensure that FliC secretion does not occur during T3SS effector translocation.
Suitable reference genes for real-time PCR in human HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma with different clinical prognoses
Authors: Fu Li-Yun , Jia Hu-Liang , Dong Qiong-Zhu , Wu Jin-Cai , Zhao Yue , Zhou Hai-Jun , Ren Ning , Ye Qin-Hai , Qin Lun-Xiu
Published: February 2009

Background

Housekeeping genes are routinely used as endogenous references to account for experimental differences in gene expression assays. However, recent reports show that they could be de-regulated in different diseases, model animals, or even under varied experimental conditions, which may lead to unreliable results and consequently misinterpretations. This study focused on the selection of suitable reference genes for quantitative PCR in human hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with different clinical outcomes.

Methods

We evaluated 6 commonly used housekeeping genes' expression levels in 108 HBV-related HCCs' matched tumor and non-tomor tissue samples with different clinical outcomes and 26 normal liver specimens by real-time PCR. The expression stability of the 6 genes was compared using the software programs geNorm and NormFinder. To show the impact of reference genes on data analysis, we took PGK1 as a target gene normalized by each reference gene, and performed one-way ANOVA and the equivalence test.

Results

With the geNorm and NormFinder software programs, analysis of TBP and HPRT1 showed the best stability in all tissue samples, while 18s and ACTB were less stable. When 18s or ACTB was used for normalization, no significant difference of PGK1 expression (p > 0.05) was found among HCC tissues with and without metastasis, and normal liver specimens; however, dramatically differences (p < 0.001) were observed when either TBP or the combination of TBP and HPRT1 were selected as reference genes.

Conclusion

TBP and HPRT1 are the most reliable reference genes for q-PCR normalization in HBV-related HCC specimens. However, the well-used ACTB and 18S are not suitable, which actually lead to the misinterpretation of the results in gene expression analysis.
Multinational development of a questionnaire assessing patient satisfaction with anticoagulant treatment: the 'Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire' (PACT-Q©)
Authors: Prins Martin H , Marrel Alexia , Carita Paulo , Anderson David , Bousser Marie-Germaine , Crijns Harry , Consoli Silla , Arnould Benoit
Published: February 2009

Background

The side effects and burden of anticoagulant treatments may contribute to poor compliance and consequently to treatment failure. A specific questionnaire is necessary to assess patients' needs and their perceptions of anticoagulant treatment.

Methods

A conceptual model of expectation and satisfaction with anticoagulant treatment was designed by an advisory board and used to guide patient (n = 31) and clinician (n = 17) interviews in French, US English and Dutch. Patients had either atrial fibrillation (AF), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE). Following interviews, three PACT-Q language versions were developed simultaneously and further pilot-tested by 19 patients. Linguistic validations were performed for additional language versions.

Results

Initial concepts were developed to cover three areas of interest: 'Treatment', 'Disease and Complications' and 'Information about disease and anticoagulant treatment'. After clinician and patient interviews, concepts were further refined into four domains and 17 concepts; test versions of the PACT-Q were then created simultaneously in three languages, each containing 27 items grouped into four domains: "Treatment Expectations" (7 items), "Convenience" (11 items), "Burden of Disease and Treatment" (2 items) and "Anticoagulant Treatment Satisfaction" (7 items). No item was deleted or added after pilot testing as patients found the PACT-Q easy to understand and appropriate in length in all languages. The PACT-Q was divided into two parts: the first part to measure the expectations and the second to measure the convenience, burden and treatment satisfaction, for evaluation prior to and after anticoagulant treatment, respectively. Eleven additional language versions were linguistically validated.

Conclusion

The PACT-Q has been rigorously developed and linguistically validated. It is available in 14 languages for use with thromboembolic patients, including AF, PE and DVT patients. Its validation and psychometric properties have been tested and are presented in a separate manuscript.
The endogenous production of hydrogen sulphide in intrauterine tissues
Authors: Patel Pushpa , Vatish Manu , Heptinstall John , Wang Rui , Carson Ray J
Published: February 2009

Background

Hydrogen sulphide is a gas signalling molecule which is produced endogenously from L-cysteine via the enzymes cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). The possible role of hydrogen sulphide in reproduction has not yet been fully investigated. It has been previously demonstrated that hydrogen sulphide relaxes uterine smooth muscle in vitro. The aim of the present study was to investigate the endogenous production of hydrogen sulphide in rat and human intrauterine tissues in vitro.

Methods

The production of hydrogen sulphide in rat and human intrauterine tissues was measured in vitro using a standard technique. The expression of CBS and CSE was also investigated in rat and human intrauterine tissues via Western blotting. Furthermore, the effects of nitric oxide (NO) and low oxygen conditions on the production rates of hydrogen sulphide were investigated.

Results

The order of hydrogen sulphide production rates (mean +/- SD, n = 4) for rat tissues were: liver (777 +/- 163 nM/min/g) > uterus (168 +/- 100 nM/min/g) > fetal membranes (22.3 +/- 15.0 nM/min/g) > placenta (11.1 +/- 4.7 nM/min/g), compared to human placenta (200 +/- 102 nM/min/g). NO significantly increased hydrogen sulphide production in rat fetal membranes (P < 0.05). Under low oxygen conditions the production of hydrogen sulphide was significantly elevated in human placenta, rat liver, uterus and fetal membranes (P < 0.05). Western blotting (n = 4) detected the expression of CBS and CSE in all rat intrauterine tissues, and in human placenta, myometrium, amnion and chorion.

Conclusion

Rat and human intrauterine tissues produce hydrogen sulphide in vitro possibly via CBS and CSE enzymes. NO increased the production of hydrogen sulphide in rat fetal membranes. The augmentation of hydrogen sulphide production in human intrauterine tissues in a low oxygen environment could have a role in pathophysiology of pregnancy.
Production and purification of immunologically active core protein p24 from HIV-1 fused to ricin toxin B subunit in E. coli
Authors: Donayre-Torres Alberto J , Esquivel-Soto Ernesto , Gutiérrez-Xicoténcatl María deLourdes , Esquivel-Guadarrama Fernando R , Gómez-Lim Miguel A
Published: February 2009

Background

Gag protein from HIV-1 is a polyprotein of 55 kDa, which, during viral maturation, is cleaved to release matrix p17, core p24 and nucleocapsid proteins. The p24 antigen contains epitopes that prime helper CD4 T-cells, which have been demonstrated to be protective and it can elicit lymphocyte proliferation. Thus, p24 is likely to be an integral part of any multicomponent HIV vaccine. The availability of an optimal adjuvant and carrier to enhance antiviral responses may accelerate the development of a vaccine candidate against HIV. The aim of this study was to investigate the adjuvant-carrier properties of the B ricin subunit (RTB) when fused to p24.

Results

A fusion between ricin toxin B subunit and p24 HIV (RTB/p24) was expressed inE. coli. Affinity chromatography was used for purification of p24 alone and RTB/p24 from cytosolic fractions. Biological activity of RTB/p24 was determined by ELISA and affinity chromatography using the artificial receptor glycoprotein asialofetuin. Both assays have demonstrated that RTB/p24 is able to interact with complex sugars, suggesting that the chimeric protein retains lectin activity. Also, RTB/p24 was demonstrated to be immunologically active in mice. Two weeks after intraperitoneal inoculation with RTB/p24 without an adjuvant, a strong anti-p24 immune response was detected. The levels of the antibodies were comparable to those found in mice immunized with p24 alone in the presence of Freund adjuvant. RTB/p24 inoculated intranasally in mice, also elicited significant immune responses to p24, although the response was not as strong as that obtained in mice immunized with p24 in the presence of the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin.

Conclusion

In this work, we report the expression inE. coliof HIV-1 p24 fused to the subunit B of ricin toxin. The high levels of antibodies obtained after intranasal and intraperitoneal immunization of mice demonstrate the adjuvant-carrier properties of RTB when conjugated to an HIV structural protein. This is the first report in which a eukaryotic toxin produced inE. coliis employed as an adjuvant to elicit immune responses to p24 HIV core antigen.
Conserved retinoblastoma protein-binding motif in human cytomegalovirus UL97 kinase minimally impacts viral replication but affects susceptibility to maribavir
Authors: Gill Rachel B , Frederick Samuel L , Hartline Caroll B , Chou Sunwen , Prichard Mark N
Published: February 2009

The UL97 kinase has been shown to phosphorylate and inactivate the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and has three consensus Rb-binding motifs that might contribute to this activity. Recombinant viruses containing mutations in the Rb-binding motifs generally replicated well in human foreskin fibroblasts with only a slight delay in replication kinetics. Their susceptibility to the specific UL97 kinase inhibitor, maribavir, was also examined. Mutation of the amino terminal motif, which is involved in the inactivation of Rb, also renders the virus hypersensitive to the drug and suggests that the motif may play a role in its mechanism of action.
Global transcriptional response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the deletion of SDH3
Authors: Cimini Donatella , Patil Kiran R , Schiraldi Chiara , Nielsen Jens
Published: February 2009

Background

Mitochondrial respiration is an important and widely conserved cellular function in eukaryotic cells. The succinate dehydrogenase complex (Sdhp) plays an important role in respiration as it connects the mitochondrial respiratory chain to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle where it catalyzes the oxidation of succinate to fumarate. Cellular response to the Sdhp dysfunction (i.e. impaired respiration) thus has important implications not only for biotechnological applications but also for understanding cellular physiology underlying metabolic diseases such as diabetes. We therefore explored the physiological and transcriptional response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the deletion of SDH3, that codes for an essential subunit of the Sdhp.

Results

Although the Sdhp has no direct role in transcriptional regulation and the flux through the corresponding reaction under the studied conditions is very low, deletion of SDH3 resulted in significant changes in the expression of several genes involved in various cellular processes ranging from metabolism to the cell-cycle. By using various bioinformatics tools we explored the organization of these transcriptional changes in the metabolic and other cellular functional interaction networks.

Conclusion

Our results show that the transcriptional regulatory response resulting from the impaired respiratory function is linked to several different parts of the metabolism, including fatty acid and sterol metabolism.
Experimental studies of monopole, dipole, and quadrupole acoustic logging while drilling (LWD) with scaled borehole models
Authors: Zhu Zhenya , Nafi Toksöz M. , Rao Rama , Burns Daniel R.
Published: February 2009

We develop a 1:12 scale model logging-while-drilling (LWD) acoustic tool for laboratory measurements in borehole models to investigate the effects of tool wave modes on our ability to determine formation velocities in acoustic LWD. The scaled tool is comprised of three sections: (1) the source section, consisting of four transducers mounted on the tool body that can generate monopole, dipole, and quadrupole waves; (2) the receiver section, consisting of six sets of receivers, each containing two transducers mounted on opposite sides of the tool center line; and (3) the connector section, a threaded steel cylinder that connects the source and receiver sections tightly to simulate an LWD tool. We use four borehole models to simulate fast and slow isotropic and anisotropic formations. The slow-formation models are constructed of synthetic material ([Formula: see text] for the isotropic case and [Formula: see text] for the anisotropic case). The fast-formation models are made from natural rock samples (sandstone for the isotropic case and slate for the anisotropic case). Tool-wave characteristicswere measured in a water tank, followed by a series of experiments in the four borehole models to record monopole, dipole, and quadrupole acoustic waves when the tool was used with or without the connector. Without the connector in place, the tool measured formation arrivals that were consistent with wireline-logging predictions. With the connector in place, the coupling of the source and receiver sections resulted in strong tool waves that could mask formation arrivals. In general, the quadrupole mode more consistently provided correct formation shear-wave velocities because the tool modes propagated with higher velocities and could be separated from the formation shear arrivals. The dipole tool mode often could interfere with the formation flexural wave, especially for soft formations. By increasing the operating frequency of the source, tool waves could be eliminated and formation arrivals more easily measured in all cases. Based on these observations, it is important to choose the optimum working frequencies in LWD to reduce tool modes and allow formation shear velocities to be measured with dipole or quadrupole tools, particularly in anisotropic formations.
The effect of microstructure and nonlinear stress on anisotropic seismic velocities
Authors: Verdon James P. , Angus Doug A. , Michael Kendall J. , Hall Stephen A.
Published: February 2009

Recent work in hydrocarbon reservoir monitoring has focused on developing coupled geomechanical/fluid-flow simulations to allow production-related geomechanical effects, such as compaction and subsidence, to be included in reservoir models. To predict realistic time-lapse seismic signatures, generation of appropriate elastic models from geomechanical output is required. These elastic models should include not only the fluid saturation effects of intrinsic, shape-induced, and stress-induced anisotropy, but also should incorporate nonlinear stress-dependent elasticity. To model nonlinear elasticity, we use a microstructural effective-medium approach in which elasticity is considered as a function of mineral stiffness and additional compliance is caused by the presence of low-aspect ratio displacement discontinuities. By jointly inverting observed ultrasonic P- and S-wave velocities to determine the distribution of such discontinuities, we assessed the appropriateness of modeling them as simple, planar, penny-shaped features. By using this approximation, we developed a simple analytical approach to predict how seismic velocities will vary with stress. We tested our approach by analyzing the elasticity of various sandstone samples; from a United Kingdom continental shelf (UKCS) reservoir, some of which display significant anisotropy, as well as two data sets taken from the literature.
On the Biot slow S-wave
Authors: Sahay Pratap N.
Published: February 2009

It is accepted widely that the Biot theory predicts only one shear wave representing the in-phase/unison shear motions of the solid and fluid constituent phases (fast S-wave). The Biot theory also contains a shear mode wherein the two constituent phases essentially undergo out-of-phase shear motions (slow S-wave). From the outset of the development of the Biot framework, the existence of this mode has remained unnoticed because of an oversight in decoupling its system of two coupled equations governing shear processes. Moreover, in the absence of the fluid strain-rate term in the Biot constitutive relation, the velocity of this mode is zero. Once the Biot constitutive relation is corrected for the missing fluid strain-rate term (i.e., fluid viscosity), this mode turns out to be, in the inertial regime, a diffusive process akin to a viscous wave in a Newtonian fluid. In the viscous regime, it degenerates to a process governed by a diffusion equation with a damping term. Although this mode is damped so heavily that it dies off rapidly near its source, overlooking its existence ignores a mechanism to draw energy from seismic waves (fast P- and S-waves) via mode conversion at interfaces and at other material discontinuities and inhomogeneities. To illustrate the consequence of generating this mode at an interface, I examine the case of a horizontally polarized fast S-wave normal incident upon a planar air-water interface in a porous medium. Contrary to the classical Biot framework, which suggests that the incident wave should be transmitted practically unchanged through such an interface, the viscosity-corrected Biot framework predicts a strong, fast S-wave reflection because of the slow S-wave generated at the interface.
An unsplit convolutional perfectly matched layer improved at grazing incidence for seismic wave propagation in poroelastic media
Authors: Martin Roland , Komatitsch Dimitri , Ezziani Abdelâziz
Published: February 2009

The perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing technique has become popular in numerical modeling in elastic or poroelastic media because of its efficiency in absorbing waves at nongrazing incidence. However, after numerical discretization, at grazing incidence, large spurious oscillations are sent back from the PML into the main domain. The PML then becomes less efficient when sources are located close to the edge of the truncated physical domain under study, for thin slices or for receivers located at a large offset. We develop a PML improved at grazing incidence for the poroelastic wave equation based on an unsplit convolutional formulation of the equation as a first-order system in velocity and stress. We show its efficiency for both nondissipative and dissipative Biot porous models based on a fourth-order staggered finite-difference method used in a thin mesh slice. The results obtained are improved significantly compared with those obtained with the classical PML.
Quantifying AEM system characteristics using a ground loop
Authors: Davis Aaron C. , Macnae James
Published: February 2009

Quantitative interpretation of time-domain airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data is hampered by uncertainty in altimetry, system geometry, transmitter waveform, data averaging, and timing. We present a simple calibration method that serves to define these issues by the use of a closed multiturn loop of known electrical and physical properties that is insulated from the ground beneath it. By predicting the secondary response of the AEM receiver and comparing it with the measured data, we have identified and quantified systematic errors mentioned above in several systems. In addition, we identify an alternative subprocess that uniquely calculates altimeter and geometry errors by measuring the current induced in a ground loop of known properties and comparing it with predictions. The ground-loop method is used best over resistive cover to minimize limitations caused by nonuniform conductive ground and is a calibration tool that makes AEM data consistent with quantitative models. Fluctuating geometric errors caused by bird swing limit the accuracy of applying the geometry corrections from one flyover to an entire survey.
Increased Exposure to Estrogens Disturbs Maturation, Steroidogenesis, and Cholesterol Homeostasis via Estrogen Receptor α in Adult Mouse Leydig Cells
Authors: Strauss Leena , Kallio Jenny , Desai Nimisha , Pakarinen Pirjo , Miettinen Tatu , Gylling Helena , Albrecht Martin , Mäkelä Sari , Mayerhofer Artur , Poutanen Matti
Published: February 2009

Deteriorated male reproductive health has been connected to overexposure to estrogens or to imbalanced androgen-estrogen ratio. Transgenic male mice expressing human aromatase (AROM+ mice) serve as an apt model for the study of the consequences of an altered androgen-estrogen ratio. Our previous studies with AROM+ mice showed that low androgen levels together with high estrogen levels result in cryptorchidism and infertility. In the present study, the AROM+ mice were shown to have severe abnormalities in the structure and function of Leydig cells before the appearance of spermatogenic failure. Decreased expression of adult-type Leydig cell markers (Ptgds, Vcam1, Insl3, Klk21, -24 and -27, Star, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3) indicated an immature developmental stage of the Leydig cells, which appears to be the first estrogen-dependent alteration. Genes involved in steroidogenesis (Star, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3) were suppressed despite normal LH levels. The low expression level of kallikreins 21, 24, and 27 potentially further inhibited Leydig cell function via remodeling extracellular matrix composition. In connection with disrupted steroidogenesis, Leydig cells showed enlarged mitochondria, a reduced amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and an accumulation of cholesterol and precursors for cholesterol synthesis. The results of studies with AROM+ mice crossed with estrogen receptor α or β (ERα and ERβ, respectively) knockout mice lead to the conclusion that the structural and functional disorders caused by estrogen exposure were mediated via ERα, whereas ERβ was not involved.