bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal-specific PCR primers developed for analysis of the ITS region of environmental DNA extracts
Authors: Martin Kendall J , Rygiewicz Paul T
Published: May 2005

Background

The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions of fungal ribosomal DNA (rDNA) are highly variable sequences of great importance in distinguishing fungal species by PCR analysis. Previously published PCR primers available for amplifying these sequences from environmental samples provide varying degrees of success at discriminating against plant DNA while maintaining a broad range of compatibility. Typically, it has been necessary to use multiple primer sets to accommodate the range of fungi under study, potentially creating artificial distinctions for fungal sequences that amplify with more than one primer set.

Results

Numerous sequences for PCR primers were tested to develop PCR assays with a wide range of fungal compatibility and high discrimination from plant DNA. A nested set of 4 primers was developed that reflected these criteria and performed well amplifying ITS regions of fungal rDNA. Primers in the 5.8S sequence were also developed that would permit separate amplifications of ITS1 and ITS2. A range of basidiomycete fruiting bodies and ascomycete cultures were analyzed with the nested set of primers and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) fingerprinting to demonstrate the specificity of the assay. Single ectomycorrhizal root tips were similarly analyzed. These primers have also been successfully applied to Quantitative PCR (QPCR), Length Heterogeneity PCR (LH-PCR) and Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses of fungi. A set of wide-range plant-specific primers were developed at positions corresponding to one pair of the fungal primers. These were used to verify that the host plant DNA was not being amplified with the fungal primers.

Conclusion

These plant primers have been successfully applied to PCR-RFLP analyses of forest plant tissues from above- and below-ground samples and work well at distinguishing a selection of plants to the species level. The complete set of primers was developed with an emphasis on discrimination between plant and fungal sequences and should be particularly useful for studies of fungi where samples also contain high levels of background plant DNA, such as verifying ectomycorrhizal morphotypes or characterizing phylosphere communities.
Foot pressure distribution during walking in young and old adults
Authors: Hessert Mary Josephine , Vyas Mitul , Leach Jason , Hu Kun , Lipsitz Lewis A , Novak Vera
Published: May 2005

Background

Measurement of foot pressure distribution (FPD) is clinically useful for evaluation of foot and gait pathologies. The effects of healthy aging on FPD during walking are not well known. This study evaluated FPD during normal walking in healthy young and elderly subjects.

Methods

We studied 9 young (30 ± 5.2 years), and 6 elderly subjects (68.7 ± 4.8 years). FPD was measured during normal walking speed using shoe insoles with 99 capacitive sensors. Measured parameters included gait phase characteristics, mean and maximum pressure and force, and relative load.

Time-series measurements of each variable for all sensors were grouped into 9 anatomical masks.

Results

Elderly subjects had lower normalized maximum pressure for the medial and lateral calcaneal masks, and for all medial masks combined. In the medial calcaneus mask, the elderly group also had a lower absolute maximum and lower mean and normalized mean pressures and forces, compared to young subjects. Elderly subjects had lower maximum force and normalized maximum force and lower mean force and normalized mean forces in the medial masks as well.

Conclusion

FPD differences between the young and elderly groups were confined to the calcaneus and hallux regions and to the medial side of the foot. In elderly subjects, weight bearing on the lateral side of the foot during heel touch and toe-off phases may affect stability during walking.
Fatal meningitis in a previously healthy young adult caused by Streptococcus pneumoniaeserotype 38: an emerging serotype?
Authors: Baker Carolyn I , Barrozo Christopher P , Ryan Margaret AK , Pearse Lisa A , Russell Kevin L
Published: May 2005

Background

In December 2001, a fatal case of pneumococcal meningitis in a Marine Corps recruit was identified. As pneumococcal vaccine usage in recruit populations is being considered, an investigation was initiated into the causative serotype.

Case presentation

Traditional and molecular methods were utilized to determine the serotype of the infecting pneumococcus. The pneumococcal isolate was identified as serotype 38 (PS38), a serotype not covered by current vaccine formulations. The global significance of this serotype was explored in the medical literature, and found to be a rare but recognized cause of carriage and invasive disease.

Conclusion

The potential of PS38 to cause severe disease is documented in this report. Current literature does not support the hypothesis that this serotype is increasing in incidence. However, as we monitor the changing epidemiology of pneumococcal illness in the US in this conjugate era, PS38 might find a more prominent and concerning niche as a replacement serotype.
Epidemiology of episodic adenolymphangitis: a longitudinal prospective surveillance among a rural community endemic for bancroftian filariasis in coastal Orissa, India
Authors: Babu Bontha V , Nayak Abhay N , Dhal Kalpataru
Published: May 2005

Background

The epidemiological knowledge on acute condition of lymphatic filariasis is essential to understand the burden and issues on management of the disease.

Methods

A one year long longitudinal prospective surveillance of acute adenolymphangitis (ADL) was carried out in rural population of Orissa, India.

Results

The annual incidence of ADL per 1000 individuals is 85.0, and is slightly higher (P > 0.05) in male (92.0) than in female (77.6). A steady rise in the incidence of ADL episodes along with the age is recorded. The distribution indicates that persons with chronic disease are more prone to ADL attacks. The average number of episodes per year is 1.57 (1.15 SD) per affected person, and is gender dependent. Duration of the episode varies from 1 to 11 days with mean duration of 3.93 (1.94 SD) days. The chronic disease is the significant predictor for the duration of the episode. The data show that fever and swelling at inguinal regions are most common symptoms.

Conclusion

The incidence, frequency and duration of ADL episodes in this community are similar to that of other endemic areas. As the loss due to these ADL episodes is substantial, it should be considered while further estimating the burden due to lymphatic filariasis. The disability and loss caused by chronic forms of filariasis is higher, and the additional incapacity caused by the ADL episode, majority of which occur among chronic filariasis patients, further poses the burden on individuals and their families. Hence, morbidity management measures to prevent ADL episodes among endemic communities are to be implemented.
Self-rated health in Pakistan: results of a national health survey
Authors: Ahmad Khabir , Jafar Tazeen H , Chaturvedi Nish
Published: May 2005

Background

Self-rated health (SRH) is a robust predictor of mortality. In UK, migrants of South Asian descent, compared to native Caucasian populations, have substantially poorer SRH. Despite its validation among migrant South Asian populations and its popularity in developed countries as a useful public health tool, the SRH scale has not been used at a population level in countries in South Asia. We determined the prevalence of and risk factors for poor/fair SRH among individuals aged ≥15 years in Pakistan (n = 9442).

Methods

The National Health Survey of Pakistan was a cross-sectional population-based survey, conducted between 1990 and 1994, of 18 135 individuals aged 6 months and above; 9442 of them were aged ≥15 years. Our main outcome was SRH which was assessed using the question: "Would you say your health in general is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?" SRH was dichotomized into poor/fair, and good (excellent, very good, or good).

Results

Overall 65.1% respondents – 51.3 % men vs. 77.2 % women – rated their health as poor/fair. We found a significant interaction between sex and age (p < 0.0001). The interaction was due to the gender differences only in the ages 15–19 years, whereas poor/fair SRH at all older ages was more prevalent among women and increased at the same rate as it did among men. We also found province of dwelling, low or middle SES, literacy, rural dwelling and current tobacco use to be independently associated with poor/fair SRH.

Conclusion

This is the first study reporting on poor/fair SRH at a population-level in a South Asian country. The prevalence of poor/fair health in Pakistan, especially amongst women, is one of the worst ever reported, warranting immediate attention. Further research is needed to explain why women in Pakistan have, at all ages, poorer SRH than men.
Is the routine drainage after surgery for thyroid necessary? - A prospective randomized clinical study [ISRCTN63623153]
Authors: Khanna Jotinder , Mohil RS , Chintamani  , Bhatnagar Dinesh , Mittal MK , Sahoo M , Mehrotra Magan
Published: May 2005

Background

Drains are usually left after thyroid surgery to prevent formation of hematoma and seroma in the thyroid bed. This is done to reduce complications and hospital stay. Objective evaluation of the amount collected in the thyroid bed by ultrasonography (USG) can help in assessing the role of drains.

Methods

A randomized prospective control study was conducted on 94 patients undergoing 102 thyroid surgeries, over a period of fifteen months. Patients included in the study were randomly allocated to drain and non-drain group on the basis of computer generated random number table. The surgeon was informed of the group just before the closure of the wound Postoperatively USG neck was done on first and seventh postoperative day by the same ultrasonologist each time. Any swelling, change in voice, tetany and tingling sensation were also recorded. The data was analyzed using two-sample t-test for calculating unequal variance.

Results

Both groups were evenly balanced according to age, sex, and size of tumor, type of procedure performed and histopathological diagnosis. There was no significant difference in collection of thyroid bed assessed by USG on D1 & D7 in the two groups (p = 0.313) but the hospital stay was significantly reduced in the non-drain group (p = 0.007). One patient in the drain group required needle aspiration for collection in thyroid bed. No patient in either group required re-operation for bleeding or haematoma.

Conclusion

Routine drainage of thyroid bed following thyroid surgery may not be necessary. Not draining the wound results in lesser morbidity and decreased hospital stay.
Investigation of non-uniform airflow signal oscillation during high frequency chest compression
Authors: Sohn Kiwon , Warwick Warren J , Lee Yong W , Lee Jongwon , Holte James E
Published: May 2005

Background

High frequency chest compression (HFCC) is a useful and popular therapy for clearing bronchial airways of excessive or thicker mucus. Our observation of respiratory airflow of a subject during use of HFCC showed the airflow oscillation by HFCC was strongly influenced by the nonlinearity of the respiratory system. We used a computational model-based approach to analyse the respiratory airflow during use of HFCC.

Methods

The computational model, which is based on previous physiological studies and represented by an electrical circuit analogue, was used for simulation of in vivo protocol that shows the nonlinearity of the respiratory system. Besides, airflow was measured during use of HFCC. We compared the simulation results to either the measured data or the previous research, to understand and explain the observations.

Results and discussion

We could observe two important phenomena during respiration pertaining to the airflow signal oscillation generated by HFCC. The amplitudes of HFCC airflow signals varied depending on spontaneous airflow signals. We used the simulation results to investigate how the nonlinearity of airway resistance, lung capacitance, and inertance of air characterized the respiratory airflow. The simulation results indicated that lung capacitance or the inertance of air is also not a factor in the non-uniformity of HFCC airflow signals. Although not perfect, our circuit analogue model allows us to effectively simulate the nonlinear characteristics of the respiratory system.

Conclusion

We found that the amplitudes of HFCC airflow signals behave as a function of spontaneous airflow signals. This is due to the nonlinearity of the respiratory system, particularly variations in airway resistance.
Comparison between swallowing and chewing of garlic on levels of serum lipids, cyclosporine, creatinine and lipid peroxidation in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Jabbari Abbas , Argani Hassan , Ghorbanihaghjo Amir , Mahdavi Reza
Published: May 2005

Abstract Hyperlipidemia and increased degree of oxidative stress are among the important risk factors for Atherosclerosis in renal transplant recipients (RTR). The Medical treatment of hyperlipidemia in RTR because of drugs side effects has been problematic, therefore alternative methods such as using of Garlic as an effective material in cholesterol lowering and inhibition of LDL Oxidation has been noted. For evaluation of garlic effect on RTR, 50 renal transplant patients with stable renal function were selected and divided into 2 groups. They took one clove of garlic (1 gr) by chewing or swallowing for two months, after one month wash-out period, they took garlic by the other route. Results indicated that although lipid profile, BUN, Cr, serum levels of cyclosporine and diastolic blood pressure did not change, Systolic blood pressure decreased from138.2 to 132.8 mmHg (p=0.001) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased from 2.4 to1.7 nmol/ml (p=0.009) by swallowing route, Cholesterol decreased from 205.1 to 195.3 mg/dl (p=0.03), triglyceride decreased from 195.7 to 174.8 mg/dl (p=0.008), MDA decreased from 2.5 to 1.6 nmol/ml (p=0.001), systolic blood pressure decreased from 137.5 to 129.8 mmHg (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure decreased from 84.6 to 77.6 mmHg (p=0.001) and Cr decreased from 1.51 to 1.44 mg/dl (p=0.03) by chewing route too. However HDL, LDL and cyclosporine serum levels had no significant differences by both of swallowing and chewing routes. We conclude that undamaged garlic (swallowed) had no lowering effect on lipid level of serum. But Crushed garlic (chewed) reduces cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA and blood pressure. Additionally creatinine reduced without notable decrease in cyclosporine serum levels may be due to cyclosporine nephrotoxicity ameliorating effect of garlic.
The anti-tumor effect of Apo2L/TRAIL on patient pancreatic adenocarcinomas grown as xenografts in SCID mice
Authors: Hylander Bonnie L , Pitoniak Rose , Penetrante Remedios B , Gibbs John F , Oktay Dilek , Cheng Jinrong , Repasky Elizabeth A
Published: May 2005

Background

Apo2L/TRAIL has considerable promise for cancer therapy based on the fact that this member of the tumor necrosis factor family induces apoptosis in the majority of malignant cells, while normal cells are more resistant. Furthermore, in many cells, when Apo2L/TRAIL is combined with chemotherapy, the effect is synergistic. The majority of this work has been carried out using cell lines. Therefore, investigation of how patient tumors respond to Apo2L/TRAIL can validate and/or complement information obtained from cell lines and prove valuable in the design of future clinical trials.

Methods

We have investigated the Apo2L/TRAIL sensitivity of patient derived pancreatic tumors using a patient tumor xenograft/ SCID mouse model. Mice bearing engrafted tumors were treated with Apo2L/TRAIL, gemcitabine or a combination of both therapies.

Results

Patient tumors grown as xenografts exhibited a spectrum of sensitivity to Apo2L/TRAIL. Both Apo2L/TRAIL sensitive and resistant pancreatic tumors were found, as well as tumors that showed heterogeneity of response. Changes in apoptotic signaling molecules in a sensitive tumor were analyzed by Western blot following Apo2L/TRAIL treatment; loss of procaspase 8, Bid and procaspase 3 was observed and correlated with inhibition of tumor growth. However, in a tumor that was highly resistant to killing by Apo2L/TRAIL, although there was a partial loss of procaspase 8 and Bid in response to Apo2L/TRAIL treatment, loss of procaspase 3 was negligible. This resistant tumor also expressed a high level of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-XL that, in comparison, was not detected in a sensitive tumor. Importantly, in the majority of these tumors, addition of gemcitabine to Apo2L/TRAIL resulted in a greater anti-tumor effect than either therapy used alone.

Conclusion

These data suggest that in a clinical setting we will see heterogeneity in the response of patients' tumors to Apo2L/TRAIL, including tumors that are highly sensitive as well as those that are resistant. While much more work is needed to understand the molecular basis for this heterogeneity, it is very encouraging, that Apo2L/TRAIL in combination with gemcitabine increased therapeutic efficacy in almost every case and therefore may be a highly effective strategy for controlling human pancreatic cancer validating and expanding upon what has been reported for cell lines.
APOBEC3G targets human T-cell leukemia virus type 1
Authors: Sasada Amane , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Shirakawa Kotaro , Kobayashi Masayuki , Abudu Aierkin , Hishizawa Masakatsu , Imada Kazunori , Tanaka Yuetsu , Uchiyama Takashi
Published: May 2005

Background

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) is a host cellular protein with a broad antiviral activity. It inhibits infectivitiy of a wide variety of retroviruses by deaminating deoxycytidine (dC) into deoxyuridine (dU) in newly synthesized minus strand DNA, resulting in G-to-A hypermutation of the viral plus strand DNA. To clarify the mechanism of its function, we have examined the antiviral activity of APOBEC3G on human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the first identified human retrovirus.

Results

In this study, we have demonstrated that overexpressed as well as endogenous APOBEC3G were incorporated into HTLV-1 virions and that APOBEC3G inhibited the infection of HTLV-1. Interestingly, several inactive mutants of APOBEC3G also inhibited HTLV-1 and no G-to-A hypermutation was induced by APOBEC3G in HTLV-1 genome. Furthermore, we introduced the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vif gene into HTLV-1 producing cell line, MT-2, to antagonize APOBEC3G by reducing its intracellular expression and virion incorporation, which resulted in upregulation of the infectivity of produced viruses.

Conclusion

APOBEC3G is incorporated into HTLV-1 virions and inhibits the infection of HTLV-1 without exerting its cytidine deaminase activity. These results suggest that APOBEC3G might act on HTLV-1 through different mechanisms from that on HIV-1 and contribute to the unique features of HTLV-1 infection and transmission.
Re-interpreting the data on the cost and effectiveness of population screening for colorectal cancer in Australia
Authors: Graves Nicholas , McKinnon Loretta , Leggett Barbara , Newman Beth
Published: May 2005

Three studies report estimates of the cost and effectiveness of alternate strategies for screening the average-risk Australian population for colorectal cancer. The options considered are faecal occult blood testing, double contrast barium enema, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. At present, there is no consensus over which screening method is optimal by the economic criterion. Also, the existing studies report a mixture of average and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios derived from data collected between 1994 and 2002. We suggestaveragecost-effectiveness ratios are not useful for decision-making and illustrate how they differ from the preferredincrementalcost-effectiveness ratio. We then update the cost data reported in the three studies to 2002 prices and calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios where not previously available. Our re-analysis of one study contradicts the conclusions drawn by the authors, who had only calculated average cost-effectiveness ratios. In particular, we find their recommendation of population screening with colonoscopy would cause, annually, between 33 and 1,322 years of life to be lost and between $M17 and $M87 to be wasted. Based on updated cost data and the incremental analysis, our findings indicate that population screening using biennial faecal occult blood testing ($39,459 per life-year gained), annual faecal occult blood testing ($30,556 per life-year gained) and colonoscopy ($26,587 per life-year gained) are cost-effective. Hence, the decision over which method of screening is optimal remains ambiguous across the three studies. We recommend policy-makers choose the study they believe produces the most accurate estimates of cost and health effect, identify their willingness to pay for health benefits and consider other issues relevant to the decision.
Menopausal hormone therapy after breast cancer: a meta-analysis and critical appraisal of the evidence
Authors: Col Nananda F , Kim Jung A , Chlebowski Rowan T
Published: May 2005

Introduction

Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) is typically withheld from breast cancer survivors because of concerns about risk for recurrence. Our objectives were to estimate the effects of HT on recurrence in breast cancer survivors and to examine the reliability of these estimates.

Methods

In a systematic review of the literature we identified all reports of HT use in breast cancer survivors that included comparison groups. Study design features that might affect selection of participants, detection of recurrence, and manuscript publication were assessed. The relative risks for breast cancer recurrence associated with HT were combined with random effects models.

Results

Two randomized and eight observational studies included 1,316 breast cancer survivors who used HT and 2,839 nonusers. In the observational studies, HT users were younger and more commonly node negative; only two reported balanced restaging for HT and control groups. Randomized trials suggest that HT increased the risk for recurrence (relative risk 3.41, 95% confidence interval 1.59–7.33), whereas observational studies suggest that HT decreased this risk (relative risk 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.50–0.82).

Conclusion

Results from observational studies of HT conducted in breast cancer survivors are discrepant with results from randomized trials. Observational studies of HT use in breast cancer survivors have design limitations that cannot be controlled for using standard statistical methods. Therefore, the randomized clinical trial data provide the only reliable estimates of the effect of HT use on recurrence risks in breast cancer survivors.
Successful treatment of acute aluminium phosphide poisoning: possible benefit of coconut oil
Authors: Shadnia Shahin , Rahimi Mojgan , Pajoumand Abdolkarim , Rasouli Mohammad-Hosein , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: May 2005

Aluminium phosphide is used to control rodents and pests in grain storage facilities. It produces phosphine gas, which is a mitochondrial poison. Unfortunately, there is no known antidote for aluminium phosphide intoxication, but our recent experience with a case showed that rapid prevention of absorption by coconut oil might be helpful. In the present case, we used the same protocol in a 28-year-old man who had ingested a lethal amount (12 g) of aluminium phosphide with suicidal intent and was admitted to hospital approximately 6 hours postingestion. The patient had signs and symptoms of severe toxicity, and his clinical course included metabolic acidosis and liver dysfunction. Treatment consisted of gastric lavage with potassium permanganate solution, oral administration of charcoal and sorbitol suspension, intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulphate and calcium gluconate, and oral administration of sodium bicarbonate and coconut oil. Conservative and supportive therapy in the Intensive Care Unit was also provided. The patient survived following rapid treatment and supportive care. It is concluded that coconut oil has a positive clinical significance and can be added to the treatment protocol of acute aluminium phosphide poisoning in humans.
Protein kinase C and chemical-induced abnormal palate development
Authors: Reddy Chada S
Published: May 2005

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of proteins mediates the action of growth factors and other ligands by activating a network of transcription factors that bind to TRE sequences in the promoters of many genes that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix synthesis, apoptosis and others in a cell type-, isozymeand context-specific manner. The critical role of PKC in embryonic development is indicated by early death of embryos in which one or more of these isozymes are inactivated. Our studies together with others show that palatal PKC signalling is functional and may be essential for normal palate development. Although single gene knockouts have failed to exhibit the cleft palate (CP) phenotype, owing to compensation by other kinases, many chemicals including the mycotoxin, secalonic acid D, disrupt palatal PKC signalling leading to altered palatal mesenchymal gene expression. The potential relevance of such effects to chemical-induced CP is discussed.
Lighting quality research using rendered images of offices
Authors: Newsham GR , Richardson C , Blanchet C , Veitch JA
Published: May 2005

Forty participants viewed a series of high-quality, computer-rendered colour images of a typical open-plan partitioned office, and rated them for attractiveness. The images were projected at realistic luminances and 33% of full size. The images were geometrically identical, but the outputs of four lighting circuits depicted in the renderings were independently manipulated. Initially, the lighting circuit outputs were random, but a genetic algorithm was used to generate new images that retained features of prior, highly-rated, images. As a result, the images converged on an individual’s preferred scene. Luminances in the preferred image were similar to preferred luminances chosen by people in real settings. A sub-set of images was rated on Brightness, Non-Uniformity and Attraction scales. Ratings were significantly related to simple photometric descriptors of the images. In particular, around 50% of the variance in Attraction ratings was predicted by average image luminance and its square, or by average image luminance and a measure of luminance variability.
A comparison of visual objectives used in side-by-side matching tests
Authors: Fotios S , Gado T
Published: May 2005

This paper compares the different visual objectives that have been used in side-by-side matching experiments. In tests, two different fluorescent lamps were compared in juxtaposed booths by a series of observers. It was found that:(i) there was no significant difference in illuminance ratio when matching the booths according to six different visual objectives including equal brightness, equal clarity and equal pleasantness; and (ii) the matched condition was not predicted by illuminance based on V(l). The data exhibited the error associated with the application of dimming previously noted by Fotios.
Mesopic models—from brightness matching to visual performance in night-time driving: a review
Authors: Eloholma M , Viikari M , Halonen L , Walkey H , Goodman T , Alferdinck J , Freiding A , Bodrogi P , Várady G
Published: May 2005

At present, suitable methods to evaluate the visual effectiveness of lighting products in the mesopic region are not available. The majority of spectral luminous efficiency functions obtained to date in the mesopic range have been acquired by heterochromatic brightness matching. However, the most recent studies in the mesopic field have adopted a task performance-based approach. This paper summarizes the major mesopic models proposed so far, presenting in detail the experimental conditions of these studies. The authors represent a research consortium which has adopted the task performance-based approach for night-time driving in which mesopic visual performance has been divided into three subtasks. Data for each sub-task will be generated by using a set of common parameter values and 120 observers. The approach and methods used by the consortium are presented.
Potential recommendations for illuminance reductions by load-shedding
Authors: Akashi Y , Neches J
Published: May 2005

Reducing the peak demand for electricity by load-shedding techniques can be an effective method of demand management. Before such a load-shedding technique is applied to the real world, however, it is important to understand occupants’ illuminance requirements with respect to dimming. To identify occupants’ ability to detect and willingness to accept illuminance reduction, two studies—a bias study and a lower illuminance study—were conducted. In these studies, subjects detected and evaluated acceptance to dimming while the illuminance was changed. The bias study informed subjects about the importance of load-shedding and its potential effect on electricity bills, neighbourhoods, and the environment, in one of two experimental sessions. This study compared acceptance to dimming between the biased responses and the non-biased responses. The lower illuminance study used 300 lux as the initial illuminance, compared to 500 lux in the bias study. The results of these studies provided potential dimming recommendations for load-shedding.
Identification of functionalsine oculismotifs in the autoregulatory element of its own gene, in theeyelessenhancer and in the signalling genehedgehog
Authors: Pauli Tobias , Seimiya Makiko , Blanco Jorge , Gehring Walter J.
Published: May 2005

In Drosophila, the sine oculis (so) gene is important for the development of the entire visual system, including Bolwig's organ, compound eyes and ocelli. Together with twin of eyeless, eyeless, eyes absent and dachshund, sobelongs to a network of genes that by complex interactions initiate eye development. Although much is known about the genetic interactions of the genes belonging to this retinal determination network, only a few such regulatory interactions have been analysed down to the level of DNA-protein interactions. Previous work in our laboratory identified an eye/ocellus specific enhancer of the sine oculis gene that is directly regulated by eyeless and twin of eyeless. We further characterized this regulatory element and identified a minimal enhancer fragment of so that sets up an autoregulatory feedback loop crucial for proper ocelli development. By systematic analysis of the DNA-binding specificity of so we identified the most important nucleotides for this interaction. Using the emerging consensus sequence for SO-DNA binding we performed a genome-wide search and have thereby been able to identify eyeless as well as the signalling gene hedgehog as putative targets of so. Our results strengthen the general assumption that feedback loops among the genes of the retinal determination network are crucial for proper development of eyes and ocelli.
Tbx20is essential for cardiac chamber differentiation and repression ofTbx2
Authors: Singh Manvendra K. , Christoffels Vincent M. , Dias José M. , Trowe Mark-Oliver , Petry Marianne , Schuster-Gossler Karin , Bürger Antje , Ericson Johan , Kispert Andreas
Published: May 2005

Tbx20, a member of the T-box family of transcriptional regulators,shows evolutionary conserved expression in the developing heart. In the mouse, Tbx20 is expressed in the cardiac crescent, then in the endocardium and myocardium of the linear and looped heart tube before it is restricted to the atrioventricular canal and outflow tract in the multi-chambered heart. Here, we show that Tbx20 is required for progression from the linear heart tube to a multi-chambered heart. Mice carrying a targeted mutation of Tbx20 show early embryonic lethality due to hemodynamic failure. A linear heart tube with normal anteroposterior patterning is established in the mutant. The tube does not elongate, indicating a defect in recruitment of mesenchyme from the secondary heart field, even though markers of the secondary heart field are not affected. Furthermore, dorsoventral patterning of the tube, formation of working myocardium, looping, and further differentiation and morphogenesis fail. Instead, Tbx2, Bmp2and vinexin α (Sh3d4), genes normally restricted to regions of primary myocardium and lining endocardium, are ectopically expressed in the linear heart tube of Tbx20 mutant embryos. Because Tbx2 is both necessary and sufficient to repress chamber differentiation(Christoffels et al., 2004a; Harrelson et al., 2004), Tbx20 may ensure progression to a multi-chambered heart by repressing Tbx2 in the myocardial precursor cells of the linear heart tube destined to form the chambers.
Wnt2b inhibits differentiation of retinal progenitor cells in the absence of Notch activity by downregulating the expression of proneural genes
Authors: Kubo Fumi , Takeichi Masatoshi , Nakagawa Shinichi
Published: May 2005

During the development of the central nervous system, cell proliferation and differentiation are precisely regulated. In the vertebrate eye, progenitor cells located in the marginal-most region of the neural retina continue to proliferate for a much longer period compared to the ones in the central retina, thus showing stem-cell-like properties. Wnt2b is expressed in the anterior rim of the optic vesicles, and has been shown to control differentiation of the progenitor cells in the marginal retina. In this paper,we show that stable overexpression of Wnt2b in retinal explants inhibited cellular differentiation and induced continuous growth of the tissue. Notably,Wnt2b maintained the undifferentiated progenitor cells in the explants even under the conditions where Notch signaling was blocked. Wnt2b downregulated the expression of multiple proneural bHLH genes as well as Notch. In addition,expression of Cath5 under the control of an exogenous promoter suppressed the negative effect of Wnt2b on neuronal differentiation. Importantly, Wnt2b inhibited neuronal differentiation independently of cell cycle progression. We propose that Wnt2b maintains the naive state of marginal progenitor cells by attenuating the expression of both proneural and neurogenic genes, thus preventing those cells from launching out into the differentiation cascade regulated by proneural genes and Notch.
Sequential roles for Mash1 and Ngn2 in the generation of dorsal spinal cord interneurons
Authors: Helms Amy W. , Battiste James , Henke R. Michael , Nakada Yuji , Simplicio Nicolas , Guillemot Francois , Johnson Jane E.
Published: May 2005

The dorsal spinal cord contains a diverse array of neurons that connect sensory input from the periphery to spinal cord motoneurons and brain. During development, six dorsal neuronal populations (dI1-dI6) have been defined by expression of homeodomain factors and position in the dorsoventral axis. The bHLH transcription factors Mash1 and Ngn2 have distinct roles in specification of these neurons. Mash1 is necessary and sufficient for generation of most dI3 and all dI5 neurons. Unexpectedly, dI4 neurons are derived from cells expressing low levels or no Mash1, and this population increases in the Mash1 mutant. Ngn2 is not required for any specific neuronal cell type but appears to modulate the composition of neurons that form. In the absence of Ngn2,there is an increase in the number of dI3 and dI5 neurons, in contrast to the effects produced by activity of Mash1. Mash1 is epistatic to Ngn2, and, unlike the relationship between other neural bHLH factors, cross-repression of expression is not detected. Thus, bHLH factors, particularly Mash1 and related family members Math1 and Ngn1, provide a code for generating neuronal diversity in the dorsal spinal cord with Ngn2 serving to modulate the number of neurons in each population formed.
CrebA regulates secretory activity in theDrosophilasalivary gland and epidermis
Authors: Abrams Elliott W. , Andrew Deborah J.
Published: May 2005

Understanding how organs acquire the capacity to perform their respective functions is important for both cell and developmental biology. Here, we have examined the role of early-expressed transcription factors in activating genes crucial for secretory function in the Drosophila salivary gland. We show that expression of genes encoding proteins required for ER targeting and translocation, and proteins that mediate transport between the ER and Golgi is very high in the early salivary gland. This high level expression requires two early salivary gland transcription factors; CrebA is required throughout embryogenesis and Fkh is required only during late embryonic stages. As Fkh is required to maintain late CrebA expression in the salivary gland, Fkh probably works through CrebA to affect secretory pathway gene expression. In support of these regulatory interactions, we show that CrebA is important for elevated secretion in the salivary gland. Additionally, CrebA is required for the expression of the secretory pathway genes in the embryonic epidermis, where CrebA had previously been shown to be essential for cuticle development. We show that zygotic mutations in several individual secretory pathway genes result in larval cuticle phenotypes nearly identical to those of CrebA mutants. Thus, CrebA activity is linked to secretory function in multiple tissues.
Xema, afoxi-class gene expressed in the gastrula stageXenopusectoderm, is required for the suppression of mesendoderm
Authors: Suri Crystal , Haremaki Tomomi , Weinstein Daniel C.
Published: May 2005

The molecular basis of vertebrate germ layer formation has been the focus of intense scrutiny for decades, and the inductive interactions underlying this process are well defined. Only recently, however, have studies demonstrated that the regulated inhibition of ectopic germ layer formation is also crucial for patterning the early vertebrate embryo. We report here the characterization of Xema (Xenopus Ectodermally-expressed Mesendoderm Antagonist), a novel member of the Foxi-subclass of winged-helix transcription factors that is involved in the suppression of ectopic germ layer formation in the frog, Xenopus laevis. Xema transcripts are restricted to the animal pole ectoderm during early Xenopus development. Ectopic expression of Xema RNA inhibits mesoderm induction, both by growth factors and in the marginal zone, in vivo. Conversely, introduction of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides directed against the Xematranscript stimulates the expression of a broad range of mesodermal and endodermal marker genes in the animal pole. Our studies demonstrate that Xema is both necessary and sufficient for the inhibition of ectopic mesendoderm in the cells of the presumptive ectoderm, and support a model in which Fox proteins function in part to restrict inappropriate germ layer development throughout the vertebrate embryo.
Retinoic acid regulates postnatal neurogenesis in the murine subventricular zone-olfactory bulb pathway
Authors: Wang Tsu-Wei , Zhang Helen , Parent Jack M.
Published: May 2005

Neurogenesis persists throughout life in the rodent subventricular zone(SVZ)-olfactory bulb pathway. The molecular regulation of this neurogenic circuit is poorly understood. Because the components for retinoid signaling are present in this pathway, we examined the influence of retinoic acid (RA)on postnatal SVZ-olfactory bulb neurogenesis. Using both SVZ neurosphere stem cell and parasagittal brain slice cultures derived from postnatal mouse, we found that RA exposure increased neurogenesis by enhancing the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of forebrain SVZ neuroblasts. The RA precursor retinol had a similar effect, which was reversed by treating cultures with the RA synthesis inhibitor disulfiram. Electroporation of dominant-negative retinoid receptors into the SVZ of slice cultures also blocked neuroblast migration to the olfactory bulb and altered the morphology of the progenitors. Moreover, the administration of disulfiram to neonatal mice decreased in vivo cell proliferation in the striatal SVZ. These results indicate that RA is a potent mitogen for SVZ neuroblasts and is required for their migration to the olfactory bulb. The regulation of multiple steps in the SVZ-olfactory bulb neurogenic pathway by RA suggests that manipulation of retinoid signaling is a potential therapeutic strategy to augment neurogenesis after brain injury.
Effect of Sn in Pt–Ru–Sn Ternary Catalysts for CO/H2 and Methanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Kim Taeyoon , Kobayashi Koichi , Takahashi Masashi , Nagai Masayuki
Published: May 2005

The activity for methanol oxidation of Pt3Ru2Sn/C was significantly higher than that of Pt/C or PtRu/C catalyst by improving CO tolerance. The higher CO tolerance property of Pt3Ru2Sn/C was caused by the synergic effects of Ru as a water activator and Sn as an electronic modifier of Pt. In ternary alloy catalyst including the efficient water activator, the Pt–CO bond strength could become important factor.
A Synthetic Bifunctional Enzyme Model with Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase Activities
Authors: Dong Zeyuan , Huang Xin , Mao Shizhong , Liu Junqiu , Luo Guimin , Shen Jiacong
Published: May 2005

The synthetic bifunctional enzyme model manganese(III) meso-tetrakis[4-(3-allylselenopropyl)oxycarbonylphenyl]porphyrin (Se-Mn(III)-TCPP) demonstrates both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities.
Nano-architecture on Carbon Nanotube Surface by Biomimetic Coating
Authors: Akasaka Tsukasa , Watari Fumio
Published: May 2005

Calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coating on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was done with a biomimetic coating method. The multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) were immersed for 2 weeks in the simulated body fluid. Observation by scanning electron microscopy showed that needle shape of Ca-P crystallites at nano-scale levels were massively grown on MWNTs. Thus the nano-architecture of crystalline Ca-P on MWNT surface could be produced by simple method and the MWNT may be acting as core for initial crystallization.
Designing Communication Networks to Decompose Network Control Problems
Authors: Camponogara Eduardo , Talukdar Sarosh N.
Published: May 2005

The pressure from today’s economic and energy markets demands further distribution of decision making in large, dynamic networks. To this end, distributed model predictive control (MPC) divides the task of operating a dynamic network into a set of small, localized subtasks, one for each distributed control agent. To guide the decomposition of the overall task, which plays a central role in the quality of the operation yielded by the distributed agents, this paper proposes a model for problem decomposition based on the design of agent communication networks. The model gives rise to the communication-network design problem: A bicriteria optimization problem whose objectives are the maximization of the influence perceived by the agents and the minimization of the communication cost. The benefit of the model is the potential to concentrate the effort of implementing distributed MPC, and measuring its actual performance, on a reduced number of decompositions, namely those that are Pareto efficient for the model. The paper gives an account of related work, including the computational complexity of finding Pareto efficient solutions, an integer programming formulation, and families of valid inequalities. Its main contribution is the demonstration that the model can be effective, meaning that Pareto efficient solutions to the model tend to induce efficient problem decompositions. The experimental evidence was gathered by applying the model to decompose control problems of two representative networks, namely arrays of pendulums and electric power networks, and measuring the quality of the operation delivered by the distributed control agents.
Using Extra Dual Cuts to Accelerate Column Generation
Authors: Valério de Carvalho José M.
Published: May 2005

Column generation is often used to solve models with stronger linear-programming relaxations. From the dual standpoint, column-generation processes can be viewed as cutting plane algorithms. In this paper, we present conditions under which it is possible to restrict the dual space, but still preserve the strength of the primal model and recover an optimal primal solution. We derive a family of dual cuts that are valid for the space of dual optimal solutions of the one-dimensional cutting-stock problem. These cuts correspond to extra columns in the primal model. Inserting a polynomial number of cuts of this family in the problem formulation at initialization time restricts the dual space during the entire column-generation process. Computational experiments show that this idea helps, reducing substantially the number of columns generated, the number of degenerate iterations, and the computational time.
The Analytic-Center Cutting-Plane Method for Variational Inequalities: A Quadratic-Cut Approach
Authors: Denault Michel , Goffin Jean-Louis
Published: May 2005

We introduce a cutting-plane, analytic-center algorithm for strongly monotone variational inequalities (VIs). The approach extends that of Goffin et al. (1997) and Denault and Goffin (1999). The VI is still treated as a convex feasibility problem, with linear cuts progressively shrinking a localization set that contains the solution of the VI. However, a quadratic cut is used to improve the positioning of the point at which the next cut will be generated. Our approach uses quadratic, ellipsoidal cuts, based on the symmetrized Jacobian of the VI. Since it cannot be guaranteed that such quadratic cuts do not cut off the solution of the VI, they are used only for direction, and are not integrated as such in the localization set; only the linear part of the quadratic cuts can safely be added to the localization set. The introduction of the quadratic cut together with the drop of the quadratic part of the previous cut is studied carefully. Numerical results are given that illustrate the substantial improvement that quadratic cuts can yield over linear cuts.
Primal-Dual-Based Algorithms for a Directed Network Design Problem
Authors: Melkonian Vardges , Tardos Éva
Published: May 2005

We present efficient algorithms for a special case of network design problems, the strong-connectivity problem. Given a directed graph G, the strong-connectivity problem seeks a minimum cost strongly connected spanning subgraph of G. Our algorithms include the primal-dual method, penalty algorithms, and drop algorithms. Primal-dual methods have been quite successful for developing algorithms for undirected network design problems. However, no results are known for extending them to the directed counterparts. We apply the primal-dual method to the strong-connectivity problem, and show that the new algorithm has an approximation guarantee of three. Our computational results over randomly created instances show that the primal-dual is efficient. We develop two improved algorithms, penalty and drop, building on primal-dual as a subroutine.