bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Accelerated Schools for Quality Education Project: experiences of school change in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee John Chi-kin , Lo Leslie Nai-kwai
Published: July 2007

In the United States, one of the well-known school reform models is the Accelerated Schools Project (ASP) originated by Henry Levin. This article attempts to describe the implementation of this project in a sample of schools in Hong Kong. We investigate the differential progress in four case study schools with reference to leadership, teacher collaboration and other factors. Where the schools made little progress, the principals tended to be authoritarian, providing little empowerment to teachers and ignoring teachers' views. In the two schools which made relatively good progress, the principals were rather more `empowering'.
A qualitative study using project-based learning in a mainstream middle school
Authors: Wurdinger Scott , Haar Jean , Hugg Robert , Bezon Jennifer
Published: July 2007

Project-based learning taps into students' interests by allowing them to create projects that result in meaningful learning experiences. The method requires teachers to identify projects that challenge students to work individually or in groups to create plans, solve problems they encounter, test their ideas, and present their projects to peers. The article shares lessons learned in a mainstream middle school that in collaboration with the authors developed and implemented project-based learning. The effectiveness of the implementation was assessed by analyzing teacher acceptance and student engagement. The approach presented teachers with a unique set of problems involving time, fairness, and control; however, the authors concluded that teachers accepted the project-based learning teaching approach and that students were highly engaged in the process.
Strangely familiar: cross-curricular and creative thinking in teacher education
Authors: Barnes Jonathan , Shirley Ian
Published: July 2007

This article is a summary of a cross-Arts, action research project in primary teacher education. The Higher Education ARTS and Schools (HEARTS) project aimed at attitude and pedagogical change amongst teacher education students. The researchers chose to explore the effects and effectiveness of the Arts in making meaning and relevance for both children and university students. The project used challenging, outdoor experiences shared equally by students and pupils in an attempt to generate creative thinking. The article describes the project and highlights key research findings from a meta-analysis of student research assignments and logged student reflections. It suggests that there are major challenges for teacher education, in particular to support new teachers in discovering their own areas of creativity, enhancing those of the children they teach and in becoming more confident in making their own curricular contributions. The research also revealed neglected capacity in tutor/tutor, tutor/student and student/pupil collaboration. For the Arts in schools, the project strongly suggested that the meaning-making qualities of the Arts were currently under-used and should be maximized. For schools the researched and researching students recognized the great potential of shifting the locus of control towards children and also the power of the Arts as motivators for learning across all curriculum subjects.
Measures of Desirability Beliefs and Their Validity as Indicators for Socially Desirable Responding
Authors: Stocké Volker , Hunkler Christian
Published: July 2007

Social desirability (SD) bias is a serious threat for the quality of survey data, and SD beliefs predict the strength and direction of this bias. The validity of the most frequently used indicator for desirability beliefs, the one-point measure, depends on the neutrality and monotonic assumptions to be empirically valid. In the current study, the authors examine these completely untested assumptions by drawing on data about topics that are often the subject of survey research. These are prejudice against the elderly, charitable donations, voting in political elections, and environmental consciousness. The authors find that the neutrality assumption does not hold for substantial parts of the sample for all topics and the monotonic assumption is not valid for two of them. They introduce two new, more elaborated measures for desirability beliefs that allow for the valid prediction of SD bias when either one or both of the otherwise necessary assumptions do not hold.
Visualizing Proximity Data
Authors: DeJordy Rich , Borgatti Stephen P. , Roussin Chris , Halgin Daniel S.
Published: July 2007

In this article, the authors explore the use of graph layout algorithms for visualizing proximity matrices such as those obtained in cultural domain analysis. Traditionally, multidimensional scaling has been used for this purpose. The authors compare the two approaches to identify conditions when each approach is effective. As might be expected, they find that multidimensional scaling shines when the data are of low dimensionality and are compatible with the defining characteristics of Euclidean distances, such as symmetry and triangle inequality constraints. However, when one is working with data that do not fit these criteria, graph layout algorithms do a better job of communicating the structure of the data. In addition, graph layout algorithms lend themselves to interactive use, which can yield a deeper and more accurate understanding of the data.
Methods for Translating an English-Language Survey Questionnaire on Tobacco Use into Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese
Authors: Forsyth Barbara H. , Kudela Martha Stapleton , Levin Kerry , Lawrence Deirdre , Willis Gordon B.
Published: July 2007

This article reports research on procedures for translating a survey questionnaire on tobacco use from English into Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. The goal is to offer practical guidelines for researchers involved in translating questionnaires. The authors operationalize a five-step process for translation and evaluation based on the frameworks presented in Harkness, Van de Vijver, and Mohler (2003) and the U.S. Census Bureau (2004). Based on qualitative observations, the five-step process produced effective questionnaire translations. The iterative nature of the process and the team-based approach the process encourages were particularly important to the success. Based on documented experiences, the authors identify lessons learned and make recommendations to other researchers who need to translate questionnaires.
Communication among nurses and adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilities
Authors: Healy Denise , Noonan Walsh Patricia
Published: July 2007

This study explored communication strategies adopted by staff nurses in a residential centre in Ireland for persons with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. Interactions between staff nurses and service users were video recorded and analysed to determine the frequencies of verbal and non-verbal communication acts. Semi-structured and focus group interviews were carried out with the 10 participating staff nurses. Participants identified staff-related factors, the communicative environment, alternative methods of communication and choice as key elements in communicating with service users. No differences were observed in the frequency of verbal and non-verbal communicative acts. There was a discrepancy between what communicative acts the participants named as their preferred strategies and those observed when they interacted with service users. Most failed to adjust their language to meet service users' needs. The findings suggest that staff nurses do not always adopt optimal strategies in everyday interactions with individuals who use non-verbal communication. Continuing education in communication is recommended.
Staff training and challenging behaviour
Authors: Campbell Martin
Published: July 2007

Staff working directly with people who have challenging behaviour in learning disability services need to be D good at what they do. These staff are trained by their employers to manage and to treat challenging behaviours and to improve the quality of life of people in their care. While such training is generally well evaluated by care staff, there is limited evidence that training alone changes poor attitudes or improves staff performance. Training has not been linked to quality of outcomes for service users. From research on treating challenging behaviour, achieving maintenance of behavioural gains after treatment has been discontinued is the exception rather than the rule. Can the same be said for maintaining gains achieved through staff training in the area of challenging behaviour? This discussion article reviews the value of training for staff working with people with challenging behaviour.
The use of Dementia Care Mapping in people with a learning disability and dementia
Authors: Finnamore Tracey , Lord Sharon
Published: July 2007

Dementia Care Mapping is a method for evaluating quality of life in and quality of care of people with dementia and has been used widely in services for older adults. This article presents a report of Dementia Care Mapping for eight adults with learning disabilities and dementia. Trained `mappers' observed individuals over a set period and recorded their behaviour every 5 minutes. The person was then assigned a wellbeing or illbeing value for each 5 minute period, based on the mapper's empathic judgement as to how the individual was feeling at that time. Any examples of particularly positive or negative events were also recorded and the results fed back to the staff team. Data were used to aid care planning, and outcomes are reported.
Exploring a continuum of support for bereaved people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Read Sue , Elliott David
Published: July 2007

People strive to make meaning out of the death of their loved ones. People with intellectual disabilities, however, may not be actively involved in death and may therefore experience disenfranchised grief. Bereavement support for this population remains at best inconsistent across the UK. The aim of this article is to further explore a bereavement support model recently developed. A case study is utilized to demonstrate the practicalities inherent in the integrated approach offered. A bereavement support framework can provide a holistic perspective for people with intellectual disabilities when integrated with a systems approach to care delivery. The resultant strategy incorporates practical ideas that address the bereavement needs of people with intellectual disabilities, encapsulating all aspects of current and future care delivery. Finally, core recommendations are offered for consideration.
The Yersinia enterocolitica type three secretion chaperone SycO is integrated into the Yop regulatory network and binds to the Yop secretion protein YscM1
Authors: Dittmann Svea , Schmid Annika , Richter Susanna , Trülzsch Konrad , Heesemann Jürgen , Wilharm Gottfried
Published: July 2007

Background

Pathogenic yersiniae (Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. enterocolitica) share a virulence plasmid encoding a type three secretion system (T3SS). This T3SS comprises more than 40 constituents. Among these are the transport substrates called Yops (Yersinia outer proteins), the specific Yop chaperones (Sycs), and the Ysc (Yop secretion) proteins which form the transport machinery. The effectors YopO and YopP are encoded on an operon together with SycO, the chaperone of YopO. The characterization of SycO is the focus of this study.

Results

We have established the large-scale production of recombinant SycO in its outright form. We confirm that Y. enterocolitica SycO forms homodimers which is typical for Syc chaperones. SycO overproduction in Y. enterocolitica decreases secretion of Yops into the culture supernatant suggesting a regulatory role of SycO in type III secretion. We demonstrate that in vitro SycO interacts with YscM1, a negative regulator of Yop expression in Y. enterocolitica. However, the SycO overproduction phenotype was not mediated by YscM1, YscM2, YopO or YopP as revealed by analysis of isogenic deletion mutants.

Conclusion

We present evidence that SycO is integrated into the regulatory network of the Yersinia T3SS. Our picture of the Yersinia T3SS interactome is supplemented by identification of the SycO/YscM1 interaction. Further, our results suggest that at least one additional interaction partner of SycO has to be identified.
Polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 genes CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, CYP19A1and colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Bethke Lara , Webb Emily , Sellick Gabrielle , Rudd Matthew , Penegar Stephen , Withey Laura , Qureshi Mobshra , Houlston Richard
Published: July 2007

Background

CytochromeP450 (CYP) enzymes have the potential to affect colorectal cancer (CRC) risk by determining the genotoxic impact of exogenous carcinogens and levels of sex hormones.

Methods

To investigate if common variants ofCYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP11A1, CYP17A1andCYP19A1influence CRC risk we genotyped 2,575 CRC cases and 2,707 controls for 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have not previously been shown to have functional consequence within these genes.

Results

There was a suggestion of increased risk, albeit insignificant after correction for multiple testing, of CRC for individuals homozygous forCYP1B1rs162558 and heterozygous forCYP1A2rs2069522 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.80 and OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.00–1.79 respectively).

Conclusion

This study provides some support for polymorphic variation inCYP1A2andCYP1B1playing a role in CRC susceptibility.
Aims, methods and preliminary findings of the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Allergies in Children Examined in Athens (PANACEA) epidemiological study
Authors: Priftis Kostas N , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B , Anthracopoulos Michael B , Papadimitriou Anastasios , Nicolaidou Polyxeni
Published: July 2007

Background

To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in a sample of Greek children aged 10–12 years, and to evaluate these rates in relation to anthropometric, lifestyle characteristics and dietary habits.

Methods

During 2006, 700 schoolchildren (323 male and 377 female), aged 10–12 years (4th to 6th school grade), were selected from 18 schools located in the greater Athens area. The schools were randomly selected from a list provided by the regional educational offices. To achieve a representative sample the schools enrolled were selected from various region of the Athens area. For each child a questionnaire was completed that was developed for the purposes of the study to retrieve information on: age, sex, school class, other socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary habits (through a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire) and physical activity status; the presence of asthma and allergies was assessed by the standard ISAAC questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of wheezing in the past was 25% in boys and 19% in girls, while the prevalence of current wheezing was 9.0% in boys and 5.8% in girls. The prevalence of any asthma symptoms was 27.6% in boys and 20.4% in girls. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that increased body weight and sedentary lifestyle is associated with asthma symptoms only in boys.

Conclusion

The present cross-sectional study cannot establish causal relationships between asthma and increased body weight of schoolchildren; however, our findings underline the associations between asthma, increased body weight, and physical activity at population level, and urge for actions that should be taken by public health policy makers in order to prevent these conditions among children.
Record linked retrospective cohort study of 4.6 million people exploring ethnic variations in disease: myocardial infarction in South Asians
Authors: Fischbacher CM , Bhopal R , Povey C , Steiner M , Chalmers J , Mueller G , Jamieson J , Knowles D
Published: July 2007

Background

Law and policy in several countries require health services to demonstrate that they are promoting racial/ethnic equality. However, suitable and accurate data are usually not available. We demonstrated, using acute myocardial infarction, that linkage techniques can be ethical and potentially useful for this purpose.

Methods

The linkage was based on probability matching. Encryption of a unique national health identifier (the Community Health Index (CHI)) ensured that information about health status and census-based ethnicity could not be ascribed to an identified individual. We linked information on individual ethnic group from the 2001 Census to Scottish hospital discharge and mortality data.

Results

Overall, 94% of the 4.9 million census records were matched to a CHI record with an estimated false positive rate of less than 0.1 %, with 84.9 – 87.6% of South Asians being successfully linked. Between April 2001 and December 2003 there were 126 first episodes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among South Asians and 30,978 among non-South Asians. The incidence rate ratio was 1.45 (95% CI 1.17, 1.78) for South Asian compared to non-South Asian men and 1.80 (95% CI 1.31, 2.48) for South Asian women. After adjustment for age, sex and any previous admission for diabetes the hazard ratio for death following AMI was 0.59 (95% CI 0.43, 0.81), reflecting better survival among South Asians.

Conclusion

The technique met ethical, professional and legal concerns about the linkage of census and health data and is transferable internationally wherever the census (or population register) contains ethnic group or race data. The outcome is a retrospective cohort study. Our results point to increased incidence rather than increased case fatality in explaining high CHD mortality rate. The findings open up new methods for researchers and health planners.
50 years experience with Dupuytren's contracture in the Erlangen University Hospital – A retrospective analysis of 2919 operated hands from 1956 to 2006
Authors: Loos Bernd , Puschkin Valerij , Horch Raymund E
Published: July 2007

Background

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a hand disorder mainly among the northern population. In contrast it is rare in the mediterranean population. Therefore typical habits and dietetic influences have been discussed as well as genetic predisposition. Still, since the first description by Dupuytren in 1834 only little is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease. Some hints were found for a higher prevalence among people with diabetes, alcohol abuse or smoking. Also, intensive manual work or hand injuries have been discussed to have an influence on DD. To our knowledge this is the largest retrospectively evaluated series of symptomatic patients published to date. The study includes patients from the last 50 years. It was performed to show possible correlations between DD and typical risk factors such as diabetes, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all patient records with DD documented between 1956 and 2006 in the Surgical University Hospital in Erlangen. Data acquisition was conducted by reviewing the medical records from 1956 to 2006 including data from all patients who were surgically treated because of DD.

Results

We reviewed 2579 male and 340 female surgically treated patients with DD. More than 80% of the patients were between 40 and 70 years old. In 28.9% only the right hand was effected by DD, in 25.3% only the left hand and in 45.8% both hands. In 10.3% of all Patients suffered from Diabetes mellitus. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between diabetes, alcoholism or smoking on the degree of DD in our patients.

Conclusion

Most data are consistent with previously published results from smaller, comparable retrospective studies with regard to right- or left handedness. We could not confirm a statistically significant correlation of DD with diabetes mellitus, severe alcohol consumption, heavy smoking or epilepsy and the stage of the disease as described in other studies. However, in the whole cohort of our operated patients during the last 50 years the prevalence of the above mentioned risk factors is slightly higher than in the normal population.
The propensity to adopt evidence-based practice among physical therapists
Authors: Bridges Patricia H , Bierema Laura L , Valentine Thomas
Published: July 2007

Background

Many authors, as well as the American Physical Therapy Association, advocate that physical therapists adopt practice patterns based on research evidence, known as evidence-based practice (EBP). At the same time, physical therapists should be capable of integrating EBP within the day-to-day practice of physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which personal characteristics and the characteristics of the social system in the workplace influence the propensity of physical therapists to adopt EBP.

Methods

The study used a 69 item mailed self-completion questionnaire. The questionnaire had four major sections. The first three sections were each drawn from a different theoretical framework and from different authors' work. The instrument was developed to capture the propensity of physical therapists to adopt EBP, characteristics of the social system in the workplace of physical therapists, personal characteristics of physical therapists, and selected demographic variables of physical therapists. The eligible population consisted of 3,897 physical therapists licensed by the state of Georgia in the United States of America. A random sample of 1320 potential participants was drawn.

Results

939 questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 73%. 831 of the participants' questionnaires were useable and became the basis for the study. There was a moderate association between desire for learning (r = .36, r2 = .13), highest degree held (r = .29, r2 = .08), practicality (r = .27, r2 = .07) and nonconformity (r = .24, r2 = .06) and the propensity to adopt EBP. A negative correlation was found between age, years licensed and percentage of time in direct patient care. The findings demonstrated that the best three variables for predicting the propensity to adopt EBP in physical therapy were: desire for learning, highest degree held, and practicality.

Conclusion

The study confirms there is no single factor to facilitate research evidence into day-to-day practice. Multiple practice change strategies will be needed to facilitate change in practice.
Metastatic disease to the breast: the Washington University experience
Authors: Vaughan Aislinn , Dietz Jill R , Moley Jeffrey F , DeBenedetti Mary K , Aft Rebecca L , Gillanders William E , Eberlein Timothy J , Ritter Jon , Margenthaler Julie A
Published: July 2007

Background

Metastases to the breast occur rarely, but may be increasing in incidence as patients live longer with malignant diseases. The aim of this study is to characterize metastatic disease to the breast and to describe the management and prognosis of patients who present with this diagnosis.

Methods

A retrospective review of our institution's pathology and breast cancer databases was performed in order to identify patients with breast malignancies that were not of primary breast origin. Chart review provided additional information about the patients' primary malignancies and course of illness.

Results

Between 1991 and 2006, eighteen patients with metastatic disease to the breast of non-hematologic origin were identified and all had charts available for review. Among the 18 patients with disease metastatic to the breast, tissues of origin included 3 ovarian, 6 melanoma, 3 medullary thyroid, 3 pulmonary neuroendocrine, 1 pulmonary small cell, 1 oral squamous cell, and 1 renal cell. Overall mean survival after diagnosis of metastatic disease to the breast was 22.4 months. Treatment of metastases varied and included combinations of observation, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Five patients (27.8%) required a change in management of their breast disease for local control.

Conclusion

Due to the variable course of patients with metastatic disease, a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary for each patient with disease metastatic to the breast to determine optimal treatment. Based on our review, many patients survive for long periods of time and local treatment of metastases to the breast may be beneficial in these patients to prevent local complications.
Why Nonlinear Biomedical Physics?
Authors: Czernicki Zbigniew , Klonowski Wlodzimierz , Liebovitch Larry
Published: July 2007

The two goals of
Nonlinear Biomedical Physics
are: firstly to show how nonlinear methods can shed new light on biological phenomena and medical applications and secondly to bridge the technical, mathematical, and cultural divides between the physical disciplines where these methods are being developed and the audience for their use in the biological and medical sciences.
The ITGAVrs3738919-C allele is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the European Caucasian population: a family-based study
Authors: Jacq Laurent , Garnier Sophie , Dieudé Philippe , Michou Laëtitia , Pierlot Céline , Migliorini Paola , Balsa Alejandro , Westhovens René , Barrera Pilar , Alves Helena , Vaz Carlos , Fernandes Manuela , Pascual-Salcedo Dora , Bombardieri Stefano , Dequeker Jan , Radstake Timothy R , Van Riel Piet , van de Putte Leo , Lopes-Vaz Antonio , Glikmans Elodie , Barbet Sandra , Lasbleiz Sandra , Lemaire Isabelle , Quillet Patrick , Hilliquin Pascal , Teixeira Vitor Hugo , Petit-Teixeira Elisabeth , Mbarek Hamdi , Prum Bernard , Bardin Thomas , Cornélis François ,   the European Consortium on Rheumatoid Arthritis Families
Published: July 2007

The integrin αvβ3, whose αv subunit is encoded by the ITGAV gene, plays a key role in angiogenesis. Hyperangiogenesis is involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the ITGAV gene is located in 2q31, one of the suggested RA susceptibility loci. Our aim was to test the ITGAV gene for association and linkage to RA in a family-based study from the European Caucasian population.

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 100 French Caucasian RA trio families (one RA patient and both parents), 100 other French families and 265 European families available for replication. The genetic analyses for association and linkage were performed using the comparison of allelic frequencies (affected family-based controls), the transmission disequilibrium test, and the genotype relative risk.

We observed a significant RA association for the C allele of rs3738919 in the first sample (affected family-based controls, RA index cases 66.5% versus controls 56.7%; P = 0.04). The second sample showed the same trend, and the third sample again showed a significant RA association. When all sets were combined, the association was confirmed (affected family-based controls, RA index cases 64.6% versus controls 58.1%; P = 0.005). The rs3738919-C allele was also linked to RA (transmission disequilibrium test, 56.5% versus50% of transmission; P = 0.009) and the C-allele-containing genotype was more frequent in RA index cases than in controls (RA index cases 372 versus controls 339; P = 0.002, odds ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval = 1.3–2.9).

The rs3738919-C allele of the ITGAV gene is associated with RA in the European Caucasian population, suggesting ITGAV as a new minor RA susceptibility gene.
Reduction of urate crystal-induced inflammation by root extracts from traditional oriental medicinal plants: elevation of prostaglandin D2levels
Authors: Jung Sung Mun , Schumacher H Ralph , Kim Hocheol , Kim Miyeon , Lee Seoung Hoon , Pessler Frank
Published: July 2007

Dried roots of the plants Acanthopanax senticosus, Angelica sinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis are used in traditional oriental medicine and reportedly possess anti-inflammatory properties. Using the murine air pouch model of inflammation, we investigated the efficacy and mode of action of an extract from these three plants in crystal-induced inflammation. Air pouches were raised on the backs of 8-week-old BALB/c mice. Mice were fed 100 mg/kg body weight of root extracts (A. senticosus:A. sinensis:S. baicalensis mixed in a ratio of 5:4:1 by weight) or vehicle only on days 3–6. Inflammation was elicited on day 6 by injecting 2 mg of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals into the pouch. Neutrophil density and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels were determined in the pouch membrane, and the leukocyte count and IL-6, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels were determined in the pouch exudate. Treatment with the root extracts led to a reduction in all inflammatory parameters: the leukocyte count in the pouch exudate decreased by 82%; the neutrophil density in the pouch membrane decreased by 68%; IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels in the pouch membrane decreased by 100%; the IL-6 concentration in the pouch fluid decreased by 50%; and the PGE2 concentration in the pouch fluid decreased by 69%. Remarkably, the concentration of the potentially anti-inflammatory PGD2 rose 5.2-fold in the pouch exudate (p < 0.005), which led to a normalization of the PGD2:PGE2 ratio. A 3.7-fold rise in hematopoietic PGD synthase (h-PGDS) mRNA paralleled this rise in PGD2 (p = 0.01).

Thus, the root extracts diminished MSU crystal-induced inflammation by reducing neutrophil recruitment and expression of pro-inflammatory factors and increasing the level of the potentially anti-inflammatory PGD2. These results support a need for further studies of the efficacy of these extracts in the treatment of inflammatory arthropathies and suggest elevation of PGD2 levels as a novel mechanism for an anti-inflammatory agent.
Adenovirus type 5 E1A-induced apoptosis in COX-2-overexpressing breast cancer cells
Authors: Sugimoto Takeshi , Bartholomeusz Chandra , Tari Ana M , Ueno Naoto T
Published: July 2007

Introduction

Suppression of Bcl-2 expression can overcome cellular resistance to apoptosis induced by the adenovirus type 5 gene E1A in models of ovarian and breast cancer. Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, is known to downregulate Bcl-2 expression. We hypothesized that celecoxib would enhance E1A-induced apoptosis by suppressing Bcl-2 through suppressing COX-2 expression. If successful, this strategy could represent a means of overcoming resistance to E1A gene therapy.

Methods

We first established the cytotoxicity of celecoxib in two COX-2-overexpressing E1A-transfected breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435) and in two low-COX-2-expressing E1A-transfected cell lines (MCF-7 (breast cancer) and SKOV3.ip1 (ovarian cancer)). We next tested whether higher sensitivity to celecoxib among these cell lines resulted from increased apoptosis by flow cytometry and western blotting. We further investigated whether suppression of Bcl-2 by celecoxib was involved in the apoptosis resulting from celecoxib treatment, and we explored whether the celecoxib-induced apoptosis in these cells depends on a COX-2 downstream pathway.

Results

The two COX-2-overexpressing cell lines MDA-MB-231-E1A and MDA-MB-435-E1A were more sensitive to celecoxib than the corresponding control cells, but the two low-COX-2-expressing cell lines MCF-7-E1A and SKOV3.ip1-E1A were no more sensitive than control cells to celecoxib. Therefore, we used the MDA-MB-231-E1A and MDA-MB-435-E1A cells for all further experiments. In both cell lines, sub-G1 fraction was increased, or cleavage of PARP and caspase-9 were increased after 5 days of exposure to 40 μM celecoxib. However, Bcl-2 was suppressed only in the MDA-MB-435-E1A cells and not in the MDA-MB-231-E1A cells. Restoring Bcl-2 expression in the MDA-MB-435-E1A stable transfectants did not affect their sensitivity to celecoxib. However, adding prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or PGF2α blunted the sensitivity to celecoxib of both E1A stable transfectants.

Conclusion

We speculate that one mechanism by which celecoxib enhances E1A-induced apoptosis in cells that express high levels of COX-2 is through blocking PGE2 or PGF2α.
FlyMine: an integrated database for Drosophila and Anopheles genomics
Authors: Lyne Rachel , Smith Richard , Rutherford Kim , Wakeling Matthew , Varley Andrew , Guillier Francois , Janssens Hilde , Ji Wenyan , Mclaren Peter , North Philip , Rana Debashis , Riley Tom , Sullivan Julie , Watkins Xavier , Woodbridge Mark , Lilley Kathryn , Russell Steve , Ashburner Michael , Mizuguchi Kenji , Micklem Gos
Published: July 2007

FlyMine is a data warehouse that addresses one of the important challenges of modern biology: how to integrate and make use of the diversity and volume of current biological data. Its main focus is genomic and proteomics data for Drosophila and other insects. It provides web access to integrated data at a number of different levels, from simple browsing to construction of complex queries, which can be executed on either single items or lists.
Multilayer ground-penetrating radar guided waves in shallow soil layers for estimating soil water content
Authors: Strobbia Claudio , Cassiani Giorgio
Published: July 2007

The knowledge of moisture-content changes in shallow soil layers has important environmental implications, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) used in surface-to-surface configuration has been used increasingly to quickly image soil moisture content over large areas. The technique is based on measuring direct GPR wave velocity in the ground. However, in the presence of shallow and thin low-velocity soil layers, dispersive guided GPR waves are generated and the direct ground wave is not identifiable as a simple arrival. Under such conditions, the dispersion relation of guided waves can be estimated from field data and then inverted to obtain the properties of the guiding layers. This approach is applied to a mountain slope with a 1-m soil cover where repeated measurements over time, inverted by conceptualizing the soil as a single guiding layer, lead to estimates of velocity andthickness varying over time. Varying soil thickness clearly is not a plausible physical process. To remove this problem, we develop a multilayer GPR waveguide model. We first assess, using a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, the model error arising from using a single-layer forward model to invert data generated by a multilayer waveguide. The single-layer model always underestimates the total soil thickness because the inversion is sensitive mainly to the layer with the lowest velocity (the wettest layer). We then use a multilayer forward model to invert the actual field data. By constraining the total soil thickness, we still manage to invert accurately only for velocity and thickness of the wettest layer, leaving uncertainty about the position of such a layer in the layer sequence. We conclude that these inversion equivalence problems cannot be neglected when guided GPR data are used to estimate time-lapse moisture content in shallow soils.
Local high-resolution passive seismic tomography and Kohonen neural networks — Application at the Rio-Antirio Strait, central Greece
Authors: Tselentis G-Akis , Serpetsidaki Anna , Martakis Nikolaos , Sokos Efthimios , Paraskevopoulos Paraskevas , Kapotas Sotirios
Published: July 2007

A high-resolution passive seismic investigation was performed in a [Formula: see text] area around the Rio-Antirio Strait in central Greece using natural microearthquakes recorded during three months by a dense, temporary seismic network consisting of 70 three-component surface stations. This work was part of the investigation for a planned underwater rail tunnel, and it gives us the opportunity to investigate the potential of this methodology. First, 150 well-located earthquake events were selected to compute a minimum (1D) velocity model for the region. Next, the 1D model served as the initial model for nonlinear inversion for a 3D P- and S- velocity crustal structure by iteratively solving the coupled hypocenter-velocity problem using a least-squares method. The retrieved [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] images were used as an input to Kohonen self-organizing maps (SOMs) to identify, systematically and objectively, the prominent lithologies in the region. SOMs are unsupervised artificial neural networks that map the input space into clusters in a topological form whose organization is related to trends in the input data. This analysis revealed the existence of five major clusters, one of which may be related to the existence of an evaporite body not shown in the conventional seismic tomography velocity volumes. The survey results provide, for the first time, a 3D model of the subsurface in and around the Rio-Antirio Strait. It is the first time that passive seismic tomography is used together with SOM methodologies at this scale, thus revealing the method’s potential.
Application of image segmentation to tracking 3D salt boundaries
Authors: Lomask Jesse , Clapp Robert G. , Biondi Biondo
Published: July 2007

Delineating salt boundaries is a necessary step in the velocity-model building process. The salt-delineation problem can be thought of as an image-segmentation problem. Normalized cuts image segmentation (NCIS) finds the cut (or cuts) that result in an image being broken into portions which have dissimilar, by some measure, characteristics. We apply a modified version of the NCIS method to partition seismic images along salt boundaries. NCIS can track boundaries that are not continuous, where conventional horizon-tracking algorithms may fail, by calculating a weight connecting each pixel in the image to every other pixel within a local neighborhood. The weights are determined using problem-dependent combinations of attributes, the most important being instantanteous amplitude and dip. The weights for the entire image are used to segment the image via an eigenvector calculation. The weight matrices for 3D seismic data cubes can be quite large and computationally expensive. By imposing bounds and by distributing the algorithm on a parallel cluster, we significantly increase efficiency. This method is demonstrated to be effective on a 3D field seismic data cube.
A numerical study on reflection coefficients of fractured media
Authors: Krüger Oliver S. , Saenger Erik H. , Oates Steven J. , Shapiro Serge A.
Published: July 2007

Effective-medium theories can be used to predict reflection coefficients of an interface between an unfractured layer overlying a fractured half-space. In 2D and 3D computer simulations, we analyze wavefields that are emitted by an explosion line or point source and reflected from a fractured area in a digital rock model. The reflection coefficients from the simulations are compared to several predictions given by static effective-medium theories. The agreement between our numerical results and the theoretical reflection coefficients is best for differential effective-medium schemes in 2D as well as in 3D. This result agrees with previously published numerical static and numerical transmission-time experiments. By varying the wavelength to crack-length ratio, we consider the application range of different effective-medium theories. We observe good agreement with theoretical predictions even for a ratio equal to 9. An angle-dependent analysis of the reflected amplitude of our numerical results is also compared to results given by effective-medium theory in combination with exact reflection-coefficient formulas. As expected, the fluctuations of the reflection coefficients decrease for wider angles. In our 3D digital rock models, we vary the crack density and the infill of the crack (i.e., water [cold and hot] and oil [cold and hot]).
Multitransient electromagnetic demonstration survey in France
Authors: Ziolkowski Anton , Hobbs Bruce A. , Wright David
Published: July 2007

We describe the acquisition, processing, and inversion of a multitransient electromagnetic (MTEM) single-line survey, conducted in December 2004 over an underground gas storage reservoir in southwestern France. The objective was to find a resistor corresponding to known gas about [Formula: see text] below the survey line. In data acquisition, we deployed a [Formula: see text] inline bipole current source and twenty [Formula: see text] inline potential receivers in various configurations along the [Formula: see text] survey line; we measured the input current step and received voltages simultaneously. Then we deconvolved the received voltages for the measured input current to determine the earth impulse responses. We show how both amplitude and traveltime information contained in the recovered earth impulse responses reveal the lateral location and approximate depth of the resistive reservoir. Integrating the impulse responses yields step responses, from which the asymptotic DC values were estimated and used in rapid 2D dipole-dipole DC resistivity inversion to find the top of the reservoir. A series of collated 1D full-waveform inversions performed on individual common midpoint gathers of the step responses position the top and bottom of a resistor corresponding to known gas in the reservoir and also obtain the transverse resistance. The results imply that the MTEM method can be used as a tool for hydrocarbon exploration and production.
Physical modeling of overburden effects
Authors: Luo Mu , Takanashi Mamoru , Nakayama Kazuo , Ezaka Teruya
Published: July 2007

Reservoir properties can be inferred from the amount of anisotropy estimated from seismic data. Unfortunately, irregularities in the formations above the reservoir unit can mask or overprint the true seismic anisotropy of the reservoir unit. This overburden effect subjects the measured reservoir seismic anisotropy to a high degree of uncertainty. We investigate this overburden effect on P-waves with a three-layer ultrasonic laboratory-scale model whose middle layer contains localized, gas-filled vertical fractures. We analyze the reflection amplitudes and traveltimes of a P-wave reflection event from below the overburden to understand the overburden effect on anisotropy analysis and imaging. Our study shows that steps must be taken to reduce the P-wave overburden effect when significant irregularities occur in the formations above the reservoir unit.
Midbrain dopaminergic neurogenesis and behavioural recovery in a salamander lesion-induced regeneration model
Authors: Parish Clare L. , Beljajeva Anna , Arenas Ernest , Simon András
Published: July 2007

Death and lack of functional regeneration of midbrain dopaminergic (DA)neurons, decreased DA input in the target striatum and movement anomalies characterise Parkinson's disease (PD). There is currently no cure for PD. One way to promote recovery would be to induce or enhance DA neurogenesis. Whether DA neurogenesis occurs in the adult midbrain is a matter of debate. Here, we describe the creation of a salamander 6-hydroxydopamine model of PD to examine midbrain DA regeneration. We demonstrate a robust and complete regeneration of the mesencephalic and diencephalic DA system after elimination of DA neurons. Regeneration is contributed by DA neurogenesis, leads to histological restoration, and to full recovery of motor behaviour. Molecular analyses of the temporal expression pattern of DA determinants indicate that the regenerating DA neurons mature along a similar developmental program as their mammalian counterparts during embryogenesis. We also find that the adult salamander midbrain can reactivate radial glia-like ependymoglia cells that proliferate. The salamander model provides insights into the mechanisms of DA regeneration/neurogenesis and may contribute to the development of novel regenerative strategies for the mammalian brain.
A novel eIF4G homolog, Off-schedule, couples translational control to meiosis and differentiation inDrosophilaspermatocytes
Authors: Franklin-Dumont Tina M. , Chatterjee Chandrima , Wasserman Steven A. , DiNardo Stephen
Published: July 2007

During spermatogenesis, cells coordinate differentiation with the meiotic cell cycle to generate functional gametes. We identified a novel gene, which we named off-schedule (ofs), as being essential for this coordinated control. During the meiotic G2 phase, Drosophila ofs mutant germ cells do not reach their proper size and fail to execute meiosis or significant differentiation. The accumulation of four cell cycle regulators-Cyclin A, Boule, Twine and Roughex-is altered in these mutants,indicating that ofs reveals a novel branch of the pathway controlling meiosis and differentiation. Ofs is homologous to eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4G. The level of ofs expression in spermatocytes is much higher than for the known eIF4G ortholog (known as eIF-4G or eIF4G),suggesting that Ofs substitutes for this protein. Consistent with this, assays for association with mRNA cap complexes, as well as RNA-interference and phenotypic-rescue experiments, demonstrate that Ofs has eIF4G activity. Based on these studies, we speculate that spermatocytes monitor G2 growth as one means to coordinate the initiation of meiotic division and differentiation.
Requirement for ERK MAP kinase in mouse preimplantation development
Authors: Maekawa Momoko , Yamamoto Takuya , Kohno Michiaki , Takeichi Masatoshi , Nishida Eisuke
Published: July 2007

Preimplantation development is a crucial step for successful implantation and pregnancy. Although both compaction and blastocyst formation have been extensively studied, mechanisms regulating the early cell division stages before compaction have remained unclear. Here, we show that extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase function is required for early embryonic cell division before compaction. Our analysis demonstrates that inhibition of ERK activation in late two-cell-stage embryos leads to a reversible arrest in the G2 phase at the four-cell stage. The G2-arrested four-cell-stage embryos showed weakened cell-cell adhesion as compared with control embryos. Remarkably, microarray analyses showed that most of the programmed changes of upregulated and downregulated gene expression during the four- to eight-cell stages proceeded normally in four-cell-stage-arrested embryos that were subsequently released to resume development; however, the expression profiles of a proportion of genes in these embryos closely paralleled the stages of embryonic rather than normal development. These parallel genes included the genes encoding intercellular adhesion molecules, whose expression appeared to be positively regulated by the ERK pathway. We also show that, whereas ERK inactivation in eight-cell-stage embryos did not lead to cell division arrest, it did cause this arrest when cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion was disrupted. These results demonstrate an essential role of ERK function in two-cell to eight-cell-stage embryos, and suggest a loose parallelism between the gene expression programs and the developmental stages before compaction.
Notch signaling in vascular development and physiology
Authors: Gridley Thomas
Published: July 2007

Notch signaling is an ancient intercellular signaling mechanism that plays myriad roles during vascular development and physiology in vertebrates. These roles include regulation of artery/vein differentiation in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, regulation of blood vessel sprouting and branching during both normal development and tumor angiogenesis, and the differentiation and physiological responses of vascular smooth muscle cells. Defects in Notch signaling also cause inherited vascular and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, I summarize recent findings and discuss the growing relevance of Notch pathway modulation for therapeutic applications in disease.