bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Results After Through-Knee and Above-Knee Amputations: Does More Length Mean Better Outcome?
Authors: Met Rosemarie , Janssen Linda I. , Wille Jan , Langezaal Adeline E. , van de Mortel Rob W.H. , van de Pavoordt Eric D.W.M. , de Vries Jean-Paul P.M.
Published: May 2008

The objective was to evaluate our results on functional outcome for both through-knee amputations and above-knee amputations. Functional outcome was measured using the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine score, which focuses on walking distance and use of prosthesis. From 1997 to 2006, 39 through-knee amputations (53%) and 34 above-knee amputations (47%) were performed. Eight (21%) of 39 through-knee amputations needed to be converted to above-knee amputations. Fifty patients (24 above-knee amputations, 26 through-knee amputations) were eligible for follow-up. During follow-up, 71% (of above-knee amputations) and 69% (of through-knee amputations) did not walk with a prosthesis, and 29% of above-knee amputations and 27% of through-knee amputations walked more or less than 50 m. In conclusion, only a minority of patients is able to walk with a prosthesis, and a lot of the through-knee amputations need conversion to a higher level. On the basis of this results, it would be preferable to perform a straight above-knee amputation instead of a through-knee amputation if the correct amputation level is in doubt in high-risk patients.
Biomimetic synthesis of spherical nano-hydroxyapatite with polyvinylpyrrolidone as template
Authors: Qiu C. F. , Xiao X. F. , Liu R. F. , She H. D.
Published: May 2008

Spherical nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesised successfully. Ca(NO3)2˙4H2O and (NH4)3PO4˙3H2O were used as reagents and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as template. The crystal phase, chemical composition, microstructure of the obtained HA were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysers microcomputer differential thermal analysers and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the concentration of PVP significantly affects the morphologies of the nanometre HA. Spherical nano-hydroxyapatite particle with diameter of 30–50 nm can be synthesised using PVP of a certain concentration (0˙5–5%) as template. The crystallinity of HA decreases continuously as the PVP content increases. Spherical apatite crystal forms because of a high affinity between HA and PVP.
The New Culture Movement and the Breakthrough in Chinese Academic Library Reform
Authors: Liao Jing
Published: May 2008

Examines the impact of the New Culture Movement on the development of Chinese academic librarianship in the early twentieth century. Begins by analyzing the ideological and institutional obstacles to library reform before the Movement took place in 1915. Demonstrates how the Movement swept away those obstacles and set library reform on the fast track. Highlights the significant contributions by Li Dazhao, a leader of the Movement, in transforming Beijing University Library into a modern academic library and in setting up a model for the other universities to emulate in the ensuing decades.
The People Behind the Philanthropy: An Investigation into the Lives and Motivations of Library Philanthropists in Scotland between 1800 and 1914
Authors: Sked Katrina M L , Reid Peter H
Published: May 2008

Examines Scottish library philanthropists in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a key period in the development of the public library service. Utilizing the technique of prosopography, which goes beyond recounting basic biographical details and considers individuals as part of an identifiable group, the article provides an insight into the lives of eleven people (nine men and two women) who were involved in gifting money, land or support towards the establishment and maintenance of public libraries in eight towns and hundreds of villages throughout Scotland.
An Innovative Northern Ireland Library Service: the Antrim County Library and the North Eastern Education and Library Board 1959–1995, with a Comparison of the Recent History of Library Services in the Area
Authors: Francis J P E
Published: May 2008

The first UK public libraries, established under the Public Libraries Act (1850), were essentially urban institutions. The needs of village and rural residents were barely taken into consideration until county library authorities were authorized in 1919. Methods and routines developed in cities and towns were adopted, although they were not designed for residents spread thinly across wider areas. From 1959 to 1995, when it reverted to standard UK methods, one authority, the Antrim County Library, absorbed in 1973 into the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB), developed unique alternative library processes. The article, to a large degree a historical witness statement, compares the history of the NEELB, and its Antrim County Library forerunner, between 1959 and 1995, with the recent history of library services in the area.
A tree-based conservation scoring method for short linear motifs in multiple alignments of protein sequences
Authors: Chica Claudia , Labarga Alberto , Gould Cathryn M , López Rodrigo , Gibson Toby J
Published: May 2008

Background

The structure of many eukaryotic cell regulatory proteins is highly modular. They are assembled from globular domains, segments of natively disordered polypeptides and short linear motifs. The latter are involved in protein interactions and formation of regulatory complexes. The function of such proteins, which may be difficult to define, is the aggregate of the subfunctions of the modules. It is therefore desirable to efficiently predict linear motifs with some degree of accuracy, yet sequence database searches return results that are not significant.

Results

We have developed a method for scoring the conservation of linear motif instances. It requires only primary sequence-derived information (e.g. multiple alignment and sequence tree) and takes into account the degenerate nature of linear motif patterns. On our benchmarking, the method accurately scores 86% of the known positive instances, while distinguishing them from random matches in 78% of the cases. The conservation score is implemented as a real time application designed to be integrated into other tools. It is currently accessible via a Web Service or through a graphical interface.

Conclusion

The conservation score improves the prediction of linear motifs, by discarding those matches that are unlikely to be functional because they have not been conserved during the evolution of the protein sequences. It is especially useful for instances in non-structured regions of the proteins, where a domain masking filtering strategy is not applicable.
RETINOBASE: a web database, data mining and analysis platform for gene expression data on retina
Authors: Kalathur Ravi Kiran Reddy , Gagniere Nicolas , Berthommier Guillaume , Poidevin Laetitia , Raffelsberger Wolfgang , Ripp Raymond , Léveillard Thierry , Poch Olivier
Published: May 2008

Background

The retina is a multi-layered sensory tissue that lines the back of the eye and acts at the interface of input light and visual perception. Its main function is to capture photons and convert them into electrical impulses that travel along the optic nerve to the brain where they are turned into images. It consists of neurons, nourishing blood vessels and different cell types, of which neural cells predominate. Defects in any of these cells can lead to a variety of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis and glaucoma. Recent progress in genomics and microarray technology provides extensive opportunities to examine alterations in retinal gene expression profiles during development and diseases. However, there is no specific database that deals with retinal gene expression profiling. In this context we have built RETINOBASE, a dedicated microarray database for retina.

Description

RETINOBASE is a microarray relational database, analysis and visualization system that allows simple yet powerful queries to retrieve information about gene expression in retina. It provides access to gene expression meta-data and offers significant insights into gene networks in retina, resulting in better hypothesis framing for biological problems that can subsequently be tested in the laboratory. Public and proprietary data are automatically analyzed with 3 distinct methods, RMA, dChip and MAS5, then clustered using 2 different K-means and 1 mixture models method. Thus, RETINOBASE provides a framework to compare these methods and to optimize the retinal data analysis. RETINOBASE has three different modules, "Gene Information", "Raw Data System Analysis" and "Fold change system Analysis" that are interconnected in a relational schema, allowing efficient retrieval and cross comparison of data. Currently, RETINOBASE contains datasets from 28 different microarray experiments performed in 5 different model systems: drosophila, zebrafish, rat, mouse and human. The database is supported by a platform that is designed to easily integrate new functionalities and is also frequently updated.

Conclusion

The results obtained from various biological scenarios can be visualized, compared and downloaded. The results of a case study are presented that highlight the utility of RETINOBASE. Overall, RETINOBASE provides efficient access to the global expression profiling of retinal genes from different organisms under various conditions.
Improving the accuracy of template-based predictions by mixing and matching between initial models
Authors: Liu Tianyun , Guerquin Michal , Samudrala Ram
Published: May 2008

Background

Comparative modeling is a technique to predict the three dimensional structure of a given protein sequence based primarily on its alignment to one or more proteins with experimentally determined structures. A major bottleneck of current comparative modeling methods is the lack of methods to accurately refine a starting initial model so that it approaches the resolution of the corresponding experimental structure. We investigate the effectiveness of a graph-theoretic clique finding approach to solve this problem.

Results

Our method takes into account the information presented in multiple templates/alignments at the three-dimensional level by mixing and matching regions between different initial comparative models. This method enables us to obtain an optimized conformation ensemble representing the best combination of secondary structures, resulting in the refined models of higher quality. In addition, the process of mixing and matching accumulates near-native conformations, resulting in discriminating the native-like conformation in a more effective manner. In the seventh Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP7) experiment, the refined models produced are more accurate than the starting initial models.

Conclusion

This novel approach can be applied without any manual intervention to improve the quality of comparative predictions where multiple template/alignment combinations are available for modeling, producing conformational models of higher quality than the starting initial predictions.
Heterogeneous distribution of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance haplotypes in subsets of the host population
Authors: Schoepflin Sonja , Marfurt Jutta , Goroti Mary , Baisor Moses , Mueller Ivo , Felger Ingrid
Published: May 2008

Background

The emergence of drug resistance is a major problem in malaria control. For mathematical modelling of the transmission and spread of drug resistance the determinant parameters need to be identified and measured. The underlying hypothesis is that mutations associated with drug resistance incur fitness costs to the parasite in absence of drug pressure. The distribution of drug resistance haplotypes in different subsets of the host population was investigated. In particular newly acquired haplotypes after radical cure were characterized and compared to haplotypes from persistent infections.

Methods

Mutations associated with antimalarial drug resistance were analysed in parasites from children, adults, and new infections occurring after treatment. Twenty-five known single nucleotide polymorphisms from four Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with drug resistance were genotyped by DNA chip technology.

Results

Haplotypes were found to differ between subsets of the host population. A seven-fold mutated haplotype was significantly reduced in adults compared to children and new infections, whereas parasites harbouring fewer mutations were more frequent in adults.

Conclusion

The reduced frequency of highly mutated parasites in chronic infections in adults is likely a result of fitness costs of drug resistance that increases with number of mutations and is responsible for reduced survival of mutant parasites.
Small-molecule inhibition of proteasome and silencing by vascular endothelial cell growth factor-specific siRNA induce additive antitumor activity in multiple myeloma
Authors: Koldehoff Michael , Beelen Dietrich W , Elmaagacli Ahmet H
Published: May 2008

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression in multiple myeloma (MM), and MM cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which further promotes proliferation of the tumor cells. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-myeloma effect of VEGF small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing in MM cells and whether it can be augmented by the additional application of bortezomib directed against the 26S proteasome. After transfection with VEGF siRNA, we observed a reduction of VEGF expression in all studied cell lines: OPM-2, RPMI-8226, INA-6, Jurkat, Raji, and Karpas-299, as well as in cells of MM and lymphoma patients. VEGF siRNA significantly induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in OPM-2 cells (P<0.0001), RPMI-8226 (P<0.0001), and INA-6 (P<0.01) versus controls. Cotreatment with VEGF siRNA and bortezomib in MM cells resulted in an exaggerated inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis compared with VEGF siRNA or bortezomib alone (P<0.001). In addition, the combination of VEGF siRNA and bortezomib significantly (P<0.01) reversed multidrug resistance gene 1-dependent resistance of MM cells. Our data suggest that small-molecule inhibition of proteasome and silencing by VEGF-specific siRNA may be associated with an additive antitumor activity and might be a suitable target for new, therapeutic strategies using RNA interference in MM.
Analyse der evolutiven Adaptation am Beispiel einer pyruvat-auxotrophen Escherichia coli-Mutante (Analysis of the Evolutive Adaptation of a Pyruvate-auxotrophic Escherichia coli Mutant)
Authors: Feuer Ronny , Ederer Michael , Gilles Ernst-Dieter , Sprenger Georg A. , Sawodny Oliver , Sauter Thomas
Published: May 2008

Die biotechnische Herstellung von Substanzen mit Hilfe von Mikroorganismen ist ein wirtschaftlich wichtiges Einsatzgebiet der Systembiologie. In diesem Artikel wird ein pyruvat-auxotropher Escherichia coli-Stamm eingesetzt, um durch evolutive Adaptation alternative Stoffwechselwege zum Pyruvat zu aktivieren. Das Ergebnis der Experimente sind pyruvat-prototrophe Stämme, die mit ihren alternativen Stoffwechselwegen als Grundlage für Produktionstämme eingesetzt werden können, um später damit gezielt in diesen Wegen auftretende Zwischenprodukte industriell herzustellen. Mit Hilfe eines einfachen dynamischen Modells wird die evolutive Adaptation im Chemostat untersucht. Es können dabei Einstellregeln für die Zulaufkonzentration und Verdünnungsrate im Bioreaktor zur beschleunigten Gewinnung pyruvat-prototropher Stämme geschlussfolgert werden. Die Flussbilanzanalyse des metabolischen Netzwerkes des pyruvat-auxotrophen Stammes ergibt 20 verschiedene alternative Flussverteilungen. Zur übersichtlichen Darstellung solcher Flussverteilungen wird eine reduzierte Visualisierungsmethode vorgestellt.
Rückkopplungen im Leben und Sterben einer Zelle: Ansätze zur systemtheoretischen Analyse (Feedback during Life and Death of a Cell: Approaches for Systems Theoretical Analysis)
Authors: Waldherr Steffen , Eissing Thomas , Allögwer Frank
Published: May 2008

Komplexe Interaktionen in biologischen Systemen erfordern die Anwendung systemtheoretischer Methoden, um ein tieferes Verständnis der beteiligten Prozesse zu erreichen. Eine wichtige Rolle spielen dabei verschiedene Rückkopplungsmechanismen, die viele physiologische Funktionen erst ermöglichen. Dieser Beitrag diskutiert solche Funktionen auf zellulärer Ebene sowie Ansätze, über die diese Mechanismen mit systemtheoretischen Methoden untersucht werden können. Beispielhaft werden Arbeiten aus unserer Gruppe vorgestellt, die einen Beitrag zu einem besseren Verständnis des programmierten Zelltods liefern.
Gene-Centric Genomewide Association Study via Entropy
Authors: Cui Yuehua , Kang Guolian , Sun Kelian , Qian Minping , Romero Roberto , Fu Wenjiang
Published: May 2008

Genes are the functional units in most organisms. Compared to genetic variants located outside genes, genic variants are more likely to affect disease risk. The development of the human HapMap project provides an unprecedented opportunity for genetic association studies at the genomewide level for elucidating disease etiology. Currently, most association studies at the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or the haplotype level rely on the linkage information between SNP markers and disease variants, with which association findings are difficult to replicate. Moreover, variants in genes might not be sufficiently covered by currently available methods. In this article, we present a gene-centric approach via entropy statistics for a genomewide association study to identify disease genes. The new entropy-based approach considers genic variants within one gene simultaneously and is developed on the basis of a joint genotype distribution among genetic variants for an association test. A grouping algorithm based on a penalized entropy measure is proposed to reduce the dimension of the test statistic. Type I error rates and power of the entropy test are evaluated through extensive simulation studies. The results indicate that the entropy test has stable power under different disease models with a reasonable sample size. Compared to single SNP-based analysis, the gene-centric approach has greater power, especially when there is more than one disease variant in a gene. As the genomewide genic SNPs become available, our entropy-based gene-centric approach would provide a robust and computationally efficient way for gene-based genomewide association study.
Altered Dosage and Mislocalization of Histone H3 and Cse4p Lead to Chromosome Loss in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Au Wei-Chun , Crisp Matthew J , DeLuca Steven Z , Rando Oliver J , Basrai Munira A
Published: May 2008

Cse4p is an essential histone H3 variant in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that defines centromere identity and is required for proper segregation of chromosomes. In this study, we investigated phenotypic consequences of Cse4p mislocalization and increased dosage of histone H3 and Cse4p, and established a direct link between histone stoichiometry, mislocalization of Cse4p, and chromosome segregation. Overexpression of the stable Cse4p mutant, cse4K16R, resulted in its mislocalization, increased association with chromatin, and a high rate of chromosome loss, all of which were suppressed by constitutive expression of histone H3 (Δ16H3). We determined that Δ16H3 did not lead to increased chromosome loss; however, increasing the dosage of histone H3 (GALH3) resulted in significant chromosome loss due to reduced levels of centromere (CEN)-associated Cse4p and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) in kinetochore mutants. These phenotypes were suppressed by GALCSE4. We conclude that the chromosome missegregation of GALcse4K16R and GALH3 strains is due to mislocalization and a functionally compromised kinetochore, respectively. Suppression of these phenotypes by histone Δ16H3 and GALCSE4 supports the conclusion that proper stoichiometry affects the localization of histone H3 and Cse4p and is thus essential for accurate chromosome segregation.
EMLA Cream and Nitrous Oxide to Alleviate Pain Induced by Palivizumab (Synagis) Intramuscular Injections in Infants and Young Children
Authors: Carbajal Ricardo , Biran Valérie , Lenclen Richard , Epaud Ralph , Cimerman Patricia , Thibault Pascale , Annequin Daniel , Gold Francis , Fauroux Brigitte
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE. Palivizumab (Synagis [Abbot Laboratories, Kent, United Kingdom]) is recommended for the prevention of severe lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus in infants at high risk. These injections are very painful, and currently the use of analgesics is not systematic. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of EMLA with premixed 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen, used alone or combined with EMLA, for pain alleviation during palivizumab injections.

METHODS. This randomized, double-blind, multicenter study included children who were younger than 24 months. Each child randomly received during the first 3 monthly injections 3 different analgesic interventions: (1) EMLA: application of EMLA plus air inhalation; (2) nitrous oxide/oxygen: inhalation of 50/50 nitrous oxide/oxygen plus application of a placebo cream; and (3) nitrous oxide/oxygen plus EMLA: inhalation of 50/50 nitrous oxide/oxygen plus application of EMLA. Each child was his or her own control. Procedural pain was assessed through videotapes with the Modified Behavioral Pain Scale. The procedure itself was subdivided in 2 periods: (1) injection and (2) recovery (first 30 seconds after the removal of the needle). Modified Behavioral Pain Scale scores over time (injection and recovery periods) and among treatments were compared by repeated-measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS. Fifty-five children were included. Mean ± SD Modified Behavioral Pain Scale pain scores for EMLA, nitrous oxide/oxygen, and nitrous oxide/oxygen plus EMLA were, respectively, 9.3 ± 1.0, 8.8 ± 1.2, and 8.2 ± 1.8 during the injection and 7.8 ± 1.7, 7.4 ± 1.9, and 6.9 ± 2.4 during the recovery period. A significant time and treatment effect in favor of the combined nitrous oxide/oxygen plus EMLA was observed.

CONCLUSIONS. The administration of 50/50 nitrous oxide/oxygen to infants and young children is effective in decreasing the pain associated with palivizumab intramuscular injections. The combined nitrous oxide/oxygen plus EMLA cream was more effective than either EMLA cream or nitrous oxide/oxygen alone.
Plasma parathyroid hormone-related peptide and bone metabolism in periparturient dairy cows
Authors: Filipović Natalija , Stojević Zvonko , Zdelar-Tuk Maja , Kušec Vesna
Published: May 2008

The first weeks of lactation in dairy cows are characterised by elevated bone resorption. The connection between lactation and bone metabolism is still much discussed. In this work, changes in the concentration of plasma parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and markers of bone metabolism were studied in Holstein cows and heifers in the dry period and early lactation to determine the role of PTHrP in the relationship between the rate of bone remodelling and the onset of lactation in dairy cows. Blood samples were taken 14 days before calving (‘D-14’, n = 23) and then on day 10 (‘D+10’, n = 21) and day 30 after calving (‘D+30’, n = 23). Using enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the concentrations of PTHrP, parathyroid hormone (PTH), carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and oestradiol and the activity of bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP) were determined. The results showed a statistically significant increase in plasma PTHrP (p < 0.005) and CTX (p < 0.0001) in cows on ‘D+10’ as compared to ‘D-14’ and CTX on ‘D+30’ as compared to ‘D-14’ (p < 0.0001). Significant negative correlations were found between the concentrations of PTHrP and oestradiol (r = −0.29, p < 0.05) and those of CTX and oestradiol (r = −0.54, p < 0.0001). In nonpregnant heifers (n = 6), the concentration of CTX and the activity of BSALP were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than in dry cows. The observed increments of PTHrP and bone resorption after parturition reveal adaptations of bone metabolism to lactation in dairy cows.
Denatured virion protein 1 of equine rhinitis B virus 1 contains authentic B-cell epitopes recognised in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay—Short communication
Authors: Kriegshäuser Gernot , Cullinane Anne , Kuechler Ernst , Skern Timothy
Published: May 2008

Equine rhinitis B virus 1 (ERBV1), genus
Erbovirus,
family
Picornaviridae
, is a pathogen of horses which causes clinical and subclinical infection of the upper respiratory tract in horses. The virus is widespread in European horse populations and the current standard method for the detection of antibody against ERBV1 is by virus neutralisation (VN). VN tests, however, are labour-intensive and time-consuming, require tissue culture facilities, and generally do not provide same-day results. In this study, a protocol for the high-level expression and purification of recombinant virion protein 1 (rVP1) was established using metal-chelate affinity chromatography under denaturing condition. When used as a coating antigen in a prototype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), denatured rVP1 was recognised by ERBV1 antibody present in horse serum. This finding suggests that denatured rVP1 is a promising candidate for the development of an ELISA to be used in the routine laboratory diagnosis of ERBV1 infection in horses.
Effect of DGAT1 and TG gene polymorphisms on intramuscular fat and on milk production traits in different cattle breeds in Hungary
Authors: Anton István , Kovács Katalin , Fésüs László , Várhegyi József , Lehel László , Hajda Zoltán , Polgár J. , Szabó Ferenc , Zsolnai Attila
Published: May 2008

The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of the thyroglobulin (TG) locus on beef quality traits in some beef cattle breeds and to investigate the effect of the DGAT1 locus on milk production traits in the Hungarian Holstein Friesian population. TG and DGAT1 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. At the TG locus TT bulls showed the highest fat percentage values in the longissimus dorsi muscle (m. longissimus dorsi); the difference between CC and TT genotypes was significant. DGAT1 GC/GC cows had the highest milk, fat and protein yield values. Due to the relatively small number of GC/GC cows the difference proved to be significant only between AA/AA and AA/GC genotypes.
Contribution of food deprivation to the immune response in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) vaccinated against Cryptobia salmositica and Aeromonas salmonicida
Authors: Nourollahi-Fard Saeid
Published: May 2008

The aims of the present study were to determine (a) the effectiveness of an attenuated live
Cryptobia salmositica
vaccine; (b) the effects of food deprivation on the immune response and its duration in rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
) immunised with a live
C. salmositica
vaccine or with a killed
Aeromonas salmonicida
vaccine. The fish were divided into three groups (I, II and III; 14 fish per group), those in Groups I and II were under food deprivation (0.40% of body weight), while Group III fish were fed to satiety. The study showed that the attenuated strain of
C. salmositica
did not cause anaemia and disease, and the fish were protected from clinical disease when they were challenged with virulent parasites. Parasitaemia in all fish vaccinated and challenged with virulent
C. salmositica
fluctuated and was relatively low; however, fish in Group III had higher parasitaemia than those in Groups I and II between weeks 8 and 14. The numbers of activated neutrophils increased [nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay] after immunisation with both
Cryptobia
and
Aeromonas
vaccines and they remained high throughout the experiment. Antibody production (ELISA values) increased after vaccination and were slightly higher in Group III. ELISA titres against
A. salmonicida
increased after vaccination and decreased after 5 weeks. The titres increased again after the vaccinated fish were given booster, and they were higher than those in the first vaccinated fish.
Sustainability of land remediation. Part 2: impact assessment
Authors: Harbottle M. J. , Al-Tabbaa A. , Evans C. W.
Published: May 2008

A comparative assessment was carried out of the technical/environmental sustainability of five different contaminated land remediation projects completed in the UK between 1997 and 2002. The remediation technologies employed in those projects were in situ stabilisation/solidification, soil washing, ex situ bioremediation, cover system, and excavation and disposal to landfill. A further objective of the assessment was to highlight areas of sustainability concerns for the individual technologies and projects. The assessment is based around four principal criteria defined by the authors. Each project was assessed using both an overall multi-criteria analysis, detailed in Part 1 of this paper, and a detailed impact assessment, detailed here in Part 2.
Estimation of mean effective stress in clay soils
Authors: Shohet D. C.
Published: May 2008

This paper proposes a simple method for estimating the horizontal effective stress in clay soils, from which the mean effective stress can be determined. It is shown that the method is applicable to a wide range of clay soils with varying stress histories, including normally consolidated and heavily overconsolidated clays. Although this paper is expected to be of use to many practitioners in the field of geotechnical engineering, it also has a particular relevance with respect to the effects of moisture abstraction on shrinkable clay soils by vegetation, or simply by seasonal variations. While the effects are well known, the methods for identifying clay desiccation and for calculating heave potential are often relatively expensive, and the results can be inconclusive. Using the proposed method, this paper describes a simple and low-cost alternative method for estimating the in situ mean effective stress in desiccated clay soils. This information can be used to confirm the likely depth of clay desiccation, and provides a means of calculating a further estimate of heave potential.
New Directions in Research on Health Anxiety and Hypochondriasis: Commentary on a Timely Special Series
Authors: Olatunji Bunmi O.
Published: May 2008

Hypochondriasis is considered a somatoform disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text revision; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Conceptualizations of hypochondriasis as a form of severe health anxiety has resulted in a resurgence of interest among clinical researchers. The purpose of this article is to address several themes that have been highlighted in the articles in this special series with regard to the phenomenology of hypochondriasis and health anxiety. Topics covered include the conceptualization and assessment, specific and general risk factors, differential diagnosis, and treatment. The implications of the findings from this special series for a new research agenda on hypochondriasis and health anxiety are also discussed.
Confirmation of the Validity of the HAQ-DI in Two Populations Living With Chronic Illnesses
Authors: Sousa Karen H. , Kwok Oi-Man , Ryu Ehri , Cook Susanne W.
Published: May 2008

The assessment of functional health in chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and rheumatoid arthritis is central to the measurement of health-related quality of life. The purpose of this article is to report the testing and comparison of the measurement structure of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), a measure of functional health, in 917 persons living with HIV/AIDS and 901 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. The samples come from data collected as part of the Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Aging Medical Information System (ARAMIS) and AIDS Time-Oriented Health Outcome Study (ATHOS) projects. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the hypothesized structure represented by a general factor (functional health) and eight measured items was tested separately. Based on the fit indexes, the model fit the ATHOS data (χ2 = 36.933, p < .0117; CFI = 1.000; SRMR = 0.025). After correlating the error terms for two of the measured items, the model also fit the ARAMIS data (χ2 = 302.34, p = .0000; CFI = 0.937; SRMR = 0.041). This analysis provides further support of the construct validity of the HAQ-DI for persons living with HIV/AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
Development and Testing of a Scale to Measure Separation Anxiety of Parents of Adolescents
Authors: Dashiff Carol J. , Weaver Michael
Published: May 2008

Separation anxiety as an experience of parents of adolescents remains underinvestigated. The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to assess parental separation anxiety of mothers and fathers of adolescent sons and daughters, that is, the Parental Separation Anxiety Scale (PSAS). The Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale was adapted to address this purpose. Three studies were conducted to assess item performance, internal consistency and test–retest reliability, and construct and predictive validity. Internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.91 to 0.93 across samples. Factor analysis indicated four factors with a primary factor (70% of variance) that was consistent with attachment theory. Parental separation anxiety was negatively associated with global relationship quality (r = –0.23, p = .01). Maternal separation anxiety was negatively associated with cognitive autonomy of sons (r = –0.34, p = .05), while paternal separation anxiety was positively associated with cognitive autonomy of daughters (r = 0.20, p = .05). It was concluded that the final 18-item PSAS has good psychometric qualities and is appropriate for use with parents of chronically ill and healthy adolescents.
Consequences of GAAP Disclosure Regulation: Evidence from Municipal Debt Issues
Authors: Baber William R. , Gore Angela K.
Published: May 2008

We compare characteristics of municipal debt issues in states that mandate GAAP for municipalities with issues in states that impose no annual financial disclosure requirements. Cross-sectional comparisons indicate that the use of public (versus private) debt is greater, and municipal debt costs are 14 to 25 basis points lower, in states where GAAP is mandated. Moreover, municipalities in states that impose the GAAP requirement realize lower debt costs following the effective date of the regulation. These results suggest that GAAP requirements reduce municipal borrowing costs. More generally, the evidence indicates that financial reporting regulation reduces contracting costs between borrowers and lenders.
International GAAP Differences: The Impact on Foreign Analysts
Authors: Bae Kee-Hong , Tan Hongping , Welker Michael
Published: May 2008

This paper investigates the relation between differences in accounting standards across countries and foreign analyst following and forecast accuracy. We develop two measures of differences in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for 1,176 country-pairs. We then examine the impact of these measures of accounting differences on foreign analysts. In so doing, we utilize a unique database that identifies the location of financial analysts around the world, creating a sample that covers 6,888 foreign analysts making a total of 43,968 forecasts for 6,169 firms from 49 countries during 1998–2004. We find that the extent to which GAAP differs between two countries is negatively related to both foreign analyst following and forecast accuracy. Our results suggest that GAAP differences are associated with economic costs for financial analysts.
Palmitate Impairs and Eicosapentaenoate Restores Insulin Secretion Through Regulation of SREBP-1c in Pancreatic Islets
Authors: Kato Toyonori , Shimano Hitoshi , Yamamoto Takashi , Ishikawa Mayumi , Kumadaki Shin , Matsuzaka Takashi , Nakagawa Yoshimi , Yahagi Naoya , Nakakuki Masanori , Hasty Alyssa H. , Takeuchi Yoshinori , Kobayashi Kazuto , Takahashi Akimitsu , Yatoh Shigeru , Suzuki Hiroaki , Sone Hirohito , Yamada Nobuhiro
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—Chronic exposure to fatty acids causes β-cell failure, often referred to as lipotoxicity. We investigated its mechanisms, focusing on contribution of SREBP-1c, a key transcription factor for lipogenesis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We studied in vitro and in vivo effects of saturated and polyunsaturated acids on insulin secretion, insulin signaling, and expression of genes involved in β-cell functions. Pancreatic islets isolated from C57BL/6 control and SREBP-1–null mice and adenoviral gene delivery or knockdown systems of related genes were used.

RESULTS—Incubation of C57BL/6 islets with palmitate caused inhibition of both glucose- and potassium-stimulated insulin secretion, but addition of eicosapentaenoate (EPA) restored both inhibitions. Concomitantly, palmitate activated and EPA abolished both mRNA and nuclear protein of SREBP-1c, accompanied by reciprocal changes of SREBP-1c target genes such as insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) and granuphilin. These palmitate-EPA effects on insulin secretion were abolished in SREBP-1–null islets. Suppression of IRS-2/Akt pathway could be a part of the downstream mechanism for the SREBP-1c–mediated insulin secretion defect because adenoviral constitutively active Akt compensated it. Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) also plays a crucial role in the palmitate inhibition of insulin secretion, as confirmed by knockdown experiments, but SREBP-1c contribution to UCP-2 regulation was partial. The palmitate-EPA regulation of insulin secretion was similarly observed in islets from C57BL/6 mice pretreated with dietary manipulations. Furthermore, administration of EPA to diabetic KK-Ay mice ameliorated impairment of insulin secretion in their islets.

CONCLUSIONS—SREBP-1c plays a dominant role in palmitate-mediated insulin secretion defect, and EPA prevents it through SREBP-1c inhibition, implicating a therapeutic potential for treating diabetes related to lipotoxicity.
Registration of Strong‐Rps1k Soybean Germplasm Line
Authors: Mian M. A. Rouf , Cooper Richard L. , Dorrance Anne E.
Published: May 2008

Strong‐Rps1k (Reg. No. GP‐359, PI 644025) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm line was developed jointly by the USDA‐ARS and The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) at Wooster, OH. It was released because it carried the Rps1k gene for race specific resistance to Phytophthora root and stem rot (caused by Phytophthora sojae Kaufmann & Gerdemann) in the semidwarf background of cultivar Strong. Strong, which has the Rps1a gene, is well known for its adaptation to high yield environments where excessive vegetative growth and early lodging limit the yield potential of taller indeterminate soybean cultivars. Strong‐Rps1k was developed by backcrossing the Rps1k gene from cultivar Sprite 87 into Strong. Seeds from the BC5F2:3 plants homozygous for the Rps1k gene were bulked to make Strong‐Rps1k. It was evaluated for agronomic performance in local and regional tests. Performance of Strong‐Rps1k was comparable to that of Strong. The Rps1k gene provides resistance against a wider range the P. sojae populations that are present in the North‐Central U.S. soybean‐growing region than does the Rps1a gene. Thus, Strong‐Rps1k may be useful for breeders and researchers interested in developing new germplasm with resistance to Phytophthora root and stem rot with specific adaptation to high‐yielding environments.
Registration of a Hexaploid Wheat Translocation Line Carrying a Short Segment of Chromosome 5Am including Softness Genes Pina and Pinb from Triticum monococcum
Authors: Bonafede Marcos , Chicaiza Osvaldo , Tranquilli Gabriela , Dubcovsky Jorge
Published: May 2008

Translocation line T5AmS‐5AS·5AL R#45 (Reg. No. GP‐839, PI 651012) carries the distal region of Triticum monococcum L. chromosome 5AmS translocated into the 5AS chromosome of T. aestivum L. cultivar Chinese Spring. This translocation line was developed in collaboration with the Instituto de Recursos Biológicos, INTA, Argentina, and the University of California, Davis, CA. The distal T. monococcum 5AmS segment in T5AmS‐5AS·5AL R#45 is approximately 8 cM long and carries the active softness genes Pina and Pinb in the genetic background of Chinese Spring. This translocation replaced the deleted Pina and Pinb puroindoline genes from T. aestivum by the functional orthologs from T. monococcum, significantly reducing the hardness of the grain. Translocation line T5AmS‐5AS·5AL R#45 has a shorter segment of T. monococcum chromosome 5Am relative to previous translocations, minimizing linkage drag and the probability of negative effects associated with the introgression of alien genes.
Registration of Near‐Isogenic Hard‐Textured Wheat Lines Differing for Presence of a High Grain Protein Gene
Authors: Sherman J. D. , Lanning S. P. , Clark D. , Talbert L. E.
Published: May 2008

Montana State University and Westbred LLC. announce the release of eight sets of near‐isogenic hard wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines: 06IFAFS2 (Reg. No. GP‐840, PI 651502), 06IFAFS3 (Reg. No. GP‐841, PI 651503), 06IFAFS16 (Reg. No. GP‐842, PI 651504), 06IFAFS17 (Reg. No. GP‐843, PI 651505), 06IFAFS26 (Reg. No. GP‐844, PI 651506), 06IFAFS27 (Reg. No. GP‐845, PI 651507), 06IFAFS36 (Reg. No. GP‐846, PI 651508), 06IFAFS37 (Reg. No. GP‐847, PI 651509), 06IFAFS44 (Reg. No. GP‐848, PI 651510), 06IFAFS45 (Reg. No. GP‐849, PI 651511), 06IFAFS48 (Reg. No. GP‐850, PI 651512), 06IFAFS49 (Reg. No. GP‐851, PI 651513), 06IFAFS223 (Reg. No. GP‐852, PI 651514), 06IFAFS227 (Reg. No. GP‐853, PI 651515), 06IFAFS225 (Reg. No. GP‐854, PI 651516), 06IFAFS233 (Reg. No. GP‐855, PI 651517) differing for the presence of the high grain protein gene Gpc‐B1. These lines may serve as a germplasm source for hard red and hard white spring wheat breeding programs and provide materials to investigate the effects of Gpc‐B1 in high protein wheat backgrounds.
Breeding for Multiple Disease Resistance in Sugarbeet: Registration of FC220 and FC221
Authors: Panella Lee , Lewellen R. T. , Hanson Linda E.
Published: May 2008

FC220 (Reg. No. GP‐263, PI 651015) and FC221 (Reg. No. GP‐264, PI 651016) sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) germplasm were released from 05‐FC1030‐15 (Sp) and 05‐FC1030‐16 (Sp) seed lots, respectively, and tested under those designations and as 03‐FC1030‐15 and 03‐FC1030‐16, respectively. They were developed by the USDA–ARS, at Fort Collins, CO, and at Salinas, CA, in cooperation with the Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Denver, CO. FC220 and FC221 are multigerm sugarbeet germplasm in fertile cytoplasm, segregating for self‐fertility and hypocotyl color. Both have resistance to root‐rotting strains (AG‐2‐2) of Rhizoctonia solani Kühn and are segregating for the Rz1 gene, which confers resistance to some strains of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus, the causal agent of rhizomania. These germplasm have moderate resistance to Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechs., which causes aphanomyces root rot (aphanomyces black root). FC221 is moderately resistant to curly top caused by Beet severe curly top virus. FC220 is resistant to the sugarbeet root aphid (Pemphigus sp.). Both germplasm are moderately susceptible to cercospora leaf spot, caused by Cercospora beticola Sacc. FC220 and FC221 have favorable yield characteristics when evaluated as lines or in experimental hybrids under rhizomania conditions at Salinas, CA. Under these conditions, FC220, as a line and in hybrid combinations, had a slight to significantly higher sucrose concentration than FC221.
Registration of W6 26740, W6 26743, and W6 26745 Green Pea Germplasm Resistant to Fusarium Root Rot
Authors: Coyne Clarice J. , Porter Lyndon D. , Inglis Debra A. , Grünwald Niklaus J. , McPhee Kevin E. , Muehlbauer Fred J.
Published: May 2008

Three F8–derived breeding lines W6 26740 (RIL 846_34; GP‐96, PI 652444), W6 26743 (RIL 846_40; GP‐97, PI 652445), and W6 26745 (RIL 847_36; GP‐98, PI 652446) of green pea (Pisum sativum L.), selected from a recombinant inbred line population developed by the USDA–ARS in 2002, are unique in combining high levels of resistance to Fusarium root rot [caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. f. sp. pisi (F.R. Jones) W.C. Snyder & H.N. Hans.] with acceptable agronomic traits. They will be useful as a resource for developing root rot resistant green pea cultivars. The parentage of W6 26740, W6 26743, and W6 26745 is a cross between ‘Dark Skin Perfection’/90‐2131 made in 1994 at Pullman, WA. Dark Skin Perfection is a freezing and canning cultivar characterized by straight, blunt, green, double pods; it was used by pea breeders in the 1950s as a source of resistance to Fusarium wilt race 1 [caused by F. oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp. pisi (van Hall) Snyd. & Hans]. 90‐2131 is a germplasm release characterized by white flowers, green cotyledons, a clear seed coat, a black hilum and dimpled seed. This line has partial resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (caused by Aphanomyces euteiches Drechs.), Fusarium root rot, and Fusarium wilt races 1, 5, and 6. W6 26740, W6 26743 and W6 26746 are expected to serve as parental lines in the development of cultivars with improved disease resistance primarily to Fusarium root rot.
Registration of ‘Georgia‐07W’ Peanut
Authors: Branch W. D. , Brenneman T. B.
Published: May 2008

‘Georgia‐07W’ (Reg. No. CV‐102, PI 652441) is a high‐yielding, large‐seeded, runner‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar with resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and white mold (Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.). It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Stations at Tifton, GA, and was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2007. Georgia‐07W originated from a cross made between ‘C‐99R’ × ‘Georgia Green’. Pedigree selection was practiced within the early‐segregating generations. Performance testing began in the F4:6 generation with the advanced pure‐line selection, GA 011514, the experimental designation of Georgia‐07W. Averaged over 14 tests conducted at three locations in Georgia during three years (2004–2006), Georgia‐07W had significantly less midseason TSWV incidence and late‐season total disease (TSWV and soilborne disease) incidence, and significantly higher yield, grade, and dollar value return per hectare compared with the two parental check cultivars, C‐99R and Georgia Green, respectively. Georgia‐07W has also shown significantly less white mold and significantly higher pod yield compared with the resistant female parent, C‐99R, when grown in soil with high disease pressure from S. rolfsii
Registration of ‘Lenetah’ Spring Barley
Authors: Obert D. E. , Evans C. P. , Wesenberg D. M. , Windes J. M. , Erickson C. A. , Jackson E. W. , Chen X. , Whitmore J. C.
Published: May 2008

‘Lenetah’ (Reg. No. CV‐338, PI 652440) two‐rowed spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was developed by the Agricultural Research Service, Aberdeen, ID, in cooperation with the Idaho Agricultural Experimental Station and released in December 2007. Lenetah was selected from the cross 94Ab12981/91Ab3148. 94Ab12981 has the pedigree 85Ab2323/‘Camas’. 85Ab2323 has the pedigree 79Ab19042/‘Crystal’. 79Ab19042 is a selection from the cross ‘Klages’/‘Hector’. Camas is a selection from the cross ND5976/ND7159. ND5976 has the pedigree ‘Maris Concord’/Klages//ND2679‐4 and ND7159 has the pedigree Klages/ND1244/3/ND2685/ND1156//Hector. 91Ab3148 has the pedigree ‘Gallatin’/‘Targhee’//‘Bowman’. Lenetah was selected as an F5:6 line in 2001 and given the experimental designation 01Ab11107. It was released due to its superior yield and test weight compared to ‘Baronesse’, the most widely grown feed barley in Idaho and Montana. The yield advantage over Baronesse is especially pronounced in northern Idaho and eastern Washington and under dryland conditions.