bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylation‐Based Analysis of Circulating DNA for Breast Tumor Screening
Authors: Rykova Elena Y. , Tsvetovskaya Galina A. , Sergeeva Galina I. , Vlassov Valentin V. , Laktionov Pavel P.
Published: August 2009

The applicability of cyclin D2 and RARβ2 methylated markers for the development of a breast tumor screening assay was evaluated. Overall, 76 volunteers (mean age, 50.4 years), including clinically healthy women and women with breast lesions, were enrolled in a blind study of methylation of the cyclin D2 and RARβ2 genes. Methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) was conducted using total circulating DNA (cirDNA) from the blood, including the cell‐free and cell‐surface‐bound DNA fractions. Only 1 of the 25 women of the clinically healthy group displayed methylated cyclin D2 gene (4%). However, 42% of the patients with primary diagnosis of breast fibroadenoma showed an aberrant methylation of at least one of the tested genes in the cirDNA. The number of patients with breast lesions (mastopathy) not diagnosed as fibroadenoma that displayed methylation was lower (33%). A long‐term follow‐up study based on a quantitative evaluation of cyclin D2 and RARβ2 methylation in cirDNA will provide the data on applicability of these markers for breast tumor predictive diagnostics.
Extracellular DNA Fragments
Authors: Ermakov Aleksei V. , Kostyuk Svetlana V. , Konkova Marina S. , Egolina Natalya A. , Malinovskaya Elena M. , Veiko Natalya N.
Published: August 2009

During the development of the adaptive response, the pericentromeric loci of homologous chromosomes appear to move from the perimembrane sites of the cell nucleus and approach each other for a possible repair of double‐stranded breaks of DNA in the process of homologous recombination. After exposure to X‐ray radiation at an adapting dose of 10 cGy, transposition of the chromosomal pericentromeric loci and the accompanying activation of the chromosomal nucleolus‐forming regions (NFRs) were observed in the irradiated lymphocytes, and were seen also in the intact bystander cells incubated in the growth medium of the exposed lymphocytes (the so‐called bystander effect). From the culture medium of the irradiated and intact lymphocytes, we isolated DNA fragments that were introduced into the medium of nonirradiated cells in independent experiments. The bystander lymphocytes were found to demonstrate both transposition of the loci of homologous chromosomes and activation of the chromosomal NFRs, whereas after inoculation of the DNA fragments of the unirradiated cells, neither of the above effects was observed. Discussed herein are the characteristics of the factors revealed and possible pathways of stress signaling between the irradiated lymphocytes and the bystander cells.
Detection and Monitoring of Cell‐Free DNA in Blood of Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Schwarzenbach Heidi , Stoehlmacher Jan , Pantel Klaus , Goekkurt Eray
Published: August 2009

Cell‐free tumor‐specific and normal DNA are released into the blood circulation by cellular necrosis and apoptosis. We examined whether circulating DNA in blood of patients with colorectal cancer could be used as an additional marker for diagnosis and response to therapy. The concentration of circulating cell‐free DNA in the blood of 55 patients with advanced colorectal cancer and 20 healthy donors was measured. One to four follow‐up serum samples from 14 patients were also available. Patients with colorectal cancer had a wide range of DNA concentrations in their blood. The calculated values were between 22 and 3922 ng/mL DNA, with a mean and median value of 1157 ng/mL and 868 ng/mL, respectively. In contrast, the average concentration of cell‐free DNA in the serum of healthy donors was significantly lower (5–16 ng/mL). During therapy the levels of serum DNA were not constant, but fluctuated, regardless of the chemotherapy used. High DNA levels of >1000 ng/mL of blood significantly correlated with a shorter survival (P= 0.02). Quantitative analysis demonstrates that elevated DNA levels can be detected in blood of patients with colorectal cancer and may be a useful tool in combination with other tumor markers for detection of colorectal cancer.
Optimization of Purification of Human Cell‐Free mRNA from Plasma
Authors: Dovc‐Drnovsek Tadeja , Emersic Barbara , Rozman Primoz , Cerne Darko , Lukac‐Bajalo Jana
Published: August 2009

Cell‐free RNA has a potential for diagnosis and prognosis of many diseases. Our aim was to optimize a commercially available QIAamp UltraSens Virus Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) for isolation of mRNA from human plasma. The amount of carrier RNA to bind plasma mRNA, the centrifugal force to pellet the mRNA–carrier RNA complex, the incubation time for proteolysis, and the centrifugal force to bind mRNA to the silica gel membrane were modified in order to maximize the yield of isolated mRNA. The isolated cell‐free mRNA was detected for cycA using TaqMan real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. The lowest threshold cycle (Ct) was obtained with the use of 4.0 μL of carrier RNA. Pelleting with a centrifugal force of 1500 ×g yielded the lowest Ct, but caused difficulties in resuspending the pellet. Therefore, we suggest using a lower centrifugal force of 1300 ×g. The duration of proteolysis had no effect on Ct. To bind mRNA to the silica gel membrane, a centrifugal force of 5000 ×g is recommended. Our results show that the UltraSens Virus Kit is an appropriate choice for isolating mRNA from human plasma, with imprecision expressed as coefficient of variation below 2%.
Fragments of Noncoding RNA in Plasma of Human Blood
Authors: Semenov Dmitry V. , Baryakin Dmitry N. , Kamynina Tatyana P. , Kuligina Elena V. , Richter Vladimir A.
Published: August 2009

Mammalian extracellular fluids, such as plasma of blood or plasma of milk, contain cell‐free RNAs. Fragments of ubiquitously expressed mRNAs as well as tumor‐specific and viral RNAs have been previously revealed in human plasmas by template‐defined RT‐PCR. In the present work we aimed to detect major forms of human blood plasma RNAs or to reveal new forms by using two approaches which were independent of context of RNA templates. The first approach was based on ligation of total plasma RNAs with adapter‐oligoribonucleotides, reverse transcription of RNA‐constructs, and amplification and cloning of cDNA. The second EST‐like approach involved reverse transcription of RNAs with 3′‐N6 degenerate primer, ligation of cDNA with dsDNA‐adapter, amplification and cloning. Using these approaches we determined tens of tiny RNAs of human plasma and identified several long (>100 nt) RNAs. Most of tiny RNAs could be attributed to the fragments of rRNAs, whereas longer forms are representatives of noncoding RNAs.
A Method for Characterization of Total Circulating DNA
Authors: Van Der Vaart Maniesh , Pretorius Piet J.
Published: August 2009

Although much work has been done in the field of circulating DNA, no definitive information on sequencing data of total circulating DNA is available. Characterization of total circulating DNA by sequence analysis may give valuable information about the origin and function of these nucleic acid molecules. Circulating DNA was isolated from plasma of one healthy individual and one cancer patient with various methods and was cloned into a blunted cloning vector. Resulting colonies were sequenced and analyzed. The majority of the DNA that ligated into the vector was about 200 bp in length. Sequence analysis revealed that circulating DNA consists partly of currently uncharacterized human genomic sequences and when human repeats were masked it matched with sequences present in contigs containing known genes situated at various distances from the identified targets. In addition to the presence of large repeats, a variety of Alu repeat sequences were observed. Preliminary results showed that more Alu repeats are present in the plasma of normal individuals than in patient material. None of the gene sequences reported in the literature to be part of circulating DNA (e.g., P53, the Ras family, β‐globin, or β‐actin) was observed. Cloning and sequencing of free circulating DNA was successful and this first attempt on characterizing sequence data of free circulating DNA not only confirmed previous results, but also revealed a large variety of sequences. Further characterization of circulating DNA may be beneficial in diagnosis and prognosis and may also contribute to determining the source and function of circulating DNA.
Deamination of Adenosines in Extracellular RNA Spontaneously Internalized by Human Cells
Authors: Kuligina Elena V. , Vratskih Oksana V. , Semenov Dmitry V. , Matveeva Vera A. , Richter Vladimir A.
Published: August 2009

Ribonucleic acids circulating in mammalian extracellular fluids as well as RNAs accumulating in culture medium condensed by mammalian cells are internalized by acceptor cells and distributed among cellular compartments. The internalized RNA can be involved in the induction and regulation of cellular processes as guide or signaling molecules. The internalization of RNA may be accompanied by covalent modifications influencing the stability and functionality of this RNA. To analyze nucleotide modifications introduced by human cells in internalized extracellular RNA, 5.8S rRNA of S. cerevisiae was used. It was shown that 5.8S rRNA of S. cerevisiae is captured by human adenocarcinoma MCF‐7 cells from culture medium and delivered to cytoplasm and nuclei. Most of the internalized RNA was hydrolyzed to mono‐ and oligonucleotides. Full‐length RNA uptake was detected by RT‐PCR in the cytoplasm and in nuclei after the pulse addition of RNA to the culture medium. 5′‐Inosine was the only detectable modified nucleotide in the hydrolysate of cell‐internalized RNAs. Consequently, extracellular RNAs entering human cells were subjected to partial adenosine deamination. Sequencing of cDNA confirmed that full‐length extracellular RNA that accumulated in the nucleus, but not in the cytoplasm, was partially edited by adenosine deaminases. The deamination revealed in nuclear‐stored, full‐length RNA was site‐specific. Adenosines edited in S. cerevisiae 5.8S rRNA are stack‐closing A‐U pairs A53 and A96, as well as unpaired A44 and A65. Our data emphasize the participation of adenosine deaminases in capturing and intracellular trafficking of internalized RNAs.
Splicing by Exon Exclusion Impaired by Artificial Box C/D RNA Targeted to Branch‐Point Adenosine
Authors: Semenov Dmitry V. , Vratskih Oksana V. , Kuligina Elena V. , Richter Vladimir A.
Published: August 2009

Box C/D small nucleolar RNAs guide the site‐specific 2′‐O‐ribose methylation of nucleotides in target rRNAs and snRNAs. In this study we used the ability of C/D box snoRNAs to guide modification of target RNAs with the aim of affecting the expression of predetermined human genes. We constructed an analogue of the human U24 box C/D RNA, the first antisense element of which was directed to induce 2′‐O‐ribose methylation of branch‐point adenosine in the intron of the human heat‐shock cognate protein (HSC8) pre‐mRNA. The second antisense element was directed to induce methylation of G1702 in human 18S rRNA. Constructed artificial box C/D RNA was obtained by in vitro transcription by T7 RNA polymerase from a synthetic DNA template. It was shown that passive transfection of human adenocarcinoma MCF‐7 cells with the artificial box C/D RNA, accompanied by heat shock, induced 2′‐O‐ribose methylation of targeted 18S rRNA guanosine G1702 and impaired splicing of the HSC8 pre‐mRNA. Derangement of HSC8 splicing was the result of exclusion of the exon downstream to the targeted intron branch point. The total efficacy of pre‐mRNA splicing impairment induced by artificial C/D box RNA was estimated as 6 to 10%.
Influence of Plasma DNA on Acid–Base Balance, Blood Gas Measurement, and Oxygen Transport in Health and Stroke
Authors: Konorova Irina L. , Veiko Natalya N. , Novikov Viktor E.
Published: August 2009

Hyperoxia and alkalemia, as a result of pulmonary hyperventilation and elevation of plasma DNA (pDNA), are seen during the first 24 h after ischemic stroke. In this study we have examined the correlation between pDNA and these blood parameters in health and stroke. Acid–base equilibrium, oxygen status, hemoglobin affinity to oxygen and concentration of pDNA in arterial blood were measured after the intravenous injection of homologous long‐chain DNA to healthy rats and rats subjected to common carotid arterial occlusion. In addition the effect of adding homologous DNA to human and rat venous blood samples was studied in vitro. Hyperoxia, alkalemia, and an increase in hemoglobin affinity to oxygen were seen in rats with artificial stroke. A marked decrease in pulmonary hyperventilation and hemoglobin affinity to oxygen was observed after injection of homologous genomic DNA (10−6 g/mL of blood). After the DNA injection, blood gas measurement and concentration of pDNA were correlated. Addition of DNA at a concentration of 10−7 g/mL to venous blood samples in vitro increased oxygen saturation that disappeared when the dose of the DNA increased 10‐fold. Thus, a change of pDNA concentration or size can alter acid–base equilibrium, oxygen status, and oxygen transport. These results may be important for a better understanding of the mechanisms of stroke and other diseases associated with the elevation of pDNA concentration, and they open the possibility of new therapeutic approaches.
Cell‐Surface‐Bound Circulating DNA as a Prognostic Factor in Lung Cancer
Authors: Tamkovich Svetlana N. , Litviakov Nikolai V. , Bryzgunova Olga E. , Dobrodeev Aleksey Yu. , Rykova Elena Yu. , Tuzikov Sergey A. , Zav'ialov Aleksandr A. , Vlassov Valentin V. , Cherdyntseva Nadezhda V. , Laktionov Pavel P.
Published: August 2009

Since the mortality of lung cancer patients remains very high, development of prognostic methods essential for efficient therapy is an immediate task. This study was designed to assess the value of circulating DNA (cirDNA) in blood as a prognostic marker in patients with non–small cell lung cancer. The average concentration of cirDNA in plasma was shown to be similar in healthy donors and lung cancer patients. However, the concentration of cell‐surface‐bound circulating DNA (csb‐cirDNA) in lung cancer patients is significantly lower than that found in healthy donors (P < 0.0001) and correlates with a poor prognosis of tumor disease. Quantification of the cell‐surface‐bound DNA in blood of untreated patients allows persons with a poor prognosis of tumor disease to be detected with 94% sensitivity and 50% specificity.
Measurement of Circulating Neuron‐Specific Enolase mRNA in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sandhu H. S. , Butt A. N. , Powrie J. , Swaminathan R.
Published: August 2009

In this study we measured the levels of neuron‐specific enolase mRNA as a possible marker of diabetic neuropathy. Blood samples were collected from healthy controls (n= 26), diabetic controls (no known neuropathy or retinopathy) (n= 22), and diabetics with clinically diagnosed neuropathy (n= 24) into PAXgene blood RNA tubes. mRNA was extracted, reverse‐transcribed to cDNA, and measured by real‐time quantitative PCR. Enolase mRNA levels were normalized by the simultaneous measurement of β‐actin mRNA. The results showed that the enolase mRNA was significantly (P= 0.002) higher in the diabetic control (median = 0.018; range = 0.006–0.037) group compared to healthy subjects (median = 0.0086; range = 0.0016–0.039). However, the diabetic neuropathy group showed lower enolase levels (median = 0.0067; range = 0.0025–0.017) compared to both healthy subjects (P= 0.06) and diabetic controls (P < 0.001). In the diabetic neuropathy group patients with preproliferative (median = 0.01; range = 0.008–0.017) or proliferative retinopathy (median = 0.011; range = 0.007–0.015) had significantly (P= 0.001) higher enolase mRNA compared to patients with background retinopathy (media = 0.004; range = 0.0025–0.0092). It is concluded that levels of enolase mRNA are decreased in diabetic neuropathy and this molecular marker may also be useful in differentiating early from advanced eye disease in those diabetics diagnosed with neuropathy.
Metabolic DNA as the Origin of Spontaneously Released DNA?
Authors: Gahan Peter B. , Anker Philippe , Stroun Maurice
Published: August 2009

A DNA fraction is spontaneously released from living, but not dead or dying, human, other mammalian, avian, amphibian, plant, and prokaryote cells. The spontaneously released DNA fraction has been shown to be (a) present in both actively dividing and nondividing, differentiated cell populations; (b) labile; (c) associated with DNA‐dependent RNA or DNA polymerase; (d) associated with an RNA fraction; and to have (e) a lower molecular weight than the typical genetic DNA fraction; and (f) Alu repeat sequences in increased proportions compared to a unique gene in plasma/serum. On the other hand, early autoradiographic and biochemical and quantitative cytochemical and cytophysical studies on DNA permitted the identification of a DNA fraction which was (1) present in both actively dividing and nondividing, differentiated cell populations; (2) labile; and (3) had a lower molecular weight than the typical genetic DNA fraction. This DNA fraction was termed metabolic DNA (m‐DNA) and was proposed as possibly forming extra gene copies for the rapid production of m‐RNA, to be destroyed subsequently. Therefore, we suggest that the metabolic DNA fraction might represent the precursor to the formation of the spontaneously released DNA fraction.
Extracellular Functional Noncoding Nucleic Acid Bioaptamers and Angiotropin RNP Ribokines in Vascularization and Self‐Tolerance
Authors: Wissler Josef H. , Wissler Joerg E. , Logemann Enno
Published: August 2009

Endogenous extracellular and circulating functional small noncoding nucleic acids (ncNAs; <200 nucleotides) and complexes with proteins (ribonucleoproteins; RNPs) make up varying biolibraries of molecular imprints of cellular histories. They are nascently formed upon cellular activation by extrinsic (environmental) factors, including mitogens, cell‐mediated immune memory reactions (Landsteiner–Chase–Lawrence transfer factors), and metabolic (hypoxia) and (physical) shear stress forces. Those factors are conventional models for epigenetic (non‐Mendelian) vascular remodeling variations directed rather to proteinaceous gene expression and regulation than genomic DNA sequence changes. Structurally defined ncNAs are described as small hairpin nc‐shRNA bioaptamers in interaction with proteins forming functional (Cu,Ca,Na,K)‐metalloregulated complexes (CuRNP; angiotropins). As nonmitogenic angiomorphogen cytokines (ribokines), they may reprogram confluent quiescent (contact‐inhibited) endothelial cell types to migratory, phagokinetically active phenotypes in the morphogenesis of tolerated neovascular patterns. Their functions in organized and mess‐chaotic vascular patterns were investigated with regard to master gene, information, epigenetic, vascular, and tumor factors. Some ncNAs feature three‐dimensional codes (3D episcripts) for distinct protein conformer phases. They are suggested as being specific recognition types, the estimated repertoires of which are superior in diversity and specificity to conventional immune (glyco‐)proteins. For episcription of phenotype variations, they may address and integrate information flow on molecular shapes to protein‐mediated nucleic acid processing and [post‐]translational modification mechanisms in ncNA‐, redox, and metalloregulated conformation phase pathway‐locked loops (CPLL). Several vascular and cancer epigenetic regulator proteins are shown to be entangled by sharing helix‐nucleating structural (proteomic) domains for interaction with functional nc‐shRNA, termed K/RxxxH (K/R3H, ‐xK/RxxxHx7–9h/xx7–9h/xx5–20K/Rx‐). This would suggest a tolerated mess‐chaotic tumor vascularization as a bioaptamer disorder in ncNA‐switched proteinaceous genetic and epigenetic processes.
The Involvement of Different Mobile LINE Copies of Blood Plasma and Extrachromosomal DNA of Liver Cells in Systemic Adaptive Response
Authors: Sherlina Sophiya S. , Vladimirov Viktor G.
Published: August 2009

The aim of this work was to investigate the dynamics of the quantity of LINE in the DNA composition of blood plasma and extrachromosomal DNA of liver cells under conditions of either immobilization or exposure to ionizing radiation or a combination of both factors. It has been established that post‐stress changes in the quantity of genetic elements may be interpreted as an activation of the mechanisms of retroposition and intercellular transfer of genetic elements that ensure the formation of adaptive responses at the systemic level. The formation of adaptive responses is expressed through the reduction of the content of the low‐molecular‐weight fraction of the extracellular DNA.
Emission of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Indoor Straw Burning and Emission Inventory Updating in China
Authors: Zhang Yanxu , Dou Han , Chang Biao , Wei Zhicheng , Qiu Weixun , Liu Shuzhen , Liu Wenxin , Tao Shu
Published: August 2009

The emission factors for indoor straw combustion are a major data gap for estimating the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions in China. The emission factors for open‐fire straw burning were borrowed from our previous study and a rough estimate was developed. As one of the most important emission sources in China, the emission factors for indoor straw combustion needed to be determined and revised accurately. In this study, a representative straw in rural China was collected and burned in similar conditions with those used by countryside families. The smoke produced was sampled and the PAH concentrations were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass selective detection (GC‐MSD), and much higher emission factors were found. Based on the newly measured emission factors, the emission amount from indoor straw combustion was updated. In addition, recently published emission factors were compiled in a comprehensive database and some new sources were included. Additionally, the emission inventory was extended to cover the period from 1950 to 2005 and upgraded to a scale resolution of one kilometer. In the updated inventory, the total quantity of 16 PAHs emitted from China was 116,000 tons in 2003, with indoor straw and firewood combustions as the most important sources. Although vehicular emission contributed a relatively small percentage of the total emission, it was still one of the major sources in the urban areas of China. The total PAH emission increased continuously for four decades, starting from 1950, but fluctuated since 1990 due to variations in coke production.
Health Risk Evaluation for the Inhabitants of a Typical Mining Town in a Mountain Area, South China
Authors: Zhang Xin‐Ying , Tang Xiao‐Lan , Zhao Cai‐Liu , Zhang Gan , Hu Heng‐Sheng , Wu Hao‐Dong , Hu Bo , Mo Li‐Ping , Huang Li , Wei Jin‐Gao
Published: August 2009

A previous study investigated metal contamination in farmland and the air in a typical mining town of Guangxi, South China. In this study, the health risks associated with exposure to this contamination that were evaluated for the following routes of exposure are reported: inhalation, dermal contact, ingestion of dust, and ingestion of homegrown vegetables. The findings demonstrated that the inhabitants were at high risk for noncancer effects posed by some of the metals. The total hazard index (THI) of all the pathways was 145 for adults and 560 for children, which were far higher than the normative level 1. The noncancer risk mainly came from air PM10 pollution through inhalation and ingestion routes of exposure. However, vegetable ingestion also made a noticeable contribution to HI of about 7 for adults and 22 for children. The metals that posed the greatest noncancer risks were Mn for inhalation, and ingestion of dust and vegetables. The total cancer risks of the inhabitants were 1 × 10−1 (adult) and 3 × 10−1 (child), which far exceeded the acceptable carcinogen risk of 10−4∼10−6 for regulatory purposes. The cancer risk in the village is mainly (97%) associated with As exposure by inhalation and ingestion of dust. However, consumption of vegetables is also associated with a significant cancer risk of up to 2 × 10−3 for adults and 8 × 10−3 for children. The cancers associated with this exposure are estimated to be lung cancer and skin cancer. Air particulate‐matter pollution was the main source of noncancer risk and cancer risk and originated from vehicular transport of ore through the community. The risk could be tested by a specifically designed epidemiological study.
Contents and Occurrence of Cadmium in the Coals from Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Song Dangyu , Wang Mingshi , Zhang Junying , Zheng Chuguang
Published: August 2009

Eleven raw coal samples were collected from Liuzhi, Suicheng, Zunyi, Xingren, Xingyi, and Anlong districts in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The content of cadmium (Cd) in coal was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass–spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Cd contents ranged from 0.146 to 2.74 ppm (whole coal basis), with an average of 1.09 ppm. In comparison with the arithmetic means of Cd in Chinese coal (0.25 ppm), this is much higher. In order to find its occurrence in coal, float–sink analysis and a coal flotation test by progressive release were conducted on two raw coal samples. The content of the Cd and ash yield of the flotation products were determined. The organic matter was removed by low‐temperature ashing (LTA). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was used to differentiate the main, minor, and trace minerals in the LTA from different flotation subproducts. Quartz, kaolinite, pyrite, and calcite were found to dominate the mineral matters, with a proportion of anatase, muscovite, and illite. Then quantitative analysis of minerals in LTA was conducted using material analysis using diffraction (MAUD) based on the Rietveld refinement method. Results show that Cd has a strong association with kaolinite.
Domestic Fuels, Indoor Air Pollution, and Children's Health
Authors: Padhi Bijaya Kumar , Padhy Pratap Kumar
Published: August 2009

Reliance on solid biomass fuel for cooking and heating exposes many children of developing countries to high levels of indoor air pollution. This study investigates the association between household use of biomass fuels for cooking and prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases among children in rural India. The air‐quality parameters (CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, O3, suspended particulate matter (SPM), including temperature and relative humidity) were investigated using a YES–Plus multigas air‐quality monitor for gaseous and Kimoto handy samplers (HS‐7) for TSPM. Seven hundred fifty households and 1505 children were selected for this study. A questionnaire developed on the pattern of the the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) with some modifications were used for evaluation of respiratory health. The lung function parameters, namely, PEF, FVC, FEV1, FEF, and SVC were examined on an electronic Spiro Meter (Maestro Medline Ltd.). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of suffering from respiratory infections among children from households using biomass fuels relative to children from households using liquified petroleum gas (LPG), after controlling for potentially confounding factors. The study suggests that exposure to cooking smoke from biomass combustion is significantly associated with decline in lung function and prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed asthma (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.16, 4.19) and other respiratory diseases.
Protein Expression in the Livers and Urinary Bladders of Hamsters Exposed to Sodium Arsenite
Authors: Chowdhury Uttam K. , Aposhian H. Vasken
Published: August 2009

Hamsters were exposed to sodium arsenite (173 mg As/L) in drinking water for 6 days and control hamsters were given tap water. Equal amounts of protein from the urinary bladder or liver extracts of control and arsenic‐treated hamsters were labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 dyes, respectively. The labeled proteins were mixed and separated in the two‐dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE). After DIGE and analysis by the DeCyder software, several protein spots were found to be overexpressed and several were underexpressed. Analysis of the DIGE gel images detected 75 protein spots in the livers and 52 protein spots in the urinary bladders of hamsters that were expressed (±1.2‐fold). Of the detected protein spots, 34 spots were overexpressed (1.48 ± 0.05) and 41 spots were underexpressed (1.52 ± 0.06) in the liver. In the urinary bladder, 36 protein spots were overexpressed (1.52 ± 0.06) and 16 protein spots were underexpressed (1.39 ± 0.05). Three proteins (one was overexpressed and two were underexpressed) of each tissue (liver or bladder) were identified by mass spectrometry. DIGE in combination with mass spectrometry is a powerful tool that may be of help in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression due to inorganic arsenic.
From Poison Ponds to Pleasure Spots
Authors: Rao E. Nageswara
Published: August 2009

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Area had 562 lakes at one time, but only 162 now remain. These are polluted to various degrees and pose environmental and health hazards. The Hussain Sagar Lake provided water for irrigation and drinking until 1930 and supported aquatic life till 1976. It is now contaminated by organic chemicals discharged by many industrial estates in its basin. An estimated 28,190 cμm of industrial effluents and domestic sewage are let into it daily. Phenols, benzenes, cyanides, and toxic metals make it poisonous. The ground water around the lake is also polluted. The polluted lakes ruin vegetable farms, kill fetuses in the womb, and cause mental retardation, still births, and infertility. In the city's outskirts, clinically confirmed cancer is 11 times higher and heart ailments 16 times more than elsewhere. The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) took up a Lake Conservation and Restoration Project as part of its Green Environment Program in 2002. Several lakes have been restored by setting up effluent (or sewage) treatment plants. HUDA also built lake parks with recreation facilities and environment education centers. HUDA also organized jointly with the World Water Institute, Pune, India, an international workshop on urban lake conservation and management in June 2003. It adopted the Hyderabad Declaration which, among other things, states the worthy aim of restoring all the water bodies by 2009. Even if it takes a few more years, the restoration of all the polluted lakes will usher in multiple benefits to Hyderabad citizens.
Asia's Changing Role in Global Climate Change
Authors: Siddiqi Toufiq A.
Published: August 2009

Asia's role in global climate change has evolved significantly from the time when the Kyoto Protocol was being negotiated. Emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, from energy use in Asian countries now exceed those from the European Union or North America. Three of the top five emitters—China, India, and Japan, are Asian countries. Any meaningful global effort to address global climate change requires the active cooperation of these and other large Asian countries, if it is to succeed. Issues of equity between countries, within countries, and between generations, need to be tackled. Some quantitative current and historic data to illustrate the difficulties involved are provided, and one approach to making progress is suggested.
Genotoxic Effects of Environmental Exposure to Arsenic and Lead on Children in Region Lagunera, Mexico
Authors: Méndez‐Gómez Javier , García‐Vargas Gonzalo‐Gerardo , López‐Carrillo Lizbeth , Calderón‐Aranda Emma‐Soraida , Gómez Arístides , Vera Eunice , Valverde Mahara , Cebrián Mariano E. , Rojas Emilio
Published: August 2009

DNA damage and DNA repair ability by means of the comet assay and the hydrogen peroxide challenge in lymphocytes from 65 children exposed simultaneously to As and Pb in Region Lagunera, Mexico. The first exposure scenario was concerned with natural As contamination in drinking water affecting all children, particularly those attending the schools farthest from (Gomez Palacio) and closest to the smelter (Pedro Garcia). The second scenario related to additional Pb and As soil and dust contamination in the schools located in the smelter vicinity (Heroe de Nacozari and Pedro Garcia). Most children (93%) had As in urine (AsU) above 50 μg/L and 65% had blood Pb (PbB) above 10 μg/dL. The highest AsU median levels were observed in the school farthest from the smelter, whereas the highest PbB values were observed in the closest school. DNA damage and a decreased repair ability observed in children attending the schools were more severe than those reported for healthy Mexican children. However, the multivariate analysis did not show significant associations between DNA basal damage and PbB or AsU. Lymphocytes from 58% of the children did not respond to the peroxide challenge, and those had a more severe basal DNA damage. DNA repair capacity showed a slowed response and was negatively associated with AsU. Thus, in addition to reduced exposure, further studies are needed to ascertain if the deficiency in DNA repair is transient or if children are already displaying a mutator phenotype and are at risk of developing cancer.
Fluoride in Chilies from Southwestern China
Authors: Li Bo , Li Shehong , Wang Mingguo , Liu Xiaojing , Zheng Baoshan
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this research is to investigate the fluoride contents in the chilies from southwest China and other countries in order to calculate the difference in fluoride levels in the fresh chilies. The standard method in China for analysis of fluoride in food (GB/T 5009.18‐2003) was applied to determinate the fluoride content in chilies. By determining the fluoride content in 176 fresh chili samples from 77 counties in southwest China and 31 chili samples from other countries, the research not only aims to find the regularity of fluoride distribution in fresh chili, but also to determine the origin of fluoride in fresh chili in China compared with the foreign samples. The geometric mean of fluoride content in the fresh chili was 8.9 mg kg−1 (dry weight, 176 samples, confidence level: 95%). According to the study on the contents of fluoride in fresh chili, it seems that the fluoride content standard for vegetables in GB2762‐2005 in China is inappropriate for chili, and 24.7 mg kg−1(dry weight) and 5.2 mg kg−1 (fresh weight) in recommend as the fluoride contaminated discrimination values for fresh chili.
Children's Environmental Health in the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Pronczuk Jenny , Surdu Simona
Published: August 2009

In the twenty‐first century, the global burden of disease trends are the result of complex interaction among rapid industrialization and urbanization, unsustainable use of natural resources, and population growth. In addition, global environmental changes due to climate change, ozone depletion, desertification/deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased used of some biotechnologies are having an important impact on human health. Many other factors also play an important role in the population's health response to global environmental threats, including poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and infectious diseases. Worldwide, the burden of environmental disease is much higher for children than adults, especially in young children under 5 years of age. Quantification of the burden of diseases attributable to environment shows that environmental risk factors can contribute to more than one‐third of the disease burden in children, a fraction of disease that could be prevented. Children are often exposed to multiple environmental threats combined with other behavioral, social, and economic risk factors. Many of the environmental health risk factors are shared among children's home, school, and community. Therefore, an integrated approach should be considered in order to create healthy environments for children. The promotion of safe environments for children has to involve decision makers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), families, and various sectors including health, education, housing, environment, agriculture, industry, transport, and energy. Multiple initiatives have been proposed from collection, evaluation, and dissemination of information on children's health and the potential environmental threats to research, monitoring, risk assessment, and policies to improve the environmental conditions and ultimately children's growth and development.
Environment and Health in the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Holdren Jill , Tao Shu , Carpenter David O.
Published: August 2009

There are major challenges facing the countries in the Pacific Basin. These include issues of hazardous waste management and the consequent adverse effects of hazardous wastes on human health, the potential disruption of our whole way of life as a consequence of global climate change, and the increasing problem on human health of air pollution and the effects of breathing polluted air. These issues and others were the focus of the 12th meeting of the Pacific Basin Consortium for Environment and Health Sciences, held in Beijing in late 2007. This volume is a collection of papers presented at that meeting, and this introductory chapter provides some perspective on three of the major issues that are of concern in all of the countries in this region. This meeting provided an opportunity for Chinese scientists and those from other countries in the Pacific Basin to share perspectives and possible solutions with others from the international community, and these various approaches are reflected in these proceedings.
Targeting Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Signaling Pathway in Leukemias
Authors: Benekli Mustafa , Baumann Heinz , Wetzler Meir
Published: August 2009

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins comprise a seven-member family of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that are activated through tyrosine phosphorylation by a variety of cytokines and growth factors. Aberrant activation of STATs accompanies malignant cellular transformation with resultant leukemogenesis. Constitutive activation of STATs has been demonstrated in various leukemias. A better understanding of the mechanisms of dysregulation of the STAT pathway and understanding of the cause and effect relationship in leukemogenesis may serve as a basis for designing novel therapeutic strategies directed against STATs. Mechanisms of STAT activation, the potential role of STAT signaling in leukemogenesis, and recent advances in drug discovery targeting the STAT pathway are the focus of this review.
The role of pyrimidine nucleobase excimers in DNA photophysics and photoreactivity
Authors: González-Ramírez Israel , Climent Teresa , Serrano-Pérez Juan José , González-Luque Remedios , Merchán Manuela , Serrano-Andrés Luis
Published: August 2009

Quantum chemical studies using the accurate CASPT2//CASSCF procedure show that π-stacked interactions in biochromophores such as pyrimidine (Pyr) DNA/RNA nucleobases pairs yield excimer-like situations which behave as precursors of processes like charge transfer (CT) or photoreactivity and are the source of the emissive properties in DNA. Examples are the CT between adjacent DNA nucleobases in a strand of oligonucleotides and the photodimerization taking place in cytosine (C) pairs leading to cyclobutanecytosine (CBC) mutants. These processes take place through nonadiabatic photochemical mechanisms whose evolution is determined by the presence and accessibility of conical intersections (CIs) and other surface crossings between different electronic states.
Near-field optical probes provide subdiffraction-limited excitation areas for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy on membranes
Authors: Vobornik Dusan , Banks Daniel S. , Lu Zhengfang , Fradin Cécile , Taylor Rod , Johnston Linda J.
Published: August 2009

Near-field optical probes have been used to produce a subdiffraction-limited observation area for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) experiments on supported membranes. The design of a bent, etched fiber probe that is compatible with biological imaging in an aqueous environment is described. This probe design is used for proof of principle experiments to measure lipid diffusion in a fluid-supported bilayer. A reduction in excitation area of approximately one order of magnitude (relative to a confocal FCS experiment) is obtained with a probe aperture diameter of 140 nm. We also demonstrate a simple approach for modeling the autocorrelation decay due to diffusion within the excitation profile at the near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) probe aperture. The use of probes with smaller apertures is expected to provide an additional order of magnitude reduction in the observation area, thus enabling the study of cellular membranes with higher concentrations of fluorophores than is currently possible with diffraction-limited techniques.
Formal Evaluation of the Impact of Barriers and Connectors on Residential Burglars' Macro-Level Offending Location Choices
Authors: Clare Joseph , Fernandez John , Morgan Frank
Published: August 2009

Previous research evaluating burglars' offending location choices has produced mixed findings about the influence of physical barriers and connectors on offender movement patterns. Consequently, this article utilises the discrete spatial choice approach to formally evaluate the impact of barriers and connectors on residential burglars' macro-level offending location choices. Data from Perth, Western Australia, demonstrated that physical barriers and connectors exert significant influence on offender decision-making at this level, and that the influence of impermeable barriers increases with proximity of these obstacles to the offender's point of origin. These findings provide formalised evidence for the independent importance of physical barriers and connectors in offender movement and are discussed with respect to current environmental criminology theory.
Public Satisfaction With Police: The Importance of Procedural Justice and Police Performance in Police-Citizen Encounters
Authors: Kristina Murphy
Published: August 2009

Alarge body of literature has demonstrated that when authorities use procedural justice with those they regulate, people will be more satisfied with those authorities and will be more willing to cooperate and comply with their directions and rules. In the context of policing, procedural justice has also been shown to be important for shaping citizens' views about police legitimacy, their satisfaction with police and also in fostering cooperation with police. What remains largely unexamined, however, is whether the positive effect of procedural justice varies across different types of police-citizen encounters. Using survey data collected from a national sample of 1,462 Australians, the present study will examine the relative importance of procedural justice on overall ratings of police satisfaction across two types of police-citizen encounters (citizen-initiated contacts and police-initiated contacts). It will be shown that procedural justice is most important in police-initiated contacts, while police performance is most important in citizen-initiated contacts.
Calling the Tune Without the Music: A Psycho-Legal Analysis of Australia's Post-Sentence Legislation
Authors: Doyle Dominic J. , Ogloff James R.P.
Published: August 2009

Australian governments have introduced legislation to detain or supervise sex offenders whose sentences have expired but who are still considered to be dangerous. In the enactment of these controversial laws, governments largely overlooked a significant body of empirical knowledge on sexual offending and risk prediction. Consequently, these schemes are based on unexamined assumptions. Accordingly, an evaluation of the compatibility between these assumptions and the available science is warranted. To this end, the article will submit the central provisions of the legislation to a psycho-legal analysis whereby the assumptions underpinning the laws will be weighed against the empirical evidence. The article reveals that there is considerable disconnect between the laws' assumptions and the existing literature on sexual offending and risk prediction, such that the evidence suggests that the legislation will not achieve its aims in any meaningful and sustainable way. Future criminal justice policy in the area of sex offending needs to be collaboratively developed between policymakers and the relevant scientific communities and experts. It must be founded on cost-effective and empirically defensible approaches based on what we understand, rather than what we fear, about sex offenders.
Social Support and Corruption: Structural Determinants of Corruption in the World
Authors: Zhang Yan , Cao Liqun , Vaughn Michael S.
Published: August 2009

Corruption is a growing global epidemic. Our understanding of its causes is limited. Combining data from several sources, the current article tests the validity of social support theory in explaining corruption in an integrated structural model. The findings support our theoretical speculation: our social support measure is a strong predictor of corruption in the model. In addition, undemocratic governments with inadequate checks and balances indirectly contribute to the high level of corruption in a nation. Democracy promotes human development and bolsters social support for citizens' wellbeing, both of which reduce the level of corruption in a nation. Inequality fosters corruption indirectly through reduced human development and reduced social support. We conclude that criminologists need not await the determinations of international legal systems to study scathing behavior, such as corruption.
Sentence Indications for Indictable Offences: Increasing Court Efficiency at the Expense of Justice? A Response to the Victorian Legislation
Authors: Flynn Asher
Published: August 2009

In September 2007, the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council released a report (2007c) recommending the introduction of sentence indications for indictable offences in Victoria's intermediate court. In response, on July 1, 2008, a legislated sentence indication process was implemented into Victoria's intermediate and Supreme Courts in s 23A of the Crimes (Criminal Trials) Act 1999 (Vic). This process is now governed by s 208-s 209 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic). Drawing upon national and international commentary and experiences with sentence indications, this article examines the potential benefits and disadvantages of the Victorian legislation, including its limited capacity to attract early guilty pleas and its potentially negative impact on victims and defendants. This article contends that the desire for court efficiency has led to the implementation of reforms across criminal justice systems that, while seeking to apply the benefits of reduced delays and early guilty pleas, ultimately prioritise efficiency gains above the interests of the public, victims and defendants. The Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council's proposal (2007c) and the subsequent provisions introducing an indictable indication scheme in s 208-s 209 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic), are used to inform this argument.
Yasuo Kuniyoshi's Cows in Pasture
Authors: greenhalgh adam
Published: August 2009

During the 1920s the image of dairy cows in a pastoral setting was a complex, ideologically-charged motif. The cow was one of American artist Yasuo Kuniyoshi's (1889––1953) signature iconographic emblems at this time. This article briefly assesses autobiographical, geographic, stylistic, and symbolic meanings the subject held for the artist before considering Cows in Pasture (1923, Corcoran Gallery of Art) alongside contemporaneous imagery and rhetoric employed by the U.S. dairy industry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the decade following World War I, when milk was being marketed as the perfect food for future generations of Americans. Considering Kuniyoshi's penchant for creating images that engage with dairy advertisements that incorporated idyllic images of America's rural past inflected with nationalist ideology and Christian religious iconography complicates prior interpretations of his images of cows.