bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building “Community” in Mixed-Income Developments
Authors: Chaskin Robert J. , Joseph Mark L.
Published: July 2009

As an urban-redevelopment strategy, the goals of mixed-income development are often talked about in terms of building “community”—the shaping of environments, opportunities, and social arrangements that promote healthy neighborhood life, particularly for the low-income people who live there. This article explores the strategies engaged, expectations for, and early responses to efforts to build “community” in three mixed-income developments being built on the footprint of former public housing developments in Chicago. In doing so, it investigates the expectations among residents and stakeholders, distills and explores three major strategic orientations being engaged by developers and their partners, and examines how these strategies in particular—and the building of community more generally—is playing out across sites, including the dynamics and conditioning factors that promote or inhibit participation, engagement, interaction, and the shaping of social cohesion and social control.
Effect of Pulsed Electric Fields on Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Properties of Formulated Carrot Juice
Authors: Akın E. , Evrendilek G.A.
Published: July 2009

The objective of this study was to process a developed carrot juice-based beverage by pulsed electric fields (PEF) and determination of its physical, chemical, and microbiological properties before and after PEF processing. Results revealed that PEF processing did not cause any significant change in pH, titratable acidity (TA), °Brix, conductivity, color (L*, a*, and b*), nonenzymatic browning index (NBI), metal ion, and vitamin C concentration (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction on the total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total mold and yeast, total enterobactericeae and Escherichia coli O157:H7 counts resulting with 4.30 ± 0.26, 3.4 2 ± 0.40, 4.46 ± 0.36, and 3.57 ± 0.32 log cfu/mL, respectively (p ≤ 0.01). PEF processing could be successfully used to process a carrot juice based beverage with significant amount of microbial reduction.
Quality of Fish Muscle Infested with Anisakis simplex
Authors: Vidacek S. , de las Heras C. , Tejada M.
Published: July 2009

Marine fish species infested with Anisakidae larvae are reported in many fishing grounds. Besides the problems related to consumer’s health when the live larvae are ingested (anisakidosis) or to allergic problems caused by the larvae, the products excreted/secreted or released by the larvae are recognized as proteases, protease inhibitors or antioxidants, which can cause changes in fish muscle during storage. To study this problem, live larvae or a homogenate of larvae in water were added in controlled conditions to gelatin agar gels and minced fish muscle and stored at 20 or 5 °C for 7 days. A high activity in the gelatin agar gels was observed, whereas the inclusion of larvae or larvae homogenates in the muscle did not produce detrimental changes in texture, viscosity, color, or oxidation of fish muscle. The electrophoretic pattern of the extracted natural actomyosin presented fewer changes during storage in the larvae and larvae homogenate added lots than in the control lots. Nevertheless in naturally infested fish different parasite-host mechanisms might be involved. Parasitized fish has to be processed with treatments which kill the larvae to avoid consumers’ anisakidosis. However, as some of the Anisakis allergens are very stable to heat, patients allergic to Anisakis sp. have to be informed before ingesting parasitized fish or fish products.
Antioxidant Activity of Melanoidins from Different Sugar/Amino Acid Model Systems: Influence of the Enantiomer Type
Authors: Kim Ji-Sang , Lee Young-Soon
Published: July 2009

The effect of amino acid enantiomers on the antioxidant activity of melanoidins was examined. For this purpose, antioxidant activities were evaluated on the basis of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and free radical scavenging activity including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), diammonium salt (ABTS) and ferrous ion chelating activity. Ethylene diamine tetraacetate and trolox, a water-soluble analog of tocopherol, were used as the reference antioxidant compounds. Melanoidins formed from D-isomers were found to be effective antioxidants in different in vitro assays with regard to the ferrous ion chelating activity, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities, and FRAP. In particular, the antioxidant activities of melanoidins formed from fructose systems were higher than those of melanoidins formed from glucose systems. In addition, the results showed that melanoidins formed from D-isomers had antioxidant activities, similar to those of melanoidins formed from L-isomers.
Haggling exchanges at meat stalls in some markets in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Ayoola Kehinde A.
Published: July 2009

This article centres on the social activity of haggling during service encounters in a typical Nigerian urban market place. The data corpus is derived from transactions between meat vendors and customers at meat stalls in some markets in Lagos, Nigeria. Haggling exchanges between meat vendors and their customers were secretly recorded and subsequently analysed to elicit the significant elements of haggling; identify the stages in a haggling exchange; and describe the discourse strategies employed by both classifications of interactant (vendor and buyer) involved in the socio-linguistic activity. The findings revealed that English, Pidgin and Yoruba were generally used in the transactions. The findings also revealed that both categories of interactant employed discourse strategies which include humour, dysphemism and euphemism, cajoling, flattery and flirting to achieve their ultimate goal of maximizing profit/bargain during the buying and selling encounters.
`And then I'm really like . . .': `preliminary' self-quotations in adolescent talk
Authors: Lamerichs Joyce , Te Molder Hedwig F.M.
Published: July 2009

This article explores the discursive uses of a self-quotation in adolescent talk. The self-quotation uses the quotative marker be + like to convey or project bold statements as part of a larger narrative. We will demonstrate how the preface leading up to the self-quotation is designed as hard to counter, and instructs the hearer how to understand what comes next. The self-quotation, on the other hand, constitutes the assessment as a `mere characterization' that provides the speaker with a number of opportunities for testing the proposed view. Speakers are thus able to bolster potentially controversial views against refutation while also giving them a preliminary status. These features make for an interesting conversational resource that enables speakers and recipients to engage in a collaborative process of putting potentially bold statements to the test.
`I was here!': addressivity structures and inscribing practices as indexical resources
Authors: Noy Chaim
Published: July 2009

The article examines how practices of inscription and structures of addressivity (Goffman) at a symbolic site provide implicit indexical means for establishing subjectivities and agencies. By examining a visitor book located in a national commemoration site in Jerusalem, Israel, the article first argues that inscribing practices themselves can function as implicit indexical mechanisms. In ritualized environments, inscribing assumes the function of a non-referential indexical because discourse is materially engraved unto a surround. These environments are also characterized by prescribed addressivity structures. The article goes on to discern between a number of addressivity structures, evinced in visitors' aesthetisized entries. These structures serve as contextualizing cues and evince the ways visitors establish subjectivities and participation in national commemoration. Addressivity structures are shown to construct different types of social actors, and the spaces and temporalities within which they operate. Building on previous research on performance, the article shows how addressivity and inscription together supply the prerequisites for situated performances of identities and selves on inscribed and symbolic stages.
The audience as actor: the participation status of the audience at the victim hearings of the South African TRC
Authors: Verdoolaege Annelies
Published: July 2009

In this article Goffman's theories on participation framework and change in footing are applied to discursive material from the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The main finding is that a discursive setting such as the public hearings of a truth and reconciliation commission can be highly intricate and layered when considering the role of the various discourse participants. The testifying victims, the TRC commissioners and the audience engaged in various forms of subordinate communication — byplay, crossplay and sideplay — in addition to the standardized and expected interaction between victims and commissioners. This tells us that face-to-face talk should not be regarded as the prototypical participation framework, even not in a highly stage-managed discursive setting. Moreover, by paying attention to the co-presence of also a `virtual' audience, the Goffmanian framework is taken beyond its confines of only discussing interaction between discourse participants who are physically present in a speech situation. In the end, each of the discourse participants tried to exploit the possibilities offered by this complex framework, thus adding to the impact the TRC had on South African society at large.
Metaphors of cancer in scientific popularization articles in the British press
Authors: Williams Camus Julia T.
Published: July 2009

Metaphor is a significant tool in the recontextualization of specialized knowledge in popularizations transmitted through the mass media. This study explores metaphor in popularizations of scientific articles on cancer in the English press. Metaphors used for cancer and cancer research were identified and analysed in a corpus of 37 articles from The Guardian. Special attention was paid to the aspects emphasized and de-emphasized as they can have potential ideological implications. Fifteen conceptual metaphors were identified in the corpus, ranging from the most frequent CANCER IS WAR (20 texts) to an isolated reference to Achilles' heel. The average was 2.9 metaphors per text. The quantitative data and contextual analysis indicate that no single metaphorical system is sufficient to represent the complexity of cancer-related knowledge. Metaphors are used in combination to perform three main functions, attracting the reader, structuring and explaining scientific concepts, and organizing the text into a narrative.
Guns, crime and social order in the West Indies
Authors: Agozino Biko , Bowling Ben , Ward Elizabeth , St Bernard Godfrey
Published: July 2009

This article examines guns, crime and social order in the West Indies. Set in the context of the region's colonial history, contemporary geopolitics and the growing availability of small arms, the article analyses the extent and nature of gun homicide and related phenomena in various locations across the English-speaking Caribbean. It explores some explanations for the disturbing growth in violent death and injury mainly caused by guns, focusing specifically on the nexus between drug trafficking, political patronage and armed violence and the resulting `pistolizaton' of civil society. The article examines the impact of extant security practices and offers some directions for future policy based on the precepts of public health, peace-building, violence prevention, gun control and the pursuit of human security.
The 'death' of Dixon?
Authors: Roberts Colin H. , Innes Martin
Published: July 2009

Informed by qualitative data from a study of formal and informal social control responses to gun crime in Lambeth, South London, this article seeks to map the contours of some of the key aspects of the policing of firearms offending in England and Wales. It is proposed that policing responses can be distinguished between a `preventative' disposition in areas where gun-related offending is rare, and a pragmatic `manage and suppress' reaction that is implemented in the small number of areas of the country where gun crime is comparatively more common. Focusing in particular upon the work of Operation Trident in London, the discussion seeks to identify some of the complex social forces at work within communities where gun violence is comparatively prevalent and how police seek to engage with such situations. This focus is utilized to construct an argument about a broader and deeper nascent trend in British policing that is exemplified by the response to gun crime. It is suggested that key components of the police function are increasingly being cast as requiring specialist expertise and skills if they are to be performed effectively. As such, the internal social organization of policing is coming to be organized around an increasingly complex architecture and division of labour.
Third Wave criminology
Authors: Edwards Adam , Sheptycki James
Published: July 2009

Evidence-based policy-making implies greater clarity in the relationship between science, politics and crime control. This is especially the case with a highly polarizing topic like gun-crime. Specifically, the enrolment of social science by pressure groups, political parties and other political actors raises questions about the possibility and desirability of a scientifically detached appraisal of the problem. One resolution is to reject the feasibility of objective detachment, treat science and politics as synonymous and locate criminology firmly in the domain of politics and morality—to `take sides' as it were. This renders the purpose of academic criminology problematic, for if its practitioners are to be regarded as inevitably partisan, what do they contribute as social scientists to public issues defined as political and moral in content? Why should criminological knowledge claims be especially valued over that of other political and moral actors? More recently, attempts to define concepts about the formative intentions, intrinsic and extrinsic to the politics of scientists' work, suggest ways of demarcating science from politics in this and other criminological disputes. They provide a rationale for the distinctive contribution of social science to public controversies over crime and control.
EXCEED: Exforge®-intensive control of hypertension to evaluate efficacy in diastolic dysfunction: study rationale, design, and participant characteristics
Authors: Hassanein Amira , Desai Akshay , Verma Anil , Oparil Suzanne , Izzo Joseph , Rocha Richardo , Hilkert Robert , Seifu Youdit , Pitt Bertrand , Solomon Scott
Published: July 2009

Background: Both diastolic dysfunction and increased vascular stiffness represent important measures of target-organ damage in hypertension. Whether intensive blood pressure (BP) control can further improve these measures remains unknown.

Methods: EXCEED is a prospective, randomized open-label blinded endpoint trial (PROBE) design, aiming to test the hypothesis that more aggressive BP lowering would result in greater improvement in diastolic function among patients with stage II hypertension, evidence of diastolic dysfunction and preserved systolic function (EF ≥ 50%). Patients were randomized to one of two treatment strategies, targeting systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mmHg or <130 mmHg using a combination of amlodipine/valsartan with additional antihypertensive medications as needed to achieve the prescribed targets. Diastolic function was assessed using Doppler tissue imaging of early diastolic velocity of lateral mitral annulus (E'), while vascular stiffness was assessed using radial augmentation index (RAI) derived from radial artery tonometry. The study primary endpoint will be the change in lateral E' velocity between baseline and 24 weeks.

Results: Two hundred and twenty eight patients (50% female) with mean age of (59.6±9.7) years and mean BP of (162±14/92±13 mmHg) were randomized equally to either treatment strategies. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present among <4% of the enrolled patients. Inspite diastolic function was impaired, baseline lateral E' velocity (7.6±1.2 cm/s) was not related to baseline SBP while baseline RAI was weakly related ( r = 0.2, p <0.01) to SBP even after adjustment to age, gender and heart rate.

Conclusion: EXCEED will determine whether intensive BP lowering will further improve diastolic dysfunction and vascular stiffness among patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
A fundamental role of mAbp1 in neutrophils: impact on β2 integrin–mediated phagocytosis and adhesion in vivo
Authors: Schymeinsky Jürgen , Gerstl Ronald , Mannigel Ingrid , Niedung Katy , Frommhold David , Panthel Klaus , Heesemann Jürgen , Sixt Michael , Quast Thomas , Kolanus Waldemar , Mocsai Attila , Wienands Jürgen , Sperandio Markus , Walzog Barbara
Published: July 2009

The mammalian actin-binding protein 1 (mAbp1, Hip-55, SH3P7) is phosphorylated by the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Syk that has a fundamental effect for several β2 integrin (CD11/CD18)–mediated neutrophil functions. Live cell imaging showed a dynamic enrichment of enhanced green fluorescence protein–tagged mAbp1 at the phagocytic cup of neutrophil-like differentiated HL-60 cells during β2 integrin–mediated phagocytosis of serum-opsonized Escherichia coli. The genetic absence of Syk or its pharmacologic inhibition using piceatannol abrogated the proper localization of mAbp1 at the phagocytic cup. The genetic absence or down-regulation of mAbp1 using the RNA interference technique significantly compromised β2 integrin–mediated phagocytosis of serum-opsonized E coli or Salmonella typhimurium in vitro as well as clearance of S typhimurium infection in vivo. Moreover, the genetic absence of mAbp1 almost completely abrogated firm neutrophil adhesion under physiologic shear stress conditions in vitro as well as leukocyte adhesion and extravasation in inflamed cremaster muscle venules of mice treated with tumor-necrosis factor α. Functional analysis showed that the down-regulation of mAbp1 diminished the number of β2 integrin clusters in the high-affinity conformation under flow conditions. These unanticipated results define mAbp1 as a novel molecular player in integrin biology that is critical for phagocytosis and firm neutrophil adhesion under flow conditions.
The role of complete response in multiple myeloma
Authors: Harousseau Jean-Luc , Attal Michel , Avet-Loiseau Herve
Published: July 2009

In multiple myeloma (MM), the impact of complete response (CR) could be shown only after introduction of high-dose therapy plus autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). In the context of ASCT, achieving CR (negative immunofixation and normal bone marrow) or at least very good partial response is associated with longer progression-free survival and in most studies longer survival. With novel agents, high CR rates are achieved and this prognostic impact of CR is being shown as well, both in relapsed and in newly diagnosed MM. However the benefit of CR achievement depends on the type of treatment and is not identical for all patients. In elderly patients, treatments inducing more CR may be more toxic. Although CR achievement is necessary in patients with poor-risk disease, it might not be as critical for long survival in more indolent MM. CR achievement is not the only objective of treatment because it is possible to further improve the depth of response and the outcome by continuing treatment after CR achievement. Finally, there are several levels of CR and in the future it will be necessary to confirm the prognostic impact of immunophenotypic or molecular CR or of CR defined by imaging procedures.
Enrichment and analysis of secretory lysosomes from lymphocyte populations
Authors: Schmidt Hendrik , Gelhaus Christoph , Lucius Ralph , Nebendahl Melanie , Leippe Matthias , Janssen Ottmar
Published: July 2009

Background

In specialized cells, such as mast cells, macrophages, T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells in the immune system and for instance melanocytes in the skin, secretory lysosomes (SL) have evolved as bifunctional organelles that combine degradative and secretory properties. Mutations in lysosomal storage, transport or sorting molecules are associated with severe immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity and (partial) albinism. In order to analyze the function and content of secretory lysosomes in different cell populations, an efficient enrichment of these organelles is mandatory.

Results

Based on a combination of differential and density gradient centrifugation steps, we provide a protocol to enrich intact SL from expanded hematopoietic cells, here T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells. Individual fractions were initially characterized by Western blotting using antibodies against an array of marker proteins for intracellular compartments. As indicated by the presence of LAMP-3 (CD63) and FasL (CD178), we obtained a selective enrichment of SL in one of the resulting organelle fractions. The robustness and reproducibility of the applied separation protocol was examined by a high-resolution proteome analysis of individual SL preparations of different donors by 2D difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE).

Conclusion

The provided protocol is readily applicable to enrich and isolate intact secretory vesicles from individual cell populations. It can be used to compare SL of normal and transformed cell lines or primary cell populations from healthy donors and patients with lysosomal storage or transport diseases, or from corresponding mutant mice. A subsequent proteome analysis allows the characterization of molecules involved in lysosomal maturation and cytotoxic effector function at high-resolution.
Constitutive RB1 mutation in a child conceived by in vitrofertilization: implications for genetic counseling
Authors: Barbosa Raquel H , Vargas Fernando R , Lucena Evandro , Bonvicino Cibele R , Seuánez Héctor N
Published: July 2009

Background

The purpose of this study was to identify mutations associated with bilateral retinoblastoma in a quadruplet conceived by in vitro fertilization, and to trace the parental origin of mutations in the four quadruplets and their father.

Methods

Mutational screening was carried out by sequencing. Genotyping was carried out for determining quadruplet zygosity.

Results

The proband was a carrier of a novel RB1 constitutive mutation (g.2056C>G) which was not detected in her father or her unaffected sisters, and of two other mutations (g.39606 C>T and g.174351T>A) also present in two monozygotic sisters. The novel mutation probably occurred de novo while the others were of likely maternal origin. The novel mutation, affecting the Kozak consensus at the 5'UTR of RB1 and g.174351T>A were likely associated to retinoblastoma in the proband.

Conclusion

Molecular diagnosis of retinoblastoma requires genotypic data of the family for determining hereditary transmission. In the case of children generated by IVF with oocytes from an anonymous donor which had been stored in a cell repository, this might not be successfully accomplished, making precise diagnosis impracticable for genetic counseling.
Role of KCNMA1gene in breast cancer invasion and metastasis to brain
Authors: Khaitan Divya , Sankpal Umesh T , Weksler Babette , Meister Edward A , Romero Ignacio A , Couraud Pierre-Olivier , Ningaraj Nagendra S
Published: July 2009

Background

The prognosis for patients with breast tumor metastases to brain is extremely poor. Identification of prognostic molecular markers of the metastatic process is critical for designing therapeutic modalities for reducing the occurrence of metastasis. Although ubiquitously present in most human organs, large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channel (BKCa) channels are significantly upregulated in breast cancer cells. In this study we investigated the role of KCNMA1 gene that encodes for the pore-forming α-subunit of BKCa channels in breast cancer metastasis and invasion.

Methods

We performed Global exon array to study the expression of KCNMA1 in metastatic breast cancer to brain, compared its expression in primary breast cancer and breast cancers metastatic to other organs, and validated the findings by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression and localization of BKCa channel protein in primary and metastatic breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cell lines. We performed matrigel invasion, transendothelial migration and membrane potential assays in established lines of normal breast cells (MCF-10A), non-metastatic breast cancer (MCF-7), non-brain metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), and brain-specific metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-361) to study whether BKCa channel inhibition attenuates breast tumor invasion and metastasis using KCNMA1 knockdown with siRNA and biochemical inhibition with Iberiotoxin (IBTX).

Results

The Global exon array and RT-PCR showed higher KCNMA1 expression in metastatic breast cancer in brain compared to metastatic breast cancers in other organs. Our results clearly show that metastatic breast cancer cells exhibit increased BKCa channel activity, leading to greater invasiveness and transendothelial migration, both of which could be attenuated by blocking KCNMA1.

Conclusion

Determining the relative abundance of BKCa channel expression in breast cancer metastatic to brain and the mechanism of its action in brain metastasis will provide a unique opportunity to identify and differentiate between low grade breast tumors that are at high risk for metastasis from those at low risk for metastasis. This distinction would in turn allow for the appropriate and efficient application of effective treatments while sparing patients with low risk for metastasis from the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.
Prevalence and changes in chronic diseases among South Korean farmers: 1998 to 2005
Authors: Cha Eun Shil , Kong Kyoung Ae , Moon Eun Kyeong , Lee Won Jin
Published: July 2009

Background

Epidemiologic studies have suggested a unique pattern of disease among farmers in Western countries, but limited information is available about the magnitude of disease prevalence and their changes over time in Asian farmers. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and changes in chronic diseases among farmers with those of other occupational groups in South Korea.

Methods

Using data from three consecutive cross-sectional national surveys: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998 (n = 39,060), 2001 (n = 37,769), and 2005 (n = 34,145), we calculated age and gender-standardized prevalence of chronic diseases by the direct method and compared the prevalence changes from 1998 to 2005.

Results

Female farmers had significantly higher chronic disease prevalence than other occupational groups in all three surveys. Arthritis was the most prevalent chronic disease among farmers for both men and women. Compared with other populations, farmers demonstrated a higher prevalence of arthritis and intervertebral disc disorders. Farmers showed higher prevalence changes for intervertebral disc disorders than other occupational workers.

Conclusion

Our findings support that South Korean farmers have a distinct pattern of diseases prevalence from other populations. More detailed studies investigating the risk of musculoskeletal diseases and intensive intervention efforts to reduce the prevalence these diseases, particularly among female farmers, are required.
Worry as a window into the lives of people who use injection drugs: a factor analysis approach
Authors: Exner Heidi , Gibson Erin K , Stone Ryan , Lindquist Jennifer , Cowen Laura , Roth Eric A
Published: July 2009

Background

The concept of risk dominates the HIV/AIDS literature pertaining to People Who Use Injection Drugs (PWUID). In contrast the associated concept of worry is infrequently applied, even though it can produce important perspectives of PWUID's lives. This study asked a sample (n = 105) of PWUID enrolled in a Victoria, British Columbia needle exchange program to evaluate their degree of worry about fourteen factors they may encounter in their daily lives.

Methods

Exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze their responses.

Results

Factor analysis delineated three factors: 1) overall personal security, 2) injection drug use-specific risks including overdosing and vein collapse and, 3) contracting infectious diseases associated with injection drug use (e.g. HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C).

Conclusion

PWUID in this study not only worry about HIV/AIDS but also about stressful factors in their daily life which have been linked to both increased HIV/AIDS risk behaviour and decreased anti-retroviral treatment adherence. The importance PWUID give to this broad range of worry/concerns emphasizes the need to place HIV/AIDS intervention, education, and treatment programs within a broader harm-reduction framework that incorporates their perspectives on both worry and risk.
Evaluation of the impact of fibromyalgia on patients' sleep and the content validity of two sleep scales
Authors: Martin Susan , Chandran Arthi , Zografos Laurie , Zlateva Gergana
Published: July 2009

Background

Disturbed sleep is commonly reported in fibromyalgia (FM). Both the Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS-Sleep) have demonstrated positive psychometric properties in patients with FM. However, these assessments were developed prior to the current recommendation to include patient input during the concept elicitation or item generation phases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of FM on participants, including their sleep, and to test the content validity of these two sleep measures in FM patients.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted in Raleigh, North Carolina and Detroit, Michigan with 20 adults who reported a physician diagnosis of FM. Sixteen participants were female, 13 were white, and the average age was 50 years. Two researchers conducted all interviews using a structured guide.

Results

Participants consistently reported that FM had a debilitating impact on their lives and their sleep, particularly getting to sleep and staying asleep. Participants responded positively to the Sleep Quality NRS as an assessment of their sleep. The majority of participants stated that they would not change the response numbering or wording of the item's anchors. Participants also responded positively to the 24-hour recall period of the Sleep Quality NRS. Participants found the 12-item MOS-Sleep to be appropriate and relevant; 19 participants indicated the measure captured all of their sleep-related symptoms. However, areas for potential modification were identified, such as the need to separate the item regarding awakening short of breath and awakening with a headache into two separate questions. Participants also questioned the relevance of the snoring and awakening short of breath items to FM. Half of participants expressed a preference for a daily rather than a weekly recall period.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the significant impact that FM has on patients' lives, particularly sleep. While patients with FM were not part of the development of the generic sleep assessments that were evaluated, this study provides evidence of their content validity, supporting their use in FM studies. Modifications to the MOS-Sleep may improve the psychometric properties and relevance to patients with FM.
Vasoprotective effects of human CD34+ cells: towards clinical applications
Authors: Kiernan Thomas J , Boilson Barry A , Witt Tyra A , Dietz Allan B , Lerman Amir , Simari Robert D
Published: July 2009

Background

The development of cell-based therapeutics for humans requires preclinical testing in animal models. The use of autologous animal products fails to address the efficacy of similar products derived from humans. We used a novel immunodeficient rat carotid injury model in order to determine whether human cells could improve vascular remodelling following acute injury.

Methods

Human CD34+ cells were separated from peripheral buffy coats using automatic magnetic cell separation. Carotid arterial injury was performed in male Sprague-Dawley nude rats using a 2F Fogarty balloon catheter. Freshly harvested CD34+ cells or saline alone was administered locally for 20 minutes by endoluminal instillation. Structural and functional analysis of the arteries was performed 28 days later.

Results

Morphometric analysis demonstrated that human CD34+ cell delivery was associated with a significant reduction in intimal formation 4 weeks following balloon injury as compared with saline (I/M ratio 0.79 ± 0.18, and 1.71 ± 0.18 for CD34, and saline-treated vessels, respectively P < 0.05). Vasoreactivity studies showed that maximal relaxation of vessel rings from human CD34+ treated animals was significantly enhanced compared with saline-treated counterparts (74.1 ± 10.2, and 36.8 ± 12.1% relaxation for CD34+ cells and saline, respectively, P < 0.05)

Conclusion

Delivery of human CD34+ cells limits neointima formation and improves arterial reactivity after vascular injury. These studies advance the concept of cell delivery to effect vascular remodeling toward a potential human cellular product.
Immunization with an immunodominant self-peptide derived from glucose-6-phosphate isomerase induces arthritis in DBA/1 mice
Authors: Bruns Lisa , Frey Oliver , Morawietz Lars , Landgraf Christiane , Volkmer Rudolf , Kamradt Thomas
Published: July 2009

Introduction

T-helper (Th) lymphocytes are critically required for the pathogenesis of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (G6PI)-induced arthritis, but neither the G6PI epitopes recognized by arthritogenic T cells nor their pathogenic effector functions have been fully elucidated to date. We aimed at identifying arthritogenic G6PI peptides.

Methods

We used a library of overlapping peptides spanning the entire G6PI sequence to identify the epitopes recognized by G6PI-specific Th cells. Immunodominant peptides were then used to immunize mice. Arthritis development was evaluated clinically and histologically. The humoral and cellular immune responses upon peptide immunization were analyzed by ELISA and multiparameter flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

We identified six immunodominant T-cell epitopes in DBA/1 mice, of which three are arthritogenic. One of these peptides (G6PI469–483) is identical in man and mice. Immunization with this peptide induces arthritis, which is less severe and of shorter duration than arthritis induced by immunization with full-length G6PI. Upon immunization with either G6PI or peptide, the antigen-specific Th cells produce IL-17, RANKL, IFNγ and TNFα.

Conclusions

We identified immunodominant and arthritogenic epitopes of G6PI. Not all immunodominant peptides are arthritogenic. This is the first description of arthritis induced by immunization with a self-peptide in mice.
Neutrophil antimicrobial defense against Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by phagolysosomal but not extracellular trap-associated cathelicidin
Authors: Jann Naja J , Schmaler Mathias , Kristian Sascha A , Radek Katherine A , Gallo Richard L , Nizet Victor , Peschel Andreas , Landmann Regine
Published: July 2009

Study took advantage of the hyper-susceptible phenotype of S. aureus ΔdltA against cationic AMPs to investigate the impact of the murine cathelicidin CRAMP to identify its key site of action in neutrophils.

Neutrophils kill invading pathogens by AMPs, including cathelicidins, ROS, and NETs. The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus exhibits enhanced resistance to neutrophil AMPs, including the murine cathelicidin CRAMP, in part, as a result of alanylation of teichoic acids by the dlt operon. In this study, we took advantage of the hypersusceptible phenotype of S. aureus ΔdltA against cationic AMPs to study the impact of the murine cathelicidin CRAMP on staphylococcal killing and to identify its key site of action in murine neutrophils. We demonstrate that CRAMP remained intracellular during PMN exudation from blood and was secreted upon PMA stimulation. We show first evidence that CRAMP was recruited to phagolysosomes in infected neutrophils and exhibited intracellular activity against S. aureus. Later in infection, neutrophils produced NETs, and immunofluorescence revealed association of CRAMP with S. aureus in NETs, which similarly killed S. aureus wt and ΔdltA, indicating that CRAMP activity was reduced when associated with NETs. Indeed, the presence of DNA reduced the antimicrobial activity of CRAMP, and CRAMP localization in response to S. aureus was independent of the NADPH oxidase, whereas killing was partially dependent on a functional NADPH oxidase. Our study indicates that neutrophils use CRAMP in a timed and locally coordinated manner in defense against S. aureus.
Host-pathogen interactions during coronavirus infection of primary alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Miura Tanya A , Holmes Kathryn V
Published: July 2009

Innate immune responses in coronavirus infections of the respiratory tract are analyzed in primary differentiated airway and alveolar epithelial cells.

Viruses that infect the lung are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in animals and humans worldwide. Coronaviruses are being associated increasingly with severe diseases in the lower respiratory tract. Alveolar epithelial cells are an important target for coronavirus infection in the lung, and infected cells can initiate innate immune responses to viral infection. In this overview, we describe in vitro models of highly differentiated alveolar epithelial cells that are currently being used to study the innate immune response to coronavirus infection. We have shown that rat coronavirus infection of rat alveolar type I epithelial cells in vitro induces expression of CXC chemokines, which may recruit and activate neutrophils. Although neutrophils are recruited early in infection in several coronavirus models including rat coronavirus. However, their role in viral clearance and/or immune-mediated tissue damage is not understood. Primary cultures of differentiated alveolar epithelial cells will be useful for identifying the interactions between coronaviruses and alveolar epithelial cells that influence the innate immune responses to infection in the lung. Understanding the molecular details of these interactions will be critical for the design of effective strategies to prevent and treat coronavirus infections in the lung.
clueless, a conserved Drosophila gene required for mitochondrial subcellular localization, interacts genetically withparkin
Authors: Cox Rachel T. , Spradling Allan C.
Published: July 2009

Parkinson’s disease has been linked to altered mitochondrial function. Mutations in parkin (park), the Drosophila ortholog of a human gene that is responsible for many familial cases of Parkinson’s disease, shorten life span, abolish fertility and disrupt mitochondrial structure. However, the role played by Park in mitochondrial function remains unclear. Here, we describe a novel Drosophila gene, clueless (clu), which encodes a highly conserved tetratricopeptide repeat protein that is related closely to the CluA protein of Dictyostelium, Clu1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and to similar proteins in diverse metazoan eukaryotes from Arabidopsis to humans. Like its orthologs, loss of Drosophila clu causes mitochondria to cluster within cells. We find that strong clu mutations resemble park mutations in their effects on mitochondrial function and that the two genes interact genetically. Conversely, mitochondria in park homozygotes become highly clustered. We propose that Clu functions in a novel pathway that positions mitochondria within the cell based on their physiological state. Disruption of the Clu pathway may enhance oxidative damage, alter gene expression, cause mitochondria to cluster at microtubule plus ends, and lead eventually to mitochondrial failure.
Normal human mammary epithelial cells proliferate rapidly in the presence of elevated levels of the tumor suppressors p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1
Authors: Huschtscha Lily I. , Moore Jonathan D. , Noble Jane R. , Campbell Hamish G. , Royds Janice A. , Braithwaite Antony W. , Reddel Roger R.
Published: July 2009

In normal cells, p53 protein is maintained at low levels, but the levels increase after stress or inappropriate growth signals to coordinate growth arrest or apoptosis. Human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) are unusual in that they exhibit two phases of growth. The second growth phase, referred to as post-selection, follows a period of temporary growth arrest and is characterized by the absence of p16INK4a (also known as CDK4I and p16-INK4a) expression. Previously, we observed that post-selection HMECs have elevated levels of p53. Exogenous p16INK4a expression decreased levels of both p53 transcript and protein, and this effect was inhibited by nutlin-3a, indicating that p16INK4a can regulate p53 expression by affecting both p53 transcription and Mdm2-dependent degradation of p53. The p53 in post-selection HMECs was wild type and, as expected, increased p53 expression was associated with elevated p21WAF1/CIP1 and Mdm2 levels; the p53 response to DNA damage seemed normal. Despite elevated levels of wild-type p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1, post-selection cells grew more rapidly than their pre-selection HMEC precursors. We found that the post-selection HMECs contain a truncated Mdm2 protein (p60), which presumably lacks the p53 ubiquitylation domain. We propose that the increased levels of p53 in post-selection HMECs are due to the presence of an Mdm2 fragment that binds p53 but does not result in its degradation.
SPOC1: a novel PHD-containing protein modulating chromatin structure and mitotic chromosome condensation
Authors: Kinkley Sarah , Staege Hannah , Mohrmann Gerrit , Rohaly Gabor , Schaub Theres , Kremmer Elisabeth , Winterpacht Andreas , Will Hans
Published: July 2009

In this study, we characterize the molecular and functional features of a novel protein called SPOC1. SPOC1 RNA expression was previously reported to be highest in highly proliferating tissues and increased in a subset of ovarian carcinoma patients, which statistically correlated with poor prognosis and residual disease. These observations implied that SPOC1 might play a role in cellular proliferation and oncogenesis. Here we show that the endogenous SPOC1 protein is labile, primarily chromatin associated and its expression as well as localization are regulated throughout the cell cycle. SPOC1 is dynamically regulated during mitosis with increased expression levels and biphasic localization to mitotic chromosomes indicating a functional role of SPOC1 in mitotic processes. Consistent with this postulate, SPOC1 siRNA knockdown experiments resulted in defects in mitotic chromosome condensation, alignment and aberrant sister chromatid segregation. Finally, we have been able to show, using micrococcal nuclease (MNase) chromatin-digestion assays that SPOC1 expression levels proportionally influence the degree of chromatin compaction. Collectively, our findings show that SPOC1 modulates chromatin structure and that tight regulation of its expression levels and subcellular localization during mitosis are crucial for proper chromosome condensation and cell division.
Furrow-like invaginations of the yeast plasma membrane correspond to membrane compartment of Can1
Authors: Strádalová Vendula , Stahlschmidt Wiebke , Grossmann Guido , Blažíková Michaela , Rachel Reinhard , Tanner Widmar , Malinsky Jan
Published: July 2009

Plasma membrane of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains stable lateral domains. We have investigated the ultrastructure of one type of domain, the membrane compartment of Can1 (MCC). In two yeast strains (nce102Δ and pil1Δ) that are defective in segregation of MCC-specific proteins, we found the plasma membrane to be devoid of the characteristic furrow-like invaginations. These are highly conserved plasma membrane structures reported in early freeze-fracture studies. Comparison of the results obtained by three different approaches – electron microscopy of freeze-etched cells, confocal microscopy of intact cells and computer simulation – shows that the number of invaginations corresponds to the number of MCC patches in the membrane of wild-type cells. In addition, neither MCC patches nor the furrow-like invaginations colocalized with the cortical ER. In mutants exhibiting elongated MCC patches, there are elongated invaginations of the appropriate size and frequency. Using various approaches of immunoelectron microscopy, the MCC protein Sur7, as well as the eisosome marker Pil1, have been detected at these invaginations. Thus, we identify the MCC patch, which is a lateral membrane domain of specific composition and function, with a specific structure in the yeast plasma membrane – the furrow-like invagination.
Dynamic analysis of railway transition curves
Authors: Long X-Y , Wei Q-C , Zheng F-Y
Published: July 2009

Transition curves play an important role in riding quality, especially for high-speed railways. Accordingly, various curves have been proposed as transition forms. To evaluate the effects of the forms in transition curves, the basic requirements and forms of transition curves were first discussed, and then simulations were performed with several typical transition curves at various speeds, based on the dynamic model developed in this research. The results indicate that the dynamic effects of transition curves are determined by the curvature variation and the order of the curvature derivative that is equal to zero at the curve endpoints, while the expression mode (such as algebraic or trigonometric expression) does not make much difference. From a dynamic viewpoint, the ideal transition form requires that the second derivative of its curvature is equal to zero at the curve endpoints at least, such as the seventh parabola, ninth parabola, and sinusoid, with which the vibration accelerations of the vehicle vary smoothly and the jerk can be effectively eased. Then the appropriate transition forms are recommended for ordinary and high-speed railways, respectively.
Predictive feedback control: An alternative to proportional-integral-derivative control
Authors: Giovanini L
Published: July 2009

Even though employed widely in industrial practice, the popular proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller has weaknesses that limit its achievable performance. In this paper, an alternative control scheme that combines the simplicity of the PID controller with the versatility of model predictive control is presented. The result is a controller that combines the time-delay compensation capability of predictive control algorithms, the effectiveness of inferential control schemes for disturbance rejection, and the adaptation capabilities of switching controllers. The robust stability and performance of the controller are analysed. These results are then used to generate two tuning procedures. The design, implementation, and performance of the controller are illustrated via simulations on linear and non-linear systems.