bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Spatial Dynamics in Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Rey Sergio J. , Anselin Luc , Folch David C. , Arribas-Bel Daniel , Sastré Gutiérrez Myrna L. , Interlante Lindsey
Published: November 2010

This article introduces a new approach to measuring neighborhood change. Instead of the traditional method of identifying “neighborhoods” a priori and then studying how resident attributes change over time, this approach looks at the neighborhood more intrinsically as a unit that has both a geographic footprint and a socioeconomic composition. Therefore, change is identified when both aspects of a neighborhood transform from one period to the next. The approach is based on a spatial clustering algorithm that identifies neighborhoods at two points in time for one city. The authors also develop indicators of spatial change at both the macro (city) level and the local (neighborhood) scale. The authors illustrate these methods in an application to an extensive database of time-consistent census tracts for 359 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States for the period 1990-2000.
Discursive constructions of eating disorders: A story completion task
Authors: Walsh Eleanor , Malson Helen
Published: November 2010

Using a post-structualist, discourse analytic framework this study investigates constructions of ‘anorexia’ and ‘bulimia’ made by young people. A story completion methodology was employed to allow young people to express their understandings of eating disorders. This involved participants completing two stories, about a fictional female character, Ashley, described as engaging in either anorexic-type or bulimic-type eating behaviour. Analysis of the resulting stories demonstrated several ways in which both ‘anorexia’ and ‘bulimia’were constructed as problematic, as pathologized and as requiring treatment. These constructions were framed within conflicting paternalistic and neo-liberal narratives, whereby Ashley was constituted as both a passive and active patient in her treatment. The implications of these narratives are briefly discussed in terms of their reproduction of normative constructions of young women’s eating patterns and in terms of representations of accountability for young women’s health.
Resisting the Catholic Church’s notion of the nun as self-sacrificing woman
Authors: Brock Megan P
Published: November 2010

Should we view nuns as oppressed or agentic? A woman’s identity is constructed on multiple sites, but the identity of the nun is primarily constructed by the patriarchal institution of the Catholic Church, which ascribes meaning to and regulates her life. This article examines the Catholic Church’s dominant discursive construction of the nun as self-sacrificing woman. It draws on a study that applied feminist and Foucauldian analysis, first, to key Church texts relating to nuns’lives and, second, to interview data of 43 Australian/New Zealand nuns, exploring ways in which nuns in this sample negotiate the Church’s dominant discursive constructions of the nun in their lived experience as nuns. Subject to male institutional authority, nuns are represented by the Church as living lives of self-sacrifice, devoting themselves wholeheartedly and single-mindedly to God and to the Church’s work. Nuns in this study’s sample actively resist such representations, exercising personal agency in making decisions about their own lives, and in living alone rather than communally. In doing so, they represent themselves as agentic rather than oppressed women.
An approach to the arsenic status in cardiovascular tissues of patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Román DA , Pizarro I , Rivera L , Cámara C , Palacios MA , Gómez MM , Solar C
Published: November 2010

Among non-cancer effects of arsenic, cardiovascular diseases have been well documented; however, few are known about the arsenic fate in cardiovascular tissues. We studied the analytic bioinorganic arsenic behaviour in cardiovascular tissues from an arsenic exposure coronary heart disease patient group from Antofagasta-Chile against a small unexposed arsenic coronary heart patient group. Total arsenic concentrations were measured in pieces of cardiovascular tissues of the arsenic-exposed and unexposed coronary heart patient groups by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS); speciation analysis was made by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Pieces of auricle (AU), mammary artery (MAM), saphenous vein (SAP) and fat residuals (FAT) were considered in this study. The arsenic concentrations in AU and MAM tissues were significantly different between both groups of patients. Also, it was demonstrated that the AU is an ‘As3+ target tissue.’ Otherwise, linking of the total concentrations of arsenic with conditional variables and variables related to medical geology factors allowed us to infer that the latter are more important for the cardiovascular risk of arsenic exposure in the Antofagasta region. Knowledge of total arsenic and the prevalence of the trivalent ion (As3+) in the AU of patients could contribute to understanding the effect of arsenic on cardiovascular diseases.
The Relationship Between Subjective Well-Being and Vocational Personality Type
Authors: Cotter Elizabeth W. , Fouad Nadya A.
Published: November 2010

This study examined the relationship between subjective well-being (SWB) and Holland’s Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC) model. It was hypothesized that individuals resembling Social and Enterprising vocational personality types would report higher SWB than those resembling other personality types. It was also hypothesized that individuals who reported higher levels of congruence, differentiation, and consistency would report higher SWB than those with lower levels. Results indicated no significant relationships between SWB and Holland’s concepts. However, significant relationships were found between the RIASEC types and the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits, as well as the FFM and SWB. Findings and implications are discussed.
The Relationship Between Vocational Interests, Self-Efficacy, and Achievement in the Prediction of Educational Pathways
Authors: Patrick Lyn , Care Esther , Ainley Mary
Published: November 2010

The influence of vocational interest, self-efficacy beliefs, and academic achievement on choice of educational pathway is described for a cohort of Australian students. Participants were 189 students aged 14—15 years, who were considering either academic or applied learning pathways and subject choices for the final 3 years of secondary school. Using Holland’s interest model within a social cognitive career theory (SCCT) framework, logistic regression analyses indicated that all three constructs were significant predictors of pathway and subject selection and enrolment. The best predictive model for students with strong Realistic interests was an interaction of self-efficacy and interest. For Investigative students, both self-efficacy and achievement were best predictors and for Artistic, Social, and Conventional, achievement was the best predictor of future course enrolment. The results of this research offer partial support for the theory of Lent, Brown, and Hackett in that a variable pattern of associations between vocational interest, self-efficacy, and achievement emerged across the Holland interest themes.
The Recidivism Rates of Female Sexual Offenders Are Low: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cortoni Franca , Hanson R. Karl , Coache Marie-Ève
Published: November 2010

This study examined the recidivism rates of female sexual offenders. A meta-analysis of 10 studies (2,490 offenders; average follow-up 6.5 years) showed that female sexual offenders have extremely low rates of sexual recidivism (less than 3%). The recidivism rates for violent (including sexual) offences and for any type of crime were predictably higher than the recidivism rates for sexual offences but still lower than the recidivism rates of male sexual offenders. These findings indicate the need for distinct policies and procedures for assessing and managing the risk of male and female sexual offenders. Risk assessment tools developed specifically for male sexual offenders would be expected to substantially overestimate the recidivism risk of female sexual offenders.
De-inter-facement
Authors: Cooke Grayson
Published: November 2010

/ Since 2006, the art duo 0100101110101101.org, aka Eva and Franco Mattes, have produced a number of ‘portraits’ of Second Life avatars. Collectively referred to as Portraits on the Mattes’s website, they are grouped into a series of exhibitions which have been shown in New York, Italy and Switzerland, as well as within Second Life itself. Critical reception has been mixed, with some critics appreciating the images as critiques of real-world conventions of beauty, while others have found them bland and banal. The artists, however, have stated that the Portraits series is their most radical work to date. With such wide variance in critical reception and artistic ‘intention’, it is worth asking a few questions: What is the significance of exhibiting portraits of Second Life avatars? What does it mean to re-present what is already a representation — and what is in fact being represented? And, given that the Portraits are predominantly close-ups of faces, and also that they are brought to us via a whole series of digital interfaces, what role do the face and the interface play in the production and understanding of these images?
Keeping it Real
Authors: van Doorn Niels
Published: November 2010

/ Recently, some scholars have suggested that new media technologies are opening up spaces for the sexual emancipation of previously marginalized groups. These ‘DIY’ web cultures would facilitate different, more authentic, representations of gender and sexuality than conventionally available in mainstream pornography. This study examines these propositions by analyzing a sample of 100 user-generated ‘amateur’ videos on YouPorn, an adult video-sharing website. It is demonstrated how an adherence to a masculine, heteronormative ‘pornoscript’ structures the possible ways in which sexual pleasure is enacted and visualized in these videos. Simultaneously, their alleged proximity to ‘real life’ works to naturalize these representations, enabling the reification of their gender ideology through a denial of their imaginary dimension. It is concluded that, rather than providing a space for alternative sexual representations, YouPorn manifests itself as a site where pornography, participatory media, and the representation/fetishation of ‘reality’ converge to maintain a politically conservative gender ideology.
Temperature effects on cable stayed bridge using health monitoring system: a case study
Authors: Yinghong Cao  , Yim Jinsuk , Yang Zhao  , Wang Ming L
Published: November 2010

The Zhanjiang Bay Bridge, located in an inner gulf of South China, is a cable stayed bridge with a main span of 480 m. An analysis on the thermal effects experienced by the bridge is presented according to a health monitoring system (HMS) that began operation in 2006. The parameters studied in the analysis include thermal time lags and gradients of the steel box girder, concrete tower, and stayed cables, as well as displacements at center span and tops of the towers. Among the findings, temperature gradient in the steel girder was larger than the design specification, concrete temperature lagged significantly behind ambient air, and stayed cable temperatures were between those of ambient air and concrete. Additional findings were obtained by comparing the measured data to values calculated using a finite element model. The comparison made it possible to approximate the unmeasured thermal gradient on the surface of the towers, and to determine that an expansion joint was likely jammed and contributing to the bridge’s asymmetrical displacement. This article presents these findings in a thorough manner, and in doing so conveys the ability of a HMS to provide realistic examples of thermal behavior, to estimate conditions at locations free of measurement devices, and to suggest areas of concern for future manual inspections. Furthermore, it provides evidence that a HMS is not only helpful for bridge design and management, but also for the development of itself.
Gender differences in preschoolers’ understanding of the concept of life
Authors: Schroeder Meadow , Graham Susan A. , McKeough Anne , Stock Hayli , Palmer Jaime
Published: November 2010

This study investigated gender differences in North American preschoolers’ biological reasoning about the concept of ‘life’. Four-year-olds (M = 4.6, SD = 3.3 months) and five-year-olds (M = 5.6, SD = 3.8 months) were asked about the function of 13 body parts, organs, and bodily processes. Results indicated that the likelihood of mentioning the importance of body parts, organs, and bodily processes for maintaining life or preventing death was predicted by age. A concept of life was more likely to occur in boys rather than girls. Although boys had a greater understanding of life they did not outperform girls in their responses to organ/ body part function. The results demonstrate that gender differences in biological reasoning emerge during the preschool years. Implications for early science education are discussed.
Peeking at the relationship world of infant friends and caregivers
Authors: Minsun Shin
Published: November 2010

This qualitative study aimed to explore how infants share and experience friendships and examine the role of infant caregivers in social and friendship experiences among infants. The data were collected through classroom observation over a semester. Findings yielded complex and rich social relationships that both infant friends and caregivers collectively share. Infant friends exhibited strong preference toward each other and share caring, affective, playful, and humorous relationships. The findings also illustrated how infant caregivers play an important role in nurturing and supporting relationships among infants. Yet, it was also noticed that caregivers could easily miss the cues of infants or their intentions and thus hinder the further development of infants’ play and social interaction. Implications for practice were discussed.
Estimation of a Structural Model of the Determinants of the Time Spent on Physical Activity and Sport
Authors: García Jaume , Lera-López Fernando , Suárez María José
Published: November 2010

The aim of this article is to extend the standard neoclassical consumer theory to explain the allocation of individual time to physical activity and sports. The authors assume a Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) utility function and they estimate the model using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) method and the Heckman two-step procedure. They run separate estimates for men and women using the Spanish Time-Use Survey conducted in 2002-2003. The results show that there are gender differences in the determinants of the allocation of time to physical activity. Moreover, participation in physical activity and sports and the time devoted to these activities seem to be based on different decisions.
Mirth and Murder: Crime Scene Investigation as a Work Context for Examining Humor Applications
Authors: Roth Gene L. , Vivona Brian
Published: November 2010

Within work settings, humor is used by workers for a wide variety of purposes. This study examines humor applications of a specific type of worker in a unique work context: crime scene investigation. Crime scene investigators examine death and its details. Members of crime scene units observe death much more frequently than other police officers and they encounter extremely graphic and violent sensory and mental images. Within this unique work context, humor resides. This study helps human resource development practitioners understand the purposeful application of humor in a specific work context. This increased understanding can help them to interpret humor applications and to use humor in their workplaces to achieve individual and organizational goals.
The Threat of Common Method Variance Bias to Theory Building
Authors: Reio Thomas G.
Published: November 2010

The need for more theory building scholarship remains one of the pressing issues in the field of HRD. Researchers can employ quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods to support vital theory-building efforts, understanding however that each approach has its limitations. The purpose of this article is to explore common method variance bias as one of the possible major threats to the validity of quantitative research findings upon which significant theory building relies. Common method variance has been shown to introduce systematic bias into a study by artificially inflating or deflating correlations, thereby threatening the validity of conclusions drawn about the links between constructs. Both procedural design and statistical control solutions are provided to minimize its likelihood in studies with monomethod designs. Finally, editors and reviewers are called upon to support knowledge-building about how best to handle common method variance bias in quantitative studies.
Three Approaches to Multilevel Theory Building
Authors: Upton Matthew G. , Egan Toby M.
Published: November 2010

Human resource development (HRD) is a dynamic field requiring multilevel considerations in the use and development of theory and theory-building approaches. Despite considerable support in HRD literature for systems and multilevel perspectives, commonly featured general theory-building models do not overtly include or integrate related considerations. It is has been argued by scholars that failures to address inherent levels across HRD have led to reductionism and a micro—macro divide that is, in the long run, an ineffective dichotomy leading to a focus on either large system or individual issues in HRD. Theorizing holistically about multiple levels concurrently has been advocated by HRD scholars as a realistic approach to the naturalistic work environment. Three multilevel theory-building frameworks are introduced, explored, and critiqued as important developments for HRD. Recommendations for advancing HRD theory building based on the aforementioned multilevel theory-building examination are outlined.
Positive Changes, Increased Spiritual Importance, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Cancer Survivors
Authors: Mao Jun J. , Cronholm Peter F. , Stein Emma , Straton Joseph B. , Palmer Steven C. , Barg Frances K.
Published: November 2010

Purpose: Spirituality is an important component of the cancer experience. This study aims to assess characteristics of spiritual health following a cancer diagnosis, and evaluate the relationship between spiritual change and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among a population-based cohort of cancer survivors. Method: A mailed, cross-sectional survey was completed by 614 cancer survivors identified through the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry. All subjects were 3 to 4.5 years postdiagnosis. Relationships between various characteristics of spiritual health and CAM use were examined, along with clinical and sociodemographic factors. Results: Although large proportions of individuals reported that having cancer had positively affected their spiritual well-being (eg, 40.3% experienced highly positive spiritual changes, 68% felt a high sense of purpose, 75.9% reported being very hopeful), some individuals experienced negative spiritual change (36.1%) and continued to experience high levels of uncertainty (27.2%). In multivariate analyses, those survivors who felt spiritual life became more important (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21-3.04, P = .006), or experienced positive changes resulting from the cancer experience (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.26-3.15, P = .003), were more likely to use CAM than those who stated otherwise. Conclusions: Having cancer affects many different aspects of spiritual well-being, both positively and negatively. Positive changes and increased spiritual importance appear to be associated with the use of CAM. Prospective research is needed to test whether integrating CAM into conventional cancer care systems will facilitate positive, spiritually transformative processes among diverse groups of cancer survivors.
External Qigong Therapy for Women With Breast Cancer Prior to Surgery
Authors: Cohen Lorenzo , Zhen Chen  , Arun Banu , Zhimin Shao  , Dryden Mark , Linhhui Xu  , Le-Petross Carisa , Dogan Basak , McKenna Brian J. , Markman Maurie , Babiera Gildy
Published: November 2010

The majority of patients with cancer use some form of complementary or alternative medicine. External qigong treatment (EQT), classified as a bioenergy therapy, is one such approach that patients combine with conventional medicine or, in some cases, use in place of conventional medicine. This study aimed to determine whether EQT could shrink breast cancer tumors and improve quality of life (QOL) in women with pathologically confirmed breast cancer awaiting surgery. A total of 9 women with pathologically confirmed breast cancer were recruited from large cancer centers in the United States (n = 5) and China (n = 4). A single-arm pre/post design was used. Each patient underwent 5 consecutive days of EQT, with each treatment lasting from 2 to 5 minutes. All treatments were performed by the same qigong master. Tumor measurements were made before and after the EQT sessions. Tumor assessments were conducted prior to study initiation and following the last EQT. Patients underwent both an ultrasound and mammogram (United States) or an ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (China). All patients also underwent physical breast examinations (PBEs) and completed QOL questionnaires before and after the last EQT. No clinical changes in tumor measurements from pre- to post-EQT were noted. There was also no suggestion of change in tumor size by PBE or change in QOL. Using the current study design, EQT did not have any effect on tumor size. EQT also does not appear to have any effect on patient QOL. Because of the small sample size and working with only one qigong practitioner, to definitively determine the efficacy or lack of efficacy of EQT, a larger study with multiple qigong practitioners would need to be conducted.
iGTP: A software package for large-scale gene tree parsimony analysis
Authors: Chaudhary Ruchi , Bansal Mukul S , Wehe André , Fernández-Baca David , Eulenstein Oliver
Published: November 2010

Background

The ever-increasing wealth of genomic sequence information provides an unprecedented opportunity for large-scale phylogenetic analysis. However, species phylogeny inference is obfuscated by incongruence among gene trees due to evolutionary events such as gene duplication and loss, incomplete lineage sorting (deep coalescence), and horizontal gene transfer. Gene tree parsimony (GTP) addresses this issue by seeking a species tree that requires the minimum number of evolutionary events to reconcile a given set of incongruent gene trees. Despite its promise, the use of gene tree parsimony has been limited by the fact that existing software is either not fast enough to tackle large data sets or is restricted in the range of evolutionary events it can handle.

Results

We introduce iGTP, a platform-independent software program that implements state-of-the-art algorithms that greatly speed up species tree inference under the duplication, duplication-loss, and deep coalescence reconciliation costs. iGTP significantly extends and improves the functionality and performance of existing gene tree parsimony software and offers advanced features such as building effective initial trees using stepwise leaf addition and the ability to have unrooted gene trees in the input. Moreover, iGTP provides a user-friendly graphical interface with integrated tree visualization software to facilitate analysis of the results.

Conclusions

iGTP enables, for the first time, gene tree parsimony analyses of thousands of genes from hundreds of taxa using the duplication, duplication-loss, and deep coalescence reconciliation costs, all from within a convenient graphical user interface.
Validation and characterization of DNA microarray gene expression data distribution and associated moments
Authors: Thomas Reuben , de la Torre Luis , Chang Xiaoqing , Mehrotra Sanjay
Published: November 2010

Background

The data from DNA microarrays are increasingly being used in order to understand effects of different conditions, exposures or diseases on the modulation of the expression of various genes in a biological system. This knowledge is then further used in order to generate molecular mechanistic hypotheses for an organism when it is exposed to different conditions. Several different methods have been proposed to analyze these data under different distributional assumptions on gene expression. However, the empirical validation of these assumptions is lacking.

Results

Best fit hypotheses tests, moment-ratio diagrams and relationships between the different moments of the distribution of the gene expression was used to characterize the observed distributions. The data are obtained from the publicly available gene expression database, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to characterize the empirical distributions of gene expressions obtained under varying experimental situations each of which providing relatively large number of samples for hypothesis testing. All data were obtained from either of two microarray platforms - the commercial Affymetrix mouse 430.2 platform and a non-commercial Rosetta/Merck one. The data from each platform were preprocessed in the same manner.

Conclusions

The null hypotheses for goodness of fit for all considered univariate theoretical probability distributions (including the Normal distribution) are rejected for more than 50% of probe sets on the Affymetrix microarray platform at a 95% confidence level, suggesting that under the tested conditions a priori assumption of any of these distributions across all probe sets is not valid. The pattern of null hypotheses rejection was different for the data from Rosetta/Merck platform with only around 20% of the probe sets failing the logistic distribution goodness-of-fit test. We find that there are statistically significant (at 95% confidence level based on the F-test for the fitted linear model) relationships between the mean and the logarithm of the coefficient of variation of the distributions of the logarithm of gene expressions. An additional novel statistically significant quadratic relationship between the skewness and kurtosis is identified. Data from both microarray platforms fail to identify with any one of the chosen theoretical probability distributions from an analysis of the l-moment ratio diagram.
Principal-component-based multivariate regression for genetic association studies of metabolic syndrome components
Authors: Mei Hao , Chen Wei , Dellinger Andrew , He Jiang , Wang Meng , Yau Canddy , Srinivasan Sathanur R , Berenson Gerald S
Published: November 2010

Background

Quantitative traits often underlie risk for complex diseases. For example, weight and body mass index (BMI) underlie the human abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome. Many attempts have been made to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) over the past decade, including association studies. However, a single QTL is often capable of affecting multiple traits, a quality known as gene pleiotropy. Gene pleiotropy may therefore cause a loss of power in association studies focused only on a single trait, whether based on single or multiple markers.

Results

We propose using principal-component-based multivariate regression (PCBMR) to test for gene pleiotropy with comprehensive evaluation. This method generates one or more independent canonical variables based on the principal components of original traits and conducts a multivariate regression to test for association with these new variables. Systematic simulation studies have shown that PCBMR has great power. PCBMR-based pleiotropic association studies of abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome and its possible linkage to chromosomal band 3q27 identified 11 susceptibility genes with significant associations. Whereas some of these genes had been previously reported to be associated with metabolic traits, others had never been identified as metabolism-associated genes.

Conclusions

PCBMR is a computationally efficient and powerful test for gene pleiotropy. Application of PCBMR to abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome indicated the existence of gene pleiotropy affecting this syndrome.
Rnnotator: an automated de novo transcriptome assembly pipeline from stranded RNA-Seq reads
Authors: Martin Jeffrey , Bruno Vincent M , Fang Zhide , Meng Xiandong , Blow Matthew , Zhang Tao , Sherlock Gavin , Snyder Michael , Wang Zhong
Published: November 2010

Background

Comprehensive annotation and quantification of transcriptomes are outstanding problems in functional genomics. While high throughput mRNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing these problems, its success is dependent upon the availability and quality of reference genome sequences, thus limiting the organisms to which it can be applied.

Results

Here, we describe Rnnotator, an automated software pipeline that generates transcript models by de novo assembly of RNA-Seq data without the need for a reference genome. We have applied the Rnnotator assembly pipeline to two yeast transcriptomes and compared the results to the reference gene catalogs of these organisms. The contigs produced by Rnnotator are highly accurate (95%) and reconstruct full-length genes for the majority of the existing gene models (54.3%). Furthermore, our analyses revealed many novel transcribed regions that are absent from well annotated genomes, suggesting Rnnotator serves as a complementary approach to analysis based on a reference genome for comprehensive transcriptomics.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the Rnnotator pipeline is able to reconstruct full-length transcripts in the absence of a complete reference genome.
Long descending cervical propriospinal neurons differ from thoracic propriospinal neurons in response to low thoracic spinal injury
Authors: Siebert Justin R , Middleton Frank A , Stelzner Dennis J
Published: November 2010

Background

Propriospinal neurons, with axonal projections intrinsic to the spinal cord, have shown a greater regenerative response than supraspinal neurons after axotomy due to spinal cord injury (SCI). Our previous work focused on the response of axotomized short thoracic propriospinal (TPS) neurons following a low thoracic SCI (T9 spinal transection or moderate spinal contusion injury) in the rat. The present investigation analyzes the intrinsic response of cervical propriospinal neurons having long descending axons which project into the lumbosacral enlargement, long descending propriospinal tract (LDPT) axons. These neurons also were axotomized by T9 spinal injury in the same animals used in our previous study.

Results

Utilizing laser microdissection (LMD), qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry, we studied LDPT neurons (located in the C5-C6 spinal segments) between 3-days, and 1-month following a low thoracic (T9) spinal cord injury. We examined the response of 89 genes related to growth factors, cell surface receptors, apoptosis, axonal regeneration, and neuroprotection/cell survival. We found a strong and significant down-regulation of ~25% of the genes analyzed early after injury (3-days post-injury) with a sustained down-regulation in most instances. In the few genes that were up-regulated (Actb, Atf3, Frs2, Hspb1, Nrap, Stat1) post-axotomy, the expression for all but one was down-regulated by 2-weeks post-injury. We also compared the uninjured TPS control neurons to the uninjured LDPT neurons used in this experiment for phenotypic differences between these two subpopulations of propriospinal neurons. We found significant differences in expression in 37 of the 84 genes examined between these two subpopulations of propriospinal neurons with LDPT neurons exhibiting a significantly higher base line expression for all but 3 of these genes compared to TPS neurons.

Conclusions

Taken collectively these data indicate a broad overall down-regulation in the genes examined, including genes for neurotrophic/growth factor receptors as well as for several growth factors. There was a lack of a significant regenerative response, with the exception of an up-regulation of Atf3 and early up-regulation of Hspb1 (Hsp27), both involved in cell stress/neuroprotection as well as axonal regeneration. There was no indication of a cell death response over the first month post-injury. In addition, there appear to be significant phenotypic differences between uninjured TPS and LDPT neurons, which may partly account for the differences observed in their post-axotomy responses. The findings in this current study stand in stark contrast to the findings from our previous work on TPS neurons. This suggests that different approaches will be needed to enhance the capacity for each population of propriospinal neuron to survive and undergo successful axonal regeneration after SCI.
Identification and expression analysis of microRNAs and targets in the biofuel crop sugarcane
Authors: Zanca Almir S , Vicentini Renato , Ortiz-Morea Fausto A , Del Bem Luiz EV , da Silva Marcio J , Vincentz Michel , Nogueira Fabio TS
Published: November 2010

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs, some of which are conserved in diverse plant genomes. Therefore, computational identification and further experimental validation of miRNAs from non-model organisms is both feasible and instrumental for addressing miRNA-based gene regulation and evolution. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important biofuel crop with publicly available expressed sequence tag and genomic survey sequence databases, but little is known about miRNAs and their targets in this highly polyploid species.

Results

In this study, we have computationally identified 19 distinct sugarcane miRNA precursors, of which several are highly similar with their sorghum homologs at both nucleotide and secondary structure levels. The accumulation pattern of mature miRNAs varies in organs/tissues from the commercial sugarcane hybrid as well as in its corresponding founder species S. officinarum and S. spontaneum. Using sugarcane MIR827 as a query, we found a novel MIR827 precursor in the sorghum genome. Based on our computational tool, a total of 46 potential targets were identified for the 19 sugarcane miRNAs. Several targets for highly conserved miRNAs are transcription factors that play important roles in plant development. Conversely, target genes of lineage-specific miRNAs seem to play roles in diverse physiological processes, such as SsCBP1. SsCBP1 was experimentally confirmed to be a target for the monocot-specific miR528. Our findings support the notion that the regulation of SsCBP1 by miR528 is shared at least within graminaceous monocots, and this miRNA-based post-transcriptional regulation evolved exclusively within the monocots lineage after the divergence from eudicots.

Conclusions

Using publicly available nucleotide databases, 19 sugarcane miRNA precursors and one new sorghum miRNA precursor were identified and classified into 14 families. Comparative analyses between sugarcane and sorghum suggest that these two species retain homologous miRNAs and targets in their genomes. Such conservation may help to clarify specific aspects of miRNA regulation and evolution in the polyploid sugarcane. Finally, our dataset provides a framework for future studies on sugarcane RNAi-dependent regulatory mechanisms.
Effect of the rs2259816 polymorphism in the HNF1A gene on circulating levels of c-reactive protein and coronary artery disease (the ludwigshafen risk and cardiovascular health study)
Authors: Kleber Marcus E , Grammer Tanja B , Renner Wilfried , März Winfried
Published: November 2010

Background

C-reactive protein is a well established marker of inflammation and has been used to predict future cardiovascular disease. It is still controversial if it plays an active role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Recently, polymorphisms in the gene for HNF1α have been linked to the levels of C-reactive protein and coronary artery disease.

Methods

We investigated the association of the rs2259816 polymorphism in the HNF1A gene with the circulating level of C-reactive protein and the hazard of coronary artery disease in the LURIC Study cohort.

Results

Compared to CC homozygotes, the level of C-reactive protein was decreased in carriers of at least one A-allele. Each A-allele decreased CRP by approximately 15%. The odds ratio for coronary artery disease was only very slightly increased in carriers of the A-allele and this association did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

In the LURIC Study cohort the A-allele of rs2259816 is associated with decreased CRP but not with coronary artery disease.
Process evaluation of a school based physical activity related injury prevention programme using the RE-AIM framework
Authors: Collard Dorine CM , Chinapaw Mai JM , Verhagen Evert ALM , van Mechelen Willem
Published: November 2010

Background

In general, only information regarding the effectiveness of an intervention programme is ever published. However, in recent years evaluating the translatability and feasibility of an intervention programme has become more important. Therefore, this paper presents the results of the evaluation of the iPlay programme aimed at preventing physical activity related injuries in primary school children.

Methods

The iPlay programme targeted injuries gained through physical activity, and consisted of a teacher's manual, informative newsletters and posters, a website, and set exercises to be carried out during physical education (PE) classes. In order to evaluate the iPlay programme for translatability and feasibility, teachers, children and parents who participated in the iPlay programme filled out a questionnaire

The objective of this study is to describe the results of the process-evaluation of the iPlay programme based on the five dimensions of the RE-AIM framework.

Results

The results showed that the participation rate of the children was 100% (reach). Nine percent of the schools who were invited to take part were willing to participate in the study (adoption rate). Teachers stated that they implemented the different elements of the programme partly as intended (implementation). The percentage of children and parents who followed the programme was less than expected. In addition, 52% of the teachers indicated that the current iPlay programme could become standard practice in their teaching routine (maintenance).

Conclusion

The iPlay programme is a first start in the prevention of physical activity related injuries in children, but further improvements need to be made to the programme on the basis of this process evaluation.

Trial registration

ISRCTN78846684; http://www.controlled-trials.com
Loss of glutathione peroxidase 3 expression is correlated with epigenetic mechanisms in endometrial adenocarcinoma
Authors: Falck Eva , Karlsson Sandra , Carlsson, Jessica , Helenius Gisela , Karlsson Mats , Klinga-Levan Karin
Published: November 2010

Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) is one of the key enzymes in the cellular defense against oxidative stress and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, (MET) has been suggested to be influenced by the GPX3 gene expression. In a previous microarray study performed by our group, Gpx3 was identified as a potential biomarker for rat endometrial adenocarcinoma (EAC), since the expression was highly downregulated in rat EAC tumors. Herein, we have investigated the mRNA expression and Gpx3 and Met in rat EAC by real time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and the methylation status of Gpx3. In addition we have examined the expression of GPX3 and MET in 30 human EACs of different FIGO grades and 20 benign endometrial tissues. We found that the expression of GPX3 was uniformly down regulated in both rat and human EAC, regardless of tumor grade or histopathological subtype, implying that the down-regulation is an early event in EAC. The rate of Gpx3 promoter methylation reaches 91%, where biallelic methylation was present in 90% of the methylated tumors. The expression of the Met oncogene was slightly upregulated in EACs that showed loss of expression of Gpx3, but no tumor suppressor activity of Gpx3/GPX3 was detected. Preliminary results also suggest that the production of H2O2 is higher in rat endometrial tumors with down-regulated Gpx3 expression. A likely consequence of loss of GPX3 protein function would be a higher amount of ROS in the cancer cell environment. Thus, the results suggest important clinical implications of the GPX3 expression in EAC, both as a molecular biomarker for EAC and as a potential target for therapeutic interventions.
Increased prevalence of the pfdhfr/phdhps quintuple mutant and rapid emergence of pfdhps resistance mutations at codons 581 and 613 in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Spalding Maroya D , Eyase Fredrick L , Akala Hoseah M , Bedno Sheryl A , Prigge Sean T , Coldren Rodney L , Moss William J , Waters Norman C
Published: November 2010

Background

Anti-malarial drug resistance in Kenya prompted two drug policy changes within a decade: sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) replaced chloroquine (CQ) as the first-line anti-malarial in 1998 and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) replaced SP in 2004. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted to monitor changes in the prevalence of molecular markers of drug resistance over the period in which SP was used as the first-line anti-malarial. The baseline study was carried out from 1999-2000, shortly after implementation of SP, and the follow-up study occurred from 2003-2005, during the transition to AL.

Materials and methods

Blood was collected from malaria smear-positive, symptomatic patients presenting to outpatient centers in Kisumu, Kenya, during the baseline and follow-up studies. Isolates were genotyped at codons associated with SP and CQ resistance. In vitro IC50 values for antifolates and quinolones were determined for isolates from the follow-up study.

Results

The prevalence of isolates containing the pfdhfr N51I/C59R/S108N/pfdhps A437G/K540E quintuple mutant associated with SP-resistance rose from 21% in the baseline study to 53% in the follow-up study (p < 0.001). Isolates containing the pfdhfr I164L mutation were absent from both studies. The pfdhps mutations A581G and A613S/T were absent from the baseline study but were present in 85% and 61%, respectively, of isolates from the follow-up study. At follow-up, parasites with mutations at five pfdhps codons, 436, 437, 540, 581, and 613, accounted for 39% of isolates. The CQ resistance-associated mutations pfcrt K76T and pfmdr1 N86Y rose from 82% to 97% (p = 0.001) and 44% to 76% (p < 0.001), respectively, from baseline to follow-up.

Conclusions

During the period in which SP was the first-line anti-malarial in Kenya, highly SP-resistant parasites emerged, including isolates harboring pfdhps mutations not previously observed there. SP continues to be widely used in Kenya; however, given the highly resistant genotypes observed in this study, its use as a first-line anti-malarial should be discouraged, particularly for populations without acquired immunity to malaria. The increase in the pfcrt K76T prevalence, despite efforts to reduce CQ use, suggests that either these efforts are not adequate to alleviate CQ pressure in Kisumu, or that drug pressure is derived from another source, such as the second-line anti-malarial amodiaquine.
Quantitative pinch stimulator for exploring evoked nociceptive responses: A pilot study
Authors: Chen Chih-Ping , Liao Wen-Li , Tseng Yi-Li , Lu Pen-Li , Lo Yu-Chun , Chen You-Yin , Jaw Fu-Shan
Published: November 2010

Background

A mechanical noxious stimulator is useful for studies of pain, both for clinic and basic research. We propose to use a pinch stimulator that can not only generate a quantitative, reproducible noxious pinch but also simultaneously provide a synchronous external trigger signal, which is essential for acquisition of evoked potentials.

Methods

For ethical considerations, audible and visual aids were incorporated so that pinch force could be regulated within a predetermined level. Reproducibility of the nociceptive responses evoked by this device was validated. The device was constructed with a simple circuit, and the element build-in was delicately selected for the minimum required to produce evoked potentials.

Results

The magnitude of the force output is linearly proportional to the volts produced by the device (i.e., during the pinch). Increases in force correspond to increases in the number of action potentials induced.

Conclusions

This device may be useful for studying the mechanisms of nociceptive signal processing in the brain through application of reproducible, noxious pinch stimuli.
Suppression of nitric oxide production from nasal fibroblasts by metabolized clarithromycin in vitro
Authors: Furuya Ayako , Asano Kazuhito , Shoji Naruo , Hirano Kojiro , Hamasaki Taisuke , Suzaki Harumi
Published: November 2010

Background

Low-dose and long-term administration of 14-membered macrolide antibiotics, so called macrolide therapy, has been reported to favorably modify the clinical conditions of chronic airway diseases. Since there is growing evidence that macrolide antibiotic-resistant bacteria's spreaders in the populations received macrolide therapy, it is strongly desired to develop macrolide antibiotics, which showed only anti-inflammatory action. The present study was designed to examine the influence of clarithromycin (CAM) and its metabolized materials, M-1, M-4 and M-5, on free radical generation from nasal polyp fibroblasts (NPFs) through the choice of nitric oxide (NO), which is one of important effector molecule in the development of airway inflammatory diseasein vitro.

Methods

NPFs (5 × 105cells/ml) were stimulated with 1.0 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of agents for 24 hours. NO levels in culture supernatants were examined by the Griess method. We also examined the influence of agents on the phosphorylation of MAPKs, NF-κB activation, iNOS mRNA expression and iNOS production in NPFs cultured for 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours, respectively.

Results

The addition of CAM (> 0.4 μg/ml) and M-4 (> 0.04 μg/ml) could suppress NO production from NPFs after LPS stimulation through the suppression of iNOS mRNA expression and NF-κB activation. CAM and M-4 also suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs, ERK and p38 MAPK, but not JNK, which are increased LPS stimulation. On the other hand, M-1 and M-5 could not inhibit the NO generation, even when 0.1 μg/ml of the agent was added to cell cultures.

Conclusion

The present results may suggest that M-4 will be a good candidate for the agent in the treatment of chronic airway inflammatory diseases, since M-4 did not have antimicribiological effects on gram positive and negative bacteria.