bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sec3-containing Exocyst Complex Is Required for Desmosome Assembly in Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Authors: Andersen Nicholas J. , Yeaman Charles
Published: November 2009

The Exocyst is a conserved multisubunit complex involved in the docking of post-Golgi transport vesicles to sites of membrane remodeling during cellular processes such as polarization, migration, and division. In mammalian epithelial cells, Exocyst complexes are recruited to nascent sites of cell–cell contact in response to E-cadherin–mediated adhesive interactions, and this event is an important early step in the assembly of intercellular junctions. Sec3 has been hypothesized to function as a spatial landmark for the development of polarity in budding yeast, but its role in epithelial cells has not been investigated. Here, we provide evidence in support of a function for a Sec3-containing Exocyst complex in the assembly or maintenance of desmosomes, adhesive junctions that link intermediate filament networks to sites of strong intercellular adhesion. We show that Sec3 associates with a subset of Exocyst complexes that are enriched at desmosomes. Moreover, we found that membrane recruitment of Sec3 is dependent on cadherin-mediated adhesion but occurs later than that of the known Exocyst components Sec6 and Sec8 that are recruited to adherens junctions. RNA interference-mediated suppression of Sec3 expression led to specific impairment of both the morphology and function of desmosomes, without noticeable effect on adherens junctions. These results suggest that two different exocyst complexes may function in basal–lateral membrane trafficking and will enable us to better understand how exocytosis is spatially organized during development of epithelial plasma membrane domains.
Co-infection of Soybean withSoybean mosaic virusandAlfalfa mosaic virusResults in Disease Synergism and Alteration in Accumulation Level of Both Viruses
Authors: Malapi-Nelson M. , Wen R.-H. , Ownley B. H. , Hajimorad M. R.
Published: November 2009

Co-infection of potyviruses with taxonomically diverse plant viruses results in disease synergism and elevation in the level of accumulation of non-potyviruses involved. In the majority of cases, however, the accumulation level of potyviruses remains essentially unaltered. A few potyviruses, such as Soybean mosaic virus (SMV), naturally infect soybean (Glycine max). Soybean is also a natural host to a number of non-potyviruses including Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), which causes mild symptoms often associated with symptom remission. We have now studied the interactions between AMV and SMV on symptom severity and accumulation level of each of the two viruses in soybean. Co-infection of soybean with AMV and SMV was established following mechanical inoculation, irrespective of simultaneous or sequential introduction of the two viruses. In multiple experiments, co-infection of soybean resulted in severe symptoms in doubly infected plants in a strain-independent manner, with enhancement in the level of AMV indicating that the interaction of AMV with SMV is synergistic. Conversely, the level of SMV accumulation was reduced. This suggests that in co-infection with AMV, SMV interacts antagonistically. The observation that co-infection of AMV and SMV results in disease synergism suggests enhancement of potential that AMV may become a serious viral disease of soybean.
Effect of Soil Inoculum Density of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum Race 4 on Disease Development in Cotton
Authors: Hao Jianjun J. , Yang Mary E. , Davis R. Michael
Published: November 2009

The effect of soil inoculum density (0 to 106 conidia/g of potting mix) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4 on plant growth (weight, height, and number of nodes), Fusarium wilt symptoms, vascular discoloration, and number of CFU per gram of stem tissue was determined on five cotton cultivars grown in a greenhouse. In the susceptible cv. DP744, symptoms of wilt and reductions in plant growth occurred at inoculum levels of 103 conidia/g of potting mix and higher, whereas plant growth of the resistant Pima cv. Ph800 was not affected by any soil inoculum densities. Cvs. DP340, Ph72, and UltEF all responded similarly, with a relatively moderate negative growth response to soil inoculum densities generally beginning at 104 conidia/g of potting mix. F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4 was recovered from the stems of all cultivars by plating macerated stem tissue on a semiselective medium. There was a significant positive correlation between CFU and inoculum density above 104 conidia/g of potting mix for DP744 and UltEF. The fungus was recovered relatively infrequently from stems of Ph 800 plants inoculated with any inoculum density of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum. Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4 is an inoculum density- dependent disease; the disease was generally mild and the fungus was rarely recovered from stems at inoculum levels less than 104 conidia/g of potting mix.
Accuracy of a new ultrafast rapid urease test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection in 1000 consecutive dyspeptic patients
Authors: VAIRA D. , VAKIL N. , GATTA L. , RICCI C. , PERNA F. , SARACINO I. , FIORINI G. , HOLTON J.
Published: November 2009

Background  Rapid diagnostic tools for Helicobacter pylori are important in endoscopy.

Aims  To assess the accuracy of a new 5 min rapid urease test (UFT300, ABS Srl, Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milan, Italy) and to compare it with the 1 h Pyloritek (Serim Laboratories, Elkhart, IN, USA) and the 24 h CLO test (Kimberly‐Clark Ballard Medical Products, Roswell, GA, USA).

Method  Consecutive dyspeptic patients referred to our unit for endoscopy were prospectively studied. All patients underwent a 13C‐urea‐breath test, histology and the UFT300 (ABS Srl; Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milan, Italy). In a sub‐set of patients (n = 375), two additional RUTs were performed. Patients were deemed infected if both 13C‐UBT and histology were positive. RUTs were read at 1, 5, and 60 min.

Results  Of 1000 enrolled patients 45.3% were infected with H. pylori. The sensitivity of the UFT 300 was 90.3%, 94.5% and 96.2% at 1, 5 and 60 min respectively (specificity 100%). The Pyloritek and the UFT were comparable, but the CLO test was not reliable at 5 and 60 min.

Conclusion  The UFT 300 test is comparable to the Pyloritek test, but the CLO test is significantly less sensitive at early time points. Reading test results at 1 min may increase false negative results, thereby decreasing sensitivity.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 331–338
Democratic Melancholy: On the Sacrosanct Place of Democracy in Radical Democratic Theory
Authors: Little Adrian
Published: November 2009

In recent years radical democracy has become a prominent perspective in contemporary political theory. However, radical democracy involves numerous theoretical arguments and interpretations of democracy as can be witnessed in the work of some theorists who have been influential on radical democratic politics such as William Connolly, Judith Butler and Wendy Brown. Although all of these theorists agree that there are serious problems in the dominant liberal conceptions of democracy, some of them seem reluctant to criticise the workings of democracy in favour of analysis of the limitations of liberalism. While radical democrats need to recognise these limitations, the article contends that the main elements of modern democracy such as popular sovereignty, voting, representation and the rule of law also need to be subjected to critical scrutiny. Otherwise the work of theorists such as Connolly, Butler and Brown tends to produce a melancholic lament for democracy lost which draws attention away from the idea of the ‘constitutive failure’ of democracy that animates some of the radical democratic canon of contemporary European theorists. In short, the article contends that radical democratic theorists need to recognise that democracy is not sacrosanct.
Locke, Rationality and Persecution
Authors: Tate John William
Published: November 2009

This article discusses John Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration (1689). It challenges what has been described as ‘the most influential critique of the argument of the Letter written by a contemporary philosopher’ – that of Jeremy Waldron. It also engages with a recent response to Waldron's critique within the pages of Political Studies by Paul Bou-Habib. It argues that both Waldron and Bou-Habib are in error in their accounts of Locke's theory of toleration. It argues that Waldron is egregiously in error in his claim that Locke, in his defence of toleration, identified with the interests of the persecutors at the expense of their victims. Even Waldron's most recent work on Locke, which emphasises the religious foundations of Locke's defence of toleration, fails to overcome the shortcomings of his critique in this regard.
Cardiac Injuries Caused by Blunt Trauma: An Autopsy Based Assessment of the Injury Pattern
Authors: Turan Arzu Akcay , Karayel Ferah Anik , Akyildiz Elif , Pakis Isil , Uzun Ibrahim , Gurpinar Kagan , Atılmıs Umit , Kir Ziya
Published: November 2009

Abstract:  Nonpenetrating chest trauma with injury to the heart and aorta has become increasingly common, particularly as a result of rapid deceleration in high‐speed vehicular accidents, over the past 2–3 decades. The high mortality rate of cardiac injuries and possible late onset complications make blunt cardiac injuries an important challenging point for legal medicine. One hundred and ninety cases with blunt cardiac injuries in a period of 3 years were analyzed retrospectively in terms of patterns of cardiac injury, survival times, and demographic profiles of the cases in this study.
Wavelet-based Faraday rotation measure synthesis
Authors: Frick P. , Sokoloff D. , Stepanov R. , Beck R.
Published: November 2009

The Faraday rotation measure synthesis, as a method for analysing multichannel observations of polarized radio emission to investigate galactic magnetic field structures requires the definition of complex polarized intensity in the wavelength range −∞ < λ2 < ∞. The problem is that the measurements at negative λ2 are not possible. We introduce a simple method for continuation of the observed complex polarized intensity P(λ2) into the domain λ2 < 0 using symmetry arguments. The method is suggested in context of magnetic field recognition in galactic discs where the magnetic field is supposed to have a maximum in the equatorial plane. The method is quite simple when applied to a single Faraday rotating structure on the line of sight. Recognition of several structures on the same line of sight requires a more sophisticated technique. We also introduce a wavelet-based algorithm which allows us to consider a set of isolated structures in the (φ, λ2) plane (where φ is the Faraday depth). The method essentially improves the possibilities for reconstruction of complicated Faraday structures using the capabilities of modern radio telescopes.
Ebolavirus VP24 Binding to Karyopherins Is Required for Inhibition of Interferon Signaling
Authors: Mateo Mathieu , Reid St. Patrick , Leung Lawrence W. , Basler Christopher F. , Volchkov Viktor E.
Published: November 2009

The Ebolavirus VP24 protein counteracts alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) and IFN-γ signaling by blocking the nuclear accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1 (PY-STAT1). According to the proposed model, VP24 binding to members of the NPI-1 subfamily of karyopherin alpha (KPNα) nuclear localization signal receptors prevents their binding to PY-STAT1, thereby preventing PY-STAT1 nuclear accumulation. This study now identifies two domains of VP24 required for inhibition of IFN-β-induced gene expression and PY-STAT1 nuclear accumulation. We demonstrate that loss of function correlates with loss of binding to KPNα proteins. Thus, the VP24 IFN antagonist function requires the ability of VP24 to interact with KPNα.
How well prepared are medical students for their first year as doctors? The views of consultants and specialist registrars in two teaching hospitals
Authors: Matheson C , Matheson D
Published: November 2009

Objective

To evaluate (1) the extent to which first year doctors (foundation year 1 doctors, F1s) in two teaching hospitals in the Trent Deanery were rated by specialist registrars (SpRs) and consultants as being well prepared for practice; (2) the importance ascribed by SpRs and consultants to the various items of core knowledge, skills and attitudes outlined in the publication of the General Medical Council, Tomorrow’s Doctors.

Method

SpRs and consultants were asked to rate: how well prepared F1s were in a range of items of core knowledge, skills and attitudes that a new medical graduate must possess as outlined in Tomorrow’s Doctors; the importance for a new doctor of each item of core knowledge, skills and attitudes; and how well the medical school had prepared F1s in respect of key generic issues related to their practice.

Results

In most of the items of core knowledge, skills and attitudes covering 8 of the 11 topic areas of Tomorrow’s Doctors, F1s were seen as not prepared for starting work, especially in regard to clinical and practical skills and the more challenging communication skills. They were best prepared in asking for help and in basic communication skills.

Conclusions

Overall, F1s in the study were not well prepared either to perform the tasks that await them or in terms of most of the specific background knowledge and skills necessary for the successful execution of those tasks. The level of preparedness raises important issues about medical training and transition from medical graduate to first year doctor. Further research is needed to determine whether this situation exists in other regions of the UK.
An ultrastructural study of the marine diatom Licmophora hyalina and its parasite Ectrogella perforans. II. Development of the fungus in its host
Authors: Kumar Chandralata Raghu
Published: November 2009

The thallus of the fungus Ectrogella perforans Petersen inside its host, the diatom Licmophora hyalina Agardh, is surrounded initially by two electron-dense membranes, of which the outer one is the invaginated host plasma membrane and the inner one, the fungal plasma membrane. Later, new membranes are added between these two membranes and the fungal envelope consists of four to six membranes. When the fungal thallus is mature, all the membranes except the fungal plasmalemma break down and it secretes an amorphous wall around itself. This coincides with the breakdown of host organelles followed by death of the host cell. Zoosporogenesis begins after the sporangium becomes multinucleate. A peculiar "multitubular body" is always observed in the multinucleate sporangium. A typical feature of the multinucleate sporangium prior to zoosporogenesis is the presence of a ring of tubular cisternae around the nuclei, electron-dense vesicles, and granular vesicles.The tubular cisternae found around the nuclei move away and act as cleavage cisternae. The cleavage cisternae run perpendicular to the sporangial plasma membrane and delimit the sporangial mass into uninucleate units at the time of zoosporogenesis. Simultaneously, vesicles are pinched off from the Golgi body which act as cleavage vesicles. These cleavage vesicles fuse with each other and form cleavage furrows. The cleavage cisternae fuse with the plasma membrane outside and with the cleavage vesicles inside and thus deepen the cleavage furrows. The sporangial mass is thus divided into zoospore units and the units are connected only by narrow cytoplasmic bridges. The zoospores have their flagella developed already. The structure of primary zoospores, encysted primary zoospores, and encysted secondary zoospores is described here.
STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES AND CATION DISTRIBUTION OF Co–Zn NANOFERRITES
Authors: JADHAV SANTOSH S. , SHIRSATH SAGAR E. , TOKSHA B. G. , PATANGE S. M. , SHUKLA S. J. , JADHAV K. M.
Published: November 2009

The soft spinel ferrite system having the general formula Co 1-x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 with x varying from 0.0 to 0.7 has been prepared by wet-chemical co-precipitation technique. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD technique. The analysis of XRD pattern revealed the formation of single-phase cubic spinel structure. The Bragg peaks in XRD pattern are broader indicating fine particle nature of the sample. XRD data have been used to study structural parameter and cationic distribution in Co – Zn ferrite. The particle size is of nanometer dimension. Cation distribution results suggest that Co 2+ occupy B-site, Zn 2+ occupy A-site, and Fe 3+ occupy both the A- and B-site.
Shockwaves increase T-cell proliferation and IL-2 expression through ATP release, P2X7 receptors, and FAK activation
Authors: Yu Tiecheng , Junger Wolfgang G. , Yuan Changji , Jin An , Zhao Yi , Zheng Xueqing , Zeng Yanjun , Liu Jianguo
Published: November 2009

Shockwaves elicited by transient pressure disturbances are used to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Previous research has shown that shockwave treatment affects T-cell function, enhancing T-cell proliferation and IL-2 expression by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Here we investigated the signaling pathway by which shockwaves mediate p38 MAPK phosphorylation. We found that shockwaves at an intensity of 0.18 mJ/mm2 induce the release of extracellular ATP from human Jurkat T-cells at least in part by affecting cell viability. ATP released into the extracellular space stimulates P2X7-type purinergic receptors that induce the activation of p38 MAPK and of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by phosphorylation on residues Tyr397 and Tyr576/577. Elimination of released ATP with apyrase or inhibition of P2X7 receptors with the antagonists KN-62 or suramin significantly weakens FAK phosphorylation, p38 MAPK activation, IL-2 expression, and T-cell proliferation. Conversely, addition of exogenous ATP causes phosphorylation of FAK and p38 MAPK. Silencing of FAK expression also reduces these cell responses to shockwave treatment. We conclude that shockwaves enhance p38 MAPK activation, IL-2 expression, and T-cell proliferation via the release of cellular ATP and feedback mechanisms that involve P2X7 receptor activation and FAK phosphorylation.
Central oxytocin is involved in restoring impaired gastric motility following chronic repeated stress in mice
Authors: Babygirija Reji , Zheng Jun , Ludwig Kirk , Takahashi Toku
Published: November 2009

Accumulation of continuous life stress (chronic stress) often causes gastric symptoms. The development of gastric symptoms may depend on how humans adapt to the stressful events in their daily lives. Although acute stress delays gastric emptying and alters upper gastrointestinal motility in rodents, the effects of chronic stress on gastric motility and its adaptation mechanism remains unclear. Central oxytocin has been shown to have antistress effects. We studied whether central oxytocin is involved in mediating the adaptation mechanism following chronic repeated stress. Mice were loaded with acute and chronic stress (repeated stress for five consecutive days), and solid gastric emptying and postprandial gastric motility were compared between acute and chronic repeated stress. Expression of oxytocin and CRF mRNA in the hypothalamus was studied following acute and chronic repeated stress. Delayed gastric emptying during acute stress (43.1 ± 7.8%; n = 6, P < 0.05) was completely restored to normal levels (72.1 ± 2.4%; n = 6) following chronic repeated stress. Impaired gastric motility induced by acute stress was also restored following chronic repeated stress. Intracerebroventricular injection of oxytocin (0.1 and 0.5 μg) restored the impaired gastric emptying and motility induced by acute stress. The restored gastric emptying and motility following chronic repeated stress were antagonized by intracerebroventricular injection of oxytocin antagonists. Oxytocin mRNA expression in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus was significantly increased following chronic repeated stress. In contrast, increased CRF mRNA expression in the SON and PVN in response to acute stress was significantly reduced following chronic repeated stress. Our study suggests the novel finding that the upregulation of central oxytocin expression is involved in mediating the adaptation mechanism following chronic repeated stress in mice.
Proteinase-Activated Receptor-4 (PAR4) Activation Leads to Sensitization of Rat Joint Primary Afferents Via a Bradykinin B2Receptor-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Russell Fiona A. , Veldhoen Victoria E. , Tchitchkan Dmitri , McDougall Jason J.
Published: November 2009

The G-protein-linked receptor, proteinase-activated receptor-4 (PAR4) is activated by proteinases released into the joint during inflammation. It is unclear whether PAR4has a pro- or anti-nociceptive effect and whether it directly affects nerve activity. In this study, we examined the expression of PAR4in joints and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and whether activation of PAR4has an effect on nociception in normal rat knee joints. Electrophysiological recordings were made from joint primary afferents in male Wistar rats during both nonnoxious and noxious rotations of the knee. Afferent firing rate was recorded for 15 min post close intra-arterial injection of 10−9–10−5mol of the PAR4activating peptide, AYPGKF-NH2, or the inactive peptide, YAPGKF-NH2(100 μl bolus). Rats were either naive or pretreated with the selective PAR4antagonist, pepducin P4pal-10, the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) antagonist, SB366791, or the bradykinin B2receptor antagonist, HOE140. Immunofluorescence experiments showed extensive PAR4expression in the knee joint and in sensory neurons projecting from the joint. AYPGKF-NH2significantly increased joint afferent firing during nonnoxious and noxious rotation of the knee. The inactive control peptide, YAPGKF-NH2was without effect. Systemic pretreatment with the PAR4antagonist, pepducin P4pal-10, inhibited the AYPGKF-NH2-induced increase in firing rate. Pretreatment with HOE140, but not SB366791, also blocked this increase in firing rate. These data reveal that in normal rat knee joints, PAR4activation increases joint primary afferent activity in response to mechanical stimuli. This PAR4-induced sensitization is TRPV1-independent but involves B2receptor activation, suggesting a role for kinins in this process.
A suitable waiting room? Hospital transfer outcomes and delays from two London prisons
Authors: Forrester Andrew , Henderson Christopher , Wilson Simon , Cumming Ian , Spyrou Miriam , Parrott Janet
Published: November 2009

Aims and Method

To describe a group of prisoners who required transfer to mental health units from two London prisons. Data were collected from prison clinical records.

Results

Overall, 149 patient-prisoners were transferred over a 17-month period. Around a quarter were not previously known to services. the aggregate wait was 36.5 years (averaging between 93 and 102 days per prisoner) and the total saving to the National Health Service (NHS) has been estimated at £6.759 million.

Clinical Implications

Both prisons manage a large number of prisoners with untreated psychosis. While in prison, they save the NHS considerable sums of money, but transfer delays prevent timely treatment and could now be legally challenged.
Socio‐political context and accounts of national identity in adolescence
Authors: Stevenson Clifford , Muldoon Orla T.
Published: November 2009

Psychological research into national identity has considered both the banal quality of nationalism alongside the active, strategic construction of national categories and boundaries. Less attention has been paid to the conflict between these processes for those whose claims to national identity may be problematic. In the present study, focus groups were conducted with 36 Roman Catholic adolescents living in border regions of Ireland, in which participants were asked to talk about their own and others' Irish national identity. Discursive analysis of the data revealed that those in the Republic of Ireland strategically displayed their national identity as obvious and ‘banal’, while those in Northern Ireland proactively claimed their Irishness. Moreover, those in Northern Ireland displayed an assumption that their fellow Irish in the Republic shared their imperative to assert national identity, while those in the Republic actively distanced themselves from this version of Irishness. These results suggest that for dominant ethnic groups, ‘banality’ may itself provide a marker of national identity while paradoxically the proactive display of national identity undermines minority groups claims to national identity.
Revisit of ASTM Round-Robin Test Data for DeterminingRCurves of Thin-Sheet Materials
Authors: Zhu Xian-Kui , Leis Brian N.
Published: November 2009

This paper revisits the ASTM round-robin fracture test data obtained in 1979–1980 by ASTM Task Group E24.06.02 on Application of Fracture Analysis Methods. The fracture tests were conducted using thin-sheet compact tension [C(T)] specimens made of three materials—7075-T561 aluminum alloy, 2024-T351 aluminum alloy, and 304 stainless steel—and different specimen widths were employed in order to take account of in-plane specimen size effect on fracture toughness. Typical experimental data are reanalyzed, and crack growth resistance curves are developed in accordance with fracture test standards, ASTM E561-05 and ASTM E1820-08. Several useful results as well as the conditions under which the two standards can equivalently determine a geometry-independent resistance curve are obtained for the thin-sheet C(T) specimens.
Association of Sleep Adequacy With More Healthful Food Choices and Positive Workplace Experiences Among Motor Freight Workers
Authors: Buxton Orfeu M. , Quintiliani Lisa M. , Yang May H. , Ebbeling Cara B. , Stoddard Anne M. , Pereira Lesley K. , Sorensen Glorian
Published: November 2009

Objectives. We assessed whether adequate sleep is linked to more healthful eating behaviors among motor freight workers and whether it mediates the effects of workplace experiences.

Methods. Data were derived from a baseline survey and assessment of permanent employees at 8 trucking terminals. Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to examine relationships between work environment, sleep adequacy, and dietary choices.

Results. The sample (n = 542) was 83% White, with a mean age of 49 years and a mean body mass index of 30 kg/m2. Most of the participants were satisfied with their job (87.5%) and reported adequate sleep (51%); 30% reported job strain. In our first model, lack of job strain and greater supervisor support were significantly associated with adequate sleep. In our second model, educational level, age, and adequate sleep were significantly associated with at least 2 of the 3 healthful eating choices assessed (P < .05). However, work experiences were not significant predictors of healthful food choices when adequate sleep was included.

Conclusions. Adequate sleep is associated with more healthful food choices and may mediate the effects of workplace experiences. Thus, workplace health programs should be responsive to workers' sleep patterns.
Simmental cattle breed in different production systems
Authors: Perisic P. , Skalicki Z. , Petrovic M.M. , Bogdanovic V. , Ruzic-Muslic D.
Published: November 2009

The paper gives the analysis on the state in population of Simmental cattle reared in Europe with a special review on the state in Simmental cattle in our country which makes about 80 % total cattle fund in Serbia, and is characterized by a negative trend in the number of cattle, as well as by a low average milk production per cow. The most important results obtained by both domestic and foreign authors by means of various methods of improving Simmental breed and its raising in different systems have been shown. The directions for improving Simmental cattle according to the productive directions have been analyzed. Possible methods of improving the Simmental cattle in our country have been pointed out, which should be in accordance with already existing genetic potential of each actual population, its purpose (registered breeding stock, production breeding stock), as well as with the market needs for cow milk, milk products and meat (primarily beef meat, for export). A special emphasis has been given to the importance of organizing the production of meat in the cow-calf system in which Simmental breed, following the model of many European countries, should have good performance also in our country, if the same production should be organized in deserted hilly and mountainous regions. In this way we could contribute to more significant increase in overall beef production, and to reactivate unused natural resources as well.
Are Independent Audit Committee Members Objective? Experimental Evidence
Authors: Magilke Matthew J. , Mayhew Brian W. , Pike Joel E.
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT: We use experimental markets to examine stock-based compensation's impact on the objectivity of participants serving as audit committee members.We compare audit committee member reporting objectivity under three regimes: no stock-based compensation, stock-based compensation linked to current shareholders, and stock-based compensation linked to future shareholders. Our experiments show that student participants serving as audit committee members prefer biased reporting when compensated with stock-based compensation. Audit committee members compensated with current stock-based compensation prefer aggressive reporting, and audit committee members compensated with future stock-based compensation prefer overly conservative reporting. We find that audit committee members who do not receive stock-based compensation are the most objective. Our study suggests that stock-based compensation impacts audit committee member preferences for biased reporting, suggesting the need for additional research in this area.
Fundamentals-Based Risk Measurement in Valuation
Authors: Nekrasov Alexander , Shroff Pervin K.
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT: We propose a methodology to incorporate risk measures based on economic fundamentals directly into the valuation model. Fundamentals-based risk adjustment in the residual income valuation model is captured by the covariance of ROE with market-wide factors. We demonstrate a method of estimating covariance risk out of sample based on the accounting beta and betas of size and book-to-market factors in earnings. We show how the covariance risk estimate can be transformed to obtain the fundamentals-based cost of equity. Our empirical analysis shows that value estimates based on fundamental risk adjustment produce significantly smaller deviations from price relative to the CAPM or the Fama-French three-factor model. We further find that our single-factor risk measure, based on the accounting beta alone, captures aspects of risk that are indicated by the book-to-market factor, largely accounting for the “mispricing” of value and growth stocks. Our study highlights the usefulness of accounting numbers in pricing risk beyond their role as trackers of returns-based measures of risk.
Plasma concentrations, behavioural and physiological effects following intravenous and intramuscular detomidine in horses
Authors: Mama K. R. , Grimsrud K. , Snell T. , Stanley S.
Published: November 2009

Reasons for performing study: Detomidine hydrochloride is used to provide sedation, muscle relaxation and analgesia in horses, but a lack of information pertaining to plasma concentration has limited the ability to correlate drug concentration with effect.

Objectives: To build on previous information and assess detomidine for i.v. and i.m. use in horses by simultaneously assessing plasma drug concentrations, physiological parameters and behavioural characteristics.

Hypothesis: Systemic effects would be seen following i.m. and i.v. detomidine administration and these effects would be positively correlated with plasma drug concentrations.

Methods: Behavioural (e.g. head position) and physiological (e.g. heart rate) responses were recorded at fixed time points from 4 min to 24 h after i.m. or i.v. detomidine (30 μg/kg bwt) administration to 8 horses. Route of administration was assigned using a balanced crossover design. Blood was sampled at predetermined time points from 0.5 min to 48 h post administration for subsequent detomidine concentration measurements using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Data were summarised as mean ± s.d. for subsequent analysis of variance for repeated measures.

Results: Plasma detomidine concentration peaked earlier (1.5 min vs. 1.5 h) and was significantly higher (105.4 ± 71.6 ng/ml vs. 6.9 ± 1.4 ng/ml) after i.v. vs. i.m. administration. Physiological and behavioural changes were of a greater magnitude and observed at earlier time points for i.v. vs. i.m. groups. For example, head position decreased from an average of 116 cm in both groups to a low value 35 ± 23 cm from the ground 10 min following i.v. detomidine and to 64 ± 24 cm 60 min after i.m. detomidine. Changes in heart rate followed a similar pattern; low value of 17 beats/min 10 min after i.v. administration and 29 beats/min 30 min after i.m. administration.

Conclusions: Plasma drug concentration and measured effects were correlated positively and varied with route of administration following a single dose of detomidine.

Potential relevance: Results support a significant influence of route of administration on desirable and undesirable drug effects that influence case management.
Equine laminitis model: Lamellar histopathology seven days after induction with oligofructose
Authors: Van Eps A. W. , Pollitt C. C.
Published: November 2009

Reasons for performing study: The histopathology of laminitis during its transition from the acute to the chronic phase has not been previously documented. Studying hoof lamellar tissues 7 days after induction of laminitis may provide insight into the intractable nature of the chronic phase of the disease.

Objectives: To induce laminitis and investigate hoof wall lamellar tissues 7 days after dosing.

Methods: Laminitis was induced using oligofructose in 6 normal Standardbred horses. The dorsal hoof lamellar tissues of these and 12 normal horses were processed and examined by light microscopy. Serial sections of a lamellar tip affected by laminitis were used to create a 3 dimensional reconstruction.

Results: Transverse sections of dorsal hoof wall lamellae were significantly longer than normal. Many secondary epidermal lamellae were not connected to primary lamellae and existed as spherical or ovoid, discrete islands isolated in the lamellar dermis. The lamellar basement membrane was intact.

Conclusions: Lamellar tissue has the ability to reorganise rapidly following an episode of acute laminitis. Although histopathological evidence of ongoing acute laminitis was absent by 7 days, there was marked disruption of lamellar architecture.

Potential relevance: The architecture and subsequent strength of the resultant lamellar interface could be greatly influenced for the better by strategies that minimise mechanical displacement during the acute phase of laminitis.
Mechanisms of epigenetic loss of chromosomes in insects
Authors: Goday Clara , Ruiz Maria‐Fernanda
Published: November 2009

Chromosome elimination is a widespread developmental phenomenon in insects. The main types of chromosome elimination take place at early embryonic somatic cleavages and at the first male meiotic division. The cellular mechanisms responsible for both elimination types are different but show common aspects in Diptera, notably unusual anaphase behavior of the chromosomes to be eliminated. Chromosome elimination can be parent‐of‐origin specific, highlighting this phenomenon as an example of genomic imprinting.
Imprinted
QTL
in farm animals: a fortuity or a common phenomenon?
Authors: Groenen Martien A. M.
Published: November 2009

Studies aimed at the identification of genes underlying quantitative traits (quantitative trait loci or QTL) increasingly take into account epistatic and epigenetic effects as well. The population structure and the outbred nature of most livestock breeds make these species particularly well suited to address these genetic effects. Currently, the causative mutations for two imprinted loci have been described in livestock species. In sheep, the callipyge mutation affects a regulatory element located between the imprinted genes
DLK1
,
PEG11
,
GTL2
and
MEG8
, and in pigs a mutation has been identified in a CpG island located within intron 3 of the maternally imprinted gene
IGF2
. A growing number of studies have identified QTL that show evidence of imprinting. Although several of the identified imprinted QTL effects are likely to be spurious effects, these studies provide accumulating evidence that imprinting plays a more important role in multifactorial traits than previously anticipated. For animal breeding practice, the identification of major imprinted loci affecting body composition has several implications and calls for a revision of the breeding value evaluation methods and breeding strategies that are currently solely based on the assumption of a large number of genes showing Mendelian expression.
UPDin human and mouse and role in identification of imprinted loci
Authors: Theisen Aaron P. , Shaffer Lisa G.
Published: November 2009

Genome imprinting refers to the epigenetic phenomenon in which alleles are differentially expressed depending on their parent of origin. The search for imprinted loci relies upon genomic alterations that unmask imprinted genes through over‐ or underexpression. Mice with whole‐chromosome or segmental uniparental disomy (UPD) (the abnormal inheritance of both members or segments of a pair of homologous chromosomes from one parent) may be generated by the intercrossing of mice heterozygous for either reciprocal or Robertsonian translocations. The phenotypic effects, if any, may be attributed to altering the normal “imbalance” of gene dosage of imprinted or parent‐specific expression of genes through the overexpression (via two expressed copies) or underexpression (via no expressed copies) of whole chromosomes or chromosome segments. The high homology between the mouse and human genomes permits the investigation of imprinted loci in humans with complementary UPDs.
Introduction to gene mapping: linkage at a crossroads
Authors: Cox Nancy J.
Published: November 2009

Linkage mapping has been quite successful in establishing marker maps of human chromosomes and in localizing genes for many human disorders. These successes have, in turn, enabled positional cloning of many of the disease genes first localized through linkage mapping. Disorders for which linkage mapping has been successful have a relatively simple relationship between disease phenotype and risk genotypes. In contrast, reliable localization of susceptibility genes for complex disorders has been remarkably elusive. Recent advances in technology will enable very dense maps of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be genotyped for modest cost in large number of individuals. Thus, we stand at a crossroads with respect to gene mapping. One newer road leads away from linkage mapping to large‐scale association studies, many of which will be conducted in unrelated individuals. The historically familiar road, with linkage mapping of families segregating for a disease or disease‐related phenotype(s), is suspected by some of becoming a road less traveled. We focus here on advances in gene mapping methodologies included in this section and speculate on future directions of gene mapping in human genetics.
Inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Mathew Christopher G.
Published: November 2009

The identification ofNOD2(now calledCARD15) as a susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease was a major milestone in the genetics of inflammatory bowel disease, and appears to provide an important link between pathogen recognition and activation of the inflammatory response. Regions of extensive linkage disequilibrium and modest genetic effects are likely to pose significant challenges in the search for novel susceptibility genes.
The mitochondrial genome
Authors: Wallace Douglas C.
Published: November 2009

The human mitochondrial genome consists of approximately 1500 genes, 37 encoded by the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the remainder encoded by the nuclear chromosomes. Mutation in the nDNA genes result in Mendelian diseases that affect mitochondrial function or mtDNA replication and stability. Mutations in the mtDNA include ancient adaptive polymorphisms, maternally inherited diseases, and somatic mutations that contribute to age‐related diseases, aging, and cancer.
Genetic family history, pedigree analysis, and risk assessment
Authors: Bennett Robin L.
Published: November 2009

A genetic pedigree is an effective and simple tool for identifying individuals at risk for single‐gene disorders or for common diseases, as well as an important method for establishing patient rapport, providing patient education, and identifying other relatives at risk for disease. Techniques for obtaining a pedigree, and pedigree analysis and risk assessment are reviewed.
Gene therapy in the central nervous system
Authors: Goverdhana Shyam , Castro Maria G. , Lowenstein Pedro R.
Published: November 2009

Gene therapy for neurological diseases faces many challenges from the anatomy of the brain, that is, its physical encasing by the cranical cavity, and its separation from the bloodstream by the blood brain barrier. This has forced the development of particular ways of delivering genes directly into the brain, to deal with limitations that are not encountered when delivering genes to other organs, such as the liver that can be accessed more easily. Further, the brain is composed of a variety of specialized cell types, such as neurons and glial cells, many of which are postmitotic, this imposing further challenges on the safety standards for gene transfer into the CNS (central nervous system). We here review recent advances in the strategies to develop safe and efficient gene transfer into the CNS for the treatment of degenerative, inherited, and malignant diseases of the brain, and how to make such therapies safe in the presence of potential inflammatory and immune responses.
The
H
uman
G
enome
P
roject
Authors: Hubbard Tim
Published: November 2009

The Human Genome Project has delivered the resources to biomedicine – goals set at the start of the 1990s – ahead of time and within budget. Through a series of ever‐improving sequence releases and analyses, researchers worldwide have unfettered access to a reference sequence of human DNA, a catalog of its genes and increasing understanding of the role of sequence variation in human health.
EST
resources, clone sets, and databases
Authors: Kelso Janet F.
Published: November 2009

The large number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in public sequence databases has been invaluable in the identification of novel genes and in the production of expression maps and functional annotation of a large number of genomes. This chapter will provide an insight into the public EST repositories, including both those that store raw, unprocessed ESTs and those in which the redundant and error‐prone ESTs are processed to yield gene indices. In addition, information will be provided about the consortia and commercial companies that generate and distribute the cDNA clone sets, which are the reagents for laboratory expression studies.
Protein fingerprinting
Authors: Fenyo David
Published: November 2009

Peptide mass fingerprinting is a technique that is widely used to identify individual proteins of interest in proteomic projects. This method depends on the in silico comparison of an experimental mass spectrum (“mass fingerprint”) of the protein of interest with calculated peptide masses from a protein sequence collection. A variety of search engines (e.g., Mascot, ProFound, and MS‐Fit) are available for such analysis and the output consists of a list of potential protein identities ranked according to their score values. The meaning of these scores is in general not easily understood by the nonexpert user and they are not amenable to automation. Therefore, an additional step is necessary to test the significance of the results and convert the search engine–dependent score into a measurement of the significance of the protein identification result. This paper discusses how different search parameters influence the results and how the search engine–dependent scores can be converted into a measurement of the significance of the protein identification result.
2
D
DIGE
Authors: Lilley Kathryn S.
Published: November 2009

Two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) (
see
2‐DE
) has been the major separations techniques used in proteomics, allowing the resolution of several thousand proteins in a single sample. The limitations of this technique have been low sensitivity, reduced dynamic range, and gel‐to‐gel variability. Difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) circumvents the issues associated with traditional 2D PAGE and allows more accurate and sensitive quantitative proteomics studies.
Structural genomics – expanding protein structural universe
Authors: Joachimiak Andrzej
Published: November 2009

Structural Genomics has emerged as a multidisciplinary and international effort to expand the universe of protein folds by rapidly determining novel structures. This initiative takes advantage of the genome sequencing projects and technological advances in genomic analysis, molecular biology, proteomics, and structural biology. The international Structural Genomics efforts were initiated, in part, to achieve a more rapid understanding of sequence/structure relationships with the ultimate goal to make it feasible to predict an accurate 3D protein structure on the basis of sequence alone, and to elucidate novel biological function directly from primary genomic sequence. A number of Structural Genomics centers have been established to test and improve existing and develop new technologies. These centers developed the protein structure determination pipelines that include target selection, gene cloning and expression, protein and crystal production, structure determination, and structural and functional analysis. These pipelines are capable of determining hundreds of novel protein structures. Structural Genomics is rapidly expanding the universe of protein folds, creating new reagents, comprehensive libraries of expression clones, and databases for broad use. New high‐throughput technologies supported by robotics and automation in molecular biology, protein expression, purification, crystallization, and structure determination are being disseminated to the public and, therefore, contribute to the acceleration of new discoveries in biology. Ultimately, Structural Genomics will become a major component of and contributor to the next structural biology challenge – visualization of all major subcellular macromolecular assemblies of the cell.
Prokaryotic gene identification
in silico
Authors: Borodovsky Mark , Azad Rajeev
Published: November 2009

This review covers major lines of development of the gene finding methods for prokaryotic genomes in the last two decades. We describe general ideas behind the algorithms using statistical pattern recognition and dynamic programming, as well as evolutionary relationships between genes and proteins.
Eukaryotic gene finding
Authors: Guigó Roderic
Published: November 2009

After the genome of an organism is sequenced and assembled, the first necessary step toward the understanding of its functional content is to locate all protein‐coding genes. Identification of genes is difficult in the eukaryotic genomes, because of the split nature of eukaryotic genes and because of the large intergenic spacers between adjacent genes. In this article, we will review how computational gene‐prediction programs address this difficulty, describing the basic components underlying most computational methods, and the strategies employed to integrate them.