bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress, anger, and verbal aggression in intimate relationships: Moderating effects of individual and dyadic coping
Authors: Bodenmann Guy , Meuwly Nathalie , Bradbury Thomas N. , Gmelch Simone , Ledermann Thomas
Published: April 2010

Verbally aggressive exchanges between intimate partners are more likely during times of stress. Therefore, the present study examines (i) whether partners’ proneness to anger mediates the association between stress and verbal aggression and (ii) the degree to which individual and dyadic coping moderate associations among stress, anger, and aggression. Effective individual and dyadic coping reduces the effects of stress on aggression. Moreover, dyadic coping may attenuate associations between stress and both anger and verbal aggression. Individuals reporting adaptive and maladaptive coping typically differed in verbal aggression when stress was low, but not when stress was high. This is consistent with the notion that stressors govern strong negative emotion displayed in marriage. Implications of these findings for interventions that mitigate the effects of stress on relationships are discussed.
Medical treatment of mural left ventricular endocarditis mass: a case report
Authors: Bayram Nihal Akar , Ayhan Hüseyin , Keleş Telat , Durmaz Tahir , Bozkurt Engin
Published: April 2010

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an inflammatory disease of the endocardium, with a high morbidity and mortality, particularly when it progresses with predisposing conditions and complications. Embolic events induced by mural cardiac vegetations are a common and life-threatening complication of IE. Herein, we present a first case with left ventricular IE and a giant vegetation causing multiple emboli.
A Dopamine Gene (DRD2) Distinguishes Between Offenders Who Have and Have Not Been Violently Victimized
Authors: Vaske Jamie , Wright John Paul , Beaver Kevin M.
Published: April 2010

Research has shown that offenders, on average, are more likely to be violently victimized than nonoffenders. However, a substantial percentage of offenders are not violently victimized. The current study uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to investigate whether variants of a polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) distinguish between offenders who are violently victimized and offenders who are not violently victimized. The results show that offenders who are violently victimized are more likely to carry the DRD2 (A1) risk allele than offenders who have not been violently victimized.
Sex Differences in Patient-Reported Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Ageberg Eva , Forssblad Magnus , Herbertsson Pär , Roos Ewa M.
Published: April 2010

Background: Female gender is a risk factor for sustaining anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, little is known about possible sex differences in patients with ACL injury/reconstruction.

Purpose: To study sex differences in patient-reported outcomes before and at 1 and 2 years after ACL reconstruction and to present reference values.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2008, 10164 patients (mean age, 27 years; SD, 9.8; 42% females) with primary ACL reconstruction were registered in the Swedish national knee ligament register. There were 4438 (44%) of these patients (42% females) who had completed the knee-specific questionnaire, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and 5255 (52%) who had completed the generic score of health status, EQ-5D, before surgery and were included in this study. Independent t tests were used to study sex differences in KOOS and EQ-5D preoperatively, 1 and 2 years postoperatively, and over time.

Results: Preoperatively, female patients reported worse scores than male patients in 4 KOOS subscales (pain, symptoms, sport/recreation, quality of life) and EQ-5D, with the largest difference seen in KOOS sport/recreation (mean difference, 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-6.3). At 1 year postoperatively, female patients reported worse scores than male patients in KOOS pain (mean difference, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.4-2.4) and KOOS sport/recreation (mean difference, 2.7; 95% CI, 0.9-4.4) and at 2 years postoperatively in KOOS sport/recreation (mean difference, 4.4; 95% CI, 2.1-6.7) and KOOS quality of life (mean difference, 2.4; 95% CI, 0.4-4.4). Female patients reported less improvement from 1 to 2 years postoperatively than male patients in KOOS sport/recreation (mean difference, 3.2; 95% CI, 0.3-6.1). In some age groups, female patients reported a clinically relevant worse KOOS sport/recreation score than male patients (mean difference ≥8).

Conclusion: Female patients reported statistically significant worse outcomes than male patients before and at 1 and 2 years after ACL reconstruction. In some age groups, this difference was also clinically relevant. There were no clinically relevant sex differences in improvements over time. We suggest that possible sex differences be analyzed in future studies on evaluation after ACL injury/reconstruction.
Synergistic Effect of Nano- and Micrometer-Size Ceramic Fibers on the Tribological and Thermal Properties of Automotive Brake Lining
Authors: Yaoqing Wu  , Ming Zeng  , Ling Yu  , Liren Fan
Published: April 2010

Tribological and thermal behavior of both micrometer-sized ceramic fiber and nanometer-sized potassium titanate whisker (PTV) reinforced automotive brake linings were investigated. Friction stability and wear rate were measured by the CHASE test. Morphology and thermal stability were examined by environmental scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. It is important to emphasize that the friction performances were studied under the application condition. The results revealed that combined fiber-reinforced materials had higher impact strength, friction stability, and wear resistance than those with only one type of fiber. Moreover, combined fiber-reinforced materials exhibited higher thermal stability than materials with only ceramic fiber. The strong synergistic effect is attributed to heat resistance and good filler retention of nanometer-sized potassium titanate whiskers, and hardness of micrometer-sized ceramic fiber. Furthermore, the friction materials reinforced with both ceramic fiber and PTV exhibited a smooth worn surface, resulting from the synergistic effect of combined fibers to improve the wear resistance.
Bariatric Surgery and the Gut Hormone Response
Authors: Thomas Susan , Schauer Philip
Published: April 2010

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and is reaching epidemic levels in many other countries. Although obesity itself can have deleterious effects, the attributed comorbidities contribute greatly to the overall health decline of affected populations. Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions. Medical, psychological, and endoscopic therapies for weight loss have been tried; however weight loss is usually only modest, with weight regain common. Bariatric surgery has been reported to be the most effective method for achieving major, long‐term weight loss, with weight loss ranges of 35%‐40% lasting as long as 15 years. Patients often lose weight at a rapid rate, with resolution or remission of many obesity‐related comorbidities. Although the procedure itself plays a role in the weight loss after surgery, the resultant metabolic changes have been linked to alterations in the gut hormones. Although these changes have been the focus of much research, they are not completely understood. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain this conflicting data. The hindgut hypothesis suggests that the quick transit of nutrients to the distal bowel improves glucose metabolism by stimulating secretion of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and other appetite‐suppressing gut peptides. The foregut hypothesis suggests that there is a yet unknown factor that promotes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further research is essential and could lead to less invasive therapies with fewer complications and side effects than bariatric surgery.
Pharmacotherapy of Eating Disorders
Authors: Jackson Cherry Wyant , Cates Marshall , Lorenz Raymond
Published: April 2010

Eating disorders are complex, chronic disorders that are difficult to treat. In addition, the 2 primary eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, may have acute, life‐threatening consequences. Medication trials for eating disorders have been hampered by high dropout rates, high placebo response, short trial duration, insufficient doses, and difficult outcome measures. Only 1 medication has been FDA approved for any eating disorder to date, and that is for fluoxetine in the treatment of bulimia. Clearly, new large‐scale, independent studies using novel agents, and studying the use of medications for both short‐ and long‐term outcomes, are needed.
Testing for Food Reactions
Authors: Mullin Gerard E. , Swift Kathie M. , Lipski Liz , Turnbull Laura K. , Rampertab S. Devi
Published: April 2010

An increasing number of commercial tests for food allergies are marketed to consumers and healthcare practitioners with tenuous claims. The aim of this article is to provide an evidence‐based review of the tests and procedures that currently are used for patients with suspected food allergy. A systematic review of the literature evaluating the validity of tests and procedures used in food reactions was performed using conventional search engines (eg, PubMed, Ovid) as well as consumer sites (eg, Google, Bing). The National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) term food hypersensitivity was used along with food allergy testing, food sensitivity testing, food intolerance testing, and adverse food reactions. Of the results obtained, testing for immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated food allergy was best represented in PubMed. IgE‐based testing continues to be the gold standard for suspected food allergies. Among modalities used by many conventional and alternative practitioners, immunoglobulin G (IgG)–based testing showed promise, with clinically meaningful results. It has been proven useful as a guide for elimination diets, with clinical impact for a variety of diseases. Mediator release testing and antigen leukocyte cellular antibody testing were only represented on consumer sites. Further investigation into the validity and the clinical application of these tests and procedures is required. Disclosing the basis for food reactions continues to present a diagnostic challenge, and testing for food allergies in the context of an appropriate clinical history is paramount to making the correct diagnosis.
Pro-inflammatory high-density lipoproteins and atherosclerosis are induced in lupus-prone mice by a high-fat diet and leptin
Authors: Hahn BH , Lourencço EV , McMahon M. , Skaggs B. , Le E. , Anderson M. , Iikuni N. , Lai CK , La Cava A.
Published: April 2010

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in people with systemic lupus erythematosus, and the presence of dysfunctional, pro-inflammatory high-density lipoproteins is a marker of increased risk. We developed a mouse model of multigenic lupus exposed to environmental factors known to accelerate atherosclerosis in humans — high-fat diet with or without injections of the adipokine leptin. BWF1 mice were the lupus-prone model; BALB/c were non-autoimmune controls. High-fat diet increased total serum cholesterol in both strains. In BALB/c mice, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased; they did not develop atherosclerosis. In contrast, BWF1 mice on high-fat diets developed increased quantities of high-density lipoproteins as well as elevated high-density lipoprotein scores, indicating pro-inflammatory high-density lipoproteins; they also developed atherosclerosis. In the lupus-prone strain, addition of leptin increased pro-inflammatory high-density lipoprotein scores and atherosclerosis, and accelerated proteinuria. These data suggest that environmental factors associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome can accelerate atherosclerosis and disease in a lupus-prone background.
De novo appearance of primitive neuroectodermal tumor in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and moyamoya disease
Authors: Park DJ , Kim TJ , Lee HJ , Lee KE , Lee SJ , Seo SR , Yoon W. , Moon KS , Lee KW , Lee SS , Park YW
Published: April 2010

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a rare brain tumor composed of undifferentiated or poorly differentiated neuroepithelial cells with a high malignant potential that usually occurs in children, and which is only occasionally encountered in adults. A 19-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with right hemiparesis and a headache of 10 days duration. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a large solid mass with necrotic portions in the left frontoparietal lobe. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor was confirmed by a neuronavigator-guided brain biopsy. This is the first case report of primitive neuroectodermal tumor associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and moyamoya disease. This case demonstrates that brain tumors, such as primitive neuroectodermal tumor, should be included in the differential diagnosis of neurological manifestations in children and adolescent patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Clinical analysis of systemic lupus erythematosus with gastrointestinal manifestations
Authors: Xu D. , Yang H. , Lai C-C. , Li P. , Zhang X. , Yang X-O. , Zhang F-C. , Qian J-M.
Published: April 2010

Our objective was to analyse the clinical characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with gastrointestinal manifestations. Medical charts of 177 hospitalized SLE patients were systematically reviewed, including demographic data, clinical features, laboratory findings, and treatments, as well as outcomes. Thirty-nine cases (22.0%) had SLE-related gastrointestinal manifestations, and in 12 cases (30.8%), gastrointestinal manifestations occurred as the initial symptoms. Twenty-five cases (64.1%) had abdominal pain, 22 cases (56.4%) had nausea and vomiting, 12 cases (30.8%) had diarrhea, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in three cases (7.7%). Protein losing enteropathy and intestinal pseudo-obstruction were the most common identifiable gastrointestinal complications, though other reasons such as superior mesenteric venous thrombosis, pancreatitis, peritonitis, and liver impairment could also occur in SLE. The incidences of Raynaud’s phenomenon and pyeloureterectasis were significantly higher in patients with gastrointestinal complications than those without (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis indicated Raynaud’s phenomenon, decreased C3, CH50, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity were independent predictors of gastrointestinal involvements (p < 0.05). Gastrointestinal complications are common, diverse, and could be the initial and major manifestations of lupus. SLE patients who had Raynaud’s phenomenon, hypocomplementemia and positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were at increasing risk of developing gastrointestinal complication.
Now More than Ever: Building and Sustaining Capacity for School-Located Vaccination Initiatives
Authors: Kuehnert Paul
Published: April 2010

The fall 2009 campaign to vaccinate high-risk U.S. residents against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus presented three key challenges that had significant impact on the effectiveness of campaigns conducted by local health departments (LHDs), schools, and other community partners. These issues included those of communication and trust, both between partners and with the public; the ethics and practicalities of getting vaccine to those at highest risk; and the planning and execution of large-scale, school-located vaccination (SLV) clinics. Approaches to address these challenges and build sustainable local partnerships between schools and LHDs are explored.
Decision Making in Adults With ADHD
Authors: Mäntylä Timo , Still Johanna , Gullberg Stina , Del Missier Fabio
Published: April 2010

Objectives: This study examined decision-making competence in ADHD by using multiple decision tasks with varying demands on analytic versus affective processes. Methods: Adults with ADHD and healthy controls completed two tasks of analytic decision making, as measured by the Adult Decision-Making Competence (A-DMC) battery, and two affective decision tasks (the Balloon Analog Risk Task and the lowa Gambling Task). Results: Although a majority of the ADHD participants were tested under medication, they showed impairments in both types of task. However, logistic regression analysis showed that the applying-decision-rules task of the A-DMC battery was the only significant predictor of ADHD status. Conclusions: These findings suggested that ADHD is associated with impaired decision making in tasks involving a significant degree of cognitive control. Although both deliberative and affective neurocognitive systems probably contributed to ADHD-related problems in decision making, the findings underlined the involvement of prefrontally mediated executive functions.
Methylphenidate Transdermal System in Adult ADHD and Impact on Emotional and Oppositional Symptoms
Authors: Marchant Barrie K. , Reimherr Frederick W. , Robison Reid J. , Olsen John L. , Kondo Douglas G.
Published: April 2010

Objective: This trial evaluated the effect of methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) on the full spectrum of adult symptoms (attention-disorganization, hyperactivity-impulsivity, emotional dysregulation [ED], and oppositional-defiant disorder [ODD]) found in this disorder. Method: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, flexible-dose, crossover trial employed the Wender—Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (WRAADDS) and Connor’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) and two measures of adult ODD. Treatment responses of all participants and four subgroups (ADHDalone, ADHD + ED, ADHD + ODD, and ADHD + ED + ODD) were assessed. Results: Around 23% of baseline participants were ADHD alone, 31% were ADHD + ED, 10% were ADHD + ODD, and 36% were ADHD + ED + ODD. There was a significant treatment effect for all symptom areas and all four subgroups. MTS was associated with significantly more adverse events, especially dermatologic side effects. Conclusions: MTS was effective in treating adult ADHD. This clinical trial included numerous participants meeting criteria for ED and ODD. All ADHD symptoms responded positively to treatment with MTS.
School personnel’s perceptions of family-school communication: a qualitative study
Authors: Farrell Anne F. , Collier Melissa A.
Published: April 2010

Family involvement contributes to student success, and family—school communication (FSC) is intended to promote parent involvement; however, little is known about the communication processes that enlist that involvement. There are unanswered questions about how elementary educators perceive, prepare for, and engage in communication with families. Using an ecological framework and qualitative design, this study explored educator perceptions of FSC at elementary schools serving a US military population. Individual interviews were analyzed for thematic content, resulting in six themes: the critical importance of communication; its types and formats; school climate; teacher preparation; roles and skills; and contextual influences including considerations for military families. Teachers described effective and ineffective approaches and skills, role and time pressures, and recommended practices. Participants lacked formal preparation for FSC and constructed their skills based on experience. The authors discuss implications for personnel preparation and staff development, school and classroom policies and practices, and ecological considerations unique to military contexts.
Capital, culture and community: understanding school engagement in a challenging context
Authors: Gillies Donald , Wilson Alastair , Soden Rebecca , Gray Shirley , McQueen Irene
Published: April 2010

Engagement in learning is seen as a key to success at school. The article reports on a study into the ways in which one school has attempted to engage with its community in an area of multiple deprivation. Using Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital, the article explores the ways in which school management aims to boost students’ embodied cultural capital as a means towards achieving academic success, and looks at the perceptions of key informants and school students on these issues. The report shows the considerable efforts schools in such areas need to expend, the economic challenges, and the difficulties and dilemmas which students often encounter in trying to negotiate the cultural divide between home and school.
Nurses’ experience of using electronic patient records in everyday practice in acute/inpatient ward settings: A literature review
Authors: Stevenson Jean E. , Nilsson Gunilla C. , Petersson Göran I. , Johansson Pauline E.
Published: April 2010

Electronic patient record (EPR) systems have a huge impact on nursing documentation. Although the largest group of end-users of EPRs, nurses have had minimal input in their design. This study aimed to review current research on how nurses experience using the EPR for documentation. A literature search was conducted in Medline and Cinahl of original, peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to 2009, focusing on nurses in acute/ inpatient ward settings. After critical assessment, two quantitative and three qualitative articles were included in the study. Results showed that nurses experience widespread dissatisfaction with systems. Current systems are not designed to meet the needs of clinical practice as they are not user-friendly, resulting in a potentially negative impact on individualized care and patient safety. There is an urgent need for nurses to be directly involved in software design to ensure that the essence and complexity of nursing is not lost in the system.
Determining patient characteristics for decision analysis support systems using anonymized electronic patient records
Authors: Frisher Martin , Short Duncan , Bashford James
Published: April 2010

While decision analysis has the potential to improve treatment decisions, the quality of patient specific data has hindered its development. Experience with the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) indicated the possibility of generating such data. The example developed concerns the probability of recurrent stroke and the risks and benefits of treatment with aspirin. Eight criteria were systematically applied to identify suitable patients from the 664,241 cohort of patients in the West Midlands GPRD. The risk of recurrent stroke was estimated using survival analysis, yielding multivariate hazard ratios for 960 patient profiles. These were used to populate a decision analysis model. The study highlights how decision analysis can introduce evidence-based information into the consultation. Data can be transformed into information for the increasingly complex world of general practice. This can clarify the risks and benefits of prescribing, assist GP—patient dialogue and promote shared decision-making.
The relationship between income inequality and inequality in schooling
Authors: Mayer Susan E.
Published: April 2010

Children of affluent parents get more schooling than children of poor parents, which seems to imply that reducing income inequality would reduce inequality in schooling. Similarly, one of the best predictors of an individual’s income is his educational attainment, which seems to imply that reducing inequality in schooling will reduce income inequality. Economic theory predicts that all else being equal an increase in income inequality will lead to an increase in inequality of educational attainment. Empirical estimates suggest that when income inequality increased in the United States so did inequality in educational attainment. But changes in government education policies reduced the impact of the increase in income inequality on inequality in schooling. Economic theory also predicts that all else being equal an increase in inequality of educational attainment will result in greater inequality of earnings. But unequal schooling does not account for much of the variance in income, so equalizing schooling will do little to reduce the overall variation in economic success among adults.
Socialization of Inpatriate Managers to the Headquarters of Global Organizations: A Social Learning Perspective
Authors: Moeller Miriam , Harvey Michael , Williams Wallace
Published: April 2010

Understanding the intricacies of managing the life cycle of international personnel is a conundrum that continues to perplex HR managers in the global business arena. Although the notion of adjusting to a socioeconomically and culturally distant environment has been explored extensively from the expatriate perspective, the critical issue to discern is the attention inpatriates need to facilitate successful, long-term integration into a novel setting. With regard to the relatively new staffing option of “inpatriation,” the current literature seeks to acquire an understanding of the contextual implications vital for an adjustment process that allows for the successful and lasting incorporation of such individuals in the headquarters of global organizations. As a result of this gap, this article examines the relationship between institutional and individualized socialization tactics and sociocultural and psychological adjustments in conjunction with a proposed moderator effect of cultural distance that inpatriates may undergo. Overall, the article argues that the successful socializing of such individuals will in part depend on their set of psychological reference points during the acculturation stages.
Leadership as Work-embedded Influence: A Micro-discursive Analysis of an Everyday Interaction in a Bank
Authors: Larsson Magnus , Lundholm Susanne E.
Published: April 2010

The article examines leadership as an aspect of everyday work interactions. Drawing on the findings of an ethnographically inspired study of superior—subordinate relations in a bank, it argues that leadership can be understood as embedded in everyday work-activities, rather than seen as distinct from these. Relying on the framework of discursive psychology, a micro-level analysis of an informal interaction is presented, showing how discursive strategies in the leader—follower exchange make relevant organizational visions and values rooted in the wider cultural context, and how the follower identity and action alternatives are negotiated in this process. These findings are discussed in the light of current leadership research, and it is suggested that leadership can be understood as a practical accomplishment. Influence may thus be seen as dependent on or embedded in everyday work, a contention which constitutes a challenge to the widespread distinction between management and leadership.
Differential ability of Tribbles family members to promote degradation of C/EBPα and induce acute myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Dedhia Priya H. , Keeshan Karen , Uljon Sacha , Xu Lanwei , Vega Maria E. , Shestova Olga , Zaks-Zilberman Meirav , Romany Candice , Blacklow Stephen C. , Pear Warren S.
Published: April 2010

Trib1, Trib2, and Trib3 are mammalian homologs of Tribbles, an evolutionarily conserved Drosophila protein family that mediates protein degradation. Tribbles proteins function as adapters to recruit E3 ubiquitin ligases and enhance ubiquitylation of the target protein to promote its degradation. Increased Trib1 and Trib2 mRNA expression occurs in human myeloid leukemia and induces acute myeloid leukemia in mice, whereas Trib3 has not been associated with leukemia. Given the high degree of structural conservation among Tribbles family members, we directly compared the 3 mammalian Tribbles in hematopoietic cells by reconstituting mice with hematopoietic stem cells retrovirally expressing these proteins. All mice receiving Trib1 or Trib2 transduced hematopoietic stem cells developed acute myeloid leukemia, whereas Trib3 mice did not. Our previous data indicated that Trib2-mediated degradation of the transcription factor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBPα), is important for leukemogenesis. Similar to Trib2, Trib1 induced C/EBPα degradation and inhibited its function. In contrast, Trib3 failed to inactivate or promote efficient degradation of C/EBPα. These data reveal that the 3 Tribbles homologs differ in their ability to promote degradation of C/EBPα, which account for their differential ability to induce leukemia.
HSP27 controls GATA-1 protein level during erythroid cell differentiation
Authors: de Thonel Aurelie , Vandekerckhove Julie , Lanneau David , Selvakumar Subramaniam , Courtois Geneviève , Hazoume Adonis , Brunet Mathilde , Maurel Sebastien , Hammann Arlette , Ribeil Jean Antoine , Zermati Yael , Gabet Anne Sophie , Boyes Joan , Solary Eric , Hermine Olivier , Garrido Carmen
Published: April 2010

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is a chaperone whose cellular expression increases in response to various stresses and protects the cell either by inhibiting apoptotic cell death or by promoting the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of specific proteins. Here, we show that globin transcription factor 1 (GATA-1) is a client protein of HSP27. In 2 models of erythroid differentiation; that is, in the human erythroleukemia cell line, K562 induced to differentiate into erythroid cells on hemin exposure and CD34+ human cells ex vivo driven to erythroid differentiation in liquid culture, depletion of HSP27 provokes an accumulation of GATA-1 and impairs terminal maturation. More specifically, we demonstrate that, in the late stages of the erythroid differentiation program, HSP27 is phosphorylated in a p38-dependent manner, enters the nucleus, binds to GATA-1, and induces its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, provided that the transcription factor is acetylated. We conclude that HSP27 plays a role in the fine-tuning of terminal erythroid differentiation through regulation of GATA-1 content and activity.
Interaction of retinoic acid and scl controls primitive blood development
Authors: de Jong Jill L. O. , Davidson Alan J. , Wang Yuan , Palis James , Opara Praise , Pugach Emily , Daley George Q. , Zon Leonard I.
Published: April 2010

Hematopoietic development during embryogenesis involves the interaction of extrinsic signaling pathways coupled to an intrinsic cell fate that is regulated by cell-specific transcription factors. Retinoic acid (RA) has been linked to stem cell self-renewal in adults and also participates in yolk sac blood island formation. Here, we demonstrate that RA decreases gata1 expression and blocks primitive hematopoiesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, while increasing expression of the vascular marker, fli1. Treatment with an inhibitor of RA biosynthesis or a retinoic acid receptor antagonist increases gata1+ erythroid progenitors in the posterior mesoderm of wild-type embryos and anemic cdx4−/− mutants, indicating a link between the cdx-hox signaling pathway and RA. Overexpression of scl, a DNA binding protein necessary for hematopoietic development, rescues the block of hematopoiesis induced by RA. We show that these effects of RA and RA pathway inhibitors are conserved during primitive hematopoiesis in murine yolk sac explant cultures and embryonic stem cell assays. Taken together, these data indicate that RA inhibits the commitment of mesodermal cells to hematopoietic fates, functioning downstream of cdx4 and upstream of scl. Our studies establish a new connection between RA and scl during development that may participate in stem cell self-renewal and hematopoietic differentiation.
Distinct patterns of circulating endothelial cells in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Smadja D.M. , Mauge L. , Sanchez O. , Silvestre J-S. , Guerin C. , Godier A. , Henno P. , Gaussem P. , Israël-Biet D.
Published: April 2010

The respective abundance of circulating endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells may reflect the balance between vascular injury and repair. As pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) can share features of pulmonary remodelling, we postulated that the two disorders might be associated with different types of pulmonary endothelial dysfunction.

We studied 25 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation for suspected pulmonary hypertension. Nine patients had PAH, nine had CTEPH, and seven had normal pulmonary arterial pressure and served as controls. Circulating endothelial cells were isolated with CD146-coated beads. CD34+CD133+cell and endothelial progenitor cell numbers were respectively determined by flow cytometry and cell culture, in peripheral vein and pulmonary artery blood. Plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble E-selectin and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) were measured by ELISA.

No difference in progenitor counts or VEGF levels was found across the three groups. Compared to controls, circulating endothelial cell numbers were significantly increased in PAH but not in CTEPH, in keeping with the elevated soluble E-selectin and sVCAM levels found in PAH alone.

In conclusion, PAH, in contrast to CTEPH, is associated with markers of vascular injury (circulating endothelial cells, soluble E-selectin and sVCAM) but not with markers of remodelling (endothelial progenitor cells, CD34+CD133+cells and VEGF).
Allergic airway inflammation induces a pro-secretory epithelial ion transport phenotype in mice
Authors: Anagnostopoulou P. , Dai L. , Schatterny J. , Hirtz S. , Duerr J. , Mall M.A.
Published: April 2010

The airway epithelium is a central effector tissue in allergic inflammation and T-helper cell (Th) type 2-driven epithelial responses, such as mucus hypersecretion contribute to airflow obstruction in allergic airway disease. Previousin vitrostudies demonstrated that Th2 cytokines also act as potent modulators of epithelial ion transport and fluid secretion, but thein vivoeffect of allergic inflammation on airway ion transport remains unknown.

We, therefore, induced allergic inflammation by intratracheal instillation ofAspergillus fumigatusextract or interleukin-13 in mice and determined effects on ion transport in native tracheal and bronchial tissues.

We demonstrate that allergic inflammation enhanced basal Cl-secretion in both airway regions and inhibited epithelial Na+channel (ENaC)-mediated Na+absorption and increased Ca2+-dependent Cl-secretion in bronchi. Allergen-induced alterations in bronchial ion transport were associated with reduced transcript levels of α-, β- and γENaC, and were largely abrogated in signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)6-/-mice.

Our studies demonstrate that Th2-dependent airway inflammation produced a pro-secretory ion transport phenotypein vivo, which was largely Stat6-dependent. These results suggest that Th2-mediated fluid secretion may improve airway surface hydration and clearance of mucus that is hypersecreted in allergic airway diseases such as asthma, and identify epithelial Stat6 signalling as a potential therapeutic target to promote mucus hydration and airway clearance.
Comparative genomics of metabolic networks of free-living and parasitic eukaryotes
Authors: Nerima Barbara , Nilsson Daniel , Mäser Pascal
Published: April 2010

Background

Obligate endoparasites often lack particular metabolic pathways as compared to free-living organisms. This phenomenon comprises anabolic as well as catabolic reactions. Presumably, the corresponding enzymes were lost in adaptation to parasitism. Here we compare the predicted core metabolic graphs of obligate endoparasites and non-parasites (free living organisms and facultative parasites) in order to analyze how the parasites' metabolic networks shrunk in the course of evolution.

Results

Core metabolic graphs comprising biochemical reactions present in the presumed ancestor of parasites and non-parasites were reconstructed from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. While the parasites' networks had fewer nodes (metabolites) and edges (reactions), other parameters such as average connectivity, network diameter and number of isolated edges were similar in parasites and non-parasites. The parasites' networks contained a higher percentage of ATP-consuming reactions and a lower percentage of NAD-requiring reactions. Control networks, shrunk to the size of the parasites' by random deletion of edges, were scale-free but exhibited smaller diameters and more isolated edges.

Conclusions

The parasites' networks were smaller than those of the non-parasites regarding number of nodes or edges, but not regarding network diameters. Network integrity but not scale-freeness has acted as a selective principle during the evolutionary reduction of parasite metabolism. ATP-requiring reactions in particular have been retained in the parasites' core metabolism while NADH- or NADPH-requiring reactions were lost preferentially.
Socio-environmental and endocrine influences on developmental and caste-regulatory gene expression in the eusocial termite Reticulitermes flavipes
Authors: Tarver Matthew R , Zhou Xuguo , Scharf Michael E
Published: April 2010

Background

Strict regulation of caste differentiation, at the molecular level, is thought to be important to maintain social structure in insect societies. Previously, a number of extrinsic and intrinsic factors have been shown to influence caste composition in termite colonies. One important factor is the influence of nestmates; in particular, soldier termites are known to inhibit hormone-dependent worker-to-soldier differentiation. However, soldier influences on nestmates at the molecular level are virtually unknown. Here, to test the hypothesis that soldiers can influence nestmate gene expression, we investigated the impact of four treatments on whole-body gene expression in totipotentReticulitermes flavipesworkers: (i) juvenile hormone III (JHIII; a morphogenetic hormone), (ii) soldier head extracts (SHE), (iii) JHIII+SHE, and (iv) live soldiers.

Results

Using quantitative-real-time PCR we determined the expression patterns of 49 previously identified candidate genes in response to the four treatments at assay days 1, 5, and 10. Thirty-eight total genes from three categories (chemical production/degradation, hemolymph protein, and developmental) showed significant differential expression among treatments. Most importantly, SHE and live soldier treatments had a significant impact on a number of genes from families known to play roles in insect development, supporting previous findings and hypotheses that soldiers regulate nestmate caste differentiation via terpene primer pheromones contained in their heads.

Conclusions

This research provides new insights into the impacts that socio-environmental factors (JH, soldiers, primer pheromones) can have on termite gene expression and caste differentiation, and reveals a number of socially-relevant genes for investigation in subsequent caste differentiation research.
In vitro and in vivo anticancer properties of a Calcarea carbonica derivative complex (M8) treatment in a murine melanoma model
Authors: Guimarães Fernando SF , Andrade Lucas F , Martins Sharon T , Abud Ana PR , Sene Reginaldo V , Wanderer Carla , Tiscornia Inés , Bollati-Fogolín Mariela , Buchi Dorly F , Trindade Edvaldo S
Published: April 2010

Background

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. Chemotherapeutic approaches to treat melanoma have had only marginal success. Previous studies in mice demonstrated that a high diluted complex derived from Calcarea carbonica (M8) stimulated the tumoricidal response of activated lymphocytes against B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro.

Methods

Here we describe the in vitro inhibition of invasion and the in vivo anti-metastatic potential after M8 treatment by inhalation in the B16F10 lung metastasis model.

Results

We found that M8 has at least two functions, acting as both an inhibitor of cancer cell adhesion and invasion and as a perlecan expression antagonist, which are strongly correlated with several metastatic, angiogenic and invasive factors in melanoma tumors.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that this medication is a promising non-toxic therapy candidate by improving the immune response against tumor cells or even induce direct dormancy in malignancies.
Hypoxia induces differential translation of enolase/MBP-1
Authors: Sedoris Kara C , Thomas Shelia D , Miller Donald M
Published: April 2010

Background

Hypoxic microenvironments in tumors contribute to transformation, which may alter metabolism, growth, and therapeutic responsiveness. The α-enolase gene encodes both a glycolytic enzyme (α-enolase) and a DNA-binding tumor suppressor protein, c-myc binding protein (MBP-1). These divergent α-enolase gene products play central roles in glucose metabolism and growth regulation and their differential regulation may be critical for tumor adaptation to hypoxia. We have previously shown that MBP-1 and its binding to the c-myc P2promoter regulates the metabolic and cellular growth changes that occur in response to altered exogenous glucose concentrations.

Results

To examine the regulation of α-enolase and MBP-1 by a hypoxic microenvironment in breast cancer, MCF-7 cells were grown in low, physiologic, or high glucose under 1% oxygen. Our results demonstrate that adaptation to hypoxia involves attenuation of MBP-1 translation and loss of MBP-1-mediated regulation of c-myc transcription, evidenced by decreased MBP-1 binding to the c-myc P2promoter. This allows for a robust increase in c-myc expression, "early c-myc response", which stimulates aerobic glycolysis resulting in tumor acclimation to oxidative stress. Increased α-enolase mRNA and preferential translation/post-translational modification may also allow for acclimatization to low oxygen, particularly under low glucose concentrations.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that malignant cells adapt to hypoxia by modulating α-enolase/MBP-1 levels and suggest a mechanism for tumor cell induction of the hyperglycolytic state. This important "feedback" mechanism may help transformed cells to escape the apoptotic cascade, allowing for survival during limited glucose and oxygen availability.
Atypical/Nor98 scrapie in the Basque Country: a case report of eight outbreaks
Authors: Rodríguez-Martínez Ana B , Garrido Joseba M , Maza Sonia , Benedicto Leyre , Geijo Mariví , Gómez Nieves , Minguijón Esmeralda , Benestad Sylvie L , Juste Ramón A
Published: April 2010

Background

Since 2002, an active surveillance program for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in small ruminants in European Union countries allowed identification of a considerable number of atypical cases with similarities to the previously identified atypical scrapie cases termed Nor98.

Case presentation

Here we report molecular and neuropathological features of eight atypical/Nor98 scrapie cases detected between 2002 and 2009. Significant features of the affected sheep included: their relatively high ages (mean age 7.9 years, range between 4.3 and 12.8), their breed (all Latxa) and their PRNP genotypes (AFRQ/ALRQ, ALRR/ALRQ, AFRQ/AFRQ, AFRQ/AHQ, ALRQ/ALRH, ALRQ/ALRQ). All the sheep were confirmed as atypical scrapie by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Two cases presented more PrP immunolabelling in cerebral cortex than in cerebellum.

Conclusions

This work indicates that atypical scrapie constitutes the most common small ruminant transmissible spongiform encephalopathy form in Latxa sheep in the Spanish Basque Country. Moreover, a new genotype (ALRQ/ALRH) was found associated to atypical scrapie.
Building and analyzing protein interactome networks by cross-species comparisons
Authors: Wiles Amy M , Doderer Mark , Ruan Jianhua , Gu Ting-Ting , Ravi Dashnamoorthy , Blackman Barron , Bishop Alexander JR
Published: April 2010

Background

A genomic catalogue of protein-protein interactions is a rich source of information, particularly for exploring the relationships between proteins. Numerous systems-wide and small-scale experiments have been conducted to identify interactions; however, our knowledge of all interactions for any one species is incomplete, and alternative means to expand these network maps is needed. We therefore took a comparative biology approach to predict protein-protein interactions across five species (human, mouse, fly, worm, and yeast) and developed InterologFinder for research biologists to easily navigate this data. We also developed a confidence score for interactions based on available experimental evidence and conservation across species.

Results

The connectivity of the resultant networks was determined to have scale-free distribution, small-world properties, and increased local modularity, indicating that the added interactions do not disrupt our current understanding of protein network structures. We show examples of how these improved interactomes can be used to analyze a genome-scale dataset (RNAi screen) and to assign new function to proteins. Predicted interactions within this dataset were tested by co-immunoprecipitation, resulting in a high rate of validation, suggesting the high quality of networks produced.

Conclusions

Protein-protein interactions were predicted in five species, based on orthology. An InteroScore, a score accounting for homology, number of orthologues with evidence of interactions, and number of unique observations of interactions, is given to each known and predicted interaction. Our websitehttp://www.interologfinder.orgprovides research biologists intuitive access to this data.
Evaluation of a low-cost, portable imaging system for early detection of oral cancer
Authors: Rahman Mohammed S , Ingole Nilesh , Roblyer Darren , Stepanek Vanda , Richards-Kortum Rebecca , Gillenwater Ann , Shastri Surendra , Chaturvedi Pankaj
Published: April 2010

Background

There is an important global need to improve early detection of oral cancer. Recent reports suggest that optical imaging technologies can aid in the identification of neoplastic lesions in the oral cavity; however, there is little data evaluating the use of optical imaging modalities in resource limited settings where oral cancer impacts patients disproportionately. In this article, we evaluate a simple, low-cost optical imaging system that is designed for early detection of oral cancer in resource limited settings. We report results of a clinical study conducted at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai, India using this system as a tool to improve detection of oral cancer and its precursors.

Methods

Reflectance images with white light illumination and fluorescence images with 455 nm excitation were obtained from 261 sites in the oral cavity from 76 patients and 90 sites in the oral cavity from 33 normal volunteers. Quantitative image features were used to develop classification algorithms to identify neoplastic tissue, using clinical diagnosis of expert observers as the gold standard.

Results

Using the ratio of red to green autofluorescence, the algorithm identified tissues judged clinically to be cancer or clinically suspicious for neoplasia with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 87%.

Conclusions

Results suggest that the performance of this simple, objective low-cost system has potential to improve oral screening efforts, especially in low-resource settings.