bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sympathetic hyperactivity differentially affects skeletal muscle mass in developing heart failure: role of exercise training
Authors: Bacurau Aline V. N. , Jardim Maíra A. , Ferreira Julio C. B. , Bechara Luiz R. G. , Bueno Carlos R. , Alba-Loureiro Tatiana C. , Negrao Carlos E. , Casarini Dulce E. , Curi Rui , Ramires Paulo R. , Moriscot Anselmo S. , Brum Patricia C.
Published: January 2009

Sympathetic hyperactivity (SH) is a hallmark of heart failure (HF), and several lines of evidence suggest that SH contributes to HF-induced skeletal myopathy. However, little is known about the influence of SH on skeletal muscle morphology and metabolism in a setting of developing HF, taking into consideration muscles with different fiber compositions. The contribution of SH on exercise tolerance and skeletal muscle morphology and biochemistry was investigated in 3- and 7-mo-old mice lacking both α2A- and α2C-adrenergic receptor subtypes (α2A/α2CARKO mice) that present SH with evidence of HF by 7 mo. To verify whether exercise training (ET) would prevent skeletal muscle myopathy in advanced-stage HF, α2A/α2CARKO mice were exercised from 5 to 7 mo of age. At 3 mo, α2A/α2CARKO mice showed no signs of HF and preserved exercise tolerance and muscular norepinephrine with no changes in soleus morphology. In contrast, plantaris muscle of α2A/α2CARKO mice displayed hypertrophy and fiber type shift (IIA → IIX) paralleled by capillary rarefaction, increased hexokinase activity, and oxidative stress. At 7 mo, α2A/α2CARKO mice displayed exercise intolerance and increased muscular norepinephrine, muscular atrophy, capillary rarefaction, and increased oxidative stress. ET reestablished α2A/α2CARKO mouse exercise tolerance to 7-mo-old wild-type levels and prevented muscular atrophy and capillary rarefaction associated with reduced oxidative stress. Collectively, these data provide direct evidence that SH is a major factor contributing to skeletal muscle morphological changes in a setting of developing HF. ET prevented skeletal muscle myopathy in α2A/α2CARKO mice, which highlights its importance as a therapeutic tool for HF.
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors oppose hyperoxic vasoconstriction and accelerate seizure development in rats exposed to hyperbaric oxygen
Authors: Demchenko Ivan T. , Ruehle Alex , Allen Barry W. , Vann Richard D. , Piantadosi Claude A.
Published: January 2009

Oxygen is a potent cerebral vasoconstrictor, but excessive exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) can reverse this vasoconstriction by stimulating brain nitric oxide (NO) production, which increases cerebral blood flow (CBF)—a predictor of O2 convulsions. We tested the hypothesis that phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 blockers, specifically sildenafil and tadalafil, increase CBF in HBO2 and accelerate seizure development. To estimate changes in cerebrovascular responses to hyperoxia, CBF was measured by hydrogen clearance in anesthetized rats, either control animals or those pretreated with one of these blockers, with the NO inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), with the NO donor S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), or with a blocker combined with l-NAME. Animals were exposed to 30% O2 at 1 atm absolute (ATA) (“air”) or to 100% O2 at 4 or 6 ATA. EEG spikes indicated central nervous system CNS O2 toxicity. The effects of PDE-5 blockade varied as a positive function of ambient Po2. In air, CBF did not increase significantly, except after pretreatment with SNAP. However, at 6 ATA O2, mean values for CBF increased and values for seizure latency decreased, both significantly; pretreatment with l-NAME abolished these effects. Conscious rats treated with sildenafil before HBO2 were also more susceptible to CNS O2 toxicity, as demonstrated by significantly shortened convulsive latency. Decreases in regional CBF reflect net vasoconstriction in the brain regions studied, since mean arterial pressures remained constant or increased throughout. Thus PDE-5 blockers oppose the protective vasoconstriction that is the initial response to hyperbaric hyperoxia, decreasing the safety of HBO2 by hastening onset of CNS O2 toxicity.
Moderate-duration static stretch reduces active and passive plantar flexor moment but not Achilles tendon stiffness or active muscle length
Authors: Kay Anthony D. , Blazevich Anthony J.
Published: January 2009

The effects of static stretch on muscle and tendon mechanical properties and muscle activation were studied in fifteen healthy human volunteers. Peak active and passive moment data were recorded during plantar flexion trials on an isokinetic dynamometer. Electromyography (EMG) monitoring of the triceps surae muscles, real-time motion analysis of the lower leg, and ultrasound imaging of the Achilles-medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon junction were simultaneously conducted. Subjects performed three 60-s static stretches before being retested 2 min and 30 min poststretch. There were three main findings in the present study. First, peak concentric moment was significantly reduced after stretch; 60% of the deficit recovered 30 min poststretch. This was accompanied by, and correlated with ( r = 0.81 ; P < 0.01) reductions in peak triceps surae EMG amplitude, which was fully recovered at 30 min poststretch. Second, Achilles tendon length was significantly shorter during the concentric contraction after stretch and at 30 min poststretch; however, no change in tendon stiffness was detected. Third, passive joint moment was significantly reduced after stretch, and this was accompanied by significant reductions in medial gastrocnemius passive muscle stiffness; both measures fully recovered by 30 min poststretch. These data indicate that the stretching protocol used in this study induced losses in concentric moment that were accompanied by, and related to, reductions in neuromuscular activity, but they were not associated with alterations in tendon stiffness or shorter muscle operating length. Reductions in passive moment were associated with reductions in muscle stiffness, whereas tendon mechanics were unaffected by the stretch. Importantly, the impact on mechanical properties and neuromuscular activity was minimal at 30 min poststretch.
Self-Motion Signals in Vestibular Nuclei Neurons Projecting to the Thalamus in the Alert Squirrel Monkey
Authors: Marlinski Vladimir , McCrea Robert A.
Published: January 2009

Sixty vestibular nuclei neurons antidromically activated by electrical stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamus were recorded in two alert squirrel monkeys. The majority of these neurons were monosynaptically activated by vestibular nerve electrical stimulation. Forty-seven neurons responded to animal rotations around the earth-vertical axis; 16 of them also responded to translations in the horizontal plane. The mean sensitivity to 0.5-Hz rotations of 80°/s velocity was 0.40 ± 0.31 spikes·s−1·deg−1·s−1. Rotational responses were in phase with stimulus velocity. Sensitivities to 0.5-Hz translations of 0.1 g acceleration varied from 92.2 to 359 spikes·s−1· g−1 and response phases varied from 10.1° lead to −98° lag. The firing behavior in 28 neurons was studied during rotation of the whole animal, of the trunk, and voluntary and involuntary rotations of the head. Two classes of vestibulothalamic neurons were distinguished. One class of neurons generated signals related to movement of the head that were similar either when the head and trunk move together or when the head moves on the stationary trunk. A fraction of these neurons fired during involuntary head movements only. A second class of neurons generated signals related to movement of the trunk. They responded when the trunk moved alone or simultaneously with the head, but did not respond to head rotations while the trunk was stationary.
Shared Circuitry
Authors: Lavine Kory J. , Ornitz David M.
Published: January 2009

Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of heart failure and is among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Therapies used for the treatment of this disease aim to restore blood flow to severely narrowed or occluded coronary arteries by either catheter-based or surgical means. Although these strategies prove efficacious for many patients, a substantial number of individuals fail to improve following these procedures. Recently, a noninvasive strategy has been proposed, focusing on the use of endogenous growth factors that trigger the growth of new coronary arteries. Using the developing heart as a model, several groups have identified some of the key pathways that not only govern the development of the coronary vascular system but also promote the growth of the adult coronary vasculature. Here, we review the major morphological events and signaling cascades that mediate the formation of the coronary vasculature in the embryo. We further describe the mechanism by which many of these same pathways also regulate the adult coronary vasculature and their potential use in the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
Three Women Writers and the “Jesuit Sublime”: Or, Jesuits in Love
Authors: Wilt Judith
Published: January 2009

The return of the repressed “Catholic” has been lurking at the edge of English literary consciousness since early modern times, especially in the shorthand form of the plotting Jesuit. In its combined familiarity and mystery, grandeur and meanness, legitimacy and treason, “the Jesuit” even constitutes a figure for the Sublime. Novels by Thackeray, Kingsley, and Shorthouse locate the Jesuit in the political history of the nation, as the seducer of young noblemen. But this essay studies lesser-known novels by Elizabeth Inchbald, Frances Trollope, and Mary Arnold Ward in which the plotting Jesuit, himself an object of allure in his un-Anglican “reserve” and his pre-Reformation Englishness, is suborned by his own humanity into the forbidden sublimities of love. As political threat and psychological object of desire, the Jesuit-in-love also represents Anglicanism's flirtation with Catholicism and with Queerness, his defeat/conversion sealing its commitment to its heterosexual priesthood and its post-Catholic modernity.
Cultural and Institutional Factors Affecting Political Contention over Moral Issues
Authors: Tatalovich Raymond , Schwartz Mildred
Published: January 2009

Abortion and same-sex marriage are moral issues that remain highly contentious in the political life of the United States compared to other countries. This level of contention is explained through comparison with Canada. Contrasts in culture and institutions shaping issues and the political avenues that allow their enactment account for differences in the tenor of politics in the two countries.
Consequences of Divorce for Childhood Education: Australia, Canada, and the USA, 1940–1990
Authors: Kelley Jonathan , Wanner Richard ,   Evans
Published: January 2009

Parental divorce imposes a small but significant educational disadvantage on American children. Does this generalize across nations and over time? We analyze representative national samples from Australia (n=29,443) and Canada (n=28,266), together with US General Social Survey data (n=32,380). Using OLS and logistic regression with robust standard errors, we estimate models controlling many potentially confounding variables. Divorce costs seven-tenths of a year of education, mainly by reducing secondary school completion. Importantly, it has become more damaging in recent cohorts. Because this holds in all three nations, the explanation probably lies in common circumstances of, and parallel changes in, modern industrial societies.
The Content and Dimensionality of Communication Styles
Authors: de Vries Reinout E. , Bakker-Pieper Angelique , Alting Siberg Robert , van Gameren Kim , Vlug Martijn
Published: January 2009

A multiphase lexical study was conducted to uncover the key dimensions of communication styles. In the first two phases, adjectives and verbs were selected on the basis of their ability to describe communication styles. In the third phase, a study was conducted using 441 respondents who provided self-ratings on 744 adjectives and 837 verbs. Adjectives and verbs were submitted to principal components analysis, followed by orthogonal Procrustes rotation to establish within-sample replicability, which provided evidence of four to seven main communication style dimensions. The seven communication style dimensions form the acronym PRESENT, for preciseness, reflectiveness, expressiveness, supportiveness, emotionality, niceness, and threateningness. As expected, scales based on the seven dimensions were meaningfully related to the interpersonal but not the intrapersonal scales from the Communication Style Scale. The results are discussed in light of existing communication style scales, the interpersonal circumplex, and personality structure.
Self-Generated Versus Other-Generated Statements and Impressions in Computer-Mediated Communication
Authors: Walther Joseph B. , Van Der Heide Brandon , Hamel Lauren M. , Shulman Hillary C.
Published: January 2009

The warranting principle pertains to impression formation in Internet communication. It posits that perceivers' judgments about a target rely more heavily on information which the targets themselves cannot manipulate than on self-descriptions. Two experiments employed mock-up profiles resembling the Internet site, Facebook, to display self-generated clues and to display other-generated clues about a Facebook user. The first experiment ( N = 115) tested perceptions of extraversion. Although warranting was supported, rival explanations (negativity and additivity) also pertained. The second experiment ( N = 125) tested perceptions of physical attractiveness. Friends' comments overrode self-comments, supporting warranting theory exclusively. Implications concern boundary-setting research for warranting, and potential effects of social comments on a variety of new information forms.
Illinois Trauma Centers and Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Crandall Marie , Schwab Jennifer , Sheehan Karen , Esposito Thomas
Published: January 2009

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major source of morbidity and mortality nationally. Trauma Centers can be very helpful for victims of IPV but there may be variability in IPV resource provision. A survey was mailed to each of the 65 Trauma Centers in Illinois. Stata and EZ-Text statistical software were used for analysis. Eighty-three percent of trauma centers returned the survey. Ninety percent of respondents had an IPV screening policy. All but one Center reported having IPV services available, including social work (93%) and 24 hour/day IPV teams (7%). Most Centers felt their IPV services were adequate (69%), but 22% felt services were inadequate, particularly resource availability. Trauma Centers in the state of Illinois are generally succeeding at screening for IPV. However, there is lack of uniformity with respect to screening and services, suggesting that there is room for improvement.
How Motivation Influences Breastfeeding Duration Among Low-Income Women
Authors: Racine Elizabeth F. , Frick Kevin D. , Strobino Donna , Carpenter Laura M. , Milligan Renee , Pugh Linda C.
Published: January 2009

In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 low-income breastfeeding women to explore the incentives and disincentives to breastfeeding experienced within 6 months postpartum. Using an individual net benefit maximization (INBM) framework based on economic theory, we assessed women's motivations, incentives, and disincentives for breastfeeding. Based on the framework and their experience breastfeeding, women fell into 3 groups: intrinsically motivated, extrinsically motivated, and successfully experienced with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Successfully experienced women were most likely to breastfeed to 6 months. Intrinsically motivated women valued breastfeeding but often required information and instruction to reach breastfeeding goals. Extrinsically motivated women were least likely to continue breastfeeding even with support and instruction. Providers can screen women to determine their experience and motivation then tailor interventions accordingly. Intrinsically motivated women may need support and instruction, extrinsically motivated women may benefit from motivational interviewing, and successfully experienced women may need only minimal breastfeeding counseling. J Hum Lact. 25(2):173-181
Creating Change
Authors: Lamb Jennifer
Published: January 2009

Stigma is a social justice problem that plagues persons with psychiatric disabilities, their families, and society. It fuels the fear underlying discrimination; undermines consumer self-efficacy; and blocks rehabilitation, recovery, and social integration. The author hopes to create a passion for change and suggest a way that everyone can help stop stigma. This approach is simple: to nurture the artistic talent many clients possess and connect them with public venues for their artworks. On display, too, will be the “ability” in “disability.” This will reduce stigma while building self-efficacy and empowerment. Anecdotal evidence supports this hypothesis. However, research is needed; a design for a study to test this hypothesis is described. Significantly, an antistigmal arts intervention can be conducted by any aware practitioner; one does not need to be an art therapist or have any background in art, only a desire to make a difference and resources on which to draw.
Existential and Spiritual Needs in Mental Health Care
Authors: Koslander Tiburtius , da Silva António Barbosa , Roxberg Åsa
Published: January 2009

This study illuminates how existential needs and spiritual needs are connected with health care ethics and individuals' mental health and well-being. The term existential needs is defined as the necessity of experiencing life as meaningful, whereas the term spiritual needs is defined as the need of deliverance from despair, guilt and/or sin, and of pastoral care. It discusses whether or not patients' needs are holistically addressed in Western health care systems that neglect patients' existential and spiritual needs, because of their biomedical view of Man which recognizes only patients' physical needs. It excludes a holistic health care which considers all needs, expressed by patients in treatment of mental illness. Addressing all needs is important for patients' improvement and recovery. For some patients, this is the only way to regain their mental health and well-being.
The Provision of Spiritual Care by Registered Nurses on a Maternal—Infant Unit
Authors: Dunn Linda L. , Handley Marilyn C. , Dunkin Jeri W.
Published: January 2009

Purpose: This study explores the spirituality, spiritual well-being (SWB), and spiritual care provision of registered nurses on a maternal—infant unit. Methods: Data collection instruments included a demographic and spiritual care form, Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS), and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) to address the study's research questions. Findings: Significant positive correlations were found between SPS and SWBS as well as religious well-being (RWB) and existential well-being (EWB; subscales of SWBS). Religious attendance was significantly correlated with SPS, SWBS, and RWB but not EWB. Frequency of spiritual assessment themes was first encounter and when needed, whereas reaching up and reaching out described their provision of spiritual care. Conclusion: The sample was highly spiritual, spiritually well, and provided varied spiritual care. Implications: More spiritual care research is needed. Content on providing spiritual care must be enhanced within nursing curriculums as well as with nurses in practice.
Review: What Can We Learn From Quality Improvement Research?
Authors: Alexander Jeffrey A. , Hearld Larry R.
Published: January 2009

This article presents a systematic review of the research methods used to study quality improvement (QI) effectiveness in health care organizations. The review relied on existing literature as well as emergent themes to identify types of QI programs (e.g., data/feedback, information technology, staff education) and quality outcomes (e.g., mortality, morbidity, unnecessary variation). Studies were separated into four categories according to the type of organization in which the QI program was introduced: (a) hospital, (b) nursing home, (c) physician group, and (d) other health care organization. Results of the review indicate that most QI effectiveness research is conducted in hospital settings, is focused on multiple QI interventions, and utilizes process measures as outcomes. The review also yielded substantial variation with respect to the study designs used to examine QI effectiveness. The article concludes with a critique of these designs and suggestions for ways future research could address these shortcomings.
Direct and Collateral Effects of the First Step to Success Program
Authors: Sprague Jeffrey , Perkins Kindle
Published: January 2009

First Step to Success is a multicomponent behavioral program for at-risk children who show signs of antisocial behavior at the point of school entry. The program incorporates behavioral intervention techniques, including praise and feedback, positive reinforcement, social skills training, teacher and parent collaboration, and time-out/response cost. First Step to Success also incorporates techniques to encourage adaptive behavior across the school day and in the home, such as sequential application of the program across the school day, delayed reinforcement at home for school performance, and parent education. This study employed a multiple baseline design across participants to evaluate previous research findings on the program. All children improved on measures of problem behavior, academic engaged time, and teacher ratings of behavioral adjustment. The authors extended prior research by assessing the collateral effects of the program on classroom peer and teacher behavior. Positive changes were found for both peer and teacher behavior.
Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a novel partner for MAL2 in breast carcinoma cells
Authors: Fanayan Susan , Shehata Mona , Agterof Annelies P , McGuckin Michael A , Alonso Miguel A , Byrne Jennifer A
Published: January 2009

Background

TheMAL2gene, encoding a four-transmembrane protein of the MAL family, is amplified and overexpressed in breast and other cancers, yet the significance of this is unknown. MAL-like proteins have trafficking functions, but their molecular roles are largely obscure, partly due to a lack of known binding partners.

Methods

Yeast two-hybrid screening of a breast carcinoma cDNA expression library was performed using a full-length MAL2 bait, and subsequent deletion mapping experiments were performed. MAL2 interactions were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation analyses and confocal microscopy was employed to compare protein sub-cellular distributions. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation of membranes extracted in cold Triton X-100 was employed to compare protein distributions between Triton X-100-soluble and -insoluble fractions.

Results

The tumor-associated protein mucin 1 (MUC1) was identified as a potential MAL2 partner, with MAL2/MUC1 interactions being confirmed in myc-tagged MAL2-expressing MCF-10A cells using co-immunoprecipitation assays. Deletion mapping experiments demonstrated a requirement for the first MAL2 transmembrane domain for MUC1 binding, whereas the MAL2 N-terminal domain was required to bind D52-like proteins. Confocal microscopy identified cytoplasmic co-localisation of MUC1 and MAL2 in breast cell lines, and centrifugation of cell lysates to equilibrium in sucrose density gradients demonstrated that MAL2 and MUC1 proteins were co-distributed between Triton X-100-soluble and -insoluble fractions. However co-immunoprecipitation analyses detected MAL2/MUC1 interactions in Triton X-100-soluble fractions only. Myc-MAL2 expression in MCF-10A cells was associated with both increased MUC1 detection within Triton X-100-soluble and -insoluble fractions, and increased MUC1 detection at the cell surface.

Conclusion

These results identify MUC1 as a novel MAL2 partner, and suggest a role for MAL2 in regulating MUC1 expression and/or localisation.
An Entry/Gateway® cloning system for general expression of genes with molecular tags in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Akbari Omar S , Oliver Daniel , Eyer Katie , Pai Chi-Yun
Published: January 2009

Background

Tagged fusion proteins are priceless tools for monitoring the activities of biomolecules in living cells. However, over-expression of fusion proteins sometimes leads to the unwanted lethality or developmental defects. Therefore, vectors that can express tagged proteins at physiological levels are desirable tools for studying dosage-sensitive proteins. We developed a set of Entry/Gateway® vectors for expressing fluorescent fusion proteins in Drosophila melanogaster. The vectors were used to generate fluorescent CP190 which is a component of the gypsy chromatin insulator. We used the fluorescent CP190 to study the dynamic movement of related chromatin insulators in living cells.

Results

The Entry/Gateway® system is a timesaving technique for quickly generating expression constructs of tagged fusion proteins. We described in this study an Entry/Gateway® based system, which includes six P-element destination vectors (P-DEST) for expressing tagged proteins (eGFP, mRFP, or myc) in Drosophila melanogaster and a TA-based cloning vector for generating entry clones from unstable DNA sequences. We used the P-DEST vectors to express fluorecent CP190 at tolerable levels. Expression of CP190 using the UAS/Gal4 system, instead, led to either lethality or underdeveloped tissues. The expressed eGFP- or mRFP-tagged CP190 proteins are fully functional and rescued the lethality of the homozygous CP190 mutation. We visualized a wide range of CP190 distribution patterns in living cell nuclei, from thousands of tiny particles to less than ten giant ones, which likely reflects diverse organization of higher-order chromatin structures. We also visualized the fusion of multiple smaller insulator bodies into larger aggregates in living cells, which is likely reflective of the dynamic activities of reorganization of chromatin in living nuclei.

Conclusion

We have developed an efficient cloning system for expressing dosage-sensitive proteins in Drosophila melanogaster. This system successfully expresses functional fluorescent CP190 fusion proteins. The fluorescent CP190 proteins exist in insulator bodies of various numbers and sizes among cells from multiple living tissues. Furthermore, live imaging of the movements of these fluorescent-tagged proteins suggests that the assembly and disassembly of insulator bodies are normal activities in living cells and may be directed for regulating transcription.
Systematic analysis of insertions and deletions specific to nematode proteins and their proposed functional and evolutionary relevance
Authors: Wang Zhengyuan , Martin John , Abubucker Sahar , Yin Yong , Gasser Robin B , Mitreva Makedonka
Published: January 2009

Background

Amino acid insertions and deletions in proteins are considered relatively rare events, and their associations with the evolution and adaptation of organisms are not yet understood. In this study, we undertook a systematic analysis of over 214,000 polypeptides from 32 nematode species and identified insertions and deletions unique to nematode proteins in more than 1000 families and provided indirect evidence that these alterations are linked to the evolution and adaptation of nematodes.

Results

Amino acid alterations in sequences of nematodes were identified by comparison with homologous sequences from a wide range of eukaryotic (metzoan) organisms. This comparison revealed that the proteins inferred from transcriptomic datasets for nematodes contained more deletions than insertions, and that the deletions tended to be larger in length than insertions, indicating a decreased size of the transcriptome of nematodes compared with other organisms. The present findings showed that this reduction is more pronounced in parasitic nematodes compared with the free-living nematodes of the genusCaenorhabditis. Consistent with a requirement for conservation in proteins involved in the processing of genetic information, fewer insertions and deletions were detected in such proteins. On the other hand, more insertions and deletions were recorded for proteins inferred to be involved in the endocrine and immune systems, suggesting a link with adaptation. Similarly, proteins involved in multiple cellular pathways tended to display more deletions and insertions than those involved in a single pathway. The number of insertions and deletions shared by a range of plant parasitic nematodes were higher for proteins involved in lipid metabolism and electron transport compared with other nematodes, suggesting an association between metabolic adaptation and parasitism in plant hosts. We also identified three sizable deletions from proteins found to be specific to and shared by parasitic nematodes, which, given their uniqueness, might serve as target candidates for drug design.

Conclusion

This study illustrates the significance of using comparative genomics approaches to identify molecular elements unique to parasitic nematodes, which have adapted to a particular host organism and mode of existence during evolution. While the focus of this study was on nematodes, the approach has applicability to a wide range of other groups of organisms.
The salivary gland transcriptome of the neotropical malaria vector Anopheles darlingi reveals accelerated evolution of genes relevant to hematophagy
Authors: Calvo Eric , Pham Van M , Marinotti Osvaldo , Andersen John F , Ribeiro José MC
Published: January 2009

Background

Mosquito saliva, consisting of a mixture of dozens of proteins affecting vertebrate hemostasis and having sugar digestive and antimicrobial properties, helps both blood and sugar meal feeding. Culicine and anopheline mosquitoes diverged ~150 MYA, and within the anophelines, the New World species diverged from those of the Old World ~95 MYA. While the sialotranscriptome (from the Greek sialo, saliva) of several species of the Cellia subgenus of Anopheles has been described thoroughly, no detailed analysis of any New World anopheline has been done to date. Here we present and analyze data from a comprehensive salivary gland (SG) transcriptome of the neotropical malaria vector Anopheles darlingi (subgenus Nyssorhynchus).

Results

A total of 2,371 clones randomly selected from an adult female An. darlingi SG cDNA library were sequenced and used to assemble a database that yielded 966 clusters of related sequences, 739 of which were singletons. Primer extension experiments were performed in selected clones to further extend sequence coverage, allowing for the identification of 183 protein sequences, 114 of which code for putative secreted proteins.

Conclusion

Comparative analysis of sialotranscriptomes of An. darlingi and An. gambiae reveals significant divergence of salivary proteins. On average, salivary proteins are only 53% identical, while housekeeping proteins are 86% identical between the two species. Furthermore, An. darlingi proteins were found that match culicine but not anopheline proteins, indicating loss or rapid evolution of these proteins in the old world Cellia subgenus. On the other hand, several well represented salivary protein families in old world anophelines are not expressed in An. darlingi.
Private doctors' practices, knowledge, and attitude to reporting of communicable diseases: a national survey in Taiwan
Authors: Tan Hsiu-Fen , Yeh Chia-Yu , Chang Hsueh-Wei , Chang Chen-Kang , Tseng Hung-Fu
Published: January 2009

Background

Epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases through the mandatory-reporting system is crucial in the planning and evaluation of disease control and prevention program. This study investigated the reporting behavior, knowledge, and attitude to reporting communicable disease in private doctors in Taiwan. The differences between the reporting and non-reporting doctors were also explored.

Methods

A total of 1250 clinics were randomly sampled nationwide by a 2-stage process. Data were collected from 1093 private doctors (87.4% response rate) using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Four hundred and six (37.2%) doctors reported having diagnosed reportable communicable diseases. Among them, 340 (83.5%) have the experiences of reporting.

Results

The most common reasons for not reporting were "do not want to violate the patient's privacy", "reporting procedure is troublesome", and "not sure whether the diagnosed disease is reportable". Significantly higher proportions of the non-reporting doctors considered the reporting system inconvenient or were not familiar with the system. The highest percentage (65.2%) of the non-reporting doctors considered that a simplified reporting procedure, among all measures, would increase their willingness to report. In addition, a significantly higher proportion of the non-reporting doctors would increase their willingness to report if there has been a good reward for reporting or a penalty for not reporting.

Conclusion

The most effective way to improve reporting rate may be to modify doctor's attitude to disease reporting. The development of a convenient and widely-accepted reporting system and the establishment of a reward/penalty system may be essential in improving disease reporting compliance in private doctors.
Synchronously diagnosed eosinophilic granuloma and Hodgkin's disease in a 12-year-old boy: a case report
Authors: Sarmadi Soheila , Heidari Amir B. , Sina Amir H. , Ehsani Mohammad A.
Published: January 2009

Introduction

Synchronous composite tumors are uncommon. Simultaneous, rather than metachronous or consecutive, occurrences of eosinophilic granuloma and Hodgkin's lymphoma in children are very rare. This is the first report of this kind in the medical literature.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 12-year-old Iranian boy with eosinophilic granuloma localized in his leg around the knee and Hodgkin's lymphoma in a cervical lymph node. The two tumours occurred synchronously before the patient had received any treatment.

Conclusion

Several cases of an association between eosinophilic granuloma and lymphoproliferative disorder have been reported. Some of these cases involve Hodgkin's lymphoma and Langerhans cell histiocytosis occurring in the same patient. Genetic or environmental etiologies have been postulated for eosinophilic granulomas which occur following Hodgkin's lymphomas, but have as yet not been proven. To our knowledge, synchronous occurrence of these two malignant processes in a patient who has not received any prior treatment is rare in children.
A rare case of term viable secondary abdominal pregnancy following rupture of a rudimentary horn: a case report
Authors: Amritha Bhandary , Sumangali Thirunavukkarasu , Priya Ballal , Deepak Shedde , Sharadha Rai
Published: January 2009

Introduction

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare event, but one that represents a grave risk to the health of the pregnant woman. An abdominal pregnancy is defined as an ectopic pregnancy that implants in the peritoneal cavity. Early abdominal pregnancy is self-limited by hemorrhage from trophoblastic invasion with complete abortion of the gestational sac that leaves a discrete crater. Advanced abdominal pregnancy is a rare event, with high fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

Case presentation

This is a case report of a 22-year-old primigravida with an abdominal pregnancy from a ruptured rudimentary horn. She was diagnosed as a case of term pregnancy with placenta previa with a transverse fetal lie and cervical fibroid and was prepared for an elective cesarean section. Intra-operatively, a live term female baby was extracted from the peritoneal cavity and it turned out to be an abdominal pregnancy from a ruptured rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus, which is a very rare condition. Mother and baby were in good condition after such a catastrophic event.

Conclusion

This case illustrates a rare obstetric condition which can be a severe catastrophic condition leading to maternal mortality and morbidity. It is imperative for every obstetrician to have in mind the possibility of abdominal pregnancy, although rare, especially in pregnant patients with persistent abdominal pain and painful fetal movements.
High-resolution mapping of heterochromatin redistribution in a Drosophila position-effect variegation model
Authors: Vogel Maartje J , Pagie Ludo , Talhout Wendy , Nieuwland Marja , Kerkhoven Ron M , van Steensel Bas
Published: January 2009

Background

Position-effect variegation (PEV) is the stochastic transcriptional silencing of a gene positioned adjacent to heterochromatin. white-mottled X-chromosomal inversions in Drosophila are classic PEV models that show variegation of the eye color gene white due to its relocation next to pericentric heterochromatin. It has been suggested that in these models the spreading of heterochromatin across the rearrangement breakpoint causes the silencing of white. However, the extent of this spreading and the precise pattern of heterochromatin redistribution have remained unclear. To obtain insight into the mechanism of PEV, we constructed high-resolution binding maps of Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) on white-mottled chromosomes.

Results

We find that HP1 invades euchromatin across the inversion breakpoints over ~175 kb and ~30 kb, causing de novo association of HP1 with 20 genes. However, HP1 binding levels in these regions show substantial local variation, and white is the most strongly bound gene. Remarkably, white is also the only gene that is detectably repressed by heterochromatin. Furthermore, we find that HP1 binding to the invaded region is particularly sensitive to the dosage of the histone methyltransferase Su(var)3-9, indicating that the de novo formed heterochromatin is less stable than naturally occurring constitutive heterochromatin.

Conclusion

Our molecular maps demonstrate that heterochromatin can invade a normally euchromatic region, yet the strength of HP1 binding and effects on gene expression are highly dependent on local context. Our data suggest that the white gene has an unusual intrinsic affinity for heterochromatin, which may cause this gene to be more sensitive to PEV than most other genes.
Coordinate integrin and c-Met signaling regulate Wnt gene expression during epithelial morphogenesis
Authors: Liu Yingjie , Chattopadhyay Nibedita , Qin Shan , Szekeres Charles , Vasylyeva Tetyana , Mahoney Zhen X. , Taglienti Mary , Bates Carlton M. , Chapman Harold A. , Miner Jeffrey H. , Kreidberg Jordan A.
Published: January 2009

Integrin receptors for the extracellular matrix and receptor tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors represent two of the major families of receptors that transduce into cells information about the surrounding environment. Wnt proteins are a major family of signaling molecules that regulate morphogenetic events. There is presently little understanding of how the expression of Wnt genes themselves is regulated. In this study, we demonstrate that α3β1 integrin, a major laminin receptor involved in the development of the kidney, and c-Met, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, signal coordinately to regulate the expression of Wnt7b in the mouse. Wnt signals in turn appear to regulate epithelial cell survival in the papilla of the developing kidney, allowing for the elongation of epithelial tubules to form a mature papilla. Together, these results demonstrate how signals from integrins and growth factor receptors can be integrated to regulate the expression of an important family of signaling molecules so as to regulate morphogenetic events.
Tcf3 inhibits spinal cord neurogenesis by regulatingsox4aexpression
Authors: Gribble Suzanna L. , Kim Hyung-Seok , Bonner Jennifer , Wang Xu , Dorsky Richard I.
Published: January 2009

The Lef/Tcf factor Tcf3 is expressed throughout the developing vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), but its function and transcriptional targets are uncharacterized. Tcf3 is thought to mediate canonical Wnt signaling, which functions in CNS patterning, proliferation and neurogenesis. In this study, we examine Tcf3 function in the zebrafish spinal cord, and find that this factor does not play a general role in patterning, but is required for the proper expression of Dbx genes in intermediate progenitors. In addition, we show that Tcf3 is required to inhibit premature neurogenesis in spinal progenitors by repressing sox4a, a known mediator of spinal neurogenesis. Both of these functions are mediated by Tcf3 independently of canonical Wnt signaling. Together, our data indicate a novel mechanism for the regulation of neurogenesis by Tcf3-mediated repression.
Neurovascular development uses VEGF-A signaling to regulate blood vessel ingression into the neural tube
Authors: James Jennifer M. , Gewolb Cara , Bautch Victoria L.
Published: January 2009

Neurovascular development requires communication between two developing organs, the neuroepithelium and embryonic blood vessels. We investigated the role of VEGF-A signaling in the embryonic crosstalk required for ingression of angiogenic vessel sprouts into the developing neural tube. As the neural tube develops, blood vessels enter at specific points medially and ventrally from the surrounding perineural vascular plexus. Localized ectopic expression of heparin-binding VEGF165 or VEGF189 from the developing avian neural tube resulted in supernumerary blood vessel ingression points and disrupted vessel patterning. By contrast, localized ectopic neural expression of non-heparin-binding VEGF121 did not produce supernumerary blood vessel ingression points, although the vessels that entered the neural tube became dysmorphogenic. Localized loss of endogenous VEGF-A signaling in the developing neural tube via ectopic expression of the VEGF inhibitor sFlt-1 locally blocked blood vessel ingression. The VEGF pathway manipulations were temporally controlled and did not dramatically affect neural tube maturation and dorsal-ventral patterning. Thus, neural-derived VEGF-A has a direct role in the spatially localized molecular crosstalk that is required for neurovascular development and vessel patterning in the developing neural tube.
Active Feature-Value Acquisition
Authors: Saar-Tsechansky Maytal , Melville Prem , Provost Foster
Published: January 2009

Most induction algorithms for building predictive models take as input training data in the form of feature vectors. Acquiring the values of features may be costly, and simply acquiring all values may be wasteful or prohibitively expensive. Active feature-value acquisition (AFA) selects features incrementally in an attempt to improve the predictive model most cost-effectively. This paper presents a framework for AFA based on estimating information value. Although straightforward in principle, estimations and approximations must be made to apply the framework in practice. We present an acquisition policy, sampled expected utility (SEU), that employs particular estimations to enable effective ranking of potential acquisitions in settings where relatively little information is available about the underlying domain. We then present experimental results showing that, compared with the policy of using representative sampling for feature acquisition, SEU reduces the cost of producing a model of a desired accuracy and exhibits consistent performance across domains. We also extend the framework to a more general modeling setting in which feature values as well as class labels are missing and are costly to acquire.
Tea, Cakes and a Scalpel
Authors: Extance-Vaughan Nicola
Published: January 2009

The College's public awareness programme was launched in August 2007 with the aim of raising awareness of the various surgical specialities, new techniques and research, and the charitable activities of the College. This ongoing programme, run by the development office, now has an established event schedule throughout the UK with the federations of the Women's Institute (WI), the Freemasons and more recently, the University of the Third Age (U3A).
Payment by Results in Non-Elective Plastic Surgery
Authors: Rees-Lee JE , Thornton S , Foster M , Lee S
Published: January 2009

Payment by results was initially introduced into the NHS in 2004 in foundation hospitals. It was then introduced in the rest of the NHS for elective work in April 2005 and for non-elective work in April 2006. Departments are now expected to cost their trauma workload and justify expenditure. Payment by results should mean that a department gets financial credit via payments to the trust for the work it actually does on a patient-by-patient basis. However, a department will only get full credit for the work it does if all patient interactions are recorded accurately.
Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board
Authors: Streets Paul
Published: January 2009

The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) is a statutory organisation with legal responsibility for establishing and securing standards of postgraduate medical education and training in the UK and the development and promotion of this training. Its programme of work includes the quality assurance of medical education and training and certifying doctors for entry to the specialist and GP registers. It began work in September 2005.
Faculties celebrate first MJDF diplomates' ceremony
Authors: Hook Melanie
Published: January 2009

Over 300 people gathered at The Royal College of Surgeons of England to celebrate the first diplomates' ceremony for the Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) and the diploma in orthodontic therapy. It marked the outstanding achievement of many young dental professionals and served as a reminder of the great and unstinting support given to them by parents, partners, fellow colleagues and others in their endeavours. It was, of course, a joyous occasion for all.
Carpe diem
Authors: Black John
Published: January 2009

In a recent article in The Sunday Telegraph, Dr James LeFanu referred to 'the ascendancy of that managerial and political class whose commitment to making the world a better place has come to blight our lives'. There could not be a better example of this than the effect of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on those training to be surgeons. The EWTD has devastated the ability to deliver proper standards of surgical training and forced young surgeons to work shifts that are stressful, detested and unprofessional. For trainees to gain the necessary experience and competence, training will have to be extended for so long that becoming a consultant will be a very distant goal. This is all being done under social chapter legislation, supposed to make people's lives better!
Amperometric nanobiosensor for quantitative determination of glyphosate and glufosinate residues in corn samples
Authors: Songa Everlyne A. , Somerset Vernon S. , Waryo Tesfaye , Baker Priscilla G. L. , Iwuoha Emmanuel I.
Published: January 2009

This study presents a simple, sensitive, rapid, and low-cost amperometric method for direct and quantitative determination of glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides. Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)-poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PDMA-PSS) nanoparticles was achieved by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanobiosensor was constructed by immobilizing the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) electrostatically onto the surface of a rotating gold disk electrode modified with PDMA-PSS nanoparticles. The biosensing principle was based on determination of the sensor response to glyphosate and glufosinate by amperometric methods. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to measure activity of the enzyme before injection of the herbicides into the electrolyte solution. The enzyme electrode was stable for a long period of time and was used for over 60 measurements. Glyphosate and glufosinate analyses were realized on spiked corn samples within a concentration range of 2.0-78.0 μg L-1, corroborating that the nanobiosensor is sensitive enough to detect herbicides in these matrices. Based on a 20-μL sample injection volume, the detection limits were 0.1 μg L-1 (10-10 M) for both glyphosate and glufosinate without sample clean-up or preconcentration.