bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New probes used for IS1245 and IS1311 restriction fragment length polymorphism of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis isolates of human and animal origin in Norway
Authors: Johansen Tone Bjordal , Olsen Ingrid , Jensen Merete Rusås , Dahle Ulf R , Holstad Gudmund , Djønne Berit
Published: March 2007

Background

Mycobacterium avium is an environmental mycobacterium that can be divided into the subspecies avium, hominissuis, paratuberculosis and silvaticum. Some M. avium subspecies are opportunistic pathogens for animals and humans. They are ubiquitous in nature and can be isolated from natural sources of water, soil, plants and bedding material. Isolates of M. avium originating from humans (n = 37), pigs (n = 51) and wild birds (n = 10) in Norway were examined by IS1245 and IS1311 RFLP using new and specific probes and for the presence of IS901 and ISMpa1 by PCR. Analysis and generation of a dendrogram were performed with the software BioNumerics.

Results

IS1311 RFLP provided clear results that were easy to interpret, while IS1245 RFLP generated more complex patterns with a higher discriminatory power. The combination of the two methods gave additional discrimination between isolates. All avian isolates except one were M. avium subsp. avium with two copies of IS1311 and one copy of IS1245, while the isolates of human and porcine origin belonged to M. avium subsp.hominissuis. The isolates from human patients were distributed randomly among the clusters of porcine isolates. There were few identical isolates. However, one isolate from a human patient was identical to a porcine isolate. Regional differences were detected among the porcine isolates, while there was no clustering of human isolates according to type of clinical symptoms or geographical location of the patient's home addresses.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that a wide range of M. avium subsp.hominissuis are present in pigs and humans in Norway, and that some of these isolates are very similar. It remains to be determined whether humans are infected from pigs or if they are infected from common environmental sources.
Identification and characterization of bovine regulator of telomere length elongation helicase gene (RTEL): molecular cloning, expression distribution, splice variants and DNA methylation profile
Authors: Du Zhuo , Zhao DingSheng , Zhao YongHui , Wang ShaoHua , Gao Yu , Li Ning
Published: March 2007

Background

The genetic basis of telomere length heterogeneity among mammalian species is still not well understood. Recently, a gene named regulator of telomere length elongation helicase (RTEL) was identified and predicted to be an essential participant in species-specific telomere length regulation in two murine species. To obtain broader insights into its structure and biological functions and to ascertain whether RTEL is also a candidate gene in the regulation of telomere length diversity in other mammalian species, data from other mammals may be helpful.

Results

Here we report the cDNA cloning, genomic structure, chromosomal location, alternative splicing pattern, expression distribution and DNA methylation profile of the bovine homolog of RTEL. The longest transcript of bovine RTEL is 4440 nt, encompassing 24.8 kb of genomic sequence that was mapped to chromosome 13q2.2. It encodes a conserved helicase-like protein containing seven characterized helicase motifs in the first 750 aa and a PIP box in the C-terminus. Four splice variants were identified within the transcripts in both the coding and 5'-untranslated regions; Western blot revealed that the most abundant splice variant SV-1 was translated to a truncated isoform of RTEL. The different 5'UTRs imply alternative transcription start sites in the promoter; Bovine RTEL was transcribed at the blastocyst stage, and expression levels were highest in adult testis, liver and ovary. DNA methylation analysis of tissues that differed significantly in expression level indicated that relatively low DNA methylation is associated with higher expression.

Conclusion

In this study, we have identified and characterized a bovine RTEL homolog and obtained basic information about it, including gene structure, expression distribution, splice variants and profile of DNA methylation around two putative transcription start sites. These data may be helpful for further comparative and functional analysis of RTEL in mammals.
A new molecular breast cancer subclass defined from a large scale real-time quantitative RT-PCR study
Authors: Chanrion Maïa , Fontaine Hélène , Rodriguez Carmen , Negre Vincent , Bibeau Frédéric , Theillet Charles , Hénaut Alain , Darbon Jean-Marie
Published: March 2007

Background

Current histo-pathological prognostic factors are not very helpful in predicting the clinical outcome of breast cancer due to the disease's heterogeneity. Molecular profiling using a large panel of genes could help to classify breast tumours and to define signatures which are predictive of their clinical behaviour.

Methods

To this aim, quantitative RT-PCR amplification was used to study the RNA expression levels of 47 genes in 199 primary breast tumours and 6 normal breast tissues. Genes were selected on the basis of their potential implication in hormonal sensitivity of breast tumours. Normalized RT-PCR data were analysed in an unsupervised manner by pairwise hierarchical clustering, and the statistical relevance of the defined subclasses was assessed by Chi2 analysis. The robustness of the selected subgroups was evaluated by classifying an external and independent set of tumours using these Chi2-defined molecular signatures.

Results

Hierarchical clustering of gene expression data allowed us to define a series of tumour subgroups that were either reminiscent of previously reported classifications, or represented putative new subtypes. The Chi2 analysis of these subgroups allowed us to define specific molecular signatures for some of them whose reliability was further demonstrated by using the validation data set. A new breast cancer subclass, called subgroup 7, that we defined in that way, was particularly interesting as it gathered tumours with specific bioclinical features including a low rate of recurrence during a 5 year follow-up.

Conclusion

The analysis of the expression of 47 genes in 199 primary breast tumours allowed classifying them into a series of molecular subgroups. The subgroup 7, which has been highlighted by our study, was remarkable as it gathered tumours with specific bioclinical features including a low rate of recurrence. Although this finding should be confirmed by using a larger tumour cohort, it suggests that gene expression profiling using a minimal set of genes may allow the discovery of new subclasses of breast cancer that are characterized by specific molecular signatures and exhibit specific bioclinical features.
Urban health insurance reform and coverage in China using data from National Health Services Surveys in 1998 and 2003
Authors: Xu Ling , Wang Yan , Collins Charles D , Tang Shenglan
Published: March 2007

Background

In 1997 there was a major reform of the government run urban health insurance system in China. The principal aims of the reform were to widen coverage of health insurance for the urban employed and contain medical costs. Following this reform there has been a transition from the dual system of the Government Insurance Scheme (GIS) and Labour Insurance Scheme (LIS) to the new Urban Employee Basic Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS).

Methods

This paper uses data from the National Health Services Surveys of 1998 and 2003 to examine the impact of the reform on population coverage. Particular attention is paid to coverage in terms of gender, age, employment status, and income levels. Following a description of the data between the two years, the paper will discuss the relationship between the insurance reform and the growing inequities in population coverage.

Results

An examination of the data reveals a number of key points:

The overall coverage of the newly established scheme has decreased from 1998 to 2003.

The proportion of the urban population without any type of health insurance arrangement remained almost the same between 1998 and 2003 in spite of the aim of the 1997 reform to increase the population coverage.

Higher levels of participation in mainstream insurance schemes (i.e. GIS-LIS and BHIS) were identified among older age groups, males and high income groups. In some cases, the inequities in the system are increasing.

There has been an increase in coverage of the urban population by non-mainstream health insurance schemes, including non-commercial and commercial ones.

The paper discusses three important issues in relation to urban insurance coverage: institutional diversity in the forms of insurance, labour force policy and the non-mainstream forms of commercial and non-commercial forms of insurance.

Conclusion

The paper concludes that the huge economic development and expansion has not resulted in a reduced disparity in health insurance coverage, and that limited cross-group subsidy and regional inequality is possible. Unless effective measures are taken, vulnerable groups such as women, low income groups, employees based on short-term contracts and rural-urban migrant workers may well be left out of sharing the social and economic development.
Solid serous microcystic adenoma of the pancreas
Authors: Stern Jordan R , Frankel Wendy L , Ellison E Christopher , Bloomston Mark
Published: March 2007

Background

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are less common than solid tumors, and portend a better prognosis. They can be divided into serous and mucinous subtypes, with the former behaving less aggressively and generally considered benign. Of the serous neoplasms, serous microcystic adenoma is the most common. An extremely rare solid variant of serous microcystic adenoma lacking secretory capability has been described. Herein, we present the fourth described case of this solid variant and review the literature.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 62 year-old man with a history of abdominal pain, who on CT scan was found to have a solid mass at the junction of the head and body of the pancreas. The patient was offered resection for diagnosis and treatment, and subsequently underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Based on gross pathology, histology and immunohistochemistry, the mass was determined to be a solid serous microcystic adenoma.

Conclusion

Solid serous microcystic adenoma shows similar histologic and immunohistologic features to its classic cystic counterpart, but lacks any secretory functionality. It appears to behave in a benign manner, and as such, surgical resection is curative for patients with this tumor. Furthermore, until more cases of solid SMA are identified to further elucidate its natural history and improve the reliability of preoperative diagnosis, surgical resection of this solid pancreatic tumor should be considered standard therapy in order to exclude malignancy.
Antioxidant Enzymes during Hypoxia–Anoxia Signaling Events inCrocus sativusL. Corm
Authors: KEYHANI EZZATOLLAH , GHAMSARI LILA , KEYHANI JACQUELINE , HADIZADEH MAHNAZ
Published: March 2007

Abstract: The activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐scavenging enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, o‐dianisidine and ascorbate peroxidases, was investigated inCrocus sativusL. corms cultivated in normoxic and hypoxic–anoxic conditions. The activity of the ROS‐scavenging enzymes studied varied during cultivation. However, the pattern of ROS‐scavenging enzymes production was different in corms cultivated in normoxic and hypoxic–anoxic conditions. In normoxic conditions, only the activities of peroxidases and SOD were stimulated. In dormant corms placed under hypoxia–anoxia, the activities of catalase, SOD, and glutathione peroxidase were stimulated, with the highest stimulation observed for catalase, followed by SOD, and then glutathione peroxidase. In corms that had been rooted for 3 days before being placed in hypoxia–anoxia, the activities of all ROS‐scavenging enzymes studied were stimulated with the highest stimulation still observed for catalase, followed by the peroxidases, and finally SOD. Thus catalase was the prevailing enzyme produced under hypoxia–anoxia.
Alterations in Salivary Antioxidants, Nitric Oxide, and Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 in Relation to Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease Patients
Authors: REZAIE ALI , GHORBANI FAKHTEH , ESHGHTORK AZADEH , ZAMANI MOHAMMAD J. , DEHGHAN GHOLAMREZA , TAGHAVI BARDIA , NIKFAR SHEKOUFEH , MOHAMMADIRAD AZADEH , DARYANI NASSER E. , ABDOLLAHI MOHAMMAD
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  It has been postulated that oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐ β1) have major roles in the pathophysiology of Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to determine the salivary levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), specific antioxidants (i.e., uric acid, albumin, transferrin, and thiol molecules), lipid peroxidation (LPO), NO, and TGF‐ β1 in CD patients and control subjects and to also investigate their correlation with activity of the disease. Twenty‐eight patients with confirmed diagnosis of CD were enrolled and whole saliva samples were obtained. Smokers, diabetics, those who suffered from periodontitis, and those who were consuming antioxidant supplements were excluded from the study. The Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was used to determine the severity of the disease. Twenty healthy subjects were also recruited. In CD patients significant reductions in salivary levels of TAC (0.248 ± 0.145 vs. 0.342 ± 0.110 mmol/L), albumin (1.79 ± 0.42 vs. 2.3 ± 0.2 μg/mL), and uric acid (3.1 ± 1.4 vs. 4.1 ± 2.0 mg/dL) were found. TGF‐β1 was significantly increased in CD patients compared to healthy subjects (3.02 ± 1.54 vs. 2.36 ± 0.52 ng/mL). A fourfold increase in NO levels (198.8 ± 39.9 vs. 50.2 ± 21.3 μmol/L) along with a fivefold increase in LPO concentration (0.146 ± 0.064 vs. 0.027 ± 0.019 μmol/L) was documented in CD patients in comparison to the control group. CDAI significantly correlated with the TAC, LPO, and the interaction between TAC and LPO (r2= 0.625, r2= 0.8, F‐test's P < 0.00005). Saliva of CD patients exhibits an abnormal feature with respect to oxidative stress, NO, and TGF‐β1. TAC and LPO modify the effect of each other in determination of CD severity, which underlines the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CD.
Expression of the E2F Family of Transcription Factors and Its Clinical Relevance in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: REIMER DANIEL , SADR SUSANN , WIEDEMAIR ANNEMARIE , GOEBEL GEORG , CONCIN NICOLE , HOFSTETTER GERDA , MARTH CHRISTIAN , ZEIMET ALAIN G.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  The E2F family of transcription factors plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular proliferation. On the basis of sequence homology and function, eight distinct members of E2F transcription factors (E2F‐1 to E2F‐8) have been distinguished to date. The regulation of E2F transcription factors is closely associated with the function of the retinoblastoma family of tumor suppressors (RB pathway). In the last decade various alterations of distinct components of the RB‐E2F pathway were found to be associated with tumor progression. However, no data on the role of E2F family members are available in tumor biology of ovarian cancer. Here we describe an expression study of E2F transcription factors in various human ovarian cancer cell lines; its clinical relevance was examined in a training set of 77 ovarian cancer patients. Expression levels of E2F‐1, E2F‐2, and E2F‐8 were elevated in all the ovarian cancer cell lines studied when compared with human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). Interestingly, EGF treatment showed a time‐dependent upregulation of the activating transcription factor E2F‐3 and a simultaneous increase of DP‐1, the heterodimeric partner of E2F‐3. High expression of E2F‐1, E2F‐2, and E2F‐8 was found to be associated with histopathologic grade 3 tumors and residual tumor over 2 cm in diameter after primary debulking surgery in ovarian cancer patients. Taken together, these data suggest that the proliferation‐promoting E2F transcription factors E2F‐1 and especially E2F‐2 play a pivotal role in tumor biology of ovarian cancer and may be candidates for specific therapeutic targets.
Retinoic Acid and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor BML‐210 Inhibit Proliferation of Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells
Authors: BORUTINSKAITE VERONIKA V. , NAVAKAUSKIENE RUTA , MAGNUSSON KARL‐ERIC
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is believed to be the central cause of cervical cancer. The viral proteins E6 and E7 from high‐risk HPV types prevent cells from differentiating apoptosis and inducing hyperproliferative lesions. Human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells contain integrated human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV‐18). Retinoic acid (RA) is a key regulator of epithelial cell differentiation and a growth inhibitor in vitro of HeLa cervical carcinoma cells. Cellular responses to RA are mediated by nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors. On the other hand, histone deacetylase inhibitors have been shown to be chemopreventive agents for the treatment of cancer cells. In this article, we have examined the antiproliferative effect of RA and histone deacetylase inhibitor BML‐210 on HeLa cells, and particularly the effects on protein expression that may be involved in the cell cycle control and apoptosis. Our data suggest that a combination of RA and BML‐210 leads to cell growth inhibition with subsequent apoptosis in a treatment time‐dependent manner. We confirm that BML‐210 alone or in combination with RA causes a marked increase in the level of p21. The changes in the p53 level are under the influence of p38 phosphorylation. We also discovered that the histone deacetylase inhibitor BML‐210 causes increased levels of anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 and phosphorylated p38 MAP Kinase; the latter link in cell cycle arrest with response to extracellular stimuli. Our results suggest that RA and BML‐210 are involved in different signaling pathways that regulate cell cycle arrest and lead to apoptosis of HeLa cells.
Distinct Activity of Peptide Mimetic Intracellular Ligands (Pepducins) for Proteinase‐Activated Receptor‐1 in Multiple Cells/Tissues
Authors: KUBO SATOKO , ISHIKI TSUYOSHI , DOE ICHIKO , SEKIGUCHI FUMIKO , NISHIKAWA HIROYUKI , KAWAI KENZO , MATSUI HIROFUMI , KAWABATA ATSUFUMI
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Proteinase‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR1), a G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) for thrombin, can be activated not only by PAR1‐activating peptides (PAR1APs) based on the N‐terminal cryptic tethered ligand sequence but also by an N‐palmitoylated (Pal) peptide, Pal‐RCLSSSAVANRSKKSRALF‐amide (P1pal‐19), based on the intracellular loop 3 of PAR1, designated pepducin, in human platelets or PAR1‐transfected cells. The present article evaluated the actions of P1pal‐19 and also the shorter peptide, Pal‐RCLSSSAVANRS‐amide (P1pal‐12), known as a possible PAR1 antagonist, in multiple cells/tissues that naturally express PAR1. P1pal‐19 as well as a PAR1AP, TFLLR‐amide, evoked cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization in cultured human lung epithelial cells (A549) and rat gastric mucosal epithelial cells (RGM1). P1pal‐19 and TFLLR‐amide, but not a PAR2‐activating peptide, SLIGRL‐amide, caused delayed prostaglandin E2 formation in RGM1 cells. P1pal‐19, like TFLLR‐amide, produced endothelial NO‐dependent relaxation in rat aorta and epithelial prostanoid‐dependent relaxation in mouse bronchus. The P1pal‐19‐induced relaxation remained constant even after desensitization of PAR1 with TFLLR‐amide in either tissue. P1pal‐19 failed to mimic the contractile effects of TFLLR‐amide in the endothelium‐denuded preparations of rat aorta or superior mesenteric artery and the rat gastric longitudinal smooth muscle strips. P1pal‐12 partially inhibited the vasorelaxation caused by TFLLR‐amide and P1pal‐19, but not SLIGRL‐amide, in the rat aorta. Our data thus indicate that P1pal‐19 is capable of mimicking the effects of PAR1APs in the endothelial and epithelial, but not smooth muscle, cells/tissues, and suggest that P1pal‐12 may act as a PAR1 antagonist in the vascular endothelium.
Preparation of Leptin Antagonists by Site‐Directed Mutagenesis of Human, Ovine, Rat, and Mouse Leptin's Site III
Authors: SOLOMON GILI , NIV‐SPECTOR LEONORA , GONEN‐BERGER DANA , CALLEBAUT ISABELLE , DJIANE JEAN , GERTLER ARIEH
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Six muteins of human, ovine, rat, and mouse leptins mutated to Ala in amino acids 39–41 or 39–42 were prepared by site‐directed mutagenesis of the putative site III, which does not affect binding but is necessary for receptor activation, then expressed, solubilized in 4.5 M urea, at pH 11.3 in presence of cysteine, refolded and purified to homogeneity by anion‐exchange chromatography on Q‐Sepharose or combination of anion‐exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration. The overall yields were 400–800 mg from 5 L of fermentation. All proteins were >98% pure as evidenced by SDS‐PAGE and contained at least 95% monomers as documented by gel‐filtration chromatography under nondenaturing conditions. Circular dichroism analysis revealed that all six muteins have identical secondary structure characteristic of nonmutated leptins, namely 52–63% of alpha helix content. All muteins formed a 1:1 complex with chicken leptin binding domain, (chLBD) and bound chLBD or membrane‐embedded leptin receptor with affinity identical to WT leptins. Muteins were devoid of any biological activity in several bioassays but were potent competitive antagonists. Some muteins were pegylated using 40 kDa PEG. Although pegylation decreased the in vitro activity, increasing circulation half‐life can recompensate this deficit, so pegylated antagonists are expected to be more potent in vivo.
Prostanoids with Cyclopentenone Structure as Tools for the Characterization of Electrophilic Lipid–Protein Interactomes
Authors: STAMATAKIS KONSTANTINOS , PÉREZ‐SALA DOLORES
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Electrophilic eicosanoids arise from the free radical‐induced peroxidation of arachidonic acid or its metabolites. These reactive species may play an important role in pathophysiological processes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Cyclopentenone prostaglandins (cyPG) and isoprostanes are reactive eicosanoids that can form covalent adducts with cysteine residues in proteins through Michael addition. In pharmacological studies, cyPG have shown potent protective effects in experimental models of inflammation and tissue injury, and they have been proposed to contribute to inflammatory resolution. An important mechanism for the anti‐inflammatory effects of cyPG is the covalent modification of critical cysteine residues in proteins involved in the modulation of inflammation, such as transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1. In recent years, analogs of electrophilic prostanoids have been used in various approaches to identify biologically relevant protein targets for this modification. Prostanoids with cyclopentenone structure have been shown to target a defined subproteome that is beginning to be characterized. Structural studies suggest that diverse cyPG may modify distinct proteins selectively. Functional studies put forward a dual role for these compounds in the cellular response to inflammation or stress. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of targets of electrophilic eicosanoids and the functional consequences of their modification will contribute to the understanding of their mechanism of action and help assess whether these endogenous mediators can be exploited as the basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In this article we discuss the recent advances in this rapidly growing field.
A Maximum-Likelihood Method for the Estimation of Pairwise Relatedness in Structured Populations
Authors: Anderson Amy D , Weir Bruce S
Published: March 2007

A maximum-likelihood estimator for pairwise relatedness is presented for the situation in which the individuals under consideration come from a large outbred subpopulation of the population for which allele frequencies are known. We demonstrate via simulations that a variety of commonly used estimators that do not take this kind of misspecification of allele frequencies into account will systematically overestimate the degree of relatedness between two individuals from a subpopulation. A maximum-likelihood estimator that includes FST as a parameter is introduced with the goal of producing the relatedness estimates that would have been obtained if the subpopulation allele frequencies had been known. This estimator is shown to work quite well, even when the value of FST is misspecified. Bootstrap confidence intervals are also examined and shown to exhibit close to nominal coverage when FST is correctly specified.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci for Expression Abundance
Authors: Jia Zhenyu , Xu Shizhong
Published: March 2007

Mendelian loci that control the expression levels of transcripts are called expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). When mapping eQTL, we often deal with thousands of expression traits simultaneously, which complicates the statistical model and data analysis. Two simple approaches may be taken in eQTL analysis: (1) individual transcript analysis in which a single expression trait is mapped at a time and the entire eQTL mapping involves separate analysis of thousands of traits and (2) individual marker analysis where differentially expressed transcripts are detected on the basis of their association with the segregation pattern of an individual marker and the entire analysis requires scanning markers of the entire genome. Neither approach is optimal because data are not analyzed jointly. We develop a Bayesian clustering method that analyzes all expressed transcripts and markers jointly in a single model. A transcript may be simultaneously associated with multiple markers. Additionally, a marker may simultaneously alter the expression of multiple transcripts. This is a model-based method that combines a Gaussian mixture of expression data with segregation of multiple linked marker loci. Parameter estimation for each variable is obtained via the posterior mean drawn from a Markov chain Monte Carlo sample. The method allows a regular quantitative trait to be included as an expression trait and subject to the same clustering assignment. If an expression trait links to a locus where a quantitative trait also links, the expressed transcript is considered to be associated with the quantitative trait. The method is applied to a microarray experiment with 60 F2 mice measured for 25 different obesity-related quantitative traits. In the experiment, ∼40,000 transcripts and 145 codominant markers are investigated for their associations. A program written in SAS/IML is available from the authors on request.
Caenorhabditis elegans Mutants Resistant to Attachment of Yersinia Biofilms
Authors: Darby Creg , Chakraborti Amrita , Politz Samuel M , Daniels Calvin C , Tan Li , Drace Kevin
Published: March 2007

The detailed composition and structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans surface are unknown. Previous genetic studies used antibody or lectin binding to identify srf genes that play roles in surface determination. Infection by Microbacterium nematophilum identified bus (bacterially unswollen) genes that also affect surface characteristics. We report that biofilms produced by Yersinia pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis, which bind the C. elegans surface predominantly on the head, can be used to identify additional surface-determining genes. A screen for C. elegans mutants with a biofilm absent on the head (Bah) phenotype identified three novel genes: bah-1, bah-2, and bah-3. The bah-1 and bah-2 mutants have slightly fragile cuticles but are neither Srf nor Bus, suggesting that they are specific for surface components involved in biofilm attachment. A bah-3 mutant has normal cuticle integrity, but shows a stage-specific Srf phenotype. The screen produced alleles of five known surface genes: srf-2, srf-3, bus-4, bus-12, and bus-17. For the X-linked bus-17, a paternal effect was observed in biofilm assays.
TheFLOWERING LOCUS T-Like Gene Family in Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Faure Sébastien , Higgins Janet , Turner Adrian , Laurie David A
Published: March 2007

The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene plays a central role in integrating flowering signals in Arabidopsis because its expression is regulated antagonistically by the photoperiod and vernalization pathways. FT belongs to a family of six genes characterized by a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) domain. In rice (Oryza sativa), 19 PEBP genes were previously described, 13 of which are FT-like genes. Five FT-like genes were found in barley (Hordeum vulgare). HvFT1, HvFT2, HvFT3, and HvFT4 were highly homologous to OsFTL2 (the Hd3a QTL), OsFTL1, OsFTL10, and OsFTL12, respectively, and this relationship was supported by comparative mapping. No rice equivalent was found for HvFT5. HvFT1 was highly expressed under long-day (inductive) conditions at the time of the morphological switch of the shoot apex from vegetative to reproductive growth. HvFT2 and HvFT4 were expressed later in development. HvFT1 was therefore identified as the main barley FT-like gene involved in the switch to flowering. Mapping of HvFT genes suggests that they provide important sources of flowering-time variation in barley. HvFTI was a candidate for VRN-H3, a dominant mutation giving precocious flowering, while HvFT3 was a candidate for Ppd-H2, a major QTL affecting flowering time in short days.
Proofreading and Secondary Structure Processing Determine the Orientation Dependence of CAG·CTG Trinucleotide Repeat Instability inEscherichia coli
Authors: Zahra Rabaab , Blackwood John K , Sales Jill , Leach David R F
Published: March 2007

Expanded CAG·CTG trinucleotide repeat tracts are associated with several human inherited diseases, including Huntington's disease, myotonic dystrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxias. Here we describe a new model system to investigate repeat instability in the Escherichia coli chromosome. Using this system, we reveal patterns of deletion instability consistent with secondary structure formation in vivo and address the molecular basis of orientation-dependent instability. We demonstrate that the orientation dependence of CAG·CTG trinucleotide repeat deletion is determined by the proofreading subunit of DNA polymerase III (DnaQ) in the presence of the hairpin nuclease SbcCD (Rad50/Mre11). Our results suggest that, although initiation of slippage can occur independently of CAG·CTG orientation, the folding of the intermediate affects its processing and this results in orientation dependence. We propose that proofreading is inefficient on the CTG-containing strand because of its ability to misfold and that SbcCD contributes to processing in a manner that is dependent on proofreading and repeat tract orientation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that transcription and recombination do not influence instability in this system.
Adaptive Divergence in Experimental Populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens. III. Mutational Origins of Wrinkly Spreader Diversity
Authors: Bantinaki Eleni , Kassen Rees , Knight Christopher G , Robinson Zena , Spiers Andrew J , Rainey Paul B
Published: March 2007

Understanding the connections among genotype, phenotype, and fitness through evolutionary time is a central goal of evolutionary genetics. Wrinkly spreader (WS) genotypes evolve repeatedly in model Pseudomonas populations and show substantial morphological and fitness differences. Previous work identified genes contributing to the evolutionary success of WS, in particular the di-guanylate cyclase response regulator, WspR. Here we scrutinize the Wsp signal transduction pathway of which WspR is the primary output component. The pathway has the hallmarks of a chemosensory pathway and genetic analyses show that regulation and function of Wsp is analogous to the Che chemotaxis pathway from Escherichia coli. Of significance is the methyltransferase (WspC) and methylesterase (WspF) whose opposing activities form an integral feedback loop that controls the activity of the kinase (WspE). Deductions based on the regulatory model suggested that mutations within wspF were a likely cause of WS. Analyses of independent WS genotypes revealed numerous simple mutations in this single open reading frame. Remarkably, different mutations have different phenotypic and fitness effects. We suggest that the negative feedback loop inherent in Wsp regulation allows the pathway to be tuned by mutation in a rheostat-like manner.
Heteroduplex DNA in Meiotic Recombination in Drosophila mei-9 Mutants
Authors: Radford Sarah J , McMahan Susan , Blanton Hunter L , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: March 2007

Meiotic recombination gives rise to crossovers, which are required in most organisms for the faithful segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiotic cell division. Characterization of crossover-defective mutants has contributed much to our understanding of the molecular mechanism of crossover formation. We report here a molecular analysis of recombination in a Drosophila melanogaster crossover-defective mutant, mei-9. In the absence of mei-9 activity, postmeiotic segregation associated with noncrossovers occurs at the expense of crossover products, suggesting that the underlying meiotic function for MEI-9 is in crossover formation rather than mismatch repair. In support of this, analysis of the arrangement of heteroduplex DNA in the postmeiotic segregation products reveals different patterns from those observed in Drosophila Msh6 mutants, which are mismatch-repair defective. This analysis also provides evidence that the double-strand break repair model applies to meiotic recombination in Drosophila. Our results support a model in which MEI-9 nicks Holliday junctions to generate crossovers during meiotic recombination, and, in the absence of MEI-9 activity, the double Holliday junction intermediate instead undergoes dissolution to generate noncrossover products in which heteroduplex is unrepaired.
Performance of a Career Development and Compensation Program at an Academic Health Science Center
Authors: O'Brodovich Hugh , Beyene Joseph , Tallett Susan , MacGregor Daune , Rosenblum Norman D.
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVE. The academic physicians of our department developed a novel Career Development and Compensation Program to outline job expectations, enhance career development, and provide a peer-review process to assess performance. The Career Development and Compensation Program was founded on the principle that sustained achievement in education, clinical care, or research should be valued, supported, and rewarded in an equivalent manner and that reward for clinical work should not be limited by the focus of the university on research and education. The objective of this study was to determine whether the principles of the Career Development and Compensation Program were sustained during the initial 7 years of its implementation.

METHODS. The outcome of the 7 triennial reviews that occurred from 1999 to 2005 was evaluated. For the purposes of some analyses, physicians were classified as predominately clinical (clinician-specialists and clinician-teachers), predominately education (clinician-educators), or predominately research (clinician-investigators and clinician-scientists).

RESULTS. Each of the job profiles had a similar probability to increase a level within the Career Development and Compensation Program at the time of triennial review. Similarly, all 5 job profiles had a similar rate of increase in their level in relation to the total number of years of experience at an academic health science center. Neither the university academic rank nor gender of the physician affected the probability of increasing a level at the time of the triennial review.

CONCLUSION. The peer-reviewed Career Development and Compensation Program recognizes sustained achievement in each area of education, clinical care, and research in an equivalent manner with no detectable effect of academic rank or gender.
Relative Abundance, Site Fidelity, and Survival of Adult Lake Trout in Lake Michigan from 1999 to 2001: Implications for Future Restoration Strategies
Authors: Bronte Charles R. , Holey Mark E. , Madenjian Charles P. , Jonas Jory L. , Claramunt Randall M. , McKee Patrick C. , Toneys Michael L. , Ebener Mark P. , Breidert Brian , Fleischer Guy W. , Hess Richard , Martell Archie W. , Olsen Erik J.
Published: March 2007

We compared the relative abundance of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush spawners in gill nets during fall 1999–2001 in Lake Michigan at 19 stocked spawning sites with that at 25 unstocked sites to evaluate how effective site-specific stocking was in recolonizing historically important spawning reefs. The abundance of adult fish was higher at stocked onshore and offshore sites than at unstocked sites. This suggests that site-specific stocking is more effective at establishing spawning aggregations than relying on the ability of hatchery-reared lake trout to find spawning reefs, especially those offshore. Spawner densities were generally too low and too young at most sites to expect significant natural reproduction. However, densities were sufficiently high at some sites for reproduction to occur and therefore the lack of recruitment was attributable to other factors. Less than 3% of all spawners could have been wild fish, which indicates that little natural reproduction occurred in past years. Wounding by sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus was generally lower for Seneca Lake strain fish and highest for strains from Lake Superior. Fish captured at offshore sites in southern Lake Michigan had the lowest probability of wounding, while fish at onshore sites in northern Lake Michigan had the highest probability. The relative survival of the Seneca Lake strain was higher than that of the Lewis Lake or the Marquette strains for the older year-classes examined. Survival differences among strains were less evident for younger year-classes. Recaptures of coded-wire-tagged fish of five strains indicated that most fish returned to their stocking site or to a nearby site and that dispersal from stocking sites during spawning was about 100 km. Restoration strategies should rely on site-specific stocking of lake trout strains with good survival at selected historically important offshore spawning sites to increase egg deposition and the probability of natural reproduction in Lake Michigan.
Creative Types and Personality
Authors: Ivcevic Zorana , Mayer John D.
Published: March 2007

The present study aimed to identify types of creative activities and to examine which personality traits differentiate these behavioral types. Participants reported their activities concerning creative life-style, artistic creativity, and intellectual achievement. Also, they completed measures of personality traits concerning whole personality, emotions and motivation, cognition, social expression, and self-regulation. Five types of individuals were identified based on the profiles of creative activities in which they participated: conventional, everyday creative individuals, artists, scholars, and renaissance individuals. One set of traits distinguished conventional from other groups (traits general to different kinds of creativity) and another set of traits distinguished scholars from other groups (traits specific to one kind of creativity). Implications for the study of creative personality and development of creativity are discussed.
Using National Alcohol Screening Day to Deliver Personalized Feedback: A Pilot Study
Authors: Henslee Amber M. , Irons Jessica G. , Day Jennifer M. , Butler Leon , Benson Trisha A. , Correia Christopher J.
Published: March 2007

The current study tested the effectiveness of using National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) to deliver personalized feedback via mail. At-risk NASD participants were assigned to either personalized or generic feedback conditions and attended a 4-week follow-up. Results failed to find any group differences on alcohol-related variables. However, participants in the personalized group reported a reduction in the maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion. The personalized group also had a more accurate view of the amount of alcohol their peers consumed. NASD is a vehicle to efficiently deliver feedback to individuals about their alcohol use; however, more research is needed to determine the types of feedback that would be most effective.
Relations and Differences among Three Kinds of Imagery Related Traits: Visual Cognitive Style, Imagery Vividness and Imagination Immersion
Authors: Minakowska-Gruda Iwona
Published: March 2007

Imagery is usually considered as a homogeneous construct, but this general term can be ascribed to three phenomena, namely cognitive style (visualizer vs. verbalizer), vividness of the imagery, and imagination immersion, that is, the tendency or proneness to immerse in imaginations in everyday life. In this study the differences among these three kinds of imagery related concepts have been discussed and the correlations among them have been investigated. Subsamples of 188 students, 158 women, and 30 men completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Scale (Marks, 1973), the Vividness of Imagery Test (Gheorghiu, unpublished manuscript), the Verbalizer-Visualizer Questionnaire (Richardson, 1977), the Everyday Mental Activities Scale (see Appendix 1), the Tellegen Absorption Scale (Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974), the Dissociative Experiences Scale (Carlson & Putnam, 1993), and the Attentional Involvement Scale (Polczyk, in press). Correlational and factor analyses proved that that three kinds of individual traits related to imagery are only modestly correlated but nevertheless they relate to some general trait of imagery.
Implementation Fidelity in a Teacher-Led Alcohol use Prevention Curriculum
Authors: Pankratz Melinda M. , Jackson-Newsom Julia , Giles Steven M. , Ringwalt Christopher L. , Bliss Kappie , Bell Mary Lou
Published: March 2007

There is now ample evidence that teachers tend to make substantial modifications to both the prescribed content and methods of the curricula they administer, and that such modifications are likely to attenuate curricula effects. We examine the fidelity with which teachers implement “Protecting You, Protecting Me,” an underage alcohol use prevention curriculum. Findings suggest that while teachers attempted to implement most sections of a lesson, the lessons taught were consistently—and often extensively—adapted. We conclude that since teachers are likely to continue to modify lessons, curriculum developers and trainers should enhance their understanding of how prevention curricula are taught under real world conditions, help teachers to reinforce key curriculum concepts, and consider modifying those curricular sections that teachers are adapting with greatest frequency.
Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Municipal Smokefree Ordinances: Attitudes of Restaurant and Bar Owners and Managers
Authors: Hays Scott P.
Published: March 2007

Understanding the attitudes of restaurant and bar owners and managers toward a smokefree city ordinance can contribute greatly to the success of a smokefree policy campaign. While local opposition to a smokefree policy always arises from restaurant and bar owners, this study of restaurant and bar owners and managers in two Midwestern cities reveals that over two-thirds (67.1%) support a smokefree restaurant policy, and over 40% support a policy that would include bars. Moreover, most prefer the local government to require the city to be smokefree rather than choose to go smokefree on their own: only 1 in 5 would even consider going smokefree independently. The study explains that this is primarily due to widespread and unfounded fears of economic loss. Finally, the article recommends that education campaigns encouraging individual restaurants to go smokefree would be a far less effective strategy than persuading a municipal government to enact a smokefree ordinance.
The Female Nude in Rubens: Disconfirmatory Evidence of the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Hypothesis of Female Physical Attractiveness
Authors: Swami Viren , Gray Maggie , Furnham Adrian
Published: March 2007

Strong versions of evolutionary psychologists have proposed that men possess perceptual mechanisms that engender a preference for women with low waist-to-hip ratios (WHR), typically 0.70, as this is considered maximally healthy and fertile. This has taken to be culturally and temporally invariant. In the present study, two semi-expert and two non-expert judges made measurements of the WHR of nude females in paintings by Pieter Pauwel Rubens. The results showed that the mean WHR of Rubens' women was 0.776, significantly higher than the reported preference for WHRs of 0.70. Possible non-adaptive explanations for this result are proposed in conclusion.
Increase in insulin action and fat oxidation after treatment with CL 316,243, a highly selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist in humans.
Authors: Weyer C , Tataranni P A , Snitker S , Danforth E , Ravussin E
Published: March 2007

Stimulation of beta3-adrenoceptors by selective agonists improves insulin action and stimulates energy metabolism in various rodent models of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Whether selective beta3-adrenoceptor stimulation exerts metabolic actions in humans remains to be proven. The effects of a highly selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist on insulin action, energy metabolism, and body composition were assessed in 14 healthy young lean male volunteers (age 22.5 +/- 3.3 years, 15 +/- 5% body fat [mean +/- SD]) randomly assigned to 8 weeks of treatment with either 1,500 mg/day of CL 316,243 (n = 10) or placebo (n = 4). Insulin-mediated glucose disposal (IMGD), nonoxidative glucose disposal (NOGD), oxidative glucose disposal (OGD) (indirect calorimetry), and splanchnic glucose output (SGO; beta3-[H3]glucose) were determined during a 100-min hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamp (40 mU x m(-2) x min(-1)) before and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The 24-h energy expenditure (24-EE), 24-h respiratory quotient (24-RQ), and the oxidation rates of fat and carbohydrate were determined in a respiratory chamber before and after 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, treatment with CL 316,243 increased IMGD (+45%, P < 0.01) in a plasma concentration-dependent manner (r = 0.76, P < 0.02). This effect was due to an 82% increase in NOGD (P < 0.01), while OGD and SGO remained unchanged. The effects on insulin action were markedly diminished after 8 weeks; this was significantly related to an unexpected decline in the plasma concentrations of CL 316,243 (-36%, P = 0.08). At this time, 24-RQ was lowered (P < 0.001), corresponding to a 23% increase in fat oxidation (P < 0.01) and a 17% decrease in carbohydrate oxidation (P = 0.05). The 24-EE after 8 weeks did not differ from baseline, and there was no change in body weight or body composition. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and leptin were unaffected by treatment, while free fatty acid concentrations increased by 41% (P < 0.05), again linearly with the achieved plasma concentration of CL 316,243 (r = 0.67, P < 0.05). Treatment with CL 316,243 had no effect on heart rate or blood pressure and caused no cases of tremors. We conclude that treatment of lean male subjects with CL 316,243 increases insulin action and fat oxidation, both in a plasma concentration-dependent manner. This is the first study to demonstrate unequivocal metabolic effects of a highly selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist in humans.