bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Established or excluded? A longitudinal study of criminality, work and family formation
Authors: Nilsson Anders , Estrada Felipe
Published: May 2011

In this article we explore the longer-term implications of criminality. We look at different groups in a birth cohort defined on the basis of their level of involvement in crime. To what extent is juvenile and adult crime related to social exclusion in mid-life? We study differences in outcomes related to work and family, and whether these differences tend to grow or diminish over time. We employ a new longitudinal data set, The Stockholm Birth Cohort Study, which provides rich and unique life-course data from birth to age 48 for 14,294 girls and boys. Our results show that criminal involvement in adulthood has a negative long-term impact on the individual’s life course and career opportunities, even after having controlled for childhood conditions and drug abuse.
Immigration, diversity and crime: an analysis of Belgian national crime statistics, 2001-6
Authors: Bircan Tuba , Hooghe Marc
Published: May 2011

In this article we investigate the assumed relationship between immigrant concentrations and crime at the community level in Belgium for the period 2001—6. Multivariate analysis shows that unemployment levels have a very strong effect on crime, thus rendering the ethnic composition of the community non-significant. We distinguished various groups depending on ethnic origins. Controls include the concentration of migrants and the number of incoming immigrants. Our conclusion is that deprivation (and especially unemployment) is more important than direct immigration effects in explaining community-level crime rates. We end with some theoretical and policy considerations regarding the relation between ethnic diversity and crime.
The Evolution of Luz: A Case Study of Gendered Tensions of Romance and Domesticity in the Life of a Former Migrant, Chicana College Student
Authors: Reyes Reynaldo , Valles Estella , Salinas Cinthia
Published: May 2011

This paper is a case study of a Chicana former migrant in her first year of college through CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program), and how she negotiated the challenges of family, romance, and the desire to reach her goals. Through narrative analysis, the authors examine the thoughts, words, and experiences of Luz’s life to provide insight to the complex world of vacillating identities across cultural borders and gender role expectations of community, school, and society.
Quebrando Fronteras: Trends Among Latino and Latina Undergraduate Engineers
Authors: Madsen Camacho Michelle , Lord Susan M.
Published: May 2011

Engineering, a field that has shaped the world’s industrial and technological base, is ripe for an influx of Latino undergraduate students. Given U.S. Latino population increases, what is the trajectory of Latino participation in engineering education? Using an interdisciplinary lens, we critically examine Latino trends in undergraduate engineering education in the United States. We find that Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are particularly successful at graduating Latino engineers and propose explanatory analyses.
The Situated Inference Model
Authors: Loersch Chris , Payne B. Keith
Published: May 2011

The downstream consequences of a priming induction range from changes in the perception of objects in the environment to the initiation of prime-related behavior and goal striving. Although each of these outcomes has been accounted for by separate mechanisms, we argue that a single process could produce all three priming effects. In this article, we introduce the situated inference model of priming, discuss its potential to account for these divergent outcomes with one mechanism, and demonstrate its ability to organize the priming literatures surrounding these effects. According to the model, primes often do not cause direct effects, instead altering only the accessibility of prime-related mental content. This information produces downstream effects on judgment, behavior, or motivation when it is mistakenly viewed as originating from one’s own internal thought processes. When this misattribution occurs, the prime-related mental content becomes a possible source of information for solving whatever problems are afforded by the current situation. Because different situations afford very different questions and concerns, the inferred meaning of this prime-related content can vary greatly. The use of this information to answer qualitatively different questions can lead a single prime to produce varied effects on judgment, behavior, and motivation.
Research Strategy in the Study of Memory: Fads, Fallacies, and the Search for the “Coordinates of Truth”
Authors: Hintzman Douglas L.
Published: May 2011

This article presents an evaluation of research strategy in the psychology of memory. To the extent that a strategy can be discerned, it appears less than optimal in several respects. It relates only weakly to subjective experience, it does not clearly differentiate between structure and strategy, and it is oriented more toward remembering which words were in a list than to the diverse functions that memory serves. This last limitation fosters assumptions about memory that are false: that encoding and retrieval are distinct modes of operation; that the effects of repetition, duration, and recency are interchangeable; and that memory is ahistorical. Theories that parsimoniously explain data from single tasks will never generalize to memory as a whole because their core assumptions are too limited. Instead, memory theory should be based on a broad variety of evidence. Using findings from several memory tasks and observations of everyday memory, I suggest some ways in which involuntary reminding plays a central role in cognition. The evolutionary purpose of memory may have been the construction and maintenance—through reminding—of a spatio-temporal model of the environment. I conclude by recommending ways in which efficiency of the field’s research strategy might be improved.
A Dark Side of Happiness? How, When, and Why Happiness Is Not Always Good
Authors: Gruber June , Mauss Iris B. , Tamir Maya
Published: May 2011

Happiness is generally considered a source of good outcomes. Research has highlighted the ways in which happiness facilitates the pursuit of important goals, contributes to vital social bonds, broadens people’s scope of attention, and increases well-being and psychological health. However, is happiness always a good thing? This review suggests that the pursuit and experience of happiness might sometimes lead to negative outcomes. We focus on four questions regarding this purported “dark side” of happiness. First, is there a wrong degree of happiness? Second, is there a wrong time for happiness? Third, are there wrong ways to pursue happiness? Fourth, are there wrong types of happiness? Cumulatively, these lines of research suggest that although happiness is often highly beneficial, it may not be beneficial at every level, in every context, for every reason, and in every variety.
Law and the Zero-Sum Game of Discrimination: Commentary on Norton and Sommers (2011)
Authors: Plaut Victoria C.
Published: May 2011

Norton and Sommers (2011, this issue) find that Whites see discrimination as a zero-sum game that they are now losing. This psychological finding has serious implications for antidiscrimination law. This commentary briefly traces the relevant, recent history of antidiscrimination law and explains the consequences of the zero-sum finding in three related areas: affirmative action, disparate treatment, and disparate impact. In all three areas, the zero-sum finding—and the presumption of intentional discrimination against Whites that it indicates—upsets the structure of antidiscrimination law traditionally designed to remedy discrimination against historically disadvantaged racial minorities. Moreover, the zero-sum finding suggests that recent ballot initiatives banning affirmative action and recent, pivotal Supreme Court opinions limiting antidiscrimination laws that were originally erected to prevent the exclusion of racial minorities are not just the product of voters in a handful of states, of a few disgruntled White employees or university applicants, or of a few justices, but rather are reflective of a more widespread societal sentiment.
Stereotypes and Schadenfreude
Authors: Cikara Mina , Fiske Susan T.
Published: May 2011

People often fail to empathize with outgroup members, and sometimes even experience Schadenfreude—pleasure—in response to their misfortunes. One potent predictor of Schadenfreude is envy. According to the stereotype content model, envy is elicited by groups whose stereotypes comprise status and competitiveness. These are the first studies to investigate whether stereotypes are sufficient to elicit pleasure in response to high-status, competitive targets' misfortunes. Study 1 participants feel least negative when misfortunes befall high-status, competitive targets as compared to other social targets; participants' facial muscles simultaneously exhibit a pattern consistent with positive affect (i.e., smiling). Study 2 attenuates the Schadenfreude response by manipulating status and competition-relevant information; Schadenfreude decreases when the target-group member has lowered status or is cooperative. Stereotypes' specific content and not just individual relationships with targets themselves can predict Schadenfreude.
Underevaluation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Nonaccidental Falls
Authors: Daccarett Marcos , Brignole Michele , Malasana Gangadhar R. , Sherwood Randall P. , Jetter Tawni L. , Hamdan Mohamed H.
Published: May 2011

Background: The incidence of adult patients with falls seeking medical assistance in the Salt Lake City area, Utah, is 28,000 per million adult inhabitants. Objective: We sought to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk assessment and cardiovascular abnormalities in patients presenting with nonaccidental falls at the University of Utah hospital and its affiliated clinics. Methods: We conducted a search of all patients in the University of Utah patient database as well as 9 affiliated primary care and family practice clinics in Utah who were evaluated for a “fall” during October 2009. We analyzed the records of 338 patients who had a fall within the previous 3 months. Nonaccidental falls were defined as falls unrelated to a contact incident or “slip or trip.” Results: Nonaccidental falls occurred in 81 (24%) patients, 39 of these being ≥65 years old. Cardiovascular risk assessment and specifically orthostatic testing were evaluated in 40% and 3% of the patients, respectively. In patients ≥65 years old, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk assessment, orthostatic testing, and carotid sinus massage were equally low at 56%, 5%, and 0%, respectively. Cardiovascular abnormalities were present in 17 (21%) patients, with 9 of them being referred for cardiac evaluation. Conclusion: Our results highlight the inconsistent assessment of potential cardiovascular risk factors in patients with nonaccidental falls, supporting the adoption of a standardized approach in these patients.
Cancer Screening Delivery in Persistent Poverty Rural Counties
Authors: Bennett Kevin J. , Pumkam Chaiporn , Bellinger Jessica D. , Probst Janice C.
Published: May 2011

Background: Rural populations are diagnosed with cancer at different rate and stages than nonrural populations, and race/ethnicity as well as the area-level income exacerbates the differences. The purpose of this analysis was to explore cancer screening rates across persistent poverty rural counties, with emphasis on nonwhite populations. Methods: The 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used, combined with data from the Area Resource File (analytic n = 309 937 unweighted, 196 344 347 weighted). Unadjusted analysis estimated screening rates for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. Multivariate analysis estimated the odds of screening, controlling for individual and county-level effects.Results: Rural residents, particularly those in persistent poverty counties, were less likely to be screened than urban residents. More African Americans in persistent poverty rural counties reported not having mammography screening (18.3%) compared to 15.9% of urban African Americans. Hispanics had low screening rates across all service types. Multivariate analysis continued to find disparities in screening rates, after controlling for individual and county-level factors. African Americans in persistent poverty rural counties were more likely to be screened for both breast cancer (odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.85) and cervical cancer (1.46; 1.07-1.99) when compared with urban whites. Conclusions: Disparities in cancer screening rates exist across not only race/ethnicity but also county type. These disparities cannot be fully explained by either individual or county-level effects. Programs have been successful in improving screening rates for African American women and should be expanded to target other vulnerable women as well as other services such as colorectal cancer screening.
We Do Not Enjoy Equal Political Rights
Authors: Sossou Marie-Antoinette
Published: May 2011

This study explores Ghanaian women’s perception and voices about issues of gender equality in terms of exercising their political and decision-making rights in connection with political participation and governance in Ghana. The study uses demographic survey and six different focus group discussions to capture the views of a total of 68 women with different educational, socioeconomical, and occupational backgrounds, in two regions of the Ghana. The findings indicate that even though theoretically the constitution of Ghana gives women equal rights as their male counterparts to actively participate in the governance of their country, in practice, women face issues of gender-based power imbalance and discrimination in addition to other structural, institutional, cultural, and traditional barriers and roadblocks. These barriers expose women as being inferior and second-class citizens compared with their male counterparts in term of participation and inclusion in the governance of their country. The study discusses the social and policy implications of the issues of gender inequality and social exclusion of women in politics and calls for empowerment and organization of women and structural change in the system.
Cooperative function of CCR7 and lymphotoxin in the formation of a lymphoma-permissive niche within murine secondary lymphoid organs
Authors: Rehm Armin , Mensen Angela , Schradi Kristina , Gerlach Kerstin , Wittstock Stefanie , Winter Susann , Büchner Gilbert , Dörken Bernd , Lipp Martin , Höpken Uta E.
Published: May 2011

Lymphoma cell survival and progression are putatively dependent on a specific microanatomic localization within secondary lymphoid organs. Despite compelling data correlating homeostatic chemokine receptor expression and human lymphoma pathogenesis, genetic models that either mimic lymphoma dissemination or dissect a crosstalk of lymphoma and stromal cells are missing. Applying the genetically tractable Eμ-Myc transgenic mouse model, we show that the chemokine receptor CCR7 regulates Eμ-Myc lymphoma homing to lymph nodes and distinctive microanatomic sites of the spleen. CCR7-controlled access of lymphoma cells to the splenic T-cell zone led to a significant survival advantage compared with CCR7-deficient lymphoma cells, which were excluded from this zone. Within the niche, lymphoma cells stimulated a reciprocal cross-talk with gp38+ fibroblastic reticular cells. This reciprocal cooperation program was mediated by lymphoma B cell–presented lymphotoxin, which acted on lymphotoxin-β–receptor-bearing stromal cells followed by alteration of stromal cellular composition. Cross-talk inhibition by lymphotoxin-α deletion and using a lymphotoxin-β receptor-immunoglobulin fusion protein impaired lymphoma growth. Thus, abrogation of CCR7-governed migration and of sustained lymphotoxin signaling could provide new targets in lymphoma therapy.
Endogenous oncogenic Nras mutation initiates hematopoietic malignancies in a dose- and cell type-dependent manner
Authors: Wang Jinyong , Liu Yangang , Li Zeyang , Wang Zhongde , Tan Li Xuan , Ryu Myung-Jeom , Meline Benjamin , Du Juan , Young Ken H. , Ranheim Erik , Chang Qiang , Zhang Jing
Published: May 2011

Both monoallelic and biallelic oncogenic NRAS mutations are identified in human leukemias, suggesting a dose-dependent role of oncogenic NRAS in leukemogenesis. Here, we use a hypomorphic oncogenic Nras allele and a normal oncogenic Nras allele (Nras G12Dhypo and Nras G12D, respectively) to create a gene dose gradient ranging from 25% to 200% of endogenous Nras G12D/+. Mice expressing Nras G12Dhypo/G12Dhypo develop normally and are tumor-free, whereas early embryonic expression of Nras G12D/+ is lethal. Somatic expression of Nras G12D/G12D but not Nras G12D/+ leads to hyperactivation of ERK, excessive proliferation of myeloid progenitors, and consequently an acute myeloproliferative disease. Using a bone marrow transplant model, we previously showed that ∼ 95% of animals receiving Nras G12D/+ bone marrow cells develop chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), while ∼ 8% of recipients develop acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma [TALL] (TALL-het). Here we demonstrate that 100% of recipients transplanted with Nras G12D/G12D bone marrow cells develop TALL (TALL-homo). Although both TALL-het and -homo tumors acquire Notch1 mutations and are sensitive to a γ-secretase inhibitor, endogenous Nras G12D/+ signaling promotes TALL through distinct genetic mechanism(s) from Nras G12D/G12D. Our data indicate that the tumor transformation potential of endogenous oncogenic Nras is both dose- and cell type-dependent.
The identification and characterization of zebrafish hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Ma Dongdong , Zhang Jing , Lin Hui-feng , Italiano Joseph , Handin Robert I.
Published: May 2011

HSCs are defined by their ability to self-renew and maintain hematopoiesis throughout the lifespan of an organism. The optical clarity of their embryos and the ease of genetic manipulation make the zebrafish (Danio rerio) an excellent model for studying hematopoiesis. Using flow cytometry, we identified 2 populations of CD41-GFP+ cells (GFPhi and GFPlo) in the whole kidney marrow of Tg(CD41:GFP) zebrafish. Past studies in humans and mice have shown that CD41 is transiently expressed in the earliest hematopoietic progenitors and is then silenced, reappearing in the platelet/thrombocyte lineage. We have transplanted flow-sorted GFPhi and GFPlo cells into irradiated adult zebrafish and assessed long-term hematopoietic engraftment. Transplantation of GFPhi cells did not reconstitute hematopoiesis. In contrast, we observed multilineage hematopoiesis up to 68 weeks after primary and secondary transplantation of GFPlo cells. We detected the CD41-GFP transgene in all major hematopoietic lineages and CD41-GFP+ cells in histologic sections of kidneys from transplant recipients. These studies show that CD41-GFPlo cells fulfill generally accepted criteria for HSCs. The identification of fluorescent zebrafish HSCs, coupled with our ability to transplant them into irradiated adult recipients, provide a valuable new tool to track HSC homing, proliferation, and differentiation into hematopoietic cells.
Neuropilin-1 promotes VEGFR-2 trafficking through Rab11 vesicles thereby specifying signal output
Authors: Ballmer-Hofer Kurt , Andersson Anneli E. , Ratcliffe Laura E. , Berger Philipp
Published: May 2011

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) regulate blood and lymph vessel development by activating 3 receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), VEGFR-1, -2, and -3, and by binding to coreceptors such as neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). We investigated how different VEGF-A isoforms, in particular VEGF-A165a and VEGF-A165b, control the balance between VEGFR-2 recycling, degradation, and signaling. Stimulation of cells with the NRP-1–binding VEGF-A165a led to sequential NRP-1–mediated VEGFR-2 recycling through Rab5, Rab4, and Rab11 vesicles. Recycling was accompanied by dephosphorylation of VEGFR-2 between Rab4 and Rab11 vesicles and quantitatively and qualitatively altered signal output. In cells stimulated with VEGF-A165b, an isoform unable to bind NRP-1, VEGFR-2 bypassed Rab11 vesicles and was routed to the degradative pathway specified by Rab7 vesicles. Deletion of the GIPC (synectin) binding motif of NRP-1 prevented transition of VEGFR-2 through Rab11 vesicles and attenuated signaling. Coreceptor engagement was specific for VEGFR-2 because EGFR recycled through Rab11 vesicles in the absence of known coreceptors. Our data establish a distinct role of NRP-1 in VEGFR-2 signaling and reveal a general mechanism for the function of coreceptors in modulating RTK signal output.
Paraproteins of familial MGUS/multiple myeloma target family-typical antigens: hyperphosphorylation of autoantigens is a consistent finding in familial and sporadic MGUS/MM
Authors: Grass Sandra , Preuss Klaus-Dieter , Thome Stephan , Weisenburger Dennis D. , Witt Vinetta , Lynch Jane , Zettl Florian , Trümper Lorenz , Fadle Natalie , Regitz Evi , Lynch Henry , Pfreundschuh Michael
Published: May 2011

Paratarg-7 (P-7) is a frequent paraprotein target in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), multiple myeloma (MM), and Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Patients with P-7-specific paraproteins carry a hyperphosphorylated paratarg-7 (pP-7). Because pP-7 carrier state is dominantly inherited, we determined the paraprotein targets in 4 families with familial MGUS/MM. No antigenic target was identified for the paraproteins from 2 members of one family. Paraproteins from affected members of 2 other families targeted P-7, and paraproteins from 4 affected members of a fourth family targeted P-8, which is encoded by the ATG13 gene. P-8 was hyperphosphorylated in the affected family members (pP-8) and pP-8 carrier state is inherited in a dominant fashion. Six additional autoantigenic nonfamilial paraprotein targets were also hyperphosphorylated in the respective patients compared with normal controls. We conclude that paraproteins of affected members with familial MGUS/MM share family-typical hyperphosphorylated antigens and hyperphosphorylation of paraprotein targets might be a general mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of MGUS/MM.
FLT3/ITD AML and the law of unintended consequences
Authors: Levis Mark
Published: May 2011

Acute myeloid leukemia with a FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD) mutation is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with a generally poor prognosis. It can be successfully treated into remission with intensive chemotherapy, but it routinely relapses. At relapse, the blasts tend to have higher mutant allelic ratios and, in vitro, are more addicted to the aberrant signaling from the FLT3/ITD oncoprotein. They remain highly responsive to FLT3 ligand, the levels of which rise several-fold during the course of chemotherapy. The question now arises as to whether these high levels of FLT3 ligand are actually promoting relapse, and, if so, how we can use this information to adjust our therapeutic approach and improve the cure rate for acute myeloid leukemia with FLT3/ITD.
PRIN: a predicted rice interactome network
Authors: Gu Haibin , Zhu Pengcheng , Jiao Yinming , Meng Yijun , Chen Ming
Published: May 2011

Background

Protein-protein interactions play a fundamental role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of biomolecular function, signal transductions and metabolic pathways of living organisms. Although high-throughput technologies such as yeast two-hybrid system and affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry are widely used in model organisms, the progress of protein-protein interactions detection in plants is rather slow. With this motivation, our work presents a computational approach to predict protein-protein interactions in Oryza sativa.

Results

To better understand the interactions of proteins in Oryza sativa, we have developed PRIN, a Predicted Rice Interactome Network. Protein-protein interaction data of PRIN are based on the interologs of six model organisms where large-scale protein-protein interaction experiments have been applied: yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), worm (Caenorhabditis elegans), fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), human (Homo sapiens), Escherichia coli K12 and Arabidopsis thaliana. With certain quality controls, altogether we obtained 76,585 non-redundant rice protein interaction pairs among 5,049 rice proteins. Further analysis showed that the topology properties of predicted rice protein interaction network are more similar to yeast than to the other 5 organisms. This may not be surprising as the interologs based on yeast contribute nearly 74% of total interactions. In addition, GO annotation, subcellular localization information and gene expression data are also mapped to our network for validation. Finally, a user-friendly web interface was developed to offer convenient database search and network visualization.

Conclusions

PRIN is the first well annotated protein interaction database for the important model plant Oryza sativa. It has greatly extended the current available protein-protein interaction data of rice with a computational approach, which will certainly provide further insights into rice functional genomics and systems biology.

PRIN is available online at http://bis.zju.edu.cn/prin/.
NSMAP: A method for spliced isoforms identification and quantification from RNA-Seq
Authors: Xia Zheng , Wen Jianguo , Chang Chung-Che , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: May 2011

Background

The development of techniques for sequencing the messenger RNA (RNA-Seq) enables it to study the biological mechanisms such as alternative splicing and gene expression regulation more deeply and accurately. Most existing methods employ RNA-Seq to quantify the expression levels of already annotated isoforms from the reference genome. However, the current reference genome is very incomplete due to the complexity of the transcriptome which hiders the comprehensive investigation of transcriptome using RNA-Seq. Novel study on isoform inference and estimation purely from RNA-Seq without annotation information is desirable.

Results

A N onnegativity and S parsity constrained M aximum A
P osteriori (NSMAP) model has been proposed to estimate the expression levels of isoforms from RNA-Seq data without the annotation information. In contrast to previous methods, NSMAP performs identification of the structures of expressed isoforms and estimation of the expression levels of those expressed isoforms simultaneously, which enables better identification of isoforms. In the simulations parameterized by two real RNA-Seq data sets, more than 77% expressed isoforms are correctly identified and quantified. Then, we apply NSMAP on two RNA-Seq data sets of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) samples and one normal sample in order to identify differentially expressed known and novel isoforms in MDS disease.

Conclusions

NSMAP provides a good strategy to identify and quantify novel isoforms without the knowledge of annotated reference genome which can further realize the potential of RNA-Seq technique in transcriptome analysis. NSMAP package is freely available at https://sites.google.com/site/nsmapforrnaseq.
Identification of microRNA precursors based on random forest with network-level representation method of stem-loop structure
Authors: Xiao Jiamin , Tang Xiaojing , Li Yizhou , Fang Zheng , Ma Daichuan , He Yangzhige , Li Menglong
Published: May 2011

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in regulating various biological processes such as participating in the post-transcriptional pathway and affecting the stability and/or the translation of mRNA. Current methods have extracted feature information at different levels, among which the characteristic stem-loop structure makes the greatest contribution to the prediction of putative miRNA precursor (pre-miRNA). We find that none of these features alone is capable of identifying new pre-miRNA accurately.

Results

In the present work, a pre-miRNA stem-loop secondary structure is translated to a network, which provides a novel perspective for its structural analysis. Network parameters are used to construct prediction model, achieving an area under the receiver operating curves (AUC) value of 0.956. Moreover, by repeating the same method on two independent datasets, accuracies of 0.976 and 0.913 are achieved, respectively.

Conclusions

Network parameters effectively characterize pre-miRNA secondary structure, which improves our prediction model in both prediction ability and computation efficiency. Additionally, as a complement to feature extraction methods in previous studies, these multifaceted features can reflect natural properties of miRNAs and be used for comprehensive and systematic analysis on miRNA.
Tools for genetic manipulation of the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum amazonense
Authors: Sant'Anna Fernando H , Andrade Dieime S , Trentini Débora B , Weber Shana S , Schrank Irene S
Published: May 2011

Background

Azospirillum amazonensehas potential to be used as agricultural inoculant since it promotes plant growth without causing pollution, unlike industrial fertilizers. Owing to this fact, the study of this species has gained interest. However, a detailed understanding of its genetics and physiology is limited by the absence of appropriate genetic tools for the study of this species.

Results

Conjugation and electrotransformation methods were established utilizing vectors with broad host-replication origins (pVS1 and pBBR1). Two genes of interest -glnKandglnB, encoding PII regulatory proteins - were isolated. Furthermore,glnK-specificA. amazonensemutants were generated utilizing the pK19MOBSACB vector system. Finally, a promoter analysis protocol based on fluorescent protein expression was optimized to aid genetic regulation studies on this bacterium.

Conclusion

In this work, genetic tools that can support the study ofA. amazonensewere described. These methods could provide a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms of this species that underlie its plant growth promotion.
GhMPK16, a novel stress-responsive group D MAPK gene from cotton, is involved in disease resistance and drought sensitivity
Authors: Shi Jing , Zhang Liang , An Hailong , Wu Changai , Guo Xingqi
Published: May 2011

Background

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play pivotal roles in mediating biotic and abiotic stress responses. In plants, MAPKs are classified into four major groups (A-D) according to their sequence homology and conserved phosphorylation motifs. Members of group A and B have been extensively characterized, but little information on the group D MAPKs has been reported.

Results

In this study, we isolated and characterised GhMPK16, the first group D MAPK gene found in cotton. Southern blot analysis suggests GhMPK16 is single copy in the cotton genome, and RNA blot analysis indicates that GhMPK16 transcripts accumulate following pathogen infection and treatment with multiple defense-related signal molecules. The analysis of the promoter region of GhMPK16 revealed a group of putative cis-acting elements related to stress responses. Subcellular localization analysis suggests that GhMPK16 acts in the nucleus. Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GhMPK16 displayed significant resistance to fungi (Colletotrichum nicotianae and Alternaria alternata) and bacteria (Pseudomonas solanacearum) pathogen, and the transcripts of pathogen-related (PR) genes were more rapidly and strongly induced in the transgenic plants. Furthermore, transgenic Arabidopsis showed reduced drought tolerance and rapid H2O2 accumulation.

Conclusion

These results suggest that GhMPK16 might be involved in multiple signal transduction pathways, including biotic and abiotic stress signaling pathways.
Membrane Sealant Poloxamer P188 Protects Against Isoproterenol Induced Cardiomyopathy in Dystrophin Deficient Mice
Authors: Spurney Christopher F , Guerron Alfredo D , Yu Qing , Sali Arpana , van der Meulen Jack H , Hoffman Eric P , Nagaraju Kanneboyina
Published: May 2011

Background

Cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an increasing cause of death in patients. The absence of dystrophin leads to loss of membrane integrity, cell death and fibrosis in cardiac muscle. Treatment of cardiomyocyte membrane instability could help prevent cardiomyopathy.

Methods

Three month old female mdx mice were exposed to the β1 receptor agonist isoproterenol subcutaneously and treated with the non-ionic tri-block copolymer Poloxamer P188 (P188) (460 mg/kg/dose i.p. daily). Cardiac function was assessed using high frequency echocardiography. Tissue was evaluated with Evans Blue Dye (EBD) and picrosirius red staining.

Results

BL10 control mice tolerated 30 mg/kg/day of isoproterenol for 4 weeks while death occurred in mdx mice at 30, 15, 10, 5 and 1 mg/kg/day within 24 hours. Mdx mice tolerated a low dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day. Isoproterenol exposed mdx mice showed significantly increased heart rates (p < 0.02) and cardiac fibrosis (p < 0.01) over 4 weeks compared to unexposed controls. P188 treatment of mdx mice significantly increased heart rate (median 593 vs. 667 bpm; p < 0.001) after 2 weeks and prevented a decrease in cardiac function in isoproterenol exposed mice (Shortening Fraction = 46 ± 6% vs. 35 ± 6%; p = 0.007) after 4 weeks. P188 treated mdx mice did not show significant differences in cardiac fibrosis, but demonstrated significantly increased EBD positive fibers.

Conclusions

This model suggests that chronic intermittent intraperitoneal P188 treatment can prevent isoproterenol induced cardiomyopathy in dystrophin deficient mdx mice.
Rapid screening for chromosomal aneuploidies using array-MLPA
Authors: Yan Jing-Bin , Xu Miao , Xiong Can , Zhou Da-Wen , Ren Zhao-Rui , Huang Ying , Mommersteeg Monique , van Beuningen Rinie , Wang Ying-Tai , Liao Shi-Xiu , Zeng Fanyi , Wu Ying , Zeng Yi-Tao
Published: May 2011

Background

Chromosome abnormalities, especially trisomy of chromosome 21, 13, or 18 as well as sex chromosome aneuploidy, are a well-established cause of pregnancy loss. Cultured cell karyotype analysis and FISH have been considered reliable detectors of fetal abnormality. However, results are usually not available for 3-4 days or more. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) has emerged as an alternative rapid technique for detection of chromosome aneuploidies. However, conventional MLPA does not allow for relative quantification of more than 50 different target sequences in one reaction and does not detect mosaic trisomy. A multiplexed MLPA with more sensitive detection would be useful for fetal genetic screening.

Methods

We developed a method of array-based MLPA to rapidly screen for common aneuploidies. We designed 116 universal tag-probes covering chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y, and 8 control autosomal genes. We performed MLPA and hybridized the products on a 4-well flow-through microarray system. We determined chromosome copy numbers by analyzing the relative signals of the chromosome-specific probes.

Results

In a blind study of 161 peripheral blood and 12 amniotic fluid samples previously karyotyped, 169 of 173 (97.7%) including all the amniotic fluid samples were correctly identified by array-MLPA. Furthermore, we detected two chromosome X monosomy mosaic cases in which the mosaism rates estimated by array-MLPA were basically consistent with the results from karyotyping. Additionally, we identified five Y chromosome abnormalities in which G-banding could not distinguish their origins for four of the five cases.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the successful application and strong potential of array-MLPA in clinical diagnosis and prenatal testing for rapid and sensitive chromosomal aneuploidy screening. Furthermore, we have developed a simple and rapid procedure for screening copy numbers on chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y using array-MLPA.
No association between polymorphisms/haplotypes of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene and preeclampsia
Authors: Garza-Veloz Idalia , Castruita-De la Rosa Claudia , Cortes-Flores Raul , Martinez-Gaytan Victoria , Rivera-Muñoz Jose E , Garcia-Mayorga Elda A , Meza-Lamas Esteban , Rojas-Martinez Augusto , Ortiz-Lopez Rocio , Martinez-Fierro Margarita L
Published: May 2011

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is the first worldwide cause of death in pregnant women, intra-uterine growth retardation, and fetal prematurity. Some vascular endothelial grown factor gene (VEGF) polymorphisms have been associated to PE and other pregnancy disturbances. We evaluated the associations between VEGF genotypes/haplotypes and PE in Mexican women.

Methods

164 pregnant women were enrolled in a case-control study (78 cases and 86 normotensive pregnant controls). The rs699947 (-2578C/A), rs1570360 (-1154G/A), rs2010963 (+405G/C), and rs25648 (-7C/T), VEGF variants were discriminated using Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods or Taqman single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays.

Results

The proportions of the minor allele for rs699947, rs1570360, rs2010963, and rs25648 VEGF SNPs were 0.33, 0.2, 0.39, and 0.17 in controls, and 0.39, 0.23, 0.41, and 0.15 in cases, respectively (P values > 0.05). The most frequent haplotypes of rs699947, rs1570360, rs2010963, and rs25648 VEGF SNPs, were C-G-C-C and C-G-G-C with frequencies of 0.39, 0.21 in cases and 0.37, 0.25 in controls, respectively (P values > 0.05)

Conclusion

There was no evidence of an association between VEGF alleles, genotypes, or haplotypes frequencies and PE in our study.
Analysis of the Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MAP2K4) tumor suppressor gene in ovarian cancer
Authors: Davis Sally J , Choong David YH , Ramakrishna Manasa , Ryland Georgina L , Campbell Ian G , Gorringe Kylie L
Published: May 2011

Background

MAP2K4 is a putative tumor and metastasis suppressor gene frequently found to be deleted in various cancer types. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of this gene to assess its involvement in ovarian cancer.

Methods

We screened for mutations in MAP2K4 using High Resolution Melt analysis of 149 primary ovarian tumors and methylation at the promoter using Methylation-Specific Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphism analysis of 39 tumors. We also considered the clinical impact of changes in MAP2K4 using publicly available expression and copy number array data. Finally, we used siRNA to measure the effect of reducing MAP2K4 expression in cell lines.

Results

In addition to 4 previously detected homozygous deletions, we identified a homozygous 16 bp truncating deletion and a heterozygous 4 bp deletion, each in one ovarian tumor. No promoter methylation was detected. The frequency of MAP2K4 homozygous inactivation was 5.6% overall, and 9.8% in high-grade serous cases. Hemizygous deletion of MAP2K4 was observed in 38% of samples. There were significant correlations of copy number and expression in three microarray data sets. There was a significant correlation between MAP2K4 expression and overall survival in one expression array data set, but this was not confirmed in an independent set. Treatment of JAM and HOSE6.3 cell lines with MAP2K4 siRNA showed some reduction in proliferation.

Conclusions

MAP2K4 is targeted by genetic inactivation in ovarian cancer and restricted to high grade serous and endometrioid carcinomas in our cohort.
Genetic polymorphisms of DNA double strand break gene Ku70 and gastric cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Yang Mei-Due , Wang Hwei-Chung , Chang Wen-Shin , Tsai Chia-Wen , Bau Da-Tian
Published: May 2011

Background and aim

The DNA repair gene Ku70, an important member of non-homologous end-joining repair system, is thought to play an important role in the repairing of DNA double strand breaks. It is known that defects in double strand break repair capacity can lead to irreversible genomic instability. However, the polymorphic variants of Ku70, have never been reported about their association with gastric cancer susceptibility.

Methods

In this hospital-based case-control study, the associations of Ku70 promoter T-991C (rs5751129), promoter G-57C (rs2267437), promoter A-31G (rs132770), and intron 3 (rs132774) polymorphisms with gastric cancer risk in a Taiwanese population were investigated. In total, 136 patients with gastric cancer and 560 age- and gender-matched healthy controls recruited from the China Medical Hospital in Taiwan were genotyped.

Results

As for Ku70 promoter T-991C, the ORs after adjusted by age and gender of the people carrying TC and CC genotypes were 2.41 (95% CI = 1.53-3.88) and 3.21 (95% CI = 0.96-9.41) respectively, compared to those carrying TT wild-type genotype. The P for trend was significant (P < 0.0001). In the dominant model (TC plus CC versus TT), the association between Ku70 promoter T-991C polymorphism and the risk for gastric cancer was also significant (adjusted OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.74-3.92). When stratified by age and gender, the association was restricted to those at the age of 55 or elder of age (TC vs TT: adjusted OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.37-4.68, P = 0.0139) and male (TC vs TT: adjusted OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.33-4.47, P = 0.0085). As for the other three polymorphisms, there was no difference between both groups in the distributions of their genotype frequencies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ku70 promoter T-991C (rs5751129), but not the Ku70 promoter C-57G (rs2267437), promoter A-31G (rs132770) or intron 3 (rs132774), is associated with gastric cancer susceptibility. This polymorphism may be a novel useful marker for gastric carcinogenesis.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 mediates Tazarotene-induced gene 1-induced growth suppression of human colon cancer cells
Authors: Wu Chang-Chieh , Tsai Fu-Ming , Shyu Rong-Yaun , Tsai Ya-Ming , Wang Chun-Hua , Jiang Shun-Yuan
Published: May 2011

Background

Tazarotene-induced gene 1 (TIG1) is a retinoid-inducible type II tumour suppressor gene. The B isoform of TIG1 (TIG1B) inhibits growth and invasion of cancer cells. Expression of TIG1B is frequently downregulated in various cancer tissues; however, the expression and activities of the TIG1A isoform are yet to be reported. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the TIG1A and TIG1B isoforms on cell growth and gene expression profiles using colon cancer cells.

Methods

TIG1A and TIG1B stable clones derived from HCT116 and SW620 colon cancer cells were established using the GeneSwitch system; TIG1 isoform expression was induced by mifepristone treatment. Cell growth was assessed using the WST-1 cell proliferation and colony formation assays. RNA interference was used to examine the TIG1 mediating changes in cell growth. Gene expression profiles were determined using microarray and validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses.

Results

Both TIG1 isoforms were expressed at high levels in normal prostate and colon tissues and were downregulated in colon cancer cell lines. Both TIG1 isoforms significantly inhibited the growth of transiently transfected HCT116 cells and stably expressing TIG1A and TIG1B HCT116 and SW620 cells. Expression of 129 and 55 genes was altered upon induction of TIG1A and TIG1B expression, respectively, in stably expressing HCT116 cells. Of the genes analysed, 23 and 6 genes were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in both TIG1A and TIG1B expressing cells. Upregulation of the G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses in both TIG1 stable cell lines. Silencing of TIG1A or GRK5 expression significantly decreased TIG1A-mediated cell growth suppression.

Conclusions

Expression of both TIG1 isoforms was observed in normal prostate and colon tissues and was downregulated in colon cancer cell lines. Both TIG1 isoforms suppressed cell growth and stimulated GRK5 expression in HCT116 and SW620 cells. Knockdown of GRK5 expression alleviated TIG1A-induced growth suppression of HCT116 cells, suggesting that GRK5 mediates cell growth suppression by TIG1A. Thus, TIG1 may participate in the downregulation of G-protein coupled signaling by upregulating GRK5 expression.
Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
Authors: Wang Mao , Song Hong , Chen Wei-Qing , Lu Ciyong , Hu Qianshen , Ren Zefang , Yang Yan , Xu Yanjun , Zhong Aiming , Ling Wenhua
Published: May 2011

Background

The Dabaoshan mine in the southeast of Guangdong Province, China, is at high risk of multi-metal pollutant discharge into a local river (Hengshihe) and the surrounding area. Following approximately 30 years of exposure to these metals, little is known regarding the subsequent health effects and risks for the local residents. In our present study, we have estimated the relationships between long-term environmental exposure to multiple heavy metals and the risk of cancer mortality in a Chinese population in the vicinity of Dabaoshan.

Methods

An ecologic study was performed. Between 2000-2007, a total population of 194,131 lived in the nine agricultural villages that surround the Hengshihe area. Heavy metals concentrations were determined in local environmental samples (water and crops) and whole blood taken from 1152 local residents of both a high-exposure area (HEA) and a low-exposure area (LEA). We calculated the rate ratio and standardized mortality ratios based on age- and gender-specific cancer mortality rates for the different reference populations (based on district, county and province). Simple, multiple linear and ridge regression models were used to evaluate the associations between exposure to multiple heavy metals and cancer mortality in the nine villages, after adjustment for age and sex.

Results

The geometric mean blood levels of cadmium and lead were measured at 24.10 μg/L and 38.91 μg/dL for subjects (n = 563) in the HEA and 1.87 μg/L and 4.46 μg/dL for subjects (n = 589) from the LEA, respectively (P < 0.001). The rate of mortality from all cancers in the HEA was substantially elevated in comparison with the corresponding mortality rate in the LEA for men (rate ratio = 2.13; 95% confidence intervals = 1.63 - 2.77) and women (2.83; 1.91 - 4.19); rates were also significantly elevated compared with the rate when compared to the entire Wengyuan County area, or the provincial reference population. In addition, mortality rates were significantly increased for stomach, lung and esophageal cancer in the HEA in comparison with the corresponding rates in the LEA, in Wengyuan County and the provincial reference population for men, women and both combined. Further analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between exposure to cadmium and lead and the risk of all-cancers and stomach cancer mortality among women and both sexes, whilst zinc exposure showed no association with the risk of site-specific cancer mortality in the nine villages evaluated.

Conclusions

The findings of this study reveal probable associations between long-term environmental exposure to both cadmium and lead and an increased risk of mortality from all cancer, as well as from stomach, esophageal and lung-cancers.