bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Experience and Advice on Process and Performance in Negotiations
Authors: Steinel Wolfgang , Abele Andrea E. , De Dreu Carsten K. W.
Published: November 2007

This experiment ( N = 68 dyads) tested the influence of experience and advice on behavior and joint outcomes in integrative two-party negotiations. Dyads in an advice condition received short tactical advice to question fixed-pie assumptions and to exchange information. Afterward, they negotiated once. Dyads in an experience condition negotiated twice in successive rounds. Finally, dyads in an experience-and-advice condition negotiated twice and received advice prior to the second negotiation. Dependent measures were negotiation behavior, negotiation duration, joint outcome, and judgmental accuracy. Results showed that the combination of advice and experience led dyads to apply more problem solving and fewer contentious strategies, which mediated the higher joint outcomes that these dyads reached in shorter times. Experience or advice alone was not sufficient to make negotiators use different strategies or to exploit the integrative potential of the negotiations better than they did before they received advice and/or gained experience.
The politics of increasing punitiveness and the rising populism in Japanese criminal justice policy
Authors: Miyazawa Setsuo
Published: November 2007

The purpose of this article is (1) to establish that increasing punitiveness characterizes criminal justice policies in Japan and (2) to explain this trend in terms of the penal populism promoted by crime victims and supporting politicians. This article first examines newspaper articles to illuminate the increasingly punitive character of recent criminal justice policies in Japan in terms of both legislation and judicial decisions. The next section discusses the main contributing factors behind this trend and its public acceptance. The next two sections discuss two related issues: the public's subjective sense of security, and the lack of a role for empirical criminologists in criminal justice policy making in Japan. The concluding section compares the Japanese and Anglo-American situations and argues that the same penal populism seen in Anglo-American countries is rapidly rising in Japan, and that public distrust of government has ironically increased the state's investigative, prosecutorial, and sentencing powers in Japan. This article closes with the conjecture that police, prosecutors, and judges are unlikely to relinquish their increased power in the event that they gain the public's trust and equally unlikely in the event of a change of the ruling party.
Juvenile Justice
Authors: Benekos Peter J. , Merlo Alida V.
Published: November 2007

Although the future of juvenile justice policy is uncertain, the impact of policies from the 1990s is clear: Despite declining juvenile crime rates, the adultification of youth continues to include punitive and exclusionary sanctions. Attitudes toward offenders are ambivalent, but there is evidence that legislators and the public are reluctant to abandon the punitive policies of the 1990s. Simultaneously, there are indications of more enlightened approaches to juvenile justice. In this context, the authors review the state of juvenile justice policy and review trends in waiver and sentencing.
Identification of mesenchymal stem cells in aorta-gonad-mesonephros and yolk sac of human embryos
Authors: Wang Xiao-Yan , Lan Yu , He Wen-Yan , Zhang Lei , Yao Hui-Yu , Hou Chun-Mei , Tong Ying , Liu Yuan-Lin , Yang Guan , Liu Xiao-Dan , Yang Xiao , Liu Bing , Mao Ning
Published: November 2007

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can generate various microenvironment components in bone marrow, ensuring a precise control over self-renewal and multilineage differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Nevertheless, their spatiotemporal correlation with embryonic hematopoiesis remains rudimentary, particularly in relation to the human being. Here, we reported that human aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) resided with bona fide MSCs. They were highly proliferative as fibroblastoid population bearing uniform surface markers (CD45−, CD34−, CD105+, CD73+, CD29+, and CD44+), expressed pluripotential molecules Oct-4 and Nanog, and clonally demonstrated trilineage differentiation capacity (osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes). The frequency and absolute number of MSCs in aorta plus surrounding mesenchyme (E26-E27) were 0.3% and 164, respectively. Moreover, they were functionally equivalent to MSCs from adult bone marrow, that is, supporting long-term hematopoiesis and suppressing T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. In comparison, the matching yolk sac contained bipotent mesenchymal precursors that propagated more slowly and failed to generate chondrocytes in vitro. Together with previous knowledge, we propose that a proportion of MSCs initially develop in human AGM prior to their emergence in embryonic circulation and fetal liver.
Prophylactic thrombolysis by thrombin-activated latent prourokinase targeted to PECAM-1 in the pulmonary vasculature
Authors: Ding Bi-Sen , Hong Nankang , Murciano Juan-Carlos , Ganguly Kumkum , Gottstein Claudia , Christofidou-Solomidou Melpo , Albelda Steven M. , Fisher Aron B. , Cines Douglas B. , Muzykantov Vladimir R.
Published: November 2007

A recombinant prodrug, single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scuPA) fused to an anti–PECAM-1 antibody single-chain variable fragment (anti–PECAM scFv/scuPA) targets endothelium and augments thrombolysis in the pulmonary vasculature.1 To avoid premature activation and inactivation and to limit systemic toxicity, we replaced the native plasmin activation site in scFv/low-molecular-weight (lmw)–scuPA with a thrombin activation site, generating anti–PECAM scFv/uPA-T that (1) is latent and activated by thrombin instead of plasmin; (2) binds to PECAM-1; (3) does not consume plasma fibrinogen; (4) accumulates in mouse lungs after intravenous injection; and (5) resists PA inhibitor PAI-1 until activated by thrombin. In mouse models of pulmonary thrombosis caused by thromboplastin and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), scFv/uPA-T provided more potent thromboprophylaxis and greater lung protection than plasmin-sensitive scFv/uPA. Endothelium-targeted thromboprophylaxis triggered by a prothrombotic enzyme illustrates a novel approach to time- and site-specific regulation of proteolytic reactions that can be modulated for therapeutic benefit.
Metabolic signature of breast cancer cell line MCF-7: profiling of modified nucleosides via LC-IT MS coupling
Authors: Bullinger Dino , Neubauer Hans , Fehm Tanja , Laufer Stefan , Gleiter Christoph H , Kammerer Bernd
Published: November 2007

Background

Cancer, like other diseases accompanied by strong metabolic disorders, shows characteristic effects on cell turnover rate, activity of modifying enzymes and DNA/RNA modifications, resulting also in elevated amounts of excreted modified nucleosides. For a better understanding of the impaired RNA metabolism in breast cancer cells, we screened these metabolites in the cell culture supernatants of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and compared it to the human mammary epithelial cells MCF-10A. The nucleosides were isolated and analyzed via 2D-chromatographic techniques: In the first dimension by cis-diol specific boronate affinity extraction and subsequently by reversed phase chromatography coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer.

Results

Besides the determination of ribonucleosides, additional compounds with cis-diol structure, deriving from cross-linked biochemical pathways, like purine-, histidine- and polyamine metabolism were detected. In total, 36 metabolites were identified by comparison of fragmentation patterns and retention time. Relation to the internal standard isoguanosine yielded normalized area ratios for each identified compound and enabled a semi-quantitative metabolic signature of both analyzed cell lines.

13 of the identified 26 modified ribonucleosides were elevated in the cell culture supernatants of MCF-7 cells, with 5-methyluridine, N
2,N
2,7-trimethylguanosine, N
6-methyl-N
6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine and 3-(3-aminocarboxypropyl)-uridine showing the most significant differences. 1-ribosylimidazole-4-acetic acid, a histamine metabolite, was solely found in the supernatants of MCF-10A cells, whereas 1-ribosyl-4-carboxamido-5-aminoimidazole and S-adenosylmethionine occurred only in supernatants of MCF-7 cells.

Conclusion

The obtained results are discussed against the background of pathological changes in cell metabolism, resulting in new perspectives for modified nucleosides and related metabolites as possible biomedical markers for breast carcinoma in vivo.
HCCR-1, a novel oncogene, encodes a mitochondrial outer membrane protein and suppresses the UVC-induced apoptosis
Authors: Cho Goang-Won , Shin Seung Min , Kim Hyun Kee , Ha Seon-Ah , Kim Sanghee , Yoon Joo-Hee , Hur Soo Young , Kim Tae Eung , Kim Jin Woo
Published: November 2007

Background

The Human cervical cancer oncogene (HCCR-1) has been isolated as a human oncoprotein, and has shown strong tumorigenic features. Its potential role in tumorigenesis may result from a negative regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene.

Results

To investigate the biological function of HCCR-1 in the cell, we predicted biological features using bioinformatic tools, and have identified a LETM1 homologous domain at position 75 to 346 of HCCR-1. This domain contains proteins identified from diverse species predicted to be mitochondrial proteins. Fluorescence microscopy and fractionation experiments showed that HCCR-1 is located in mitochondria in the COS-7, MCF-7 and HEK/293 cell lines, and subcompartamentally at the outer membrane in the HEK/293 cell line. The topological structure was revealed as the NH2-terminus of HCCR-1 oriented toward the cytoplasm. We also observed that the D1-2 region, at position 1 to 110 of HCCR-1, was required and sufficient for posttranslational mitochondrial import. The function of HCCR-1 on mitochondrial membrane is to retard the intrinsic apoptosis induced by UVC and staurosporine, respectively.

Conclusion

Our experiments show the biological features of HCCR-1 in the cell, and suggest that uncontrolled expression of HCCR-1 may cause mitochondrial dysfunction that can result in resisting the UVC or staurosporine-induced apoptosis and progressing in the tumor formation.
An additional human chromosome 21 causes suppression of neural fate of pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells in a teratoma model
Authors: Mensah Afua , Mulligan Claire , Linehan Jackie , Ruf Sandra , O'Doherty Aideen , Grygalewicz Beata , Shipley Janet , Groet Juergen , Tybulewicz Victor , Fisher Elizabeth , Brandner Sebastian , Nizetic Dean
Published: November 2007

Background

Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21), is the most common genetic cause of mental retardation in humans. Among complex phenotypes, it displays a number of neural pathologies including smaller brain size, reduced numbers of neurons, reduced dendritic spine density and plasticity, and early Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration. Mouse models for DS show behavioural and cognitive defects, synaptic plasticity defects, and reduced hippocampal and cerebellar neuron numbers. Early postnatal development of both human and mouse-model DS shows the reduced capability of neuronal precursor cells to generate neurons. The exact molecular cause of this reduction, and the role played by increased dosage of individual HSA21 genes, remain unknown.

Results

We have subcutaneously injected mouse pluripotent ES cells containing a single freely segregating supernumerary human chromosome 21 (HSA21) into syngeneic mice, to generate transchromosomic teratomas. Transchromosomic cells and parental control cells were injected into opposite flanks of thirty mice in three independent experiments. Tumours were grown for 30 days, a time-span equivalent to combined intra-uterine, and early post-natal mouse development. When paired teratomas from the same animals were compared, transchromosomic tumours showed a three-fold lower percentage of neuroectodermal tissue, as well as significantly reduced mRNA levels for neuron specific (Tubb3) and glia specific (Gfap) genes, relative to euploid controls. Two thirds of transchromosomic tumours also showed a lack of PCR amplification with multiple primers specific for HSA21, which were present in the ES cells at the point of injection, thus restricting a commonly retained trisomy to less than a third of HSA21 genes.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that a supernumerary chromosome 21 causes Inhibition of Neuroectodermal DIfferentiation (INDI) of pluripotent ES cells. The data suggest that trisomy of less than a third of HSA21 genes, in two chromosomal regions, might be sufficient to cause this effect.
The oxidative stress adaptor p66Shc is required for permanent embryo arrest in vitro
Authors: Favetta Laura A , Madan Pavneesh , Mastromonaco Gabriela F , St John Elizabeth J , King W Allan , Betts Dean H
Published: November 2007

Background

Excessive developmental failure occurs during the first week of in vitro embryo development due to elevated levels of cell death and arrest. We hypothesize that permanently arrested embryos enter a stress-induced "senescence-like" state that is dependent on the oxidative stress-adaptor and lifespan determinant protein p66Shc. The aim of this study was to selectively diminish p66Shc gene expression in bovine oocytes and embryos using post-transcriptional gene silencing by RNA-mediated interference to study the effects of p66Shc knockdown on in vitro fertilized bovine embryos.

Results

Approximately 12,000–24,000 short hairpin (sh)RNAi molecules specific for p66Shc were microinjected into bovine germinal vesicle stage oocytes or zygotes. Experiments were comprised of a control group undergoing IVF alone and two groups microinjected with and without p66Shc shRNAi molecules prior to IVF. The amount of p66Shc mRNA quantified by Real Time PCR was significantly (P < 0.001) lowered upon p66Shc shRNAi microinjection. This reduction was selective for p66Shc mRNA, as both histone H2a and p53 mRNA levels were not altered. The relative signal strength of p66Shc immuno-fluorescence revealed a significant reduction in the number of pixels for p66Shc shRNAi microinjected groups compared to controls (P < 0.05). A significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the incidence of arrested embryos upon p66Shc shRNAi microinjection was detected compared to IVF and microinjected controls along with significant reductions (P < 0.001) in both cleavage divisions and blastocyst development. No significant differences in p66Shc mRNA levels (P = 0.314) were observed among the three groups at the blastocyst stage.

Conclusion

These results show that p66Shc is involved in the regulation of embryo development specifically in mediating early cleavage arrest and facilitating development to the blastocyst stage for in vitro produced bovine embryos.
Codon-triplet context unveils unique features of the Candida albicans protein coding genome
Authors: Moura Gabriela R , Lousado José P , Pinheiro Miguel , Carreto Laura , Silva Raquel M , Oliveira José L , Santos Manuel AS
Published: November 2007

Background

The evolutionary forces that determine the arrangement of synonymous codons within open reading frames and fine tune mRNA translation efficiency are not yet understood. In order to tackle this question we have carried out a large scale study of codon-triplet contexts in 11 fungal species to unravel associations or relationships between codons present at the ribosome A-, P- and E-sites during each decoding cycle.

Results

Our analysis unveiled high bias within the context of codon-triplets, in particular strong preference for triplets of identical codons. We have also identified a surprisingly large number of codon-triplet combinations that vanished from fungal ORFeomes. Candida albicans exacerbated these features, showed an unbalanced tRNA population for decoding its pool of codons and used near-cognate decoding for a large set of codons, suggesting that unique evolutionary forces shaped the evolution of its ORFeome.

Conclusion

We have developed bioinformatics tools for large-scale analysis of codon-triplet contexts. These algorithms identified codon-triplets context biases, allowed for large scale comparative codon-triplet analysis, and identified rules governing codon-triplet context. They could also detect alterations to the standard genetic code.
Projections from the posterolateral olfactory amygdala to the ventral striatum: neural basis for reinforcing properties of chemical stimuli
Authors: Ubeda-Bañon Isabel , Novejarque Amparo , Mohedano-Moriano Alicia , Pro-Sistiaga Palma , de la Rosa-Prieto Carlos , Insausti Ricardo , Martinez-Garcia Fernando , Lanuza Enrique , Martinez-Marcos Alino
Published: November 2007

Background

Vertebrates sense chemical stimuli through the olfactory receptor neurons whose axons project to the main olfactory bulb. The main projections of the olfactory bulb are directed to the olfactory cortex and olfactory amygdala (the anterior and posterolateral cortical amygdalae). The posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus mainly projects to other amygdaloid nuclei; other seemingly minor outputs are directed to the ventral striatum, in particular to the olfactory tubercle and the islands of Calleja.

Results

Although the olfactory projections have been previously described in the literature, injection of dextran-amines into the rat main olfactory bulb was performed with the aim of delimiting the olfactory tubercle and posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus in our own material. Injection of dextran-amines into the posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus of rats resulted in anterograde labeling in the ventral striatum, in particular in the core of the nucleus accumbens, and in the medial olfactory tubercle including some islands of Calleja and the cell bridges across the ventral pallidum. Injections of Fluoro-Gold into the ventral striatum were performed to allow retrograde confirmation of these projections.

Conclusion

The present results extend previous descriptions of the posterolateral cortical amygdaloid nucleus efferent projections, which are mainly directed to the core of the nucleus accumbens and the medial olfactory tubercle. Our data indicate that the projection to the core of the nucleus accumbens arises from layer III; the projection to the olfactory tubercle arises from layer II and is much more robust than previously thought. This latter projection is directed to the medial olfactory tubercle including the corresponding islands of Calleja, an area recently described as critical node for the neural circuit of addiction to some stimulant drugs of abuse.
An exploration of the use of simple statistics to measure consensus and stability in Delphi studies
Authors: Holey Elizabeth A , Feeley Jennifer L , Dixon John , Whittaker Vicki J
Published: November 2007

Background

The criteria for stopping Delphi studies are often subjective. This study aimed to examine whether consensus and stability in the Delphi process can be ascertained by descriptive evaluation of trends in participants' views.

Methods

A three round email-based Delphi required participants (n = 12) to verify their level of agreement with 8 statements, write comments on each if they considered it necessary and rank the statements for importance. Each statement was analysed quantitatively by the percentage of agreement ratings, importance rankings and the amount of comments made for each statement, and qualitatively using thematic analysis. Importance rankings between rounds were compared by calculating Kappa values to observe trends in how the process impacts on subject's views.

Results

Evolution of consensus was shown by increase in agreement percentages, convergence of range with standard deviations of importance ratings, and a decrease in the number of comments made. Stability was demonstrated by a trend of increasing Kappa values.

Conclusion

Following the original use of Delphi in social sciences, Delphi is suggested to be an effective way to gain and measure group consensus in healthcare. However, the proposed analytical process should be followed to ensure maximum validity of results in Delphi methodology for improved evidence of consensual decision-making.
Verification of the formulation and efficacy of Danggui Buxue Tang (a decoction of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis): an exemplifying systematic approach to revealing the complexity of Chinese herbal medicine formulae
Authors: Gao Qiutao , Li Jun , Cheung Jerry Ka Hei , Duan Jinao , Ding Anwei , Cheung Anna Wing Han , Zhao Kuijun , Li Winnie Zhuoming , Dong Tina Tingxia , Tsim Karl Wah Keung
Published: November 2007

This article exemplifies a systematic approach to revealing the complexity of Chinese herbal medicine formulae through three levels of scientific research: standardization of herbs, verification of ancient formulae and mechanism studies. We use Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) as an example for this approach. Among thousands of traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulae, almost all of which consist of multiple herbs, DBT is one of the simplest. Containing only two herbs, namely Radix Astragali (RA) and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS), DBT is traditionally used to treat ailments in women. The weight ratio of RA to RAS in DBT was prescribed to be 5:1 as early as in 1247 AD. In addition to advanced chemical analysis of herbal constituents, DNA genotyping techniques have been developed for reliable standardization of RA and RAS. Chemical evaluation shows that main active constituents in DBT, including astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin and ferulic acid, were most abundant after extraction at the RA to RAS ratio of 5:1, whereas other tested RA to RAS ratios only gave sub-optimal levels of the active constituents. Biological evaluation indicates that bioactivities of DBT, e.g. immuno-modulatory, oesteotropic and estrogenic effects are also best exerted at the RA to RAS ratio of 5:1. Correlation analysis demonstrates statistically significant relationship between the tested chemical constituents and tested bioactivities. Up- and down-regulation of expression of some genes as potential biomarkers has been detected by using gene chip technology. This systematic approach on the basis of herbal standardization, chemical and biological verification and mechanism studies, as exemplified in this article, will be useful to reveal the complexity of not only DBT but also other Chinese medicine herbal formulae.
Cerebral haemodynamics and carbon dioxide reactivity during sepsis syndrome
Authors: Thees Christof , Kaiser Markus , Scholz Martin , Semmler Alexander , Heneka Michael T , Baumgarten Georg , Hoeft Andreas , Putensen Christian
Published: November 2007

Background

Most patients with sepsis develop potentially irreversible cerebral dysfunctions. It is yet not clear whether cerebral haemodynamics are altered in these sepsis patients at all, and to what extent. We hypothesized that cerebral haemodynamics and carbon dioxide reactivity would be impaired in patients with sepsis syndrome and pathological electroencephalogram patterns.

Methods

After approval of the institutional ethics committee, 10 mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis syndrome and pathological electroencephalogram patterns underwent measurements of cerebral blood flow and jugular venous oxygen saturation before and after reduction of the arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure by 0.93 ± 0.7 kPa iu by ypervent ilation. The cerebral capillary closing pressure was determined from transcranial Doppler measurements of the arterial blood flow of the middle cerebral artery and the arterial pressure curve. A t test for matched pairs was used for statistical analysis (P < 0.05).

Results

During stable mean arterial pressure and cardiac index, reduction of the arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure led to a significant increase of the capillary closing pressure from 25 ± 11 mmHg to 39 ± 15 mmHg (P < 0.001), with a consecutive decrease of blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery of 21.8 ± 4.8%/kPa (P < 0.001), of cerebral blood flow from 64 ± 29 ml/100 g/min to 39 ± 15 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.001) and of jugular venous oxygen saturation from 75 ± 8% to 67 ± 14% (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In contrast to other experimental and clinical data, we observed no pathological findings in the investigated parameters of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation.
Phase I Study of Targeted Radioimmunotherapy for Leptomeningeal Cancers Using Intra-Ommaya 131-I-3F8
Authors: Kramer Kim , Humm John L. , Souweidane Mark M. , Zanzonico Pat B. , Dunkel Ira J. , Gerald William L. , Khakoo Yasmin , Yeh Samuel D. , Yeung Henry W. , Finn Ronald D. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Larson Steven M. , Cheung Nai-Kong V.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

Tumors metastasizing to the CNS and leptomeninges (LM) are associated with significant mortality. We tested the toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and dosimetry of intraventricular iodine-131–labeled monoclonal antibody 3F8 (131I-3F8) targeting GD2-positive CNS/LM disease in a phase I clinical trial.

Patients and Methods

Adequate CSF flow was determined by pretreatment indium-111-DTPA studies. Fifteen patients received a tracer (1 to 2 mCi) and therapeutic injection (10 to 20 mCi) of intra-Ommaya 131I-3F8. 131I-3F8 pharmacokinetics were studied by serial CSF and blood samplings. Dosimetry was based on pharmacokinetics and region of interest (ROI) analyses on whole-body gamma camera scans. Tumor response was determined by clinical, radiographic, and cytologic criteria.

Results

Total absorbed CSF dose was 1.12 to 13.00 Gy by sampling and 1.00 to 13.70 Gy by ROI data. Average dosimetry ratio (Gy/mCi) of the therapy/tracer administration was 0.88 (± 0.58) and 1.08 (± 0.66) based on CSF pharmacokinetics and ROI analysis, respectively. CSF half-life by sampling was 3 to 12.9 hours. Toxicities included self-limited headache, fever, and vomiting. Dose-limiting toxicity was reached at the 20-mCi dose, when transient elevations in intracranial pressure and chemical meningitis were seen. Three of 13 assessable patients achieved objective radiographic and/or cytologic responses. No late toxicities have been seen in two patients who remain in remission off therapy for more than 3.5 years.

Conclusion

Intra-Ommaya 131I-3F8 was generally well tolerated; the maximum-tolerated dose was 10 mCi. A high CSF-to-blood ratio was achieved. Tracer studies reliably predicted the therapeutic dose to the CSF. Radioimmunoconjugates targeting GD2 may have clinical utility in the treatment of CNS/LM malignancies.
NG2 cells generate both oligodendrocytes and gray matter astrocytes
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqin , Bergles Dwight E. , Nishiyama Akiko
Published: November 2007

NG2 glia constitute a fourth major glial cell type in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) that is distinct from other cell types. Although circumstantial evidence suggests that some NG2 glia differentiate into oligodendrocytes, their in vivo fate has not been directly examined. We have used the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) modification technique to generate transgenic mice that express DsRed or Cre specifically in NG2-expressing (NG2+) cells. In NG2DsRedBAC transgenic mice, DsRed was expressed specifically in NG2+ cells throughout the postnatal CNS. When the differentiation potential of NG2+ cells in vitro was examined using DsRed+NG2+cells purified from perinatal transgenic brains, the majority of the cells either remained as NG2+ cells or differentiated into oligodendrocytes. In addition, DsRed+NG2+ cells also differentiated into astrocytes. The in vivo fate of NG2 glia was examined in mice that were double transgenic for NG2creBAC and the Cre reporter Z/EG. In the double transgenic mice, the Cre reporter EGFP was detected in myelinating oligodendrocytes and in a subpopulation of protoplasmic astrocytes in the gray matter of ventrolateral forebrain but not in fibrous astrocytes of white matter. These observations suggest that NG2+ cells are precursors of oligodendrocytes and some protoplasmic astrocytes in gray matter.
Oocyte regulation of metabolic cooperativity between mouse cumulus cells and oocytes: BMP15 and GDF9 control cholesterol biosynthesis in cumulus cells
Authors: Su You-Qiang , Sugiura Koji , Wigglesworth Karen , O'Brien Marilyn J. , Affourtit Jason P. , Pangas Stephanie A. , Matzuk Martin M. , Eppig John J.
Published: November 2007

Oocyte-derived bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) are key regulators of follicular development. Here we show that these factors control cumulus cell metabolism, particularly glycolysis and cholesterol biosynthesis before the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone. Transcripts encoding enzymes for cholesterol biosynthesis were downregulated in both Bmp15-/- and Bmp15-/-Gdf9+/- double mutant cumulus cells, and in wild-type cumulus cells after removal of oocytes from cumulus-cell-oocyte complexes. Similarly, cholesterol synthesized de novo was reduced in these cumulus cells. This indicates that oocytes regulate cumulus cell cholesterol biosynthesis by promoting the expression of relevant transcripts. Furthermore, in wild-type mice, Mvk, Pmvk, Fdps, Sqle, Cyp51,Sc4mol and Ebp, which encode enzymes required for cholesterol synthesis, were highly expressed in cumulus cells compared with oocytes; and oocytes, in the absence of the surrounding cumulus cells, synthesized barely detectable levels of cholesterol. Furthermore, coincident with reduced cholesterol synthesis in double mutant cumulus cells, lower levels were also detected in cumulus-cell-enclosed double mutant oocytes compared with wild-type oocytes. Levels of cholesterol synthesis in double mutant cumulus cells and oocytes were partially restored by co-culturing with wild-type oocytes. Together, these results indicate that mouse oocytes are deficient in synthesizing cholesterol and require cumulus cells to provide products of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Therefore, oocyte-derived paracrine factors,particularly, BMP15 and GDF9, promote cholesterol biosynthesis in cumulus cells, probably as compensation for oocyte deficiencies in cholesterol production.
Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling controls posterior body development by coordinating mesoderm formation and segmentation
Authors: Dunty William C. , Biris Kristin K. , Chalamalasetty Ravindra B. , Taketo Makoto M. , Lewandoski Mark , Yamaguchi Terry P.
Published: November 2007

Somitogenesis is thought to be controlled by a segmentation clock, which consists of molecular oscillators in the Wnt3a, Fgf8 and Notch pathways. Using conditional alleles of Ctnnb1 (β-catenin), we show that the canonical Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway is necessary for molecular oscillations in all three signaling pathways but does not function as an integral component of the oscillator. Small, irregular somites persist in abnormally posterior locations in the absence of β-catenin and cycling clock gene expression. Conversely, Notch pathway genes continue to oscillate in the presence of stabilized β-catenin but boundary formation is delayed and anteriorized. Together, these results suggest that the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway is permissive but not instructive for oscillating clock genes and that it controls the anterior-posterior positioning of boundary formation in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM). The Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway does so by regulating the activation of the segment boundary determination genes Mesp2 and Ripply2 in the PSM through the activation of the Notch ligand Dll1 and the mesodermal transcription factors Tand Tbx6. Spatial restriction of Ripply2 to the anterior PSM is ensured by the Wnt3a/β-catenin-mediated repression of Ripply2in posterior PSM. Thus, Wnt3a regulates somitogenesis by activating a network of interacting target genes that promote mesodermal fates, activate the segmentation clock, and position boundary determination genes in the anterior PSM.
Regulated addition of new myocardial and epicardial cells fosters homeostatic cardiac growth and maintenance in adult zebrafish
Authors: Wills Airon A. , Holdway Jennifer E. , Major Robert J. , Poss Kenneth D.
Published: November 2007

The heart maintains structural and functional integrity during years of continual contraction, but the extent to which new cell creation participates in cardiac homeostasis is unclear. Here, we assessed cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiac homeostasis in zebrafish, which display indeterminate growth and possess an unusual capacity to regenerate after acute cardiac injury. Lowering fish density in the aquarium triggered rapid animal growth and robust cardiomyocyte proliferation throughout the adult ventricle, greater than that observed during slow animal growth or size maintenance. Rapid animal growth also induced strong expression of the embryonic epicardial markers raldh2 (aldh1a2) and tbx18 in adult epicardial tissue. Pulse-chase dye labeling experiments revealed that the epicardium recurrently contributes cells to the ventricular wall, indicating an active homeostatic process. Inhibition of signaling by Fibroblast growth factors(Fgfs) decreased this epicardial supplementation of the ventricular wall in growing zebrafish, and led to spontaneous ventricular scarring in animals maintaining cardiac size. Our results demonstrate that the adult zebrafish ventricle grows and is maintained by cardiomyocyte hyperplasia, and that epicardial cells are added to the ventricle in an Fgf-dependent fashion to support homeostasis.
Matrix metalloproteinases promote motor axon fasciculation in theDrosophilaembryo
Authors: Miller Crystal M. , Page-McCaw Andrea , Broihier Heather T.
Published: November 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large conserved family of extracellular proteases, a number of which are expressed during neuronal development and upregulated in nervous system diseases. Primarily on the basis of studies using pharmaceutical inhibitors, MMPs have been proposed to degrade the extracellular matrix to allow growth cone advance during development and hence play largely permissive roles in axon extension. Here we show that MMPs are not required for axon extension in the Drosophila embryo, but rather are specifically required for the execution of several stereotyped motor axon pathfinding decisions. The Drosophila genome contains only two MMP homologs, Mmp1 and Mmp2. We isolated Mmp1in a misexpression screen to identify molecules required for motoneuron development. Misexpression of either MMP inhibits the regulated separation/defasciculation of motor axons at defined choice points. Conversely, motor nerves in Mmp1 and Mmp2 single mutants and Mmp1 Mmp2 double mutant embryos are loosely bundled/fasciculated,with ectopic axonal projections. Quantification of these phenotypes reveals that the genetic requirement for Mmp1 and Mmp2 is distinct in different nerve branches, although generally Mmp2 plays the predominant role in pathfinding. Using both an endogenous MMP inhibitor and MMP dominant-negative constructs, we demonstrate that MMP catalytic activity is required for motor axon fasciculation. In support of the model that MMPs promote fasciculation, we find that the defasciculation observed when MMP activity is compromised is suppressed by otherwise elevating interaxonal adhesion - either by overexpressing Fas2 or by reducing Sema-1a dosage. These data demonstrate that MMP activity is essential for embryonic motor axon fasciculation.
Spanish media facing new media: a challenge to journalists?
Authors: Castell Enric , Domingo David
Published: November 2007

This paper analyses the development of mobile Internet messaging and the opportunities it presents for journalism in Spain. It discusses whether or not a role will emerge for a specialized online journalist and identifies pure journalists and eproduction journalists as
the basic roles in an ideal online media production scenario. SMS (Short Message Service), WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) and MMS (Multimedia Message Service) technologies are discussed as journalistic tools. The authors suggest that new media enable new formats, strategies and products
that need to be designed by journalists in collaboration with technical and design staff. This position is supported on the case study of El da en cinco imgenes (Today in five pictures), an MMS news service offered by La Vanguardia (a leading Spanish newspaper) and Amena (a Spanish
mobile company). Although new technologies pose new challenges for professional newsmaking, the article criticizes technological deterministic approaches to online journalism and argues that the main criteria of traditional journalism are still valid in the new media landscape.
Book Reviews
Authors: Davies Ann , Salmon Keith
Published: November 2007

Los Otros: etnicidad y raza en el cine espaol contemporneo, Isabel Santaolalla (2005) Zaragoza: Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza; Madrid: Ocho y Medio, 281 pp., ISBN 84-7733-753-5 (pbk)

Spain: A Modern European Economy, Joseph Harrison and David Corkill
(2004) Aldershot, Hants: Ashgate, 256 pp., ISBN 0-7546-0145-5 (hbk), 47.50
What Older Adults Can Teach Us About Designing Better Ballots
Authors: Jastrzembski Tiffany S. , Charness Neil
Published: November 2007

FEATURE AT A GLANCE: In this article, we examine the interplay between electronic voting technology machine types (touchscreen vs. touchscreen + keypad) and ballot designs (full ballot vs. one office per page) that together comprise the interface to which voters are exposed. Using a gerontological approach, we show that determining the most usable system for voters with the most limited capabilities (in this study, older participants) also corresponded to higher performance across groups (younger participants). Because older adults are more sensitive to slight differences in human-computer interaction designs, examining their performance may help shed light on potential problems that could otherwise go undetected.
Development of a User-Centered Computational Environment for Conceptual Design
Authors: Williams Damien J. , Noyes Jan M.
Published: November 2007

FEATURE AT A GLANCE: The earliest stage of the design process, known as conceptual design, is crucial to the overall effectiveness of the end product. Of particular importance is the search of the design space for ideas and concepts, which is restricted because of limitations in designers’ information-processing capabilities. One way to overcome this restriction is to implement computational intelligence to support and extend the search and exploration process. In this article, we report the outcome of a series of multidisciplinary workshops that identify seven key topics necessary for the future development of a generic user-centered computational environment to support conceptual design.
River Restoration Effects on Steelhead Populations in the Manistee River, Michigan: Analysis Using an Individual‐Based Model
Authors: Tyler Jeffrey A. , Rutherford Edward S.
Published: November 2007

The Manistee River, Michigan, watershed includes two dams as well as residential and agricultural development, and the river itself contains a sizeable population of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss that supports a valuable recreational fishery. Restoration of the Manistee River and its flow regime may improve steelhead habitat and the fishery. We developed an individual‐based model of steelhead in the Manistee River to assess the population effects of changes in the number of spawners, water discharge from Tippy Dam, and water temperature. The model follows steelhead from spring spawning to the end of the growing season in early fall and depicts the river environment as a series of cells that vary in dimension, water velocity, and substrate. Simulated water discharge, temperature, and prey availability changed daily based on observations from Tippy Dam. Empirically based models describe individual steelhead fry and parr foraging and growth. In the model, steelhead select habitats and maximize individual fitness while accounting for dominance and the availability of feeding territories. We calibrated the model to replicate fish growth, mortality, and population size. Simulation experiments manipulated the number of spawning females, water discharge, and water temperature. The results suggest that Manistee River steelhead incur density limitations in the fry and parr stages and that water discharge and temperature changes affect the number and biomass of parr. Increasing river discharge negatively affected parr numbers and weight. Decreasing maximum midsummer temperature increased parr numbers and weight when the change was large, but otherwise had little effect. These results indicate that restoration of the natural flow regime in the Manistee River will probably increase the quality of the habitat for steelhead but that density limitations in the fry and parr stages may ultimately limit population growth.
Critical Thinking and Reading
Authors: Mendelman Lisa
Published: November 2007

From freshman composition courses to high school exit exams, the term critical thinking is everywhere. The educationally ubiquitous term has been defined as criticism that combines research, knowledge of historical context, and balanced judgment.

In theory then, critical thinking should be taught in virtually every course in the humanities. In practice, however, my years as a high school English teacher, as well as my decades on the other side of the desk, have proven that the lofty title is a gross misnomer, conveniently obscuring the fact that the majority of our schools fail to teach critical thinking and, as a result, the majority of our populace does not practice it.
“Making a Way”: Young Women Using Literacy and Language to Resist the Politics of Silencing
Authors: Wissman Kelly K.
Published: November 2007

Urban public schools are often contexts in which students are beset with silencing, surveillance, and low expectations. These conditions present distinct and critical challenges to young women. This article explores the language and literacy practices that emerged in an in‐school elective writing and photography course designed with and for young women of color. Drawing on the students' poetry and an emergent discussion of the war in Iraq, the author argues that the students used language and literacy to transgress the politics of silencing within schools. Through an analysis of the students' efforts to claim agency and credibility within and against dominant discourses and within their school, the author argues that literacy‐rich contexts can be created within schools to assist young women in “making a way.” The article draws from a 10‐month teacher research study into the design and enactment of the course.
What Can We Learn From the Word Writing CAFÉ?
Authors: Bromley Karen , Vandenberg Amy , White Jennifer
Published: November 2007

Guided reading is an important component of a comprehensive literacy program. Using this approach to reading instruction is beneficial to all students, including English‐language learners (ELLs). While guided reading is generally used in the early elementary grades, this approach is recommended for ELLs of all ages when appropriate methods and materials are used. Teachers can modify guided reading to better meet the literacy and second language (L2) learning needs of ELLs.

Building on previous work in the area of guided reading and L2 reading instruction, this article describes guided‐reading modifications for ELLs, integrating reading, writing, listening, and speaking to build the four language skills. A lesson‐planning guide and examples are provided for teachers who are facing the challenge of providing language and literacy instruction to students learning to read in their L2.
Using Comic Books as Read‐Alouds: Insights on Reading Instruction From an English as a Second Language Classroom
Authors: Ranker Jason
Published: November 2007

A first‐grade teacher used comic books as read‐alouds during her implementation of a reading/writing workshop. The students, primarily English‐language learners, were able to make use of this medium in order to learn new reading practices. The teacher used the comics to teach multiple aspects of various reading processes such as reading with an eye for gendered representations in media texts, reading for recognition of dialogue, and recognizing a problem/solution structure in narrative. The teacher's use of the comics as read‐alouds demonstrates their use as instructional texts, because comics provide interesting and motivating material as well as visual support for literacy learning.
Modified Guided Reading: Gateway to English as a Second Language and Literacy Learning
Authors: Avalos Mary A. , Plasencia Alina , Chavez Celina , Rascón Josefa
Published: November 2007

Guided reading is an important component of a comprehensive literacy program. Using this approach to reading instruction is beneficial to all students, including English‐language learners (ELLs). While guided reading is generally used in the early elementary grades, this approach is recommended for ELLs of all ages when appropriate methods and materials are used. Teachers can modify guided reading to better meet the literacy and second language (L2) learning needs of ELLs.

Building on previous work in the area of guided reading and L2 reading instruction, this article describes guided‐reading modifications for ELLs, integrating reading, writing, listening, and speaking to build the four language skills. A lesson‐planning guide and examples are provided for teachers who are facing the challenge of providing language and literacy instruction to students learning to read in their L2.
Authoring With Video
Authors: Strassman Barbara K. , O'Connell Trisha
Published: November 2007

Teachers are hungry for strategies that will motivate their students to engage in reading and writing. One promising method is the Authoring With Video (AWV) approach, which encourages teachers to use captioning software and digital video in writing assignments. AWV builds on students' fascination with television and video but removes the audio and requires students to write a narration for the video. The process offers students a text‐focused method of interacting with video that helps them craft their writing. AWV increases students' motivation because the final results look professional and can be shown to a variety of audiences. Step‐by‐step instructions for using AWV as well as links to digital media and suggested teaching ideas are provided.
Visualization of paper structure by optical coherence tomography: Monte Carlo simulations and experimental study
Authors: Kirillin M. Yu. , Alarousu E. , Fabritius T. , Myllylä R. , Priezzhev A. V.
Published: November 2007

This paper analyzes the capability of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) setup to visualize paper structure by comparing experimental and Monte Carlo (MC) simulated OCT images. In the experiments, we used an OCT setup at 910 nm with the coherence length of an SLD source of 7.5 µm. Several different refractive index matching agents were applied to paper samples to enhance the visualization of their inner structure. The obtained OCT images show improved contrast in inner structure and enhanced visualization depth. A set of corresponding simulations were then performed using a previously developed MC code. A multilayer paper sheet model with non-planar fiber-air interfaces was developed to characterize the paper samples. MC simulations were carried out to study the effect of the setup parameters on the obtained OCT images. A comparison with the experimental data shows that the developed model provides a satisfactory correspondence between simulated and experimental images.