bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concern About Crime and Confidence in the Police
Authors: Skogan Wesley G.
Published: August 2009

This article examines the relationship between confidence in the police and concern about crime. A large body of research on opinions about police treats confidence in the police as a dependent variable that is influenced by assessments of neighborhood conditions. These studies argue that people hold police accountable for local crime, disorder, and fear. Another large body of literature on public perceptions of crime treats concern about crime as a dependent variable that is influenced by confidence in the police. This research stresses the reassurance effects of policing. Taken as a whole, these studies thus assume contradictory causal orderings of these two correlated factors. It is also possible that the relationship between the two is instead reciprocal, with confidence and concern affecting each other, but this possibility has never been tested. This article addresses this central theoretical ambiguity in research on public perceptions, using panel data and structural modeling to identify the most plausible causal ordering of concern about crime and confidence in police. The findings support the reassurance model: reductions in concern about crime flow from increasing confidence in the police, while an accountability link from concern about crime to confidence in the police was much weaker and not statistically significant.
Positioning Lawyers: Discursive Resources, Professional Ethics and Identification
Authors: Kuhn Timothy
Published: August 2009

Critics assert that lawyers’ subject positions make them accomplices to corporate domination. Work on subject position formation, however, frequently ignores either identifications with particular organizations or the manifold discourses circulating around those organizations. To address this, I asked junior corporate attorneys at a large US law firm to reflect on the accusation of being a ‘corporate lackey’. In their responses were four forms of discursive resource that evinced varied sources of identification. The analysis shows that the discursive resources reinforced one another in a ‘reticulated’ fashion: conditioned by encompassing discourses of managerialism and legal professionalism, they supported a particular mode of subjectivation. From this finding, I argue for the need to contextualize studies of professionals in multiple discourses, the advantages of studying arrays of discursive resources and the importance of surfacing ‘submerged’ discursive resources.
‘Working Together?’: The Salvation Army and the Job Network
Authors: Garland Dennis , Darcy Michael
Published: August 2009

This article explores the changing relationship between government and The Salvation Army, as manifested in the development and implementation of employment policy in Australia between 1998 and 2007. This exploration focuses on the introduction of market discourse throughout the contracting process, in particular how this discourse seeks to reconstruct service users as ‘consumers’, and the Salvation Army’s response to this. By studying the ways in which this religiously and socially motivated non-profit organization sought to mediate neo-liberal discourses of competition and consumerism, we seek to shed light on the processes and pressures affecting faith-based and other non-profit organizations that increasingly find themselves acting as agents of government policy under the principles of New Public Management (NPM).
A Pragmatic Approach to the Tobin Tax Campaign: The Politics of Sentimental Education
Authors: Brassett James
Published: August 2009

The article provides a critical analysis of the campaign for a Tobin Tax. A popular view that global civil society can act as an agent for ethics is interrogated by appeal to the dilemmas and political contests which pervade the campaign. Problems with financial and institutional universalism undermine any unambiguous ethical appeal in the Tobin Tax by imposing a set of limits on thinkable avenues of reform. However, and drawing on the philosophical pragmatism of Richard Rorty, it is argued that the campaign can be celebrated for its role in ongoing practices of ‘sentimental education’. By illustrating the harm that financial markets cause, the Tobin Tax involves larger, more diverse, audiences in a conversation about global finance; technical and sentimental discourses blur. Moreover, those very contests that pervade the campaign can act to interrupt the totalizing aspects of the proposal, thus making alternatives thinkable. Engaging the ‘politics of sentimental education’, in this way, allows a contingent celebration of what is ethically useful in the Tobin Tax, while leaving an area of contest that is potentially antithetical. Rather than plump for an either/ or position, the difficult, but ethical, challenge is to do both-and. The article concludes by suggesting how this ‘politics of sentimental education’ might bear upon existing knowledge about the theory and practice of global civil society.
Effects of exposure to the suffering of unknown persons on health-related cognitions, and the role of mood
Authors: Karademas Evangelos C.
Published: August 2009

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether exposure to the suffering of unknown persons, as an inevitable part of life, influences cognitions about health. Our assumption was that exposure to suffering affects cognitions in a negative way, as well as this influence being exerted directly and through negative mood. Eighty-nine participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group was exposed to a series of photos presenting situations of human suffering, whereas the control group was exposed to a series of photos showing relaxing situations. Participants in the experimental group reported higher health anxiety and health value, and lower internal health locus of control, in comparison to the control group. No differences were found in self-rated health. Exposure to suffering affected cognitions directly and through decrease in positive mood. It seems that an ‘in vitro’ exposure to human suffering activates a cognitive and emotional reaction, which affects evaluations about self and personal well-being.
Accounts of disruptions to sexuality following cancer: the perspective of informal carers who are partners of a person with cancer
Authors: Gilbert Emilee , Ussher Jane M. , Hawkins Yasmin
Published: August 2009

There is a growing body of research showing that cancer impacts upon the sexuality of informal carers in a couple relationship with a person with cancer. However, this research is primarily focused on partners of a person with gynaecological or breast cancer, within a framework where the physiological effects of cancer on sexual performance are the focus. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 informal carers in a couple relationship with a person with cancer, across a range of cancer types. The aim was to explore accounts of changes to sexuality and intimacy post-cancer, in the context of discursive constructions of sexuality and the caring role. Our findings show that partners’ sexual experiences were shaped by absence of desire in the person with cancer; the stress and exhaustion associated with caring tasks; the repositioning of the person with cancer as childlike or as an asexual ‘sick patient’; and the belief that there were expectations about ‘acceptable’ sexual conduct in the context of cancer caring. Carers accepted the diminishment of their sexual relationship, but expressed feelings of disappointment, anger and sadness about this loss. It is concluded that it is vital that support services are developed, so that couples may develop new sexual strategies, and cope more effectively with potential disruptions to their sexual and intimate relationship.
When discourse defies belief
Authors: Wyatt Donna , Hughes Katie
Published: August 2009

This article considers the role of the Australian anti-abortion movement in the discursive practices of the worldwide pro-life franchise. It is based on in-depth interviews with key members of the moment located in four similar organizations. It examines the ways in which they perceive their cause and the ways in which they might influence both public conversations about abortion and individual pregnant women. It specifically focuses on the ways in which new medical imaging technologies are drawn upon to facilitate a renewed view of the separateness of a foetus, explores the participants’ views of motherhood and mothering, and the ways in which the abortion rate is seen as indicative of the fragmentation of contemporary society.
Rhetorical strategies of political parties and organized movements
Authors: Nugus Peter
Published: August 2009

Research on the Australian monarchy—republican debate has considered arguments for and against the republic, the 1999 referendum and interpretations of the republic. Little attention has been paid to the debate’s discursive construction. Therefore, this article analyzes the rhetorical strategies with which political parties and organized movements sought to persuade the public to adopt their position in the debate in the 1990s. The article discerns and analyzes various rhetorical strategies in terms of the patterns in their use among these elites. In contrast to the cognitive bias of much research in political communication, the article accounts for the embeddedness of these strategies in their public political, national-cultural and popular democratic contexts. It shows that the use of such strategies is a function of the socio-political context of actors’ statuses as parties or movements. The article recommends combining deliberative democracy with discourse analysis to comprehend the dynamics of public political language.
FishNet: the Great Lakes Craft and Release Project
Authors: Ironside Claire , Iarocci Angela
Published: August 2009

This visual essay provides an overview of FishNet: The Great Lakes Craft and Release Project, an ecological collaborative art initiative based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which started in 2007 and is currently still active. The project engaged approximately 1,500 elementary school students, teachers, artists, art and government organizations and volunteers in developing an arts-based educational experience and exhibition focusing on the fish of the Great Lakes bio-region.
The Demand for Environmental Quality: An Application of Hedonic Pricing in Golf
Authors: Limehouse Frank F. , Melvin Peter C. , McCormick Robert E.
Published: August 2009

The analysis uses an exhaustive golf course database that contains over 100 golf course variables on more than 15,000 golf courses in the United States combined with data from the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program to examine the market setting of environmental certification on golf courses. Using the Rosen (1974) two-stage estimation technique, quality-adjusted structural demand and supply equations for golf are estimated. A standard hedonic pricing model shows a substantial price premium for environmentally certified Audubon International golf courses. Additional results suggest that the increase in marginal benefits of certification is approximately equal to the increase in marginal costs.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in Indian patients: use of modified questionnaires for assessment
Authors: MODY G. N. , ANDERSON G. A. , THOMAS B. P. , PALLAPATI S. C. R. , SANTOSHI J. A. , ANTONISAMY B.
Published: August 2009

This study was conducted to assess the use of a modified carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire (the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, BCTQ) in an Indian patient population. Seventy-six Indian patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were recruited to this prospective study. On a scale of one to five, the average score for the severity of symptoms was 2.09 (0.89). The average score for functional disability was 1.94 (0.74), which was lower than the average function score reported for Western CTS patients ( Levine et al., 1993 ). The symptom severity and function disability scores were higher in patients with positive Tinel’s sign and Phalen’s test. The function disability score was moderately correlated with other clinical tests for CTS. The average modified BCTQ scores for Indian CTS patients was established through this study. This modified questionnaire might assist physicians in developing countries to assess disability from CTS, although socioeconomic and cultural differences will have to be taken into account when comparing assessments across different populations.
Analysis of rewarming curves in Raynaud’s phenomenon of various aetiologies
Authors: SALEM K. M. , BAKER M. , HILLIAM R. M. , DAVIES S. , DEIGHTON C. , BAINBRIDGE L. C. , MANNING G.
Published: August 2009

This study investigated whether a modified Cold Provocation Test could distinguish between 86 normal subjects and 31 patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon or 59 with hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Of the HAVS subjects, 56 were seen for medical reports as they were involved in litigation. Their assessments were done in a different location but the same protocol was used. A standardised cold stress was used to reduce the finger temperature to 15°C or less without inducing reflex hyperaemia. This test had acceptable repeatability for subjects without HAVS with an intra-class correlation of 0.7. Baseline temperature, temperature rise in the first 30 seconds and the time taken to rewarm by 5°C were measured. Patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon and HAVS had cooler hands than controls. HAVS patients rewarmed most in the first 30 seconds. Patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon take longer to rewarm by 5°C than controls or those with HAVS ( P<0.001). A baseline difference of >7.5°C between the temperature of the digit and that of the room is unlikely to occur in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon or HAVS. A temperature gain of ≥2.2°C in the first 30 seconds on rewarming combined with a low baseline temperature strongly suggests HAVS. This modified cold provocation test may differentiate between patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon, HAVS and controls but this observation requires independent verification in subjects not involved in litigation and tested in the same facility.
Long-term results of lunocapitate arthrodesis with scaphoid excision for SLAC and SNAC wrists
Authors: FERRERES A. , GARCIA-ELIAS M. , PLAZA R.
Published: August 2009

When treating the degenerative arthritis that follows scapholunate instability or scaphoid pseudarthrosis, excision of the scaphoid must be combined with a stabilisation of the midcarpal joint. Two alternatives have been proposed for that purpose: fusing the lunate, triquetrum, capitate and hamate (four corner fusion), 4CF; or limiting the arthrodesis to the lunate and capitate, preserving or excising the triquetrum. Previous reports have attributed a high level of complications to lunocapitate arthrodesis, mainly in respect of nonunion. We have reviewed 17 patients who had been treated with a lunocapitate fusion, after an 8 to 12-year follow-up period, and found similar results compared with 4CF, even with a major degree of motion in ulnar-radial deviation. Recent work on the innervation of the radiotriquetral ligaments has given relevance to the preservation of lunotriquetral motion in maintaining proprioception. Also if the triquetrum is excised to gain more motion, the proprioceptive role of the radiotriquetral ligaments is compromised.
A prospective randomised trial of absorbable versus non-absorbable sutures for wound closure after fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s contracture
Authors: HOWARD K. , SIMISON A. J. M. , MORRIS A. , BHALAIK V.
Published: August 2009

After fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s contracture the wound has traditionally been closed with non-absorbable sutures. A prospective randomised study of 59 patients was undertaken to compare wound closure after fasciectomy with irradiated polyglactin 910 absorbable sutures and non-absorbable sutures. The outcomes studied were: time spent attending to the wound at the first postoperative visit; the patient’s pain score at that visit; and any complications. Wound care required significantly more time when non-absorbable sutures were used. There was no significant difference in pain scores or in complications between the two groups. We recommend the use of irradiated polyglactin 910 absorbable sutures for wound closure after fasciectomy as it saves time and resources without compromising wound healing.
Reconstruction of finger pulp defects using homodigital dorsal middle phalangeal neurovascular advancement flap
Authors: Özaksar K. , Toros T. , Sügün T. S. , Bal E. , Ademoğlu Y. , Kaplan İ.
Published: August 2009

Eighteen finger pulp defects were reconstructed using a homodigital dorsal middle phalangeal neurovascular island flap procedure based on a single neurovascular pedicle preserving the length of the finger. All flaps survived and achieved adequate functional and cosmetic results. The mean follow-up time was 22 months. The mean value of static two-point discrimination test of the healed flaps was 7 mm and the mean value of moving two-point discrimination test was 5 mm. Range of motion was considered satisfactory in all reconstructed fingers except one, in which a 20° extension deficit at the proximal interphalangeal joint was observed. This flap represents a useful alternative for reconstruction of the fingers with large pulp defects.
Termino-lateral nerve suture in lesions of the digital nerves: clinical experience and literature review
Authors: Artiaco S. , Tos P. , Conforti L. G. , Geuna S. , Battiston B.
Published: August 2009

Documented experience of treatment of digital nerve lesions with the termino-lateral (end-to-side) nerve suture is limited. Our clinical experience of this technique is detailed here alongside a systematic review of the previous literature. We performed, from 2002 to 2008, seven termino-lateral sutures with epineural window opening for digital nerve lesions. Functional outcome was analysed using the two-point discrimination test and the Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test. The results showed a sensory recovery of S3+ in six cases and S3 in one case. The mean distance found in the two-point discrimination test was 12.7 mm (range 8–18 mm). After a review of the literature, we were able to obtain homogeneous data from 17 additional patients operated by termino-lateral coaptation. The overall number of cases included in our review was 24. A sensory recovery was observed in 23 out of 24 patients. The functional results were S0 in one case, S3 in one case, S3+ in twenty cases and S4 in two cases. Excluding the one unfavourable case, the mean distance in the two-point discrimination test was 9.7 mm (range 3–18 mm). It can thus be concluded that the treatment of digital nerve lesions with termino-lateral suture showed encouraging results. Based on the results obtained in this current study we believe that in case of loss of substance, end-to-side nerve coaptation may be an alternative to biological and synthetic tubulisation when a digital nerve reconstruction by means of nerve autograft is declined by the patient.
Trigger digits in diabetes: their incidence and characteristics
Authors: Koh S. , Nakamura S. , Hattori T. , Hirata H.
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of trigger digits in patients with diabetes. A questionnaire about trigger digit was completed by 544 patients with diabetes. Ten percent of the patients had a history of trigger digits and 4% had multiple digit involvement. The risk was significantly higher in insulin-dependent patients. The average duration of diabetes was significantly longer in the multiple digit group. Independently, the medical records of 132 trigger digit patients who underwent surgery were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients had diabetes, and 62 patients had multiple digit involvement. Involvement of more than three digits was significantly related to co-existing diabetes. In patients with diabetes, the incidence of trigger digits was about four times higher than in the general population. Screening for diabetes may be warranted in patients with involvement of more than three digits.
Prevalence and severity of cold intolerance in patients after hand fracture
Authors: Nijhuis T. H. J. , Smits E. S. , Jaquet J. B. , Van Oosterom F. J. T. , Selles R. W. , Hovius S. E. R.
Published: August 2009

Cold intolerance is a well-known phenomenon that develops in the first months after hand injury and generally does not decrease over time. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and severity of cold intolerance after hand fracture in 129 patients using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) questionnaire. Patients with nerve and/or vascular injuries were excluded. The response rate was 59%. The mean CISS score was 23. Pathological cold intolerance, defined as a CISS score over 30, was experienced by 38% of the patients. Cold intolerance is common after hand fractures and can be severely disabling in some patients.
Review: Improving compliance with Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: when and how?
Authors: O'Connor John P. Anthony , Taneike Ikue , O'Morain Colm
Published: August 2009

Compliance with therapy is the single most important factor in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. Poorer levels of compliance with therapy are associated with significantly lower levels of eradication. Numerous factors can contribute to achieving good levels of compliance. These include the complexity and duration of treatment. It is also important that the physician is motivated to ensure eradication is confirmed and the patient is sufficiently informed to empower him or her to achieve high levels of compliance. Compliance is also contingent on medication regimes that are simple, safe, tolerable and efficacious. The opportunity to improve compliance exists at every point of contact between the patient and the medical services. Experts and opinion leaders in the field can play a role by ensuring that physicians are educated and motivated enough to encourage and support compliance with H. pylori eradication therapy. Both patients and physicians need to be aware of the importance of the bacterium in causing disease. The importance of the doctor—patient relationship is paramount. Pragmatic strategies that may be of assistance may come in the form of polypills, combined Blister Packs, adjuvant therapies and modified release compounds. Colleagues such as pharmacists and nurse specialists can also play an important role and should be actively engaged. Structured aftercare and follow up offers the best chance for ensuring compliance and subsequent eradication of the H. pylori pathogen.
Review: Predicting the probable outcome of treatment in HCV patients
Authors: Navaneethan Udayakumar , Kemmer Nyingi , Neff Guy W.
Published: August 2009

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease infecting more than 170 million people worldwide. HCV produces a wide gamut of manifestations varying from mild self-limiting disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A variety of viral, environmental and host genetic factors contribute to the clinical spectrum of patients infected with HCV and influence response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Predicting the probable outcome of treatment in patients with HCV infection has always been a challenging task. Treatment of HCV by pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin eradicates the virus in approximately 60% of patients — HCV genotype 1 (42—51% response rates) and genotypes 2 and 3 (76—84% response rates); however, a significant number of patients do not respond to therapy or relapse following discontinuation of treatment or have significant side effects that preclude further treatment. Accurately predicting the patients who will respond to therapy is becoming increasingly important, both from the point of patient care and also with respect to the healthcare cost as clinicians need to continue treatment in patients who will respond and stop treatment in patients who are unlikely to respond. Viral RNA measurements and genotyping are used to optimize treatment as a low viral load and nongenotype 1 is more likely to be associated with sustained virological response (SVR). Rapid virological response (RVR) defined by undetectable HCV RNA at 4 weeks of treatment is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool for predicting treatment response. A variety of host factors including single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) of IFN response genes, insulin resistance, obesity, ethnicity, human leukocyte antigens and difference in T-cell immune response has been found to modulate the response to antiviral treatment. The presence of severe fibrosis/cirrhosis on pretreatment liver biopsy predicts a poor response to treatment. Recent studies on gene expression profiling and characterization of the liver and serum proteome provide options to accurately predict the outcome of patients infected with HCV in the future. Future studies on the factors that predict treatment response and tailoring treatment based on this is required if we are to conquer this disease.
Utilizing Internet-Based Videoconferencing for Instrumental Music Lessons
Authors: Dammers Richard J.
Published: August 2009

This exploration of online applied music lessons focused on nine trumpet lessons between Jeremy, a college trumpet professor on the East Coast, and Kate, an eighth-grade trumpet player in the Midwest. These lessons followed an entry-level videoconferencing approach using personal computers, Web cams, and Skype videoconferencing software. These lessons demonstrated that the format was functional on a basic level. Jeremy was able to provide helpful feedback and Kate showed progress. However, the limitations of video delay and limited visual controls presented sufficient challenges so that this format appears to be only a supplement for face-to-face lessons at the current time. In this study some unique features of online lessons are addressed and recommendations are made for future practice.
Mechanical and wear behaviour of alloyed hypereutectic grey cast iron
Authors: Vadiraj A. , Balachandran G. , Kamaraj M. , Gopalakrishna B. , Rao D. V.
Published: August 2009

Alloyed grey cast iron is an important automotive material used in clutch and brake applications. In order to understand the influence of microalloying additives on the graphitic morphology, mechanical and wear behaviour, a series of microalloyed cast iron melts were taken. The laboratory scale ingots made were characterised for microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour. All the cast irons made were hypereutectic with a microstructure consisting of class A type graphite in a pearlitic matrix with eutectic grain boundary carbides. The microalloyed cast irons showed two- to threefold improved wear resistance over a base unalloyed material at comparable mechanical strengths. The wear loss was found to be linear with increasing sliding distance, and the wear resistance is attributed to the combined influence of dense pearlitic matrix with carbides and good distribution of graphite flakes. Cast iron microalloyed with Ni (0·62%) with Ce inoculation showed best overall properties compared to other alloys.
Characteristics of forming limit diagram of copper alloyed interstitial free steel
Authors: Rana R. , Singh S. B. , Bleck W. , Mohanty O. N.
Published: August 2009

Forming limit diagram of a promising high strength copper alloyed interstitial free steel has been determined by Nakazima tests under various processing conditions. Various parameters such as limiting strain, shear strain and strain ratio have been derived from the diagrams and analysed. The results have been compared with those of two traditional high strength interstitial free steels. It is observed that the formability parameters of copper alloyed interstitial free steel are lower than those of high strength interstitial free steels due to the effect of copper. Copper alloyed interstitial free steel in continuous annealed condition exhibits the highest limiting strain values among all the processing conditions and is comparable to traditional high strength interstitial free steels.
Factor VIII C1 domain residues Lys 2092 and Phe 2093 contribute to membrane binding and cofactor activity
Authors: Meems Henriët , Meijer Alexander B. , Cullinan David B. , Mertens Koen , Gilbert Gary E.
Published: August 2009

Binding of factor VIII to membranes containing phosphatidyl-L-serine (Ptd-L-Ser) is mediated, in part, by a motif localized to the C2 domain. We evaluated a putative membrane-binding role of the C1 domain using an anti-C1 antibody fragment, KM33scFv, and factor VIII mutants with an altered KM33 epitope. We prepared a dual mutant Lys2092/Phe2093 → Ala/Ala (fVIIIYFP 2092/93) and 2 single mutants Lys2092 → Ala and Phe2093 → Ala. KM33scFv inhibited binding of fluorescein-labeled factor VIII to synthetic membranes and inhibited at least 95% of factor Xase activity. fVIIIYFP 2092/93 had 3-fold lower affinity for membranes containing 15% Ptd-L-Ser but more than 10-fold reduction in affinity for membranes with 4% Ptd-L-Ser. In a microtiter plate, KM33scFv was additive with an anti-C2 antibody for blocking binding to vesicles of 15% Ptd-L-Ser, whereas either antibody blocked binding to vesicles of 4% Ptd-L-Ser. KM33scFv inhibited binding to platelets and fVIIIYFP 2092/93 had reduced binding to A23187-stimulated platelets. fVIIIYFP 2092 exhibited normal activity at various Ptd-L-Ser concentrations, whereas fVIIIYFP 2093 showed a reduction of activity with Ptd-L-Ser less than 12%. fVIIIYFP 2092/93 had a greater reduction of activity than either single mutant. These results indicate that Lys 2092 and Phe 2093 are elements of a membrane-binding motif on the factor VIII C1 domain.
Platelet-associated IgAs and impaired GPVI responses in platelets lacking WIP
Authors: Falet Hervé , Marchetti Michael P. , Hoffmeister Karin M. , Massaad Michel J. , Geha Raif S. , Hartwig John H.
Published: August 2009

The role of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) in platelet function is unclear because platelets that lack WASp function normally. WASp constitutively associates with WASp-interacting protein (WIP) in resting and activated platelets. The role of WIP in platelet function was investigated using mice that lack WIP or WASp. WIP knockout (KO) platelets lack WASp and thus are double deficient. WIP KO mice have a thrombocytopenia, similar to WASp KO mice, resulting in part from enhanced platelet clearance. Most WIP KO, but not WASp KO, mice evolved platelet-associated immunoglobulins (Ig) of the IgA class, which normalize their platelet survival but diminish their glycoprotein VI (GPVI) responses. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation, including that of phospholipase C-γ2, and calcium mobilization are impaired in IgA-presenting WIP KO platelets stimulated through GPVI, resulting in defects in α-granule secretion, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, and actin assembly. The anti-GPVI antibody JAQ1 induces the irreversible loss of GPVI from circulating platelets in wild-type mice, but not in WIP KO mice that bear high levels of platelet-associated IgAs. Together, the data indicate that platelet-associated IgAs negatively modulate GPVI signaling and function in WIP KO mice.
von Willebrand factor–cleaving protease ADAMTS13 reduces ischemic brain injury in experimental stroke
Authors: Zhao Bing-Qiao , Chauhan Anil K. , Canault Matthias , Patten Ian S. , Yang Janie J. , Dockal Michael , Scheiflinger Friedrich , Wagner Denisa D.
Published: August 2009

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. The only therapy available is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, but side effects limit its use. Platelets play a crucial role during stroke, and the inflammatory reaction promotes neurodegeneration. von Willebrand factor (VWF), an adhesion molecule for platelets, is elevated in patients with acute stroke. The activity of VWF is modulated by ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I repeats-13) that cleaves VWF to smaller less-active forms. We recently documented that ADAMTS13 negatively regulates both thrombosis and inflammation. We report that deficiency or reduction of VWF reduces infarct volume up to 2-fold after focal cerebral ischemia in mice, thus showing the importance of VWF in stroke injury. In contrast, ADAMTS13 deficiency results in larger infarctions, but only in mice that have VWF. Importantly, infusion of a high dose of recombinant human ADAMTS13 into a wild-type mouse immediately before reperfusion reduces infarct volume and improves functional outcome without producing cerebral hemorrhage. Furthermore, recombinant ADAMTS13 did not enhance bleeding in a hemorrhagic stroke model. Our findings show the importance of VWF in regulating infarction and suggest that recombinant ADAMTS13 could be considered as a new therapeutic agent for prevention and/or treatment of stroke.
The pleiotropic role of the fibrinogen γ′ chain in hemostasis
Authors: Uitte de Willige Shirley , Standeven Kristina F. , Philippou Helen , Ariëns Robert A. S.
Published: August 2009

A fraction of fibrinogen contains a differently spliced γ chain called γ′, which presents itself mainly as heterodimer with the common γA chain as γA/γ′ fibrinogen. The γ′ chain differs from the γA chain in its C-terminus and has important functional implications for fibrinogen. The presence of the γ′ chain modulates thrombin and FXIII activity, influences clot architecture, and eliminates a platelet-binding site. Associations of γA/γ′ fibrinogen levels with arterial and venous thrombosis have been reported, indicating that the functional effects of γA/γ′ fibrinogen may contribute to the pathology of thrombosis. This review summarizes the key biologic aspects of this interesting variant of fibrinogen and discusses inconsistencies in current reports.
Stem cells unscramble yolk sac hematopoiesis
Authors: Gadue Paul , Weiss Mitchell J.
Published: August 2009

Klimchenko and colleagues use human embryonic stem cells to define a novel bipotential hematopoietic progenitor that gives rise to primitive (yolk sac–type) erythrocytes and megakaryocytes.1
A case of mistaken identity
Authors: Querol Sergio
Published: August 2009

McCullough and colleagues show that problems with cord banking still exist. To improve the results of cord transplantations, more attention should be given to ensuring quality standards rather than just collecting more units.
miRNA deregulation by epigenetic silencing disrupts suppression of the oncogene PLAG1 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Pallasch Christian Philipp , Patz Michaela , Park Yoon Jung , Hagist Susanne , Eggle Daniela , Claus Rainer , Debey-Pascher Svenja , Schulz Alexandra , Frenzel Lukas P. , Claasen Julia , Kutsch Nadine , Krause Günter , Mayr Christine , Rosenwald Andreas , Plass Christoph , Schultze Joachim L. , Hallek Michael , Wendtner Clemens-Martin
Published: August 2009

MicroRNAs (miRNA) play a key role in cellular regulation and, if deregulated, in the development of neoplastic disorders including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). RNAs from primary cells of 50 treatment-naive CLL patients and peripheral B cells of 14 healthy donors were applied to miRNA expression profiling using bead chip technology. In CLL cells, a set of 7 up- and 19 down-regulated miRNAs was identified. Among the miRNAs down-regulated in CLL cells, 6 of 10 miRNA promoters examined showed gain of methylation compared with normal B-cell controls. Subsequent target prediction of deregulated miRNAs revealed a highly significant binding prediction at the 3′ untranslated region of the pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) oncogene. Luciferase reporter assays including site-directed mutagenesis of binding sites revealed a significant regulation of PLAG1 by miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-107, and miR-424. Although expression of PLAG1 mRNA was not affected, PLAG1 protein expression was shown to be significantly elevated in CLL cells compared with the levels in healthy donor B cells. In summary, we could demonstrate disruption of miRNA-mediated translational control, partly due to epigenetic transcriptional silencing of miRNAs, with subsequent overexpression of the oncogenic transcription factor PLAG1 as a putative novel mechanism of CLL pathogenesis.
Small G proteins in peroxisome biogenesis: the potential involvement of ADP-ribosylation factor 6
Authors: Anthonio Erin A , Brees Chantal , Baumgart-Vogt Eveline , Hongu Tsunaki , Huybrechts Sofie J , Van Dijck Patrick , Mannaerts Guy P , Kanaho Yasunori , Van Veldhoven Paul P , Fransen Marc
Published: August 2009

Background

Peroxisomes execute diverse and vital functions in virtually every eukaryote. New peroxisomes form by budding from pre-existing organelles or de novo by vesiculation of the ER. It has been suggested that ADP-ribosylation factors and COPI coatomer complexes are involved in these processes.

Results

Here we show that all viable Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains deficient in one of the small GTPases which have an important role in the regulation of vesicular transport contain functional peroxisomes, and that the number of these organelles in oleate-grown cells is significantly upregulated in the arf1 and arf3 null strains compared to the wild-type strain. In addition, we provide evidence that a portion of endogenous Arf6, the mammalian orthologue of yeast Arf3, is associated with the cytoplasmic face of rat liver peroxisomes. Despite this, ablation of Arf6 did neither influence the regulation of peroxisome abundance nor affect the localization of peroxisomal proteins in cultured fetal hepatocytes. However, co-overexpression of wild-type, GTP hydrolysis-defective or (dominant-negative) GTP binding-defective forms of Arf1 and Arf6 caused mislocalization of newly-synthesized peroxisomal proteins and resulted in an alteration of peroxisome morphology.

Conclusion

These observations suggest that Arf6 is a key player in mammalian peroxisome biogenesis. In addition, they also lend strong support to and extend the concept that specific Arf isoform pairs may act in tandem to regulate exclusive trafficking pathways.
Evolutionary rate patterns of the Gibberellin pathway genes
Authors: Yang Yan-hua , Zhang Fu-min , Ge Song
Published: August 2009

Background

Analysis of molecular evolutionary patterns of different genes within metabolic pathways allows us to determine whether these genes are subject to equivalent evolutionary forces and how natural selection shapes the evolution of proteins in an interacting system. Although previous studies found that upstream genes in the pathway evolved more slowly than downstream genes, the correlation between evolutionary rate and position of the genes in metabolic pathways as well as its implications in molecular evolution are still less understood.

Results

We sequenced and characterized 7 core structural genes of the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway from 8 representative species of the rice tribe (Oryzeae) to address alternative hypotheses regarding evolutionary rates and patterns of metabolic pathway genes. We have detected significant rate heterogeneity among 7 GA pathway genes for both synonymous and nonsynonymous sites. Such rate variation is mostly likely attributed to differences of selection intensity rather than differential mutation pressures on the genes. Unlike previous argument that downstream genes in metabolic pathways would evolve more slowly than upstream genes, the downstream genes in the GA pathway did not exhibited the elevated substitution rate and instead, the genes that encode either the enzyme at the branch point (GA20ox) or enzymes catalyzing multiple steps (KO, KAO and GA3ox) in the pathway had the lowest evolutionary rates due to strong purifying selection. Our branch and codon models failed to detect signature of positive selection for any lineage and codon of the GA pathway genes.

Conclusion

This study suggests that significant heterogeneity of evolutionary rate of the GA pathway genes is mainly ascribed to differential constraint relaxation rather than the positive selection and supports the pathway flux theory that predicts that natural selection primarily targets enzymes that have the greatest control on fluxes.
Assignment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) linkage groups to specific chromosomes: Conservation of large syntenic blocks corresponding to whole chromosome arms in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Phillips Ruth B , Keatley Kimberly A , Morasch Matthew R , Ventura Abigail B , Lubieniecki Krzysztof P , Koop Ben F , Danzmann Roy G , Davidson William S
Published: August 2009

Background

Most teleost species, especially freshwater groups such as the Esocidae which are the closest relatives of salmonids, have a karyotype comprising 25 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes and 48–52 chromosome arms. After the common ancestor of salmonids underwent a whole genome duplication, its karyotype would have 100 chromosome arms, and this is reflected in the modal range of 96–104 seen in extant salmonids (e.g., rainbow trout). The Atlantic salmon is an exception among the salmonids as it has 72–74 chromosome arms and its karyotype includes 12 pairs of large acrocentric chromosomes, which appear to be the result of tandem fusions. The purpose of this study was to integrate the Atlantic salmon's linkage map and karyotype and to compare the chromosome map with that of rainbow trout.

Results

The Atlantic salmon genetic linkage groups were assigned to specific chromosomes in the European subspecies using fluorescence in situ hybridization with BAC probes containing genetic markers mapped to each linkage group. The genetic linkage groups were larger for metacentric chromosomes compared to acrocentric chromosomes of similar size. Comparison of the Atlantic salmon chromosome map with that of rainbow trout provides strong evidence for conservation of large syntenic blocks in these species, corresponding to entire chromosome arms in the rainbow trout.

Conclusion

It had been suggested that some of the large acrocentric chromosomes in Atlantic salmon are the result of tandem fusions, and that the small blocks of repetitive DNA in the middle of the arms represent the sites of chromosome fusions. The finding that the chromosomal regions on either side of the blocks of repetitive DNA within the larger acrocentric chromosomes correspond to different rainbow trout chromosome arms provides support for this hypothesis.
Parallel expression evolution of oxidative stress-related genes in fiber from wild and domesticated diploid and polyploid cotton (Gossypium)
Authors: Chaudhary Bhupendra , Hovav Ran , Flagel Lex , Mittler Ron , Wendel Jonathan F
Published: August 2009

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a prominent role in signal transduction and cellular homeostasis in plants. However, imbalances between generation and elimination of ROS can give rise to oxidative stress in growing cells. Because ROS are important to cell growth, ROS modulation could be responsive to natural or human-mediated selection pressure in plants. To study the evolution of oxidative stress related genes in a single plant cell, we conducted comparative expression profiling analyses of the elongated seed trichomes ("fibers") of cotton (Gossypium), using a phylogenetic approach.

Results

We measured expression changes during diploid progenitor species divergence, allopolyploid formation and parallel domestication of diploid and allopolyploid species, using a microarray platform that interrogates 42,429 unigenes. The distribution of differentially expressed genes in progenitor diploid species revealed significant up-regulation of ROS scavenging and potential signaling processes in domesticatedG. arboreum. Similarly, in two independently domesticated allopolyploid species (G. barbadenseandG. hirsutum) antioxidant genes were substantially up-regulated in comparison to antecedent wild forms. In contrast, analyses of threewildallopolyploid species indicate that genomic merger and ancient allopolyploid formation had no significant influences on regulation of ROS related genes. Remarkably, many of the ROS-related processes diagnosed as possible targets of selection were shared among diploid and allopolyploid cultigens, but involved different sets of antioxidant genes.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that parallel human selection for enhanced fiber growth in several geographically widely dispersed species of domesticated cotton resulted in similar and overlapping metabolic transformations of the manner in which cellular redox levels have become modulated.
Relationship between estrogen receptor α location and gene induction reveals the importance of downstream sites and cofactors
Authors: Parisi Fabio , Sonderegger Bernhard , Wirapati Pratyaksha , Delorenzi Mauro , Naef Felix
Published: August 2009

Background

To understand cancer-related modifications to transcriptional programs requires detailed knowledge about the activation of signal-transduction pathways and gene expression programs. To investigate the mechanisms of target gene regulation by human estrogen receptor α (hERα), we combine extensive location and expression datasets with genomic sequence analysis. In particular, we study the influence of patterns of DNA occupancy by hERα on expression phenotypes.

Results

We find that strong ChIP-chip sites co-localize with strong hERα consensus sites and detect nucleotide bias near hERα sites. The localization of ChIP-chip sites relative to annotated genes shows that weak sites are enriched near transcription start sites, while stronger sites show no positional bias. Assessing the relationship between binding configurations and expression phenotypes, we find binding sites downstream of the transcription start site (TSS) to be equally good or better predictors of hERα-mediated expression as upstream sites. The study of FOX and SP1 cofactor sites near hERα ChIP sites shows that induced genes frequently have FOX or SP1 sites. Finally we integrate these multiple datasets to define a high confidence set of primary hERα target genes.

Conclusion

Our results support the model of long-range interactions of hERα with the promoter-bound cofactor SP1 residing at the promoter of hERα target genes. FOX motifs co-occur with hERα motifs along responsive genes. Importantly we show that the spatial arrangement of sites near the start sites and within the full transcript is important in determining response to estrogen signaling.
Cloning and characterization of a glucosyltransferase from Crocus sativusstigmas involved in flavonoid glucosylation
Authors: Moraga Ángela Rubio , Mozos Almudena Trapero , Ahrazem Oussama , Gómez-Gómez Lourdes
Published: August 2009

Background

Flavonol glucosides constitute the second group of secondary metabolites that accumulate in Crocus sativus stigmas. To date there are no reports of functionally characterized flavonoid glucosyltransferases in C. sativus, despite the importance of these compounds as antioxidant agents. Moreover, their bitter taste makes them excellent candidates for consideration as potential organoleptic agents of saffron spice, the dry stigmas of C. sativus.

Results

Using degenerate primers designed to match the plant secondary product glucosyltransferase (PSPG) box we cloned a full length cDNA encoding CsGT45 from C. sativus stigmas. This protein showed homology with flavonoid glucosyltransferases. In vitro reactions showed that CsGT45 catalyses the transfer of glucose from UDP_glucose to kaempferol and quercetin. Kaempferol is the unique flavonol present in C. sativus stigmas and the levels of its glucosides changed during stigma development, and these changes, are correlated with the expression levels of CsGT45 during these developmental stages.

Conclusion

Findings presented here suggest that CsGT45 is an active enzyme that plays a role in the formation of flavonoid glucosides in C. sativus.