bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Birth and Empowerment: A Qualitative Study of the Childbirth Experience of Filipino Migrant Women in Brisbane, Australia
Authors: Stewart Donald E , Das Vibhavari , Seibold Melissa
Published: June 2011

This project aims to understand and explore the notion of empowerment in relation to the childbirth experiences of Filipino women in Brisbane, Australia. Objectives include assessing the responsiveness of the health system to Filipino migrant women; exploring different cultural perspectives on childbirth; and assessing the understanding of the health rights of Filipinas in relation to child and maternal health services. The overwhelming majority of the women in the sample were found to have experienced problems with their childbirth. Most reported that these were due to discrimination, language difficulties, a lack of emotional and social support, marked cultural differences with respect to pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partal care of mother and child. They also reported a lack of knowledge and information about Australian maternal and child health care services. Despite successful clinical outcomes it is suggested that the notion of empowerment could provide insight into ways of improving the birth experience in order to ameliorate many of the problems typical of this group.
Human Rights Issues and Health Practices
Authors: Stewart Donald E
Published: June 2011

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the context of current adverse economic circumstance in the Asia-Pacific region, it is apparent that we still have a long way to go before we can claim adequate promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms, human rights and health rights. New approaches to public health and a social, or population definition of health requires an active engagement with human rights and a recognition of the ethical domain. Such an engagement is assisted by the articulation of some of the fundamental principles underlying various Conventions, Charters and Declarations and the contribution of liberal moral and political theory to such documents. Such liberal traditions have been challenged for their ethnocentrism and western cultural bias. However it is argued that they form a basis for important universal standards which can assist public health practitioners as they navigate through the turbulent waters of human rights issues and health practices.
Health Research: A Tool for Social Justice and the Poor
Authors: Finau Sitaleki A
Published: June 2011

Health research can, and must, contribute to the alleviation of social injustice and powerlessness and their consequences. In so doing, it needs to ensure that the poor are healthy, productive and happy (that is, they can enjoy the fruits of their productivity).

Poverty, unemployment and low health status are symptoms of deprivation borne of powerlessness. Therefore, health research that empowers the researched must address their poverty, unemployment as well as vulnerability to diseases. This can be achieved through their participation in the research funding process. The appropriate participatory research design must allow the poor and deprived to participate in research design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of information. Such an approach is essential in order to avoid studying the poor to enrich the wealthy.

Experiences with, and examples of, health research have demonstrated the consequences of ignoring the need to place the well-being of the researched at the centre of analysis. These have resulted in career advantages for the researchers and the manipulation of results without social justice for the researched. Research has also lead to monetary responses to deprivation without addressing the social and economic inequalities accompanying powerlessness. A shift in the centre of analysis could precipitate different results and actions. It would enable the poor to study the rich to learn how to become wealthy and achieve social justice.
Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors in North-East Malaysia
Authors: Mafauzy M , Mokhtar N , Mohamad WB Wan , Musalmah M
Published: June 2011

Two thousand five hundred and eight subjects from the state of Kelantan in North-East Peninsular Malaysia were included in this study to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance and their association with cardiovascular risk factors. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 10.5% and impaired glucose tolerance was 16.5%. There was no difference in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus between males and females but the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was higher in females (19.0%) than in males (11.5%). Subjects with diabetes mellitus were more obese (38.4%) than normal subjects (24.1%). They also had a higher prevalence of hypertension (12.9%) and hypercholesterolaemia (71.9%) than normal subjects. Subjects with impaired glucose tolerance also had a higher prevalence of obesity (35.5%), hypertension (9.0%) and hypercholesterolaemia (63.0%) than normal subjects.

In conclusion, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance was high and they were associated with a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia.
The Sports Challenge International Programme for Identified ‘At Risk' Children and Adolescents: A Singapore Study
Authors: Tester GJ , Watkins GG , Rouse I
Published: June 2011

The current world wide phenomena of youth suicide which became a major issue for countries in the early nineties, is still growing exponentially.

The Sports Challenge program was initiated in 1992 in Western Australia to identify ‘at risk' children and adolescents who display: a low sense of basic trust, a sense of shame and doubt, a sense of inferiority and a sense of identity confusion with common characteristics of low self esteem. The subsequent program is based on a strong statistical paradigm encompassing current and historical information with reliable and objective evaluation measures.

To this end, since 1992, Sports Challenge has been recognised as a ‘World Best Practice' in redressing the issue of ‘at risk' children and adolescents. The program now operates in over 150 schools and communities throughout Australia and 24 schools and Detention Centres in Singapore. This paper will allow a window into the development of the program and the successful transfer of the project into Singapore.

The Singapore study which began in 1996 has revealed the success of the Sports Challenge program cross culturally with improvement in self esteem and self concept of ‘at risk' groups in the range of 18% to 44%.
Stress-smoothing holes in an elastic plate: From the square lattice to the checkerboard
Authors: Vigdergauz Shmuel
Published: June 2011

Minimization of the hoop stresses variation was recently advanced to form a novel and efficient criterion of the stress state optimization in a statically loaded elastic domain with a finite number of free-form holes. As a radical generalization of the well-known equi-stress principle, it offers substantial analytical and numerical advantages over direct minimization of the local stress concentration factor. Here we extend the proposed criterion beyond its primary application to the shape optimization in a regular perforated structure with the checkerboard arrangement of identical traction-free holes. The averaging nature of the stresses variation allows its effective numerical implementation in a wide range of the governing parameters at a modest computational cost. The results obtained describe in depth the elastic response of the optimal structure to applied loads.
A study of band-gap phenomena of two locally resonant acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Huang H H , Sun C T
Published: June 2011

The dynamic characteristics of two acoustic metamaterials were investigated using their representative mass-spring lattice models. Attention was focused on the band-gap behaviour of wave propagation in the two models. The study was carried out by performing finite element analyses. From the simulation results, it was found that both models have demonstrated the capability of filtering or blocking dynamic disturbances. However, in spite of having similar local resonance, the two models display different dynamic responses in the band gap. In addition, parametric studies of both metamaterials were carried out with the aim of providing a guide for the design of band gaps in acoustic metamaterials for desired functions.
School Governance and the Mediation of Engagement
Authors: Ranson Stewart
Published: June 2011

The 1988 Education Reform Act radically transformed the local governance of education, according school governing bodies new delegated powers for budgets and staff as well as responsibility for the strategic direction of the school in a quasi market place of parental choice. To take up these new responsibilities the earlier Education Act 1986 had created over 350,000 volunteer citizens in England and Wales to occupy reformed governing bodies: it was the largest democratic experiment in voluntary public participation. The governing bodies were constituted on the principle of partnership between all the groups with a ‘stakeholder’ interest in the school: parents, teachers and support staff would be elected, while other governors would be appointed by the local authority, and drawn from the local community (including local industry and commerce). All the interests would be regarded as equal, one no more important than another. The underlying principle had been that schools would only work well when the different constituencies were provided with a space to express their voice and reach agreement about the purpose and development of the school. The governing body was to have regard for the overall strategic direction of the school, evaluating its progress, and acting as the trustee of the community, publicly accountable for national and local policies (DfEE, 1998).
The dorsal metacarpal arteries: anatomical study. Feasibility of pedicled metacarpal bone flaps
Authors: Dauphin N. , Casoli V.
Published: June 2011

The vascular anatomy of the dorsal aspect of the hand is variable. Nevertheless the presence of the first and the second dorsal metacarpal artery (DMA) is constant. DMA3 and 4 are more variable. The anatomical study presented demonstrates the segmental vascularization of the metacarpal bones and the possibility of harvesting metacarpal bone flaps. The reliability of such a flap decreases from the second to the fifth metacarpal bone regarding the frequency of presence of the DMAs. The authors describe six new vascularized bone flaps from the third and the fourth metacarpal bones pedicled on the second or the third dorsal metacarpal artery in an anterograde or retrograde flow mode. This study suggests that the radial and the ulnar side of the third metacarpal bone could be harvested respectively on the DMA2 and DMA3. The radial side of the fourth metacarpal bone could also be a reliable vascularized bone donor site. Flaps can be used proximally or distally based to repair bone defects either on metacarpal and carpal bones or on proximal phalanges.
Secretion of IL-1β triggered by dynasore in murine peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Seil Michèle , El Ouaaliti Malika , Dehaye Jean-Paul
Published: June 2011

The interaction of lipopolysaccharide-primed murine peritoneal macrophages with ivermectin, an antiparasite drug which potentiates P2X4 receptors and dynasore which inhibits the GTPase activity of dynamin, a protein contributing to the internalization of plasma membrane proteins, was tested. Murine peritoneal macrophages express P2X4 receptors which are mostly intracellular. In cells from P2X7-knockout mice (KO mice), 10 µm adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provoked a transient increase of the intracellular concentration of calcium. Ivermectin had no effect by itself but potentiated the increase of the intracellular concentration of calcium by ATP. The combination of ATP plus ivermectin also decreased the intracellular concentration of potassium and promoted the secretion of IL-1β. Concentrations of dynasore above 50 µm affected the integrity of mitochondria (MTT test) and of the plasma membrane (release of lactate dehydrogenase, LDH). At a 10 µm concentration, dynasore had no effect on the responses to ATP and on the internalization of P2X4 receptors. By itself dynasore promoted the release of potassium and the secretion of IL-1β after activation of caspase-1. In conclusion, our results confirm that ivermectin potentiates the responses coupled to P2X4 receptors probably by interaction with an allosteric site. We also show that this potentiation triggers the release of IL-1β by macrophages. As opposed to ivermectin, dynasore has no effect on P2X4 receptors. This drug triggers a potassium efflux via a mechanism which does not involve purinergic receptors and generates, in consequence, the activation of caspase-1 and the secretion of IL-1β.
Is it Wrong to Criminalize and Punish Psychopaths?
Authors: Glenn Andrea L. , Raine Adrian , Laufer William S.
Published: June 2011

Increasing evidence from psychology and neuroscience suggests that emotion plays an important and sometimes critical role in moral judgment and moral behavior. At the same time, there is increasing psychological and neuroscientific evidence that brain regions critical in emotional and moral capacity are impaired in psychopaths. We ask how the criminal law should accommodate these two streams of research, in light of a new normative and legal account of the criminal responsibility of psychopaths.
The Developmental Neuroscience of Moral Sensitivity
Authors: Decety Jean , Michalska Kalina J. , Kinzler Katherine D.
Published: June 2011

Though traditional accounts of moral development focus on the development of rational and deliberate thinking, recent work in developmental affective neuroscience suggests that moral cognition is tightly related to affective and emotional processing. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies show age-related changes in response to empathy-eliciting stimuli, with a gradual shift from the monitoring of somatovisceral responses in young children mediated by the amygdala, insula and medial aspect of the orbitofrontal cortex, to the executive control and evaluation of emotion processing implemented by the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in older participants. These data indicate that the development of moral reasoning involves the increasing integration of empathic emotion-related somatovisceral responses with more complex social-reasoning abilities.
The Trouble with Thinking: People Want to Have Quick Reactions to Personal Taboos
Authors: Merritt Anna C. , Monin Benoît
Published: June 2011

If lay theories associate moral intuitions with deeply held values, people should feel uncomfortable relying on deliberative thinking when judging violations of personal taboos. In two preliminary studies, participants with siblings of the opposite sex were particularly troubled when evaluating a sibling incest scenario under instructions to think slowly and rationally, or when the scenario was presented in a hard-to-read font forcing them to employ deliberative processing. This suggests that we may be intuitive intuitionists, and opens the door for investigations of people’s preferred modes of moral judgment.
On Disgust and Moral Judgment
Authors: Pizarro David , Inbar Yoel , Helion Chelsea
Published: June 2011

Despite the wealth of recent work implicating disgust as an emotion central to human morality, the nature of the causal relationship between disgust and moral judgment remains unclear. We distinguish between three related claims regarding this relationship, and argue that the most interesting claim (that disgust is a moralizing emotion) is the one with the least empirical support.
Response to Royzman and Kurzban
Authors: Chapman Hanah A. , Anderson Adam K.
Published: June 2011

Royzman and Kurzban suggest that disgust-related facial activity in response to unfairness may reflect a metaphorical communication rather than genuine feelings of disgust. We argue that this is a partial reading of our findings and that our experimental data, and those of others, are inconsistent with a social metaphor interpretation.
Arthroscopic Measurement of Cartilage Lesions of the Knee Condyle
Authors: Robert Henri , Lambotte Jean Christophe , Flicoteaux Rémi
Published: June 2011

Purpose:

To present a new method of arthroscopic measurement of the surface and location of condylar lesions.

Methods:

We propose measuring the height of the condylar lesion by using the lesion’s arc (Δ°) obtained from the difference between the angle of flexion at the beginning of the lesion and the angle of flexion at the end of the lesion. The first goal of the study was to determine the intra and inter reliability of the lesion’s arc. Experiment 1: 20 deep lesions were evaluated using the lesional arc by two arthroscopists. Experiment 2: In a second series of 20 lesions, the flexion angles of the knees were recorded using a goniometer. All 10 knees (5 in each series) were then disarticulated and the true lesion arc was checked with a goniometer to assess the validity of the scopic measurements. The second goal was to obtain the height of the lesion from the lesion’s arc. The lesion arc Δ° of the condylar is converted into height (millimeters) on the basis of a table obtained from 5 standard profiles of the lateral X-ray of the knee.

Results:

Experiment 1: The intra observer reliability was good but the inter observer reliability was poor. Experiment 2: The intra and inter observers’ reliability were good. On the anatomic control after disarticulating the knee, the confidence interval was narrower when using the goniometer.

Conclusions:

We propose a simple, reliable method to measure the height of a condylar lesion with the lesion’s arc during arthroscopy.
Beaverite-(Zn), Pb(Fe2Zn)(SO4)2(OH), a new member of the alunite group, from Mikawa Mine, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Sato E. , Nakai I. , Terada Y. , Tsutsumi Y. , Yokoyama K. , Miyawaki R. , Matsubara S.
Published: June 2011

The Zn-bearing beaverite of Sato et al. (2008) has been named ‘beaverite-(Zn)’ in accordance with the alunite supergroup nomenclature of Bayliss et al. (2010), and data for the mineral have been approved by the IMA-CNMNC. Beaverite-(Zn) occurs as a dark-brown secondary mineral in the hydrothermal Cu-Zn-Pb ore deposit of the Mikawa mine, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Electron microprobe analysis gave an empirical formula of Pb0.95(Fe1.88Al0.10)(Zn0.83Cu0.03)(SO4)2[(OH)5.36O0.38] on the basis of S = 2. The Rietyeld analysis (Sato et al, 2008) indicated it to be trigonal, R3̄m, a = 7.3028(2), c = 17.0517(4) Å, V = 787.56(4) Å3.
Toxoplasma gondii peroxiredoxin promotes altered macrophage function, caspase-1-dependent IL-1β secretion enhances parasite replication
Authors: Marshall Edward S , Elshekiha Hany M , Hakimi Mohamed-Ali , Flynn Robin J
Published: June 2011

Alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) are a key feature Th2 immunity and have been associated with a variety of roles during helminth infection. The role this cell subset plays in protzoan infection remain relatively unexplored, herein we describe the effects of a redox enzyme (rTgPrx) derived fromToxoplasma gondiion murine macrophage phenotype in vitro. RTgPrx has been previously associated with the maintainence of parasite oxidative balance. Here our experiments show that rTgPrx promotes AAM as indicated by high arginase-1 (arg-1), YM1 and FIZZ expression via both signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Additionally rTgPrx treatment reduced caspase-1 activity and IL-1β secretion, while simultaneously increasing IL-10 release. Furthermore the in vitro replication ofT. gondii(RH strain) was enhanced when macrophages were treated with rTgPrx. This is in contrast with the previously described effects of aPlasmodium bergheiANKA 2-cys-peroxiredoxin that promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These results highlight the role ofT. gondiiderived redox enzymes as important immune modulators and potentially indicate a role for AAM in modulating immunopathology and promoting parasite replication duringT. gondiiinfection.
Molecular and comparative analysis of Salmonella entericaSenftenberg from humans and animals using PFGE, MLST and NARMS
Authors: Stepan Ryan M , Sherwood Julie S , Petermann Shana R , Logue Catherine M
Published: June 2011

Background

Salmonellaspecies are recognized worldwide as a significant cause of human and animal disease. In this study the molecular profiles and characteristics ofSalmonella entericaSenftenberg isolated from human cases of illness and those recovered from healthy or diagnostic cases in animals were assessed. Included in the study was a comparison with our own sequenced strain ofS.Senfteberg recovered from production turkeys in North Dakota. Isolates examined in this study were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility profiling using the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) panel which tested susceptibility to 15 different antimicrobial agents. The molecular profiles of all isolates were determined using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and the sequence types of the strains were obtained using Multi-Locus Sequence Type (MLST) analysis based on amplification and sequence interrogation of seven housekeeping genes (aroC,dnaN,hemD,hisD,purE,sucA, andthrA). PFGE data was input into BioNumerics analysis software to generate a dendrogram of relatedness among the strains.

Results

The study found 93 profiles among 98S. Senftenberg isolates tested and there were primarily two sequence types associated with humans and animals (ST185 and ST14) with overlap observed in all host types suggesting that the distribution ofS.Senftenberg sequence types is not host dependent. Antimicrobial resistance was observed among the animal strains, however no resistance was detected in human isolates suggesting that animal husbandry has a significant influence on the selection and promotion of antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusion

The data demonstrates the circulation of at least two strain types in both animal and human health suggesting thatS.Senftenberg is relatively homogeneous in its distribution. The data generated in this study could be used towards defining a pathotype for this serovar.
Maximum inspiratory pressure, a surrogate parameter for the assessment of ICU-acquired weakness
Authors: Tzanis Georgios , Vasileiadis Ioannis , Zervakis Dimitrios , Karatzanos Eleftherios , Dimopoulos Stavros , Pitsolis Theodore , Tripodaki Elli , Gerovasili Vasiliki , Routsi Christina , Nanas Serafim
Published: June 2011

Background

Physical examination has been advocated as a primary determinant of ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). The purpose of the study is to investigate ICU-AW development by using Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) as a surrogate parameter of the standardized method to evaluate patients' peripheral muscle strength.

Methods

Seventy-four patients were recruited in the study and prospectively evaluated in a multidisciplinary university ICU towards the appearance of ICU-AW. APACHE II admission score was 16 ± 6 and ICU stay 26 ± 18 days. ICU-AW was diagnosed with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for the clinical evaluation of muscle strength. MIP was measured using the unidirectional valve method, independently of the patients' ability to cooperate.

Results

A significant correlation was found between MIP and MRC (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Patients that developed ICU-AW (MRC<48) had a longer weaning period compared to non ICU-AW patients (12 ± 14 versus 2 ± 3 days, p < 0.01). A cut-off point of 36 cmH2O for MIP was defined by ROC curve analysis for ICU-AW diagnosis (88% sensitivity,76% specificity). Patients with MIP below the cut-off point of 36 cmH2O had a significant greater weaning period (10 ± 14 versus 3 ± 3 days, p = 0.004) also shown by Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank:8.2;p = 0.004).

Conclusions

MIP estimated using the unidirectional valve method may be a potential surrogate parameter for the assessment of muscle strength compromise, useful for the early detection of ICU-AW.
The asthma candidate gene NPSR1 mediates isoform specific downstream signalling
Authors: Pietras Christina Orsmark , Vendelin Johanna , Anedda Francesca , Bruce Sara , Adner Mikael , Sundman Lilli , Pulkkinen Ville , Alenius Harri , D'Amato Mauro , Söderhäll Cilla , Kere Juha
Published: June 2011

Background

Neuropeptide S Receptor 1 (NPSR1, GPRA, GPR154) was first identified as an asthma candidate gene through positional cloning and has since been replicated as an asthma and allergy susceptibility gene in several independent association studies. In humans, NPSR1 encodes two G protein-coupled receptor variants, NPSR1-A and NPSR1-B, with unique intracellular C-termini. Both isoforms show distinct expression pattern in asthmatic airways. Although NPSR1-A has been extensively studied, functional differences and properties of NPSR1-B have not yet been clearly examined. Our objective was to investigate downstream signalling properties of NPSR1-B and functional differences between NPSR1-A and NPSR1-B.

Methods

HEK-293 cells transiently overexpressing NPSR1-A or NPSR1-B were stimulated with the ligand neuropeptide S (NPS) and downstream signalling effects were monitored by genome-scale affymetrix expression-arrays. The results were verified by NPS concentration-response and time series analysis using qRT-PCR, cAMP and Ca2+ assays, and cAMP/PKA, MAPK/JNK and MAPK/ERK pathway specific reporter assays.

Results

NPSR1-B signalled through the same pathways and regulated the same genes as NPSR1-A, but NPSR1-B yielded lower induction on effector genes than NPSR1-A, with one notable exception, CD69, a marker of regulatory T cells.

Conclusions

We conclude that NPSR1-B is regulating essentially identical set of genes as NPSR1-A, with few, but possibly important exceptions, and that NPSR1-A induces stronger signalling effects than NPSR1-B. Our findings suggest an isoform-specific link to pathogenetic processes in asthma and allergy.
An intein with genetically selectable markers provides a new approach to internally label proteins with GFP
Authors: Ramsden Richard , Arms Luther , Davis Trisha N , Muller Eric GD
Published: June 2011

Background

Inteins are proteins that catalyze their own removal from within larger precursor proteins. In the process they splice the flanking protein sequences, termed the N-and C-terminal exteins. Large inteins frequently have a homing endonuclease that is involved in maintaining the intein in the host. Splicing and nuclease activity are independent and distinct domains in the folded structure. We show here that other biochemical activities can be incorporated into an intein in place of the endonuclease without affecting splicing and that these activities can provide genetic selection for the intein. We have coupled such a genetically marked intein with GFP as the N-terminal extein to create a cassette to introduce GFP within the interior of a targeted protein.

Results

The Pch PRP8 mini-intein of Penicillium chrysogenum was modified to include: 1) aminoglycoside phosphotransferase; 2) imidazoleglycerol-phosphate dehydratase, His5 from S. pombe ; 3) hygromycin B phosphotransferase; and 4) the transcriptional activator LexA-VP16. The proteins were inserted at the site of the lost endonuclease. When expressed in E. coli, all of the modified inteins spliced at high efficiency. Splicing efficiency was also greater than 96% when expressed from a plasmid in S. cerevisiae. In addition the inteins conferred either G418 or hygromycin resistance, or histidine or leucine prototropy, depending on the inserted marker and the yeast genetic background. DNA encoding the marked inteins coupled to GFP as the N-terminal extein was PCR amplified with ends homologous to an internal site in the yeast calmodulin gene CMD1. The DNA was transformed into yeast and integrants obtained by direct selection for the intein's marker. The His5-marked intein yielded a fully functional calmodulin that was tagged with GFP within its central linker.

Conclusions

Inteins continue to show their flexibility as tools in molecular biology. The Pch PRP8 intein can successfully tolerate a variety of genetic markers and still retain high splicing efficiency. We have shown that a genetically marked intein can be used to insert GFP in one-step within a target protein in vivo.
Virus-like particle production with yeast: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical insights into Pichia pastoris producing high levels of the Hepatitis B surface antigen
Authors: Lünsdorf Heinrich , Gurramkonda Chandrasekhar , Adnan Ahmad , Khanna Navin , Rinas Ursula
Published: June 2011

Background

A protective immune response against Hepatitis B infection can be obtained through the administration of a single viral polypeptide, the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Thus, the Hepatitis B vaccine is generated through the utilization of recombinant DNA technology, preferentially by using yeast-based expression systems. However, the polypeptide needs to assemble into spherical particles, so-called virus-like particles (VLPs), to elicit the required protective immune response. So far, no clear evidence has been presented showing whether HBsAg assembles in vivo inside the yeast cell into VLPs or later in vitro during down-stream processing and purification.

Results

High level production of HBsAg was carried out with recombinant Pichia pastoris using the methanol inducible AOX1 expression system. The recombinant vaccine was isolated in form of VLPs after several down-stream steps from detergent-treated cell lysates. Search for the intracellular localization of the antigen using electron microscopic studies in combination with immunogold labeling revealed the presence of HBsAg in an extended endoplasmic reticulum where it was found to assemble into defined multi-layered, lamellar structures. The distance between two layers was determined as ~6 nm indicating that these lamellas represent monolayers of well-ordered HBsAg subunits. We did not find any evidence for the presence of VLPs within the endoplasmic reticulum or other parts of the yeast cell.

Conclusions

It is concluded that high level production and intrinsic slow HBsAg VLP assembly kinetics are leading to retention and accumulation of the antigen in the endoplasmic reticulum where it assembles at least partly into defined lamellar structures. Further transport of HBsAg to the Golgi apparatus is impaired thus leading to secretory pathway disfunction and the formation of an extended endoplasmic reticulum which bulges into irregular cloud-shaped formations. As VLPs were not found within the cells it is concluded that the VLP assembly process must take place during down-stream processing after detergent-mediated disassembly of HBsAg lamellas and subsequent reassembly of HBsAg into spherical VLPs.
SKY analysis revealed recurrent numerical and structural chromosome changes in BDII rat endometrial carcinomas
Authors: Falck Eva , Hedberg Carola , Klinga-Levan Karin , Behboudi Afrouz
Published: June 2011

Background

Genomic alterations are common features of cancer cells, and some of these changes are proven to be neoplastic-specific. Such alterations may serve as valuable tools for diagnosis and classification of tumors, prediction of clinical outcome, disease monitoring, and choice of therapy as well as for providing clues to the location of crucial cancer-related genes.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy of the female genital tract, ranking fourth among all invasive tumors affecting women. Cytogenetic studies of human ECs have not produced very conclusive data, since many of these studies are based on karyotyping of limited number of cases and no really specific karyotypic changes have yet been identified. As the majority of the genes are conserved among mammals, the use of inbred animal model systems may serve as a tool for identification of underlying genes and pathways involved in tumorigenesis in humans. In the present work we used spectral karyotyping (SKY) to identify cancer-related aberrations in a well-characterized experimental model for spontaneous endometrial carcinoma in the BDII rat tumor model.

Results

Analysis of 21 experimental ECs revealed specific nonrandom numerical and structural chromosomal changes. The most recurrent numerical alterations were gains in rat chromosome 4 (RNO4) and losses in RNO15. The most commonly structural changes were mainly in form of chromosomal translocations and were detected in RNO3, RNO6, RNO10, RNO11, RNO12, and RNO20. Unbalanced chromosomal translocations involving RNO3p was the most commonly observed structural changes in this material followed by RNO11p and RNO10 translocations.

Conclusion

The non-random nature of these events, as documented by their high frequencies of incidence, is suggesting for dynamic selection of these changes during experimental EC tumorigenesis and therefore for their potential contribution into development of this malignancy. Comparative molecular analysis of the identified genetic changes in this tumor model with those reported in the human ECs may provide new insights into underlying genetic changes involved in EC development and tumorigenesis.
Immunoproteomic analysis of bacterial proteins of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1
Authors: Zhang Wei , Shao Jing , Liu Guangjin , Tang Fang , Lu Yan , Zhai Zhipeng , Wang Yang , Wu Zongfu , Yao Huochun , Lu Chengping
Published: June 2011

Background

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae(APP) is one of the most important swine pathogens worldwide. Identification and characterization of novel antigenic APP vaccine candidates are underway. In the present study, we use an immunoproteomic approach to identify APP protein antigens that may elicit an immune response in serotype 1 naturally infected swine and serotype 1 virulent strain S259-immunized rabbits.

Results

Proteins from total cell lysates of serotype 1 APP were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). Western blot analysis revealed 21 immunoreactive protein spots separated in the pH 4-7 range and 4 spots in the pH 7-11 range with the convalescent sera from swine; we found 5 immunoreactive protein spots that separated in the pH 4-7 range and 2 in the pH 7-11 range with hyperimmune sera from S259-immunized rabbits. The proteins included the known antigens ApxIIA, protective surface antigen D15, outer membrane proteins P5, subunit NqrA. The remaining antigens are being reported as immunoreactive proteins in APP for the first time, to our knowledge.

Conclusions

We identified a total of 42 immunoreactive proteins of the APP serotype 1 virulent strain S259 which represented 32 different proteins, including some novel immunoreactive factors which could be researched as vaccine candidates.
Phylogenetic analysis of porcine parvoviruses from swine samples in China
Authors: Hao Xiaofang , Lu Zengjun , Sun Pu , Fu Yuanfang , Cao Yimei , Li Pinghua , Bai Xingwen , Bao Huifang , Xie Baoxia , Chen Yingli , Li Dong , Liu Zaixin
Published: June 2011

Background

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) usually causes reproductive failure in sows. The objective of the present study was to analyze the phylogenetic distribution and perform molecular characterization of PPVs isolated in China, as well as to identify two field strains, LZ and JY. The data used in this study contained the available sequences for NS1 and VP2 from GenBank, as well as the two aforementioned Chinese strains.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis shows that the PPV sequences are divided into four groups. The early Chinese PPV isolates are Group I viruses, and nearly all of the later Chinese PPV isolates are Group II viruses. LZ belongs to group II, whereas the JY strain is a Group III virus. This is the first report on the isolation of a Group III virus in China. The detection of selective pressures on the PPV genome shows that the NS1 and VP2 genes are under purifying selection and positive selection, respectively. Moreover, the amino acids in the VP2 capsid are highly variable because of the positive selection.

Conclusions

Our study provides new molecular data on PPV strains in China, and emphasizes the importance of etiological studies of PPV in pigs.
"MY PKU": increasing self-management in patients with phenylketonuria. A randomized controlled trial
Authors: ten Hoedt Amber E , Hollak Carla EM , Boelen Carolien CA , van der Herberg-van de Wetering N Ada P , ter Horst Nienke M , Jonkers Cora F , Wijburg Frits A , Bosch Annet M
Published: June 2011

Background

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder of phenylalanine metabolism. The inability to convert phenylalanine (Phe) into tyrosine causes Phe to accumulate in the body. Adherence to a protein restricted diet, resulting in reduced Phe levels, is essential to prevent cognitive decline. Frequent evaluation of plasma Phe levels and, if necessary, adjustment of the diet are the mainstay of treatment. We aimed to assess whether increased self-management of PKU patients and/or their parents is feasible and safe, by providing direct online access to blood Phe values without immediate professional guidance.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients aged ≥ 1 year participated in a 10 month randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized into a study group (1) or a control group (2). Group 2 continued the usual procedure: a phone call or e-mail by a dietician in case of a deviant Phe value. Group 1 was given a personal "My PKU" web page with a graph of their recent and previous Phe values, online general information about the dietary treatment and the Dutch PKU follow-up guidelines, and a message-box to contact their dietician if necessary. Phe values were provided on "My PKU" without advice. Outcome measures were: differences in mean Phe value, percentage of values above the recommended range and Phe sample frequency, between a 10-month pre-study period and the study period in each group, and between the groups in both periods. Furthermore we assessed satisfaction of patients and/or parents with the 'My PKU' procedure of online availability.

Results

There were no significant differences in mean Phe value, percentage of values above recommended range or in frequency of blood spot sampling for Phe determination between the pre-study period and the study period in each group, nor between the 2 groups during the periods. All patients and/or parents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the new way of disease management.

Conclusions

Increased self-management in PKU by providing patients and/or parents their Phe values without advice is feasible and safe and is highly appreciated.

Trial registration

The trial was registered with The Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR #1171) before recruitment of patients.
Fibrous dysplasia of bone associated with soft-tissue myxomas as well as an intra-osseous myxoma in a woman with Mazabraud's syndrome: a case report
Authors: van der Wal Wybren A , Ünal Halil , de Rooy Jacky WJ , Flucke Uta , Veth Rene PH
Published: June 2011

Introduction

Mazabraud's syndrome is a rare but well-described disorder characterized by fibrous dysplasia in single or multiple bones associated with one or more soft-tissue myxomas. In this report, we describe what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first case involving an intra-osseous myxoma. This finding supports, and could provide new insight into, the pathological association between fibrous dysplasia and myxomas.

Case presentation

In this report, we describe the case of a 49-year-old Caucasian woman known for years to have fibrous dysplasia in the left femur and tibia who presented with progressive pain in her left leg and soft swelling in the left quadriceps region. After surgical intervention with excision of the soft-tissue mass, the diagnosis of Mazabraud's syndrome was confirmed. During follow-up, our patient presented with a painless mass located on the lateral side of the left knee, next to a second, intra-osseous lesion with the same characteristics in the left lateral tibial plateau. The histopathological examination was consistent with a soft-tissue intra-osseous myxoma.

Conclusion

In the international literature, 67 cases of Mazabraud's syndrome have been described so far.

To our knowledge, the present case report is the first to describe the combination of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and intra-muscular as well as intra-osseous myxoma.
Improvement of the observational method for Plasmodium berghei oocysts in the midgut of mosquitoes
Authors: Usui Miho , Fukumoto Shinya , Inoue Noboru , Kawazu Shin-ichiro
Published: June 2011

Background

There is a need for improving the method for counting oocysts of Plasmodium berghei in the midgut of Anopheles mosquitoes. The two methods currently used, the formalin fixation method and the mercurochrome staining method, have contradicting advantages and disadvantages. In the formalin fixation method, the specimen can be preserved but unstained oocysts were often indistinct from the insect tissue. While in the mercurochrome staining method, stained oocysts can be clearly distinguished from insect tissue but the specimen are not well preserved. These two methods were combined in this study to develop a new improved technique in counting the oocysts, in which the specimen can be both stained and preserved well. This technique was evaluated for its accuracy and suitability in observing the oocyst development.

Findings

In the improved technique, the parasite-infected midgut was first stained with mercurochrome, and then fixed with formalin. The specimens were finally observed using light microscopy. To evaluate the accuracy in the oocyst counting with the improved technique, mosquitoes were infected with the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing parasite. Then, the midgut oocysts were counted using both the GFP marker and the improved technique. Results were then compared and showed that the improved technique retrieved 78%-123% (arithmetic mean = 97%) of the oocysts counted using the GFP marker. Furthermore, it was also possible to evaluate the oocyst development with a green filter using the light microscopy.

Conclusions

The improved technique for oocyst counting will be a useful tool for evaluating midgut oocyst numbers and determining the developmental stage of oocysts in parasite-infected mosquitoes.
The effectiveness of manual stretching in the treatment of plantar heel pain: a systematic review
Authors: Sweeting David , Parish Ben , Hooper Lee , Chester Rachel
Published: June 2011

Background

Plantar heel pain is a commonly occurring foot complaint. Stretching is frequently utilised as a treatment, yet a systematic review focusing only on its effectiveness has not been published. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of stretching on pain and function in people with plantar heel pain.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, and The Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2010. Studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were independently assessed, and their quality evaluated using the modified PEDro scale.

Results

Six studies including 365 symptomatic participants were included. Two compared stretching with a control, one study compared stretching to an alternative intervention, one study compared stretching to both alternative and control interventions, and two compared different stretching techniques and durations. Quality rating on the modified Pedro scale varied from two to eight out of a maximum of ten points. The methodologies and interventions varied significantly between studies, making meta‐analysis inappropriate. Most participants improved over the course of the studies, but when stretching was compared to alternative or control interventions, the changes only reached statistical significance in one study that used a combination of calf muscle stretches and plantar fascia stretches in their stretching programme. Another study comparing different stretching techniques, showed a statistically significant reduction in some aspects of pain in favour of plantar fascia stretching over calf stretches in the short term.

Conclusions

There were too few studies to assess whether stretching is effective compared to control or other interventions, for either pain or function. However, there is some evidence that plantar fascia stretching may be more effective than Achilles tendon stretching alone in the short‐term. Appropriately powered randomised controlled trials, utilizing validated outcome measures, blinded assessors and long‐term follow up are needed to assess the efficacy of stretching.
Large-scale experimental studies show unexpected amino acid effects on protein expression and solubility in vivo in E. coli
Authors: Price W Nicholson , Handelman Samuel K , Everett John K , Tong Saichiu N , Bracic Ana , Luff Jon D , Naumov Victor , Acton Thomas , Manor Philip , Xiao Rong , Rost Burkhard , Montelione Gaetano T , Hunt John F
Published: June 2011

The biochemical and physical factors controlling protein expression level and solubility in vivo remain incompletely characterized. To gain insight into the primary sequence features influencing these outcomes, we performed statistical analyses of results from the high-throughput protein-production pipeline of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium. Proteins expressed in E. coli and consistently purified were scored independently for expression and solubility levels. These parameters nonetheless show a very strong positive correlation. We used logistic regressions to determine whether they are systematically influenced by fractional amino acid composition or several bulk sequence parameters including hydrophobicity, sidechain entropy, electrostatic charge, and predicted backbone disorder. Decreasing hydrophobicity correlates with higher expression and solubility levels, but this correlation apparently derives solely from the beneficial effect of three charged amino acids, at least for bacterial proteins. In fact, the three most hydrophobic residues showed very different correlations with solubility level. Leu showed the strongest negative correlation among amino acids, while Ile showed a slightly positive correlation in most data segments. Several other amino acids also had unexpected effects. Notably, Arg correlated with decreased expression and, most surprisingly, solubility of bacterial proteins, an effect only partially attributable to rare codons. However, rare codons did significantly reduce expression despite use of a codon-enhanced strain. Additional analyses suggest that positively but not negatively charged amino acids may reduce translation efficiency in E. coli irrespective of codon usage. While some observed effects may reflect indirect evolutionary correlations, others may reflect basic physicochemical phenomena. We used these results to construct and validate predictors of expression and solubility levels and overall protein usability, and we propose new strategies to be explored for engineering improved protein expression and solubility.
This issue of GEOPHYSICS
Authors: Grechka Vladimir
Published: June 2011

In this article, the Editor of Geophysics provides an overview of all technical articles in this issue of the journal.