bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pair identity — An important factor concerning variation in extra-pair paternity in the coal tit (Parus ater)
Authors: Lubjuhn Thomas , Schmoll Tim , Winkel Wolfgang , Dietrich Verena , Epplen Jörg
Published: October 2004

In the majority of socially monogamous bird species, extra-pair paternity (EPP) has been shown to be common, while its frequency varies considerably among as well as within species. Our knowledge of factors affecting this variation, however, still remains comparatively poor. A thorough analysis of EPP patterns on an individual level may lead to a better understanding of the general diversity in EPP. Here, we analyse intra- and inter-annual as well as individual variation in the occurrence of EPP in first and second broods of coal tits (Parus ater) in three successive years. Based on a sample of 483 broods with 3559 offspring genotyped, we show that EPP was extraordinarily frequent in the study population, surpassing the values observed in other species of the genus Parus by far. On the population level, the rates of EPP were found to be remarkably similar between years, while there was pronounced intra-annual variation such that EPP rates increased significantly from first to second broods. Considering consecutive broods of individual females and males, the general occurrence of EPP was 'inconsistent' (i.e. EPP often affected only one of two broods), but the proportion of extra-pair young (EPY) per brood showed significant repeatability for both sexes in case of mate retention. When mate change occurred, repeatability collapsed, indicating that pair identity was more important in determining the repeatability of EPP than female or male identity alone. This was further supported by the fact that, besides female and male age, also their interaction (reflecting pair age combination) significantly predicted the proportion of EPY, though not in all breeding periods surveyed. Hence, the identity of the breeding pair (reflecting possible interactions of male and female characteristics) should be explicitly considered and accounted for in future studies investigating patterns of EPP on an individual level. Finally, we show that, depending on the boundary conditions, in principle, all coal tits experience EPP: When analysing three or more broods of the same individual, there were no completely 'faithful' females and also nearly no males, which were not cuckolded at least once.
Important Role of the Dihydrouracil/Uracil Ratio in Marked Interpatient Variations of Fluoropyrimidine Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Authors: Jiang Hao , Lu Jing , Jiang Ji , Hu Pei
Published: October 2004

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency in patients causes severe toxicities in 5‐fluorouracil/floxuridine (5‐FU/FUDR) treatments. To determine the plasma dihydrouracil/uracil ratio (DUUR) as a potential index for setting 5‐FU/FUDR doses, the authors conducted a prospective study on the relationships of the DUUR with 5‐FU/FUDR pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. Forty gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT) patients were treated with 30 mg/kg of 5‐FU or prodrug FUDR during a 10‐day cycle. The pretreatment DUURs of the patients were determined prior to the treatments, and plasma 5‐FU and FUDR concentrations on day 1 of the test cycle were measured to calculate the corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters. The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and human chorionic gonadotrophins (HCG/β‐HCG) were recorded as the efficacy indexes. The correlation of the DUUR with pharmacokinetic parameters and efficacy indexes was analyzed to look for a relationship between individual doses (in milligrams) and the varied DUUR. Pretreatment DUUR was significantly correlated with the corresponding plasma AUC (r > 0.80, P < .01), the plasma drug clearance (r > 0.78, P < .01), the ANC (r > 0.76, P < 0.01), and the decrease of HCG/β‐HCG levels (r > 0.5, P < 0.01). In addition, the charts for setting 5‐FU/FUDR doses were designed for further validation in clinical trials. These findings indicate the important roles of the DUUR in remarkable interpatient variations of fluoropyrimidine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and propose a better index for setting individual 5‐FU/FUDR doses based on interpatient variations in DPD levels.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonists and Risk of Bleeding: A Single‐Center Experience in 1020 Patients
Authors: Ali Arshad , Hashem Mustafa , Rosman Howard S. , Moser Lynette , Rehan Arshad , Davis Thomas , Romanelli Michael , LaLonde Thomas , Yamasaki Hiroshi , Barbish Brian , Michael Julia , Ali Shamsa A. , Schreiber Theodore L. , Gardin Julius M.
Published: October 2004

The safety of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors has been well documented in clinical trials. Although these trials have included a broad patient population, the strict enrollment criteria may have resulted in exclusion of patients at a higher risk of bleeding complications. The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of 1020 consecutive patients who received GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in a large community hospital. They used Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) criteria to define major or minor bleeding complications. Bleeding complications developed in 214 (21%) patients, with major bleeding in 89 (9%). Univariate predictors of bleeding were older age, lower body weight, elevated serum creatinine, higher activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) level, history of diabetes mellitus (DM), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and emergency procedure for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Multivariate predictors of major bleeding were PVD (20% in bleeding group vs 11% in nonbleeders, odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–2.6, P < .004), age (68 ± 2 years, 95% CI = 66–70 in bleeding group vs 63 ± 13 years, 95% CI = 61.2–63 in nonbleeders, P < .001), and higher aPTT level (66 ± 27 seconds, 95% CI = 63–70 in bleeding group vs 53 ± 28 seconds, 95% CI = 51–56 in nonbleeders, P < .001). The risk of bleeding in the large community hospital setting may be higher than in randomized clinical trials. This increased risk is associated with higher hospitalization costs. Recognition of predictors of bleeding should further enhance the safety of these antiplatelet agents.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Amprenavir‐Containing Combination Therapy in HIV‐1—Infected Children
Authors: Stein Daniel S. , Lou Yu , Johnson Mark , Randall Sharon , Blanche Stephane ,   PROB2004 Study Team
Published: October 2004

Several factors influence the antiviral response to antiretroviral therapy. In this pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis, the relationship of drug exposure, demographics, and cotherapy measures to antiviral response in a cohort of largely treatment‐experienced children treated with amprenavir and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors was examined. Multiple pharmacodynamic and demographic factors were examined, but only the minimum plasma concentration (Cmin)/protein‐binding‐adjusted 50% inhibitory drug concentration (IC50) ratio and whether individuals received 2 versus fewer than 2 nucleosides to which their viral isolates were susceptible were associated with the magnitude of the time‐weighted average change in HIV‐1 RNA log10 copies/mL from baseline (AAUCMB). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the Cmin/IC50 ratio was independently associated with having a 1 log10 AAUCMB decline. The probability in the study population of having a 1 log10 AAUCMB was 50% and 85% at Cmin/IC50 ratios of ± 1 and 4, respectively. Of the multiple factors examined, only the Cmin/IC50 ratio was a significant predictor of antiviral response in the first 8 weeks on amprenavir‐containing combination antiretroviral therapy.
Truncated thioredoxin (Trx80) induces differentiation of human CD14+ monocytes into a novel cell type (TAMs) via activation of the MAP kinases p38, ERK, and JNK
Authors: Pekkari Klas , Goodarzi Mohammad Taghi , Scheynius Annika , Holmgren Arne , Avila-Cariño Javier
Published: October 2004

Thioredoxin truncated at its carboxy terminal (Trx80) acts as a cytokine that stimulates monocytes and eosinophils. In the present study, Trx80 was shown to induce differentiation of human CD14+ monocytes into a cell type not described previously, which we designate as Trx80-activated monocytes (TAMs). TAMs resemble immature dendritic cells (iDCs) generated in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) in that both these cell populations exhibit increased proportions of CD1a+ and mannose receptor (MR)+ cells. However, in contrast to iDCs, TAMs express high proportion of CD14 and lower proportion of CD83 and HLA-DR. Functional assays revealed that, in comparison to iDCs, TAMs 1) exhibit a higher pinocytic capacity; 2) release significantly higher amounts of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), IL-1β, and IL-6 and of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; and 3) induce a significantly lower proliferative response in allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Indeed, Trx80 appears to be the first endogenous substance shown to have the capacity on its own to induce IL-10 production by monocytes. Analysis of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway revealed that Trx80 induces phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We propose that Trx80 is an early signal in response to danger, and that TAMs may play a major role in triggering innate immune responses.
Oncogenic events regulate tissue factor expression in colorectal cancer cells: implications for tumor progression and angiogenesis
Authors: Yu Joanne L. , May Linda , Lhotak Vladimir , Shahrzad Siranoush , Shirasawa Senji , Weitz Jeffrey I. , Coomber Brenda L. , Mackman Nigel , Rak Janusz W.
Published: October 2004

Tissue factor (TF) is the primary cellular initiator of blood coagulation and a modulator of angiogenesis and metastasis in cancer. Indeed, systemic hypercoagulability in patients with cancer and TF overexpression by cancer cells are both closely associated with tumor progression, but their causes have been elusive. We now report that in human colorectal cancer cells, TF expression is under control of 2 major transforming events driving disease progression (activation of K-ras oncogene and inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor), in a manner dependent on MEK/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K). Furthermore, the levels of cell-associated as well as circulating (microvesicle-associated) TF activity are linked to the genetic status of cancer cells. Finally, RNA interference experiments suggest that TF expression is an important effector of the K-ras-dependent tumorigenic and angiogenic phenotype in vivo. Thus, this study establishes a causal link between cancer coagulopathy, angiogenesis, and genetic tumor progression. (Blood. 2005;105:1734-1741)
High telomerase activity in granulocytes from clonal polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Ferraris Anna Maria , Mangerini Rosa , Pujic Natalija , Racchi Omar , Rapezzi Davide , Gallamini Andrea , Casciaro Salvatore , Gaetani Gian Franco
Published: October 2004

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) are chronic myeloproliferative disorders that share the involvement of a multipotent progenitor cell and dominance of the transformed clone over normal hematopoiesis. On the other hand, the heterogeneity of these diseases with respect to clonal development from a common progenitor has been well established. To identify useful prognostic indicators, we analyzed telomerase activity (TA), a known marker of neoplastic proliferation, in granulocytes (PMNs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 22 female patients with ET and PV. Clonality status was determined by investigation of X chromosome inactivation patterns (XCIPs). We found a statistically significant positive correlation between high TA and monoclonal pattern of XCIP. Therefore, our data suggest that the use of multiple tumor markers may contribute to a better understanding of the deregulated physiology of these disorders and provide useful prognostic factors.
Polyclonal chemoprotection against temozolomide in a large-animal model of drug resistance gene therapy
Authors: Neff Tobias , Beard Brian C. , Peterson Laura J. , Anandakumar Ponni , Thompson Jesse , Kiem Hans-Peter
Published: October 2004

Incorporation of drug resistance genes into gene vectors has 2 important roles in stem cell gene therapy: increasing the proportion of gene-corrected cells in vivo (ie, in vivo selection) and marrow protection to permit higher or more tightly spaced doses of chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant diseases. We studied in a clinically relevant canine model of gene therapy the P140K mutant of the drug resistance gene methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT), which encodes a DNA-repair enzyme that confers resistance to the combination of the MGMT inhibitor O6-benzylguanine (O6BG) and nitrosourea drugs such as carmustine and methylating agents such as temozolomide. Two dogs received MGMT(P140K)–transduced autologous CD34+-selected cells. After stable engraftment, gene marking in granulocytes was between 3% and 16% in the 2 animals, respectively. Repeated administration of O6BG and temozolomide resulted in a multilineage increase in gene-modified repopulating cells with marking levels of greater than 98% in granulocytes. MGMT(P140K) overexpression prevented the substantial myelosuppression normally associated with this drug combination. Importantly, hematopoiesis remained polyclonal throughout the course of the study. Extrahematopoietic toxicity was minimal, and no signs of myelodysplasia or leukemia were detected. These large-animal data support the evaluation of MGMT(P140K) in conjunction with O6BG and temozolomide in clinical trials.
G-CSF and IL-8 for early diagnosis of sepsis in neonates and critically ill children – safety and cost effectiveness of a new laboratory prediction model: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN91123847]
Authors: Horisberger Thomas , Harbarth Stephan , Nadal David , Baenziger Oskar , Fischer Joachim E
Published: October 2004

Introduction

Bacterial infection represents a serious risk in neonates and critically ill paediatric patients. Current clinical practice is characterized by frequent antibiotic treatment despite low incidence of true infection. However, some patients escape early diagnosis and progress to septic shock. Many new markers, including cytokines, have been suggested to improve decision making, but the clinical efficacy of these techniques remains uncertain. Therefore, we will test the clinical efficacy of a previously validated diagnostic strategy to reduce antibiotic usage and nosocomial infection related morbidity.

Methods

All patients admitted to the multidisciplinary neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit of a university children's hospital will be included. Patients will be allocated either to routine sepsis work up or to the intervention strategy with additional cytokine measurements. Physicians will be requested to estimate the pre-test probability of sepsis and pneumonia at initial suspicion. In the treatment arm, physicians will receive raw cytokine results, the likelihood ratio and the updated post-test probability. A high post-test probability will suggest that immediate initiation of antibiotic treatment is appropriate, whereas a low post-test probability will be supportive of watchful waiting or discontinuing prophylactic empirical therapy. Physicians may overrule the suggestions resulting from the post-test probability.

Conclusion

This trial will ascertain the clinical efficacy of introducing new diagnostic strategies consisting of pre-test probability estimate, novel laboratory markers, and computer-generated post-test probability in infectious disease work up in critically ill newborns and children.
Phylogenomic evidence supports past endosymbiosis, intracellular and horizontal gene transfer in Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: Huang Jinling , Mullapudi Nandita , Lancto Cheryl A , Scott Marla , Abrahamsen Mitchell S , Kissinger Jessica C
Published: October 2004

Background

The apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is an emerging pathogen capable of causing illness in humans and other animals and death in immunocompromised individuals. No effective treatment is available and the genome sequence has recently been completed. This parasite differs from other apicomplexans in its lack of a plastid organelle, the apicoplast. Gene transfer, either intracellular from an endosymbiont/donor organelle or horizontal from another organism, can provide evidence of a previous endosymbiotic relationship and/or alter the genetic repertoire of the host organism. Given the importance of gene transfers in eukaryotic evolution and the potential implications for chemotherapy, it is important to identify the complement of transferred genes in Cryptosporidium.

Results

We have identified 31 genes of likely plastid/endosymbiont (n = 7) or prokaryotic (n = 24) origin using a phylogenomic approach. The findings support the hypothesis that Cryptosporidium evolved from a plastid-containing lineage and subsequently lost its apicoplast during evolution. Expression analyses of candidate genes of algal and eubacterial origin show that these genes are expressed and developmentally regulated during the life cycle of C. parvum.

Conclusions

Cryptosporidium is the recipient of a large number of transferred genes, many of which are not shared by other apicomplexan parasites. Genes transferred from distant phylogenetic sources, such as eubacteria, may be potential targets for therapeutic drugs owing to their phylogenetic distance or the lack of homologs in the host. The successful integration and expression of the transferred genes in this genome has changed the genetic and metabolic repertoire of the parasite.
Listen to the patient: quality of life of patients with recently diagnosed malignant cord compression in relation to their disability
Authors: Levack P , Graham J , Kidd J
Published: October 2004

Quality of life (QOL) was determined using the shortened version of the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL-Dw), in 180 patients, shortly after a diagnosis of malignant cord compression. The median SEIQoL score was 66 (maximum 100). Twenty-five per cent of patients had a score / 83. SEIQoL correlated with KPS (PB / 0.004) but the range of scores for each level of performance was very wide. Although there was an association between SEIQoL and ability to walk, the difference was small and not significant. SEIQoL was adversely affected by emotional distress as measured using HAD (PB / 0.01), although few patients were identified as being severely depressed. The findings are a reminder that QOL as determined by the patient may not coincide with health professionals' opinions.
Living with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): perceptions of patients and their carers
Authors: Seamark D A , Blake S D , Seamark C J , Halpin D MG
Published: October 2004

Background: A study designed to explore the experiences of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their carers, particularly with regard to ongoing and palliative care needs. Methods: The participants were nine men and one woman with severe COPD and the carers of eight of the men, in East Devon, UK. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken, transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: The emergent themes were of losses, adaptation, relationships with health professionals and effect on carer. Losses reflected the loss of personal liberty and dignity and of previous expectations of the future. Adaptation included strategies to cope with the effects of the disease. Relationships related to both positive and negative aspects of contact with health professionals. There was appreciation for continuity of care and reassurance. The effect on the carer was evident particularly as they had to take on multiple roles. They also experienced some of the same losses as the patient and appeared enmeshed with the illness. Conclusions: This study confirmed the inexorable decline in activities of daily life and social isolation for patients with severe COPD. Adaptive strategies were common and some positive aspects were identified. Support from the primary health care team was appreciated. The strain on carers was very apparent. The concept of a more structured sharing of information and a surveillance role mediated by health care professionals known to the patient and carer would be a pragmatic approach to improving care.
Noninvasive mechanical ventilation as a palliative treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with end-stage solid cancer
Authors: Cuomo Annamaria , Delmastro Monica , Ceriana Piero , Nava Stefano , Conti Giorgio , Antonelli Massimo , Iacobone Emanuele
Published: October 2004

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is widely used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF), but not in patients with end-stage solid cancer in whom any form of mechanical ventilation tends to be avoided. In a prospective study, we investigated the use of NIV in 23 patients with solid malignancies receiving palliative care and who were affected by severe hypoxic or hypercapnic ARF. The most frequent causes of ARF were exacerbations of preexisting pulmonary diseases and pneumonia. After one hour, NIV significantly improved PaO2/FiO2 (from 154±48 to 187±55) and the Borg dyspnoea score (from 5.59±1.2 to 2.3±0.3). NIV also improved pH, but only in the subset of hypercapnic patients. Thirteen of 23 (57%) patients were successfully ventilated and discharged alive, while 10/23 patients (43%) met the criteria for intubation or died after an initial trial of NIV. Only two of these patients accepted invasive ventilation. The mortality rate in this subgroup was 9/10 (90%). A higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) and a lower PaO2/FiO2 on admission were associated with a lower probability of survival. Patients with ARF and end-stage solid malignancies have an overall ICU and 1-year mortality rate of 39% and 87%, respectively, but despite this, a consistent subset of patients may still be successfully treated with NIV, if the cause of ARF is reversible.
A competency model for the assessment and delivery of spiritual care
Authors: Gordon Tom , Mitchell David
Published: October 2004

The delivery of spiritual and religious care has received a high profile in national reports, guidelines and standards since the start of the millennium, yet there is, to date, no recognized definition of spirituality or spiritual care nor a validated assessment tool. This article suggests an alternative to the search for a definition and assessment tool, and seeks to set spiritual care in a practical context by offering a model for spiritual assessment and care based on the individual competence of all healthcare professionals to deliver spiritual and religious care. Through the evaluation of a pilot study to familiarize staff with the Spiritual and Religious Care Competencies for Specialist Palliative Care developed by Marie Curie Cancer Care, the authors conclude that competencies are a viable and crucial first step in ‘earthing’ spiritual care in practice, and evidencing this illusive area of care.
Attitudes of 100 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to artificial ventilation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Gaber K A , Barnett M , Planchant Y , McGavin C R
Published: October 2004

One hundred clinically stable outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were surveyed at home by respiratory nurse specialists (RNS) about their views towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in hospital ventilation. Written information about COPD, CPR and ventilation was provided and consent obtained. The breathing problem based quality-of-life questionnaire (BP-QoL) was completed. The following information was recorded: age, sex, spirometry, hospital admissions, and antidepressant and oxygen usage in the previous year. Patients were then asked to imagine a scenario in which they were admitted to hospital and their chest condition deteriorated in spite of standard treatment. ‘Having reached that stage would you wish to have noninvasive ventilation (NIV), invasive ventilation (IV) or CPR?' Three months later patients were asked to complete a postal patient satisfaction questionnaire. Results: Of 100 patients 41 were male and the mean age was 74.1 years. Fifty four patients had a FEV1B / 40% and 37 had a FEV1 between 40 and 59% predicted. Twenty-four patients were on long-term oxygen therapy, eight had taken antidepressants and 56 had been admitted to hospital in the previous year. Forty-eight patients wanted all additional treatments to be attempted if needed and 12 wanted none. Nineteen patients said ‘no’ for CPR and 10 said ‘no’ for CPR and IV. There was no significant statistical difference between the groups answering ‘yes' or ‘no’. Seventy-six per cent of patient satisfaction questionnaires were returned. All patients were satisfied with the way they had been approached and the information received, and 98% of them thought that this issue should be discussed with all patients. Conclusion: Attitudes towards resuscitation can be discussed with COPD patients by RNS without causing distress. Attitudes to resuscitation could not be predicted from parameters of respiratory disease severity or age.
How Body Feedback Influences Consumers’ Evaluation of Products
Authors: Förster Jens
Published: October 2004

Two experiments explored the effect of unobtrusively induced expressions of approach and avoidance on consumers’ evaluation of well‐known products. In Study 1, valenced objects were presented moving horizontally or vertically on a screen, thereby inducing either head shaking or head nodding. Objects were also presented without movement. Induced nodding led to more favorable evaluations of positively valenced products but did not affect the evaluation of negatively valenced ones. Similarly, head shaking led to more unfavorable evaluations of negatively valenced products but did not affect the evaluation of positive ones. In Study 2, participants evaluated positively valenced products more favorably when they flexed their arms while making the evaluation and evaluated negatively valenced products more unfavorably when they extended their arms during evaluation. However, arm flexion had no effect on evaluations of negative products, and arm extensions had no effect on evaluations of positive ones. Participants’ willingness to buy the products followed a similar pattern. The theoretical implications and the applications of these body feedback effects are discussed.
Metacognitive Experiences in Consumer Judgment and Decision Making
Authors: Schwarz Norbert
Published: October 2004

Human reasoning is accompanied by metacognitive experiences, most notably the ease or difficulty of recall and thought generation and the fluency with which new information can be processed. These experiences are informative in their own right. They can serve as a basis of judgment in addition to, or at the expense of, declarative information and can qualify the conclusions drawn from recalled content. What exactly people conclude from a given metacognitive experience depends on the naive theory of mental processes they bring to bear, rendering the outcomes highly variable. The obtained judgments cannot be predicted on the basis of accessible declarative information alone; we cannot understand human judgment without taking into account the interplay of declarative and experiential information.
The Prevalence of Metacognitive Routes to Judgment
Authors: Lee Angela Y.
Published: October 2004

Metacognitive routes to judgment may be taken more often than suggested by Schwarz (2004). First, judgments that appear to be consistent with a systematic processing account may be based on higher order metacognitive theories. Specifically, individuals’ inferential judgments based on naive theories about retrieval ease may be interpreted to be potentially biased, resulting in an adjustment in the opposite direction of the initial judgment to correct for the bias. Second, whereas favorable attitudes may reflect the positive experience of processing fluency, favorable attitudes may also reflect naive theories at work. When the target (e.g., brand name, logo, etc.) can be more easily processed, the hedonic experience of processing fluency gives rise to more favorable attitudes toward the target. However, when information about the target (e.g., an ad highlighting benefits of the brand) can be more easily processed, individuals may interpret the experience of processing fluency based on naive theory and attribute the experience to the information being more persuasive, resulting in more favorable attitudes toward the target.
A Comment on Metacognitive Experiences and Consumer Choice
Authors: Huber Joel
Published: October 2004

This commentary discusses the role that naive theories play in consumer judgment. It emphasizes deviation from expectations as a driver of metacognitive activity and discusses challenges involved in transposing Schwarz's (2004) elegant framework to the domain of consumer choice. The author concludes that the value of the metacognitive framework is limited when applied to choices, especially those for which subjective experience effects are driven by affect or emotions.
Is the Implicit Association Test a Valid and Valuable Measure of Implicit Consumer Social Cognition?
Authors: Brunel Frédéric F. , Tietje Brian C. , Greenwald Anthony G.
Published: October 2004

This article discusses the need for more satisfactory implicit measures in consumer psychology and assesses the theoretical foundations, validity, and value of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) as a measure of implicit consumer social cognition. Study 1 demonstrates the IAT's sensitivity to explicit individual differences in brand attitudes, ownership, and usage frequency, and shows their correlations with lAT‐based measures of implicit brand attitudes and brand relationship strength. In Study 2, the contrast between explicit and implicit measures of attitude toward the ad for sportswear advertisements portraying African American (Black) and European American (White) athlete–spokespersons revealed different patterns of responses to explicit and implicit measures in Black and White respondents. These were explained in terms of self‐presentation biases and system justification theory. Overall, the results demonstrate that the IAT enhances our understanding of consumer responses, particularly when consumers are either unable or unwilling to identify the sources of influence on their behaviors or opinions.
Contribution of JAM-1 to epithelial differentiation and tight-junction biogenesis in the mouse preimplantation embryo
Authors: Thomas Fay C. , Sheth Bhavwanti , Eckert Judith J. , Bazzoni Gianfranco , Dejana Elisabetta , Fleming Tom P.
Published: October 2004

We have investigated the contribution of the tight junction (TJ) transmembrane protein junction-adhesion-molecule 1 (JAM-1) to trophectoderm epithelial differentiation in the mouse embryo. JAM-1-encoding mRNA is expressed early from the embryonic genome and is detectable as protein from the eight-cell stage. Immunofluorescence confocal analysis of staged embryos and synchronized cell clusters revealed JAM-1 recruitment to cell contact sites occurred predominantly during the first hour after division to the eight-cell stage, earlier than any other TJ protein analysed to date in this model and before E-cadherin adhesion and cell polarization. During embryo compaction later in the fourth cell cycle, JAM-1 localized transiently yet precisely to the apical microvillous pole, where protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) and PKCδ are also found, indicating a role in cell surface reorganization and polarization. Subsequently, in morulae and blastocysts, JAM-1 is distributed ubiquitously at cell contact sites within the embryo but is concentrated within the trophectoderm apicolateral junctional complex, a pattern resembling that of E-cadherin and nectin-2. However, treatment of embryos with anti-JAM-1-neutralizing antibodies indicated that JAM-1 did not contribute to global embryo compaction and adhesion but rather regulated the timing of blastocoel cavity formation dependent upon establishment of the trophectoderm TJ paracellular seal.
RXRα acts as a carrier for TR3 nuclear export in a 9-cis retinoic acid-dependent manner in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Lin Xiao-Feng , Zhao Bi-Xing , Chen Hang-Zhi , Ye Xiao-Feng , Yang Chao-Yi , Zhou Hai-Ying , Zhang Ming-Qing , Lin Sheng-Cai , Wu Qiao
Published: October 2004

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) plays a crucial role in the cross talk between retinoid receptors and other hormone receptors including the orphan receptor TR3, forming different heterodimers that transduce diverse steroid/thyroid hormone signaling. Here we show that RXRα exhibits nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in MGC80-3 gastric cancer cells and that RXRα shuttling is energy-dependent through a nuclear pore complex (NPC)-mediated pathway for its import and an intact DNA binding domain-mediated pathway for its export. In the presence of its ligand 9-cis retinoic acid, RXRα was almost exclusively located in the cytoplasm. More importantly, we also show that RXRα acts as a carrier to assist translocation of TR3, which plays an important role in apoptosis. Both RXRα and TR3 colocalized in the nucleus; however, upon stimulation by 9-cis retinoic acid they cotranslocated to the cytoplasm and then localized in the mitochondria. TR3 export depends on RXRα, as in living cells GFP-TR3 alone did not result in export from the nucleus even in the presence of 9-cis retinoic acid, whereas GFP-TR3 cotransfected with RXRα was exported out of the nucleus in response to 9-cis retinoic acid. Moreover, specific reduction of RXRα levels caused by anti-sense RXRα abolished TR3 nuclear export. In contrast, specific knockdown of TR3 by antisense-TR3 or TR3-siRNA did not affect RXRα shuttling. These results indicate that RXRα is responsible for TR3 nucleocytoplasmic translocation, which is facilitated by the RXRα ligand 9-cis retinoic acid. In addition, mitochondrial TR3, but not RXRα, was critical for apoptosis, as TR3 mutants that were distributed in the mitochondria induced apoptosis in the presence or absence of 9-cis retinoic acid. These data reveal a novel aspect of RXRα function, in which it acts as a carrier for nucleocytoplasmic translocation of orphan receptors.
GW182 is critical for the stability of GW bodies expressed during the cell cycle and cell proliferation
Authors: Yang Zheng , Jakymiw Andrew , Wood Malcolm R. , Eystathioy Theophany , Rubin Robert L. , Fritzler Marvin J. , Chan Edward K. L.
Published: October 2004

A novel cytoplasmic compartment referred to as GW bodies was initially identified using human autoantibodies to a 182 kDa protein named GW182. GW bodies are small, generally spherical, cytoplasmic domains that vary in number and size in several mammalian cell types examined to date. Based on our earlier studies, GW bodies were proposed to be cytoplasmic sites for mRNA storage and/or degradation. In the present study, immunogold electron microscopy identified electron dense structures of 100-300 nm diameter devoid of a lipid bilayer membrane. These structures appeared to comprise clusters of electron dense strands of 8-10 nm in diameter. By costaining with CENP-F and PCNA, and employing a double-thymidine block to synchronize HeLa cells, GW bodies were observed to be small in early S phase and larger during late S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. The majority of GW bodies disassembled prior to mitosis and small GW bodies reassembled in early G1. The analysis of GW bodies in two experimental models of cell proliferation using reversal of 3T3/serum-starvation and concanavalin A stimulation of mouse splenocytes and T cells, revealed that proliferating cells contained larger, brighter, and more numerous GW bodies as well as up to a fivefold more total GW182 protein than quiescent cells. In vitro gene knockdown of GW182 led to the disappearance of GW bodies demonstrating that GW182 is a critical component of GW bodies. The incremental expression of the GW182 protein in cells induced to proliferate and the cyclic formation and breakdown of GW bodies during mitosis are intriguing in view of the notion that GW bodies are specialized centers involved in maintaining stability and/or controlling degradation of mRNA.
Nuclear efflux of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1/C2 in apoptotic cells: a novel nuclear export dependent on Rho-associated kinase activation
Authors: Lee Hsiao-Hui , Chien Chung-Liang , Liao Hsin-Kai , Chen Yu-Ju , Chang Zee-Fen
Published: October 2004

Using a proteomic approach, we searched for protein changes dependent on Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) during phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced apoptosis. We found that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1 and C2 (hnRNP C1/C2), two nuclear restricted pre-mRNA binding proteins, are translocated to the cytosolic compartment in a ROCK-dependent manner in PMA-induced pro-apoptotic cells, where nuclear envelopes remain intact. The subcellular localization change of hnRNP C1/C2 appears to be dependent on ROCK-mediated cytoskeletal change and independent of caspase execution and new protein synthesis. Such a ROCK-dependent translocation is also seen in TNFα-induced apoptotic NIH3T3 cells. By overexpressing the dominant active form of ROCK, we showed that a ROCK-mediated signal is sufficient to induce translocation of hnRNP C1/C2. Deletion experiments indicated that the C-terminal 40-amino-acid region of hnRNP C1/C2 is required for ROCK-responsive translocation. By using nuclear yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion, we determined that the C-terminal 40-amino-acid region of hnRNP C1/C2 is a novel nuclear export signal responsive to ROCK-activation. We conclude that a novel nuclear export is activated by the ROCK signaling pathway to exclude hnRNP C1/C2 from nucleus, by which the compartmentalization of specific hnRNP components is disturbed in apoptotic cells.
Contagious apoptosis facilitated by the HIV-1 envelope: fusion-induced cell-to-cell transmission of a lethal signal
Authors: Andreau Karine , Perfettini Jean-Luc , Castedo Maria , Métivier Didier , Scott Véronique , Pierron Gérard , Kroemer Guido
Published: October 2004

Cells expressing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) can fuse with CD4+ cells. When the apoptotic pathway is initiated in Env+ cells (`donor cells'), co-culture with a healthy CD4+ fusion partner (`acceptor cells') results in apoptosis of the syncytium and thus is `contagious'. The cell-to-cell transmission of the lethal signal was only observed when the nuclei from donor cells exhibited pre-apoptotic chromatin condensation (PACC), correlating with comet assay-detectable DNA strand breaks, which precede caspase activation, as well as the loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Transmission of the lethal signal resulted into mitochondrial alterations, and caspase-dependent nuclear pyknosis with chromatinolysis affecting both the donor and the acceptor nuclei. In the presence of caspase inhibitors, all nuclei of the syncytium formed by fusion of the pre-apoptotic and the healthy cell manifested PACC, exhibited DNA lesions and lost transcriptional activity. Transmission of the lethal signal did not require donor cells to contain a nucleus or mitochondrial DNA, yet was inhibited when two mitochondrion-stabilizing proteins, Bcl-2 or vMIA, were overexpressed. Contagious apoptosis could be induced in primary human T cells, as well as in vivo, in T cells exposed to dying Env-expressing cells. Altogether, these data point to a novel mechanism through which HIV-1 can induce bystander killing.
In vivo contribution of murine mesenchymal stem cells into multiple cell-types under minimal damage conditions
Authors: Anjos-Afonso Fernando , Siapati Elena K. , Bonnet Dominique
Published: October 2004

Murine mesenchymal stem cells are capable of differentiating in vitro into different lineages under stimulation with certain cytokines, growth factors and chemicals. However, the true capacitiy of these cells to contribute to different cell-types in vivo is still unclear, especially under minimal injury conditions. In this study, we describe a method of purifying murine mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow and efficiently transducing them using a lentivirus vector expressing the eGFP reporter gene. Lentivirus-transduced mesenchymal stem cells retained their in vitro ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes as well as into myocyte- and astrocyte-like cells. eGFP-mesenchymal stem cells were delivered systemically into minimally injured syngeneic mice. Tracking and tissue-specific differentiation were determined by PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. We found donor-derived hepatocytes, lung epithelial cells, myofibroblasts, myofibers and renal tubular cells in some of the recipient mice. Our data indicate that even in the absence of substantial injury, phenotypically defined murine mesenchymal stem cells could acquire tissue specific morphology and antigen expression and thus contribute to different tissue cell-types in vivo.
Aggregation of embryonic stem cells induces Nanog repression and primitive endoderm differentiation
Authors: Hamazaki Takashi , Oka Masahiro , Yamanaka Shinya , Terada Naohiro
Published: October 2004

When embryonic stem cells are allowed to aggregate, the outer layer of the aggregated spheres (referred to as embryoid bodies) differentiates into primitive endoderm. This initial specification of cell lineage facilitates further differentiation of the inner mass of the embryoid bodies. These processes are considered to recapitulate early embryonic development from the blastocyst stage to the egg-cylinder stage. Formation of the primitive endoderm layer in the embryoid bodies was induced solely by aggregation of embryonic stem cells, in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor/STAT3 and serum/BMP4, which were considered to be sufficient for embryonic stem cell self-renewal. Interestingly, cell aggregation by itself induced Nanog repression at the outer layer, which was essential for aggregation-induced primitive endoderm formation. These data illustrate aggregation-based cell-fate specification during early embryonic development, when downregulation of Nanog plays a crucial role.
Variability and heritability of cell division pathways inToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Hu Ke , Roos David S. , Angel Sergio O. , Murray John M.
Published: October 2004

A histone 2b-YFP fusion protein stably expressed in Toxoplasma gondii has several advantages: it reveals previously hidden details of nuclear morphology; it makes it possible to observe cell-cycle events; it provides a basis for quantitative measurements of DNA content in living cells; and it enables sorting of live cells according to cell-cycle phase or ploidy. With this cell line it was possible to recognize and directly clone individual progeny arising from different patterns of cell division that produce two, three or four daughter cells. These experiments established that the progeny produced by all cell division pathways are viable and infective. Furthermore, the number of progeny produced by a mature parasite during cell division is not correlated with the number of its siblings. The complete repertoire of cell division pathways is therefore inherited by a single cell produced through any one of the individual paths. The results expand the range of what must be considered normal in T. gondii cell division and provide a useful tool for further study of nuclear structure and proliferation in this important human pathogen.
Zig Zags in the Polish Liquid Biofuel Act
Authors: Gula Adam , Wyrwa Artur , Wies/aw Chadysz
Published: October 2004

The painful process of adopting of the act enforcing mandatory admixtures of bio-components in the liquid biofuels for motor vehicles and of regulating their production, is described. Arguments that such an act would greatly benefit the troubled Polish agricultural sector and the Polish economy at large are presented. The details of the adopted act are briefly described and the barriers to the development of the biofuel sector are discussed.
Renewable Energies in Developing Countries: Issues, Interests, and Implications
Authors: Laumanns Ulrich , Reiche Danyel , Bechberger Mischa
Published: October 2004

This article deals with the question of how renewable energies can contribute to a sustainable development of the “South”. The authors argue that the promotion of renewable energies entails a number of benefits for developing countries, including the protection of natural resources, reduction of health risks, increased access to modern energy, reduction of dependence on energy imports, and promotion of economic development. On the other hand, industrialised countries should also have a vital interest in the dissemination of renewable energies in the South, because of the problem of global climate change and the export interests of their renewable energy industries. In order to achieve an increased utilisation of renewable energies in developing countries, a number of barriers - such as a lack of finance and of political support for renewables - have to be removed. The authors suggest to ways in which these barriers may be overcome.
Renewable Electricity Support Schemes in Central Europe: A Case of Incomplete Policy Transfer
Authors: Ürge-Vorsatz Diana , Rezessy Silvia , Antypas Alexios
Published: October 2004

Despite the relatively high potential contribution of renewable energy sources (RES) to the energy mixes of the countries in Central Europe and the officially stated support for RES deployment, progress towards implementing that commitment has been slow. This article examines the content and coherence of support schemes for the promotion of RES adopted by the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. We argue that RES support schemes suffer from some weaknesses that are a function of the means by which renewable energy objectives were imported into the region. The preparations for accession to the EU encouraged a process of “policy transfer” of policies negotiated and designed elsewhere. Consequently, policies sometimes suffer from technical deficiencies, lack of political support, implementation and enforcement obstacles. The challenge now is to review the policies adopted during the transition period, rationalise their legal superstructure, and implement them in the context of well-developed strategic objectives with political and stakeholder understanding and support.
Probing microRNAs with microarrays: Tissue specificity and functional inference
Authors: BABAK TOMAS , ZHANG WEN , MORRIS QUAID , BLENCOWE BENJAMIN J. , HUGHES TIMOTHY R.
Published: October 2004

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, stable, noncoding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional gene silencing via hybridization to mRNA. Few have been thoroughly characterized in any species. Here, we describe a method to detect miRNAs using micro-arrays, in which the miRNAs are directly hybridized to the array. We used this method to analyze miRNA expression across 17 mouse organs and tissues. More than half of the 78 miRNAs detected were expressed in specific adult tissues, suggesting that miRNAs have widespread regulatory roles in adults. By comparing miRNA levels to mRNA levels determined in a parallel microarray analysis of the same tissues, we found that the expression of target mRNAs predicted on the basis of sequence complementarity is unrelated to the tissues in which the corresponding miRNA is expressed.