bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making Sense of scientific claims in advertising. A study of scientifically aware consumers
Authors: Dodds Rachel E. , Tseëlon Efrat , Weitkamp Emma L.C.
Published: March 2008

Evidence that science is becoming increasingly embedded in culture comes from the proliferation of discourses of ethical consumption, sustainability, and environmental awareness. Al Gore's recent award, along with UN's Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the Nobel peace prize - provided a recent high profile linking of consumption and science. It is not clear to what extent the public at large engages in evaluating the scientific merits of the arguments about the link between human consumption and global environmental catastrophes. But on a local scale, we are routinely required to evaluate, scientific and pseudoscientific claims in advertising. Since advertising is used to sell products, the discourse of scientifically framed claims is being used to persuade consumers of the benefits of these products. In the case of functional foods and cosmetics, such statements are deployed to promote the health benefits and effectiveness of their products. This exploratory study examines the views of British consumers about the scientific and pseudoscientific claims made in advertisements for foods, with particular reference to functional foods, and cosmetics. The participants in the study all worked in scientific environments, though they were not all scientists. The study found that scientific arguments that were congruent with existing health knowledge tended to be accepted while pseudoscientific knowledge was regarded skeptically and concerns were raised over the accuracy and believability of the pseudoscientific claims. It appears that scientific awareness may play a part in consumers' ability to critically examine scientifically and pseudoscientifically based advertising claims.
The Dao of human cloning: utopian/dystopian hype in the British press and popular films
Authors: Jensen Eric
Published: March 2008

The issue of human cloning has featured in the national science policy agendas in both the United States and the United Kingdom since the announcement in 1997 of Dolly the cloned sheep's birth in Scotland. Such news stories suggesting the imminent cloning of humans have inspired fictional entertainment media over the years, including numerous popular films. Study 1 examines elite British press coverage of human cloning from 1997 to 2004 ( n = 857). Study 2 focuses on five human cloning films released between 1978 and 2003. Two sharply divergent discourses emerged from these data. Unqualified hope and habitually hyped claims of future cures permeated the press discourse. In contrast, the films constructed human cloning as an inherently dangerous technology often wielded by hubristic scientists in the tradition of Frankenstein. Both the predominately positive hype in the broadsheet press and the largely negative hype in the films indicate an impoverished and “thin” public debate on the issue of human cloning.
Enacting the social relations of science: historical (anti-)boundary-work of Danish science journalist Børge Michelsen
Authors: Kristian Hvidtfelt Nielsen
Published: March 2008

This article investigates the writings of Danish science journalist Børge Michelsen from 1939 to 1956. As part of the international social relations of science movement in the period, Michelsen transformed science journalism from mere reporting on issues pertaining to science into performing the social function of science journalism: advancing and enacting the social relations of science. Based on analyses of Michelsen's articles and other initiatives, this study suggests that the social function of science journalism practiced by Michelsen showed many new and conflicting aspects. From a boundary-work perspective, it is argued that, through science journalism, Michelsen not only helped establish new cultural boundaries of science, but also did anti-boundary-work. The notion of anti-boundary-work implies breaking down existing barriers between science and society, all the while establishing new links to reinforce mutual relations between scientists and policy-makers, between scientists and journalists, and between science and the public. Finally, in the concluding remarks, the contemporary significance of Michelsen's social function of science journalism is discussed.
Parental views on pediatric vaccination: the impact of competing advocacy coalitions
Authors: Wilson Kumanan , Barakat Meredith , Vohra Sunita , Ritvo Paul , Boon Heather
Published: March 2008

The debate on pediatric vaccination policy has been characterized by the presence of two distinct coalitions: those in favor of current vaccination policies and those expressing concern about these policies. The target of these coalitions is the vaccination decision of parents. To determine their influence, we conducted four focus groups in Toronto, Canada examining parental decision-making concerning pediatric vaccination. Our focus groups consisted of both fathers and mothers and parents who fully vaccinated and those who did not. Using the Advocacy Coalition Framework as an analytic guide, we identified several themes that provided insights into how effective the two coalitions have been in conveying their viewpoints. In general, we identified a variety of levels of belief systems existing amongst parents concerned about vaccination, some more amenable to change than others. We found that the choice to not vaccinate was largely a result of concerns about safety and, to a lesser extent, about lack of effectiveness. These parental views reflected the ability of the coalition concerned about vaccination to challenge parents' trust in traditional public health sources of information. In contrast, the parental decision to vaccinate was due to recognizing the importance of preventing disease and also a consequence of not questioning recommendations from public health and physicians and feeling pressured to because of school policies. Importantly, parents who fully vaccinate appear to have weaker belief systems that are potentially susceptible to change. While current policies appear to be effective in encouraging vaccination, if trust in public health falters, many who currently support vaccination may reevaluate their position. More research needs to be conducted to identify approaches to communicate the risks and benefits of vaccination to parents.
Teaching about ozone layer depletion in Turkey: pedagogical content knowledge of science teachers
Authors: Bozkurt Orçun , Nafiz Kaya Osman
Published: March 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pedagogical content knowledge of Prospective Science Teachers (PSTs) on the topic of “ozone layer depletion.” In order to explore PSTs' subject matter knowledge on ozone layer depletion, they were given a form of multiple-choice test where they needed to write the reasons behind their answers. This test was completed by 140 PSTs in their final year at the College of Education. Individual interviews were carried out with 42 randomly selected PSTs to determine their pedagogical knowledge about ozone layer depletion. Data were obtained from the study which indicate that the PSTs did not have adequate subject matter and pedagogical knowledge to teach the topic of ozone layer depletion to middle school students. It was also evident that the PSTs held various misconceptions related to ozone layer depletion. PSTs' inadequate pedagogical knowledge was found in the areas of the curriculum, learning difficulties of students, and instructional strategies and activities. This study provides some pedagogical implications for the training of science teachers.
A Dynamic Comparative Study Concerning the Effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Aldosterone Receptor Blockers on the Fibrinolytic System
Authors: Usalan Celalettin , Buyukhatipoglu Hakan
Published: March 2008

The renin—angiotensin—aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a central role in fibrinolysis. Activation of the RAAS stimulates the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which can be directly implicated in the pathophysiology of thromboembolic events. Our primary aims were to measure (1) the effect of acute RAAS activation on plasma levels of PAI-1, and (2) the inhibitory effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor alone, versus a combination of an ACE inhibitor and aldosterone blockade on the increase in PAI-1 usually observed. In the current prospective in vivo study, RAAS was activated by means of phlebotomy, an effective, physiologic means of RAAS activation. Seventeen voluntary prehypertensive, but otherwise healthy, blood donors were included in this study. Renin and PAI-1 levels were measured before and after initial phlebotomy. At the time of the second phlebotomy, 12 of 17 donors randomly were assigned to receive enalapril (5 mg) or a combination of enalapril (5 mg) plus spironolactone (25 mg), beginning 3 days before phlebotomy, and 5 were assigned to be controls, receiving no medications. Plasma renin and PAI levels were significantly increased following initial phlebotomy. At the time of the second phlebotomy, plasma PAI-1 activity was reduced significantly, as compared with the initial phlebotomy, but it did not return to baseline levels. The observed mean reduction in PAI-1 level was greater among the subjects who received both ACE and aldosterone inhibition. Enalapril and the combination of enalapril plus spironolactone efficiently reduce PAI-1 levels, but the reductions are more pronounced with the combined regimen. However, neither treatment appears sufficient to return PAI-1 activity to baseline levels.
Improving the Measurement of Criminal Sexual Behavior
Authors: Miner Michael H. , Center Bruce
Published: March 2008

Randomized responding technique (RRT), a method for maintaining anonymity, was used with a sample of sexual offenders recruited into a treatment outcome study. Prior to release from incarceration, three groups—those randomly assigned to treatment, those randomly assigned to no-treatment control, and those who refused participation in the treatment study but consented to a prerelease interview—participated in an alternate-questions RRT procedure. This procedure pairs a nonsensitive question with the sensitive question of interest, in this case, the number of prior sex offenses. Respondents answered either the sensitive or nonsensitive question, depending on the results of a randomizing device (roll of dice). The distributions for the nonsensitive questions were highly skewed; therefore, the outliers were removed and RRT estimates calculated. RRT estimates of prior offending (2.20 prior offenses) were significantly higher than officially recorded prior offenses (0.51 prior offenses). The pattern of differences between treatment and control groups were similar in RRT estimates and officially recorded priors, as were the correlations between RRT estimates and other self-report scales. These results provide preliminary evidence that RRT is a useful method for generating reoffending data that are more sensitive than officially recorded offenses and that contain less bias than other self-reports.
Social Desirability and Sexual Offenders
Authors: Tan Lavinia , Grace Randolph C.
Published: March 2008

Social desirability—the desire to make a favorable impression on others—poses a significant threat to the validity of self-reports. This review examines research on social desirability in both forensic and nonforensic populations with the goal of identifying how best to minimize threats to the validity of research with sexual offenders. Although social desirability has long been a major research topic in personality, consensus has not been reached on key questions such as its dimensional structure and whether social desirability constitutes a trait or a response bias. Research with offenders has shown that social desirability is negatively related to recidivism and that different offender subtypes vary in the degree to which social desirability appears to influence self-reports, with child molesters exhibiting the strongest tendency to “fake good.” Several methods of controlling for social desirability have been proposed, but the effectiveness of these methods in increasing validity of offender self reports is questionable. Given the lack of consensus in the personality literature, a fresh start is needed in which basic questions regarding social desirability are revisited with respect to offender populations.
Parent—Child Joint Picture-Book Reading Among Children With ADHD
Authors: Leonard Melinda A. , Lorch Elizabeth P. , Milich Richard , Hagans Neomia
Published: March 2008

Objective: Children with AD/HD exhibit two disparate areas of difficulty: disrupted interactions with parents and significant problems in story comprehension. This study links these two difficulties by examining parent—child joint picture-book reading to determine whether there were diagnostic group differences in parent and child storytelling. Method: Parents of 25 children with ADHD and 39 comparison children (mean age = 7.5 years) told their children a story based on a wordless picture-book, and children then retold the story to an examiner from memory. Results: Parents in both groups told stories of similar length and complexity and demonstrated similar affective and responsive quality. The length of the child's retell of the parent's story did not differ across groups but children with ADHD included fewer goal-based events. Conclusions: Results are discussed in terms of implications for enhancing the quality and frequency of parent—child storytelling among children with ADHD. ( J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 12(4) 361-371)
Using a Three-Step Decoding Strategy With Constant Time Delay to Teach Word Reading to Students With Mild and Moderate Mental Retardation
Authors: Tucker Cohen Elisabeth , Wolff Heller Kathryn , Alberto Paul , Fredrick Laura D.
Published: March 2008

The use of a three-step decoding strategy with constant time delay for teaching decoding and word reading to students with mild and moderate mental retardation was investigated in this study. A multiple probe design was used to examine the percentage of words correctly decoded and read as well as the percentage of sounds correctly decoded. The data indicate that all five students learned to read words using the three-step decoding strategy with constant time delay. This was replicated with increased learning efficiency using a second set of phonetically similar words. Implications of this study on phonological memory and reading ability are discussed.
Lower extremity vein graft failure: a translational approach
Authors: Owens Christopher D , Ho Karen J , Conte Michael S
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Patients with the most severe manifestations of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease often require peripheral bypass surgery for limb salvage and preservation of function. Although good quality saphenous vein offers the most durable conduit for reconstruction, 5-year failure rates are 30–50% and have remained largely unchanged for the past two decades. The majority of these failures occur within the first year of implantation, which is regarded as the most biologically active time during which the vein graft adapts to the arterial environment. Although intimal hyperplasia is generally regarded as the primary culprit of vein graft failure, geometric remodeling of the healing vein graft has recently emerged as a potentially significant contributing factor. While hemodynamic forces, including an increase in shear stress and wall tension, are undoubtedly central to the magnitude and direction of vein graft remodeling, we have determined that these forces alone cannot account for the extent of variability noted in early remodeling patterns. Therefore, we hypothesize that circulating factors, such as mediators of inflammation, may modulate the vein graft response to mechanical forces. This article reviews the definition and diagnosis of vein graft failure and summarizes our current efforts to understand the mechanisms of normal and abnormal vein graft adaptation to the arterial environment.
The impact of peripheral arterial disease on health-related quality of life in the Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness, Risk, and Treatment: New Resources for Survival (PARTNERS) Program
Authors: Regensteiner Judith G , Hiatt William R , Coll Joseph R , Criqui Michael H , Treat-Jacobson Diane , McDermott Mary M , Hirsch Alan T
Published: March 2008

Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that patients with PAD have impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to a degree similar to that of patients with other types of cardiovascular disease (other-CVD), and also evaluated the clinical features of PAD associated with impaired HRQoL. This was a cross-sectional study in 350 primary care practice sites nationwide with 6,499 participants. The reference group had no clinical or hemodynamic evidence of PAD or other-CVD; the PAD group had an ankle-brachial index < 0.90 or a prior history of PAD; the other-CVD group had a clinical history of cardiac or cerebral vascular disease (but no PAD), and the combined PAD-other-CVD group included both diagnoses. Individuals were assessed using four HRQoL questionnaires including the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ), Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 (SF-36), Cantril Ladder of Life and the PAD Quality of Life questionnaire. PAD patients had lower WIQ distance scores than the other-CVD group. Both the PAD and other-CVD groups had significantly lower SF-36 Physical Function scores compared with the reference group. The WIQ revealed that PAD patients were more limited by calf pain, whereas other-CVD patients were more limited by chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations. In conclusion, in this nationwide study, one of the first to directly compare the HRQoL burden of CVD with that of PAD, the evaluation of PAD in office practice revealed a HRQoL burden as great in magnitude as in patients with other forms of CVD.
Isolated popliteal vein entrapment by the popliteus muscle: a case report
Authors: Misselbeck Timothy , Dangleben Dale , Celani Victor
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Isolated popliteal vein entrapment is a very rare occurrence. We present a case of a young man who developed isolated popliteal venous entrapment resulting from extrinsic compression by the popliteus muscle soon after initiating an exercise program.
Oral anticoagulants and non-cardioembolic stroke prevention
Authors: Schachter Michael E , Tran Huyen A , Anand Sonia S
Published: March 2008

Abstract

The use of anticoagulants for secondary prevention following non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke is controversial. This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of oral anticoagulation compared with control and antiplatelet therapy.
Methodological Issues in Assessing Psychological Adjustment in Child Witnesses of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Clements Caroline M. , Oxtoby Claire , Ogle Richard L.
Published: March 2008

This review summarizes a growing number of methodological concerns emerging from research on child witnesses of intimate partner violence (IPV). A brief summary of various psychological, biological, and cognitive impairments associated with witnessing IPV is presented. Directions for future research in this area are explored with particular attention paid to experimental design. Advantages and disadvantages of retrospective, cross-sectional, and longitudinal designs are evaluated. Suggested improvements include the use of multiple informants, behavioral observations, and prospective, longitudinal assessment.
Implementation of Universal Screening for Domestic Violence in an Urgent Care Community Health Center
Authors: Thurston Wilfreda E. , Tutty Leslie M. , Eisener Amanda C. , Lalonde Lise , Belenky Cathie , Osborne Belinda
Published: March 2008

Given the morbidity and mortality associated with domestic violence (DV), there is international recognition that the health sector has a responsibility to prevent violence. In North America, the health sector has commonly responded by developing protocols for identifying victims of abuse. This utilization-focused evaluation describes the process involved in the implementation of a universal DV screening protocol undertaken by nurses in the urgent care clinic of a community health center. Dealing with the challenges of the urgent care setting, the strong and supportive urgent care team approach helped integrate the screening procedure into routine nursing practice. Understanding the purpose of asking about DV, quickly recognizing problems, validating staff concerns, and adapting procedures resulted in a strong commitment to implementation. This research has implications for others looking to implement or evaluate screening protocols in other health care settings.
Targeting School Tobacco Policy: Lessons From the Acadiana Coalition of Teens Against Tobacco (ACTT)
Authors: Boris Neil W. , Johnson Carolyn C. , Huang Sujuan , Myers Leann , Andrew Kiana , Webber Larry S.
Published: March 2008

This case study examines the comparative effect of no-use school tobacco policies and restricted-use tobacco policies on teacher and student smoking behaviors and attitudes. Data from teachers (n = 1,041) and ninth-grade students (n = 4,763) at 20 schools in five districts in southern Louisiana were available. No significant difference was observed between teacher smoking (11% vs. 13%, p = .42) or student smoking (24.6% vs. 25.2%, p = .75) at no-use versus restricted-use policy schools. The proportion of teachers smoking on campus at no-use or restricted-use schools was not significantly different. Teachers at restricted-use schools were however less concerned about students seeing teachers smoke and less supportive of a no-use policy than teachers at no-use schools. Tobacco use policies are often not promoted, and enforcement of policies impacting teachers is complex. Changing social norms for smoking at high schools through policy promotion and enforcement is understudied.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Statewide Media Campaign to Promote Adolescent Physical Activity
Authors: Peterson Michael , Chandlee Margaret , Abraham Avron
Published: March 2008

A cost-effectiveness analysis of a statewide social marketing campaign was performed using a statewide surveillance survey distributed to 6th through 12th graders, media production and placement costs, and 2000 census data. Exposure to all three advertisements had the highest impact on both intent and behavior with 65.6% of the respondents considering becoming more active and 58.3% reporting becoming more active. Average cost of the entire campaign was $4.01 per person to see an ad, $7.35 per person to consider being more active, and $8.87 per person to actually become more active, with billboards yielding the most positive cost-effectiveness. Findings highlight market research as an essential part of social marketing campaigns and the importance of using multiple marketing modalities to enhance cost-effectiveness and impact.
Nonvenomous Bite Injuries of the Foot: Case Reports and Review of the Literature
Authors: Donate Guillermo , Emerick Salas R. , Naidu Deepak , Mannari Rudolph J. , Ghurani Rami , Payne Wyatt G. , Robson Martin C.
Published: March 2008

Animal bite injuries to humans are relatively common, however, bite injuries to the lower extremity and more specifically the foot are relatively uncommon. Foot injuries, once infected, may lead to further complications, such as soft tissue loss, bone loss, and the need for amputation. Patients with preexisting medical conditions, such as peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, are especially at risk for such complications. In this article, 2 recent cases are detailed and the literature to examine these injuries of the foot is reviewed.
Evaluation of Wound-Healing Potential of Pisonia grandis R.Br: A Preclinical Study in Wistar Rats
Authors: Prabu D. , Nappinnai M. , Ponnudurai K. , Prabhu K.
Published: March 2008

Pisonia grandis R.Br (family: Nyctaginaceae) is a herb claimed to be used for treatment of inflammation, wound healing, algesia, and ulcer. The present study was done to evaluate the wound-healing potential of methanolic extract of its leaves. Following preliminary photochemical evaluation, the extract was incorporated in simple ointment base and evaluated using 2 types of wound models in Wistar rats—excision wound and incision wound. The results were significantly different ( p <0.05) when compared with control group for wound contraction, tensile strength, and histopathological and biological parameters. Antibacterial studies against different bacterial strains of the test samples were performed by the disk-diffusion method and were compared with standard ofloxacin and erythromycin. Test sample showed comparable zone of inhibition to the standards. It is hypothesized that the presence of phytoconstituents with the antibacterial effect helps in wound healing.
Current Treatment of Acute Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Janjigian Michael P. , Muhs Bart E.
Published: March 2008

The long-term complications of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) include recurrence, increased mortality, and the development of the postthrombotic syndrome. Rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) are elevated in patients with cancer and thrombophilia. Heparin, administered either as unfractionated or low-molecular weight, is indicated for at least five days for acute DVT. Long-term treatment is currently a vitamin K antagonist with a variable duration depending on the etiology of the DVT and risk of bleeding. Novel anticoagulant agents that target factor Xa and directly inhibit thrombin are being studied in clinical trials and may one day replace vitamin K antagonists for the long-term treatment of VTE.

Interventional approaches such as percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy have the potential to reduce clot burden in acute DVT with lower bleeding risks and help prevent development of the postthrombotic syndrome, a common and potentially debilitating complication of DVT.
On the Book of Job, Justice, and The Precariousness of the Criminal Law
Authors: Berger Benjamin L.
Published: March 2008

The criminal law has been subject to both increased demands in the societal functions that it is expected to perform, and heightened scrutiny for those points at which it fails to achieve these ends. The resulting pressures put into question the criminal law's capacity to perform justice. Rather than turning to contemporary sources to assess the criminal law's relationship to claims of justice, the author uses an analysis of the ancient myth found in the Book of Job as a means of exposing the irresolvable tensions at the core of the criminal law system's quest for justice. In the end, injustice manifests as senseless suffering. The profound precariousness of contemporary criminal law is that its prescribed task is to make sense of suffering but it is always unable to wholly achieve this goal and is, indeed, always on the precipice of making things worse.
The pyrroloquinoline quinone biosynthesis pathway revisited: A structural approach
Authors: Puehringer Sandra , Metlitzky Moritz , Schwarzenbacher Robert
Published: March 2008

Background

The biosynthesis pathway of Pyrroloquinoline quinone, a bacterial redox active cofactor for numerous alcohol and aldose dehydrogenases, is largely unknown, but it is proven that at least six genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae (PqqA-F) are required, all of which are located in the PQQ-operon.

Results

New structural data of some PQQ biosynthesis proteins and their homologues provide new insights and functional assignments of the proteins in the pathway. Based on sequence analysis and homology models we propose the role and catalytic function for each enzyme involved in this intriguing biosynthesis pathway.

Conclusion

PQQ is derived from the two amino acids glutamate and tyrosine encoded in the precursor peptide PqqA. Five reactions are necessary to form this quinone cofactor. The PqqA peptide is recognised by PqqE, which links the C9 and C9a, afterwards it is accepted by PqqF which cuts out the linked amino acids. The next reaction (Schiff base) is spontaneous, the following dioxygenation is catalysed by an unknown enzyme. The last cyclization and oxidation steps are catalysed by PqqC. Taken together the known facts of the different proteins we assign a putative function to all six proteins in PQQ biosynthesis pathway.
par genes in Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium smegmatisare arranged in an operon transcribed from "SigGC" promoters
Authors: Casart Yveth , Gamero Elida , Rivera-Gutierrez Sandra , González-y-Merchand Jorge A , Salazar Leiria
Published: March 2008

Background

The ParA/Soj and ParB/Spo0J proteins, and the cis-acting parS site, participate actively in chromosome segregation and cell cycle progression. Genes homologous to parA and parB, and two putative parS copies, have been identified in the Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Mycobacterium smegmatis chromosomes. As in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the parA and parB genes in these two non-pathogenic mycobacteria are located near the chromosomal origin of replication. The present work focused on the determination of the transcriptional organisation of the ~6 Kb orf60K-parB region of M. bovis BCG and M. smegmatis by primer extension, transcriptional fusions to the green fluorescence protein (GFP) and quantitative RT-PCR.

Results

The parAB genes were arranged in an operon. However, we also found promoters upstream of each one of these genes. Seven putative promoter sequences were identified in the orf60K-parB region of M. bovis BCG, whilst four were identified in the homologous region of M. smegmatis, one upstream of each open reading frame (ORF).

Real-time PCR assays showed that in M. smegmatis, mRNA-parA and mRNA-parB levels decreased between the exponential and stationary phases. In M. bovis BCG, mRNA-parA levels also decreased between the exponential and stationary phases. However, parB expression was higher than parA expression and remained almost unchanged along the growth curve.

Conclusion

The majority of the proposed promoter regions had features characteristic of Mycobacterium promoters previously denoted as Group D. The -10 hexamer of a strong E. coli σ70-like promoter, located upstream of gidB of M. bovis BCG, overlapped with a putative parS sequence, suggesting that the transcription from this promoter might be regulated by the binding of ParB to parS.
Identification of critical residues in Gap3 of Streptococcus parasanguinis involved in Fap1 glycosylation, fimbrial formation and in vitroadhesion
Authors: Peng Zhixiang , Fives-Taylor Paula , Ruiz Teresa , Zhou Meixian , Sun Baiming , Chen Qiang , Wu Hui
Published: March 2008

Background

Streptococcus parasanguinis is a primary colonizer of human tooth surfaces and plays an important role in dental plaque formation. Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation are mediated by long peritrichous fimbriae that are composed of a 200 kDa serine rich glycoprotein named Fap1 (fimbriae-associated protein). Glycosylation and biogenesis of Fap1 are modulated by a gene cluster downstream of the fap1 locus. A gene encoding a glycosylation-associated protein, Gap3, was found to be important for Fap1 glycosylation, long fimbrial formation and Fap1-mediated biofilm formation.

Results

Deletion and site-directed mutagenesis were employed to dissect the regions within Gap3 that were important for its function in Fap1 glycosylation and biogenesis. A deletion of 6 consecutive amino acids, PDLPIL, eliminated the production of the mature 200 kDa Fap1 protein and gave rise instead to a 470 kDa Fap1 intermediate that was only partially glycosylated. Site-directed mutagenesis of the 6 amino acids revealed that only three of these amino acids were required. Mutants in these amino acids (L64R, P65R and L67T) produced the premature 470 kDa Fap1 intermediate. Mutants in the remaining amino acids produced the mature form of Fap1. Cell surface expression of the Fap1 precursor among L64R, P65R and L67T mutants was reduced to levels consistent with that of a gap3 insertional mutant. Electron micrographs showed that these 3 mutants lost their long peritrichous fimbriae. Furthermore, their in vitro adhesion ability to saliva-coated hydroxylapatite (SHA) was inhibited.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that 3 highly conserved, hydrophobic residues L64, P65 and L67 in Gap3 are essential for Gap3 function and are important for complete glycosylation of Fap1, fimbrial formation and bacterial adhesion.
A set of ligation-independent in vitro translation vectors for eukaryotic protein production
Authors: Bardóczy Viola , Géczi Viktória , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Endo Yaeta , Mészáros Tamás
Published: March 2008

Background

The last decade has brought the renaissance of protein studies and accelerated the development of high-throughput methods in all aspects of proteomics. Presently, most protein synthesis systems exploit the capacity of living cells to translate proteins, but their application is limited by several factors. A more flexible alternative protein production method is the cell-free in vitro protein translation. Currently available in vitro translation systems are suitable for high-throughput robotic protein production, fulfilling the requirements of proteomics studies. Wheat germ extract based in vitro translation system is likely the most promising method, since numerous eukaryotic proteins can be cost-efficiently synthesized in their native folded form. Although currently available vectors for wheat embryo in vitro translation systems ensure high productivity, they do not meet the requirements of state-of-the-art proteomics. Target genes have to be inserted using restriction endonucleases and the plasmids do not encode cleavable affinity purification tags.

Results

We designed four ligation independent cloning (LIC) vectors for wheat germ extract based in vitro protein translation. In these constructs, the RNA transcription is driven by T7 or SP6 phage polymerase and two TEV protease cleavable affinity tags can be added to aid protein purification. To evaluate our improved vectors, a plant mitogen activated protein kinase was cloned in all four constructs. Purification of this eukaryotic protein kinase demonstrated that all constructs functioned as intended: insertion of PCR fragment by LIC worked efficiently, affinity purification of translated proteins by GST-Sepharose or MagneHis particles resulted in high purity kinase, and the affinity tags could efficiently be removed under different reaction conditions. Furthermore, high in vitro kinase activity testified of proper folding of the purified protein.

Conclusion

Four newly designed in vitro translation vectors have been constructed which allow fast and parallel cloning and protein purification, thus representing useful molecular tools for high-throughput production of eukaryotic proteins.
Severe cytomegalovirus infection in apparently immunocompetent patients: a systematic review
Authors: Rafailidis Petros I , Mourtzoukou Eleni G , Varbobitis Ioannis C , Falagas Matthew E
Published: March 2008

Background

The morbidity and mortality associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompromised patients (especially in HIV-infected patients and transplant recipients), as well as with congenital CMV infection are well known. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to the morbidity and mortality that CMV infection may cause in immunocompetent patients.

Methods

We reviewed the evidence associated with severe manifestations of CMV infection in apparently immunocompetent patients and the potential role of antiviral treatment for these infections. We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for the period of 1950–2007 to identify relevant articles.

Results

We retrieved 89 articles reporting on severe CMV infection in 290 immunocompetent adults. Among these reports, the gastrointestinal tract (colitis) and the central nervous system (meningitis, encephalitis, transverse myelitis) were the most frequent sites of severe CMV infection. Manifestations from other organ-systems included haematological disorders (haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia), thrombosis of the venous or arterial vascular system, ocular involvement (uveitis), and lung disease (pneumonitis). The clinical practice reported in the literature has been to prescribe antiviral treatment for the most severe manifestations of monophasic meningoencephalitis (seizures and coma), ocular involvement, and lung involvement due to CMV.

Conclusion

Severe life-threatening complications of CMV infection in immunocompetent patients may not be as rare as previously thought.
Consensus of the 'Malasars' traditional aboriginal knowledge of medicinal plants in the Velliangiri holy hills, India
Authors: Ragupathy Subramanyam , Steven Newmaster G , Maruthakkutti Murugesan , Velusamy Balasubramaniam , Ul-Huda Muneer M
Published: March 2008

There are many vanishing cultures that possess a wealth of knowledge on the medicinal utility of plants. The Malasars of Dravidian Tamils are an indigenous society occupying the forests of the Western Ghats, South India. They are known to be exceptional healers and keepers of traditional aboriginal knowledge (TAK) of the flora in the Velliangiri holy hills. In fact, their expertise is well known throughout India as evidenced by the thousands of pilgrims that go to the Velliangiri holy hills for healing every year. Our research is the first detailed study of medicinal plants in India that considers variation in TAK among informants using a quantitative consensus analysis. A total of 95 species belonging to 50 families were identified for medicinal and general health purposes. For each species the botanical name, family, local name, parts used, summary of mode of preparation, administration and curing are provided. The consensus analysis revealed a high level of agreement among the informants usage of a particular plant at a local scale. The average consensus index value of an informant was FIC > 0.71, and over 0.80 for some ailments such as respiratory and jaundice. Some of the more common problems faced by the Malasars were gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory illness, dermatological problems and simple illness such as fever, cough, cold, wounds and bites from poisonous animals. We also discovered several new ethnotaxa that have considerable medicinal utility. This study supports claims that the Malasars possess a rich TAK of medicinal plants and that many aboriginals and mainstream people (pilgrims) utilize medicinal plants of the Velliangiri holy hills. Unfortunately, the younger generation of Malasars are not embracing TAK as they tend to migrate towards lucrative jobs in more developed urban areas. Our research sheds some light on a traditional culture that believes that a healthy lifestyle is founded on a healthy environment and we suggest that TAK such as that of the Malasars may serve toward a global lifestyle of health and environmental sustainability.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo after radiologic scanning: a case series
Authors: Aydin Erdinc , Akman Kubra , Yerli Hasan , Ozluoglu Levent N
Published: March 2008

Introduction

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of vertigo. It is frequently seen in elderly patients, and the course of the attack may easily mimic cerebrovascular disease. A BPPV attack after a radiologic examination has not been reported previously. We report the cases of two patients who had BPPV attacks after radiologic imaging.

Case presentation

The first patient with headache and tremor was admitted to the radiology department for cranial computed tomography (CT) imaging. During scanning, she was asked to lie in the supine position with no other head movements for approximately 10 minutes. After the cranial CT imaging, she stood up rapidly, and suddenly experienced a vertigo attack and nausea. The second patient was admitted to the radiology department for evaluation of his renal arteries. During the renal magnetic resonance angiography, he was in the supine position for 20 minutes and asked not to move. After the examination, he stood up rapidly with the help of the technician and suddenly experienced a vertigo attack with nausea and vomiting. The results of standard laboratory analyses and their neurologic examinations were within normal limits and Dix-Hallpike tests showed rotatory nystagmus in both cases. An Epley maneuver was performed to the patients. The results of a control Dix-Hallpike tests after 1 Epley maneuver were negative in both patients.

Conclusion

Radiologists and clinicians must keep in mind that after radiologic imaging in which the patient is still for some time in the supine position and then helped to stand up rapidly, a BPPV attack may occur.
TNF inhibits production of stromal cell-derived factor 1 by bone stromal cells and increases osteoclast precursor mobilization from bone marrow to peripheral blood
Authors: Zhang Qian , Guo Ruolin , Schwarz Edward M , Boyce Brendan F , Xing Lianping
Published: March 2008

Introduction

The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of the stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 axis in TNF-induced mobilization of osteoclast precursors (OCPs) from bone marrow.

Methods

OCPs were generated from bone marrow cells of TNF-transgenic mice or wild-type mice treated with TNF or PBS. The percentage of CD11b+/Gr-1-/lo OCPs was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. OCP migration to the SDF-1 gradient and the osteoclast forming potency were assessed in chemotaxis/osteoclastogenic assays. SDF-1 expression was assessed by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA and immunostaining in primary bone marrow stromal cells, in the ST2 bone marrow stromal cell line, and in bones from TNF-injected mice.

Results

OCPs generated in vitro from wild-type mice migrated to SDF-1 gradients and subsequently gave rise to osteoclasts in response to RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. TNF reduced SDF-1 expression by ST2 cells. Bone marrow stromal cells from TNF-transgenic mice produced low levels of SDF-1. TNF treatment of wild-type mice decreased the SDF-1 concentration in bone marrow extracts and decreased the SDF-1 immunostaining of bone marrow stromal cells, and it also increased the circulating OCP numbers. The percentage of bone marrow CXCR4+ OCPs was similar in TNF-transgenic mice and wild-type littermates and in TNF-treated and PBS-treated wild-type mice.

Conclusion

Systemically elevated TNF levels inhibit bone marrow stromal cell production of SDF-1 and increase the release of bone marrow OCPs to the peripheral blood. Disruption of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis by TNF may play an important role in mediating OCP mobilization from the bone marrow cavity in chronic inflammatory arthritis.
PIK3CA-activating mutations and chemotherapy sensitivity in stage II–III breast cancer
Authors: Liedtke Cornelia , Cardone Luca , Tordai Attila , Yan Kai , Gomez Henry L , Figureoa Luis J Barajas , Hubbard Rebekah E , Valero Vicente , Souchon Eduardo A , Symmans W Fraser , Hortobagyi Gabriel N , Bardelli Alberto , Pusztai Lajos
Published: March 2008

Introduction

In vitro evidence suggests that PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, catalytic, alpha polypeptide) activation may be associated with altered chemotherapy sensitivity in cancer.

Methods

Tumor DNA from 140 patients with stage II–III breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy was sequenced for PIK3CA mutations on exons 1, 9, and 20. Mutation status was correlated with clinical/pathological parameters and chemotherapy response as (a) pathological complete response (pCR) versus residual cancer or (b) quantitative residual cancer burden (RCB) scores, including stratification for estrogen receptor (ER) expression status, type of chemotherapy, and by exons.

Results

Twenty-three patients (16.4%) harbored a PIK3CA mutation, with 12, 11, and 0 mutations located in exons 9, 20, and 1, respectively. PIK3CA exon 9 mutations were more frequent among node-negative (52% versus 25%; P = 0.012) than node-positive tumors, particularly among ER-positive tumors. pCR rates and RCB scores were similar among patients with the wild-type and mutant PIK3CA genes, even after stratification by ER status, chemotherapy regimen (anthracycline versus anthracycline plus paclitaxel), or exon.

Conclusion

PIK3CA mutations are not associated with altered sensitivity to preoperative anthracycline-based or taxane-based chemotherapies in ER-positive and ER-negative breast tumors. In this study, PIK3CA mutation was associated with a decreased rate of node-positive disease, particularly among ER-positive tumors.
The Unreliability of Naive Introspection
Authors: Schwitzgebel Eric
Published: March 2008

We are prone to gross error, even in favorable circumstances of extended reflection, about our own ongoing conscious experience, our current phenomenology. Even in this apparently privileged domain, our self-knowledge is faulty and untrustworthy. We are not simply fallible at the margins but broadly inept. Examples highlighted in this essay include: emotional experience (for example, is it entirely bodily; does joy have a common, distinctive phenomenological core?), peripheral vision (how broad and stable is the region of visual clarity?), and the phenomenology of thought (does it have a distinctive phenomenology, beyond just imagery and feelings?). Cartesian skeptical scenarios undermine knowledge of ongoing conscious experience as well as knowledge of the outside world. Infallible judgments about ongoing mental states are simply banal cases of self-fulfillment. Philosophical foundationalism supposing that we infer an external world from secure knowledge of our own consciousness is almost exactly backward.
Cell type specificity of a diffusible inducer is determined by a GATA family transcription factor
Authors: Keller Thomas , Thompson Christopher R. L.
Published: March 2008

One poorly understood mechanism of developmental patterning involves the intermingled differentiation of different cell types that then sort out to generate pattern. Examples of this are known in nematodes and vertebrates, and in Dictyostelium it is the major mechanism. However, a general problem with this mechanism is the possibility that different inducers are required for each cell type that arises independently of positional information. Consistent with this idea, in Dictyostelium the signalling molecule DIF acts as a position-independent signal and was thought only to regulate the differentiation of a single cell type (pstO). The results presented here challenge this idea. In a novel genetic selection to isolate genes required for DIF signal transduction, we found a mutant(dimC-) that is a hypomorphic allele of a GATA family transcription factor (gtaC). gtaC expression is directly regulated by DIF, and GtaC rapidly translocates to the nucleus in response to DIF. gtaC- null cells showed some hallmark DIF signalling defects. Surprisingly, other aspects of the mutant were distinct from those of other DIF signalling mutants, suggesting that gtaC regulates a subset of DIF responses. For example, pstO cell differentiation appeared normal. However, we found that pstB cells were mislocalised and the pstB-derived basal disc was much reduced or missing. These defects are due to a failure to respond to DIF as they are phenocopied in other DIF signalling mutants. These findings therefore identify a novel small-molecule-activated GATA factor that is required to regulate the cell type-specific effects of DIF. They also reveal that a non-positional signal can regulate the differentiation of multiple cell types through differential interpretation in receiving cells.