bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Tough and Highly Transparent Soluble Polybenzoxazoles (II): Effect of Sulfone Group
Authors: Miyazaki Tatsuya , Hasegawa Masatoshi
Published: April 2008

Novel semi-cycloaliphatic (semi-alicyclic) colorless polybenzoxazoles (PBOs) were polycondensed from 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone (ABPS) with several cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (CHDCA) isomers in poly(phosphoric acid) (PPA) at an elevated temperature. The PBO system derived from ABPS with 1,4-CHDCA (trans/cis mixture) possessed excellent combined film properties, i.e., a very high Tg at 294 °C, high transparency (transmittance = ca. 80% at 400 nm for 20 μm thick film), high thermal stability (5% weight loss temperature, T5d > 400 °C in an air atmosphere), sufficient film toughness (elongation at break, Eb > 20%), and good solubility in a variety of common organic solvents (good solution-processability) except for a drawback, a relatively high water absorption ( WA = ca. 2%). The influence of synthetic route on the film properties was also investigated in a comparison with the same chemical composition of PBO film prepared via the two-step method, namely, thermal cyclodehydration of its precursor (polyhydroxyamide). The results revealed that the PBO obtained from the one-pot PPA method is much more profitable from the viewpoints of higher film transparency than that from the two-step way. This result was discussed on the basis of the difference of the polymerization mechanisms. The properties of the colorless PBOs were also compared with those of the corresponding sulfone-containing semi-cycloaliphatic polyimide and poly(ether sulfone) as a typical high temperature engineering plastic. Copolymerization using minor fractions of 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (BAHP6F) into the ABPS-based PBO system enabled us to reduce significantly the water absorption ( WA = 0.83%) without sacrificing other target properties. The colorless PBO developed in this work is a promising candidate as a new type of high-temperature plastic substrate materials for realizing flexible LCDs.
Pediatric Palliative Care: An Assessment of Physicians' Confidence in Skills, Desire for Training, and Willingness to Refer for End-of-Life Care
Authors: Sheetz M. Joan , Bowman Mary-Ann Sontag
Published: April 2008

This study determines the confidence levels of physicians in providing components of pediatric palliative care and identifies their willingness to obtain training and to make palliative care referrals. Surveys were mailed to all physicians at Primary Children's Medical Center. The survey instrument includes 3 demographic items, 9 items designed to assess physician confidence in core palliative care skills, and 4 items designed to assess what steps physicians would be likely to take to assure that patients receive palliative care. Physicians were asked to rate their confidence levels to provide palliative care components on a 4-point scale for each of the items. Five hundred ninety-seven surveys were mailed, with 323 usable surveys returned. The proportion of physicians who rate their ability to provide palliative care as “confident” or “very confident” ranges from 74% for giving difficult news to families to 23% for managing end-of-life symptoms. Thirty-six percent of the physicians say they would be “likely” or “very likely” to attend training to improve their ability to provide palliative care to children. Eighty-six percent would be “likely” or “very likely” to refer for a palliative care consult and 91% to a home health agency or hospice. There is wide variation in the confidence levels of physicians to provide the core components of palliative care. Few are interested in obtaining additional training, but most are willing to obtain consultation or to refer to a palliative care service. These results argue in favor of hospital-based palliative care teams and for specialty training and certification in pediatric palliative care.
Peering in From Corporate Political Activity
Authors: Schuler Douglas A.
Published: April 2008

This article responds to Professor Barley's address in which he said that corporations have inordinate power relative to other groups in society because of their superior resources and relationships with political actors. The article provides data on lobbying and political campaign contributions to show that corporations are dominant in resources, although nonbusiness interest groups actively use the same political activities. Also reviewed are prior studies showing that large corporations share intimate social networks with high-ranking public policy officials, leading to many benefits, including political power. The article provides conjecture that six conditions exist often enough to check the absolute dominance of corporate interests in public policy outcomes. The article indicates that contemporary organizational researchers have largely focused on the private benefits of corporate political activities and in turn have neglected to study the public economic, social, and political effects of such activities.
Text Mining in Qualitative Research
Authors: Janasik Nina , Honkela Timo , Bruun Henrik
Published: April 2008

The article provides an introduction to and a demonstration of the self-organizing map (SOM) method for organizational researchers interested in the use of qualitative data. The SOM is a versatile quantitative method very commonly used across many disciplines to analyze large data sets. The outcome of the SOM analysis is a map in which entities are positioned according to similarity. The authors' argument is that text mining using the SOM is particularly effective in improving inference quality within qualitative research. SOM creates multiple well-grounded perspectives on the data and thus improves the quality of the concepts and categories used in the analysis.
Brief report: Inhibition of return in young people with autism and Asperger's disorder
Authors: Rinehart Nicole J. , Bradshaw John L. , Moss Simon A. , Brereton Avril V. , Tonge Bruce J.
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the superior search abilities observed in autism/Asperger's disorder may in part be a consequence of a more pronounced inhibition of return (IOR). Contrary to our prediction, IOR in individuals with autism was comparable to the matched comparison group. However, the autism group committed more false alarm responses than the matched comparison group; this may reflect a possible inhibitory deficit, or suggest that individuals with autism rely more on probabilities to determine their behavioural responses. There was a borderline-significant trend ( p = 0.052) to indicate that IOR may be more pronounced in individuals with Asperger's disorder. In contrast to the autism group, the Asperger's disorder group had a pattern of false alarm responses similar to that of the comparison group. The findings further inform Minshew's complex information processing theory which seeks to establish which areas of neuropsychological functioning are preserved and deficit in autism.
Recognition of biological motion in children with autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: Parron Carole , Da Fonseca David , Santos Andreia , Moore David G. , Monfardini Elisa , Deruelle Christine
Published: April 2008

It is widely accepted that autistic children experience difficulties in processing and recognizing emotions. Most relevant studies have explored the perception of faces. However, context and bodily gestures are also sources from which we derive emotional meanings. We tested 23 autistic children and 23 typically developing control children on their ability to recognize point-light displays of a person's actions, subjective states and emotions. In a control task, children had to recognize point-light displays of everyday objects. The children with autism only differed from the control children in their ability to name the emotional point-light displays. This suggests that children with autism can extract complex meanings from bodily movements but may be less sensitive to higher-order emotional information conveyed by human movement. The results are discussed in the context of a specific deficit in emotion perception in children with autism.
A deliberative model of contractualism
Authors: Southwood Nicholas
Published: April 2008

Despite an impressive philosophical pedigree, contractualism (or contractarianism) has only been properly developed in two ways: by appeal to the idea of an instrumentally rational bargain or contract between self-interested individuals (Hobbesian contractualism) and by appeal to the idea of a substantively reasonable agreement among individuals who regard one another as free and equal persons warranting equal moral respect (Kantian contractualism). Both of these existing models of contractualism are susceptible to apparently devastating objections. In this article, I outline a third, `deliberative' model of contractualism, which is based on the idea of a deliberatively rational agreement and which, I argue, represents a significant improvement on the Hobbesian and Kantian models in certain important respects.
Clubbish justice
Authors: Goodin Robert E.
Published: April 2008

Kai Spiekermann shows how groups of people cooperating purely for mutual advantage could solve social dilemmas by `assortation', deftly including and excluding people from the group of people who are cooperating among themselves. This article explores the normative implications of that result, casting further doubt on normative models treating justice as a `club good'.
CAM Curriculum Activities to Enhance Professionalism Training in Medical Schools
Authors: Elder W.G. , Hustedde Carol , Rakel Dave , Joyce Jennifer
Published: April 2008

Enhancing the professionalism of graduates is a major objective of most health care education institutions today. Educating conventional health care providers about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may directly and indirectly improve trainee professionalism by expanding trainees' knowledge and appreciation of diverse health care beliefs and practices, improving physician—patient communication, enhancing self-care, and increasing sense of competence and job satisfaction. A survey based on professional competencies proposed by the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine was administered to the grantees of the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine R-25 CAM education project initiative. The survey's aim was to identify project activities that taught professionalism skills. All projects reported curricular features that enhanced trainee professionalism, with substantial percentages of project effort directed toward professionalism-related activities.
Telecommunications and Health Care: An HIV/AIDS Warmline for Communication and Consultation in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Chang Larry William , Kagaayi Joseph , Nakigozi Gertrude , Galiwango Ronald , Mulamba Jeremiah , Ludigo James , Ruwangula Andrew , Gray Ronald H. , Quinn Thomas C. , Bollinger Robert C. , Reynolds Steven J.
Published: April 2008

Hotlines and warmlines have been successfully used in the developed world to provide clinical advice; however, reports on their replicability in resource-limited settings are limited. A warmline was established in Rakai, Uganda, to support an antiretroviral therapy program. Over a 17-month period, a database was kept of who called, why they called, and the result of the call. A program evaluation was also administered to clinical staff. A total of 1303 calls (3.5 calls per weekday) were logged. The warmline was used mostly by field staff and peripherally based peer health workers. Calls addressed important clinical issues, including the need for urgent care, medication side effects, and follow-up needs. Most clinical staff felt that the warmline made their jobs easier and improved the health of patients. An HIV/AIDS warmline leveraged the skills of a limited workforce to provide increased access to HIV/AIDS care, advice, and education.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv2540c DNA sequence encodes a bifunctional chorismate synthase
Authors: Ely Fernanda , Nunes José ES , Schroeder Evelyn K , Frazzon Jeverson , Palma Mário S , Santos Diógenes S , Basso Luiz A
Published: April 2008

Background

The emergence of multi- and extensively-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has created an urgent need for new agents to treat tuberculosis (TB). The enzymes of shikimate pathway are attractive targets to the development of antitubercular agents because it is essential for M. tuberculosis and is absent from humans. Chorismate synthase (CS) is the seventh enzyme of this route and catalyzes the NADH- and FMN-dependent synthesis of chorismate, a precursor of aromatic amino acids, naphthoquinones, menaquinones, and mycobactins. Although the M. tuberculosis Rv2540c (aroF) sequence has been annotated to encode a chorismate synthase, there has been no report on its correct assignment and functional characterization of its protein product.

Results

In the present work, we describe DNA amplification of aroF-encoded CS from M. tuberculosis (Mt CS), molecular cloning, protein expression, and purification to homogeneity. N-terminal amino acid sequencing, mass spectrometry and gel filtration chromatography were employed to determine identity, subunit molecular weight and oligomeric state in solution of homogeneous recombinant Mt CS. The bifunctionality of Mt CS was determined by measurements of both chorismate synthase and NADH:FMN oxidoreductase activities. The flavin reductase activity was characterized, showing the existence of a complex between FMNox and Mt CS. FMNox and NADH equilibrium binding was measured. Primary deuterium, solvent and multiple kinetic isotope effects are described and suggest distinct steps for hydride and proton transfers, with the former being more rate-limiting.

Conclusion

This is the first report showing that a bacterial CS is bifunctional. Primary deuterium kinetic isotope effects show that C4-proS hydrogen is being transferred during the reduction of FMNox by NADH and that hydride transfer contributes significantly to the rate-limiting step of FMN reduction reaction. Solvent kinetic isotope effects and proton inventory results indicate that proton transfer from solvent partially limits the rate of FMN reduction and that a single proton transfer gives rise to the observed solvent isotope effect. Multiple isotope effects suggest a stepwise mechanism for the reduction of FMNox. The results on enzyme kinetics described here provide evidence for the mode of action of Mt CS and should thus pave the way for the rational design of antitubercular agents.
A high-throughput pipeline for designing microarray-based pathogen diagnostic assays
Authors: Vijaya Satya Ravi , Zavaljevski Nela , Kumar Kamal , Reifman Jaques
Published: April 2008

Background

We present a methodology for high-throughput design of oligonucleotide fingerprints for microarray-based pathogen diagnostic assays. The oligonucleotide fingerprints, or DNA microarray probes, are designed for identifying target organisms in environmental or clinical samples. The design process is implemented in a high-performance computing software pipeline that incorporates major algorithmic improvements over a previous version to both reduce computation time and improve specificity assessment.

Results

The algorithmic improvements result in significant reduction in runtimes, with the updated pipeline being nearly up to five-times faster than the previous version. The improvements in specificity assessment, based on multiple specificity criteria, result in robust and consistent evaluation of cross-hybridization with nontarget sequences. In addition, the multiple criteria provide finer control on the number of resulting fingerprints, which helps in obtaining a larger number of fingerprints with high specificity. Simulation tests for Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis, using a well-established hybridization model to estimate cross-hybridization with nontarget sequences, show that the improved specificity criteria yield a larger number of fingerprints as compared to using a single specificity criterion.

Conclusion

The faster runtimes, achieved as the result of algorithmic improvements, are critical for extending the pipeline to process multiple target genomes. The larger numbers of identified fingerprints, obtained by considering broader specificity criteria, are essential for designing probes for hard-to-distinguish target sequences.
ConStruct: Improved construction of RNA consensus structures
Authors: Wilm Andreas , Linnenbrink Kornelia , Steger Gerhard
Published: April 2008

Background

Aligning homologous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) correctly in terms of sequence and structure is an unresolved problem, due to both mathematical complexity and imperfect scoring functions. High quality alignments, however, are a prerequisite for most consensus structure prediction approaches, homology searches, and tools for phylogeny inference. Automatically created ncRNA alignments often need manual corrections, yet this manual refinement is tedious and error-prone.

Results

We present an extended version of CONSTRUCT, a semi-automatic, graphical tool suitable for creating RNA alignments correct in terms of both consensus sequence and consensus structure. To this purpose CONSTRUCT combines sequence alignment, thermodynamic data and various measures of covariation.

One important feature is that the user is guided during the alignment correction step by a consensus dotplot, which displays all thermodynamically optimal base pairs and the corresponding covariation. Once the initial alignment is corrected, optimal and suboptimal secondary structures as well as tertiary interaction can be predicted. We demonstrate CONSTRUCT's ability to guide the user in correcting an initial alignment, and show an example for optimal secondary consensus structure prediction on very hard to align SECIS elements. Moreover we use CONSTRUCT to predict tertiary interactions from sequences of the internal ribosome entry site of CrP-like viruses. In addition we show that alignments specifically designed for benchmarking can be easily be optimized using CONSTRUCT, although they share very little sequence identity.

Conclusion

CONSTRUCT's graphical interface allows for an easy alignment correction based on and guided by predicted and known structural constraints. It combines several algorithms for prediction of secondary consensus structure and even tertiary interactions. The CONSTRUCT package can be downloaded from the URL listed in the Availability and requirements section of this article.
Hybridization produces novelty when the mapping of form to function is many to one
Authors: Parnell Nicholas F , Hulsey C Darrin , Streelman J Todd
Published: April 2008

Background

Evolutionary biologists want to explain the origin of novel features and functions. Two recent but separate lines of research address this question. The first describes one possible outcome of hybridization, called transgressive segregation, where hybrid offspring exhibit trait distributions outside of the parental range. The second considers the explicit mapping of form to function and illustrates manifold paths to similar function (called many to one mapping, MTOM) when the relationship between the two is complex. Under this scenario, functional novelty may be a product of the number of ways to elicit a functional outcome (i.e., the degree of MTOM). We fuse these research themes by considering the influence of MTOM on the production of transgressive jaw biomechanics in simulated hybrids between Lake Malawi cichlid species.

Results

We characterized the component links and functional output (kinematic transmission, KT) of the 4-bar mechanism in the oral jaws of Lake Malawi cichlids. We demonstrated that the input and output links, the length of the lower jaw and the length of the maxilla respectively, have consistent but opposing relationships with KT. Based on these data, we predicted scenarios in which species with different morphologies but similar KT (MTOM species) would produce transgressive function in hybrids. We used a simple but realistic genetic model to show that transgressive function is a likely outcome of hybridization among Malawi species exhibiting MTOM. Notably, F2 hybrids are transgressive for function (KT), but not the component links that contribute to function. In our model, transgression is a consequence of recombination and assortment among alleles specifying the lengths of the lower jaw and maxilla.

Conclusion

We have described a general and likely pervasive mechanism that generates functional novelty. Simulations of hybrid offspring among Lake Malawi cichlids exhibiting MTOM produce transgressive function in the majority of cases, and at appreciable frequency. Functional transgression (i) is a product of recombination and assortment between alleles controlling the lengths of the lower jaw and the maxilla, (ii) occurs in the absence of transgressive morphology, and (iii) can be predicted from the morphology of parents. Our genetic model can be tested by breeding Malawi cichlid hybrids in the laboratory and examining the resulting range of forms and functions.
Transcriptome analysis identifies pathways associated with enhanced maternal performance in QSi5 mice
Authors: Ramanathan Palaniappan , Martin Ian C , Gardiner-Garden Margaret , Thomson Peter C , Taylor Rosanne M , Ormandy Christopher J , Moran Christopher , Williamson Peter
Published: April 2008

Background

Highly fecund mouse strains provide an ideal model to understand the factors affecting maternal performance. The QSi5 inbred strain of mice was selected for high fecundity and low inter-litter interval, and is very successful at weaning large numbers of offspring when compared to other inbred strains.

Results

Post-natal pup weight gain was used to estimate mammary gland output and to compare the performance of QSi5 mice to CBA mice. Cumulative litter weights and individual pup weight gain was significantly higher throughout the first eight days of lactation in QSi5 mice compared to CBA mice. Morphometric analysis of mammary glands during pregnancy in QSi5 mice revealed a 150 percent greater ductal side branching compared to CBA mice (P< 0.001). Ontology and pathway classification of transcript profiles from the two strains identified an enrichment of genes involved in a number of pathways, including the MAPK, tight junction, insulin signalling andWntsignalling. Eleven of these genes, including six genes from the MAPK signalling pathway, were identified as associated with postnatal growth. Further, positive mediators of Wnt signalling, includingWnt4, Csnk2a1andSmad4, were over-represented in the QSi5 strain profile, while negative regulators, includingDkkl1, Ppp2r1aandNlk, were under-represented. These findings are consistent with the role of Wnt and MAPK signalling pathway in ductal morphogenesis and lobuloalveolar development suggesting enhanced activity in QSi5 mice. A similar pattern of phenotype concordance was seen amongst 12 genes from the tight junction pathway, but a pattern did not emerge from the insulin signalling genes. Amongst a group of differentially expressed imprinted genes, two maternal imprinted genes that suppress growth inducedviathe IGF signalling pathway,Grb10andIgf2r, were under-represented in QSi5 mice. WhereasPeg3andPlagl1, both paternally imprinted genes that enhance neonatal growth, were over-represented in QSi5 mice.

Conclusion

We propose that the combined action of at least three major signalling pathways involved in mammary gland development and milk secretion, namely Wnt, MAPK and tight junction pathways, contribute to the superior maternal performance phenotype in QSi5 mice. Additionally, favourable expression patterns of the imprinted genesPeg3, Plagl1, Grb10andIgf2rmay also contribute.
Genome sequence surveys of Brachiola algerae and Edhazardia aedis reveal microsporidia with low gene densities
Authors: Williams Bryony AP , Lee Renny CH , Becnel James J , Weiss Louis M , Fast Naomi M , Keeling Patrick J
Published: April 2008

Background

Microsporidia are well known models of extreme nuclear genome reduction and compaction. The smallest microsporidian genomes have received the most attention, but genomes of different species range in size from 2.3 Mb to 19.5 Mb and the nature of the larger genomes remains unknown.

Results

Here we have undertaken genome sequence surveys of two diverse microsporidia, Brachiola algerae and Edhazardia aedis. In both species we find very large intergenic regions, many transposable elements, and a low gene-density, all in contrast to the small, model microsporidian genomes. We also find no recognizable genes that are not also found in other surveyed or sequenced microsporidian genomes.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that microsporidian genome architecture varies greatly between microsporidia. Much of the genome size difference could be accounted for by non-coding material, such as intergenic spaces and retrotransposons, and this suggests that the forces dictating genome size may vary across the phylum.
Lsa21, a novel leptospiral protein binding adhesive matrix molecules and present during human infection
Authors: Atzingen Marina V , Barbosa Angela S , De Brito Thales , Vasconcellos Silvio A , de Morais Zenáide M , Lima Dirce MC , Abreu Patricia AE , Nascimento Ana LTO
Published: April 2008

Background

It has been well documented over past decades that interaction of pathogens with the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a primary role in host cell attachment and invasion. Adherence to host tissues is mediated by surface-exposed proteins expressed by the microorganisms during infection. The mechanisms by which pathogenic leptospires invade and colonize the host remain poorly understood since few virulence factors contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease have been identified. Whole-genome sequencing analysis of L. interrogans allowed identification of a repertoire of putative leptospiral surface proteins.

Results

Here, we report the identification and characterization of a new leptospiral protein that exhibits extracellular matrix-binding properties, called as Lsa21 (leptospiral surface adhesin, 21 kDa). Compatible with its role in adhesion, the protein was shown to be surface-exposed by indirect immunofluorescence. Attachment of Lsa21 to laminin, collagen IV, and plasma fibronectin was specific and dose dependent. Laminin oxidation by sodium metaperiodate reduced the protein-laminin interaction in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that laminin sugar moieties are crucial for this interaction. The gene coding for Lsa21 is present in pathogenic strains belonging to the L. interrogans species but was not found in the saprophytic L. biflexa serovar Patoc strain Patoc 1. Loss of gene expression occurs upon culture attenuation of pathogenic strains. Environmental factors such as osmolarity and temperature affect Lsa21 expression at the transcriptional level. Moreover, anti-Lsa21 serum labeled liver and kidney tissues of human fatal cases of leptospirosis.

Conclusion

Our data suggest a role of Lsa21 in the pathogenesis of leptospirosis.
Isolation of neuronal chromatin from brain tissue
Authors: Jiang Yan , Matevossian Anouch , Huang Hsien-Sung , Straubhaar Juerg , Akbarian Schahram
Published: April 2008

Background

DNA-protein interactions in mature brain are increasingly recognized as key regulators for behavioral plasticity and neuronal dysfunction in chronic neuropsychiatric disease. However, chromatin assays typically lack single cell resolution, and therefore little is known about chromatin regulation of differentiated neuronal nuclei that reside in brain parenchyma intermingled with various types of non-neuronal cells.

Results

Here, we describe a protocol to selectively tag neuronal nuclei from adult brain – either by (anti-NeuN) immunolabeling or transgene-derived histone H2B-GFP fusion protein – for subsequent fluorescence-activated sorting and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). To illustrate an example, we compared histone H3 lysine 4 and 9 methylation marks at select gene promoters in neuronal, non-neuronal and unsorted chromatin from mouse forebrain and human cerebral cortex, and provide evidence for neuron-specific histone methylation signatures.

Conclusion

With the modifications detailed in this protocol, the method can be used to collect nuclei from specific subtypes of neurons from any brain region for subsequent ChIP with native/un-fixed or crosslinked chromatin preparations. Starting with the harvest of brain tissue, ChIP-ready neuronal nuclei can be obtained within one day.
The SNF1-type serine-threonine protein kinase SAPK4regulates stress-responsive gene expression in rice
Authors: Diédhiou Calliste J , Popova Olga V , Dietz Karl-Josef , Golldack Dortje
Published: April 2008

Background

Plants respond to extracellularly perceived abiotic stresses such as low temperature, drought, and salinity by activation of complex intracellular signaling cascades that regulate acclimatory biochemical and physiological changes. Protein kinases are major signal transduction factors that have a central role in mediating acclimation to environmental changes in eukaryotic organisms. In this study, we characterized the function of the sucrose nonfermenting 1-related protein kinase2 (SnRK2) SAPK4 in the salt stress response of rice.

Results

Translational fusion of SAPK4 with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) showed subcellular localization in cytoplasm and nucleus. To examine the role of SAPK4 in salt tolerance we generated transgenic rice plants with over-expression of rice SAPK4 under control of the CaMV-35S promoter. Induced expression of SAPK4 resulted in improved germination, growth and development under salt stress both in seedlings and mature plants. In response to salt stress, the SAPK4-overexpressing rice accumulated less Na+ and Cl- and showed improved photosynthesis. SAPK4-regulated genes with functions in ion homeostasis and oxidative stress response were identified: the vacuolar H+-ATPase, the Na+/H+ antiporter NHX1, the Cl- channel OsCLC1 and a catalase.

Conclusion

Our results show that SAPK4 regulates ion homeostasis and growth and development under salinity and suggest function of SAPK4 as a regulatory factor in plant salt stress acclimation. Identification of signaling elements involved in stress adaptation in plants presents a powerful approach to identify transcriptional activators of adaptive mechanisms to environmental changes that have the potential to improve tolerance in crop plants.
Proteomic analysis of differential proteins in pancreatic carcinomas: Effects of MBD1 knock-down by stable RNA interference
Authors: Liu Chen , Chen Yaohui , Yu Xianjun , Jin Chen , Xu Jin , Long Jiang , Ni Quanxing , Fu Deliang , Jin Hong , Bai Chen
Published: April 2008

Background

Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 1 (MBD1), a suppressor of gene transcription, may be involved in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes during tumorigenesis. Over-expression of MBD1 has been reported in human pancreatic carcinomas.

Methods

In this study, we established a MBD1-knock-down pancreatic cancer cell line (BxPC-3) using stable RNA interference, to compare the proteomic changes between control and MBD1-knock-down cells using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Results

We identified five proteins that were up-regulated and nine proteins that were down-regulated. Most of the identified proteins are involved in tumorigenesis, some are prognostic biomarkers for human malignant tumors.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that these differential proteins may be associated with the function of MBD1, and provide some insight into the functional mechanism of MBD1 in the development of pancreatic cancer.
Obesity and prevalence of chronic diseases in the 1999–2000 Italian National Health Survey
Authors: Calza Stefano , Decarli Adriano , Ferraroni Monica
Published: April 2008

Background

There is consistent evidence that obesity is a correlate of mortality. Less information is available about the relation between body weight and the prevalence of diseases. We investigated the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their relationship with 14 groups of chronic diseases in a Mediterranean population using data from the Italian National Survey collected in 1999–2000.

Methods

A sample of 52,300 families was randomly selected using a complex stratified multistage design, within strata of geographical areas, municipalities, and household sizes, to produce estimates representative of the whole Italian population. Data were collected by civil servants both with an interview and a self-reported questionnaire.

Results

The present study documents an increase in the prevalence of overweight among Italian adults in the last decades and an increased prevalence of several chronic conditions in obese or overweight individuals. A general pattern of a positive association between excess weight and chronic disease was observed for both sexes. The ratio of the prevalences of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases was higher in obese versus normal-weight individuals in the age group under 45 years.

Conclusion

To reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases a policy promoting a healthier individual lifestyle is becoming more and more desirable.
Electrospun micro- and nanofiber tubes for functional nervous regeneration in sciatic nerve transections
Authors: Panseri Silvia , Cunha Carla , Lowery Joseph , Del Carro Ubaldo , Taraballi Francesca , Amadio Stefano , Vescovi Angelo , Gelain Fabrizio
Published: April 2008

Background

Although many nerve prostheses have been proposed in recent years, in the case of consistent loss of nervous tissue peripheral nerve injury is still a traumatic pathology that may impair patient's movements by interrupting his motor-sensory pathways. In the last few decades tissue engineering has opened the door to new approaches;: however most of them make use of rigid channel guides that may cause cell loss due to the lack of physiological local stresses exerted over the nervous tissue during patient's movement. Electrospinning technique makes it possible to spin microfiber and nanofiber flexible tubular scaffolds composed of a number of natural and synthetic components, showing high porosity and remarkable surface/volume ratio.

Results

In this study we used electrospun tubes made of biodegradable polymers (a blend of PLGA/PCL) to regenerate a 10-mm nerve gap in a rat sciatic nerve in vivo. Experimental groups comprise lesioned animals (control group) and lesioned animals subjected to guide conduits implantated at the severed nerve stumps, where the tubular scaffolds are filled with saline solution. Four months after surgery, sciatic nerves failed to reconnect the two stumps of transected nerves in the control animal group. In most of the treated animals the electrospun tubes induced nervous regeneration and functional reconnection of the two severed sciatic nerve tracts. Myelination and collagen IV deposition have been detected in concurrence with regenerated fibers. No significant inflammatory response has been found. Neural tracers revealed the re-establishment of functional neuronal connections and evoked potential results showed the reinnervation of the target muscles in the majority of the treated animals.

Conclusion

Corroborating previous works, this study indicates that electrospun tubes, with no additional biological coating or drug loading treatment, are promising scaffolds for functional nervous regeneration. They can be knitted in meshes and various frames depending on the cytoarchitecture of the tissue to be regenerated. The versatility of this technique gives room for further scaffold improvements, like tuning the mechanical properties of the tubular structure or providing biomimetic functionalization. Moreover, these guidance conduits can be loaded with various fillers like collagen, fibrin, or self-assembling peptide gels or loaded with neurotrophic factors and seeded with cells. Electrospun scaffolds can also be synthesized in different micro-architectures to regenerate lesions in other tissues like skin and bone.
Distribution of knock-down resistance mutations in Anopheles gambiae molecular forms in west and west-central Africa
Authors: Santolamazza Federica , Calzetta Maria , Etang Josiane , Barrese Elena , Dia Ibrahima , Caccone Adalgisa , Donnelly Martin J , Petrarca Vincenzo , Simard Frederic , Pinto Joao , della Torre Alessandra
Published: April 2008

Background

Knock-down resistance (kdr) to DDT and pyrethroids in the major Afrotropical vector species, Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, is associated with two alternative point mutations at amino acid position 1014 of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene, resulting in either a leucine-phenylalanine (L1014F), or a leucine-serine (L1014S) substitution. In An. gambiae S-form populations, the former mutation appears to be widespread in west Africa and has been recently reported from Uganda, while the latter, originally recorded in Kenya, has been recently found in Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. In M-form populations surveyed to date, only the L1014F mutation has been found, although less widespread and at lower frequencies than in sympatric S-form populations.

Methods

Anopheles gambiae M- and S-form specimens from 19 sites from 11 west and west-central African countries were identified to molecular form and genotyped at the kdr locus either by Hot Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay (HOLA) or allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR).

Results

The kdr genotype was determined for about 1,000 An. gambiae specimens. The L1014F allele was found at frequencies ranging from 6% to 100% in all S-form samples (N = 628), with the exception of two samples from Angola, where it was absent, and coexisted with the L1014S allele in samples from Cameroon, Gabon and north-western Angola. The L1014F allele was present in M-form samples (N = 354) from Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon, where both M- and S-forms were sympatric.

Conclusion

The results represent the most comprehensive effort to analyse the overall distribution of the L1014F and L1014S mutations in An. gambiae molecular forms, and will serve as baseline data for resistance monitoring. The overall picture shows that the emergence and spread of kdr alleles in An. gambiae is a dynamic process and that there is marked intra- and inter-form heterogeneity in resistance allele frequencies. Further studies are needed to determine: i) the importance of selection pressure exerted by both agricultural and public health use of pyrethroid insecticides, ii) the phenotypic effects, particularly when the two mutations co-occur; and iii) the epidemiological importance of kdr for both pyrethroid- and DDT-based malaria control operations, particularly if/when the two insecticides are to be used in concert.
Effect of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in elderly persons in years of low influenza activity
Authors: Christenson Brith , Pauksen Karlis , Sylvan Staffan PE
Published: April 2008

Background

The present prospective study was conducted from 2003–2005, among all individuals 65 years and older in Uppsala County, a region with 300 000 inhabitants situated close to the Stockholm urban area.

The objective of this study was to assess the preventive effect of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in reducing hospitalisation and length of hospital stay (LOHS) even during periods of low influenza activity. The specificity of the apparent vaccine associations were evaluated in relation to the influenza seasons.

Results

In 2003, the total study population was 41,059, of which 12,907 (31%) received influenza vaccine of these, 4,447 (11%) were administered the pneumococcal vaccine. In 2004, 14,799 (34%) individuals received the influenza vaccine and 8,843 (21%) the pneumococcal vaccine and in 2005 16,926 (39%) individuals were given the influenza vaccine and 12,340 (28%) the pneumococcal vaccine.

Our findings indicated that 35% of the vaccinated cohort belonged to a medical risk category (mainly those persons that received the pneumococcal vaccine). Data on hospitalisation and mortality during the 3-year period were obtained from the administrative database of the Uppsala county council.

During the influenza seasons, reduction of hospital admissions and significantly shorter in-hospital stay for influenza was observed in the vaccinated cohort (below 80 years of age). For individuals who also had received the pneumococcal vaccine, a significant reduction of hospital admissions and of in-hospital stay was observed for invasive pneumococcal disease and for pneumococcal pneumonia. Effectiveness was observed for cardiac failure even in persons that also had received the pneumococcal vaccine, despite that the pneumococcal vaccinated mainly belonged to a medical risk category. Reduction of death from all causes was observed during the influenza season of 2004, in the 75–84-year old age group and in all age-groups during the influenza season 2005.

Conclusion

The present study confirmed the additive effect of the two vaccines in the elderly, which was associated with a reduced risk in hospitalisation and a reduction in mean LOHS in seasons with low influenza activity.
Pleomorphic liposarcoma of the foot: a case report
Authors: Brčić Luka , Jakovčević Antonija , Vuletić Lovorka Batelja , Orlić Dubravko , Seiwerth Sven
Published: April 2008

Background

Liposarcomas are among the most common sarcomas of adult life. Pleomorphic liposarcoma, characterized by pleomorphic lipoblasts, is the rarest subtype. To our knowledge only three cases of pleomorphic liposarcoma of the foot or ankle have been reported so far.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old female presented with a large growing mass on the dorsum of her right foot. Computed tomography showed invasive tumorous mass. Excision biopsy revealed the mass to be a pleomorphic liposarcoma, and below the knee amputation was performed.

Conclusion

Although the incidence of pleomorphic liposarcoma in the foot is very low, it is essential to perform thorough histological analysis of all soft tissue masses, regardless of their benign appearance, because only prompt radical surgery can result in a good prognosis for the patient.
Bilateral sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis secondary to indwelling central venous catheter: a case report
Authors: Pradhan Charita , Watson Nicholas FS , Jagasia Nitin , Chari Ray , Patterson Jane E
Published: April 2008

Introduction

Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint is rare, comprising approximately 0.5% to 1% of all joint infections. Predisposing causes include immunocompromising diseases such as diabetes, HIV infection, renal failure and intravenous drug abuse.

Case presentation

We report a rare case of bilateral sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis in an elderly patient secondary to an indwelling right subclavian vein catheter. The insidious nature of the presentation is highlighted. We also review the literature regarding the epidemiology, investigation and methods of treatment of the condition.

Conclusion

SCJ infections are rare, and require a high degree of clinical suspicion. Vague symptoms of neck and shoulder pain may cloud the initial diagnosis, as was the case in our patient. Surgical intervention is often required; however, our patient avoided major intervention and settled with parenteral antibiotics and washout of the joint.
Expression profiling with RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material
Authors: Oberli Andrea , Popovici Vlad , Delorenzi Mauro , Baltzer Anna , Antonov Janine , Matthey Sybille , Aebi Stefan , Altermatt Hans Jörg , Jaggi Rolf
Published: April 2008

Background

Molecular characterization of breast and other cancers by gene expression profiling has corroborated existing classifications and revealed novel subtypes. Most profiling studies are based on fresh frozen (FF) tumor material which is available only for a limited number of samples while thousands of tumor samples exist as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks. Unfortunately, RNA derived of FFPE material is fragmented and chemically modified impairing expression measurements by standard procedures. Robust protocols for isolation of RNA from FFPE material suitable for stable and reproducible measurement of gene expression (e.g. by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, QPCR) remain a major challenge.

Results

We present a simple procedure for RNA isolation from FFPE material of diagnostic samples. The RNA is suitable for expression measurement by QPCR when used in combination with an optimized cDNA synthesis protocol and TaqMan assays specific for short amplicons. The FFPE derived RNA was compared to intact RNA isolated from the same tumors. Preliminary scores were computed from genes related to the ER response, HER2 signaling and proliferation. Correlation coefficients between intact and partially fragmented RNA from FFPE material were 0.83 to 0.97.

Conclusion

We developed a simple and robust method for isolating RNA from FFPE material. The RNA can be used for gene expression profiling. Expression measurements from several genes can be combined to robust scores representing the hormonal or the proliferation status of the tumor.
Early atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis and its relation to disease or traditional risk factors
Authors: Hettema Martha E , Zhang Dan , de Leeuw Karina , Stienstra Ymkje , Smit Andries J , Kallenberg Cees GM , Bootsma Hendrika
Published: April 2008

Introduction

Several systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with an increased prevalence of atherosclerosis which could not be explained by traditional risk factors alone. In systemic sclerosis (SSc), microvascular abnormalities are well recognized. Previous studies have suggested an increased prevalence of macrovascular disease as well. We compared patients with SSc to healthy controls for signs of early atherosclerosis by measuring intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in relation to traditional risk factors and markers of endothelial activation.

Methods

Forty-nine patients with SSc, of whom 92% had limited cutaneous SSc, and 32 healthy controls were studied. Common carotid IMT was measured by using B-mode ultrasound. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease were assessed and serum markers for endothelial activation were measured.

Results

In patients with SSc, the mean IMT (median 0.69 mm, interquartile range [IQR] 0.62 to 0.79 mm) was not significantly increased compared with healthy controls (0.68 mm, IQR 0.56 to 0.75 mm; P = 0.067). Also, after correction for the confounders age, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.328) or using a different model taking into account the confounders age, HDL cholesterol, and history of macrovascular disease (P = 0.474), no difference in IMT was present between SSc patients and healthy controls. Plaques were found in three patients and not in healthy controls (P = 0.274). In patients, no correlations were found between maximum IMT, disease-related variables, and markers of endothelial activation. Endothelial activation markers were not increased in SSc patients compared with controls.

Conclusion

SSc is not associated with an increased prevalence of early signs of atherosclerosis.