bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐lysine corn generated by endosperm‐specific suppression of lysine catabolism using RNAi
Authors: Houmard Nancy M. , Mainville Jonnelle L. , Bonin Christopher P. , Huang Shihshieh , Luethy Michael H. , Malvar Thomas M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryBecause of the limited lysine content in corn grain, synthetic lysine supplements are added to corn meal‐based rations for animal feed. The development of biotechnology, combined with the understanding of plant lysine metabolism, provides an alternative solution for increasing corn lysine content through genetic engineering. Here, we report that by suppressing lysine catabolism, transgenic maize kernels accumulated a significant amount of lysine. This was achieved by RNA interference (RNAi) through the endosperm‐specific expression of an inverted‐repeat (IR) sequence targeting the maize bifunctional lysine degradation enzyme, lysine‐ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase (ZLKR/SDH). Although plant‐short interfering RNA (siRNA) were reported to lack tissue specificity due to systemic spreading, we confirmed that the suppression of ZLKR/SDH in developing transgenic kernels was restricted to endosperm tissue. Furthermore, results from our cloning and sequencing of siRNA suggested the absence of transitive RNAi. These results support the practical use of RNAi for plant genetic engineering to specifically target gene suppression in desired tissues without eliciting systemic spreading and the transitive nature of plant RNAi silencing.
What Really Happens: Department Secretary Appointments, Contracts and Performance Pay in the Australian Public Service
Authors: Podger Andrew 
Published: June 2007

This account of the practice in the Australian Public Service (APS) for appointing department secretaries, using contracts and rewarding for performance, is based on my own experience in being appointed, reappointed and not reappointed, and in receiving and not receiving performance pay. It also draws on my experience as Public Service Commissioner in assisting with appointments and performance pay of secretaries. I also discuss weaknesses in the current system, and the drift to ‘politicisation’. I was first appointed as a department secretary at the end of 1993 after 25 years in the APS including 15 years in the Senior Executive Service (SES) in three different portfolios (Social Security, Finance and Defence). I was secretary of three different departments (Administrative Services, Housing, and Health, some of which went through changes in name and responsibilities during my tenure) before being appointed as Public Service Commissioner from the beginning of 2002. I retired from the APS in June 2005.
Licensing, Accreditation and Quality Improvement
Authors: Valentine Bruce 
Published: June 2007

This article provides an explanation of why consideration is needed of historical practice issues when designing new regulatory regimes. It also suggests some practice techniques that can be applied both to existing and new regulatory regimes to enhance the effectiveness of the regulation. It does so by exploring the problems faced by existing service providers and regulators following the introduction of a new regulatory regime intended to raise the standard of out‐of‐home care services in NSW. This involved agencies making the transition from a licensing regime based on minimum standards under the Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987 to accreditation, employing optimum practice standards, under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.
A Relationalist's Guide to Error About Color Perception
Authors: Cohen Jonathan 
Published: June 2007

Blue and yellow, bitter or sweet, can never be false ideas: these perceptions in the mind are just such as they are there, answering the powers appointed by God to produce them; and so are truly what they are, and are intended to be.— Locke,Essay Concerning Human Understanding,II, 32, 16.AbstractColor relationalism is the view that colors are constituted in terms of relations to perceiving subjects. Among its explanatory virtues, relationalism provides a satisfying treatment of cases of perceptual variation. But it can seem that relationalists lack resources for saying that a representation ofx's color is erroneous. Surely, though, a theory of color that makes errors of color perception impossible cannot be correct. In this paper I'll argue that, initial appearances notwithstanding, relationalism contains the resources to account for errors of color perception. I'll conclude that worries about making room for error are worries the relationalist can meet.
Models of iron oxide concretion formation: field, numerical, and laboratory comparisons
Authors: CHAN M. A. , ORMÖ J. , PARK A. J. , STICH M. , SOUZA‐EGIPSY V. , KOMATSU G. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWell‐exposed Jurassic Navajo Sandstone iron oxide concretions preserve important diagenetic records of groundwater flow and water–rock interactions. Field relationships, precipitation patterns, and geometries of the Navajo concretions provide the basis for input parameters in numerical computer simulations and laboratory chemical bench tests. Although field geometries are very difficult to replicate, numerical simulations and laboratory experiments examine end results such as nucleation and growth of iron oxide concretions, produced from known input parameters. Three numerical simulations show the development of periodic self‐organized nucleation centers through Liesegang‐type double‐diffusion of iron and oxygen. This numerical model simulates a scenario where oxygen is provided by shallow fresh water and iron is sourced from deeper reduced formation water. Concretions form in the region where the two waters interact with each other. Model sensitivities show that advection of water is an important mechanism for supplying the iron, and that acidic conditions in the iron‐charged water can cause iron to stay in solution longer to produce nucleation centers that are farther from the input source. Laboratory bench tests with reactions of FeSO4or Fe(NO3)3with KOH show how the precipitation of hydrated iron sulfates or iron‐hydroxides may form rinds around an initial, spherical source of iron (i.e. nucleation center). These rinds may show inward growth depending on the concentration of the iron source in relation to the surrounding fluid. A number of complex factors such as concentration and flux, time, and multiple events can create banded patterns during rind growth. Comparisons of the terrestrial examples with numerical and laboratory models have strong implications for understanding similar hematite concretions on Mars.
The anatomy of the cardiac veins in mice
Authors: Ciszek Bogdan , Skubiszewska Daria , Ratajska Anna 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAlthough the cardiac coronary system in mice has been the studied in detail by many research laboratories, knowledge of the cardiac veins remains poor. This is because of the difficulty in marking the venous system with a technique that would allow visualization of these large vessels with thin walls. Here we present the visualization of the coronary venous system by perfusion of latex dye through the right caudal vein. Latex injected intravenously does not penetrate into the capillary system. Murine cardiac veins consist of several principal branches (with large diameters), the distal parts of which are located in the subepicardium. We have described the major branches of the left atrial veins, the vein of the left ventricle, the caudal veins, the vein of the right ventricle and the conal veins forming the conal venous circle or the prepulmonary conal venous arch running around the conus of the right ventricle. The venous system of the heart drains the blood to the coronary sinus (the left cranial caval vein) to the right atrium or to the right cranial caval vein. Systemic veins such as the left cranial caval, the right cranial caval and the caudal vein open to the right atrium. Knowledge of cardiac vein location may help to elucidate abnormal vein patterns in certain genetic malformations.
Prostaglandin synthesis in rat brain astrocytes is under the control of the n‐3 docosahexaenoic acid, released by group VIB calcium‐independent phospholipase A2
Authors: Strokin Mikhail , Sergeeva Marina , Reiser Georg 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn the current study, we reveal that in astrocytes the VIB Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2 is the enzyme responsible for the release of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3). After pharmacological inhibition and siRNA silencing of VIB Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2, docosahexaenoic acid release was strongly suppressed in astrocytes, which were acutely stimulated (30 min) with ATP and glutamate or after prolonged (6 h) stimulation with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. Docosahexaenoic acid release proceeds simultaneously with arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) release and prostaglandin liberation from astrocytes. We found that prostaglandin production is negatively controlled by endogenous docosahexaenoic acid, since pharmacological inhibition and siRNA silencing of VIB Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2 significantly amplified the prostaglandin release by astrocytes stimulated with ATP, glutamate, and lipopolysaccharide. Addition of exogenous docosahexaenoic acid inhibited prostaglandin synthesis, which suggests that the negative control of prostaglandin synthesis observed here is likely due to competitive inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐1/2 by free docosahexaenoic acid. Additionally, treatment of astrocytes with docosahexaenoic acid leads to the reduction in cyclooxygenase‐1 expression, which also contributes to reduced prostaglandin production observed in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated cells. Thus, we identify a regulatory mechanism important for the brain, in which docosahexaenoic acid released from astrocytes by VIB Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2 negatively controls prostaglandin production.
RET signaling‐induced SPHK1 gene expression plays a role in both GDNF‐induced differentiation and MEN2‐type oncogenesis
Authors: Murakami Masashi , Ichihara Masatoshi , Sobue Sayaka , Kikuchi Ryosuke , Ito Hiromi , Kimura Ami , Iwasaki Takashi , Takagi Akira , Kojima Tetsuhito , Takahashi Masahide , Suzuki Motoshi , Banno Yoshiko , Nozawa Yoshinori , Murate Takashi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractRET, the receptor of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands, is important for the development of kidney and peripheral neurons. GDNF promotes survival and differentiation of neurons. Mutation of RET leads to the constitutive signal activation causing papillary thyroid carcinoma and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). In this study, we report that GDNF/RET signaling up‐regulates sphingosine kinase (SPHK) enzyme activity, SPHK1 protein and SPHK1 message in TGW human neuroblastoma cells. Silencing of SPHK1 using siRNA inhibited GDNF‐induced neurite formation, GAP43 expression, and cell growth, suggesting the important role of SPHK1 in GDNF signal transduction. Furthermore, NIH3T3 cells transfected with MEN2A type mutated RET but not c‐RET demonstrated the up‐regulation of SPHK activity, SPHK1 protein and SPHK1 message compared with NIH3T3 cells. The cell growth and anchorage‐independent colony formation of MEN2A‐NIH3T3 was inhibited with siRNA of SPHK1, while no effect of scramble siRNA was observed. These results suggest the oncogenic role of SPHK1 in MEN2A type tumor. Promoter analysis showed that activator protein 2 and specificity protein 1 binding motif of the 5′ promoter region of SPHK1 gene is important for its induction by GDNF. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ERK1/2 and PI3 kinase are involved in GDNF‐induced SPHK1 transcription by using specific inhibitors.
Satisfaction and coercion among voluntary, persuaded/pressured and committed patients in acute psychiatric treatment
Authors: Sørgaard Knut W. 
Published: June 2007

Rationale:  Whereas the distinction between committed and voluntary admissions in mental health is clear from a legal point of view, this clarity is not always present in the patients’ experiences. Voluntary patients may be pressured or persuaded and committed patients may want admission.Aims:  To compare three groups of patients – committed, voluntary and persuaded – admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient care as regards different aspects of satisfaction, treatment and experienced coercion.Method:  The Sjukvårdens Planerings‐ och Rationaliseringsinstitut form and the Coercion Ladder were administered to all admitted patients on two acute wards. A total of 189 patients participated (86%). Data were analysed with nonparametric (Kruskal–Wallis, chi‐square) and parametric tests (multinominal regression).Results:  A substantial proportion of the patients did not know of their legal status. Many reported restrictions on movement, forced medication and patronising communication. Satisfaction with the treatment was generally high. Compared to the voluntary patients, the two other groups were characterized by lack of influence, forced medication and high satisfaction with the key worker.Conclusion:  Involuntariness was associated with increased likelihood of feeling excluded from participation in the treatment. The key worker seems to have an important position with regard to committed and pressured patients.Limitations:  The data were limited to the patients’ subjective reports.
A network‐based rehabilitation model for frail elderly people: development and assessment of a new model
Authors: Ollonqvist Kirsi , Grönlund Rainer , Karppi Sirkka‐Liisa , Salmelainen Ulla , Poikkeus Leena , Hinkka Katariina 
Published: June 2007

Introduction and purpose:  Living independently at home promotes the well‐being of people aged 65 and over. In Finland, the municipalities are responsible for providing social and health services, including rehabilitation of the elderly. Rehabilitation is in practice carried out by independent rehabilitation centres. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland is a national agency responsible for financing and developing rehabilitation. Combining the efforts of these three agencies, a new network‐based inpatient rehabilitation model was established to support the community living of frail elderly persons at high risk of institutionalization. This article describes the new model and evaluates the cooperation within the rehabilitation network, as well as the contents of the rehabilitation.Material and methods:  The new model was evaluated in two phases using diverse methods. First, the networks were assessed as they were being established in 2000, and secondly, when they were operational in 2002. The first phase involved 53 networks operating in 46 municipalities and 12 rehabilitation centres, and the second 44 networks in 41 municipalities and seven rehabilitation centres. The data were collected by questionnaires, interviews and reports.Results:  The rehabilitation networks were functional, although constant development and search for better working practices was time consuming. Two different approaches in the networks were found: the ‘networks of creators’ were able to carry out the new tasks highly successfully, while the ‘networks of followers’ only managed to do the minimum as instructed. Motivated network members and adequate resources appeared to be essential for a successful rehabilitation process.Conclusions:  It is possible to create a functional rehabilitation network involving different agencies. Further development work is necessary to make the network‐based rehabilitation model more efficient.
A rare case of interspecific hybridization in the tracheophone suboscines: Chestnut‐naped Antpitta Grallaria nuchalis × Chestnut‐crowned Antpitta G. ruficapilla in a fragmented Andean landscape
Authors: CADENA CARLOS DANIEL , LÓPEZ‐LANÚS BERNABÉ , BATES JOHN M. , KRABBE NIELS , RICE NATHAN H. , STILES F. GARY , PALACIO JUAN DIEGO , SALAMAN PAUL 
Published: June 2007

Based on analyses of variation in plumage, morphometrics, vocalizations, and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, we document the occurrence of interspecific hybridization between a Chestnut‐naped Antpitta Grallaria nuchalis and a Chestnut‐crowned Antpitta G. ruficapilla in a high‐elevation forest fragment in the Cordillera Central of the Andes of Colombia. One hybrid individual was collected and at least two were recorded singing. The hybrid specimen exhibits a combination of phenotypic traits that exclude other species of antpittas as potential parents, and its vocalizations combine elements of songs of both of its parental species. Genetic analyses demonstrate that the hybrid has G. nuchalis mitochondrial DNA and mixed nuclear DNA with copies corresponding to G. nuchalis and G. ruficapilla alleles, demonstrating that the female parent was G. nuchalis. Hybridization is considered extremely rare in most groups of suboscine passerines, but it may be facilitated when populations are decimated as a consequence of deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
The CABG Surgery Volume–Outcome Relationship: Temporal Trends and Selection Effects in California, 1998–2004
Authors: Marcin James P. , Li Zhongmin , Kravitz Richard L. , Dai Jian J. , Rocke David M. , Romano Patrick S. 
Published: June 2007

Objective. To investigate the temporal trends in the volume–outcome relationship in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in California from 1998 to 2004, and to assess the selection effects on this relationship by using data from periods of voluntary and mandatory hospital reporting.Data Sources. We used patient‐level clinical data collected for the California CABG Mortality Reporting Program (CCMRP, a voluntary reporting program with between 68 and 81 hospitals) from 1998 to 2002 and the California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program (CCORP, a mandatory reporting program with 121 and 120 hospitals) from 2003 to 2004.Study Design. The patient was the primary unit of analysis, and in‐hospital mortality was the primary outcome. We used hierarchical logistic regression models (generalized linear mixed models) to assess the association of hospital annual volume with hospital mortality while controlling for detailed patient‐level covariates in each of the 7 years.Data Collection Methods. All data were systematically collected, reviewed for accuracy, and validated by the State of California's Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).Principal Findings. We found that during the period of voluntary hospital reporting (1998–2002), with the exception of 1998, higher volume hospitals had significantly lower risk‐adjusted in‐hospital mortality rates, on average, than lower volume hospitals (1998 odds ratio [OR] per 100 operations performed=0.962, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 0.912–1.015; 1999 OR=0.955, 95 percent CI: 0.920–0.991; 2000 OR=0.942, 95 percent CI: 0.897–0.989; 2001 OR=0.935, 95 percent CI: 0.887–0.986; 2002 OR=0.946, 95 percent CI: 0.899–0.997). We also found that in the period of mandatory reporting (2003 and 2004) there was no volume–outcome relationship (2003 OR=0.997, 95 percent CI: 0.939–1.058; 2004 OR=0.984, 95 percent CI: 0.915–1.058) and that this lack of association was not due to a reporting bias from the addition of data from hospitals that did not originally contribute during the voluntary program.Conclusions. In California, where no state regulations support regionalization of CABG surgeries, a weak volume–outcome relationship was present from 1998 to 2002, but was absent in 2003 and 2004. The disappearance of the volume–outcome association was temporally related to the implementation of a statewide mandatory CABG surgery reporting program.
Three‐dimensional ultrasound imaging of the levator hiatus in late pregnancy and associations with delivery outcomes
Authors: LANZARONE Valeria , DIETZ Hans Peter 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjective:  To determine the correlations between dimensions of the levator hiatus in late pregnant nulliparous women, mode of delivery and length of second stage.Methods:  This was a prospective observational pilot study of 61 nulliparous women seen and examined between 36 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. A translabial ultrasound examination was undertaken, and three‐dimensional volumes comprising the levator hiatus were recorded at rest, during a pelvic floor muscle contraction and on Valsalva. The volumes were analysed in a blinded fashion using proprietary software to determine linear dimensions and hiatal area. Information regarding delivery outcomes and course of labour was obtained from the obstetric database. Statistical analysis was undertaken for correlations between hiatal dimensions and labour outcomes.Results:  No consistent correlations were found between levator dimensions and delivery mode. However, an inverse correlation was demonstrated between the area of the hiatus, particularly on pelvic floor contraction, and length of total second stage.Conclusions:  Levator hiatal dimensions are associated with the length of the second stage of labour. Although the numbers were small, our findings suggest that the effect of pelvic floor structures on progress in labour is worth further study.
The role of continuous glucose monitoring in clinical decision‐making in diabetes in pregnancy
Authors: McLACHLAN Kylie , JENKINS Alicia , O’NEAL David 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground:  The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) is a novel tool to assess 24‐h glucose fluctuations. In pregnancies complicated by diabetes, where excellent glucose control is desired to improve maternal and fetal outcomes, CGMS may have a role in fine‐tuning management.Aims:  To assess the usefulness of CGMS in pregnant women with diabetes for medical decision‐making and to evaluate patient tolerability and perception of usefulness.Methods:  Pregnant women with diabetes at the Werribee Mercy Hospital were offered CGMS in the setting of their standard diabetes care. Treating clinicians were asked if the CGMS altered management decisions from those based on conventional glucose monitoring. The accuracy of the CGMS was assessed by comparison with the patients’ finger‐prick glucose readings. Patients completed a feedback questionnaire after having the CGMS and viewing their results.Results:  CGMS traces (n = 68) were obtained in 55 pregnant women – 37 with gestational diabetes, ten with type 2 and eight with type 1 diabetes. Forty‐two of 68 (62%) traces were assessed as providing additional information which altered clinical management decisions. This included showing undetected postprandial hyperglycaemia and overnight hypoglycaemia. Subject feedback was generally positive, with 37 of 48 (77%) respondents reporting that the benefits of the CGMS outweighed the inconvenience.Conclusion:  CGMS is a well‐tolerated clinically useful tool in the management of gestational diabetes and pre‐existing diabetes in pregnancy.
The impact of chronic vulval pain on quality of life and psychosocial well‐being
Authors: SARGEANT Hilary A. , O’CALLAGHAN Frances V. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Chronic or recurrent pain associated with the female reproductive system is not well understood and has been neglected in research, despite it being a costly health problem.Aims: The present research investigated the psychosocial impact of vulval pain on health‐related quality of life, sexual well‐being, and relationship satisfaction among Australian women.Methods: Between June and December 2004, Australian women with and without vulval pain completed a questionnaire containing a range of well‐validated self‐report measures. Questionnaires were returned by 51 women aged between 19 and 68 years with vulval pain and 46 women aged between 21 and 65 years without vulval pain.Results: Similar to previous research, Australian women with vulval pain reported significantly worse health‐related quality of life, higher levels of distress related to sexual activities, and lower levels of happiness in couple relationships than those without pain.Conclusions: These results highlight serious psychosocial implications for women experiencing chronic vulval pain. Understanding the impact that vulval pain has on women may assist in developing appropriate psychosocial interventions that may improve quality of life.