bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic research and genetic information: a health information professional's perspective on the benefits and risks
Authors: Cullen Rowena , Marshall Stephen 
Published: December 2006

Abstract Background: The completion of the Human Genome Project, and recent breakthroughs in identifying the genes both directly responsible for and contributing to the severity of specific diseases and disabilities in humans offer great potential for future health care. Aim: The aim of the paper is to inform the health information community of these developments in order to foster debate over their wide‐reaching implications. Methods: The article outlines recent research in this area and explains how our growing understanding opens the way for improved diagnosis of disease, detection of possible predisposition to specific diseases, the interaction between genetics and environmental aspects such as diet, as well as enabling gene therapy and preventative actions. This new knowledge also opens the way for the use of pharmacogenetic information to enhance the efficacy of pharmaceuticals and to avoid toxic reactions. Results: These advances have significant social, legal and ethical implications. Most countries have limited legislative control over the use and protection of genetic information about individuals. Conclusion: There is a role for health information professionals to play in promoting wider public knowledge of genetic research and its implications, in fostering public debate on key issues, and in seeking clearer policies in the health sector concerning the use of genetic information about individuals.
Information needs and information sources of individuals living with spinal cord injury
Authors: Burkell Jacquelyn A. , Wolfe Dalton L. , Potter Patrick J. , Jutai Jeffrey W. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract Aims and objectives: Access to health information is important for the well‐being of people living in the community after spinal cord injury (SCI). In order to design appropriate information interventions, it is critical first to understand the information sources typically used. The goal of this study therefore is to identify the information‐seeking practices of this group. Sample and methods: A sample of 207 individuals living in the community following traumatic spinal cord injury were surveyed regarding their ongoing information needs and practices for seeking information. Results: The results reveal that respondents have unmet information needs, despite the fact that they typically access information through a variety of channels. SCI specialists are the most commonly used source, although they are viewed as relatively inaccessible. By contrast, the Internet (used by a relatively high proportion of respondents) is viewed as comparatively accessible, although there are some concerns about the quality of information found there. Conclusions: These survey results point to the need for an information source that is accessible and delivers high quality information. Although respondents use a variety of information sources, none meets this ideal profile. Information professionals should consider this gap in the design of information interventions.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from the budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus
Authors: KAMARA D. , GENG T. , XU J. , GUYNN S. , HOPWOOD K. , SMITH E. J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus, belongs to a group of birds that are among the most common captive‐held avian species that are also most threatened. Budgies are also a valuable resource as model species for many important vertebrate characteristics including auditory and ageing. Several microsatellite‐enriched genomic libraries were developed using standard protocols. Twelve of 20 primer pairs developed from microsatellite‐containing sequences were codominant and polymorphic when tested on 21 birds from three different states. The number of alleles detected ranged from two to four, with the expected and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.09 to 0.61 and from 0.00 to 0.85, respectively. The genomic libraries and the primers described here will be useful in characterizing budgies.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from a commercial cultivar of Porphyra haitanensis
Authors: ZUO ZHENGHONG , WANG CHONGGANG , CAO XIAOHUA , SU YING , LIAO LIJING , CHEN YIXIN 
Published: December 2006

AbstractHere we report 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci obtained from Porphyra haitanensis through an enriched genomic library. The analysis of 22 individuals from conchocelis phase of P. haitanensis, which possess a diploid nuclear phase, showed that allelic diversity range from three to six alleles. The polymorphism revealed by these loci will be extremely useful for genetic mapping, marker‐assistant selection, germplasm characterization and evolutionary studies in Porphyra.
Development of 18 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers of Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae)
Authors: SHI YUANYUAN , YANG GUANPIN , LIU YONGJIAN , LIAO MEIJIE , LI XIAOJIE , CONG YIZHOU 
Published: December 2006

AbstractEighteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were developed for Laminaria japonica, a brown alga cultured intensively in China. These markers are independent from each other and are moderately variable in L. japonica. The number of alleles and gene diversity detected in 53 gametophyte clones representing the varieties of L. japonica cultured once or currently in China range from two to nine and from 0.355 to 0.768, respectively. These markers will certainly facilitate the management and exploitation of the germplasm resource of L. japonica conserved indoor as gametophyte clones and the determination of the genetic diversity of L. japonica naturally distributed.
Longitudinal data on telomere length in leukocytes from newborn baboons support a marked drop in stem cell turnover around 1 year of age
Authors: Baerlocher Gabriela M. , Rice Karen , Vulto Irma , Lansdorp Peter M. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryStem cells of various tissues are typically defined as multipotent cells with ‘self‐renewal’ properties. Despite the increasing interest in stem cells, surprisingly little is known about the number of times stem cells can or do divide over a lifetime. Based on telomere‐length measurements of hematopoietic cells, we previously proposed that the self‐renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells is limited by progressive telomere attrition and that such cells divide very rapidly during the first year of life. Recent studies of patients with aplastic anemia resulting from inherited mutations in telomerase genes support the notion that the replicative potential of hematopoietic stem cells is directly related to telomere length, which is indirectly related to telomerase levels. To revisit conclusions about stem cell turnover based on cross‐sectional studies of telomere length, we performed a longitudinal study of telomere length in leukocytes from newborn baboons. All four individual animals studied showed a rapid decline in telomere length (∼2–3 kb) in granulocytes and lymphocytes in the first year after birth. After 50–70 weeks the telomere length appeared to stabilize in all cell types. These observations suggest that hematopoietic stem cells, after an initial phase of rapid expansion, switch at around 1 year of age to a different functional mode characterized by a markedly decreased turnover rate.
Design and synthesis of compounds that extend yeast replicative lifespan
Authors: Yang Hongying , Baur Joseph A. , Chen Allen , Miller Christine , Sinclair David A. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThis past decade has seen the identification of numerous conserved genes that extend lifespan in diverse species, yet the number of compounds that extend lifespan is relatively small. A class of compounds called STACs, which were identified as activators of Sir2/SIRT1 NAD+‐dependent deacetylases, extend the lifespans of multiple species in a Sir2‐dependent manner and can delay the onset of age‐related diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration in model organisms. Plant‐derived STACs such as fisetin and resveratrol have several liabilities, including poor stability and relatively low potency as SIRT1 activators. To develop improved STACs, stilbene derivatives with modifications at the 4’ position of the B ring were synthesized using a Horner‐Emmons‐based synthetic route or by hydrolyzing deoxyrhapontin. Here, we describe synthetic STACs with lower toxicity toward human cells, and higher potency with respect to SIRT1 activation and lifespan extension in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These studies show that it is possible to improve upon naturally occurring STACs based on a number of criteria including lifespan extension.
Reduced Mortality: The Unexpected Impact of a Telephone‐Based Care Management Intervention for Older Adults in Managed Care
Authors: Alkema Gretchen E. , Wilber Kathleen H. , Shannon George R. , Allen Douglas 
Published: December 2006

Objective.This analysis evaluated mortality over 24 months for Medicare managed care members who participated in the Care Advocate Program (CA Program) designed to link those with high health care utilization to home‐ and community‐based services.Data Source.Secondary data from the CA Program, part of the California HealthCare Foundation's Elders in Managed Care Initiative.Study Design.Randomized‐control trial in which participants (N=781) were randomly assigned to intent‐to‐treat (ITT) and control groups. ITT group received telephonic social care management and 12 months of follow‐up. Various multivariate analyses were used to evaluate mortality risk throughout multiple study periods controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and health care utilization.Population Studied.Older adults (65+) enrolled in a Medicare managed care plan who had high health care utilization in the previous year.Principal Findings.ITT group had a significantly lower odds of mortality throughout the study (OR=0.55;p=.005) and during the care management intervention (OR=0.45;p=.006), whereas differential risk in the postintervention period was not statistically significant. Other significant predictors of mortality were age, gender, three chronic conditions (cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease), and emergency room utilization.Conclusions.Findings suggest that the care advocate model of social care management affected mortality while the program was in progress, but not after completion of the intervention phase. Key model elements accounted for the findings, which include individualized targeting, assessment, and monitoring; consumer choice, control, and participant self‐management; and bridging medical and social service delivery systems through direct linkages and communication.
The Political Economy of Government‐Issued Longevity Bonds
Authors: Brown Jeffrey R. , Orszag Peter R. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThis article explores the trade‐offs associated with government issuance of longevity bonds as a way of stimulating private annuity supply in the presence of aggregate mortality risk. We provide new calculations suggesting a 5 percent chance that aggregate mortality risk could ex post raise annuity costs for private insurers by as much as 5–10 percentage points, with the most likely effect based on historical patterns toward the lower end of that range. While we suspect that aggregate mortality risk does exert some upward pressure on annuity prices, evidence from private market pricing suggests that, to the extent that private insurers are accurately pricing this risk, the effect is less than 5 percentage points. We discuss ways that the private market can spread this risk, while emphasizing that the government has the unique ability to spread aggregate risk across generations. We note factors that might hamper such an efficient allocation of risk, including potential political incentives for the government to shift more than the optimal amount of risk onto future generations, and the possibility that government fiscal policy might allocate risk less efficiently within each generation than would private markets. We also discuss how large‐scale longevity bond issuance might affect government borrowing costs, as well as political economy aspects of how the proceeds from such a bond issuance might be used.
Influence of cyclosporin A on quality of bone around integrated dental implants: a radiographic study in rabbits
Authors: Sakakura Celso Eduardo , Marcantonio Elcio , Wenzel Ann , Scaf Gulnara 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate the influence of cyclosporin A (CsA) administration on bone around integrated dental implants assessed by a bone quality index and by quantitative subtraction radiography.Material and methods: A total of 36 machine surface commercial implants were placed in 18 adult rabbits. After a 3‐month healing period without any disturbance, the animals were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each. Group A was sacrificed at this time. CsA was injected subcutaneously in an immunosuppressive dose of 10 mg/kg/day in a test group (Group T), and a Group B served as a control, receiving only vehicle. After 3 months of cyclosporin administration, the animals of both Groups B and T were sacrificed. Radiographs were obtained at implant surgery and at the day of sacrifice with a CMOS sensor. Bone quality around the implants was compared between the groups using a bone quality index and quantitative subtraction radiography.Results: The bone analysis showed that in Group T, the bone quality changed dramatically from a dense cortical to a loose trabecular bone structure (P<0.0001, χ2 test) while in Groups A and B there were no significant differences. Quantitative digital subtraction radiography showed significantly (P<0.05) lower gray shade values (radiographic density) in a region of bone formation around the implants in Group T (118±12) than in Groups A (161±6) and B (186±10).Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, CsA administration has a negative effect on the quality of bone around integrated dental implant.
Bone formation after sinus augmentation with engineered bone
Authors: Zizelmann Christoph , Schoen Ralf , Metzger Marc Christian , Schmelzeisen Rainer , Schramm Alexander , Dott Britta , Bormann Kai‐Hendrik , Gellrich Nils Claudius 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjectives: The aim of the following investigation was to quantify the resorption rate of tissue‐engineered bone grafts in the maxillary sinus using volume measurements.Material and methods: Sinus floor augmentation using autologous bone grafts from the iliac crest (n=17, group 1) was compared with commercially produced transplants of human cells seeded on polyglycolid–polylactid (PLGA) scaffolds (Oral Bone®) (n=14, group 2).Results: The total resorption rate for autologous transplants 3 months post operation was 29%, while the tissue‐engineered bone showed a resorption rate of 90%.The autologous bone had a bone density of up to 266–551 Hounsfield units (HU), while sufficient mineralization of tissue‐engineered bone was found in only one case (152 HU).Conclusion: In this clinical study, the use of autologous cancellous bone grafts in sinus augmentation was more reliable than scaffolds containing cultured osteoblasts. Further tissue‐engineered bone transplants should be examined to draw general conclusions about the use of tissue‐engineered grafts compared with autologous bone grafts for maxillary sinus augmentation.
Pim‐1 induced polyploidy but did not affect megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells and CD34+ cells from cord blood
Authors: Jung Yun‐Jae , Chae Hee‐Chung , Seoh Ju‐Young , Ryu Kyung‐Ha , Park Hae‐Kyung , Kim Young‐Ju , Woo So‐Youn 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn a previous study, we determined the gene expression profile of both megakaryocytic and non‐megakaryocytic lineage cells via serial analysis of gene expression and microarray methods, and demonstrated that Pim‐1 was expressed more abundantly in megakaryocytic lineage cells. In this study, we knocked down Pim‐1 in K562 cells, as well as in CD34+ cells from cord blood, via RNA interference, in order to analyze the effects of Pim‐1 expression on the megakaryocytic differentiation of these cells. We then additionally overexpressed the Pim‐1 genes in K562 cells, and conducted a comparison of these effects with those of RNAi cells on the course of megakaryocytic differentiation. The results of this study revealed that Pim‐1 knockdown exerted no effects on commitment or differentiation toward megakaryocytic lineage, as evidenced by the detected CD41+ or CD61+ cells, or on the number of megakaryocytic colony forming units. However, Pim‐1 knockdown was found to elicit a reduction in CD41+ cells with >4n DNA content, and a concomitant increase in the fraction of cells achieving a ploidy of >4n in the Pim‐1 overexpressing population of K562 cells. Collectively, the findings of these studies indicate that the expression of Pim‐1 expression is both necessary and sufficient for polyploidization, but is not critical to cytoplasmic differentiation on megakaryopoiesis.
Tomato Fruit Development and Ripening Are Altered by the Silencing of LeEIN2 Gene
Authors: Zhu Hong‐Liang , Zhu Ben‐Zhong , Shao Yi , Wang Xiao‐Guang , Lin Xi‐Jin , Xie Yuan‐Hong , Li Ying‐Cong , Gao Hong‐Yan , Luo Yun‐Bo 
Published: December 2006

AbstractLoss‐of‐function ethylene insensitive 2 (EIN2) mutations showed ethylene insensitivity in Arabidopsis, which indicated an essential role of EIN2 in ethylene signaling. However, the function of EIN2 in fruit ripening has not been investigated. To gain a better understanding of EIN2, the temporal regulation of LeEIN2 expression during tomato fruit development was analyzed. The expression of LeEIN2 was constant at different stages of fruit development, and was not regulated by ethylene. Moreover, LeEIN2‐silenced tomato fruits were developed using a virus‐induced gene silencing fruit system to study the role of LeEIN2 in tomato fruit ripening. Silenced fruits had a delay in fruit development and ripening, related to greatly descended expression of ethylene‐related and ripening‐related genes in comparison with those of control fruits. These results suggested LeEIN2 positively mediated ethylene signals during tomato development. In addition, there were fewer seeds and locules in the silenced fruit than those in the control fruit, like the phenotype of parthenocarpic tomato fruit. The content of auxin and the expression of auxin‐regulated gene were declined in silenced fruit, which indicated that EIN2 might be important for crosstalk between ethylene and auxin hormones.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui Zhao)
Comparative Studies on the Allelopathic Effects of Ulva pertusa Kjellml, Corallina pilulifera Postl et Ruprl, and Sargassum thunbergii Mertl O. Kuntze on Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve
Authors: Wang Ren‐Jun , Xiao Hui , Zhang Pei‐Yu , Qu Liang , Cai Heng‐Jiang , Tang Xue‐Xi 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn the present study, we evaluated the allelopathic effects of three macroalgae, namely Ulva pertusa Kjellml, Corallina pilulifera Postl et Ruprl, and Sargassum thunbergii Mertl O. Kuntze, on the growth of the microalga Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Creve using culture systems in which the algae coexisted. The effects of the macroalgal culture medium filtrate on S. costatum were also investigated. Moreover, isolated co‐culture systems were built to confirm the existence of allelochemicals and preclude growth inhibition by direct contact. The coexistence assay data demonstrated that the growth of S. costatum was strongly inhibited when fresh tissues, dry powder and aqueous extracts were used; the allelochemicals were lethal to S. costatum at relatively higher concentrations. The effects of the macroalgal culture medium filtrate on the microalga showed both species specificity and complexity. The inhibitory effect of fresh macroalgal tissue and culture medium filtrate on the microalga was due to the alleochemicals released by the macroalgae. The results of the present study show that the allelopathic effects of macroalgae on the microalga are complex. The present study could shed light onto the basis of the interaction between macro‐and microalgae.(Managing editor: Ping He)
CO2 Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Phospho‐enolpyruvate Carboxylase Transgenic Rice Pollen Lines
Authors: Ling Li‐Li , Lin Hong‐Hui , Ji Ben‐Hua , Jiao De‐Mao 
Published: December 2006

AbstractTo elucidate the photosynthetic physiological characteristics and the physiological inherited traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids and their parents, physiological indices of photosynthetic CO2 exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in leaves of the maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) transgenic rice as the male parent, sp. japonica rice cv. 9516 as the female parent, and the stable JAAS45 pollen line. The results revealed that the PEPC gene could be stably inherited and transferred from the male parent to the JAAS45 pollen line. Moreover, the JAAS45 pollen line exhibited high levels of PEPC activity, manifesting higher saturated photosynthetic rates, photosynthetic apparent quantum yield (AQY), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and photochemical and non‐photochemical quenching, which indicated that the JAAS45 pollen line has a high tolerance to photo‐inhibition/photo‐oxidation under strong light and high temperature. Furthermore, JAAS45 was confirmed to still be a C3 plant by δ13C carbon isotope determination and was demonstrated to have a limited photosynthetic C4 microcycle by feeding with exogenous C4 primary products, such as oxaloacetate or malate, or phosphoenolpyruvate. The present study explains the physiological inherited properties of PEPC transgenic rice and provides an expectation for the integration of traditional breeding and biological technology.(Managing editor: Ping He)
Cloning, E. coli Expression and Molecular Analysis of Amorpha‐4,11‐Diene Synthase from a High‐Yield Strain of Artemisia annua L.
Authors: Li Zhen‐Qiu , Liu Yan , Liu Ben‐Ye , Wang Hong , Ye He‐Chun , Li Guo‐Feng 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIncreasing demand of artemisinin in the treatment of malaria has placed substantial stress on the total artemisinin supplies world‐wide, so more attention has been paid to increasing the content of artemisinin in the Artemisia annua L. plant. In this study, amorpha‐4,11‐diene synthase (ADS) cDNA (ads1) and genomics gene (gads1) were cloned from a high‐yield A. annua strain 001. The activity of ADS1 was confirmed by heterogeneous overexpression of ads1 and in vitro enzymatic incubation. Reverse transcript‐polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated that ads1 expressed in leaves, flowers and young stems, but not in roots. This organ‐specific expression pattern of ads1 is consistent with that of artemisinin accumulation in the plant. The gads1 has a complex organization including seven exons and six introns, and belongs to class III terpene synthase. DNA gel blotting revealed that the ADS gene has at least four copies in the genome of strain 001. The higher copy numbers might be one of the reasons for its high artemisinin content.(Managing editor: Wei Wang)