bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plastoglobules: a new address for targeting recombinant proteins in the chloroplast
Authors: Vidi Pierre-Alexandre , Kessler Felix , Bréhélin Claire 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
The potential of transgenic plants for cost-effective production of pharmaceutical molecules is now becoming apparent. Plants have the advantage over established fermentation systems (bacterial, yeast or animal cell cultures) to circumvent the risk of pathogen contamination, to be amenable to large scaling up and to necessitate only established farming procedures. Chloroplasts have proven a useful cellular compartment for protein accumulation owing to their large size and number, as well as the possibility for organellar transformation. They therefore represent the targeting destination of choice for recombinant proteins in leaf crops such as tobacco. Extraction and purification of recombinant proteins from leaf material contribute to a large extent to the production costs. Developing new strategies facilitating these processes is therefore necessary.

Results
Here, we evaluated plastoglobule lipoprotein particles as a new subchloroplastic destination for recombinant proteins. The yellow fluorescent protein as a trackable cargo was targeted to plastoglobules when fused to plastoglobulin 34 (PGL34) as the carrier. Similar to adipocyte differentiation related protein (ADRP) in animal cells, most of the protein sequence of PGL34 was necessary for targeting to lipid bodies. The recombinant protein was efficiently enriched in plastoglobules isolated by simple flotation centrifugation. The viability of plants overproducing the recombinant protein was not affected, indicating that plastoglobule targeting did not significantly impair photosynthesis or sugar metabolism.

Conclusion
Our data identify plastoglobules as a new targeting destination for recombinant protein in leaf crops. The wide-spread presence of plastoglobules and plastoglobulins in crop species promises applications comparable to those of transgenic oilbody-oleosin technology in molecular farming.
Low-cost rapid detection of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis using bacteriophage in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Traore Hamidou , Ogwang Sam , Mallard Kim , Joloba Moses L , Mumbowa Francis , Narayan Kalpana , Kayes Susan , Jones-Lopez Edward C , Smith Peter G , Ellner Jerrold J , Mugerwa Roy D , Eisenach Kathleen D , McNerney Ruth 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
Resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs is a serious public health problem. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), defined as resistance to at least rifampicin and isoniazid, has been reported in all regions of the world. Current phenotypic methods of assessing drug susceptibility of M. tuberculosis are slow. Rapid molecular methods to detect resistance to rifampicin have been developed but they are not affordable in some high prevalence countries such as those in sub Saharan Africa. A simple multi-well plate assay using mycobacteriophage D29 has been developed to test M. tuberculosis isolates for resistance to rifampicin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of this technology in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods
In a blinded study 149 M. tuberculosis isolates were tested for resistance to rifampicin by the phage assay and results compared to those from routine phenotypic testing in BACTEC 460. Three concentrations of drug were used 2, 4 and 10 μg/ml. Isolates found resistant by either assay were subjected to sequence analysis of a 81 bp fragment of the rpoB gene to identify mutations predictive of resistance. Four isolates with discrepant phage and BACTEC results were tested in a second phenotypic assay to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations.

Results
Initial analysis suggested a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 96.5% respectively for the phage assay used at 4 and 10 μg/ml when compared to the BACTEC 460. However, further analysis revealed 4 false negative results from the BACTEC 460 and the phage assay proved the more sensitive and specific of the two tests. Of the 39 isolates found resistant by the phage assay 38 (97.4%) were found to have mutations predictive of resistance in the 81 bp region of the rpoB gene. When used at 2 μg/ml false resistant results were observed from the phage assay. The cost of reagents for testing each isolate was estimated to be 1.3US$ when testing a batch of 20 isolates on a single 96 well plate. Results were obtained in 48 hours.

Conclusion
The phage assay can be used for screening of isolates for resistance to rifampicin, with high sensitivity and specificity in Uganda. The test may be useful in poorly resourced laboratories as a rapid screen to differentiate between rifampicin susceptible and potential MDR-TB cases.
Evidence for recent gene flow between north-eastern and south-eastern Madagascan poison frogs from a phylogeography of the Mantella cowani group
Authors: Rabemananjara Falitiana CE , Chiari Ylenia , Ramilijaona Olga Ravoahangimalala , Vences Miguel 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe genusMantella, endemic poison frogs of Madagascar with 16 described species, are known in the field of international pet trade and entered under the CITES control for the last four years. The phylogeny and phylogeography of this genus have been recently subject of study for conservation purposes. Here we report on the studies of the phylogeography of theMantella cowanigroup using a fragment of 453 bp of the mitochondrial cytochromebgene from 195 individuals from 21 localities. This group is represented by five forms:M. cowani, a critically endangered species, a vulnerable species,M. haraldmeieri, and the non-threatenedM. baroni, M. aff.baroni, andM. nigricans.ResultsThe Bayesian phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses revealed the presence of three separated haplotype clades: (1)M. baroni, M. aff.baroni, M. nigricans, and putative hybrids ofM. cowaniandM. baroni, (2)M. cowaniand putative hybrids ofM. cowaniandM. baroni, and (3)M. haraldmeieri. The putative hybrids were collected from sites whereM. cowaniandM. baronilive in sympatry.ConclusionThese results suggest (a) a probable hybridization betweenM. cowaniandM. baroni, (b) a lack of genetic differentiation betweenM. baroni/M. aff.baroniandM. nigricans, (c) evidence of recent gene-flow between the northern (M. nigricans), eastern (M. baroni), and south-eastern (M. aff.baroni) forms of distinct coloration, and (d) the existence of at least three units for conservation in theMantella cowanigroup.
Methods for transient assay of gene function in floral tissues
Authors: Shang Yongjin , Schwinn Kathy E , Bennett Michael J , Hunter Donald A , Waugh Toni L , Pathirana Nilangani N , Brummell David A , Jameson Paula E , Davies Kevin M 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
There is considerable interest in rapid assays or screening systems for assigning gene function. However, analysis of gene function in the flowers of some species is restricted due to the difficulty of producing stably transformed transgenic plants. As a result, experimental approaches based on transient gene expression assays are frequently used. Biolistics has long been used for transient over-expression of genes of interest, but has not been exploited for gene silencing studies. Agrobacterium-infiltration has also been used, but the focus primarily has been on the transient transformation of leaf tissue.

Results
Two constructs, one expressing an inverted repeat of the Antirrhinum majus (Antirrhinum) chalcone synthase gene (CHS) and the other an inverted repeat of the Antirrhinum transcription factor gene Rosea1, were shown to effectively induce CHS and Rosea1 gene silencing, respectively, when introduced biolistically into petal tissue of Antirrhinum flowers developing in vitro. A high-throughput vector expressing the Antirrhinum CHS gene attached to an inverted repeat of the nos terminator was also shown to be effective. Silencing spread systemically to create large zones of petal tissue lacking pigmentation, with transmission of the silenced state spreading both laterally within the affected epidermal cell layer and into lower cell layers, including the epidermis of the other petal surface. Transient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of petal tissue of tobacco and petunia flowers in situ or detached was also achieved, using expression of the reporter genes GUS and GFP to visualise transgene expression.

Conclusion
We demonstrate the feasibility of using biolistics-based transient RNAi, and transient transformation of petal tissue via Agrobacterium infiltration to study gene function in petals. We have also produced a vector for high throughput gene silencing studies, incorporating the option of using T-A cloning to insert the gene sequence of interest. These techniques should allow analysis of gene function in a much broader range of flower species.
Counting colonies of clonogenic assays by using densitometric software
Authors: Niyazi Maximilian , Niyazi Ismat , Belka Claus 
Published: January 2007

AbstractClonogenic assays are a useful tool to test whether a given cancer therapy can reduce the clonogenic survival of tumour cells. A colony is defined as a cluster of at least 50 cells which can often only be determined microscopically. The process of counting colonies is very extensive work and so we developed software that is able to count the colonies automatically from scanned flasks. This software is made freely available by us with a detailed description how to use and install the necessary features.
Temporomandibular disorder is associated with a serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in the Japanese population
Authors: Ojima Kiyomi , Watanabe Nagaoki , Narita Naoko , Narita Masaaki 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Aims
Recent genetic studies have linked serotonin-related genetic polymorphisms with diverse disorders characterized by functional somatic symptoms, including chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Methods
We investigated three serotonin-related genetic polymorphisms by screening genomic DNA of 36 temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients.

Results
A significant increase of longer alleles (l and xl) was found in the TMD patients compared to the controls both by the genotype-wise and the allele-wise analyses (both p < 0.01 by χ2 test and Fisher's exact test).

Conclusion
Genetic factors that involve the serotonergic system may play a role in the pathogenesis of TMD.
Qualitative networks: a symbolic approach to analyze biological signaling networks
Authors: Schaub Marc A , Henzinger Thomas A , Fisher Jasmin 
Published: January 2007

Abstract

Background
A central goal of Systems Biology is to model and analyze biological signaling pathways that interact with one another to form complex networks. Here we introduce Qualitative networks, an extension of Boolean networks. With this framework, we use formal verification methods to check whether a model is consistent with the laboratory experimental observations on which it is based. If the model does not conform to the data, we suggest a revised model and the new hypotheses are tested in-silico.

Results
We consider networks in which elements range over a small finite domain allowing more flexibility than Boolean values, and add target functions that allow to model a rich set of behaviors. We propose a symbolic algorithm for analyzing the steady state of these networks, allowing us to scale up to a system consisting of 144 elements and state spaces of approximately 1086 states. We illustrate the usefulness of this approach through a model of the interaction between the Notch and the Wnt signaling pathways in mammalian skin, and its extensive analysis.

Conclusion
We introduce an approach for constructing computational models of biological systems that extends the framework of Boolean networks and uses formal verification methods for the analysis of the model. This approach can scale to multicellular models of complex pathways, and is therefore a useful tool for the analysis of complex biological systems. The hypotheses formulated during in-silico testing suggest new avenues to explore experimentally. Hence, this approach has the potential to efficiently complement experimental studies in biology.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in BRCA Mutation Carriers
Authors: Hwang E. Shelley , McLennan Jane L. , Moore Dan H. , Crawford Beth B. , Esserman Laura J. , Ziegler John L. 
Published: January 2007

Purpose The current literature suggests that ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is infrequently diagnosed in patients with BRCA germline mutations. We studied women at high risk of hereditary breast cancer syndromes who underwent testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 to estimate DCIS prevalence and incidence in known BRCA-positive women compared with high-risk women who were mutation negative. Methods We analyzed breast event outcomes in a retrospective cohort of 129 BRCA-positive and 269 BRCA-negative women undergoing genetic testing for a BRCA mutation between September 1996 and December 2003 at University of California, San Francisco. We estimated the frequency of DCIS and invasive cancer and time to breast events from birth using a Cox proportional hazard model for competing risks. Histologic grade of DCIS was also compared between groups. Results Among BRCA carriers, 48 (37%) had DCIS (with or without invasive cancer) compared with 92 noncarriers (34%). Univariate analysis showed that both DCIS and invasive cancer had an earlier onset in mutation carriers than in noncarriers, although on a per-woman basis, this difference was not statistically significant. High-grade DCIS was more common in BRCA1 mutation carriers than in patients without a mutation (P = .02). Conclusion DCIS is equally as prevalent in patients who carry deleterious BRCA mutations as in high familial-risk women who are noncarriers, but occurs at an earlier age. Our results argue for the consideration of DCIS as a criterion for BRCA risk assessments with appropriate weighting in prediction models such as BRCAPRO.
Prevalence of Permanent Neonatal Diabetes in Slovakia and Successful Replacement of Insulin with Sulfonylurea Therapy in KCNJ11 and ABCC8 Mutation Carriers
Authors: Stanik Juraj , Gasperikova Daniela , Paskova Magdalena , Barak Lubomir , Javorkova Jana , Jancova Emilia , Ciljakova Miriam , Hlava Peter , Michalek Jozef , Flanagan Sarah E. , Pearson Ewan , Hattersley Andrew T. , Ellard Sian , Klimes Iwar 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Context: Mutations in the KCNJ11 and ABCC8 genes encoding the pancreatic β-cell KATP channel have recently been shown to be the most common cause of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM). Information regarding the frequency of PNDM has been based mainly on nonpopulation or short-term collections only. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the incidence of PNDM in Slovakia and to switch patients to sulfonylurea (SU) where applicable.
Design: We searched for PNDM patients in the Slovak Children Diabetes Registry. In insulin-treated patients who matched the clinical criteria for PNDM, the KCNJ11 or ABCC8 genes were sequenced, and mutation carriers were invited for replacement of insulin with SU.
Results: Eight patients with diabetes onset before the sixth month of life without remission were identified since 1981, which corresponds to the PNDM incidence in Slovakia of one case in 215,417 live births. In four patients, three different KCNJ11 mutations were found (R201H, H46Y, and L164P). Three patients with the KCNJ11 mutations (R201H and H46Y) were switched from insulin to SU, decreasing their glycosylated hemoglobin from 9.3–11.0% on insulin to 5.7–6.6% on SU treatment. One patient has a novel V86A mutation in the ABCC8 gene and was also substituted with SU.
Conclusions: PNDM frequency in Slovakia is much higher (one in 215,417 live births) than previously suggested from international estimates (about one in 800,000). We identified one ABCC8 and four KCNJ11 mutation carriers, of whom four were successfully transferred to SU, dramatically improving their diabetes control and quality of life.
Rotigotine: Transdermal Dopamine Agonist Treatment of Parkinson's Disease and Restless Legs Syndrome
Authors: Splinter Michele Y 
Published: January 2007

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of rotigotine, a nonergoline D3/D2/D1 dopamine receptor agonist in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Data Sources: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1996–December 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, using the search terms rotigotine and dopamine agonist. References cited in the articles were reviewed for additional information. Information was also obtained from Schwarz Pharma. Abstracts for posters at scientific conferences were accessed from conference Web sites. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language literature reporting controlled animal and human clinical studies was reviewed to evaluate the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and adverse effects of rotigotine. Clinical trials selected for inclusion were limited to those with human subjects; data from animal studies were included if human data were not available. Data Synthesis: Rotigotine has been investigated in early Parkinson's disease, as adjuvant therapy to levodopa in advanced Parkinson's disease, and in RLS. It is administered transdermally, which provides the convenience of once-daily dosing, constant drug delivery, and sustained stable plasma concentrations. In clinical trials of patients with early Parkinson's disease, rotigotine has decreased combined scores on the motor and activities of daily living sections of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale up to 85 weeks. In patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, rotigotine reduced mean off-time when used as an adjuvant to levodopa. Rotigotine has decreased the severity of RLS in Phase III trials. Acute adverse events are similar to those of other dopamine agonists and are most common during the titration phase. Mild-to-moderate application site reactions are common. Conclusions: Longer trials are required to determine whether transdermal rotigotine will reduce development of dyskinesias and motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease and augmentation and rebound in RLS by preventing pulsatile dopamine stimulation associated with levodopa and other dopamine agonists.
Validity of a Stage of Change Instrument in Assessing Medication Adherence in Indigent Patients with HIV Infection
Authors: Rathbun R Chris , Farmer Kevin C , Lockhart Staci M , Stephens Johnny R 
Published: January 2007

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is vital to achieve durable suppression of viral replication. Effective mechanisms to predict adherence can be difficult to implement in clinical practice settings. Self-administered questionnaires are a practical option for assessing patient adherence but may lack validation with objective measures of adherence. Objective: To examine the ability of a 2 item stage of change (SOC) questionnaire to predict medication adherence in indigent patients receiving ART. Methods: Patients participating in an ongoing study to examine adherence interventions were administered a 2 item SOC instrument to assess readiness for adherence behavior. The SOC instrument was given to patients prior to beginning ART and readministered after they had received 16 weeks of treatment. Electronic monitoring was used to examine the validity of the SOC instrument to predict patient readiness for adherence behavior. Results: Thirty-one patients completed the SOC questionnaire prior to beginning a new ART regimen. Most (87%) patients were male, had previously received antiretroviral therapy (77%). and had an AIDS diagnosis (77%). The SOC category determined at baseline was a poor predictor of adherence at 4 and 16 weeks; however, the SOC category determined after treatment onset (week 16) was a strong predictor of adherence at both time points (p < 0.001 for 4 and 16 weeks; one way ANOVA). Conclusions: The SOC category determined at baseline correlated poorly with subsequent medication adherence in our indigent, HIV-infected patient population. Prediction of adherence based on SOC after treatment initiation may provide a better estimate of adherence behavior. Recognition of this limitation may help clinicians more accurately interpret predicted adherence behavior from self-report instruments.
Cognitive biases for trauma stimuli in people with schizophrenia
Authors: Klewchuk Elaine M. , McCusker Christopher G. , Mulholland Ciaran , Shannon Ciaran 
Published: January 2007

Objectives. This study investigates whether cognitive biases related to trauma (physical and sexual trauma) are present in a sample of participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.Method. Fifty‐three participants, with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, completed tasks of attentional and memory bias, followed by several trauma report questionnaires. Those who reported a history of sexual and/or physical trauma were compared with a ‘non‐specific/no‐trauma’ subgroup. The reliability of trauma reports was determined by comparing current data on the Trauma History Questionnaire to that gathered one year previously, for a subsample of participants. Concordance rates and kappa coefficients suggested moderate to high reliability for reports of sexual and physical trauma. Attentional bias was assessed by comparing colour‐naming times on modified Stroops, of either a sexual or physical nature, with control Stroops with negative, positive and neutral emotionally valenced stimuli. A subsequent incidental recall memory task was then employed.Results. High rates of sexual and/or physical trauma were found. Those who reported a history of sexual trauma evidenced a statistically significant increase in colour‐naming times for sexual trauma stimuli, compared to both the ‘physical trauma only’ and the ‘non‐specific/no trauma’ control groups. They also showed greater incidental recall of sexual trauma words in comparison to the other groups. Such a pattern was not, however, discerned for those reporting histories of physical trauma.Conclusions. Findings suggest cognitive schemata related to sexual trauma remains ‘active’ in those people with schizophrenia who report a related history.
Symmetrical Womanhood: Poetry in the Woman's Building Library
Authors: Sorby Angela 
Published: January 2007

Late-nineteenth-century women poets shed midcentury sentimentality unevenly and at some cost, losing a sense of privacy, a (Christian) frame of reference, and an "imagined community" of women who sharedtheir worldview. They also gained more public, secular, and professional sources of identity. The exact nature of this postsentimental self was unclear. Postsentimental poets often wrote in the "genteel tradition," which trumpeted eternal truth and beauty while working from aposition of subjective instability. Ultimately, their verses must be seenas powerfully fluid and transitional, registering (like the Woman'sBuilding Library) women's struggle to inhabit more public formsof authority.