bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Translocation of aprotinin, a therapeutic protease inhibitor, into the thylakoid lumen of genetically engineered tobacco chloroplasts
Authors: Tissot Ghislaine , Canard Hélène , Nadai Marie , Martone Aris , Botterman Johan , Dubald Manuel 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAprotinin, a bovine protease inhibitor of important therapeutic value, was expressed in tobacco plastid transformants. This disulphide bond‐containing protein was targeted to the lumen of thylakoids using signal peptides derived from nuclear genes which encode lumenal proteins. Translocation was attempted via either the general secretion (Sec) or the twin‐arginine translocation (Tat) pathway. In both cases, this strategy allowed the production of genuine aprotinin with its N‐terminal arginine residue. The recombinant protease inhibitor was efficiently secreted within the lumen of thylakoids, accumulated in older leaves and was bound to trypsin, suggesting that the three disulphide bonds of aprotinin are correctly folded and paired in this chloroplast compartment. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated that translocation via the Sec pathway, unlike the Tat pathway, led predominantly to an oxidized protein. Translocation via the Tat pathway was linked to a slightly decreased growth rate, a pale‐green leaf phenotype and supplementary expression products associated with the thylakoids.
Hunger: The Silent Epidemic Among Asylum Seekers and Resettled Refugees
Authors: Piwowarczyk Linda , Keane Terence M. , Lincoln Alisa 
Published: February 2008

AbstractRefugees and asylum seekers face challenges after arriving in a host country. They carry the trauma that they may have experienced in their countries of origin, during fight, and in countries of asylum. Other stressors impact on their adjustment after arriving in the United States including basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. This is a retrospective review of data collected as part of a needs assessment by a program, which serves survivors of torture and refugee trauma. Asylum seekers (n=65) and refugees were compared (n=30). Asylum seekers were more apt to be from Africa (p<.001), need family reunification (p=.027), speak more languages (p<.001), suffer from political persecution (p<.001), move from place to place due to not having a permanent place to live (p=.031), and be unable to contribute to the rent (p<.001). Unadjusted, asylum seekers were also more likely than refugees to have gone to bed hungry in the previous two weeks (p<.001) or since arriving in the United States (p<.001). Refugees were more likely to be eating more food now than before feeing, and asylum seekers the opposite (p<.001). Being an asylum seeker made one 3.7 times more likely to suffer from food insecurity than being a refugee, and 5.3 times more likely to not have work authorization. Among asylum seekers, adjusting for gender, age, education, lack of permanent housing, English fluency, and self‐reported health status, not having work authorization made one 5.6 times more likely to suffer from hunger. Independently, being a torture survivor made one 10.4 times more likely to suffer from hunger. Asylum seekers must wait 150 days before applying for asylum in the United States. For humanitarian reasons, mandatory‐waiting periods for work authorization for asylum seekers should be eliminated.
Gender and Migration in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey H. , Rodriguez Leila , Fox Margaret 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the gendered nature of international and internal migration that originates in the central valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico. Our goals are to define migration patterns and outcomes for Oaxacan women from the central valleys region and note the differences that mark migrant men and women. We use ethnographic data from anthropological research in 12 of Oaxaca's central valley communities to argue that local concepts of what defines correct behaviour (for both men and women) are critical to the outcomes and the differences that exist in the practices of migrant men and women.
Remittances in Ghana: Origin, Destination and Issues of Measurement
Authors: Mazzucato Valentina , Van Den Boom Bart , Nsowah‐Nuamah N.N.N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractFew studies on remittances have focused on sub‐Saharan Africa. This paper analyses a nationwide survey of 5,998 households to determine the characteristics of both internal and overseas remittances in Ghana. Particular attention is paid to the poverty‐alleviation potential of remittances. Furthermore, this study uses a smaller scale pilot project with a matched sample of senders and receivers of remittances to identify some problems with using household‐level surveys to assess the volume and impact of overseas remittances, and offers some suggestions as to how to handle these problems. The paper estimates that foreign remittances may be three times as large as Bank of Ghana estimates, bringing Ghana on par with large remittance receiving countries such as the Philippines and Mexico. The paper concludes that while foreign remittances are larger in value, locally sent remittances reach poorer segments of the population. Both foreign and local remittances are unevenly geographically distributed, being received more in the centre and southern regions than in northern Ghana where the poorest regions are. The paper argues a need to study multiplier effects of foreign remittances, as these can be large and eventually accrue to rural populations.
The Role of Emigration in Foreign Aid Policies: The Case of Spain and Morocco
Authors: Lacomba Joan , Boni Alejandra 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis article analyses the relationships between emigration and Official Development Aid (ODA) policies, taking the cases of Spain and Morocco as the backdrop to the study. It discusses the principal characteristics of both the Spanish state and non‐governmental cooperation in Morocco, the underlying motivations of the principal stakeholders, and the way international cooperation policies now encompass the phenomenon of emigration. The paper compares the field of co‐development, which encompasses a rather limited understanding of immigration, with ODA policies, in which immigration is an increasingly important agenda item for both the central government and the Spanish autonomous communities. The article then examines the relationship between migration and development, and considers necessary changes of perspective required to enhance the development and emigration policies in both Spain and Morocco. Lastly, we conclude with a series of recommendations, based on our analysis, aimed at Spanish and Moroccan stakeholders, both state institutions and non‐governmental organizations.
Rural Residence as a Determinant of Attitudes Toward US Immigration Policy
Authors: Fennelly Katherine , Federico Christopher 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBetween 1990 and 2000, the foreign‐born population in the United States increased by 57 per cent, compared to a 13 per cent increase in the native‐born population. This growth has fueled considerable media attention and has fomented some anti‐immigrant sentiments. Although a number of authors have charted changes in support for restrictionist immigration policies, few have examined their determinants. In this paper, we focus on region of residence and use data from a 2004 telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1888 adults to test the hypothesis that rural Americans are more likely to support restrictive immigration policies than individuals in urban and suburban communities. In a series of regression analyses, this hypothesis is confirmed; rural residents hold the most restrictionist views. Additional analyses indicate that this effect of rural residence on policy attitudes is mediated by attitudes toward multiculturalism, the perceived traits of immigrants, and perceptions about the costs of immigration. Ultimately, the analyses indicate that the perceived cost of immigration is the single strongest predictor of support for restrictive immigration policies, and that it best accounts for rural residents’more restrictionist views.
The Right to Return in China
Authors: Liu Guofu 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe right to return has been affirmed as a fundamental human right in several international instruments. While being a fundamental human right, each state has the sovereign right to regulate the right to return in accordance with its own laws. The regulation of the right to return, however, is not only an attribute of sovereignty but an issue with important political, economic and security implications for the state. Given its significance, it is understandable and desirable that states regulate the right to return. The regulation must however take account of both the interests of the state and the human rights dimension of the right. A careful and well‐coordinated returning strategy with a well‐defined the right to return focus could enhance China's economic progress as well as its international human rights image.China's current policies on the right to return still reflect a closed culture. Few among the 5 million Huaqiao lodge applications to return to China for permanent residence or employment. Eleven million illegal migrants have difficulty meeting the impracticable requirements of passport re‐issue, replacement and extension. The Chinese government's behaviour in imposing limitations on citizens from returning to China is unacceptable. China may have some justifications for its restrictive approach, but on balance, has more to gain from adopting a more liberal approach. The issue of the right to return in China is crucial both for the future of China, and for development of the right to return in the world.
Spatial Analysis and Surname Analysis: Complementary Tools for Shedding Light on Human Longevity Patterns
Authors: Montesanto A. , Passarino G. , Senatore A. , Carotenuto L. , De Benedictis G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryStarting from the observation that human longevity patterns show regional variations, we applied Spatial Analysis (using the Geographic Information System) and Surname Analysis to highlight the effect of the population genetic structure on such patterns. The study was carried out in Calabria, a southern Italian region which is characterized by a wide variability of geographic features (high mountains and deep valleys which created geographic isolates in the past). We identified three zones of high longevity: a male and a female longevity zone were located near the town of Cosenza (northern Calabria), while a male longevity zone was located in a mountainous and quite isolated part of the province of Reggio Calabria (southern Calabria). The latter zone was characterized by the lowest Female/Male ratio in nonagenarians observed to date. By applying surname analysis (Fisher's alpha) we found a significant negative correlation between surname abundance and index of longevity, showing that this isolated zone of male longevity presents a high level of inbreeding. On the whole, the results showed the effectiveness of spatial analysis in revealing geographical longevity patterns, and highlighted the importance of the population genetic structure in shaping such patterns.
Shared Genomic Segment Analysis. Mapping Disease Predisposition Genes in Extended Pedigrees Using SNP Genotype Assays
Authors: Thomas A. , Camp N. J. , Farnham J. M. , Allen‐Brady K. , Cannon‐Albright L. A. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWe examine the utility of high density genotype assays for predisposition gene localization using extended pedigrees. Results for the distribution of the number and length of genomic segments shared identical by descent among relatives previously derived in the context of genomic mismatch scanning are reviewed in the context of dense single nucleotide polymorphism maps. We use long runs of loci at which cases share a common allele identically by state to localize hypothesized predisposition genes. The distribution of such runs under the hypothesis of no genetic effect is evaluated by simulation. Methods are illustrated by analysis of an extended prostate cancer pedigree previously reported to show significant linkage to chromosome 1p23. Our analysis establishes that runs of simple single locus statistics can be powerful, tractable and robust for finding DNA shared between relatives, and that extended pedigrees offer powerful designs for gene detection based on these statistics.
Hypomutability at the Polyadenine Tract in SMN Intron 3 Shows the Invariability of the a‐SMN Protein Structure
Authors: Gunadi  , Sasongko T. H. , Yusoff S. , Lee M. J. , Nishioka E. , Matsuo M. , Nishio H. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryRecently, the axonal‐SMN (a‐SMN) protein, which is generated by the gene responsible for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), SMN, has been reported. Surprisingly, the a‐SMN transcript includes the entire sequence of SMN intron 3. We had expected a high frequency of insertion/deletion mutations at a polyadenine tract in this intron, since simple repetitive sequence motifs are prone to mutations. Such mutations could change the C‐terminal structure of the a‐SMN protein. However, our study showed that almost all individuals, including healthy individuals, SMA patients and SMA‐like patients, carried only alleles with a normal polyadenine tract. Hypomutability of the polyadenine tract in SMN intron 3 suggests the existence of transcriptional mechanisms preventing alterations to the open reading frame of axonal SMN and not allowing variability in the protein structure of a‐SMN.
Study of Regions of Extended Homozygosity Provides a Powerful Method to Explore Haplotype Structure of Human Populations
Authors: Curtis D. , Vine A. E. , Knight J. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryPrevious investigations have reported linkage disequilibrium occurring between nearby polymorphisms, a block‐like structure for such relationships, some instances where surprisingly few haplotypes are found and regions of extended homozygosity which are especially marked around centromeres and which are especially common on the X chromosome. We investigated the distribution and nature of regions of extended homozygosity in a sample of 1411 subjects included in a genome wide association study. Regions of extended homozygosity over 1Mb are common, with an average of 35.9 occurring per subject, and containing on average 73 homozygous markers. They have a markedly non‐random distribution. They are relatively common on the X chromosome and are seen at centromeres but are also concentrated at other chromosomal regions where presumably recombination is rare. They seem to be a consequence of some haplotypes being very common in the population and although sometimes this reflects the effect of a very common haplotype we also note that there are examples of two or three common haplotypes, each very different from each other, underlying this effect. Regions of extended homozygosity are commoner than previously appreciated. They result from the presence of extended haplotypes with high population frequency. Such regions concentrate in particular locations. The haplotypes involved are sometimes markedly disparate from each other. These regions offer a valuable opportunity for further investigation, in particular with regard to their ancestral history.
Close Genetic Relationship Between Semitic‐speaking and Indo‐European‐speaking Groups in Iran
Authors: Nasidze I. , Quinque D. , Rahmani M. , Alemohamad S. A. , Stoneking M. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAs part of a continuing investigation of the extent to which the genetic and linguistic relationships of populations are correlated, we analyzed mtDNA HV1 sequences, eleven Y chromosome bi‐allelic markers, and 9 Y‐STR loci in two neighboring groups from the southwest of Iran who speak languages belonging to different families: Indo‐European‐speaking Bakhtiari, and Semitic‐speaking Arabs. Both mtDNA and the Y chromosome, showed a close relatedness of these groups with each other and with neighboring geographic groups, irrespective of the language spoken. Moreover, Semitic‐speaking North African groups are more distant genetically from Semitic‐speaking groups from the Near East and Iran. Thus, geographical proximity better explains genetic relatedness between populations than does linguistic relatedness in this part of the world.
Differential Y‐chromosome Anatolian Influences on the Greek and Cretan Neolithic
Authors: King R. J. , Özcan S. S. , Carter T. , Kalfoğlu E. , Atasoy S. , Triantaphyllidis C. , Kouvatsi A. , Lin A. A. , Chow C‐E. T. , Zhivotovsky L. A. , Michalodimitrakis M. , Underhill P. A. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe earliest Neolithic sites of Europe are located in Crete and mainland Greece. A debate persists concerning whether these farmers originated in neighboring Anatolia and the role of maritime colonization. To address these issues 171 samples were collected from areas near three known early Neolithic settlements in Greece together with 193 samples from Crete. An analysis of Y‐chromosome haplogroups determined that the samples from the Greek Neolithic sites showed strong affinity to Balkan data, while Crete shows affinity with central/Mediterranean Anatolia. Haplogroup J2b‐M12 was frequent in Thessaly and Greek Macedonia while haplogroup J2a‐M410 was scarce. Alternatively, Crete, like Anatolia showed a high frequency of J2a‐M410 and a low frequency of J2b‐M12. This dichotomy parallels archaeobotanical evidence, specifically that while bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is known from Neolithic Anatolia, Crete and southern Italy; it is absent from earliest Neolithic Greece. The expansion time of YSTR variation for haplogroup E3b1a2‐V13, in the Peloponnese was consistent with an indigenous Mesolithic presence. In turn, two distinctive haplogroups, J2a1h‐M319 and J2a1b1‐M92, have demographic properties consistent with Bronze Age expansions in Crete, arguably from NW/W Anatolia and Syro‐Palestine, while a later mainland (Mycenaean) contribution to Crete is indicated by relative frequencies of V13.
Segmental Copy‐Number Variation Observed in Japanese by Array‐CGH
Authors: Takahashi N. , Tsuyama N. , Sasaki K. , Kodaira M. , Satoh Y. , Kodama Y. , Sugita K. , Katayama H. 
Published: February 2008

SummarySegmental copy‐number variations (CNVs) may contribute to genetic variation in humans. In this study, we examined 80 unrelated Japanese individuals using a microarray (2,238 Bac‐clones) based comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH) assay. We found a total of 251 CNVs at 30 different regions in the genome; of these, 14 (termed ‘rare’ CNVs) were found individually located within distinct genomic regions of 14 individuals, while the remaining 16 CNV regions (termed ‘polymorphic’ CNVs) were observed in two or more individuals. The rare CNVs were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reactions, and characterized more precisely than in previous reports using array CGH. Distinctive features of these CNVs were observed: most prominent was that the majority of the rare CNVs presented on Bac‐clones that did not overlap with regions of segmental duplication. About 90% of the polymorphic CNVs observed in this population had been previously identified, with the majority of those polymorphic CNVs located in regions of segmental duplication. It is likely, therefore, that rare and polymorphic CNVs arise through different genetic mechanisms. Since more than half of the rare CNVs are novel, it is also likely that different human populations bear different CNVs, as is the case for single‐nucleotide‐polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion‐deletion (indel) polymorphisms.
Type 2 Diabetes Susceptibility Genes on Chromosome 1q21–24
Authors: Hasstedt S. J. , Chu W. S. , Das S. K. , Wang H. , Elbein S. C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryType 2 diabetes (T2D) has been linked to chromosome 1q21–24 in multiple samples, including a Utah family sample. Variants in 13 of the numerous candidate genes in the 1q region were tested for association with T2D in a Utah case‐control sample. The most promising, 19 variants in 6 candidates, were genotyped on the Utah family sample. Herein, we tested the 19 variants individually and in pairs for an effect on T2D risk in family members using a logistic regression model that accounted for gender, age, and BMI and attributed residual genetic effects to a polygenic component. Seven variants increased risk significantly through 5 pairs of interactions. The significant variant pairs were apolipoprotein A‐II (APOA2) rs6413453 interacting with calsequestrin 1 (CASQ1) rs617698, dual specificity phosphatase 12 (DUSP12) rs1503814, and retinoid X receptor γ (RXRG) rs10918169, a poly‐T insertion‐deletion polymorphism in liver pyruvate kinase (PKLR) interacting with APOA2 rs12143180, and DUSP12 rs1027702 interacting with RXRG rs10918169. Genotypes of these 5 variant pairs accounted for 25.8% of the genetic variance in T2D in these pedigrees.
Genetic Polymorphism ofCYP2C19Gene in the Stanislas Cohort. A link with Inflammation
Authors: Bertrand‐Thiébault C. , Berrahmoune H. , Thompson A. , Marie B. , Droesch S. , Siest G. , Foernzler D. , Visvikis‐Siest S. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryCYP2C19, a member of the cytochrome P450 family, metabolises arachidonic acid to produce epoxyeicosanoid acids, which are involved in vascular tone and inflammation. Thus, this study describes the possible relationship between aCYP2C19polymorphism (681G>A) and three inflammatory markers: interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) in healthy individuals.In a sub‐sample of 178 men and 181 women from the Stanislas study, we quantified plasma IL‐6 and TNF‐α concentrations by using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and serum hs‐CRP concentration by immunonephelometry. TheCYP2C19681G>A polymorphism was genotyped using the kinetic thermocycling allele specific PCR method.In the Stanislas cohort, the frequency of the alleleCYP2C19*2(681A) was 17.8%. Circulating levels of inflammatory factors were increased in individuals homozygous for the defective alleleCYP2C19*2(A) notably IL‐6 in the whole sample (P= 0.0008) and hs‐CRP only in women (P= 0.008), with a significant interaction with sex (P= 0.005), in comparison to carriers of one copy or more of the wild type allele CYP2C19*1 (G). Only a trend of association (P= 0.089) was found between this polymorphism and TNF‐α concentration in the whole sample.The association betweenCYP2C19*2polymorphism and inflammatory markers' concentrations could suggest thatCYP2C19may be considered as a new candidate gene for cardiovascular risks via inflammation.
Gene‐Gene Interaction Between FGF20 and MAOB in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Gao X. , Scott W. K. , Wang G. , Mayhew G. , Li Y. J. , Vance J. M. , Martin E. R. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) genes are associated with Parkinson Disease (PD) risk and both are in the dopamine bio‐pathway. Therefore, we investigated the joint effect between polymorphisms in the FGF20 and MAOB genes for evidence of interaction contributing to PD risk. Fourteen polymorphisms (eight for FGF20, six for MAOB) were genotyped in 736 families and analyzed using conditional logistic regression (CLR). Significant two‐locus interactions were found in females between the polymorphisms rs1721100 of FGF20 and rs1799836 of MAOB, and between the polymorphisms rs1721082 of FGF20 and rs1799836 of MAOB. The risk alleles for each SNP identified from CLR, rs1721100 C, rs1721082 T and rs1799836 A, are consistent with previous reports. Using indicator variables for the SNP genotypes, rs1721100 GC with rs1799836 AA showed significant interaction (P = 0.021), compared with the reference group rs1721100 GG with rs1799836 GG. Using an allele‐dose model for the risk alleles, rs1721100 and rs1799836 showed significant interaction (P = 0.019). We found similar interaction results between rs1721082 and rs1799836. In conclusion, variants in FGF20 and MAOB show evidence of statistical interactions, which emphasizes the importance of considering them jointly in genetic analysis of PD and illustrates potential patterns of biological interaction contributing to PD risk.