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Comprehensive Analysis (comprehensive + analysis)
Selected AbstractsEmerging Market Bond Funds: A Comprehensive AnalysisFINANCIAL REVIEW, Issue 1 2008Sirapat Polwitoon G11; G12; G15 Abstract We analyze U.S.-based emerging market bond funds over a ten-year (1996,2005) complete cycle of ups and downs in the dominant emerging bond markets. Emerging market bond funds outperform comparable domestic and global bond funds. The results are robust across both conditional and unconditional models. The funds also provide international diversification benefits to U.S. and international bond and equity portfolios. The funds exhibit persistence in performance and seasonality. Active funds, large funds and funds with high minimum purchases perform better on a total return basis but not on a risk-adjusted basis. [source] A Comprehensive Analysis of Permission MarketingJOURNAL OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION, Issue 2 2001Sandeep Krishnamurthy Godin (1999) has proposed a new idea-permission marketing. Here, consumers provide marketers with the permission to send them certain types of promotional messages. This is seen as reducing clutter and search costs for the consumer while improving targeting precision for marketers. This paper makes three contributions: First, a critical analysis of the concept and its relationship to existing ideas in the marketing literature is discussed. Second, a taxonomy of four models used to implement permission marketing today, direct relationship maintenance, permission partnership, ad market and permission pool, is presented. Permission intensity is seen as a key differentiator among models. Finally, a comprehensive conceptual cost-benefit framework is presented that captures the consumer experience in permission marketing programs. Consumer interest is seen as the key dependent variable that influences the degree of participation. Consumer interest is positively affected by message relevance and monetary benefit and negatively affected by information entry/modification costs, message processing costs and privacy costs. Based on this framework, several empirically testable propositions are identified. [source] Comprehensive Analysis of Expressed Sequence Tags from the Pulp of the Red Mutant ,Cara Cara' Navel Orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck)JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2010Jun-Li Ye Expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis of the pulp of the red-fleshed mutant ,Cara Cara' navel orange provided a starting point for gene discovery and transcriptome survey during citrus fruit maturation. Interpretation of the EST datasets revealed that the mutant pulp transcriptome held a high section of stress responses related genes, such as the type III metallothionein-like gene (6.0%), heat shock protein (2.8%), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (0.8%), late embryogenesis abundant protein 5 (0.8%), etc. 133 transcripts were detected to be differentially expressed between the red mutant and its orange-color wild genotype ,Washington' via digital expression analysis. Among them, genes involved in metabolism, defense/stress and signal transduction were statistical overrepresented. Fifteen transcription factors, composed of NAM, ATAF, and CUC transcription factor (NAC); myeloblastosis (MYB); myelocytomatosis (MYC); basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH); basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain members, were also included. The data reflected the distinct expression profile and the unique regulatory module associated with these two genotypes. Eight differently expressed genes analyzed in digital were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. For structural polymorphism, both simple sequence repeats and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) loci were surveyed; dinucleotide presentation revealed a bias toward AG/GA/TC/CT repeats (52.5%), against GC/CG repeats (0%). SNPs analysis found that transitions (73%) outnumbered transversions (27%). Seventeen potential cultivar-specific and 387 heterozygous SNP loci were detected from ,Cara Cara' and ,Washington' EST pool. [source] Comprehensive Analysis of DNA Strand Breaks at the Guanosine Site Induced by Low-Energy Electron AttachmentCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 1 2010Jiande Gu Prof. Dr. Abstract To elucidate the role of guanosine in DNA strand breaks caused by low-energy electrons (LEEs), theoretical investigations of the LEE attachment-induced CO ,-bonds and N-glycosidic bond breaking of 2,-deoxyguanosine-3,,5,-diphosphate (3,,5,-dGMP) were performed using the B3LYP/DZP++ approach. The results reveal possible reaction pathways in the gas phase and in aqueous solutions. In the gas phase LEEs could attach to the phosphate group adjacent to the guanosine to form a radical anion. However, the small vertical detachment energy (VDE) of the radical anion of guanosine 3,,5,-diphosphate in the gas phase excludes either CO bond cleavage or N-glycosidic bond breaking. In the presence of the polarizable surroundings, the solvent effects dramatically increase the electron affinities of the 3,,5,-dGDP and the VDE of 3,,5,-dGDP,. Furthermore, the solvent,solute interactions greatly reduce the activation barriers of the CO bond cleavage to 1.06,3.56 kcal,mol,1. These low-energy barriers ensure that either C5,O5, or C3,O3, bond rupture takes place at the guanosine site in DNA single strands. On the other hand, the comparatively high energy barrier of the N-glycosidic bond rupture implies that this reaction pathway is inferior to CO bond cleavage. Qualitative agreement was found between the theoretical sequence of the bond breaking reaction pathways in the PCM model and the ratio for the corresponding bond breaks observed in the experiment of LEE-induced damage in oligonucleotide tetramer CGTA. This concord suggests that the influence of the surroundings in the thin solid film on the LEE-induced DNA damage resembles that of the solvent. [source] Autism-like behavioral phenotypes in BTBR T+tf/J miceGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 2 2008H. G. McFarlane Autism is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology. Mouse models with face validity to the core symptoms offer an experimental approach to test hypotheses about the causes of autism and translational tools to evaluate potential treatments. We discovered that the inbred mouse strain BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) incorporates multiple behavioral phenotypes relevant to all three diagnostic symptoms of autism. BTBR displayed selectively reduced social approach, low reciprocal social interactions and impaired juvenile play, as compared with C57BL/6J (B6) controls. Impaired social transmission of food preference in BTBR suggests communication deficits. Repetitive behaviors appeared as high levels of self-grooming by juvenile and adult BTBR mice. Comprehensive analyses of procedural abilities confirmed that social recognition and olfactory abilities were normal in BTBR, with no evidence for high anxiety-like traits or motor impairments, supporting an interpretation of highly specific social deficits. Database comparisons between BTBR and B6 on 124 putative autism candidate genes showed several interesting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BTBR genetic background, including a nonsynonymous coding region polymorphism in Kmo. The Kmo gene encodes kynurenine 3-hydroxylase, an enzyme-regulating metabolism of kynurenic acid, a glutamate antagonist with neuroprotective actions. Sequencing confirmed this coding SNP in Kmo, supporting further investigation into the contribution of this polymorphism to autism-like behavioral phenotypes. Robust and selective social deficits, repetitive self-grooming, genetic stability and commercial availability of the BTBR inbred strain encourage its use as a research tool to search for background genes relevant to the etiology of autism, and to explore therapeutics to treat the core symptoms. [source] History and evolution of the arctic flora: in the footsteps of Eric HulténMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Richard J. Abbott Abstract A major contribution to our initial understanding of the origin, history and biogeography of the present-day arctic flora was made by Eric Hultén in his landmark book Outline of the History of Arctic and Boreal Biota during the Quarternary Period, published in 1937. Here we review recent molecular and fossil evidence that has tested some of Hultén's proposals. There is now excellent fossil, molecular and phytogeographical evidence to support Hultén's proposal that Beringia was a major northern refugium for arctic plants throughout the Quaternary. In contrast, most molecular evidence fails to support his proposal that contemporary east and west Atlantic populations of circumarctic and amphi-Atlantic species have been separated throughout the Quaternary. In fact, populations of these species from opposite sides of the Atlantic are normally genetically very similar, thus the North Atlantic does not appear to have been a strong barrier to their dispersal during the Quaternary. Hultén made no detailed proposals on mechanisms of speciation in the Arctic; however, molecular studies have confirmed that many arctic plants are allopolyploid, and some of them most probably originated during the Holocene. Recurrent formation of polyploids from differentiated diploid or more low-ploid populations provides one explanation for the intriguing taxonomic complexity of the arctic flora, also noted by Hultén. In addition, population fragmentation during glacial periods may have lead to the formation of new sibling species at the diploid level. Despite the progress made since Hultén wrote his book, there remain large gaps in our knowledge of the history of the arctic flora, especially about the origins of the founding stocks of this flora which first appeared in the Arctic at the end of the Pliocene (approximately 3 Ma). Comprehensive analyses of the molecular phylogeography of arctic taxa and their relatives together with detailed fossil studies are required to fill these gaps. [source] Myosins of Babesia bovis: Molecular characterisation, erythrocyte invasion, and phylogenyCYTOSKELETON, Issue 4 2002A.E. Lew Abstract Using degenerate primers, three putative myosin sequences were amplified from Australian isolates of Babesa bovis and confirmed as myosins (termed Bbmyo-A, Bbmyo-B, and Bbmyo-C) from in vitro cultures of the W strain of B. bovis. Comprehensive analysis of 15 apicomplexan myosins suggests that members of Class XIV be defined as those with greater than 35% myosin head sequence identity and that these be further subclassed into groups bearing above 50,60% identity. Bbmyo-A protein bears a strong similarity with other apicomplexan myosin-A type proteins (subclass XIVa), the Bbmyo-B myosin head protein sequence exhibits low identity (35,39%) with all members of Class XIV, and 5,-sequence of Bbmyo-C shows strong identity (60%) with P. falciparum myosin-C protein. Domain analysis revealed five divergent IQ domains within the neck of Pfmyo-C, and a myosin-N terminal domain as well as a classical IQ sequence unusually located within the head converter domain of Bbmyo-B. A cross-reacting antibody directed against P. falciparum myosin-A (Pfmyo-A) revealed a zone of approximately 85 kDa in immunoblots prepared with B. bovis total protein, and immunofluorescence inferred stage-specific myosin-A expression since only 25% of infected erythrocytes with mostly paired B. bovis were immuno-positive. Multiplication of B. bovis in in vitro culture was inhibited by myosin- and actin-binding drugs at concentrations lower than those that inhibit P. falciparum. This study identifies and classifies three myosin genes and an actin gene in B. bovis, and provides the first evidence for the participation of an actomyosin-based motor in erythrocyte invasion in this species of apicomplexan parasite. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 52:202,220, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comprehensive analysis of cooperative gene mutations between class I and class II in de novo acute myeloid leukemiaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Yuichi Ishikawa Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been thought to be the consequence of two broad complementation classes of mutations: class I and class II. However, overlap-mutations between them or within the same class and the position of TP53 mutation are not fully analyzed. We comprehensively analyzed the FLT3, cKIT, N-RAS, C/EBPA, AML1, MLL, NPM1, and TP53 mutations in 144 newly diagnosed de novo AML. We found 103 of 165 identified mutations were overlapped with other mutations, and most overlap-mutations consisted of class I and class II mutations. Although overlap-mutations within the same class were found in seven patients, five of them additionally had the other class mutation. These results suggest that most overlap-mutations within the same class might be the consequence of acquiring an additional mutation after the completion both of class I and class II mutations. However, mutated genes overlapped with the same class were limited in N-RAS, TP53, MLL -PTD, and NPM1, suggesting the possibility that these irregular overlap-mutations might cooperatively participate in the development of AML. Notably, TP53 mutation was overlapped with both class I and class II mutations, and associated with morphologic multilineage dysplasia and complex karyotype. The genotype consisting of complex karyotype and TP53 mutation was an unfavorable prognostic factor in entire AML patients, indicating this genotype generates a disease entity in de novo AML. These results collectively suggest that TP53 mutation might be a functionally distinguishable class of mutation. [source] IRAK-4 kinase activity-dependent and -independent regulation of lipopolysaccharide-inducible genesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Magdalena Koziczak-Holbro Abstract IRAK-4 kinase inactive (IRAK-4 KD) knock-in mice display defects in TLR- and IL-1 receptor signaling and are resistant to LPS-induced shock. In the present study we examined the LPS-induced response in IRAK-4 KD mice in more detail. We show that IRAK-4 kinase activity is required for certain aspects of TLR-mediated signaling but not for others. We found that IRAK-4 KD cells displayed reduced JNK and p38 signaling, while NF-,B was activated to a normal level but with delayed kinetics compared to wild-type cells. TLR4-mediated IRF3 activation was intact in these cells. Comprehensive analysis of expression of LPS-inducible genes by microarray demonstrated that IRAK-4 KD cells were severely impaired in the expression of many pro-inflammatory genes, suggesting their dependence on IRAK-4 kinase activity. In contrast, the expression of a subset of LPS-induced genes of anti-viral response was not affected by IRAK-4 kinase deficiency. Additionally, we demonstrate that LPS-activated early expression and production of some cytokines, e.g., TNF-,, is partially induced in the absence of IRAK-4 kinase activity. This suggests that the partially unaffected TLR4-mediated signaling could still drive expression of these genes in early phases and that IRAK-4 kinase activity is important for a more sustained anti-bacterial response. See accompanying commentary http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200838161 [source] Comprehensive analysis of the ICEN (Interphase Centromere Complex) components enriched in the CENP-A chromatin of human cellsGENES TO CELLS, Issue 6 2006Hiroshi Izuta The centromere is a chromatin structure essential for correct segregation of sister chromatids, and defects in this region often lead to aneuploidy and cancer. We have previously reported purification of the interphase centromere complex (ICEN) from HeLa cells, and have demonstrated the presence of 40 proteins (ICEN1,40), along with CENP-A, -B, -C, -H and hMis6, by proteomic analysis. Here we report analysis of seven ICEN components with unknown function. Centromere localization of EGFP-tagged ICEN22, 24, 32, 33, 36, 37 and 39 was observed in transformant cells. Depletion of each of these proteins by short RNA interference produced abnormal metaphase cells carrying misaligned chromosomes and also produced cells containing aneuploid chromosomes, implying that these ICEN proteins take part in kinetochore functions. Interestingly, in the ICEN22, 32, 33, 37 or 39 siRNA-transfected cells, CENP-H and hMis6 signals disappeared from all the centromeres in abnormal mitotic cells containing misaligned chromosomes. These results suggest that the seven components of the ICEN complex are predominantly localized at the centromeres and are required for kinetochore function perhaps through or not through loading of CENP-H and hMis6 onto the centromere. [source] Molecular abnormalities of T-cells in systemic lupus erythematosusINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 4 2006Tsutomu TAKEUCHI Abstract Substantial evidence supports that T-cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To explore the molecular basis of the defective function of SLE T-cells, we focused on the signal transduction system via T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) in peripheral blood T-cells from SLE patients. Comprehensive analysis to identify the molecules responsible for the defects showed the expression of the TCR , chain was attenuated, or absent in more than half of SLE patients. Moreover, the aberrant transcripts of the TCR , chain, including spliced variants lacking exon 7 and with a short 3,-UTR, were detected in SLE T-cells. Although attenuated expression of the TCR , chain is also observed in patients with cancers, infections, and other autoimmune diseases, sustained attenuation of TCR , expression and aberrant transcripts are only observed in SLE. In this review we discuss the unique features of the TCR , defects in SLE. [source] Comprehensive analysis of 112 melanocytic skin lesions demonstrates microsatellite instability in melanomas and dysplastic nevi, but not in benign neviJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2001Mahmoud R. Hussein Introduction: Alterations in the length of DNA repetitive sequences (microsatellite instability (MSI)) represent distinct tumorigenic pathways associated with several familial and sporadic tumors. Material and methods: To investigate the prevalence and frequency of MSI in melanocytic lesions, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based microsatellite assay was used to examine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of 30 benign melanocytic nevi, 60 melanocytic dysplastic nevi (MDN), and 22 primary vertical growth phase cutaneous malignant melanomas (CMM). Twenty-four microsatellite markers at the 1p, 2p, 3p, 4q and 9p chromosomal regions were used. Results: MSI was found at 1p and 9p in MDN and CMM but not in benign melanocytic nevi. The overall prevalence of MSI was17/60 (28%) in MDN and 7/22 (31%) in CMM. The frequency of MSI ranged from 2/24 (9%) to 4/24 (17%) and was most commonly found at D9S162. There was a statistically significant correlation between degree of atypia and frequency of MSI (p<0.001) in MDN. There were two MSI banding patterns: band shifts and additional bands. Conclusions: The data presented revealed the presence of low-frequency MSI (MSI-L) at the 1p and 9p regions in both MDN and CMM. Whether the MSI-L pattern reflects a defect in mismatch repair genes is still to be determined. [source] Comprehensive analysis of advanced solar cell contacts consisting of printed fine-line seed layers thickened by silver platingPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2009D. Pysch Abstract This work presents a detailed analysis of a new two-layer process to contact industrial solar cells. However, most of the results seem to be transferable to standard screen print paste contacts. The seed layer was created by a pad or screen printer and thickened by light-induced plating (LIP) of silver. These contact structures were investigated microscopically to gain a better understanding of the observed electrical parameters. A review of the present microscopic contact formation model for flat surfaces is presented. This model was extended and applied to surfaces textured with random pyramids. This analysis has revealed two new types of silver crystallites which can be described by a crystallographic model. The dependence of the silver crystallite density on the surface doping concentration was investigated. Next, the dependence of the contact resistance on the width of the seed layer was measured showing that the contact resistivity increases with a reduction of the seed layer width. These results have been further approved by an analysis of SEM images of wet-chemically etched contacts examining the density of crystallites and the fraction of removed SiNx layer. Contact resistance RC measurements before and after LIP of silver showed surprisingly a positive influence of the plating process on RC. A detailed microscopical analysis revealed four new possible current flow paths due to the LIP of a conventional contact or a seed layer. The results led to an extension of the existing model for a screen-printed contact. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comprehensive analysis of short peptides in sera from patients with IgA nephropathyRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 23 2009Nagayuki Kaneshiro We analyzed serum short peptides comprehensively to know whether they were useful to characterize IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Serum samples from 26 patients with untreated IgAN and 25 healthy donors were tested. Short peptides with molecular weights of ,7,kDa, purified from the serum samples by magnetic-beads-based weak cation exchange, were detected by mass spectrometry. Then the peptide peaks detected were subjected to the multivariate data analysis by SIMCA-P+® containing principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial-least-squares-discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA). A total of 92 peptide peaks were detected in the tested serum samples. The OPLS-DA analysis revealed that the profile of all the peptide peak intensities discriminated the IgAN group and the healthy group completely with a high R2 value (0.919) and a high Q2 value (0.861). Further, the profile of only five peptide peaks was found to discriminate the two groups. By tandem mass spectrometry and database searching, three of the five peptides which increased in the IgAN group were identified as fragments of fibrinogen alpha chain, and the two peptides which increased in the healthy group were identified as fragments of complement C3f and kininogen-1 light chain. Taken together, the profile of the serum short peptides would be useful to discriminate IgAN and healthy conditions. Further, the five peptides may be candidate serum markers for IgAN and may be related to pathogenesis of IgA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Size-Related Advantages for Reproduction in a Slightly Dimorphic Raptor: Opposite Trends between the SexesETHOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Fabrizio Sergio Despite many comparative analyses and more than 20 proposed hypotheses, there is still little consensus over the factors promoting the evolution of reversed sexual dimorphism (RSD) in raptorial species. Furthermore, intrapopulation studies, which may elucidate how RSD is maintained once evolved, have been surprisingly scarce and only focused on a handful of species with medium to high dimorphism. We examined the reproductive advantages associated with body size and condition, measured in the pre-laying period, in a diurnal raptor with low sexual dimorphism, the black kite (Milvus migrans). The study population was essentially monomorphic in size. For females, there was an evidence of reproductive benefits associated with larger size and/or with better body condition. Larger females had also access to higher quality partners and territories, consistent with the ,intrasexual selection' hypothesis, by which members of the larger sex enjoy size-related advantages in intrasexual competition over a scarce resource, the smaller sex. Opposite trends emerged for males: smaller, leaner males had higher breeding output, consistent with the ,small efficient male' hypothesis. Overall, the fact that we observed in an essentially monomorphic population the same selection pressures previously found in species with marked dimorphism suggests that such reproductive advantages may be counterbalanced in our study model by opposite selection pressures during other stages of the life cycle. This casts some doubts on the evolutionary significance of studies focusing exclusively on reproduction and calls for the need of more comprehensive analyses incorporating trait-mediated differentials in survival and recruitment. [source] HAEdb: A novel interactive, locus-specific mutation database for the C1 inhibitor gene,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 1 2005Lajos Kalmár Abstract Hereditary angioneurotic edema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodic local subcutaneous and submucosal edema and is caused by the deficiency of the activated C1 esterase inhibitor protein (C1-INH or C1INH; approved gene symbol SERPING1). Published C1-INH mutations are represented in large universal databases (e.g., OMIM, HGMD), but these databases update their data rather infrequently, they are not interactive, and they do not allow searches according to different criteria. The HAEdb, a C1-INH gene mutation database (http://hae.biomembrane.hu) was created to contribute to the following expectations: 1) help the comprehensive collection of information on genetic alterations of the C1-INH gene; 2) create a database in which data can be searched and compared according to several flexible criteria; and 3) provide additional help in new mutation identification. The website uses MySQL, an open-source, multithreaded, relational database management system. The user-friendly graphical interface was written in the PHP web programming language. The website consists of two main parts, the freely browsable search function, and the password-protected data deposition function. Mutations of the C1-INH gene are divided in two parts: gross mutations involving DNA fragments >1 kb, and micro mutations encompassing all non-gross mutations. Several attributes (e.g., affected exon, molecular consequence, family history) are collected for each mutation in a standardized form. This database may facilitate future comprehensive analyses of C1-INH mutations and also provide regular help for molecular diagnostic testing of HAE patients in different centers. Hum Mutat 25:1,5, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A portable multi-dimensional gas chromatographic system for field applicationsJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 12-13 2003Jon H. Wahl Abstract We have constructed and tested a multi-dimensional gas chromatographic system that can be utilized for field portable applications. The chromatographic system is capable of one-dimensional separations and multi-dimensional gas chromatographic (MDGC) separations in a single compact package. Three different general multi-dimensional separation approaches are possible: column switching; traditional heart-cutting; and comprehensive analyses. The MDGC system utilizes a simple 10-port valving approach to accomplish these separations to a single point detector. Because of this valving scheme no hardware change is required to switch between the heart-cut and the comprehensive separation modes, only a software methodology change is required. An additional advantage of this valving approach is that 100% of the first-dimensional effluent is sampled to the second dimension for separation. The system is capable of rapid column heating (room temperature to 250°C in approximately 10 s) and rapid column cooling (250°C to room temperature within approximately 30 s). Preliminary results for heart-cut and comprehensive separations that target five compounds against high concentration levels of complex background are illustrated. [source] Ape behavior in two alternating environments: comparing exhibit and short-term holding areasAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2010S.R. Ross Abstract In many facilities, primates are voluntarily transferred between different enclosures on a daily basis to facilitate animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance. This procedure is particularly relevant in the management of great apes living in zoos, where the requirements of functional management must be balanced with the desire to maintain enriching and naturalistic exhibit enclosures that benefit ape residents and attract the visiting public. In these settings, examinations of ape behavior and welfare typically focus exclusively on activity in the primary exhibit area. However, physical, social and sensory experiences unique to each area may shape different patterns of behavior. In the current study, zoo-living chimpanzees and gorillas were moved each day from exhibit areas to off-exhibit holding areas for a short duration as a part of regular management procedures. Behavioral data indicated species-specific reactions to the holding area, including increased aggression and self-directed behavior by chimpanzees and increased activity and prosocial behavior among gorilla subjects. Both species showed more feeding-foraging behavior while in the exhibit enclosure. Results suggest that holding areas may not meet all behavior needs of captive great apes and demonstrate the importance of including all components of the captive enclosure in comprehensive analyses of great ape behavior and welfare. Am. J. Primatol. 72:951,959, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluating Oversight Systems for Emerging Technologies: A Case Study of Genetically Engineered OrganismsTHE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS, Issue 4 2009Jennifer Kuzma The U.S. oversight system for genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) was evaluated to develop hypotheses and derive lessons for oversight of other emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology. Evaluation was based upon quantitative expert elicitation, semi-standardized interviews, and historical literature analysis. Through an interdisciplinary policy analysis approach, blending legal, ethical, risk analysis, and policy sciences viewpoints, criteria were used to identify strengths and weaknesses of GEOs oversight and explore correlations among its attributes and outcomes. From the three sources of data, hypotheses and broader conclusions for oversight were developed. Our analysis suggests several lessons for oversight of emerging technologies: the importance of reducing complexity and uncertainty in oversight for minimizing financial burdens on small product developers; consolidating multi-agency jurisdictions to avoid gaps and redundancies in safety reviews; consumer benefits for advancing acceptance of GEO products; rigorous and independent pre- and post-market assessment for environmental safety; early public input and transparency for ensuring public confidence; and the positive role of public input in system development, informed consent, capacity, compliance, incentives, and data requirements and stringency in promoting health and environmental safety outcomes, as well as the equitable distribution of health impacts. Our integrated approach is instructive for more comprehensive analyses of oversight systems, developing hypotheses for how features of oversight systems affect outcomes, and formulating policy options for oversight of future technological products, especially nanotechnology products. [source] Mapping continuous fields of forest alpha and beta diversityAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Hannes Feilhauer Abstract Question: How to map continuous fields of forest alpha and beta diversity in remote areas, based on easily accessible spatial data. Location: Kyrgyzstan/Central Asia. Methods: The study relied on a combination of predictive mapping and remote sensing. Punctual measurements of alpha diversity were linked to topography and reflectance using regression models. For beta diversity, ordination techniques were employed to extract major vegetation gradients. Scores on the ordination axes were regressed against topography as well as reflectance and subsequently mapped. Beta diversity was mapped as spatial turnover rate along these axes. Results: The diversity maps quantified species counts and turnover in a spatially contiguous manner while taking into account fuzzy transitions. The variance explained by regression models ranged from 51% to 61% in cross-validation. Many of the observed differences were caused by differences in species shares. The occurrence of walnut, in particular, showed a negative relation to woody species numbers. Conclusion: Mapping biodiversity in remote areas can be based on easily accessible spatial data in combination with a set of calibration field samples. With regard to human influence on walnut dominance, a total removal of human land use would be counterproductive in terms of diversity conservation. The results of this study highlight the need for comprehensive analyses of diversity patterns that include spatially contiguous quantifications of species numbers, shares and turnover rates. [source] Recent Progress in Biomolecular EngineeringBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 1 2000Dewey D. Y. Ryu During the next decade or so, there will be significant and impressive advances in biomolecular engineering, especially in our understanding of the biological roles of various biomolecules inside the cell. The advances in high throughput screening technology for discovery of target molecules and the accumulation of functional genomics and proteomics data at accelerating rates will enable us to design and discover novel biomolecules and proteins on a rational basis in diverse areas of pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, and environmental applications. As an applied molecular evolution technology, DNA shuffling will play a key role in biomolecular engineering. In contrast to the point mutation techniques, DNA shuffling exchanges large functional domains of sequences to search for the best candidate molecule, thus mimicking and accelerating the process of sexual recombination in the evolution of life. The phage-display system of combinatorial peptide libraries will be extensively exploited to design and create many novel proteins, as a result of the relative ease of screening and identifying desirable proteins. Even though this system has so far been employed mainly in screening the combinatorial antibody libraries, its application will be extended further into the science of protein-receptor or protein-ligand interactions. The bioinformatics for genome and proteome analyses will contribute substantially toward ever more accelerated advances in the pharmaceutical industry. Biomolecular engineering will no doubt become one of the most important scientific disciplines, because it will enable systematic and comprehensive analyses of gene expression patterns in both normal and diseased cells, as well as the discovery of many new high-value molecules. When the functional genomics database, EST and SAGE techniques, microarray technique, and proteome analysis by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis in combination with mass spectrometer are all put to good use, biomolecular engineering research will yield new drug discoveries, improved therapies, and significantly improved or new bioprocess technology. With the advances in biomolecular engineering, the rate of finding new high-value peptides or proteins, including antibodies, vaccines, enzymes, and therapeutic peptides, will continue to accelerate. The targets for the rational design of biomolecules will be broad, diverse, and complex, but many application goals can be achieved through the expansion of knowledge based on biomolecules and their roles and functions in cells and tissues. Some engineered biomolecules, including humanized Mab's, have already entered the clinical trials for therapeutic uses. Early results of the trials and their efficacy are positive and encouraging. Among them, Herceptin, a humanized Mab for breast cancer treatment, became the first drug designed by a biomolecular engineering approach and was approved by the FDA. Soon, new therapeutic drugs and high-value biomolecules will be designed and produced by biomolecular engineering for the treatment or prevention of not-so-easily cured diseases such as cancers, genetic diseases, age-related diseases, and other metabolic diseases. Many more industrial enzymes, which will be engineered to confer desirable properties for the process improvement and manufacturing of high-value biomolecular products at a lower production cost, are also anticipated. New metabolites, including novel antibiotics that are active against resistant strains, will also be produced soon by recombinant organisms having de novo engineered biosynthetic pathway enzyme systems. The biomolecular engineering era is here, and many of benefits will be derived from this field of scientific research for years to come if we are willing to put it to good use. [source] A New Method for Clay Mineral Analysis and Its Application in GeologyACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 4 2002WANG Hejing Abstract, X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks in a low-angle diffraction section of clay minerals, especially those of authigenic origin, have broadening and tailing features in shape. Using the five basic parameters, peak position, peak height, width, shape coefficient and asymmetry, to describe an XRD peak is more accurate, comprehensive and integrated than using only 3 of them, position, height and width. Following the concept of the five basic parameters of an XRD peak, the program Decoform proposed in this study provides more information in mineralogical analyses by fitting actual XRD profiles. In combination with the HW-IR plot, Decoform can be systematically and accurately used in the comprehensive analyses of crystallinity, domain size, lattice strain and quantitative phase. It is also of value for the geological investigations of diagenesis, metamorphism, basin maturity, structural stress field and so on. [source] The ponderous evolution of corporate environmental reporting in Ireland.CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2003Recent evidence from publicly listed companies Ireland's recent rapid economic growth has exacerbated pressure on the environment, leading to increased scrutiny of corporate environmental impacts. In order to assess whether external corporate environmental reporting (CER) has evolved in conjunction with this increased scrutiny, this paper reports on the results of a comprehensive analysis of CER practice among all Irish listed companies. The findings are interpreted using the lens of legitimacy theory. The results indicate that, apart from companies whose core activities have an easily observable environmental impact, there is little extensive CER undertaken, in terms of either its quantity or quality. Despite evidence of increasing trends in disclosure, in most instances disclosing companies remain at the very early stages in their consideration of CER. It is argued that this negligible disclosure potentially represents a minimalistic response to pressure from stakeholders whose power to threaten organizations' legitimacy is limited. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment [source] Trials update in walesCYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2007A. Fiander Three ongoing studies will be presented and discussed. Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infection in a South Wales Screening population Methods: A total of 10 000 consecutive, anonymous liquid based cytology screening samples were collected over a five month period in 2004. Age, cytology result and social deprivation score was provided for each specimen. The methodology was chosen to ensure inclusion of all women attending routine cervical screening, avoiding potential constraints associated with obtaining individual informed consent. The liquid based cytology samples were processed and reported by the receiving cytology laboratory and the residual specimens sent to the HPV Research Laboratory, Wales College of Medicine, where they were processed and stored at -80°C until analysis. High risk and low risk HPV Typing was undertaken using PCR , EIA (Jacobs et al 1997). Full high risk typing was performed on HPV positive specimens. Results: The study population had a mean age of 38 years with 92% negative, 5% borderline and 3% dyskaryotic cytology. The average social deprivation score was 17.4 (based upon the Welsh Index of multiple deprivation). The following results will be presented: HPV prevalence by age. HPV prevalence by cytology result. Type specific HPV prevalence in single and multiple infection. Conclusion: This study represents the largest type specific HPV Prevalence Study in the UK to date. As such it will form a useful base line against which to access performance of marketed HPV tests and evaluating the impact following implementation of HPV vaccination. [Funded by Welsh Office for Research and Development] CRISP , 1 Study (Cervical Randomized Intervention Study Protocol -1) Background: Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and Diindolylmethane (DIM) are found in cruciferous vegetables and have been identified as compounds that could potentially prevent or halt carcinogenesis. I3C spontaneously forms DIM in vivo during acid digestion. I3C has been shown to prevent the development of cervical cancer in HPV 16 transgenic mice and both I3C and DIM have been shown to promote cell death in cervical cancer cell models. DIM is the major active bi-product of I3C and preliminary data indicate that DIM is active in cervical dysplasia and may be better tolerated than I3C. Aim: To investigate chemoprevention of high grade cervical neoplasia using Diindolylmethane (DIM) supplementation in women with low grade cytological abnormalities on cervical cytology. Objectives: To observe any reduction in the prevalence of histological proven high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after 6 months of supplementation. ,,To observe any reduction in the prevalence of cytological abnormalities. ,,To observe any changes in the clinical appearance of the cervix. To assess acceptability and monitor any side effects of DIM supplementation. ,,To assess whether any benefit is seen in relation to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status including HPV Type, Viral load and integration. Methods: This is a double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 600,700 women with low grade cytological abnormalities on a cervical smear. Randomization is in the ratio of 2 : 1 in favour of active medication. Women with first mildly dyskaryotic smear or second borderline smear are eligible. They are asked to take two capsules daily for 6 months. At the end of 6 months they undergo repeat cervical cytology, HPV testing and colposcopy. Results: A progress report will be given for this ongoing study. [Funded: - Cancer Research UK] Type Specific HPV Infection in Welsh Cervical Cancers Background: Whilst there have been numerous studies of HPV infection associated with cervical cancer and on prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in diverse populations there have been no studies of these variables in the same population. Against a background of prophylactic HPV vaccination it is important to assess potential protection against cervical cancer within a given population. The most comprehensive analysis of HPV type specific cervical cancer is a meta-analysis published by the IARC in 2003. This however included only three UK based studies, totalling 118 cases, 75 of which were only investigated by HPV type PCR for four high risk types. None of this data was presented with associated population based prevalence data. Therefore, the research objectives for this study in combination with the first study above, are as follows: To determine the frequency of specific HPV types in cervical cancers in Wales. To compare the distribution of specific HPV types amongst cervical cancers with their prevalence in the general population. This will allow accurate delineation of the relationship between prevalence of specific HPV types in the general population and their association with clinically relevant disease. This information is a pre-requisite to assess the potential impact of prophylactic vaccination against HPV infection in Wales. Methods: Welsh Cervical Cancer specimens from 2000,2005 will be identified from pathology departments within Wales. The pathology of each tumour will be reviewed by a single Gynaecological Pathologist. The age of the patient and pathological features of the tumour will be noted. DNA will be extracted from the paraffin sections and HPV typed by PCR-EIA. Results: A progress report will be given for this ongoing study. [Funded by Welsh Office for Research and Development] [source] Characterization of dendritic spines in the Drosophila central nervous systemDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Florian Leiss Abstract Dendritic spines are a characteristic feature of a number of neurons in the vertebrate nervous system and have been implicated in processes that include learning and memory. In spite of this, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the presence of spines in a classical genetic system, such as Drosophila, so far. Here, we demonstrate that a subset of processes along the dendrites of visual system interneurons in the adult fly central nervous system, called LPTCs, closely resemble vertebrate spines, based on a number of criteria. First, the morphology, size, and density of these processes are very similar to those of vertebrate spines. Second, they are enriched in actin and devoid of tubulin. Third, they are sites of synaptic connections based on confocal and electron microscopy. Importantly, they represent a preferential site of localization of an acetylcholine receptor subunit, suggesting that they are sites of excitatory synaptic input. Finally, their number is modulated by the level of the small GTPase dRac1. Our results provide a basis to dissect the genetics of dendritic spine formation and maintenance and the functional role of spines. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009 [source] Using the ,protective environment' framework to analyse children's protection needs in DarfurDISASTERS, Issue 4 2009Alastair Ager A major humanitarian concern during the continuing crisis in Darfur, Sudan, has been the protection of children, although there has been little in the way of comprehensive analysis to guide intervention. Founded on a situational analysis conducted between October 2005 and March 2006, this paper documents the significant threats to children's well-being directly linked to the political conflict. It demonstrates the role of non-conflict factors in exacerbating these dangers and in promoting additional protection violations, and it uses the ,protective environment' framework (UNICEF Sudan, 2006a) to identify systematic features of the current environment that put children at risk. This framework is shown to provide a coherent basis for assessment and planning, prompting broad, multidisciplinary analysis, concentrating on preventive and protective action, and fostering a systemic approach (rather than placing an undue focus on the discrete needs of ,vulnerable groups'). Constraints on its present utility in emergency settings are also noted. [source] Proteomic analysis of osteogenic differentiation of dental follicle precursor cellsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 7 2009Christian Morsczeck Abstract Recently, there has been an increased interest in unravelling the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways controlling the differentiation and proliferation of human stem cell lines. Proteome analysis has proven to be an effective approach to comprehensive analysis of the regulatory network of differentiation. In the present study we applied 2-DE combined with capillary-LC-MS/MS analysis to profile differentially regulated proteins upon differentiation of dental follicle precursor cells (DFPCs). Out of 115 differentially regulated proteins, glutamine synthetase, lysosomal proteinase cathepsin B proteins, plastin 3 T-isoform, beta-actin, superoxide dismutases, and transgelin were found to be highly up-regulated, whereas cofilin-1, pro-alpha 1 collagen, destrin, prolyl 4-hydrolase and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase were found to be highly down-regulated. The group of up-regulated proteins is associated with actin-bundling and defence against oxidative cellular stress, whereas down-regulated proteins were associated with collagen biosynthesis. Bioinformatic analyses of the entire data set confirmed these findings that represent significant steps towards the understanding of DFPC differentiation. The bioinformatic analyses suggest that proteins associated with cell cycle progression and protein metabolism were down-regulated and proteins involved in catabolism, cell motility and biological quality were up-regulated. These results display the general physiological state of DFPCs before and after osteogenic differentiation. We also identified regulatory proteins, such as the transcription factors TP53 and Sp-1, associated with the differentiation process. Further studies will investigate the impact of identified regulatory proteins for cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in DFPCs. [source] Comprehensive proteome analysis of mouse liver by ampholyte-free liquid-phase isoelectric focusingELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 11 2008Hua Zhong Abstract In this study, ampholyte-free liquid-phase IEF (LIEF) was combined with narrow pH range 2-DE and SDS-PAGE RP-HPLC for comprehensive analysis of mouse liver proteome. Because LIEF prefractionation was able to reduce the complexity of the sample and enhance the loading capacity of IEF strips, the number of visible protein spots on subsequent 2-DE gels was significantly increased. A total of 6271 protein spots were detected after integrating five narrow pH range 2-DE gels following LIEF prefractionation into a single virtual 2-DE gel. Furthermore, the pH,3,5 LIEF fraction and the unfractionated sample were separated by pH,3,6 2-DE and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, respectively. In parallel, the pH 3,5 LIEF fraction was also analyzed by SDS-PAGE RP-HPLC MS/MS. LIEF-2-DE and LIEF-HPLC could obviously improve the separation efficiency and the confidence of protein identification, which identified a higher number of low-abundance proteins and proteins with extreme physicochemical characteristics or post-translational modifications compared to conventional 2-DE method. Furthermore, there were 207 proteins newly identified in mouse liver in comparison with previously reported large-scale datasets. It was observed that the combination of LIEF-2-DE and LIEF-HPLC was effective in promoting MS-based liver proteome profiling and could be applied on similar complex tissue samples. [source] Substance use and misuse in the aftermath of terrorism.ADDICTION, Issue 6 2009A Bayesian meta-analysis ABSTRACT Aim To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the conflicting evidence on substance use and misuse following mass traumas such as terrorist incidents. Methods We reviewed and synthesized evidence from 31 population-based studies using Bayesian meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results The majority of the studied were conducted in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. Controlling for exposure, type of incident and time since the event occurred, 7.3% [95% credible interval (CrI) 1.1,32.5%] of a population can be expected to report increased alcohol consumption in the first 2 years following a terrorist event. There is, however, a 20% probability that the prevalence will be as high as 14%. The unadjusted prevalence of increased cigarette smoking following a terrorist event is 6.8% (95% Cr I 2.6,16.5%). Unadjusted reports of mixed drug use (including narcotics and prescription medications) was 16.3% (95% Cr I 1.3,72.5%). Conclusions These results underscore the potentially pervasive behavioral health effects of mass terrorism, and suggest that public health interventions may usefully consider substance use as an area of focus after such events. [source] Sample pooling in 2-D gel electrophoresis: A new approach to reduce nonspecific expression backgroundELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 22 2006Marc Weinkauf Abstract Protein expression alterations unrelated to an investigated phenotype are accumulated in most cell line models during establishment. Performing a whole proteome screening of lymphoma cell lines, we established a method to reduce the influence of protein expression unrelated to the distinct investigated phenotype. In 2-D PAGE, the comprehensive analysis of a large number of protein spots would be simplified by pooling cell line samples of the investigated phenotype. Applying this pooling approach, unrelated alterations of single samples are ,muted' by dilution. Analysing two different lymphoma subtypes (follicular and mantle cell lymphoma) by this method, spots originating in only single cell lines were reduced by 72% (650/900), whereas even modestly altered expression of protein spots detected in all lines were reliably detected in the pooled protein gels. We conclude that our pooling approach is a preferable approach to reliably detect a common protein expression pattern and may even allow proteomic analysis of clinical samples with limited amounts of sample material, even with minimal cell numbers as low as 1×106. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||