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Wirzberger M, Lado A, Prentice M, Oreshnikov I, Passy JC, Stock A, Lieder F. Optimal feedback improves behavioral focus during self-regulated computer-based work. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3124. [PMID: 38326361 PMCID: PMC10850098 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53388-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Distractions are omnipresent and can derail our attention, which is a precious and very limited resource. To achieve their goals in the face of distractions, people need to regulate their attention, thoughts, and behavior; this is known as self-regulation. How can self-regulation be supported or strengthened in ways that are relevant for everyday work and learning activities? To address this question, we introduce and evaluate a desktop application that helps people stay focused on their work and train self-regulation at the same time. Our application lets the user set a goal for what they want to do during a defined period of focused work at their computer, then gives negative feedback when they get distracted, and positive feedback when they reorient their attention towards their goal. After this so-called focus session, the user receives overall feedback on how well they focused on their goal relative to previous sessions. While existing approaches to attention training often use artificial tasks, our approach transforms real-life challenges into opportunities for building strong attention control skills. Our results indicate that optimal attentional feedback can generate large increases in behavioral focus, task motivation, and self-control-benefitting users to successfully achieve their long-term goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wirzberger
- University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Anastasia Lado
- University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mike Prentice
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Oreshnikov
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Adrian Stock
- University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Falk Lieder
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany
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Stock A, Murray CC, Gregr EJ, Steenbeek J, Woodburn E, Micheli F, Christensen V, Chan KMA. Exploring multiple stressor effects with Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace: Research designs, modeling techniques, and future directions. Sci Total Environ 2023; 869:161719. [PMID: 36693571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the cumulative effects of multiple stressors is a research priority in environmental science. Ecological models are a key component of tackling this challenge because they can simulate interactions between the components of an ecosystem. Here, we ask, how has the popular modeling platform Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) been used to model human impacts related to climate change, land and sea use, pollution, and invasive species? We conducted a literature review encompassing 166 studies covering stressors other than fishing mostly in aquatic ecosystems. The most modeled stressors were physical climate change (60 studies), species introductions (22), habitat loss (21), and eutrophication (20), using a range of modeling techniques. Despite this comprehensive coverage, we identified four gaps that must be filled to harness the potential of EwE for studying multiple stressor effects. First, only 12% of studies investigated three or more stressors, with most studies focusing on single stressors. Furthermore, many studies modeled only one of many pathways through which each stressor is known to affect ecosystems. Second, various methods have been applied to define environmental response functions representing the effects of single stressors on species groups. These functions can have a large effect on the simulated ecological changes, but best practices for deriving them are yet to emerge. Third, human dimensions of environmental change - except for fisheries - were rarely considered. Fourth, only 3% of studies used statistical research designs that allow attribution of simulated ecosystem changes to stressors' direct effects and interactions, such as factorial (computational) experiments. None made full use of the statistical possibilities that arise when simulations can be repeated many times with controlled changes to the inputs. We argue that all four gaps are feasibly filled by integrating ecological modeling with advances in other subfields of environmental science and in computational statistics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada.
| | - C C Murray
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, BC V8L 5T5, Canada
| | - E J Gregr
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada; SciTech Environmental Consulting, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - J Steenbeek
- Ecopath International Initiative (EII) Research Association, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Woodburn
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada
| | - F Micheli
- Hopkins Marine Station, Oceans Department, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - V Christensen
- Ecopath International Initiative (EII) Research Association, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - K M A Chan
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Motzko M, Glueck E, Holland B, Abraham C, Surek C, Draper M, Stock A, Zolnierz M. Depth of the Dorsal Nerve of the Clitoris: Implications for Cosmetic and Urogynecologic Surgery. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2022; 75:3628-3651. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Peters S, Merta J, Schmidt L, Jazmati D, Kramer PH, Blase C, Tippelt S, Fleischhack G, Stock A, Bison B, Rutkowski S, Pietsch T, Kortmann RD, Timmermann B. Evaluation of dose, volume and outcome in children with localized, intracranial ependymoma treated with proton therapy within the prospective KiProReg Study. Neuro Oncol 2021; 24:1193-1202. [PMID: 34964901 PMCID: PMC9248402 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Radiotherapy (RT) of ependymoma in children is an important part of the
interdisciplinary treatment concept. However, feasibility and dose concepts are still
under investigation, particularly in very young children. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the standard dose and volume of proton therapy (PT) in children with
ependymoma. Methods In this analysis, 105 patients with localized, intracranial ependymoma under the age of
18 years treated with PT between 2013 and 2018 were included. Patient characteristics,
treatment, outcome, and follow-up data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analysis. Results The median age of patients at PT was 2.8 years (0.9-17.0 years). The molecular subgroup
analysis was performed in a subset of 50 patients (37 EP-PFA, 2 EP-PFB, 7 EP-RELA, 2
EP-YAP, 2 NEC [not elsewhere classified]). The median total dose was 59.4 Gy (54.0-62.0
Gy). The median follow-up time was 1.9 years. The estimated 3-year overall survival
(OS), local control (LC), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 93.7%, 74.1%,
and 55.6%, respectively. Within univariable analysis, female gender and lower dose had a
positive impact on OS, whereas age ≥4 years had a negative impact on OS and PT given
after progression had a negative impact on PFS. In the multivariable analysis, multiple
tumor surgeries were associated with lower PFS. New ≥3° late toxicities occurred in 11
patients. Conclusion For children with localized ependymoma, PT was effective and well tolerable. Multiple
surgeries showed a negative impact on PFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Peters
- West German Proton Therapy Center Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Clinic for Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - J Merta
- West German Proton Therapy Center Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - L Schmidt
- Clinic for Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - D Jazmati
- West German Proton Therapy Center Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Clinic for Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - P H Kramer
- Clinic for Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - C Blase
- AnästhesieNetz Rhein-Ruhr, Westenfelder, Bochum, Germany
| | - S Tippelt
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - G Fleischhack
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - A Stock
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - B Bison
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - S Rutkowski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - T Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - R D Kortmann
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radio-oncology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - B Timmermann
- West German Proton Therapy Center Essen (WPE), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Clinic for Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,West German Cancer Center (WTZ). University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
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Stock A, Mynarek M, Pietsch T, Pfister SM, Clifford SC, Goschzik T, Sturm D, Schwalbe EC, Hicks D, Rutkowski S, Bison B, Pham M, Warmuth-Metz M. Imaging Characteristics of Wingless Pathway Subgroup Medulloblastomas: Results from the German HIT/SIOP-Trial Cohort. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2019; 40:1811-1817. [PMID: 31649159 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In addition to the 4 histopathologically defined entities of medulloblastoma, 4 distinct genetically defined subgroups have been included in the World Health Organization classification of 2016. The smallest subgroup is the medulloblastoma with activated wingless pathway. The goal of this study was to identify a typical MR imaging morphology in a larger number of pediatric patients with wingless pathway medulloblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 2001 to October 2017, of 75 patients with histologically confirmed and molecularly subgrouped wingless pathway medulloblastomas recruited to the German Pediatric Brain Tumor (HIT) trials, 38 patients (median age, 12.8 ± 4.6 years at diagnosis; 24 [63.2%] female) had preoperative imaging that passed the entry criteria for this study. Images were rated by the local standardized imaging criteria of the National Reference Center of Neuroradiology. Additionally, a modified laterality score was used to determine tumor localization and extension. RESULTS Twenty-eight of 38 (73.7%) were primary midline tumors but with a lateral tendency in 39.3%. One extensively eccentric midline tumor was rated by the laterality score as in an off-midline position. Five tumors were found in the cerebellopontine angle; 3, in the deep white matter; and 2, in a cerebellar hemisphere. Leptomeningeal dissemination was rare (11.5%). In 60.5%, intratumoral blood-degradation products were found, and 26.3% showed cysts with blood contents. CONCLUSIONS According to our observations, wingless pathway medulloblastomas are not preferentially off-midline tumors as postulated in previous studies with smaller wingless pathway medulloblastoma cohorts. Dense intratumoral blood-degradation products and cysts with blood contents are frequently found and might help to differentiate wingless pathway medulloblastoma from other medulloblastoma subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- From the Department of Neuroradiology (A.S., B.B., M.P., M.W.-M.), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - M Mynarek
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (M.M., S.R.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - T Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology (T.P., T.G.), DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - S M Pfister
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (S.M.P.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology (S.M.P.), German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Heidelberg (S.M.P., D.S.), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - S C Clifford
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre (S.C.C., E.C.S., D.H.), Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - T Goschzik
- Institute of Neuropathology (T.P., T.G.), DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - D Sturm
- Hopp Children's Cancer Heidelberg (S.M.P., D.S.), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - E C Schwalbe
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre (S.C.C., E.C.S., D.H.), Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Applied Sciences (E.C.S.), Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - D Hicks
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre (S.C.C., E.C.S., D.H.), Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S Rutkowski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (M.M., S.R.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - B Bison
- From the Department of Neuroradiology (A.S., B.B., M.P., M.W.-M.), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - M Pham
- From the Department of Neuroradiology (A.S., B.B., M.P., M.W.-M.), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - M Warmuth-Metz
- From the Department of Neuroradiology (A.S., B.B., M.P., M.W.-M.), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Stock A, Haupt A, Mach M, Micheli F. Mapping ecological indicators of human impact with statistical and machine learning methods: Tests on the California coast. ECOL INFORM 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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8
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Stock A. Fachgruppe für Unterrichtsfragen und Wirtschaftschemie. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.19290422209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Jürgens J, Stock A, Marquardt L, Penzlin S, Giffey A, Sachwitz D, Wiemann D, Pech M, Ricke J, Neumann G. Erste Ergebnisse der intrakraniellen Diagnostik bei Kindern mit transtemporalem 3D-Ultraschall (TT3DUS) mittels Matrix-Array-Schallkopf. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2016. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1581562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Kaleta T, Sauer D, Stock A, Fehm T, Fleisch M. Pro-Studie – Präeklampsie und mütterliches renales Outcome. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2014. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1388146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Kaleta T, Sauer D, Stock A, Fehm T, Fleisch M. Pro-Studie – Präeklampsie und mütterliches renales Outcome. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1361436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Kaleta T, Sauer D, Stock A, Fleisch M. PRO-Studie - Präeklampsie und renales Outcome. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1347736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Hartman D, Benton L, Morenos L, Beyer J, Spiden M, Stock A. Examples of kinship analysis where Profiler Plus™ was not discriminatory enough for the identification of victims using DNA identification. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 205:64-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2010] [Revised: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Hartman D, Benton L, Morenos L, Beyer J, Spiden M, Stock A. The importance of Guthrie cards and other medical samples for the direct matching of disaster victims using DNA profiling. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 205:59-63. [PMID: 20691551 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2010] [Revised: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The identification of disaster victims through the use of DNA analysis is an integral part of any Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) response, regardless of the scale and nature of the disaster. As part of the DVI response to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Disaster, DNA analysis was performed to assist in the identification of victims through kinship (familial matching to relatives) or direct (self source sample) matching of DNA profiles. Although most of the DNA identifications achieved were to reference samples from relatives, there were a number of DNA identifications (12) made through direct matching. Guthrie cards, which have been collected in Australia over the past 30 years, were used to provide direct reference samples. Of the 236 ante-mortem (AM) samples received, 21 were Guthrie cards and one was a biopsy specimen; all yielding complete DNA profiles when genotyped. This publication describes the use of such Biobanks and medical specimens as a sample source for the recovery of good quality DNA for comparisons to post-mortem (PM) samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hartman
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, 57-83 Kavanagh St., Southbank, VIC 3006, Australia.
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Hohmann C, Hein O, Walter A, Fabricius J, Stock A, Klotz JM, Hofmann E, Jacobs AH. Sichere und effiziente Thrombolyse und/oder mechanische Thrombektomie bei Patienten mit zerebraler Ischämie. Akt Neurol 2009. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1238599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- N Price
- The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Neitzel R, Naeher LP, Paulsen M, Dunn K, Stock A, Simpson CD. Biological monitoring of smoke exposure among wildland firefighters: a pilot study comparing urinary methoxyphenols with personal exposures to carbon monoxide, particular matter, and levoglucosan. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2009; 19:349-358. [PMID: 18446186 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2008.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Accepted: 03/07/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Urinary methoxyphenols (MPs) have been proposed as biomarkers of woodsmoke exposure. However, few field studies have been undertaken to evaluate the relationship between woodsmoke exposure and urinary MP concentrations. We conducted a pilot study at the US Forest Service-Savannah River Site, in which carbon monoxide (CO), levoglucosan (LG), and particulate matter (PM(2.5)) exposures were measured in wildland firefighters on prescribed burn days. Pre- and post-shift urine samples were collected from each subject, and cross-shift changes in creatinine-corrected urinary MP concentrations were calculated. Correlations between exposure measures and creatine-adjusted urinary MP concentrations were explored, and regression models were developed relating changes in urinary MP concentrations to measured exposure levels. Full-shift measurements were made on 13 firefighters over 20 work shifts in winter 2004 at the US Forest Service Savannah River site, a National Environmental Research Park. The average workshift length across the 20 measured shifts was 701+/-95 min. LG and CO exposures were significantly correlated for samples where the filter measurement captured at least 60% of the work shift (16 samples), as well as for the smaller set of full-shift exposure samples (n=9). PM(2.5) and CO exposures were not significantly correlated, and LG and PM(2.5) exposures were only significantly correlated for samples representing at least 60% of the work shift. Creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations for 20 of the 22 MPs showed cross-shift increases, with 14 of these changes showing statistical significance. Individual and summed creatinine-adjusted guaiacol urinary MPs were highly associated with CO (and, to a lesser degree, LG) exposure levels, and random-effects regression models including CO and LG exposure levels explained up to 80% of the variance in cross-shift changes in summed creatinine-adjusted guaiacol urinary MP concentrations. Although limited by the small sample size, this pilot study demonstrates that urinary MP concentrations may be effective biomarkers of occupational exposure to wood smoke among wildland firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Neitzel
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7234, USA
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Stock A, Hofmann E, Demeke T, Kirsch M, Hohmann C, Jacobs A. Status epilepticus bei Tacrolimus-induzierter Enzephalopathie mit subkortikalen Hirnblutungen und Hirninfarkt. Akt Neurol 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1086992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Kramer L, Hohmann C, Stock A, Kaufmann M, Jacobs A. Frühe Carotisendarteriektomie bei Patienten mit symptomatischer hochgradiger A. carotis interna Stenose. Akt Neurol 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1087032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Hohmann C, Hein O, Meißner L, Walter A, Stock A, Klotz J, Hofmann E, Jacobs A. Follow-up Beobachtung von Patienten mit zerebraler Ischämie nach Lysetherapie. Akt Neurol 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1087024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Meißner L, Vogt E, Stock A, Hohmann C, Hofmann E, Jacobs A. Ballondilatation einer intrazerebralen Stenose bei amphetaminassoziierter zerebraler Vaskulitis. Akt Neurol 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1086771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Hofmann E, Stock A, Hohmann C, Jacobs A. Erfolgreiche Kombination einer systemischen Lysetherapie mit mechanischer Thrombusextraktion bei A. basilaris Thrombose. Akt Neurol 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1086989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
Eight new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were diagnosed in the antenatal population of Milton Keynes within the first two years of our 'opt-out' antenatal testing scheme; the majority (6/8) occurred in women of black African origin. Since it is suggested that individuals from high-risk groups are more likely to decline HIV testing, we were concerned that women from this high-risk ethnic group might not be accepting testing. Such a situation would increase the risk of undiagnosed HIV-positive women delivering at Milton Keynes and undermine the potential benefits of the screening programme. Retrospective review of pregnant women delivering in our area over six months was performed. Hospital obstetric and microbiology databases were analysed for results of HIV screening and ethnic origin of patients. A total of 1586 women delivered during the study period. Among the black African women 13/158 (8.2%) declined screening, compared with 120/1214 (9.8%) and 15/153 (9.8%) of white and Asian women, respectively. The high uptake of testing across all groups suggests that the policy of offering and recommending HIV screening to all women is being appropriately implemented. Black African women were more likely to have undergone screening than white or Asian women, although the differences were not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Southgate
- Oxford University Medical School, Oxford, UK.
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Wiegand A, Stock A, Attin R, Werner C, Attin T. Impact of the acid flow rate on dentin erosion. J Dent 2007; 35:21-7. [PMID: 16713669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2006.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2006] [Revised: 03/22/2006] [Accepted: 04/03/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study aimed to evaluate the erosive effects of acids flowing with different velocities and duration on dentin previously pre-treated with distilled water or human saliva. METHODS Bovine dentin surfaces were submitted to a 10 min demineralisation with hydrochloric or citric acid (pH 2.3, 37 degrees C) in an artificial mouth at flow rates of 3, 2.25, 1.5, 0.75 or 0.15 ml/min or in 30 ml of the respective acid without movement (each subgroup n=16 specimens). Prior to the demineralisation, half of the specimens of each group were either pre-treated with distilled water or human saliva for 120 min. After 2, 5 and 10 min demineralisation, profilometric traces of dentin loss were performed perpendicular to the direction of acid flow at three sites (A-C) with intervals of 500 microm. The first profile (A) was taken in a distance of 1.5 mm from the acid starting to flow over the sample. Thus, median dentin loss at each site was calculated and statistically analysed by five-way ANOVA. RESULTS Dentin loss increased with increasing acid flow rate and demineralisation time and was higher for demineralisation with citric acid compared to hydrochloric acid. For given flow rates of 0.15 to 3 ml/min, measurement of dentin loss yielded highest values for site A and decreasing values for sites B and C. For all groups, no significant differences of dentin loss were observed between specimens pre-treated with distilled water or human saliva. CONCLUSION Under the conditions of this study, both duration of demineralisation and acid flow rate but not pre-treatment with distilled water or saliva influence the extent of dentin erosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Wiegand
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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Provost P, Doucet J, Stock A, Gerisch G, Samuelsson B, Rådmark O. Coactosin-like protein, a human F-actin-binding protein: critical role of lysine-75. Biochem J 2001; 359:255-63. [PMID: 11583571 PMCID: PMC1222143 DOI: 10.1042/0264-6021:3590255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Coactosin-like protein (CLP) was recently identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen using 5-lipoxygenase as bait. In the present study, we report the functional characterization of CLP as a human filamentous actin (F-actin)-binding protein. CLP mRNA shows a wide tissue distribution and is predominantly expressed in placenta, lung, kidney and peripheral-blood leucocytes. Endogenous CLP is localized in the cytosol of myeloid cells. Using a two-hybrid approach, actin was identified as a CLP-interacting protein. Binding experiments indicated that CLP associates with F-actin, but does not form a stable complex with globular actin. In transfected mammalian cells, CLP co-localized with actin stress fibres. CLP bound to actin filaments with a stoichiometry of 1:2 (CLP: actin subunits), but could be cross-linked to only one subunit of actin. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed the involvement of Lys(75) of CLP in actin binding, a residue highly conserved in related proteins and supposed to be exposed on the surface of the CLP protein. Our results identify CLP as a new human protein that binds F-actin in vitro and in vivo, and indicate that Lys(75) is essential for this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Provost
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Karolinska Institute, Scheeles väg 2, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract
High-capacity adenoviral (HC-Ad) vectors contain only the noncoding termini of the viral genome, can deliver large DNA fragments of up to 36 kb into target cells, and feature reduced toxicity and prolonged transgene expression in vivo. To enhance the potential of HC-Ad vectors to transduce specific cell types, we constructed a versatile infectious new helper virus plasmid that can be used readily to introduce peptide ligands into the HI loop of the fiber knob domain of Ad5-based HC-Ad vectors. Helper viruses with a 6x-His epitope or Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide insertion retained the full infectivity of the wild-type helper virus. The RGD-modified helper virus was used for production of a capsid-modified HC-Ad vector expressing beta-galactosidase. The RGD HC-Ad vector transduced the ovarian carcinoma cell lines SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 with 4- to 20-fold higher efficiency, compared to unmodified vectors. Transduction of both primary vascular smooth muscle cells as well as primary human endothelial cells was increased up to 15-fold with the RGD-modified vector. Competition experiments with recombinant knob protein and different RGD peptides indicated that the RGD-mediated transduction was Coxsackie and Adenovirus receptor (CAR)-independent and involved integrin alpha(v)beta(5). The use of fiber-modified helper viruses in the last amplification step of HC-Ad vector production allows for convenient and efficient targeting of these vectors towards different cell types. Targeting strategies will increase the spectrum of applications for HC-Ad vectors and will further add to their safety.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoviridae/genetics
- Binding, Competitive
- Blotting, Western
- Cells, Cultured
- Cloning, Molecular
- Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein
- Endothelium/cytology
- Epitopes
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Genetic Vectors
- Genome, Viral
- Helper Viruses/genetics
- Humans
- Ligands
- Models, Genetic
- Muscle, Smooth/cytology
- Oligopeptides/genetics
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/metabolism
- Plasmids/metabolism
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Protozoan Proteins
- Receptors, Virus/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- beta-Galactosidase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- V Biermann
- Center for Molecular Medicine (ZMMK) and Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, D-50931 Cologne, Germany
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Abstract
Thyroid hormones stimulate gap junctional communication in rat liver WB-F344 epithelial cells, elevating connexin43 mRNA and protein levels. In the present work we analysed connexin43 expression in liver and heart samples from thyroid hormone-treated Wistar rats. Connexin43 mRNA was elevated 2.1-fold in rat liver samples as compared to controls, while there was no change in heart. Thyroid hormone response elements in the rat connexin43 promoter region were examined; a candidate sequence, including a binding site for ligand-dependent transcription factors, was identified at position -480 to -464. This putative regulatory element, rCx-480, contains a direct repeat structure separated by three base pairs (DR3-type element). In electrophoretic mobility shift assays using in vitro translated proteins, the rCx-480 element formed stronger complexes with thyroid hormone receptor alpha/retinoid X receptor alpha heterodimers than with vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor alpha heterodimers. In transfected Cos-7 cells, promoter activation was observed via this element after treatment with 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine. Loss of binding was seen when the 3' half-site or the spacer region of the rCx-480 element were experimentally mutated, while a stronger binding was observed with mutations introduced in the 5' half-site.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
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Stock A, Steinmetz MO, Janmey PA, Aebi U, Gerisch G, Kammerer RA, Weber I, Faix J. Domain analysis of cortexillin I: actin-bundling, PIP(2)-binding and the rescue of cytokinesis. EMBO J 1999; 18:5274-84. [PMID: 10508161 PMCID: PMC1171598 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/18.19.5274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortexillins are actin-bundling proteins that form a parallel two-stranded coiled-coil rod. Actin-binding domains of the alpha-actinin/spectrin type are located N-terminal to the rod and unique sequence elements are found in the C-terminal region. Domain analysis in vitro revealed that the N-terminal domains are not responsible for the strong actin-filament bundling activity of cortexillin I. The strongest activity resides in the C-terminal region. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) suppresses this bundling activity by binding to a C-terminal nonapeptide sequence. These data define a new PIP(2)-regulated actin-bundling site. In vivo the PIP(2)-binding motif enhances localization of a C-terminal cortexillin I fragment to the cell cortex and improves the rescue of cytokinesis. This motif is not required, however, for translocation to the cleavage furrow. A model is presented proposing that cortexillin translocation is based on a mitotic cycle of polar actin polymerization and midzone depolymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Am Klopferspitz 18a, D-82152 Martinsried, Germany
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Weber I, Gerisch G, Heizer C, Murphy J, Badelt K, Stock A, Schwartz JM, Faix J. Cytokinesis mediated through the recruitment of cortexillins into the cleavage furrow. EMBO J 1999; 18:586-94. [PMID: 9927418 PMCID: PMC1171151 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/18.3.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fact that substrate-anchored Dictyostelium cells undergo cytokinesis in the absence of myosin II underscores the importance of other proteins in enabling the cleavage furrow to constrict. Cortexillins, a pair of actin-bundling proteins, are required for normal cleavage. They are targeted to the incipient furrow in wild-type and, more prominently, in myosin II-null cells. No other F-actin bundling or cross-linking protein tested is co-localized. Green fluorescent protein fusions show that the N-terminal actin-binding domain of cortexillin I is dispensable and the C-terminal region is sufficient for translocation to the furrow and the rescue of cytokinesis. Cortexillins are suggested to have a targeting signal for coupling to a myosin II-independent system that directs transport of membrane proteins to the cleavage furrow.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Weber
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Am Klopferspitz 18a, D-82152 Martinsried, Germany
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Steinmetz MO, Stock A, Schulthess T, Landwehr R, Lustig A, Faix J, Gerisch G, Aebi U, Kammerer RA. A distinct 14 residue site triggers coiled-coil formation in cortexillin I. EMBO J 1998; 17:1883-91. [PMID: 9524112 PMCID: PMC1170535 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/17.7.1883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the process of the assembly of the Dictyostelium discoideum cortexillin I oligomerization domain (Ir) into a tightly packed, two-stranded, parallel coiled-coil structure using a variety of recombinant polypeptide chain fragments. The structures of these Ir fragments were analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy. Deletion mapping identified a distinct 14 residue site within the Ir coiled coil, Arg311-Asp324, which was absolutely necessary for dimer formation, indicating that heptad repeats alone are not sufficient for stable coiled-coil formation. Moreover, deletion of the six N-terminal heptad repeats of Ir led to the formation of a four- rather than a two-helix structure, suggesting that the full-length cortexillin I coiled-coil domain behaves as a cooperative folding unit. Most interestingly, a 16 residue peptide containing the distinct coiled-coil 'trigger' site Arg311-Asp324 yielded approximately 30% helix formation as monomer, in aqueous solution. pH titration and NaCl screening experiments revealed that the peptide's helicity depends strongly on pH and ionic strength, indicating that electrostatic interactions by charged side chains within the peptide are critical in stabilizing its monomer helix. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Arg311-Asp324 behaves as an autonomous helical folding unit and that this distinct Ir segment controls the process of coiled-coil formation of cortexillin I.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Steinmetz
- M.E.Müller Institute for Microscopy, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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Abstract
Cells in tissues coordinate their activity by sharing ions, second messengers, and small metabolites through clusters of intercellular channels called gap junctions. The thyroid hormones 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and L-thyroxine (T4) are capable of modulating gap junctional communication (GJC) as are 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, retinoic acid, and other nuclear receptor ligands. T3 and T4 were found to stimulate GJC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells dose-dependently at concentrations between 1 nM and 0.1 microM, assayed by the dye transfer method using Lucifer Yellow CH. The stimulation of cell-cell communication was preceded by an increase in connexin43 mRNA levels and was accompanied by an accumulation of connexin43 protein measurable 2 days after incubation with these compounds. These observations establish a novel role of thyroid hormones in the regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication via connexin43 gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Institut für Physiologische Chemie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
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Stock A, James DK. Antenatal genetic counselling: implications for population screening. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 1997; 9:109-12. [PMID: 9204232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Only 1-2% of newborns have a congenital abnormality, yet it is responsible for the much greater proportion of mortality and morbidity in infancy and in childhood as well as during pregnancy. Because of this prevalence, there have been many developments in screening and diagnosis of congenital abnormality. Yet there are a number of limitations about how the screening and diagnostic service is currently operated. These limitations centre on the information that is provided, who undertakes the counselling, and their training and support provided to parents in making important decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Division of Fetomaternal Medicine, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK
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Greife AL, Goldenhar LM, Fruend E, Stock A, Halperin W. Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered engines: risk perception among Midwest flood victims. Am J Public Health 1997; 87:466-7. [PMID: 9096558 PMCID: PMC1381026 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.87.3.466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Paniak C, Toller-Lobe G, Nagy J, Stock A, Goltz MI. Utility of recently-developed questionnaires in mild traumatic brain injury assessment. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 1997. [DOI: 10.1093/arclin/12.4.380a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Faix J, Steinmetz M, Boves H, Kammerer RA, Lottspeich F, Mintert U, Murphy J, Stock A, Aebi U, Gerisch G. Cortexillins, major determinants of cell shape and size, are actin-bundling proteins with a parallel coiled-coil tail. Cell 1996; 86:631-42. [PMID: 8752217 DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80136-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Cortexillins I and II of D. discoideum constitute a novel subfamily of proteins with actin-binding sites of the alpha-actinin/spectrin type. The C-terminal halves of these dimeric proteins contain a heptad repeat domain by which the two subunits are joined to form a two-stranded, parallel coiled coil, giving rise to a 19 nm tail. The N-terminal domains that encompass a consensus actin-binding sequence are folded into globular heads. Cortexillin-linked actin filaments form preferentially anti-parallel bundles that associate into meshworks. Both cortexillins are enriched in the cortex of locomoting cells, primarily at the anterior and posterior ends. Elimination of the two isoforms by gene disruption gives rise to large, flattened cells with rugged boundaries, portions of which are often connected by thin cytoplasmic bridges. The double-mutant cells are multinucleate owing to a severe impairment of cytokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Faix
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Martinsried, Federal Republic of Germany
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Djordjevic S, Stock A. Crystal structure of CheR, bacterial chemotaxis receptor methyltransferase. Acta Crystallogr A 1996. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767396091842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Martínez-Hackert E, Berman H, Stock A. DNA-binding domain of OmpR, a difficult structure determination. Acta Crystallogr A 1996. [DOI: 10.1107/s0108767396092951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Clairmont A, Tessman D, Stock A, Nicolai S, Stahl W, Sies H. Induction of gap junctional intercellular communication by vitamin D in human skin fibroblasts is dependent on the nuclear Induction of gap junctional intercellular communication by vitamin D in human skin fibroblasts is dependent on the nuclear vitamin D receptor. Carcinogenesis 1996; 17:1389-91. [PMID: 8681462 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/17.6.1389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The physiologically active metabolite of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), induces gap junctional intercellular communication in human skin fibroblasts 161BR at a concentration of 10(-7) M. In human skin fibroblasts, FIB5, devoid of a functional nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), there is no effect on gap junctional intercellular communication. Parallel to the increase in cell-cell communication, we observed a VDR-dependent increase in connexin43 protein and connexin43 mRNA levels. These results suggest that 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 affects gap junctional intercellular communication at the level of transcription or of mRNA stability via the nuclear VDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Clairmont
- Institut Für Physiologische Chemie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universitt, Düsseldorf,Germany
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Abstract
The incidence of fetomaternal haemorrhage after external cephalic version was 1.8% in 167 patients. The occurrence of this complication was not found to be associated with difficult or unsuccessful version, or with any adverse perinatal outcome. We conclude that routine assessment of fetomaternal haemorrhage after external version is not necessary, except in rhesus negative women to detect the 2% in whom the routine dose of 500 iu (100 micrograms) of anti-D immunoglobulin is inadequate.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Lau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Abstract
We encountered a patient with pre-eclampsia who developed pulmonary edema whilst receiving an infusion of sulprostone. Recent evidence suggests that pulmonary hypertension following the administration of prostaglandins may result from stimulation of an EP3 or thromboxane receptor in the pulmonary artery. This has implications for therapeutic use of prostaglandins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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Abstract
One hundred and five women with singleton pregnancies and cephalic presentation were assessed. Fundal height and a clinical estimate of fetal weight were recorded. The fetal biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length were measured with ultrasound. Ultrasound estimated fetal weight was calculated using 3 different formulas (Shepard, Campbell and CUHK). The liquor volume was assessed using the amniotic fluid index. Ultrasound was able to predict Caesarean section with more reliability than clinical assessment of fetal size or weight. The biparietal diameter, fundal height and amniotic fluid index were poor predictors of mode of delivery. The measurements which best predicted the mode of delivery were the fetal femur length and abdominal circumference. Femur length, but not abdominal circumference, was a statistically better predictor of Caesarean section than clinical estimation of fetal weight. There was no improvement in prediction using ultrasound estimated fetal weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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Stock A, Haines C, Pong WS, Ghosh A. Placental bands: a variant of placenta praevia? Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1993; 100:863-5. [PMID: 8218012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1993.tb14318.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Stock A, Chung T, Rogers M, Ming WW. Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled comparison of ritodrine and hexoprenaline for tocolysis prior to external cephalic version at term. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1993; 33:265-8. [PMID: 8304889 DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1993.tb02082.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
External cephalic versions in the study period were performed in a double blind design by 2 experienced practitioners. Sixty-three patients were allocated to treatment with either placebo, ritodrine or hexoprenaline. The main outcome measure studied was successful completion of external cephalic version. Hexoprenaline, but not ritodrine, was statistically more likely to be associated with successful version than placebo (p = 0.04 versus p = 0.22).
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories
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Stock A, Kuzis K, Woodward WR, Nishi R, Eckenstein FP. Localization of acidic fibroblast growth factor in specific subcortical neuronal populations. J Neurosci 1992; 12:4688-700. [PMID: 1281493 PMCID: PMC6575752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in vitro include the stimulation of mitogenesis in a variety of non-neuronal cell types and the promotion of the survival of various central and peripheral neuronal populations. The precise physiological role of FGFs in vivo is currently not known. As a step toward understanding the role of FGFs in the nervous system, the present study determined the distribution of acidic FGF (aFGF) in the rat CNS. The levels of aFGF in dissected areas of the nervous system were quantified using a biological assay method, and the cellular distribution of aFGF was determined in tissue sections using immunohistochemical methods. aFGF was found to be localized within specific neuronal populations in the CNS and was absent from non-neuronal cells. Neurons containing aFGF immunoreactivity included magnocellular neurons in the septal area and nucleus basalis; some additional defined neuronal groups in the subcortical telencephalon; specific neuronal populations in the hypothalamus, the thalamus, the substantia nigra, the reticular formation, and the pons; and motor and sensory neurons. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus contained only a very limited number of aFGF-immunoreactive neurons. A significant overlap of neuronal populations known to express the low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR) with populations containing aFGF immunoreactivity was also observed. These neuronal populations are known to be affected by neurodegenerative diseases, and the possible functional implications of the presence of aFGF and the LNGFR in these cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Stock
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201
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