1
|
Tiwari D, Rajathi V, Rymer JK, Beasley LN, McGann A, Bunk AT, Parkins EV, Rice MF, Smith KE, Ritter DM, White AR, Doerning CM, Gross C. Estradiol- and progesterone-associated changes in microRNA-induced silencing and reduced anti-seizure efficacy of an antagomir in female mice. eNeuro 2023:ENEURO.0047-22.2023. [PMID: 37433683 PMCID: PMC10368146 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0047-22.2023] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
About one third of individuals living with epilepsy have treatment-resistant seizures. Alternative therapeutic strategies are thus urgently needed. One potential novel treatment target is microRNA-induced silencing, which is differentially regulated in epilepsy. Inhibitors (antagomirs) of specific microRNAs have shown therapeutic promise in preclinical epilepsy studies; however, these studies were mainly conducted in male rodent models, and research into microRNA regulation in females and by female hormones in epilepsy is scarce. This is problematic because female sex and the menstrual cycle can affect the disease course of epilepsy and may, therefore, also alter the efficacy of potential microRNA-targeted treatments. Here, we used the proconvulsant microRNA miR-324-5p and its target, the potassium channel Kv4.2, as an example to test how microRNA-induced silencing and the efficacy of antagomirs in epilepsy are altered in female mice. We showed that Kv4.2 protein is reduced after seizures in female mice similar to male mice; however, in contrast to male mice, microRNA-induced silencing of Kv4.2 is unchanged, and miR-324-5p activity, as measured by the association with the RNA-induced silencing complex, is reduced in females after seizure. Moreover, a miR-324-5p antagomir does not consistently reduce seizure frequency or increase Kv4.2 in female mice. As a possible underlying mechanism, we found that miR-324-5p activity and silencing of Kv4.2 in the brain were differentially correlated with plasma levels of 17β-estradiol and progesterone. Our results suggest that hormonal fluctuations in sexually mature female mice influence microRNA-induced silencing and could alter the efficacy of potential future microRNA-based treatments for epilepsy in females.Significance StatementMicroRNA-induced silencing is currently investigated in preclinical studies as a potential novel class of treatment target for epilepsy; however, surprisingly little is known about if and how microRNA-induced silencing is regulated by biological sex and if microRNA therapeutics are as effective in females as they are in males. This study shows that microRNA silencing of the potassium channel Kv4.2 and the functional activity of its targeting microRNA, miR-324-5p, change with plasma levels of estrogens and progesterone and that an inhibitor of miR-324-5p is less effective in female mice to suppress seizures. These findings are significant as they suggest microRNA-induced silencing as a novel molecular mechanism contributing to sex differences in epilepsy that could impact future therapy development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Tiwari
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Veterinary Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - V Rajathi
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - J K Rymer
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - L N Beasley
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - A McGann
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - A T Bunk
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - E V Parkins
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - M F Rice
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - K E Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati Medical School, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - D M Ritter
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Veterinary Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - A R White
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - C M Doerning
- Veterinary Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati Medical School, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - C Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Veterinary Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Smith KE, Macintyre AK, Weakley S, Hill SE, Escobar O, Fergie G. Public understandings of potential policy responses to health inequalities: Evidence from a UK national survey and citizens' juries in three UK cities. Soc Sci Med 2021; 291:114458. [PMID: 34655938 PMCID: PMC8711040 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A substantial body of research describes the distribution, causes and potential reduction of health inequalities, yet little scholarship examines public understandings of these inequalities. Existing work is dominated by small-scale, qualitative studies of the experiences of specific communities. As a result, we know very little about what broader publics think about health inequalities; and even less about public views of potential policy responses. This is an important gap since previous research shows many researchers and policymakers believe proposals for 'upstream' policies are unlikely to attract sufficient public support to be viable. This mixed methods study combined a nationally representative survey with three two-day citizens' juries exploring public views of health inequalities and potential policy responses in three UK cities (Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool) in July 2016. Comparing public opinion elicited via a survey to public reasoning generated through deliberative processes offers insight into the formation of public views. The results challenge perceptions that there is a lack of public support for upstream, macro-level policy proposals and instead demonstrate support for proposals aiming to tackle health inequalities via improvements to living and working conditions, with more limited support for proposals targeting individual behavioural change. At the same time, some macro-economic proposals, notably those involving tax increases, proved controversial among study participants and results varied markedly by data source. Our analysis suggests that this results from three intersecting factors: a resistance to ideas viewed as disempowering (which include, fundamentally, the idea that health inequalities exist); the prevalence of individualising and fatalistic discourses, which inform resistance to diverse policy proposals (but especially those that are more 'upstream', macro-level proposals); and a lack of trust in (local and national) government. This suggests that efforts to enhance public support for evidence-informed policy responses to health inequalities may struggle unless these broader challenges are also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- School of Social Work & Social Policy, University of Strathclyde, Lord Hope Building, 141 St James Road, Glasgow, G4 0LT, UK; School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD, UK.
| | - A K Macintyre
- School of Social Work & Social Policy, University of Strathclyde, Lord Hope Building, 141 St James Road, Glasgow, G4 0LT, UK.
| | - S Weakley
- Policy Scotland, University of Glasgow, Adam Smith Building, 40 Bute Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RT, UK.
| | - S E Hill
- School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD, UK.
| | - O Escobar
- School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD, UK.
| | - G Fergie
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Berkeley Square, 99 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HR, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Laverock J, Jovic V, Zakharov AA, Niu YR, Kittiwatanakul S, Westhenry B, Lu JW, Wolf SA, Smith KE. Observation of Weakened V-V Dimers in the Monoclinic Metallic Phase of Strained VO_{2}. Phys Rev Lett 2018; 121:256403. [PMID: 30608778 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.256403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Emergent order at mesoscopic length scales in condensed matter can provide fundamental insight into the underlying competing interactions and their relationship with the order parameter. Using spectromicroscopy, we show that mesoscopic stripe order near the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of strained VO_{2} represents periodic modulations in both crystal symmetry and V-V dimerization. Above the MIT, we unexpectedly find the long-range order of V-V dimer strength and crystal symmetry become dissociated beyond ≈200 nm, whereas the conductivity transition proceeds homogeneously in a narrow temperature range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Laverock
- H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - V Jovic
- School of Chemical Sciences and MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - A A Zakharov
- MAX-lab, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Y R Niu
- MAX-lab, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - S Kittiwatanakul
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville,Virginia 22904, USA
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - B Westhenry
- H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - J W Lu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville,Virginia 22904, USA
| | - S A Wolf
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville,Virginia 22904, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - K E Smith
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- School of Chemical Sciences and MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Smith KE, Stewart EA. Academic advocacy in public health: Disciplinary 'duty' or political 'propaganda'? Soc Sci Med 2017; 189:35-43. [PMID: 28780438 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The role of 'advocacy' within public health attracts considerable debate but is rarely the subject of empirical research. This paper reviews the available literature and presents data from qualitative research (interviews and focus groups conducted in the UK in 2011-2013) involving 147 professionals (working in academia, the public sector, the third sector and policy settings) concerned with public health in the UK. It seeks to address the following questions: (i) What is public health advocacy and how does it relate to research?; (ii) What role (if any) do professionals concerned with public health feel researchers ought to play in advocacy?; and (iii) For those researchers who do engage in advocacy, what are the risks and challenges and to what extent can these be managed/mitigated? In answering these questions, we argue that two deeply contrasting conceptualisations of 'advocacy' exist within public health, the most dominant of which ('representational') centres on strategies for 'selling' public health goals to decision-makers and the wider public. This contrasts with an alternative (less widely employed) conceptualisation of advocacy as 'facilitational'. This approach focuses on working with communities whose voices are often unheard/ignored in policy to enable their views to contribute to debates. We argue that these divergent ways of thinking about advocacy speak to a more fundamental challenge regarding the role of the public in research, policy and practice and the activities that connect these various strands of public health research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- Global Public Health Unit, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, Scotland, UK.
| | - E A Stewart
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nimmo F, Hamilton DP, McKinnon WB, Schenk PM, Binzel RP, Bierson CJ, Beyer RA, Moore JM, Stern SA, Weaver HA, Olkin CB, Young LA, Smith KE. Reorientation of Sputnik Planitia implies a subsurface ocean on Pluto. Nature 2016; 540:94-96. [DOI: 10.1038/nature20148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
6
|
Smith KE. 0575 Fractionating acid whey into value-added ingredients. J Anim Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-0575] [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
|
7
|
Smith KE, Garza AL, Robinson C, Ashley RL, Ivey SL. 1039 WS Influence of sampling location and pregnancy on composition of the microbiome associated with the reproductive tract of the ewe. J Anim Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.2527/jam2016-1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
8
|
McKinnon WB, Nimmo F, Wong T, Schenk PM, White OL, Roberts JH, Moore JM, Spencer JR, Howard AD, Umurhan OM, Stern SA, Weaver HA, Olkin CB, Young LA, Smith KE. Erratum: Corrigendum: Convection in a volatile nitrogen-ice-rich layer drives Pluto’s geological vigour. Nature 2016; 537:122. [DOI: 10.1038/nature18937] [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: 11/09/2022]
|
9
|
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- Global Public Health Unit, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J Collin
- Global Public Health Unit, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - B Hawkins
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - S Hilton
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - L Moore
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kapetanakis V, Smith KE, Papacosta O, Ellins EA, Lennon LT, Owen CG, Rudnicka AR, Halcox JP, Wannamethee SG, Whincup PH. OP80 Cardiovascular risk factors over the adult life course: associations with carotid intima-media thickness and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in older men in the british regional heart study. Br J Soc Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/jech-2015-206256.79] [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: 11/04/2022]
|
11
|
Amsler MO, Smith KE, McClintock JB, Singh H, Thatje S, Vos SC, Brothers CJ, Brown A, Ellis D, Anderson J, Aronson RB. In situ observations of a possible skate nursery off the western Antarctic Peninsula. J Fish Biol 2015; 86:1867-1872. [PMID: 25898908 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12679] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A dense aggregation of skate egg cases was imaged during a photographic survey of the sea floor along the western Antarctic Peninsula in November 2013. Egg cases were noted in a narrow band between 394 and 443 m depth. Although some skate species in other oceans are known to utilize restricted areas to deposit eggs in great numbers, such nurseries have not been described in the Southern Ocean.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M O Amsler
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, U.S.A
| | - K E Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, U.S.A
| | - J B McClintock
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, U.S.A
| | - H Singh
- Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, U.S.A
| | - S Thatje
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - S C Vos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, U.S.A
| | - C J Brothers
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, U.S.A
| | - A Brown
- Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - D Ellis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, U.S.A
| | - J Anderson
- Nature Imagery, under contract to Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, U.S.A
| | - R B Aronson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chen B, Laverock J, Newby D, McNulty JF, Smith KE, Glans PA, Guo JH, Qiao RM, Yang WL, Lees MR, Tung LD, Singh RP, Balakrishnan G. Effects of rare-earth size on the electronic structure of La1−xLuxVO3. J Phys Condens Matter 2015; 27:105503. [PMID: 25710627 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/27/10/105503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The electronic structure of La(1-x)Lu(x)VO(3)(x = 0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1) single crystals has been investigated using soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy, soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, and resonant soft x-ray inelastic scattering to study the effects of rare-earth size. The x-ray absorption and emission spectra at the O K-edge present a progressive evolution with R-site cation, in agreement with local spin density approximation calculations. This evolution with R, together with the temperature dependence of the O K-edge spectra, is attributed to changes in the crystal structure of La(1-x)Lu(x)VO(3). The crystal-field dd. excitations probed by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the V L(3)-edge exhibit an increase in energy and enhanced intensity with the decrease of R-site ionic radius, which is mainly attributed to the increased tilting magnitude of the VO(6) octahedra. Upon cooling to ~95 K, the dd* excitations are prominently enhanced in relative Intensity, in agreement with the formation of the Jahn.Teller distortion int he orbital ordering phase. Additionally, the dd* transitions of the mixed compounds are noticeably suppressed with respect to those of the pure compounds, possibly owing to the formation of C-type orbital ordering induced by large R-site size variances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Chen
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Laverock J, Kittiwatanakul S, Zakharov AA, Niu YR, Chen B, Wolf SA, Lu JW, Smith KE. Direct observation of decoupled structural and electronic transitions and an ambient pressure monocliniclike metallic phase of VO2. Phys Rev Lett 2014; 113:216402. [PMID: 25479508 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.216402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We report the simultaneous measurement of the structural and electronic components of the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of VO2 using electron and photoelectron spectroscopies and microscopies. We show that these evolve over different temperature scales, and are separated by an unusual monocliniclike metallic phase. Our results provide conclusive evidence that the new monocliniclike metallic phase, recently identified in high-pressure and nonequilibrium measurements, is accessible in the thermodynamic transition at ambient pressure, and we discuss the implications of these observations on the nature of the MIT in VO2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Laverock
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - S Kittiwatanakul
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - A A Zakharov
- MAX-lab, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Y R Niu
- MAX-lab, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - B Chen
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - S A Wolf
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - J W Lu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - K E Smith
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA and School of Chemical Sciences and MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Laverock J, Chen B, Preston ARH, Newby D, Piper LFJ, Tung LD, Balakrishnan G, Glans PA, Guo JH, Smith KE. Low-energy V t2g orbital excitations in NdVO3. J Phys Condens Matter 2014; 26:455603. [PMID: 25336521 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/45/455603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The electronic structure of NdVO(3) and YVO(3) has been investigated as a function of sample temperature using resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at the V L(3)-edge. Most of the observed spectral features are in good agreement with an atomic crystal-field multiplet model. However, a low energy feature is observed at ∼ 0.4 eV that cannot be explained by crystal-field arguments. The resonant behaviour of this feature establishes it as due to excitations of the V t(2g) states. Moreover, this feature exhibits a strong sample temperature dependence, reaching maximum intensity in the orbitally-ordered phase of NdVO(3), before becoming suppressed at low temperatures. This behaviour indicates that the origin of this feature is a collective orbital excitation, i.e. the bi-orbiton.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Laverock
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kristiansen PT, Dahbi M, Gustafsson T, Edström K, Newby D, Smith KE, Duda LC. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic scattering study of the first lithiation cycle of the Li-ion battery cathode Li2−xMnSiO4. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:3846-52. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp54103g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
16
|
Cho SW, Newby D, DeMasi A, Smith KE, Piper LFJ, Jones TS. Determination of the individual atomic site contribution to the electronic structure of 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA). J Chem Phys 2013; 139:184711. [PMID: 24320295 DOI: 10.1063/1.4829764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have studied the element and orbital-specific electronic structure of thin films of 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride (PTCDA) using a combination of synchrotron radiation-exited resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as density functional theory calculations. Resonant and non-resonant x-ray emission spectroscopies were used to measure the C and O 2p partial densities of state in PTCDA. Furthermore, resonant x-ray emission at the C and O K-edges is shown to be able to measure the partial densities of states associated with individual atomic sites. The flat molecular orientation of PTCDA on various substrates is explained in terms of the carbonyl O atom acting as a hydrogen-bond acceptor leading to multiple in-plane intermolecular C=O···H-C hydrogen bonding between carbonyl groups and the perylene core of the neighboring PTCDA molecules. We support this conclusion by comparison of our calculations to measurements of the electronic structure using element-, site-, and orbital-selective C and O K-edge resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy, and photoemission spectroscopy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S W Cho
- Department of Physics, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Laverock J, Chen B, Smith KE, Singh RP, Balakrishnan G, Gu M, Lu JW, Wolf SA, Qiao RM, Yang W, Adell J. Resonant soft-X-ray emission as a bulk probe of correlated electron behavior in metallic SrxCa1-xVO3. Phys Rev Lett 2013; 111:047402. [PMID: 23931404 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.047402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of electron correlation in SrxCa1-xVO3 has been studied using a combination of bulk-sensitive resonant soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, surface-sensitive photoemission spectroscopy, and ab initio band structure calculations. We show that the effect of electron correlation is enhanced at the surface. Strong incoherent Hubbard subbands are found to lie ∼20% closer in energy to the coherent quasiparticle features in surface-sensitive photoemission spectroscopy measurements compared with those from bulk-sensitive resonant soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, and a ∼10% narrowing of the overall bandwidth at the surface is also observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Laverock
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chen B, Laverock J, Piper LFJ, Preston ARH, Cho SW, DeMasi A, Smith KE, Scanlon DO, Watson GW, Egdell RG, Glans PA, Guo JH. The band structure of WO3 and non-rigid-band behaviour in Na0.67WO3 derived from soft x-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory. J Phys Condens Matter 2013; 25:165501. [PMID: 23553445 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/16/165501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The electronic structure of single-crystal WO3 and Na0.67WO3 (a sodium-tungsten bronze) has been measured using soft x-ray absorption and resonant soft x-ray emission oxygen K-edge spectroscopies. The spectral features show clear differences in energy and intensity between WO3 and Na0.67WO3. The x-ray emission spectrum of metallic Na0.67WO3 terminates in a distinct Fermi edge. The rigid-band model fails to explain the electronic structure of Na0.67WO3 in terms of a simple addition of electrons to the conduction band of WO3. Instead, Na bonding and Na 3s-O 2p hybridization need to be considered for the sodium-tungsten bronze, along with occupation of the bottom of the conduction band. Furthermore, the anisotropy in the band structure of monoclinic γ-WO3 revealed by the experimental spectra with orbital-resolved geometry is explained via density functional theory calculations. For γ-WO3 itself, good agreement is found between the experimental O K-edge spectra and the theoretical partial density of states of O 2p orbitals. Indirect and direct bandgaps of insulating WO3 are determined from extrapolating separations between spectral leading edges and accounting for the core-hole energy shift in the absorption process. The O 2p non-bonding states show upward band dispersion as a function of incident photon energy for both compounds, which is explained using the calculated band structure and experimental geometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Chen
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Smith KE, Whiting BR, Reiker GG, Commean PK, Sinacore DR, Prior FW. Assessment of technical and biological parameters of volumetric quantitative computed tomography of the foot: a phantom study. Osteoporos Int 2012; 23:1977-85. [PMID: 22147208 PMCID: PMC3339281 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-011-1851-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY Few studies exist for bone densitometry of the whole foot. A phantom study demonstrated the sources of error and necessary controls for accurate quantitative computed tomography of the foot. A loss in bone mineral density (BMD) in the small foot bones may be an early indicator of diabetic foot complications. INTRODUCTION Volumetric quantitative computed tomography (vQCT) facilitates the assessment of pedal bone osteopenia, which, in the presence of peripheral neuropathy, may well be an early sign of diabetic foot deformity. To date, sources and magnitudes of error in foot vQCT measurements have not been reported. METHODS Foot phantoms were scanned using a 64-slice CT scanner. Energy (in kilovoltage peak), table height, phantom size and orientation, location of "bone" inserts, insert material, location of calibration phantom, and reconstruction kernel were systematically varied during scan acquisition. RESULTS Energy (in kilovoltage peak) and distance from the isocenter (table height) resulted in relative attenuation changes from -5% to 22% and -5% to 0%, respectively, and average BMD changes from -0.9% to 0.0% and -1.1% to 0.3%, respectively, compared to a baseline 120-kVp scan performed at the isocenter. BMD compared to manufacturer-specified values ranged, on average, from -2.2% to 0.9%. Phantom size and location of bone-equivalent material inserts resulted in relative attenuation changes of -1.2% to 1.4% compared to the medium-sized phantom. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that variations in kilovoltage peak and table height can be controlled using a calibration phantom scanned at the same energy and height as a foot phantom; however, error due to soft tissue thickness and location of bones within a foot cannot be controlled using a calibration phantom alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- Electronic Radiology Laboratory, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 South Kingshighway Boulevard, Campus Box 8131, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Nelson JM, Griffin PM, Jones TF, Smith KE, Scallan E. Antimicrobial and Antimotility Agent Use in Persons with Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 Infection in FoodNet Sites. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 52:1130-2. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
|
21
|
Bambra C, Smith KE, Garthwaite K, Joyce KE, Hunter DJ. A labour of Sisyphus? Public policy and health inequalities research from the Black and Acheson Reports to the Marmot Review. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 65:399-406. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2010.111195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
22
|
Smith KE, Gilmore AB, Fooks G, Collin J, Weishaar H. Tobacco industry attempts to undermine Article 5.3 and the "good governance" trap. Tob Control 2010; 18:509-11. [PMID: 19955541 DOI: 10.1136/tc.2009.032300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- School for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Smith KE, Ravikumar N, Hession M, Morrison JJ. Trends in the obstetric features and management of twin pregnancies. Ir Med J 2010; 103:70-72. [PMID: 20666067] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
There are no reports outlining the trends in obstetric features and clinical management of twin pregnancies in an Irish obstetric population. The aim of this study was to investigate these factors for all twin pregnancies delivered during the 19 year period between 1989 and 2007, at Galway University Hospital (GUH). There were 52,199 infants delivered at GUH, of which 1594 infants (3.05% of births) were twins, related to 797 twin pregnancies. The overall incidence of twin pregnancies was 1.52%, increasing from 0.8%-1.0% in the early years of the study to 1.7-1.8% in the latter years of the study (P<0.001). There was a significant increase in incidence of twins born to mothers aged 30-39 years, alongside a significant reduction to mothers aged 20-29 years (P<0.01). The caesarean section rate overall was 41.5% (331/797), of which 54% (n=179) were elective, and 46% (n=152) were emergency, representing an emergency caesarean section rate of 19.1% of all twin pregnancies, and of 24.6% after exclusion of elective caesarean sections. The caesarean section rate for twins increased from 30% in 1989 to greater than 50% in the latter years of the study (P<0.01), related largely to a significant increase in elective caesarean sections (P<0.01). The combined vaginal-caesarean delivery rate was remarkably low at 0.75% of all twin pregnancies, and 1% after exclusion of elective caesarean sections. The preterm delivery rates were 4.1% (<32 weeks), and 16.3% (<36 weeks), with an overall perinatal mortality rate of 37 per 1000. These findings highlight the altered demographic and clinical aspects of twin pregnancies in an Irish obstetric population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NUIG, Galway University Hospital, Newcastle Road, Galway
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Joyce KE, Smith KE, Henderson G, Greig G, Bambra C. Patient perspectives of Condition Management Programmes as a route to better health, well-being and employability. Fam Pract 2010; 27:101-9. [PMID: 19948563 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmp083] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Condition Management Programmes (CMPs), delivered through primary care settings, have been identified as possible vehicles to facilitate return to work for individuals with chronic health problems. There is little research, however, which examines how such programmes are received by patients. OBJECTIVE To explore patients' experiences of CMPs in terms of health, well-being and employability. METHODS Four focus groups and nine semi-structured interviews were conducted in order to capture patients' (n = 25) perceptions and experiences regarding participation in one of five different CMPs: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Counselling, Lower Back Pain Services, Smoking Cessation and a GP Exercise Referral Programme. RESULTS Experiences of the CMPs were generally positive. Respondents reported improved health behaviours (specifically better diets and increased exercise), positive psychosocial outcomes (including increased self-esteem, confidence and social support) and in some cases, return to work. However, concerns were expressed about the shortness of interventions and their accessibility. CONCLUSIONS Although condition management appears to have been well received by participants, the findings also illustrate that there is no 'one size fits all' template for CMPs. Rather, interventions should be adapted to take account of the dynamics of specific conditions, the context in which the intervention is based and the characteristics of the individuals involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Joyce
- Department of Geography, Wolfson Research Institute, Durham University, Queen's Campus, Stockton on Tees, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Learmonth T, Glans PA, Guo JH, Greenblatt M, Smith KE. Electronic excitations in the correlated metal BaV(0.98)Ti(0.02)S(3) studied using resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering. J Phys Condens Matter 2010; 22:025504. [PMID: 21386258 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/22/2/025504] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Electronic excitations in the correlated metal BaTi(0.02)V(0.98)S(3) have been studied using resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at the V L edge. The intensities of the intra-atomic d-d(*) excitations and the elastic x-ray scattering feature are found to be temperature dependent, with the intensity increasing with decreasing temperature until saturation is reached near 100 K. The behavior of the spectral features is interpreted as evidence of a shift in the 3d electrons from more band-like states at higher temperature to more localized states at low temperature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Learmonth
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
DeMasi A, Cho SW, Piper LFJ, Preston ARH, Smith KE, Allenbaugh RJ, Barksdale WA, Doerrer LH. Electronic structure of N,N′-ethylene-bis(1,1,1-trifluoropentane-2,4-dioneiminato)-copper(ii) (Cu-TFAC), from soft X-ray spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2010; 12:3171-7. [DOI: 10.1039/b926277f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
27
|
Jeong HK, Noh HJ, Kim JY, Colakerol L, Glans PA, Jin MH, Smith KE, Lee YH. Comment on "Near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure investigation of graphene". Phys Rev Lett 2009; 102:099701-099702. [PMID: 19392571 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.099701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A Comment on the Letter by D. Pacilé et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 066806 (2008)10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.066806. The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Collapse
|
28
|
DeMasi A, Piper LFJ, Zhang Y, Reid I, Wang S, Smith KE, Downes JE, Peltekis N, McGuinness C, Matsuura A. Electronic structure of the organic semiconductor Alq3 (aluminum tris-8-hydroxyquinoline) from soft x-ray spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations. J Chem Phys 2009; 129:224705. [PMID: 19071937 DOI: 10.1063/1.3030975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The element-specific electronic structure of the organic semiconductor aluminum tris-8-hydroxyquinoline (Alq(3)) has been studied using a combination of resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Resonant and nonresonant x-ray emission spectroscopy were used to measure directly the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen 2p partial densities of states in Alq(3), and good agreement was found with the results of DFT calculations. Furthermore, resonant x-ray emission at the carbon K-edge is shown to be able to measure the partial density of states associated with individual C sites. Finally, comparison of previous x-ray emission studies and the present data reveal the presence of clear photon-induced damage in the former.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A DeMasi
- Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, Massachussets 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Smith KE, Bambra C, Joyce KE, Perkins N, Hunter DJ, Blenkinsopp EA. Partners in health? A systematic review of the impact of organizational partnerships on public health outcomes in England between 1997 and 2008. J Public Health (Oxf) 2009; 31:210-21. [DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdp002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
30
|
Harrington BE, Smith KE, Hunter DJ, Marks L, Blackman TJ, McKee L, Greene A, Elliott E, Williams GH. Health inequalities in England, Scotland and Wales: stakeholders' accounts and policy compared. Public Health 2008; 123:e24-8. [PMID: 19084881 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2008.10.010] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The election of a Labour government in 1997 brought the issue of health inequalities firmly back on to the policy agenda across the UK. Since then, in the wake of devolution, the need to tackle health inequalities has been highlighted as a policy priority in all three mainland UK countries, albeit with varying degrees of emphasis. This paper reports on a major cross-national study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, investigating how National Health Service bodies, local councils and partnerships make sense of their work on health inequalities, and examining the difference made by the contrasting approaches that have been taken to performance assessment in England, Wales and Scotland. STUDY DESIGN Case studies, semi-structured interviews and analysis of key policy statements. METHODS In order to explore how health inequalities have been approached by the three governments (noting that there was a change in governments in Wales and Scotland during this time), key policy statements published between May 1997 and May 2007 were analysed. Concurrently, data from stakeholder interviews carried out in 2006 in case study areas in each country were analysed to determine the extent of alignment between policy and practice at local level. RESULTS This paper suggests that claims about the extent of health policy divergence in post-devolution Britain may have been exaggerated. It finds that, whilst the three countries have taken differing approaches to performance assessment and the setting of targets, policy approaches to health inequalities up until 2007 appear to have been remarkably similar. Furthermore, the first round of interview data suggest that variations in local understandings of, and responses to, health inequalities cannot always be clearly distinguished along national lines. CONCLUSIONS Based on the policy analysis, devolution in the UK does not appear to have resulted in substantively different national policy approaches to health inequalities. Indeed, the overall analysis suggests that (prior to the 2007 elections in Scotland and Wales) the differences between local areas within countries may be of as much interest as those between countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B E Harrington
- School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University, Rm 269, Elvet Riverside 2, New Elvet, Durham DH1 3JT, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fuller CC, Jawahir SL, Leano FT, Bidol SA, Signs K, Davis C, Holmes Y, Morgan J, Teltow G, Jones B, Sexton RB, Davis GL, Braden CR, Patel NJ, Deasy MP, Smith KE. A multi-state Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak associated with frozen vacuum-packed rodents used to feed snakes. Zoonoses Public Health 2008; 55:481-7. [PMID: 18833597 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01118.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
From December 2005 through January 2006, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) identified four human clinical isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium that were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). During routine interviews, three of the cases reported attending the same junior high school and two handled snakes in the science classroom. MDH collected environmental samples from the school's science classroom for Salmonella culturing; these included environmental samples and frozen vacuum-packed mice purchased over the internet to feed the classroom snakes. Through PulseNet, a national molecular subtyping surveillance network for enteric bacteria, 21 human S. Typhimurium isolates with indistinguishable PFGE patterns were identified in the United States since December 2005. Each state determined whether these human cases had recent exposure to snakes fed vacuum-packed rodents. Texas state officials conducted tracebacks of the vacuum-packed mice and collected samples at the breeding facility. Nineteen of 21 cases were interviewed, and seven reported contact with frozen vacuum-packed rodents from the same internet-based supplier in Texas. In Minnesota, the outbreak PFGE subtype of S. Typhimurium was isolated from the snakes, frozen feed rodents, and the classroom environment. Three human cases were identified in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. The outbreak PFGE subtype of S. Typhimurium was isolated from the Pennsylvania case's frozen rodents and the Michigan case's pet snake. The outbreak PFGE subtype of S. Typhimurium was also isolated from the supplier's rodent facility. This was a S. Typhimurium outbreak associated with frozen rodents. Human transmission likely occurred through direct contact with snakes and contaminated environmental surfaces. This report represents the second recent multi-state salmonellosis outbreak associated with commercially distributed rodents. Stronger oversight of the commercial rodent industry is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C C Fuller
- Minnesota Department of Health, Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, St. Paul, MN 55164, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Kuhn RM, Karolchik D, Zweig AS, Wang T, Smith KE, Rosenbloom KR, Rhead B, Raney BJ, Pohl A, Pheasant M, Meyer L, Hsu F, Hinrichs AS, Harte RA, Giardine B, Fujita P, Diekhans M, Dreszer T, Clawson H, Barber GP, Haussler D, Kent WJ. The UCSC Genome Browser Database: update 2009. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 37:D755-61. [PMID: 18996895 PMCID: PMC2686463 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The UCSC Genome Browser Database (GBD, http://genome.ucsc.edu) is a publicly available collection of genome assembly sequence data and integrated annotations for a large number of organisms, including extensive comparative-genomic resources. In the past year, 13 new genome assemblies have been added, including two important primate species, orangutan and marmoset, bringing the total to 46 assemblies for 24 different vertebrates and 39 assemblies for 22 different invertebrate animals. The GBD datasets may be viewed graphically with the UCSC Genome Browser, which uses a coordinate-based display system allowing users to juxtapose a wide variety of data. These data include all mRNAs from GenBank mapped to all organisms, RefSeq alignments, gene predictions, regulatory elements, gene expression data, repeats, SNPs and other variation data, as well as pairwise and multiple-genome alignments. A variety of other bioinformatics tools are also provided, including BLAT, the Table Browser, the Gene Sorter, the Proteome Browser, VisiGene and Genome Graphs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R M Kuhn
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Smith KE, Schwab AP, Banks MK. Dissipation of PAHs in saturated, dredged sediments: a field trial. Chemosphere 2008; 72:1614-1619. [PMID: 18547603 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2007] [Revised: 03/04/2008] [Accepted: 03/07/2008] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Sediments dredged from navigable rivers often contain elevated concentrations of recalcitrant, potentially toxic organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The presence of these compounds often requires that the sediments be stored in fully contained disposal facilities. A 3-year field study was conducted at the Jones Island disposal facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to compare bioremediation of PAHs in contaminated dredged sediments in the absence of plants to phytoremediation with Salix nigra (black willow) (SX61), Spartina pectinata (prairie cord grass), Carex aquatalis (lake sedge), Lolium multiflorum (annual rye), and Scirpus fluviatilis (bulrush). Nine PAHs were detected initially in the sediments. Over the 3-year experiment, acenaphthene dissipation ranged from 94% to 100%, whereas anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene and indo[1,2,3-cd]pyrene generally had modest decreases in concentration (0-30% decrease). The remaining five PAHs ranged in degree of disappearance from 23% to 82%. Planted treatments did not enhance PAH dissipation relative to those without plants, but treatments with high biomass yield and high transpiration plant species had significantly less removal of PAHs than unplanted controls. Significant, negative correlations between nitrogen removal and decreases in PAH concentration suggest that competition for nutrients between plants and microorganisms may have impeded the microbial degradation of PAHs in the rhizosphere of the more rapidly growing plant species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Auburn, AL 36830, USA
| | - A P Schwab
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - M K Banks
- Department of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Karolchik D, Kuhn RM, Baertsch R, Barber GP, Clawson H, Diekhans M, Giardine B, Harte RA, Hinrichs AS, Hsu F, Kober KM, Miller W, Pedersen JS, Pohl A, Raney BJ, Rhead B, Rosenbloom KR, Smith KE, Stanke M, Thakkapallayil A, Trumbower H, Wang T, Zweig AS, Haussler D, Kent WJ. The UCSC Genome Browser Database: 2008 update. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 36:D773-9. [PMID: 18086701 PMCID: PMC2238835 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkm966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 403] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The University of California, Santa Cruz, Genome Browser Database (GBD) provides integrated sequence and annotation data for a large collection of vertebrate and model organism genomes. Seventeen new assemblies have been added to the database in the past year, for a total coverage of 19 vertebrate and 21 invertebrate species as of September 2007. For each assembly, the GBD contains a collection of annotation data aligned to the genomic sequence. Highlights of this year's additions include a 28-species human-based vertebrate conservation annotation, an enhanced UCSC Genes set, and more human variation, MGC, and ENCODE data. The database is optimized for fast interactive performance with a set of web-based tools that may be used to view, manipulate, filter and download the annotation data. New toolset features include the Genome Graphs tool for displaying genome-wide data sets, session saving and sharing, better custom track management, expanded Genome Browser configuration options and a Genome Browser wiki site. The downloadable GBD data, the companion Genome Browser toolset and links to documentation and related information can be found at: http://genome.ucsc.edu/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Karolchik
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Badn W, Hegardt P, Fellert MA, Darabi A, Esbjörnsson M, Smith KE, Janelidze S, Salford LG, Visse E, Siesjö P. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase enhances anti-tumour immune responses in rats immunized with IFN-gamma-secreting glioma cells. Scand J Immunol 2007; 65:289-97. [PMID: 17309784 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2007.01901.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) has successfully been used in immunotherapy of different experimental tumours. Mechanistically, IFN-gamma has extensive effects on the immune system including release of nitric oxide (NO) by upregulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO has putative immunosuppressive effects but could also play a role in killing of tumour cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to clarify whether inhibition of iNOS in rats immunized with glioma cells (N32) producing IFN-gamma (N32-IFN-gamma), could enhance the anti-tumour immune response. Initially, both a selective iNOS, l-N(6)-(1-Iminoethyl)-l-lysine (l-NIL), and non-selective, N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), inhibitor of NOS were tested in vitro. After polyclonal stimulation with LPS and SEA, both l-NIL and l-NAME enhanced proliferation and production of IFN-gamma from activated rat splenocytes and this effect was inversely correlated to the production of NO. However, l-NIL had a broader window of efficacy and a lower minimal effective dose. When rats were immunized with N32-IFN-gamma, and administered NOS inhibitors by intraperitoneal (i.p.) mini-osmotic pumps, only splenocytes of rats treated with l-NIL, but not l-NAME, displayed an enhanced proliferation and production of IFN-gamma when re-stimulated with N32 tumour cells. Based on these findings, l-NIL was administered concurrently with N32-IFN-gamma cells to rats with intracerebral (i.c.) tumours resulting in a prolonged survival. These results show that inhibition of iNOS can enhance an IFN-gamma-based immunotherapy of experimental i.c. tumours implying that NO released after immunization has mainly immunosuppressive net effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Badn
- Glioma Immunotherapy group, The Rausing Laboratory, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Guo JH, Gupta A, Sharma P, Rao KV, Marcus MA, Dong CL, Guillen JMO, Butorin SM, Mattesini M, Glans PA, Smith KE, Chang CL, Ahuja R. X-ray spectroscopic study of the charge state and local ordering of room-temperature ferromagnetic Mn-doped ZnO. J Phys Condens Matter 2007; 19:172202. [PMID: 21690936 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/19/17/172202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The charge state and local ordering of Mn doped into a pulsed laser deposited single-phase thin film of ZnO are investigated by using x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the O K-edge, Mn K-edge and L-edge, and x-ray emission spectroscopy at the O K-edge and Mn L-edge. This film is ferromagnetic at room temperature. EXAFS measurement shows that Mn(2+) replaces the Zn site in tetrahedral symmetry, and there is no evidence for either metallic Mn or MnO in the film. Upon Mn doping, the top of O 2p valence band extends into the bandgap, indicating additional charge carriers being created.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J-H Guo
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Smith KE, Schwab AP, Banks MK. Phytoremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediment: a greenhouse feasibility study. J Environ Qual 2007; 36:239-44. [PMID: 17215232 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2006.0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Contaminated sediments dredged from navigable waterways often are placed in confined disposal facilities to prevent further spread of the pollutants. Reducing contaminants to acceptable levels would allow for disposal of the sediments and further dredging activity. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate plant treatments and the addition of an organic amendment to decrease the concentration of PCB congeners found in Arochlor 1260. Sediment treated with the amendment and either low transpiring plants or no plants had the greatest removal of the PCB congeners. High-transpiring plants apparently prevented the highly reducing conditions required for reductive dechlorination of highly chlorinated PCBs. Most likely, the amendment provided labile carbon that initiated the reducing conditions needed for dechlorination. The sediment moisture content and moisture-related plant parameters were significant predictors of the PCB loss. Carex aquatalis and Spartina pectinata are predicted to be the most effective plant treatments for phytoremediation of PCBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Smith
- USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Lab., Auburn, AL 36830, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wolinsky TD, Swanson CJ, Smith KE, Zhong H, Borowsky B, Seeman P, Branchek T, Gerald CP. The Trace Amine 1 receptor knockout mouse: an animal model with relevance to schizophrenia. Genes Brain Behav 2006; 6:628-39. [PMID: 17212650 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2006.00292.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trace amines have been implicated in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders including depression and schizophrenia. Although long known to modulate neurotransmission indirectly through the release of catecholamines, the identification of the Trace Amine 1 receptor (TA1) offers a mechanism by which trace amines can influence synaptic activity directly. TA1 binds and is activated by trace amines such as beta-phenylethylamine and tyramine. Our pharmacological characterization of mouse TA1 showed that, as in rat and primate, amphetamine is an agonist at this receptor but with surprisingly high potency. Without selective ligands for TA1 that do not also possess catecholamine-releasing properties, however, it has not been possible to study its physiological role in the central nervous system. To that end, a line of mice lacking the TA1 receptor was generated to characterize its contribution to the regulation of behavior. Compared with wild-type littermates, TA1 knockout (KO) mice displayed a deficit in prepulse inhibition. Knockout animals, in which the TA1-agonist influence of amphetamine was absent, showed enhanced sensitivity to the psychomotor-stimulating effect of this drug, which was temporally correlated with significantly larger increases in the release of both dopamine and norepinephrine in the dorsal striatum and associated with a 262% increase in the proportion of striatal high-affinity D2 receptors. TA1 therefore appears to play a modulatory role in catecholaminergic function and represents a potentially novel mechanism for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, the TA1 KO mouse may provide a useful model for the development of treatments for some positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amphetamine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Anxiety/genetics
- Anxiety/psychology
- Behavior, Animal/physiology
- Catecholamines/metabolism
- Central Nervous System Stimulants/pharmacology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Fever/genetics
- Fever/physiopathology
- Fever/psychology
- Gene Targeting
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Microdialysis
- Motor Activity/physiology
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/drug effects
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/physiology
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/drug effects
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/physiology
- Recognition, Psychology/physiology
- Reflex, Startle/genetics
- Reflex, Startle/physiology
- Schizophrenia/genetics
- Schizophrenic Psychology
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Stress, Psychological/psychology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T D Wolinsky
- Neuroscience, Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., Paramus, NJ 07652, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Voetsch AC, Kennedy MH, Keene WE, Smith KE, Rabatsky-Ehr T, Zansky S, Thomas SM, Mohle-Boetani J, Sparling PH, McGavern MB, Mead PS. Risk factors for sporadic Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 infections in FoodNet sites, 1999-2000. Epidemiol Infect 2006; 135:993-1000. [PMID: 17147834 PMCID: PMC2870643 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268806007564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
To monitor risk factors for illness, we conducted a case-control study of sporadic Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) infections in 1999-2000. Laboratory-confirmed cases of STEC O157 infection were identified through active laboratory surveillance in all or part of seven states. Patients and age-matched controls were interviewed by telephone using a standard questionnaire. Information was collected on demographics, clinical illness, and exposures to food, water, and animals in the 7 days before the patient's illness onset. During the 12-month study, 283 patients and 534 controls were enrolled. STEC O157 infection was associated with eating pink hamburgers, drinking untreated surface water, and contact with cattle. Eating produce was inversely associated with infection. Direct or indirect contact with cattle waste continues to be a leading identified source of sporadic STEC O157 infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A C Voetsch
- Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kuhn RM, Karolchik D, Zweig AS, Trumbower H, Thomas DJ, Thakkapallayil A, Sugnet CW, Stanke M, Smith KE, Siepel A, Rosenbloom KR, Rhead B, Raney BJ, Pohl A, Pedersen JS, Hsu F, Hinrichs AS, Harte RA, Diekhans M, Clawson H, Bejerano G, Barber GP, Baertsch R, Haussler D, Kent WJ. The UCSC genome browser database: update 2007. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 35:D668-73. [PMID: 17142222 PMCID: PMC1669757 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The University of California, Santa Cruz Genome Browser Database contains, as of September 2006, sequence and annotation data for the genomes of 13 vertebrate and 19 invertebrate species. The Genome Browser displays a wide variety of annotations at all scales from the single nucleotide level up to a full chromosome and includes assembly data, genes and gene predictions, mRNA and EST alignments, and comparative genomics, regulation, expression and variation data. The database is optimized for fast interactive performance with web tools that provide powerful visualization and querying capabilities for mining the data. In the past year, 22 new assemblies and several new sets of human variation annotation have been released. New features include VisiGene, a fully integrated in situ hybridization image browser; phyloGif, for drawing evolutionary tree diagrams; a redesigned Custom Track feature; an expanded SNP annotation track; and many new display options. The Genome Browser, other tools, downloadable data files and links to documentation and other information can be found at .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R M Kuhn
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Payne DJ, Egdell RG, Walsh A, Watson GW, Guo J, Glans PA, Learmonth T, Smith KE. Electronic origins of structural distortions in post-transition metal oxides: experimental and theoretical evidence for a revision of the lone pair model. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 96:157403. [PMID: 16712195 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.157403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Structural distortions in post-transition metal oxides are often explained in terms of the influence of sp hybrid "lone pairs." Evidence is presented here showing that this model must be revised. The electronic structures of prototypically distorted alpha-PbO and alpha-Bi2O3 have been measured by high-resolution x-ray photoemission and soft x-ray emission spectroscopies. In contrast with the expectations of the lone pair model, a high density of metal 6s states is observed at the bottom of the valence band. The measurements are consistent with the results of density functional theory calculations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D J Payne
- Department of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hinrichs AS, Karolchik D, Baertsch R, Barber GP, Bejerano G, Clawson H, Diekhans M, Furey TS, Harte RA, Hsu F, Hillman-Jackson J, Kuhn RM, Pedersen JS, Pohl A, Raney BJ, Rosenbloom KR, Siepel A, Smith KE, Sugnet CW, Sultan-Qurraie A, Thomas DJ, Trumbower H, Weber RJ, Weirauch M, Zweig AS, Haussler D, Kent WJ. The UCSC Genome Browser Database: update 2006. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:D590-8. [PMID: 16381938 PMCID: PMC1347506 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkj144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 847] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser Database (GBD) contains sequence and annotation data for the genomes of about a dozen vertebrate species and several major model organisms. Genome annotations typically include assembly data, sequence composition, genes and gene predictions, mRNA and expressed sequence tag evidence, comparative genomics, regulation, expression and variation data. The database is optimized to support fast interactive performance with web tools that provide powerful visualization and querying capabilities for mining the data. The Genome Browser displays a wide variety of annotations at all scales from single nucleotide level up to a full chromosome. The Table Browser provides direct access to the database tables and sequence data, enabling complex queries on genome-wide datasets. The Proteome Browser graphically displays protein properties. The Gene Sorter allows filtering and comparison of genes by several metrics including expression data and several gene properties. BLAT and In Silico PCR search for sequences in entire genomes in seconds. These tools are highly integrated and provide many hyperlinks to other databases and websites. The GBD, browsing tools, downloadable data files and links to documentation and other information can be found at .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Hinrichs
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Serrano MA, Gómez MC, Lopez M, Dumas CL, Smith KE, Leibo SP, Dresser BL, Pope CE. 205 DERIVATION OF CAT EMBRYONIC STEM-LIKE CELLS FROM IN VITRO-PRODUCED BLASTOCYSTS AND THEIR SUPPORT BY INTRASPECIFIC VS. INTERSPECIFIC FEEDER CELLS. Reprod Fertil Dev 2006. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv18n2ab205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific nuclear transfer has been successfully demonstrated in nondomestic cats (Gomez et al. 2004 Cloning Stem Cells 6, 247); however, the efficiency remains low and may be attributable to nuclear reprogramming errors. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) may complete nuclear reprogramming more efficiently than somatic cells and, therefore, are potentially useful for increasing cloning success (Jaenisch et al. 2002 Cloning Stem Cells 4, 389). The objectives of this study were to: (1) compare efficiency of immunosurgery vs. mechanical separation for isolating the inner cell mass (ICM) of in vitro-derived cat blastocysts; and (2) determine the influence of mouse (MEF: CF-1) and cat (CEF) embryonic fibroblast feeder layers on ICM attachment and growth of ES-like cells. After ICMs were isolated from in vitro-derived blastocysts (n = 142) by immunosurgery or mechanically, they were plated either on mitotically inactivated CEF (40 �L/mL Mitomycin-C; 5 h) or MEF (30 �L/mL Mitomycin-C; 2.5 h). Cells were cultured in DMEM-F12, 1 mM L-Glutamine, 0.1 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1.25% nonessential amino acids, 15% knock-out replacement serum, 5% fetal bovine serum, 40 ng/mL leukemia inhibitory factor, 5 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor, 100 IU penicillin, 100 �g/mL streptomycin, and 25 �L/mL amphotericin-B in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 38�C. Our results indicated that ICM isolation and attachment were not affected by either the method of isolation (immunosurgery: 75.8 � 6.9% vs. mechanical: 89.5 � 6.4%) or the feeders (MEF: 74.6 � 6.7% vs. CEF: 90.7 � 6.6%). However, the incidence of ES-like cell colony formation was significantly affected by the feeder layer (CEF: 55.4 � 7.2% vs. MEF: 12.7 � 7.2%; P < 0.001). A total of 32 ES-like cell lines were derived on CEF (n = 26) and MEF (n = 6), of which 50% were alkaline phosphatase (AP)-positive. One ES-like cell line derived on MEF spontaneously differentiated into myocardiocytes after 14 days in culture. Three ES-like cell lines derived on CEF were immunostained for ESC-markers Oct-4, SSEA-1, and SSEA-4, and for AP. Positive results for all markers were observed in a few colonies of each line, with colonies from one cell line appearing on Day 23 and remaining in culture for 102 days (12 passages). Colonies from the other two cell lines appeared on Day 17 and remained in culture for 78 days (9 passages). Colonies derived on MEF appeared on average at 17.9 days and remained in culture an additional 15 to 61 days without further characterization. The present results describe the first isolation of cat ES-like cells. We have demonstrated an important species-specific relationship between feeder layers and the derivation of cat ESCs. Further studies are in progress to improve culture conditions for the derivation and expansion of stable cat ESC lines.
Collapse
|
44
|
Kassenborg HD, Smith KE, Hoekstra RM, Carter MA, Tauxe RV, Angulo FJ. Reply to Cox. Clin Infect Dis 2004. [DOI: 10.1086/425150] [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: 11/03/2022] Open
|
45
|
Valla T, Fedorov AV, Johnson PD, Glans PA, McGuinness C, Smith KE, Andrei EY, Berger H. Quasiparticle spectra, charge-density waves, superconductivity, and electron-phonon coupling in 2H-NbSe2. Phys Rev Lett 2004; 92:086401. [PMID: 14995798 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.92.086401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution photoemission has been used to study the electronic structure of the charge-density wave (CDW) and superconducting dichalcogenide, 2H-NbSe2. From the extracted self-energies, important components of the quasiparticle interactions have been identified. In contrast to previously studied TaSe2, the CDW transition does not affect the electronic properties significantly. The electron-phonon coupling is identified as a dominant contribution to the quasiparticle self-energy and is shown to be very anisotropic (k dependent) and much stronger than in TaSe2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Valla
- Department of Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, 11973-5000, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Affiliation(s)
- D K Rassin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0344, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
A comprehensive simulation model for sheep blowfly strike due to Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), which builds on previously published versions but also incorporates important new empirical data, is used to explain patterns of lamb and ewe strike recorded on 370 farms in south-west, south-east and central England and Wales. The model is able to explain a significant percentage of the variance in lamb strike incidence in all four regions, and ewe strike in three of the four regions. The model is able to predict the start of seasonal blowfly strike within one week in three of the four regions for both ewes and lambs, and within 3 weeks in the fourth region. It is concluded that the accuracy of the model will allow it to be used to assess the likely efficacy of new control techniques and the effects of changes in existing husbandry practices on strike incidence. The model could also be used to give sheep farmers advance warning of approaching strike problems. However, the ability to forecast future strike patterns is dependent on the accuracy of the weather projections; the more long-term the forecast, the more approximate the prediction is likely to be. When applied on a regional basis, model forecasts indicate expected average patterns of strike incidence and may not therefore be appropriate for individual farmers whose husbandry practices differ substantially from the average.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Wall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Assel MA, Landry SH, Swank PR, Steelman L, Miller-Loncar C, Smith KE. How do mothers' childrearing histories, stress and parenting affect children's behavioural outcomes? Child Care Health Dev 2002; 28:359-68. [PMID: 12296871 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2214.2002.00285.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information is needed to understand the role of low to moderate levels of mothers' emotional stress and child characteristics (i.e. prematurity) on parenting behaviours and their impact on children's behaviour that might be deemed 'challenging' but not 'disordered'. METHODS The direct and indirect relations of maternal childrearing history and emotional stress, and observed parenting practices when children were 3 years of age on 4-year child behavioural outcomes was examined in a sample of low-income families with a term (n=112) or preterm (n=180) child. Parenting practices included displays of warmth and restrictiveness when interacting with their children. Child outcomes at 4 years included observation of social initiations with their mothers and maternal report of social and attentional problems. RESULTS A Structural Equation Model building approach guided by specific hypotheses indicated that preterm as compared to full-term children had more maternal reported social and attentional problems but did not differ in observed social initiating skills. Greater negative maternal childrearing history indirectly influenced social initiating skills through its direct influence on maternal emotional stress. Greater maternal emotional stress directly influenced mothers' parenting that, in turn, directly influenced social initiating. Prematurity and a more negative childrearing history had a direct negative influence on the maternal report of social and attentional behavioural outcomes. CONCLUSIONS These findings delineate the effects of prematurity and maternal parenting on the behaviour of 4-year-old-children and extend current knowledge of the influence of parental emotional stress on parenting. Even milder levels can negatively influence parenting, and in turn, contribute to children's less well developed social skills. The issues raised in this study could help with the identification and prioritization of medical and psychological services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M A Assel
- The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Landry SH, Smith KE, Swank PR, Assel MA, Vellet S. Does early responsive parenting have a special importance for children's development or is consistency across early childhood necessary? Dev Psychol 2001. [PMID: 11370914 DOI: 10.1037//0012-1649.37.3.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The role of early versus ongoing maternal responsiveness in predicting cognitive and social development was examined in home visits for mothers, full-term children (n = 103), and medically low-risk (n = 102) and high-risk (n = 77) preterm children at 5 ages. There were 4 maternal clusters based on warm and contingent responsiveness behaviors observed early (at 6, 12, and 24 months) and late (at 3 and 4 years): high early, high late; high early, low late; low early, moderate late; and low early, low late. Children, especially preterm children, showed faster cognitive growth when mothers were consistently responsive. Social growth was similar in the consistently responsive (high-high) and the early-responsive inconsistent (high-low) clusters, but greater deceleration at 4 years among children with mothers in the inconsistent cluster refuted the notion of a unique role for early responsiveness. The importance of consistent responsiveness, defined by an affective-emotional construct, was evident even when a broader constellation of parenting behaviors was considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S H Landry
- Division of Developmental Pediatrics, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Naimi TS, LeDell KH, Boxrud DJ, Groom AV, Steward CD, Johnson SK, Besser JM, O'Boyle C, Danila RN, Cheek JE, Osterholm MT, Moore KA, Smith KE. Epidemiology and clonality of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Minnesota, 1996-1998. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 33:990-6. [PMID: 11528570 DOI: 10.1086/322693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [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] [Received: 01/24/2001] [Revised: 03/13/2001] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged among patients in the general population who do not have established risk factors for MRSA. Records from 10 Minnesota health facilities were reviewed to identify cases of MRSA infection that occurred during 1996-1998 and to identify which cases were community acquired. Susceptibility testing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtyping were performed on available isolates. A total of 354 patients (median age, 16 years) with community-acquired MRSA (CAMRSA) infection were identified. Most case patients (299 [84%]) had skin infections, and 103 (29%) were hospitalized. More than 90% of isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested, with the exception of beta-lactams and erythromycin. Of 334 patients treated with antimicrobial agents, 282 (84%) initially were treated with agents to which their isolates were nonsusceptible. Of 174 Minnesota isolates tested, 150 (86%) belonged to 1 PFGE clonal group. CAMRSA infections were identified throughout Minnesota; although most isolates were genetically related and susceptible to multiple antimicrobials, they were generally nonsusceptible to initial empirical therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T S Naimi
- Acute Disease Epidemiology Section and the Division of Public Health Laboratories, Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|