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PubMed2006

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of mismatch repair genes in healthy Chinese individuals and sporadic colorectal cancer patients.

Mismatch repair (MMR) genes are among of the most important genes associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are generally thought to provide important information across a wide spectrum of life sciences; however, no study of association between SNPs of MMR genes and Chinese sporadic colorectal cancer (SCRC) is available. We chose 29 reported single-nucleotide variants that have rarely been verified in a population-based study. We identified SNPs and the genotype-phenotype association in Chinese populations of 150 healthy individuals and 160 SCRC patients. We extracted the genomic DNA from the blood of these individuals and used sequencing to determine these SNPs. Three SNPs (MLH1 394G-->C, 655A-->G, 1151T-->A) occurred with a frequency of 8.8-11.2% in the Chinese population. These SNPs formed a series with combined effects. The haplotype of concurrent MLH1 655 and 1151 SNPs and the haplotype combinations of MLH1 1151, MLH1 394 occurred exclusively in SCRC. None of the other 26 variants were detected in the Chinese population.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2004

Events before the flash Do influence the flash-lag magnitude.

The flash-lag effect occurs when a flash abreast of a smoothly moving object is perceived to spatially lag the moving object. The postdiction accounts of this effect assume either that the flash "resets" motion detectors [Science 287 (2000) 2036], or that position information is not computed for moving objects until it is needed [Trends in the Neurosciences 25 (2002) 293], the latter view having also been proposed by Brenner and Smeets [Vision Research 40 (2000) 1645]. According to these accounts, events occurring before the flash should not change the magnitude of the flash-lag effect. In our experiment, pre-exposure of the moving object as a stationary stimulus, for as little as 50 ms before the flash occurred, significantly reduced the flash-lag effect.

Cues↗
PubMed1998

Two dogmas of conceptual empiricism: implications for hybrid models of the structure of knowledge.

Concepts seem to consist of both an associative component based on tabulations of feature typicality and similarity judgments and an explanatory component based on rules and causal principles. However, there is much controversy about how each component functions in concept acquisition and use. Here we consider two assumptions, or dogmas, that embody this controversy and underlie much of the current cognitive science research on concepts. Dogma 1: Novel information is first processed via similarity judgments and only later is influenced by explanatory components. Dogma 2: Children initially have only a similarity-based component for learning concepts; the explanatory component develops on the foundation of this earlier component. We present both empirical and theoretical arguments that these dogmas are unfounded, particularly with respect to real world concepts; we contend that the dogmas arise from a particular species of empiricism that inhibits progress in the study of conceptual structure; and finally, we advocate the retention of a hybrid model of the structure of knowledge despite our rejection of these dogmas.

Association Learning↗
PubMed2003

Ethnoveterinary medicines for cattle (Bos indicus) in Bulamogi county, Uganda: plant species and mode of use.

In this paper, we present an inventory and the mode of use of plants to treat cattle. This study was carried out in Bulamogi county of Uganda, using methods consisting of semi-structured interviews employing a checklist of questions, questionnaires, direct observations, and biological inventories. Farmers employ both traditional and western medicine to treat their animals. The local people identified 33 different diseases, and had herbal treatments for nine of these. Some of the diseases mentioned by farmers indicated symptoms of diseases. Thus, the naming of diseases by local people when compared to the western veterinary medicine system, at times did not distinguish between diseases and symptoms of diseases. This is because the local disease nomenclature is based on symptoms of diseases, whereas under western veterinary science diseases are named according to aetiological information. As for traditional medicine, we report for the first time the use of 38 plant species, distributed in 37 genera and 28 families, to treat the common cattle diseases in Bulamogi. Most of these plants grow wild (76.3%), are indigenous (68.4%) and are shrubs (60.5%). The plant parts most frequently used for treating cattle are roots (37.5%) and leaves (27.5%). Medications are mostly prepared as infusions and seldom as decoctions. Topical application of some medicines is practised as well. The species used to treat cattle are also used to treat some human ailments and have some other uses as well. Most of the curative species reported here are directed at treating East Coast fever (ECF), a disease known to cause high fatalities in cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The human visual system is optimised for processing the spatial information in natural visual images.

A fundamental tenet of visual science is that the detailed properties of visual systems are not capricious accidents, but are closely matched by evolution and neonatal experience to the environments and lifestyles in which those visual systems must work. This has been shown most convincingly for fish and insects. For mammalian vision, however, this tenet is based more upon theoretical arguments than upon direct observations. Here, we describe experiments that require human observers to discriminate between pictures of slightly different faces or objects. These are produced by a morphing technique that allows small, quantifiable changes to be made in the stimulus images. The independent variable is designed to give increasing deviation from natural visual scenes, and is a measure of the Fourier composition of the image (its second-order statistics). Performance in these tests was best when the pictures had natural second-order spatial statistics, and degraded when the images were made less natural. Furthermore, performance can be explained with a simple model of contrast coding, based upon the properties of simple cells in the mammalian visual cortex. The findings thus provide direct empirical support for the notion that human spatial vision is optimised to the second-order statistics of the optical environment.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Overview of religions.

This article provides a brief overview of 9 religions: Christianity, Judaism, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Christian Science, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Basic information on the origins, language, naming practices, diet, personal hygiene, and dress requirements is provided. For additional information, Web sites for each of these religions are also provided.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

On the parametrization of the toxicity of organic chemicals to Tetrahymena pyriformis. The problem of establishing a uniform activity.

In this report we illustrate the importance of making an effort to ensure that all of the dependent variables in a QSAR are associated with one mechanism of action. If this cannot be established, it will not be possible to compare the QSAR with others acting on different biological systems. That is, such information cannot be used to develop a science of chemical-biological interactions. A study of the action of a large set of phenols acting on Tetrahymena pyriformis made by Cronin and Schultz is analyzed to illustrate the problem.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Identification of proteins from non-model organisms using mass spectrometry: application to a hibernating mammal.

A major challenge in the life sciences is the extraction of detailed molecular information from plants and animals that are not among the handful of exhaustively studied "model organisms." As a consequence, certain species with novel phenotypes are often ignored due to the lack of searchable databases, tractable genetics, stock centers, and more recently, a sequenced genome. Characterization of phenotype at the molecular level commonly relies on the identification of differentially expressed proteins by combining database searching with tandem mass spectrometry (MS) of peptides derived from protein fragmentation. However, the identification of short peptides from nonmodel organisms can be hampered by the lack of sufficient amino acid sequence homology with proteins in existing databases; therefore, a database search strategy that encompasses both identity and homology can provide stronger evidence than a single search alone. The use of multiple algorithms for database searches may also increase the probability of correct protein identification since it is unlikely that each program would produce false negative or positive hits for the same peptides. In this study, four software packages, Mascot, Pro ID, Sequest, and Pro BLAST, were compared in their ability to identify proteins from the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), a hibernating mammal that lacks a completely sequenced genome. Our results show similarities as well as the degree of variability among different software packages when the identical protein database is searched. In the process of this study, we identified the up-regulation of succinyl CoA-transferase (SCOT) in the heart of hibernators. SCOT is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of ketone bodies, an important alternative fuel source during hibernation.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Locus-specific mutation databases: pitfalls and good practice based on the p53 experience.

Between 50,000 and 60,000 mutations have been described in various genes that are associated with a wide variety of diseases. Reporting, storing and analysing these data is an important challenge as such data provide invaluable information for both clinical medicine and basic science. Locus-specific databases have been developed to exploit this huge volume of data. The p53 mutation database is a paradigm, as it constitutes the largest collection of somatic mutations (22,000). However, there are several biases in this database that can lead to serious erroneous interpretations. We describe several rules for mutation database management that could benefit the entire scientific community.

Database Management Systems↗
PubMed2005

Formocresol and ferric sulfate have similar success rates in primary molar pulpotomy. In carious primary molars does a pulpotomy performed with ferric sulphate, compared with formocresol, result in greater clinical/radiographic success?

DATA SOURCES: Medline Ovid Library, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index (SCI) and System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe (SIGLE). STUDY SELECTION: Reviews, full reports, or research abstracts of prospective, retrospective, comparative, and/or radiographic studies were included, while case reports and letters were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: A total of 13 studies (three randomized clinical trials and 10 clinical trials) contributed to the meta-analysis, one randomized clinical trial and one clinical trial were analyzed by the direct technique, and all 13 trials were analyzed by the indirect technique. Data from trials were divided into clinical and radiographic data, and separate statistical analyses were conducted using the direct technique. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to compare the relative success of ferric sulphate and formocresol. Data homogeneity was tested using the chi(2)-test of consistency on the ORs for each trial. RESULTS: Clinical data indicated that ferric sulphate was significantly more successful than formocresol (OR=1.95; CI=1.01-3.80). Radiographic data indicated no difference between medicaments (OR=0.90; CI=0.58-1.39). Medicaments did not differ with t-tests of clinical (P>0.10) and radiographic (P>0.50) data. CONCLUSIONS: In human carious primary molars with reversible coronal pulpitis, pulpotomies performed with either formocresol or ferric sulphate are likely to have similar clinical/radiographic success.

Comment↗
PubMed2000

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding regions of human CXC-chemokine receptors CXCR1, CXCR2 and CXCR3.

Chemokines and their receptors have critical roles in inflammatory and immunological responses, and thus their genetic contribution to various human disorders needs investigation. In this study, systematic variation screening of the entire coding regions of CXCR1 (IL8RA), CXCR2 (IL8RB) and CXCR3 was carried out, using genomic DNA from a large number of Japanese healthy individuals and patients with rheumatic diseases. In addition to the previously reported variations in CXCR1 and in CXCR2, two non-synonymous, two synonymous substitutions and one nonsense mutation of CXCR1, one non-synonymous and two synonymous substitutions of CXCR2, two non-synonymous substitutions of CXCR3 were newly identified. The common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at CXCR1 codon 827 and CXCR2 codon 786 were in strong linkage disequilibrium. In addition, familial analysis indicated that human CXCR3 is located on chromosome X. No significant association was observed between the variations and the tested rheumatic diseases. However, CXCR variations identified in this study will provide valuable information for the future studies in medical sciences as well as in human genetics.

Alleles↗
PubMed2002

Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limbs: an international interdisciplinary consensus statement.

An agreement on anatomic terminology is the foundation for a common language in medical science and for an effective exchange of information. A thorough review of the literature has shown need for revision and extension of the official terminologia anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limb. The foundation of this consensus document was laid by the faculty at a precongress meeting of The Fourteenth World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP), held in Rome on September 8-9, 2001, under the auspices of the IUP, the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), and the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FICAT). The official names of some veins have been changed according to the guidelines of the FICAT. In addition, previously unnamed veins have received names relevant to their anatomy and clinical significance. Some of the terminology recommendations are innovative, but were judged to be correct by members of the committee.

Anatomy↗
PubMed2002

Realizing potential: improving interdisciplinary professional/paraprofessional health care teams in Canada's northern aboriginal communities through education.

To address a shortage of health professional human resources and to overcome cultural barriers, the interdisciplinary health care teams practicing in most northern Canadian aboriginal communities include a number of paraprofessionals recruited locally. This model has great potential to fill service gaps in many rural contexts; there are challenges, however. Drawing from an extensive program of research in indigenous communities in the northwestern part of the Province of Ontario, we identify factors fundamental to effective team functioning: members' clarity about their own and others' roles, appreciation of their respective 'equal but different' knowledge bases, and confidence in one another's competence. We argue for an extension of the information on interdisciplinary practice included in health science education programs to address these issues, thereby enhancing the utility of paraprofessionals within the health human resource mix in rural areas.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed2004

A transdisciplinary focus on drug abuse prevention: an introduction.

This article introduces the scope of the Special Issue. A variety of scientific disciplines are brought together to establish theoretical integration of the arenas of drug use, misuse, "abuse," and drug misuse prevention. Transdisciplinary scientific collaboration (TDSC) is utilized as a process of integration. Introductory comments regarding the strengths and limitations of TDSC are presented. Then, the relevance of genetics to substance misuse and substance misuse prevention is presented. Next, the relevance of cognition for prevention is discussed. Specifically, neurologically plausible distinctions in cognition and implicit cognition and their relevance for prevention are discussed. At a relatively molar social-level of analysis, social network theory, systems dynamic models, geographic information systems models, cultural psychology, and political science approaches to drug misuse and its prevention are introduced. The uses of both quantitative and qualitative statistical approaches to prevention are mentioned next. Finally, targeted prevention, bridging the efficacy-effectiveness gap, and a statement on overcoming disbalance round out the Special Issue. The bridges created will serve to propel drug misuse "prevention science" forward in the years to come. Advances in understanding etiological issues, translation to programs, and ecological fit of programming are desired results.

Cognition↗
PubMed2006

Eighteen years of research on AIDS: contribution of and collaborations between different world regions.

The scientific community invests significant resources on HIV/AIDS research to confront the current epidemic. We reviewed the medical literature in order to evaluate the contribution of different world regions on HIV/AIDS research during the past 18 years. We retrieved articles, using an elaborate methodology, from three journals focusing on HIV/AIDS between 1986 and 2003, indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and the Web of Science databases of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). Comparisons were made by dividing the world into nine geographic regions, and by using the human development index (HDI) categorization. A total of 9502 articles on HIV/AIDS were retrieved from three AIDS journals over an 18-year study period. The United States and Western Europe together and five developed out of nine world regions made up a striking 83% and 92% of the world's research production on HIV/AIDS, respectively. Scientists from the developing world participated in 10.4% of the articles published during 1986-1991, 14.7% during 1992-1997, and 21.3% during 1998-2003. Researchers from countries included in the high, medium, and low HDI category produced 2240, 9, and 15 articles per billion population, respectively. About half of articles originating in Latin America and the Caribbean and half in Asia were produced in collaboration with the United States. However, 40% of articles from Africa and 58% from Eastern Europe were produced in cooperation with Western Europe. Collaboration between researchers within developing regions was negligible. The vast majority of the world's research on AIDS is produced in the developed world. Although research production was minimal in the developing world, we found that regions included in the low and medium HDI categories showed a higher proportion of increase in research productivity than the developed countries. International collaborations should significantly increase and expand beyond the traditional cultural and political lines of international relationships.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2003

Long-term care research and policy.

This article provides a framework for understanding how long-term care (LTC) research contributes to policy, develops a typology of research contributions to policy with examples of each type, and suggests ways to ensure that contributions continue in the future. The article draws on in-depth interviews with LTC experts working at the interface between research and policy, as well as a small, informal Internet survey and the relevant political science and health policy literature. LTC research makes important contributions to policy, but its contributions easily go unrecognized because they are subtle and often depend on research investments made many years before policy is affected. Thus, it is important to consider what investments in LTC research initiatives and infrastructure are needed to ensure the future contributions of research to policy and to identify barriers to funding such investments. A number of steps that researchers can take to enhance the future contribution of research to LTC policy are proposed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Exposure guidelines for low-frequency electric and magnetic fields: report from the Brussels workshop.

The EMF Exposure Guidelines Science Workshop was held to evaluate the information base for guidelines for electric and magnetic field exposures at extremely low frequencies, to identify research needs, and to discuss how best to apply scientific knowledge in developing exposure recommendations. Although the existing guideline values are based on electrostimulation of nerve and muscle tissues, guidelines must also consider controversial studies of potential health effects from chronic exposures at environmental levels that are far too weak to cause electrostimulation. The size of the safety factor applied in specifying exposure limits reflects a variety of factors that introduce uncertainties. These include confidence in existing dose-effect relationships, population diversity, the reliability and precision of techniques to control over-exposure, and completeness of the information base, particularly regarding long-term effects. Specific research questions that can change the level of uncertainty meaningfully were identified in these areas: biophysical mechanisms of electrostimulation; the range of thresholds throughout exposed populations; cancer causation in children and adults, including a possible role for contact currents; cognitive, behavioral, and physiological effects on the central nervous system; improved dosimetry; and better understanding of electromagnetic interference with implanted biomedical devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, and physiological monitors. This report introduces ten papers from the workshop that address these and related topics in detail.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed2003

Using resources of public health centers for education and professional societies to incorporate homeland security topics into public teacher continuing education.

The Department of Education, the Association of Schools of Public Health, and national professional societies dedicated to teaching and dissemination of information for health and education in the public sector can form a clearinghouse on information and manpower on Homeland Security by affiliation with Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP). The state licensed or regional societies can contribute further information and guidelines. In the HPS the Science Teacher Workshop (STW) and Public Education (PEC) Committees can assist a CPHP on radiation issues.

Education, Continuing↗