Actin assembly requirements of the formin Fus1 to build the fusion focus

In formin-family proteins, actin filament nucleation and elongation activities reside in the formin homology 1 (FH1) and FH2 domains, with reaction rates that vary by at least 20-fold between formins. Each cell expresses distinct formins that assemble one or several actin structures, raising the question of what confers each formin its specificity. Here, using the formin Fus1 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we systematically probed the importance of formin nucleation and elongation rates in vivo. Fus1 assembles the actin fusion focus, necessary for gamete fusion to form the zygote during sexual reproduction. By constructing chimeric formins with combinations of FH1 and FH2 domains previously characterized in vitro, we establish that changes in formin nucleation and elongation rates have direct consequences on fusion focus architecture, and that Fus1 native high nucleation and low elongation rates are optimal for fusion focus assembly. We further describe a point mutant in Fus1 FH2 that preserves native nucleation and elongation rates in vitro but alters function in vivo, indicating an additional FH2 domain property. Thus, rates of actin assembly are tailored for assembly of specific actin structures.

Screening Antibodies Raised against the Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to Support the Development of Rapid Antigen Assays

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel viral pathogen and therefore a challenge to accurately diagnose infection. Asymptomatic cases are common and so it is difficult to accurately identify infected cases to support surveillance and case detection. Diagnostic test developers are working to meet the global demand for accurate and rapid diagnostic tests to support disease management. However, the focus of many of these has been on molecular diagnostic tests, and more recently serologic tests, for use in primarily high-income countries. Low- and middle-income countries typically have very limited access to molecular diagnostic testing due to fewer resources. Serologic testing is an inappropriate surrogate as the early stages of infection are not detected and misdiagnosis will promote continued transmission. Detection of infection via direct antigen testing may allow for earlier diagnosis provided such a method is sensitive. Leading SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers include spike protein, nucleocapsid protein, envelope protein, and membrane protein. This research focuses on antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein due to the number of monoclonal antibodies that have been developed for therapeutic research but also have potential diagnostic value. In this study, we assessed the performance of antibodies to the spike glycoprotein, acquired from both commercial and private groups in multiplexed liquid immunoassays, with concurrent testing via a half-strip lateral flow assays (LFA) to indicate antibodies with potential in LFA development. These processes allow for the selection of pairs of high-affinity antispike antibodies that are suitable for liquid immunoassays and LFA, some of which with sensitivity into the low picogram range with the liquid immunoassay formats with no cross-reactivity to other coronavirus S antigens. Discrepancies in optimal ranking were observed with the top pairs used in the liquid and LFA formats. These findings can support the development of SARS-CoV-2 LFAs and diagnostic tools.

Screening Antibodies Raised against the Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to Support the Development of Rapid Antigen Assays

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel viral pathogen and therefore a challenge to accurately diagnose infection. Asymptomatic cases are common and so it is difficult to accurately identify infected cases to support surveillance and case detection. Diagnostic test developers are working to meet the global demand for accurate and rapid diagnostic tests to support disease management. However, the focus of many of these has been on molecular diagnostic tests, and more recently serologic tests, for use in primarily high-income countries. Low- and middle-income countries typically have very limited access to molecular diagnostic testing due to fewer resources. Serologic testing is an inappropriate surrogate as the early stages of infection are not detected and misdiagnosis will promote continued transmission. Detection of infection via direct antigen testing may allow for earlier diagnosis provided such a method is sensitive. Leading SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers include spike protein, nucleocapsid protein, envelope protein, and membrane protein. This research focuses on antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein due to the number of monoclonal antibodies that have been developed for therapeutic research but also have potential diagnostic value. In this study, we assessed the performance of antibodies to the spike glycoprotein, acquired from both commercial and private groups in multiplexed liquid immunoassays, with concurrent testing via a half-strip lateral flow assays (LFA) to indicate antibodies with potential in LFA development. These processes allow for the selection of pairs of high-affinity antispike antibodies that are suitable for liquid immunoassays and LFA, some of which with sensitivity into the low picogram range with the liquid immunoassay formats with no cross-reactivity to other coronavirus S antigens. Discrepancies in optimal ranking were observed with the top pairs used in the liquid and LFA formats. These findings can support the development of SARS-CoV-2 LFAs and diagnostic tools.

Formin Cdc12's specific actin assembly properties are tailored for cytokinesis in fission yeast

Formins generate unbranched actin filaments by a conserved, processive actin assembly mechanism. Most organisms express multiple formin isoforms that mediate distinct cellular processes and facilitate actin filament polymerization by significantly different rates, but how these actin assembly differences correlate to cellular activity is unclear. We used a computational model of fission yeast cytokinetic ring assembly to test the hypothesis that particular actin assembly properties help tailor formins for specific cellular roles. Simulations run in different actin filament nucleation and elongation conditions revealed that variations in formin's nucleation efficiency critically impact both the probability and timing of contractile ring formation. To probe the physiological importance of nucleation efficiency, we engineered fission yeast formin chimera strains in which the FH1-FH2 actin assembly domains of full-length cytokinesis formin Cdc12 were replaced with the FH1-FH2 domains from functionally and evolutionarily diverse formins with significantly different actin assembly properties. Although Cdc12 chimeras generally support life in fission yeast, quantitative live-cell imaging revealed a range of cytokinesis defects from mild to severe. In agreement with the computational model, chimeras whose nucleation efficiencies are least similar to Cdc12 exhibit more severe cytokinesis defects, specifically in the rate of contractile ring assembly. Together, our computational and experimental results suggest that fission yeast cytokinesis is ideally mediated by a formin with properly tailored actin assembly parameters.

LIM domain proteins in cell mechanobiology

The actin cytoskeleton is important for maintaining mechanical homeostasis in adherent cells, largely through its regulation of adhesion and cortical tension. The LIM (Lin-11, Isl1, MEC-3) domain-containing proteins are involved in a myriad of cellular mechanosensitive pathways. Recent work has discovered that LIM domains bind to mechanically stressed actin filaments, suggesting a novel and widely conserved mechanism of mechanosensing. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of LIM protein mechanosensitivity.

Evolutionarily diverse LIM domain-containing proteins bind stressed actin filaments through a conserved mechanism

The actin cytoskeleton assembles into diverse load-bearing networks, including stress fibers (SFs), muscle sarcomeres, and the cytokinetic ring to both generate and sense mechanical forces. The LIM (Lin11, Isl- 1, and Mec-3) domain family is functionally diverse, but most members can associate with the actin cytoskeleton with apparent force sensitivity. Zyxin rapidly localizes via its LIM domains to failing SFs in cells, known as strain sites, to initiate SF repair and maintain mechanical homeostasis. The mechanism by which these LIM domains associate with stress fiber strain sites (SFSS) is not known. Additionally, it is unknown how widespread strain sensing is within the LIM protein family. We identify that the LIM domain-containing region of 18 proteins from the Zyxin, Paxillin, Tes, and Enigma proteins accumulate to SFSS. Moreover, the LIM domain region from the fission yeast protein paxillin like 1 (Pxl1) also localizes to SFSS in mammalian cells, suggesting that the strain sensing mechanism is ancient and highly conserved. We then used sequence and domain analysis to demonstrate that tandem LIM domains contribute additively, for SFSS localization. Employing in vitro reconstitution, we show that the LIM domain-containing region from mammalian zyxin and fission yeast Pxl1 binds to mechanically stressed F-actin networks but does not associate with relaxed actin filaments. We propose that tandem LIM domains recognize an F-actin conformation that is rare in the relaxed state but is enriched in the presence of mechanical stress.

Essential oils for managing Pratylenchus penetrans on Easter lilies

Easter lily bulbs for greenhouse forcing are produced in Del Norte County, California and Curry County, Oregon, USA. Pratylenchus penetrans infestation seriously affects growth of field grown bulbs. During two consecutive years of field trials containing 22 treatments, commercially prepared formulations of essential oils (EOs) were compared to an untreated control and to a standard chemical fumigant treatment (FU) (1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium) applied preplant followed by phorate (PH) at planting to determine their value in the management of lesion nematode, and in improving plant health. The EO products Duogard, EF400, EF300, and Cinnamite were tested as preplant dips to bulblet planting stock. The treated bulblets were tested either alone, in combination with PH at-planting, at planting following FU or in combination with PH at planting following FU. The organophosphates ethoprop and fosthiazate were also tested either alone, or at a reduced rate in combination with a reduced rate of PH. With respect to bulb circumference, ten treatments consistently outperformed the control. In consecutive years, three treatments had healthier looking roots than the control. At harvest, levels of lesion nematode within roots were consistently lower in nine treatments. EOs were beneficial in mitigating nematode damage.

Operative and survival outcomes in a series of 100 consecutive cases of robot-assisted transhiatal esophagectomies

Robotic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy (RATE) is a technically complex procedure with potential for improved postoperative outcomes. In this report, we describe our experience with RATE in a large case series. A retrospective review was conducted to collect clinical, outcomes, and survival data for 100 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer (n = 98) and benign (n = 2) conditions undergoing RATE between March 2007 and December 2014. Progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curves with comparisons by log-rank tests. Median operative time and estimated blood loss were 264 minutes and 75 mL, respectively. Median intensive care unit stay was 1 day and median length of hospital stay was 8 days. Postoperative complications commonly observed were nonmalignant pleural effusion (38%) and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (33%); 30 day mortality rate was 2%. Median number of lymph nodes removed during RATE was 17 and R0 resection was achieved in 97.8% patients. At the end of the median follow-up period of 27.7 months, median PFS was 41 months and median OS was 54 months. 1-year and 3-year PFS rates were 82% (95% CI, 75%-89%) and 53% (95% CI, 42%-62%), respectively, and OS rates were 95% (95% CI, 91%-99%) and 57% (95% CI, 46%-67%). In our experience, RATE is an effective and safe oncologic surgical procedure in a carefully selected group of patients with acceptable operative time, minimal blood loss, standard postoperative morbidity and adequate PFS and OS profiles.

Potassium intake and risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Serum potassium has been found to be a significant predictor of diabetes risk, but the effect of dietary potassium on diabetes risk is not clear. We sought to determine if dietary potassium is associated with risk of incident type 2 diabetes in young adults.

METHODS

We used data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Potassium intake was measured by (1) an average of three 24 h urinary potassium collections at the 5-year study visit, and (2) the CARDIA dietary assessment instrument at baseline. Incident type 2 diabetes cases were ascertained on the basis of use of diabetes medication and laboratory measurements. Analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders including intake of fruit and vegetables and other dietary factors.

RESULTS

Of 1,066 participants with urinary potassium measurements, 99 (9.3%) developed diabetes over 15 years of follow-up. In multivariate models, adults in the lowest urinary potassium quintile were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes as their counterparts in the highest quintile (HR 2.45; 95% CI 1.08, 5.59). Of 4,754 participants with dietary history measurements, 373 (7.8%) developed diabetes over 20 years of follow-up. In multivariate models, African-Americans had a significantly increased risk of diabetes with lower potassium intake, which was not found in whites.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Low dietary potassium is associated with increased risk of incident diabetes in African-Americans. Randomised clinical trials are needed to determine if potassium supplementation, from either dietary or pharmacological sources, could reduce the risk of diabetes, particularly in higher-risk populations.

optiCall: a robust genotype-calling algorithm for rare, low-frequency and common variants

Motivation: Existing microarray genotype-calling algorithms adopt either SNP-by-SNP (SNP-wise) or sample-by-sample (sample-wise) approaches to calling. We have developed a novel genotype-calling algorithm for the Illumina platform, optiCall, that uses both SNP-wise and sample-wise calling to more accurately ascertain genotypes at rare, low-frequency and common variants.

Results: Using data from 4537 individuals from the 1958 British Birth Cohort genotyped on the Immunochip, we estimate the proportion of SNPs lost to downstream analysis due to false quality control failures, and rare variants misclassified as monomorphic, is only 1.38% with optiCall, in comparison to 3.87, 7.85 and 4.09% for Illuminus, GenoSNP and GenCall, respectively. We show that optiCall accurately captures rare variants and can correctly account for SNPs where probe intensity clouds are shifted from their expected positions.

Availability and implementation: optiCall is implemented in C++ for use on UNIX operating systems and is available for download at http://www.sanger.ac.uk/resources/software/opticall/.

Contact:optiCall@sanger.ac.uk

Sucrose and dental caries: a review of the evidence

The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the literature to assess the relationship between quantity and pattern of sucrose use and dental caries. Using hand and electronic methods (MEDLINE, EMBASE) the literature was searched for epidemiological papers concerning any relationship of sugars and dental caries published since 1856. Superficial hand searching was carried out between 1856 and 1940, detailed hand searching 1940-1966 and electronic 1966-2007. Selection criteria were set based on, but not confined to, Cochran style standards. Investigations were categorized as A, fulfilling all criteria; B1, relevant fulfilling 19 of 23 criteria; B2, relevant but fulfilling only between 12 and 18 of the selection criteria; and C, all other papers. There were 95 papers meeting most (more than 12) or all of the selected criteria. Only 1 paper was graded A; 31 as B1. There were in addition some 65 as B2 and all the rest as C, which were discarded. There were a wide variety of study designs and those graded A or B1 comprised 23 ecological cross-sectional, 7 cohort and 2 case control studies. Summary results showed that 6 papers found a positive, significant relationship of sugar quantity to dental caries, 19 of 31 studies reported a significant relationship of sugar frequency of use to dental caries. The balance of studies does not demonstrate a relationship between sugar quantity, but a moderately significant relationship of sugar frequency to dental caries.

Tumorigenicity assessments of Per.C6 cells and of an Ad5-vectored HIV-1 vaccine produced on this continuous cell line

PER.C6, a cell line derived from human embryonic retinal cells transformed with the Adenovirus Type 5 (Ad5) E1A and E1B genes, is used to produce E1-deleted Ad5 vectors such as the MRKAd5 HIV-1 gag vaccine. While whole, live PER.C6 cells are capable of growing as tumours when transplanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient nude mice at a high dosage, the process for vaccine production includes filtration steps and other methods which effectively preclude contamination by intact viable substrate cells. However, because of the neoplastic nature of this cell line, we carried out a series of investigations to assess the tumorigenic risk posed by residuals from the cell substrate in a vaccine. To address concerns about transmission of oncogenic DNA, we demonstrated that purified PER.C6 cellular DNA does not induce tumours in newborn hamsters or nude mice. To address concerns about other potential residuals, including hypothetical adventitious tumour viruses, we demonstrated that a PER.C6 cell lysate and a MRKAd5 HIV-1 gag vaccine produced on PER.C6 cells do not induce tumours in newborn hamsters or newborn rats. These results, in conjunction with the wide panel of viral safety tests performed on these cells, support the safety of the PER.C6 as a cell substrate for vaccine production.

Anal condyloma: a comparison between HIV positive and negative patients

HIV positive and negative patients with anal condylomata were compared to determine an association with squamous cell neoplasia, its disease progression, and response to treatment. From 1992 to 2003, 61 patients were diagnosed with anal condylomata by anal biopsy. Thirty-four patients were HIV+ and 27 patients were considered HIV-. Upon retrospective chart review, details on disease progression, development of malignancy, and subsequent treatment were collected. Sixty-one per cent of HIV+ patients had a neoplastic process in contrast to 25 per cent of HIV- patients (P = 0.005). Five patients demonstrated disease progression, of which four were HIV+. Three HIV+ patients were treated for invasive carcinoma with excision and standard chemoradiation therapy. Two patients with T3 lesions developed recurrence and died. Eighteen HIV+ patients had noninvasive carcinoma and were treated with local excision without recurrence at mean follow-up of 28 months. HIV+ patients were shown to have more condylomata harboring squamous cell neoplasia than HIV- patients. Noninvasive carcinoma can be treated effectively with local excision, independent of HIV status; however, long-term follow-up is needed. Chemoradiation therapy in patients who are relatively healthy and have stage I disease may be successful. The role for chemoradiation in AIDS patients with stage III disease remains unclear.

Automated distal coronary bypass with a novel magnetic coupler (MVP system)

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the feasibility of performing sutureless distal coronary artery bypass anastomoses with a novel magnetic coupling device.

METHODS

From May 2000 to April 2001, single-vessel side-to-side coronary artery bypass grafting on a beating heart was performed in 39 domestic white pigs (35-60 kg) without the use of mechanical stabilization, shunts, or perfusion bridges. Animals were divided into 2 groups. Seventeen pigs underwent right internal thoracic artery to right coronary artery bypass grafting through a median sternotomy (group 1) with a novel magnetic vascular positioning system (MVP system; Ventrica, Inc, Fremont, Calif). Twenty-two pigs underwent left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery grafting with the MVP anastomotic device through a left anterior minithoracotomy (group 2). This system consists of 2 pairs of elliptical magnetic implants and a deployment device. One pair of magnets forms the anastomotic docking port within the graft; the other pair forms an identical anastomotic docking port within the target vessel. The anastomosis is created when the 2 docking ports magnetically couple. Anastomotic patency was evaluated by means of angiography during the first postoperative week and at 1 month. Histologic studies were performed at different time points as late as 6 months.

RESULTS

Right internal thoracic artery to right coronary artery anastomoses and left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery anastomoses were successfully performed with the system in all animals. The self-adherent and self-aligning properties of the implants allowed for immediate and secure approximation of the arteries (total anastomotic time between 2-3 minutes). Anastomoses were constructed without a stabilization platform. Five nondevice-related deaths occurred postoperatively. One-week angiography, performed in 35 surviving animals, showed a patent graft and anastomosis in all cases. The patency rate at 1 month was 97% (33/34). Histologic studies as late as 6 months demonstrated neointimal coverage of the magnets without any significant luminal obstruction. Histology also confirmed the presence of viable tissue between magnets.

CONCLUSION

The MVP anastomotic system uses magnetic force to create rapid and secure distal coronary artery anastomoses, which might facilitate minimally invasive and totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery.

Management Options for Pratylenchus penetrans in Easter Lily

Alternatives to reduce or modify nematicide use for minimizing groundwater contamination in Easter lily were explored in two field trials. Alternatives to standard 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) plus phorate injection in the first trial were: (i) delaying applications until after winter rains, (ii) removing roots from planting stock, (iii) 1,3-D via drip irrigation, (iv) a chitin-urea soil amendment, (v) the registered insecticide disulfoton, and (vi) several nonregistered nematicides. None of the treatments equaled the standard treatment. In the second trial, potential benefits of adding a systemic nematicide, oxamyl (OX), or a fungicide, metalaxyl (MX), to the standard treatment were explored. Preplant drip irrigation applications of metam sodium (MS), sodium tetrathiocarbonate (ST), and emulsifiable 1,3-D were evaluated alone and in combination with postplant applications of OX and MX. Several drip-applied treatments performed comparably to the standard treatment with respect to the most important criteria of crop quality, bulb circumference. Metam-sodium in combination with either or both OX and MX, 1,3-D plus OX and MX, and ST plus OX and MX provided the best results.

Results of laparoscopically assisted colon resection for carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the primary treatment for colorectal carcinoma. Laparoscopically assisted colon resection technically is feasible for both benign and malignant disease. However, the role of laparoscopically assisted colon resection for carcinoma is controversial.

METHODS

We prospectively studied our first 100 patients with colorectal carcinoma who successfully underwent laparoscopically assisted colon resection for the carcinoma.

RESULTS

The pathologic stages were Dukes' categories A-16, B-52, C-25, and D-7. Operative mortality and morbidity were 2% and 22%, respectively. During a mean follow-up period of 40.3 months, recurrence by stage was zero patients with stage A disease, five patients with stage B disease, nine patients with stage C disease. Thirteen of these patients died as a result of their disease. At this writing, 60 patients are alive without evidence of disease, and 23 have completed the study disease free after more than 60 months. The 5-year survival probabilities by stage were 100% for stage A, 76.8% for stage B, and 51.7% for stage C.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopically assisted colectomy for cancer can be performed safely. The recurrence rate after laparoscopically assisted resection appears to be at least as good as after open resection. Results from ongoing prospective, randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.

A response of Panc-1 cells to cis-platinum, assessed with a cDNA array

BACKGROUND

The problem posed by the lack of response of cells in most solid cancers to current chemotherapy generally remains intractable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The use of cDNA arrays represents one global approach to identifying reasons for this failure. A messenger RNA response of pancreatic cancer (Panc-1) cells after culture for 24 hours with 12 microM cis-platinum was analyzed with a commercial cDNA array.

RESULTS

Major drug-induced events included inhibition of messenger RNAs associated with cell proliferation and up-regulation of generally countervailing DNA repair, cellular stress, heat shock protein, glutathione stress-related and multiple drug resistance enzyme messenger RNAs, accompanied by a limited programmed cell death response.

CONCLUSION

Induction of widespread normal stress-induced countervailing mRNAs by comparatively non-selective agents such as cis-platinum strongly biases against a successful therapeutic outcome. This paradoxical result of a therapeutic intent provides a further compelling argument for the use of specifically-targeted therapy such as growth factor receptor, tyrosine kinase and other discretely focused agents, probably employed in combinations based on expression of their targets in an individual patient's cancer, as identified by cDNA or proteonomic arrays.

A dissociation between symbolic number knowledge and analogue magnitude information

Semantic understanding of numbers and related concepts can be dissociated from rote knowledge of arithmetic facts. However, distinctions among different kinds of semantic representations related to numbers have not been fully explored. Working with numbers and arithmetic requires representing semantic information that is both analogue (e.g., the approximate magnitude of a number) and symbolic (e.g., what / means). In this article, the authors describe a patient (MC) who exhibits a dissociation between tasks that require symbolic number knowledge (e.g., knowledge of arithmetic symbols including numbers, knowledge of concepts related to numbers such as rounding) and tasks that require an analogue magnitude representation (e.g., comparing size or frequency). MC is impaired on a variety of tasks that require symbolic number knowledge, but her ability to represent and process analogue magnitude information is intact. Her deficit in symbolic number knowledge extends to a variety of concepts related to numbers (e.g., decimal points, Roman numerals, what a quartet is) but not to any other semantic categories that we have tested. These findings suggest that symbolic number knowledge is a functionally independent component of the number processing system, that it is category specific, and that it is anatomically and functionally distinct from magnitude representations.

Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: a meta-analytic review of the scientific literature

Research on exposure to television and movie violence suggests that playing violent video games will increase aggressive behavior. A metaanalytic review of the video-game research literature reveals that violent video games increase aggressive behavior in children and young adults. Experimental and nonexperimental studies with males and females in laboratory and field settings support this conclusion. Analyses also reveal that exposure to violent video games increases physiological arousal and aggression-related thoughts and feelings. Playing violent video games also decreases prosocial behavior.

Media violence and the American public. Scientific facts versus media misinformation

Fifty years of news coverage on the link between media violence and aggression have left the U.S. public confused. Typical news articles pit researchers and child advocates against entertainment industry representatives, frequently giving equal weight to the arguments of both sides. A comparison of news reports and scientific knowledge about media effects reveals a disturbing discontinuity: Over the past 50 years, the average news report has changed from claims of a weak link to a moderate link and then back to a weak link between media violence and aggression. However, since 1975, the scientific confidence and statistical magnitude of this link have been clearly positive and have consistently increased over time. Reasons for this discontinuity between news reports and the actual state of scientific knowledge include the vested interests of the news, a misapplied fairness doctrine in news reporting, and the failure of the research community to effectively argue the scientific case.

Evaluation of an awareness enhancement device for the treatment of thumb sucking in children

An evaluation of the awareness enhancement device (AED) described by Rapp, Miltenberger, and Long (1998) was conducted with 2 children who engaged in thumb sucking past the age at which it was developmentally appropriate. The AED effectively suppressed thumb sucking for both children. Future research evaluating the AED is discussed.

Is it time to pull the plug on the hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy?

Psychologists have often categorized human aggression as hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is "hot," impulsive behavior that is motivated by a desire to hurt someone; instrumental aggression is "cold," premeditated behavior used as a means to some other end. This dichotomy was useful to the early development of aggression theories and continues to capture important features of nonhuman aggression, but it has outlived its usefulness as a descriptor of fundamentally different kinds of human aggression. It is confounded with the automatic-controlled information-processing dichotomy, and it fails to consider aggressive acts with multiple motives. Knowledge structure models of aggression easily handle these problems. Taking extreme measures to preserve the hostile-instrumental dichotomy will delay further advances in understanding and controlling human aggression. Therefore, this seems a proper time to "pull the plug" and allow the hostile-instrumental aggression dichotomy a dignified death.

A specialist toxicity database (TRACE) is more effective than its larger, commercially available counterparts

The retrieval precision and recall of a specialist bibliographic toxicity database (TRACE) and a range of widely available bibliographic databases used to identify toxicity papers were compared. The analysis indicated that the larger size and resources of the major bibliographic databases did not, for a series of test queries, assure superior retrieval of relevant papers. The specialist database, in which document selection and indexing is undertaken by the same expert toxicologists who use the database in their day-to-day work, achieved markedly better retrieval, using simpler search strategies, than the other databases. Specialist databases may offer a valuable alternative to the existing major bibliographic databases. The concept of relevance, as used to determine the effectiveness of bibliographic databases, is discussed.

Seromuscular enteric pedicles and prosthetic aortic graft complications in a porcine abdominal trauma model. An experimental study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Abdominal vascular trauma may require prosthetic grafting despite peritoneal contamination by concurrent visceral injury. This study tested the use of vascularized, seromuscular enteric pedicles (VSEP) against the development of vascular prosthetic complications, in a porcine abdominal trauma model.

METHODS

Eight pigs underwent aortic transection and reconstruction with a Dacron interposition graft (DIG). A standard bacterial inoculum soaked the DIG in situ. An enteric segment was isolated on its mesenteric pedicle, and the mucosa stripped. This VSEP was wrapped around the DIG and oversewn. Animals received antibiotics for 5 days. Endpoints were 2-week survival, or evidence of sepsis. The animals underwent explantation of the DIG, VSEP, and native aorta for the purposes of histological, and microbiological analyses, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Outcome measures were graft infection, graft thrombosis, tissue incorporation, and anastomotic integrity.

RESULTS

Two pigs were excluded for perioperative death. All study group animals (n = 6), survived 2 weeks. Infection and thrombosis were found in 0/6 (0%). Incorporation and anastomotic integrity were evident in 6/6 (100%). VSEP had intact blood supplies. SEM demonstrated viable muscle, microcirculation, and fibroplasia in VSEP.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that VSEP may help prevent prosthetic graft complications in the contaminated setting.

A genomic response of H-358 bronchiolar carcinoma cells to MK 886, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, assessed with a cDNA array

Incomplete programmed cell death is one explanation for the escape of cancer cells from therapy. Inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase reduce proliferation and initiate programmed cell death in many different types of malignantly transformed cells. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, MK 886. induces an atypical form of programmed cell death in H-358 bronchiolar lung cancer cells. A genomic response of H-358 cells after 24 hr of culture at a 40 uM concentration that inhibited proliferation was analyzed with a Clontech human cDNA array containing 588 cDNAs corresponding to identified genes. The data grouped into 3 major categories and initial conclusions regarding countervailing, cellular stress, programmed cell death, DNA damage and repair mRNA-responses as possible reasons for escape from the antiproliferative response are discussed. The use of cDNA arrays to estimate the extent to which malignantly transformed cells respond to therapy or why they do not and so infer prognosis and identify possible therapeutic modifications is indicated.

Current strengths and limitations of doctoral education in nursing: are we prepared for the future?

The number of doctoral programs in nursing has increased significantly over the past 20 years. This growth has been driven in part by the pressing need to supply faculty to teach in undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing. Yet, enrollment in and graduation from these programs has remained fairly constant even as the number of programs has grown. During this 20-year period, there have been numerous conferences, workshops, and meetings devoted to the topic of doctoral education with a constant thread running through them calling for the need to maintain quality--quality students, quality faculty, quality research, and quality course work and requirements--in them. Faculty teaching in these programs have given considerable thought to ways of assuring quality in the program of study so as to ensure the graduate's ability to function as a teacher and researcher. Yet, despite these efforts, still less than 50 per cent of nursing faculty possess the doctorate, faculty are experiencing difficulty in fulfilling the tripartite mission of colleges and universities, and extramural funding for research is very unevenly distributed across programs and, in total, is inadequate to build the science. This article examines the strengths and weaknesses of doctoral programs in nursing at the start of the new millennium in which the challenges in higher education are forecasted to become more focused and intense, using accepted benchmarks of quality for students, faculty, and curricula.

Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life

Two studies examined violent video game effects on aggression-related variables. Study 1 found that real-life violent video game play was positively related to aggressive behavior and delinquency. The relation was stronger for individuals who are characteristically aggressive and for men. Academic achievement was negatively related to overall amount of time spent playing video games. In Study 2, laboratory exposure to a graphically violent video game increased aggressive thoughts and behavior. In both studies, men had a more hostile view of the world than did women. The results from both studies are consistent with the General Affective Aggression Model, which predicts that exposure to violent video games will increase aggressive behavior in both the short term (e.g., laboratory aggression) and the long term (e.g., delinquency).

Widespread countervailing genomic responses induced by chemotherapy or radiation as a cause of therapeutic failure

If chemotherapy or ionizing radiation induce widespread genomic responses tending to circumvent or antagonize their ability to kill malignant cells, an additional cause for therapeutic failure would be suggested. There is evidence that some agents evoke extensive countervailing genomic activity, the nature and extent of which can be assessed with the use of 'gene chips'.

Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life

Two studies examined violent video game effects on aggression-related variables. Study 1 found that real-life violent video game play was positively related to aggressive behavior and delinquency. The relation was stronger for individuals who are characteristically aggressive and for men. Academic achievement was negatively related to overall amount of time spent playing video games. In Study 2, laboratory exposure to a graphically violent video game increased aggressive thoughts and behavior. In both studies, men had a more hostile view of the world than did women. The results from both studies are consistent with the General Affective Aggression Model, which predicts that exposure to violent video games will increase aggressive behavior in both the short term (e.g., laboratory aggression) and the long term (e.g., delinquency).

One and one-half syndrome with supranuclear facial weakness: magnetic resonance imaging localization

OBJECTIVE

To provide clinicoanatomical correlation for a small pontine tegmental ischemic stroke producing the one and one-half syndrome associated with supranuclear facial weakness.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENT

A 70-year-old man developed left-sided facial weakness sparing the forehead, a left internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and a complete left horizontal gaze palsy immediately after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a small lesion in the left paramedian aspect of the dorsal pontine tegmentum.

MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS

Electromyographic findings were consistent with supranuclear facial involvement. The patient had nearly complete recovery after 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first report of supranuclear facial weakness in association with the one and one-half syndrome. The location of the lesion provides evidence of the existence of corticofugal fibers that extend to the facial nucleus in the dorsal paramedian pontine tegmentum.

Social evaluation influence on cardiovascular response to a fixed behavioral challenge: effects across a range of difficulty levels

Participants performed five memory tasks--ranging in difficulty from very low to very high--under public or private conditions. The publicity and difficulty variables interacted to determine systolic pressure and heart rate responses during performance. Where performance was public, responsiveness on the parameters increased with difficulty to a point and then dropped; where performance was private, responsiveness was relatively low at all difficulty levels. Diastolic pressure responses were configured similarly, although in that case the interaction was not reliable. Findings corroborate and extend results from a previous study, argue against some explanations of those results, and strengthen the case for a recent active coping analysis of cardiovascular audience effects. Findings also strengthen the case for a broader model of effort and cardiovascular response, which has potential for advancing our understanding of a range of phenomena and processes related to behavior and health.