Garden-enhanced Nutrition Curriculum Improves Fourth-grade School Children's Knowledge of Nutrition and Preferences for Some Vegetables

Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Jan, 2002  |  Pubmed ID: 11794509

Assessing Resource Demands During Sentence Processing in Parkinson's Disease

Brain and Language. Mar, 2002  |  Pubmed ID: 11896660

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have sentence comprehension difficulty, but it is unclear whether this is due to a deficit in grammatical processing or to an executive resource limitation. To assess grammatical processing in PD while minimizing task-related demands, PD patients and healthy control subjects performed a word detection procedure that assesses sensitivity to grammatical agreements in sentences in an "on-line" fashion. With this technique, we found that control subjects and PD patients are equally sensitive to grammatical agreement violations in sentences. A traditional, resource-demanding measure of sentence comprehension was also administered to the same PD patients. In comparison to healthy controls, PD patients were significantly impaired in their relative comprehension of sentences containing object-gap subordinate clauses compared to subject-gap subordinate clauses. Performance on several executive resource measures was also impaired in PD, and this correlated with their comprehension performance. Sensitivity to grammatical agreements with the word detection procedure, in the context of sentence comprehension difficulty on a traditional measure, suggests that PD patients' executive resource limitations contribute to their sentence comprehension difficulty.

Nutrition to Grow On: a Garden-enhanced Nutrition Education Curriculum for Upper-elementary Schoolchildren

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. May-Jun, 2002  |  Pubmed ID: 12047843

Characterization of the SCAN Box Encoding RAZ1 Gene: Analysis of CDNA Transcripts, Expression, and Cellular Localization

Gene. Aug, 2002  |  Pubmed ID: 12383503

The SCAN box (SRE-ZBP; CT-fin51; AW-1; Number 18) is a highly-conserved 80-amino-acid domain identified in a subset of C(2)H(2) zinc finger proteins. We and others have recently demonstrated that the SCAN box is a protein association domain that mediates hetero- and homo-protein associations with SCAN box containing proteins. RAZ1 (SCAN-related protein associated with MZF1B) is a novel gene identified in a yeast two hybrid genetic screen for binding to the MZF1B SCAN box. RAZ1 maps to chromosome 20q11 at a region frequently disrupted in various leukemias. We characterized the RAZ1 gene by analysing cDNA transcripts, mRNA expression, and cellular localization of the expressed protein. RAZ1 mRNA expression was detected in various human tissues and cell lines by Northern blot analysis and multiple tissue expression arrays. Highest levels of expression are in prostate, testis, thyroid, liver, and kidney. The RAZ1 gene produces two transcripts with variant 5'-untranslated regions containing identical open reading frames that express a 28 kDa protein in vitro. RAZ1 transcription start sites were mapped by primer extension and confirmed by identification of the RAZ1 promoter in the 5' flanking genomic DNA. RAZ1 protein fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) localizes to the nucleus in a diffuse pattern and the carboxyl terminus containing the SCAN-related domain is sufficient for nuclear localization. These data suggest that RAZ1 is a widely expressed nuclear protein that may function as a key regulator of zinc finger transcription factor function.

Attentional Resource and Processing Speed Limitations During Sentence Processing in Parkinson's Disease

Brain and Language. Jun, 2003  |  Pubmed ID: 12744946

Several studies have suggested that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have sentence comprehension difficulty in part because of their limited executive resources. However, these assessments confound the executive resources contributing to sentence comprehension with the resources needed for task performance. In the present study, we used a word detection technique that minimizes task demands in order to evaluate attentional and processing speed resources during the comprehension of simple sentences without subordinate clauses and sentences containing subject-relative and object-relative center-embedded subordinate clauses. We found that PD patients have poor sensitivity to phonetic errors embedded in unbound grammatical morphemes, regardless of the clausal structure of the sentence, suggesting difficulty attending to grammatical morphemes. We also found that PD patients are significantly slowed in their sensitivity to phonetic errors in content words embedded in object-relative center-embedded sentences. Slowed sensitivity to content words in object-relative sentences was correlated with timed executive measures of planning. On a traditional measure of comprehension, these PD patients were impaired for sentences containing object-relative center-embedded clauses compared to sentences with subject-relative center-embedded clauses, and comprehension of object-relative sentences was correlated with executive measures. Our findings are consistent with the claim that limited executive resources for strategic attention and processing speed contribute to the sentence comprehension difficulties of PD patients.

Patient Attitudes Toward Weight Gain with Medications

General Hospital Psychiatry. Nov-Dec, 2004  |  Pubmed ID: 15567217

The purpose of this study was to examine patient attitudes toward weight gain with medications under 4 conditions-medical vs psychiatric and life-threatening vs non-life-threatening.

Changes in Dual-task Voice Reaction Time Among Elders Who Use Assistive Devices

Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (2001). 2006  |  Pubmed ID: 16914064

Assistive devices are prescribed for a variety of reasons and have the obvious benefit of enhancing gait performance for some individuals. However, the use of an assistive device may make walking a more complex and cognitively challenging task. The purpose of this study was to use a dual-task voice reaction time (VRT) paradigm to examine the attentional demands of walking with an assistive device in a group of elderly adults.

Tactile Teaching: Exploring Protein Structure/function Using Physical Models*

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education : a Bimonthly Publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Jul, 2006  |  Pubmed ID: 21638686

The technology now exists to construct physical models of proteins based on atomic coordinates of solved structures. We review here our recent experiences in using physical models to teach concepts of protein structure and function at both the high school and the undergraduate levels. At the high school level, physical models are used in a professional development program targeted to biology and chemistry teachers. This program has recently been expanded to include two student enrichment programs in which high school students participate in physical protein modeling activities. At the undergraduate level, we are currently exploring the usefulness of physical models in communicating concepts of protein structure and function that have been traditionally difficult to teach. We discuss our recent experience with two such examples: the close-packed nature of an enzyme active site and the pH-induced conformational change of the influenza hemagglutinin protein during virus infection.

Effect of Two Types of Soy Milk and Dairy Milk on Plasma Lipids in Hypercholesterolemic Adults: a Randomized Trial

Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Dec, 2007  |  Pubmed ID: 18187432

To compare the effects of two commercially available soy milks (one made using whole soy beans, the other using soy protein isolate) with low-fat dairy milk on plasma lipid, insulin, and glucose responses.

A Combination of Hand-held Models and Computer Imaging Programs Helps Students Answer Oral Questions About Molecular Structure and Function: a Controlled Investigation of Student Learning

CBE Life Sciences Education. 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19255134

We conducted a controlled investigation to examine whether a combination of computer imagery and tactile tools helps introductory cell biology laboratory undergraduate students better learn about protein structure/function relationships as compared with computer imagery alone. In all five laboratory sections, students used the molecular imaging program, Protein Explorer (PE). In the three experimental sections, three-dimensional physical models were made available to the students, in addition to PE. Student learning was assessed via oral and written research summaries and videotaped interviews. Differences between the experimental and control group students were not found in our typical course assessments such as research papers, but rather were revealed during one-on-one interviews with students at the end of the semester. A subset of students in the experimental group produced superior answers to some higher-order interview questions as compared with students in the control group. During the interview, students in both groups preferred to use either the hand-held models alone or in combination with the PE imaging program. Students typically did not use any tools when answering knowledge (lower-level thinking) questions, but when challenged with higher-level thinking questions, students in both the control and experimental groups elected to use the models.

Ca2+-stores in Sperm: Their Identities and Functions

Reproduction (Cambridge, England). Sep, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19542252

Intracellular Ca2+ stores play a central role in the regulation of cellular [Ca2+](i) and the generation of complex [Ca2+] signals such as oscillations and waves. Ca2+ signalling is of particular significance in sperm cells, where it is a central regulator in many key activities (including capacitation, hyperactivation, chemotaxis and acrosome reaction) yet mature sperm lack endoplasmic reticulum and several other organelles that serve as Ca2+ stores in somatic cells. Here, we review i) the evidence for the expression in sperm of the molecular components (pumps and channels) which are functionally significant in the activity of Ca2+ stores of somatic cells and ii) the evidence for the existence of functional Ca2+ stores in sperm. This evidence supports the existence of at least two storage organelles in mammalian sperm, one in the acrosomal region and another in the region of the sperm neck and midpiece. We then go on to discuss the probable identity of these organelles and their discrete functions: regulation by the acrosome of its own secretion and regulation by membranous organelles at the sperm neck (and possibly by the mitochondria) of flagellar activity and hyperactivation. Finally, we consider the ability of the sperm discretely to control mobilisation of these stores and the functional interaction of stored Ca2+ at the sperm neck/midpiece with CatSper channels in the principal piece in regulation of the activities of mammalian sperm.

The Novel Genes EmmABC Are Associated with Exopolysaccharide Production, Motility, Stress Adaptation, and Symbiosis in Sinorhizobium Meliloti

Journal of Bacteriology. Oct, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19633078

The nitrogen-fixing symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti senses and responds to constantly changing environmental conditions as it makes its way through the soil in search of its leguminous plant host, Medicago sativa (alfalfa). As a result, this bacterium regulates various aspects of its physiology in order to respond appropriately to stress, starvation, and competition. For example, exopolysaccharide production, which has been shown to play an important role in the ability of S. meliloti to successfully invade its host, also helps the bacterium withstand osmotic changes and other environmental stresses. In an effort to further elucidate the intricate regulation of this important cell component, we set out to identify genetic factors that may affect its production. Here we characterize novel genes that encode a small protein (EmmA) and a putative two-component system (EmmB-EmmC). A mutation in any of these genes leads to increased production of the symbiotically important exopolysaccharide succinoglycan. In addition, emm mutants display membrane-associated defects, are nonmotile, and are unable to form an optimal symbiosis with alfalfa, suggesting that these novel genes may play a greater role in the overall fitness of S. meliloti both during the free-living stage and in its association with its host.

Sildenafil for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Pediatric Patients

Pediatric Cardiology. Oct, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 19705181

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor widely used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in children. Despite limited available safety and efficacy evidence, use of sildenafil continues to increase. To date, sildenafil use for pediatric pulmonary hypertension has been characterized for 193 children through 16 studies and 28 case series and reports. The primary efficacy data suggest that sildenafil is beneficial for facilitating the weaning of inhaled nitric oxide in children after cardiac surgery. Compiled safety data suggest that sildenafil is well tolerated among children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease. This review summarizes the available data describing the use, safety, and efficacy of sildenafil for children with pulmonary hypertension.

Nutritional Knowledge and Eating Behaviors of Female, Collegiate Swimmers

North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy : NAJSPT. Aug, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 21509109

Female athletes often have inadequate diets due to lack of nutritional knowledge and nutritional misconceptions. Poor nutrition may lead to an increased chance of developing the Female Athlete Triad, a trio of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mass. Physical therapists, as part of a healthcare team, must be prepared to address nutritional issues, recognize signs and symptoms of the female athlete triad, and make the appropriate intervention or referral.

UNICEF, Syphilis and the State: Negotiating Female Citizenship in the Post-Second World War World

Women's History Review. 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20939149

Few charitable organizations have achieved the status of global recognition enjoyed by UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, which embodies the international effort to provide for needy children the world over. Created because of its synchronicity with the United Nations' stated purpose—to maintain peace in the world—UNICEF launched its operations in 1946. Its founding, early operations and eventual restructuring reveal a great deal about concurrent political and economic events, but also provide keen insight into international ideas about who qualified for full citizenship in the post-war world. The consequences of UNICEF's policies, procedures and practices posed challenges to notions of citizenship for both women and children. It challenged citizenship not by questioning sex-specific gender roles, but by judiciously adhering to the United Nations' promise to create equality for men and women alike. UNICEF found itself in the unique position to be able to globalize definitions of what constituted full citizenship in any nation, due to its rapid expansion throughout the world. Through its programs, especially those related to health care, it not only challenged these roles in the West, but began over several decades to complicate the definition of citizenship as it became a forceful presence in Asia and Africa throughout the 1970s.

Velaglucerase Alfa for the Management of Type 1 Gaucher Disease

Clinical Therapeutics. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22264444

Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common lysosomal storage disease, (frequency of 1:40,000 to 1:60,000). Ninety-Five percent of patients have type 1 (nonneuropathic type). Symptomatic patients with type 1 GD are treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to improve disease-induced effects on hemoglobin, platelets, and liver and spleen volume. Currently, several ERTs are available.