Soy goes to school: acceptance of healthful, vegetarian options in Maryland middle school lunches.

Background: Soyfoods provide healthful options for school breakfasts and lunches that are lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, fat, and calories and can help meet demands for vegetarian choices. Researchers tested acceptance of soy-based options substituted for popular lunch items with a diverse student population.

Methods: Researchers conducted a plate waste study in 5 middle schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, to test the comparability of soy-based alternatives to 4 popular meat-based menu items.

Estimation of seismic velocities of upper oceanic crust from ocean bottom reflection loss data.

This paper describes a Bayesian inversion of acoustic reflection loss versus angle measurements to estimate the compressional and shear wave velocities in young uppermost oceanic crust, Layer 2A. The data were obtained in an experiment on the thinly sedimented western flank of the Endeavor segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, using a towed horizontal hydrophone array and small explosive charges as sound sources. Measurements were made at three sites at increasing distance from the ridge spreading center to determine the effect of age of the crust on seismic velocities.

The T cell receptor-mediated phosphorylation of Pyk2 tyrosines 402 and 580 occurs via a distinct mechanism than other receptor systems.

The tyrosine kinase Pyk2 is vital for integrating receptor-mediated signals controlling adhesion and motility in neuronal, epithelial, and hematopoietic cell types. In T cells, the stimulation of the TCR and costimulatory, chemokine, cytokine, and integrin receptors leads to the phosphorylation of Pyk2 and the induction of its catalytic activity. However, our understanding of the mechanism of the TCR-induced, site-specific phosphorylation of this kinase is incomplete and contradictory.

Functional role of the 5' terminal cloverleaf in Coxsackievirus RNA replication.

Using cell-free reactions, we investigated the role of the 5' cloverleaf (5'CL) and associated C-rich sequence in Coxsackievirus B3 RNA replication. We showed that the binding of poly(C) binding protein (PCBP) to the C-rich sequence was the primary determinant of RNA stability. In addition, inhibition of negative-strand synthesis was only observed when PCBP binding to both stem-loop 'b' and the C-rich sequence was inhibited.

Monoclonal antibodies to VP1 recognize a broad range of enteroviruses.

Enteroviruses (EVs) are common seasonal viruses that are associated with a variety of diseases. High-quality monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are needed to improve the accuracy of EV diagnosis in clinical laboratories. In the present study, the full-length VP1 genes of poliovirus 1 (Polio 1) and coxsackievirus B3 (Cox B3) were cloned, and the encoded proteins were expressed and used as antigens in an attempt to raise broad-spectrum MAbs to EVs.

Identification of novel susceptibility loci for Guam neurodegenerative disease: challenges of genome scans in genetic isolates.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease found in the Chamorro people of Guam and other Pacific Island populations. The etiology is unknown, although both genetic and environmental factors appear important. To identify loci for ALS/PDC, we conducted both genome-wide linkage and association analyses, using approximately 400 microsatellite markers, in the largest sample assembled to date, comprising a nearly complete sample of all living and previously sampled deceased cases.

The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the human fallopian tube during the menstrual cycle and in ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: To investigate the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the fallopian tube (FT) during the menstrual cycle and whether epithelia from FTs bearing an ectopic pregnancy differ from healthy tubes in iNOS expression.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Academic unit of reproductive and developmental medicine.

The impact of ocean sound speed variability on the uncertainty of geoacoustic parameter estimates.

This paper investigates the influence of water column variability on the estimates of geoacoustic model parameters obtained from matched field inversions. The acoustic data were collected on the New Jersey continental shelf during shallow water experiments in August 2006. The oceanographic variability was evident when the data were recorded.

Estimating marine sediment attenuation at low frequency with a vertical line array.

This paper presents a method of determining the compressional wave attenuation in marine sediment from a short range measurement. The data were collected on a vertical line array at a range of 230 m during the Shallow Water 2006 experiments. The sediment attenuation is extracted from the signal strength ratio of the sea bottom reflection to a sub-bottom reflection at different frequencies from 1.

Venous thromboembolism - management in general practice.

The diagnosis, treatment and management of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis are increasingly becoming the responsibility of the general practitioner. Effective treatments exist, as do guidelines for management of hospitalised patients. However, very little research has been done into the implementation of management strategies in community based patients.

Array element localization using ship noise.

This paper describes a method of estimating hydrophone positions in a receiver array using the noise from a passing ship. Relative arrival times of the ship-noise signal between pairs of hydrophones are obtained from several time windows of data (corresponding to different ship locations) by cross-correlating the band-pass filtered time series. The relative arrival times are used as data in an array element localization inversion to estimate both the hydrophone and ship locations based on iterated linearization of the acoustic ray equations.

Numerical investigation of out-of-plane sound propagation in a shallow water experiment.

In an experiment in the Florida Straits, broadband pulses were transmitted over a range of 10 km and received by a vertical hydrophone array. For pulses with center frequency below 400 Hz, the received signal consisted of a dominant arrival followed by a secondary one delayed by about 0.4 s.

The identification of candidate genes associated with Pch2 eyespot resistance in wheat using cDNA-AFLP.

Eyespot is a fungal disease of the stem base of cereal crops and causes lodging and the premature ripening of grain. Wheat cultivar Cappelle Desprez contains a highly durable eyespot resistance gene, Pch2 on the long arm of chromosome 7A. A cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) platform was used to identify genes differentially expressed between the eyespot susceptible variety Chinese Spring (CS) and the CS chromosome substitution line Cappelle Desprez 7A (CS/CD7A) which contains Pch2.

Short range travel time geoacoustic inversion with vertical line array.

This paper presents travel time geoacoustic inversion of broadband data collected on a vertical line array at short range of 230 m during the Shallow Water 2006 experiments. A ray-tracing method combined with a hybrid optimization algorithm that utilizes differential evolution and downhill simplex was used for the inversion of sediment properties. The ocean sound speed profile and geometric parameters were inverted prior to the sea bottom properties to account for the temporally variable ocean environment.

Homoeologous gene silencing in tissue cultured wheat callus.

Background: In contrast to diploids, most polyploid plant species, which include the hexaploid bread wheat, possess an additional layer of epigenetic complexity. Several studies have demonstrated that polyploids are affected by homoeologous gene silencing, a process in which sub-genomic genomic copies are selectively transcriptionally inactivated. This form of silencing can be tissue specific and may be linked to developmental or stress responses.

Effect of antihypertensive treatment on retinal microvascular changes in hypertension.

Objective: Hypertension causes arteriolar narrowing and rarefaction in the retinal circulation, but the extent to which these changes are reversible by antihypertensive treatment is not well studied. We compared the effect of antihypertensive treatment with a calcium-channel-blocker-based regimen and an angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitor-based regimen on the retinal microvasculature.

Methods: Twenty-five patients (17 men, age range 24-71 years) with untreated hypertension were randomized to treatment with an amlodipine-based (n = 12) or lisinopril-based (n = 13) regimen in a double-blind, prospective parallel limb trial for 52 weeks.

Genome scan of a nonword repetition phenotype in families with dyslexia: evidence for multiple loci.

To understand the genetic architecture of dyslexia and identify the locations of genes involved, we performed linkage analyses in multigenerational families using a phonological memory phenotype--Nonword Repetition (NWR). A genome scan was first performed on 438 people from 51 families (DS-1) and linkage was assessed using variance components (VC), Bayesian oligogenic (BO), and parametric analyses. For replication, the genome scan and analyses were repeated on 693 people from 93 families (DS-2).

Effect of doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system as third-line antihypertensive therapy on blood pressure and lipids in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial.

Background: The role of doxazosin in treatment of hypertension remains controversial.

Methods And Results: We evaluated the effects on blood pressure (BP) and biochemical parameters of doxazosin GITS (gastrointestinal therapeutic system) as a third-line antihypertensive agent among 10,069 participants in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial--Blood Pressure Lowering Arm (ASCOT-BPLA) whose BP remained above 140/90 mm Hg (130/80 mm Hg in those with diabetes mellitus). Among those who received doxazosin, mean age was 63 years (SD 9 years), 79% were male, and 32% had diabetes.

Bayesian geoacoustic inversion in a dynamic shallow water environment.

This paper presents results for matched field Bayesian geoacoustic inversion of multitonal continuous wave data collected on the New Jersey continental shelf. To account for effects of significant spatial and temporal variation of the water column sound speed, the sound speed profile was represented by empirical orthogonal functions. Data error information for the inversion was estimated from multiple time windows of the data.

Piloting E-Learning in a Radiation Oncology Department.

Radiation therapy is an ever-evolving profession that requires radiation therapists to continually update their knowledge and skills to provide quality patient care. In 2006, the radiation therapy educators (RTE) at the Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital in Australia piloted the delivery of in-service education using an e-learning format. To investigate the effectiveness of e-learning compared with the traditional face-to-face method of education, the RTEs chose to compare two cohorts of professional development year (PDY) as the sample.

The development of PCR-based markers for the selection of eyespot resistance genes Pch1 and Pch2.

Two eyespot resistance genes (Pch1 and Pch2) have been characterised in wheat. The potent resistance gene Pch1, transferred from Aegilops ventricosa, is located on the distal end of the long arm of chromosome 7D (7DL). Pch2 derives from the variety Cappelle Desprez and is located at the distal end of chromosome 7AL.

Population genetics of commercial and feral honey bees in Western Australia.

Due to the introduction of exotic honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) diseases in the eastern states, the borders of the state of Western Australia were closed to the import of bees for breeding and other purposes > 25 yr ago. To provide genetically improved stock for the industry, a closed population breeding program was established that now provides stock for the majority of Western Australian beekeepers.

Radiation therapy education for rural and remote GPs.

Introduction: Radiation therapy (RT) plays an important role in the treatment of many malignancies, either as a primary treatment or adjuvant modality. The referral base for many New South Wales (NSW) radiation oncology departments extends across rural and remote NSW regions. There are limited resources and support available to GPs in these rural areas to assist them in caring for patients considering or about to undergo RT, and those who have completed RT treatment and have returned to their rural residence.