Association between food opportunities during the school day and selected dietary behaviors of alternative high school students, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2006.

Introduction: Availability of competitive foods in schools has been linked to unhealthful dietary behaviors of students. Little is known about the food environment of alternative high schools, schools that enroll students at risk of academic failure. We examined correlations between food opportunities during the school day and selected dietary behaviors of students attending alternative high schools.

A flexible quantitative methodology for the analysis of gene-flow between conventionally bred maize populations using microsatellite markers.

Previous studies of gene-flow in agriculture have used a range of physical and biochemical markers, including transgenes. However, physical and biochemical markers are not available for all commercial varieties, and transgenes are difficult to use when trying to estimate gene flow in the field where the use of transgenes is often restricted. Here, we demonstrate the use of simple sequence repeat microsatellite markers (SSRs) to study gene flow in maize.

Assessment of referrals to the hospital eye service by optometrists and GPs in Bradford and Airedale.

Purpose: To investigate the content of referrals to a hospital eye department and describe differences between referring clinician (optometrist or GP) and referral formats.

Methods: A random sample of 433 new referrals to Bradford Royal Infirmary hospital eye service (HES) during 2007 and 2008 were retrospectively analysed.

Results: Three hundred and eleven referrals (72%) were from optometric practice and 122 (28%) from general practice.

Multivariate data analysis methods for the interpretation of microbial flow cytometric data.

Flow cytometry is an important technique in cell biology and immunology and has been applied by many groups to the analysis of microorganisms. This has been made possible by developments in hardware that is now sensitive enough to be used routinely for analysis of microbes. However, in contrast to advances in the technology that underpin flow cytometry, there has not been concomitant progress in the software tools required to analyse, display and disseminate the data and manual analysis, of individual samples remains a limiting aspect of the technology.

The effects of histone H4 tail acetylations on cation-induced chromatin folding and self-association.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind regulation of chromatin folding through covalent modifications of the histone N-terminal tails is hampered by a lack of accessible chromatin containing precisely modified histones. We study the internal folding and intermolecular self-association of a chromatin system consisting of saturated 12-mer nucleosome arrays containing various combinations of completely acetylated lysines at positions 5, 8, 12 and 16 of histone H4, induced by the cations Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), cobalt-hexammine(3+), spermidine(3+) and spermine(4+). Histones were prepared using a novel semi-synthetic approach with native chemical ligation.

Perceived barriers mediate the association between self-efficacy and fruit and vegetable consumption among students attending alternative high schools.

Compared to students attending regular high schools, alternative high school students are more likely to be racial/ethnic minorities, have higher levels of poverty, and higher rates of risky and poor health behaviors, including weight-related behaviors like limited fruit and vegetable intake. However, little is known about fruit/vegetable intake among alternative high school students. This study examined whether perceived barriers to healthy eating mediated the association between self-efficacy to eat healthy foods and fruit/vegetable consumption among alternative high school students.

Crystal structures of nucleosome core particles containing the '601' strong positioning sequence.

Nucleosome positioning plays a key role in genomic regulation by defining histone-DNA context and by modulating access to specific sites. Moreover, the histone-DNA register influences the double-helix structure, which in turn can affect the association of small molecules and protein factors. Analysis of genomic and synthetic DNA has revealed sequence motifs that direct nucleosome positioning in vitro; thus, establishing the basis for the DNA sequence dependence of positioning would shed light on the mechanics of the double helix and its contribution to chromatin structure in vivo.

Perturbations in nucleosome structure from heavy metal association.

Heavy metals have the potential to engage in strong bonding interactions and can thus function in essential as well as toxic or therapeutic capacities. We conducted crystallographic analyses of heavy cation binding to the nucleosome core particle and found that Co(2+) and Ni(2+) preferentially associate with the DNA major groove, in a sequence- and conformation-dependent manner. Conversely, Rb(+) and Cs(+) are found to bind only opportunistically to minor groove elements of the DNA, in particular at narrow AT dinucleotide sites.

Structural insight into the sequence dependence of nucleosome positioning.

Nucleosome positioning displays sequence dependency and contributes to genomic regulation in a site-specific manner. We solved the structures of nucleosome core particle composed of strong positioning TTTAA elements flanking the nucleosome center. The positioning strength of the super flexible TA dinucleotide is consistent with its observed central location within minor groove inward regions, where it can contribute maximally to energetically challenging minor groove bending, kinking and compression.

Using soft X-rays for a detailed picture of divalent metal binding in the nucleosome.

Divalent metals associate with DNA in a site-selective manner, which can influence nucleosome positioning, mobility, compaction, and recognition by nuclear factors. We previously characterized divalent metal binding in the nucleosome core using hard (short-wavelength) X-rays allowing high-resolution crystallographic determination of the strongest affinity sites, which revealed that Mn(2+) associates with the DNA major groove in a sequence- and conformation-dependent manner. In this study, we obtained diffraction data with soft X-rays at the Mn(2+) absorption edge for a core particle crystal in the presence of 10 mM MnSO(4), mimicking prevailing Mg(2+) concentration in the nucleus.

Fronto-striatal correlates of impaired implicit sequence learning in major depression: an fMRI study.

Background: Neural network models of major depression (MD) suggest that the striatum is involved in the pathophysiology and is linked to key cognitive and clinical features. However, functional imaging studies have largely assessed the prefrontal cortex and have utilised emotional paradigms. This study sought to probe the integrity of fronto-striatal circuits using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in conjunction with a theoretically-driven motor sequencing implicit learning (IL) task.

The use of mentoring programs to improve energy balance behaviors in high-risk children.

This study tested the impact of a multicomponent intervention entitled "Partners of all Ages Reading About Diet and Exercise" (PARADE) a child-focused energy balance intervention incorporated into mentoring programs. We used a group randomized nested cohort design randomizing mentoring program sites (n = 119) and children (N = 782; females = 49%; African American = 37%; mean (s.d.

Differential expression of neuroligin genes in the nervous system of zebrafish.

The establishment and maturation of appropriate synaptic connections is crucial in the development of neuronal circuits. Cellular adhesion is believed to play a central role in this process. Neuroligins are neuronal cell adhesion molecules that are hypothesized to act in the initial formation and maturation of synaptic connections.

DNA stretching in the nucleosome facilitates alkylation by an intercalating antitumour agent.

DNA stretching in the nucleosome core can cause dramatic structural distortions, which may influence compaction and factor recognition in chromatin. We find that the base pair unstacking arising from stretching-induced extreme minor groove kinking near the nucleosome centre creates a hot spot for intercalation and alkylation by a novel anticancer compound. This may have far reaching implications for how chromatin structure can influence binding of intercalator species and indicates potential for the development of site selective DNA-binding agents that target unique conformational features of the nucleosome.

An engineered solution to the maladministration of spinal injections.

Background: An overview is provided of the progress made in a Department of Health (DH) initiative to implement an engineered solution to the maladministration of spinal injections. In an effort to eliminate the possibility of misconnection errors at the spinal route, the DH is investigating the potential for dedicated spinal equipment that will be incompatible with standard Luer syringes, needles and associated devices.

Method: Background information on the problem of misconnection errors is provided and a systematic approach to their eradication is detailed.

Safety, tolerability, and cerebrospinal fluid penetration of ursodeoxycholic Acid in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive degenerative disease, which typically leads to death in 3 to 5 years. Neuronal cell death offers a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Ursodeoxycholic acid is a cytoprotective, endogenous bile acid that has been shown to be neuroprotective in experimental Huntington and Alzheimer diseases, retinal degeneration, and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Colorectal foreign bodies: a systematic review.

Aim: To perform a systematic review of the published reports on retained colorectal foreign bodies (CFBs) to collate the features and formulate a simple management plan based on the available evidence.

Method: An extensive search was carried out to identify articles on CFBs. The search was carried out on electronic databases Cinahl, Embase, Medline, PubMed and PsychInfo from 1950 to January 2009.

Being liked activates primary reward and midline self-related brain regions.

The experience of being liked is a key social event and fundamental to motivating human behavior, though little is known about its neural underpinnings. In this study, we examined the experience of being liked in a group of 15- to 24-year-old: a cohort for whom forming friendships has a great degree of salience, and for whom the explicit representation of relationships is familiar from their frequent use of social networking technologies. Study participants (n = 19) were led to believe that other participants had formed an opinion on their likability based on their appearance in a photograph, and during fMRI scanning viewed the photographs of people who had purportedly responded favorably to them (alongside photographs of control participants).

Alternative high school students: prevalence and correlates of overweight.

Objective: To determine prevalence and correlates of overweight among adolescents attending alternative high schools (AHS).

Methods: AHS students (n=145) from 6 schools completed surveys and anthropometric measures. Cross-sectional associations were assessed using mixed model multivariate logistic regression.

Providing obesity prevention counseling to children during a primary care clinic visit: results from a pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate parent response to a clinic-based primary prevention intervention to increase the proportion of 5- to 10-year-old children receiving annual body mass index screening and counseling about physical activity, dietary practices, and sedentary practices. A posttest-only, quasiexperimental design was used. Two clinics that provide routine health care to school-aged children agreed to participate in the pilot study.

Platinum drug adduct formation in the nucleosome core alters nucleosome mobility but not positioning.

Nucleosome positioning and reorganization regulate DNA site exposure in chromatin. Platinum anticancer agents form DNA adducts that disrupt nuclear activities, triggering apoptosis. Mechanistic insight would aid in the development of improved therapies to circumvent drug toxicity and resistance.

Munchausen's syndrome presenting as rectal foreign body insertion: a case report.

Background: This case report shows that Munchausen's syndrome can present as rectal foreign body insertion. Although the presentation of rectal foreign bodies has frequently been described in the medical literature, the insertion of foreign bodies into the rectum for reasons other than sexual gratification has rarely been considered.

Case Presentation: A 30 year old, unmarried Caucasian male presented with a history of having been sexually assaulted five days earlier in a nearby city by a group of unknown males.

Chromatin - a new, old drug target?

Chromatin is the therapeutic target for DNA-binding medicinal agents, yet we know substantially more about the interaction of drugs with naked DNA. Current research is unraveling a dynamic gene- and transcription state-dependent structure for human chromatin and also unveiling differences in nucleosome positioning between cancer and normal cells. Considering observations on the modulation of DNA drug binding and adduct repair by histone packaging suggests potential for targeting specific sites within nucleosomes that coincide with weak points of cancer cells.

The risk for impaired learning-related abilities in childhood and educational attainment among adults born near-term.

Objective: To examine whether near-term births (NTB) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants are at high risk for childhood learning-related problems and poor adult educational attainment, and whether poverty amplifies the adverse effects of NTB and SGA on those outcomes.

Methods: A randomly selected birth cohort (n = 1,619) was followed into adulthood. IQ and learning abilities were measured in childhood and educational attainment was measured in adulthood.