MOPED: method for optimizing physical energy parameters using decoys.

We present a method called MOPED for optimizing energetic and structural parameters in computational models, including all-atom energy functions, when native structures and decoys are given. The present method goes beyond previous approaches in treating energy functions that are nonlinear in the parameters and continuous in the degrees of freedom. We illustrate the method by improving solvation parameters in the energy function EEF1, which consists of the CHARMM19 polar hydrogen force field augmented by a Gaussian solvation term.

Cancer, Cancer Risk Factors, and Community-Based Cancer Control Trials in Vietnamese Americans.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of cancer in Vietnamese Americans and reviews some of the successful intervention strategies that have been accomplished in Northern California. FINDINGS: Preventable cancers are among the leading causes of death in Vietnamese Americans, who have higher than average rates of smoking and lower than average rates for breast and cervical cancer screening, and lower rates of hepatitis B vaccination. Community­based intervention trials have shown good success in reducing these risk factors.

Electron paramagnetic resonance study utilizing stripping method on normal human stratum corneum.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of nitroxide spin probes are useful for studying biological membranes, and chemical-membrane interaction. The objective of this study was to assess the fluidity of stripped stratum corneum (SC) of normal human skin with EPR. METHODS: We quantified the fluidity of stripped SC (S-SC) by a single stripping with cyanoacrylate onto quartz glass, cover glass or transparent film.

Electron paramagnetic resonance: a new techniquein skin research.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of nitroxide spin probes have been used for studying biological membranes and chemical-membrane interaction. We have investigated the influence of surfactants on the intercellular lipid structure of cadaver stratum corneum and the possibility of EPR spectral measurements on the stripped stratum corneum utilizing cyanoacrylate resin, which might reflect the actual skin lipid conditions. CONCLUSION: EPR spectra are useful in evaluating the fluidity measurement of stratum corneum of cadaver skin and stripped stratum corneum.

Coping with grim news from genetic tests.

Clinicians need to recognize and respond to stress response syndromes that may occur after patients have received genetic testing for inherited susceptibility to serious diseases. For patients whose test results convey high risk, increased attention to prevention, surveillance, and early medical treatment may be possible, but the grim news may also lead to a formation of symptoms ranging from extreme denial to unwelcomed intrusive ideas and feelings. Genetic counseling alone may be insufficient for some people, and evaluation and psychotherapy for stress response syndromes may be indicated for them.

Functional consequences of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus protease structure: regulation of activity and dimerization by conserved structural elements.

The structure of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus protease (KSHV Pr), at 2.2 A resolution, reveals the active-site geometry and defines multiple possible target sites for drug design against a human cancer-producing virus. The catalytic triad of KSHV Pr, (Ser114, His46, and His157) and transition-state stabilization site are arranged as in other structurally characterized herpesviral proteases.

Changing women's health, changing nursing practice.

Women's health is a field of study and health care that is of the highest concern for nurses, both from a professional and personal standpoint. It is imperative that those in nursing practice, education, and research be knowledgeable about, prepared for, able to advocate for, and participate in the transformation of health care policy and practice. The changing health care patterns and changing health care delivery system influencing the future of women's health are discussed.

A crucial role for Pax3 in the development of the hypaxial musculature and the long-range migration of muscle precursors.

Activated by dorsalizing and lateralizing signals, the Pax3 gene is an early marker for the entire paraxial mesoderm and its dorsal derivative, the dermomyotome. Later, its expression becomes restricted to the lateral dermomyotome and to the migratory muscle precursors giving rise to the hypaxial musculature. To understand better the role that Pax3 plays during development of paraxial mesoderm-derived structures, we followed the development of the musculature and skeleton in the murine Pax3 mutant Splotch.

Domain flexibility in retroviral proteases: structural implications for drug resistant mutations.

Rigid body rotation of five domains and movements within their interfacial joints provide a rational context for understanding why HIV protease mutations that arise in drug resistant strains are often spatially removed from the drug or substrate binding sites. Domain motions associated with substrate binding in the retroviral HIV-1 and SIV proteases are identified and characterized. These motions are in addition to closure of the flaps and result from rotations of approximately 6-7 degrees at primarily hydrophobic interfaces.

Are children's early emotions antecedents to risk taking?

Purpose: To explore the processes by which early emotional experiences affect behavior and to investigate the use of basic development characteristics to guide primary care.

Method: A randomized cohort of 74 children from a wide range of socio-economic classes were followed from infancy until 54 months of age. Children were assessed at 2 days, 12, 18 and 54 months by laboratory tests and maternal report.

Parasites and T helper cell development: some insights.

Five years after the initial observations implicating the T helper (Th)-cell dichotomy (Th1/Th2) as the focal point in the immunoregulation of murine infection with Leishmania major, investigation has shifted to the factors that govern the differentiation of a specific immune response from its pre-immune of undifferentiated state. In this article, Steven Reiner focuses on the most recent advances concerning the lineage commitment of mature Th-cell populations, showing how new techniques [such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and transgenic mice] have allowed for a more-careful dissection of the early evolution of an immune response.

A late role for a subset of neurogenic genes to limit sensory precursor recruitments in Drosophila embryos.

In Drosophila, mutations in a class of genes, the neurogenic genes, produce an excess of neurons. This neural hyperplasia has been attributed to the formation of more than the normal number of neuronal precursor cells at the expense of epidermal cells. In order to find out whether the neurogenic genes only act at this intial step of neurogenesis, we studied the replication pattern of the sensory organ precursor cells by monitoring BrdU incorporation in embryos mutant for Notch (N), Delta (Dl), mastermind (mam), almondex (amx), neuralized (neu), big brain (bib) and the Enhancer of split-Complex (E(spl)-C).

The need for tail coverage in medical malpractice insurance.

In today's litigious society, it is more important than ever that physicians purchase "tail" coverage--that is, insurance for claims asserted after the period covered by their basic insurance arising from occurrences during the insured period. This article describes the tail of a medical malpractice insurance policy, the need for and purpose of tail coverage, the methods of pricing such coverage, and the problems associated with the tail coverage provisions of medical professional liability insurance.

A gandhian model of health: Looking at Alzheimer's disease.

Mahatma Gandhi was often criticized for mixing religion, politics, economics, and health. However, it was his very insistence on the fundamental interrelationship of all aspects of life that gives his ideas such relevance for today's problems. This paper focuses on his views on health and attempts to develop a Gandhian model of health that has relevance for us today.