Separation anxiety: the etiology of nondisjunction in flies and people

Two new studies examine the recombinational history of humanchromosomes that nondisjoin at the first meiotic division infemales. Our analysis of these studies suggests two possibleetiologies of nondisjunction in terms of well-understood propertiesof chromosome mechanics. For both the X chromosome and for chromosome21, 60–70% of nondisjoined chromosomes are derived fromchlasmate bivalents, many of which display unusual patternsof exchange. The patterns of exchange and nondisjunction observedfor human chromosome 21 parallel those exhibited by a mutationin Drosophila that impairs spindle assembly and function. Basedon these similarities, we propose that nondisjunction of chromosome21 in human females results from an age-dependent loss of spindle-formingability. The recombinational histories of nondisjoining humanX chromosomes are quite different from those of chromosome 21,but rather parallel those obtained for spontaneous nondisjunctionin Drosophila females. The data for X chromosome disjunctionin both species can be explained by a model in which nondisjunctionis the consequence of the age-dependent movement of transposableelements. According to this model, nondisjunction is explainedas the consequence of the repair of transposon-induced breaksin the DNA. Both models provide reasonable alternatives to biologicallyimplausible explanations such as the ‘production linehypothesis’.     

Health behaviors and their determinants in multiethnic, active Israeli seniors

To assess factors that affect the adoption of healthy lifestyles among a variety of active Israeli seniors, a survey was conducted in 2002 at the Peiluyada, a physical activity-oriented health fair for seniors held annually in Israel from 1995 to 2002. A multi-language, self-administered questionnaire, assessing predisposing factors, barriers and health-protective behaviors, was fielded to potential participants. Response rate at the event was 51%. Hebrew and Arabic speakers generally characterized their health as good to very good, while Russian speakers' health was rated only poor to fair. Over 80% engaged in regular physical activity, were satisfied with their diet, and conformed to international nutritional recommendations. Vaccination coverage against influenza (81%) and pneumocccocus (58%) was highest among Arabic speakers, and lowest among Russian speakers (33.5% and 12%, respectively). Higher age (> or =75 years) was significantly associated with receiving a vaccination against influenza. Major barriers to exercise included low motivation and poor physical health or disability. Health-related dietary restrictions were the leading nutritional barrier. Prominent barriers to vaccination included concerns about vaccine effectiveness (39%) and side effects (29%). Leading cues to action were a recommendation from one's doctor (67%) and from a healthcare worker (51%).     

Quality of primary health care in China: an analysis of data from a nationwide longitudinal survey

Background

China has made remarkable efforts and achievements since its health reform in 2009, yet there are substantial knowledge gaps in the quality of primary health care (PHC) in China. We aimed to assess the quality of PHC in China by analysing hospital admission rates among diabetics, a frequently used quality indicator for PHC.

Trypanosome microtubule-associated protein p15 as a vaccine for the prevention of African sleeping sickness

Trypanosomes cause African sleeping sickness, affecting millions of humans and animals. We tested trypanosome microtubule-associate protein (MAP p15) as a vaccine in mice, and show that p15 (native or recombinant) generated up to 100% protection from an otherwise lethal challenge of a heterologous strain of Trypanosoma brucei. We also tested the adenovirus as a vaccine delivery system and show that both adenoviral vector containing p15 gene or control adenovirus containing lacZ gene generated a protective response and exhibited strong CD8+ T-cell proliferation. These results suggest that the p15 protein itself is an effective vaccine and that the adenovirus may be used to mount a non-specific cellular immune response.     

Identification of Bacillus anthracis by multiprobe microarray hybridization

We have developed a rapid assay based on microarray analysis of amplified genetic markers for reliable identification of Bacillus anthracis and its discrimination from other closely related bacterial species of the Bacillus cereus group. By combining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of six B. anthracis-specific genes (plasmid-associated genes encoding virulence factors (cyaA, pagA, lef, and capA, capB, capC) and one chromosomal marker BA-5449) with analysis of amplicons by microarray hybridization, we were able to unambiguously identify and discriminate B. anthracis among other closely related species. Bacillus identification relied on hybridization with multiple individual microarray oligonucleotide probes (oligoprobes) specific to each target B. anthracis gene. Evaluation of the assay was conducted using several B. anthracis strains (with or without pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids) as well as over 50 other species phylogenetically related to B. anthracis, including B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. mycoides, and B. subtilis. The developed microarray analysis of amplified genetic markers protocol provides an efficient method for (i) unambiguous identification and discrimination of B. anthracis from other Bacillus species and (ii) distinguishing between plasmid-containing and plasmid-free Bacillus anthracis strains.     

Genetic and genomic tools for zebrafish research: the NIH zebrafish initiative.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been a leading advocate of the zebrafish as a model organism for the study of vertebrate development, physiology, and disease. Genomic tools, developed with the support of NIH funding, have made zebrafish even more attractive as a genetic system and have stimulated research using this model. The NIH continues to provide support for new and existing community resources, such as the Zebrafish International Resource Center and the Zebrafish Information Network, research tool development and mutant screens, and a wide array of investigator-initiated studies that are using zebrafish to elucidate many aspects of vertebrate biology.     

Elevated membrane IgA+ and CD4+ (T helper) populations in murine Peyer's patch and splenic lymphocytes during dietary administration of the trichothecene vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol)

Recent investigations indicate that dietary exposure to the trichothecene vomitoxin increases total and antigen-specific serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and glomerular IgA accumulation in mice. In this study, the effects of 25 ppm dietary vomitoxin on the histological and lymphocytic profile of component immune organs in the mucosal lymphocyte migratory pathway were evaluated in the B6C3F1 mouse. Vomitoxin administration resulted in marked stimulation of the size and frequency of germinal centres in Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. A slight increase in the percentage of B cells in the Peyer's patch was observed, although vomitoxin treatment had no effect on the percentage of B cells in the spleen. The percentage of IgA+ cells in Peyer's patches and spleen were approximately twice that of controls at 4, 8 and 12 wk of vomitoxin exposure whereas the percentage of IgG+ cells decreased in these two organs. Exposure to vomitoxin increased the percentage of T cells in Peyer's patches and the spleen. The percentage of CD4+ cells (T helper subset) increased slightly in Peyer's patches and more markedly (30-50%) in the spleen following vomitoxin treatment. Contrastingly, there was only a slight increase in the percentage of CD8+ cells (T cytotoxic/suppressor subset) in the spleens of vomitoxin-treated mice in comparison with controls, and no effect in Peyer's patches. The relative effects of vomitoxin on these two T cells populations was also reflected in increased CD4+: CD8+ ratios in Peyer's patches and spleen. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that dietary vomitoxin modulates normal regulation of the IgA response at the Peyer's patch level and that this is manifested in an altered lymphocyte distribution pattern in both the mucosal and systemic compartment. Notably increased levels of IgA+ and CD4+ cells are indicative of IgA-producing progenitors and T helper subsets, respectively, that in tandem could favour IgA hyperproduction and elevated IgA in serum.     

For-profit and not-for-profit nursing homes in Israel: do they differ with respect to quality of care?

There has long been concern whether care is better in for-profit (FP) or not-for-profit (NFP) nursing homes (NHs). In order to answer this question in the Israeli context, a cross-sectional study of quality was undertaken, as measured by the Ministry of Health (MoH) assessment teams. We examined a convenience sample of 127 NHs (48 NFP, 79 FP), comprising approximately three quarters of Israel's 193 such institutions at the time of the study (1998-2001). A 100-point composite scale was designed derived from the detailed assessments of seven different professions. The quality of care on average was better in NFP (67/100 points) compared to FP (55/100 points) institutions (p<0.01). This differential was maintained even after adjusting for potential confounders such as the daily rate paid, institutional size and staffing levels. While homes belonging to both sectors were to be found among those receiving good to excellent grades, only FPs received lower quality scores. We conclude that in Israel, as in many other jurisdictions studied, FP NHs provide poorer care than NFPs, possibly due to a conflict between the demands of patient care and the desire to maximize profits in the FP institutions.