CRPV Genomes with Synonymous Codon Optimizations in the CRPV E7 Gene Show Phenotypic Differences in Growth and Altered Immunity upon E7 Vaccination

Papillomaviruses use rare codons relative to their hosts. Recent studies have demonstrated that synonymous codon changes in viral genes can lead to increased protein production when the codons are matched to those of cells in which the protein is being expressed. We theorized that the immunogenicity of the virus would be enhanced by matching codons of selected viral genes to those of the host. We report here that synonymous codon changes in the E7 oncogene are tolerated in the context of the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) genome. Papilloma growth rates differ depending upon the changes made indicating that synonymous codons are not necessarily neutral. Immunization with wild type E7 DNA yielded significant protection from subsequent challenge by both wild type and codon-modified genomes. The reduction in growth was most dramatic with the genome containing the greatest number of synonymous codon changes

How parents choose to use CAM: a systematic review of theoretical models

Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is widely used throughout the UK and the Western world. CAM is commonly used for children and the decision-making process to use CAM is affected by numerous factors. Most research on CAM use lacks a theoretical framework and is largely based on bivariate statistics. The aim of this review was to identify a conceptual model which could be used to explain the decision-making process in parental choice of CAM. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was carried out. A two-stage selection process with predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria identified studies using a theoretical framework depicting the interaction of psychological factors involved in the CAM decision process. Papers were critically appraised and findings summarised. Results: Twenty two studies using a theoretical model to predict CAM use were included in the final review; only one examined child use. Seven different models were identified. The most commonly used and successful model was Andersen's Sociobehavioural Model (SBM). Two papers proposed modifications to the SBM for CAM use. Six qualitative studies developed their own model. Conclusion: The SBM modified for CAM use, which incorporates both psychological and pragmatic determinants, was identified as the best conceptual model of CAM use. This model provides a valuable framework for future research, and could be used to explain child CAM use. An understanding of the decision making process is crucial in promoting shared decision making between healthcare practitioners and parents and could inform service delivery, guidance and policy

Volcano�ice interactions at Prestahnukur, Iceland: rhyolite eruption during the last interglacial�glacial transition.

Prestahnukur is a 570m high rhyolite glaciovolcanic edifice in Iceland�s Western Rift Zone with a volume of 0.6 km3. Uniform whole rock, mineral and glass compositions suggest that Prestahnukur was constructed during the eruption of one magma batch. Ar-Ar dating gives an age of 8924 ka, which implies eruption during the transition (Oxygen Isotope substages 5d to 5a) between the Eemian interglacial and the Weichselian glacial period. Prestahnukur is unique among published accounts of rhyolite tuyas because a base of magmatically-fragmented tephra appears to be absent. Instead, basal exposures consist of glassy lava lobes and coarse hyaloclastite, above which are single and multiple lava sheets with matrix-supported basal breccias and hyaloclastite upper carapaces. Steepening ramp structures at sheet termini are interpreted as ice-contact features. Interactions between erupting magma and water/ice have affected all lithologies. A preliminary model for the construction of Prestahnukur involves an effusive subglacial eruption between 2�19 years duration which never became emergent, into an ice sheet over 700m thick. If 700m of ice had built up during this interglacial�glacial transition, this would corroborate models arguing for the swift accumulation of land-based ice in rapid response to global cooling

Chemical composition of gahnite and degree of pegmatitic fractionation in the Borborema Pegmatitic Province, northeastern Brazil

Gahnite electron probe microanalyses from three pegmatites (Mirador, Capoeira and Quintos) of the Borborema Pegmatitic Province in northeastern Brazil allowed to determine molar compositions ranging from 86.22 to 95.41 mol% gahnite (ZnAl2O4), 1.51 to 6.62 mol% hercynite (Fe2+Al2O4), 0.11 to 5.89 mol% spinel (MgAl2O4), 1.48 to 2.74 mol% galaxite (MnAl2O4), and Zn/FeTotal atomic ratios ranging from 11.53 to 60.87. These data compared with gahnite compositions from albite subtype pegmatites from Cap de Creus, Spain (Zn/FeTotal between 10 and 60) and from the source granite of the Separation Rapids pegmatite field, Ontario, Canada (Zn/FeTotal =3.5) indicate a high degree of fractionation of the studied pegmatites. This interpretation agrees with conclusions based on compositional data of tourmaline (vacancy in X-site 0.42 to 0.49), white mica (K/Rb between 8 and 33), feldspar (K/Rb between 8 and 109), garnet (Mn/(Mn+Fe2+)between 0.93 and 0.97) and in Nb-Ta oxides (Mn/(Mn+Fe2+)>0.5) in the same pegmatites.<br>Análises via microssonda eletrônica de gahnita de três pegmatitos (Mirador, Capoeira e Quintos) da Província Pegmatítica da Borborema, no Nordeste do Brasil, permitiram estabelecer uma composição molar variando entre 86,22 e 95,41 mol% de gahnita (ZnAl2O4), 1,51 e 6,62 mol% de hercinita (Fe2+Al2O4), 0,11 e 5,89 mol% de espinélio (MgAl2O4), 1,48 e 2,74 mol% de galaxita (MnAl2O4) e relação Zn/FeTotal variando entre 11,53 e 60,87. Estes dados comparados com os de gahnita dos pegmatitos subtipo albita de Cap de Creus, Espanha (Zn/FeTotal variando entre 10 e 60) e gahnita de fonte granítica do campo pegmatítico Separation Rapids, Ontário, Canadá (Zn/FeTotal = 3,5) indicam um alto grau de fracionamento dos pegmatitos estudados. Esta interpretação está de acordo com conclusões baseadas em dados de turmalina (vacância no sítio X variando entre 0,42 a 0,49), mica clara (K/Rb variando entre 8 e 33), feldspato (K/Rb variando entre 8 e 109), granada (Mn/(Mn+Fe2+)variando entre 0,93 e 0,97) e óxidos de Nb-Ta (Mn/(Mn+Fe2+)> 0, 5), nos mesmos pegmatitos