Control of human papillomavirus gene expression by alternative splicing

Human papillomaviruses possess circular double stranded DNA genomes of around 8 kb in size from which multiple mRNAs are synthesized during an infectious life cycle. Although at least three viral promoters are used to initiate transcription, viral mRNAs are largely the product of processing of pre-mRNAs by alternative splicing and polyadenylation. The HPV life cycle and viral gene expression are tightly linked to differentiation of the epithelium the virus infects: there is an orchestrated production of viral mRNAs and proteins. In this review we describe viral mRNA expression and the roles of the SR and hnRNP proteins that respectively positively and negatively regulate splicing. We discuss HPV regulation of splicing factors and detail the evidence that the papillomavirus E2 protein has splicing-related activities. We highlight the possibility that HPV-mediated control of splicing in differentiating epithelial cells may be necessary to accomplish the viral replication cycle

Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Single Osteoclast Resorption Assay

The present studies relate to the single or isolated osteoclastic resorption function assay which we introduced in 1983 to overcome objections to assays based upon measurements of calcium release from bones, in which it was never strictly controlled whether the mechanism involved the destruction of bone with the formation of classical Howship\u27s lacunae. The method may prove to be quite popular in the near future and has already been adopted by other research groups. In previous work, we had utilised stereo-photogrammetry of scanning electron micrographs to measure the depth, volume and other parameters of the individual lacunae. However, increasing experience with the method has suggested that we can await a wide range of biological variability in single cell function in any one experiment. We have therefore tested other methods from which data could be obtained more rapidly to permit a better statistical analysis, albeit with reduced accuracy, of each resorption complex. The main aim of the studies reported here was to evaluate various methods of optical and scanning electron microscopy that can be used for the visualization of osteoclasts and their associated resorption lacunae generated in vitro in slabs of dentine and bone. Optical microscopy was found to be complementary to SEM, enabling vital microscopy of unstained and stained cells. In particular, oblique illumination LM and tandem scanning reflected LM (TSRLM) proved to be of paramount value for this purpose. Fixed coated specimens could be most rapidly scanned for resorption lacunae using darkfield reflected LM or TSRLM

Nuevos análisis sobre la colección cerámica de la localidad arqueológica de Cañada Honda (Baradero, provincia de Buenos Aires)

La localidad arqueológica de Cañada Honda se compone de siete sitios o “paraderos” ubicados en el partido bonaerense de Baradero que fueron excavados hace más de medio siglo por José Bonaparte, Juan Pisano y su equipo. En estos trabajos se extrajeron diversos materiales arqueológicos prehispánicos, entre los cuales la alfarería muestra una elevada representación. La colección cerámica de esta localidad fue analizada por diferentes investigadores a lo largo del tiempo bajo distintos interrogantes. En este trabajo se presenta el estudio morfológico, decorativo e iconográfico de la alfarería con el objetivo de comprender las elecciones tecnológicas tomadas por los/as artesanos/as en el pasado y discutir procesos de interacción social en la cuenca inferior del río Paraná considerando las asociaciones que han sido planteadas previamente

The Comparative and Usefulness of Platelet Distribution Width in Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Identifying risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is important for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Abnormal platelet parameters, mainly platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) are thought to be among these risk factors because platelet activation plays a pivotal role in ACS. PDW is a more specific marker of platelet activation, since it does not increase during simple platelet swelling. In this study, the comparison of risk factors along with the PDW between Non ST-Elevation ACS (NSTEACS) and ST-Elevation ACS (STEACS) were investigated.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, patients with ACS that admitted at dr.Wahidin Sudirohusodo General Hospital Makassar since December 2014 to March 2015 who undergo coronary angiography were enrolled. All data variables were taken according to the medical record. PDW was taken on first blood examination at hospital admission. Data was significant if p-value <0.05 and wasprocessed with SPSS version 16.RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled. There were significantly higher PDW (p=0.047) in STEACS group (13.7±2.0 fL) than in NSTEACS group (12.6±2.3 fL). There were a significant positive correlation between PDW value and SYNTAX scores (Pearson, r=0.552, p=0.000). Cardiovascular risk factors such as history of ACS before (p=0.049 & OR=10.216) and dyslipidemia (p=0.049 & OR=3.915) along with PDW (p=0.003 & OR=1.733) were significant predictor of the incidence of multivessel disease in patient with ACS.CONCLUSION: An increased PDW may predicting more severe disease in ACS based on incidence of STEACS and multivessel disease more often and higher SYNTAX score

Perfectionism and beliefs about emotions in adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and their parents: A Preliminary Investigation in a Case Control Study nested within a cohort

Objectives: To investigate perfectionism and beliefs about emotions in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and their parents.Design: Case-control comparing adolescents (age 11–18) with CFS (N = 121), asthma (N = 27) and healthy controls (N = 78) with a 3-month follow up for CFS participants.Main outcome measures: Adolescents: Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, physical functioning, Beliefs about Emotions scale (BES), Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS). Parents: BES, FMPS, Self—sacrificing scale, Affective styles questionnaire.Results: Adolescents with CFS did not consistently report higher levels of perfectionism and unhelpful beliefs about emotions than adolescents with asthma or healthy adolescents. Mothers’ and adolescents’ beliefs about emotions and unhelpful perfectionism were significantly associated (p = .007). Linear regression found that neither adolescent perfectionism nor beliefs about emotions accounted for variance in subsequent fatigue or physical functioning.Conclusion: Parental perfectionism and emotion regulation style may contribute to perfectionism in adolescents with CFS. Parental representations could contribute to fatigue maintenance

Perfectionism and beliefs about emotions in adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and their parents: A Preliminary Investigation in a Case Control Study nested within a cohort

Objectives: To investigate perfectionism and beliefs about emotions in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and their parents.Design: Case-control comparing adolescents (age 11–18) with CFS (N = 121), asthma (N = 27) and healthy controls (N = 78) with a 3-month follow up for CFS participants.Main outcome measures: Adolescents: Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, physical functioning, Beliefs about Emotions scale (BES), Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale, Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS). Parents: BES, FMPS, Self—sacrificing scale, Affective styles questionnaire.Results: Adolescents with CFS did not consistently report higher levels of perfectionism and unhelpful beliefs about emotions than adolescents with asthma or healthy adolescents. Mothers’ and adolescents’ beliefs about emotions and unhelpful perfectionism were significantly associated (p = .007). Linear regression found that neither adolescent perfectionism nor beliefs about emotions accounted for variance in subsequent fatigue or physical functioning.Conclusion: Parental perfectionism and emotion regulation style may contribute to perfectionism in adolescents with CFS. Parental representations could contribute to fatigue maintenance

Psychometric properties of the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) in adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Background:To better understand the maintenance of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a valid and reliable measure of cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms is required. Such a measure could also assess beliefs and coping behaviours in the context of fatigue in other somatic conditions.Aims:We aimed to establish the psychometric properties of both the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) and its shortened version (CBRQ-S) in adolescents with CFS.Method:The full questionnaire was completed by a clinical cohort of adolescents (n = 121) presenting to specialist CFS units in the UK.Results:Both the CBRQ and CBRQ-S had good internal consistency. The CBRQ scores were strongly associated with depression, anxiety, school and social functioning, but weakly associated with fatigue and physical functioning, providing evidence of validity.Conclusion:Both the 40-item and the 18-item versions of the CBRQ were found to be reliable and valid in adolescents with CFS. To minimize unnecessary burden, the 18-item version is favoured. Using this assessment tool in future studies, including intervention studies, may help to better target interventions during clinical practice and improve outcomes.<br/