Widespread Endogenization of Genome Sequences of Non-Retroviral RNA Viruses into Plant Genomes

Non-retroviral RNA virus sequences (NRVSs) have been found in the chromosomes of vertebrates and fungi, but not plants. Here we report similarly endogenized NRVSs derived from plus-, negative-, and double-stranded RNA viruses in plant chromosomes. These sequences were found by searching public genomic sequence databases, and, importantly, most NRVSs were subsequently detected by direct molecular analyses of plant DNAs. The most widespread NRVSs were related to the coat protein (CP) genes of the family Partitiviridae which have bisegmented dsRNA genomes, and included plant- and fungus-infecting members. The CP of a novel fungal virus (Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 2, RnPV2) had the greatest sequence similarity to Arabidopsis thaliana ILR2, which is thought to regulate the activities of the phytohormone auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Furthermore, partitivirus CP-like sequences much more closely related to plant partitiviruses than to RnPV2 were identified in a wide range of plant species. In addition, the nucleocapsid protein genes of cytorhabdoviruses and varicosaviruses were found in species of over 9 plant families, including Brassicaceae and Solanaceae. A replicase-like sequence of a betaflexivirus was identified in the cucumber genome. The pattern of occurrence of NRVSs and the phylogenetic analyses of NRVSs and related viruses indicate that multiple independent integrations into many plant lineages may have occurred. For example, one of the NRVSs was retained in Ar. thaliana but not in Ar. lyrata or other related Camelina species, whereas another NRVS displayed the reverse pattern. Our study has shown that single- and double-stranded RNA viral sequences are widespread in plant genomes, and shows the potential of genome integrated NRVSs to contribute to resolve unclear phylogenetic relationships of plant species

The Biomolecular Interaction Network Database and related tools 2005 update

The Biomolecular Interaction Network Database (BIND) (http://bind.ca) archives biomolecular interaction, reaction, complex and pathway information. Our aim is to curate the details about molecular interactions that arise from published experimental research and to provide this information, as well as tools to enable data analysis, freely to researchers worldwide. BIND data are curated into a comprehensive machine-readable archive of computable information and provides users with methods to discover interactions and molecular mechanisms. BIND has worked to develop new methods for visualization that amplify the underlying annotation of genes and proteins to facilitate the study of molecular interaction networks. BIND has maintained an open database policy since its inception in 1999. Data growth has proceeded at a tremendous rate, approaching over 100 000 records. New services provided include a new BIND Query and Submission interface, a Standard Object Access Protocol service and the Small Molecule Interaction Database (http://smid.blueprint.org) that allows users to determine probable small molecule binding sites of new sequences and examine conserved binding residues

e-Learning for Educators Effects of On-Line Professional Development on Teachers and their Students: Executive Summary of Four Randomized Trials

Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in on-line delivery of professional development (OPD). This interest is driven largely by a desire to improve access to and convenience of professional development, as well as improve cost-efficiency. Despite this increased interest in OPD, there is a dearth of scientifically-based research exploring the effects of OPD on teacher and student outcomes. To address this lack of evidence, researchers at Boston College conducted a set of four randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of OPD on teacher knowledge, teacher practices, and student achievement. For two trials, the effect of teachers' participation on student practices was also examined.The four studies summarized in this executive brief are part of a larger project known as the e-Learning for Educators (efe) Project. The efe Project is a ten-state initiative designed to expand each state's capacity to deliver high-quality OPD that addresses teacher quality and student achievement needs. As part of the initiative, four randomized controlled trials were conducted with teachers from multiple states to evaluate the effects of OPD on teachers' knowledge and instructional practices, and on students' content knowledge and practices. The four independent trials employed the same research design, but focused on a single grade level and subject area: fourth grade English language arts (ELA), fifth grade mathematics, seventh grade ELA, and eighth grade mathematics. This executive brief summarizes findings from each of the four trials

e-Learning for Educators Effects of On-Line Professional Development on Teachers and their Students: Findings from Four Randomized Trials

The findings from the four studies presented in this report are part of a larger project known as the e-Learning for Educators (efe) Project. The efe Project is an eight-state initiative designed to expand each state's capacity to deliver high-quality OPD that addresses teacher quality and student achievement needs. As part of the initiative, four randomized controlled trials were conducted with teachers from multiple states to evaluate the effects of OPD on teachers' knowledge and instructional practices, and on students' content knowledge and practices.1 Each trial focused on a single grade level and subject area: fourth grade English language arts (ELA), fifth grade mathematics, seventh grade ELA, and eighth grade mathematics.This report presents findings from each of the four trials. Since the methodology employed for the trials was identical, the report begins by describing the research design. Subsequently, the unique details of each trial is presented in turn. First, the content of the OPD for each trial is described. Second, information about the sample and the data collection instruments employed for the trial is presented. Third, analyses that examine the treatment effects on teacher knowledge and practices, and the effects on student learning and practices are presented. Finally, the findings for each trial are summarized. After presenting each trial separately, the report then discusses limitations of the study design and summarizes the findings across the four trials

Intravenous apomorphine therapy in Parkinson's disease - Clinical and pharmacokinetic observations

Six patients with Parkinson's disease and refractory motor fluctuations, with severe subcutaneous (s,c,) nodule formation as a result of long-term s,c, apomorphine infusions, were switched to intravenous (i,v,) therapy via a long-term in-dwelling venous catheter, Five patients were followed-up for a mean of 7 months (range 0,5-18 months). All patients had plasma apomorphine concentrations measured at baseline during s,c, infusions and three had follow-up measurements when stabilized on i,v, therapy, to test the hypothesis that motor fluctuations in these patients are largely due to impaired absorption of apomorphine, The mean i,v, rate of 9.0 mg/h (range 5-14 mg) and 24-h dose of 256.7 mg (range 90-456 mg) of apomorphine were not significantly reduced compared with the s,c, route (9.24 mg/h and 243.4 mg), However, additional oral anti-parkinsonian medication was reduced by a mean of 59%, and 'off' time was virtually eliminated (mean reduction from 5.4 to 0.5 h per day, P < 0,05), There was also a significant reduction in dyskinesias and markedly improved quality of life. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated more reliable and smoother delivery of apomorphine via the i,v, route, although 'off' periods were not always explained by low plasma apomorphine concentrations. Complication rates were high and included three unforeseen hazardous intravascular thrombotic complications, secondary to apomorphine crystal accumulation, necessitating cardiothoracic surgery. We conclude that i,v, apomorphine therapy holds promise as a more effective way of controlling motor fluctuations than the s,c, route. However, further preclinical research is required before i,v, Britaject apomorphine can be recommended for routine clinical practice. Even when stable plasma apomorphine concentrations were achieved, motor fluctuations could not be totally eradicated, suggesting that postsynaptic receptor changes may also play a role in the refractory 'off' periods in these patients