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Background A growing body of research has documented the positive effects of gratitude programs on participants' mental health and well-being. For children and adolescents, these programs typically rely on school-based group designs tied with a health curriculum, whereas innovative technology-based programs are relatively understudied. Methods This experiment investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a gratitude text-messaging program for promoting adolescent mental health relative to a positive reflective control condition. Results Young people showed positive changes over the course of the program in their general sense of gratitude, subjective well-being, and reduced depressive symptoms, with some evidence that those with higher levels of depressive symptoms benefited more from the gratitude program. However, there were no significant differences across the two groups in the magnitude of these mental health changes. Participants in both conditions valued and were highly engaged with the interactive text-messaging approach. Conclusion This interactive e-health promotion strategy seemed to promote strong engagement and showed promising effectiveness with young people, with some challenges to feasibility due to the labor intensive nature of sending and responding to a large number of text-messages. The importance of carefully considering risk management strategies when developing such programs was also highlighted.

Over 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are validated in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene. They define haplotypes, which may differ in their activities. Therefore, mutation in cancer may occur at different rates depending upon haplotypes. However, these associations may be masked by differences in mutations types and causes of mutagenesis. We have analyzed the associations between 19 SNPs spanning the TP53 locus and a single specific aflatoxin-induced TP53 mutation (R249S) in 85 in hepatocellular carcinoma cases and 132 controls from Thailand. An association with R249S mutation (P = 0.007) was observed for a combination of two SNPs (rs17882227 and rs8064946) in a linkage disequilibrium block extending from upstream of exon 1 to the first half of intron 1. This domain contains two coding sequences overlapping with TP53 (WRAP53 and Hp53int1) suggesting that sequences in TP53 intron 1 encode transcripts that may modulate R249S mutation rate in HCC.

Data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 30-year prospective longitudinal study, were used to examine the associations between the quality of parent–child relations in adolescence and adult parenting behaviour 15 years later. At ages 14 and 15 years, cohort members were interviewed about the quality of their relationship with their parents. At age 30, those who had become parents underwent a parenting assessment using self-report and observational ratings of positive (warmth, sensitivity) and negative parenting (overreactive, inconsistency, and physical punishment/abuse). Results showed that adolescents who reported higher quality parent–child relationships were later characterized by higher levels of parental warmth, sensitivity, and effective child management, and lower levels of overreactive parenting. These associations remained after extensive covariate adjustment. Study findings highlight the importance of close parent–child relations during adolescence in preparing an individual for the challenges of caring for and parenting their own children when they themselves become parents.

An isotope dilution mass spectrometry method has been developed for the simultaneous measurement of picolinoyl derivatives of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17β-estradiol (E(2)), and 5α-androstan-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol) in rat intratesticular fluid. The method uses reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Following derivatization of 10-μL samples of testicular fluid with picolinoyl chloride hydrochloride, the samples were purified by solid phase extraction before analysis. The accuracy of the method was satisfactory for the 4 analytes at 3 concentrations, and both inter- and intraday reproducibility were satisfactory for T, DHT, and E(2). Measurements of intratesticular T concentrations in a group of 8 untreated adult rats by this method correlated well with measurements of the same samples by radioimmunoassay. As in men, there was considerable rat-to-rat variability in T concentration, despite the fact that the rats were inbred. Although its levels were more than an order of magnitude lower than those of T, DHT was measured reliably in all 8 intratesticular fluid samples. DHT concentration also varied from rat to rat and was highly correlated with T levels. The levels of E(2) and 3α-diol also were measurable. The availability of a sensitive method by which to measure steroids accurately and rapidly in the small volumes of intratesticular fluid obtainable from individual rats will make it possible to examine the effects, over time, of such perturbations as hormone and drug administration and environmental toxicant exposures on the intratesticular hormonal environment of exposed individual males and thereby to begin to understand differences in response between individuals.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) vascular type typically presents with significant vascular complications such as rupture of blood vessels, gravid uterus, or intestinal perforation. We report on a 24-year-old female that presents with deep vein thrombosis found to be due to compression by a large posterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm which ultimately leads to the patient's diagnosis. This case highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving vascular surgery, internal medicine, genetics, and other health care providers for patients with vascular type EDS.

Four studies employing a prototype approach tested the convergent and discriminant validity of a lay forgiveness representation. In Study 1, participants nominated a wide range of forgiveness features. In Study 2, participants rated the centrality of forgiveness features, which created a reliable graded structure from central to peripheral features. Study 3 tested the convergent validity of this lay forgiveness representation while controlling for several confounding variables. In Study 4, the discriminant validity of this lay forgiveness representation was tested through a categorization procedure. The findings replicate and extend prior research on forgiveness (Kearns & Fincham, 2004), and support the psychological reality of a lay forgiveness representation distinct from other victim responses.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequent in areas of high exposure to aflatoxin and high prevalence of HBV infection, such as western Africa and south-east China. A selective mutation in TP53 (AGG-->AGT at codon 249, Arg-->Ser) has been identified as a hotspot in HCCs from such areas, reflecting DNA damage caused by aflatoxin metabolites. Recent studies have shown that circulating free DNA can be retrieved from human plasma, and it is hypothesised that plasma DNA may serve as a source for biomarkers of tumorigenic processes. In our study, we have determined the prevalence of Ser-249 mutation, using a PCR-restriction digestion method, with selective use of short oligonucleotide mass spectrometry analysis (SOMA), in a series of 29 biopsy specimens of HCC from The Gambia in West Africa. Overall, we identified the Ser-249 mutation in 35% (10/29) of the tumours. In parallel, we tested 17 plasma samples from HCC patients with matching tumour tissue. The 249 status concordance between tumour tissues and matched plasma was 88.5%. These results indicate that the Ser-249 mutation is common in HCC in The Gambia (35%), although a higher prevalence has been reported in other regions with high population exposure to aflatoxin (e.g., eastern China: >50%). Moreover, our studies indicate that plasma is a convenient source of liver tumour-derived DNA, thus holding promise for earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer.

Caspases play a critical role in the execution of metazoan apoptosis and are thus attractive therapeutic targets for apoptosis-associated diseases. Here we report that baculovirus P49, a homolog of pancaspase inhibitor P35, prevents apoptosis in invertebrates by inhibiting an initiator caspase that is P35 insensitive. Consequently P49 blocked proteolytic activation of effector caspases at a unique step upstream from that affected by P35 but downstream from inhibitor of apoptosis Op-IAP. Like P35, P49 was cleaved by and stably associated with its caspase target. Ectopically expressed P49 blocked apoptosis in cultured cells from a phylogenetically distinct organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Furthermore, P49 inhibited human caspase-9, demonstrating its capacity to affect a vertebrate initiator caspase. Thus, P49 is a substrate inhibitor with a novel in vivo specificity for a P35-insensitive initiator caspase that functions at an evolutionarily conserved step in the caspase cascade. These data indicate that activated initiator caspases provide another effective target for apoptotic intervention by substrate inhibitors.

The aspartate-specific caspases are critical protease effectors of programmed cell death and consequently represent important targets for apoptotic intervention. Baculovirus P35 is a potent substrate inhibitor of metazoan caspases, a property that accounts for its unique effectiveness in preventing apoptosis in phylogenetically diverse organisms. Here we report the 2.2 A resolution crystal structure of P35, the first structure of a protein inhibitor of the death caspases. The P35 monomer possesses a solvent-exposed loop that projects from the protein's main beta-sheet core and positions the requisite aspartate cleavage site at the loop's apex. Distortion or destabilization of this reactive site loop by site-directed mutagenesis converted P35 to an efficient substrate which, unlike wild-type P35, failed to interact stably with the target caspase or block protease activity. Thus, cleavage alone is insufficient for caspase inhibition. These data are consistent with a new model wherein the P35 reactive site loop participates in a unique multi-step mechanism in which the spatial orientation of the loop with respect to the P35 core determines post-cleavage association and stoichiometric inhibition of target caspases.

The existence of histone H1 in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has long been debated. In this report we describe the presence of histone H1 in yeast. YPL127c, a gene encoding a protein with a high degree of similarity to histone H1 from other species was sequenced as part of the contribution of the Montreal Yeast Genome Sequencing Group to chromosome XVI. To reflect this similarity, the gene designation has been changed to HHO1 (Histone H One). The HHO1 gene is highly expressed as poly A+ RNA in yeast. Although deletion of this gene had no detectable effect on cell growth, viability or mating, it significantly altered the expression of β-galactosidase from a CYC1-lacZ reporter. Fluorescence observed in cells expressing a histone H1-GFP protein fusion indicated that histone H1 is localized to the nucleus.©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A binding site for the transcription factor Abf1p was identified as an important promoter element of the gene that encodes Rpo26, a subunit common to all three yeast nuclear RNA polymerases (RNAP). Mutations in the Abf1p binding site were identified among a pool of rpo26 mutant alleles that confer synthetic lethality in combination with a temperature-sensitive mutation (rpo21-4) in the gene that encodes the largest subunit of RNAPII (Rpo21p). In the presence of the wild-type allele of RPO21 these rpo26 promoter mutations confer a cold-sensitive growth defect. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays using purified Abf1p demonstrated that Abf1p binds to the RPO26 promoter and that the promoter mutations abolish this binding in vitro. Quantitation of the amount of RPO26 mRNA showed that mutations in the Abf1p binding site reduce the expression of RPO26 by approximately 60%. Mutations that affect Abf1p binding also result in a shift of the RPO26 transcriptional start sites to positions further upstream than normal. These results suggest that binding of the Abf1p transcription factor to the RPO26 promoter is important not only in establishing the level of transcription for this gene, but also in positioning the initiation sites of transcription.

Blooms of Hawaii's banana poka, Passiflora tripartita var. tripartita, grown at Ipiales, Colombia were found suitable for the completion of the life cycle of the fly Zapriothrica sp. The tubular flowers were an ideal habitat for the mating and reproduction of this minute Andean fly. Oviposition occurred only on immature flowers 30-20 days from bud opening. Eggs hatched 10–13 days after oviposition. Larvae averaged 1.3 × 0.3 mm at hatching, and 15 days after hatching at the end of the third larva instar averaged 5.2 × 1.0 mm. The light-brown pupa averaged 3.6 × 1.3 mm and required 40–45 days for completion of this stage. Adult flies averaged 5.1 × 1.3 mm and their life span was 7–10 days in captivity and 5–8 days in field cages. Mating was inside the flower tube and a minimum of five pairs of adults were required for copulation. Other Passiflora spp. of high elevation with tubular flowers were host of the insect. However, campanulate flowers, e.g., P. edulis, P. ligularis, and P. alnifolia did not elicit any response whatsoever for feeding, aggregation, mating or oviposition. The dropping of immature flower-buds caused by this insect in P. tripartita v. mollissima and P. tripartita v. tripartita was 60–80% in Colombian and Ecuadorian curuba farms with high pest populations.

Expression of the apoptosis suppressor gene p35, derived from the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus, markedly inhibited the cell death of stably transfected mammalian neural cells whether the cell death was induced by glucose withdrawal, calcium ionophore, or serum withdrawal. The p35 protein, which is required to block virus-induced apoptosis of cultured insect cells, is only the second gene product shown to block mammalian neural cell death, with Bcl-2 being the first. Because there is no apparent homology between p35 and Bcl-2, the existence of a cellular death program that may be modulated at multiple points is suggested. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate that the putative cellular death program is conserved across species and cell types.

Bacillus stearothermophilus lactate dehydrogenase, one of the most thermostable bacterial enzymes known, has had its three-dimensional structure solved, the gene coding for it has been cloned, and the proteincan be readily overexpressed. Two mutants of the enzyme have been prepared. In one, Arg171 was changed to Trp (R171W) and Gln102 was changed to Arg (Q102R). In the other, the mutation Q102R was maintained, but Arg171 was changed to Tyr (R171Y). In addition, an inadvertent C97G mutant was present. Both mutants have been crystallized by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method at room temperature. Bipyrimidal crystals have been obtained against (NH4)2SO4in 50 mM piperazine HCI buffer. The crystals belong to space group P6622 (P6622) (whereas the native enzyme, the structure of which has been solved by Piontek et al., Proteins 7:74–92, 1990) crystallized in the space group (P61) with a = 102.3 A, c = 168.6 A for the R171W, Q102R, C97G triple mutant, and a = 98.2 A; c = 162.1 A for the R171Y, Q102R, C97G mutant. These crystal forms appear to contain one-quarter of a tetramer (Mr 135,000)in the asymmetric unit and have (VM values of 3.8 and 3.3 A3/dalton, respectively). The R171W mutant diffracts to 2.5 A and the R171Y mutant to approximately 3.5 A © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The human p68 kinase is an interferon-regulated enzyme that inhibits protein synthesis when activated by double-stranded RNA. We show here that when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the p68 kinase produced a growth suppressing phenotype resulting from an inhibition of polypeptide chain initiation consistent with functional protein kinase activity. This slow growth phenotype was reverted in yeast by two different mechanisms: expression of the p68 kinase N-terminus, shown to bind double-stranded RNA in vitro and expression of a mutant form of the alpha-subunit of yeast initiation factor 2, altered at a single phosphorylatable site. These results provide the first direct in vivo evidence that the p68 kinase interacts with the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2. Sequence similarity with a yeast translational regulator, GCN2, further suggests that this enzyme may be a functional homolog in higher eukaryotes, where its normal function is to regulate protein synthesis through initiation factor 2 phosphorylation.

Parents' intentions associated with critical incidents they undertake in the career development of their children are examined from an intentional action perspective. From interviews with 207 parents, 1,772 critical incidents were identified. Approximately half of the incidents contributed to the construction of 10 categories representing the intentions of parents; the remainder was used to substantiate the categories. The categories illustrate that parents, although not necessarily attempting to influence particular occupational choice, are active agents in influencing their children in a broad range of areas in career development.

ORF2 is an essential gene immediately upstream of PRP4 (formeryl RNA4), a gene involved in nuclear mRNA processing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The two genes are arranged head-to-head. An 8 base-pair conserved sequences element is found upstream of both genes, as well as upstream of certain other genes that are known to be involved in pre-mRNA processing. Through deletion analysis we have found that both of the conserved sequence elements are important for transcription of both genes. We have cloned ORF2 and have isolated temperature-sensitive orf2 mutants. The phenotype of these mutants does not suggest a role for ORF2 in mRNA processing. The deduced amino acid sequence of ORF2 indicates significant similarity to DPR1, a gene encoding a protein that is involved in the carboxy-terminal processing of G-protein.

Summary Field experiments at Lacombe on a Ponoka loam soil (9·6% organic matter) during 1982 and 1983 investigated the tolerance of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Neepawa in a weed free situation to trifluralin applied at 0·0–3·0 kg ai ha−1 in the autumn or spring and incorporated to a depth of 10 cm. Rates of trifluralin above 1·0 kg ai ha−1 applied in the autumn or spring reduced the percent stand of wheat compared to an untreated control. Two weeks after emergence the crop showed 37 or 47% injury indicated by delayed growth, following application at 1·0 kg ai ha−1 in the autumn or spring, respectively. The wheat recovered throughout the course of the growing season. At harvest, trifluralin applied in the autumn or spring at rates below 1·0 kg ai ha−1 caused a yield increase while higher rates caused a yield decrease compared to the untreated control. Spring application caused a greater yield loss than autumn application. The tolerance of spring wheat to trifluralin at rates required for weed control (1·1 kg ai ha−1 or higher) on this soil type is marginal. Rasuma Tolerance du ble d'ete (Triticum aestivum L.) envers la trifluraline incorporee a une profondeur de 10 cm en automne ou au printemps La tolerance du ble d'ete (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Neepwa envers la trifluraline aux doses de 0.0–3.0 kg ai ha−1 incorporee a une profondeur de 10 cm en automne ou au printemps, a fait l'objet en 1982 et 1983 d'une experimentation de plein champ a Lacombe, sur terre limoneuse Ponoka indemne de mauvaises herbes. Aux doses superieures a 1,0 kg ai ha−1, en application automnale ou printaniere, la trifluraline a reduit le pourcentage de peuplement du ble par rapport a un temoin non-traite. Quinze jours apres la levee, la culture a fait voir respectivement 37 ou 47% de degâts, c'est-a-dire retard vegetatif, suite a l'application de 1,0 kg ai ha−1 ha en automne ou printemps. Le ble a repris au cours de la saison de vegetation. Au moment de la recolte, la trifluraline, appliquee en automne ou au printemps a des doses inferieures a 1,0 kg ai ha−1, a amene une augmentation du rendement tandis que les doses plus elevees ont provoque une diminution par rapport au temoin non-traite. L'application printaniere a provoque une perte de rendement plus importante que celle d'automne. La tolerance du ble d'ete envers la trifluraline aux doses necessaires pour le desherbage (1,1 kg ai ha−1 ou plus) n'est point sure dans les terres de ce genre. Zusammenfassung Toleranz von Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L.) gegen im Herbst oder im Fruhjahr eingearbeitetem Trifluralin. In Feldversuchen in Lacombe auf einem lehm boden (9,6% org. Substanz) in den Jahren 1982 und 1983 wurde die Toleranz von Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Neepawa’) in unkrautfreiem Bestand gegenuber Trifluralin untersucht, das mit Aufwandmengen zwischen 0,0 und 3,0 kg ai ha−1 im Herbst oder Fruhjahr ausgebracht und 10 cm tief eingearbeitet worden war. Bei Auf-wandmengen von mehr als 1 kg ai ha−1 wurde der Weizenbestand nach beiden Applikationsterminen ausgedunnt. Bei 1 kg ai ha−1 zeigte sich 2 Wochen nach dem Auflauf bei der Herbstbehandlung eine 37%ige und bei der Fruhjahrsbehandlung eine 47%ige Wachstumsverzogerung, die sich aber wahrend der Vegetationsperiode wieder ausglich. Aufwandmengen unter 1,0 kg ai ha−1 brachten einen Mehrertrag, hohere Aufwandmengen senkten den Ertrag, wobei die Fruhjahrsanwendung zu grosseren Verlusten als die Herbstnwendung fuhrte. Die Toleranz von Sommerweizen gegenuber Trifluralin ist auf dieser Bodenart bei den Aufwandmengen, die fur die Unkrauibekampfung erforderlich sind (1,1 kg ai ha−1 oder mehr), ausgeschopft.

Four variables (helper conceptual level, helper sex, client sex, and type of client affect), their interactions, and effects on empathic ability were examined. All undergraduate “helpers” had been trained in empathic response and were asked to respond empathically to videotaped role-playing “clients.” Client videotapes were equally divided among male and female clients, and among ambivalent and nonambivalent affect states. A significant interaction was found between helper conceptual level and type of client affect. Female helpers were found to be more empathic than male helpers, and responses to the nonambivalent affect statements were more empathic than responses to the more complex ambivalent affect statements.

The negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins using oxygen, methane and methane/oxygen are reported together with their methane positive ion chemical ionization mass spectra and conventional electron impact spectra. The methane/oxygen negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra proved to be the most useful of the negative ion spectra for structure determination.

Ion kinetic energy spectrometry has been utilized to investigate the loss of CO from [p-Z-C6H4-CO]+ and [C6H5CO]+ ions generated from substituted acetophenones and benzo-phenones. The variation of the leaving group in forming the [C6H5CO]+ ion has no detectable effect on the kinetic energy release observed in the subsequent decomposition reaction. A substituent effect consistent with the assumption that substituted benzoyl ions have no memory of their origin is also observed.

The mass spectra of isomeric chlorocycloheptatrienes have been studied at high and low electron beam energies. Ion kinetic energy spectrometry was utilized to examine the major decomposition pathways. The extreme similarity found in the spectral characteristics of these compounds provides information about the structure of the decomposing molecular ion.

An investigation was made to determine the interrater reliability and validity of peer evaluations in a practicum setting. The interrater reliability on the Rating Scale of Counselor Effectiveness was high. Validity was determined by comparing student evaluations with supervisor evaluations. Agreement shown by rank order correlations was high, but differences in absolute scores between student and supervisor were significant with students consistently rating their peers higher.

The kinetic energy release (T) values for the loss of CO from ions from five compounds have been obtained and are consistent with at least two different structures for the ion. This result is supported by the T value obtained for the decomposition of the molecular ions.