Alternative polyadenylation and splicing of mRNAs transcribed from the human Sin1 gene

Limited but significant sequence similarity has been observed between an uncharacterized human protein, SIN1, and the S. pombe SIN1, Dictyostelium RIP3 and S. cerevisiae AVO1 proteins. The human Sin1 gene has been automatically predicted (MAPKAP1; GenBank accession number NM_024117); however, this sequence appears to be incomplete. In this study, we have cloned and characterized the full-length human Sin1 mRNA and identified a highly conserved domain that defines the family of SIN1 orthologues, members of which are widely distributed in the fungal and metazoan kingdoms. We demonstrate that Sin1 transcripts can use alternative polyadenylation signals and describe a number of Sin1 splice variants that potentially encode functionally different isoforms. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Appetitive motivation predicts the majority of personality and an ability measure: a comparison of BAS measures and a re-evaluation of the importance of RST

Our first study develops a measure of appetitive motivation and our second study compares several measures of Gray's (1987) behaviour activation system (BAS) in the prediction of the surface scales of personality. In particular, we were interested in determining the utility of the new appetitive motivation scale and Dickman's functional impulsivity scale. In comparison to other well-known measures, both scales were generally good predictors. We conclude that the appetitive motivation scale is a promising measure of BAS based upon construct validation. Contrary to previous studies which have suggested that BAS is a generally poor predictor of the surface scales of personality, we discovered appetitive motivation to be an important predictor of personality in general. Interestingly, the scale was also predictive of scores on the Baddeley reasoning test. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of a sleep apnea education program

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate a standardised sleep apnea patient education program and develop a study design that may be used to evaluate other such education programs. Method: Thirty-four adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) underwent a standard sleep apnea education program and completed measures of knowledge of and beliefs about sleep apnea before, after, and 3 months following education. Two outcome measures were used: the Apnea Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Apnea Beliefs Scale (ABS). Results: AKT results showed significant knowledge gains posteducation, which were maintained at follow-up. Patients also reported more positive beliefs about their ability to change their behaviour and comply with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment recommendations after education. Discussion: Findings from this preliminary investigation suggest that the education program used in this study may improve patients' knowledge of CPAP and promote functional beliefs about OSAHS treatment. This program clearly warrants further research, and ultimately such programs may prove important in improving CPAP compliance. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In vitro and in silico analysis of signal peptides from the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni

Proteins secreted by and anchored on the surfaces of parasites are in intimate contact with host tissues. The transcriptome of infective cercariae of the blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, was screened using signal sequence trap to isolate cDNAs encoding predicted proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide. Twenty cDNA fragments were identified, most of which contained predicted signal peptides or transmembrane regions, including a novel putative seven-transmembrane receptor and a membrane-associated mitogen-activated protein kinase. The developmental expression pattern within different life-cycle stages ranged from ubiquitous to a transcript that was highly upregulated in the cercaria. A bioinformatics-based comparison of 100 signal peptides from each of schistosomes, humans, a parasitic nematode and Escherichia coli showed that differences in the sequence composition of signal peptides, notably the residues flanking the predicted cleavage site, might account for the negative bias exhibited in the processing of schistosome signal peptides in mammalian cells. (c) 2005 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification and molecular modeling of a novel, plant-like, human purple acid phosphatase

Purple acid phosphatases are a family of binuclear metallohydrolases that have been identified in plants, animals and fungi. Only one isoform of similar to 35 kDa has been isolated from animals, where it is associated with bone resorption and microbial killing through its phosphatase activity, and hydroxyl radical production, respectively. Using the sensitive PSI-BLAST search method, sequences representing new purple acid phosphatase-like proteins have been identified in mammals, insects and nematodes. These new putative isoforms are closely related to the similar to 55 kDa purple acid phosphatase characterized from plants. Secondary structure prediction of the new human isoform further confirms its similarity to a purple acid phosphatase from the red kidney bean. A structural model for the human enzyme was constructed based on the red kidney bean purple acid phosphatase structure. This model shows that the catalytic centre observed in other purple acid phosphatases is also present in this new isoform. These observations suggest that the sequences identified in this study represent a novel subfamily of plant-like purple acid phosphatases in animals and humans. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Survival strategy of Echinococcus multilocularis in the human host

As exemplified by aborted calcified liver lesions commonly found in patients from endemic areas, Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes develop only in a minority of individuals exposed to infection with the papasite. Clinical research has disclosed some aspects of the survival strategy of E. multilocularis in human hosts. Clinical observations in liver transplantation and AIDS suggest that suppression of cellular/Th1related immunity increases disease severity. Most of the studies have stressed a role for CD8+ T cells and for Interleukin-10 in the development of tolerance. A spontaneous secretion of IL-10 by the PBMC seems to be the immunological hallmark of patients with progressive forms of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). IL-10-induced inhibition of effector macrophages, but also of antigen-presenting dendritic cells, may be operating and allowing parasite growth and survival. The genetic correlates of susceptibility to infection with E. multilocularis are clearer in humans than in the mouse model. A significant link between MHC polymorphism and clinical presentation of AE has been shown, and the spontaneous secretion of IL-10 in patients with a progressive AE is higher in patients with the HLA DR3+, DQ2+ haplotype. Clustering of cases in certain families, in communities otherwise exposed to similar risk factors, also points to immuno-genetic predisposition factors that may allow the larva to escape host immunity more easily. The first stage of larval development may be crucial in producing danger signals stimulating the initial production of cytokines. Therapeutic use of Interferon alpha is an attempt to foil the survival strategy of E. multilocularis. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.