Applying core principles to the design and evaluation of the 'Take Charge. Take the Test' campaign: what worked and lessons learned.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the application of seven core principles to the design and evaluation of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing social marketing campaign as a case study example. STUDY DESIGN: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used a structured social marketing approach, informed by the Ecological Model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model, to develop and evaluate a two-city campaign with print, radio and outdoor advertising; HIV telephone hotlines; an HIV website; community partnerships; and events to promote information seeking and HIV testing. METHODS: The CDC applied seven core principles to design and evaluate the campaign, including formative research, the use of behavioural theories, audience segmentation, message design and pretesting, channel selection, process evaluation and outcome evaluation. RESULTS: Over 200 partners in both cities contributed significantly to campaign efforts. Key informant interviews indicated that, due to increased coordination, city infrastructures for HIV testing improved. More than 9600 individuals attended campaign events in both cities, with 1492 rapid HIV tests administered and 14 newly-identified HIV individuals. Overall, event attendees responded positively to campaign materials and events, and free HIV testing opportunities. The campaign significantly increased information-seeking behaviours in the form of hotline calls and web searches. Audience reaction and receptivity to the final campaign materials was very high. Exposure to campaign messages was associated with increases in key knowledge items, intentions to get tested, and peer-to-peer communication. CONCLUSIONS: The seven core principles, including formative research, behavioural theories and extensive partnerships, acted synergistically to help a campaign reach its target audience with compelling, relevant messages and motivate them to seek information and get an HIV test. Rapid testing removes many barriers by providing a testing process that can be accessed and acted upon quickly in response to media exposure. Findings suggest that modifying the campaign in future implementations to encourage the target audience to attend and participate in rapid testing events, while expanding the number and reach of such events, may have considerable potential to measurably increase testing behaviours.

Epidermal pattern formation in the root and shoot of Arabidopsis.

Root hair formation, stomata development on hypocotyls and trichome formation on leaves in Arabidopsis represent three model systems for epidermal patterning in plants that involve a common set of genes or corresponding homologues. The resulting pattern and the developmental readout are, however, strikingly different. Trichomes become regularly spaced on the leaf surface. Root hairs and stomata-bearing cells are formed in rows at specific locations with reference to the underlying cortex cells. In this review, we summarize the mechanistic similarities and discuss differences that might account for the different outcome of patterning in each system.

Nuclear scanning with 99mTc-HDP for the initial evaluation of osseous metastasis in canine osteosarcoma.

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the use of nuclear scintigraphy in determining the rate of secondary sites of osseous malignancy at initial presentation in dogs with osteosarcoma. Radiographs of suspicious secondary lesions were reviewed and placed into four separate categories: benign lesions; no lesion seen on radiographs; subtle radiographic changes suggestive of, but not conclusive for, metastasis; and metastatic lesions highly suspected on radiographs. Three hundred and ninety-nine dogs were evaluated by technetium nuclear scanning for suspected osteosarcoma. Three hundred and twenty-six of 399 dogs (82%) had only one apparent site on the nuclear scan, whereas 72 dogs (18%) had more than one suspicious site on the nuclear scans. Highly suspected secondary metastatic lesions were detected by nuclear scans in 7.8% of cases. Although interpretation of nuclear scans is subjective, this study showed a 7.8% chance of detecting unsuspected osseous metastasis with nuclear scans in canine osteosarcoma patients on initial presentation.

Development of an optimized interaction-mating protocol for large-scale yeast two-hybrid analyses.

BACKGROUND: Protein-protein interactions have decisive roles in almost all aspects of the structural and functional organization of cells. But in spite of the increasing amount of complete genome sequence data, the ability to predict protein function from sequences alone is limited. Therefore comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interactions, as derived from the yeast two-hybrid mating system, will yield valuable information for functional biology on a proteomic scale. RESULTS: We have developed an optimized interaction mating protocol for the yeast two-hybrid system, which gives increased mating efficiencies. This significantly reduces the effort and cost of cDNA library screening and allows multiple parallel approaches. Improved preincubation conditions before mating, and optimal cell densities and cell ratios enable almost quantitative mating of the yeast cells carrying the cDNA library. We have proved the applicability of this technology using 20 bait proteins to screen an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library, in spite of bait-dependent variations in mating efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The improved yeast two-hybrid interaction-mating protocol presented here allows the multiple parallel screening of cDNA libraries. It can be carried out without specialized equipment and has the potential to be standardized and automated.

Health plan decision making in the Medicare population: results from a national randomized experiment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of providing the Medicare & You handbook on consumers' attitudes and behavior regarding health plan decision making. DATA SOURCE: A national sample of 3,738 Medicare beneficiaries who were surveyed in late 1999 and early 2000 was employed. Data were collected using a mail survey with telephone follow-up; the response rate was 76 percent. STUDY DESIGN: Medicare beneficiaries were randomly assigned to a control group that received no Medicare-related in formation as part of the study, or to a treatment group that received a copy of the 2000 version of the Medicare & You handbook as part of a national mailing. Half of the treat men t group (the "re-mail" group) received a second copy of the handbook along wit h their mail survey instrument. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The control and treatment groups did not differ regarding their level of satisfaction with or confidence in their current choice of health plan according to predicted mean values. Treatment group beneficiaries had a significantly higher propensity to either change or consider changing health plans relative to beneficiaries in the control group. Controlling for other factors, 5 percent of treatment group members switched health insurance plans during the prior month compared to 3 percent of control group members. there were no significant differences in predicted values between the re-mail and no re-mail groups in any of the models. Type of supplemental insurance was also highly related to all three outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this and a prior parallel study suggest th at messages contained in the Medicare & You handbook can have an influence on beneficiaries and the Medicare market . Thus, careful attention should be given to the wording and intent of these messages. This is particularly relevant given the current administration's emphasis on increasing enrollment in Medicare+Choice plans and findings from earlier research reporting that beneficiaries felt the handbook was pressuring them to enroll in managed care.

Effect of a static magnetic field on blood flow to the metacarpus in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a static magnetic field on relative blood flow to the metacarpus of horses. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: Red blood cells were radiolabeled in vivo by administration of technetium Tc 99m (pyro- and trimeta-) phosphates, and scintigraphic images were obtained 30 minutes later. A magnetic wrap that emitted a static magnetic field was applied to 1 metacarpus and a control wrap was applied to the contralateral metacarpus. Forty-eight hours later, the wraps were removed, and scintigraphy was repeated. Relative perfusion ratios were calculated by dividing mean count per pixel for the portion of the metacarpus under the wrap by mean count per pixel for a portion of the distal aspect of the antebrachium that was not in the magnetic field. RESULTS: The difference between the relative perfusion ratio prior to application of the wrap and the ratio after application of the wrap for limbs that received the magnetic wrap was not significantly different from the difference in ratio for limbs that received the control wrap. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that in horses, the static magnetic field associated with application of commercially available magnetic wraps for 48 hours does not increase blood flow to the portion of the metacarpus underneath the wrap.

The movement protein NSm of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV): RNA binding, interaction with the TSWV N protein, and identification of interacting plant proteins.

The nonstructural NSm protein of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) represents a putative viral movement protein involved in cell-to-cell movement of nonenveloped ribonucleocapsid structures. To study the molecular basis of NSm function, we expressed the protein in Escherichia coli and investigated protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions of NSm protein in vitro. NSm specifically interacts with TSWV N protein and binds single-stranded RNA in a sequence-nonspecific manner. Using NSm as a bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified two homologous NSm-binding proteins of the DnaJ family from Nicotiana tabacum and Arabidopsis thaliana.

Decision making in high-velocity environments: implications for healthcare.

Healthcare can be considered a high-velocity environment and, as such, can benefit from research conducted in other industries regarding strategic decision making. Strategic planning is not only relevant to firms in high-velocity environments, but is also important for high performance and survival. Specifically, decision-making speed seems to be instrumental in differentiating between high and low performers; fast decision makers outperform slow decision makers. This article outlines the differences between fast and slow decision makers, identifies five paralyses that can slow decision making in healthcare, and outlines the role of a planning department in circumventing these paralyses. Executives can use the proposed planning structure to improve both the speed and quality of strategic decisions. The structure uses planning facilitators to avoid the following five paralyses: 1. Analysis. Decision makers can no longer afford the luxury of lengthy, detailed analysis but must develop real-time systems that provide appropriate, timely information. 2. Alternatives. Many alternatives (beyond the traditional two or three) need to be considered and the alternatives must be evaluated simultaneously. 3. Group Think. Decision makers must avoid limited mind-sets and autocratic leadership styles by seeking out independent, knowledgeable counselors. 4. Process. Decision makers need to resolve conflicts through "consensus with qualification," as opposed to waiting for everyone to come on board. 5. Separation. Successful implementation requires a structured process that cuts across disciplines and levels.

Structural and kinetic properties of adenylyl sulfate reductase from Catharanthus roseus cell cultures.

A cDNA encoding a plant-type APS reductase was isolated from an axenic cell suspension culture of Catharanthus roseus (Genbank/EMBL-databank accession number U63784). The open reading frame of 1392 bp (termed par) encoded for a protein (Mr=51394) consisting of a N-terminal transit peptide, a PAPS reductase-like core and a C-terminal extension with homology to the thioredoxin-like domain of protein disulfide isomerase. The APS reductase precursor was imported into pea chloroplasts in vitro and processed to give a mature protein of approximately 45 kDa. The homologous protein from pea chloroplast stroma was detected using anti:par polyclonal antibodies. To investigate the catalytical function of the different domains deleted par proteins were purified. ParDelta1 lacking the transit sequence liberated sulfite from APS (Km 2.5+/-0.23 microM) in vitro with glutathione (Km 3+/-0.64 mM) as reductant (Vmax 2.6+/-0.14 U mg-1, molecular activity 126 min-1). ParDelta2 lacking the transit sequence and C-terminal domain had to be reconstituted with exogenous thioredoxin as reductant (Km 15. 3+/-1.27 microM, Vmax 0.6+/-0.014 U mg-1). Glutaredoxin, GSH or DTT were ineffective substitutes. ParDelta1 (35.4%) and parDelta2 (21. 8%) both exhibited insulin reductase activity comparable to thioredoxin (100%). Protein disulfide isomerase activity was observed for parDelta1.

Homotypic interaction and multimerization of nucleocapsid protein of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus: identification and characterization of two interacting domains.

The nucleocapsid protein (N) of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) plays a central role in the viral life cycle. With the aid of the yeast two-hybrid system and surface plasmon resonance analysis, homotypic interaction and multimerization of the N protein was detected. Analysis of deletion mutants identified two binding regions in the protein, located at the N terminus (amino acids 1-39) and the C terminus (amino acids 233-248), respectively, implying a "head-to-tail" interaction of the N terminus with the C terminus to form a multimeric chain. Further characterization of the binding domains was performed by site-directed mutagenesis. Two phenylalanines (F242 and F246) highly conserved in the N proteins within the Tospovirus genus were shown to play a crucial role in the interaction.

The Rieske protein from purple sulfur bacteria is an extrinsic protein.

The mode of membrane attachment of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein from cytochrome bc1 complex of Rhodospirillum rubrum has been studied using biochemical approaches. In contrast to cytochrome c1 the bacterial Rieske protein was extracted from chromatophores using chaotropic agents (NaSCN, urea, guanidine), an alkaline pH and relatively low concentration of Triton X-100. The results presented here lead to the conclusion, that the Rieske protein from chromatophores is extrinsic and that their association with the rest of the complex involves hydrophobic interactions.

Molecular characterization of two spontaneous antimycin A resistant mutants of Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Antimycin A is an inhibitor of cytochrome bc1 complexes acting at the quinone reducing site (Qi) of the cytochrome b subunit. We report here the isolation and molecular characterization of two spontaneous mutants of the purple non-sulfur bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum resistant to this inhibitor. In the two mutants antimycin A resistance was found to be conferred by replacement of an aspartate residue at position 243 of the cytochrome b polypeptide chain, in one case by histidine and in the other by glutamate. The mutants exhibit cross-resistance to aurachin C but not to aurachin D. The exchange of Asp-243 does not only diminish the antimycin sensitivity of the isolated cytochrome bc1 complexes but also has effects on the function of the quinone reducing site (Qi). Oxidant-induced reduction of cytochrome b, requiring addition of antimycin A in the wild type, is already at a maximum in the absence of antimycin A. This indicates a diminished electron flow between heme b-566 and ubiquinone at the quinone reducing site (Qi) of cytochrome b.

[Fractures in benign bone cysts]. / Frakturen bei benignen Knochenzysten.

Etiology, clinical manifestations, roentgenographic appearance and histological variations of solitary and aneurysmatic bone cyst are reported. The classification of solitary bone cyst into active and inactive cysts is important therefore prognosis and treatment are different. The critical control of our patients with fractured solitary and aneurysmatic bone cysts since 1973 resulted in a very contenting management of treatment. Active solitary bone cysts, recurrent cysts, fractured cysts and large cysts close to joints are treated by segmental resection, interposing of ribs, homologous or autogenous cancellous bone graft and plate osteosynthesis. We never found recidives under this treatment. The only curettage of active solitary bone cyst frequently is accompanied by recidive and unsatisfying functional results. Reports of local corticoid injections in treatment of bone cysts should be furthermore controlled critical.