A retrospective look at the cationic peanut peroxidase structure

The cationic peanut peroxidase has been studied in detail, not only with regard to its peptide structure, but also to the sites and role of the three moieties linked to it. Peanut peroxidase lends itself well to a close examination as a potential example for other plant peroxidase studies. It was the first plant peroxidase for which a 3-D structure was derived from crystals, with the glycans intact. Subsequent analysis of peroxidases structures from other plants have not shown great differences to that of the peanut peroxidase. As the period of proteomics follows on the era of genomics, the study of glycans has been brought back into focus. With the potential use of peroxidase as a polymerization agent for industry, there are some aspects of the overall structure that should be kept in mind for successful use of this enzyme. A variety of techniques are now available to assay for these structures/moieties and their roles. Peanut peroxidase data are reviewed in that light, as well as defining some true terms for isozymes. Because a high return of the enzyme in a pure form has been obtained from cultured cells in suspension culture, a brief review of this is also offered.     

The cost-effectiveness of biopharmaceuticals: A look at the evidence

Due to the increasing availability and costs of biopharmaceuticals, policymakers are questioning whether they provide good value relative to other health interventions and many are increasingly relying on cost-utility analyses (CUAs) to supplement decision-making. Analyzing data from the Tufts Medical Center Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, this study critically reviewed the cost-utility literature for biopharmaceuticals and compared their value to other health interventions. Of 2,383 studies in the registry through 2009, biopharmaceutical CUAs comprised the sixth largest category of interventions at 11%. Characteristics of biopharmaceutical articles were similar to other CUAs; however, they displayed slightly better quality. The median cost-effectiveness ratio of biopharmaceuticals was less favorable (i.e., higher) than other interventions, though many seem to provide value for money. A logistic regression showed that among biopharmaceuticals the cost-effectiveness of industry-sponsored studies and products that treat infectious diseases were significantly more likely to be favorable (less than the overall median), while cancer and neurological treatments were significantly less likely.Key words: biopharmaceuticals, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility analysis, value for money, quality adjusted life-year, economic analysis     

A likelihood look at the supermatrix-supertree controversy

Supermatrix and supertree methods are two strategies advocated for phylogenetic analysis of sequence data from multiple gene loci, especially when some species are missing at some loci. The supermatrix method concatenates sequences from multiple genes into a data supermatrix for phylogenetic analysis, and ignores differences in evolutionary dynamics among the genes. The supertree method analyzes each gene separately and assembles the subtrees estimated from individual genes into a supertree for all species. Most algorithms suggested for supertree construction lack statistical justifications and ignore uncertainties in the subtrees. Instead of supermatrix or supertree, we advocate the use of likelihood function to combine data from multiple genes while accommodating their differences in the evolutionary process. This combines the strengths of the supermatrix and supertree methods while avoiding their drawbacks. We conduct computer simulation to evaluate the performance of the supermatrix, supertree, and maximum likelihood methods applied to two phylogenetic problems: molecular-clock dating of species divergences and reconstruction of species phylogenies. The results confirm the theoretical superiority of the likelihood method. Supertree or separate analyses of data of multiple genes may be useful in revealing the characteristics of the evolutionary process of multiple gene loci, and the information may be used to formulate realistic models for combined analysis of all genes by likelihood.     

Dreams and revelations: A critical look at Kelsey.

After a seven-century lull in Christian scholarship about dreams, the mid-Twentieth Century saw the beginning of a growing effort to convince Christians dreams are a significant means of communication with God. This essay summarizes and criticizes Morton Kelsey's central argument concerning the Christian significance of dreams in his God, dreams, and revelation (1991). Kelsey's is a thoughtful version of the argument common to his colleagues. As such, it displays both the strengths and the weaknesses of the general position. It correctly reminds Christians of dreams' significance in their past. But if Kelsey means to offer a fully supported logical argument, that argument is not clear and even the most sympathetic restatement of it leaves it unsound. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A fresh look at the open rhinoplasty technique

Use of the open rhinoplasty technique (ORT) in certain nasal and septal deformities has proven to be an invaluable asset in the rhinoplasty armamentarium of the authors. Primarily owing to the markedly increased exposure with this technique, more accurate assessment of the deformities is possible and additional or improved surgical maneuvers become available, particularly in the tip. Sculpting the entire cartilaginous and/or bony vault, as well as correcting difficult septal malalignments, can be carried out under better direct vision with greater precision, accuracy, and predictability. This has led to improved and more consistent final results. Previous criticisms of unsightly columellar scars have been virtually eliminated through the use of improved surgical techniques and simple magnification. Overall, open rhinoplasty technique can provide many distinct advantages in certain nasal deformities with no real disadvantages over conventional closed techniques.     

A new look at the neonatal electrocardiogram.

Among 818 newborn babies whose electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded between April 1975 and April 1976 were 57 babies with recordings that fell outside the accepted normal range. Preliminary observations have identified the need to define more clearly the range of normal variation. Twelve babies showed asymptomatic conduction abnormalities, three of which were thought sufficiently serious to need treatment. Two babies died suddenly, one of whom had abnormal conduction on the ECG and histologically demonstrated abnormalities of the conducting system. This continuing prospective study may indicate a link between conducting tissue abnormalities and the sudden infant death syndrome. Ten babies had congenital cardiac anomalies, four of which were first discovered because of an abnormal screening cardiogram. Electrocardiography, a simple and noninvasive procedure, may be a valuable addition to the routine neonatal examination.     

A second look at the second messenger hypothesis

Several hundred hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors and other "first messengers" bind to specific cell membrane receptors and induce a myriad of effects: short term, transport, metabolic, mitotic and regulation of thousands of specific genes. Yet, less than a dozen "second messengers" have been clearly established to date. Even allowing for the discovery of a large number of additional second messengers, there remains a paradox in terms of information-transfer within the cell: how can so many specific signals produce so many effects through so few relatively nonspecific intermediates? We consider several possible solutions to this paradox, including the hypothesis that signal specificity is encoded in part in the primary structure of the receptor.