OBJECTIVE The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to obtain and analyze data on self-perceived efficacy of different types of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) by patients with various rheumatologic conditions. METHODS Patients followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics were screened for the use of CAM. Patients reporting the use of CAM were asked to participate in face-to-face...

The developmental appearance of cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) was mapped during the morphogenesis of the adult chicken feather. Neural CAM (N-CAM), liver CAM (L-CAM), and neuron-glia CAM (Ng-CAM), as well as substrate molecules (laminin and fibronectin), were compared in newborn chicken skin by immunohistochemical means. N-CAM was found to be enriched in the dermal papilla, which was closely a...

The motor function of vertebrate myosin-5a is inhibited by its tail in a Ca2+-dependent manner. We previously demonstrated that the calmodulin (CaM) bound to the first isoleucine-glutamine (IQ) motif (IQ1) of myosin-5a is responsible for the Ca2+-dependent regulation of myosin-5a. We have solved the crystal structure of a truncated myosin-5a containing the motor domain and IQ1 (MD-IQ1) complexe...

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, a plant-associated pathogenic bacterium, is the causal agent of foliar spots and blights in crucifers. The major outer membrane protein, Omp37, of 37 kDa, has been identified, purified to homogeneity, and its characterization has also been carried out. Native Omp37 behaved as a trimer, as revealed by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. FTIR measurements revealed ...

We have devised a rapid four-step procedure for the generation of directed and unmarked chromosomal deletions in bacteria, based on the use of a novel cloning vector containing the Bacillus subtilis sacB gene that encodes levansucrase and confers sucrose sensitivity, which can be used for counter-selection. Using this technique, we describe the construction of a 6.5 kb directed and unmarked del...

BACKGROUND To assess pediatricians' attitudes toward & practice of Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) including their knowledge, experience, & referral patterns for CAM therapies. METHODS An anonymous, self-report, 27-item questionnaire was mailed nationally to fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics in July 2004.648 of 3500 pediatricians' surveyed responded (18%). RESULTS The m...

BACKGROUND Complementary and alternative medicine has recently attracted attention due to its widespread use. In a recent study in Israel, almost a half of CAM users in the general population used it for joint diseases or back pain. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of CAM use among patients with defined rheumatic diseases, and analyze the demographic features of CAM users, their reasons f...

We report the high-quality draft genome sequence of Xanthomonas sacchari strain LMG 476, isolated from sugarcane. The genome comparison of this strain with a previously sequenced X. sacchari strain isolated from a distinct environmental source should provide further insights into the adaptation of this species to different habitats and its evolution.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is the causal agent of black rot on Brassicaceae. The draft genome sequences of three strains (CN14, CN15, and CN16) that are highly aggressive on Arabidopsis have been determined. These genome sequences present an unexpected genomic diversity in X. campestris pv. campestris, which will be valuable for comparative analyses.