bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of gene transfer vectors based on simian adenovirus 7
Authors: Roy Soumitra , Clawson David S. , Adam Virginie S. , Medina Angelica , Wilson James M.
Published: May 2011

The complete nucleotide sequence of an isolate of simian adenovirus 7 (SAdV-7) was determined. The genome organization of this isolate was found to be similar to that of other primate adenoviruses with two principal notable points: severe truncation of the E1A and E1B 19K proteins and an E3 region encoding only the 12.5K homologue. The viral gene products of SAdV-7 are most closely related to simian adenovirus 1 (SAdV-1), and like SAdV-1, are related to the human adenovirus species HAdV-F, such as the enteric adenoviruses HAdV-40 and HAdV-41 and the recently defined HAdV-G (HAdV-52). Two kinds of gene transfer vectors were made: a replication-competent SAdV-7-based vector with no genomic deletion, and a standard replication-incompetent vector deleted for E1. Importantly, the E1-deleted vector could be propagated to high titre by trans-complementation in human HEK 293 cells.
Genome-wide detection of chromosomal rearrangements, indels, and mutations in circular chromosomes by short read sequencing
Authors: Skovgaard Ole , Bak Mads , Løbner-Olesen Anders , Tommerup Niels
Published: May 2011

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with new short-read sequencing technologies has recently been applied for genome-wide identification of mutations. Genomic rearrangements have, however, often remained undetected by WGS, and additional analyses are required for their detection. Here, we have applied a combination of WGS and genome copy number analysis, for the identification of mutations that suppress the growth deficiency imposed by excessive initiations from the Escherichia coli origin of replication, oriC. The E. coli chromosome, like the majority of bacterial chromosomes, is circular, and DNA replication is initiated by assembling two replication complexes at the origin, oriC. These complexes then replicate the chromosome bidirectionally toward the terminus, ter. In a population of growing cells, this results in a copy number gradient, so that origin-proximal sequences are more frequent than origin-distal sequences. Major rearrangements in the chromosome are, therefore, readily identified by changes in copy number, i.e., certain sequences become over- or under-represented. Of the eight mutations analyzed in detail here, six were found to affect a single gene only, one was a large chromosomal inversion, and one was a large chromosomal duplication. The latter two mutations could not be detected solely by WGS, validating the present approach for identification of genomic rearrangements. We further suggest the use of copy number analysis in combination with WGS for validation of newly assembled bacterial chromosomes.
Functional Incorporation of Sorghum Small Subunit Increases the Catalytic Turnover Rate of Rubisco in Transgenic Rice
Authors: Ishikawa Chie , Hatanaka Tomoko , Misoo Shuji , Miyake Chikahiro , Fukayama Hiroshi
Published: May 2011

Rubisco limits photosynthetic CO2 fixation because of its low catalytic turnover rate (k  cat) and competing oxygenase reaction. Previous attempts to improve the catalytic efficiency of Rubisco by genetic engineering have gained little progress. Here we demonstrate that the introduction of the small subunit (RbcS) of high k  cat Rubisco from the C4 plant sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) significantly enhances k  cat of Rubisco in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa). Three independent transgenic lines expressed sorghum RbcS at a high level, accounting for 30%, 44%, and 79% of the total RbcS. Rubisco was likely present as a chimera of sorghum and rice RbcS, and showed 1.32- to 1.50-fold higher k  cat than in nontransgenic rice. Rubisco from transgenic lines showed a higher K  m for CO2 and slightly lower specificity for CO2 than nontransgenic controls. These results suggest that Rubisco in rice transformed with sorghum RbcS partially acquires the catalytic properties of sorghum Rubisco. Rubisco content in transgenic lines was significantly increased over wild-type levels but Rubisco activation was slightly decreased. The expression of sorghum RbcS did not affect CO2 assimilation rates under a range of CO2 partial pressures. The J  max/V  cmax ratio was significantly lower in transgenic line compared to the nontransgenic plants. These observations suggest that the capacity of electron transport is not sufficient to support the increased Rubisco capacity in transgenic rice. Although the photosynthetic rate was not enhanced, the strategy presented here opens the way to engineering Rubisco for improvement of photosynthesis and productivity in the future.
Nitric Oxide Regulates DELLA Content and PIF Expression to Promote Photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lozano-Juste Jorge , León José
Published: May 2011

The transition from etiolated to green seedlings involves a shift from hypocotyl growth-promoting conditions to growth restraint. These changes occur through a complex light-driven process involving multiple and tightly coordinated hormonal signaling pathways. Nitric oxide (NO) has been lately characterized as a regulator of plant development interacting with hormone signaling. Here, we show that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) NO-deficient mutant hypocotyls are longer than those from wild-type seedlings under red light but not under blue or far-red light. Accordingly, exogenous treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside and mutant plants with increased endogenous NO levels resulted in reduced hypocotyl length. In addition to increased hypocotyl elongation, NO deficiency led to increased anthocyanin levels and reduced PHYB content under red light, all processes governed by phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs). NO-deficient plants accordingly showed an enhanced expression of PIF3, PIF1, and PIF4. Moreover, exogenous NO increased the levels of the gibberellin (GA)-regulated DELLA proteins and shortened hypocotyls, likely through the negative regulation of the GA Insensitive Dwarf1 (GID1)-Sleepy1 (SLY1) module. Consequently, NO-deficient seedlings displayed up-regulation of SLY1, defective DELLA accumulation, and altered GA sensitivity, thus resulting in defective deetiolation under red light. Accumulation of NO in wild-type seedlings undergoing red light-triggered deetiolation and elevated levels of NO in the GA-deficient ga1-3 mutant in darkness suggest a mutual NO-GA antagonism in controlling photomorphogenesis. PHYB-dependent NO production promotes photomorphogenesis by a GID1-GA-SLY1-mediated mechanism based on the coordinated repression of growth-promoting PIF genes and the increase in the content of DELLA proteins.
Hard X-ray Fourier transform holography from an array of oriented referenced objects
Authors: Iwamoto Hiroyuki , Yagi Naoto
Published: May 2011

Hard X-ray Fourier transform holography (HXFTH) is a promising method for imaging nanoscale objects, including biological molecules, with a spatial resolution of a nanometer or better. However, it suffers from low scattering intensities being available for imaging owing to smaller object size and the low scattering cross section inherent in hard X-rays. One technique to overcome the problem would be to use an array of oriented objects, each with its own reference. Here the feasibility of this approach was experimentally tested by recording diffraction patterns from nanofabricated test patterns arranged in a 5 × 5 matrix. At an X-ray energy of 8 keV (λ = 1.55 Å), the image of the original test pattern was clearly restored with 60 s exposure on an imaging plate; the image was still recognizable with a 500 ms exposure on a CCD detector at the BL40XU beamline at SPring-8. The results demonstrate that the use of an array of referenced oriented objects for HXFTH is workable, and that it can be considered as a practical candidate for imaging biological molecules, identical particles of which are available but diffract even more weakly than artificially fabricated test patterns.
Successful extraction of DNA from archived alcohol‐fixed white‐eye fish specimens using an ancient DNA protocol
Authors: De Bruyn M. , Parenti L. R. , Carvalho G. R.
Published: May 2011

A protocol used routinely for rapid ancient DNA extraction was applied to fish tissue archived over 80 years ago. The method proved successful, whereas other extraction protocols failed. Researchers working on DNA from older archived fish samples are encouraged to continue to concentrate their efforts on ‘white‐eye’ specimens, which indicate an alcohol‐based fixative and are thus likely to yield viable DNA.
Age and growth of the round gobyNeogobius melanostomusin the Gulf of Gdańsk several years after invasion. Is the Baltic Sea a new Promised Land?
Authors: Sokołowska E. , Fey D. P.
Published: May 2011

The ages of 8 to 23·5 cm total length (LT) round gobyNeogobius melanostomuscollected monthly during 2006 and 2007 in the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea) ranged from 2 to 6 years, with age class 4+ years dominant. Males were larger at age than females. The fastest growth occurred in the first 2 years of life in both sexes. Females were heavier at a givenLTthan males, but only for fish> c.15 cm. A strong relationship betweenN. melanostomusotolith size and fish size was found, with no difference between males and females, and a significant relationship between fish growth rate and otolith growth rate, which enabled backcalculation of growth rates. Marginal increment width analysis confirmed the periodicity of annual ring formation in otoliths and showed that the most intense opaque zone formation occurs in July to August, while hyaline zone formation starts as early as September to October. It was concluded that theN. melanostomusthat have colonized the southern Baltic Sea exhibit the largest size and longest life span ever recorded for this species.
Advances in the prognostication and management of advanced MDS in children
Authors: Hasle Henrik , Niemeyer Charlotte M.
Published: May 2011

Advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in children includes refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and RAEB in transformation (RAEB‐T) according to the paediatric modification of the World Health Organization classification. Clinical features and cytogenetics are essential to make a diagnosis because blast count alone is insufficient to differentiate MDS from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Little is known about molecular genetics in paediatric MDS but hypermethylation seem to be frequent. Monosomy 7 is the most common cytogenetic aberration but prognostic neutral whereas those with structural complex karyotype have a very poor outcome. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the treatment of choice and results in cure rates of around 60%. Intensive chemotherapy prior to HSCT provides no survival benefit for children with RAEB and RAEB‐T and can generally not be recommended. Intensive chemotherapy before HSCT should be considered in patients with myelodysplasia‐related‐AML (MDR‐AML).
Co‐parenting quality among adoptive mothers: contributions of socioeconomic status, child demands and adult relationship characteristics
Authors: Hock Robert M. , Mooradian John K.
Published: May 2011

Despite the growing emphasis on co‐parenting in family life, little is known about the co‐parenting relationships of adoptive parents. This study examined the contributions of socioeconomic status (SES), child demands and couple relationship characteristics to reported co‐parenting quality among adoptive mothers. Mail questionnaires were administered to 94 adoptive mothers in a Midwestern state. Regression results revealed that SES and child demands were largely unrelated to co‐parenting quality, while couple relationship characteristics (dyadic coping, dyadic adjustment and conflict resolution) contributed significantly to co‐parenting quality. Further, the co‐parenting dimensions revealed different patterns of relatedness with the independent variables, providing support for the notion that co‐parenting is a multidimensional construct. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed.
Defendants with intellectual disabilities and mental health diagnoses: faring in a mental health court
Authors: Burke M. M. , Griggs M. , Dykens E. M. , Hodapp R. M.
Published: May 2011

Background  Begun in the late 1990s, mental health courts are specialty criminal courts developed to address the needs of persons with mental illness.

Methods  As many persons with intellectual disabilities (IDs) may overlap in the mental health court system, we used mental health court records to examine the phenomenology and outcomes of 224 defendants with and without co‐occurring IDs in the mental health court. This study had two goals: (1) to examine the prevalence of defendants with IDs in the court and (2) to compare defendants with dual diagnoses with defendants with lone mental health disorders.

Results  Approximately 11% of defendants in the mental health court also had IDs. Compared with individuals with mental health disorders alone, individuals with dual diagnoses were more likely to be younger, male, African‐American and less well‐educated; these defendants were also more likely to show externalising, ‘turning‐against‐others’ symptoms, less likely to show internalising, ‘turning‐against‐self’ symptoms. Defendants with IDs (vs. those without) more often received behavioural, vocational rehabilitation and other services, although the two groups did not differ on most outcome variables.

Conclusion  Directions for future research are discussed.
Hepatitis C core protein impairs insulin downstream signalling and regulatory role of IGFBP‐1 expression
Authors: Alberstein M. , Zornitzki T. , Zick Y. , Knobler H.
Published: May 2011

Summary.  Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly genotype 1, has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms underlying this association are partly understood. Increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α occurring in HCV infection have an important role in HCV‐mediated insulin resistance; however, other direct effects of HCV core protein on disrupting insulin signalling have been suggested. The insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are key players in insulin signal transduction and are the major substrates of the insulin receptor. To further elucidate the direct effect of HCV core protein on insulin signalling. We studied the direct effects of HCV core protein in two cell lines transfected with HCV core protein. We found several impairments in the insulin signalling cascade which could be attributed to a significant proteasomal degradation of IRS‐1 protein, in a dose‐dependent way. In addition, our data show that liver cells transfected by HCV core protein show a marked attenuation of the regulatory inhibitory role of insulin on insulin growth factor binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) expression. Since IGFBP‐1 may have a role in glucose regulation and hepatic insulin sensitivity, this effect of HCV core protein can contribute to insulin resistance in chronic HCV infection. Our data suggest that the degradation of IRS‐1 by HCV core protein translates to impaired ability of insulin to inhibit the expression of the target gene IGFBP‐1 in the liver and may serve as a novel mechanism for insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia.
Nitrosative damage to free and zinc‐bound cysteine thiols underlies nitric oxide toxicity in wild‐type Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Bourret Travis J. , Boylan Julie A. , Lawrence Kevin A. , Gherardini Frank C.
Published: May 2011

Borrelia burgdorferi encounters potentially harmful reactive nitrogen species (RNS) throughout its infective cycle. In this study, diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NO) was used to characterize the lethal effects of RNS on B. burgdorferi. RNS produce a variety of DNA lesions in a broad spectrum of microbial pathogens; however, levels of the DNA deamination product, deoxyinosine, and the numbers of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites were identical in DNA isolated from untreated and DEA/NO‐treated B. burgdorferi cells. Strains with mutations in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway genes uvrC or uvrB treated with DEA/NO had significantly higher spontaneous mutation frequencies, increased numbers of AP sites in DNA and reduced survival compared with wild‐type controls. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in B. burgdorferi cell membranes, which are susceptible to peroxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS), were not sensitive to RNS‐mediated lipid peroxidation. However, treatment of B. burgdorferi cells with DEA/NO resulted in nitrosative damage to several proteins, including the zinc‐dependent glycolytic enzyme fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase (BB0445), the Borrelia oxidative stress regulator (BosR) and neutrophil‐activating protein (NapA). Collectively, these data suggested that nitrosative damage to proteins harbouring free or zinc‐bound cysteine thiols, rather than DNA or membrane lipids underlies RNS toxicity in wild‐type B. burgdorferi.
Phloroglucinol mediates cross‐talk between the pyoluteorin and 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol biosynthetic pathways in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf‐5
Authors: Kidarsa Teresa A. , Goebel Neal C. , Zabriskie T. Mark , Loper Joyce E.
Published: May 2011

The antibiotics pyoluteorin and 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) contribute to the biological control of soilborne plant diseases by some strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens, including Pf‐5. These secondary metabolites also have signalling functions with each compound reported to induce its own production and repress the other's production. The first step in DAPG biosynthesis is production of phloroglucinol (PG) by PhlD. In this study, we show that PG is required at nanomolar concentrations for pyoluteorin production in Pf‐5. At higher concentrations, PG is responsible for the inhibition of pyoluteorin production previously attributed to DAPG. DAPG had no effect on pyoluteorin production, and monoacetylphloroglucinol showed both stimulatory and inhibitory activities but at concentrations 100‐fold greater than the levels of PG required for similar effects. We also demonstrate that PG regulates pyoluteorin production in P. aeruginosa and that a phlD gene adjacent to the pyoluteorin biosynthetic gene cluster in P. aeruginosa strain LESB58 can restore pyoluteorin biosynthesis to a ΔphlD mutant of Pf‐5. Bioinformatic analyses show that the dual role of PhlD in the biosynthesis of DAPG and the regulation of pyoluteorin production could have arisen within the pseudomonads during the assembly of these biosynthetic gene clusters from genes and gene subclusters of diverse origins.
Cutting out the φC31 prophage
Authors: Stark W. Marshall
Published: May 2011

To establish a lysogenic lifestyle, the temperate bacteriophage φC31 integrates its genome into the chromosome of its Streptomyces host, by site‐specific recombination between attP (the attachment site in the phage DNA) and attB (the chromosomal attachment site). This reaction is promoted by a phage‐encoded serine recombinase Int. To return to the lytic lifestyle, the prophage excises its DNA by a similar Int‐mediated reaction between the recombinant sites flanking the prophage, attL and attR. φC31 Int has been developed into a popular experimental tool for integration of transgenic DNA into the genomes of eukaryotic organisms. However, until now it has not been possible to use Int to promote the reverse reaction, excision. In many other phages, the presence of a recombination directionality factor (RDF) protein biases the phage‐encoded integrase towards prophage excision, whereas absence of the RDF favours integration; but the φC31 RDF had proved elusive. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Khaleel et al. (2011) report the identification and purification of the φC31 RDF, and show that it both promotes excision and inhibits integration by direct protein‐protein interactions with Int itself.
Septum‐directed secretion in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Hayakawa Yugo , Ishikawa Eri , Shoji Jun‐ya , Nakano Hiroyuki , Kitamoto Katsuhiko
Published: May 2011

Although exocytosis in fungal cells takes place at hyphal tips, there also seems a line of circumstantial evidence suggesting the occurrence of exocytosis at other sites of cells, such as septa. To investigate whether exocytosis takes place at fungal septa, we monitored dynamics of EGFP‐fused α‐amylase (AmyB–EGFP), the representative secretory enzyme of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. We found that AmyB–EGFP accumulates in Spitzenkörper at hyphal tips as well as septal periplasm between the plasma membrane and cell walls. The septal accumulation of AmyB–EGFP was a rapid process, and required microtubules but not F‐actin. Thus, this process is independent of exocytosis at hyphal tips that requires both microtubules and F‐actin. In addition, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis of EGFP‐fused AoSnc1 revealed that secretory vesicles constitutively fuse with the septal plasma membrane. These results demonstrated that exocytosis takes place at septa in addition to hyphal tips. Analysis of two plasma membrane transporters, AoUapC and AoGap1, revealed that they preferentially accumulate at septa and the lateral plasma membrane with no clear accumulation at apical Spitzenkörper, suggesting that non‐tip directed exocytosis is important for delivery of these proteins.
Wax matters: absence of very‐long‐chain aldehydes from the leaf cuticular wax of the glossy11 mutant of maize compromises the prepenetration processes of Blumeria graminis
Authors: Hansjakob A. , Riederer M. , Hildebrandt U.
Published: May 2011

Conidial germination and differentiation, the so‐called prepenetration processes, of the barley powdery mildew fungus (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) are triggered in vitro by very‐long‐chain aldehydes, minor constituents of barley leaf wax. However, until now it has not been demonstrated that these cuticle‐derived molecules also play a significant role in the initiation and promotion of the fungal prepenetration processes in vivo, on the surface of a living plant leaf. In the maize (Zea mays) wax mutant glossy11, which is completely devoid of cuticular very‐long‐chain aldehydes, germination and appressorial differentiation of B. graminis were strongly impeded. Spraying the mutant leaf surface with aldehyde‐containing wild‐type wax or pure n‐hexacosanal (C26‐aldehyde) fully restored fungal prepenetration, whereas maize wild‐type leaf surfaces coated with n‐docosanoic acid exhibited reduced conidial germination rates of 23%, and only 5% of the conidia differentiated infection structures. In vitro studies were performed to further corroborate the extensive prevention of fungal germination and differentiation in response to artificial surfaces coated with aldehyde‐deficient maize wax. Because of its phenotype affecting the B. graminis prepenetration processes, the glossy11 mutation of maize may become a valuable molecular target and genetic tool that could provide a means of developing basal powdery mildew resistance in the globally important crops wheat and barley.
Nature and stability of atoll island shorelines: Gilbert Island chain, Kiribati, equatorial Pacific
Authors: RANKEY EUGENE C.
Published: May 2011

Islands rimming Pacific atolls typically form narrow, low‐lying lands that are commonly perceived to be particularly vulnerable to global changes such as sea‐level rise. As these, low islands form the only habitable land for many island nations, understanding the character of shorelines, and the rates and controls that operate to bring about changes, is an issue of central importance. The purpose of this study is to unravel the characteristics of coastal change on atoll islands of the Gilbert Island chain of the equatorial Pacific nation of Kiribati, especially as they relate to autogenic shoreline processes and El Niño/Southern Oscillation variability. Integration of field observations, differential global positioning system data, historical aerial photographs and ultra‐high resolution remote sensing images demonstrates the nature, spatial patterns and rates of change from 17 islands on Maiana and Aranuka atolls. The results illustrate that, between 2005 and 2009, ca 50% of the shorelines on these islands displayed a discernable shift in position; some shorelines were accretionary (at net rates up to ca 8 m year−1) and others were erosional (up to ca 18 m year−1). Long‐term net rates of change on Maiana between 1969 and 2009 were lower than short‐term net rates measured between 2005 and 2009. Both short‐term and long‐term observations illustrate some of the greatest change occur near terminations of the largest, north–south oriented islands, associated with longshore movement of coarse sand and gravel. Direct hits by tropical depressions and marked seasonality, factors interpreted as being essential in island growth and shoreline dynamics elsewhere, do not directly impact these equatorial atolls and can be eliminated as fundamental controls on shoreline dynamics. Similarly, observations over four years suggested that shoreline variability probably is not influenced directly by marked sea‐level change, although a recent increase in the rates of shoreline change could reflect instability related to the cumulative effect of a long‐term increase in the rate of sea‐level rise. Within this framework of global change, local anthropogenic effects, autogenic shoreline processes and El Niño/Southern Oscillation‐influenced wind and wave variability control many aspects of these dynamic shorelines. These results provide quantitative insights into the character and variability of rates of shoreline change, information essential for evaluating and mitigating the vulnerability of island nations such as Kiribati.
Arabidopsis ocp3 mutant reveals a mechanism linking ABA and JA to pathogen‐induced callose deposition
Authors: García‐Andrade Javier , Ramírez Vicente , Flors Victor , Vera Pablo
Published: May 2011

In the present study, we evaluated the role of the defense‐related gene OCP3 in callose deposition as a response to two necrotrophic fungal pathogens, Botrytis cinerea and Plectosphaerella cucumerina. ocp3 plants exhibited accelerated and intensified callose deposition in response to fungal infection associated with enhanced disease resistance to the two pathogens. A series of double mutant analyses showed potentiation of callose deposition and the heightened disease resistance phenotype in ocp3 plants required the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and the PMR4 gene encoding a callose synthase. This finding was congruent with an observation that ocp3 plants exhibited increased ABA accumulation, and ABA was rapidly synthesized following fungal infection in wild‐type plants. Furthermore, we determined that potentiation of callose deposition in ocp3 plants, including enhanced disease resistance, also required jasmonic acid (JA) recognition though a COI1 receptor, however JA was not required for basal callose deposition following fungal infection. In addition, potentiation of callose deposition in ocp3 plants appeared to follow a different mechanism than that proposed for callose β‐amino‐butyric acid (BABA)‐induced resistance and priming, because ocp3 plants responded to BABA‐induced priming for callose deposition and induced resistance of a magnitude similar to that observed in wild‐type plants. Our results point to a model in which OCP3 represents a specific control point for callose deposition regulated by JA yet ultimately requiring ABA. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of callose deposition regulation in response to pathogen attack; however the complexities of the processes remain poorly understood.
Herbicide hormesis – can it be useful in crop production?
Authors: BELZ R G , CEDERGREEN N , DUKE S O
Published: May 2011

Belz RG, Cedergreen N & Duke SO (2011). Herbicide hormesis – can it be useful in crop production? Weed Research51, 321–332.

The yield‐enhancing effects of some pesticides may change the focus of their use in crop production, from crop protection to crop enhancement. While such beneficial uses of pesticides are specifically en vogue for fungicides and seed treatments, the use of herbicides for crop enhancement has not yet been realised. The potential for improving crop production by low‐dose, stimulatory effects of herbicides has been proposed, and reports of 10–25% efficiency of improving certain plant traits under field conditions seem promising. However, past attempts to make use of herbicide hormesis, the term for this effect, have been largely unsuccessful. The reasons for this may be manifold, but the lack of understanding of the principles and mechanisms of this low‐dose phenomenon in plants may have contributed to the often claimed lack of adequate predictability for commercial use. Thanks to the research progress recently made in this area, we are now better able to understand the principles of herbicide hormesis and its potential for crop enhancement. Therefore, this review highlights the potential of phytotoxins to induce plant hormesis and the factors influencing its expression. Based on this, possible practical constraints and consequences for the portfolio of uses for herbicides are discussed, along with undesired but apparent hormetic side effects of herbicides.
Direct pressure measurement in the hepatic artery during liver transplantation: can it prevent the “steal” syndrome?
Authors: Wojcicki Maciej , Pakosz‐Golanowska Monika , Lubikowski Jerzy , Post Mariola , Jarosz Konrad , Milkiewicz Piotr
Published: May 2011

Wojcicki M, Pakosz‐Golanowska M, Lubikowski J, Post M, Jarosz K, Milkiewicz P. Direct pressure measurement in the hepatic artery during liver transplantation: can it prevent the “steal” syndrome?  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01478.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Splenic artery “steal” syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an important cause of graft dysfunction. Direct pressure measurement in the hepatic (HA) and radial artery (RA) may identify patients at risk allowing its prevention. This observational study compared radial and hepatic mean arterial pressures (MAP) measured during 100 OLTs performed in 99 recipients, in whom the HA was considered suitable for the anastomosis. A difference of ≥5 mmHg between the radial and hepatic MAP was arbitrarily chosen as the criterion for inflow modulation. Seven patients fulfilled this criterion showing a MAP gradient that was significantly different compared to the others (−10.8 ± 3.3 vs. 2.6 ± 5.0; p < 0.0001). They underwent splenic artery ligation (n = 5), arcuate ligament division (n = 1) and aortohepatic bypass grafting (n = 1) that all resulted in immediate normalization of the arterial inflow pressure to the graft. The splenic artery “steal” syndrome occurred in one patient (day 2 after OLT) in whom the mean HA pressure normalized during OLT following arcuate ligament division, suggesting pathology within the graft as the most likely etiology. Our results indicate that radial MAP can reflect the hepatic MAP during OLT. If a substantial pressure gradient is found, it can be corrected by intraoperative splenic artery ligation or arcuate ligament division.
Survival of southern pine seedlings after inoculations with Pythium and cold storage in the presence of peat moss
Authors: Jackson D. P. , Enebak S. A. , South D. B.
Published: May 2011

Cold storing bareroot pine (Pinus spp.) seedlings grown in the southern U.S. for as little as 1 week in a cooler (just above freezing) in the fall (November to mid‐December) has been shown to reduce seedling survival after outplanting. In contrast, survival of container‐grown seedling is typically not affected when stored for 4 weeks in coolers in November and December. Wounds sustained by seedlings as they are lifted from nursery beds may allow Pythium spp. to infect bareroot seedling roots. Once in the cool, moist storage environment, Pythium multiplies and may result in seedling mortality after outplanting. Bareroot loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and container‐grown loblolly, longleaf (Pinus palustris), slash (Pinus elliottii) and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) seedlings were inoculated with either Pythium dimorphum or Pythium irregulare, cold stored with or without peat moss and monitored for survival after outplanting. Peat moss did not increase bareroot loblolly pine survival or reduce Pythium populations when seedlings were inoculated with Pythium prior to storage. Pythium irregulare reduced survival of longleaf and shortleaf pine grown in peat moss and perlite, respectively. Pythium did not affect loblolly or slash pine, but wounding their roots did reduce seedling survival when grown in containers.
4. Fütterungsversuche mit Tierkörpermehl, Fleischfuttermehl, Fleischknochenmehl und fettarmem Heringsmehl
Authors: Kleberger W. , Horn Val.
Published: May 2011

Zusammenfassend können wir feststellen, daß die beiden Versuche ziemlich gleichsinnige Ergebnisse gezeitigt haben. Im ersten Versuche differieren die Gewichtszunahmen der einzelnen Gruppen mehr als im zweiten. Die Gewichtszunahmen sind zwar aus genannten Gründen nicht sehr günstig, aber immerhin befriedigend. Die besten Zunahmen wurden mit Fleischknochenmehl erzielt; ihm ziemlich gleichwertig erwies sich unter Berücksichtigung des oben Erwähnten das fettarme Heringsmehl. An dritter Stelle steht das Tierkörpermehl, an vierter das Fleischfuttermehl. Die besten Verwertungszahlen wurden ebenfalls mit Fleischknochenmehl erzielt; diesem folgt wieder Heringsmehl. Die schlechtesten Verwertungszahlen haben aber nicht die Gruppen mit Fleischfuttermehl, sondern die Gruppen mit Tierkörpermehl. Die beste Schlachtausbeute weisen die Gruppen mit Fleischknochenmehl‐ und Heringsmehlfütterung auf.

Die Qualität des Fleisches ist sowohl auf Grund der Besichtigung als auch an Hand der Jodzahlen bei allen Gruppen als gleich gut anzusprechen.

Der größte finanzielle Erfolg konnte ebenfalls mit Fleischknochenmehl erzielt werden. Ziemlich gleichwertig stehen Tierkörpermehl und Heringsmehl nebeneinander, während das Fleischfuttermehl den Schluß bildet.

In unseren beiden Versuchen haben also die Futtermittel mit dem höchsten Gehalt an phosphorsaurem Kalk am besten abgeschnitten.
Weitere Untersuchungen zur Entstehungsursache der Diprosopus‐ und unvollständigen Schizosomabildung des Rindes
Authors: Nitsche Max
Published: May 2011

Das Resultat der vorliegenden Untersuchung 1äßt sich dahin zusammenfassen, daß die Schizosoma‐ und Diprosopusbildung in einem sehr frühen embryonalen Entwicklungsstadium durch Druckwirkungen zwischen der wachsenden Keimblase und den sich entwickelnden Kotyledonen entstehen, wodurch der entwicklungsmechanische Werdegang des Keimlings gestört, bezw. in eine anormale Bildungsrichtung gedrängt wird.

Die Druckwirkungen zwischen Keimblase und Kotyledonen scheinen durch die Wachstumsvorgänge der Keimblase, des Uterus und der Kotyledonen in den ersten Anfängen der Trächtigkeit zu erfolgen, wenn die noch kleine Keimblase sich in unmittelbarer Nähe eines oder mehrerer in der Entwicklung befindlicher Kotyledonen festgesetzt hat.

Auf pathologischer Grundlage scheinen diese Mißbildungen, weil sie die Folge entwicklungsmechanischer Störungen frühzeitiger embryonaler Entwicklungsstadien sind, nicht zu beruhen.
Antifungal treatment strategies in patients with haematological diseases or cancer: from prophylaxis to empirical, pre‐emptive and targeted therapy
Authors: Mikolajewska Agata , Schwartz Stefan , Ruhnke Markus
Published: May 2011

Immunocompromised patients have a high risk for invasive fungal diseases (IFDs). These infections are mostly life‐threatening and an early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy are essential for the clinical outcome. Empirical treatment is regarded as the standard of care for granulocytopenic patients who remain febrile despite broad‐spectrum antibiotics. However, this strategy can bear a risk of overtreatment and subsequently induce toxicities and unnecessary treatment costs. Pre‐emptive antifungal therapy is now increasingly used to close the time gap between delayed initiation for proven disease and empirical treatment for anticipated infection without further laboratory or radiological evidence of fungal disease. Currently, some new non‐invasive microbiological and laboratory methods, like the Aspergillus‐galactomannan sandwich‐enzyme immunoassay (Aspergillus GM‐ELISA), 1,3‐β‐d‐glucan assay or PCR techniques have been developed for a better diagnosis and determination of target patients. The current diagnostic approaches to fungal infections and the role of the revised definitions for invasive fungal infections, now IFDs, will be discussed in this review as well as old and emerging approaches to empirical, pre‐emptive and targeted antifungal therapies in patients with haemato‐oncological malignancies.
Endoscopic, clinicopathological features and prognosis of very young patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Bai Yu , Li Zhao‐Shen
Published: May 2011

Background and Aim:  The number of clinical reports of very young (< 35 years) patients with gastric cancer are limited. We aimed to investigate the endoscopic and clinicopathological features and long‐term prognosis of this unique group of patients.

Methods:  A prospective endoscopy database review of all consecutive very young patients with gastric cancer was performed. The gender, age, clinical features, endoscopic and pathologic findings, and long‐term survival of these very young patients were analyzed and compared with those of elderly patients.

Results:  A total of 210 patients were included with a median age of 31 year, 60.0% was female, and 34.3% presented with alarm features, 19.0% reported family history of gastric cancer. 58.1% of these cancers were located in gastric body, 33.8% were located in the antrum. 63.8% of these cancers were found to be diffuse type; 18.1% of patients underwent curative surgical treatment, and the 5‐year survival rate was 42.1%.

Conclusions:  The study describes that very young patients with gastric cancer were mainly females, who were less likely to present with alarm features, but had a high frequency of family history of gastric cancer; and the majority of these cancers were located in gastric body, and they had similar long‐term prognosis compared with elderly counterparts if curative surgical resection was performed.
Sterile abscess formation associated with depot leuprorelin acetate therapy for central precocious puberty
Authors: Johnson Stephanie R , Nolan Richard C , Grant Maree T , Price Glynis J , Siafarikas Aris , Bint Lewis , Choong Catherine SY
Published: May 2011

We describe a case of an 8 year old girl with central precocious puberty. She was commenced on 3 monthly intramuscular depot Leuprorelin acetate therapy, as a result of which she developed sterile abscesses. She was converted to daily subcutaneous Leuprorelin acetate therapy with no recurrence of the abscesses. The possible mechanisms for this reaction are described in the article.
Oesophageal applications of the convex curvilinear ultrasound bronchoscope; an illustrative case series
Authors: ABOUZGHEIB WISSAM , SHWEIHAT YOUSEF , BARTTER THADDEUS
Published: May 2011

A series of cases is used to demonstrate use of convex curvilinear ultrasound bronchoscope via the oesophagus in the diagnosis of non‐nodal thoracic disease. This scope has a breadth of application that has not to date been fully explored. Criteria for preferential use of the oesophagus are delineated.
Pleomorphic type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma with myxoid stroma of the vulva in a young woman
Authors: Iwakawa Tokiko , Tsuji Takahiro , Hamada Tomonori , Kamio Masaki , Matsuo Takashi , Yoshinaga Mitsuhiro , Kitajima Shinichi , Douchi Tsutomu
Published: May 2011

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the vulva is extremely rare; to date, there have been nine case reports. Almost all of these cases involved middle‐aged women. We encountered a 21‐year‐old woman with a 4.5 × 2.6 cm superficial, localized, exophytic tumor of the right vulva. Microscopic findings on punch biopsy of the tumor initially suggested a vulvar sarcoma. The patient underwent wide local excision of the vulva. The extirpated specimen demonstrated the pleomorphic type of MFH with myxoid stroma of the vulva. The clinical stage was found to be IIB, based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. Chromosomal analysis of the tumor using the conventional G‐band method was normal (46XX). This seems to be a very rare case of MFH of the vulva in a young woman. Physicians should therefore include MFH in the differential diagnosis of vulvar tumors, even though it is a rare disease.
Ventral premotor cortex neuronal activity matches perceptual decisions
Authors: Acuña Carlos , Pardo‐Vazquez Jose L.
Published: May 2011

The relationship between neuronal activity and psychophysical judgments is central to understanding the brain mechanisms responsible for perceptual decisions. The ventral premotor cortex is known to be involved in representing different components of the decision‐making process. In this cortical area, however, neither the neuronal ability to discriminate nor the trial‐to‐trial relationship between neuronal activity and behavior have been studied during visual decision‐making. We recorded from single neurons while monkeys reported a decision based on the comparison of the orientation of two lines shown sequentially and separated by a delay. Analyses based on signal detection theory provided both the behavioral and neuronal sensitivities (d′) and the coherence between behavioral and neuronal choices. To determine the temporal evolution of neuronal sensitivity and of coherence, the optimal size and position of the encoding windows were assessed. For a subset of neurons from the premotor ventral cortex, neuronal sensitivity was close to behavioral sensitivity and the trial‐to‐trial coherence between the neuronal and behavioral choices was close to 100%. By comparing these results with those obtained in a motor control task we ruled out the possibility of this activity being explained by the motor component of the task. These results suggest that activity in the ventral premotor cortex explains behavioral performance and predicts trial‐to‐trial subject choices.
Are all ICUs the same?
Authors: Wetzel Randall C. , Sachedeva Ramesh , Rice Thomas B.
Published: May 2011

The ability to compare intensive care units (ICUs) and determine whether they provide the same level of care with regard to efficacy, efficiency, and quality is a cornerstone of understanding critical care and improving the quality of that care. Without collecting high‐quality data, adjusted for severity of illness and analyzed in a comparative fashion, it would not be possible to describe best practices objectively, to identify which ICUs are doing a good job or to learn from those units that are. This review article discusses how and why ICUs are compared. Particular attention is focused on the severity of illness scores, standardized mortality, and comparative reporting. A data collecting network, Virtual Pediatric Systems, limited liability corporation (VPS, LLC), designed for the purposes of determining where differences in critical care can be identified and the value that this adds in improving quality is discussed. Finally, results from this large data sharing collaborative describing the practice of pediatric critical care are included for the purpose of pediatric intensive care units practice benchmarks.
Microbial growth on the edge of desiccation
Authors: de Goffau Marcus C. , van Dijl Jan Maarten , Harmsen Hermie J. M.
Published: May 2011

The availability of water, which can be expressed in terms of water activity (aw), is one of the most important determinants for microbial homeostasis and growth on surface to air interfaces. Here we show, using an environmental control chamber containing a precisely controlled temperature/aw gradient in combination with a mathematical approach, that the environmental aw growth limit of a microorganism can be lower than its intracellular aw limit. This internal limit represents the point at which microbial cells cannot lower their internal aw any further in response to low external aw values without interfering with essential intracellular processes. To grow at external aw values below their internal limit, microbes need to generate more water metabolically than they lose to their environment. This internal aw limit can be calculated by measuring the aw growth limit of an organism at different water vapour diffusivities using barometric pressure as a variable. Fascinating morphological changes, such as rope‐like superstructures formed by B. subtilis, are furthermore observed in response to low external aw values in particular around the calculated intracellular aw limit. The intracellular aw limit of an organism is a decisive parameter for water limitation‐induced adaptations in cellular hydrophilicity and morphogenesis.
GhHmgB3 deficiency deregulates proliferation and differentiation of cells during somatic embryogenesis in cotton
Authors: Hu Lisong , Yang Xiyan , Yuan Daojun , Zeng Fanchang , Zhang Xianlong
Published: May 2011

The proteins of high‐mobility group box (HmgB) family were involved in the regulation of transcription and other DNA‐dependent processes. To investigate the function of HmgB proteins during cotton somatic embryogenesis (SE), four Gossypium hirsutum HmgB genes were characterized. The gene GhHmgB3 preferentially expressed in embryonic tissues and was studied in detail. RNA interference and over‐expression was used to regulate the expression of GhHmgB3 during cotton SE by transforming both hypocotyl and embryogenic calli (ECs) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The GhHmgB3‐deficient somatic cells of hypocotyls dedifferentiated more vigorously than the control cells, but they failed to differentiate to ECs. In another case, the proliferation and differentiation of GhHmgB3‐deficient ECs were significantly improved, but failed to form plantlets. Over‐expression of GhHmgB3 had no significant differences in callus initiation and differentiation compared with the control cell lines. The different expression genes between the control and GhHmgB3‐deficient ECs were identified by Solexa sequencing technology. The bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification revealed series of abnormal mechanism associated with β‐catenin signalling. These results in response to the down‐regulation of GhHmgB3 revealed series of β‐catenin‐related mechanisms might be responsible for the deregulation of proliferation and differentiation of cells in cotton SE.
Metabolic engineering of soybean affords improved phytosterol seed traits
Authors: Neelakandan Anjanasree K. , Chamala Swetha , Valliyodan Babu , Nes William David , Nguyen Henry T.
Published: May 2011

Different combinations of three rate‐limiting enzymes in phytosterol biosynthesis, the Arabidopsis thaliana hydroxyl methylglutaryl CoA1 (HMGR1) catalytic subunit linked to either constitutive or seed‐specific β‐conglycinin promoter, and the Glycine max sterol methyltransferase1 (SMT1) and sterol methyltransferase2‐2 (SMT2‐2) genes, under the control of seed‐specific Glycinin‐1 and Beta‐phaseolin promoters, respectively, were engineered in soybean plants. Mature seeds of transgenic plants displayed modest increases in total sterol content, which points towards a tight control of phytosterol biosynthesis. However, in contrast to wild‐type seeds that accumulated about 35% of the total sterol in the form of intermediates, in the engineered seeds driven by a seed‐specific promoter, metabolic flux was directed to Δ5‐24‐alkyl sterol formation (99% of total sterol). The engineered effect of end‐product sterol (sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) over‐production in soybean seeds resulted in an approximately 30% increase in overall sitosterol synthesis, a desirable trait for oilseeds and human health. In contradistinction, increased accumulation of cycloartenol and 24(28)‐methylencylartanol (55% of the total sterol) was detected in plants harbouring the constitutive t‐HMGR1 gene, consistent with the previous studies. Our results support the possibility that metabolic flux of the phytosterol family pathway is differentially regulated in leaves and seeds.