bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated pretransplant ferritin is associated with a lower incidence of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease and inferior survival after myeloablative allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mahindra Anuj , Bolwell Brian , Sobecks Ronald , Rybicki Lisa , Pohlman Brad , Dean Robert , Andresen Steve , Sweetenham John , Kalaycio Matt , Copelan Edward
Published: June 2009

Elevated pretransplant serum ferritin levels have been associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We studied 222 patients who underwent myeloablative allogeneic HCT in whom pretransplantation serum ferritin levels were available. Pretransplantation ferritin > 1910 μg/l was associated with lower overall survival (P = 0·003), lower relapse‐free survival (P = 0·003), decreased chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) (P = 0·019) and increased non‐relapse mortality (NRM) (P = 0·042). Similar results were obtained when pretransplantation ferritin was analysed as a continuous variable and by quartiles. Our results indicate that an elevated pretransplant ferritin level adversely impacts transplantation outcomes. The adverse impact of elevated ferritin on NRM and survival was despite its association with lower incidences of acute and chronic GVHD, which are major causes of NRM. The association of ferritin with iron overload and its influence on HCT outcomes requires further prospective validation.
Downregulation of cell survival signalling pathways and increased cell damage in hydrogen peroxide‐treated human renal proximal tubular cells by alpha‐erythropoietin
Authors: Andreucci M. , Fuiano G. , Presta P. , Lucisano G. , Leone F. , Fuiano L. , Bisesti V. , Esposito P. , Russo D. , Memoli B. , Faga T. , Michael A.
Published: June 2009

Objective:  Erythropoietin has been shown to have a protective effect in certain models of ischaemia‐reperfusion, and in some cases the protection has been correlated with activation of signalling pathways known to play a role in cell survival and proliferation. We have studied whether erythropoietin would overcome direct toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment to human renal proximal tubular (HK‐2) cells.

Materials and methods:  HK‐2 cells were incubated with H2O2 (2 mm) for 2 h with or without erythropoietin at concentrations of 100 and 400 U/ml, and cell viability/proliferation was assessed by chemical reduction of MTT. Changes in phosphorylation state of the kinases Akt, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2) were also analysed.

Results:  Cells incubated with H2O2 alone showed a significant decrease in viability, which did not significantly change by addition of erythropoietin at concentration of 100 U/ml, but was further reduced when concentration of erythropoietin was increased to 400 U/ml. Phosphorylation state of the kinases Akt, GSK‐3β, mTOR and ERK1/ERK2 of H2O2‐treated HK‐2 cells was slightly altered in the presence of erythropoietin at concentration of 100 U/ml, but was significantly less in the presence of erythropoietin at a concentration of 400 U/ml. Phosphorylation of forkhead transcription factor FKHRL1 was diminished in cells incubated with H2O2 and erythropoietin at a concentration of 400 U/ml.

Conclusions:  Erythropoietin, at high concentrations, may significantly increase cellular damage in HK‐2 cells subjected to oxidative stress, which may be due in part to decrease in activation of important signalling pathways involved in cell survival and/or cell proliferation.
Depressive symptoms and behavioural health risks in young women attending an urban sexual health clinic
Authors: Fernandez V. , Kramer T. , Fong G. , Doig A. , Garralda M. E.
Published: June 2009

Background  Adolescence is a time of increased health risk behaviours and depressive symptoms and disorders. Most young people with depressive disorders, however, are not under the care of specialist child and adolescent mental health services, and there is increasing interest in identifying alternative appropriate settings which are acceptable for young people and may attract those at high risk for depressive disorders.

Aim  To assess depressive and behavioural health risks in attendees to a sexual health clinic (SHC) for young people.

Method  Cross‐sectional controlled study of women attending a SHC and school attendees, using questionnaires on depressive symptoms and mental health problems, sexual activity and substance use.

Results  115/178 attendees 14–19 years old completed questionnaires. In the comparison between 66 women aged 16–18 years and 49 socio‐demographically group‐matched school controls, SHC attendees reported higher levels of sexual activity and substance use. They were significantly more at risk for depression (20/65 or 30% vs. 4/46 or 8%; χ2P < 0.01) on the Beck Depression Inventory, for emotional (12/66 or 18% vs. 1/49 or 2%; χ2P < 0.01), hyperactivity (11/66 or 16% vs. 2/46 or 4%; χ2P < 0.05) and conduct (8/66 or 12% vs. 0/49; χ2P < 0.05) problems on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. High depressive scores were significantly associated with a history of self‐harm, earlier alcohol use and having tried cannabis, but not with sexual risk behaviours. Earlier age at first sexual intercourse was linked to higher sexual and substance use risks.

Conclusion  We have found high levels of depressive symptoms among attendees to a SHC for young people, which seem an appropriate setting for screening and providing guidance for depression and other health risk behaviours.
New imaging approaches to phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas
Authors: Havekes Bas , King Kathryn , Lai Edwin W. , Romijn Johannes A. , Corssmit Eleonora P. M. , Pacak Karel
Published: June 2009

Formerly used concepts for phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas have been challenged by recent discoveries that at least 24% of tumours are familial and thereby often multiple in various locations throughout the body. Furthermore, tumours are often malignant and perhaps more aggressive if associated with SDHB gene mutations. Some paragangliomas are clinically silent and may present only with dopamine hypersecretion. In the current era where CT and MRI are more commonly used, tumours are more often found as incidentalomas and MRI may be less specific for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma than previously thought. Because of unique tumour characteristics (e.g. the presence of cell membrane and intracellular vesicular norepinephrine transporters) these tumours were ‘born’ to be imaged by means of specific functional imaging approaches. Moreover, additional recent discoveries related to apoptosis, hypoxia, acidosis, anaerobic glycolysis and angiogenesis, often disturbed in tumour cells, open new options and challenges to specifically image phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas and possibly link those results to their pathophysiology, genotypic alterations and metastatic potential. Functional imaging, especially represented by positron emission tomography (PET), offers an excellent approach by which tumour‐specific processes can be detected, evaluated and seen in the context of tumour‐specific behaviour and its genetic signature. In this review, we address the recent developments in new functional imaging modalities for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma and provide the reader with suggested imaging approaches in various phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas of sympathetic origin. Current imaging algorithms of head and neck parasympathetic paragangliomas are not discussed. Finally, this review outlines some future perspectives of functional imaging of these tumours.
Problems in diagnosing atypical Gitelman’s syndrome presenting with normomagnesaemia
Authors: Nakamura Akinobu , Shimizu Chikara , Nagai So , Yoshida Masahiro , Aoki Kazutaka , Kondo Takuma , Miyoshi Hideaki , Wada Norio , Tajima Toshihiro , Terauchi Yasuo , Yoshioka Narihito , Koike Takao
Published: June 2009

Objective  Gitelman’s syndrome, recognized as a variant of Bartter’s syndrome, is characterized by hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis in combination with hypomagnesaemia and hypocalciuria. Overlapping biochemical features in Gitelman’s syndrome and Bartter’s syndrome has been observed. Here, we investigated the clinical, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of five, chronic, nonhypertensive and hypokalaemic Japanese patients.

Methods  Serum and urinary electrolytes, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were measured in five patients (four males and one female) with hypokalaemia. Renal clearance tests were performed and distal fractional chloride reabsorption calculated. Finally, mutational analysis of the thiazide‐sensitive Na‐Cl co‐transporter gene was performed.

Results  Symptoms in patients varied from mild (muscle weakness and numbness) to severe (tetany and foot paralysis). All patients were normotensive or hypotensive, and all had hypokalaemia, hypocalciuria, and hyperreninaemic hyperaldosteronism. However, two male patients had normomagnesaemia, while the remainder was hypomagnesaemic. Renal clearance tests showed that the administration of furosemide decreased distal fractional chloride reabsorption, while thiazide ingestion failed to decrease it. Genetic analysis identified six thiazide‐sensitive Na‐Cl co‐transporter gene mutations, including two novel ones. Therefore, on the basis of the confirmatory renal clearance tests and mutational analysis, a diagnosis of Gitelman’s syndrome was made in these patients.

Conclusions  Two of the five patients diagnosed with Gitelman’s syndrome were normomagnesaemic, which is uncommon in this syndrome. Our study indicates that renal clearance tests and mutation analysis can play an important role in diagnosing Gitelman’s syndrome more precisely.
Prey protein influences growth and decoration building in the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi
Authors: BLAMIRES SEAN J. , HOCHULI DIETER F. , THOMPSON MICHAEL B.
Published: June 2009

Abstract. 1. Protein is important for a foraging animal to consume, as it promotes growth and enhances survival, particularly in web‐building spiders, which need to invest considerable protein into web building and may trade‐off growth for web investment.

2. The influence of dietary protein uptake on growth and web investment was tested in the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi, by feeding them flies reared on three different media: (1) high protein, (2) low protein, and (3) standard (control) media. There was a negative correlation between protein and energy content of the flies across treatments; flies reared on the high protein media had the highest protein, but lowest energy, while flies reared on the low protein media had the lowest protein but highest energy.

3. It was found that silk investment and web architecture in A. keyserlingi was not affected by diet. Growth and decoration building were both enhanced when spiders were fed a high protein diet.

4. It was concluded that protein intake, rather than energy, influenced both growth and decoration building because: (1) protein intake enhances growth in other animals, (2) protein is essential for silk synthesis, especially aciniform silk, and (3) protein is a limiting factor actively sought by foraging animals in natural environments.
Unbalanced translocation in an adult patient with premature ovarian failure and mental retardation detected by spectral karyotyping and array‐comparative genomic hybridization
Authors: Guo Q. S. , Qin S. Y. , Zhou S. F. , He L. , Ma D. , Zhang Y. P. , Xiong Y. , Peng T. , Cheng Y. , Li X. T.
Published: June 2009

Background  There are only three cases of unbalanced translocation (X;1) reported in childhood in the literature, while no such phenotypic information is available in adults.

Materials and methods  To delineate the phenotype–genotype relationship of unbalanced translocation (X;1) in adulthood, we reported here a 20‐year‐old female with an unbalanced translocation (X;1) which was determined by spectral karyotyping, array‐comparative genomic hybridization and subtelomeric fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Results  The phenotype of partial trisomy 1 and partial monosomy X of the present case was much attenuated, including premature ovarian failure, mental retardation, class I obesity, mild dysmorphism and delayed secondary sexual characteristics. The breakpoints of the unbalanced translocation were accurately located at Xq28 and 1q32·1. The large amplification on Chromosome 1 q arm was found to involve 312 genes and the deletion on Chromosome X q arm also involved 141 genes. Overall, genes associated with physiological process (47 genes), cellular process (33), development (23), response to stimulus (1) and reproduction (1) were observed in the amplification on Chromosome 1 q arm. In addition, genes related to physiological process (23 genes), cellular process (13), development (6) and response to stimulus (2) were observed in the large deletion on chromosome X q arm. Late‐replication studies revealed the existence of skewed X inactivation in the derivative X chromosome.

Conclusions  The phenotype of partial monosomy X and partial trisomy 1q is much attenuated in case of unbalanced translocation (X;1) in adulthood probably owing to skewed X inactivation in derivative X chromosome.
Quercetin inhibits fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis in rat‐liver cells
Authors: Gnoni G. V. , Paglialonga G. , Siculella L.
Published: June 2009

Background  Quercetin plays a cardiovascular protective role because of its antioxidant capacity and ability to modulate dyslipidemia. As alterations in hepatic lipid synthesis are crucial to the regulation of serum lipid levels, we investigated the quercetin effect on lipogenesis in rat liver cells.

Materials and methods  The effect of quercetin on the rate of synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, neutral lipids, phospholipids and very‐low‐density lipoproteins (VLDL) was investigated in rat hepatocyte suspensions following [1‐14C]acetate incorporation into these lipid fractions. Enzyme activities of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) as well as diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMG‐CoA‐R), pace‐setting steps of de novo fatty acid, triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesterol synthesis respectively were assayed in digitonin‐permeabilized hepatocytes.

Results  Within 30 min of quercetin addition to the hepatocytes, inhibition (IC50 ∼25 μM) of fatty acid synthesis occurred. A reduction in label incorporation mainly into TAG was observed. Among neosynthesized fatty acids, palmitic acid formation was greatly reduced, suggesting that enzymatic step(s) of de novo fatty synthesis was affected. Only ACC activity was noticeably reduced, but no change in FAS activity was observed. DGAT activity was also inhibited. The decreased intracellular TAG content was paralleled by a reduction in acetate incorporation into VLDL‐TAG. Conversely, cholesterol synthesis and HMG‐CoA‐R were not significantly affected by quercetin.

Conclusions  In hepatocytes from normal rats, the quercetin‐induced decrease in both de novo fatty acid and TAG synthesis, with a consequent reduction in VLDL‐TAG formation, may represent a potential mechanism contributing to the reported hypotriacylglycerolemic effect of quercetin.
Phosphorus economics of tropical rainforest species and stands across soil contrasts in Queensland, Australia: understanding the effects of soil specialization and trait plasticity
Authors: Gleason Sean M. , Read Jenny , Ares Adrian , Metcalfe Dan J.
Published: June 2009

1. Edaphic specialization among species may lead to greater productivity and resource use efficiency across heterogenous landscapes than could be achieved in the absence of specialization. Although this idea has been tested conceptually and in garden experiments, it has rarely been examined in undisturbed forests.

2. To address this gap in our knowledge, we measured aboveground net primary productivity (aboveground biomass increment plus litterfall; ANPP) and phosphorus use efficiency (ANPP/P uptake) for stands on infertile schist soil and fertile basalt soil on the Atherton Tablelands, Australia. We also measured aboveground biomass production and estimated P use efficiency (PUE) for 52 tree species within these stands. Soil P fractions and radiation use efficiency (ANPP/percent intercepted radiation) were also measured.

3. Phosphorus use efficiency was markedly variable (CV = 44%) among species across soil types. Phosphorus use efficiency of obligate specialists on infertile soil was twice as high as species common on both soil types. Plastic responses within species were also significant, with trees on infertile soil having 45% greater PUE than trees on fertile soil. At the ecosystem level, genotypic and phenotypic traits accounted for 49% and 29% of the total PUE variance. Phosphorus‐efficient trees (PUE >8 kg biomass g−1 P uptake) on schist soils contributed more to stand‐level species richness (schist = 73%, basalt = 20%), basal area (schist = 86%, basalt = 18%) and production (schist = 82%, basalt = 10%) than did P‐efficient species on basalt soils.

4. Forest on schist soils achieved higher PUE than forest on basalt soils by partitioning more P to leaves rather than wood and by retaining P for longer periods of time before losing it via tissue senescence. These PUE traits enabled forest on schist to achieve similar ANPP and radiation use efficiency (i.e. PUE was not traded for radiation use efficiency). It is possible that opportunity costs of high PUE may exist among other life‐history traits.

5. These results suggest that plasticity in traits that confer P conservation is significant, but limited, and that maximum P conservation at the landscape level must be achieved via genetic differences between species. Although this highlights the importance of genetic conservation in forests, it also demonstrates that high P conservation is possible with relatively few, but markedly plastic species.
Survival trade‐offs associated with inducible defences in snails: the roles of multiple predators and developmental plasticity
Authors: Hoverman Jason T. , Relyea Rick A.
Published: June 2009

For decades, organisms with inducible defences have been used extensively as model systems for addressing the ecology and evolution of phenotypic plasticity. However, our current understanding of inducible defences comes largely from studies that have examined the survival benefits of an inducible defence in a predator environment vs. the growth or reproductive costs in a no‐predator environment. Moreover, this work has focused on a single point in prey development. Unfortunately, this approach neglects the role that functionally different predator species (with divergent selection pressures) may play in maintaining inducible defences in prey populations and overlooks the dynamic nature of prey responses and prey vulnerability over development.

In this study, we used freshwater snails and a subset of their predators to address the survival costs and benefits of predator‐induced plasticity in response to functionally different predators at multiple points in development.

We found that snails altered unique suites of traits over development in response to three different caged predator environments. Moreover, short‐term predation trials demonstrated that the phenotype induced by one predator had higher survival with that predator than any alternative phenotype but lower survival with a different predator species (i.e. survival trade‐offs). However, the trade‐off was only strongly detected midway in development before a size refuge was attained from predation and after morphological defences had formed in the snails.

Our study suggests that functionally different predators favour inducible defences in freshwater snails, and that incorporating development into tests of the adaptive plasticity hypothesis can provide valuable information about the dynamics of trait induction and variation in fitness trade‐offs over time.
Fibroblast growth factor 9 stimulates steroidogenesis in postnatal Leydig cells
Authors: Lin Yung Ming , Tsai Chih Chien , Chung Chia Ling , Chen Pei Rong , Sunny Sun H. , Tsai Shaw Jenq , Huang Bu Miin
Published: June 2009

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is a potent mitogen and survival factor required for morphogenesis during embryonic development and numerous biological functions at adulthood. The reproductive phenotype of mice lacking Fgf9 gene exhibits male to female sexual reversal, suggesting a crucial role of Fgf9 in male sex determination. Our previous study showed that polymorphic microsatellite of FGF9 genes is associated with 46XY female with ambiguous genitalia, implying that the aberrant expression of FGF9 might affect androgen secretion. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of FGF9 on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cell and to study the signalling pathways by which FGF9 modulate steroidogenesis. Our results show that mRNAs of Fgf9 and Fgfr isoforms (Fgfr2IIIc, Fgfr3 and Fgfr4) were all expressed in mouse Leydig cells. FGF9 significantly stimulates mouse Leydig cell testosterone production in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Ras‐MAPK, PI3K and PKA signalling pathways are involved in the FGF9‐induced steroidogenesis. These results provide supportive evidence linking the aberrant expression of FGF9 to human gonadal dysgenesis and suggest a role of FGF9 in postnatal testicular development.
Finasteride treatment alters MMP‐2 and ‐9 gene expression and activity in the rat ventral prostate
Authors: Delella Flávia K. , Justulin Jr Luis A. , Felisbino Sérgio L.
Published: June 2009

The safety of using finasteride as a prevention of prostate cancer is still under debate. In this study, we investigated the effects of finasteride on the location, gene expression and activities of matrix metalloproteinases ‐2 and ‐9, which are involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix components during tissue remodelling and prostate cancer progression, invasion and metastasis. Ventral prostates (VP) from Wistar rats treated with finasteride (25 mg/kg/day) for 7 and 30 days and age‐matched controls were evaluated using histology, immunohistochemistry, semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR and gelatin zymography. Finasteride treatment reduced the epithelial immunostaining of MMP‐2 but increased MMP‐9 immunostaining in the epithelial cells and in the stroma. The mRNA expression of both MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were significantly increased on day 7 of finasteride treatment, mainly for MMP‐9 and returned to the control levels by day 30. However, gelatin zymography showed that MMP‐9 activity was significantly increased on day 7 of finasteride treatment and remained elevated on day 30 (p < 0.05), while MMP‐2 activity was reduced after 30 days of treatment. Finasteride increases MMP‐9 and reduces MMP‐2 activities in the prostate, which may affect negatively and positively both normal and tumoural prostatic cell behaviour during the treatment. Studies on expression of MMPs in the prostate during different androgen manipulation or cancer chemoprevention strategies can contribute to understand the tissue’s overall response and clinical data.
Critical parameters for predicting population fluctuations of some British passerines
Authors: Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Grøtan Vidar , Engen Steinar , Noble David G. , Freckleton Robert P.
Published: June 2009

1. One of the greatest challenges in ecology is to develop tools that can give reliable projections of future population fluctuations as well as to quantity uncertainties. The population prediction interval (PPI), i.e. the stochastic interval that includes a given population size with a certain probability, is affected by changes in expected population size, e.g. due to density regulation, fluctuations in population size because of demographic and environmental stochasticity, uncertainties and biases in parameter estimates, and observation error in estimates of population size.

2. The aim of this study was to examine how PPI can be used to obtain reliable projections of future population fluctuations. Our approach is to split long time series into two parts: the first part is used for parameter estimation and the second part is used for comparing population predictions with actual population sizes after a certain period of time.

3. Here we use the Common Birds Census – data from the UK for several species of passerines. Unbiased predictions will give a uniform distribution of the recorded population sizes across the PPI when transformed to a scale defined by the quantiles of the PPI. However, deviations from a uniform distribution reveal biases in the predictions. For instance, if there is a predominance of recorded population sizes in the upper quantiles of the PPI, this shows that our predictions underestimate future population sizes.

4. Unbiased predictions required models that included both partitioning of stochastic influences into demographic and environmental stochasticity as well as observation error.

5. Precision in the population predictions was improved when including observation error as well as density dependence.

6. We recommend that predictions of future fluctuations of small passerine populations are based on models that include density dependence as well as observation error and estimates of the demographic variance that is obtained from individual‐based demographic data or based on species‐specific life‐history characteristics.

7. These results show that constructing PPI by stochastic simulations may be a useful tool for obtaining reliable population projections.
Community consequences of herbivore‐induced bottom–up trophic cascades: the importance of resource heterogeneity
Authors: Utsumi Shunsuke , Nakamura Masahiro , Ohgushi Takayuki
Published: June 2009

1. Herbivory often changes resource quality for herbivorous insects through induced plant responses depending on the intensity of damage. We hypothesized that the willow’s response following herbivory affects the entire arthropod community structure on the tree due to changes in plant quality. To examine this hypothesis, we investigated arthropod communities on three willow species, Salix gilgiana, Salix eriocarpa and Salix serissaefolia.

2.
 In our common garden, cuttings were established in 2003 and experimental treatments were applied in 2005. Damage by a boring caterpillar of a swift moth (Endoclita excrescens) and artificial cutting of 25% stems were applied as partial herbivory within individual trees, and 100% cutting of stems was applied to represent severe herbivory to whole individual trees. These treatments stimulated lateral shoot production depending on damage intensity, resulting in full compensation for biomass loss.

3.
 Positive relationships were detected between within‐tree variation in foliar nitrogen content and overall abundance/species richness of herbivores. Moth boring and 25% cutting increased herbivore abundance and species richness relative to controls. However, we found no significant differences in herbivore abundance and species richness between 100% cut and control trees. Community composition of herbivore species was significantly different between the following three groups: (i) bored and 25% cut; (ii) 100% cut; and (iii) control trees. Changes in community structure of herbivores were likely due to changes in plant quality depending on the intensity of damage.

4.
 Although total predator abundance and species richness were not significantly different among treatments, community composition of predator species was significantly different among treatments.

5.
 These results indicate that herbivore‐induced willow responses can largely determine the entire arthropod community structure of multitrophic levels due to changes in plant quality. We suggest that heterogeneous resource conditions induced by herbivory within and among plant individuals increase the species diversity of arthropods.
The leafing intensity premium hypothesis tested across clades, growth forms and altitudes
Authors: Milla Rubén
Published: June 2009

1. Recent reports provide empirical evidence for a negative isometric scaling of (log)leaf number per unit shoot volume (i.e. leafing intensity) to (log)leaf size in woody plants. In this context, a theory of leaf size variation was anticipated, stating that natural selection should have favoured high leafing intensity, given that most tree and shrub species are small‐leaved. Leaf size is thus proposed to be a mere correlate of leafing intensity. This was coined the leafing intensity premium hypothesis.

2. I investigated the generality of the leaf size–number trade‐off by testing its extension to a set of 60 small‐stature species, growing along an altitude gradient. Also, I compiled data from 224 species and re‐analysed their leaf size and leafing intensity. Finally, I explored the validity of the leafing intensity premium hypothesis to account for the leaf size–number trade‐off, if the latter was sustained, and examined patterns of coordinated evolution of leaf size and leafing intensity across seed plant lineages.

3. Negative isometric scaling was supported in all analyses, except when evergreens were considered in isolation. Frequency distribution of both leaf size and leafing intensity was severely right‐skewed in the 224‐species data set, which provided no evidence in support of the view that natural selection favoured species with high leafing intensity.

4. Node divergences in the phylogenetic tree showed a tendency for inverse coordinated evolution of leafing intensity and leaf size. However, interactions between environments and divergence patterns, and also node‐wise peculiarities, were detected.

5.
Synthesis. The leaf size–number trade‐off is of general scope, although scaling exponents differ among evergreen and deciduous species. In addition, signals of coordinated evolution of both traits across the seed plant tree were detected. Still, the leafing intensity premium hypothesis cannot be supported, since leafing intensity of present‐day species is not particularly biased towards high scores.
Sleep in individuals with Cri du Chat syndrome: a comparative study
Authors: Maas A. P. H. M. , Didden R. , Korzilius H. , Braam W. , Smits M. G. , Curfs L. M. G.
Published: June 2009

Background Sleep problems are common in individuals with intellectual disability. Little is known about sleep in children and adults with Cri du Chat syndrome (CDC).

Method Sleep was investigated in 30 individuals with CDC using a sleep questionnaire. Sleep problems and sleep behaviours in individuals with CDC were compared with individuals with non‐specific intellectual disabilities (NS) (n = 30) and Down's syndrome (DS) (n = 30).

Results Nine individuals with CDC (i.e. 30%) had a sleep problem, compared with seven individuals with NS (i.e. 23%) and three individuals with DS (i.e. 10%). Though there were few differences between diagnostic groups, night waking problems were most common in CDC. Individuals with CDC frequently showed behaviours related to disordered breathing and poor‐quality sleep. Several behaviours related to sleep had a higher occurrence in CDC than in DS (P < 0.05) but not in NS.

Conclusions It is concluded that individuals with CDC do not have an increased probability of sleep problems as compared with other individuals who share similar demographic characteristics. Hypotheses about causes of night waking problems in CDC are generated and suggestions for future research of sleep in individuals with CDC are given.
Distribution of Kisspeptin Neurones in the Adult Female Mouse Brain
Authors: Clarkson J. , D’Anglemont de Tassigny X. , Colledge W. H. , Caraty A. , Herbison A. E.
Published: June 2009

Kisspeptin‐GPR54 signalling is essential for normal reproductive functioning. However, the distribution of kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies and their projections is not well established. The present study aimed to provide a detailed account of kisspeptin neuroanatomy in the mouse brain. Using a polyclonal rabbit antibody AC566, directed towards the final ten C‐terminal amino acids of murine kisspeptin, three populations of kisspeptin‐expressing cell bodies were identified in the adult female mouse brain. One exists as a dense periventricular continuum of cells within the rostral part of the third ventricle, another is found within the arcuate nucleus, and another is identified as a low‐density group of scattered cells within the dorsomedial nucleus and posterior hypothalamus. Kisspeptin‐immunoreactive fibres were abundant within the ventral aspect of the lateral septum and within the hypothalamus running in periventricular and ventral retrochiasmatic pathways. Notable exclusions from the kisspeptin fibre innervation were the suprachiasmatic and ventromedial nuclei. Outside of the hypothalamus, a small number of kisspeptin fibres were identified in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, subfornical organ, medial amygdala, paraventricular thalamus, periaqueductal grey and locus coerulus. All kisspeptin cell body and fibre immunoreactivity was absent in brain tissue from Kiss1 knockout mice. These observations provide a map of kisspeptin neurones in the mouse brain and indicate that a limited number of mostly medial hypothalamic and lateral septal brain regions are innervated by the three hypothalamic kisspeptin cell populations; the functions of these projections remain to be established.
Patients’ expectations and satisfaction of complete denture therapy and correlation with locus of control
Authors: BELLINI D. , DOS SANTOS M. B. F. , DE PAULA PRISCO DA CUNHA V. , MARCHINI L.
Published: June 2009

Summary  Considering the importance of patients’ satisfaction with complete denture therapy and the influence of psychosocial aspects and expectations regarding satisfaction with their dentures, the present study aimed to test for a correlation between locus of control profiles and expectations before and satisfaction after complete denture therapy. Sixty‐four patients rated their expectations for aesthetic and functional results of complete denture therapy on a 10‐cm visual analogue scale (VAS), using scores from 0 (worst results) to 10 (best results). A similar questionnaire was used regarding satisfaction after final denture adjustments. Patients also answered a locus of control questionnaire in the initial interview. anova and a chi‐squared test were used to test for correlations among ratings, patient gender and locus of control profiles. The significance level adopted was 0·05. The expectation ratings before treatment were significantly lower than the post‐treatment completion ratings, both for aesthetics (P < 0·001) and function (P = 0·004). There was no correlation between locus of control profiles and patients’ ratings or between gender and VAS scores. No correlation was found between locus of control profiles and scores for expectations before and satisfaction after complete dentures.
Bacterial type IV secretion systems in human disease
Authors: Llosa Matxalen , Roy Craig , Dehio Christoph
Published: June 2009

Type IV secretion (T4S) systems are versatile machines involved in many processes relevant to bacterial virulence, such as horizontal DNA transfer and effector translocation into human cells. A recent workshop organized by the International University of Andalousia in Baeza, Spain, covered most aspects of bacterial T4S relevant to human disease, ranging from the structural and mechanistic analysis of the T4S systems to the physiological roles of the translocated effector proteins in subverting cellular functions in infected humans. This review reports the highlights from this workshop, which include the first visualization of a T4S system core complex spanning both membranes of Gram‐negative bacteria, the identification of the first host receptors for T4S systems, the identification and characterization of novel T4S effector proteins, the analysis of the molecular function of effector proteins in subverting human cellular functions and an analysis of the role of T4S systems in the evolution of pathogenic bacteria. Our increasing knowledge of the biology of T4S systems improves our ability to exploit them as biotechnological tools or to use them as novel targets for a new generation of antimicrobials.
Hydrogen peroxide sensing in Bacillus subtilis: it is all about the (metallo)regulator
Authors: Giedroc David P.
Published: June 2009

Microorganisms have evolved an impressive array of mechanisms to adapt to stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) of virtually any kind. One such regulator is Bacillus subtilis PerR, a member of the ubiquitous Fur (Ferric uptake regulator) family of metalloregulatory repressors, which senses hydrogen peroxide. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Duarte, Latour and colleagues report the structure of the Mn(II)‐bound form of PerR, a first for the Fe/Mn‐selective members of the Fur family. The structure reveals how a regulatory metal drives a quaternary structural switch that allosterically activates the PerR dimer to bind its DNA operator, while also providing detailed insight into the mechanism of metal‐catalysed ligand oxidation and transcriptional derepression that uniquely characterizes PerR.
Investigation of the self‐association and hetero‐association interactions of H‐NS and StpA from Enterobacteria
Authors: Leonard Paul G. , Ono Shusuke , Gor Jayesh , Perkins Stephen J. , Ladbury John E.
Published: June 2009

The nucleoid‐associated protein H‐NS and its paralogue StpA are global regulators of gene expression and form an integral part of the protein scaffold responsible for DNA condensation in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Although protein oligomerization is a requirement for this function, it is not entirely understood how this is accomplished. We address this by reporting on the self‐association of H‐NS and its hetero‐association with StpA. We identify residues 1–77 of H‐NS as being necessary and sufficient for high‐order association. A multi‐technique‐based approach was used to measure the effects of salt concentration on the size distribution of H‐NS and the thermal stability of H‐NS and StpA dimers. The thermal stability of the StpA homodimer is significantly greater than that of H‐NS1−74. Investigation of the hetero‐association of H‐NS and StpA proteins suggested that the association of H‐NS with StpA is more stable than the self‐association of either H‐NS or StpA with themselves. This provides a clear understanding of the method of oligomerization of these important proteins in effecting DNA condensation and reveals that the different associative properties of H‐NS and StpA allow them to perform distinct, yet complementary roles in the bacterial nucleoid.
The long‐chain fatty acid sensor, PsrA, modulates the expression of rpoS and the type III secretion exsCEBA operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Kang Yun , Lunin Vladimir V. , Skarina Tatiana , Savchenko Alexei , Schurr Michael J. , Hoang Tung T.
Published: June 2009

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PsrA autorepressor has dual roles as a repressor of the fadBA5β‐oxidation operon and an activator of the stationary‐phase sigma factor rpoS and exsCEBA operon of the type III secretion system (TTSS). Previously, we demonstrated that the repression of the fadBA5 operon by PsrA is relieved by long‐chain fatty acids (LCFAs). However, the signal affecting the activation of rpoS and exsC via PsrA is unknown. In this study, microarray and gene fusion data suggested that LCFA (e.g. oleate) affected the expression of rpoS and exsC. DNA binding studies confirmed that PsrA binds to the rpoS and exsC promoter regions. This binding was inhibited by LCFA, indicating that LCFA directly affects the activation of these two genes through PsrA. LCFA decreased rpoS and exsC expression, resulting in increased N‐(butyryl)‐l‐homoserine‐lactone quorum sensing signal and decreased ExoS/T production respectively. Based on the crystal structure of PsrA, site‐directed mutagenesis of amino acid residues, within the hydrophobic channel thought to accommodate LCFA, created two LCFA‐non‐responsive PsrA mutants. The binding and activation of rpoS and exsC by these PsrA mutants was no longer inhibited by LCFA. These data support a mechanistic model where LCFAs influence PsrA regulation to control LCFA metabolism and some virulence genes in P. aeruginosa.
Factors influencing infection of eucalypts by Cylindrocladium pteridis
Authors: Graça R. N. , Alfenas A. C. , Maffia L. A. , Titon M. , Alfenas R. F. , Lau D. , Rocabado J. M. A.
Published: June 2009

The pattern of Cylindrocladium pteridis adhesion, germination and penetration in eucalypt leaves was assessed using scanning electron microscopy. The effects of inoculum concentration, leaf wetness period, plant age and branch position of cylindrocladium leaf blight and defoliation severity were assessed in greenhouse studies using two Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla hybrid clones. Penetration occurred through stomata, and there was no difference in the number of penetrations between young and old leaves. Percentage leaf area with lesions and defoliation increased with the increase in inoculum concentration (1 × 102 to 105 conidia mL−1), duration of leaf wetness period (6 to 48 h) and plant age (60 to 180 days). Branch position in plants also significantly affected the percentage leaf area with lesions and defoliation, the latter variable being significantly higher at the stem base. The highest values of lesion area were also observed on leaves at the stem base in both clones. The Pearson correlation between defoliation and leaf area with lesions was significant in all experiments (r > 0·9) indicating a high association between these two variables.
Epidemiological evidence for the emergence of a new pathogenic variant of Ralstonia solanacearum in Martinique (French West Indies)
Authors: Wicker E. , Grassart L. , Coranson‐Beaudu R. , Mian D. , Prior P.
Published: June 2009

The emergence of a new genotype and pathogenic variant of Ralstonia solanacearum in Martinique is described. Bacterial wilt of solanaceous crops caused by phylotype‐I and ‐II strains (‘historical strains’), was reported in Martinique in the 1960s. From 1999, Anthurium and cucurbit production was strongly affected by strains described as a new pathogenic variant genotyped phylotype IIB/sequevar4NPB (phIIB/4NPB). The following questions concerning these strains were investigated: (i) were they introduced or endemic, (ii) was their distribution widespread in Martinique, and (iii) which factors could explain this emergence? This study examined 221 isolates collected from 1989 to 2003 after several surveys. The main survey (2002–03) included 115 vegetable and ornamental crop farms. From 1999 to 2001, these phIIB/4NPB strains were initially described as the ‘Anthurium‐cucurbit’ strain. In 2003, they made up one‐third of the isolates recovered from solanaceous hosts, particularly tomato. This pathogenic variant of R. solanacearum was consistently recovered from wild species and several weeds throughout Martinique, suggesting that these strains were well established in Martinique. Data reported are consistent with the emergence of a new population of R. solanacearum in Martinique, which has spread rapidly across the entire island and may overtake the previously established population, particularly on tomatoes. Evidence is presented which suggests that the emergence of these new strains is more frequent on vegetable crops when cucurbitaceous and musaceous plants are grown in succession.
Genetic analysis of Mycosphaerella fijiensis in the Ugandan Lake Victoria region
Authors: Fahleson J. , Nakyanzi M. , Okori P. , Seal S. , Kenyon L. , Dixelius C.
Published: June 2009

A collection of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, in total 71 isolates from 11 countries, of which 54 isolates were derived from the Ugandan Lake Victoria region, were analysed with regard to molecular markers and benomyl resistance to characterize the population structure. Forty‐seven alleles from seven restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) and five microsatellite markers were scored and utilized in the study. Using analysis of molecular variance (amova), no significant genetic differentiation could be found between isolates from different leaves compared to isolates from a single leaf (P = 0·07). Exact tests of the allelic frequencies revealed no differences between isolates from different districts or between single‐leaf‐derived isolates compared to isolates derived from different leaves (P > 0·05 in all cases except two, which, however, were shown to be of type‐I error). Resistance to benomyl, analysed both by PCR and fungicide screening, revealed that all isolates were susceptible. Compiled information from the various datasets implied that the Ugandan M. fijiensis population in the Lake Victoria Basin constitutes a homogenous population, probably as the result of a recent founder event.
Basal stem rot of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis); mode of root infection and lower stem invasion by Ganoderma boninense
Authors: Rees R. W. , Flood J. , Hasan Y. , Potter U. , Cooper R. M.
Published: June 2009

Reproducible infection of intact roots of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) with Ganoderma boninense, the cause of basal stem rot, showed penetration followed by rapid longitudinal progression of hyphae and colonization of the lower stem (bole). Light and transmission electron microscopy showed invasion of the root cortex, with no evidence of selective progression through the vascular system or lacunae. In newly colonized tissue the fungus behaved as a hemibiotroph, with numerous, wide, intracellular hyphae occupying entire host cells that possessed intact cell walls and contained discernible cytoplasm and organelles. In the bole this phase coincided with a complete depletion of previously abundant starch grains in advance of invasion. Subsequently, in the roots and colonized stem base, widespread necrotrophic, enzymatic attack of all layers of the host cell walls occurred. Hyphae were intra‐ and intercellular and intramural and associated host cell wall degradation was often at a distance from hyphae, resulting in cavities within cell walls. A third developmental stage was the formation of an extensive, melanized, tough mycelium or pseudo‐sclerotium which surrounded roots and comprised many very thick‐walled cells encasing more typical thin‐walled hyphae. Macroscopic observation of and isolation from the bole of randomly felled, commercial palms provided confirmatory evidence that multiple infections originated in the roots before spreading into the base of long‐established palms.
Parasitoids of the African wild silkmoth, Gonometa postica (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in the Mwingi forests, Kenya
Authors: Fening K. O. , Kioko E. N. , Raina S. K. , Mueke J. M.
Published: June 2009

Gonometa postica Walker produces silk of high quality, but it is affected by parasitoids attack. A study on the parasitism of G. postica larvae and pupae on host and non‐host plants were undertaken for the first and second generations, corresponding to the long (March–May) and short (October–December) rainy seasons in 2006 at six field sites, three each in the Imba and Mumoni forests of Mwingi, eastern Kenya. All freshly spun cocoons of G. postica were sampled at each site from a total of 100 trees of host plants and other non‐host plants where they have migrated before pupation. The cocoons were kept individually in fine net‐sealed plastic vials to determine percentage parasitism. Two dipterans and four hymenopteran larval–pupal parasitoids were identified from the two forests. The most common parasitoids were Palexorista sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Goryphus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) with parasitism ranging from 1.8 to 32.7% and 2.2 to 7.5%, respectively. Parasitism varied significantly according to host or non‐host plants, seasons and sites. This study indicates that, of the six parasitoid species recovered, only two had a significant impact in reducing the quality of the cocoons.