bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essentiality and functional analysis of type I and type III pantothenate kinases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Awasthy Disha , Ambady Anisha , Bhat Jyothi , Sheikh Gulebahar , Ravishankar Sudha , Subbulakshmi Venkita , Mukherjee Kakoli , Sambandamurthy Vasan , Sharma Umender
Published: June 2010

Pantothenate kinase, an essential enzyme in bacteria and eukaryotes, is involved in catalysing the first step of conversion of pantothenate to coenzyme A (CoA). Three isoforms (type I, II and III) of this enzyme have been reported from various organisms, which can be differentiated from each other on the basis of their biochemical and structural characteristics. Though most bacteria carry only one of the isoforms of pantothenate kinases, some of them possess two isoforms. The physiological relevance of the presence of two types of isozymes in a single organism is not clear.Mycobacterium tuberculosis,an intracellular pathogen, possesses two isoforms of pantothenate kinases (CoaA and CoaX) belonging to type I and III. In order to determine which pantothenate kinase is essential in mycobacteria, we performed gene inactivation ofcoaAandcoaXofM. tuberculosisindividually. It was found that coaAcould only be inactivated in the presence of an extra copy of the gene, whilecoaXcould be inactivated in the wild-type cells, proving that CoaA is the essential pantothenate kinase inM. tuberculosis. Additionally, thecoaAgene ofM. tuberculosiswas able to complement a temperature-sensitivecoaAmutant ofEscherichia coliat a non-permissive temperature whilecoaXcould not. ThecoaXdeletion mutant showed no growth defectsin vitro, in macrophages or in mice. Taken together, our data suggest that CoaX, which is essential inBacillus anthracisand thus had been suggested to be a drug target in this organism, might not be a valid target inM. tuberculosis. We have established that the type I isoform, CoaA, is the essential pantothenate kinase inM. tuberculosisand thus can be explored as a drug target.
The diguanylate cyclase YddV controls production of the exopolysaccharide poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) through regulation of the PNAG biosynthetic pgaABCD operon
Authors: Tagliabue Letizia , Antoniani Davide , Maciąg Anna , Bocci Paola , Raffaelli Nadia , Landini Paolo
Published: June 2010

In Gram-negative bacteria, production of adhesion factors and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) is promoted by the activity of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), a class of enzymes able to catalyse the synthesis of the signal molecule bis-(3′,5′)-cyclic di-guanylic acid (c-di-GMP). In this report we show that in Escherichia coli, overexpression of the YddV protein, but not of other DGCs such as AdrA and YcdT, induces the production of the EPS poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) by stimulating expression of pgaABCD, the PNAG-biosynthetic operon. Stimulation of PNAG production and activation of pgaABCD expression by the YddV protein are abolished by inactivation of its GGDEF motif, responsible for DGC activity. Consistent with the effects of YddV overexpression, inactivation of the yddV gene negatively affects pgaABCD transcription and PNAG-mediated biofilm formation. pgaABCD regulation by the yddV gene also takes place in a mutant carrying a partial deletion of the csrA gene, which encodes the main regulator of pgaABCD expression, suggesting that YddV does not regulate pgaABCD through modulation of CsrA activity. Our results demonstrate that PNAG production does not simply respond to intracellular c-di-GMP concentration, but specifically requires the DGC activity of the YddV protein, thus supporting the notion that in E. coli, c-di-GMP biosynthesis by a given DGC protein triggers regulatory events that lead to activation of specific sets of EPS biosynthetic genes or proteins.
Negative role of trihydrophobin 1 in breast cancer growth and migration
Authors: Zou Weiying , Yang Yanzhong , Wu Yihong , Sun Linlin , Chi Yayun , Wu Weibin , Yun Xiaojing , Xie Jianhui , Gu Jianxin
Published: June 2010

Trihydrophobin 1 (TH1) is a member of the negative elongation factor complex, which is involved in transcriptional pausing. Although the negative elongation factor complex attenuates the estrogen receptor α‐mediated transcription, little is known about the relationship between TH1 and tumor progression. Here, we report that the protein level of TH1 was negatively correlated with the aggressiveness of human breast cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that TH1 expression in clinical stage III–IV primary breast cancer tissues was statistically significantly lower than that in stage I–II breast tissues (P < 0.01), and especially inversely associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we showed that overexpression of TH1 in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells inhibited, and knockdown of TH1 in MCF‐7 cells enhanced, cell proliferation and migratory ability. Moreover, upregulation of TH1 in MDA‐MB‐231 cells resulted in the decrease of cyclin D1, β‐catenin, and ERK activity, and the increase of p21. In contrast, knockdown of TH1 in MCF‐7 cells enhanced the expression of cyclin D1 and β‐catenin, increased the activity of ERK, and downregulated the expression of p21. Additionally, overexpression of TH1 in MDA‐MB‐231 cells prevented. However, knockdown of TH1 in MCF‐7 cells induced a number of molecular and cellular alterations associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Taken together, our results suggest that TH1 might play an important role in regulation of proliferation and invasion in human breast cancer, and could be a potential target for human breast cancer treatment. (Cancer Sci 2010); 101: 000–000
A comparison of SNAP II© and bispectral index monitoring in patients undergoing sedation
Authors: Springman S. R. , Andrei A.‐C. , Willmann K. , Rusy D. A. , Warren M. E. , Han S. , Lee M.
Published: June 2010

Clinical signs and patients’ verbal responses have traditionally been used to assess patients’ comfort and the depth of sedation. Recently, level‐of‐consciousness monitors have been used to guide sedation. The SNAP II© is a single‐lead electroencephalogram device that displays a SNAP© Index – a derived value based on both high and low frequency electroencephalogram signals. Much of the current clinical research on monitoring during sedation involves the bispectral index monitor. We compared simultaneous readings recorded by the SNAP II and bispectral index during sedation in 51 consecutive patients undergoing surgery. The anaesthesia team was blinded to the SNAP II and bispectal index values. Concurrent SNAP II and bispectral index readings displayed similarly‐shaped trajectories during sedation, but further studies are needed to establish the routine clinical utility of both these monitors.
Detection of mumps virus‐specific memory B cells by transfer of peripheral blood mononuclear cells into immune‐deficient mice
Authors: Vandermeulen Corinne , Verhoye Lieven , Vaidya Sunil , Clement Frédéric , Brown Kevin E. , Hoppenbrouwers Karel , Leroux‐Roels Geert
Published: June 2010

Waning immunity to mumps after one or two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been described. Using a human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL)–severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model, MMR vaccine recipients with undetectable and high antibody titres against mumps were compared for the presence of circulating mumps‐specific memory B cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from six donors (three subjects with undetectable and three with high antibody titres against mumps) were injected into the spleens of non‐obese diabetic (NOD)‐SCID mice (three mice per subject). Mice were pretreated with TMβ1 and total body irradiation to improve engraftment. In vivo production of human antibodies against mumps was evaluated in mouse plasma on days 7, 10 and 13 with a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), functional reduction neutralization test. Three donors had mumps antibody titres below the detection limit (titre < 230) and three had high antibody titres (range 5700–7300). None of the mice injected with PBMC from subjects with undetectable antibody titres showed detectable human antibody titres, despite the presence of cell‐mediated immunity in two of the three donors. Seven out of nine mice injected with PBMC from subjects with high antibody titres acquired detectable antibody titres for mumps in their plasma. PBMC from vaccinees without detectable serum antibodies against mumps virus were unable to induce secretion of anti‐mumps antibodies in the blood of recipient mice, whereas PBMC from vaccinees with high antibody titres were able to do so. This observation suggests that the frequency of mumps‐specific memory B cells is very low in vaccinees with undetectable antibody titres. These individuals may therefore be at risk of developing mumps disease upon encounter with wild‐type virus.
SDF‐1α/CXCR4 axis is involved in glucose‐potentiated proliferation and chemotaxis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Jie Wei , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yuhong , Guo Junli , Kuang Dong , Zhu Pengcheng , Wang Guoping , Ao Qilin
Published: June 2010

Excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which migrate from the tunica media to the subendothelial region, is one of the primary lesions involved in atherogenesis in diabetes. Here, we investigated whether high glucose potentiated the proliferation and chemotaxis of VSMCs by activating SDF‐1α/CXCR4/PI‐3K/Akt signalling. The expression of SDF‐1α, CXCR4 and PCNA was up‐regulated in tunica media of thoracic aortas by streptozotocin‐induced hyperglycaemic Sprague–Dawley rats. Exposure of primary VSMCs to high glucose (25 mM) led to the up‐regulated expression of SDF‐1α and CXCR4, activated PI‐3K/Akt signalling, and consequently promoted the proliferation and chemotaxis of VSMCs. Interestingly, the administration of SDF‐1 siRNA or neutralizing antibody against SDF‐1α abolished high glucose‐induced up‐regulation of CXCR4. Moreover, pretreatment with SDF‐1α neutralizing antibody, CXCR4 specific inhibitor (AMD3100) or PI‐3K inhibitor (LY294002) attenuated the high glucose‐potentiated proliferation and chemotaxis in VSMCs. These results suggested that high glucose activated the SDF‐1α/CXCR4/PI‐3K/Akt signalling pathway in VSMCs in an autocrine manner, which enhanced the proliferation and chemotaxis of VSMCs.
Adenohypophysitis in rat pituitary allografts
Authors: Rotondo Fabio , Quintanar‐Stephano Andres , Asa Sylvia L. , Lombardero Matilde , Berczi Istvan , Scheithauer Bernd W. , Horvath Eva , Kovacs Kalman
Published: June 2010

The histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural alterations in 81 pituitary allografts from Lewis rats transplanted beneath the renal capsule of Wistar rats were investigated. Intrasellar pituitaries of rats bearing allografts were also examined. Recipient rats were sacrificed at various time points after transplantation. Two days after transplantation, the central portion of the allografts demonstrated ischaemic necrosis. A week later, massive mononuclear cell infiltrates consisting primarily of lymphocytes and to a lesser extent, macrophages, plasma cells and granulocytes became prominent. At about three to four weeks after transplantation, the mononuclear cell infiltrate diminished; the surviving adenohypophysial cells, mainly prolactin (PRL) cells, increased in number and necrosis was replaced by connective tissue. No histological changes were noted in the intrasellar pituitaries of rats bearing allografts. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the surviving adenohypophysial cells were mainly PRL‐producing cells. Electron microscopy revealed adenohypophysial cell destruction, a spectrum of inflammatory cells and, in late phase, accumulation of fibroblasts and collagen fibres. PRL cells were the prominent cell types; they increased in number. It appears that pituitary allografts are ‘foreign’ and evoke an immune response, suggesting that they may be used as an experimental animal model for morphological investigation of the development and progression of adenohypophysitis, a rare disease occurring mainly in young women often associated with pregnancy.
Fatty acid profile and proximate composition of Pacific mullet (Mugil so‐iuy) caught in the Black Sea
Authors: Köse Sevim , Koral Serkan , Özoğul Yeşim , Tufan Bekir
Published: June 2010

This study demonstrates proximate composition and fatty acid profile of Pacific mullet caught in Turkey. The highest moisture and protein contents were observed with muscle tissues as 83.74 and 10.52%, while the highest fat and ash contents were attributed to female gonads as 11.80 and 0.94%, respectively, with a significant variation amongst months (P < 0.05). Significant variation (P < 0.05) usually occurred amongst months within the same sex for total saturated fatty acids (∑SFA), monosaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in muscle, although overall mean values between sexes were not found significant. Except for EPA, no variation observed for gonads while significant changes occurred (P < 0.05) with liver samples amongst months. Overall total values of ∑SFA, ∑MUFA, ∑PUFA, DHA and EPA in muscle samples were 29.59, 29.26, 18.06 and 4.48%, respectively, while in gonads ranged as 30.26–33.23%, 35.17–37.47%, 11.87–14.88%, 4.38–5.34% and 3.02–5.02%. These FAs were 21.57–33.11%, 32.89–50.96%, 14.78–20.08%, 0.89–9.94% and 5.85–9.54% for liver, respectively. The results of this study showed that muscle and gonads of Pacific mullet were rich in n‐3 PUFA, especially, EPA, DHA, increasing the value of this species for human consumption.
Promoting a continuation of self and normality: person‐centred care as described by people with dementia, their family members and aged care staff
Authors: Edvardsson David , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , Nay Rhonda
Published: June 2010

Aims and objectives.  This article aims to describe the content of person‐centred care as described by people with dementia, family members and staff in residential aged care.

Background.  Person‐centred care is increasingly being regarded as synonymous with best quality aged care; however, studies exploring stakeholders’ experiences of person‐centred care are few.

Design.  A qualitative explorative design was employed using conversational research interviews and content analysis.

Method.  Research interviews were conducted in 2007 and 2008 with staff working in aged care (n = 37), people with early onset dementia (n = 11), and family members of patients with dementia (n = 19) and were analysed using content analysis.

Results.  The findings indicated that the core category of person‐centred care was promoting a continuation of self and normality. Five content categories emerged as contributing to promoting a continuation of self and normality: knowing the person; welcoming family; providing meaningful activities; being in a personalised environment; and experiencing flexibility and continuity.

Conclusions.  This study describes person‐centred care as it is understood by people with dementia, their family members and staff in residential aged care, and as such it contributes with inside perspectives to current understandings of person‐centred care, perspectives that have been largely lacking.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings of this study are clinically relevant and ready to be operationalised and applied in clinical aged care. The categories can be used as a topic guide for discussions in aged care organisations on the quality of current care and as elements indicating how to increase the person‐centredness of care provided.
Thiele massage as a therapeutic option for women with chronic pelvic pain caused by tenderness of pelvic floor muscles
Authors: De Souza Montenegro Mary Lourdes Lima , Mateus‐Vasconcelos Elaine Cristine , Candido dos Reis Francisco José , Rosa e Silva Júlio César , Nogueira Antonio Alberto , Poli Neto Omero Benedicto
Published: June 2010

Aims and objectives  Musculoskeletal system has been found to be involved in genesis and perpetuation of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and has strong evidences that up to 80% of women with CPP present dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. In this study, we report a series of women with CPP caused by tenderness of pelvic floor muscles successfully treated with Thiele massage.

Methods  Were included in this study six women with CPP caused by tenderness of the levator ani muscle that underwent transvaginal massage using the Thiele technique, over a period of 5 minutes repeated once a week for 4 weeks. After 1 month, the women returned for follow‐up.

Results  The median tenderness score for the six women evaluated was 3 at the first evaluation and 0 after 1 month of follow‐up (P < 0.01). The mean Visual Analogue Scale and McGill Pain Index scores were 8.1 and 34, respectively, at the first evaluation, and 1.5 and 16.6 at follow‐up (P < 0.01).

Conclusion  Thiele massage appears to be very helpful for women with CPP caused by tenderness of the levator ani muscle. However, these results are preliminary and a larger number of women are necessary to obtain more conclusive results.
The quality of patient‐orientated Internet information on oral lichen planus: a pilot study
Authors: López‐Jornet Pía , Camacho‐Alonso Fabio
Published: June 2010

Objective  This study examines the accessibility and quality Web pages related with oral lichen planus.

Methods  Sites were identified using two search engines (Google and Yahoo!) and the search terms ‘oral lichen planus’ and ‘oral lesion lichenoid’. The first 100 sites in each search were visited and classified. The web sites were evaluated for content quality by using the validated DISCERN rating instrument. JAMA benchmarks and ‘Health on the Net’ seal (HON).

Results  A total of 109 000 sites were recorded in Google using the search terms and 520 000 in Yahoo! A total of 19 Web pages considered relevant were examined on Google and 20 on Yahoo! As regards the JAMA benchmarks, only two pages satisfied the four criteria in Google (10%), and only three (15%) in Yahoo! As regards DISCERN, the overall quality of web site information was poor, no site reaching the maximum score. In Google 78.94% of sites had important deficiencies, and 50% in Yahoo!, the difference between the two search engines being statistically significant (P = 0.031). Only five pages (17.2%) on Google and eight (40%) on Yahoo! showed the HON code.

Conclusion  Based on our review, doctors must assume primary responsibility for educating and counselling their patients.
An economic evaluation of water birth: the cost‐effectiveness of mother well‐being
Authors: Pagano Eva , De Rota Barbara , Ferrando Alberto , Petrinco Michele , Merletti Franco , Gregori Dario
Published: June 2010

Purpose  To assess the cost‐effectiveness of water compared with normal land delivery.

Methods  A retrospective controlled study was conducted over a two‐year period in a Northern Italian hospital. The cohort included all the 110 women who completed a water birth and 110 women who had a land birth during the same period. The two groups were compared with respect to labour duration, perineal tear and newborn's health status. The economic evaluation adopted a cost‐effectiveness approach in relation to presence/absence of perineal tears.

Results  In the water delivery group 58 women (52.7%) experienced at least one perineal tear versus 80 (72.7%) in the traditional delivery group. The mean duration of labour was similar in the two groups. Neonatal well‐being, expressed as Apgar score, did not differ significantly among the two groups at the first minute (9.48 vs. 9.28) and was slightly higher at 5 minutes in the water delivery group (9.95 vs. 9.84; P = 0.0269). Water delivery was found to be both more costly [ΔC = €279; 95% confidence interval (CI): 262–296] and more effective in terms of avoided perineal tears. The incremental health care cost per avoided perineal tear because of water delivery was estimated of €1395.7 (95% CI: 1049.2–3608.5).

Conclusion  Water birth, as compared with traditional delivery, allows for an increase in maternal well‐being and is cost‐effective.
International practices in the provision of teratology information: a survey of international teratogen information programmes and comparisons with the North American model
Authors: Hancock Rebecca L. , Ungar Wendy J. , Einarson Adrienne , Koren Gideon
Published: June 2010

Rationale, aims and objectives  Teratology Information Services (TIS) provide health care professionals and the public with information regarding the safety and/or risk of exposures during pregnancy and lactation, mainly via telephone consultations. An international comparison of clinical practices at TIS has never been conducted. The survey objective was to compare international TIS to North American TIS, with an aim to identify strengths and challenges that can lead to service improvement.

Methods  Twenty‐two international TIS were approached for participation during an international conference. TIS were surveyed on information in six categories: services, staffing, operations, data collection, knowledge transfer activities and additional information. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Statistical tests were conducted using SPSS®.

Results  Sixteen TIS from 12 countries participated. Survey results were compared with previously reported results from a similar survey of North American TIS (16 US, two Canadian). TIS exist in a variety of departments and settings, but most commonly are in university hospitals. Pregnant women were the most commonly counselled group worldwide. International TIS spent significantly more time fielding inquiries regarding medications, while North American TIS had a wider variety of inquiry categories. All TIS could improve budget tracking.

Conclusions  Overall, service practices and goals were similar, although international TIS conducted more follow‐up with service users than North American TIS. This report offers TIS the first ever opportunity to compare practices. Increased dialogue between TIS encourages sharing of best practices and improves the ability of these important public health programmes to support women and health care providers.
Evaluation of the dissemination and implementation of pressure ulcer guidelines in Dutch nursing homes
Authors: Meesterberends Esther , Halfens Ruud J.G. , Lohrmann Christa , Schols Jos M.G.A. , de Wit Rianne
Published: June 2010

Rationale, aims and objectives  Annual national prevalence surveys have been conducted in the Netherlands over the past 10 years and have revealed high prevalence rates in Dutch nursing homes. Pressure ulcer guideline implementation is one of the factors that can influence prevalence rates. Previous research has shown that these guidelines are often only partly implemented in Dutch nursing homes. Reasons for this lack of pressure ulcer guideline implementation are not known. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the current situation regarding pressure ulcer guideline dissemination and implementation in Dutch nursing homes.

Methods  Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in eight nursing homes in the Netherlands from January till December 2008. In each nursing home, interviews were held with eight persons.

Results  The implementation of pressure ulcer guidelines was lacking in some of the nursing homes. Risk assessment scales were often not used in practice, repositioning schemes were not always available and, when they were, they were often not used in practice. Knowledge about guideline recommendations was also lacking and pressure ulcer education was inadequate. Barriers to applying guideline recommendations in practice were mostly related to personnel and communication.

Conclusions  The implementation of pressure ulcer guidelines does not seem to be successful in all nursing homes and needs more attention. Barriers mentioned by the interviewees in applying guideline recommendations need to be addressed. Providing adequate education for nursing home staff and increasing attention for pressure ulcer care can be the first steps in improving the implementation of pressure ulcer guidelines.
SerpinB2 deficiency modulates Th1/Th2 responses after schistosome infection
Authors: SCHRODER W. A. , GARDNER J. , LE T. T. , DUKE M. , BURKE M. L. , JONES M. K. , McMANUS D. P. , SUHRBIER A.
Published: June 2010

SerpinB2, also known as plasminogen activator inhibitor type‐2, is a major product of macrophages and is upregulated during many infections. Although SerpinB2 inhibits urokinase plasminogen activator in vitro, evidence that this represents its physiological role in vivo is not compelling. We have recently shown that SerpinB2−/− mice generate enhanced Th1 responses after immunization with a Th1 immunogen. Herein, we show that Schistosoma japonicum granulomas induced liver SerpinB2 mRNA expression by >600‐fold in wild‐type mice. In SerpinB2−/− mice, worm and egg burden, and granuloma number and volume were unaffected. However, granulomas in these mice were associated with reduced fibrosis (as determined by Sirius red staining and image analysis) and increased iNOS, IL‐6, IL‐10 and TNFα and decreased Arg 1 and IL‐13 mRNA expression. SerpinB2−/− mice immunized with soluble egg antigen (SEA) also showed reduced levels of SEA‐specific IgG1. SerpinB2 deficiency thus promoted certain Th1 and reduced certain Th2 responses in response to this Th2 immunogen.
Correlation between central venous oxygen saturation and oxygen delivery changes following fluid therapy
Authors: YAZIGI A. , ABOU‐ZEID H. , MADI‐JEBARA S. , HADDAD F. , HAYEK G. , JABBOUR K.
Published: June 2010

Background: The rationale for using central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) in various clinical scenarios is that it reflects the balance between oxygen delivery (DO2) and demands. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between ScvO2 and DO2 changes (ΔDo2, ΔScvO2) in patients receiving fluid therapy following coronary surgery. We also correlated the changes of mean arterial pressure (ΔMAP) and central venous pressure (ΔCVP), with ΔDO2.

Methods: Sixty consecutive sedated and mechanically ventilated adult patients, with cardiac index ≤2.3 L/min/m2 and a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure ≤12 mmHg following coronary surgery, were included. Concomitant hemodynamic parameters, arterial and venous blood gases were measured before (T0) and after (T1) administration of a 500 ml bolus of an isotonic crystalloid solution over 30 min. The correlations between ΔDO2 and ΔScvO2, ΔMAP or ΔCVP were evaluated by linear regression analysis and Pearson test.

Results: Cardiac index (1.9±0.2 vs 2.3±0.5 ml/min/m2), MAP (83±11 vs 94±13mmHg) and CVP (5.7±3 vs 7.1±3 mmHg) were significantly higher at T1 compared with T0. The correlation of ΔDO2 with ΔScvO2 was positive, significant (r=0.41; P=0.004) and superior to its correlation with ΔMAP (r=0.30; P=0.01) or ΔCVP (r=0.03; P=0.78).

Conclusion: A significant correlation between ScvO2 and DO2 changes was found in patients receiving fluid therapy following coronary surgery. ScvO2 could be used as an indicator to track DO2 and to guide volume loading.
Stable isotope signatures confirm carbon and nitrogen gain through ectomycorrhizas in the ghost orchid Epipogium aphyllum Swartz*
Authors: Liebel H. T. , Gebauer G.
Published: June 2010

Epipogium aphyllum is a rare Eurasian achlorophyllous forest orchid known to associate with fungi that form ectomycorrhizas, while closely related orchids of warm humid climates depend on wood‐ or litter‐decomposer fungi. We conducted 13C and 15N stable isotope natural abundance analyses to identify the organic nutrient source of E. aphyllum from Central Norway. These data for orchid shoot tissues, in comparison to accompanying autotrophic plants, document C and N flow from ectomycorrhizal fungi to the orchid. DNA data from fungal pelotons in the orchid root cortex confirm the presence of Inocybe and Hebeloma, which are both fungi that form ectomycorrhizas. The enrichment factors for 13C and 15N of E. aphyllum are used to calculate a new overall average enrichment factor for mycoheterotrophic plants living in association with ectomycorrhizal fungi (ε13C ± 1 SD of 7.2 ± 1.6‰ and ε15N ± 1 SD of 12.8 ± 3.9‰). These can be used to estimate the fungal contribution to organic nutrient uptake by partially mycoheterotrophic plants where fully mycoheterotrophic plants are lacking. N concentrations in orchid tissue were unusually high and significantly higher than in accompanying autotrophic leaf samples. This may be caused by N gain of E. aphyllum from obligate ectomycorrhizal fungi. We show that E. aphyllum is an epiparasitic mycoheterotrophic orchid that depends on ectomycorrhizal Inocybe and Hebeloma to obtain C and N through a tripartite system linking mycoheterotrophic plants through fungi with forest trees.
Hepatitis E virus infection and fulminant hepatic failure during pregnancy
Authors: Jilani Nishat , Das Bhudev C , Husain Syed A , Baweja Usha K , Chattopadhya Debashish , Gupta Ram K , Sardana Sarita , Kar Premashis
Published: June 2010

Background and Aim:  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection leading to fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and high mortality is a common feature in Indian women during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. An altered status of hormones and immunity are observed during pregnancy but the actual cause of high mortality is still unknown. The present study was carried out to analyze CD3, CD4 and CD8 T cell counts and to assay the level of pregnancy‐related hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and β‐HCG in order to discover the role played by these factors.

Methods:  One hundred patients (50 pregnant and 50 non‐pregnant women) with FHF and 150 pregnant healthy females without liver disease as controls were recruited for the study. Serological tests for all viral markers using ELISA kits and detection of HEV RNA by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) were carried out in all cases. CD3, CD4 and CD8 T cell counts were analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) while hormone assay was performed by commercially available RIA kits.

Results:  Serologically (38/50; 76%) as well as by RT‐PCR (28/50; 56%), a significantly higher HEV positivity rate was found in pregnant FHF patients compared to non‐pregnant women (serologically 15/50; 30%; RT‐PCR 7/50; 14%). CD4 counts were lower (P < 0.05), while CD8 counts were higher (P < 0.05), and their ratio (CD4/CD8) in HEV positive pregnant FHF patients was significantly lower (P < 0.01) when compared to that of HEV negative pregnant FHF women or controls. Levels of estrogen, progesterone and β‐HCG were also found to be higher (P < 0.001) in HEV positive pregnant FHF patients when compared to HEV negative patients or controls. HEV infected pregnant FHF patients had a significantly higher mortality rate of 65.8% (25/38) compared to 23.5% (4/15) in HEV positive non‐pregnant women (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Pregnancy appears to be a potential risk factor for viral replication and an extreme low immune status of Indian/Asian pregnant women. It is suggested that diminished cellular immunity (indicated by a decrease in CD4, an increase in CD8 cell counts and lowered CD4/CD8 cell ratio) and a high level of steroid hormones that influence viral replication/expression during pregnancy appear to be the plausible reasons for severity of the disease.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ 2 mutation may cause a subset of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Aoyagi Yo , Nagata Satoru , Kudo Takahiro , Fujii Toru , Wada Mariko , Chiba Yukihide , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Yamashiro Yuichiro , Shimizu Toshiaki , Ohkusa Toshifumi
Published: June 2010

Aim:  Previous studies suggest the homeostasis between acquisition of tolerance to the indigenous microflora and protective immune responses appears to be disrupted in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some experimental studies indicate peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has been implicated as a regulator of intestinal inflammatory responses. In addition, the toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4 can regulate expression of PPARγ in colonic epithelial cells. We attempted to demonstrate whether the functional imbalance between TLRs and PPARγ could lead to the onset and some polymorphisms of those genes could contribute to susceptibility to IBD.

Methods:  RT‐PCR analysis were performed to detect TLR4 and PPARγ mRNA associated with those of P65 of NFκB, TNFα, MyD88, NOD2/CARD15, TLR‐2,5,9, in the diseased colonic mucosa in ulcerative colitis (UC; n = 13) and Crohn's disease (CD; n = 7) compared with normal controls (n = 18). Consequently, we genotyped UC (n = 29) and CD (n = 10) compared with normal controls (n = 134) for the prevalence of suspicious mutations.

Results:  In a subset of UC patients who were revealed to carry PPARγ Pro12Ala mutation later, impaired expression of normal PPARγ mRNA was noted in the diseased mucosa accompanied with upregulations of MyD88 TLR‐4, 5, 9, P65 and TNFα in mRNA levels. The prevalence of PPARγ Pro12Ala mutation was more frequently found in UC patients compared with CD patients and normal controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  These findings suggested that imbalances between TLRs and PPARγ in response to luminal bacteria could lead to colonic inflammation in some UC patients. Alternative explanations will be needed for the onset of the rest of UC and CD.
Capitalizing on Women's Social Capital? Women‐Targeted Microfinance in Bolivia
Authors: Maclean Kate
Published: June 2010

Both social capital and microfinance are central to mainstream development interventions, and both are predicated on the need to recognize the importance of social factors in development. Microfinance institutions mobilize social capital in the form of a group guarantee, and aim to support the development of sustainable financial institutions and income generation. Women are targeted in part because of the effectiveness of their social capital as collateral. However, although social capital is assumed to support development and income generation, the precise dynamics involved in this are rarely explored. This article examines the construction of social capital and its relationship to income generation, based on a long‐term ethnographic study of village life in rural Bolivia and the microfinance institution operating there. The author examines the complexity and gendered contradictions implied in the way that social capital is generally viewed to support economic development. It is suggested that the way microfinance institutions use social capital to support sustainable financial institutions and income generation does not always reflect the way that women's networks support access to resources and ultimately, economic development.
Understanding limit theorems for semimartingales: a short survey
Authors: Podolskij Mark , Vetter Mathias
Published: June 2010

This paper presents a short survey on limit theorems for certain functionals of semimartingales that are observed at high frequency. Our aim is to explain the main ideas of the theory to a broader audience. We introduce the concept of stable convergence, which is crucial for our purpose. We show some laws of large numbers (for the continuous and the discontinuous case) that are the most interesting from a practical point of view, and demonstrate the associated stable central limit theorems. Moreover, we state a simple sketch of the proofs and give some examples.
Rapid assessment of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease (RAPID): a pilot study
Authors: Chong R. K. Y. , Morgan J. , Mehta S. H. , Pawlikowska I. , Hall P. , Ellis A. V. , Ibanez‐Wong A. D. , Miller G. M. , Baugh K. , Sethi K.
Published: June 2010

Background:  The Fahn’s pull (or retropulsion) test is an item in the motor section of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, which is used almost exclusively to classify postural instability in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the test is hard to standardize and is often performed incorrectly, making it hard to interpret. Moreover, it may not be safe to administer in patients who experience pain in the shoulders, neck, trunk and/or lower extremities. Identifying and grading postural instability in PD without requiring a physical challenge would not only be useful for the clinician but would assist patients and caregivers in its recognition. We propose the use of the rapid assessment of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease (RAPID) questionnaire as a non‐physical assessment tool.

Methods:  We determined the associations between the pull test and items on a risk‐assessment questionnaire that consisted of three parts: activities of daily living, fear of falling, and frequency of falling.

Results:  Significant correlations were found between the pull test and the predictor variables, which ranged between 0.51 and 0.56 whilst the correlations amongst the predictor variables ranged between 0.58 and 0.70. The three parts of the questionnaire, when used in combination, produced a 96% sensitivity in the classification of postural instability.

Conclusions:  The RAPID questionnaire can be used as an adjunct to the pull test or solely if the pull test is contraindicated. It may also be possible to administer the questionnaire via the telephone or Internet. It is hoped that the rapid identification of postural instability would lead to fewer falls.
The effect of deformation on permeability development in anhydrite and implications for caprock integrity during geological storage of CO2
Authors: HANGX S. J. T. , SPIERS C. J. , PEACH C. J.
Published: June 2010

Geological storage of CO2 in depleted oil and gas reservoirs is one of the most promising options to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Of great importance to CO2 mitigation strategies is maintaining caprock integrity. Worldwide many current injection sites and potential storage sites are overlain by anhydrite‐bearing seal formations. However, little is known about the magnitude of the permeability change accompanying dilatation and failure of anhydrite under reservoir conditions. To this extent, we have performed triaxial compression experiments together with argon gas permeability measurements on Zechstein anhydrite, which caps many potential CO2 storage sites in the Netherlands. Our experiments were performed at room temperature at confining pressures of 3.5–25 MPa. We observed a transition from brittle to semi‐brittle behaviour over the experimental range, and peak strength could be described by a Mogi‐type failure envelope. Dynamic permeability measurements showed a change from ‘impermeable’ (<10−21 m2) to permeable (10−16 to 10−19 m2) as a result of mechanical damage. The onset of measurable permeability was associated with an increase in the rate of dilatation at low pressures (3.5–5 MPa), and with the turning point from compaction to dilatation in the volumetric versus axial strain curve at higher pressures (10–25 MPa). Sample permeability was largely controlled by the permeability of the shear faults developed. Static, postfailure permeability decreased with increasing effective mean stress. Our results demonstrated that caprock integrity will not be compromised by mechanical damage and permeability development.

Geofluids (2010) 10, 369–387
Decline of flying and red squirrels in boreal forests revealed by long‐term diet analyses of avian predators
Authors: Selonen V. , Sulkava P. , Sulkava R. , Sulkava S. , Korpimäki E.
Published: June 2010

Conservation of species requires knowledge on population changes in time, but achieving such data in proper spatio‐temporal scales can often be difficult for rare and vulnerable species. We used long‐term (1950–2005) diet data of three avian predators (the nocturnal Ural and eagle owls and the diurnal goshawk) from four landscapes to study population changes of two forest‐dwelling species, the Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans and the red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris in Finland. We also determined the role of vulnerable flying squirrel in the diet of these predators. Both squirrel species were relatively rare in the diets of the three avian predators, with the exception of red squirrel in the diet of goshawks. The Siberian flying squirrel also appears to be a less important prey for avian predators than flying squirrel species (Glaucomys spp.) are in North American forest communities. Numbers of consumed flying squirrels, but not of red squirrels, increased as the abundances of voles increased in the diets of eagle and Ural owls, that is more flying squirrels were consumed during the good vole years than the poor ones. The declining trends in the diets of three avian predators appeared to be quite similar for both studied squirrel species, possibly indicating that the process behind the decline has been the same.
Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4 and the cryopyrin inflammasome in normal pregnancy and pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Xie F , Hu Y , Turvey SE , Magee LA , Brunham RM , Choi K‐C , Krajden M , Leung PCK , Money DM , Patrick DM , Thomas E , von Dadelszen P
Published: June 2010

Objective  Pre‐eclampsia involves a maternal inflammatory response that differs from both normal pregnancy and normotensive intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Our objective was to examine neutrophil Toll‐like receptor (TLR), cryopyrin, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) subunit and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and inflammatory cytokine profiles in women with pre‐eclampsia or normotensive IUGR, as well as in normal pregnancy and non‐pregnancy controls.

Design and method  A case–control study was performed. We examined the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions of TLR4 and TLR2, mRNA levels of cryopyrin, IL‐1β, NF‐κB subunits p50 and p65, as well as maternal serum inflammatory cytokine profiles (IL‐2, IL‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], interferon‐γ [IFN‐γ] and IL‐10) in women with and without pre‐eclampsia using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions, flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays.

Setting  A single tertiary maternity hospital in Vancouver, Canada.

Population  Women with early‐onset pre‐eclampsia (<34 weeks of gestation, n = 25), women with late‐onset pre‐eclampsia (≥34+0 weeks of gestation, n = 25), women with normotensive IUGR (n = 25), women with normal pregnancy (n = 75) and non‐pregnancy (n = 25) controls.

Results  Women with pre‐eclampsia (as a single combined group of early‐ and late‐onset, and particularly in women with early‐onset pre‐eclampsia) had increased TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions elevated cryopyrin, NF‐κB subunit, and IL‐1β mRNA expression, and TNF‐α:IL‐10 and IL‐6:IL‐10 ratios compared with other groups.

Conclusions  These data suggest that TLRs and cryopyrin may modulate the innate immune response of the maternal syndrome of pre‐eclampsia, and might also trigger the differential inflammatory response existing between early onset pre‐eclampsia and normotensive IUGR.
Interferon‐α treatment in children and young adults with chronic hepatitis B: a long‐term follow‐up study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Tsai Hsiu‐Yuan , Wu Tzee‐Chung , Chiang Cheng‐Lun , Ni Yen‐Hsuan , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chang Mei‐Hwei
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: The short‐ and long‐term benefits of interferon (IFN)‐α therapy in young patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) acquiring infection perinatally or during early childhood have been questioned.

Methods: Twenty‐one Taiwanese hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)‐positive CHB patients aged 1.8–21.8 years (median 14.0 years) with alanine aminotransferase (ALT)>80 IU/L at entry were enrolled for IFN‐α therapy. They received IFN‐α therapy with a dose of 3 MU/m2/day three times a week for 24 weeks. A control group included untreated 21 CHB patients closely matched for gender, age, duration of ALT >80 IU/L and HBeAg status. All 42 patients were prospectively followed for 6.5–12.5 years after the end of therapy.

Results: The cumulative rate of virological response [anti‐HBe seroconversion and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNA <105 copies/ml] was not different between the IFN‐treated patients and control patients at 1 year (41 vs 44%) and at 6 years (88 vs 89%) after stopping treatment. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen loss occurred in two (9.5%) treated patients and in one (4.8%) control patient. Patients with a successful treatment response (anti‐HBe seroconversion, HBV‐DNA <102 copies/ml and ALT normalization at 1 year after stopping treatment) were younger than those without a successful response (P=0.03). A lower pretreatment serum HBV‐DNA level (<2 × 108 copies/ml) is not only a significant factor to predict successful treatment response (P=0.008) but also has a beneficial effect on the long‐term cumulative rate of virological response in IFN‐treated patients (P=0.021), but not in control patients. Genotype difference or emergence of a precore stop codon mutant before treatment was not predictive for HBeAg clearance.

Conclusion: For young CHB patients in Taiwan with infection occurring perinatally or in early childhood, the real advantage of IFN‐α therapy was not observed. IFN‐α therapy showed a beneficial effect on short‐ and long‐term virological outcomes only in those with a lower pretreatment serum HBV‐DNA level.
An aphidiine parasitoid Monoctonia vesicarii (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and three chalcidoid hyperparasitoids of Pemphigus matsumurai (Homoptera: Aphididae) forming leaf galls on Populus maximowiczii in Japan
Authors: TAKADA Hajimu , KAMIJO Kazuaki , TORIKURA Hidenori
Published: June 2010

More than 300 unopened leaf galls formed by the pemphigine aphid Pemphigus matsumurai on Populus maximowiczii were collected at Nakasatsunai, Hokkaido, Japan, in July and September 2007 and kept in cold conditions during winter. From mummified fundatrices in the galls an aphidiine parasitoid Monoctonia vesicarii and three species of hyperparasitoids belonging to Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae and Eulophidae emerged from March to May 2008. Monoctonia vesicarii, which is new to Japan, is redescribed. The eulophid hyperparasitoid is described as a new species, Aprostocetus (Aprostocetus) doronokianus, and the pteromalid and eupelmid hyperparasitoids are identified as Pachyneuron sp. and Eupelmus sp., respectively. Approximately 180 unopened mummies of P. matsumurai were dissected in August and November 2008 and a living larva of M. vesicarii was found in each of 17 of them. These observations suggest that some individuals of M. vesicarii pass through two‐year cycles. The implications of the three species of hyperparasitoids to P. matsumurai galls are discussed.
Two new genera, Caveana gen. nov. and Triviola gen. nov., and two new Torodora species from Thailand (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae)
Authors: PARK Kyu‐Tek
Published: June 2010

Two new genera, Caveana, gen. nov. and Triviola, gen. nov., belonging to the subfamily Torodorinae (Lecithoceridae) are described, based on Caveana diemseoki, sp. nov. and Triviola puiensis, sp. nov. At the same time, two new Torodora species, T. karismata, sp. nov. and T. youwon, sp. nov., are also described from Thailand. Images of adults and genitalia are given.