bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying ecological, morphological, and genetic variation to delimit species in the coast horned lizard species complex (
Phrynosoma
)
Authors: Leaché Adam D. , Koo Michelle S. , Spencer Carol L. , Papenfuss Theodore J. , Fisher Robert N. , McGuire Jimmy A.
Published: July 2009

Lineage separation and divergence form a temporally extended process whereby populations may diverge genetically, morphologically, or ecologically, and these contingent properties of species provide the operational criteria necessary for species delimitation. We inferred the historical process of lineage formation in the coast horned lizard (
Phrynosoma coronatum
) species complex by evaluating a diversity of operational species criteria, including divergence in mtDNA (98 specimens; 2,781 bp) and nuclear loci (
RAG
−
1
, 1,054 bp;
BDNF
529 bp), ecological niches (11 bioclimatic variables; 285 unique localities), and cranial horn shapes (493 specimens; 16 landmarks). A phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA recovers 5 phylogeographic groups arranged latitudinally along the Baja California Peninsula and in California. The 2 southern phylogeographic groups exhibit concordance between genetic, morphological, and ecological divergence; however, differentiation is weak or absent at more recent levels defined by phylogeographic breaks in California. Interpreting these operational species criteria together suggests that there are 3 ecologically divergent and morphologically diagnosable species within the
P. coronatum
complex. Our 3-species taxonomic hypothesis invokes a deep coalescence event when fitting the mtDNA genealogy into the species tree, which is not unexpected for populations that have diverged recently. Although the hypothesis that the 3 phylogeographic groups distributed across California each represent distinctive species is not supported by all of the operational species criteria evaluated in this study, the conservation status of the imperiled populations represented by these genealogical units remains critical.
Basal cells as stem cells of the mouse trachea and human airway epithelium
Authors: Rock Jason R. , Onaitis Mark W. , Rawlins Emma L. , Lu Yun , Clark Cheryl P. , Xue Yan , Randell Scott H. , Hogan Brigid L. M.
Published: July 2009

The pseudostratified epithelium of the mouse trachea and human airways contains a population of basal cells expressing
Trp-63
(
p63
) and cytokeratins 5 (
Krt5
) and
Krt14
. Using a

KRT5-CreER
T2

transgenic mouse line for lineage tracing, we show that basal cells generate differentiated cells during postnatal growth and in the adult during both steady state and epithelial repair. We have fractionated mouse basal cells by FACS and identified 627 genes preferentially expressed in a basal subpopulation vs. non-BCs. Analysis reveals potential mechanisms regulating basal cells and allows comparison with other epithelial stem cells. To study basal cell behaviors, we describe a simple in vitro clonal sphere-forming assay in which mouse basal cells self-renew and generate luminal cells, including differentiated ciliated cells, in the absence of stroma. The transcriptional profile identified 2 cell-surface markers, ITGA6 and NGFR, which can be used in combination to purify human lung basal cells by FACS. Like those from the mouse trachea, human airway basal cells both self-renew and generate luminal daughters in the sphere-forming assay.
Imaging of blood flow in cerebral arteries with dynamic helical computed tomography angiography (dhcta) using a 64-row CT scanner
Authors: Pekkola J. , Kangasniemi M.
Published: July 2009

Background: Cerebral computed tomography angiography (CTA) depicts a structural image of intracranial arteries without providing much time-resolved information on blood flow dynamics. Current CT technology allows obtaining of rapidly repeated helical scans during the arterial contrast filling phase after an intravenous contrast injection.

Purpose: To report our experience on dynamic CT imaging in determining the direction of contrast filling within proximal intracranial arteries of operated cerebral artery aneurysm patients. Such dynamic information can help detect vascular occlusion or severe spasm. The method is here referred to as dynamic helical CT angiography (DHCTA).

Material and Methods: We retrospectively collected image and related technical data for 23 patients who underwent DHCTA and CTA during their first postoperative day after cerebral artery aneurysm surgery. For DHCTA, we had helically scanned a 4-cm tissue volume three times in succession with a 64-row CT scanner at intervals of 2.6 s during arterial contrast filling after an intravenous contrast injection. We assessed how well DHCTA succeeded in demonstrating the direction of contrast filling in the proximal intracranial arteries, evaluated clinically relevant structural information provided by DHCTA and CTA, and compared radiation doses for the two methods.

Results: For 21 patients, DHCTA outlined the direction of contrast filling in proximal intracranial arteries. As to arterial spasm and residual filling of the operated aneurysm, CTA and DHCTA gave similar information. Radiation doses were higher ( P<0.000001) for DHCTA than for CTA at 120 kV tube voltage. At 100 kV, the difference was smaller, but doses for DHCTA still exceeded ( P<0.05) those for CTA.

Conclusion: DHCTA gave dynamic information unobtainable with CTA and could prove useful in selected clinical settings.
ERRATUM: “QUIESCENT DENSE GAS IN PROTOSTELLAR CLUSTERS: THE OPHIUCHUS A CORE” (2004, APJ, 617, 425)
Authors: Di Francesco James , André Philippe , Myers Philip C.
Published: July 2009

Erratum
Physics performance analysis of low-power tokamak reactors
Authors: Ludwig G.O. , Andrade M.C.R. , Gryaznevich M. , Todd T.N.
Published: July 2009

Global models are useful in the analysis of fusion reactors due to the facility in computing and presenting the results in terms of comprehensive parameters. A general figure of merit, which encompasses all the relevant tokamak parameters, is introduced in this paper by a convenient normalization of the global power balance equation. In this way, different hypothetical tokamak reactors can be compared in terms of their figure-of-merit value. This criterion is applied to analyse the performance of both ITER-like reactors and a class of newly proposed low-power reactors.
Impurity transport studies in NSTX neutral beam heated H-mode plasmas
Authors: Delgado-Aparicio L. , Stutman D. , Tritz K. , Finkenthal M. , Kaye S. , Bell R. , Kaita R. , LeBlanc B. , Levinton F. , Menard J. , Paul S. , Smith D. , Yuh H.
Published: July 2009

The first experimental assessment of low-Z impurity transport in a neutral beam heated, high-confinement H-mode plasma sustained in a low-field, low-aspect ratio spherical tokamak, was performed at the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). The injected impurities penetrate to the core on a hundred millisecond time scale, indicating a low core particle diffusivity (≲1 m2 s−1) in good agreement with the values predicted by neoclassical transport theory. In addition, a fixed q-profile magnetic field scan that showed reduced impurity penetration at high fields is also reported. This result suggests that anomalous ion particle transport associated with turbulent long-wavelength electrostatic instabilities must be largely suppressed in the NSTX core.
Counter-NBI assisted LH transition in low density plasmas in the TUMAN-3M
Authors: Lebedev S.V. , Askinazi L.G. , Chernyshev F.V. , Irzak M.A. , Kornev V.A. , Krikunov S.V. , Melnik A.D. , Razumenko D.V. , Rozhdestvensky V.V. , Smirnov A.I. , Tukachinsky A.S. , Vild'junas M.I. , Zhubr N.A.
Published: July 2009

This paper reports observations of the LH transition at very low density in the experiments on counter-current neutral beam injection (NBI) in the TUMAN-3M tokamak. The transition has been found at a target average density of as low as 0.5 × 1019 m−3, which is lower by a factor of 2.5 than the LH transition density boundary in ohmic and co-current NBI heated plasmas. Relatively low input power in counter-NBI experiments is noticed: P
input = 130–270 kW. In contrast, in the case of co-NBI the LH transition is difficult at low density. No transition is possible at the above density with co-NBI P
input up to 500 kW. A model that predicts the generation of a negative radial electric field E

r
, which is thought to help LH transition during counter-NBI, is suggested. The model conjectures the development of the E

r
and toroidal rotation V
ϕ in the presence of large ion orbit losses in the counter-NBI scheme. Measurements of the plasma potential by the heavy ion beam probe technique and edge radial electric field by electrostatic probes indicating negative E

r
emergence in the counter-NBI scenario are presented. Doppler spectroscopy of B3+ impurity ions has shown an increase in the V
ϕ of 16 ± 6 km s−1 after counter-NBI switch on. The measured V
ϕ agrees with the above model estimations.
Density fluctuation of geodesic acoustic mode on the HL-2A tokamak
Authors: Cheng J. , Yan L.W. , Zhao K.J. , Dong J.Q. , Hong W.Y. , Qian J. , Yang Q.W. , Ding X.T. , Duan X.R. , Liu Y.
Published: July 2009

The density fluctuations of the geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) have been observed in Ohmic deuterium plasma discharges with a combination of rake-like and three-step Langmuir probe arrays on the HL-2A tokamak. The probe arrays with poloidal and toroidal separations of 36 and 1330 mm are applied to measure the spectral property and intermittency of the GAM density fluctuations. The poloidal and toroidal mode numbers of the fluctuations are simultaneously measured for the first time. The measured fluctuation amplitude is consistent with the theoretical prediction. High coherence and near zero phase shift of the GAM density fluctuations separated toroidally by 37.5° at the same magnetic flux surface was first observed, indicating the symmetric structure of the GAM in the toroidal direction. The peak time delays of the cross-correlation function of the fluctuations above and below the midplane suggest the expected sin θ dependence. The nonlinear three wave coupling between the GAM and the ambient turbulence is shown to be a plausible mechanism for the generation of the GAM density fluctuations. The significant coherence and the corresponding fixed phase shift (∼π) between the original data and the envelope of the high frequency ambient turbulence provide the experimental evidence for the envelope modulation. The GAM amplitude is out of phase with the particle flux. Most of the intermittent frequencies for particle flux are close to the GAM frequency.
Mechanisms for Rescue of Correctable Folding Defects in CFTRΔF508
Authors: Grove Diane E. , Rosser Meredith F.N. , Ren Hong Yu , Naren Anjaparavanda P. , Cyr Douglas M.
Published: July 2009

Premature degradation of CFTRΔF508 causes cystic fibrosis (CF). CFTRΔF508 folding defects are conditional and folding correctors are being developed as CF therapeutics. How the cellular environment impacts CFTRΔF508 folding efficiency and the identity of CFTRΔF508's correctable folding defects is unclear. We report that inactivation of the RMA1 or CHIP ubiquitin ligase permits a pool of CFTRΔF508 to escape the endoplasmic reticulum. Combined RMA1 or CHIP inactivation and Corr-4a treatment enhanced CFTRΔF508 folding to 3–7-fold greater levels than those elicited by Corr-4a. Some, but not all, folding defects in CFTRΔF508 are correctable. CHIP and RMA1 recognize different regions of CFTR and a large pool of nascent CFTRΔF508 is ubiquitinated by RMA1 before Corr-4a action. RMA1 recognizes defects in CFTRΔF508 related to misassembly of a complex that contains MSD1, NBD1, and the R-domain. Corr-4a acts on CFTRΔF508 after MSD2 synthesis and was ineffective at rescue of ΔF508 dependent folding defects in amino-terminal regions. In contrast, misfolding caused by the rare CF-causing mutation V232D in MSD1 was highly correctable by Corr-4a. Overall, correction of folding defects recognized by RMA1 and/or global modulation of ER quality control has the potential to increase CFTRΔF508 folding and provide a therapeutic approach for CF.
Par-4 Is an Essential Downstream Target of DAP-like Kinase (Dlk) in Dlk/Par-4–mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Boosen Meike , Vetterkind Susanne , Kubicek Jan , Scheidtmann Karl-Heinz , Illenberger Susanne , Preuss Ute
Published: July 2009

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) was initially identified as a gene product up-regulated in prostate cancer cells undergoing apoptosis. In rat fibroblasts, coexpression of Par-4 and its interaction partner DAP-like kinase (Dlk, which is also known as zipper-interacting protein kinase [ZIPK]) induces relocation of the kinase from the nucleus to the actin filament system, followed by extensive myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and induction of apoptosis. Our analyses show that the synergistic proapoptotic effect of Dlk/Par-4 complexes is abrogated when either Dlk/Par-4 interaction or Dlk kinase activity is impaired. In vitro phosphorylation assays employing Dlk and Par-4 phosphorylation mutants carrying alanine substitutions for residues S154, T155, S220, or S249, respectively, identified T155 as the major Par-4 phosphorylation site of Dlk. Coexpression experiments in REF52.2 cells revealed that phosphorylation of Par-4 at T155 by Dlk was essential for apoptosis induction in vivo. In the presence of the Par-4 T155A mutant Dlk was partially recruited to actin filaments but resided mainly in the nucleus. Consequently, apoptosis was not induced in Dlk/Par-4 T155A–expressing cells. In vivo phosphorylation of Par-4 at T155 was demonstrated with a phospho-specific Par-4 antibody. Our results demonstrate that Dlk-mediated phosphorylation of Par-4 at T155 is a crucial event in Dlk/Par-4-induced apoptosis.
Dissection of a Hypoxia-induced, Nitric Oxide–mediated Signaling Cascade
Authors: Dijkers Pascale F. , O'Farrell Patrick H.
Published: July 2009

Befitting oxygen's key role in life's processes, hypoxia engages multiple signaling systems that evoke pervasive adaptations. Using surrogate genetics in a powerful biological model, we dissect a poorly understood hypoxia-sensing and signal transduction system. Hypoxia triggers NO-dependent accumulation of cyclic GMP and translocation of cytoplasmic GFP-Relish (an NFκB/Rel transcription factor) to the nucleus in Drosophila S2 cells. An enzyme capable of eliminating NO interrupted signaling specifically when it was targeted to the mitochondria, arguing for a mitochondrial NO signal. Long pretreatment with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), L-NAME, blocked signaling. However, addition shortly before hypoxia was without effect, suggesting that signaling is supported by the prior action of NOS and is independent of NOS action during hypoxia. We implicated the glutathione adduct, GSNO, as a signaling mediator by showing that overexpression of the cytoplasmic enzyme catalyzing its destruction, GSNOR, blocks signaling, whereas knockdown of this activity caused reporter translocation in the absence of hypoxia. In downstream steps, cGMP accumulated, and calcium-dependent signaling was subsequently activated via cGMP-dependent channels. These findings reveal the use of unconventional steps in an NO pathway involved in sensing hypoxia and initiating signaling.
Cooperative Networks in the Italian Economy
Authors: Menzani Tito , Zamagni Vera
Published: July 2009

This paper analyzes cooperative enterprises' networks in the Italian economy, in accordance with recent economic theory, to throw light on the causes of their success of in the last 30 years. We reference the vast literature about business networks to identify some interpretative lines that can be transferred to the cooperative world. On this basis, a typology of the Italian cooperative networks is offered, in order to evaluate the competitive advantages of each type of net, their governance methods, their evolution, and their impact on the recent flourishing of Italian cooperatives. Our conclusion is that the use of networks by co-ops has been very intensive and can still be strengthened, if Italian co-op umbrella organizations will merge. Building large cooperative corporations was often the result of networking, as was the creation of joint stock companies owned by cooperatives.
Virus assembly occurs following a pH- or Ca2+-triggered switch in the thermodynamic attraction between structural protein capsomeres
Authors: Chuan Yap P. , Fan Yuan Y. , Lua Linda H. L. , Middelberg Anton P. J.
Published: July 2009

Viral self-assembly is of tremendous virological and biomedical importance. Although theoretical and crystallographic considerations suggest that controlled conformational change is a fundamental regulatory mechanism in viral assembly, direct proof that switching alters the thermodynamic attraction of self-assembling components has not been provided. Using the VP1 protein of polyomavirus, we report a new method to quantitatively measure molecular interactions under conditions of rapid protein self-assembly. We show, for the first time, that triggering virus capsid assembly through biologically relevant changes in Ca2+concentration, or pH, is associated with a dramatic increase in the strength of protein molecular attraction as quantified by the second virial coefficient (B22).B22decreases from −2.3 × 10−4mol ml g−2(weak protein–protein attraction) to −2.4 × 10−3mol ml g−2(strong protein attraction) for metastable and Ca2+-triggered self-assembling capsomeres, respectively. An assembly-deficient mutant (VP1CΔ63) is conversely characterized by weak protein–protein repulsion independently of chemical change sufficient to cause VP1 assembly. Concomitant switching of both VP1 assembly and thermodynamic attraction was also achieved byin vitrochanges in ammonium sulphate concentration, consistent with protein salting-out behaviour. The methods and findings reported here provide new insight into viral assembly, potentially facilitating the development of new antivirals and vaccines, and will open the way to a more fundamental physico-chemical description of complex protein self-assembly systems.
Analysis of a complete DNA–protein affinity landscape
Authors: Rowe William , Platt Mark , Wedge David C. , Day Philip J. , Kell Douglas B. , Knowles Joshua
Published: July 2009

Properties of biological fitness landscapes are of interest to a wide sector of the life sciences, from ecology to genetics to synthetic biology. For biomolecular fitness landscapes, the information we currently possess comes primarily from two sources: sparse samples obtained from directed evolution experiments; and more fine-grained but less authentic information from ‘in silico’ models (such asNK-landscapes). Here we present the entire protein-binding profile of all variants of a nucleic acid oligomer 10 bases in length, which we have obtained experimentally by a series of highly parallel on-chip assays. The resulting complete landscape of sequence-binding pairs, comprising more than one million binding measurements in duplicate, has been analysed statistically using a number of metrics commonly applied to synthetic landscapes. These metrics show that the landscape is rugged, with many local optima, and that this arises from a combination of experimental variation and the natural structural properties of the oligonucleotides.
Pheromone-induced olfactory memory in newborn rabbits: Involvement of consolidation and reconsolidation processes
Authors: Coureaud Gérard , Languille Solène , Schaal Benoist , Hars Bernard
Published: July 2009

Mammary pheromone (MP)-induced odor memory is a new model of appetitive memory functioning early in a mammal, the newborn rabbit. Some properties of this associative memory are analyzed by the use of anisomycin as an amnesic agent. Long-term memory (LTM) was impaired by anisomycin delivered immediately, but not 4 h after either acquisition or reactivation. Thus, the results suggest that this form of neonatal memory requires both consolidation and reconsolidation. By extending these notions to appetitive memory, the results reveal that consolidation and reconsolidation processes are characteristics of associative memories of positive events not only in the adult, but also in the newborn.
Influence of Leaf Tolerance Mechanisms and Rain on Boron Toxicity in Barley and Wheat
Authors: Reid Rob , Fitzpatrick Kate
Published: July 2009

Boron (B) toxicity is common in many areas of the world. Plant tolerance to high B varies widely and has previously been attributed to reduced uptake of B, most commonly as a result of B efflux from roots. In this study, it is shown that the expression of genes encoding B efflux transporters in leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) is associated with an ability of leaf tissues to withstand higher concentrations of B. In tolerant cultivars, necrosis in leaves occurred at B concentrations more than 2-fold higher than in sensitive cultivars. It is hypothesized that this leaf tolerance is achieved via redistribution of B by efflux transporters from sensitive symplastic compartments into the leaf apoplast. Measurements of B concentrations in leaf protoplasts, and of B released following infiltration of leaves, support this hypothesis. It was also shown that under B-toxic conditions, leaching of B from leaves by rain had a strong positive effect on growth of both roots and shoots. Measurements of rates of guttation and the concentration of B in guttation droplets indicated that the impact of guttation on the alleviation of B toxicity would be small.
The ArabidopsisRESURRECTION1Gene Regulates a Novel Antagonistic Interaction in Plant Defense to Biotrophs and Necrotrophs
Authors: Mang Hyung Gon , Laluk Kristin A. , Parsons Eugene P. , Kosma Dylan K. , Cooper Bruce R. , Park Hyeong Cheol , AbuQamar Synan , Boccongelli Claudia , Miyazaki Saori , Consiglio Federica , Chilosi Gabriele , Bohnert Hans J. , Bressan Ray A. , Mengiste Tesfaye , Jenks Matthew A.
Published: July 2009

We report a role for the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) RESURRECTION1 (RST1) gene in plant defense. The rst1 mutant exhibits enhanced susceptibility to the biotrophic fungal pathogen Erysiphe cichoracearum but enhanced resistance to the necrotrophic fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola. RST1 encodes a novel protein that localizes to the plasma membrane and is predicted to contain 11 transmembrane domains. Disease responses in rst1 correlate with higher levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and increased basal and B. cinerea-induced expression of the plant defensin PDF1.2 gene but reduced E. cichoracearum-inducible salicylic acid levels and expression of pathogenesis-related genes PR1 and PR2. These results are consistent with rst1's varied resistance and susceptibility to pathogens of different life styles. Cuticular lipids, both cutin monomers and cuticular waxes, on rst1 leaves were significantly elevated, indicating a role for RST1 in the suppression of leaf cuticle lipid synthesis. The rst1 cuticle exhibits normal permeability, however, indicating that the disease responses of rst1 are not due to changes in this cuticle property. Double mutant analysis revealed that the coi1 mutation (causing defective JA signaling) is completely epistatic to rst1, whereas the ein2 mutation (causing defective ethylene signaling) is partially epistatic to rst1, for resistance to B. cinerea. The rst1 mutation thus defines a unique combination of disease responses to biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi in that it antagonizes salicylic acid-dependent defense and enhances JA-mediated defense through a mechanism that also controls cuticle synthesis.
Inter and intra‐estuary variability in ingress, condition and settlement of the American eel Anguilla rostrata: implications for estimating and understanding recruitment
Authors: Sullivan M. C. , Wuenschel M. J. , Able K. W.
Published: July 2009

The objective of this study was to quantify spatial and temporal variability of anguillid glass eel ingress within and between adjacent watersheds in order to help illuminate the mechanisms moderating annual recruitment. Because single fixed locations are often used to assess annual recruitment, the intra‐annual dynamics of ingress across multiple sites often remains unresolved. To address this question, plankton nets and eel collectors were deployed weekly to synoptically quantify early stage Anguilla rostrata abundance at 12 sites across two New Jersey estuaries over an ingress season. Numbers of early‐stage glass eels collected at the inlet mouths were moderately variable within and between estuaries over time and showed evidence for weak lunar phase and water temperature correlations. The relative condition of glass eels, although highly variable, declined significantly over the ingress season and indicated a tendency for lower condition A. rostrata to colonize sites in the lower estuary. Accumulations of glass eels and early‐stage elvers retrieved from collectors (one to >1500 A. rostrata per collector) at lower estuary sites were highly variable over time, producing only weak correlations between estuaries. By way of contrast, development into late‐stage elvers, coupled with the large‐scale colonization of up‐river sites, was highly synchronized between and within estuaries and contingent on water temperatures reaching c. 10−12° C. Averaged over the ingress season, abundance estimates were remarkably consistent between paired sites across estuaries, indicating a low degree of interestuary variability. Within an estuary, however, abundance estimates varied considerably depending on location. These results and methodology have important implications for the planning and interpretation of early‐stage anguillid eel surveys as well as the understanding of the dynamic nature of ingress and the spatial scales over which recruitment varies.
Clues to the location of the spawning area and larval migration characteristics of Anguilla mossambica as inferred from otolith microstructural analyses
Authors: Réveillac É. , Robinet T. , Rabenevanana M.‐W. , Valade P. , Feunteun É.
Published: July 2009

The spawning area location and the larval migration characteristics of Anguilla mossambica were studied through the examination of early life‐history traits (ELHT) inferred from otolith microstructural analyses of 122 glass A. mossambica collected along the eastern coast of Madagascar, in the south‐western Indian Ocean. Backcalculated hatching dates of leptocephali that recruited between November 2005 and February 2006 suggested that spawning was continuous from June to November 2005, although individual migration duration periods were variable. Larvae that exhibited the highest daily otolith growth rates had the shortest leptocephalus durations and total length (LT) at recruitment, possibly because they reached the competence to metamorphose more rapidly and to recruit to fresh waters. Migration durations and LT increased from north to south on the Malagasy eastern coast, supporting earlier suggestions that A. mossambica spawns north‐east of Madagascar, west of the Mascarene Ridge in the Indian Ocean.
Environmental determinism of year‐to‐year recruitment variability of European eel Anguilla anguilla in a small coastal catchment, the Frémur River, north‐west France
Authors: Acou A. , Legault A. , Laffaille P. , Feunteun E.
Published: July 2009

The influence of environmental factors (mainly the river flow) on the year‐to‐year variability of European eel Anguilla anguilla fluvial recruitment in a small coastal catchment, the Frémur River (north‐west France) was examined. A comprehensive survey of catches from fixed traps at two weirs located at 4·5 km (Pont es Omnes Dam) and 6·0 km (Bois Joli Dam) above the river mouth was carried out between 1997 and 2004. Young pigmented elvers (mean ±s.d. total length, 133·7 ± 29·6 mm) were recruited in eel‐passes from February to October, but the main runs followed a modal curve from April to September with a peak centred in May to June. Catches varied greatly between years, from 381 to 26 765 elvers. For each trap, a positive linear relationship between monthly mean river flow that preceded the maximal intensity of captures and annual total catches was observed. These relationships explained 73·1% (P < 0.01) and 89·0% (P < 0.001) of the year‐to‐year variability of the recruitment observed in the Pont es Omnes and Bois Joli traps respectively. A significant increase in river flow at the beginning of the migration peak would thus trigger a greater proportion of A. anguilla settled in the estuary and in the downstream zone of the Fremur River to begin their freshwater colonization. The physicochemical roles of changes in river discharge in stimulating upstream migration are discussed. It is concluded that fluvial recruitment in the Fremur River is mainly determined by environmental factors.
Estimates of the mortality and the duration of the trans‐Atlantic migration of European eel Anguilla anguilla leptocephali using a particle tracking model
Authors: Bonhommeau S. , Le Pape O. , Gascuel D. , Blanke B. , Tréguier A.‐M. , Grima N. , Vermard Y. , Castonguay M. , Rivot E.
Published: July 2009

Using Lagrangian simulations, based on circulation models over three different hydroclimatic periods in the last 45 years in the North Atlantic Ocean, the trans‐Atlantic migration of the European eel Anguilla anguilla leptocephali was simulated via the passive drift of particles released in the spawning area. Three different behaviours were modelled: drifting at fixed depth, undergoing a vertical migration or choosing the fastest currents. Simulations included mortality hypotheses to estimate a realistic mean migration duration and relative survival of A. anguilla larvae. The mean migration duration was estimated as 21 months and the mortality rate as 3·8 per year, i.e. < 0·2% of A. anguilla larvae may typically survive the trans‐Atlantic migration.
Predictors of parenting self‐efficacy in mothers and fathers of toddlers
Authors: Sevigny P. R. , Loutzenhiser L.
Published: July 2009

Background  Researchers interested in child developmental outcomes have highlighted the role that parenting self‐efficacy (PSE) plays in psychosocial child adjustment. PSE is a cognitive construct that can be broadly defined as an individual's appraisal of his or her competence in the parental role. PSE has emerged in the literature as an important variable when exploring variance in parenting skills. Despite this, much remains to be learned about PSE. Little is known about the predictors of PSE, with much of the existing research conducted in a piecemeal fashion that lacks a solid theoretical framework. In addition, PSE in fathers has been understudied and relatively little is known about PSE in families with toddler age children. Informed by Belsky's process model of parenting, this study explored similarities and differences in PSE and the predictors of PSE for mothers and fathers of toddlers.

Methods  A total of 62 cohabiting couples whose first‐born child was 18–36 months old completed self‐report measures of PSE, general self‐efficacy, depression, marital satisfaction, parenting stress, child difficultness and family functioning.

Results  For fathers, parenting stress and their relational functioning (i.e. marital satisfaction and family functioning) with their spouse predicted PSE scores. For mothers, general self‐efficacy and relational functioning were predictive of PSE.

Conclusions and limitations  The results of this study support the use of Belsky's process model of parenting to study the predictors of PSE. Important differences were found in the prediction models for mothers and fathers. Future studies need to clarify the nature of parental self‐efficacy beliefs in fathers and continue to use comprehensive theoretical models to identify potentially relevant covariates of PSE. Limitations of the current investigation include reliance on self‐report measures and the homogeneity of the sample.
Parental consent for neuroimaging in paediatric research
Authors: Morgan A. T. , Reilly S. , Eadie P. , Watts A. , Simpson C.
Published: July 2009

Background  Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is increasingly applied in paediatric research. Parents typically provide research consent for their children; yet, no study has examined the rates of consent, nor factors influencing parental decision making for consent. The present study aimed to determine the proportion of parents that would consent to their child undergoing an fMRI study, and to elicit the reasons, motivators and detractors affecting their decision.

Methods  Ninety parents of children aged 6 years were invited to participate in a postal survey study.

Results  Fifty‐three parents (59%) responded and one‐third (34%, 18/53) reported that they would consent. The main reason for consent was that participation could benefit children in the future (89%, 16/18). Common reasons for not consenting included that fMRI may be anxiety‐provoking (54%), or was an unnecessary medical procedure (23%).

Conclusions  Our preliminary data suggest that researchers may have to approach three times the number of participants required in order to recruit a suitable number of healthy children to fMRI studies. Further research examining the influence of recruitment approaches (e.g. phone vs. postal) and the various factors influencing decision making regarding consent is required. For example, careful examination of the language used in describing the procedure could facilitate parental understanding about fMRI and alleviate anxiety associated with the procedure. This is an important consideration for recruitment to future fMRI studies given that anxiety was a key factor influencing parental non‐consent.
Chronic antigenic stimuli as a possible explanation for the immunodepression caused by liver cirrhosis
Authors: Márquez M , Fernández-Gutiérrez C , Montes-de-Oca M , Blanco M J , Brun F , Rodríguez-Ramos C , Girón-González J A
Published: July 2009

The objectives of this work were the analysis of the functional characteristics of circulating monocytes and T lymphocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis, and evaluation of the relationship with an increased exposure to antigens due to bacterial translocation. Forty patients with liver cirrhosis (20 with compensated cirrhosis and 20 with ascitic decompensation) and 20 healthy control subjects were studied. Bacterial translocation was evaluated by serum levels of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP). Macrophage activation was studied by CD40 antigen expression. T lymphocytes were analysed for activation (CD25+, CD122+), effector function (CD8+CD45RO+CD57+), apoptosis (CD95+) and regulatory abilities, either by analysis of the membrane expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and CD28, or by quantification of regulatory T cells CD4+CD25highforkhead box P3 (FoxP3). The percentage of activated monocytes and T lymphocytes in patients was increased significantly. The proportions of effector senescent cells and of those near to apoptosis were also significantly higher. With respect to these proportions, there were no significant differences between patients in function of the presence or absence of decompensation or in function of the increased or normal values of LBP. Conversely, those patients with elevated levels of LBP presented a significantly higher frequency of regulatory T cells than those with normal levels. In conclusion, patients with liver cirrhosis showed an intensive activation state with a higher percentage of cells committed to activation-induced death, even in non-advanced stages. It is possible that bacterial permeability and endotoxaemia contribute to the expansion of those lymphocyte populations implicated in the prevention of a more severe antigen-induced immunopathology.
Sex differences in the association between albumin and all‐cause and vascular mortality
Authors: Grimm G. , Haslacher H. , Kampitsch T. , Endler G. , Marsik C. , Schickbauer T. , Wagner O. , Jilma B.
Published: July 2009

Background  Low serum albumin levels are associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. This study evaluated the predictive value of low serum albumin for all‐cause‐mortality in a large Viennese patient cohort and investigated sex differences in the association between serum albumin and mortality.

Materials and methods  Serum albumin concentrations of 285 930 patients, who attended the General Hospital Vienna between 1992 and 2002, were evaluated and linked with the Austrian Death Registry. The median observation period was 7·4 ± 4·0 years and the death rate was 16·8%. For Cox regression analysis, albumin levels were divided into deciles, the highest category served as reference value. To analyse associations between albumin and mortality independent of liver function, results were adjusted for cholinesterase, which indicates protein synthesis capacity of the liver.

Results  Hazard ratios for all‐cause‐mortality increased linearly with decreasing albumin levels from 1·05 in the 9th to 2·98 in the 1st decile. Adjusted for cholinesterase, the relative risk for mortality was still 1·91 in the lowest category. Compared with women, men had an average 50% increased risk of death in almost every decile, adjusting for cholinesterase reduced the sex difference to a 10–20% higher mortality risk for men. In critically ill patients, hazard ratios for all‐cause‐mortality ranged from 4·5 in the 9th decile to 9·5 in the lowest albumin category.

Conclusion  This study demonstrates a strong inverse association between serum albumin and mortality in a large patient cohort. The predictive value of low albumin was remarkably higher in men than in women.
Proteome analysis of human nuclear insoluble fractions
Authors: Takata Hideaki , Nishijima Hitoshi , Ogura Shun‐ichiro , Sakaguchi Takehisa , Bubulya Paula A. , Mochizuki Tohru , Shibahara Kei‐ichi
Published: July 2009

The interphase nucleus is a highly ordered and compartmentalized organelle. Little is known regarding what elaborate mechanisms might exist to explain these properties of the nucleus. Also unresolved is whether some architectural components might facilitate the formation of functional intranuclear compartments or higher order chromatin structure. As the first step to address these questions, we performed an in‐depth proteome analysis of nuclear insoluble fractions of human HeLa‐S3 cells prepared by two different approaches: a high‐salt/detergent/nuclease‐resistant fraction and a lithium 3,5‐diiodosalicylate/nuclease‐resistant fraction. Proteins of the fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, identifying 333 and 330 proteins from each fraction respectively. Among the insoluble nuclear proteins, we identified 37 hitherto unknown or functionally uncharacterized proteins. The RNA recognition motif, WD40 repeats, HEAT repeats and the SAP domain were often found in these identified proteins. The subcellular distribution of selected proteins, including DEK protein and SON protein, demonstrated their novel associations with nuclear insoluble materials, corroborating our MS‐based analysis. This study establishes a comprehensive catalog of the nuclear insoluble proteins in human cells. Further functional analysis of the proteins identified in our study will significantly improve our understanding of the dynamic organization of the interphase nucleus.
Waiting list management: priority criteria or first‐in first‐out? A case for total joint replacement
Authors: Escobar Antonio , Quintana José Ma , González Marta , Bilbao Amaia , Ibañez Berta
Published: July 2009

Background  Total joint replacements are interventions with large waiting times from indication to the surgery management. These patients can be managed in two ways; first‐in first‐out or through a priority tool. The aim of this study was to compare real time on waiting list (TWL) with a priority criteria score, developed by our team, in patients awaiting joint replacement due to osteoarthritis.

Methods  Consecutive patients placed on waiting list were eligible. Patients fulfilled a questionnaire which included items of our priority tool and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) specific questionnaire. Other priority items were extracted from the clinical history. The priority tool gives a score from 0 to 100 points, and three categories (urgent, preferent and ordinary). We studied the differences among categories and TWL by means of one‐way analysis of variance. Correlational analysis was used to evaluate association among priority score and TWL and WOMAC baseline and gains at 6 months with priority score and TWL.

Results  We have studied 684 patients. Women represented 62% of sample. The mean age was 70 years. There were not association between the categories of priority score and TWL (P = 0.12). The rho correlation coefficient between TWL and priority score was −0.11. Among baseline WOMAC scores and priority score, the rho coefficients were 0.79, 0.7 and 0.52 with function, pain and stiffness dimensions, respectively. There were differences in the mean scores of WOMAC dimensions according to the three priority categories (P < 0.001) but no with TWL categories. Data of gains in both health‐related quality of life dimensions at 6 months were similar, with differences according to priority categories but no regarding TWL.

Conclusions  The results of the study support the necessity of implementing a prioritization system instead of the actual system if we want to manage the waiting list for joint replacement with clinical equity.
Mental health consumers' perceptions of receiving recovery‐focused services
Authors: Marshall Sarah L. , Oades Lindsay G. , Crowe Trevor P.
Published: July 2009

Rationale, aims and objectives  This study examines the experiences of mental health service consumers engaged in various recovery‐focused support practices as well as examining consumer valuing of these activities.

Method  A self‐report questionnaire was developed drawing on key aspects of the Collaborative Recovery Model (CRM) (responsibility, collaboration, autonomy, motivation, needs, goals, homework). Ninety‐two adult consumers from metropolitan, regional and rural non‐government organizations and public mental health services in eastern Australian states completed the questionnaire.

Results  Consumers using services provided by CRM‐trained workers identified significant changes to service delivery in relation to frequency with which they were encouraged to take responsibility for their recovery, degree to which they collaborated with staff and the extent to which they were encouraged to complete homework activities to assist them to achieve their goals, when compared with consumers using traditional services. The key aspects of the CRM were valued by consumers. No differences were found in terms of overall ratings of clinician helpfulness in assisting recovery between the two groups.

Conclusions  Consumers are able to perceive recovery‐focused service changes. Although preliminary, this is a significant step towards assessing the operationalization of recovery principles from the consumer's perspective.
A multi‐intervention approach on drug therapy can lead to a more appropriate drug use in the elderly. LIMM‐Landskrona Integrated Medicines Management
Authors: Bergkvist Anna , Midlöv Patrik , Höglund Peter , Larsson Lisa , Eriksson Tommy
Published: July 2009

Rationale, aims and objectives  To evaluate if an integrated medicines management can lead to a more appropriate drug use in elderly inpatients.

Method  The study was an intervention study at a department of internal medicine in southern Sweden. During the intervention period pharmacists took part in the daily work at the wards. Systematic interventions aiming to identify, solve and prevent drug‐related problems (DRPs) were performed during the patient's hospital stay by multidisciplinary teams consisting of physicians, nurses and pharmacists. DRPs identified by the pharmacist were put forward to the care team and discussed. Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) was used to evaluate the appropriateness in the patients' drug treatment at admission, discharge and 2 weeks after discharge. In total 43 patients were included, 28 patients in the intervention group and 25 patients in the group which was used as control.

Results  For the intervention group there was a significant decrease in the number of inappropriate drugs compared with the control group (P = 0.049). Indication, duration and expenses were the MAI‐dimensions with most inappropriate ratings, and the drugs with most inappropriate ratings were anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives.

Conclusion  This kind of systematic approach on drug therapy can result in a more appropriate drug use in the elderly.
Chronic Care Team Profile: a brief tool to measure the structure and function of chronic care teams in general practice
Authors: Proudfoot Judith G. , Bubner Tanya , Amoroso Cheryl , Swan Edward , Holton Christine , Winstanley Julie , Beilby Justin , Harris Mark F.
Published: July 2009

Aim  At a time when workforce shortages in general practices are leading to greater role substitution and skill‐mix diversification, and the demand on general practices for chronic disease care is increasing, the structure and function of the general practice team is taking on heightened importance. To assist general practices and the organizations supporting them to assess the effectiveness of their chronic care teamworking, we developed an interview tool, the Chronic Care Team Profile (CCTP), to measure the structure and function of teams in general practice. This paper describes its properties and potential use.

Method  An initial pool of items was derived from guidelines of best‐practice for chronic disease care and performance standards for general practices. The items covered staffing, skill‐mix, job descriptions and roles, training, protocols and procedures within the practice. The 41‐item pool was factor analysed, retained items were measured for internal consistency and the reduced instrument's face, content and construct validity were evaluated.

Results  A three‐factor solution corresponding to non‐general practitioner staff roles in chronic care, administrative functions and management structures provided the best fit to the data and explained 45% of the variance in the CCTP. Further analyses suggested that the CCTP is reliable, valid and has some utility.

Discussion  The CCTP measures aspects of the structure and function of general practices which are independent of team processes. It is associated with the job satisfaction of general practice staff and the quality of care provided to patients with chronic illnesses. As such, the CCTP offers a simple and useful tool for general practices to assess their teamworking in chronic disease care.
A structured questionnaire to assess patient compliance and beliefs about medicines taking into account the ordered categorical structure of data
Authors: Bondesson Åsa , Hellström Lina , Eriksson Tommy , Höglund Peter
Published: July 2009

Rationale, aims and objective  The objectives were to describe and evaluate the structured medication questionnaire and to improve data handling of results from the Morisky four‐item scale for patient compliance and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire‐specific (BMQ‐specific).

Methods  A questionnaire was developed with the purpose of being used when identifying medication errors and assessing patient compliance to and beliefs about medicines.

Results  A majority of the respondents (62%; CI 45–77%) had at least one medication error. Assuming that all items are equally important in the Morisky four‐item scale we presented four alternative ways to create a unidimensional global scale. A two‐dimensional global scale was also constructed. The results from the BMQ‐specific were presented in different ways, all taking into account that the scale has ordered verbal categories: at the level addressing each specific question, at the sub‐scales ‘concern’ and ‘necessity’ level and at the global level.

Conclusions  The structured medication questionnaire can be used in daily practice as a tool to identify drug‐related problems. The choice of how to use and present data from those scales in research depends on patient characteristics and how discriminating one would like the scales to be.