bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological relativity to water–energy dynamics
Authors: O'Brien Eileen M.
Published: August 2006

Climate has long been related to geographical differences in the distribution and diversity of life. What has eluded explanation is why this should be so. One emerging possibility is biological relativity to water–energy dynamics: the relative nature of biotic dynamics to changes in energy/matter conditions caused by changes in water (all states) while doing work, especially liquid water. The dynamic parameters involved – liquid water and optimal energy conditions – are independent of life, and have been shown to provide a simple, globally predictive explanation for co‐variation between climate and the species richness of woody plants. Here I elaborate on what I mean by ‘biological relativity to water–energy dynamics’ and how it should relate to the geography and evolution of life in general (terrestrial, subterranean, marine/aquatic biota). Working through a natural hierarchy of physical, geographical, ecological and biological first principles, I outline the hierarchical, abiotic → biotic conceptual framework within which this idea operates. The implications of this idea include the following. First, the biosphere is better conceptualized as a ‘subsphere’ of the liquid hydrosphere – a system within a system, wherein ‘life’ has all the unique physical properties of liquid water, plus unique emergent properties of its own. Second, the fundamental capacity for life to exist and be dynamic in all biotic systems is determined by the abiotic capacity for liquid water to exist and be dynamic, which is always relative to the capacity for water–energy dynamics in general. Third, liquid water–energy dynamics acts as a fundamental mechanism of evolution, while being a constant mechanism of natural selection. Fourth, over space and time, there should be first‐order predictable and/or systematic differences in the capacity for, operation and outcomes of, biotic dynamics globally (e.g. species richness), that necessarily dissolve into apparent chaos locally. Fifth, biological relativity to water–energy dynamics provides a fundamental and natural framework for operationalizing hierarchy theory and developing trans‐scalar explanations for the geography and evolution of life's diversity.
Nested areas of endemism analysis
Authors: Deo Anthony J. , DeSalle Rob
Published: August 2006

Aim To develop and evaluate a nested clade approach to aid in the determination of areas of endemism (AoE) in biogeographical studies.

Methods We adapted the nested clade analysis (NCA) to studies of areas of endemism. For this purpose we adapted several of the programs currently in use. Two data sets were examined using this approach – one involvingSciobiusin southern Africa and the other involving terrestrial mammals in Mexico.

Results Nested clade analysis as applied to areas of endemism produced results similar to those of previous analyses ofSciobusin southern Africa. An analysis of terrestrial mammals in Mexico supports the designation of some biogeographical provinces as areas of endemism while suggesting that other provinces may comprise composite distributions that should be subdivided.

Main conclusions The nested clade analysis approach utilized primarily in genetic analysis of phylogeographical patterns in population biology studies can be adapted to understanding AoE in the realm of biogeography. This approach offers a statistical paradigm to evaluate AoE suggested by parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) trees.
A comparative study of susceptibility and induced pathology of cod, Gadus morhua (L.), and halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), following experimental infection with Moritella viscosa
Authors: Gudmundsdóttir B K , Björnsdóttir B , Gudmundsdóttir S , Bambir S H
Published: August 2006

In this study experimental challenges with Moritella viscosa, the causative agent of winter ulcers in salmonids, were performed on juvenile Atlantic cod and Atlantic halibut. The challenges involved both intramuscular (i.m.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections and bath with a strain originally isolated from Atlantic salmon. Cod was found to be significantly more sensitive than halibut to the infection. Both fish species were found to be more sensitive to i.m. than i.p. challenges. Both challenges induced a systemic disease in cod and halibut, but only cod was infected with an experimental bath challenge. Pathognomonic signs were found to be comparable with those described in M. viscosa‐infected salmon and turbot. The main distinguishing pathological sign was that the cod showed host response to M. viscosa infection resulting in granuloma formation in infected tissues, which is a known response of cod to a infection with another Gram‐negative bacterium, Aeromonas salmonicida. Re‐isolation of M. viscosa from kidneys of cod and halibut with clear disease signs was problematic and optimization of isolation measures is needed. The results of this study indicate that M. viscosa infection may be a risk factor in cod farming, but that halibut is more resistant.
Experimental infections with Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) on threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., and juvenile Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus spp.
Authors: Jones S , Kim E , Dawe S
Published: August 2006

Experimental infections with Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) were established on threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., juvenile pink, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum), and chum, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum), salmon. The prevalence and abundance of infections were initially higher on sticklebacks than on either salmon species. The initial prevalence and intensity of infections on chum salmon were higher than those on pink salmon, and declined on both species during louse development. The rate of parasite development to adult stages was similar on all species although development beyond the preadult stage was not observed on sticklebacks. These results confirm previous field observations on the occurrence and development of L. salmonis on threespine sticklebacks.
Transmission dynamics of lymphatic filariasis: vector‐specific density dependence in the development ofWuchereria bancroftiinfective larvae in mosquitoes
Authors: SNOW L. C. , BOCKARIE M. J. , MICHAEL E.
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe principles of meta‐analysis developed in a previous study were extended to investigate the process ofWuchereria bancrofti(Cobbold) (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) infection in mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) hosts, focusing specifically on the functional forms and strength of density dependence in the development of ingested microfilariae (mf) to infective (third instar) larvae (L3). Mathematical models describing observed mf−L3 functional responses for each of the major three parasite‐transmitting vector genera,Aedes, CulexandAnophelesmosquitoes, were fitted to paired mf−L3 data collated from all available studies in the published literature. Model parameters were estimated and compared by deriving and applying a data synthetic framework, based on applying a non‐linear weighted regression model for fitting mathematical models to multistudy data. The results confirm previous findings of the existence of significant between‐genera differences in the mf−L3 development relationship, particularly with regard to the occurrence of limitation inCulexmosquitoes and facilitation inAedesandAnophelesmosquitoes. New and unexpected findings regarding L3 development from ingested mf were discovered as follows: (1) forCulex, overcompensation in L3 development at higher intensities of mf (or a peaked mf−L3 functional response) was detected; (2) forAedesmosquitoes, facilitation (with an apparent asymptotic constraint on L3 development at high mf densities) was shown to be the major process governing L3 development, and (3) forAnopheles,a stronger facilitation type of response with no apparent saturation in L3 development appears to govern L3 output from ingested mf. These results yield major new insights regarding filarial vector infection dynamics and their potential impacts on parasite control, and demonstrate the efficacy of employing a data synthetic approach to reveal and estimate parasitic infection processes in host populations.
Oral myiasis in a child by the reindeer warble fly larva Hypoderma tarandi
Authors: FABER T. E. , HENDRIKX W. M. L.
Published: August 2006

Abstract We describe a case of human oral myiasis by a first‐stage larva of the reindeer warble fly, Hypoderma (Oedemagena) tarandi (L.) (Diptera: Oestridae), in a 12‐year‐old girl. In September the patient complained of erythema, swelling and conjunctivitis of the right eyelid. Symptoms subsided spontaneously but re‐occurred in October. In December she presented with acute swelling of the right corner of the mouth. Later that day a living larva protruded from this swelling. The patient had been on vacation in Norway during the previous summer months.
Investigating the caffeine effects in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae brings new insights into the connection between TOR, PKC and Ras/cAMP signalling pathways
Authors: Kuranda Klaudia , Leberre Veronique , Sokol Serguei , Palamarczyk Grazyna , François Jean
Published: August 2006

Caffeine is a natural purine analogue that elicits pleiotropic effects leading ultimately to cell's death by a largely uncharacterized mechanism. Previous works have shown that this drug induces a rapid phosphorylation of the Mpk1p, the final mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase of the Pkc1p‐mediated cell integrity pathway. In this work, we showed that this phosphorylation did not necessitate the main cell wall sensors Wsc1p and Mid2p, but was abolished upon deletion of ROM2 encoding a GDP/GTP exchange factor of Rho1p. We also showed that the caffeine‐induced phosphorylation of Mpk1p was accompanied by a negligible activation of its main downstream target, the Rlm1p transcription factor. This result was consolidated by the finding that the loss of RLM1 had no consequence on the increased resistance of caffeine‐treated cells to zymolyase, indicating that the cell wall modification caused by this drug is largely independent of transcriptional activation of Rlm1p‐regulated genes. Additionally, the transcriptional programme elicited by caffeine resembled that of rapamycin, a potent inhibitor of the TOR1/2 kinases. Consistent with this analysis, we found that the caffeine‐induced phosphorylation of Mpk1p was lost in a tor1Δ mutant. Moreover, a tor1Δ mutant was, like mutants defective in components of the Pkc1p‐Mpk1p cascade, highly sensitive to caffeine. However, the hypersensitivity of a tor1 null mutant to this drug was rescued neither by sorbitol nor by adenine, which was found to outcompete caffeine effects specially on mutants in the PKC pathway. Altogether, these data indicated that Tor1 kinase is a target of caffeine, whose inhibition incidentally activates the Pkc1p‐Mpk1p cascade, and that the caffeine‐dependent phenotypes are largely dependent on inhibition of Tor1p‐regulated cellular functions. Finally, we found that caffeine provoked, in a Rom2p‐dependent manner, a transient drop in intracellular levels of cAMP, that was followed by change in expression of genes implicated in Ras/cAMP pathway. This result may pose Rom2p as a mediator in the interplay between Tor1p and the Ras/cAMP pathway.
Identification by functional proteomics of a deubiquitinating/deNeddylating enzyme in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Artavanis‐Tsakonas Katerina , Misaghi Shahram , Comeaux Christy A. , Catic Andre , Spooner Eric , Duraisingh Manoj T. , Ploegh Hidde L.
Published: August 2006

Ubiquitination is a post‐translational modification implicated in a variety of cellular functions, including transcriptional regulation, protein degradation and membrane protein trafficking. Ubiquitin and the enzymes that act on it, although conserved and essential in eukaryotes, have not been well studied in parasites, despite sequencing of several parasite genomes. Several putative ubiquitin hydrolases have been identified in Plasmodium falciparum based on sequence homology alone, with no evidence of expression or function. Here we identify the first deubiquitinating enzyme in P. falciparum, PfUCH54, by its activity. We show that PfUCH54 also has deNeddylating activity, as assayed by a mammalian Nedd8‐based probe. This activity is absent from mammalian homologues of PfUCH54. Given the importance of parasitic membrane protein trafficking as well as protein degradation in the virulence of this parasite, this family of enzymes may represent a target for pharmacological intervention with this disease.
Purification and functional studies of a potent modified quorum‐sensing peptide and a two‐peptide bacteriocin in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Petersen Fernanda Cristina , Fimland Gunnar , Scheie Anne Aamdal
Published: August 2006

Bacteria use quorum‐sensing signals or autoinducers to communicate. The signals in Gram‐positive bacteria are often peptides activated by proteolytic removal of an N‐terminal leader sequence. While investigating stimulation of antimicrobial peptide production by the Streptococcus mutans synthetic competence stimulating peptide signal (21‐CSP), we found a peptide similar to the 21‐CSP, but lacking the three C‐terminal amino acid residues (18‐CSP). The 18‐CSP was more potent in inducing competence, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial activity than the 21‐CSP. Our results indicate that cleavage of the three C‐terminal residues occurred post export, and was not regulated by the CSP‐signalling system. Deletion of comD encoding the CSP receptor abolished the competence and biofilm responses to the 21‐CSP and the 18‐CSP, suggesting that signal transduction via the ComD receptor is involved in the responses to both CSPs. In S. mutans GS5, beside the 18‐CSP we also purified to homogeneity a two‐peptide bacteriocin which production was stimulated by the 18‐CSP and the 21‐CSP. Partial sequence of the two‐peptide bacteriocin revealed the product of the smbAB genes recently described. We found that the peptide SmbB was slightly different from the deduced sequence, and confirmed the prediction that both peptides constituting SmbAB bacteriocin are post‐translationally modified. SmbAB exhibited antimicrobial activity against 11 species of streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylocococcus epidermidis. Taken together, the findings support the involvement of the CSP response in bacteriocin production by streptococci and suggest a novel strategy to potentiate autoinducer activity.
The bacterial chromosome segregation protein Spo0J spreads along DNA from parS nucleation sites
Authors: Murray Heath , Ferreira Henrique , Errington Jeff
Published: August 2006

Regulation of chromosome inheritance is essential to ensure proper transmission of genetic information. To accomplish accurate genome segregation, cells organize their chromosomes and actively separate them prior to cytokinesis. In Bacillus subtilis the Spo0J protein is required for accurate chromosome segregation and it regulates the developmental switch from vegetative growth to sporulation. Spo0J is a DNA‐binding protein that recognizes at least eight identified parS sites located near the origin of replication. As judged by fluorescence microscopy, Spo0J forms discrete foci associated with the oriC region of the chromosome throughout the cell cycle. In an attempt to determine the mechanisms utilized by Spo0J to facilitate productive chromosome segregation, we have investigated the DNA binding activity of Spo0J. In vivo we find Spo0J associates with several kilobases of DNA flanking its specific binding sites (parS) through a parS‐dependent nucleation event that promotes lateral spreading of Spo0J along the chromosome. Using purified components we find that Spo0J has the ability to coat non‐specific DNA substrates. These ‘Spo0J domains’ provide large structures near oriC that could potentially demark, organize or localize the origin region of the chromosome.
Development and application of molecular‐based diagnosis for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, the causal pathogen of citrus huanglongbing
Authors: Wang Z. , Yin Y. , Hu H. , Yuan Q. , Peng G. , Xia Y.
Published: August 2006

Conventional PCR and two real‐time PCR (RTi‐PCR) methods were developed and compared using the primer pairs CQULA03F/CQULA03R and CQULA04F/CQULA04R, and TaqMan probe CQULAP1 designed from a species‐specific sequence of the rplJ/rplL ribosomal protein gene, for diagnosis of citrus huanglongbing (HLB) disease in southern China. The specificity and sensitivity of the three protocols for detecting ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ in total DNA extracts of midribs collected from infected citrus leaves with symptoms in Guangxi municipality, Jiangxi Province and Zhejiang Province, were tested. Sensitivities using extracted total DNA (measured as copy number, CN per µL of recombinant plasmid solution) were 439·0 (1·30 × 105 CN µL−1), 4·39 (1·30 × 103 CN µL−1) and 0·44 fg µL−1 (1·30 × 102 CN µL−1) for conventional PCR, TaqMan and SYBR Green I (SGI) RTi‐PCR, respectively. SGI RTi‐PCR was the most sensitive, but its specificity needed to be confirmed by running a melt‐curve assay. The TaqMan RTi‐PCR assay was rapid and had the greatest specificity. Concerning the correlation of PCR detection results with the various HLB symptoms, uneven mottling of leaves had the highest positive rate (96·50%), indicating that leaf mottling was the most reliable symptom for field surveys. Dynamic analysis results from the TaqMan assays showed that the titre (CN) g−1 citrus tissue of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ was highest between October and December (threshold cycle (Ct) average = 29·3, CN = 3·35 × 107) and lowest between March and May (Ct average = 32·0, CN = 5·10 × 106) in 2004 and 2005. The optimized molecular‐based assays should prove useful for presymptom diagnosis of HLB disease, monitoring and identification of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’, and field epidemic regulation.
Effects of fungicide dose and mixtures on selection for triazole resistance in Mycosphaerella graminicola under field conditions
Authors: Mavroeidi V. I. , Shaw M. W.
Published: August 2006

The effects of varying doses of fungicides, alone or in mixtures, on selection for triazole resistance were examined under field conditions. Two experiments were conducted using the triazole fungicide fluquinconazole with the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin as a mixture partner. Inoculated wheat plots with a known ratio of more sensitive to less sensitive isolates of the leaf blotch fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola were sprayed with fungicide and sampled once symptoms had appeared. Selection for fluquinconazole resistance increased in proportion to the dose, up to one‐half of the full dose (the maximum tested) in both experiments. At the higher doses of fluquinconazole, the addition of azoxystrobin was associated with a decrease in selection (nonsignificant in the first experiment) for triazole resistance. Control by low doses of fluquinconazole was increased by mixture with azoxystrobin, but at higher doses mixture with azoxystrobin sometimes decreased control, so that reduced selection was obtained at the cost of some reduction in control. The effects on resistance are not necessarily general consequences of mixing fungicides, and suggest that the properties of any specific mixture may need to be demonstrated experimentally. Selection was inversely related to control in the unmixed treatments in both experiments, but the relationship was weaker in the mixtures with azoxystrobin.
The phs1‐3 mutation in a putative dual‐specificity protein tyrosine phosphatase gene provokes hypersensitive responses to abscisic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Quettier Anne‐Laure , Bertrand Claire , Habricot Yvette , Miginiac Emile , Agnes Christiane , Jeannette Emmanuelle , Maldiney Régis
Published: August 2006

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) controls numerous physiological traits: dormancy and germination of seeds, senescence and resistance to abiotic stresses. In order to get more insight into the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) in ABA signalling, we obtained eight homozygous T‐DNA insertion lines in Arabidopsis thaliana PTP genes. One mutant, named phs1‐3, exhibited a strong ABA‐induced inhibition of germination as only 26% of its seeds germinated after 3 days instead of 92% for the Columbia (Col‐0) line. Genetic and molecular analyses of phs1‐3 showed that it bears a unique T‐DNA insertion in the promoter of the gene and that the mutation is recessive. PHS1 expression in the mutant is about half that of the Col‐0 line. The upregulation of two ABA‐induced genes (At5g06760, RAB18) and the downregulation of two ABA‐repressed genes (AtCLC‐A, ACL) are enhanced in the phs1‐3 mutant compared with the wild‐type. The ‘in planta’ aperture of phs1‐3 stomata is reduced and the inhibition of the light‐induced opening of stomata by ABA is stronger in phs1‐3 leaves than in Col‐0 leaves. Finally, PHS1 expression is upregulated in the presence of ABA in both phs1‐3 and Col‐0 but more intensively in the mutant. Thus, phs1‐3 is hypersensitive to ABA. Taken together, these results show that PHS1, which encodes a dual‐specificity PTP, is a negative regulator of ABA signalling.
Mutation of SAD2, an importin β‐domain protein in Arabidopsis, alters abscisic acid sensitivity
Authors: Verslues Paul E. , Guo Yan , Dong Chun‐Hai , Ma Wujun , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: August 2006

A number of protein and RNA‐processing mutants have been shown to affect ABA sensitivity. A new mutant, sad2‐1, was isolated from a T‐DNA mutagenized population of RD29A:LUC plants and shown to have increased luminescence after ABA, salt, cold or polyethylene glycol treatments. Expression of several ABA‐ and stress‐responsive genes was higher in the mutant than in the wild type. sad2‐1 also exhibited ABA hypersensitivity in seed germination and seedling growth. SAD2 was found to encode an importin β‐domain family protein likely to be involved in nuclear transport. SAD2 was expressed at a low level in all tissues examined except flowers, but SAD2 expression was not inducible by ABA or stress. Subcellular localization of GFP‐tagged SAD2 showed a predominantly nuclear localization, consistent with a role for SAD2 in nuclear transport. Knockout of the closest importin β homolog of SAD2 in Arabidopsis did not duplicate the sad2 phenotype, indicating that SAD2 plays a specific role in ABA signaling. Analysis of RD29A:LUC luminescence and ABA and stress sensitivity in double mutants of sad2‐1 and sad1 or abh1‐7, a newly isolated allele of ABH1 also in the RD29A:LUC background, suggested that SAD2 acts upstream of or has additive effects with these two genes. The results suggest a role for nuclear transport in ABA signal transduction, and the possible roles of SAD2 in relation to that of SAD1 and ABH1 are discussed.
The Arabidopsis thaliana TIR‐NB‐LRR R‐protein, RPP1A; protein localization and constitutive activation of defence by truncated alleles in tobacco and Arabidopsis
Authors: Michael Weaver L. , Swiderski Michal R. , Li Yan , Jones Jonathan D. G.
Published: August 2006

Specific recognition of Hyaloperonospora parasitica isolate Cala2 by Arabidopsis thaliana Ws‐0 is mediated by the resistance gene RPP1A. Transient expression of different truncations of RPP1A in tobacco leaves revealed that its TIR‐NB‐ARC portion is sufficient to induce an elicitor‐independent cell death. In stable transgenic lines of Arabidopsis, overexpression of the RPP1A TIR‐NB‐ARC domains (E12) using the 35S promoter leads to broad‐spectrum resistance to virulent strains of H. parasitica and Pseudomonas syringae DC3000. The TIR‐NB‐ARC‐mediated constitutive immunity is due to activation of the salicylic acid‐dependent resistance pathway and is relieved by either a mutation in EDS1 or the presence of the salicylate hydroxylase gene, NahG. Growth of 35S::E12 plants is reduced, a phenotype observed in many constitutively resistant mutants. RPP1A carries a hydrophobic peptide at its N‐terminus that directs the RPP1A protein into membranes, though it may not be the sole determinant mediating membrane association of RPP1A. Two‐phase partitioning and sucrose density gradient sedimentation established that RPP1A resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi apparatus.
SERRATE is a novel nuclear regulator in primary microRNA processing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Li , Liu Ziqiang , Lu Feng , Dong Aiwu , Huang Hai
Published: August 2006

The Arabidopsis gene SERRATE (SE) controls leaf development, meristem activity, inflorescence architecture and developmental phase transition. It has been suggested that SE, which encodes a C2H2 zinc finger protein, may change gene expression via chromatin modification. Recently, SE has also been shown to regulate specific microRNAs (miRNAs), miR165/166, and thus control shoot meristem function and leaf polarity. However, it remains unclear whether and how SE modulates specific miRNA processing. Here we show that the se mutant exhibits some similar developmental abnormalities as the hyponastic leaves1 (hyl1) mutant. Since HYL1 is a nuclear double‐stranded RNA‐binding protein acting in the DICER‐LIKE1 (DCL1) complex to regulate the first step of primary miRNA transcript (pri‐miRNA) processing, we hypothesized that SE could play a previously unrecognized and general role in miRNA processing. Genetic analysis supports that SE and HYL1 act in the same pathway to regulate plant development. Consistently, SE is critical for the accumulation of multiple miRNAs and the trans‐acting small interfering RNA (ta‐siRNA), but is not required for sense post‐transcriptional gene silencing. We further demonstrate that SE is localized in the nucleus and interacts physically with HYL1. Finally, we provide evidence that SE and HYL1 probably act with DCL1 in processing pri‐miRNAs before HEN1 in miRNA biogenesis. In plants and animals, miRNAs are known to be processed in a stepwise manner from pri‐miRNA. Our data strongly suggest that SE plays an important and general role in pri‐miRNA processing, and it would be interesting to determine whether animal SE homologues may play similar roles in vivo.
EFFETS DU CHLORATE DE SODIUM SUR LES MICROORGANISMES DU SOL, LEUR RESPIRATION ET LEUR ACTIVITE ENZYMATIQUE
Authors: KARKI A. B. , COUPIN L. , KAISER P. , MOUSSIN M.
Published: August 2006

Résumé. En vue de dé terminer les effets du chlorate de sodium sur les microorganisms du sol, leur respiration ct leur activité enzymatique, celui‐ci a été appliqué sous forme granulée à la dose normale (150 kg/ha comme matière active) aux partellcs enherbées ou nouvellemcnt dé sherbé es. Les é chantillons ont été recueillis apré s 5, 27 et 150 jours à une profondeur de 0–20 cm sur des parcelles traité es et non traité es.

Le nombre total de la microflore, des actinomycètes, des cellulolytiques aérobies, des bactéries ammonifiantes de même que des bactéries nitrifiantes et dénitrifiantes n'est pas affecté par l'herbicide. En ce qui concerne les échantillons prélevés après 27 jours, la production de CO2était, initialement, identique dans les sols traités ou non traités, mais elle diminue ensuite dans le sol traité au chlorate, ce qui indique une diminution du métabolisme global microbien. Le chlorate réduit l'activite déshydrogénasique des échantillons recueillis aprés 5, 27 et 150 jours; ceci est attribuéà l'apparition de l'oxygène à partir de chlorate, ce dernier étant, après 150 jours, complètement éliminé du sol.

Die Wirkung von Natriumchlorat auf Bodenmikroorganismen, ihre Atmung und Enzymaktivität
The addition of ammonium salts or a phosphate ester to herbicides to control Agropyron repens (L) Beauv.
Authors: BLAIR A. M.
Published: August 2006

Summary: Résumé: Zusammenfassung

N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate) at 0·5‐1·0 kg a.i./ha controlled Agropyron repens grown in specially established 1‐m2 field plots in three out of four experiments. The addition of butyl acid phosphate or ammonium sulphate to the spray liquid improved the level of control given by glyphosate alone, where there was scope for such improvement: the addition of ammonium nitrate had no effect. When ammonium sulphate was added to either dalapon or asulam there was also no increased control of A. repens. However, when added to activated aminotriazole at 2·0 kg a.i./ha, ammonium sulphate significantly increased the level of control of A. repens in one experiment.

Addition de sets d'ammonium ou d'un ester phosphorique à des herbicides en vue de la destruction de l'Agropyron repens (L) Beauv.

La N‐ (phosphonométhyl) glycine (glyphosate) à al dose de 0.5–1.0 kg m.a./ha a été efficace contre l'Agropyron repens poussant au champ dans des parcelles spécialement établies de 1‐m2 dans trois essais sur quatre. L'addition de phosphate acide de butyle ou de sulfate d'ammonium au liquide pulvérisé a augments le niveau d'efflcacité obtenu avec le glyphosate seul, là oú il y avait possibilité de réaliser cette amélioration; l'addition de nitrate d'ammonium fut sans effet. Lorsque le sufate d'ammonium fut ajouté soit au dalapon, soit à l'asulame, il n'y eut pas non plus augmentation de l'efficacité contre A. repens. Toutefois, lorsque fut ajouté de l'aminotriazole activéà raison de 2 kg m.a./ha, le sulfate d'ammonium dans un essai accrut significativement le niveau d'efficacité contre A. repens.

Der Zusatz von Ammoniumsalzen oder eines Phosphatesters zu Herbiziden zur Bekämpfung von Agropyron repens (L) Beauv.

In drei von vier Versuchen wurde Agropyron repens in 1 m2 grossen Feldparzellen durch 0.5–1.0 kg A.S./ha von N‐(Phosphonomethyl)glycin (Glyphosate) bekämpft. Die Zugabe von Phosphorsäure‐dibutylester oder von Ammoniumsulfat zur Spritzbrühe erhöhte die Wirkung, verglichen mit Glyphosate alleine. Der Zusatz von Ammoniumnitrat brachte keine Verbesserung. Auch wenn Ammoniumsulfat zu Dalapon oder zu Asulam zugesetzt wurde, wurde die Bekämpfung von A. repens nicht verbessert. Wenn aber zu ‘aktiviertem’ Aminotrizol (Aminotriazol+Ammonium‐rhodanid) bei 2,0 kg A.S./ha Ammoniumsulfat zugegeben wurde, wurde in einem Versuch die Bekämpfung von A. repens deutlich verbessert.
Field emergence of Avena fatua L. and A. sterilis ssp. ludoviciana (Dur.) Nym. in Aragón, Spain
Authors: AIBAR J. , OCHOA M. J. , ZARAGOZA C.
Published: August 2006

Emergence of Avena fatua and A. sterilis ssp. ludoviciana infesting winter cereals during two years and at two sites in Aragon began after sowing in late October and continued for 23 weeks, with 75% of seedlings appearing in the first 9 weeks. The start of emergence was associated with a fall in minimum air temperature to below 9°C and a maximum of less than 20°C. Soil moisture was not limiting, and during winter flushes of seedlings tended to be associated with rises in mean temperature. In contrast with results from other latitudes, A. fatua emerged mainly in autumn at the same time as A. sterilis ssp. ludoviciana.
Antibodies to 60, 65 and 70 kDa heat shock proteins in pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Zlacka Denisa , Sedlacek Petr , Prucha Miroslav , Hromadnikova Ilona
Published: August 2006

Abstract:  Allogeneic SCT remains the only means of cure for many patients with various malignant disorders as well as non‐malignant diseases. Infection together with severe aGvHD may result in a significant incidence of transplant‐related morbidity and mortality. Current evidence suggests that hSPS represent major immunodominant antigens in many pathogens and therefore might play an important role in the pathogenesis of GvHD. We investigated the levels of total Ig, IgG and IgM isotype antibodies to rh‐hsp60, recombinant Mycobacterium bovis hsp65 and stress‐inducible rh‐hsp70 in sera of pediatric patients undergoing SCT by using ELISA. We studied whether humoral immune responses to hSPS follow transplant‐related complications, bacterial and fungal infection. Anti‐hsp antibodies were detected in patients’ sera before conditioning, over the course of conditioning and all the time post‐transplant. We found no correlation between anti‐hsp antibodies and the occurrence and severity of GvHD and/or other transplant‐related complications like graft failure, hemorrhagic cystitis and capillary leakage syndrome. However, elevated anti‐hsp antibodies involving IgM and IgG isotypes were found to be associated with bacterial and fungal infection depending on etiological agents. We demonstrated de novo humoral response to hSPS in a cohort of patients with actual infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (anti‐hsp60, anti‐hsp65 and anti‐hsp70), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (anti‐hsp60, anti‐hsp70) and Aspergillus fumigatus (anti‐hsp65). We conclude that anti‐hsp antibodies might be produced after SCT in relation to infection depending on etiological agents; however, transplant‐related complications by themselves had a little impact.
Competitive interactions among two specialist predators and a generalist predator of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in south‐western Virginia
Authors: Flowers R. W. , Salom S. M. , Kok L. T.
Published: August 2006

1 Competitive interactions among two specialist predators, Laricobius nigrinus and Sasajiscymnus (Pseudoscymnus) tsugae, and a generalist predator, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae were evaluated in hemlock stands in south‐western Virginia. The two specialist predators are part of a biological control program for A. tsugae, and the potential for competition among these species and previously established generalist predators in the field is unknown.

2 Adult predators were evaluated in branch cages during spring and summer at two field sites infested with A. tsugae. Using females only in 2003 and sexual pairs in 2004, predator survival and net reproduction were examined, as well as their feeding and impact on A. tsugae when present alone and in conspecific and heterospecific groupings.

3 Predator survival was not affected by the presence of additional predators. Total feeding was greater for all species when placed in predator groupings, suggesting that interactions do not significantly interfere with feeding activity. Net reproduction per predator was negatively affected by conspecifics, but unaffected by heterospecifics, indicating that direct or indirect intraspecific interference may occur. In spring, L. nigrinus showed the greatest impact on A. tsugae, and H. axyridis had the greatest impact during summer.

4 These results suggest that it would be beneficial to utilize multiple predator species combinations over single species when implementing biological control for A. tsugae. Low‐density releases are also recommended to reduce intraspecific interference.
A randomized study of docetaxel and dexamethasone with low‐ or high‐dose estramustine for patients with advanced hormone‐refractory prostate cancer
Authors: NELIUS THOMAS , KLATTE TOBIAS , YAP RON , KALINSKI THOMAS , RÖPKE ALBRECHT , FILLEUR STEPHANIE , ALLHOFF ERNST P.
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVE

To test the combination of docetaxel with two different doses of estramustine in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), to improve response rates and to lower side‐effects, as docetaxel‐based chemotherapy is an increasing option for men with advanced HRPC, and alone or combined with estramustine, docetaxel improves median survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 72 patients with metastatic HRPC were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel (70 mg/m2 intravenously, on day 2 every 21 days) and estramustine (3 × 280 mg/day oral starting 1 day before docetaxel, for 5 consecutive days) for arm A, or estramustine (3 × 140 mg/day oral starting 1 day before docetaxel, for 3 consecutive days) for arm B. Premedication with oral dexamethasone at a total daily dose of 16 mg, in divided doses twice a day was administered in arm A on day 1–5 and in arm B on day 1–3. Initially, six cycles were administered. Chemotherapy was restarted after a significant increase in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level. Patients were monitored for any measurable PSA response and toxicity.

RESULTS

Between the arms there was no statistically significant difference in time to progression and overall survival. However, treatment B had less treatment‐related toxicity than A. Independent prognostic variables were baseline factors like PSA level, haemoglobin level, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and bone pain at presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized phase II study the combination of docetaxel and estramustine had substantial activity in HRPC, with a significant incidence of severe toxicity, both haematological and not. Nevertheless, treatment‐related toxicity was predictable and manageable. There was no better effect with a higher dose of estramustine with docetaxel than for a lower dose. There was a slight tendency to higher toxicity for high‐dose estramustine but this was not statistically significant. The present results support the assertion that estramustine is not necessary in docetaxel‐based treatment regimens.
How common are tape erosions? A comparison of two versions of the transobturator tension‐free vaginal tape procedure
Authors: ABDEL‐FATTAH MOHAMED , SIVANESAN KANAPATHIPPILLAI , RAMSAY IAN , PRINGLE STEWART , BJORNSSON STEIN
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVE

To compare two transobturator suburethral tapes (ObtapeTM, Mentor‐Porges and TVT‐OTM, Gynaecare, Johnson & Johnson) used in the management of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI), for tape erosion (vaginal/urethral) rates, clinical presentation, management and outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied women who underwent a transobturator suburethral tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for managing USI in a tertiary referral centre in the West of Scotland over a 36‐month period. In our department, the transobturator approach has been the first‐choice approach for TVTs since July 2003. Two types of tapes were mainly used, Obtape and TVT‐O, and the choice of tape was primarily decided by the surgeons’ preference.

RESULTS

In all, 316 women had a transobturator tape procedure, of which 96 were associated with another procedure; 112 women had TVT‐O using the ‘inside‐out’ technique and 204 had the ‘outside‐in’ technique. Of the latter, 192 had Obtape, four had Obtryx (Boston Scientific) and eight had Monarc (American Medical Systems Inc.) tapes. Sixteen women developed vaginal tape erosion, and significantly more were in the Obtape group than in the TVT‐O group (7.29% vs 1.78%, P = 0.038). The patients’ age, body mass index, previous vaginal surgery and concomitant vaginal surgery were not significant risk factors for erosions. The time between surgery and diagnosis of erosion was 1–45 weeks, with only one patient being asymptomatic; all others presented with clinical symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, discharge and dyspareunia. Thirteen patients were continent at presentation and 10 of these remained continent after surgical management. In the TVT‐O group the erosions were in the lateral vaginal wall, while in the Obtape group the erosions were in the form of central tape extrusion secondary to defective vaginal wall healing.

CONCLUSION

There were significantly more vaginal tape erosions in the Obtape group than in the TVT‐O group. No cases of urethral erosions were identified.
The expression of prostate stem cell antigen in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis
Authors: ELSAMMAN ESSAM M. , FUKUMORI TOMOHARU , TANIMOTO SHUJI , NAKANISHI RYOICHI , TAKAHASHI MASAYUKI , TOIDA KAZUNORI , KANAYAMA HIRO‐OMI
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the gene expression level of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CC‐RCC) and its relationship with conventional clinicopathological manifestations, to evaluate its prognostic value for patient outcome, and to determine the effect of PSCA on the progression of CC‐RCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We quantified PSCA mRNA level in human RCC cell lines (ACHN, A704, KPK‐1, Caki‐1, and Caki‐2) and in 154 surgical tissue samples (81 from CC‐RCC, 73 from normal kidney) using real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The findings were analysed in relation to clinicopathological factors. Immunohistochemical expression was examined using confocal laser scanning light‐microscopy.

RESULTS

PSCA was overexpressed in all RCC cell lines. PSCA mRNA levels were significantly higher in CC‐RCC than in normal kidney tissue samples (P < 0.001), in G2‐G3 than in G1 tumours (P = 0.028), and in advanced disease (T3‐T4) than in organ‐confined (T1‐T2) tumours (P = 0.016). There was significantly higher PSCA mRNA expression in patients with M1 than in those with M0 disease (P = 0.029). Patients in whom the lesions had high PSCA expression levels had a significantly worse prognosis than those with low PSCA expression levels (P = 0.044). Using immunohistochemical analysis there was markedly greater PSCA expression in CC‐RCC than in normal kidney, and in advanced‐disease high‐grade tumours than in organ‐confined low‐grade tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant correlation was detected in the gene expression level of PSCA with histological grade, clinicopathological stage and prognosis in CC‐RCC. Our data indicate that PSCA is associated with carcinogenesis and progression of CC‐RCC.
Circulating tumour‐associated plasma DNA represents an independent and informative predictor of prostate cancer
Authors: CHUN FELIX K.‐H. , MÜLLER IMKE , LANGE IMKE , FRIEDRICH MARTIN G. , ERBERSDOBLER ANDREAS , KARAKIEWICZ PIERRE I. , GRAEFEN MARKUS , PANTEL KLAUS , HULAND HARTWIG , SCHWARZENBACH HEIDI
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether preoperative plasma levels of free DNA can discriminate between men with localized prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 161 referred patients suspicious for prostate cancer either by an elevated prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) were included in this prospective study. Peripheral plasma was taken before prostate biopsy and genomic DNA was extracted from the plasma using the a commercial kit and a vacuum chamber. After controlling for age, PSA level, the percentage free/total (f/t) PSA and prostate volume, the median prostate cancer plasma DNA concentration served as diagnostic threshold in uni‐ and multivariate logistic regression models. Multivariate models were subjected to 200 bootstraps for internal validation and to reduce over‐fit bias.

RESULTS

Subgroups consisted of 142 men with clinically localized prostate cancer and 19 with BPH. The median plasma concentration of cell‐free DNA was 267 ng/mL in men with BPH vs 709 ng/mL in men with prostate cancer. In univariate analyses, plasma DNA concentration was a statistically significant and informative predictor (P = 0.032 and predictive accuracy 0.643). In multivariate analyses, it remained statistically significant after controlling for age, tPSA, f/tPSA and prostate volume, increasing the predictive accuracy by 5.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that plasma DNA level is a highly accurate and informative predictor in uni‐ and multivariate models for the presence of prostate cancer on needle biopsy. The predictive accuracy was substantially increased by adding plasma DNA level. However, larger‐scale studies are needed to further confirm its clinical impact on prostate cancer detection.
Baseline follicle‐stimulating hormone is a strong predictor for the outcome of the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone test in young men with unilateral medium‐ or high‐grade varicocele
Authors: BACH THORSTEN , PFEIFFER DIETRICH , TAUBER ROLAND
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) test is an adequate diagnostic tool to identify testicular dysfunction in men with strictly unilateral varicocele and defined testicular volume; and to identify any peripheral venous variable which would predict the result of the GnRH test.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 102 GnRH tests were done in men with a left‐sided varicocele. Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were determined. After intravenous administration of 100 µg GnRH, stimulated LH and FSH levels were measured. FSH levels of >8.2 U/L and LH levels of >51.7 U/L were considered exaggerated.

RESULTS

In all, 50 men had an exaggerated GnRH test result; all had an exaggerated FSH response and six also had an elevated LH response. The baseline FSH levels were higher (P < 0.001) and the testicular volume was smaller (P < 0.01) in men with an exaggerated GnRH test response. All men with a baseline FSH level of >5.6 U/L had an exaggerated GnRH test response.

CONCLUSION

A baseline FSH level of >5.6 U/L is a good predictor of the GnRH test outcome. Leydig cell function seems mainly undisturbed.
Becoming literate in different languages: similar problems, different solutions
Authors: Ziegler Johannes C. , Goswami Usha
Published: August 2006

The teaching of reading in different languages should be informed by an effective evidence base. Although most children will eventually become competent, indeed skilled, readers of their languages, the pre‐reading (e.g. phonological awareness) and language skills that they bring to school may differ in systematic ways for different language environments. A thorough understanding of potential differences is required if literacy teaching is to be optimized in different languages. Here we propose a theoretical framework based on a psycholinguistic grain size approach to guide the collection of evidence in different countries. We argue that the development of reading depends on children's phonological awareness in all languages studied to date. However, we propose that because languages vary in the consistency with which phonology is represented in orthography, there are developmental differences in the grain size of lexical representations, and accompanying differences in developmental reading strategies across orthographies.
Fluency, phonology and morphology: a response to the commentaries on becoming literate in different languages
Authors: Goswami Usha , Ziegler Johannes C.
Published: August 2006

We are delighted at the range of issues raised in the commentaries. The breadth and scope of these serve to make obvious the need for an effective evidence base across languages if we are to optimize the teaching of reading. Our psycholinguistic grain size theory clearly did not pay sufficient attention to the role of morphology in decoding, nor to fluency. The commentaries also highlight the need for considering in more depth the intimate links between phonological and morphological development. All issues raised were highly germane to generating an adequate theoretical framework for the cross‐language collection of relevant evidence in different countries.
Development of multisensory spatial integration and perception in humans
Authors: Neil Patricia A. , Chee‐Ruiter Christine , Scheier Christian , Lewkowicz David J. , Shimojo Shinsuke
Published: August 2006

Previous studies have shown that adults respond faster and more reliably to bimodal compared to unimodal localization cues. The current study investigated for the first time the development of audiovisual (A‐V) integration in spatial localization behavior in infants between 1 and 10 months of age. We observed infants’ head and eye movements in response to auditory, visual, or both kinds of stimuli presented either 25° or 45° to the right or left of midline. Infants under 8 months of age intermittently showed response latencies significantly faster toward audiovisual targets than toward either auditory or visual targets alone They did so, however, without exhibiting a reliable violation of the Race Model, suggesting that probability summation alone could explain the faster bimodal response. In contrast, infants between 8 and 10 months of age exhibited bimodal response latencies significantly faster than unimodal latencies for both eccentricity conditions and their latencies violated the Race Model at 25° eccentricity. In addition to this main finding, we found age‐dependent eccentricity and modality effects on response latencies. Together, these findings suggest that audiovisual integration emerges late in the first year of life and are consistent with neurophysiological findings from multisensory sites in the superior colliculus of infant monkeys showing that multisensory enhancement of responsiveness is not present at birth but emerges later in life.