bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral inversion of 2‐phenylpropionic acid by Cordyceps militaris
Authors: Hung Y.‐F. , Thomason M.J. , Rhys‐Williams W. , Lloyd A.W. , Hanlon G.W.
Published: March 2008

Y.‐F. HUNG, M.J. THOMASON, W. RHYS‐WILLIAMS, A.W. LLOYD AND G.W. HANLON. 1996. Fifty‐nine microbial cultures were screened for their ability to carry out the chiral inversion of (R,S) and (R)‐2‐phenylpropionic acid under both growing and non‐growing conditions. While a number of these micro‐organisms metabolized the substrate, only Verticillium lecanii IMI 68689 and Cordyceps militaris CBS 128.25 were able to invert the (R)‐enantiomer to its (S)‐antipode with no other biotransformation occurring. The rate of inversion was faster for C. militaris but in both cases the reaction was independent of growth and reached an equilibrium after 5 d incubation. Evidence suggests that the (R) to (S) inversion is inhibited in the presence of excess (S)‐enantiomer which may account for the equilibrium enantiomeric ratios (S:R) of 90:10 and 70:30 for C. militaris and V. lecanii, respectively. Optimization studies revealed that the fastest rates of reaction for C. militaris were found at lower substrate concentrations (100 μg ml‐1) whilst the greatest yield of (S)‐2‐PPA was obtained at 250 μg ml‐1. Optimum inversion was found to occur using Sørensen's phosphate buffer at pH 5.5. These results may have implications for the use of micro‐organisms in the production of pure enantiomers from racemic mixtures and, in addition, provide an in vitro model system for the study of a unique and interesting biotransformation.
Specificity of six gene sequences for the detection of the genus Brucella by DNA amplification
Authors: Costa M. Da , Guillou J.‐P. , Garin‐Bastuji B. , Thiébaud M. , Dubray G.
Published: March 2008

M. DA COSTA, J.‐P. GUILLOU, B. GARIN‐BASTUJI, M. THIÉBAUD AND G. DUBRAY. 1996. DNA extracted from all Brucella species, reference and vaccine strains were amplified by PCR using primers specific for the genes encoding a 31‐kDa Brucella protein, the heat shock proteins (DnaJ, DnaK, HtrA and GroEL) and 16S RNA. No difference was found between Brucella species and biovars with all primer pairs used, even after restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified fragments. The specificity of the amplified products was confirmed by hybridization with a digoxigenin 3′‐labelled specific probe and by PCR using 98 non‐Brucella micro‐organisms' DNA. Only Ochrobactrum anthropi and Phyllobacterium spp. yielded a PCR product by using 31‐kDa DnaK, DnaJ, GroEL and 16S RNA primers. After hybridization and restriction analysis, 16S RNA fragments of 3301 and 3331 O. anthropi strains showed a total similarity to those from Brucella. A similar result was shown with DnaJ fragments obtained with 3301 strain of O. anthropi after EcoRI digestion.
A comparison between a PCR method and a conventional culture method for detecting pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in food
Authors: Lambertz S. Thisted , Ballagi‐Pordány A. , Nilsson A. , Norberg P. , Danielsson‐Tham M.‐L.
Published: March 2008

S. THISTED LAMBERTZ, A. BALLAGI‐PORDÁNY, A. NILSSON, P. NORBERG AND M.‐L. DANIELSSON‐THAM. 1996. The aim of this study was to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica and to compare it with an official culture method (NMKL‐117). Primers were selected for nested PCR directed at the attachment invasion locus, ail, on the bacterial chromosome, as well as at a sequence on the pathogenic marker plasmid, termed virulence factor, virF. The final results obtained by the two methods were similar. However, while the conventional method yielded contradictory data for some steps the PCR method provided unambiguous results. Considerable advantages, i.e. higher sensitivity and specificity of the PCR method, compared with the conventional method for detecting pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, were demonstrated in this study.
Note: Influence of different heating media on thermal resistance of Neosartorya fischeri isolated from papaya fruit
Authors: Rajashekhara E. , Suresh E.R. , Ethiraj S.
Published: March 2008

E. RAJASHEKHARA, E.R. SURESH AND S. ETHIRAJ. 1996. A heat‐resistant mold identified as a strain of Neosartorya fischeri was isolated from microbiologically spoiled papaya fruits. The optimum heat activation temperature and time for the ascospores of the test mold was found to be 80°C for 15–30 min. The decimal reduction times (D‐values) at 85°, 87° and 89°C in phosphate buffer (pH 7·0) as heating medium were 35·25, 11·1 and 3·90 min respectively and hence the calculated z‐value was 4·0°C. In grape and mango juices as heating media, the D80°C and the D85°C values were increased as the °Brix level raised from 10 to 45. In commercial fruit juices of mango, orange, pineapple and mango‐pineapple blend as heating media D85°C values were greater than those observed for phosphate buffer.
Application of antimicrobial‐producing lactic acid bacteria to control pathogens in ready‐to‐use vegetables
Authors: Vescovo M. , Torriani S. , Orsi C. , Macchiarolo F. , Scolari G.
Published: March 2008

Five psychrotrophic strains of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus casei, Lact. plantarum and Pediococcus spp.) were isolated from 22 samples of commercial salads. These strains were shown to inhibit Aeromonas hydrophila, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus on MRS agar, in salads and in juice prepared from vegetable salads. Lactobacillus casei IMPCLC34 was most effective in reducing total mesophilic bacteria and the coliform group; Aer. hydrophila, Salm. typhimurium and Staph. aureus disappeared after 6 d of storage, while the counts for L. monocytogenes remained constant. The potential application of antimicrobial‐producing lactic acid bacteria as biopreservatives of ready‐to‐use vegetables is suggested.
Ethanol‐induced changes in the fatty acid composition of Lactobacillus hilgardii, its effects on plasma membrane fluidity and relationship with ethanol tolerance
Authors: Couto J.A. , Rozès N. , Hogg T.
Published: March 2008

The effect of environmental ethanol concentration on the fatty acid composition of strains of Lactobacillus hilgardii, differing in their tolerance to ethanol, was determined. A marked increase in the proportion of lactobacillic acid (a cyclopropane fatty acid) and a decrease in oleic and vaccenic acids with increasing ethanol concentration was observed. The amount of lactobacillic acid determined at standard conditions (25°C, 0% ethanol) was found to be proportional to the ethanol tolerance of the strains studied. The effect of this alcohol on plasma membrane fluidity was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The adaptive response to growth in the presence of high concentrations of ethanol produced membranes which, within the limits of ethanol tolerance, maintained the fluidity and integrity in an environment which tends to increase membrane rigidity. When pre‐adapted cells are analysed in the absence of environmental ethanol there is a measurabie increase in fluidity. It is proposed that this phenomenon may be correlated with the increase in the proportion of lactobacillic acid. The existence of a relationship between membrane fluidity and ethanol tolerance is discussed.
Involvement of the cell envelope of Listeria monocytogenes in the acquisition of nisin resistance
Authors: Davies E.A. , Falahee M.B. , Adams M.R.
Published: March 2008

The involvement of the cell wall in the acquisition of nisin resistance by Listeria monocytogenes F6861 and its nisin‐resistant mutant was investigated. Results indicated that without a cell wall, the acquired nisin resistance of the mutant was lost. Cell surface hydrophobicity was shown to correlate with nisin sensitivity; the wild type strain being more hydrophobic than its mutant. The possible role of S‐layer proteins in nisin resistance was investigated. Examination of strains by freeze‐etching and atomic force microscopy did not demonstrate the presence of S‐layers in either strain while SDS‐PAGE following S‐layer extraction procedures revealed no major protein bands. Chloramphenicol did not adversely affect the frequency of isolation of nisin‐resistant mutants, indicating that de novo protein synthesis was not involved. The involvement of other cell surface components, teichoic and lipoteichoic acids, was also examined. In contrast with other reports, comparison of the total phospholipid content of the mutant with its parental strain showed no significant difference (P > 0.05).
Metabolic activities of Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of sodium propionate, acetate, lactate and citrate
Authors: Kouassi Y. , Shelef L.A.
Published: March 2008

The effects of sodium propionate, acetate, lactate and citrate on cell proliferation, glucose and oxygen consumption, and ATP production in Listeria monocytogenes were investigated in growing and resting cells. Media pH was 6.7‐6.8. Growth inhibition increased while glucose consumption continued in the presence of ≥ 1% propionate, ≥ 3% acetate and ≥ 5% lactate in broth during incubation at 35°C, indicating that glucose consumption was uncoupled from cell proliferation. Acetate and propionate were the most effective antilisterials, whereas citrate (5%) was only slightly inhibitory. Of the four salts, only lactate supported growth, oxygen consumption and ATP production. While concentrations of 1 and 5% propionate, acetate and citrate did not have an effect on oxygen consumption, they inhibited ATP production. ATP production in the presence of the four salts was consistently lower at pH 6.0 than at neutral pH. Lactate served as an alternative energy source for L. monocytogenes in the absence of glucose but became toxic to the organism in the presence of the carbohydrate.
Antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid‐mediated streptomycin resistance of Plesiomonas shigelloides isolated from blue crab*
Authors: Marshall D.L. , Kim J.J. , Donnelly S.P.
Published: March 2008

Five Plesiomonas shigelloides strains isolated from retail or wild‐catch Louisiana blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) were examined for resistance to selected antibiotics and presence of plasmids. Three agar media, MacConkey, Salmonella‐Shigella and a modification of inositol brilliant green bile salt (IBB), were evaluated for isolation of P. shigelloides. Of these, IBB was most satisfactory for distinguishing between P. shigelloides and the related species Aeromonas hydrophila. Isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline, and were resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, kanamycin and streptomycin. Each isolate carried three plasmids of approximately 2.5 kb, 3.8 kb and 5.3 kb. Plasmid curing with ethidium bromide and elevated temperature linked the streptomycin resistance determinant with the 3.8 kb and/or 5.3 kb plasmids. These results provide the first description of small size plasmids in P. shigelloides. Identical antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates indicated they share a common environment and likely share a common mode for developing antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, emergence of antibiotic‐resistant P. shigelloides may imply contamination of Louisiana aquatic environments by wastewater.
The effect of early exposure to Vibrio pelagius on the aerobic bacterial flora of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.) larvae
Authors: Ringø E. , Birkbeck T.H. , Munro P.O. , Vadstein O. , Hjelmeland K.
Published: March 2008

Vibrio pelagius was added to filtered sea water in experimental tanks containing newly‐hatched larvae of Scophthalmus maximus. The bacterial load of larvae increased from day 1 post‐hatch and by day 14 had reached 5 × 104 bacteria per larva. Vibrio pelagius dominated the aerobic bacterial flora of larvae exposed to this bacterial species but was not detected in larvae not exposed to exogenous bacteria. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using rabbit antiserum against V. pelagius allowed a specific quantitative assay for homologous bacterial antigens in individual larvae, with very little cross‐reaction against heterologous bacteria. The results of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays of V. pelagius antigens in larvae from tank water inoculated with this bacterial species correlated with the bacterial levels found in the larvae by culture on agar plates.
Heights of occupied patient beds: a possible risk factor for inpatient falls
Authors: Tzeng Huey‐Ming , Yin Chang‐Yi
Published: March 2008

Aims.  The aim of this study was to ascertain the average height of occupied patient beds in a general medical ward and to investigate the relationship between staff working‐height for patient beds, time and whether the patient was on fall precaution.

Background.  The height of occupied patient beds can be an overlooked contributor to inpatient falls. Better physical design of hospital equipment such as patient beds may reduce patient falls and injuries.

Methods.  This study took place in an acute medical ward of a Michigan medical center. One researcher collected all the data and used the same metric for all the measurements. Univariate analyses were performed.

Results.  The average staff working‐height measurement taken at the weekend was significantly higher than that taken on weekdays. The average height of patient beds on fall precaution was significantly higher than of those not on fall precaution.

Conclusions.  A higher patient/nurse ratio at weekends than on weekdays may result in fewer bedside nursing hours and nurses being less conscientious about keeping beds in the low position after treatments. In an effort to prevent high‐fall‐risk patients from falling, nurses may have consciously or unconsciously kept their beds in higher positions.

Relevance to clinical practice.  If the patient bed can be manually or automatically adjusted, nurses must lower the height of the bed to the lowest position after completing treatments or tasks. This after‐procedure activity should be enforced and monitored regularly as part of a hospital's patient fall prevention programme. Low beds should be used for patients at high risk of falling. Future research should investigate patients’ and staff's views on hospital equipment to provide evidence‐based information for policy‐makers determining the design‐regulation standard for hospital bedframes.
Genetic consequences of natal dispersal in the colonial lesser kestrel
Authors: ORTEGO JOAQUÍN , CALABUIG GUSTAU , APARICIO JOSÉ MIGUEL , CORDERO PEDRO J.
Published: March 2008

Dispersal is a life‐history trait that plays a fundamental role in population dynamics, influencing evolution, species distribution, and the genetics and structure of populations. In spite of the fact that dispersal has been hypothesized to be an efficient behavioural mechanism to avoid inbreeding, the expected relationship between dispersal and mate relatedness still remains controversial. Here, we examine the genetic consequences of natal dispersal, namely the higher chance of obtaining genetically less similar mates as a result of moving from natal to breeding sites, in a lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) population. Relatedness between individuals tended to decrease with distance between their breeding colonies, indicating that the study population follows an ‘isolation‐by‐distance’ pattern of spatial genetic structure. Such a fine‐scale genetic structure generates a scenario in which individuals can potentially increase the chance of obtaining genetically less similar mates by dispersing over larger distances from their natal colony. Using dispersal information and genotypic data, we showed that mate relatedness decreased with natal dispersal distance, an effect that remained significant both while including and excluding philopatric individuals from the data set. These results, together with the well known detrimental consequences of reduced genetic diversity in the study population, suggest that dispersal may have evolved, at least in part, to avoid the negative fitness consequences of mating with genetically similar individuals.
Age at maturity in wild baboons: genetic, environmental and demographic influences
Authors: CHARPENTIER M. J. E. , TUNG J. , ALTMANN J. , ALBERTS S. C.
Published: March 2008

The timing of early life‐history events, such as sexual maturation and first reproduction, can greatly influence variation in individual fitness. In this study, we analysed possible sources of variation underlying different measures of age at social and physical maturation in wild baboons in the Amboseli basin, Kenya. The Amboseli baboons are a natural population primarily comprised of yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) that occasionally hybridize with anubis baboons (Papio anubis) from outside the basin. We found that males and females differed in the extent to which various factors influenced their maturation. Surprisingly, we found that male maturation was most strongly related to the proportion of anubis ancestry revealed by their microsatellite genotypes: hybrid males matured earlier than yellow males. In contrast, although hybrid females reached menarche slightly earlier than yellow females, maternal rank and the presence of maternal relatives had the largest effects on female maturation, followed by more modest effects of group size and rainfall. Our results indicate that a complex combination of demographic, genetic, environmental, and maternal effects contribute to variation in the timing of these life‐history milestones.
Prevalence of RNA polymerase stalling at Escherichia coli promoters after open complex formation
Authors: Hatoum Asma , Roberts Jeffrey
Published: March 2008

RNA polymerase (RNAP) trapped in intermediate stages of promoter escape, as well as RNAP paused at promoter‐proximal σ70‐dependent pause sites, gives rise to stable, transcriptionally engaged stalled complexes that can limit promoter function and present potential sites for transcription regulation. To investigate the prevalence of such intermediates, we screened 118 Escherichia coli candidate promoters for RNAP stalling at or near the promoter, using in vivo KMnO4 mapping of RNAP on chromosomal DNA. Of 34 active promoters, the seven preceding lacZ, tnaA, cspA, cspD, rplK, rpsA and rpsU harboured stalled RNAP in vivo; this finding suggests that RNAP stalling after initiation is widespread in E. coli. Consistent with the characteristics of both abortive and promoter‐proximal σ70‐dependent paused complexes, RNAP trapping at most of the newly identified stall sites was eliminated by the rpoDL402Fσ70 mutational alteration and by site mutations, and was enhanced by GreA deficiency. In addition to promoter‐proximal RNAP trapping, we observed transcription‐dependent DNA modifications spanning the tnaA and cspA leader regions up to 100 bp downstream of the transcription start site.
MSP119 miniproteins can serve as targets for invasion inhibitory antibodies in Plasmodium falciparum provided they contain the correct domains for cell surface trafficking
Authors: Gilson Paul R. , O'Donnell Rebecca A. , Nebl Thomas , Sanders Paul R. , Wickham Mark E. , McElwain Terry F. , De Koning‐Ward Tania F. , Crabb Brendan S.
Published: March 2008

Antibodies from malaria‐exposed individuals can agglutinate merozoites released from Plasmodium schizonts, thereby preventing them from invading new erythrocytes. Merozoite coat proteins attached to the plasma membrane are major targets for host antibodies and are therefore considered important malaria vaccine candidates. Prominent among these is the abundant glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) and particularly its C‐terminal fragment (MSP119) comprised of two epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like modules. In this paper, we revisit the role of agglutination and immunity using transgenic fluorescent marker proteins. We describe expression of heterologous MSP119‘miniproteins’ on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites. To correctly express these proteins, we determined that GPI‐anchoring and the presence of a signal sequence do not allow default export of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to merozoite surface and that extra sequence elements are required. The EGFs are insufficient for correct trafficking unless they are fused to additional residues that normally reside upstream of this fragment. Antibodies specifically targeting the surface‐expressed miniprotein can inhibit erythrocyte invasion in vitro despite the presence of endogenous MSP1. Using a line expressing a green fluorescent protein–MSP1 fusion protein, we demonstrate that one mode of inhibition by antibodies targeting the MSP119 domain is the rapid agglutinating of merozoites prior to erythrocyte attachment.
FliZ, a flagellar regulator, is at the crossroads between motility, haemolysin expression and virulence in the insect pathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus
Authors: Lanois Anne , Jubelin Grégory , Givaudan Alain
Published: March 2008

There is a complex interplay between the regulation of flagellar motility and the expression of virulence factors in many bacterial pathogens. We investigated the role of FliZ in the regulation of flagellar and virulence genes in Xenorhabdus nematophila, an insect pathogen. The fliZ gene is the second gene in the fliAZ operon in X. nematophila. In vivo transcription analysis revealed a positive feedback loop of fliAZ transcription in which FliZ activates flhDC, the master operon of flagellar regulon in X. nematophila, leading to an increased transcription of the FlhDC‐dependent promoter of fliAZ. We also showed that fliAZ and flhDC mutants lacked motility, had no haemolysin or Tween lipase activity and displayed an attenuated virulence phenotype in insects. Lipase activity is controlled by FliA, whereas haemolysin production and full virulence phenotype have been reported to be FliZ‐dependent. Transcriptional analysis revealed that FliZ directly controlled expression of the xhlBA and xaxAB operons, which encode haemolysins from the two‐partner secretion system and the binary XaxAB toxin family respectively. We suggest that this regulatory pathway may also occur in other pathogenic enterobacteria with genes encoding members of these two growing families of haemolysins.
Spinal anterior horn cells in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis show ribosomal detachment from, and cisternal distention of the rough endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Oyanagi K. , Yamazaki M. , Takahashi H. , Watabe K. , Wada M. , Komori T. , Morita T. , Mizutani T.
Published: March 2008

Aims:Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and invariably fatal disease involving the upper and lower motor neurones of adult humans. Among the neuropathological features of the disease, abnormalities in the protein‐synthesizing system in motor neurones of the brainstem and spinal cord, such as a decrease of cytoplasmic RNA and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) (chromatolysis), defective editing of the Q/R site of the glutamate receptor subunit GluR2 mRNA, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus and accumulation of ubiquitinated inclusions and abnormal TdP‐43 protein have been reported to be essential for the degeneration. In relation to these features, although the possibility of ER stress has been reported in motor neurones of the brainstem and spinal cord of ALS patients, the rER itself has not been a main target of ultrastructural investigation.Methods:The present study examined the rER, ultrastructurally and quantitatively in the spinal anterior horn cells (AHCs) of 21 Japanese patients with sporadic ALS and eight Japanese control subjects.Results and conclusions:It was found that: (i) the rER cisternae in AHCs showing central chromatolysis were fragmented, but retained their width and had normally attached ribosomes, and (ii) the rER cisternae in shrunken AHCs were irregularly distended with detachment of the ribosomes, thus suggesting that (iii) ribosomal detachment was related to rER distention.
Stem cell protein BMI‐1 is an independent marker for poor prognosis in oligodendroglial tumours
Authors: Häyry V. , Tynninen O. , Haapasalo H. K. , Wölfer J. , Paulus W. , Hasselblatt M. , Sariola H. , Paetau A. , Sarna S. , Niemelä M. , Wartiovaara K. , Nupponen N. N.
Published: March 2008

Aims: The polycomb factor BMI‐1 has recently been implicated in tumorigenesis of the central nervous system in several experimental animal models. However, the significance of BMI‐1 in human glioma has not been investigated. Here we describe expression of the polycomb protein BMI‐1 and its downstream targets p16Ink4a and MDM2 in both high‐ and low‐grade human glioma. Methods: Tumour samples were collected from 305 adult patients treated for primary grades 2–4 gliomas between 1980 and 2006 in Finland and Germany. BMI‐1, p16 and MDM2 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in representative paraffin‐embedded tumour tissue. The significance of observed immunoreactivity, age at onset, gender, histopathological findings and proliferative index was analysed in univariate and multivariate survival models. Results: BMI‐1 was expressed in all histologic types of diffuse gliomas. We found a significant correlation (P = 0.007) between the frequency of BMI‐1 immunoreactive tumour cells and poor survival in World Health Organization grades II–III oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas (n = 62). The median survival of patients grouped by low, intermediate or high frequency of BMI‐1 immunoreactive tumour cells was 191 months, 151 months and 68 months, respectively. This association was also significant in the Cox multivariate regression model. Nuclear p16 immunopositivity predicted better survival in astrocytomas and an inverse correlation between p16 expression and the Ki‐67 mitotic index was also observed. Conclusions: BMI‐1 is found in all histological types of gliomas and the relative protein expression of BMI‐1 is a novel independent prognostic marker in oligodendroglial tumours.
Three‐dimensional sequence analysis of a subsurface carbonate ramp, Mississippian Appalachian foreland basin, West Virginia, USA
Authors: WYNN THOMAS C. , READ JAMES F.
Published: March 2008

Well‐cuttings, wireline logs and limited core and outcrop data were used to generate a regional, three‐dimensional sequence framework for Upper Mississippian (Chesterian), Greenbrier Group carbonates in the Appalachian foreland basin, West Virginia, USA. The resulting maps were used to document the stratigraphic response of the basin to tectonics and to glacio‐eustasy during the transition into ice‐house conditions. The ramp facies include inner ramp red beds and aeolianites, lagoonal muddy carbonates, mid‐ramp ooid and skeletal grainstone shoal complexes, and outer ramp wackestone–mudstone, that grades downslope into laminated silty lime mudstone. The facies make up fourth‐order sequences, a few metres to over 90 m (300 ft) thick. The sequences are bounded along the ramp margin by lowstand sandstones and calcareous siltstones. On the ramp, sequence boundaries are overlain by thin transgressive siliciclastics and aeolianites, and only a few are calichified. Maximum flooding surfaces on the outer ramp lie beneath deeper water facies that overlie lowstand to transgressive siliciclastic or carbonate units. On the shallow ramp, maximum flooding surfaces overlie siliciclastic‐prone transgressive systems tracts, that are overlain by highstand carbonates with significant grainstone units interlayered with lagoonal lime mudstones. The fourth‐order sequences are the major mappable subsurface units; they are bundled into weak composite sequences which are bounded by red beds. In spite of differential subsidence rates across the foreland basin (1 to 3 cm/k.y. up to 25 cm/k.y.), eustatic sea‐level changes controlled regional sequence development. Thrust‐load induced differential subsidence of fault‐blocks, coupled with in‐plane stress, controlled the rapid basinward thickening of the depositional wedge, whose thickness and facies were influenced by subtle structures such as arches trending at high angles as well as parallel to the margin.
Carbonate aeolianites of western Saurashtra, India: experimental decipherment of the depositional mechanisms
Authors: DASGUPTA PRABIR , BANDYOPADHYAY SUBIKASH
Published: March 2008

Granular carbonate deposits of Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene age, commonly referred to as ‘miliolite limestone’, occur in a linear belt, parallel to the southern coast of Saurashtra, India. In the present study area these carbonate deposits are found in select valleys between ridges and mounds of pyroclastic material present in the Deccan trap plateau. Two different depositional histories have been proposed for these sediments. The presence of marine bioclasts led to the postulation of a marine origin for these deposits. The second school of thought propounded redeposition of the coastal sediments by aeolian processes. Although a few features could not be explained by the proposed aeolian model, critical comparison of these two views favoured the aeolian origin. The mode of occurrence, lithological and structural attributes, and microscopic evidence presented here, also support a possible aeolian origin for these deposits. Experimental observation indicates that these carbonate aeolianites represent backflow deposits, which accumulated because of the flow separation caused by the presence of topographic highs. The conspicuous concave‐up geometry of the deposit conformed to the shape of the separation bulb. In view of the inferred depositional mechanism, the disposition of the deposits and the signature of the palaeoflow direction suggest that the carbonate particles were derived from the north‐western coast of Saurashtra by strong south‐easterly winds. Massive granular carbonates with outsized basement clasts appear to be the product of avalanching of granular material from the higher contours because of oversteepening of the primary deposit.
Assessing the phylogenetic usefulness of a previously neglected morphological structure through elliptic Fourier analyses: a case study in Bruchus seed‐beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)
Authors: KERGOAT GAËL J. , ALVAREZ NADIR
Published: March 2008

Abstract We address the systematics of Bruchus seed‐beetles through the use of a geometric morphometric outline approach, namely elliptic Fourier analysis. We found that a previously neglected genitalic structure, the ventral plate, provides new evidence in the discussion of taxonomic issues raised by recent molecular studies. Three methods of hierarchical clustering allow investigation of the phylogenetic relationships of the key species that cause the paraphyly of two species groups in recent molecular studies. The resulting reconstructions reveal the phylogenetic usefulness of the structure of interest in recovering consistent relationships of Bruchus. Our analyses support the monophyly of the species group whose paraphyletic status was weakly supported by statistical tests in molecular analyses. Our results agree with those molecular and morphological studies that indicate, with relatively strong support, the paraphyletic status of the other species group. We highlight the need to reappraise the use of neglected or presumably uninformative (in traditional morphometrics) morphological characters with geometric morphometrics methods. In addition, we assess the utility of the combination of morphometric descriptors with other sources of phylogenetic information by analysing together an extant molecular dataset and matrix representations based on the results of the elliptic Fourier analyses (to our knowledge our study is the first to investigate such a combination of datasets within a Bayesian framework). Combining morphometric descriptors with other information can improve phylogenetic reconstructions, as suggested by the results of the corresponding analyses we performed using a published molecular dataset.
Symmetrical onychomadesis in Norwegian Gordon and English setters
Authors: Ziener Martine L. , Bettenay Sonya V. , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: March 2008

This study reports the condition onychomadesis affecting multiple claws in Norwegian Gordon and English setters. Medical records of and claw biopsies from 18 Gordon and four English setters with onychomadesis of multiple claws were obtained from July 2005 to January 2007. Only dogs with symmetrical onychomadesis and no signs of concurrent disease were included. Histopathological features varied between dogs, but typically included interface dermatitis with subepidermal cleft formation, pigment incontinence, basal cell vacuolization and necrosis, spongiosis and lymphocytic exocytosis, a lymphocytic, plasmacytic subepidermal inflammation, and fibroplasia. In two dogs, histopathological signs of a superficial infection were present. The age of onset of disease varied between 2 and 7 years with a mean of 3.9 years, and was not correlated with vaccination time. Six of the affected dogs also had siblings with the disease. Due to the close relationship of the affected dogs, pedigree map analysis was not possible. Three dogs were euthanized because of the disease and two had regrowth of normal claws. Seventeen dogs had persistent onychodystrophy that typically was nonpainful during therapy which in most dogs consisted of fatty acid supplementation or prednisolone.
Investigation of aural bacterial and fungal flora following otitis in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni)
Authors: Allender Matthew C. , Langan Jennifer , Citino Scott
Published: March 2008

Ten cases of otitis in nine captive okapi were observed at a captive zoological institution. Duration of clinical signs ranged from 3 days to 7 months. Two individuals each had a recurrence. A variety of fungi and bacteria were isolated from the aural canals of healthy okapi and their environments. Numerous different bacterial and fungal pathogens were cultured. Surveys investigating the occurrence of ear disease and related environmental factors from 15 other institutions that house okapi revealed otitis was only seen at one institution. While it appears that many bacterial and fungal pathogens are found in the okapi ear canal, it is suspected that environmental conditions, such as fungal load, air and hay quality, humidity, and temperature may be predisposing factors leading to ear infections in this species.
Spaying‐induced coat changes: the role of gonadotropins, GnRH and GnRH treatment on the hair cycle of female dogs
Authors: Reichler Iris Margaret , Welle Monika , Eckrich Christine , Sattler Ursula , Barth Andrea , Hubler Madeleine , Nett‐Mettler Claudia S. , Jöchle Wolfgang , Arnold Susi
Published: March 2008

Although spaying can result in qualitative hair coat changes in dogs, the influence of spaying on the hair growth cycle has never been described. The study aims were to examine the effect of spaying and gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment on canine hair coat, cycle stages of hair follicles, plasma gonadotropin concentrations and mRNA transcription of luteinizing hormone (LH) and GnRH receptors in hair follicles. Fifteen female dogs were examined before and 1 year after spaying and 24 spayed dogs before and after GnRH treatment. Spaying resulted in increased plasma gonadotropin concentrations and increased anagen : telogen ratio of hair follicles, but only 20% of the dogs developed coat changes. No differences were found in mRNA transcription of LH and GnRH receptors. GnRH treatment resulted in reduced plasma gonadotropin concentrations and improvement of coat changes in 79% of patients. This was associated with an increase in catagen hair follicles without changes in the anagen : telogen ratio. The present study demonstrated that spaying had an effect on the anagen : telogen ratio of hair follicles. Spaying‐induced coat changes did not correlate with the anagen : telogen ratio. GnRH treatment reduced gonadotropin concentrations and reversed coat changes in some dogs, but had no effect on the hair growth cycle other than increasing the number of catagen hair follicles. A weak positive correlation between the plasma LH concentration and the anagen : telogen ratio was noted; however, our data did not suggest a direct receptor‐mediated hormonal effect on the hair follicle. The present study did not identify the pathomechanism of spaying‐induced coat changes.
Gene (mRNA) expression in canine atopic dermatitis: microarray analysis
Authors: Merryman‐Simpson Annemarie E. , Wood Shona H. , Fretwell Neale , Jones Paul G. , McLaren William M. , McEwan Neil A. , Clements Dylan N. , Carter Stuart D. , Ollier William E. , Nuttall Tim
Published: March 2008

Genes potentially involved in the pathology of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) were identified using gene expression microarrays. Total RNA extracted from skin biopsies was hybridized to an Agilent Technologies custom‐designed 22K canine array. The arrays were analysed using Genedata Analyst software. Data were corrected for multiple hypothesis testing and tested for significance using the National Institute on Aging array analysis tool. For comparison, data were divided into separate groups: lesional atopic (n = 16), nonlesional atopic (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 9). Fifty‐four genes were differentially expressed at a significance level of 0.05 in canine AD compared to healthy controls. Sixteen genes were differentially expressed in both nonlesional and lesional atopic skin, 26 genes only in nonlesional skin and 12 only in lesional skin. These genes were associated with innate immune and inflammatory responses, cell cycle, apoptosis, barrier formation and transcriptional regulation. The most dysregulated gene in lesional skin was S100A8, which showed an almost 23‐fold increase in expression. This is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine located in the epidermal differentiation complex. Microarray analysis is a novel technique in canine AD. Significant changes in gene expression were identified in atopic skin. These were relevant to skin barrier formation and the immune response, suggesting that they both participate in AD. Gene expression restricted to lesional skin may be involved in inflammatory changes, whereas those shared or restricted to nonlesional skin may reflect the atopic phenotype. Investigating gene polymorphisms in the targets identified in this study will help improve our understanding of the genetic basis of this disease.
Management of newly established field margins on nutrient‐rich soil to reduce weed spread and seed rain into adjacent crops
Authors: DE CAUWER B , REHEUL D , NIJS I , MILBAU A
Published: March 2008

We studied the effect of different ways to establish and to maintain unfertilised field margins on the development of potential weeds and seed dispersal into adjacent crops. Plant communities in field margins either developed spontaneously or were sown with different seed mixtures of grasses and forbs. Margins were mown twice a year and the cuttings were either removed or leftin situ. Three years after establishment, the importance of the unsown rhizomatous speciesElytrigia repensandUrtica dioicawas significantly higher in the unsown community or when cuttings were not removed after mowing. Seed dispersal from the margin into adjacent crops was important in the unsown community during the first year after establishment. Between 82% and 99% of the seeds were disseminated within 4 m from the margin strip. Overall risk of contaminating the adjacent crop with weeds originating from the field margin strip was concentrated within a few metres of the crop edge. In order to minimise the dissemination of weed species and invasion by noxious vegetatively propagated weeds on nutrient‐rich land, it is recommended that field margins are established by sowing and cuttings removed after each cut.
Indigenous highly virulent accessions of the sunflower root parasitic weed Orobanche cumana
Authors: MOLINERO‐RUIZ M L , PÉREZ‐VICH B , PINEDA‐MARTOS R , MELERO‐VARA J M
Published: March 2008

Orobanche cumana (broomrape) is a severe constraint to sunflower production in southern and eastern Europe and the Middle East. Races A to E of this parasitic weed controlled by genes Or1 to Or5 have been described. A study of 38 seed accessions of O. cumana collected from different locations in Spain between 1983 and 2003 investigated the effect of long‐term storage in the laboratory on germination and infectivity and assessed their virulence on a number of sunflower cultivars. Only 18 infected the susceptible cultivar B117. Infectivity was maintained for up to 17 years of storage, but with a greatly decreased vigour as compared with that of recently collected seed. The 12 oldest viable accessions overcame the resistance of the gene Or5 (in resistant line NR5). Seven out of them, in particular those collected in 1988 and 1989, were identified as race F. Three accessions were identified as race E allegedly holding components of higher virulence. Our results show evidence of the occurrence of race F prior to the use of sunflower hybrids resistant to race E, suggesting the former as indigenous to the country. This finding suggests the necessity of a continuous breeding of sunflower for resistance to O. cumana. The effectiveness and sustainability of genetic resistance must rely on the knowledge of the diverse virulence characteristics of O. cumana accessions.
Non‐chemical weed control on traffic islands: a comparison of the efficacy of five weed control techniques
Authors: KRISTOFFERSEN P , RASK A M , LARSEN S U
Published: March 2008

The efficacy of five non‐chemical weed control methods for reducing weed cover on traffic islands was investigated in the growing season of 2004. Three trial sites were divided into six treatment areas which were treated with either flame, steam, hot air, hot water, brushes or left untreated. The treatments were carried out at regular intervals throughout the growing season. The percentage weed cover was measured every second week using a 75 × 75 cm quadratic frame with 100 squares. In the control areas, a rapid increase in weed cover was observed, whereas all treatments reduced weed cover. Hot water was the most effective method, although not significantly better than hot air or steam. Hot air treatment was more effective than brushing, whereas hot water was more effective than both flaming and brushing. The doses that were used were relatively high (150–355 kg ha−1), partly because of the irregular shape of the traffic islands and the treatment intervals were quite short in comparison with those in similar studies. However, the treatments could keep down the weeds only to a certain extent. The present knowledge of the efficacy of various weed control methods, as well as an increase in our knowledge of adequate treatment intervals, supports an optimisation of hard‐surface weed control. Data and experience gained from these trials were used to develop further calibrated application studies.
Growth, reproduction and resource allocation of Tithonia diversifolia and Tithonia rotundifolia
Authors: MUOGHALU J I
Published: March 2008

Growth, reproduction and resource allocation of the polycarpic Tithonia diversifolia and the monocarpic Tithonia rotundifolia were studied in mixed and monoculture populations. The aim was to identify the characteristics contributing to the invasive habits of these species. Tithonia rotundifolia attained reproductive maturity at 2 months and T. diversifolia 4 months after planting. Tithonia rotundifolia completed its life cycle after 4 months, just as T. diversifolia was starting to flower. Both plant species produced a high number of seeds per capitulum (136–144 seeds in T. diversifolia; 113–120 in T. rotundifolia). Tithonia diversifolia reproduced asexually and sexually and produced many small light seeds. Tithonia rotundifolia produced large seeds, had early rapid growth, short life cycle and high reproductive effort. Growth in mixture did not significantly affect plant height, numbers of branches and leaves, or leaf size, but affected biomass allocation to reproductive and vegetative activities in the species. The attributes contributing to the invasiveness of these species are large seeds, early rapid growth, short life cycle and high reproductive effort in T. rotundifolia, with many small light seeds and asexual and sexual reproduction in T. diversifolia. For both species, control of recruitment would be a means of limiting their invasiveness.
The effects of seed mix and management on the abundance of desirable and pernicious unsown species in arable buffer strip communities
Authors: WESTBURY D B , WOODCOCK B A , HARRIS S J , BROWN V K , POTTS S G
Published: March 2008

Buffer strips are refuges for a variety of plants providing resources, such as pollen, nectar and seeds, for higher trophic levels, including invertebrates, mammals and birds. Margins can also harbour plant species that are potentially injurious to the adjacent arable crop (undesirable species). Sowing perennial species in non‐cropped buffer strips can reduce weed incidence, but limits the abundance of annuals with the potential to support wider biodiversity (desirable species). We investigated the responses of unsown plant species present in buffer strips established with three different seed mixes managed annually with three contrasting management regimes (cutting, sward scarification and selective graminicide). Sward scarification had the strongest influence on the unsown desirable (e.g. Sonchus spp.) and unsown pernicious (e.g. Elytrigia repens) species, and was generally associated with higher cover values of these species. However, abundances of several desirable weed species, in particular Poa annua, were not promoted by scarification. The treatments of cutting and graminicide tended to have negative impacts on the unsown species, except for Cirsium vulgare, which increased with graminicide application. Differences in unsown species cover between seed mixes were minimal, although the grass‐only mix was more susceptible to establishment by C. vulgare and Galium aparine than the two grass and forb mixes. Annual scarification can enable desirable annuals and sown perennials to co‐exist, however, this practice can also promote pernicious species, and so is unlikely to be widely adopted as a management tool in its current form.
Expanding diversity at the HLA‐B locus: 28 novel HLA‐B alleles
Authors: Lazaro A. M. , Xiao Y. , Cao K. , Masaberg C. , Nichol L. , Ng J. , Hurley C. K. , Posch P. E.
Published: March 2008

Twenty‐eight novel human leukocyte antigen‐B alleles are described: one B*07 (*0745), two B*08 (*0826 and *0831), one B*27 (*2731), four B*35 (*350106, *350402, *3566, and *3568), two B*37 (*370102 and *3711), two B*38 (*380102 and *3813), two B*39 (*3935 and *3939), one B*41 (*4108), one B*42 (*4209), two B*44 (*4444 and *4448), two B*48 (*480302 and *4815), one B*51 (*5140), one B*55 (*5523), one B*56 (*5617), two B*57 (*570103 and *5710), and three B*15 (*9505, *9510, and *9519). Sixteen of the variants are single‐nucleotide substitutions from their most homologous allele, of which 10 result in amino acid changes (B*0745, *0831, *3813, *3935, *3939, *4815, *9505, *9509, *9510, and *9519) and 6 are silent substitutions. The remaining alleles (B*0826, *2731, *3566, *3568, *3711, *4108, *4209, *4444, *4448, *5140, *5523, *5617, and *5710) differ from their most similar alleles by two to seven nucleotides substitutions, altering from one to five amino acids.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*240215 allele by haplotype‐specific sequencing
Authors: Emmerich F. , Schönemann C. , Hartmann S. , Salama A.
Published: March 2008

Here, we report on a novel allele human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*240215. This allele differs from HLA‐A*240201 by a synonymous nucleotide exchange at nucleotide 255 in exon 2.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*54 allele, B*5411, by sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Yan L.‐N. , Li S.‐Y. , Dong Z. , Dong L. , Xie J.‐H. , Yuan Y.‐H. , An S.‐P.
Published: March 2008

We report here a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B*5411 allele identified by sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual. The novel B*5411 is identical to B*5404, with the exception of four base substitutions at position 120 (A>C), 134 (G>C), 143 (C>G), and 156 (A>T) of exon 3 resulting in codon no. 131, changed from AGC (Ser) to CGC (Arg), and codon no. 143, changed from ACC (Thr) to TCC (Ser).
Identification of a novel HLA‐A allele, HLA‐A*9216
Authors: Jiang W. , Zhang J. Q. , Pan N. , Xu J. H. , Xie W.
Published: March 2008

The new human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*9216 differs from A*02010101 by a nonsynonymous nucleotide change at condon 76 (GTG>CTG).