bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kin selection in Columbian ground squirrels: direct and indirect fitness benefits
Authors: DOBSON F. STEPHEN , VIBLANC VINCENT A. , ARNAUD COLINE M. , MURIE JAN O.
Published: September 2011

Empirical and theoretical studies have supported kin selection by demonstrating nepotism or modelling its conditions and consequences. As an alternative, we previously found that female Columbian ground squirrels had greater direct fitness when more close kin were present. Extending those results, we used population matrix methods to calculate minimum estimates of individual fitness, estimated direct and indirect components of fitness, estimated inclusive fitness by adding the direct fitness (stripped of estimated influences of the social environment) and indirect fitness components together, and finally looked for inclusive fitness benefits of associations with close kin who seem to be ‘genial neighbours’. We examined the estimated fitness of a sample of 35 females for which complete lifetimes were known for themselves, their mothers and their littermate sisters. Six of these females had no cosurviving adult close kin, and their direct fitness was significantly lower than 29 females with such kin (λ = 0.66 vs. λ = 1.23). The net fitness benefit of the presence of close kin was thus 0.57. The estimated indirect component of fitness through benefits to the direct fitness of close kin was 0.43. Thus, estimated inclusive fitness for females with cosurviving close kin (λ = 1.09) was significantly greater than that for females without surviving close kin (viz., λ = 0.66). The presence of closely related and philopatric female kin appeared to result in considerable fitness benefits for female ground squirrels, perhaps through the behavioural mechanisms of lowered aggression and other forms of behavioural cooperation.
A combined genetic‐morphometric analysis unravels the complex biogeographical history of Polyommatus icarus and Polyommatus celina Common Blue butterflies
Authors: DINCĂ VLAD , DAPPORTO LEONARDO , VILA ROGER
Published: September 2011

Widespread species have the potential to reveal large‐scale biogeographical patterns, as well as responses to environmental changes possibly unique to habitat generalists. This study presents a continental‐scale phylogeographical analysis of Polyommatus icarus, one of the most common Palaearctic butterflies, and the morphologically and ecologically similar Polyommatus celina, a recently discovered cryptic species. By combining data from mitochondrial [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)] and nuclear [internal transcribed spacer (ITS2)] molecular markers with geometric morphometrics, we document a complex phylogeographical history for the two species. Despite morphological similarities, the genetic divergence between these two species is high (more than 5% at COI) and they are not sister species. For the first time, we show that P. celina occurs not only in North Africa but also in Europe, where it inhabits several west Mediterranean islands, as well as large parts of Iberia, where it occurs in parapatry with P. icarus. The two species appear to completely exclude each other on islands, but we provide morphological and molecular evidence that introgression occurred in the Iberian Peninsula. We discovered strongly diverged lineages that seem to represent relict populations produced by past range expansions and contractions: Crete and Iberian isolates for P. icarus, Balearics–Sardinia and Sicily–Lipari for P. celina. This study shows that a combined genetic‐morphometric approach can shed light on cryptic diversity while providing the necessary resolution to reconstruct a fine‐scale phylogeographical history of species at both spatial and temporal levels.
The evolution of social philopatry and dispersal in female mammals
Authors: CLUTTON‐BROCK T. H. , LUKAS D.
Published: September 2011

In most social mammals, some females disperse from their natal group while others remain and breed there throughout their lives but, in a few, females typically disperse after adolescence and few individuals remain and breed in their natal group. These contrasts in philopatry and dispersal have an important consequence on the kinship structure of groups which, in turn, affects forms of social relationships between females. As yet, there is still widespread disagreement over the reasons for the evolution of habitual female dispersal, partly as a result of contrasting definitions of dispersal. This paper reviews variation in the frequency with which females leave their natal group or range (social dispersal) and argues that both the avoidance of local competition for resources and breeding opportunities and the need to find unrelated partners play an important role in contrasts between and within species.
Causes and consequences of living in closed societies: lessons from a long‐term socio‐genetic study on Bechstein’s bats
Authors: KERTH G. , VAN SCHAIK J.
Published: September 2011

Understanding the ecological, behavioural and genetic factors influencing animal social systems is crucial to investigating the evolution of sociality. Despite the recent advances in population genetic methods and the analysis of social interactions, long‐term studies exploring the causes and consequences of social systems in wild mammals are rare. Here, we provide a synthesis of 15 years of data on the Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteinii), a species that raises its young in closed societies of 10–45 females living together for their entire lives and where immigration is virtually absent. We discuss the potential causes and consequences of living in closed societies, based on the available data on Bechstein’s bat and other species with similar social systems. Using a combination of observational and genetic data on the bats together with genetic data on an ecto‐parasite, we suggest that closed societies in Bechstein’s bats are likely caused by a combination of benefits from cooperation with familiar colony members and parasite pressure. Consequences of this peculiar social system include increased sensitivity to demographic fluctuations and limits to dispersal during colony foundation, which have broad implications for conservation. We also hope to illustrate by synthesizing the results of this long‐term study the diversity of tools that can be applied to hypothesize about the factors influencing a species’ social system. We are convinced that with the expansion of the number of social mammals for which comparably detailed socio‐genetic long‐term data are available, future comparative studies will provide deeper insights into the evolution of closed societies.
The evolution of social discounting in hierarchically clustered populations
Authors: LEHMANN LAURENT , ROUSSET FRANÇOIS
Published: September 2011

The expression of a social behaviour may affect the fitness of actors and recipients living in the present and in the future of the population. When there is a risk that a future reward will not be experienced in such a context, the value of that reward should be discounted; but by how much? Here, we evaluate social discount rates for delayed fitness rewards to group of recipients living at different positions in both space and time than the actor in a hierarchically clustered population. This is a population where individuals are grouped into families, families into villages, villages into clans, and so on, possibly ad infinitum. The group‐wide fitness effects are assumed to either increase or decrease the fecundity or the survival of recipients and can be arbitrarily extended in space and time. We find that actions changing the survival of individuals living in the future are generally more strongly discounted than fecundity‐changing actions for all future times and that the value of future rewards increases as individuals live longer. We also find that delayed fitness effects may not only be discounted by a constant factor per unit delay (exponential discounting), but that, as soon as there is localized dispersal in a population, discounting per unit delay is likely to fall rapidly for small delays and then slowly for longer delays (hyperbolic discounting). As dispersal tends to be localized in natural populations, our results suggest that evolution is likely to favour individuals that express present‐biased behaviours and that may be time‐inconsistent with respect to their group‐wide effects.
Society, demography and genetic structure in the spotted hyena
Authors: HOLEKAMP KAY E. , SMITH JENNIFER E. , STRELIOFF CHRISTOPHER C. , VAN HORN RUSSELL C. , WATTS HEATHER E.
Published: September 2011

Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are large mammalian carnivores, but their societies, called ‘clans’, resemble those of such cercopithecine primates as baboons and macaques with respect to their size, hierarchical structure, and frequency of social interaction among both kin and unrelated group‐mates. However, in contrast to cercopithecine primates, spotted hyenas regularly hunt antelope and compete with group‐mates for access to kills, which are extremely rich food sources, but also rare and ephemeral. This unique occurrence of baboon‐like sociality among top‐level predators has favoured the evolution of many unusual traits in this species. We briefly review the relevant socio‐ecology of spotted hyenas, document great demographic variation but little variation in social structure across the species’ range, and describe the long‐term fitness consequences of rank‐related variation in resource access among clan‐mates. We then summarize patterns of genetic relatedness within and between clans, including some from a population that had recently gone through a population bottleneck, and consider the roles of sexually dimorphic dispersal and female mate choice in the generation of these patterns. Finally, we apply social network theory under varying regimes of resource availability to analyse the effects of kinship on the stability of social relationships among members of one large hyena clan in Kenya. Although social bonds among both kin and non‐kin are weakest when resource competition is most intense, hyenas sustain strong social relationships with kin year‐round, despite constraints imposed by resource limitation. Our analyses suggest that selection might act on both individuals and matrilineal kin groups within clans containing multiple matrilines.
Preferential activation of the vagal nodose nociceptive subtype by TRPA1 agonists in the guinea pig esophagus
Authors: Brozmanova M. , Ru F. , Surdenikova L. , Mazurova L. , Taylor‐Clark T. , Kollarik M.
Published: September 2011

Background  The TRPA1 receptor is directly activated by a wide range of chemicals including many endogenous molecules relevant for esophageal pathophysiology. We addressed the hypothesis that the TRPA1 agonists differentially activate esophageal nociceptive subtypes depending on their embryological source (neural crest or epibranchial placodes).

Methods  Single cell RT‐PCR and whole cell patch clamp recordings were performed on the vagal neurons retrogradely labeled from the guinea pig esophagus. Extracellular recordings were made in the isolated innervated esophagus preparation ex vivo.

Key Results  Single cell RT‐PCR revealed that the majority of the nodose (placodes‐derived) and jugular (neural crest‐derived) TRPV1‐positive esophageal nociceptors express TRPA1. Single fiber recording showed that the TRPA1 agonists allyl‐isothiocyanate (AITC) and cinnamaldehyde were effective in inducing robust action potential discharge in the nerve terminals of nodose nociceptors, but had far less effect in jugular nociceptors (approximately fivefold less). Higher efficacy of the TRPA1 agonists to activate nodose nociceptors was confirmed in the isolated esophagus‐labeled vagal neurons in the whole cell patch clamp studies. Similarly to neural crest‐derived vagal jugular nociceptors, the spinal DRG nociceptors that are also neural crest‐derived were only modestly activated by allyl‐isothiocyanate.

Conclusions & Inferences  We conclude that the TRPA1 agonists are substantially more effective activators of the placodes‐derived than the neural crest‐derived esophageal nociceptors. Our data predict that in esophageal diseases the presence of endogenous TRPA1 activators will be preferentially signaled by the vagal nodose nociceptors.
Mother to Child Transfer of IgG and IgA Antibodies Against Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Authors: Macchiaverni P. , Arslanian C. , Frazão J. B. , Palmeira P. , Russo M. , Verhasselt V. , Condino‐Neto A.
Published: September 2011

There is strong evidence from animal models that placental and/or breast milk‐mediated transfer of maternal allergen‐specific IgG prevents allergic immune responses in the progeny. Both human and animal data also point to IgA as having an important regulatory role. In contrast, little is known about maternal transfer of IgG and IgA specific for respiratory allergens in humans. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) is an indoor allergen that is a major cause of asthma worldwide. We analysed maternal to child Der p‐specific IgG and IgA transfer in a cohort of 77 paired maternal and child samples. We found Der p‐specific IgG and its IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 subclasses in all cord blood samples. Except for IgG1, cord levels were higher in newborns from atopic mothers (n = 29) compared to non‐atopic mothers (n = 48). Der p‐specific IgA was found in all colostrum samples and levels were independent of maternal atopic status. Notably, anti‐Der p IgG was also found in colostrum and levels were higher in atopic mothers. We believe that our work is a critical first step in the identification of early factors that may impact asthma development and should guide the development of clinical studies that assess whether Der p‐specific IgG and IgA protect children from allergy as demonstrated in animal models.
Precursory small earthquake migration patterns
Authors: Wu Yi‐Hsuan , Chen Chien‐chih , Rundle John B.
Published: September 2011

Terra Nova, 23, 369–374, 2011

Seismic precursors revealed by statistical physics methods are important for earthquake forecasting and helpful for understanding fault behaviour. One of the precursors, earthquake migration, has been observed in simulated models and rock experiments, as well as anecdotal observations for large earthquakes along major fault zones. However, there has been no systematic methodology for investigating earthquake migration in nature, and only a small number of studies have observed earthquake migration at large scales. In this work, we show that migration of small earthquakes towards the epicentre before large earthquakes can be visualized. We present a method for detecting small earthquake migration in the spatiotemporal domain, and retrospectively apply it to two recent examples of major earthquakes in Taiwan. We observe that anomalous seismicity occurs increasingly close to the epicentre as the occurrence time is approached. At that point, the bulk of the seismicity concentrates on the epicentre, accumulating stress on the rupture zone and leading to the full rupture. Our findings imply a new type of large‐scale pre‐seismic earthquake migration pattern that is complementary to the well‐studied patterns of source‐region activation and quiescence.
Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana PTEN caused accumulation of autophagic bodies in pollen tubes by disrupting phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate dynamics
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Sha , Zhou Liang‐Zi , Fox Emily , Pao James , Sun Wei , Zhou Chao , McCormick Sheila
Published: September 2011

Autophagy is a pathway in eukaryotes by which nutrient remobilization occurs through bulk protein and organelle turnover. Autophagy not only aides cells in coping with harsh environments but also plays a key role in many physiological processes that include pollen germination and tube growth. Most autophagic components are conserved among eukaryotes, but phylum‐specific molecular components also exist. We show here that Arabidopsis thaliana PTEN, a protein and lipid dual phosphatase homologous to animal PTENs (phosphatase and tensin homologs deleted on chromosome 10), regulates autophagy in pollen tubes by disrupting the dynamics of phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate (PI3P). The pollen‐specific PTEN bound PI3P in vitro and was localized at PI3P‐positive vesicles. Overexpression of PTEN caused accumulation of autophagic bodies and resulted in gametophytic male sterility. Such an overexpression effect was dependent upon its lipid phosphatase activity and was inhibited by exogenous PI3P or by expression of a class III phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) that produced PI3P. Overexpression of PTEN disrupted the dynamics of autophagosomes and a subpopulation of endosomes, as shown by altered localization patterns of respective fluorescent markers. Treatment with wortmannin, an inhibitor of class III PI3K, mimicked the effects by PTEN overexpression, which implied a critical role for PI3P dynamics in these processes. Despite sharing evolutionarily conserved catalytic domains, plant PTENs contain regulatory sequences that are distinct from those of animal PTENs, which might underlie their differing membrane association and thereby function. Our results show that PTEN regulates autophagy through phylum‐specific molecular mechanisms.
Arabidopsis DRB4 protein in antiviral defense against Turnip yellow mosaic virus infection
Authors: Jakubiec Anna , Yang Seong Wook , Chua Nam‐Hai
Published: September 2011

RNA silencing is an important antiviral mechanism in diverse eukaryotic organisms. In Arabidopsis DICER‐LIKE 4 (DCL4) is the primary antiviral Dicer, required for the production of viral small RNAs from positive‐strand RNA viruses. Here, we showed that DCL4 and its interacting partner dsRNA‐binding protein 4 (DRB4) participate in the antiviral response to Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV), and that both proteins are required for TYMV‐derived small RNA production. In addition, our results indicate that DRB4 has a negative effect on viral coat protein accumulation. Upon infection DRB4 expression was induced and DRB4 protein was recruited from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where replication and translation of viral RNA occur. DRB4 was associated with viral RNA in vivo and directly interacted in vitro with a TYMV RNA translational enhancer, raising the possibility that DRB4 might repress viral RNA translation. In plants the role of RNA silencing in viral RNA degradation is well established, but its potential function in the regulation of viral protein levels has not yet been explored. We observed that severe infection symptoms are not necessarily correlated with enhanced viral RNA levels, but might be caused by elevated accumulation of viral proteins. Our findings suggest that the control of viral protein as well as RNA levels might be important for mounting an efficient antiviral response.
Specific delivery of AtBT1 to mitochondria complements the aberrant growth and sterility phenotype of homozygous Atbt1 Arabidopsis mutants
Authors: Bahaji Abdellatif , Muñoz Francisco José , Ovecka Miroslav , Baroja‐Fernández Edurne , Montero Manuel , Li Jun , Hidalgo Maite , Almagro Goizeder , Sesma María Teresa , Ezquer Ignacio , Pozueta‐Romero Javier
Published: September 2011

It has been shown that homozygous AtBT1::T‐DNA Arabidopsis mutants display an aberrant growth and sterility phenotype, and that AtBT1 is a carrier that is exclusively localized to the inner plastidial envelope and is required for export of newly synthesized adenylates into the cytosol. However, a recent demonstration that AtBT1 is localized to both plastids and mitochondria suggested that plastidic AtBT1 is not necessary for normal growth and fertility of Arabidopsis. To test this hypothesis, we produced and characterized homozygous AtBT1::T‐DNA mutants stably expressing either dually localized AtBT1 or AtBT1 specifically localized to the mitochondrial compartment. These analyses revealed that the aberrant growth and sterility phenotype of homozygous AtBT1::T‐DNA mutants was complemented when expressing both the dual‐targeted AtBT1 and AtBT1 specifically delivered to mitochondria. These data confirm that (i) plastidic AtBT1 is not strictly required for normal growth and fertility of the plant, and (ii) specific delivery of AtBT1 to mitochondria is enough to complement the aberrant growth and sterility phenotype of homozygous AtBT1::T‐DNA mutants. Furthermore, data presented here question the idea that the requirement for AtBT1 is due to its involvement in transport of newly synthesized adenylates from the plastid to the cytosol, and suggest that the protein may play as yet unidentified functions in plastids and mitochondria.
Total lymphocyte count is a good marker for HIV‐related mortality and can be used as a tool for starting HIV treatment in a resource‐limited setting
Authors: Oudenhoven Helena P. W. , Meijerink Hinta , Wisaksana Rudi , Oetojo Suryani , Indrati Agnes , van der Ven Andre J. A. M. , van Asten Henri A. G. H. , Alisjahbana Bachti , van Crevel Reinout
Published: September 2011

Objectives  Total lymphocyte counts (TLC) may be used as an alternative for CD4 cell counts to monitor HIV infection in resource‐limited settings, where CD4 cell counts are too expensive or not available.

Methods  We used prospectively collected patient data from an urban HIV clinic in Indonesia. Predictors of mortality were identified via Cox regression, and the relation between TLC and CD4 cell counts was calculated by linear regression. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to choose the cut‐off values of TLC corresponding with CD4 cell counts <200 and ≤350 cells/μl. Based on these analyses, we designed TLC‐based treatment algorithms.

Results  Of 889 antiretroviral treatment (ART)‐naïve subjects included, 66% had CD4 cell counts <200 and 81% had 350 ≤ cells/μl at baseline. TLC and CD4 cell count were equally strong predictors of mortality in our population, where ART was started based on CD4 cell count criteria. The correlation coefficient (R) between TLC and √CD4 was 0.70. Optimal cut‐off values for TLC to identify patients with CD4 cell counts <200 and ≤350 cells/μl were 1500 and 1700 cells/μl, respectively. Treatment algorithms based on a combination of TLC, gender, oral thrush, anaemia and body mass index performed better in terms of predictive value than WHO staging or TLC alone. In our cohort, such an algorithm would on average have saved $14.05 per patient.

Conclusion  Total lymphocyte counts is a good marker for HIV‐associated mortality. Simple algorithms including TLC can prioritize patients for HIV treatment in a resource‐limited setting, until affordable CD4 cell counts will be universally available.
A Clinical and Immunological Study of Allergy to Hen's Egg White
Authors: Langeland Tor
Published: September 2011

The occurrence of proteins cross‐reacting with allergens in hen's egg white was studied in turkey, duck, goose and seagull egg whites, in hen egg yolk, and in hen and chicken sera and flesh. The study was based upon quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques. The different egg whites were all found to contain proteins cross‐reacting with most of the allergens in hen's egg white, but the degree of cross‐reactivity varied considerably among the various egg whites. All egg whites contained proteins able to bind human IgE‐antibody in the sera of patients with allergy to hen's egg white. Several proteins cross‐reacting with allergens in hen's egg white were also detected in egg yolk and in hen and chicken sera and flesh. Clinical implications of the results are discussed.
Leukotriene D4 Induces Bronchoconstriction in Man
Authors: Bisgaard Hans , Groth Steffen , Dirksen Hans
Published: September 2011

The effect of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) on lung function was investigated in a controlled study on four normal subjects. A pronounced decrease in airflow was found after inhalation of less than 0.5 nmol, and was most pronounced in the variables generally accepted as indicators of the function of the small airways. No subjective symptoms were experienced.
The effects of phenotypic plasticity on photosynthetic performance in winter rye, winter wheat and Brassica napus
Authors: Dahal Keshav , Kane Khalil , Gadapati Winona , Webb Elizabeth , Savitch Leonid V. , Singh Jasbir , Sharma Pooja , Sarhan Fathey , Longstaffe Fred J. , Grodzinski Bernard , Hüner Norman P. A.
Published: September 2011

The contributions of phenotypic plasticity to photosynthetic performance in winter (cv Musketeer, cv Norstar) and spring (cv SR4A, cv Katepwa) rye (Secale cereale) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars grown at either 20°C [non‐acclimated (NA)] or 5°C [cold acclimated (CA)] were assessed. The 22–40% increase in light‐saturated rates of CO2 assimilation in CA vs NA winter cereals were accounted for by phenotypic plasticity as indicated by the dwarf phenotype and increased specific leaf weight. However, phenotypic plasticity could not account for (1) the differential temperature sensitivity of CO2 assimilation and photosynthetic electron transport, (2) the increased efficiency and light‐saturated rates of photosynthetic electron transport or (3) the decreased light sensitivity of excitation pressure and non‐photochemical quenching between NA and NA winter cultivars. Cold acclimation decreased photosynthetic performance of spring relative to winter cultivars. However, the differences in photosynthetic performances between CA winter and spring cultivars were dependent upon the basis on which photosynthetic performance was expressed. Overexpression of BNCBF17 in Brassica napus generally decreased the low temperature sensitivity (Q10) of CO2 assimilation and photosynthetic electron transport even though the latter had not been exposed to low temperature. Photosynthetic performance in wild type compared to the BNCBF17‐overexpressing transgenic B. napus indicated that CBFs/DREBs regulate not only freezing tolerance but also govern plant architecture, leaf anatomy and photosynthetic performance. The apparent positive and negative effects of cold acclimation on photosynthetic performance are discussed in terms of the apparent costs and benefits of phenotypic plasticity, winter survival and reproductive fitness.
Immune response after rabies vaccine in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Rodríguez‐Romo R. , Morales‐Buenrostro L.E. , Lecuona L. , Escalante‐Santillán N. , Velasco‐Villa A. , Kuzmin I. , Rupprecht C.E. , De‐Leo C. , Ramírez J. , Alberú J.
Published: September 2011

R. Rodríguez‐Romo, L.E. Morales‐Buenrostro, L. Lecuona, N. Escalante‐Santillán, A. Velasco‐Villa, I. Kuzmin, C.E. Rupprecht, C. De‐Leo, J. Ramírez, J. Alberú. Immune response after rabies vaccine in a kidney transplant recipient. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 492–495. All rights reserved

Abstract: A 48‐year‐old male kidney‐transplant recipient was bitten by a rabid dog. His immunosuppressive treatment consisted of cyclosporine 60 mg b.i.d., mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 250 mg t.i.d., and prednisone 5 mg. After wound care, he received 5 doses of purified vero cell rabies vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, and human rabies immunoglobulin, according to international guidelines. Adequate levels of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies were observed after the administration of the third vaccine dose. However, a decrease of antibody titer was detected by day 28. Immunosuppressive medication was minimized, withdrawing MMF and reducing the dose of cyclosporine. Booster doses of the same vaccine were administered on days 38, 41, 45, 52, and 66. Adequate neutralizing antibody response was recovered during the ensuing 12 months, under reduced immunosuppression. Nineteen months after the incident, the patient remains with good graft function and is asymptomatic for rabies. It remains to be determined whether the attained immune response was either the result of the booster vaccinations or the reduction of immunosuppression alone. Nevertheless, such an outcome would have been possible only with the combined management strategy implemented.
Use of the QuantiFERON‐TB Gold interferon‐gamma release assay for screening transplant candidates: a single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Theodoropoulos N. , Lanternier F. , Rassiwala J. , McNatt G. , Preczewski L. , DeMayo E. , Stosor V. , Ison M.G.
Published: September 2011

N. Theodoropoulos, F. Lanternier, J. Rassiwala, G. McNatt, L. Preczewski, E. DeMayo, V. Stosor, M.G. Ison. Use of the QuantiFERON‐TB Gold interferon‐gamma release assay for screening transplant candidates: a single‐center retrospective study. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reserved

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) reactivation is a rare but significant complication of organ transplantation, and screening of all transplant candidates for latent infection is recommended with either an interferon‐γ release assay (IGRA) or tuberculin skin test (TST).

Methods. After institutional review board approval, we retrospectively collected data to describe the yield of transplant candidate screening using the QuantiFERON‐TB Gold (QFT) and QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube (QFT‐IT) assays since the institution of TB screening in 2008 and the epidemiology of all cases of post‐transplant TB in our institution since 2004.

Results. A total of 2392 patients were screened with either the QFT or QFT‐IT assay through October 2009; 245 (10.2%) tested positive and 206 (8.6%) were indeterminate. Of those with positive results, 107 (43.7%) were foreign born and most of the remainder had prior TB exposures. Of the tests performed at a reference lab, 29% were indeterminate, whereas 14% were indeterminate using our in‐house lab. The majority of indeterminate results were seen in liver transplant candidates (40.6% vs. 11.8% in non‐liver candidates). Three of 694 (0.43%) screened patients who underwent transplantation developed TB post transplant.

Conclusions. Post‐transplant TB occurs at a low rate with universal IGRA‐based candidate screening, which is comparable to studies using TST screening.
Oxygen metabolism changes and outcome in response to immediate colloid treatment in the endotoxaemic rat
Authors: Schaefer C. F. , Lerner M. R. , Biber B.
Published: September 2011

A colloid (Hespan®) fluid regimen in a 4 h rat model of endotoxaemia was used to prevent the development of the early hypodynamic phase of shock. Groups (N = 10 each) of isoflurane‐anaesthetized, male Sprague‐Dawley rats received either 1) E. coli endotoxin (E, 20 mg · kg−1 BW, i.v.), 2) 0.9% saline (S), 3) endotoxin + Hespan (E + H), or 4) saline + Hespan (S + H). After a 30 min baseline, 15 ml of 6% hetastarch (Hespan) were infused over 1 h beginning 1 min after endotoxin or saline. Pulmonary artery wedge pressures suggested no fluid overload in the E + H or S + H groups. By the end of the study, there were six spontaneous deaths in the E group vs. no deaths in the other groups. However, despite successful prevention of the early hypodynamic response together with increased cardiac output, increased oxygen delivery, decreased oxygen extraction, and sustained normal oxygen consumption in the E + H group, this fluid regimen failed to prevent significant and progressive acidaemia and hyperlactataemia. Also, by 4 h the E + H group exhibited declining blood pressures, marked hypoglycaemia, and significant small intestinal damage. Our results indicate that the early hypotensive, hypodynamic period is not crucial for the development of significant pathology in endotoxaemia, and that early flow‐dependency of whole body oxygen uptake is not inherent to the early response to endotoxin in this model.
Changes in end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension following sodium bicarbonate administration: Correlation with cardiac output and haemoglobin concentration
Authors: Okamoto H. , Hoka S. , Kawasaki T. , Okuyama T. , Takahashi S.
Published: September 2011

An intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) forms excess CO2, resulting in an immediate increase in end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension (PetCO2). We hypothesized that the time until PetCO2 reached a maximum, and the magnitude of the increase in PetCO2 are influenced by cardiac output and haemoglobin concentration, respectively. To test this hypothesis, we examined changes in PetCO2 following an intravenous administration of NaHCO3, at different levels of cardiac output and haemoglobin concentration. We administered 0.2 mmol · kg−1 of 8.4% NaHCO3 into the vena cava in 15 anesthetized dogs under mechanical ventilation of 20 breaths per min. Cardiac output was increased by dopamine infusion, and decreased by blood withdrawal under halothane anaesthesia. Haemoglobin concentrations were changed by haemodilution with hydroxyethyl starch. When control measurements were taken, time‐max (the time until the increase in PetCO2 reached a maximum) was 4 ± 0.2 breaths‐time, and ΔCO2‐max (the magnitude of the increase in PetCO2) was 0.90 ± 0.04 kPa (6.6 ± 0.3 mmHg). Cardiac output was inversely correlated with time‐max (r = 0.94, P<0.0001), while it revealed a poor correlation with ΔCO2‐max. Haemoglobin concentration showed a significant correlation with ΔCO2‐max (r = 0.736, P<0.005), but not with time‐max. We concluded that the time course and the magnitude of changes in PetCO2 following intravenous administration of NaHCO3 reflect changes in cardiac output and haemoglobin concentration, respectively.
Differentiation of Populus species using chloroplast single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers – essential for comprehensible and reliable poplar breeding
Authors: Schroeder H. , Hoeltken A. M. , Fladung M.
Published: September 2011

Within the genus Populus several species belonging to different sections are cross‐compatible. Hence, high numbers of interspecies hybrids occur naturally and, additionally, have been artificially produced in huge breeding programmes during the last 100 years. Therefore, determination of a single poplar species, used for the production of ‘multi‐species hybrids’ is often difficult, and represents a great challenge for the use of molecular markers in species identification. Within this study, over 20 chloroplast regions, both intergenic spacers and coding regions, have been tested for their ability to differentiate different poplar species using 23 already published barcoding primer combinations and 17 newly designed primer combinations. About half of the published barcoding primers yielded amplification products, whereas the new primers designed on the basis of the total sequenced cpDNA genome of Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray yielded much higher amplification success. Intergenic spacers were found to be more variable than coding regions within the genus Populus. The highest discrimination power of Populus species was found in the combination of two intergenic spacers (trnG‐psbK, psbK‐psbl) and the coding region rpoC. In barcoding projects, the coding regions matK and rbcL are often recommended, but within the genus Populus they only show moderate variability and are not efficient in species discrimination.
Fish oil supplementation improved liver phospholipids fatty acid composition and parameters of oxidative stress in male wistar rats
Authors: Popović T. , Borozan S. , Arsić A. , Martačić J. D. , Vučić V. , Trbović A. , Mandić L. , Glibetić M.
Published: September 2011

In the present study, we examined the effects of fish oil supplementation in 3 months old male Wistar rats on changes in plasma and liver lipid metabolism and oxidative stress parameters. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals: control group and intervention group, treated for 6 weeks with fish oil capsules containing 45 mg eicosapentanoic acid and 30 mg docosahexanoic acid. After intervention, biochemical parameters in plasma [triglycerides (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol, urea, creatinine and uric acid], fatty acid (FAs) profile of liver phospholipids and parameters of oxidative stress in liver [activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and paraoxonase (PON1), concentration of nitrites, lipid peroxidation (LPO), free thiol (SH) groups and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) izoenzymes were determined. Treatment with fish oil improved FAs profile of liver phospholipids, increasing n‐3 FAs and decreasing n‐6/n‐3 ratio. Significant decrease in plasma TG and LDL concentration, and increase in the level of HDL and uric acid were found in intervention group at the end of the study. Catalase activity, LPO, and nitrites concentration in liver were significantly decreased, after the supplementation, together with elevated PON1 activity. Applied treatment significantly improved plasma lipid profile, liver FAs composition and parameters of oxidative stress in male Wistar rats.
Colonisation in adult patients with nosocomial candidemia
Authors: Gürcüoğlu Emel , Akalın Halis , Ener Beyza , Gedikoğlu Suna
Published: September 2011

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the association between Candida spp. isolated from blood culture and the colonisation of different anatomical sites of patients with candidemia, and to evaluate the colonisation dynamics and Pittet’s index. Cultures were collected from the different anatomical sites of all the patients within 24 h of diagnosis of candidemia. Molecular similarities between identical species colonised with Candida species were evaluated via karyotyping. The colonisation index, as developed by Pittet et al. was calculated using screening culture results from patients. Among the 40 patients screened for colonisation, 35 (87.5%) had colonisation of at least one anatomical site. Twenty‐six (74.3%) of the 35 patients with colonisation in any of the three anatomical sites (respiratory, rectum and urinary sites) were shown to be colonised with the same species that caused candidemia. When the anatomical sites were compared with each other, no significant difference was observed at the species level in terms of colonisation index. The colonisation index (≥0.5) positivity rate was 74% in patients with candidemia. The investigation of Candida colonisation of at least three anatomical (respiratory, rectum and urinary) sites could help in the selection of empirical antifungal therapy when nosocomial candidemia is suspected.
Heritability and correlations among food‐grade traits in soybean
Authors: Jaureguy Luciano M. , Chen Pengyin , Scaboo Andrew M.
Published: September 2011

With 5 tables

Societal changes towards healthier food have helped uncover the nutritional value and health benefits of soybeans. Hence, the development of food‐grade specialty cultivars has become a niche market for soybean breeders and producers. The objectives of this study were to estimate the heritability and correlations among five food‐grade traits: seed size, protein, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose concentration. We evaluated 98 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between a high protein line and a large‐seeded cultivar with moderate sucrose concentration at two locations in Arkansas for 2 years. Although food‐grade traits were significantly affected by year and location interactions, larger variability was attributed to differences among lines than to the line by location interaction for seed size, protein, sucrose and stachyose. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.46 to 0.86, so selection for genotypes with specific combination of these traits should be reliable. Because of a negative correlation (−0.68), selection for high sucrose will likely be accompanied by a reduction in protein. Our findings will help breeders develop efficient strategies for breeding food‐grade soybean cultivars.
Allelopathic potential of Triticum spp., Secale spp. and Triticosecale spp. and use of chromosome substitutions and translocations to improve weed suppression ability in winter wheat
Authors: Bertholdsson Nils‐Ove , Andersson Staffan C. , Merker Arnulf
Published: September 2011

With 3 figures and 3 tables

A search was carried out for allelopathic sources among accessions of Triticum, Secale, Triticosecale and wheat–rye substitution and translocation lines to be used in breeding programmes to improve weed suppression ability of wheat. A bioassay with mustard as target plants was used for the screening. Mustard was chosen among seven tested target plants because it showed a particular high root growth inhibition when grown together with rye compared with wheat. None of the Triticum accessions studied showed potential allelopathic activity of interest for breeding, but most Triticosecale did. Several of the wheat–rye substitution and translocation lines also showed high allelopathic activity. The highest activity was found in lines with a substitution of 1R or 2R. Some multiple substitution lines and lines with only rye chromatin also showed high allelopathic activity. It is suggested that in vitro selection of wheat–rye substitution lines with high allelopathic potential with a bioassay with mustard as target plants could be used to improve weed suppression ability of wheat.
Follicle Formation in the Canine Ovary After Autografting to a Peripheral Site
Authors: Terazono T , Kaedei Y , Tanihara F , Namula Z , Viet VL , Takagi M , Inoue M , Sato Y , Taniguchi M , Otoi T
Published: September 2011

Contents

This study reports about follicular development on the surface of canine ovarian tissue after autografting under the fascia of the thoracolumbar muscle and about meiotic resumption of follicle‐derived oocyte after maturation culture. After ovarian excision from a bitch, each ovary of the pairs was cut approximately into half. The hemi‐ovaries were transplanted into the bitch of origin at three different body sites (under the fascia of the quadriceps femoris muscle and the thoracolumbar muscle, and in the deltoid muscle in the scapular region). All grafted ovaries were recovered from the bitch at 35 days post‐transplantation. A visible antral follicle was observed on the surface of the ovary grafted under the thoracolumbar fascia. Histological examination revealed viable follicles at different stages of development irrespective of graft site. Most granulosa cells in the follicles at different stages of development expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). A total of three oocytes were collected from an ovary grafted under the fascia of the thoracolumbar muscle, wherein an oocyte reached metaphase I after maturation culture. This is the first report to demonstrate follicular development and meiotic resumption of oocytes recovered from autografted canine ovarian tissues.
Composite diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and CD20‐positive peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Yamazaki Sho , Fujioka Yosei , Nakamura Fumihiko , Ota Satoshi , Shinozaki Aya , Yamamoto Go , Kamikubo Yasuhiko , Nannya Yasuhito , Ichikawa Motoshi , Fukayama Masashi , Kurokawa Mineo
Published: September 2011

Composite lymphoma is defined as two or more distinct types of lymphoma in a single anatomical site. Among various combinations, composite B‐cell and T‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (CBTL) are very infrequent. Herein we describe a 66‐year‐old female with CBTL presenting with lymphadenopathy, multiple bone lesions and an epidural tumor. Light microscopic examination of a biopsied cervical node revealed a dual population of lymphoid cells: sheets of large cells admixed with medium‐sized cells. The large cells expressed B‐cell markers and showed immunoglobulin light chain restriction, consistent with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The medium‐sized cells were positive for CD20 as well as T‐cell markers. Because polymerase chain reaction amplification showed monoclonal rearrangement of the T‐cell receptor β chain gene, this population was compatible with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS). We therefore made a diagnosis of composite DLBCL and CD20‐positive PTCL‐NOS. Complete remission was achieved after six cycles of R‐CHOP regimen (rituximab, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone). This is the first report of CD20‐positive PTCL‐NOS associated with composite lymphoma. Moreover, a literature review of composite DLBCL and PTCL‐NOS indicates that this rare clinical entity may be featured by efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in spite of prevalent extranodal lesions.
Discrimination between COPD patients with and without alpha 1‐antitrypsin deficiency using an electronic nose
Authors: HATTESOHL AKIRA D.M. , JÖRRES RUDOLF A. , DRESSEL HOLGER , SCHMID SEVERIN , VOGELMEIER CLAUS , GREULICH TIMM , NOESKE SARAH , BALS ROBERT , KOCZULLA ANDREAS REMBERT
Published: September 2011

Background and objective:  To compare the volatile organic compound patterns of patients with COPD with and without alpha 1‐antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency using electronic nose technology.

Methods:  Exhaled breath condensate and pure exhaled breath of patients with COPD with (n = 10) and without (n = 23) AAT deficiency and healthy controls (n = 10) were analysed. The effect of human recombinant AAT on the volatile organic compound profile of 11 AAT‐deficient patients was also examined. Exhaled breath condensate and pure exhaled breath were measured using the Cyranose 320. Smell prints were analysed by linear discriminant analysis (LDA) using Mahalanobis distance (MD) and cross‐validation values (CVVs).

Results:  Smell prints of patients with AAT‐deficiency were different from those with COPD in exhaled breath condensate (LDA: P < 0.0001, sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 1.00, CVV 82.0%, MD 2.37) and in pure exhaled breath (LDA: P < 0.0001, sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 1.00, CVV 58.3%, MD 2.27). Smell prints of AAT‐deficient patients before and after human recombinant AAT augmentation were different (LDA: P = 0.001, sensitivity of 1.00, specificity of 1.00, CVV 53.3%, MD 1.79).

Conclusions:  An electronic nose can detect differences in smell prints of COPD patients with and without AAT deficiency. Augmentation therapy changes the volatile organic compound pattern. The electronic nose may be helpful in the diagnosis of AAT deficiency.
ATP‐binding cassette B1 gene polymorphisms, mRNA expression and chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in non‐small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: MENG XIANGNING , WANG GENG , LIU PENG , HOU JINGMEI , JIN YAN , YU YANG , BAI JING , CHEN FENG , SUN WENJING , FU SONGBIN
Published: September 2011

Background and objective:  The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐binding cassette, sub‐family B, member 1 (ABCB1) gene encodes P‐glycoprotein (Pgp), which plays an important role in drug disposition by limiting intracellular uptake of paclitaxel. ABCB1 gene polymorphisms may alter the expression and function of Pgp, thereby influencing the response to chemotherapy. A panel of 17 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines was used to investigate whether alterations in the ABCB1 gene or its mRNA expression correlated with in vitro chemosensitivity to paclitaxel.

Methods:  Polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene were evaluated by direct sequencing. mRNA expression levels were assessed by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription PCR. In vitro chemosensitivity to paclitaxel was expressed as half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values, using a tetrazolium (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide)‐based colorimetric assay.

Results:  The variant allele frequencies for four ABCB1 gene polymorphisms were 14.71% for 2677G>T/A, 32.35% for 2734T>C, 23.53% for 3396C>T and 76.47% for 3435C>T. There was a significant positive correlation between ABCB1 mRNA expression and half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values for paclitaxel (r = 0.5322, P = 0.0279). None of the four ABCB1 gene polymorphisms were associated with paclitaxel chemosensitivity or ABCB1 mRNA expression in the 17 cell lines.

Conclusions:  These in vitro results suggest that high ABCB1 mRNA expression may be a predictive biomarker for poor chemosensitivity to paclitaxel. The panel of NSCLC cell lines may provide clues and indications for establishing clinically useful relationships between a given polymorphism or level of gene expression and chemosensitivity to an anti‐cancer agent.