bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A role for relaxed selection in the evolution of the language capacity
Authors: Deacon Terrence W.
Published: May 2010

Explaining the extravagant complexity of the human language and our competence to acquire it has long posed challenges for natural selection theory. To answer his critics, Darwin turned to sexual selection to account for the extreme development of language. Many contemporary evolutionary theorists have invoked incredibly lucky mutation or some variant of the assimilation of acquired behaviors to innate predispositions in an effort to explain it. Recent evodevo approaches have identified developmental processes that help to explain how complex functional synergies can evolve by Darwinian means. Interestingly, many of these developmental mechanisms bear a resemblance to aspects of Darwin's mechanism of natural selection, often differing only in one respect (e.g., form of duplication, kind of variation, competition/cooperation). A common feature is an interplay between processes of stabilizing selection and processes of relaxed selection at different levels of organism function. These may play important roles in the many levels of evolutionary process contributing to language. Surprisingly, the relaxation of selection at the organism level may have been a source of many complex synergistic features of the human language capacity, and may help explain why so much language information is “inherited” socially.
Bioenergetics, the origins of complexity, and the ascent of man
Authors: Wallace Douglas C.
Published: May 2010

Complex structures are generated and maintained through energy flux. Structures embody information, and biological information is stored in nucleic acids. The progressive increase in biological complexity over geologic time is thus the consequence of the information-generating power of energy flow plus the information-accumulating capacity of DNA, winnowed by natural selection. Consequently, the most important component of the biological environment is energy flow: the availability of calories and their use for growth, survival, and reproduction. Animals can exploit and adapt to available energy resources at three levels. They can evolve different anatomical forms through nuclear DNA (nDNA) mutations permitting exploitation of alternative energy reservoirs, resulting in new species. They can evolve modified bioenergetic physiologies within a species, primarily through the high mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)–encoded bioenergetic genes, permitting adjustment to regional energetic environments. They can alter the epigenomic regulation of the thousands of dispersed bioenergetic genes via mitochondrially generated high-energy intermediates permitting individual accommodation to short-term environmental energetic fluctuations. Because medicine pertains to a single species,Homo sapiens, functional human variation often involves sequence changes in bioenergetic genes, most commonly mtDNA mutations, plus changes in the expression of bioenergetic genes mediated by the epigenome. Consequently, common nDNA polymorphisms in anatomical genes may represent only a fraction of the genetic variation associated with the common “complex” diseases, and the ascent of man has been the product of 3.5 billion years of information generation by energy flow, accumulated and preserved in DNA and edited by natural selection.
Structural investigation of the C-terminal catalytic fragment of presenilin 1
Authors: Sobhanifar Solmaz , Schneider Birgit , Löhr Frank , Gottstein Daniel , Ikeya Teppei , Mlynarczyk Krzysztof , Pulawski Wojciech , Ghoshdastider Umesh , Kolinski Michal , Filipek Slawomir , Güntert Peter , Bernhard Frank , Dötsch Volker
Published: May 2010

The γ-secretase complex has a decisive role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, in that it cleaves a precursor to create the amyloid β peptide whose aggregates form the senile plaques encountered in the brains of patients. Γ-secretase is a member of the intramembrane-cleaving proteases which process their transmembrane substrates within the bilayer. Many of the mutations encountered in early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease are linked to presenilin 1, the catalytic component of γ-secretase, whose active form requires its endoproteolytic cleavage into N-terminal and C-terminal fragments. Although there is general agreement regarding the topology of the N-terminal fragment, studies of the C-terminal fragment have yielded ambiguous and contradictory results that may be difficult to reconcile in the absence of structural information. Here we present the first structure of the C-terminal fragment of human presenilin 1, as obtained from NMR studies in SDS micelles. The structure reveals a topology where the membrane is likely traversed three times in accordance with the more generally accepted nine transmembrane domain model of presenilin 1, but contains unique structural features adapted to accommodate the unusual intramembrane catalysis. These include a putative half-membrane-spanning helix N-terminally harboring the catalytic aspartate, a severely kinked helical structure toward the C terminus as well as a soluble helix in the assumed-to-be unstructured N-terminal loop.
Reconstructing human evolution: Achievements, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Wood Bernard
Published: May 2010

This contribution reviews the evidence that has resolved the branching structure of the higher primate part of the tree of life and the substantial body of fossil evidence for human evolution. It considers some of the problems faced by those who try to interpret the taxonomy and systematics of the human fossil record. How do you to tell an early human taxon from one in a closely related clade? How do you determine the number of taxa represented in the human clade? How can homoplasy be recognized and factored into attempts to recover phylogeny?
Mechanisms linking early life stress to adult health outcomes
Authors: Taylor Shelley E.
Published: May 2010

Research relating stress to health has progressed from anecdotal evidence in the 1930s and 1940s to complex multivariate models that identify underlying longitudinal mechanisms. Enduring questions that have guided our research are: How does the early life environment affect health outcomes into adulthood? How is the latent damage stored and what processes are set into motion that link early life stress to health disorders in the later years? An emerging perspective focuses on the accumulation of interacting dysregulations in multiple physiological systems that compromise the systems’ abilities to respond flexibly to stressful circumstances. Our research explores: the antecedents of these processes, including genetic predispositions, the harshness of the early environment, and their interaction; the mediating roles of neural regulation in the brain and psychological and social resources; and health-related outcomes, such as metabolic functioning and inflammatory processes.
The moderating effects of gender on the associations between multidimensional hostility and psychosomatic symptoms: A Chinese case
Authors: Weng Chia‐Ying , Lin I‐Mei , Jiang Ding‐Yu
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of gender on the relationship between multidimensional hostility and psychosomatic symptoms in Chinese culture. The participants in this study were 398 Chinese college students (40% female) recruited from Taiwan. Four dimensions of multidimensional hostility—hostility cognition, hostility affect, expressive hostility behavior, and suppressive hostility behavior—were measured by the Chinese Hostility Inventory. After controlling for the effects of depression and anxiety, the results of path analysis revealed that the multidimensional hostility predicted psychosomatic symptoms directly, and predicted psychosomatic symptoms indirectly through negative health behavior. Furthermore, gender moderated the relationships between multidimensional hostility and health outcomes. Expressive hostility exacerbated psychosomatic symptom in females but buffered it in males, while affective hostility exacerbated psychosomatic symptoms in males. Additionally, suppressive hostility behavior was correlated to psychosomatic symptoms indirectly through negative health behavior in females. Moreover, expressive hostility was correlated to psychosomatic symptoms indirectly through negative health behavior more in males than in females.
Fusel Alcohols Regulate Translation Initiation by Inhibiting eIF2B to Reduce Ternary Complex in a Mechanism That May Involve Altering the Integrity and Dynamics of the eIF2B Body
Authors: Taylor Eleanor J. , Campbell Susan G. , Griffiths Christian D. , Reid Peter J. , Slaven John W. , Harrison Richard J. , Sims Paul F.G. , Pavitt Graham D. , Delneri Daniela , Ashe Mark P.
Published: May 2010

Recycling of eIF2-GDP to the GTP-bound form constitutes a core essential, regulated step in eukaryotic translation. This reaction is mediated by eIF2B, a heteropentameric factor with important links to human disease. eIF2 in the GTP-bound form binds to methionyl initiator tRNA to form a ternary complex, and the levels of this ternary complex can be a critical determinant of the rate of protein synthesis. Here we show that eIF2B serves as the target for translation inhibition by various fusel alcohols in yeast. Fusel alcohols are endpoint metabolites from amino acid catabolism, which signal nitrogen scarcity. We show that the inhibition of eIF2B leads to reduced ternary complex levels and that different eIF2B subunit mutants alter fusel alcohol sensitivity. A DNA tiling array strategy was developed that overcame difficulties in the identification of these mutants where the phenotypic distinctions were too subtle for classical complementation cloning. Fusel alcohols also lead to eIF2α dephosphorylation in a Sit4p-dependent manner. In yeast, eIF2B occupies a large cytoplasmic body where guanine nucleotide exchange on eIF2 can occur and be regulated. Fusel alcohols impact on both the movement and dynamics of this 2B body. Overall, these results confirm that the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, eIF2B, is targeted by fusel alcohols. Moreover, they highlight a potential connection between the movement or integrity of the 2B body and eIF2B regulation.
CHOYCE: a web server for constrained homology modelling with cryoEM maps
Authors: Rawi Reda , Whitmore Lee , Topf Maya
Published: May 2010

Summary: CHOYCE is a web server for homology modelling of protein components and the fitting of those components into cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) maps of their assemblies. It provides an interactive approach to improving the selection of models based on the quality of their fit into the EM map.

Availability:  http://choyce.ismb.lon.ac.uk/

Contact:  m.topf@cryst.bbk.ac.uk; reda.rawi@uni-due.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SensSB: a software toolbox for the development and sensitivity analysis of systems biology models
Authors: Rodriguez-Fernandez Maria , Banga Julio R.
Published: May 2010

Summary: SensSB (Sensitivity Analysis for Systems Biology) is an easy to use, MATLAB-based software toolbox, which integrates several local and global sensitivity methods that can be applied to a wide variety of biological models. In addition to addressing the sensitivity analysis problem, SensSB aims to cover all the steps involved during the modeling process. The main features of SensSB are: (i) derivative and variance-based global sensitivity analysis, (ii) pseudo-global identifiability analysis, (iii) optimal experimental design (OED) based on global sensitivities, (iv) robust parameter estimation, (v) local sensitivity and identifiability analysis, (vi) confidence intervals of the estimated parameters and (vii) OED based on the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM). SensSB is also able to import models in the Systems Biology Mark-up Language (SBML) format. Several examples from simple analytical functions to more complex biological pathways have been implemented and can be downloaded together with the toolbox. The importance of using sensitivity analysis techniques for identifying unessential parameters and designing new experiments is quantified by increased identifiability metrics of the models and decreased confidence intervals of the estimated parameters.

Availability: SensSB is a software toolbox freely downloadable from http://www.iim.csic.es/∼gingproc/SensSB.html. The web site also contains several examples and an extensive documentation.

Contact:  mrodriguez@iim.csic.es

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Anti‐Inflammatory Potential of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. Through Alteration in Production of TNF‐α, ROS and Expression of Certain Genes
Authors: Chakravarty Ashim K. , Mazumder Tamal , Chatterjee Shankar N.
Published: May 2010

Search for a novel anti‐inflammatory agent from a herbal source, such as Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng., a plant from the Eastern Himalayas, is of prime interest in the present investigation. Inflammation causes tissue destruction and development of diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and so forth. The ethanolic leaf extract of E. adenophorum (EEA) was administered intravenously and in other cases topically at the site of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in mouse foot paw induced with dinitrofluorobenzene. EEA can effectively inhibit DTH reaction and bring back normalcy to the paw much earlier than the controls. Efficacy of EEA on regulatory mechanisms for inflammation has also been considered. Intravenous administration of EEA increased the number of CD4+ T cells in spleen and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in serum of DTH mice. Initially it was difficult to reconcile with the anti‐inflammatory role of EEA and simultaneous induction of TNF‐α, an established pro‐inflammatory cytokine. EEA induces higher expression of TNF-α gene and amount of the cytokine in serum. We discussed the other role of TNF‐α, its involvement in repairing tissue damage incurred in course of inflammatory reaction. EEA also induces TGF‐β encoding a cytokine involved in tissue repair mechanism. EEA inhibits expression of another pro‐inflammatory cytokine gene IL-1β and downregulates cycloxygenase 2 (COX2) gene responsible for metabolism of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins. Furthermore, anti‐inflammatory role of EEA is also revealed through its inhibition of hydroxyl radical generation. Notably EEA does not necessarily affect the expression of other inflammation‐related genes such as IL-6, IL-10 and IKK. The present study reports and analyzes for the first time the anti‐inflammatory property of the leaf extract of E. adenophorum.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Growth Hormone in Active Pediatric Crohn Disease
Authors: Denson Lee A , Kim Mi‐Ok , Bezold Ramona , Carey Rebecca , Osuntokun Bankole , Nylund Cade , Willson Tara , Bonkowski Erin , Li Dandan , Ballard Edgar , Collins Margaret , Moyer M Susan , Klein David J
Published: May 2010

Objectives:

Growth hormone (GH) may reduce symptoms and improve growth in Crohn disease (CD). The effect on mucosal inflammation is not known. We hypothesized that GH would improve both clinical and mucosal disease activity and stimulate linear growth in pediatric CD.

Patients and Methods:

Twenty patients ages 7 to 18 receiving corticosteroids (CTX) for active CD were randomized to begin GH, 0.075 mg · kg−1 · day−1 (group A), or continue CTX alone (group B). Clinical and endoscopic disease activities were assessed after 12 weeks. Group B began GH at 12 weeks, and clinical disease activity was assessed at 24 weeks. Subjects who experienced a clinical response after 12 weeks of GH therapy continued treatment for an additional 52 weeks, and linear growth was assessed.

Results:

Sixty‐five percent of patients receiving GH achieved clinical remission, compared with 20% treated with CTX alone (P = 0.03). Although endoscopic disease activity trended toward an improvement at week 12 in group A, this did not differ between the groups. Sixty‐one percent of week 12 GH responders maintained their clinical response through week 64. Mean (95th confidence interval) height z score on GH increased from −1.1 (−1.6, −0.6) to −0.4 (−1, 0.2), P = 0.004 during this 52‐week extension phase. GH was well tolerated with no unexpected safety signals.

Conclusions:

The addition of GH to CTX therapy did not induce a reduction in mucosal inflammation, relative to CTX alone. However, GH was safe and effective as an adjunct to CTX for treatment of clinical disease activity and growth failure in pediatric CD.
Cow's‐Milk–free Diet as a Therapeutic Option in Childhood Chronic Constipation
Authors: Irastorza Inaki , Ibañez Berta , Delgado‐Sanzonetti Lissette , Maruri Natalia , Vitoria Juan Carlos
Published: May 2010

Objectives:

It has been reported that a number of children with constipation respond to a diet free of cow's‐milk (CM) proteins, although evidence is lacking to support an immunoglobulin E–mediated mechanism.

Patients and Methods:

We performed an open‐label crossover study comparing CM and rice milk in 69 children who fulfilled Rome III criteria for chronic constipation. Clinical, physical, and immunologic parameters of patients who responded (R) and who did not respond (NR) to a CM‐free diet were compared.

Results:

Thirty‐five of the 69 children (51%) improved during the first CM‐free diet phase, 8 of these did not develop constipation when CM was reintroduced, and 27 children (39%) developed constipation during the CM challenge and improved during the second CM‐free diet phase (R group). Thirty‐four children (49%) did not improve during the first CM‐free diet phase (NR group). Bowel movements per week among R children significantly increased compared with NR children (R: 2.8–7.7 vs NR: 2.6–2.7) (P < 0.001). Seventy‐eight percent of the children with developmental delay responded to the CM‐free diet (P = 0.007). No significant statistical difference was found between the R and NR children in terms of fiber and milk consumption; atopic or allergic history; full‐blood eosinophil count and percentage, and lymphocyte populations; immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclasses, total IgE; and serum‐specific immunoglobulin E for CM proteins.

Conclusions:

A clear association between CM consumption and constipation has been found in more than one third of children. However, analytical parameters do not demonstrate an immunoglobulin E‐mediated immunologic mechanism.
Practical Approach to Paediatric Enteral Nutrition: A Comment by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition
Authors:   ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition:, Braegger Christian , Decsi Tamas , Dias Jorge Amil , Hartman Corina , Kolaček Sanja , Koletzko Berthold , Koletzko Sibylle , Mihatsch Walter , Moreno Luis , Puntis John , Shamir Raanan , Szajewska Hania , Turck Dominique , van Goudoever Johannes
Published: May 2010

Enteral nutrition support (ENS) involves both the delivery of nutrients via feeding tubes and the provision of specialised oral nutritional supplements. ENS is indicated in a patient with at least a partially functioning digestive tract when oral intake is inadequate or intake of normal food is inappropriate to meet the patients' needs. The aim of this comment by the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition is to provide a clinical practice guide to ENS, based on the available evidence and the clinical expertise of the authors. Statements and recommendations are presented, and future research needs highlighted, with a particular emphasis placed on a practical approach to ENS.

Among the wide array of enteral formulations, standard polymeric feeds based on cow's‐milk protein with fibre and age adapted for energy and nutrient content are suitable for most paediatric patients. Whenever possible, intragastric is preferred to postpyloric delivery of nutrients, and intermittent feeding is preferred to continuous feeding because it is more physiological. An anticipated duration of enteral nutrition (EN) exceeding 4 to 6 weeks is an indication for gastrostomy or enterostomy. Among the various gastrostomy techniques available, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is currently the first option. In general, both patients and caregivers express satisfaction with this procedure, although it is associated with a number of well‐recognised complications. We strongly recommend the development and application of procedural protocols that include scrupulous attention to hygiene, as well as regular monitoring by a multidisciplinary nutrition support team to minimise the risk of EN‐associated complications.
When more is less: the fitness consequences of predators attacking more unpalatable prey when more are presented
Authors: Rowland Hannah M. , Wiley Elizabeth , Ruxton Graeme D. , Mappes Johanna , Speed Michael P.
Published: May 2010

In 1879, Fritz Müller hypothesized that mimetic resemblance in which defended prey display the same warning signal would share the costs of predator education. Although Müller argued that predators would need to ingest a fixed number of prey with a given visual signal when learning to avoid unpalatable prey, this assumption lacks empirical support. We report an experiment which shows that, as the number of unpalatable prey presented to them increased, avian predators attacked higher numbers of those prey. We calculated that, when predators increase attacks, the fitness costs incurred by unpalatable prey can be substantial. This suggests that the survival benefits of mimicry could be lower than Müller proposed. An important finding is, however, that these costs decline in importance as the total number of available prey increases.
Disease association mapping in
Drosophila
can be replicated in the wild
Authors: Wilfert Lena , Jiggins Francis M.
Published: May 2010

Association and linkage mapping have become important tools in understanding the genetics of complex traits, including diseases in humans. As the success of association mapping is reduced by small effect sizes and limited power, linkage studies in laboratory-based model systems are still heavily used. But whether the results of these studies can be replicated in natural populations has been questioned. Here, we show that a polymorphism in the gene

ref
(
2
)
P

, which had previously been linked to sigma virus resistance in
Drosophila melanogaster
under laboratory conditions, also provides resistance against the virus in female flies in a wild population in the field. This genetic association is thus upheld in spite of a known genotype-by-genotype interaction and environmental variation.
Hubert Rees DFC. 2 October 1923 — 13 September 2009
Authors: Jones R. Neil
Published: May 2010

Hubert Rees was born on 2 October 1923 in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, in Wales, and died on 13 September 2009 in Aberystwyth. Hugh, as he was known to his wide circle of friends and colleagues, was educated at Llandovery and Llanelli grammar schools. After leaving school he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) and in 1944 he became a Lancaster bomber pilot. On demobilization in 1946 he enrolled as a student at Aberystwyth University, graduating with first-class honours in agricultural botany in 1950. After a short secondment to the John Innes Horticultural Institution at Bayfordbury he took up an appointment as Lecturer in Cytology at the newly-formed Department of Genetics at Birmingham University. In 1958 he returned to Aberystwyth as Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Botany, being promoted to Reader in 1966 and ultimately Professor and Head of Department. He rapidly built up an internationally acclaimed school of study into the genetic control of chromosome behaviour in plants, and on evolutionary changes in chromosome organization. Hugh Rees had an impressive intellect and was an inspirational teacher who left his mark on all who came under his supervision. In 1983 he was appointed Vice Principal at Aberystwyth. He retired in 1991 and then pursued his many interests and hobbies. Together with his wife, Mavis, he was well known to many friends and colleagues for his generous hospitality, his love of good food and wine, and as a raconteur. Hugh is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. Another son predeceased him.
Positively charged bioactive Ti metal prepared by simple chemical and heat treatments
Authors: Kokubo Tadashi , Pattanayak Deepak K. , Yamaguchi Seiji , Takadama Hiroaki , Matsushita Tomiharu , Kawai Toshiyuki , Takemoto Mitsuru , Fujibayashi Shunsuke , Nakamura Takashi
Published: May 2010

A highly bioactive bone-bonding Ti metal was obtained when Ti metal was simply heat-treated after a common acid treatment. This bone-bonding property was ascribed to the formation of apatite on the Ti metal in a body environment. The formation of apatite on the Ti metal was induced neither by its surface roughness nor by the rutile phase precipitated on its surface, but by its positively charged surface. The surface of the Ti metal was positively charged because acid groups were adsorbed on titanium hydride formed on the Ti metal by the acid treatment, and remained even after the titanium hydride was transformed into titanium oxide by the subsequent heat treatment. These results provide a new principle based on a positively charged surface for obtaining bioactive materials.
Genetic and historic evidence for climate-driven population fragmentation in a top cetacean predator: the harbour porpoises in European water
Authors: Fontaine Michaël C. , Tolley Krystal A. , Michaux Johan R. , Birkun Alexei , Ferreira Marisa , Jauniaux Thierry , Llavona Ángela , Öztürk Bayram , Öztürk Ayaka A , Ridoux Vincent , Rogan Emer , Sequeira Marina , Bouquegneau Jean-Marie , Baird Stuart J. E.
Published: May 2010

Recent climate change has triggered profound reorganization in northeast Atlantic ecosystems, with substantial impact on the distribution of marine assemblages from plankton to fishes. However, assessing the repercussions on apex marine predators remains a challenging issue, especially for pelagic species. In this study, we use Bayesian coalescent modelling of microsatellite variation to track the population demographic history of one of the smallest temperate cetaceans, the harbour porpoise (
Phocoena phocoena
) in European waters. Combining genetic inferences with palaeo-oceanographic and historical records provides strong evidence that populations of harbour porpoises have responded markedly to the recent climate-driven reorganization in the eastern North Atlantic food web. This response includes the isolation of porpoises in Iberian waters from those further north only approximately 300 years ago with a predominant northward migration, contemporaneous with the warming trend underway since the ‘Little Ice Age’ period and with the ongoing retreat of cold-water fishes from the Bay of Biscay. The extinction or exodus of harbour porpoises from the Mediterranean Sea (leaving an isolated relict population in the Black Sea) has lacked a coherent explanation. The present results suggest that the fragmentation of harbour distribution range in the Mediterranean Sea was triggered during the warm ‘Mid-Holocene Optimum’ period (approx. 5000 years ago), by the end of the post-glacial nutrient-rich ‘Sapropel’ conditions that prevailed before that time.
Ontogenetic phase shifts in metabolism: links to development and anti-predator adaptation
Authors: Yagi Mitsuharu , Kanda Takeshi , Takeda Tatsusuke , Ishimatsu Atsushi , Oikawa Shin
Published: May 2010

The allometric relationships between resting metabolism (VO
2
) and body mass (
M
), VO
2
=
a

i

M

b

, are considered a fundamental law of nature. A distinction though needs to be made between the ontogeny (within a species) and phylogeny (among species) of metabolism. However, the nature and significance of the intraspecific allometry (ontogeny of metabolism) have not been established in fishes. In this study, we present experimental evidence that a puffer fish ranging 0.0008–3 g in wet body mass has four distinct allometric phases in which three stepwise increases in scaling constants (
a

i

,
i
= 1–4), i.e. ontogenetic phase shifts in metabolism, occur with growth during its early life stages at around 0.002, 0.01 and 0.1 g, keeping each scaling exponent constant in each phase (
b
= 0.795). Three stepwise increases in
a

i

accompanied behavioural and morphological changes and three peaks of severe cannibalism, in which the majority of predation occurred on smaller fish that had a lower value of
a

i

. Though fishes are generally highly fecund, producing a large number of small eggs, their survivability is very low. These results suggest that individuals with the ability to rapidly grow and step up ‘
a

i

’ develop more anti-predator adaptation as a result of the decreased predatory risk.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus non-structural protein 5A interacts with NIK- and IKKβ-binding protein
Authors: Zahoor Muhammad Atif , Yamane Daisuke , Mohamed Yassir Mahgoub , Suda Yuto , Kobayashi Kyousuke , Kato Kentaro , Tohya Yukinobu , Akashi Hiroomi
Published: May 2010

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that causes an economically important livestock disease worldwide. Previous studies have suggested that non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) from hepatitis C virus (HCV) and BVDV plays a similar role during virus infection. Extensive reports are available on HCV NS5A and its interactions with the host cellular proteins; however, the role of NS5A during BVDV infection remains largely unclear. To identify the cellular proteins that interact with the N terminus of NS5A and could be involved in its function, we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screening. As a result, we identified a cellular protein termed bovine NIK- and IKKβ-binding protein (NIBP), which is involved in protein trafficking and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling in cells. The interaction of NS5A with NIBP was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Complementing our glutathione S-transferase pull-down and immunoprecipitation data are the confocal immunofluorescence results, which indicate that NS5A colocalized with NIBP on the endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of BVDV-infected cells. Moreover, the minimal residues of NIBP that interact with NS5A were mapped as aa 597–623. In addition, overexpression of NS5A inhibited NF-κB activation in HEK293 and LB9.K cells as determined by luciferase reporter-gene assay. We further showed that inhibition of endogenous NIBP by small interfering RNA molecules enhanced virus replication, indicating the importance of NIBP implications in BVDV pathogenesis. Being the first reported interaction between NIBP and a viral protein, this finding suggests a novel mechanism whereby viruses may subvert host-cell machinery for mediating trafficking as well as NF-κB signalling.
Diets of coral‐dwelling fishes of the genus Gobiodon with evidence of corallivory
Authors: Brooker R. M. , Munday P. L. , Ainsworth T. D.
Published: May 2010

Evidence of facultative corallivory is documented in three species of obligate coral‐dwelling gobies (genus Gobiodon) based on the presence of spirocysts in gut contents. Coral‐dwelling gobies also consumed a broad range of other items with gut contents dominated by algae, invertebrates and amorphous material. Dietary similarities between species suggest corallivory may be widespread in this genus.
Systematic review: fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Van Langenberg D. R. , Gibson P. R.
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 131–143

Background  Fatigue is common, disabling yet underappreciated, in patients with chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aims  To examine the literature and determine the prevalence and patterns of fatigue in IBD patients, to identify opportunities and directions for future research in this area.

Methods  A systematic review using PubMed and Ovid Medline databases was conducted using search terms ‘fatigue’, ‘Crohn’, ‘colitis’ and ‘inflammatory bowel disease’. A review of fatigue in other similar chronic diseases was also performed.

Results  Ten studies were found to include data on fatigue in IBD patients; all were conducted between 1999 and 2009. However, only one study (in children) measured fatigue in IBD patients as a primary outcome. In patients in remission, the prevalence of fatigue in IBD patients ranges from 41 to 48%. Data are sparse and conflicting on whether fatigue severity is proportional to disease severity/activity.

Conclusions  Despite the clinical reality of fatigue, there are few published studies examining fatigue in IBD as a primary outcome. More data are needed on the prevalence, correlation between disease activity and fatigue severity, and putative pathogenic pathways involved in fatigue pathogenesis, before ultimately elucidating targeted therapies for fatigue in IBD patients.
Pre‐operative vitamin B infusion and prevention of nitrous oxide‐induced homocysteine increase
Authors: Rao L. K. , Francis A. M. , Wilcox U. , Miller J. P. , Nagele P.
Published: May 2010

Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 with detrimental consequences for folate and methionine metabolism, detectable by an increase in total plasma homocysteine. We hypothesised that a pre‐operative vitamin B12 and folate infusion prevents nitrous oxide‐induced homocysteine increase. Sixty‐three healthy patients having elective surgery were randomly allocated to receive either B‐vitamin plus nitrous oxide; placebo plus nitrous oxide or placebo plus air. Fifty‐nine patients completed the study. After intravenous B‐vitamin infusion, plasma vitamin B12 and folate concentrations increased 35‐fold and 12‐fold, respectively, on the first postoperative measurement. Patients who received B‐vitamins developed a similar increase (18%) in homocysteine after nitrous oxide (1.9 μmol.l−1; 95% CI 0.2–3.6 μmol.l−1) as those who did not (22%; 2.7 μmol.l−1; 95% CI 0.6–4.8 μmol.l−1). Patients not receiving nitrous oxide had no homocysteine change (0.5 μmol.l−1; 95% CI −0.8–1.9 μmol.l−1), indicating that pre‐operative intravenous B‐vitamins may not prevent nitrous oxide‐induced hyperhomocysteinaemia.
Massive parallel sequencing in animal genetics: wherefroms and wheretos
Authors: Pérez‐Enciso M. , Ferretti L.
Published: May 2010

Next generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genomics research, making it difficult to overstate its impact on studies of Biology. NGS will immediately allow researchers working in non‐mainstream species to obtain complete genomes together with a comprehensive catalogue of variants. In addition, RNA‐seq will be a decisive way to annotate genes that cannot be predicted purely by computational or comparative approaches. Future applications include whole genome sequence association studies, as opposed to classical SNP‐based association, and implementing this new source of information into breeding programmes. For these purposes, one of the main advantages of sequencing vs. genotyping is the possibility of identifying copy number variants. Currently, experimental design is a topic of utmost interest, and here we discuss some of the options available, including pools and reduced representation libraries. Although bioinformatics is still an important bottleneck, this limitation is only transient and should not deter animal geneticists from embracing these technologies.
Different effects of morphine and oxycodone in experimentally evoked hyperalgesia: a human translational study
Authors: Olesen Anne Estrup , Staahl Camilla , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr
Published: May 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Previous studies using short‐lasting experimental pain stimulations in healthy volunteers have shown differences in opioid effects regarding visceral pain stimulations. However, these differences can be more pronounced in patients due to a sensitized pain system. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to mimic the clinical situation by investigating opioid effects on experimental pain in healthy volunteers after experimentally evoked hyperalgesia.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS?

• We now know that morphine and oxycodone exerts different effects in the sensitized pain system as we found a greater analgesic effect of oxycodone in response to skin, muscle and oesophageal pain stimulation. This supports clinicians' experiences that oxycodone can be superior to morphine in the treatment of some pain conditions. The evoked hyperalgesia bridged findings from studies in healthy volunteers to patients, and new fundamental knowledge on different analgesic effects in hyperalgesia was found.

AIM

Similar analgesics may have different analgesic potencies especially in patients in whom the pain system is sensitized. The aim was to investigate different opioid effects on experimental pain after the sensitized pain system was mimicked evoking hyperalgesia in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Twenty‐four healthy volunteers were randomized to treatment with morphine (30 mg orally) and oxycodone (15 mg orally) or placebo in a double‐blind crossover study. Hyperalgesia was induced by oesophageal perfusion with acid and capsaicin. Several exploratory endpoints were studied using skin heat, muscle pressure and oesophageal mechanical, heat and electrical stimulation. Effects on pain from deeper structures were considered most important.

RESULTS

Different analgesic potencies were found. Oxycodone had a greater analgesic effect than morphine attenuating pain from: (i) heat stimulation of skin (P= 0.016); difference between the means of 0.39°C, 95% CI 0.22, 2.09. (ii) muscle pressure (P < 0.001); difference between the means of 11.93kPa, 95% CI 5.4, 18.5. (iii) oesophageal heat stimulation (P < 0.001); difference between the means of 38.54 cm2, 95% CI 15.37, 61.71 and (iv) oesophageal electrical stimulation (P= 0.016); difference between the means of 6.69mA, 95% CI 1.23, 12.13.

CONCLUSION

After sensitization of the pain system different analgesic potencies of morphine and oxycodone were found in response to skin, muscle and oesophageal pain stimulation, in which oxycodone had a greater effect. As similar differential analgesic potencies of the two opioids have been found in patients with chronic pain, the experimental hyperalgesia model bridged findings from studies in healthy volunteers to patients.
Infection of infants with human herpesvirus type 6 may be associated with reduced allergic sensitization and T‐helper type 2 development
Authors: Nordström I. , Rudin A. , Adlerberth I. , Wold A. , Saalman R. , Hesselmar B. , Åberg N. , Liljeqvist J‐Å. , Eriksson K.
Published: May 2010

Background
Epidemiological studies point to an inverse relationship between microbial exposure and the prevalence of allergic diseases. The underlying mechanism for this observation remains largely unknown, as well as the nature of the microbes involved.

Objective
To investigate the effects of early infection with human herpesviruses (HHVs) on IgE formation and T‐helper type 2 (Th2) development in infants.

Methods
Serum was collected from children aged 18 months and assessed for IgE to common allergens and IgG to five common herpesviruses. Cord blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) were exposed to HHV type 6 in vitro and mixed with allogeneic cord blood CD4+ T cells. Cytokine levels were determined by ELISA and by flow cytometry.

Results
We found that children seropositive at 18 months of age to HHV type 6 were significantly less often IgE sensitized than seronegative children [odds ratio (OR): 0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.009–0.68]. HHV type 6 also decreased the production of the Th2‐associated cytokines IL‐5 and IL‐13 by CD4+ T cells when co‐cultured with allogeneic cord blood pDC. This was associated with an increased production of IFN‐α by pDC exposed to HHV type 6.

Conclusion
These data indicate that an early childhood infection with HHV type 6 could down‐regulate Th2 responses and reduce IgE formation to common allergens in a young child.
Component‐resolved diagnosis of allergy: more is better?
Authors: Salcedo G. , Diaz‐Perales A.
Published: May 2010

Cite this as: G. Salcedo and A. Diaz‐Perales, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 836–838.
Spatially patterned guild structure in larval parasitoids of cyclically outbreaking winter moth populations
Authors: VINDSTAD OLE PETTER LAKSFORSMO , HAGEN SNORRE B. , SCHOTT TINO , IMS ROLF A.
Published: May 2010

1. Wide temporal fluctuations in host abundance are a potential source of instability and stochasticity in the spatiotemporal population dynamics of associated parasitoid species. Within parasitoid guilds (i.e. parasitoids with similar modes of host utilisation), a conceivable outcome is guild organisation according to a lottery model, in which guild members attain local dominance by colonising previously emptied habitats during increasing host density, before other guild members. In the spatial dimension, an expected manifestation of such dynamics is variable guild structure even across homogeneous habitats.

2. We examined the extent of large‐scale spatial patterning of guild characteristics in larval parasitoid wasps associated with cyclically outbreaking populations of the geometrid mothOperophtera brumatain northern Fennoscandia. The study was performed at the onset of the crash‐phase of the geometrid's outbreak cycle, along a 70‐km transect in costal northern Norway, characterised by largely homogeneous environmental conditions, except for a small climatic gradient.

3. There was a distinct large‐scale spatial turnover in dominance among the major parasitoid groups (i.e. guild structure) inO.brumataalong the transect, whereas the total prevalence rate of the guild and its diversity showed no consistent variation. Guild structure was unrelated to host density.

4. Although group‐specific responses to a slight spatial climatic gradient cannot be rejected as a causal mechanism, we conclude that our results are consistent with the expectation from large‐scale stochastic extinction‐recolonisation dynamics among functionally equivalent parasitoids relying on a host with strongly cyclic population fluctuations.
Thromboangiitis obliterans and endothelial function
Authors: Azizi Michel , Boutouyrie Pierre , Bura‐Rivière Alessandra , Peyrard Séverine , Laurent Stéphane , Fiessinger Jean‐Noël
Published: May 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 518–526

Background  Endothelial dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). This study compares endothelial function and large artery stiffness between 10 TAO patients assessed during an exacerbation phase and 10 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects.

Material and methods  Flow‐mediated vasodilation after gradual hand skin heating (from 28 °C to 44 °C) and endothelium‐independent vasodilation after sublingual administration of 150 μg glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) were studied using a high‐resolution echotracking system to simultaneously measure the brachial artery (BA) diameter and changes in wall shear stress. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid‐to‐femoral pulse wave velocity.

Results  The baseline BA diameter was significantly smaller in TAO patients (3599 ± 668 μm) than in control subjects (4114 ± 671, P = 0·04). Hand warming caused a linear increase in shear stress accompanied by a linear increase in BA diameter as a function of increasing temperature for TAO patients and control subjects. There was no significant difference between the two groups [relative increase in BA diameter: + 9·3% (−0·1 to 11·5) vs. + 4·8% (3·0 to 8·1), respectively; P = 0·63]. The slope of the BA diameter vs. shear stress relationship did not significantly differ between the two groups. The relative increase in the BA diameter after GTN was significantly greater in TAO patients than in controls [+ 30·8% (28·6 to 33·6) vs. + 16·2% (12·6 to 21·9) respectively; P = 0·02]. Finally, TAO patients had greater aortic stiffness than control subjects (9·81 ± 1·72 m s−1 vs. 7·82 ± 0·84 m s−1 respectively; P = 0·0052).

Conclusions  Acute TAO is characterised by vasoconstriction and increased aortic stiffness in the absence of changes in flow‐mediated dilation.
Modelling soil compaction impacts on nitrous oxide emissions in arable fields
Authors: Bessou C. , Mary B. , Léonard J. , Roussel M. , Gréhan E. , Gabrielle B.
Published: May 2010

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions comprise the major share of agriculture's contribution to greenhouse gases; however, our understanding of what is actually happening in the field remains incomplete, especially concerning the multiple interactions between agricultural practices and N2O emissions. Soil compaction induces major changes in the soil structure and the key variables controlling N2O emissions. Our objective was to analyse the ability of a process‐based model (Nitrous Oxide Emissions (NOE)) to simulate the impact of soil compaction on N2O emission kinetics obtained from field experiments. We used automatic chambers to continuously monitor N2O and CO2 emissions on uncompacted and compacted areas in sugar beet fields during 2 years. Soil compaction led to smaller CO2 emissions and larger N2O emissions by inducing anoxic conditions favourable for denitrification. Cumulative N2O emissions during the crop cycles were 944 and 977 g N ha−1 in uncompacted plots and 1448 and 1382 g N ha−1 in compacted plots in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The NOE model (Hénault et al., 2005) simulated 106 and 138 g N2O‐N ha−1 in uncompacted plots and 1550 and 650 g N2O‐N ha−1 in compacted plots in 2007 and 2008, respectively, markedly under‐estimating the nitrification rates and associated N2O emissions. We modified the model on the basis of published results in order to better simulate nitrification and account for varying N2O fractions of total end‐products in response to varying soil water and nitrate contents. The modified model (NOE2) better predicted nitrification rates and N2O emissions following fertilizer addition. Using a fine vertical separation of soil layers of configurable, but constant, thickness (1 cm) also improved the simulations. NOE2 predicted 428 and 416 g N‐N2O ha−1 in uncompacted plots and 1559 and 1032 g N‐ N2O ha−1 in compacted plots in 2007 and 2008, respectively. These results show that a simple process‐based model can be used to predict successfully the post‐fertilizer addition kinetics of N2O emissions and the impact of soil compaction on these emissions. However, large emissions later on during the cropping cycle were not captured by the model, emphasizing the need for further research.
Neighbourhood deprivation and the price and availability of fruit and vegetables in Scotland
Authors: Cummins S. , Smith D. M. , Aitken Z. , Dawson J. , Marshall D. , Sparks L. , Anderson A. S.
Published: May 2010

Background:  Previous research has suggested that fruits and vegetables are more expensive and less readily available in more deprived communities. However, this evidence is mainly based on small samples drawn from specific communities often located in urban settings and thus is not generalisable to national contexts. The present study explores the influence of neighbourhood deprivation and local retail structure on the price and availability of fruit and vegetables in a sample of areas representing the diversity of urban–rural environments across Scotland, UK.

Methods:  A sample of 310 stores located in 10 diverse areas of Scotland was surveyed and data on the price and availability of a basket of 15 fruit and vegetable items were collected. The data were analysed to identify the influence of store type and neighbourhood deprivation on the price and availability of fruits and vegetables.

Results:  Neighbourhood deprivation and store type did not significantly predict the price of a basket of fruit and vegetables within the sample, although baskets did decrease in price as store size increased. The highest prices were found in the smallest stores located in the most deprived areas. Availability of fruit and vegetables is lower in small shops located within deprived neighbourhoods compared to similar shops in affluent areas. Overall, availability increases with increasing store size.

Conclusions:  Availability of fruit and vegetables significantly varies by neighbourhood deprivation in small stores. Policies aimed at promoting sales of fruit and vegetable in these outlets may benefit residents in deprived areas.