bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequence analysis of a pea comb locus on chicken chromosome 1
Authors: Sato S. , Sato S. , Otake T. , Suzuki C. , Uemoto Y. , Saburi J. , Hashimoto H. , Kobayashi E.
Published: April 2010

To facilitate gene identification, this study aimed to narrow the scope of the genome region affecting chicken comb type by using two bird populations. First, an F2 resource population was generated by crossing Japanese game fowl (Shamo; pea comb, P/p and P/P) with White Plymouth Rock (single comb, p/p). Comb types of the 240 F2 offspring produced by an F1 intercross between eight males and 57 females were segregated at a ratio of 3:1 (pea:single). The pea comb locus was mapped to a chromosomal region on Gallus gallus chromosome 1 that was flanked by microsatellite markers MCW0112, MCW0019 and ABR521. The second population (five‐generation, n=1300 animals) was derived from a cross between Shamo and Rhode Island Red (single comb, p/p) that had been genotyped for additional polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellite markers within this region through development of chicken draft sequences. To close some gaps in these draft sequences, we constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome contig and sequenced it using the shotgun sequencing technique. Chickens selected from pedigrees in these populations were grouped by inheritance of a P or p haplotype at the locus constructed by the additional markers. Finally, this locus was fine‐mapped to roughly 60 kb based on the association of haplotypes and comb types. Chicken genome sequences suggest that the most likely polymorphism responsible for the pea comb locus is a duplicated sequence and that the sex determining region Y‐box 5 gene, one predicted gene and one expressed sequence tag in a critical region may be associated with the duplicated sequence.
A review and meta‐analysis of computerized cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of pain in children and adolescents
Authors: Velleman S. , Stallard P. , Richardson T.
Published: April 2010

Background  Chronic pain is relatively common in children and adolescents. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective for treating pain in this age group. This paper aims to review the literature on the use of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) with children and adolescents with pain.

Methods  Three databases, Pubmed (including Medline), Embase and PsychInfo, were searched and papers were identified using specific inclusion criteria.

Results  Four studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which indicated beneficial results of using cCBT, with those who completed cCBT being more likely to experience at least a 50% post‐treatment reduction in symptoms than those in a control group. A meta‐analysis suggested a medium effect size of −0.41 for reduced pain intensity post treatment for cCBT compared with the control groups. A mean odds ratio of 6.03 was found for achieving a clinically significant reduction in pain in the cCBT group compared with the control groups.

Conclusion  This review tentatively suggests potential for using cCBT for pain in children and adolescents. However, there is only a small body of research exploring this relationship at present, and so further research is needed before any solid conclusions can be drawn.
Effects of temperature and sediment properties on benthic CO2 production in an oligotrophic boreal lake
Authors: BERGSTRÖM IRINA , KORTELAINEN PIRKKO , SARVALA JOUKO , SALONEN KALEVI
Published: April 2010

1. Temperature and many other physical and chemical factors affecting CO2 production in lake sediments vary significantly both seasonally and spatially. The effects of temperature and sediment properties on benthic CO2 production were studied in in situ and in vitro experiments in the boreal oligotrophic Lake Pääjärvi, southern Finland.

2. In in situ experiments, temperature of the water overlying the shallow littoral sediment varied seasonally between 0.5 and 15.7 °C, but in deep water (≥20 m) the range was only 1.1–6.6 °C. The same exponential model (r2 = 0.70) described the temperature dependence at 1.2, 10 and 20 m depths. At 2.5 and 5 m depths, however, the slopes of the two regression models (r2 = 0.94) were identical but the intercept values were different. Sediment properties (wet, dry, mineral and organic mass) varied seasonally and with depth, but they did not explain a significantly larger proportion of variation in the CO2 output rate than temperature.

3. In in vitro experiments, there was a clear and uniform exponential dependence of CO2 production on temperature, with a 2.7‐fold increase per 10 °C temperature rise. The temperature response (slope of regression) was always the same, but the basic value of CO2 production (intercept) varied, indicating that other factors also contributed to the benthic CO2 output rate.

4. The annual CO2 production of the sediment in Lake Pääjärvi averaged 62 g CO2 m−2, the shallow littoral at 0–3 m depth releasing 114 g CO2 m−2 and deep profundal (>15 m) 30 g CO2 m−2. On the whole lake basis, the shallow littoral at 0–3 m depth accounted for 53% and the sediment area in contact with the summer epilimnion (down to a depth c. 10 m) 75% of the estimated total annual CO2 output of the lake sediment, respectively. Of the annual production, 83% was released during the spring and summer.

5. Using the temperature‐CO2 production equations and climate change scenarios we estimated that climatic warming might increase littoral benthic CO2 production in summer by nearly 30% from the period 1961–90 to the period 2071–2100.
F8 mRNA studies in haemophilia A patients with different splice site mutations
Authors: CASTAMAN G. , GIACOMELLI S. H. , MANCUSO M. E. , SANNA S. , SANTAGOSTINO E. , RODEGHIERO F.
Published: April 2010

Summary.  Analysis of cDNA is a useful way of investigating splicing mutations and provides more information than using in silico analysis to understand disease pathogenesis better. For understanding the manner in which mutations result in haemophilia A (HA) of different degrees of severity in four index cases with HA and splice site mutations, we performed a detailed analysis of F8 lymphocyte mRNA using a nested PCR‐approach. A c.601 +5 G>A change in a mild HA patient produces four transcripts at mRNA level: wild‐type, one skipping exon 4, one skipping exons 4 and 5 and one skipping exons 4, 5 and 6, while in silico analysis predicts that the splicing score is not reduced significantly. F8 mRNA of a c.1538 −18 G>A mutation in mild HA lacks the first 36 bases (c.1538_1573del36) of exon 11, resulting in a protein lacking the first 12 amino acids coded for by exon 11, while in silico prediction suggests the creation of a new acceptor splice site with the introduction of 16 bp of intron 10 in the reading frame of exon 11. In keeping with in silico prediction, a c.1443 +1 G>C mutation produces a truncated protein of only 465 amino acids and a c.602 −1 G>A change produces the skipping of exon 5 at mRNA level. Both mutations were identified in severe HA. F8 mRNA analysis is a useful tool for the characterization of the mechanisms by which splice site mutations affect the phenotype, while in silico analysis may not be always reliable.
Feedbacks between community assembly and habitat selection shape variation in local colonization
Authors: Kraus Johanna M. , Vonesh James R.
Published: April 2010

1. Non‐consumptive effects of predators are increasingly recognized as important drivers of community assembly and structure. Specifically, habitat selection responses to top predators during colonization and oviposition can lead to large differences in aquatic community structure, composition and diversity.

2. These differences among communities due to predators may develop as communities assemble, potentially altering the relative quality of predator vs. predator‐free habitats through time. If so, community assembly would be expected to modify the subsequent behavioural responses of colonists to habitats containing top predators. Here, we test this hypothesis by manipulating community assembly and the presence of fish in experimental ponds and measuring their independent and combined effects on patterns of colonization by insects and amphibians.

3. Assembly modified habitat selection of dytscid beetles and hylid frogs by decreasing or even reversing avoidance of pools containing blue‐spotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus). However, not all habitat selection responses to fish depended on assembly history. Hydrophilid beetles and mosquitoes avoided fish while chironomids were attracted to fish pools, regardless of assembly history.

4. Our results show that community assembly causes taxa‐dependent feedbacks that can modify avoidance of habitats containing a top predator. Thus, non‐consumptive effects of a top predator on community structure change as communities assemble and effects of competitors and other predators combine with the direct effects of top predators to shape colonization.

5. This work reinforces the importance of habitat selection for community assembly in aquatic systems, while illustrating the range of factors that may influence colonization rates and resulting community structure. Directly manipulating communities both during colonization and post‐colonization is critical for elucidating how sequential processes interact to shape communities.
Working memory and executive function profiles of individuals with borderline intellectual functioning
Authors: Alloway T. P.
Published: April 2010

Background  The aim of the present study was to investigate the following issues: (1) Do students with borderline intellectual functioning have a pervasive pattern of impaired working memory skills across both verbal and visuo‐spatial domains? (2) Is there evidence for impairment in executive function skills, and which tasks indicate greater deficits? and (3) Which executive function tasks can effectively identify students with low IQ from typically developing peers?

Method  Students with borderline intellectual functioning (low‐IQ; IQ standard scores were between 70 and 85) were age‐matched with typically developing students (IQ standard scores >95). They were administered a range of working memory and executive function measures.

Results  The results show that students with low IQ have pervasive working memory and executive function deficits. Specifically, visuo‐spatial working memory and the Sorting task were the best single predictors that reliably classified students with low IQ.

Conclusions  Implications for education are discussed in the context of appropriate diagnosis and support in the classroom.
Executive functions in individuals with Williams syndrome
Authors: Menghini D. , Addona F. , Costanzo F. , Vicari S.
Published: April 2010

Background  The present study was aimed at investigating working memory (WM) and executive functions capacities in individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) as compared with mental‐age matched typically developing (TD) children.

Method  In order to serve the study goal, a sizeable battery of tasks tapping WM as well as attention, memory, planning, categorisation, shifting and inhibition abilities was administered to 15 individuals with WS (mean chronological age of 19.11 and mean mental age of 6.10), and to a group of 15 TD children (mean chronological age of 7.6 and mean mental age of 6.9).

Results  Participants with WS showed deficits in both verbal and visual‐spatial modalities for selective and sustained attention, short‐term memory and WM, planning and inhibition. However, considering categorisation and shifting abilities, relatively unimpaired performance emerged on those tasks relying on verbal materials.

Conclusions  These findings are both relevant to improve our knowledge about certain qualitative aspects of the anomalous cognitive development in WS as well as for its eventual clinical implications.
Elongator, a conserved multitasking complex?
Authors: Versées Wim , De Groeve Steven , Van Lijsebettens Mieke
Published: April 2010

Post‐transcriptional modifications on transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules occur frequently but their implication on the translational regulation is only recently becoming fully appreciated. Several tRNA molecules in the eukaryotic cytoplasm carry a methoxycarbonylmethyl (mcm) or carbamoylmethyl (ncm) group on their wobble uridine to ensure the efficient and reliable decoding of A‐ or G‐ending codons. Evidence suggests that the six subunits of the conserved Elongator complex are all required for an early step in the synthesis of the mcm and ncm groups in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as in Caenorhabditis elegans. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Mehlgarten et al. convincingly show that the tRNA‐modifying role of Elongator is also conserved in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, combinations of subunits of the Arabidopsis Elongator complex can structurally and functionally complement deletion mutants in yeast and substitute for the tRNA modification activity. The data suggest that Elongator might be a unique multitasking complex with at least two conserved roles in all eukaryotes, i.e. transcriptional activation via histone acetylation in the nucleus and translational control through tRNA modification in the cytoplasm.
Members of protein O‐mannosyltransferase family in Aspergillus fumigatus differentially affect growth, morphogenesis and viability
Authors: Mouyna Isabelle , Kniemeyer Olaf , Jank Thomas , Loussert Céline , Mellado Emilia , Aimanianda Vishukumar , Beauvais Anne , Wartenberg Dirk , Sarfati Jacqueline , Bayry Jagadeesh , Prévost Marie‐Christine , Brakhage Axel A. , Strahl Sabine , Huerre Michel , Latgé Jean‐Paul
Published: April 2010

O‐mannosylation is an essential protein modification in eukaryotes. It is initiated at the endoplasmic reticulum by O‐mannosyltransferases (PMT) that are evolutionary conserved from yeast to humans. The PMT family is phylogenetically classified into PMT1, PMT2 and PMT4 subfamilies, which differ in protein substrate specificity and number of genes per subfamily. In this study, we characterized for the first time the whole PMT family of a pathogenic filamentous fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. Genome analysis showed that only one member of each subfamily is present in A. fumigatus, PMT1, PMT2 and PMT4. Despite the fact that all PMTs are transmembrane proteins with conserved peptide motifs, the phenotype of each PMT deletion mutant was very different in A. fumigatus. If disruption of PMT1 did not reveal any phenotype, deletion of PMT2 was lethal. Disruption of PMT4 resulted in abnormal mycelial growth and highly reduced conidiation associated to significant proteomic changes. The double pmt1pmt4 mutant was lethal. The single pmt4 mutant exhibited an exquisite sensitivity to echinocandins that is associated to major changes in the expression of signal transduction cascade genes. These results indicate that the PMT family members play a major role in growth, morphogenesis and viability of A. fumigatus.
The Rpd3L HDAC complex is essential for the heat stress response in yeast
Authors: Ruiz‐Roig Clàudia , Viéitez Cristina , Posas Francesc , De Nadal Eulàlia
Published: April 2010

To ensure cell survival and growth during temperature increase, eukaryotic organisms respond with transcriptional activation that results in accumulation of proteins that protect against damage and facilitate recovery. To define the global cellular adaptation response to heat stress, we performed a systematic genetic screen that yielded 277 yeast genes required for growth at high temperature. Of these, the Rpd3 histone deacetylase complex was enriched. Global gene expression analysis showed that Rpd3 partially regulated gene expression upon heat shock. The Hsf1 and Msn2/4 transcription factors are the main regulators of gene activation in response to heat stress. RPD3‐deficient cells had impaired activation of Msn2/4‐dependent genes, while activation of genes controlled by Hsf1 was deacetylase‐independent. Rpd3 bound to heat stress‐dependent promoters through the Msn2/4 transcription factors, allowing entry of RNA Pol II and activation of transcription upon stress. Finally, we found that the large, but not the small Rpd3 complex regulated cell adaptation in response to heat stress.
Comparison of induced resistance activated by benzothiadiazole, (2R,3R)‐butanediol and an isoparaffin mixture against anthracnose of Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Cortes‐Barco A. M. , Goodwin P. H. , Hsiang T.
Published: April 2010

Resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana against anthracnose caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare was activated by benzothiadiazole (BTH), (2R,3R)­butanediol or PC1, an isoparaffin‐based mixture. In inoculation experiments, BTH, (2R,3R)­butanediol and PC1 reduced the number of lesions per leaf area caused by C. orbiculare by 98%, 77% and 81%, respectively. Foliar application of BTH induced expression of genes for the acidic pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins, NbPR‐1a, NbPR‐3Q and acidic NbPR‐5. In contrast, soil application of (2R,3R)­butanediol or PC1 primed expression of genes for the basic PR proteins, NbPRb‐1b, basic NbPR‐2 and NbPR‐5dB. These results are consistent with the activation of salicylic‐acid‐dependent systemic acquired resistance (SAR) by BTH and that of jasmonate/ethylene‐dependent induced systemic resistance (ISR) by (2R,3R)­butanediol or PC1, and show that (2R,3R)­butanediol and PC1 can affect gene expression similarly to plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria. However, the effects of (2R,3R)‐butanediol and PC1 were not identical. In addition to priming, (2R,3R)‐butanediol induced expression of basic NbPR‐2, whereas PC1 treatment induced expression of both NbPRb‐1b and basic NbPR‐2. Although a number of microbial products, such as (2R,3R)­butanediol, have been shown to produce ISR, this is the first demonstration that an isoparaffin‐based mixture, not derived from a microorganism, can produce ISR.
Genetic characterization reveals no role for the reported ABA receptor, GCR2, in ABA control of seed germination and early seedling development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Gao Yajun , Zeng Qingning , Guo Jianjun , Cheng Jia , Ellis Brian E. , Chen Jin‐Gui
Published: April 2010

Abscisic acid (ABA) is perceived by several different types of receptors in plant cells. At the cell surface, the ABA signal is proposed to be perceived by GCR2, which mediates ABA responses in seed germination, early seedling development and stomatal movement. GCR2 was also proposed to be a seven‐transmembrane (7TM) G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR). Here we characterize GCR2 and one of its two homologs, GCR2‐LIKE 1 (GCL1), in ABA‐mediated seed germination and early seedling development in Arabidopsis. We show that loss‐of‐function mutations in GCL1 did not confer ABA insensitivity. Similarly, we did not observe ABA insensitivity in three independent gcr2 alleles. Furthermore, we generated gcr2 gcl1 double mutants and found that the double mutants still had near wild‐type responses to ABA. Consistent with this, we found that the transcription of ABA marker genes was induced by ABA to levels that were comparable in wild type and gcr2 and gcl1 single and double mutants. On the other hand, the loss‐of‐function alleles of the sole Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein α subunit, GPA1, were hypersensitive to ABA in the ABA‐inhibition of seed germination and early seedling development, disfavoring a genetic coupling of GCR2 by GPA1. Using multiple robust transmembrane prediction systems, GCR2 was predicted not to be a 7TM protein, a structural hallmark of GPCRs. Taken together, our results do not support the notion that GCR2 is an ABA‐signaling GPCR in seed germination and early seedling development.
Epidemiology of allergic reactions to hymenoptera stings in Irish school children
Authors: Jennings Aisling , Duggan Eileen , Perry Ivan J. , Hourihane Jonathan O’B.
Published: April 2010

Jennings A, Duggan E, Perry IJ, Hourihane JO’B. Epidemiology of allergic reactions to hymenoptera stings in Irish school children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1166–1170. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

The aim of this was to study generate the first epidemiological data regarding the prevalence of hymenoptera allergy among school children in Ireland. Questionnaires, including six sting‐specific questions (1), were distributed to the parents of primary school children aged 6–8 and 11–13, divided equally between rural and urban backgrounds. From 110 schools, 4112 questionnaires were returned. A total of 1544 (37.5%) children had been stung in their lifetime. Among the total, 5.8% of children stung experienced a large local reaction, 3.4% had a mild (cutaneous) systemic reaction (MSR) and 0.8% experienced a moderate/severe systemic reaction (SSR); these figures respectively represent 2.2%, 1.3% and 0.2% of the total study group. On logistic regression analysis, older children and rural children were at a higher risk of being stung (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.4–2.; OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.8 respectively). Rural dwellers and asthma sufferers were more likely to experience an SSR (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.4–13.5 and OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.8–4.3, respectively). Hymenoptera stings are more common in rural than urban dwelling Irish children. Asthma imparted a greater risk of SSR in this study population. Severe reactions are unusual overall, occurring in <1% of those stung, a lower prevalence than in Israeli teenagers but in keeping with other European reports relating to young children.
Classification of a traumatic brain injury: the Glasgow Coma scale is not enough
Authors: CHIEREGATO A. , MARTINO C. , PRANSANI V. , NORI G. , RUSSO E. , NOTO A. , SIMINI B.
Published: April 2010

Background: Classifying the severity of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) solely by means of the Glasgow Coma scale (GCS) is under scrutiny, because it overlooks other important clinical signs. Clinicians treating patients with acute TBI are well placed to suggest which variables, in addition to the GCS, should concur in a new classification of TBI.

Methods: In Italy, acute TBI patients are treated by anaesthetists, and so we asked them, in a questionnaire survey, to rate the weight they give to the GCS and to other clinical variables in their approach to TBI. Because sedation may underestimate GCS scores, we also inquired whether anaesthetists select sedatives that allow drug‐free GCS scores. The questionnaire was distributed to 1334 anaesthetists attending courses on neurotrauma; the response rate was 63%.

Results: Two thirds of the respondents believe that the definition of severe TBI should include, in addition to GCS scores, pupil reactivity to light and computer tomogram (CT) findings, the variables that guide Italian anaesthetists in TBI management.

Most respondents (68.2%) administer sedation which allows prompt neurological evaluation and reliable GCS scoring. A minority of respondents (9.3%) withhold or antagonize sedation, delay tracheal intubation or allow patient–ventilator asynchrony.

Conclusions: Italian anaesthetists would welcome a definition of TBI severity that includes CT findings and pupil reactivity in addition to the GCS.
Gravity is an important determinant of oxygenation during one‐lung ventilation
Authors: SZEGEDI L. L. , D'HOLLANDER A. A. , VERMASSEN F. E. , DERYCK F. , WOUTERS P. F.
Published: April 2010

Background: The role of gravity in the redistribution of pulmonary blood flow during one‐lung ventilation (OLV) has been questioned recently. To address this controversial but clinically important issue, we used an experimental approach that allowed us to differentiate the effects of gravity from the effects of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) on arterial oxygenation during OLV in patients scheduled for thoracic surgery.

Methods: Forty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scheduled for right lung tumour resection were randomized to undergo dependent (left) one‐lung ventilation (D‐OLV; n=20) or non‐dependent (right) one‐lung ventilation (ND‐OLV; n=20) in the supine and left lateral positions. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) was measured as a surrogate for ventilation/perfusion matching. Patients were studied before surgery under closed chest conditions.

Results: When compared with bilateral lung ventilation, both D‐OLV and ND‐OLV caused a significant and equal decrease in PaO2 in the supine position. However, D‐OLV in the lateral position was associated with a higher PaO2 as compared with the supine position [274.2 (77.6) vs. 181.9 (68.3) mmHg, P<0.01, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. In contrast, in patients undergoing ND‐OLV, PaO2 was always lower in the lateral as compared with the supine position [105.3 (63.2) vs. 187 (63.1) mmHg, P<0.01, ANOVA].

Conclusion: The relative position of the ventilated vs. the non‐ventilated lung markedly affects arterial oxygenation during OLV. These data suggest that gravity affects ventilation–perfusion matching independent of HPV.
Incubation Feeding and Nest Attentiveness in a Socially Monogamous Songbird: Role of Feather Colouration, Territory Quality and Ambient Environment
Authors: Matysioková Beata , Remeš Vladimír
Published: April 2010

Parental investment and environmental conditions determine reproductive success in wild‐ranging animals. Parental effort during incubation, and consequently factors driving it, has profound consequences for reproductive success in birds. The female nutrition hypothesis states that high male feeding enables the incubating female to spend more time on eggs, which can lead to higher hatching success. Moreover, both male and female parental investment during incubation might be signalled by plumage colouration. To test these hypotheses, we investigated relationships between male and female incubation behaviour and carotenoid and melanin‐based plumage colouration, territory quality and ambient temperature in the Great Tit Parus major. We also studied the effect of female incubation behaviour on hatching success. Intensity of male incubation feeding increased with lower temperatures and was higher in territories with more food supply, but only in poor years with low overall food supply. Female nest attentiveness increased with lower temperatures. Plumage colouration did not predict incubation behaviour of either parent. Thus, incubation behaviour of both parents was related mainly to environmental conditions. Moreover, there was no relationship between male incubation feeding, female nest attentiveness and hatching success. Consequently, our data were not consistent with the female nutrition hypothesis.
Development and characterization of 296 new polymorphic microsatellite markers for rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)
Authors: Le Guen V. , Gay C. , Xiong T. C. , Souza L. M. , Rodier‐Goud M. , Seguin M.
Published: April 2010

With 2 figures and 1 table

Enriched genomic libraries in GA and GT tandem repeat motifs were generated from rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Design of appropriate primer pairs in the flanking regions enables to produce amplified fragments for 310 of these sequences. The test of these genomic microsatellites on a set of 10 rubber tree genotypes allows the characterization of 296 new polymorphic markers. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.10 to 0.93 and allele numbers from 2 to 11. Microsatellite loci with GA motifs were more abundant, longer and more polymorphic than GT motifs. Such a high variability suggests the utility of these markers for the establishment of integrated linkage maps, as well as the characterization of linkage disequilibrium in rubber tree populations.
Spatial patterns and light‐driven variation of microbial population gene expression in surface waters of the oligotrophic open ocean
Authors: Hewson Ian , Poretsky Rachel S. , Tripp H. James , Montoya Joseph P. , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: April 2010

Because bacterioplankton production rates do not vary strongly across vast expanses of the ocean, it is unclear how variability in community structure corresponds with functional variability in the open ocean. We surveyed community transcript functional profiles at eight locations in the open ocean, in both the light and in the dark, using the genomic subsystems approach, to understand variability in gene expression patterns in surface waters. Metatranscriptomes from geographically distinct areas and collected during the day and night shared a large proportion of metabolic functional similarity (74%) at the finest metabolic resolution possible. The variability between metatranscriptomes could be explained by phylogenetic differences between libraries (Mantel test, P < 0.0001). Several key gene expression pathways, including Photosystem I, Photosystem II and ammonium uptake, demonstrated the most variability both geographically and between light and dark. Libraries were dominated by transcripts of the cyanobacterium Prochlorocococcus marinus, where most geographical and diel variability between metatranscriptomes reflected between‐station differences in cyanobacterial phototrophic metabolism. Our results demonstrate that active genetic machinery in surface waters of the ocean is dominated by photosynthetic microorganisms and their site‐to‐site variability, while variability in the remainder of assemblages is dependent on local taxonomic composition.
Obesity might not be a risk factor for female sexual dysfunction
Authors: Kadioglu Pinar , Yetkin Demet Ozgil , Sanli Oner , Yalin Ayse Serap , Onem Kadir , Kadioglu Ates
Published: April 2010

Study Type – Aetiology (case control) Level of Evidence 3b

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in obese women in comparison with age‐matched control group, emphasising their hormonal and psychological status.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty‐four sexually active obese premenauposal women were compared with a control group of 27 age‐matched healthy volunteers with a normal body mass index (BMI). The obese group was evaluated in three categories according to BMI (kg/m2), as group 1 (30–34.9), group 2 (35–39.9) and group 3 (>40). All women were evaluated with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). In addition, serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone‐SO4, free testosterone, 17α‐hydroxyprogestrone, androstenedione, oestradiol, free thyroxine and thyrotropin were determined.

RESULTS

The mean FSFI scores were not statistically significant between control and obese patients (P= 0.29). FSD was diagnosed in 50% (32/64) and 41% (11/27) of the patients in the obese and control groups, respectively (P= 0.34). There were no differences between total FSFI and FSFI domain scores among BMI categories. BDI scores were significantly higher in the obese groups than in healthy controls, and negatively correlated with total FSFI and all FSFI domain scores. Among hormonal analyses, only free testosterone levels were negatively correlated with total FSFI scores.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that obesity has no significant relationship with FSD, but obese patients were found to be in a more depressive mood than age‐matched normal counterparts.
PPPs in Health: Static or Dynamic?
Authors: Blanken Anneloes , Dewulf Geert
Published: April 2010

Public‐Private Partnerships (PPPs), or in the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) form throughout the Anglo‐Saxon world, are gaining in popularity for the provision of hospitals. Increasingly common around the world and seen as a potential solution that will both overcome the bottlenecks associated with more conventional approaches to hospital provision and generate ‘value for money’(VfM), these PFI‐PPPs represent a major, but so far under‐evaluated, concept. This article analyses whether public‐private partnerships do deliver the benefits claimed. It endeavors to assess the potential of hospital PFI‐PPPs, and their empirical performance on achieving VfM, through addressing the way the contractual arrangements are structured and the extent of flexibility they generate. Initial lessons arising from the current provisioning of English and Australian hospital facilities by PFI‐PPPs are identified so they can be taken into consideration in future projects.
Examining ‘Tunnel Vision’ in Australian PPPs: Rationales, Rhetoric, Risks and ‘Rogues’
Authors: Johnston Judy
Published: April 2010

This article examines Public‐Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Australia, and particularly those associated with major economic infrastructure development. Methodologically, the article relies on a qualitative case study approach, based on research initially supported by the Australian Research Council (Johnston and Gudergan 2005‐2007) and continuing. Of special interest is the failure of the Cross‐City Tunnel tollway in Sydney which is used to illustrate critical issues. The article finds that while Australian governments enjoy an international reputation for PPP success, there remains a number of fundamental pitfalls that need to be addressed if future PPPs are to uphold the public interest. Problems created through the unpredictability, especially for business, of the political environment and arrangements in which PPPs take place appear to be particularly significant.
Many Hands, Much Politics, Multiple Risks – The Case of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Stadium
Authors: Liu Yu Wen , Zhao Guo Fu , Wang Shou Qing
Published: April 2010

Not only one of the world's most remarkable sports facilities but also the first Public‐Private Partnership sport facility in China, the National Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games has drawn much attention, received much help, produced much political debate and experienced multiple risks during its development and construction. But, at last, it was completed in time with good quality and at a reasonable cost. It played an important role in facilitating the success of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games, giving an indelible impression to the world. This article reviews issues that arose during the stadium's development and construction and considers the risks encountered and lessons drawn. The construction and management arrangement was widely considered to be a public‐private partnership, but it is important to note that the so‐called private side consisted of a mix of public, blended public‐private and fully private organisations.
Luther's Understanding of Imputatio in the Context of his Doctrine of Justification and Its Consequences for the Preaching of the Gospel
Authors: ROLF SIBYLLE
Published: April 2010

This article deals with the problem of how to understand the notion of imputatio within Martin Luther's doctrine of justification, which for Luther is both necessary and sufficient. The author shows that Luther interprets imputatio in a threefold way: by outlining (1) the non‐imputation of sin, (2) the imputation of faith as righteousness, and (3) the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the sinner. Interpreting imputatio in this particular way, Luther maintains his view of Christian faith as a communicative, dynamic and changeable reality which is crucially dependent on communication. For that reason, Luther's understanding of justification cannot be considered without his understanding of preaching the gospel, in which the gospel of Christ is communicated to individuals. Thus in the preaching and the hearing of God's word, imputation is taking place in the communication of the gospel, mirroring the communicative structure of faith's reality itself.
Supporting Adults with an Intellectual Disability During Experiences of Loss and Bereavement: Staff Views, Experiences and Suggestions for Training
Authors: McEvoy John , Guerin Suzanne , Dodd Philip , Hillery John
Published: April 2010

Background  Care staff are a major source of information and support for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) following a bereavement. How staff perceive the loss experience has implications for the quality and level of support provided to individuals with ID at times of personal loss.

Method  Twenty‐four staff members participated in the three focus groups aimed at examining staff knowledge and attitudes to bereavement, experiences of supporting people with ID during times of loss, the degree of service agency support and staff training needs.

Results  Staff described service users’ reactions to loss as for the most part similar to those observed in the typical population. Staff reported a lack of confidence and uncertainty, particularly around operational procedures following bereavement. Conflicting attitudes between themselves and the service agency around bereavement support procedures and a lack of awareness of the emotional impact of grief on service users and staff were highlighted by participants along with the need for quality information, skill development and further training.

Conclusions  Service agencies need to be more proactive in supporting staff and in developing policy and guidelines in conjunction with practical training initiatives. There is a general need for greater awareness of the emotional impact of loss on staff and service users within specialist services.
Comparison of Iroquois gene expression in limbs/fins of vertebrate embryos
Authors: McDonald Laura A. , Gerrelli Dianne , Fok Yvonne , Hurst Laurence D. , Tickle Cheryll
Published: April 2010

In Drosophila, Iroquois (Irx) genes have various functions including the specification of the identity of wing veins. Vertebrate Iroquois (Irx) genes have been reported to be expressed in the developing digits of mouse limbs. Here we carry out a phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate Irx genes and compare expression in developing limbs of mouse, chick and human embryos and in zebrafish pectoral fin buds. We confirm that the six Irx gene families in vertebrates are well defined and that Clusters A and B are duplicates; in contrast, Irx1 and 3, Irx2 and 5, and Irx4 and 6 are paralogs. All Irx genes in mouse and chick are expressed in developing limbs. Detailed comparison of the expression patterns in mouse and chick shows that expression patterns of genes in the same cluster are generally similar but paralogous genes have different expression patterns. Mouse and chick Irx1 are expressed in digit condensations, whereas mouse and chick Irx6 are expressed interdigitally. The timing of Irx1 expression in individual digits in mouse and chick is different. Irx1 is also expressed in digit condensations in developing human limbs, thus showing conservation of expression of this gene in higher vertebrates. In zebrafish, Irx genes of all but six of the families are expressed in early stage pectoral fin buds but not at later stages, suggesting that these genes are not involved in patterning distal structures in zebrafish fins.
Surfactant cleaning of ultrafiltration membranes fouled by whey
Authors: MADAENI SAYED SIAVASH , ROSTAMI ELHAM , RAHIMPOUR AHMAD
Published: April 2010

A polyethersulphone ultrafiltration membrane was prepared for concentration of whey. The membrane was fouled by whey and the effect of different cleaning agents on flux recovery of the fouled membrane was studied. The optimum cleaning procedure for membrane regeneration was elucidated. The results showed that a combination of surfactants (anionic, cationic and nonionic) may be employed as the optimum cleaning agent for maximum flux recovery. The fluorescence studies revealed that the cationic surfactant interact with proteins by breaking the intra‐chain hydrophobic bonding and providing electrostatic repulsion. Changing the alkyl chain from dodecyl to hexadecyl increases the interaction of surfactant–protein. Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) provided a weak interaction with whey proteins than to tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). All data obtained in this study support a surfactant–protein interaction in which hydrophobic forces play a dominant role. The nonionic surfactants poly(oxyethylene) isooctyl phenyl ether (TX‐100) and anionic surfactants SDS interact with amino acids in the inner protein structure thus denaturate tertiary protein structure and reduce hydrophobic interaction of proteins by membrane surface.
Effects of combination therapy with montelukast and carbocysteine in allergen‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation
Authors: Takeda K , Shiraishi Y , Matsubara S , Miyahara N , Matsuda H , Okamoto M , Joetham A , Gelfand EW
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose:  Montelukast and S‐carbocysteine have been used in asthmatic patients as an anti‐inflammatory or mucolytic agent respectively. S‐carbocysteine also exhibits anti‐inflammatory properties.

Experimental approach:  Ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized BALB/c mice were challenged with OVA for 3 days followed by single OVA re‐challenge (secondary challenge) 2 weeks later. Forty‐eight hours after secondary challenge, mice were assessed for airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and cell composition in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Suboptimal doses of 10 mg·kg−1 of S‐carbocysteine by intraperitoneal injection (ip), 20 mg·kg−1 of montelukast by gavage, the combination of S‐carbocysteine and montelukast or 3 mg·kg−1 of dexamethasone as a control were administered from 1 day before the secondary challenge to the last experimental day. Isolated lung cells were cultured with OVA and montelukast to determine the effects on cytokine production.

Key results:  Treatment with S‐carbocysteine or montelukast reduced both AHR and the numbers of eosinophils in BAL fluid. Neutralizing IFN‐γ abolished the effects of S‐carbocysteine on these airway responses. Combination of the two drugs showed further decreases in both AHR and eosinophils in the BAL fluid. Goblet cell metaplasia and Th2‐type cytokines, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13, in BAL fluid were decreased with montelukast treatment. Conversely, S‐carbocysteine increased Th1‐type cytokines, IFN‐γ and IL‐12 in BAL fluid.

Conclusions and inplications:  The combination of two agents, montelukast and S‐carbocysteine, demonstrated additive effects on AHR and airway inflammation in a secondary allergen model most likely through independent mechanisms of action.
Alternative splicing modulates diltiazem sensitivity of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle Cav1.2 calcium channels
Authors: Zhang Heng Yu , Liao Ping , Wang Jue Jin , Yu De Jie , Soong Tuck Wah
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose: As a calcium channel blocker, diltiazem acts mainly on the voltage‐gated calcium channels, Cav1.2, for its beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, angina and/or supraventricular arrhythmias. However, the effects of diltiazem on different isoforms of Cav1.2 channels expressed in heart and vascular smooth muscles remain to be investigated. Here, we characterized the effects of diltiazem on the splice variants of Cav1.2 channels, predominant in cardiac and vascular smooth muscles.

Experimental approach: Cardiac and smooth muscle isoforms of Cav1.2 channels were expressed in human embryonic kidney cells and their electrophysiological properties were characterized using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques.

Key results: Under closed‐channel and use‐dependent block (0.03 Hz), cardiac splice variant Cav1.2CM was less sensitive to diltiazem than two major smooth muscle splice variants, Cav1.2SM and Cav1.2b. Cav1.2CM has a more positive half‐inactivation potential than the smooth muscle channels, and diltiazem shifted it less to negative potential. Additionally, the current decay was slower in Cav1.2CM channels. When we modified alternatively spliced exons of cardiac Cav1.2CM channels into smooth muscle exons, we found that all three loci contribute to the different diltiazem sensitivity between cardiac and smooth muscle splice isoforms.

Conclusions and implications: Alternative splicing of Cav1.2 channels modifies diltiazem sensitivity in the heart and blood vessels. Gating properties altered by diltiazem are different in the three channels.
Haemin‐enhanced expression of haem oxygenase‐1 stabilizes erythrocyte‐induced vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques
Authors: Lin Hui Li , Zhang Lei , Liu Chun Xi , Xu Xin Sheng , Tang Meng Xiong , Lv Hui Xia , Li Chang Jiang , Sun Hui Wen , Zhang Mei , Hong Jiang , Zhang Yun
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose:  Previous studies demonstrated that intraplaque haemorrhage increased the contents of cholesterol and oxidants in atherosclerotic plaques. The present study was aimed to test the hypothesis that enhanced expression of haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) may stabilize vulnerable plaques.

Experimental approach:  Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed to identify three similar abdominal aortic plaques in each of 58 fat‐fed New Zealand rabbits after aortic balloon injury. With the guidance of IVUS, 50 µL autologous erythrocytes (RBC) or normal saline (NS) were injected from adventitia into two of the pre‐selected plaques, respectively, whereas the third plaque served as a blank control. All rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, receiving intraperitoneal injection of haemin and saline respectively.

Key results:  Compared with NS or control plaques, RBC plaques had more macrophage infiltration and lipid content, thinner plaque fibrous cap, and higher expression of inflammatory factors and incidence of plaque rupture. RBC plaques in the haemin group had about a 50% lower incidence of plaque rupture than those in the control group.

Conclusions and implications:  Haem oxygenase‐1 may eliminate haem or other oxidants, exert unexpected anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects and serve as a promising approach to the direct inhibition of erythrocyte‐induced plaque instability.
Openers of small conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels selectively enhance NO‐mediated bradykinin vasodilatation in porcine retinal arterioles
Authors: Dalsgaard T , Kroigaard C , Misfeldt M , Bek T , Simonsen U
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose:  Small (SKCa or KCa2) and intermediate (IKCa or KCa3.1) conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels are involved in regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure. The present study investigated whether NS309 (6,7‐dichloro‐1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione 3‐oxime) and CyPPA (cyclohexyl‐[2‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐methyl‐pyrimidin‐4‐yl]‐amine), which are selective openers of SKCa and IKCa channels and of SKCa2 and SKCa3 channels, respectively, enhance endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation in porcine retinal arterioles.

Experimental approach:  In porcine retinal arterioles, SKCa3 and IKCa protein localization was examined by immunolabelling. Endothelial cell calcium was measured by fluorescence imaging. For functional studies, arterioles with internal diameters of 116 ± 2 µm (n = 276) were mounted in microvascular myographs for isometric tension recordings.

Key results:  SKCa3 and IKCa protein was localized in the endothelium. Bradykinin, but not NS309 or CyPPA increased endothelial cell calcium. Pre‐incubation with NS309 or CyPPA enhanced bradykinin relaxation without changing endothelial cell calcium. This enhanced relaxation was abolished by blocking SKCa channels with apamin. In the presence of NS309 or CyPPA, mainly inhibition of NO synthase with asymmetric dimethylarginine, but also inhibition of cyclooxygenase with indomethacin, reduced bradykinin relaxation. Bradykinin relaxation was completely abolished by NO synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibition together with a NO scavenger, oxyhaemoglobin.

Conclusions and implications:  In porcine retinal arterioles, bradykinin increases endothelial cell calcium leading to activation of SKCa and IKCa channels. Without altering endothelial cell calcium, NS309 and CyPPA open SKCa channels that enhance NO‐mediated bradykinin relaxations. These results imply that opening SKCa channels improves endothelium‐dependent relaxation and makes this channel a potential target for treatments aimed at restoring retinal blood flow.