bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An assessment of salmon farms and wild salmonids as sources of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) copepodids in the water column in Loch Torridon, Scotland
Authors: Penston M J , Davies I M
Published: February 2009

Wild salmonids and farmed salmon can both be sources of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1838) larvae. Farmed salmon smolts free of L. salmonis infections are stocked in sea cages and may subsequently contract L. salmonis infections, probably from wild fish. The contribution of gravid L. salmonis at Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms to populations of L. salmonis larvae in the water column has in the past been based on estimated parameters, such as louse fecundity. This present study augments these calculations by combining empirical data on densities of infective L. salmonis copepodids in the field with estimates of the number of gravid L. salmonis on farmed and wild salmonids in Loch Torridon. Data collected between 2002 and 2007 show a significant correlation between mean densities of L. salmonis copepodids recovered in the water column and the numbers of gravid L. salmonis at the local salmon farms. Generally, the farms with greatest numbers of salmon were observed to have stronger correlations with densities of copepodids in the water than the farms with fewer fish. The study suggests that louse management approaches, e.g. treatment trigger levels, need to take account of individual farm biomass, or numbers of fish. This study highlights the importance of control of L. salmonis on salmon farms for the co‐existence of both wild salmonid populations and the aquaculture industry.
The use of prevalence as a measure of lice burden: a case study of Lepeophtheirus salmonis on Scottish Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms
Authors: Baillie M , Lees F , Gettinby G , Revie C W
Published: February 2009

This study investigates the benefits of using prevalence as a summary measure of sea lice infestation on farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Aspects such as sampling effort, the relationship between abundance and prevalence arising from the negative binomial distribution, and how this relationship can be used to indicate the degree of aggregation of lice on a site at a given time point are discussed. As a case study, data were drawn from over 50 commercial Atlantic salmon farms on the west coast of Scotland between 2002 and 2006. Descriptive statistics and formal analysis using a linear modelling technique identified significant variations in sea lice prevalence across year class, region and season. Supporting evidence of a functional relationship between prevalence and abundance of sea lice is provided, which is explained through the negative binomial distribution.
Sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, transfer between wild sympatric adult and juvenile salmon on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Gottesfeld A S , Proctor B , Rolston L D , Carr‐Harris C
Published: February 2009

We examine sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, on juvenile and adult salmon from the north coast of British Columbia between 2004 and 2006 in an area that does not at present contain salmon farms. There is a pronounced zonation in the abundance of L. salmonis on juvenile pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, in the Skeena and Nass estuaries. Abundances in the proximal and distal zones of these estuaries are 0.01 and 0.05 respectively. The outer zones serve as feeding and staging areas for the pink salmon smolts. Returning Chinook, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, concentrate in these areas. We collected data in 2006 to examine whether L. salmonis on returning adult salmon are an important source of the sea lice that appear on juvenile pink salmon. Nearly all (99%) of the sea lice on returning Chinook and over 80% on coho salmon were L. salmonis. Most of the L. salmonis were motile stages including many ovigerous females. There was a sharp increase in the abundance of sea lice on juvenile pink salmon smolts between May and July 2006 near the sites of adult captures. As there are no salmon farms on the north coast, few sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and very few resident salmonids until later in the summer, it seems that the most important reservoir of L. salmonis under natural conditions is returning adult salmon. This natural source of sea lice results in levels of abundance that are one or two orders of magnitude lower than those observed on juvenile pink salmon in areas with salmon farms such as the Broughton Archipelago.
A comparison of sea lice, Caligus rogercresseyi, fecundity in four areas in southern Chile
Authors: Bravo S , Erranz F , Lagos C
Published: February 2009

A survey was carried out between March 2006 and February 2007 on the fecundity of Caligus rogercresseyi in four areas of Region X (Lat 42°S) in Chile. An average length of 4.83 ± 0.4 mm for gravid females and 4.78 ± 0.56 mm for males was recorded from the four areas, with no significant differences in length between sexes. Although females were largest in spring and summer, egg strings were longer and there were higher number of eggs per string in winter. The lowest salinity values were recorded in the Hornopirén area, which had the largest gravid females and the highest number of eggs per string during the study. The number of lice treatments showed no influence on the fecundity rate in the four areas. Prevalence and abundance of C. rogercresseyi were influenced by salinity and temperature.
Down syndrome: a cardiovascular perspective
Authors: Vis J. C. , Duffels M. G. J. , Winter M. M. , Weijerman M. E. , Cobben J. M. , Huisman S. A. , Mulder B. J. M.
Published: February 2009

This review focuses on the heart and vascular system in patients with Down syndrome. A clear knowledge on the wide spectrum of various abnormalities associated with this syndrome is essential for skilful management of cardiac problems in patients with Down syndrome. Epidemiology of congenital heart defects, cardiovascular aspects and thyroid‐related cardiac impairment in patients with Down syndrome will be discussed.
Bergmann's idiosyncratic rule: a role for fecundity selection?
Authors: THOMAS GAVIN H.
Published: February 2009

The negative relationship between temperature and geographical variation in body size, or Bergmann's rule, is among the most thoroughly studied ecogeographical rules, yet the pattern and process underlying it remain controversial. Bergmann's original observations were of body size clines among endotherms, but in the last 50 years there has been increasing recognition that both Bergmann's rule and its reverse occur in many ectotherm taxa. A new study of syngnathid fish by Wilson (2009) in this issue of Molecular Ecology sheds light on intriguing alternative mechanisms that may explain variation in the direction of body size clines across taxa. Wilson shows that Bergmann's rule is found in pipefish of the genus Syngnathus, but not in seahorses of the genus Hippocampus. His results suggest that polygamy in pipefish allows fecundity selection to favour large size at low temperatures, compensating for increases in brooding time.
Activation of the heterotrimeric G protein α‐subunit GPA1 suppresses the ftsh‐mediated inhibition of chloroplast development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Lingang , Wei Qing , Wu Wenjuan , Cheng Yuxiang , Hu Guangzhen , Hu Fenhong , Sun Yi , Zhu Ying , Sakamoto Wataru , Huang Jirong
Published: February 2009

Heterotrimeric G protein knock‐out mutants have no phenotypic defect in chloroplast development, and the connection between the G protein signaling pathway and chloroplast development has only been inferred from pharmaceutical evidence. Thus, whether G protein signaling plays a role in chloroplast development remains an open question. Here, we present genetic evidence, using the leaf‐variegated mutant thylakoid formation 1 (thf1), indicating that inactivation or activation of the endogenous G protein α‐subunit (GPA1) affects chloroplast development, as does the ectopic expression of the constitutively active Gα‐subunit (cGPA1). Molecular biological and genetic analyses showed that FtsH complexes, which are composed of type‐A (FtsH1/FtsH5) and type‐B (FtsH2/FtsH8) subunits, are required for cGPA1‐promoted chloroplast development in thf1. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of cGPA1 rescues the leaf variegation of ftsh2. Consistent with this finding, microarray analysis shows that ectopic expression of cGPA1 partially corrects mis‐regulated gene expression in thf1. This overlooked function of G proteins provides new insight into our understanding of the integrative signaling network, which dynamically regulates chloroplast development and function in response to both intracellular and extracellular signals.
Smoking among diabetes patients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: cessation efforts are urgently needed
Authors: Padmawati Retna Siwi , Ng Nawi , Prabandari Yayi Suryo , Nichter Mark
Published: February 2009

Objectives  To document the prevalence of tobacco use among male diabetes patients in a clinic based population of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia; to examine patient’s perceptions of smoking as a risk factor for diabetes complications; and to investigate whether patients had received cessation messages from their doctors.

Method  Twelve in‐depth interviews and five focus groups (n = 21) with diabetic patients in 2004–2005, followed by a cross‐sectional survey of 778 male diabetic patients in diabetes clinics in 2006–2007.

Results  65% of male diabetes patients smoked before being diagnosed, and 32% smoked in the last 30 days. Most patients incorrectly perceived low level smoking safe for diabetics (mean of 3.6 cigarettes). The median range of cigarettes smoked per day was in excess of this ‘safe’ amount (4–10 cigarettes). Most respondents did not associate smoking with diabetes and its complications. Only 35% of all patients recalled being asked whether they smoked by their doctors, and there were no differences between smokers and non‐smokers. Quit messages received by patients were seen as general health advice and not diabetes specific.

Conclusions  Many diabetic patients continue to smoke despite the hazard of smoking on diabetes complications and mortality. Smoking cessation is not commonly encouraged by health‐care providers in Indonesia, and is not a routine part of diabetes counselling despite the risk of smoking to those with diabetes. Project Quit Tobacco International is currently developing cessation services for patients with diabetes and encouraging medical and nursing schools to incorporate disease specific tobacco education in its curriculum and skill based classes in tobacco cessation counselling.
Comparison of operational criteria for treatment outcome in gambiense human African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Mumba Ngoyi D. , Lejon V. , N’Siesi F.X. , Boelaert M. , Büscher P.
Published: February 2009

Objective  To develop a simple and standard operational decision tool for the diagnosis of relapse after treatment for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), by evaluating the performance of several criteria currently used by HAT control programs and research projects.

Methods  We identified 10 different criteria for relapse, based on trypanosome presence and/or white blood cell count in cerebrospinal fluid, and compared their specificity, sensitivity and time to diagnosis on a data set containing 63 relapsed and 247 cured T.b. gambiense patients.

Results  At any time point, the criterion ‘Trypanosomes present and/or a cerebrospinal white blood cell count ≥50/μl’ allowed accurate and timely detection of HAT relapse, irrespective of disease stage. This criterion was 13–25% more sensitive (P ≤ 0.013) than trypanosome detection alone and was >97% specific. Lumbar punctures at the end of treatment and at 3‐month post‐treatment provided limited clinical information.

Conclusions  Adequate detection of relapse was possible with a simple criterion but these findings should be validated in a prospective study before adoption in clinical practice.
Wash resistance and efficacy of three long‐lasting insecticidal nets assessed from bioassays on Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi
Authors: Sreehari U. , Raghavendra K. , Rizvi M. M. A. , Dash A. P.
Published: February 2009

Objective  To test the wash resistance and efficacy of long‐lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), namely Olyset® Net and PermaNet® 2.0; and a long‐lasting treatment kit, K‐O Tab®1‐2‐3, on Anopheles culicifacies and An. stephensi, major malaria vectors in India, by bioassays. Conventionally treated deltamethrin net (CTDN with K‐O Tab) was used for comparison.

Method  Mortality and median time for knockdown (MTKD) of mosquitoes were determined using contact bioassays and ball frame bioassays respectively. Hand washing and machine washing were used.

Results  LLINs showed good bio‐efficacy against An. culicifacies and An. stephensi. The mortality of mosquitoes remained >80% after up to 20 hand washes and up to 15 machine washes on all LLINs tested. No significant differences were observed in mortalities between the An. culicifacies and An. stephensi in cone bioassays (P > 0.05). MTKD increased progressively with successive washes and there was a significant difference in median time for knockdown of test mosquitoes and between hand‐washed and machine‐washed nets (P < 0.05).

Conclusion  LLINs are more efficacious and last longer when washed by hand than by machine.
Erythema elevatum diutinum presenting with a giant annular pattern
Authors: Di Giacomo Thais Bello , Marinho Rafaela Teixeira , Nico Marcello Menta Simonsen
Published: February 2009

A 45‐year‐old woman presented with a 3‐year history of cutaneous lesions. Clinical examination revealed red–yellow to brownish infiltrated papules coalescing into annular‐shaped plaques of several sizes with a hyperpigmented center affecting the abdomen and lower limbs, as well as multiple firm nodules on the right palm, elbows, and knees (Fig. 1a–c). The patient also reported sporadic arthralgia and low fever.

(a) Infiltrated erythematous and yellow papules coalescing into a large annular plaque on the abdomen. (b) Annular lesions on the thighs. (c) Fibrotic nodules on the right palm and fingers

image

 She had been treated for leprosy for 2 years with multidrug therapy (clofazimine, dapsone, and rifampicin), with complete remission of the lesions during treatment, but recurrence after discontinuation.

 Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen taken from the cutaneous lesions showed an interstitial inflammatory infiltrate with the presence of many neutrophils and occasional foamy histiocytes (Fig. 2a). A pattern of perivascular eosinophilic fibrosis was observed in a biopsy specimen from a nodule (Fig. 2b). Special stains for acid‐fast bacilli and fungi were negative.

(a) Intense inflammatory infiltrate containing multiple foamy histiocytes and neutrophils on the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, ×40). (b) Eosinophilic fibrosis around remaining vessels on the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, ×150)

image

 Laboratory findings included elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA) serum levels (1016 mg/dL; normal range, 69–382 mg/dL), elevated β‐globulin, and strong tuberculin reactivity. Normal or negative tests included direct immunofluorescence, serum immunofixation, anti‐streptolysin O, and chest radiography. Autoimmune disorders and inflammatory intestinal diseases were excluded.

 The patient was treated with dapsone, 100 mg/day, with great improvement of the clinical picture. Hyperpigmented residual macules and some fibrotic nodules remained after 3 months.
Nasal CpG oligodeoxynucleotide administration induces a local inflammatory response in nonallergic individuals
Authors: Månsson A. , Bachar O. , Adner M. , Cardell L.‐O.
Published: February 2009

Background:  We have previously demonstrated the presence of toll‐like receptor 9 in the nasal mucosa of both healthy and allergic individuals. CpG motifs, found in bacterial and viral DNA, elicit strong immunostimulatory effects via this receptor. CpG is known to skew the immune system towards a T helper 1 (Th1) profile, thereby suppressing Th2‐driven allergic responses. This study was designed to examine the effects of CpG administration in the human nose.

Methods:  Twenty subjects, of whom 10 suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR), were challenged intranasally with CpG outside pollen season. Symptom scores, nasal airway resistance (NAR), and nasal and pulmonary nitric oxide (NO) levels were assayed prior to challenge and 30 min, 6, 24 and 48 h post challenge. The presence of leukocytes and various cytokines were analyzed in nasal lavage (NAL) fluids before and after CpG exposure.

Results:  Increased NAR, nasal NO production and secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8 were seen after CpG exposure. Further analysis revealed that this inflammatory response was more marked in healthy subjects than among patients with AR, although a higher basal inflammatory response was recorded in the allergic group. In vitro experiments suggest that the effects induced by CpG are mediated by epithelial cells and neutrophils.

Conclusion:  Nasal administration of CpG induces a local airway inflammation, more distinct among healthy than allergic individuals. The reduced responsiveness to CpG in allergic patients might be related to the ongoing minimal persistent inflammation. Results from cytokine analyses reflect the ability of CpG to induce a pro‐inflammatory Th1‐like immune response.
Dominant versus recessive traits conveyed by allelic mutations – to what extent is nonsense‐mediated decay involved?
Authors: Ben‐Shachar S , Khajavi M , Withers MA , Shaw CA , Van Bokhoven H , Brunner HG , Lupski JR
Published: February 2009

Mutations in ROR2, encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase, can cause autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome (RRS), a severe skeletal dysplasia with limb shortening, brachydactyly, and a dysmorphic facial appearance. Other mutations in ROR2 result in the autosomal dominant disease, brachydactyly type B (BDB1). No functional mechanisms have been delineated to effectively explain the association between mutations and different modes of inheritance causing different phenotypes. BDB1‐causing mutations in ROR2 result from heterozygous premature termination codons (PTCs) in downstream exons and the conveyed phenotype segregates as an autosomal dominant trait, whereas heterozygous missense mutations and PTCs in upstream exons result in carrier status for RRS. Given that the distribution of PTC mutations revealed a correlation between the phenotype and the mode of inheritance conveyed, we investigated the potential role for the nonsense‐mediated decay (NMD) pathway in the abrogation of possible aberrant effects of selected mutant alleles. Our experiments show that triggering or escaping NMD may cause different phenotypes with a distinct mode of inheritance. We generalize these findings to other disease‐associated genes by examining PTC mutation distribution correlation with conveyed phenotype and inheritance patterns. Indeed, NMD may explain distinct phenotypes and different inheritance patterns conveyed by allelic truncating mutations enabling better genotype–phenotype correlations in several other disorders.
The leaf anatomy of a broad‐leaved evergreen allows an increase in leaf nitrogen content in winter
Authors: Muller Onno , Oguchi Riichi , Hirose Tadaki , Werger Marinus J.A. , Hikosaka Kouki
Published: February 2009

In temperate regions, evergreen species are exposed to large seasonal changes in air temperature and irradiance. They change photosynthetic characteristics of leaves responding to such environmental changes. Recent studies have suggested that photosynthetic acclimation is strongly constrained by leaf anatomy such as leaf thickness, mesophyll and chloroplast surface facing the intercellular space, and the chloroplast volume. We studied how these parameters of leaf anatomy are related with photosynthetic seasonal acclimation. We evaluated differential effects of winter and summer irradiance on leaf anatomy and photosynthesis. Using a broad‐leaved evergreen Aucuba japonica, we performed a transfer experiment in which irradiance regimes were changed at the beginning of autumn and of spring. We found that a vacant space on mesophyll surface in summer enabled chloroplast volume to increase in winter. The leaf nitrogen and Rubisco content were higher in winter than in summer. They were correlated significantly with chloroplast volume and with chloroplast surface area facing the intercellular space. Thus, summer leaves were thicker than needed to accommodate mesophyll surface chloroplasts at this time of year but this allowed for increases in mesophyll surface chloroplasts in the winter. It appears that summer leaf anatomical characteristics help facilitate photosynthetic acclimation to winter conditions. Photosynthetic capacity and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency were lower in winter than in summer but it appears that these reductions were partially compensated by higher Rubisco contents and mesophyll surface chloroplast area in winter foliage.
Hybrid sterility and inviability in the parasitic fungal species complex Microbotryum
Authors: DE VIENNE D. M. , REFRÉGIER G. , HOOD M. E. , GUIGUE A. , DEVIER B. , VERCKEN E. , SMADJA C. , DESEILLE A. , GIRAUD T.
Published: February 2009

Microbotryum violaceum, the anther‐smut fungus, forms a complex of sibling species which specialize on different plants. Previous studies have shown the presence of partial ecological isolation and F1 inviability, but did not detect assortative mating apart from a high selfing rate. We investigated other post‐mating barriers and show that F1 hybrid sterility, the inability of gametes to mate, increased gradually with the increasing genetic distance between the parents. F2 hybrids showed a reduced ability to infect the plants that was also correlated with the genetic distance. The host on which the F2 hybrids were passaged caused a selection for alleles derived from the pathogen species originally isolated from that host, but this effect was not detectable for the most closely related species. The post‐mating barriers thus remain weak among the closest species pairs, suggesting that premating barriers are sufficient to initiate divergence in this system.
The genetic consequences of fluctuating inbreeding depression and the evolution of plant selfing rates
Authors: PORCHER E. , KELLY J. K. , CHEPTOU P.‐O. , ECKERT C. G. , JOHNSTON M. O. , KALISZ S.
Published: February 2009

The magnitude of inbreeding depression, a central parameter in the evolution of plant mating systems, can vary depending on environmental conditions. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms causing environmental fluctuations in inbreeding depression, and the consequences of this variation for the evolution of self‐fertilization, have been little studied. Here, we consider temporal fluctuations of the selection coefficient in an explicit genetic model of inbreeding depression. We show that substantial variance in inbreeding depression can be generated at equilibrium by fluctuating selection, although the simulated variance tends to be lower than has been measured in experimental studies. Our simulations also reveal that purging of deleterious mutations does not depend on the variance in their selection coefficient. Finally, an evolutionary analysis shows that, in contrast to previous theoretical approaches, intermediate selfing rates are never evolutionarily stable when the variation in inbreeding depression is due to fluctuations in the selection coefficient on deleterious mutations.
Drought‐Induced Oxidative Conditions in Rice Anthers Leading to a Programmed Cell Death and Pollen Abortion*
Authors: Nguyen G. N. , Hailstones D. L. , Wilkes M. , Sutton B. G.
Published: February 2009

Male gametophyte development of eukaryotic plants in general and rice in particular is especially sensitive to drought. Water deficit during this stage inhibits microspore development resulting in male sterility. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the phenomenon, a water deficit‐induced experiment was conducted during anther development. Microscopic observations of anther cross‐sections labelled with TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) indicated programmed cell death (PCD) signals after three consecutive days of water deficit. PCD is a biological process featured by the fragmentation of genomic DNA and plays an important role in plant reproduction. PCD is often concurrent with biochemical and physical changes in the cytoplasm, nucleus and plasma membrane of the cells. In this study, biochemical assays showed depletion of the adenosine triphosphate pool, increased concentration of hydrogen peroxide (ROS) and down‐regulation of antioxidant transcripts in anthers. We argue that the interplay between PCD and oxidative stress in anthers might be a cause of pollen sterility in drought‐stressed rice.
Behaviours of Medicago truncatula–Sinorhizobium meliloti Symbioses Under Osmotic Stress in Relation with the Symbiotic Partner Input: Effects on Nodule Functioning and Protection
Authors: Mhadhbi H. , Fotopoulos V. , Djebali N. , Polidoros A. N. , Aouani M. E.
Published: February 2009

Three genotypes of the model legume Medicago truncatula were assessed for symbiotic effectiveness in cross inoculation with two strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti under mannitol‐mediated osmotic stress. Symbioses showed different tolerance levels revealed on plant growth, nitrogen‐fixing capacity and indices of nodule functioning and protection. The variability of stress response was essentially correlated with performance at non‐stressful conditions. Symbiosis attitude depended on bacterial partner, host‐plant genotype and their interaction. Plant genotype manifested the highest contribution to symbiotic efficiency indices under osmotic stress, even for nodulation and nitrogen fixation where the bacterial strain effect is highly pronounced. Contrasting (tolerant/sensitive) associations were identified for tolerance behaviours, involving the same plant genotype with different rhizobial strains and vice versa. In nodules, osmotic stress leads to accumulation of oxidized lipids and decrease in total protein and leghaemoglobin contents. Antioxidant responses were manifested as induction of guaiacol peroxidase (POX, E.C. 1.11.1.7) and superoxide dismutase (E.C. 1.15.1.1). POX induction was higher in tolerant symbioses and both enzymes were suggested as contributors to the protection of nodule integrity and functioning under osmotic stress. In conclusion, symbiotic efficiency in M. truncatula–S. meliloti combinations under osmotic stress is determined by each symbiont’s input as well as the plant–microbe genotype interaction, and POX induction could prove a sensitive marker of tolerant symbioses.
Development and agronomic performance of common bean lines simultaneously resistant to anthracnose, angular leaf spot and rust
Authors: Ragagnin V. A. , De Souza T. L. P. O. , Sanglard D. A. , Arruda K. M. A. , Costa M. R. , Alzate‐Marin A. L. , Carneiro J. E. de S. , Moreira M. A. , De Barros E. G.
Published: February 2009

The common bean is affected by several pathogens that can cause severe yield losses. Here we report the introgression of resistance genes to anthracnose, angular leaf spot and rust in the ‘carioca‐type’ bean cultivar ‘Rudá’. Initially, four backcross (BC) lines were obtained using ‘TO’, ‘AB 136′, ‘Ouro Negro’ and ‘AND 277’ as donor parents. Molecular fingerprinting was used to select the lines genetically closer to the recurrent parent. The relative genetic distances between ‘Rudá’ and the BC lines varied between 0.0% and 1.99%. The BC lines were intercrossed and molecular markers linked to the resistance genes were used to identify the plants containing the genes of interest. These plants were selfed to obtain the F2, F3 and F4 plants which were selected based on the presence of the molecular markers mentioned and resistance was confirmed in the F4 generation by inoculation. Four F4:7 pyramid lines with all the resistance genes showed resistance spectra equivalent to those of their respective donor parents. Yield tests showed that these lines are as productive as the best ‘carioca‐type’ cultivars.
Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in faba bean: new loci from Orobanche‐resistant cultivar ‘Giza 402’
Authors: Zeid M. , Mitchell S. , Link W. , Carter M. , Nawar A. , Fulton T. , Kresovich S.
Published: February 2009

Genomic DNA from an inbred line from the Orobanche crenata resistant cultivar ‘Giza 402’ was restricted and enriched for AG‐containing simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The overall SSR enrichment rate was 54.6%. Of 73 selected SSR markers that successfully amplified in ‘Giza 402’ 54 were polymorphic among a group of 10 Egyptian and Spanish faba bean genotypes extensively used in Orobanche crenata resistance/susceptibility studies and linkage map development. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.16 to 0.72 and Unweighted Pair‐Group Method using Arithmetic averages cluster analysis based on these loci placed all resistant genotypes descended from the parental line F 402 in the same group. Successful amplification from 28 primer pairs was also observed in five European faba bean genotypes. The SSR loci described here will be extremely useful in studies focusing on Orobanche crenata resistance, genetic diversity studies and will provide additional co‐dominant loci to complement existing faba bean linkage maps based primarily on dominant markers.
Wild relatives of sorghum as sources of resistance to sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata
Authors: Kamala V. , Sharma H. C. , Manohar Rao D. , Varaprasad K. S. , Bramel P. J.
Published: February 2009

The levels of resistance to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata in sorghum germplasm are low to moderate and therefore, we evaluated 17 wild relatives of sorghum under field and greenhouse conditions as an alternate source of genes for resistance to this pest. Thirty‐two accessions belonging to Parasorghum, Stiposorghum and Heterosorghum did not suffer any shoot fly damage under multi‐choice conditions in the field, while one accession each of Heterosorghum (Sorghum laxiflorum) and Chaetosorghum (S. macrospermum) suffered very low shoot fly damage. Accessions belonging to S. exstans (TRC 243601), S. stipoideum (TRC 243399) and S. matarankense (TRC 243576) showed absolute non‐preference for oviposition under no‐choice conditions. Accessions belonging to Heterosorghum, Parasorghum and Stiposorghum were preferred for oviposition, but suffered low deadheart formation. Manual infestation of seedlings with shoot fly eggs did not result in deadheart formation in some of the accessions belonging to S. exstans (TRC 243601), S. stipoideum (TRC 243399), S. matarankense (TRC 243576) and S. purpureosericeum (IS 18944). Larval mortality was recorded in main stems of the Parasorghums. Within section Sorghum, accessions belonging to S. bicolor ssp. verticilliflorum were highly susceptible to shoot fly, as were those of S. halepense. However, a few accessions such as IS 18226 (race arundinaceum) and IS 14212 (S. halepense) resulted in reduced survival and fecundity. Wild relatives of sorghum exhibited very high levels of antibiosis to A. soccata, while only low levels of antibiosis have been observed in the cultivated germplasm. Therefore, wild relatives with different mechanisms of resistance can be used as a source of alternate genes to increase the levels and diversify the basis of resistance to shoot fly, A. soccata.
Intergranular trace elements in mantle xenoliths from Russian Far East: Example for mantle metasomatism by hydrous melt
Authors: Yamamoto Junji , Nakai Shun'ichi , Nishimura Koshi , Kaneoka Ichiro , Kagi Hiroyuki , Sato Keiko , Okumura Tasuku , Prikhod'ko Vladimir S. , Arai Shoji
Published: February 2009

Based on both major and trace element chemistry, the occurrence of the intergranular component in mantle‐derived xenoliths from far eastern Russia has been constrained. Whole‐rock trace element measurements of one xenolith show apparent negative anomalies in Ce, Th, and high field strength elements on normalized trace element patterns. The trace element pattern of the whole rock differs from those of constituent minerals, indicating that the anomalies in the whole rock are attributable to the presence of an intergranular component. That assumption was confirmed using in situ analysis of trace elements in the intergranular substance and melt inclusion using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Both the intergranular component and the melt inclusions have identical trace element patterns, which mean that these materials are a cognate metasomatizing agent. The anomalies are regarded as mantle metasomatism related to an aqueous fluid. Hydrous minerals were observed on the wall of the melt inclusions using micro‐Raman spectroscopy, indicating that the melt inclusions contained a large amount of water. Thus, this study reveals a trace element composition of a hydrous metasomatizing agent in the mantle.
Lopingian (Late Permian) foraminiferal faunal succession of a Paleo‐Tethyan mid‐oceanic carbonate buildup: Shifodong Formation in the Changning–Menglian Belt, West Yunnan, Southwest China
Authors: Ueno Katsumi , Tsutsumi Satoe
Published: February 2009

This paper deals with a Lopingian (Late Permian) foraminiferal faunal succession of the Shifodong Formation in the Changning–Menglian Belt, West Yunnan, Southwest China, which has been geologically interpreted as one of the closed remnants in East Asia of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean. The Shifodong Formation is the uppermost stratigraphic unit in thick Carboniferous–Permian carbonates of the belt. These carbonates rest upon bases consisting of oceanic island basalt and are widely accepted as having a Paleo‐Tethyan mid‐oceanic (seamount‐ or oceanic plateau‐top) origin. Sixteen taxa of fusuline foraminifers and 37 taxa of smaller (non‐fusuline) foraminifers are recognized from the type section of the Shifodong Formation located in the Gengma area of the northern part of the Changning–Menglian Belt. Based on their stratigraphic distribution, three fusuline zones can be established in this section: they are, in ascending order, the Codonofusiella cf. C. kwangsiana Zone, Palaeofusulina minima Zone, and Palaeofusulina sinensis Zone. These three biozones are respectively referable to the Wuchiapingian, early Changhsingian, and late Changhsingian, of which the Wuchiapingian is first recognized in this study in the Changning–Menglian mid‐oceanic carbonates. The present study clearly demonstrates that the foraminiferal fauna in a Paleo‐Tethyan pelagic shallow‐marine environment still maintained high faunal diversity throughout the almost entire Lopingian, although the very latest Permian fauna in the upper part of the Palaeofusulina sinensis Zone of the Shifodong section records a sudden decrease in both faunal diversity and abundance. Moreover, the Shifodong faunas are comparable in diversity with those observed in circum‐Tethyan shelves such as South China. The present Paleo‐Tethyan mid‐oceanic foraminiferal faunas are definitely more diversified than coeval mid‐oceanic Panthalassan faunas, which are typically represented by those from the Kamura Limestone in a Jurassic accretionary complex of Southwest Japan. It is suggestive that the Paleo‐Tethyan mid‐oceanic buildups presumably supplied a peculiarly hospitable habitat for foraminiferal faunal development in a pelagic paleo‐equatorial condition.
Sedimentary facies of Carboniferous–Permian mid‐oceanic carbonates in the Changning–Menglian Belt, West Yunnan, Southwest China: Origin and depositional process
Authors: Nakazawa Tsutomu , Ueno Katsumi , Wang Xiangdong
Published: February 2009

Huge carbonate rock bodies ranging in age from the Visean (Middle Mississippian/Early Carboniferous) to the Changhsingian (Lopingian/Late Permian) overlie a basaltic basement in the Changning–Menglian Belt, West Yunnan, Southwest China. These carbonates lack intercalations of terrigenous siliciclastic material throughout. These lines of evidence indicate that they formed upon an isolated and continuously subsiding mid‐oceanic island (or plateau), probably of hotspot origin. The carbonates are grouped into a shallow‐water carbonate platform facies regime observed in the Yutangzhai section and a relatively deep‐water carbonate slope facies regime typically represented in the Longdong section. These two facies regimes developed contemporaneously as parts of a carbonate depositional system on and around a mid‐oceanic volcanic edifice. The carbonate platform is subdivided into four facies, including platform‐margin, shoal, lagoon, and peritidal facies. Along the measured Yutangzhai section of the platform facies regime, the vertical facies succession from the platform‐margin facies into inner‐platform facies such as the shoal and lagoon facies is recognized. This facies succession is explained as resulting from the progradation of the carbonate platform. Worm tubes occur as a main reef builder in platform‐margin facies of the Mississippian. Their occurrence as major constituents in a high‐wave‐energy reef is peculiar to Carboniferous reef distributions of the world. The occurrences of other reef‐ and/or mound‐building organisms and peritidal dolo‐mudstone are almost consistent in timing with those of Panthalassan counterparts such as the Akiyoshi and Omi limestones of Japan, and probably exhibit the worldwide trend.
Budginmaya eulae gen. et sp. nov., a myrmecophilous planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) from Western Australia
Authors: Fletcher Murray J , Moir Melinda L
Published: February 2009

Budginmaya eulae gen. et sp. nov. is described from the nest of a Camponotus terebrans (Lowne) ant from Western Australia. The species shows adaptations for subterranean life, including reduction in the tegmina, wings and eyes and increased hairiness around the head, body, tegmina and legs. This is the first record of an Australian planthopper (Fulgoromorpha) cohabiting with ants and the first record of an inquiline species in the family Flatidae. Furthermore, this flatid is most likely a short‐range endemic species currently restricted to Bandalup Hill.
Nocturia: A non‐specific but important symptom of urological disease
Authors: Schneider Tim , de la Rosette Jean JMCH , Michel Martin C
Published: February 2009

Nocturia is a prevalent symptom that can adversely affect quality of sleep and overall quality of life leading to morbidity and even mortality. Nocturia can be due to a range of urological conditions and non‐urological diseases. Nocturia can be due to an insufficient bladder capacity and/or (nocturnal) polyuria. Some of the possibly underlying non‐urological diseases can be life‐threatening, implying treatment priorities. Urological treatment options include α‐adrenoceptor antagonists, muscarinic receptor antagonists and vasopressin receptor agonists. The former two have shown beneficial but small and inconsistent effects in patients assumed to have benign prostatic hyperplasia or overactive bladder, respectively. In contrast, the vasopressin analog desmopressin has consistently shown nocturia improvement in patients with proven polyuria. While supported by lower levels of evidence, lifestyle modifications are generally considered important for nocturia treatment. We conclude that nocturia is a urinary storage symptom with a major impact on patients' lives and a complex pathophysiology.
External validation and head‐to‐head comparison of Japanese and Western prostate biopsy nomograms using Japanese data sets
Authors: Utsumi Takanobu , Kawamura Koji , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Kamiya Naoto , Imamoto Takashi , Miura Junichiro , Ueda Takeshi , Maruoka Masayuki , Sekita Nobuyuki , Mikami Kazuo , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study was to perform external validation of a previously developed prostate biopsy nomogram (the CHIBA nomogram) and to compare it with previously published nomograms developed in Japanese and overseas populations. Two different cohorts of patients were used: one from the Chiba Cancer Center (n = 392) in which transperineal 16‐core biopsy was performed, and another from Chibaken Saiseikai Narashino Hospital (n = 269) in which transrectal 16‐core biopsy was carried out. All patients were Japanese men with serum prostate‐specific antigen levels less than 10 ng/mL. The predictive accuracy of our CHIBA nomogram and of four other published nomograms (Finne's sextant biopsy‐based logistic regression model, Karakiewicz's sextant biopsy‐based nomogram, Chun's 10‐core biopsy‐based nomogram and Kawakami's three‐dimensional biopsy‐based nomogram) was quantified based on area under the curve derived from receiver operating characteristic curves. Head‐to‐head comparison of area under the curve values demonstrated that our nomogram was significantly more accurate than all other models except Chun's (P = 0.012 vs Finne's, P = 0.000 vs Karakiewicz's, and P = 0.003 vs Kawakami's). Our nomogram appears to be more useful for the Japanese population than Western models. Moreover, external validation demonstrates that its predictive accuracy does not vary according to biopsy approach. This is the first report to demonstrate that the predictive accuracy of a nomogram is independent from the biopsy method.
Computer‐based endoscopic image‐processing technology for endourology and laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Igarashi Tatsuo , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Naya Yukio
Published: February 2009

Endourology and laparoscopic surgery are evolving in accordance with developments in instrumentation and progress in surgical technique. Recent advances in computer and image‐processing technology have enabled novel images to be created from conventional endoscopic and laparoscopic video images. Such technology harbors the potential to advance endourology and laparoscopic surgery by adding new value and function to the endoscope. The panoramic and three‐dimensional images created by computer processing are two outstanding features that can address the shortcomings of conventional endoscopy and laparoscopy, such as narrow field of view, lack of depth cue, and discontinuous information. The wide panoramic images show an anatomical ‘map’ of the abdominal cavity and hollow organs with high brightness and resolution, as the images are collected from video images taken in a close‐up manner. To assist in laparoscopic surgery, especially in suturing, a three‐dimensional movie can be obtained by enhancing movement parallax using a conventional monocular laparoscope. In tubular organs such as the prostatic urethra, reconstruction of three‐dimensional structure can be achieved, implying the possibility of a liquid dynamic model for assessing local urethral resistance in urination. Computer‐based processing of endoscopic images will establish new tools for endourology and laparoscopic surgery in the near future.
Changes in magnetic flux density around fatigue crack tips
Authors: KIDA K. , TANABE H. , OKANO H.
Published: February 2009

Fatigue failure of steel occurs when small cracks form in a component and then continue to grow to a size large enough to cause failure. In order to understand the strength of steel components, it is important to find the cracks, which eventually grow to cause failures. However, at present, it is not easy to distinguish, in the early stages of growth, the cracks that will grow fast and cause failure.

We hypothesized that it may be possible to distinguish them by comparing changes in the magnetic flux density around the tips of those cracks that grew to failure. In order to measure these changes in magnetic flux density, we developed a scanning Hall probe microscope and observed the fatigue cracks growing from artificial slits in soft bearing steels. Note that we did not magnetize the specimens artificially but succeeded to measure the changes in magnetic flux density during the fatigue tests. We also compared the changes in magnetic flux density around crack tips, which grew under different loads, and found that there is a strong correlation between the magnetic flux density, crack growth and stress intensity factors. In order to understand this, we looked into the relation between stress field, residual strain and magnetic flux density, and concluded that the changes in magnetic flux density are caused not only by the residual strain occurring around the crack tips but also by the increase in the elastic stress.
A novel exocrine structure of the bicellular unit type in the thorax of termites
Authors: Gonçalves Teresa Telles , DeSouza Og , Billen Johan
Published: February 2009

Gonçalves, T. T., DeSouza, O. and Billen, J. 2010. A novel exocrine structure of the bicellular unit type in the thorax of termites — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 193–198

Studying the thorax of some Termitidae species, we found two pairs of hitherto unknown lateral glands in the mesothorax and metathorax of both workers and soldiers. The glands consist of distinct clusters of class 3 secretory cells accompanied by their duct cells, located in the upper lateral portion of the thoracic wall. Ultrastructural observations reveal numerous mitochondria, a well‐developed Golgi apparatus and vesicular smooth endoplasmic reticulum, indicating a cytoplasm with intensive metabolic activity. The gland is reported to occur in Microcerotermes strunckii, Cornitermes cumulans and Nasutitermes minor, three species comprising an interesting morpho‐behavioural gradient, respectively, from only mechanical, through mechanical–chemical, to only chemical defence systems. The extent of such a gradient allows speculations that this gland would be related to the general needs of termites, rather than to some specificities of a single group. We warn, however, that complementary studies are needed, before any conclusions can be drawn.
Effect of body mass index on the outcome of infections: a systematic review
Authors: Falagas M. E. , Athanasoulia A. P. , Peppas G. , Karageorgopoulos D. E.
Published: February 2009

It has not been adequately evaluated whether the outcome of infections differs by body‐weight category. We performed a systematic review of relevant studies. Eleven studies (one retrospective and 10 prospective cohort studies) were included in this review, involving a total of 3159 hospitalized patients or nursing home residents. Most studies (6/11) referred to lower respiratory tract infections. Seven studies showed an association of patient outcome (mortality in 6/7 studies) with body‐weight category. This was shown in multivariate analysis in 4/5 studies that reported relevant data. Obese or morbidly obese patients with infections had worse outcome compared with the rest of the patients or with normal‐weight patients, in 4/7 studies that reported relevant data; findings were not significant in the remaining three studies. Patients in the lowest body mass index (BMI) group had worse outcome compared with all other groups combined, in 3/5 studies that reported relevant data; findings were not significant in the remaining two studies. Low BMI was associated with worse outcome in patients with lower respiratory tract infections in 3/4 relevant studies. Although not consistently reported, an association of both ends of the BMI distribution with worse outcome of infections is plausible and merits further investigation.