bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype × nutrient association of common polymorphisms in obesity-related genes with food preferences and time structure of energy intake
Authors: Bienertová-Vašků Julie , Bienert Petr , Forejt Martin , Tomandl Josef , Brázdová Zuzana , Vašků Anna
Published: September 2009

Personal food preferences can either enhance or suppress the development of obesity and the selection and proportion of macronutrients in the diet seem to have a heritable component. In the present study, we therefore focused on dietary composition as a specific trait related to obesity and we determined whether genetic variations in leptin (LEP), LEP receptor (LEPR), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), IL-6 and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) underlie specific native food preferences and obesity-related anthropometric parameters. The total of 409 individuals of Czech Caucasian origin were enrolled into the present study and 7 d food records were obtained from the study subjects along with selected anthropometric measurements. In a subset of study subjects, plasma levels of ADIPOQ, LEP and soluble LEPR were measured. Independently of the BMI of the individuals, common variations in LEP and LEPR genes were associated with specific eating patterns, mainly with respect to timing of eating. The LEP+19A/G polymorphism served as an independent predictor for BMI, percentage of body fat and skinfold thickness and significantly affected the time structure of the daily energy intake. The POMC RsaI polymorphism was associated with percentage of body fat. The ADIPOQ 45 T/G polymorphism was associated with the thickness of the subscapular skinfold. The LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphism was associated with multiple parameters, including diastolic blood pressure, meal sizes during the day and plasma ADIPOQ levels. In a separate analysis, soluble leptin receptor (sObR) plasma levels and LEP:sObR ratio were significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure (β = − 0·66, P = 0·002; β = − 1·23, P = 0·02) and sObR plasma levels also served as an independent predictor for diastolic blood pressure (β = − 0·50; P = 0·04). To conclude, we report common allelic variants associated with specific feeding behaviour and obesity-related anthropometric traits. Moreover, we identified allelic variants that significantly influence the time structure of food intake during the day.
Sex and the Sack of the City
Authors: WHITTAKER TONY
Published: September 2009

The contention in what follows is that, in describing the invasion of Priam's palace in lines 469–505 of Aeneid 2, Virgil uses language that has connotations of sexual violence, suggesting a literal as well as metaphorical rape.
Dynamics of Gaussian spikes on Gaussian laser beam in relativistic plasma
Authors: Singh A. , Aggarwal M. , Gill T.S.
Published: September 2009

In the present paper, we have investigated the growth of a Gaussian perturbation superimposed on a Gaussian laser beam. The nonlinearity we have considered is of relativistic type. We have setup the nonlinear differential equations for beam width parameter of the main beam, growth and width of the laser spike by using the WKB and paraxial ray approximation. These are coupled ordinary differential equations and therefore these are simultaneously solved numerically using the Runge Kutta method. It has been observed from the analysis that self-focusing/defocusing of the main beam and the spike determine the growth dynamic of the spike.
Editorial
Authors: Leroy Xavier , Felleisen Matthias
Published: September 2009

Eighteen years ago Richard Bird joined the editorial team of the Journal of Functional Programming. As Richard mentions in his recollections (Bird, 2006), the founding editors of the Journal, Simon Peyton Jones and Philip Wadler, had asked him to contribute a regular column to be called Functional Pearls, roughly modeled on the Programming Pearls that Jon Bentley had run for the Communications of the ACM in the 1980s. Richard agreed to the suggestion, but only under the proviso that he would seek other contributors to the column.
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) in the institutionalized older patient
Authors: Eveillard M , Joly-Guillou ML
Published: September 2009

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are usually considered as reservoirs for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) carriers. Actually, there are major differences in MRSA carriage between institutions, with variations from 1% to more than 30%. Overall there is a low incidence of MRSA infection in these institutions, even though carriage is associated with a higher risk of subsequent MRSA infection, with high mortality rates. The main risk factors for carriage are well known: recent hospitalization in an acute-care ward, skin wounds and recent antimicrobial therapy. Age over 75 years is also a risk factor. Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities pose a risk of MRSA transfer to acute-care wards, with potential consequences in terms of infection control strategy or surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. No well-designed study has identified the best strategy for MRSA control in institutions for older people and strategies that have been proposed are controversial. Studies to elucidate this would be useful, as well as studies specifically designed to identify the relative importance of different ways of MRSA transmission in these institutions (cross-transmission via healthcare workers or the environment, or direct transmission from one resident to another). Finally, a first important step towards MRSA control is a strict application of standard precautions, particularly good compliance with hand hygiene.
Predicting stress distributions in fold‐and‐thrust belts and accretionary wedges by optimization
Authors: Souloumiac P. , Leroy Y. M. , Maillot B. , Krabbenhøft K.
Published: September 2009

The objective is to demonstrate that the equilibrium element method (EEM) provides the stress distribution in geometrical models of folds, relevant to fold‐and‐thrust belts as well as accretionary wedges. The core of the method, inherited from limit analysis, is the search for an optimum stress field that (1) is in equilibrium, (2) remains everywhere below or equal to the maximum strength of the rock, and (3) balances the largest possible applied tectonic force. This force and the associated stress field are interpreted as those at the onset of rupture. The method makes no appeal to the rock rheology nor to its elasticity, except for its maximum strength described here with the Coulomb criterion. The stress fields are discretized by elements covering the whole domain and allowing for discontinuities. The example chosen to illustrate the potential of the EEM and to validate our implementation is the thrusting of a rectangular sheet over a flat and weak décollement. The EEM reproduces the solution proposed by Hafner (1951) on the basis of linear elasticity, as long as the strength limit is not reached in the bulk of the domain. The EEM shows in addition that failure in the bulk prevents the activation of the décollement. The EEM is then applied to two fault‐bend folds, with known ramp and flat décollement, with and without relief buildup. It is shown that the transition from the flat to the ramp hanging walls occurs through a narrow fan defining the back thrust. The predicted dip of this back thrust decreases with increase in the ramp friction angle, the relief buildup, as well as the ramp curvature. A sharp increase and then a sharp decrease in the magnitudes of the equivalent shear stress and of the mean stress are observed as one moves from the lower flat, through the back thrust up the ramp. If the ramp friction angle is too large, or the relief too important, the EEM predicts the initiation of a new thrust rooting at the back wall, instead of activating the proposed ramp. The application to detect the incipient thrust system within the toe of Nankai's accretionary wedge, southeast coast of Japan, is proposed in the auxiliary material.
Diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband aurora: The global precipitation budget
Authors: Newell P. T. , Sotirelis T. , Wing S.
Published: September 2009

We have developed an auroral precipitation model which separately categorizes the discrete aurora and both the electron and ion diffuse aurora. The discrete aurora includes acceleration by two distinct physical mechanisms, namely, quasi‐static electric fields, producing monoenergetic peaks, and dispersive Alfvén waves, producing broadband electron acceleration. The new model is not merely finer in magnetic latitude (MLAT) and magnetic local time (MLT) resolution than previous models but is parameterized by solar wind driving instead of Kp and is based on functional fits to the solar wind coupling function which best predicts auroral power. Each of the four auroral types in each MLAT and MLT bin is separately fitted, a departure from the traditional compilation of a handful of discrete models, each assigned to represent a Kp (or other activity index) range. The variation of any of these four types of aurora at any local time can be predicted on the basis of the specific solar wind history of an epoch. This approach permits perhaps the first comprehensive comparison of the hemispheric contribution of each type of aurora. It turns out that the diffuse aurora is surprisingly dominant, constituting 84% of the energy flux into the ionosphere during conditions of low solar wind driving (63% electrons, 21% ions). The diffuse aurora is far from quiescent, tripling in power dissipation from our low to high solar wind–driving conditions. Even under the latter condition, the diffuse aurora contains 71% of the hemispheric energy flux (57% electrons, 14% ions). The monoenergetic aurora contributes more energy flux (10% quiet, 15% active) than does broadband acceleration signatures (6% quiet, 13% active). However, the broadband aurora rises fastest with activity, increasing by a factor of 8.0 from low to high driving. Moreover, this most dynamic auroral type contributes very high number fluxes, even exceeding monoenergetic aurora under active conditions (28% of hemispheric precipitation versus 21%). Thus, dynamic ionospheric heating and ion outflow is likely heavily affected by the wave aurora. Although energy flux peaks on the nightside, number flux peaks on the dayside. The cusp, as previously reported, is much better defined by ions than electrons. Hence, the ion number flux peak is confined, corresponding to the cusp, while the region with high electron number flux is broad (a cleft, corresponding to the boundary layers, including the closed low‐latitude boundary layer).
A hybrid space approach for ensemble‐based 4‐D variational data assimilation
Authors: Shao Aimei , Xi Shuang , Qiu Chongjian , Xu Qin
Published: September 2009

A new scheme is developed to improve the ensemble‐based 4‐D variational data assimilation (En4DVar). In this scheme, leading singular vectors are extracted from 4‐D ensemble perturbations in a hybrid space and then used to construct the analysis increment to fit the 4‐D innovation (observation minus background) data. The hybrid space combines the 4‐D observation space with only a gridded 3‐D subspace at the end of each assimilation cycle, so its dimension can be much smaller than the dimension of the fully gridded 4‐D space used in the original En4DVar. This improves the computational efficiency. With this hybrid space approach, the analysis increment can fit the 4‐D innovation data in the observation space directly and also provide the necessary initial condition in the gridded 3‐D subspace exclusively for the model integration into the next assimilation cycle, so the background covariance matrix can be and only needs to be constructed by the ensemble perturbations in the 3‐D subspace. This reduces the rank deficiency of the ensemble‐constructed covariance matrix and improves analysis accuracy as long as the observations are not too sparse. The potential merits of the new scheme are demonstrated by assimilation experiments performed with an imperfect shallow‐water equation model and simulated observations.
Uncoupling protein 1 inhibition by purine nucleotides is under the control of the endogenous ubiquinone redox state
Authors: Swida-Barteczka Aleksandra , Woyda-Ploszczyca Andrzej , Sluse Francis E. , Jarmuszkiewicz Wieslawa
Published: September 2009

We studied non-esterified fatty acid-induced uncoupling of heterologously expressed rat UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) in yeast mitochondria, as well as UCP1 in rat BAT (brown adipose tissue) mitochondria. The proton-conductance curves and the relationship between the ubiquinone reduction level and membrane potential were determined in non-phosphorylating BAT and yeast mitochondria. The ADP/O method was applied to determine the ADP phosphorylation rate and the relationship between the ubiquinone reduction level and respiration rate in yeast mitochondria. Our studies of the membranous ubiquinone reduction level in mitochondria demonstrate that activation of UCP1 leads to a purine nucleotide-sensitive decrease in the ubiquinone redox state. Results obtained for non-phosphorylating and phosphorylating mitochondria, as the endogenous ubiquinone redox state was gradually varied by a lowering rate of the ubiquinone-reducing or ubiquinol-oxidizing pathways, indicate that the endogenous ubiquinone redox state has no effect on non-esterified fatty acid-induced UCP1 activity in the absence of GTP, and can only regulate this activity through sensitivity to inhibition by the purine nucleotide. At a given oleic acid concentration, inhibition by GTP diminishes when ubiquinone is reduced sufficiently. The ubiquinone redox state-dependent alleviation of UCP1 inhibition by the purine nucleotide was observed at a high ubiquinone reduction level, when it exceeded 85–88%.
Structural and dielectric properties of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) thin films with different bottom electrodes
Authors: Liu P. F. , Gemeiner P. , Shen H. , Meng X. J. , Chu J. H. , Geiger S. , Guiblin N. , Dkhil B.
Published: September 2009

In this work we studied 90 nm thick copolymer thin films of vinylidene fluoride (70%) with trifluoroethylene (30%) grown by Langmuir–Blodgett onto silicon substrates. The effects of two different bottom electrodes, namely, Al and LaNiO3 (LNO) are investigated. A Debye-like relaxation near 320 K is enlarged by LNO bottom electrode. X-ray diffraction pattern attests that two different crystallographic structures coexist below 340 K in film deposited on LNO. Compared with Al electrode, LNO electrode strongly increases defects or gauche segments in film and further weakens properties of film.
The Role of Social Networks and Geographical Location in Labour Market Participation in the UK Coalfields
Authors: Gore Tony , Hollywood Emma
Published: September 2009

The demise of the coalmining industry has entailed an increased geographical separation of individuals from workplaces, highlighting the importance of understanding the spatial dimension of job search for those living in the coalfields. There has been an increasing interest among labour market researchers on the role of place and social networks in influencing labour market behaviour. A growing body of literature focuses on the importance of social networks in shaping people's attitudes, behaviour, and decision making—in particular, the links between people's social sphere and the nature and extent of their participation in the labour market. We aim to examine the area effects of social networks and how these affect labour market position. We will draw on material gathered from a Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded project on the economic, social, and governance links between coalfields and their neighbouring cities. Part of this research was composed of eighty-five interviews carried out with unemployed job seekers across three contrasting coalfields (Lothian, South Yorkshire, and the central Wales valleys). We will focus in particular on the issues of accessing of South Wales jobs, knowledge and experience of the spatial labour market, and the role of social networks in influencing job search and job knowledge.
Stomatal plugs and their impact on fungal invasion in Agathis robusta
Authors: Mohammadian Mansour A. , Hill Robert S. , Watling Jennifer R.
Published: September 2009

The hypothesis that stomatal wax plugs in Agathis robusta (C. Moore ex F. Muell.) F. Muell. (Araucariaceae) protect leaves against fungal invasion by preventing hyphae entering the stomatal pore was tested. Leaves with intact wax plugs and leaves from which wax plugs had been experimentally removed were inoculated with either Botrytis cinerea (De Bary) Whetzel or Alternaria solani (Ellis & G. Martin) L.R. Jones & Grout. Interactions of fungal hyphae with stomata were subsequently analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Wax plugs blocked the penetration of fungal hyphae into stomata of A. robusta in 100% of encounters. In contrast, hyphae readily penetrated stomata of leaves from which wax plugs had been removed or where the wax plugs were damaged. On rare occasions, hyphae were also observed to penetrate directly through the cuticle. Florin rings around the external surface of stomata also acted to deflect fungal hyphae from the stomatal opening. Formation and degradation of wax plugs was also examined to assess the period over which they offer protection from fungal invasion. Wax plugs formed in young leaves in spring and were complete by summer. There was subsequent degradation of wax plugs in the following winter, and they then regenerated again in spring. However, regeneration of wax plugs appeared to decline after the leaves reached 2 years of age. The data are discussed with reference to the adaptive significance of wax plugs in conifers and other plants.
Prevention of Bloodstream Infections by Use of Daily Chlorhexidine Baths for Patients at a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Munoz-Price L. Silvia , Hota Bala , Stemer Alexander , Weinstein Robert A.
Published: September 2009

Objective.

To evaluate the effect of bathing patients with 2% chlorhexidine on the rates of central vascular catheter (CVC)–associated bloodstream infection (BSI) at a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH).

Design.

Quasi-experimental study.

Setting.

A 70-bed LTACH in the greater Chicago area.

Patients.

All consecutive patients admitted to the LTACH during the period from February 2006 to February 2008.

Methods.

For patients at the LTACH, daily 2% chlorhexidine baths were instituted during the period from September 2006 until May 2007 (ie, the intervention period). A preintervention period (in which patients were given daily soap-and-water baths) and a postintervention period (in which patients were given daily nonmedicated baths and weekly 2% chlorhexidine baths) were also observed. The rates of CVC-associated BSI and ventilator-associated pneumonia were analyzed for the intervention period and for the pre- and postintervention periods.

Results.

The rates of CVC-associated BSI were 9.5, 3.8, and 6.4 cases per 1,000 CVC-days during the preintervention, intervention, and postintervention periods, respectively. By the end of the intervention period, there was a net reduction of 99% in the CVC-associated BSI rate. No changes were seen in the rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia during the preintervention and intervention periods.

Conclusion.

Daily chlorhexidine baths appeared to be an effective intervention to reduce rates of CVC-associated BSI in an LTACH.
Documentation and Evaluation of Fevers in Hospital-Based and Community-Based Nursing Homes
Authors: Franson Timothy R. , Schicker Jeffrey M. , LeClair Susan M. , Hoffmann Raymond G. , Duthie Edmund H.
Published: September 2009

We reviewed clinical evaluation practices and documentation of fever (>100.2°F) in all febrile patients over a two-month period in a hospital-based nursing home (HBNH) compared with a community-based nursing home (CBNH). Results showed 38 febrile (mean 101.9°F) HBNH patients and 26 febrile (mean 101.5°F) CBNH patients. Median time from fever onset to physician contact was 4 hours in HBNH and 12.5 hours in CBNH episodes (P<0.01). Laboratory studies were initially performed in 68% of HBNH and 31% of CBNH episodes (P<0.005), and diagnosis of fever source was documented in 76% of HBNH and 16% of CBNH episodes (P<0.005). Overall assessment stratification showed 81% febrile HBNH patients had both evaluation and therapy performed compared with 38% in CBNH (P<0.0001); 39% of febrile CBNH patients had no evaluation or therapy performed. Results indicate lack of documentation, and fever evaluation in CBNHs may preclude complete detection of nursing home-acquired infections and thereby hamper preventive responses to potential infection problems.
Nosocomial Infections in Hospitals in Poznan, Poland
Authors: Kȩdzia Włodzimierz B.
Published: September 2009

In Poland, uniform guidelines for prevention and control of nosocomial infections are not obligatory. Hospitals apply the general rules suggested by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the State Institute of Hygiene. Data from available literature and personal experience are also applied. In this review the etiology and frequency of hospital infections are described and the problems of infection control and hospital infections are emphasized. Measures taken to prevent nosocomial infectious are presented.
Cellular factor YY1 downregulates the human papillomavirus 16 E6/E7 promoter, P97, in vivo and in vitro from a negative element overlapping the transcription-initiation site
Authors: Lace Michael J. , Yamakawa Yasushi , Ushikai Masato , Anson James R. , Haugen Thomas H. , Turek Lubomir P.
Published: September 2009

Cellular factors that bind tocissequences in the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) upstream regulatory region (URR) positively and negatively regulate the viral E6 and E7 oncogene promoter, P97. DNase I footprinting has revealed the binding of cellular proteins to two previously undetectedciselements overlapping and 3′ of the transcription-initiation site of the P97 promoter. Mutations within homologous motifs found in both of theseciselements abolished their negative functionin vivoand the binding of the same cellular complexin vitro. This factor was identified as YY1 by complex mobility and binding specificity in comparison with vaccinia virus-expressed, purified recombinant YY1 protein and by antigenic reactivity with YY1 antisera.Cismutations in the ‘initiator’ YY1 site activated the P97 promoterin vivoandin vitro. P97 was also activated threefoldin vitroby depletion of endogenous YY1 with wild-type, but not mutant, YY1 oligonucleotides from the IgH kappa E3′ enhancer. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of exogenous, purified recombinant YY1 repressed wild-type P97 transcript levels by up to threefold, but did not influence the P97 promoter mutated in the ‘initiator’ YY1 site. Thus, the promoter-proximal YY1 site was not necessary for correct transcription initiation at the P97 promoter, but was found to be required for downregulation of P97 transcriptionin vivoandin vitro. In contrast to other viral and cellular promoters, where YY1 is thought to function as a positive transcription-‘initiator’ factor, HPV-16 P97 transcription is downregulated by YY1 from a critical motif overlapping the transcription start site.
Analysis of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in Japanese glioma patients
Authors: Sonoda Yukihiko , Kumabe Toshihiro , Nakamura Taigen , Saito Ryuta , Kanamori Masayuki , Yamashita Yoji , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Tominaga Teiji
Published: September 2009

A recent study reported on mutations in the active site of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene in several types of gliomas. All mutations detected resulted in an amino acid exchange at position 132. We analyzed the genomic region spanning wild‐type R132 of IDH1 by direct sequencing in 125 glial tumors. A total of 39 IDH1 mutations were observed. Mutations of the IDH2 gene, homologous to IDH1, were often detected in gliomas without IDH1 mutations. In the present study, R172 mutation of the IDH2 gene was detected in one anaplastic astrocytoma. IDH1 or IDH2 mutations were frequently in oligodendrogliomas (67%), anaplastic astrocytomas (62%), anaplastic oligoastrocytomas (75%), anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (50%), secondary glioblastomas (67%), gangliogliomas (38%), and anaplastic gangliogliomas (60%). Primary glioblastomas were characterized by a low frequency of mutations (5%) at amino acid position 132 of IDH1. Mutations of the IDH1 or IDH2 genes were significantly associated with improved outcome in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas. Our data suggest that IDH1 or IDH2 mutation plays a role in early tumor progression of several types of glioma and might arise from a common glial precursor. The infrequency of IDH1 mutation in primary glioblastomas revealed that these subtypes are genetically distinct entities from other glial tumors. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1996–1998)
Influence of hepatic artery occlusion on tumor growth and metastatic potential in a human orthotopic hepatoma nude mouse model: Relevance of epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Liu Liang , Ren Zheng‐Gang , Shen Yuan , Zhu Xiao‐Dong , Zhang Wei , Xiong Wei , Qin Yi , Tang Zhao‐You
Published: September 2009

Hepatic artery ligation (HAL), transarterial embolization (TAE), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have been treatment choices for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Obstruction of tumor blood supply is one of the most important mechanisms of these therapeutics measures. Here we introduced HAL into a metastatic human HCC orthotopic nude mouse model (using MHCC97L and HepG2 cell lines) to examine the effects of hepatic blood flow obstruction on the metastatic potential of hepatic tumor cells, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects. Our results indicated that HAL inhibited tumor growth but concomitantly elicited tumor adaptation and progression, with increased potential for invasion and distant metastases. The underlying proinvasive mechanism of HAL appeared to be associated with enhanced intratumoral hypoxia and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) due to hypoxia. This was in accord with the in vitro response of MHCC97L and HepG2 cells to hypoxia. The therapeutic effects of HAL could be enhanced by the phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, through arrest of EMT in hepatic tumor cells. It could be useful in the development of mechanism‐based combination therapies to enhance the initial antitumor response. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Increased chemoresistance induced by inhibition of HIF‐prolyl‐hydroxylase domain enzymes
Authors: Brökers Nils , Le‐Huu Sinja , Vogel Sabine , Hagos Yohannes , Katschinski Dörthe M. , Kleinschmidt Malte
Published: September 2009

The hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) is the master regulator for oxygen‐dependent gene expression. The HIF signal transduction pathway can be manipulated by inhibiting the activity of the HIFα‐regulating prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes. The consequence of inhibiting the PHD activity for chemoresistance was studied. Inhibiting the PHD activity with the 2‐oxoglutarate analog dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG) results in increased chemoresistance towards etoposide but not carboplatin in HeLa cells. Evidence for an etoposide‐specific resistance, which develops as a consequence of inhibiting the PHD activity, was further supported in a tetracycline‐inducible PHD2 knockdown HeLa cell model. The etoposide‐resistance was mediated by HIF‐1α as shown in mouse embryonic fibroblast HIF‐1α+/+ and HIF‐1α−/− cells. Decreased cellular cytotoxicity after etoposide treatment inversely correlated with a dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG)‐inducible, HIF‐1α‐dependent enhanced MDR‐1 expression and efflux activity as determined by RT‐PCR, immunoblots, and with the fluorescent dye DiOC2. Taken together, our data indicate that PHD inhibitors might increase chemoresistance of tumor cells in a HIF‐1‐dependent manner. (Cancer Sci 2009; 101: xxx–xxx)
Effects of human–livestock–wildlife interactions on habitat in an eastern Kenya rangeland
Authors: Otuoma John , Kinyamario Jenesio , Ekaya Wellington , Kshatriya Mrigesh , Nyabenge Meshak
Published: September 2009

Human–livestock–wildlife interactions have increased in Kenyan rangelands in recent years, but few attempts have been made to evaluate their impact on the rangeland habitat. This study identified drivers of increased human–livestock–wildlife interactions in the Meru Conservation Area between 1980 and 2000 and their effects on the vegetation community structure. The drivers were habitat fragmentation, decline in pastoral grazing range, loss of wildlife dispersal areas and increase in livestock population density. Agricultural encroachment increased by over 76% in the western zone adjoining Nyambene ranges and the southern Tharaka area, substantially reducing the pastoral grazing range and wildlife dispersal areas. Livestock population increased by 41%, subjecting areas left for pastoral grazing in the northern dispersal area to prolonged heavy grazing that gave woody plant species a competitive edge over herbaceous life‐forms. Consequently, open wooded grassland, which was the dominant vegetation community in 1980, decreased by c. 40% as bushland vegetation increased by 42%. A substantial proportion of agro pastoralists were encountered around Kinna and Rapsu, areas that were predominantly occupied by pastoralists three decades ago, indicating a possible shift in land use in order to spread risks associated with habitat alterations.
Heard but not seen: an acoustic survey of the African forest elephant population at Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana
Authors: Thompson Mya E. , Schwager Steven J. , Payne Katharine B.
Published: September 2009

This study, designed to survey forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) at Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana, is the first to apply acoustic methods to elephant abundance estimation and to compare results with independent survey estimates. Nine acoustic sensors gathered sound continuously for 38 days. Low‐frequency calling rates have been established as useful elephant abundance indices at a Namibian watering hole and a central African forest clearing. In this study, we estimated elephant population size by applying an abundance index model and detection function developed in central Africa to data from simultaneous sampling periods on Kakum sensors. The sensor array recorded an average of 1.81 calls per 20‐min sampling period from an effective detection area averaging 10.27 km2. The resulting estimate of 294 elephants (95% CI: 259–329) falls within confidence bounds of recent dung‐based surveys. An extended acoustic model, estimating the frequency with which elephants are silent when present, yields an estimate of 350 elephants (95% CI: 315–384). Acoustic survey confidence intervals are at least half as wide as those from dung‐based surveys. This study demonstrates that acoustic surveying is a valuable tool for estimating elephant abundance, as well as for detecting other vocal species and anthropogenic noises that may be associated with poaching.
Impact of cocoa farming on vegetation in an agricultural landscape in Ghana
Authors: Asase Alex , Ofori‐Frimpong Kwasi , Ekpe Patrick K.
Published: September 2009

Cocoa production occurs almost wholly within areas identified as biodiversity hotspots in West Africa and it has been noted as a major contributor to deforestation at the forest‐agriculture interface. This study investigated the impact of cocoa farming on vegetation in relation to three land‐use types of increasing cocoa production intensity from remnant native forest through shaded to unshaded cocoa farmlands in Ghana. The study used transects and forty‐two 25 m × 25 m vegetation plots. The overall noncocoa plant species richness decreased significantly (95% CI) from the remnant native forest through shaded to the unshaded cocoa farmlands. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were also found in the mean density and basal area of noncocoa plants per hectare with the remnant native forest recording the highest values and the unshaded cocoa farmlands the lowest. The relative density of about 44.7% out of the 41 most abundant plant species declined in cocoa farmlands. The results of this study showed that cocoa farming could result in a drastic forest plant species loss with subsequent recruitment of nonforest species, forest plant species population decline as well as changes in the structural characteristics of the vegetation. This impact increases with increasing cocoa production intensity.
Annotation and analysis of low‐complexity protein families of Anopheles gambiae that are associated with cuticle
Authors: Cornman R. S. , Willis J. H.
Published: September 2009

We have characterized four new families of homologous genes of the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, all of which include members shown by previous work to be cuticular in nature. The CPLCG, CPLCW, CPLCP, and CPLCA families (where CPLC is ‘cuticular protein of low complexity’) encode proteins with a high proportion of low‐complexity sequence. We have also annotated the An. gambiae Tweedle genes, a family of cuticular protein genes first described in Drosophila, and additional ungrouped An. gambiae cuticular proteins identified by proteomics. Our annotations reveal multiple gene‐family expansions that are specific to Diptera or Culicidae. The CPLCG and CPLCW families occur within a large and dynamic tandem array on chromosome 3R that includes sets of concertedly evolving genes. Most gene families exhibit two or more different expression profiles during development.
Fertile bull sperm aneuploidy and chromatin integrity in relationship to fertility
Authors: Rybar R. , Kopecka V. , Prinosilova P. , Kubickova S. , Veznik Z. , Rubes J.
Published: September 2009

Aneuploidy is associated with spontaneous abortions, perinatal mortality, mental retardation and with embryonic and foetal mortality. Most of these abnormalities originate as a result of meiosis errors during gametogenesis. The main purpose of the study was to analyse frequency of aneuploidies of sex chromosomes and chromosome 6 by three‐colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 47 young bulls, candidates for artificial insemination programme with cryopreserved semen and to investigate the influence of aneuploidies and disturbed sperm chromatin integrity on non‐return rates, the frequencies of abortions, perinatal mortality and stillbirths. The average frequencies of spermatozoa with disomy for chromosomes X, Y, XY and 6 were 0.032, 0.005, 0.003 and 0.039% respectively. The incidence of XX66, YY66 and XY66 diploidy was 0.017, 0.006 and 0.015% respectively. Frequencies of meiotic II errors were significantly higher than meiotic I errors (p < 0.01). More X bearing spermatozoa than Y bearing spermatozoa were detected (5151 vs. 5022; p < 0.01). Sperm chromatin damage expressed by DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was 5.3 ± 3.7 and percentage of cells with defective chromatin condensation (HDS) was 1.4 ± 0.8. No correlation was found between sperm aneuploidy and basic sperm analysis. The relationship was found between non‐return rate and total aneuploidy (r = −0.310; p = 0.036). Significant correlation was found between sex disomy, total aneuploidy (disomy of chromosomes 6, X, Y and XY spermatozoa and diploidy) and stillbirths (r = 0.390; p = 0.013; and r = 0.331; p = 0.037). Chromosome 6 disomy correlated with perinatal mortality (r = 0.317; p = 0.047). HDS correlated significantly with total aneuploidy (r = 0.449; p = 0.002). Our study indicated that aneuploidy frequencies in young fertile bull spermatozoa are relatively low. Nevertheless, there exists a variability in aneuploidy frequencies amongst bulls, which appears to be able to have an influence on the fertility of these animals.
Resurrection kinetics of photosynthesis in desiccation‐tolerant terrestrial green algae (Chlorophyta) on tree bark
Authors: Lüttge U. , Büdel B.
Published: September 2009

The rough bark of orchard trees (Malus) around Darmstadt is predominantly covered in red to purple‐brown layers (biofilms) of epiphytic terrestrial alga of Trentepohlia umbrina. The smooth bark of forest trees (Fagus sylvatica L. and Acer sp.) in the same area is covered by bright green biofilms composed of the green algae Desmococcus, Apatococcus and Trebouxia, with a few cells of Coccomyxa and ‘Chlorella’ trebouxioides between them. These algae are desiccation tolerant. After samples of bark with the biofilms were kept in dry air in darkness for various periods of time, potential quantum yield of PSII, Fv/Fm, recovered during rehydration upon rewetting. The kinetics and degree of recovery depended on the length of time that the algae were kept in dry air in the desiccated state. Recovery was better for green biofilm samples, i.e. quite good even after 80 days of desiccation (Fv/Fm = ca. 50% of initial value), than the red samples, where recovery was only adequate up to ca. 30–40 days of desiccation (Fv/Fm = ca. 20–55% of initial value). It is concluded that the different bark types constitute different ecophysiological niches that can be occupied by the algae and that can be distinguished by their capacity to recover from desiccation after different times in the dry state.
The influence of skin temperature and skin perfusion on the cephalocaudal progression of jaundice in newborns
Authors: Purcell Natalie , Beeby Philip J
Published: September 2009

Aim:  Despite being widely recognized, the cephalocaudal progression of jaundice in newborns (Kramer's Rule) has never been satisfactorily explained. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the cephalocaudal progression of jaundice in newborns is related to regional differences in skin temperature and skin perfusion.

Methods:  A convenience sample of 50 infants was included in the study. On each infant, a transcutaneous bilirubin, skin temperature and capillary refill time measurement was made at five sites; the forehead, sternum, lower abdomen, mid thigh and sole. The relationship between the three variables was studied by analysis of variance.

Results:  The transcutaneous bilirubin measurements upheld Kramer's observation, being significantly higher at the head and chest than at the thigh and sole (P < 0.001). A similar pattern was found for both skin temperature and capillary refill, both significantly different at the head compared to the sole (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  The results of the study support the hypothesis that the cephalocaudal progression of jaundice in newborns is a consequence of diminished capillary blood flow in distal parts of the body. It is hypothesized that newborn infants preferentially perfuse their head and proximal parts of their body in the first few days of life, leading to higher temperatures and increased bilirubin deposition at these sites.
Risks of severity and readmission of Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children hospitalised for bronchiolitis
Authors: Bailey Emily J , Maclennan Carolyn , Morris Peter S , Kruske Sue G , Brown Ngiare , Chang Anne B
Published: September 2009

Objective:  To describe the characteristics of children admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital with bronchiolitis, and to compare the severity of illness and incidence of subsequent readmission in Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children.

Design, Setting and Participants:  Retrospective study of 101 children (aged ≤2 years) hospitalised with bronchiolitis to Royal Darwin Hospital between April 2005 and December 2006.

Main Outcome Measures:  Admission characteristics and indices of severity, treatment required (antibiotics etc.), reasons and incidence of readmissions (within 6 months).

Results:  Indigenous children had significantly more severe illness then non‐Indigenous children (n= 80 and 21, respectively), longer hospital stay (median = 6 and 3 days; P= 0.001) and oxygen requirement (median = 3 and 0; P= 0.004), pneumonia (n= 14 and 0; P= 0.04) and antibiotics treatment (48 and 4; P= 0.001). The readmission rate for bronchiolitis was high (23%) with no significant difference between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous children.

Conclusion:  Indigenous Australian children hospitalised with bronchiolitis have significantly more severe illness than non‐Indigenous children. Points of intervention that can address this and the identified high readmission rate (within 6 months) are required.
Lower genital tract lesions requiring surgical intervention in girls: Perspective from a developing country
Authors: Ekenze Sebastian O , Mbadiwe Okezie M , Ezegwui Hyginius U
Published: September 2009

Aim:  To determine the spectrum, outcome of treatment and the challenges of managing surgical lesions of lower genital tract in girls in a low‐resource setting.

Method:  Retrospective study of 87 girls aged 13‐years and younger, with lower genital tract lesions managed between February 2002 and January 2007 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. Clinical charts were reviewed to determine the types, management, outcome of treatment and management difficulties.

Results:  The median age at presentation was 1 year (range 2 days–13 years). Congenital lesions comprised 67.8% and acquired lesions 32.2%. The lesions included: masculinised external genitalia (24), vestibular fistula from anorectal malformation (23), post‐circumcision labial fusion (12), post‐circumcision vulval cyst (6), low vaginal malformations (6), labial adhesion (5), cloacal malformation (3), bifid clitoris (3) urethral prolapse (3), and acquired rectovaginal fistula (2). Seventy‐eight (89.7%) had operative treatment. Procedure related complications occurred in 19 cases (24.4%) and consisted of surgical wound infection (13 cases), labial adhesion (4 cases) and urinary retention (2 cases). There was no mortality. Overall, 14 (16.1%) abandoned treatment at one stage or another. Challenges encountered in management were inadequate diagnostic facilities, poor multidisciplinary collaboration and poor patient follow up.

Conclusion:  There is a wide spectrum of lower genital lesion among girls in our setting. Treatment of these lesions may be challenging, but the outcome in most cases is good. High incidence of post‐circumcision complications and poor treatment compliance may require more efforts at public enlightenment.
Pathogenic role of the IgA molecule in IgA nephropathy
Authors: LAI Kar Neng , LEUNG Joseph CK
Published: September 2009

SUMMARY: Deposits of IgA together with complement in different body tissues support the hypothesis that IgA can trigger inflammatory mechanisms. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by predominant mesangial IgA1 deposits of a polymeric nature. So far, the mechanism of polymeric IgA1 deposition in the kidney mesangium is poorly understood in IgAN. the exact pathophysiological sequel preceding renal fibrosis following the mesangial deposition of IgA immune complexes remains speculative. Recent in vitro studies revealed that binding of IgA to mesangial cells led to increased expression of growth factors, cytokines, and integrins. the release of these proinflammatory factors is likely to enhance inflammatory injury. In addition, the local renin‐angiotensin system present in renal tissues also contributes to renal fibrosis through the activation of transforming growth factor‐β. the question of whether polymeric IgA isolated from patients with IgAN exerted any upregulatory effect on the synthesis of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and components of the renin‐angiotensin system in human mesangial cells was explored. the in vitro studies revealed that polymeric IgA from IgAN patients upregulated the gene expression of renin and MIF in human mesangial cells in a dose‐dependent manner. These findings further support the notion that glomerular deposition of IgA is not only a pathological epiphenomenon of IgAN, but that polymeric IgA exerts a pathophysiologic effect on the mesangial cells leading to renal fibrosis.
IgA nephropathy and mesangial cell proliferation: shared global gene expression profiles
Authors: SAKAI Hideto , YANO Naohiro , FADDEN‐PAIVA Kimberly J , ENDOH Masayuki , KUROKAWA Kiyoshi , ABBOUD Hanna E , RIFAI Abdalla
Published: September 2009

SUMMARY: It is well established that mesangial cell proliferation plays a major role in glomerular injury and progressive renal injury. the expression of a number of different genes has been reported in proliferative mesangial cells in culture. However, the relevance of these genes to renal injury in general and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) remains to be established. Assessment of gene activity on a global genome‐wide scale is a fundamental and newly developed molecular strategy to expand the scope of clinical investigation from a single gene to studying all genes at once in a systematic pattern. Capitalizing on the recently developed methodology of high cDNA array hybridization, the simultaneous expression of thousands of genes in primary human proliferating mesangial cells was monitored and compared with renal tissue of IgAN. Complex [α‐33P]‐labelled cDNA targets were prepared from cultured mesangial cells, remnant tissue from five IgAN renal biopsies and four nephrectomies (controls). Each target was hybridized to a high‐density array of 18 326 paired target genes. the radioactive hybridization signals were analysed by phosphorimager. Approximately 8212±530 different gene transcripts were detected per target. Close to 5% (386±90 genes) were full‐length mRNA human transcripts (HT) and the remainder were expressed sequence tags (EST). Using a relational database, electronic subtraction was performed and matching was carried out to allow identification of 203 HT with shared expression in proliferative mesangial cells and IgAN renal biopsies. In addition hierarchical clustering analysis was performed on the HT of IgAN and controls to establish differential expression profiles of mesangial HT in IgAN and controls. Collectively the presented data constitutes a preliminary renal bioinformatics database of the transcriptional profiles in IgAN. More importantly, the information may help to speed up the discovery of genes underlying human IgAN.
Perspectives of chronic renal failure
Authors: KUROKAWA Kiyoshi , NANGAKU Masaomi , INAGI Reiko , MIYATA Toshio
Published: September 2009

SUMMARY: End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is a major source of morbidity and the increasing number of chronic dialysis patients is a significant health‐care issue in many developed as well as developing countries. In the present brief review the current status of chronic dialysis is discussed; and Japan and the USA, two major countries in which chronic dialysis programmes are well developed, are compared. Also discussed is the economic impact, the status of renal transplantation and its future possibilities, recent efforts to halt progression of chronic renal disease, in particular, diabetic nephropathy (which has become the major cause of ESRD in many developed countries), and future perspectives in renal research. It is hoped that, in the future, perhaps by the mid‐21 st century, chronic dialysis may become the exception in therapy through our efforts.