bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chilling ovarian fragments during transportation improves viability and growth of goat preantral follicles cultured in vitro
Authors: Chaves R. N. , Martins F. S. , Saraiva M. V. A. , Celestino J. J. H. , Lopes C. A. P. , Correia J. C. , Verde I. B. Lima , Matos M. H. T. , Báo S. N. , Name K. P. O. , Campello C. C. , Silva J. R. V. , Figueiredo J. R.
Published: May 2008

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of storage of goat ovarian fragments at different temperatures and for different incubation times on the viability and growth of cultured preantral follicles in vitro. Caprine ovaries were collected and divided into 19 fragments, with one fragment being fixed immediately (fresh control). The remaining fragments were placed in minimal essential medium (MEM) and maintained at 4, 20 or 35°C for 2 or 4 h. After each incubation period, some of the fragments were fixed (non-cultured), whereas others were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days. Fragments were processed to enable routine histological and transmission electron microscopic examination. After 7 days of culture, only ovarian fragments stored at 4°C for 4 h maintained a percentage of morphologically normal follicles similar to that in the fresh control. For all other treatments groups, there was a significant increase in follicular activation observed. In addition, there was an increase in oocyte and follicular diameter after culture of ovarian cortex that had been chilled previously at 4°C for 2 or 4 h. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that chilling ovarian fragments at 4°C during transportation is best for maintaining follicle viability and to increase follicular growth during in vitro culture.
Passivation of irregular surfaces accessed by diffusion
Authors: Filoche M. , Grebenkov D. S. , Andrade J. S. , Sapoval B.
Published: May 2008

We investigate the process of progressive passivation of irregular surfaces accessed by diffusion. More precisely, we quantify through numerical simulations how the activity of the von Koch surface is gradually transferred from its initially active (or absorbing) regions to its less accessible regions. We show that in three dimensions, in sharp contrast with the two-dimensional case, the size of the successive active zones steadily decreases during the passivation process, even though a large quantity of alive surface remains available. As a consequence, in three dimensions, the evolution of the efficiency of a surface accessed by diffusion (i.e., by a Laplacian field) can exhibit long-tail behaviors that, unlike in two dimensions, strongly depend on its specific geometry. This fact has important implications for the design of heterogeneous catalysts under deactivation conditions, for the performance of heat exchangers subjected to passivation by “fouling,” and for changes in the behavior of the digestive system, where the activity of the absorbing intestinal membrane can be substantially affected by inflammatory disorders.
Natural variation in
Pristionchus pacificus
insect pheromone attraction involves the protein kinase EGL-4
Authors: Hong Ray L. , Witte Hanh , Sommer Ralf J.
Published: May 2008

The geographical mosaic theory of coevolution predicts that different local species interactions will shape population traits, but little is known about the molecular factors involved in mediating the specificity of these interactions.
Pristionchus
nematodes associate with different scarab beetles around the world, with
Pristionchus pacificus
isolated primarily from the oriental beetle in Japan. In particular, the constituent populations of
P. pacificus
represent a rare opportunity to study multiple specialized interactions and the mechanisms that influence population traits at the genetic level. We identified a component of the cGMP signaling pathway to be involved in the natural variation for sensing the insect pheromone ETDA, using targeted introgression lines, exogenous cGMP treatment, and a null
egl-4
allele. Our data strongly implicate
egl-4
as one of several loci involved in behavioral variation in
P. pacificus
populations. That EGL-4 homologs have been independently implicated for behavioral variations in other invertebrate models suggests that EGL-4 may act as a modulator for interspecies behavioral repertoires across large phylogenetic distances.
Gesture and speech
Authors: Capirci Olga , Volterra Virginia
Published: May 2008

The present paper focuses on early stages of development exploring the emergence of the gesture language system in infancy and its evolution toward the adult system. Old and recent studies carried on mainly in our Laboratory are described and discussed.

According to the perspective that emerged in the late 1970s the findings on the role of gesture in the acquisition and development of language did not raise any particular interest in a wider audience. In more recent years a new theoretical framework emerging from different disciplines and perspectives (evolutionary, neuro-physiological, linguistic) made this approach to the ontogeny of language extremely relevant. Findings on the tight link between actions, gestures, and spoken words in young children support some hypotheses put forward by these different perspectives and are in accordance with this new theoretical framework.
Mouth actions as gesture in sign language
Authors: Fontana Sabina
Published: May 2008

The present study investigates the nature of mouth actions in Italian Sign Language (LIS) and shows how the manual and the oral modality can be integrated when the visual-gestural channel is chosen for communication. Finally, the role played by mouth actions in sign language will be investigated and paralleled to co-speech gestures by re-working Kendon’s continuum in order to show how orality could become gestural when co-occurring with signing.
The discordance between Voice and Gesture in Joseph-Marie de Gérando (1772–1842)
Authors: Martone Arturo
Published: May 2008

The comparison between Joseph-Marie de Gérando and Étienne Bonnot de Condillac allows us to pose some questions — as pertinent today as they were in the eighteenth century — that have to do with the fully linguistic nature of sign language (SL), that is found fully exemplified, obviously, in vocal language (VL). The questions are: (a) From a semiotic point of view, what is the relation between these two forms of language that are so differently constituted: vocal language vs. a visual-manual form of language? (b) Can a language be fully linguistic if it is not a written language? That is, can a “language” be so called when, even if it displays a metalinguistic capacity, it cannot be written? Such questions had already been posed by de Gérando who, basing himself on the earlier teachings of Charles-Michel de l’Épée, followed an anthropological or ethnographic orienation which, according to de Gérando, Condillac did not have. De Gérando, that is to say, was more interested in the differences between languages than he was in their uniformity.
Imagined communities in senior school mathematics
Authors: Arkoudis Sophie , Love Kristina
Published: May 2008

In a highly mobile and globalized educational market, Australian secondary schools attract increasing numbers of international students, the majority of whom are from China (Australian Education International, 2007). Most of these Chinese international students undertake two years of senior secondary education in this English medium context as a step towards entry to Australian tertiary institutions, but their increasing heterogeneity in terms of linguistic and academic ability is resulting in increasing frustrations for them and their subject teachers alike (Arkoudis & Love, 2004; Love & Arkoudis, 2006). This paper explores the language and learning needs of Chinese international students in one popular senior school subject, Specialist Mathematics, using student and teacher interviews focusing on a written examination. The interviews were examined through two theoretical lenses, that of Norton’s (2001) imagined communities and van Langenhove & Harre’s (1999) positioning theory, in order to explore how the imagined communities of the students and their teacher influence their investment in the teaching and learning context. The analysis highlights that the teacher and students’ actions and identities are influenced by their different imagined communities, which affect their motivation and investment in their current community of the Specialist Maths class.
In vivo equilibrium of proinflammatory IL-17+ and regulatory IL-10+ Foxp3+ RORγt+ T cells
Authors: Lochner Matthias , Peduto Lucie , Cherrier Marie , Sawa Shinichiro , Langa Francina , Varona Rosa , Riethmacher Dieter , Si-Tahar Mustapha , Di Santo James P. , Eberl Gérard
Published: May 2008

The nuclear hormone receptor retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is required for the generation of T helper 17 cells expressing the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17. In vivo, however, less than half of RORγt+ T cells express IL-17. We report here that RORγt+ Tαβ cells include Foxp3+ cells that coexist with IL-17–producing RORγt+ Tαβ cells in all tissues examined. The Foxp3+ RORγt+ Tαβ express IL-10 and CCL20, and function as regulatory T cells. Furthermore, the ratio of Foxp3+ to IL-17–producing RORγt+ Tαβ cells remains remarkably constant in mice enduring infection and inflammation. This equilibrium is tuned in favor of IL-10 production by Foxp3 and CCL20, and in favor of IL-17 production by IL-6 and IL-23. In the lung and skin, the largest population of RORγt+ T cells express the γδ T cell receptor and produce the highest levels of IL-17 independently of IL-6. Thus, potentially antagonistic proinflammatory IL-17–producing and regulatory Foxp3+ RORγt+ T cells coexist and are tightly controlled, suggesting that a perturbed equilibrium in RORγt+ T cells might lead to decreased immunoreactivity or, in contrast, to pathological inflammation.
Nonjudicious Dispensing of Antibiotics by Drug Stores in Pratumthani, Thailand
Authors: Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Tunpornchai Jeeraluk , Tanawitt Korakot , Mundy Linda M.
Published: May 2008

Mock patient presentations of 6 common syndromic ailments to drug stores in Pratumthani, Thailand, were conducted. Appropriate dispensing of antibiotic therapy for all 6 presentations occurred at 56 (20%) of 280 drug stores. By multivariate analysis, drug stores' proximity to a hospital was associated with appropriate dispensing of antibiotics (adjusted odds ratio, 34 [95% confidence interval, 15–83]; P < .001).
Active Surveillance to Determine the Impact of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization on Patients in Intensive Care Units of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Authors: Patel Mukesh , Weinheimer Jeffrey D. , Waites Ken B. , Baddley John W.
Published: May 2008

Objective.

The impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization on mortality has not been well characterized. We sought to describe the impact of MRSA colonization on patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

Methods.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of ICU patients at the Birmingham VAMC during 2005 to evaluate the predictors of MRSA colonization and determine its effect on clinical outcomes. Surveillance cultures for MRSA were performed on admission to the ICU and weekly thereafter. Clinical findings, the incidence of MRSA infection, and mortality within 3 months after ICU admission were recorded. Predictors of mortality and S. aureus colonization were determined using multivariable models.

Results.

S. aureus colonization was present in 97 (23.3%) of 416 patients screened, of whom 67 (16.1%) were colonized with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 30 (7.2%) with MRSA. All-cause mortality at 3 months among MRSA-colonized patients was significantly greater than that among MSSA-colonized patients (46.7% vs 19.4%; P = .009). MRSA colonization was an independent predictor of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR] ,3.7 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.5–8.9]; P = .003) and onset of MRSA infection after hospital discharge (adjusted OR, 7.6 [95% CI, 2.48–23.2]; P < .001). Risk factors for MRSA colonization included recent antibiotic use (adjusted OR, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.9–12.2]; P = .001) and dialysis (adjusted OR, 18.9 [95% CI, 2.1–167.8]; P = .008).

Conclusions.

Among ICU patients, MRSA colonization is associated with subsequent MRSA infection and an all-cause mortality that is greater than that for MSSA colonization. Active surveillance for MRSA colonization may identify individuals at risk for these adverse outcomes. Prospective studies of outcomes in MRSA-colonized patients may better define the role of programs for active MRSA surveillance.
Chromatin Remodeling Complexes Interact Dynamically with a Glucocorticoid Receptor–regulated Promoter
Authors: Johnson Thomas A. , Elbi Cem , Parekh Bhavin S. , Hager Gordon L. , John Sam
Published: May 2008

Brahma (BRM) and Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) are the ATP-dependent catalytic subunits of the SWI/SNF family of chromatin-remodeling complexes. These complexes are involved in essential processes such as cell cycle, growth, differentiation, and cancer. Using imaging approaches in a cell line that harbors tandem repeats of stably integrated copies of the steroid responsive MMTV-LTR (mouse mammary tumor virus–long terminal repeat), we show that BRG1 and BRM are recruited to the MMTV promoter in a hormone-dependent manner. The recruitment of BRG1 and BRM resulted in chromatin remodeling and decondensation of the MMTV repeat as demonstrated by an increase in the restriction enzyme accessibility and in the size of DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals. This chromatin remodeling event was concomitant with an increased occupancy of RNA polymerase II and transcriptional activation at the MMTV promoter. The expression of ATPase-deficient forms of BRG1 (BRG1-K-R) or BRM (BRM-K-R) inhibited the remodeling of local and higher order MMTV chromatin structure and resulted in the attenuation of transcription. In vivo photobleaching experiments provided direct evidence that BRG1, BRG1-K-R, and BRM chromatin-remodeling complexes have distinct kinetic properties on the MMTV array, and they dynamically associate with and dissociate from MMTV chromatin in a manner dependent on hormone and a functional ATPase domain. Our data provide a kinetic and mechanistic basis for the BRG1 and BRM chromatin-remodeling complexes in regulating gene expression at a steroid hormone inducible promoter.
Non-neutral processes drive the nucleotide composition of non-coding sequences inDrosophila
Authors: Haddrill Penelope R , Charlesworth Brian
Published: May 2008

The nature of the forces affecting base composition is a key question in genome evolution. There is uncertainty as to whether differences in the GC contents of non-coding sequences reflect differences in mutational bias, or in the intensity of selection or biased gene conversion. We have used a polymorphism dataset for non-coding sequences on the X chromosome ofDrosophila simulansto examine this question. The proportion of GC→AT versus AT→GC polymorphic mutations in a locus is correlated with its GC content. This implies the action of forces that favour GC over AT base pairs, which are apparently strongest in GC-rich sequences.
Delayed phenological timing of dragonfly emergence in Japan over five decades
Authors: Doi Hideyuki
Published: May 2008

Recent increases in air temperature have affected species phenology, resulting in the earlier onset of spring life-cycle events. Trends in the first appearance of adult dragonflies across Japan were analysed using a dataset consisting of observations from 1953 to 2005. Dynamic factor analysis was used to evaluate underlying common trends in a set of 48 time series. The appearance of the first adult dragonfly has significantly shifted to later in the spring in the past five decades. Generalized linear mixing models suggested that this is probably the result of increased air temperatures. Increased summer and autumn temperatures may provide longer bivoltine periods and a faster growth rate; thus, the second generation, which previously hatched in summer, can emerge in the autumn causing the size of the population of dragonflies that emerge in spring to decrease. It is also possible that reduced dragonfly populations along with human development are responsible for a delay in the first observed dragonflies in the spring. However, human population density did not appear to strongly affect the appearance date. This study provides the first evidence of a delay in insect phenological events over recent decades.
Charles Philippe Leblond. 5 February 1910 — 10 April 2007
Authors: Bennett Gary
Published: May 2008

In the modern world of cell biology, it is understood that virtually all cells in the body continuously synthesize a multitude ofproteins, and the pathways of synthesis and secretion of these proteins are well established. The continuous turnover of cells in many tissuesis also an accepted idea, and embryonic and adult stem cells are of central importance, both for the cellular economy and in malignant transformation. None of these phenomena were understood at the beginning of the career of Charles Philippe Leblond, and his extraordinary contributions to these fields have fundamen–tally changed our concepts of cell biology.
Hybridization of glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) and herring gull (Larus argentatus) in Iceland: mitochondrial and microsatellite data
Authors: Vigfúsdóttir Freydís , Pálsson Snæbjörn , Ingólfsson Agnar
Published: May 2008

Large white-headed gulls provide an interesting group of birds for studies of hybridization. The group is composed of 20 species of recent origin, often with weak reproductive barriers. Here we report the results from a study on the glaucous gullLarus hyperboreus, an Arctic species which has been breeding in Iceland for centuries, and the herring gullLarus argentatuswhich has a wide distribution in Europe but colonized Iceland in 1920s. Previous studies, based on morphological variation indicated hybridization between the two species in Iceland, have been questioned as it may just reflect variation within the species. Here we evaluate whether hybridization has occurred between the two species in Iceland by studying variation in microsatellites and mtDNA. The analysis is based on feathers taken from wings sampled in Iceland over a period of 40 years. The results are compared with samples obtained from East Greenland and published sequences of samples obtained throughout Europe. The genetic analysis reveals a distinctive grouping of the two species, although they present a shallow genealogy and an extensive sharing of the genetic variants between the two species. Several individuals show admixture for molecular markers, which may result from an incomplete lineage sorting although geographical patterns of both mtDNA haplotypes and microsatellites strongly indicate a recent hybridization in Iceland.
Activation of exchange protein activated by cyclic-AMP enhances long-lasting synaptic potentiation in the hippocampus
Authors: Gelinas Jennifer N. , Banko Jessica L. , Peters Melinda M. , Klann Eric , Weeber Edwin J. , Nguyen Peter V.
Published: May 2008

cAMP is a critical second messenger implicated in synaptic plasticity and memory in the mammalian brain. Substantial evidence links increases in intracellular cAMP to activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and subsequent phosphorylation of downstream effectors (transcription factors, receptors, protein kinases) necessary for long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength. However, cAMP may also initiate signaling via a guanine nucleotide exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac). The role of Epac in hippocampal synaptic plasticity is unknown. We found that in area CA1 of mouse hippocampal slices, activation of Epac enhances maintenance of LTP without affecting basal synaptic transmission. The persistence of this form of LTP requires extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and new protein synthesis, but not transcription. Because ERK is involved in translational control of long-lasting plasticity and memory, our data suggest that Epac is a crucial link between cAMP and ERK during some forms of protein synthesis-dependent LTP. Activation of Epac represents a novel signaling pathway for rapid regulation of the stability of enduring forms of LTP and, perhaps, of hippocampus- dependent long-term memories.
Contextual specificity of extinction of delay but not trace eyeblink conditioning in humans
Authors: Grillon Christian , Alvarez Ruben P. , Johnson Linda , Chavis Chanen
Published: May 2008

Renewal of an extinguished conditioned response has been demonstrated in humans and in animals using various types of procedures, except renewal of motor learning such as eyeblink conditioning. We tested renewal of delay and trace eyeblink conditioning in a virtual environment in an ABA design. Following acquisition in one context (A, e.g., an airport) and extinction in a different context (B, e.g., a city), tests for renewal took place in the acquisition (A) and extinction context (B), in a counterbalanced order. Results showed renewal of the extinguished conditioned response in the delay but not trace condition.
The Level of Free Intracellular Zinc Mediates Programmed Cell Death/Cell Survival Decisions in Plant Embryos
Authors: Helmersson Andreas , von Arnold Sara , Bozhkov Peter V.
Published: May 2008

Zinc is a potent regulator of programmed cell death (PCD) in animals. While certain, cell-type-specific concentrations of intracellular free zinc are required to protect cells from death, zinc depletion commits cells to death in diverse systems. As in animals, PCD has a fundamental role in plant biology, but its molecular regulation is poorly understood. In particular, the involvement of zinc in the control of plant PCD remains unknown. Here, we used somatic embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies) to investigate the role of zinc in developmental PCD, which is crucial for correct embryonic patterning. Staining of the early embryos with zinc-specific molecular probes (Zinquin-ethyl-ester and Dansylaminoethyl-cyclen) has revealed high accumulation of zinc in the proliferating cells of the embryonal masses and abrupt decrease of zinc content in the dying terminally differentiated suspensor cells. Exposure of early embryos to a membrane-permeable zinc chelator N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine led to embryonic lethality, as it induced ectopic cell death affecting embryonal masses. This cell death involved the loss of plasma membrane integrity, metacaspase-like proteolytic activity, and nuclear DNA fragmentation. To verify the anti-cell death effect of zinc, we incubated early embryos with increased concentrations of zinc sulfate. Zinc supplementation inhibited developmental PCD and led to suppression of terminal differentiation and elimination of the embryo suspensors, causing inhibition of embryo maturation. Our data demonstrate that perturbation of zinc homeostasis disrupts the balance between cell proliferation and PCD required for plant embryogenesis. This establishes zinc as an important cue governing cell fate decisions in plants.
The role of the renin–angiotensin system in atrial fibrillation and the therapeutic effects of ACE‐Is and ARBS
Authors: Novo Giuseppina , Guttilla Daniela , Fazio Giovanni , Cooper Debbie , Novo Salvatore
Published: May 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common rhythm disturbance in medical practice.

• AF can be managed with the prevention of thromboembolism and either a rate control or rhythm control strategy; however, as both treatment strategies have important limitations, a preventative strategy could be a more attractive option.

• Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐Is) and angiotensin‐II receptor blockers (ARBs) may play a role in preventing AF recurrence.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The aim of the present review was to analyse evidence supporting the usefulness of renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition in patients with AF and to focus on which specific subset of patients it most favours.

• Although many studies and meta‐analysis have supported the advantage of RAS block in preventing AF recurrence, it is not possible to recommend the use of ACE‐Is and ARBs in routine clinical practice specifically to prevent AF.

• As these drugs are safe and manageable, they should be considered the drugs of choice in patients with AF and coexisting clinical conditions such as hypertension, coronary disease, heart failure and diabetes mellitus.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common rhythm disturbance in medical practice and represents a very expensive health problem. AF can be managed with the prevention of thromboembolism and either a rate control or rhythm control strategy. As both strategies have important limitations, probably a preventative strategy in patients at risk of developing arrhythmia can be a more attractive option.

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) seems to be involved in the genesis of arrhythmia by the following two mechanisms:

the induction of atrial fibrosis and structural remodelling by mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression and reduction of collagenase activity;

the induction of electrical remodelling by shortening of the atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and of the action potential duration.

For these reasons it has been hypothesized that angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐Is) and angiotensin‐II receptor blockers (ARBs) may play a role in preventing AF recurrence. The aim of the present review was to analyse evidence supporting the usefulness of RAS inhibition in patients with AF in order to focus on which specific subset of patients it would most favour. After reviewing the literature, we conclude that, although many studies and meta‐analyses have supported the advantage of RAS block in preventing AF recurrence, it is premature to recommend the use of ACE‐Is and ARBs specifically for the prevention of AF.

However we believe that as these drugs are safe and manageable, they should be considered the drugs of choice in patients with AF and coexisting clinical conditions such as hypertension, coronary disease, heart failure and diabetes mellitus.
Asthma induced by inhalation of flour in adults with food allergy to wheat
Authors: Salvatori N. , Reccardini F. , Convento M. , Purinan A. , Colle R. , De Carli S. , Garzoni M. , Lafiandra D. , De Carli M.
Published: May 2008

Background
Wheat is one of the major food allergens and it is also an inhalant allergen in workers exposed to flour dusts. Food allergy to wheat in adulthood seems to be rare and has never been reported to be associated with asthma induced by flour inhalation.

Objective
The study aimed at detecting adults with food allergy to wheat and screening them for the presence of specific bronchial reactivity to inhaled wheat proteins.

Methods
Adults with a history of adverse reactions to ingestion of wheat underwent skin prick test with commercial wheat extract and were assessed for the presence of specific wheat IgE in the sera. Food sensitivity to wheat was confirmed by double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Specific bronchial reactivity was investigated through a specific bronchial challenge with wheat proteins.

Results
In nine patients with evidence of specific IgE response to wheat, a diagnosis of food allergy was made by DBPCFC. Only two subjects had asthma as disease induced by ingestion of wheat. Seven subjects reported a history of respiratory symptoms when exposed to flour dusts. A significant reduction of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was detected in these seven patients when a specific bronchial challenge with flour proteins was performed. Only three out of seven subjects with asthma induced by flour could be considered occupationally exposed to flour dusts.

Conclusion
For the first time, it has been shown that specific bronchial reactivity to wheat proteins can be detected in patients with different disorders associated with food allergy to wheat. The presence of asthma induced by inhaled flour is not strictly related to occupational exposure and it may also occur in subjects not displaying asthma among symptoms induced by wheat ingestion.
Will increased storm disturbance affect the biodiversity of intertidal, nonscleractinian sessile fauna on coral reefs?
Authors: WALKER S. J. , DEGNAN B. M. , HOOPER J. N. A. , SKILLETER G. A.
Published: May 2008

Relatively little is known about how the future effects of climatic change, including increases in sea level, temperature and storm severity and frequency, will impact on patterns of biodiversity on coral reefs, with the notable exception of recent work on corals and fish in tropical reef ecosystems. Sessile invertebrates such as ascidians, sponges and bryozoans occupying intertidal rubble habitats on coral reefs contribute significantly to the overall biodiversity and ecosystem function, but there is little or no information available on the likely impacts on these species from climate change. The existing strong physical gradients in these intertidal habitats will be exacerbated under predicted climatic change. By examining the distribution and abundance of nonscleractinian, sessile invertebrate assemblages exposed to different levels of wave action and at different heights on the shore around a coral reef, we show that coral reef intertidal biodiversity is particularly sensitive to physical disturbance. As physical disturbance regimes increase due to more intense storms and wave action associated with global warming, we can expect to see a corresponding decrease in the diversity of these cryptic sessile assemblages. This could impact negatively on the future health and productivity of coral reef ecosystems, given the ecosystem services these organisms provide.
Agricultural intensification increases deforestation fire activity in Amazonia
Authors: MORTON D. C. , DEFRIES R. S. , RANDERSON J. T. , GIGLIO L. , SCHROEDER W. , VAN DER WERF G. R.
Published: May 2008

Fire‐driven deforestation is the major source of carbon emissions from Amazonia. Recent expansion of mechanized agriculture in forested regions of Amazonia has increased the average size of deforested areas, but related changes in fire dynamics remain poorly characterized. We estimated the contribution of fires from the deforestation process to total fire activity based on the local frequency of active fire detections from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors. High‐confidence fire detections at the same ground location on 2 or more days per year are most common in areas of active deforestation, where trunks, branches, and stumps can be piled and burned many times before woody fuels are depleted. Across Amazonia, high‐frequency fires typical of deforestation accounted for more than 40% of the MODIS fire detections during 2003–2007. Active deforestation frontiers in Bolivia and the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia contributed 84% of these high‐frequency fires during this period. Among deforested areas, the frequency and timing of fire activity vary according to postclearing land use. Fire usage for expansion of mechanized crop production in Mato Grosso is more intense and more evenly distributed throughout the dry season than forest clearing for cattle ranching (4.6 vs. 1.7 fire days per deforested area, respectively), even for clearings >200 ha in size. Fires for deforestation may continue for several years, increasing the combustion completeness of cropland deforestation to nearly 100% and pasture deforestation to 50–90% over 1–3‐year timescales typical of forest conversion. Our results demonstrate that there is no uniform relation between satellite‐based fire detections and carbon emissions. Improved understanding of deforestation carbon losses in Amazonia will require models that capture interannual variation in the deforested area that contributes to fire activity and variable combustion completeness of individual clearings as a function of fire frequency or other evidence of postclearing land use.
Impact of changing wood demand, climate and land use on European forest resources and carbon stocks during the 21st century
Authors: EGGERS JEANNETTE , LINDNER MARCUS , ZUDIN SERGEY , ZAEHLE SÖNKE , LISKI JARI
Published: May 2008

We used the European Forest Information Scenario Model (EFISCEN) to project the development of forest resources for 15 European countries from 2000 to 2100 under a broad range of climate scenarios, which were based on the a1fi, a2, b1 and b2 storylines of the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Each climate scenario was associated with consistent land‐use change and wood demand assumptions. Climate change‐induced growth changes were incorporated into the calculations by scaling inventory‐based stem growth in EFISCEN by net primary productivity estimated from the Lund–Potsdam–Jena dynamic global vegetation model. The impact of changes in wood demand, climate and forest area were studied separately, and in combination, in order to assess their respective effects. For all climate scenarios under consideration, climate change resulted in increased forest growth, especially in Northern Europe. In Southern Europe, higher precipitation in spring and the projected increased water‐use efficiency in response to rising atmospheric CO2concentrations mitigated the effects of increasing summer drought. Climate change enhanced carbon sequestration in tree biomass. The climate change‐induced increase in tree growth led to a faster increase in growing stocks compared with the simulation using current climate. As productivity decreased in higher stocked forests, the positive impact of climate change began to level off during the second half of the 21st century in the scenarios where wood demand was low. Afforestation measures had the potential to increase growing stock and annual increment; however, large areas were needed to obtain notable effects. Despite noticeable differences in the growth response between the climate scenarios, changes in wood demand proved to be the crucial driving force in forest resource development. Tree carbon stocks increased by 33–114% between 2000 and 2100 when only changes in wood demand were regarded. Climate change added another 23–31% increase, while changes in forest area accounted for an additional increase of 2–40%. Our results highlight potential future pathways of forest resource development resulting from different scenarios of wood demand, land use and climate changes, and stress the importance of resource utilization in the European forest carbon balance.
Will European soil‐monitoring networks be able to detect changes in topsoil organic carbon content?
Authors: SABY NICOLAS P. A. , BELLAMY PATRICIA H. , MORVAN XAVIER , ARROUAYS DOMINIQUE , JONES ROBERT J. A. , VERHEIJEN FRANK G. A. , KIBBLEWHITE MARK G. , VERDOODT ANN , ÜVEGES JUDIT BERÉNYI , FREUDENSCHUß ALEXANDRA , SIMOTA CATALIN
Published: May 2008

Within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, articles 3.3 and 3.4 stipulate that some voluntary activities leading to an additional carbon (C) sequestration in soils could be accounted as C sinks in national greenhouse gas inventories. These additional C stocks should be verifiable. In this work, we assess the feasibility of verifying the effects of changes in land use or management practice on soil organic carbon (SOC), by comparing minimum detectable changes in SOC concentration for existing European networks suitable for soil monitoring. Among the tested scenarios, the minimum detectable changes differed considerably among the soil‐monitoring networks (SMNs). Considerable effort would be necessary for some member states to reach acceptable levels of minimum detectable change for C sequestration accounting. For SOC, a time interval of about 10 years would enable the detection of some simulated large changes in most European countries. In almost all cases, the minimum detectable change in SOC stocks remains greater than annual greenhouse gases emissions. Therefore, it is unlikely that SMNs could be used for annual national C accounting. However, the importance of organic C in soil functions, and as an indicator of soil condition and trends, underlines the importance of establishing effective national SMNs.
The relationship between sources and functions of social support and dimensions of child‐ and parent‐related stress
Authors: Guralnick M. J. , Hammond M. A. , Neville B. , Connor R. T.
Published: May 2008

Background  In this longitudinal study, we examined the relationship between the sources and functions of social support and dimensions of child‐ and parent‐related stress for mothers of young children with mild developmental delays.

Methods  Sixty‐three mothers completed assessments of stress and support at two time points.

Results  Multiple regression analyses revealed that parenting support during the early childhood period (i.e. advice on problems specific to their child and assistance with child care responsibilities), irrespective of source, consistently predicted most dimensions of parent stress assessed during the early elementary years and contributed unique variance. General support (i.e. primarily emotional support and validation) from various sources had other, less widespread effects on parental stress.

Conclusions  The multidimensional perspective of the construct of social support that emerged suggested mechanisms mediating the relationship between support and stress and provided a framework for intervention.
Caffeine extends yeast lifespan by targeting TORC1
Authors: Wanke Valeria , Cameroni Elisabetta , Uotila Aino , Piccolis Manuele , Urban Jörg , Loewith Robbie , De Virgilio Claudio
Published: May 2008

Dietary nutrient limitation (dietary restriction) is known to increase lifespan in a variety of organisms. Although the molecular events that couple dietary restriction to increased lifespan are not clear, studies of the model eukaryoteSaccharomyces cerevisiaehave implicated several nutrient‐sensitive kinases, including thetargetofrapamycincomplex 1 (TORC1), Sch9, protein kinase A (PKA) and Rim15. We have recently demonstrated that TORC1 activates Sch9 by direct phosphorylation. We now show that Sch9 inhibits Rim15 also by direct phosphorylation. Treatment of yeast cells with the specific TORC1 inhibitor rapamycin or caffeine releases Rim15 from TORC1‐Sch9‐mediated inhibition and consequently increases lifespan. This kinase cascade appears to have been evolutionarily conserved, suggesting that caffeine may extend lifespan in other eukaryotes, including man.
Interaction of quorum signals with outer membrane lipids: insights into prokaryotic membrane vesicle formation
Authors: Mashburn‐Warren Lauren , Howe Jörg , Garidel Patrick , Richter Walter , Steiniger Frank , Roessle Manfred , Brandenburg Klaus , Whiteley Marvin
Published: May 2008

Bacteria have evolved elaborate communication strategies to co‐ordinate their group activities, a process termed quorum sensing (QS). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that utilizes QS for diverse activities, including disease pathogenesis. P. aeruginosa has evolved a novel communication system in which the signal molecule 2‐heptyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐quinolone (Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal, PQS) is trafficked between cells via membrane vesicles (MVs). Not only is PQS packaged into MVs, it is required for MV formation. Although MVs are involved in important biological processes aside from signalling, the molecular mechanism of MV formation is unknown. To provide insight into the molecular mechanism of MV formation, we examined the interaction of PQS with bacterial lipids. Here, we show that PQS interacts strongly with the acyl chains and 4′‐phosphate of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using PQS derivatives, we demonstrate that the alkyl side‐chain and third position hydroxyl of PQS are critical for these interactions. Finally, we show that PQS stimulated purified LPS to form liposome‐like structures. These studies provide molecular insight into P. aeruginosa MV formation and demonstrate that quorum signals serve important non‐signalling functions.
Flexural isostatic response of the Alps to increased Quaternary erosion recorded by foreland basin remnants, SE France
Authors: Champagnac Jean‐Daniel , Van Der Beek Peter , Diraison Gaël , Dauphin Samuel
Published: May 2008

We test the hypothesis that flexural isostatic compensation of the mass removed by enhanced Quaternary erosion is responsible for uplift of the Western European Alps and their forelands. We use two well‐preserved and well‐dated (1.8 Ma) abandonment surfaces of foreland basin remnants in SE France (the Chambaran and Valensole plateaux) as passive benchmarks for tilting of the foreland. Estimating their initial slope from morphometric scaling relationships, we determine bulk post‐depositional tilting of 0.5–0.8% for these surfaces. The calculated isostatic response of the Alpine lithosphere to erosional unloading, using the method recently proposed by Champagnac et al.[Geology 35 (2007) 195–198], yields a predicted tilting of 0.3–0.4% in the considered areas, explaining approximately half of the determined post‐depositional tilting. Such long‐term deformation being insensitive to cyclic loading/unloading because of glaciations, we suspect the other half to be related to as yet undetermined long‐wavelength and long‐lived tectonic process(es).
The trace of the Pacific‐Cocos‐Nazca triple junction in the Central Pacific and the formation of an overlapping spreading centre
Authors: Meschede Martin , Barckhausen Udo , Engels Martin , Weinrebe Wilhelm
Published: May 2008

The `plate tectonic mirror image' to the region of the Cocos and Nazca plates, which are currently being subducted beneath Central America, is preserved in the Central Pacific around 120°W just south of the equator. Cruise SO‐180 investigated this remote area during project CENTRAL and acquired new magnetic and bathymetric data. A plate tectonic model for the ‘mirror image’ is presented based on the newly acquired as well as reprocessed existing data. Discordant magnetic anomaly patterns and bathymetric structures indicate at least two major reorganization events (19.5 and 14.7 Myr), which can be detected both in the Cocos‐Nazca spreading system and in the East Pacific Rise. Irregularities in the anomaly pattern and curvilinear structures on the sea floor of the survey area are interpreted in terms of a fossil overlapping spreading centre at the location where the Farallon break‐up originated.
Validation of a haemoglobin dilution method for estimation of blood loss
Authors: Meunier A. , Petersson A. , Good L. , Berlin G.
Published: May 2008

Background and Objectives  Analysis of haemoglobin (Hb) dilution after bleeding is a simple, inexpensive and non‐invasive method to estimate blood loss. Blood volume is estimated, taking sex, weight and height into account. The Hb concentration before and after blood loss is analysed and, from the difference, the blood loss volume can be calculated assuming a normovolemic subject. Although widely used this method has never been validated.

Material and Methods  The Hb concentration of 21 blood donors was analysed before and up to 4 days after a standard blood donation and in another 18 blood donors the Hb concentration was analysed before and on day 4, 6, 8, 11 and 14 after blood donation. The blood volume of each donor was calculated and the donated blood volume was estimated by weighing. We calculated the blood loss by the Hb dilution method and compared the calculated value with the donated blood volume.

Results  The mean donated blood volume was 442 ± 10 ml, whereas the mean calculated blood loss was 152 ± 214 ml using the Hb concentration of the first day after donation and 301 ± 145 ml with the Hb concentration of day 6 after blood donation after which no further Hb decrease was observed. The directly measured Hb concentration was always higher than the calculated/expected Hb concentration based on the blood donation volume.

Conclusions  The Hb dilution method underestimates the true blood loss by more than 30% after a moderate blood loss of approximately 10% of the total blood volume.
The use of endosperm balance number for predicting gamete selection in complex polyploid interspecific Trifolium repens × T. nigrescens crosses
Authors: Hussain S. W. , Williams W. M.
Published: May 2008

Endosperm balance number (EBN) was used to predict the outcome of crosses among a series of complex polyploid interspecific hybrids between Trifolium repens and T. nigrescens. Normal endosperm development, and hence seed‐set, requires a 2 : 1 maternal : paternal EBN ratio in endosperm. Based on their crossability, T. repens (2n = 4x = 32) and T. nigrescens (2n = 2x = 16) were assigned the same EBN of 4. This number was used to predict the relative success of different backcrosses and intercrosses. The method was further developed to successfully predict which gametes would effect fertilization when complex polyploid hybrids with uneven genomic constitutions (5x, 7x) produced mixtures of euploid and aneuploid gametes. This was achieved by allocating EBNs to all potential gametes of complex polyploids. Allocation of gamete EBNs enabled not only prediction of the success or failure of a cross, but also which gametes would be filtered to effect fertilization in complex crosses. This enhanced ability to understand the potential outcomes of complex crosses will increase the efficiency of plant breeding programmes that integrate secondary gene‐pools into economic species by interspecific hybridization.
Does every short stature child need screening for celiac disease?
Authors: Bhadada Sanjay Kumar , Bhansali Anil , Kochhar Rakesh , Menon Anil Shankar , Sinha Saroj Kant , Dutta Pinaki , Nain Chander Kanwal
Published: May 2008

Aim:  To study the etiological profile of short stature at a tertiary care hospital in north India.

Methods:  In this prospective study, 176 children with short stature were enrolled from January 2005 to December 2006. Appropriate screening and definitive tests were performed to establish the etiology of short stature.

Results:  Celiac disease (CD) emerged as the single most common (15.3%) cause of short stature, followed by various endocrine disorders. It was interesting to note that none of the CD patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusion:  All short children should be screened for CD irrespective of gastrointestinal symptoms.
De novo autoimmune hepatitis after living donor liver transplantation is unlikely to be related to immunoglobulin subtype 4‐related immune disease
Authors: Eguchi Susumu , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Hidaka Masaaki , Tajima Yoshitsugu , Zen Yoh , Nakanuma Yasuni , Kanematsu Takashi
Published: May 2008

Background and Aim:  Recently, we reported that immunoglobulin subtype 4 (IgG4) is involved in autoimmune hepatobiliary diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and pancreatitis. However, the association of IgG4 with autoimmune hepatic disease after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has not been investigated.

Methods:  Of the 72 LDLT recipients, four patients (5.6%) were suspected of having autoimmune‐related hepatic disease after LDLT. The diagnosis was made based on a histological diagnosis following an examination of a biopsy liver specimen in three cases, while in one case a pemphigoid appeared in the flank with liver fibrosis of unknown cause. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches were 3, 2, 2, and 2, respectively. The serum level of IgG4 in the patients was measured, and IgG4 immunohistochemical staining in the liver biopsy specimens was also performed.

Results:  In all cases, steroid pulse therapy or recycle treatment and subsequent increased steroid dose as well as additional azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil were effective. While a few positive‐stained cells for IgG4 were observed in the liver of one case, negative staining for IgG4 was observed in the other cases. All serum subclasses of IgG4 were within normal limits.

Conclusion:  In our series of LDLT, IgG4‐related immune disorder is unlikely to be involved in post‐transplant, autoimmune‐related liver disease.