bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-hurricane Analysis of Citrus Canker Spread and Progress towards the Development of a Predictive Model to Estimate Disease Spread Due to Catastrophic Weather Events
Authors: Irey Michael , Gottwald Tim R. , Graham James H. , Riley Tim D. , Carlton Greg
Published: May 2008

Many factors have been involved in the spread of citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri); however, the 2004 hurricane season appears to have been one of the major factors leading to the widespread and numerous citrus canker infections discovered in late 2004 and 2005. Geospatially referenced citrus canker infection data from infections that were discovered after the 2004 hurricanes were examined in relation to wind and rain conditions experienced during the hurricanes and used to develop a predictive model to explain storm-related spread of citrus canker. The model incorporates a “threshold” concept for wind and rains that, in-effect, incorporates only biologically significant weather parameters in the calculations. When applied to three distinct areas of the state, the predictive model accounted for approximately 80% of the hurricane related and subsequent secondary spread of citrus canker over the next 14 months. Therefore, the use of the predictive model shows great promise a tool to predict disease spread as a result of extreme weather events and as a means of targeting resources for citrus canker survey and detection activities.

Accepted for publication 11 May 2006. Published 22 August 2006.
Occurrence of Foliar Fungal and Bacterial Diseases of Dry Bean in North Dakota
Authors: Harikrishnan R. , del Río L. E. , Lamppa R. S. , Padilla R. , Zabala F. , Gregoire M. , Bradley C. A.
Published: May 2008

An extensive field survey was undertaken during the 2003 to 2005 growing seasons to assess the prevalence and incidence of foliar fungal and bacterial diseases affecting dry bean in North Dakota. A total of 250 fields were inspected during the three years of survey. The most prevalent diseases were common bacterial blight, white mold, and bacterial brown spot. Common bacterial blight was prevalent in nearly 100% of the fields inspected in all three years, with a mean incidence of 54%. White mold was observed in 75% of the fields scouted, with a mean incidence of 16%. Bacterial brown spot and halo blight affected 31% and 1% of the fields surveyed, respectively. Rust and anthracnose were observed only in 2003 and 2005, affecting 15% and 5% of the fields inspected across both years, respectively. This survey information on the occurrence and severity of diseases affecting dry bean should help prioritize future research needs and breeding programs.

Accepted for publication 7 June 2006. Published 15 September 2006.
Efficacy of Selected Insecticides for Management of the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle on Wine Grapes Near Harvest
Authors: Galvan T. L. , Burkness E. C. , Hutchison W. D.
Published: May 2008

As one component of an Integrated Pest Management program for Midwestern wine grapes, we examined the efficacy of several insecticides on adults of the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). For field trials, percentages of clusters with at least one H. axyridis were recorded for each plot before treatment and on the day of harvest. We also examined the efficacy of insecticides under laboratory conditions via two routes of exposure, topical application and insecticide residues. In the 2004 field trials, the percentage of clusters infested with H. axyridis adults at harvest was statistically lower in plots treated with bifenthrin applied 7 days before harvest (DBH), carbaryl 10 DBH, and in plots covered with floating row cover compared to the untreated plots. In 2005, the percentage of clusters infested with H. axyridis adults at harvest in plots treated with zeta-cypermethrin 7 DBH, bifenthrin 22 and 7 DBH, and imidacloprid 1 DBH was statistically lower than beetle infestation in the untreated plots. In the laboratory, bifenthrin, carbaryl, and thiamethoxam were lethal to H. axyridis adults 7 days after treatment. Based on the efficacy results, labeled insecticides, pre-harvest intervals, and the late-season influx of H. axyridis infestations, chemical control is currently limited to carbaryl, malathion, and/or imidacloprid.

Accepted for publication 13 June 2006. Published 3 October 2006.
A Comparative Analysis of Detection Techniques Used in US Regulatory Programs to Determine Presence of Phytophthora ramorum in Camellia japonica ‘Nucio's Gem’ in an Infested Nursery in Southern California
Authors: Bulluck Russ , Shiel Pat , Berger Phil , Kaplan David , Parra Greg , Li Wenbin , Levy Laurene , Keller John , Sharma Nawal , Dennis Michelle , Stack Jim , Pierzynski Joy , O'Mara Judy , Webb Craig , Finley Ledare , Lamour Kurt , McKemy John , Palm Mary
Published: May 2008

Phytophthora ramorum (Pram) is a pathogen of regulatory concern in the USA, and accurate diagnostics is a key component in the response to potential pathogen outbreaks. Although the molecular diagnostic protocols used in regulatory programs have been evaluated using regulatory samples, to date, no direct comparison of these methods has been analyzed within a nursery setting. A block of 300 camellia plants within a California nursery known to be infested with Pram was simultaneously assayed for visual symptoms, growth medium pH, and moss presence as well as culture isolation and molecular analysis prior to plant destruction. Disease symptoms such as foliar lesions and leaf drop were recorded for each plant prior to foliar and growth medium sampling. All diagnostic assays were highly correlated with one another and disease symptoms, with nested PCR having the best correlation with symptoms, followed by Real-Time PCR then culture. No correlation with disease or diagnostic assays was observed with moss presence or medium pH. Analysis of results allowed diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the assays to be determined and the performance of each method for diagnosis of Phytophthora spp. or Phytophthora ramorum in camellia tissues and associated potting medium could be compared.

Accepted for publication 12 July 2006. Published 16 October 2006.
Host Range of Itersonilia perplexans and Management of Itersonilia Petal Blight of China Aster
Authors: McGovern R. J. , Horita H. , Stiles C. M. , Seijo T. E.
Published: May 2008

Isolates of Itersonilia perplexans were tested for pathogenicity on 14 different plant species. Isolates from China aster and sunflower were each pathogenic to the other host and both isolates were pathogenic to chrysanthemum and gerbera, causing moderate to high incidences of flower or seedling blight in these hosts. China aster and sunflower isolates were not pathogenic to burdock, but an isolate from burdock was pathogenic to florists' chrysanthemum and gerbera. In a survey of weed species near a cut-flower production facility in southwest Florida, I. perplexans was found in only one weed species, Emilia fosbergii. However, two isolates from this weed host produced severe petal blight symptoms when inoculated onto China aster. Myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate, and propiconazole were highly effective in reducing disease severity of petal blight in China aster, while azoxystrobin reduced disease moderately in fungicide evaluation trials.

Accepted for publication 28 July 2006. Published 18 October 2006.
Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides to Manage Cucumber Beetles on Seedling Zucchini
Authors: McLeod Paul
Published: May 2008

The use of neonicotinoid insecticides applied into soil at planting and when zucchini [Cucurbita pepo var melopepo (L.) Alef.] plants had two true leaves was effective against both the spotted (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Berber) and the striped [Acalymma vittata (Fabricius)] cucumber beetles. At 17 days after planting, significant increases in mean numbers of dead cucumber beetles were detected in all plots receiving insecticides at planting when compared to non-treated plots. All insecticides applied at planting resulted in significant reductions in feeding damage ratings. The duration of residual toxicity was long with the insecticide applied at planting. Dead beetles were detected in treated plots on each sample date throughout the 56-day test. When seeds were dipped in either a 0.043 or 0.086% a.i. imidacloprid mixture, emerging zucchini seedlings were effectively protected from cucumber beetle feeding.

Accepted for publication 3 August 2006. Published 20 October 2006.
Effect of Row Covers on Suppression of Bacterial Wilt of Muskmelon in Iowa
Authors: Mueller Daren S. , Gleason Mark L. , Sisson Adam J. , Massman Jon M.
Published: May 2008

Spun polyester row covers, alone and in combination with insecticides, were evaluated for management of bacterial wilt of muskmelon at three locations in Iowa during 2003 and 2004. Following removal of row covers at bloom, more spotted cucumber beetles were counted in the plots with row covers than in the non-covered plots. Row covers delayed the onset of bacterial wilt symptoms and reduced bacterial wilt incidence. In both years, row covers increased both number and yield of marketable melons. There were no significant differences in beetle counts or melon yield among insecticide treatments in 2003. In 2004, however, each of the insecticide treatments had more marketable melons than the non-treated control. Row covers may enable cucurbit growers to reduce reliance on insecticides for managing bacterial wilt.

Accepted for publication 31 July 2006. Published 20 October 2006.
Predictive Accuracy of a Fusarium Head Blight Epidemic Risk Forecasting System Deployed in Minnesota
Authors: Hollingsworth Charla R. , Mewes John J. , Motteberg Christopher D. , Thompson W. Galen
Published: May 2008

Minnesota small grains production sustained an estimated $1.8 billion in crop losses from Fusarium head blight (FHB) between 1993 and 2001. Crop losses continue to increase with another $86 million added during 2005. A forecasting model, designed to predict the risk that FHB epidemics may or may not occur, is deployed statewide. Users of the online system are made aware when local weather conditions promote or reduce the likelihood that a FHB epidemic will occur. The model serves as a decision-making tool prior to fungicide application. During 2004-2005, disease index data were collected from a total of 8 experiment sites and 5 spring wheat cultivars. In 2004, index means were low, ranging from 0.8% to 6.8%. However, the system predicted low and high risks for FHB epidemics. During 2005, index means ranged from 2.6% to 13.9%. Epidemic risk predictions were estimated as low and moderate. The system predicted non-epidemics with 60% and 66% accuracies in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Epidemics were predicted 50% of the time during 2005. Increased predictive accuracy is expected during 2006 as information on spring wheat cultivar resistance levels have been added to the model.

Accepted for publication 16 August 2006. Published 31 October 2006.
Biology and Distribution of Pryeria sinica, a New Pest of Euonymus Found in Virginia and Maryland
Authors: Schultz Peter B. , Day Eric R. , Bordas Adria , Bean Richard
Published: May 2008

Pryeria sinica is a newly discovered foliar feeding insect previously known only from Asia that feeds on Euonymus and Celastrus. It is univoltine in Maryland and Virginia with egg hatch occurring in mid-March. Larvae initially feed as leaf skeletonizers, then later as leaf notchers.

Accepted for publication 7 August 2006. Published 27 November 2006.
Population divergence in plant species reflects latitudinal biodiversity gradients
Authors: Eo Soo Hyung , Wares John P , Carroll John P
Published: May 2008

The trend for increasing biodiversity from the poles to the tropics is one of the best-known patterns in nature. This latitudinal biodiversity gradient has primarily been documented so far with extant species as the measure of biodiversity. Here, we evaluate the global pattern in biodiversity across latitudes based on the magnitude of genetic population divergence within plant species, using a robust spatial design to compare published allozyme datasets. Like the pattern of plant species richness across latitudes, we expected the divergence among populations of current plant species would have a similar pattern and direction. We found that lower latitudinal populations showed greater genetic differentiation within species after controlling for geographical distance. Our analyses are consistent with previous population-level studies in animals, suggesting a high possibility of tropical peaks in speciation rates associated with observed levels of species richness.
Sensitivity to reward loss as an indicator of animal emotion and welfare
Authors: Burman Oliver H.P , Parker Richard M.A , Paul Elizabeth S , Mendl Michael
Published: May 2008

The scientific study of animal emotion is an important emerging discipline in subjects ranging from neuroscience to animal welfare research. In the absence of direct measures of conscious emotion, indirect behavioural and physiological measures are used. However, these may have significant limitations (e.g. indicating emotional arousal but not valence (positivity versus negativity)). A new approach, taking its impetus from human studies, proposes that biases in information processing, and underlying mechanisms relating to the evaluation of reward gains and losses, may reliably reflect emotional valence in animals. In general, people are more sensitive to reward losses than gains, but people in a negative affective state (e.g. depression) are particularly sensitive to losses. This may underlie broader findings such as an enhanced attention to, and memory of, negative events in depressed individuals. Here we show that rats in unenriched housing, who typically exhibit indicators of poorer welfare and a more negative affective state than those in enriched housing, display a prolonged response to a decrease in anticipated food reward, indicating enhanced sensitivity to reward loss. Sensitivity to reward reduction may thus be a valuable new indicator of animal emotion and welfare.
A monogamous pipefish has the same type of ovary as observed in monogamous seahorses
Authors: Sogabe Atsushi , Matsumoto Koji , Ohashi Mizuki , Watanabe Aki , Takata Hiromi , Murakami Yasunori , Omori Koji , Yanagisawa Yasunobu
Published: May 2008

Syngnathid fish (pipefish and seahorses) are unique among teleost fish in that their ovary consists of a rolled sheet with germinal ridge(s) on the dorsal side running along the entire length of the sheet. A distinct difference is seen in the ovarian structure between polygamous
Syngnathus
pipefish and monogamous seahorses (
Hippocampus
spp.), the former having one germinal ridge and the latter with two ridges. This study examined the ovarian structure and the mode of egg production in a monogamous pipefish
Corythoichthys haematopterus
. The ovary of
C. haematopterus
had two germinal ridges like that observed in monogamous seahorses. There were two distinct groups of follicles in the ovary, one being a cohort of extremely small follicles and the other a cohort of follicles developing and increasing in size with the passage of time. We suggest that the ovarian structure and the mode of egg production in this pipefish are adaptations to monogamy.
Stochastic modelling of nucleocytoplasmic oscillations of the transcription factor Msn2 in yeast
Authors: Gonze Didier , Jacquet Michel , Goldbeter Albert
Published: May 2008

Stress induces oscillatory nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the transcription factor Msn2 in yeast. The subcellular localization of Msn2 is controlled by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, PKA. Recent experimental observations corroborated by a deterministic computational model for the cAMP–PKA pathway in yeast suggest that the oscillatory dynamics of Msn2 results from the periodic activation of PKA associated with stress-induced oscillations in the level of cAMP. The model accounts for the occurrence of oscillations of Msn2 in a window bounded by two critical values of the stress intensity. In contrast to the rather irregular oscillatory behaviour observed within single yeast cells by means of fluorescence measurements, the deterministic model can only produce a regular pattern of oscillations. To investigate whether the experimentally observed variability could be explained by molecular noise due to the small number of molecules involved in the oscillatory mechanism, we examine a stochastic version of the model for periodic nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Msn2 coupled to oscillations in the cAMP–PKA pathway. The results of stochastic simulations compare well to the irregular oscillations observed experimentally in the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Msn2 in individual yeast cells. The stochastic model retains the property of oscillations within a range bounded by two critical values of stress intensity. We determine the dynamic behaviour as a function of this control parameter and show that the effect of noise markedly depends on the distance from the bifurcation points in the domain of oscillatory behaviour. Finally, we assess the role played by thresholds due to zero-order ultrasensitivity in phosphorylation–dephosphorylation cycles, both in the cAMP–PKA pathway and in the reactions controlling nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Msn2. In regard to these thresholds, stochastic simulations show that large-amplitude variations of Msn2 associated with large-amplitude oscillations in cAMP can occur outside the domain of sustained oscillations predicted by the deterministic approach.
Super singular element method for two-dimensional crack analysis
Authors: Tsang D.K.L , Oyadiji S.O
Published: May 2008

Super singular element method (SSEM) is an accurate method devoted to stress singularity analysis accomplished by stress analysts who have little or no experience of fracture mechanics. The basic idea of SSEM is to transform nodal displacements inside a superelement to global variables, which are the coefficients of the Williams eigenfunction series (ES) that accurately represents crack tip singularity. The stress singularity is modelled by the superelement and the Williams' ES, hence refining the finite-element meshes near the singular point and creation of crack faces can be avoided. The stress intensity factor,T-stress, and the higher order coefficients can be obtained directly from the global variables without any post-processing. The implementation of the SSEM is rather easy; since only matrix multiplication and transformation are required. The SSEM has been incorporated into standard finite-element program ABAQUS. Several two-dimensional crack problems have been performed to compare the SSEM with published results.
Enhancement of cloud formation by droplet charging
Authors: Harrison R. Giles , Ambaum Maarten H.P
Published: May 2008

Charge affects the activation of cloud droplets by reducing the minimum supersaturation at which haze droplets begin to grow. Although the droplet charge required to enhance activation is substantial, we show that sufficient charging occurs at the edges of layer clouds because the fair-weather current in the global atmospheric electrical circuit flows through a discontinuity in conductivity. Our theory predicts that droplet neutralization will cause a transient cooling of cloud base. This hypothesis was tested during a period of extreme solar activity, when we detected transient current bursts at the surface beneath a layer of cloud. We attribute these to bursts of ion production, which would cause transient droplet neutralization in the cloud and an associated increase in droplet critical supersaturation. We observed transient decreases in downward long-wave radiation measurements coincident with the transient current bursts. As the vertical current density passing through stratiform clouds is a global phenomenon, there are many regions in which a charge enhancement effect on cloud formation can potentially occur; we find that the effect of charge-enhanced activation on surface radiation in the present-day climate could be as large as 0.1 W m
−2
.
A novel DNA sequence database for analyzing human demographic history
Authors: Wall Jeffrey D. , Cox Murray P. , Mendez Fernando L. , Woerner August , Severson Tesa , Hammer Michael F.
Published: May 2008

While there are now extensive databases of human genomic sequences from both private and public efforts to catalog human nucleotide variation, there are very few large-scale surveys designed for the purpose of analyzing human population history. Demographic inference from patterns of SNP variation in current large public databases is complicated by ascertainment biases associated with SNP discovery and the ways that populations and regions of the genome are sampled. Here, we present results from a resequencing survey of 40 independent intergenic regions on the autosomes and X chromosome comprising ∼210 kb from each of 90 humans from six geographically diverse populations (i.e., a total of ∼18.9 Mb). Unlike other public DNA sequence databases, we include multiple indigenous populations that serve as important reservoirs of human genetic diversity, such as the San of Namibia, the Biaka of the Central African Republic, and Melanesians from Papua New Guinea. In fact, only 20% of the SNPs that we find are contained in the HapMap database. We identify several key differences in patterns of variability in our database compared with other large public databases, including higher levels of nucleotide diversity within populations, greater levels of differentiation between populations, and significant differences in the frequency spectrum. Because variants at loci included in this database are less likely to be subject to ascertainment biases or linked to sites under selection, these data will be more useful for accurately reconstructing past changes in size and structure of human populations.
Dual Effects of miR156-TargetedSPLGenes andCYP78A5/KLUHon Plastochron Length and Organ Size inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Jia-Wei , Schwab Rebecca , Czech Benjamin , Mica Erica , Weigel Detlef
Published: May 2008

Leaves of flowering plants are produced from the shoot apical meristem at regular intervals, with the time that elapses between the formation of two successive leaf primordia defining the plastochron. We have identified two genetic axes affecting plastochron length in Arabidopsis thaliana. One involves microRNA156 (miR156), which targets a series of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) genes. In situ hybridization studies and misexpression experiments demonstrate that miR156 is a quantitative, rather than spatial, modulator of SPL expression in leaf primordia and that SPL activity nonautonomously inhibits initiation of new leaves at the shoot apical meristem. The second axis is exemplified by a redundantly acting pair of cytochrome P450 genes, CYP78A5/KLUH and CYP78A7, which are likely orthologs of PLASTOCHRON1 of rice (Oryza sativa). Inactivation of CYP78A5, which is expressed at the periphery of the shoot apical meristem, accelerates the leaf initiation rate, whereas cyp78a5 cyp78a7 double mutants often die as embryos with supernumerary cotyledon primordia. The effects of both miR156-targeted SPL genes and CYP78A5 on organ size are correlated with changes in plastochron length, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism that links the rate at which leaves are produced to final leaf size.
An Exocyst Complex Functions in Plant Cell Growth inArabidopsisand Tobacco
Authors: Hála Michal , Cole Rex , Synek Lukáš , Drdová Edita , Pečenková Tamara , Nordheim Alfred , Lamkemeyer Tobias , Madlung Johannes , Hochholdinger Frank , Fowler John E. , Žárský Viktor
Published: May 2008

The exocyst, an octameric tethering complex and effector of Rho and Rab GTPases, facilitates polarized secretion in yeast and animals. Recent evidence implicates three plant homologs of exocyst subunits (SEC3, SEC8, and EXO70A1) in plant cell morphogenesis. Here, we provide genetic, cell biological, and biochemical evidence that these and other predicted subunits function together in vivo in Arabidopsis thaliana. Double mutants in exocyst subunits (sec5 exo70A1 and sec8 exo70A1) show a synergistic defect in etiolated hypocotyl elongation. Mutants in exocyst subunits SEC5, SEC6, SEC8, and SEC15a show defective pollen germination and pollen tube growth phenotypes. Using antibodies directed against SEC6, SEC8, and EXO70A1, we demonstrate colocalization of these proteins at the apex of growing tobacco pollen tubes. The SEC3, SEC5, SEC6, SEC8, SEC10, SEC15a, and EXO70 subunits copurify in a high molecular mass fraction of 900 kD after chromatographic fractionation of an Arabidopsis cell suspension extract. Blue native electrophoresis confirmed the presence of SEC3, SEC6, SEC8, and EXO70 in high molecular mass complexes. Finally, use of the yeast two-hybrid system revealed interaction of Arabidopsis SEC3a with EXO70A1, SEC10 with SEC15b, and SEC6 with SEC8. We conclude that the exocyst functions as a complex in plant cells, where it plays important roles in morphogenesis.
What is the role of the second “structural” NADP+‐binding site in human glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase?
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Tao , Chan Ting Fai , Lam Veronica M.S. , Engel Paul C.
Published: May 2008

Human glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, purified after overexpression in E. coli, was shown to contain one molecule/subunit of acid‐extractable “structural” NADP+ and no NADPH. This tightly bound NADP+ was reduced by G6P, presumably following migration to the catalytic site. Gel‐filtration yielded apoenzyme, devoid of bound NADP+ but, surprisingly, still fully active. Mr of the main component of “stripped” enzyme by gel filtration was ∼100,000, suggesting a dimeric apoenzyme (subunit Mr = 59,000). Holoenzyme also contained tetramer molecules and, at high protein concentration, a dynamic equilibrium gave an apparent intermediate Mr of 150 kDa. Fluorescence titration of the stripped enzyme gave the K d for structural NADP+ as 37 nM, 200‐fold lower than for “catalytic” NADP+. Structural NADP+ quenches 91% of protein fluorescence. At 37°C, stripped enzyme, much less stable than holoenzyme, inactivated irreversibly within 2 d. Inactivation at 4°C was partially reversed at room temperature, especially with added NADP+. Apoenzyme was immediately active, without any visible lag, in rapid‐reaction studies. Human G6PD thus forms active dimer without structural NADP+. Apparently, the true role of the second, tightly bound NADP+ is to secure long‐term stability. This fits the clinical pattern, G6PD deficiency affecting the long‐lived non‐nucleate erythrocyte. The K d values for two class I mutants, G488S and G488V, were 273 nM and 480 nM, respectively (seven‐ and 13‐fold elevated), matching the structural prediction of weakened structural NADP+ binding, which would explain decreased stability and consequent disease. Preparation of native apoenzyme and measurement of K d constant for structural NADP+ will now allow quantitative assessment of this defect in clinical G6PD mutations.
Hydrogeomorphology and river impoundment affect food‐chain length of diverse Neotropical food webs
Authors: Hoeinghaus David J. , Winemiller Kirk O. , Agostinho Angelo A.
Published: May 2008

Food‐chain length is a central characteristic of ecological communities that affects community structure and ecosystem function. What determines the length of food chains is not well resolved for most ecosystems. Herein, we examine environmental correlates of food‐chain length based on the productivity hypothesis, compare food‐chain lengths among aquatic ecosystem types and identify bi‐directional effects of river impoundment on food‐chain length in the Paraná River Basin of South America. Both temperature regime, a surrogate of productivity, and ecosystem type significantly affected food‐chain length in independent analyses. However, when analyzed together, only ecosystem type explained significant variation in food‐chain length. Food chains were longest in reservoirs, and shortest in high‐gradient rivers. The proximate mechanism driving this pattern appears to be body‐size ratios of primary consumers to apex predators, which differ among trophic pathways. Food chains based on phytoplankton production may have an additional size‐structured link not present in food chains based on other basal sources such as detritus and algae. Hydrogeomorphology is the ultimate mechanism influencing food‐chain length because it affects the relative importance of basal carbon sources supporting higher trophic levels, which through differences in the number of trophic links along the different size‐structured pathways, appears to drive the observed patterns in food‐chain length. We discuss a hypothesis of food‐chain length that integrates energy flow and size‐structure, facilitates inclusion of temporal dynamics and which is readily testable in both ‘closed’ and ‘open’ ecosystems.
Effects of habitat quality and landscape structure on saproxylic species dwelling in boreal spruce‐swamp forests
Authors: Laaksonen Mervi , Peuhu Elina , Várkonyi Gergely , Siitonen Juha
Published: May 2008

Intensive forest management has caused loss and fragmentation of old‐growth forests and reduced the amount of dead wood throughout northwest Europe. Changes in habitat availability are reflected in occurrence patterns of habitat‐specialist species only after a certain time lag. Here we analyse the responses of wood‐decomposing fungi and saproxylic beetles inhabiting patches of spruce‐swamp forest to habitat quality, loss and isolation at three different spatial scales in eastern Finland and adjacent Russian Karelia, where forestry has been very marginal until recently. Both rare specialist species and common generalist species were included in the study to reveal whether their occurrence patterns differ. Variables describing habitat quality (density and continuity of host trees, patch area) turned out significant in explaining species' incidences (proportion of occupied host trees) in only a few cases, probably because of the relatively high quality of all study patches. Despite this fact, and consistent with our hypothesis, incidences of all the eight specialist species were higher in Russia than Finland, and the difference was significant in the two most strict habitat specialists, Pytho kolwensis and Phlebia centrifuga. In contrast, incidences of three out of four generalist species were higher in Finland than in Russia, and the difference was significant in Rhagium inquisitor. In a subset of 21 patches in Finland, we used a metapopulation model to predict the probability of each patch to be currently occupied by a species given the known spatiotemporal distribution of suitable forest stands during the last 50 years. The degree of isolation alone explained significantly the incidences of five species. However, including habitat variables into the models altered some of the effects. Moreover, inconsistent with our hypothesis, isolation appeared to also negatively affect some very common generalist species. Inclusion of these species in the study disclosed that apparently significant effects of spatiotemporal isolation should be interpreted cautiously.
How predictable are reptile responses to wildfire?
Authors: Lindenmayer David B. , Wood Jeff T. , MacGregor Christopher , Michael Damian R. , Cunningham Ross B. , Crane Mason , Montague‐Drake Rebecca , Brown Darren , Muntz Rachel , Driscoll Don A.
Published: May 2008

Natural disturbances are key processes in the vast majority of ecosystems and a range of ecological theories have been developed in an attempt to predict biotic responses to them. However, empirical support for these theories has been inconsistent and considerable additional work remains to be done to better understand the response of biodiversity to natural disturbance. We tested predictions from the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and the habitat accommodation model of succession for reptile responses to fire history and a single major fire event. We focused our work on a broad range of vegetation types spanning sedgeland to temperate rainforest located within a national park in south‐eastern Australia. We found no significant relationships between reptile species richness and the number of fires over the past 35 years, the time since the last fire, or the severity of a major fire in 2003. Thus, we found no strong evidence to support the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

A correspondence analysis of reptile assemblages revealed a gradient in species responses to fire history. However, we found limited evidence for an ordered succession of reptiles. Nor could the responses of individual species be readily predicted from life history attributes. Thus, our findings were generally not consistent with predictions from the habitat accommodation model of succession. A possible explanation for the absence of a predictable sequence of recovery following disturbance might be the rapidity of post‐fire recovery of many components of native vegetation cover that were found to be important for reptiles (e.g. the extent of grass cover). This would have limited the time for early successional conditions to prevail and limited opportunities for species associated with such conditions. We found that most reptile species responses were much more strongly linked to vegetation type than fire variables, emphasizing a need to understand relationships with vegetation before being able to understand possible fire effects (if and where they exist). We found the disturbance concepts we examined were limited in their ability to accurately predict reptile responses to past fire history or the impacts of a single major fire in 2003. Practical management might be best guided not by disturbance theory, but by carefully setting objectives to meet conservation goals for particular individual species of reptiles.
Comparison of information content for microsatellites and SNPs in poultry and cattle
Authors: Schopen G. C. B. , Bovenhuis H. , Visker M. H. P. W. , Van Arendonk J. A. M.
Published: May 2008

Data were available for 12 poultry microsatellites and 29 poultry single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and for 34 cattle microsatellites and 36 cattle SNPs. Stochastic permutation was used to determine the number of SNPs needed to obtain the same average information content as a given number of microsatellites. For poultry, the information content averaged 0.71 for the 12 microsatellites compared to 0.72 for the 29 SNPs. For cattle, the information content averaged 0.92 for the 34 microsatellites compared with 0.79 for the 36 SNPs. This study shows that, for each microsatellite, three SNPs are needed to obtain the same average information content.
Isolation and imprinting analysis of the porcine DLX5 gene and its association with carcass traits
Authors: Cheng H. C. , Zhang F. W. , Jiang C. D. , Li F. E. , Xiong Y. Z. , Deng C. Y.
Published: May 2008

Imprinted genes play important roles in mammalian growth and development. However, reports on imprinted genes are limited in livestock. In this study, the complete ORF containing 289 amino acids of the porcine DLX5 gene was obtained. A C‐to‐T SNP mutation in exon 1 of the DLX5 gene was used to detect imprinting status with an RT‐PCR/RFLP test (using HhaI) in eight heterozygous pigs from a population of Large White × Meishan F1 hybrids. Imprinting analysis showed that the porcine DLX5 gene was maternally expressed in skeletal muscle, fat, lung, spleen, stomach and small intestine, but not imprinted in heart, liver, kidney, uterus, ovary, testicle or pituitary. A PCR–RFLP test was also used to detect the polymorphism in 310 pigs of a Large White × Meishan F2 resource population. The statistical results showed significant association (P < 0.01) of the genotypes and fat meat percentage, carcass length, bone percentage, 6–7 rib fat thickness, average backfat thickness, thorax‐waist fat thickness and buttock fat thickness.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling of aripiprazole and its active metabolite, dehydroaripiprazole, in psychiatric patients
Authors: Kim Jung‐Ryul , Seo Hyo‐Bum , Cho Joo‐Youn , Kang Do‐Hyung , Kim Yong Ku , Bahk Won‐Myong , Yu Kyung‐Sang , Shin Sang‐Goo , Kwon Jun Soo , Jang In‐Jin
Published: May 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Almost all reported studies have investigated the pharmacokinetics of aripiprazole in healthy volunteers.

• The pharmacokinetics of dehydroaripiprazole have not been identified in a combined model with aripiprazole.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The data on aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole in psychiatric patients were modelled jointly using a population approach.

• The apparent clearance of aripiprazole in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 intermediate metabolizers (IM) was approximately 60% of that in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (EM) having two functional alleles, but the exposure to dehydroaripiprazole in CYP2D6 IM was similar to that in EM.

AIMS

The aims of this study were to develop a combined population pharmacokinetic model for both aripiprazole and its active metabolite, dehydroaripiprazole, in psychiatric patients and to identify to what extent the genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes contribute to the variability in pharmacokinetics (PK).

METHODS

A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using NONMEM software based on 141 plasma concentrations at steady state from 80 patients receiving multiple oral doses of aripiprazole (10–30 mg day−1).

RESULTS

A one‐compartment model with first‐order kinetics for aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole each was developed to describe simultaneously the concentration data. The absorption rate constant was fixed to 1.06 h−1. The typical value of apparent distribution volume of aripiprazole was estimated to be 192 l. Covariate analysis showed that CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms significantly influenced the apparent clearance of aripiprazole (CL/F), reducing the interindividual variability on CL/F from 37.8% CV (coefficient of variation) to 30.5%. The CL/F in the CYP2D6 IMs was approximately 60% of that in CYP2D6 EMs having two functional alleles. Based on the CYP2D6 genotype, the metabolic ratios were calculated at 0.20–0.34. However, the plasma concentration : dose ratios of dehydroaripiprazole were not different across the CYP2D6 genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

This population pharmacokinetic model provided an adequate fit to the data for both aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole in psychiatric patients. The usefulness of CYP genotyping as an aid to select the starting dose should be further investigated.
Expression patterns of epiplakin1 in pancreas, pancreatic cancer and regenerating pancreas
Authors: Yoshida Tetsu , Shiraki Nobuaki , Baba Hideo , Goto Mizuki , Fujiwara Sakuhei , Kume Kazuhiko , Kume Shoen
Published: May 2008

Epiplakin1 (Eppk1) is a plakin family gene with its function remains largely unknown, although the plakin genes are known to function in interconnecting cytoskeletal filaments and anchoring them at plasma membrane‐associated adhesive junction. Here we analyzed the expression patterns of Eppk1 in the developing and adult pancreas in the mice. In the embryonic pancreas, Eppk1+/Pdx1+ and Eppk1+/Sox9+ pancreatic progenitor cells were observed in early pancreatic epithelium. Since Pdx1 expression overlapped with that of Sox9 at this stage, these multipotent progenitor cells are Eppk1+/Pdx1+/Sox9+ cells. Then Eppk1 expression becomes confined to Ngn3+ or Sox9+ endocrine progenitor cells, and p48+ exocrine progenitor cells, and then restricted to the duct cells and a cells at birth. In the adult pancreas, Eppk1 is expressed in centroacinar cells (CACs) and in duct cells. Eppk1 is observed in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), previously identified as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) precursor lesions. In addition, the expansion of Eppk1‐positive cells occurs in a caerulein‐induced acute pancreatitis, an acinar cell regeneration model. Furthermore, in the partial pancreatectomy (Px) regeneration model using mice, Eppk1 is expressed in “ducts in foci”, a tubular structure transiently induced. These results suggest that Eppk1 serves as a useful marker for detecting pancreatic progenitor cells in developing and regenerating pancreas.
Palmitoylation of ERBIN is required for its plasma membrane localization
Authors: Izawa Ichiro , Nishizawa Miwako , Hayashi Yuko , Inagaki Masaki
Published: May 2008

LAP (leucine‐rich repeats (LRR) and PSD‐95/Dlg/ZO‐1 (PDZ)) family proteins, including Scribble, LET‐413, ERBIN, Densin‐180 and Lano, are involved in the regulation of cell polarity. The LRR domains of LAP proteins were reported to mediate their basolateral membrane localization and to be essential for their function. To further dissect the mechanism of the plasma membrane localization of ERBIN, we introduced various mutants of ERBIN into cultured cells and observed the intracellular localization. When an LRR domain mutant lacking amino acid residues 1–32 at the amino (N) terminal region was over‐expressed in cells, the mutant did not localize at the plasma membrane, but localized in the cytoplasm. We found that cysteines 14 and 16 at the N‐terminal region of ERBIN are in vivo palmitoylated. Over‐expressed mutants in which cysteine 14 and/or cysteine 16 were changed to serines did not localize at the plasma membrane, indicating that the palmitoylation of ERBIN is necessary for its plasma membrane localization. The over‐expressed 1–196 amino acids fragment of ERBIN, which lacked the latter half of LRR, was palmitoylated but did not localize at the plasma membrane. These results suggest that both palmitoylation and LRR are required for the plasma membrane localization of ERBIN.
Epidermal keratinocytes do not activate peripheral T‐cells: interleukin‐10 as a possible regulator
Authors: Domínguez‐Castillo Rocío Isabel , Sánchez‐Guzmán Erika , Castro‐Muñozledo Federico , Santos‐Argumedo Leopoldo , Kuri‐Harcuch Walid
Published: May 2008

The immunogenicity of allogeneic cultured human epidermal keratinocytes (cHEKs) has been studied in several models with contradictory results. We studied human T‐cell activation in an in vitro assay by incubating, for 4 and 24 hr, cHEK confluent sheets with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); parallel HEK cultures were incubated with interferon (IFN)‐γ to induce the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules before their interaction with PBMC. T‐cell activation was evaluated by flow cytometry. T cells neither expressed the early and late activation markers CD69 and CD25, respectively, nor proliferated after incubation with the epidermal sheets, despite the IFN‐γ‐induced expression of MHC and adhesion molecules in cHEKs. Interleukin (IL)‐10 was detected in the medium from the co‐cultured PBMC and HEK sheets, but not from HEK alone. The results suggest that HEKs are unable to stimulate T lymphocytes through secretion of cytokines that might contribute to the immunosuppressive effect in this in vitro model.
The influence of CD4 T‐cell subsets on control of CD4 T‐cell‐mediated graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Moncrieffe Halima , Coles Mark , Stockinger Brigitta
Published: May 2008

In this study, we tested the effect of different T‐cell subpopulations on antigen driven effector cell expansion in lymphopenic hosts, making use of an experimental model of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). Fluorescence‐activated cell sorted (FACS) naïve CD4 T cells from C57BL/6 mice, transferred into lymphopenic F1 (C57BL/6 × BALB/c) Rag‐deficient hosts, proliferated extensively and migrated systemically causing acute GVHD within 4 weeks after transfer. Adoptive hosts of CD4 memory T cells on the other hand developed milder symptoms of GVHD with later onset. T‐cell expansion and migration to peripheral sites as well as development of GVHD were prevented when naïve T cells were transferred together with CD4+ CD25+ T cells, but co‐transfer of memory T cells with naïve T cells could not prevent GVHD, although its onset was delayed. OX40, a costimulatory marker that is upregulated at an early time point after T‐cell activation and enhances T‐cell proliferation, cytokine secretion and survival, was strongly upregulated during GVH responses. Naïve T cells deficient in OX40 expression caused markedly reduced GVH in onset and severity despite some level of expansion in the adoptive host, suggesting an important role of this molecule in the immune pathology of GVHD.
The transformation of human services
Authors: Reinders H.
Published: May 2008

Background  Recent studies in the development of professionalism suggest that western society witnesses a transformation of professional practices in human services that deeply affects how professionals experience their work. This paper describes key aspects of this development and presents an account of how it can be explained.

Method  The paper offers a review of the main features of neoliberal managerialism as it is found in the literature. The paper does not assume a meta‐theoretical perspective on this literature but rather presents an account on the level of description of what the literature interprets as a transformation of professional practices. Its method is therefore to report the main features of what the literature describes as neoliberal changes in human services.

Results  The review results in an account of the transformation of professionalism in human services that shows two sides. One is that of opposing logics that present the tensions between professionalism and managerialism in terms of conflict. The other side is that of compliance of professionals who seek to find their way in the new realities of a neoliberal service economy.

Conclusions  I conclude that neoliberal managerialism presents serious challenges to professionals in human services to remain faithful to the values of their profession, and that these challenges – on the level of neoliberal society – raise a serious issue about social (dis)trust.
Nucleocytoplasmic‐localized acyltransferases catalyze the malonylation of 7‐O‐glycosidic (iso)flavones in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Yu Xiao‐Hong , Chen Min‐Huei , Liu Chang‐Jun
Published: May 2008

(Iso)flavonoids are commonly accumulated as malonylated or acetylated glycoconjugates in legumes. Sequence analysis on EST database of the model legume Medicago truncatula enabled us to identify nine cDNA sequences encoding BAHD super‐family enzymes that are distinct from the most of the characterized anthocyanin/flavonol acyltransferase genes in other species. Functional characterization revealed that three of these corresponding enzymes, MtMaT1, 2 and 3, specifically recognize malonyl CoA as an acyl donor and catalyze the malonylation of a range of isoflavone 7‐O‐glucosides in vitro. These malonyltransferase genes displayed distinct tissue‐specific expression patterns and responded differentially to biotic and abiotic stresses. Consistent with gene expression, the level of the accumulated malonyl isoflavone glucoside was altered in the roots of M. truncatula grown under normal and drought‐stressed conditions. Overexpression of the MtMaT1 gene in a previously engineered Arabidopsis line that accumulates genistein glycosides (Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 99, 2002:14578) led to a malonylated product. Confocal microscopy of the transiently expressed MtMaT1–GFP fusion revealed strong fluorescence in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of M. truncatula and tobacco leaf cells. A truncated MtMaT1 lacking the C‐terminal polypeptide of 110 amino acid residues that include the DFGWG motif, the single conserved sequence signature of BAHD super‐family members, retained considerable catalytic efficiency, but showed an altered optimum pH preference for maximum activity. Such C‐terminal polypeptide deletion or deletion of the DFGWG motif alone led to improper folding of the transiently expressed GFP fusion protein in living cells, and impaired nuclear localization of the enzyme.