bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hitting the Target: Relatively Easy, Yet Absolutely Difficult
Authors: Mapp Alistair P , Ono Hiroshi , Khokhotva Mykola
Published: August 2007

It is generally agreed that absolute-direction judgments require information about eye position, whereas relative-direction judgments do not. The source of this eye-position information, particularly during monocular viewing, is a matter of debate. It may be either binocular eye position, or the position of the viewing-eye only, that is crucial. Using more ecologically valid stimulus situations than the traditional LED in the dark, we performed two experiments. In experiment 1, observers threw darts at targets that were fixated either monocularly or binocularly. In experiment 2, observers aimed a laser gun at targets while fixating either the rear or the front gunsight monocularly, or the target either monocularly or binocularly. We measured the accuracy and precision of the observers' absolute- and relative-direction judgments. We found that (a) relative-direction judgments were precise and independent of phoria, and (b) monocular absolute-direction judgments were inaccurate, and the magnitude of the inaccuracy was predictable from the magnitude of phoria. These results confirm that relative-direction judgments do not require information about eye position. Moreover, they show that binocular eye-position information is crucial when judging the absolute direction of both monocular and binocular targets.
Effect of Spatial Position on Visual Search for 3-D Objects
Authors: Umemura Hiroyuki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Matsuoka Katsunori
Published: August 2007

We examined whether the position of objects in external space affects the visual-search task associated with the tilt of 3-D objects. An array of cube-like objects was stereoscopically displayed at a distance of 4.5 m on a large screen 1.5 m above or below eye height. Subjects were required to detect a downward-tilted target among upward-tilted distractors or an upward-tilted target among downward-tilted distractors. When the stimuli consisted of shaded parallelepipeds whose upper/bottom faces were lighter than their side faces, the upward-tilted target was detected faster. This result was in accordance with the ‘top-view assumption’ reported in previous research. Displaying stimuli in the upper position degraded overall performance. However, when the shaded objects whose upper/bottom faces were darker than their side faces were displayed, the detection of a downward-tilted target became as efficient as that of an upward-tilted target only at the upper position. These results indicate that it is possible for the spatial position of the stimulus to promote the detection of a downward-tilted target when shading and perspective information are consistent with the viewing direction.
Structure of the Cyclin T binding domain of Hexim1 and molecular basis for its recognition of P-TEFb
Authors: Dames Sonja A. , Schönichen André , Schulte Antje , Barboric Matjaz , Peterlin B. Matija , Grzesiek Stephan , Geyer Matthias
Published: August 2007

Hexim1 is a cellular protein that associates with the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to regulate RNA polymerase II elongation of nascent mRNA transcripts. It directly binds to Cyclin T1 of P-TEFb and inhibits the kinase activity of Cdk9, leading to an arrest of transcription elongation. Here, we report the solution structure of the Cyclin T binding domain (TBD) of Hexim1 that forms a parallel coiled-coil homodimer composed of two segments and a preceding alpha helix that folds back onto the first coiled-coil unit. NMR titration, fluorescence, and immunoprecipitation experiments revealed the binding interface to Cyclin T1, which covers a large surface on the first coiled-coil segment. Electrostatic interactions between an acidic patch on Hexim1 and positively charged residues of Cyclin T1 drive the complex formation that is confirmed by mutagenesis data on Hexim1 mediated transcription regulation in cells. Thus, our studies provide structural insights how Hexim1 recognizes the Cyclin T1 subunit of P-TEFb, which is a key step toward the regulation of transcription elongation.
Analysis of potential transcriptomic biomarkers for Huntington's disease in peripheral blood
Authors: Runne Heike , Kuhn Alexandre , Wild Edward J. , Pratyaksha Wirahpati , Kristiansen Mark , Isaacs Jeremy D. , Régulier Etienne , Delorenzi Mauro , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Luthi-Carter Ruth
Published: August 2007

Highly quantitative biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease remain an important need in the urgent quest for disease-modifying therapies. For Huntington's disease (HD), a genetic test is available (trait marker), but necessary state markers are still in development. In this report, we describe a large battery of transcriptomic tests explored as state biomarker candidates. In an attempt to exploit the known neuroinflammatory and transcriptional perturbations of disease, we measured relevant mRNAs in peripheral blood cells. The performance of these potential markers was weak overall, with only one mRNA, immediate early response 3 (IER3), showing a modest but significant increase of 32% in HD samples compared with controls. No statistically significant differences were found for any other mRNAs tested, including a panel of 12 RNA biomarkers identified in a previous report [Borovecki F, Lovrecic L, Zhou J, Jeong H, Then F, Rosas HD, Hersch SM, Hogarth P, Bouzou B, Jensen RV,
et al.
(2005)
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
102:11023–11028]. The present results may nonetheless inform the future design and testing of HD biomarker strategies.
Contribution of the receptor guanylyl cyclase GC-D to chemosensory function in the olfactory epithelium
Authors: Leinders-Zufall Trese , Cockerham Renee E. , Michalakis Stylianos , Biel Martin , Garbers David L. , Reed Randall R. , Zufall Frank , Munger Steven D.
Published: August 2007

The mammalian main olfactory epithelium (MOE) recognizes and transduces olfactory cues through a G protein-coupled, cAMP-dependent signaling cascade. Additional chemosensory transduction mechanisms have been suggested but remain controversial. We show that a subset of MOE neurons expressing the orphan receptor guanylyl cyclase GC-D and the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit CNGA3 employ an excitatory cGMP-dependent transduction mechanism for chemodetection. By combining gene targeting of
Gucy2d
, which encodes GC-D, with patch clamp recording and confocal Ca
2+
imaging from single dendritic knobs
in situ
, we find that GC-D cells recognize the peptide hormones uroguanylin and guanylin as well as natural urine stimuli. These molecules stimulate an excitatory, cGMP-dependent signaling cascade that increases intracellular Ca
2+
and action potential firing. Responses are eliminated in both
Gucy2d
- and
Cnga3
-null mice, demonstrating the essential role of GC-D and CNGA3 in the transduction of these molecules. The sensitive and selective detection of two important natriuretic peptides by the GC-D neurons suggests the possibility that these cells contribute to the maintenance of salt and water homeostasis or the detection of cues related to hunger, satiety, or thirst.
Neuronal population coding of continuous and discrete quantity in the primate posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Tudusciuc Oana , Nieder Andreas
Published: August 2007

Quantitative knowledge guides vital decisions in the life of animals and humans alike. The posterior parietal cortex in primates has been implicated in representing abstract quantity, both continuous (extent) and discrete (number of items), supporting the idea of a putative generalized magnitude system in this brain area. Whether or not single neurons encode different types of quantity, or how quantitative information is represented in the neuronal responses, however, is unknown. We show that length and numerosity are encoded by functionally overlapping groups of parietal neurons. Using a statistical classifier, we found that the activity of populations of quantity-selective neurons contained accurate information about continuous and discrete quantity. Unexpectedly, even neurons that were nonselective according to classical spike-count measures conveyed robust categorical information that predicted the monkeys' quantity judgments. Thus, different information-carrying processes of partly intermingled neuronal networks in the parietal lobe seem to encode various forms of abstract quantity.
Central serotonergic neurons are differentially required for opioid analgesia but not for morphine tolerance or morphine reward
Authors: Zhao Zhong-Qiu , Gao Yong-Jing , Sun Yan-Gang , Zhao Cheng-Shui , Gereau Robert W. , Chen Zhou-Feng
Published: August 2007

Opioids remain the most effective analgesics despite their potential adverse effects such as tolerance and addiction. Mechanisms underlying these opiate-mediated processes remain the subject of much debate. Here we describe opioid-induced behaviors ofLmx1bconditional knockout mice (Lmx1bf/f/p), which lack central serotonergic neurons, and we report that opioid analgesia is differentially dependent on the central serotonergic system. Analgesia induced by a κ opioid receptor agonist administered at the supraspinal level was abolished inLmx1bf/f/pmice compared with their wild-type littermates. Furthermore, compared with their wild-type littermatesLmx1bf/f/pmice exhibited significantly reduced analgesic effects of μ and δ opioid receptor agonists at both spinal and supraspinal sites. In contrast to the attenuation in opioid analgesia,Lmx1bf/f/pmice developed tolerance to morphine analgesia and displayed normal morphine reward behavior as measured by conditioned place preference. Our results provide genetic evidence supporting the view that the central serotonergic system is a key component of supraspinal pain modulatory circuitry mediating opioid analgesia. Furthermore, our data suggest that the mechanisms of morphine tolerance and morphine reward are independent of the central serotonergic system.
Synergism of
Bacillus thuringiensis
toxins by a fragment of a toxin-binding cadherin
Authors: Chen Jiang , Hua Gang , Jurat-Fuentes Juan Luis , Abdullah Mohd Amir , Adang Michael J.
Published: August 2007

The insecticidal crystal proteins produced by
Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) are broadly used to control insect pests with agricultural importance. The cadherin Bt-R
1
is a binding protein for Bt Cry1A toxins in midgut epithelia of tobacco hornworm (
Manduca sexta
). We previously identified the Bt-R
1
region most proximal to the cell membrane (CR12-MPED) as the essential binding region required for Cry1Ab-mediated cytotoxicity. Here, we report that a peptide containing this region expressed in
Escherichia coli
functions as a synergist of Cry1A toxicity against lepidopteran larvae. Far-UV circular dichroism and
1
H-NMR spectroscopy confirmed that our purified CR12-MPED peptide mainly consisted of β-strands and random coils with unfolded structure. CR12-MPED peptide bound brush border membrane vesicles with high affinity (
K
d
= 32 nM) and insect midgut microvilli but did not alter Cry1Ab or Cry1Ac binding localization in the midgut. By BIAcore analysis we demonstrate that Cry1Ab binds CR12-MPED at high (9 nM)- and low (1 μM)-affinity sites. CR12-MPED-mediated Cry1A toxicity enhancement was significantly reduced when the high-affinity Cry1A-binding epitope (
1416
GVLTLNIQ
1423
) within the peptide was altered. Because the mixtures of low Bt toxin dose and CR12-MPED peptide effectively control target insect pests, our discovery has important implications related to the use of this peptide to enhance insecticidal activity of Bt toxin-based biopesticides and transgenic Bt crops.
Reprogramming of keratin biosynthesis by sulforaphane restores skin integrity in epidermolysis bullosa simplex
Authors: Kerns Michelle L. , DePianto Daryle , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T. , Talalay Paul , Coulombe Pierre A.
Published: August 2007

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a rare inherited condition in which the epidermis loses its integrity after mechanical trauma. EBS is typified by the dysfunction of intermediate filaments in basal keratinocytes of epidermis. Most cases of EBS are due to mutations in the keratin 5 or 14 gene (
K5
and
K14
), whose products copolymerize to form intermediate filaments in basal keratinocytes. Available treatments for this disorder are only palliative. Here we exploit functional redundancy within the keratin gene family as the basis for therapy. We show that genetic activation of Gli2 or treatment with a pharmacological activator of Nrf2, two transcription factors eliciting distinct transcriptional programs, alleviates the blistering caused by a K14 deficiency in an EBS mouse model, correlating with K17 induction in basal epidermal keratinocytes. Nrf2 induction is brought about by treatment with sulforaphane, a natural product. Sulforaphane thus represents an attractive option for the prevention of skin blistering associated with K14 mutations in EBS.
T1R3 and gustducin in gut sense sugars to regulate expression of Na
+
-glucose cotransporter 1
Authors: Margolskee Robert F. , Dyer Jane , Kokrashvili Zaza , Salmon Kieron S. H. , Ilegems Erwin , Daly Kristian , Maillet Emeline L. , Ninomiya Yuzo , Mosinger Bedrich , Shirazi-Beechey Soraya P.
Published: August 2007

Dietary sugars are transported from the intestinal lumen into absorptive enterocytes by the sodium-dependent glucose transporter isoform 1 (SGLT1). Regulation of this protein is important for the provision of glucose to the body and avoidance of intestinal malabsorption. Although expression of SGLT1 is regulated by luminal monosaccharides, the luminal glucose sensor mediating this process was unknown. Here, we show that the sweet taste receptor subunit T1R3 and the taste G protein gustducin, expressed in enteroendocrine cells, underlie intestinal sugar sensing and regulation of SGLT1 mRNA and protein. Dietary sugar and artificial sweeteners increased SGLT1 mRNA and protein expression, and glucose absorptive capacity in wild-type mice, but not in knockout mice lacking T1R3 or α-gustducin. Artificial sweeteners, acting on sweet taste receptors expressed on enteroendocrine GLUTag cells, stimulated secretion of gut hormones implicated in SGLT1 up-regulation. Gut-expressed taste signaling elements involved in regulating SGLT1 expression could provide novel therapeutic targets for modulating the gut's capacity to absorb sugars, with implications for the prevention and/or treatment of malabsorption syndromes and diet-related disorders including diabetes and obesity.
Gut-expressed gustducin and taste receptors regulate secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1
Authors: Jang Hyeung-Jin , Kokrashvili Zaza , Theodorakis Michael J. , Carlson Olga D. , Kim Byung-Joon , Zhou Jie , Kim Hyeon Ho , Xu Xiangru , Chan Sic L. , Juhaszova Magdalena , Bernier Michel , Mosinger Bedrich , Margolskee Robert F. , Egan Josephine M.
Published: August 2007

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), released from gut endocrine L cells in response to glucose, regulates appetite, insulin secretion, and gut motility. How glucose given orally, but not systemically, induces GLP-1 secretion is unknown. We show that human duodenal L cells express sweet taste receptors, the taste G protein gustducin, and several other taste transduction elements. Mouse intestinal L cells also express α-gustducin. Ingestion of glucose by α-gustducin null mice revealed deficiencies in secretion of GLP-1 and the regulation of plasma insulin and glucose. Isolated small bowel and intestinal villi from α-gustducin null mice showed markedly defective GLP-1 secretion in response to glucose. The human L cell line NCI-H716 expresses α-gustducin, taste receptors, and several other taste signaling elements. GLP-1 release from NCI-H716 cells was promoted by sugars and the noncaloric sweetener sucralose, and blocked by the sweet receptor antagonist lactisole or siRNA for α-gustducin. We conclude that L cells of the gut “taste” glucose through the same mechanisms used by taste cells of the tongue. Modulating GLP-1 secretion in gut “taste cells” may provide an important treatment for obesity, diabetes and abnormal gut motility.
Rapid default transition of CD4 T cell effectors to functional memory cells
Authors: McKinstry K. Kai , Golech Susanne , Lee Won-Ha , Huston Gail , Weng Nan-Ping , Swain Susan L.
Published: August 2007

The majority of highly activated CD4 T cell effectors die after antigen clearance, but a small number revert to a resting state, becoming memory cells with unique functional attributes. It is currently unclear when after antigen clearance effectors return to rest and acquire important memory properties. We follow well-defined cohorts of CD4 T cells through the effector-to-memory transition by analyzing phenotype, important functional properties, and gene expression profiles. We find that the transition from effector to memory is rapid in that effectors rested for only 3 d closely resemble canonical memory cells rested for 60 d or longer in the absence of antigen. This is true for both Th1 and Th2 lineages, and occurs whether CD4 T cell effectors rest in vivo or in vitro, suggesting a default pathway. We find that the effector–memory transition at the level of gene expression occurs in two stages: a rapid loss of expression of a myriad of effector-associated genes, and a more gradual gain of expression of a cohort of genes uniquely associated with memory cells rested for extended periods.
Enhanced TLR-mediated NF-IL6–dependent gene expression by Trib1 deficiency
Authors: Yamamoto Masahiro , Uematsu Satoshi , Okamoto Toru , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Sato Shintaro , Kumar Himanshu , Satoh Takashi , Saitoh Tatsuya , Takeda Kiyoshi , Ishii Ken J. , Takeuchi Osamu , Kawai Taro , Akira Shizuo
Published: August 2007

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize a variety of microbial components and mediate downstream signal transduction pathways that culminate in the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Trib1 is reportedly involved in the regulation of NF-κB and MAP kinases, as well as gene expression in vitro. To clarify the physiological function of Trib1 in TLR-mediated responses, we generated Trib1-deficient mice by gene targeting. Microarray analysis showed that Trib1-deficient macrophages exhibited a dysregulated expression pattern of lipopolysaccharide-inducible genes, whereas TLR-mediated activation of MAP kinases and NF-κB was normal. Trib1 was found to associate with NF-IL6 (also known as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β). NF-IL6–deficient cells showed opposite phenotypes to those in Trib1-deficient cells in terms of TLR-mediated responses. Moreover, overexpression of Trib1 inhibited NF-IL6–dependent gene expression by down-regulating NF-IL6 protein expression. In contrast, Trib1-deficient cells exhibited augmented NF-IL6 DNA-binding activities with increased amounts of NF-IL6 proteins. These results demonstrate that Trib1 is a negative regulator of NF-IL6 protein expression and modulates NF-IL6–dependent gene expression in TLR-mediated signaling.
Thymic selection pathway regulates the effector function of CD4 T cells
Authors: Li Wei , Sofi M. Hanief , Yeh Norman , Sehra Sarita , McCarthy Brian P. , Patel Dipak R. , Brutkiewicz Randy R. , Kaplan Mark H. , Chang Cheong-Hee
Published: August 2007

Recently, a new developmental pathway for CD4 T cells that is mediated by major histocompatibility complex class II–positive thymocytes was identified (Choi, E.Y., K.C. Jung, H.J. Park, D.H. Chung, J.S. Song, S.D. Yang, E. Simpson, and S.H. Park. 2005. Immunity. 23:387–396; Li, W., M.G. Kim, T.S. Gourley, B.P. McCarthy, D.B. Sant'angelo, and C.H. Chang. 2005. Immunity. 23:375–386). We demonstrate that thymocyte-selected CD4 (T-CD4) T cells can rapidly produce interferon γ and interleukin (IL) 4 upon in vivo and in vitro T cell receptor stimulation. These T-CD4 T cells appear to be effector cells producing both T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines, and they maintain a potential to produce Th2 cytokines under Th1-skewing conditions in a signal transducer and activator of transcription 6–independent manner. The IL-4 mRNA level is high in CD4 single-positive thymocytes if they are selected on thymocytes, which is at least partly caused by enhanced histone acetylation of the IL-4 locus. However, mice that can generate T-CD4 T cells showed attenuated immune responses in an allergen-induced airway inflammation model, suggesting a protective role for T-CD4 T cells during an airway challenge. Our results imply that this thymic selection pathway plays an important role in determining the effector function of the resulting CD4 cells and in regulating immune response.
Progressive CD4+ central–memory T cell decline results in CD4+ effector–memory insufficiency and overt disease in chronic SIV infection
Authors: Okoye Afam , Meier-Schellersheim Martin , Brenchley Jason M. , Hagen Shoko I. , Walker Joshua M. , Rohankhedkar Mukta , Lum Richard , Edgar John B. , Planer Shannon L. , Legasse Alfred , Sylwester Andrew W. , Piatak Michael , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Maino Vernon C. , Sodora Donald L. , Douek Daniel C. , Axthelm Michael K. , Grossman Zvi , Picker Louis J.
Published: August 2007

Primary simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections of rhesus macaques result in the dramatic depletion of CD4+ CCR5+ effector–memory T (TEM) cells from extra-lymphoid effector sites, but in most infections, an increased rate of CD4+ memory T cell proliferation appears to prevent collapse of effector site CD4+ TEM cell populations and acute-phase AIDS. Eventually, persistent SIV replication results in chronic-phase AIDS, but the responsible mechanisms remain controversial. Here, we demonstrate that in the chronic phase of progressive SIV infection, effector site CD4+ TEM cell populations manifest a slow, continuous decline, and that the degree of this depletion remains a highly significant correlate of late-onset AIDS. We further show that due to persistent immune activation, effector site CD4+ TEM cells are predominantly short-lived, and that their homeostasis is strikingly dependent on the production of new CD4+ TEM cells from central–memory T (TCM) cell precursors. The instability of effector site CD4+ TEM cell populations over time was not explained by increasing destruction of these cells, but rather was attributable to progressive reduction in their production, secondary to decreasing numbers of CCR5− CD4+ TCM cells. These data suggest that although CD4+ TEM cell depletion is a proximate mechanism of immunodeficiency, the tempo of this depletion and the timing of disease onset are largely determined by destruction, failing production, and gradual decline of CD4+ TCM cells.
COX-2 suppresses tissue factor expression via endocannabinoid-directed PPARδ activation
Authors: Ghosh Mallika , Wang Haibin , Ai Youxi , Romeo Elisa , Luyendyk James P. , Peters Jeffrey M. , Mackman Nigel , Dey Sudhansu K. , Hla Timothy
Published: August 2007

Although cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (coxibs) are effective in controlling inflammation, pain, and tumorigenesis, their use is limited by the recent revelation of increased adverse cardiovascular events. The mechanistic basis of this side effect is not well understood. We show that the metabolism of endocannabinoids by the endothelial cell COX-2 coupled to the prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGIS) activates the nuclear receptor peroxisomal proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) δ, which negatively regulates the expression of tissue factor (TF), the primary initiator of blood coagulation. Coxibs suppress PPARδ activity and induce TF expression in vascular endothelium and elevate circulating TF activity in vivo. Importantly, PPARδ agonists suppress coxib-induced TF expression and decrease circulating TF activity. We provide evidence that COX-2–dependent attenuation of TF expression is abrogated by coxibs, which may explain the prothrombotic side-effects for this class of drugs. Furthermore, PPARδ agonists may be used therapeutically to suppress coxib-induced cardiovascular side effects.
Group A Streptococcal Disease in Long-Term Care Facilities: Descriptive Epidemiology and Potential Control Measures
Authors: Jordan Hannah T. , Richards Chesley L. , Burton Deron C. , Thigpen Michael C. , Van Beneden Chris A.
Published: August 2007

Group A streptococci (GAS) are an important cause of severe, life-threatening illness among the elderly population, particularly those individuals residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Outbreaks of GAS infection are potentially devastating in this vulnerable population and often require large-scale control efforts involving LTCF staff, public health officials, and infectious diseases practitioners. Although multiple outbreaks of GAS infection in LTCFs have been described in the medical literature, this topic has not been reviewed for 15 years, and there is a need for updated guidance on how to approach GAS infection outbreak control. We reviewed published documents on GAS infection in LTCFs to describe the current understanding of the disease's epidemiology in this setting, identify techniques for outbreak investigation and prevention, and expose areas where additional research is needed. We highlight well-accepted prevention and control strategies that can be employed during investigation and control of GAS infection outbreaks in LTCFs.
Exploring the functional landscape of gene expression: directed search of large microarray compendia
Authors: Hibbs Matthew A. , Hess David C. , Myers Chad L. , Huttenhower Curtis , Li Kai , Troyanskaya Olga G.
Published: August 2007

Motivation: The increasing availability of gene expression microarray technology has resulted in the publication of thousands of microarray gene expression datasets investigating various biological conditions. This vast repository is still underutilized due to the lack of methods for fast, accurate exploration of the entire compendium.

Results: We have collected Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene expression microarray data containing roughly 2400 experimental conditions. We analyzed the functional coverage of this collection and we designed a context-sensitive search algorithm for rapid exploration of the compendium. A researcher using our system provides a small set of query genes to establish a biological search context; based on this query, we weight each dataset's relevance to the context, and within these weighted datasets we identify additional genes that are co-expressed with the query set. Our method exhibits an average increase in accuracy of 273% compared to previous mega-clustering approaches when recapitulating known biology. Further, we find that our search paradigm identifies novel biological predictions that can be verified through further experimentation. Our methodology provides the ability for biological researchers to explore the totality of existing microarray data in a manner useful for drawing conclusions and formulating hypotheses, which we believe is invaluable for the research community.

Availability: Our query-driven search engine, called SPELL, is available at http://function.princeton.edu/SPELL

Contact:  ogt@genomics.princeton.edu

Supplementary information: Several additional data files, figures and discussions are available at http://function.princeton.edu/SPELL/supplement
Multi-objective assessment of conservation measures for the European eel (Anguilla anguilla): an application to the Camargue lagoons
Authors: Bevacqua Daniele , Melià Paco , Crivelli Alain J. , Gatto Marino , De Leo Giulio A.
Published: August 2007

Bevacqua, D., Melià, P., Crivelli, A. J., Gatto, M., and De Leo, G. A. 2007. Multi-objective assessment of conservation measures for the European eel (Anguilla anguilla): an application to the Carmargue lagoons. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 000–000: –. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) stock has declined since the early 1970s and is currently considered to be outside safe biological limits. The European Commission has proposed a regulation (COM 2005/472 final) to establish measures for the recovery of the stock, with the aim of achieving an escapement to the sea of 40% of the adult eel biomass (with respect to undisturbed conditions) from each river basin. The proposed regulation imposes an effective reduction of fishing activities until implementation of an approved eel management plan. We use a demographic model, explicitly accounting for age, length, and sex structure, and important features of the continental phase of eel life cycle, to assess the effectiveness of the proposed regulation. We explore alternative management options with reference to the Camargue (southern France) eel population. Using multi-criteria methods, we compare different fishing policies with respect to two potentially conflicting objectives: preserving a sufficient spawner escapement and guaranteeing an acceptable harvest to fishers. We show that the current fishery is inefficient and that appropriate management policies (such as limiting the fishing season and increasing the mesh size of fishing gear) are likely to have a doubly positive effect, by achieving the conservation target of the regulation and increasing fisher revenues.
Fourth Joint Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and Other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice (Constituted by representatives of nine societies and by invited experts)
Authors: Graham Ian , Atar Dan , Borch-Johnsen Knut , Boysen Gudrun , Burell Gunilla , Cifkova Renata , Dallongeville Jean , Backer Guy De , Ebrahim Shah , Gjelsvik Bjørn , Herrmann-Lingen Christoph , Hoes Arno , Humphries Steve , Knapton Mike , Perk Joep , Priori Silvia G. , Pyorala Kalevi , Reiner Zeljko , Ruilope Luis , Sans-Menendez Susana , Op Reimer Wilma Scholte , Weissberg Peter , Wood David , Yarnell John , Zamorano Jose Luis
Published: August 2007

Other experts who contributed to parts of the guidelines: Edmond Walma, Schoonhoven (The Netherlands), Tony Fitzgerald, Dublin (Ireland), Marie Therese Cooney, Dublin (Ireland), Alexandra Dudina, Dublin (Ireland) European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG):, Alec Vahanian (Chairperson) (France), John Camm (UK), Raffaele De Caterina (Italy), Veronica Dean (France), Kenneth Dickstein (Norway), Christian Funck-Brentano (France), Gerasimos Filippatos (Greece), Irene Hellemans (The Netherlands), Steen Dalby Kristensen (Denmark), Keith McGregor (France), Udo Sechtem (Germany), Sigmund Silber (Germany), Michal Tendera (Poland), Petr Widimsky (Czech Republic), José Luis Zamorano (Spain)

Document reviewers: Irene Hellemans (CPG Review Coordinator) (The Netherlands), Attila Altiner (Germany), Enzo Bonora (Italy), Paul N. Durrington (UK), Robert Fagard (Belgium), Simona Giampaoli(Italy), Harry Hemingway (UK), Jan Hakansson (Sweden), Sverre Erik Kjeldsen (Norway), Mogens Lytken Larsen (Denmark), Giuseppe Mancia (Italy), Athanasios J. Manolis (Greece), Kristina Orth-Gomer (Sweden), Terje Pedersen (Norway), Mike Rayner (UK), Lars Ryden (Sweden), Mario Sammut (Malta), Neil Schneiderman (USA), Anton F. Stalenhoef (The Netherlands), Lale Tokgözoglu (Turkey), Olov Wiklund (Sweden), Antonis Zampelas (Greece)
On the use of cellular telephony for audio interaction with animals
Authors: Joachim Dale , Goodale Eben
Published: August 2007

Playback is an important method of surveying animals, assessing habitats and studying animal communication. However, conventional playback methods require on-site observers and therefore become labour-intensive when covering large areas. Such limitations could be circumvented by the use of cellular telephony, a ubiquitous technology with increasing biological applications. In addressing concerns about the low audio quality of cellular telephones, this paper presents experimental data to show that owls of two species (
Strix varia
and
Megascops asio
) respond similarly to calls played through cellular telephones as to calls played through conventional playback technology. In addition, the telephone audio recordings are of sufficient quality to detect most of the two owl species' responses. These findings are a first important step towards large-scale applications where networks of cellular phones conduct real-time monitoring tasks.
Human liver‐specific organic anion transporter‐2 is a potent prognostic factor for human breast carcinoma
Authors: Muto Mitsuhisa , Onogawa Tohru , Suzuki Takashi , Ishida Takanori , Rikiyama Toshiki , Katayose Yu , Ohuchi Noriaki , Sasano Hironobu , Abe Takaaki , Unno Michiaki
Published: August 2007

Human liver‐specific organic anion transporter‐2 (LST‐2/OATP8/SLCO1B3) has been demonstrated to be expressed in various gastrointestinal carcinomas and also to play pivotal roles in the uptake of a wide variety of both endogenous and exogenous anionic compounds, including bile acids, conjugated steroids and hormones, into hepatocytes in the human liver. However, the biological significance of LST‐2 in human carcinomas remains unknown. In the present study, we examined the expression of LST‐2 in 102 cases of breast carcinoma using immunohistochemistry and correlated the findings with various clinicopathological parameters in order to examine the possible biological and clinical significance of LST‐2. LST‐2 immunoreactivity was detected in 51 cases (50.0%); of these 51 positive cases, LST‐2 immunoreactivity was inversely correlated with tumor size (P = 0.0289). In addition, LST‐2 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with a decreased risk of recurrence and improved prognosis by both univariate (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01) and multivariate (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01) analyses. In the estrogen receptor‐positive groups, the LST‐2‐positive patients showed good prognoses. Considering that LST‐2 transports estrone‐3‐sulfate, these results suggest that LST‐2 overexpression is associated with a hormone‐dependent growth mechanism of the breast cancer. The results of our present study demonstrate that LST‐2 immunoreactivity is a potent prognostic factor in human breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1570–1576)
Hepatitis B virus X protein overcomes oncogenic RAS‐induced senescence in human immortalized cells
Authors: Oishi Naoki , Shilagardi Khurts , Nakamoto Yasunari , Honda Masao , Kaneko Shuichi , Murakami Seishi
Published: August 2007

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. The HBV X protein (HBx) is thought to have oncogenic potential, although the molecular mechanism remains obscure. Pathological roles of HBx in the carcinogenic process have been examined using rodent systems and no report is available on the oncogenic roles of HBx in human cells in vitro. We therefore examined the effect of HBx on immortalization and transformation in human primary cells. We found that HBx could overcome active RAS‐induced senescence in human immortalized cells and that these cells could form colonies in soft agar and tumors in nude mice. HBx alone, however, could contribute to neither immortalization nor transformation of these cells. In a population doubling analysis, an N‐terminal truncated mutant of HBx, HBx‐D1 (amino acids 51–154), which harbors the coactivation domain, could overcome active RAS‐induced cellular senescence, but these cells failed to exhibit colonigenic and tumorigenic abilities, probably due to the low expression level of the protein. By scanning a HBx expression library of the clustered‐alanine substitution mutants, the N‐terminal domain was found to be critical for overcoming active RAS‐induced senescence by stabilizing full‐length HBx. These results strongly suggest that HBx can contribute to carcinogenesis by overcoming active oncogene‐induced senescence. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1540–1548)
Functional roles of Fli‐1, a member of the Ets family of transcription factors, in human breast malignancy
Authors: Sakurai Takuya , Kondoh Nobuo , Arai Masaaki , Hamada Jun‐ichi , Yamada Toshiyuki , Kihara‐Negishi Fumiko , Izawa Tetsuya , Ohno Hideki , Yamamoto Mikio , Oikawa Tsuneyuki
Published: August 2007

The Ets family of transcription factors is implicated in malignant transformation and tumor progression, including invasion, metastasis and neo‐angiogenesis. In the present study, we found that the Fli‐1 gene, a member of the Ets family, was highly expressed in several breast cancer cell lines (MDA‐MB231, MDA‐MB436, BT‐549 and HCC1395). To investigate the functional roles of Fli‐1 in breast cancer malignancy, we introduced an expression plasmid containing full‐length Fli‐1 cDNA into MCF7 breast cancer cells in which endogenous expression of Fli‐1 was barely detectable. Overexpression of Fli‐1 in MCF7 cells led to inhibition of apoptosis induced by serum depletion or ultraviolet irradiation, although it did not affect cell growth rate in liquid media, colony formation in soft agar or the in vitro invasion capacity of the cells. Expression of Fli‐1 and antiapoptotic bcl‐2 was coordinately upregulated by serum depletion in MCF7 cells, and the upregulation was inhibited by treatment of the cells with a c‐Jun–NH2‐terminal kinase‐specific inhibitor. Furthermore, expression of the bcl‐2 gene and protein was enhanced in Fli‐1‐overexpressing MCF7 cells compared with mock‐transfected cells. In addition, human bcl‐2 promoter activity was transactivated by Fli‐1. These results suggest that Fli‐1 contributes to the malignancy of human breast cancer by inhibiting apoptosis through upregulated expression of the bcl‐2 gene. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1775–1784)
A biological consequence of reducing Arctic ice cover: arrival of the Pacific diatom Neodenticula seminae in the North Atlantic for the first time in 800 000 years
Authors: REID PHILIP C. , JOHNS DAVID G. , EDWARDS MARTIN , STARR MICHEL , POULIN MICHEL , SNOEIJS PAULI
Published: August 2007

The Continuous Plankton Recorder survey has monitored plankton in the Northwest Atlantic at monthly intervals since 1962, with an interegnum between 1978 and 1990. In May 1999, large numbers of the Pacific diatom Neodenticula seminae were found in Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) samples in the Labrador Sea as the first record in the North Atlantic for more than 800 000 years. The event coincided with modifications in Arctic hydrography and circulation, increased flows of Pacific water into the Northwest Atlantic and in the previous year the exceptional occurrence of extensive ice‐free water to the North of Canada. These observations indicate that N. seminae was carried in a pulse of Pacific water in 1998/early 1999 via the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and/or Fram Strait. The species occurred previously in the North Atlantic during the Pleistocene from∼1.2 to∼0.8 Ma as recorded in deep sea sediment cores. The reappearance of N. seminae in the North Atlantic is an indicator of the scale and speed of changes that are taking place in the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans as a consequence of regional climate warming. Because of the unusual nature of the event it appears that a threshold has been passed, marking a change in the circulation between the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans via the Arctic. Trans‐Arctic migrations from the Pacific into the Atlantic are likely to occur increasingly over the next 100 years as Arctic ice continues to melt affecting Atlantic biodiversity and the biological pump with consequent feedbacks to the carbon cycle.
Basal rates of soil respiration are correlated with photosynthesis in a mixed temperate forest
Authors: SAMPSON D. A. , JANSSENS I. A. , CURIEL YUSTE J. , CEULEMANS R.
Published: August 2007

Many field studies have demonstrated that soil temperature explains most of the temporal variation in soil respiration (SR). However, there is increasing evidence to suggest that SR is also influenced by current, or recent, photosynthate. Accordingly, seasonal changes in SR nominally attributed to temperature may, in part, be due to seasonality in photosynthesis. Within a mixed coniferous–deciduous temperate forest, we measured SR and used the process model SECRETS to test whether seasonal changes in photosynthesis influence seasonal differences in SR. Measurements were made in six adjacent plots (from pure evergreen to pure deciduous) that exhibited a gradient in the seasonality of photosynthesis. Within all six plots, we found strong correlations between the basal rate of SR (BR; defined as the SR at 10°C) and modeled photosynthesis (i.e. gross primary productivity; GPP). Moreover, we observed larger seasonal changes in BR in those plots that exhibited larger seasonal changes in photosynthesis, as compared with plots with smaller changes in photosynthesis. This is relevant because estimates of the Q10 of SR (Q10 is the relative change in a process rate per temperature change of 10°C) typically assume a constant BR. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that differences in the apparent Q10 of SR (apparent Q10=Q10 derived from field measurements of SR and temperature) among studies may, in large part, be related to seasonal differences in photosynthesis. We suggest that variation in stand structure and species composition and, thus, in the photosynthetic signatures, induce different seasonal changes in BR via differences in the belowground supply of labile carbon. If these seasonal changes in BR are not properly accounted for, fitted apparent Q10 values may not express the temperature response of respiratory processes in the soil.
Soil greenhouse gas fluxes and global warming potential in four high‐yielding maize systems
Authors: ADVIENTO‐BORBE M. A. A. , HADDIX M. L. , BINDER D. L. , WALTERS D. T. , DOBERMANN A.
Published: August 2007

Crop intensification is often thought to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but studies in which crop management is optimized to exploit crop yield potential are rare. We conducted a field study in eastern Nebraska, USA to quantify GHG emissions, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and the net global warming potential (GWP) in four irrigated systems: continuous maize with recommended best management practices (CC‐rec) or intensive management (CC‐int) and maize–soybean rotation with recommended (CS‐rec) or intensive management (CS‐int). Grain yields of maize and soybean were generally within 80–100% of the estimated site yield potential. Large soil surface carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were mostly associated with rapid crop growth, high temperature and high soil water content. Within each crop rotation, soil CO2 efflux under intensive management was not consistently higher than with recommended management. Owing to differences in residue inputs, SOC increased in the two continuous maize systems, but decreased in CS‐rec or remained unchanged in CS‐int. N2O emission peaks were mainly associated with high temperature and high soil water content resulting from rainfall or irrigation events, but less clearly related to soil NO3‐N levels. N2O fluxes in intensively managed systems were only occasionally greater than those measured in the CC‐rec and CS‐rec systems. Fertilizer‐induced N2O emissions ranged from 1.9% to 3.5% in 2003, from 0.8% to 1.5% in 2004 and from 0.4% to 0.5% in 2005, with no consistent differences among the four systems. All four cropping systems where net sources of GHG. However, due to increased soil C sequestration continuous maize systems had lower GWP than maize–soybean systems and intensive management did not cause a significant increase in GWP. Converting maize grain to ethanol in the two continuous maize systems resulted in a net reduction in life cycle GHG emissions of maize ethanol relative to petrol‐based gasoline by 33–38%. Our study provided evidence that net GHG emissions from agricultural systems can be kept low when management is optimized toward better exploitation of the yield potential. Major components for this included (i) choosing the right combination of adopted varieties, planting date and plant population to maximize crop biomass productivity, (ii) tactical water and nitrogen (N) management decisions that contributed to high N use efficiency and avoided extreme N2O emissions, and (iii) a deep tillage and residue management approach that favored the build‐up of soil organic matter from large amounts of crop residues returned.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐2, ‐9 and ‐13 are involved in fibronectin degradation of rat lung granulomatous fibrosis caused byAngiostrongylus cantonensis
Authors: Hsu Cheng‐Chin , Lai Shih‐Chan
Published: August 2007

Pulmonary granuloma formation and fibrosis were experimentally induced in Sprague–Dawley strain rats byAngiostrongylus cantonensis. Increased protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, ‐9, ‐13 and the imbalance between these enzymes and metalloproteinase inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP‐1 and ‐2), occur during granulomatous fibrosis. Activation of proteolytic enzymes (MMP‐2, ‐9 and ‐13) and fibronectin degradation occur simultaneously. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that fibronectin avidly binds MMP‐2, ‐9 or ‐13. Immunohistochemical observations also showed the localization of MMP‐13, TIMP‐1 and ‐2 within the infiltrating leucocytes. These results suggest that MMP‐2, ‐9 and ‐13 may participate in the fibronectin degradation ofA. cantonensis‐induced granulomatous fibrosis.
Liver cirrhosis in HIV‐infected patients: prevalence, aetiology and clinical outcome
Authors: Castellares C. , Barreiro P. , Martín‐Carbonero L. , Labarga P. , Vispo M. E. , Casado R. , Galindo L. , García‐Gascó P. , García‐Samaniego J. , Soriano V.
Published: August 2007

Summary.  Liver disease is frequently seen in HIV+ patients as a result of coinfection with hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) viruses, alcohol abuse and/or exposure to hepatotoxic drugs. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of liver cirrhosis, its main causes and clinical presentation in HIV+ patients. Observational, cross‐sectional, retrospective study of all HIV+ individuals followed at one reference HIV outpatient clinic in Madrid. Liver fibrosis was measured in all cases using transient elastometry (FibroScan®). All 2168 HIV+ patients on regular follow‐up (76% males, 46% injecting drug users) were successfully examined by FibroScan® between October 2004 and August 2006. Liver cirrhosis was recognized in 181 (overall prevalence, 8.3%), and the main aetiologies were HCV, 82.3%; HBV, 1.6%; dual HBV/HCV, 2.8%; and triple HBV/HCV/ hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, 6.6%. The prevalence of cirrhosis differed among patients with distinct chronic viral hepatitis: HCV, 19.2%; HBV, 6.1%; HBV/HCV, 41.7%; and HBV/HCV/HDV, 66.7%. In 12 patients with cirrhosis (6.7%), no definite aetiology was recognized. Overall, cirrhotics had lower mean CD4 counts than noncirrhotics (408 vs 528 cells/μL respectively; P = 0.02), despite similar proportion of subjects with undetectable viraemia on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Clinical manifestations of liver cirrhosis were: splenomegaly, 61.5%; oesophageal varices, 59.8%; ascites, 22.6%; encephalopathy, 12.1%; and variceal bleeding, 6.1%. Liver cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation events are relatively frequent in HIV+ individuals. Chronic HCV and alcohol abuse, but not chronic HBV, play a major role. Transient elastometry may allow the identification of a significant number of HIV+ individuals with asymptomatic liver cirrhosis.