bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Functional Characterization of the Rice Bacterial Blight Disease Resistance Gene xa5
Authors: Iyer-Pascuzzi A. S. , Jiang H. , Huang L. , McCouch S. R.
Published: February 2008

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is the causal agent of rice bacterial blight, a destructive rice disease worldwide. The gene xa5 provides race-specific resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzae, and encodes the small subunit of transcription factor IIA. How xa5 functions in bacterial blight resistance is not well understood, and its recessive gene action is disputed. Here we show that xa5 is inherited in a completely recessive manner and the susceptible allele Xa5 is fully dominant. In accordance with this, bacterial growth in heterozygous and homozygous susceptible lines is not significantly different. Further, one allele of Xa5 is sufficient to promote disease in previously resistant plants; additional copies are not predictive of increased lesion length. Surprisingly, a resistant nearly isogenic line (NIL) of an indica variety sustains high levels of bacterial populations compared to the susceptible NIL, yet the resistant plants restrict symptom expression. In contrast, in japonica NILs, bacterial population dynamics differ in resistant and susceptible genotypes. However, both resistant indica and japonica plants delay bacterial movement down the leaf. These results support a model in which xa5-mediated recessive resistance is the result of restricted bacterial movement, but not restricted multiplication.
Realizable response matrices of multi-terminal electrical, acoustic and elastodynamic networks at a given frequency
Authors: Milton Graeme W , Seppecher Pierre
Published: January 2008

We give a complete characterization of the possible response matrices at a fixed frequency ofn-terminal electrical networks of inductors, capacitors, resistors and grounds, and ofn-terminal discrete linear elastodynamic networks of springs and point masses, both in three-dimensional and two-dimensional cases. Specifically, we construct networks that realizeanyresponse matrix that is compatible with the known symmetry properties and thermodynamic constraints of response matrices. Owing to a mathematical equivalence, we also obtain a characterization of the response matrices of discrete acoustic networks.
Males with high genetic similarity to females sire more offspring in sperm competition in Peron's tree frogLitoria peronii
Authors: Sherman C.D.H , Wapstra E , Uller T , Olsson M
Published: January 2008

Recent work has confirmed that genetic compatibility among mates can be an important determinant of siring success in sperm competition experiments and in free-ranging populations. Most of this work points towards mate choice of less related mates. However, there may also be the potential for mate choice for intermediate or even genetically similar mates to prevent outbreeding depression or hybridization with closely related taxa. We studied relatedness effects on post-copulatory gametic choice and/or sperm competition in an external fertilizer, Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii), since external fertilizers offer exceptional control in order to test gametic interaction effects on probability of paternity and zygote viability. Sperm competition experiments were done blindly with respect to genetic relatedness among males and females. Thereafter, paternity of offspring was assigned using eight microsatellite loci. Three hybridization trials betweenL. peroniiand a closely related sympatric speciesLitoria tyleriwere also carried out. In the sperm competition trials, males that are more genetically similar to the female achieved higher siring success compared with less genetically similar males. The hybridization trials confirmed that the two species can interbreed and we suggest that the risk of hybridization may contribute to selection benefits for genetically more similar males at fertilization. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show evidence for post-copulatory selection of sperm from genetically more similar individuals within a natural population.
Differences in prolactin levels between three alternative male reproductive tactics in striped mice (
Rhabdomys pumilio
)
Authors: Schradin Carsten
Published: January 2008

In male fishes, birds and mammals, increased prolactin secretion is thought to play a role in species showing paternal behaviours. This hypothesis was investigated in the striped mouse (
Rhabdomys pumilio
). This paper compares serum prolactin levels in 71 free-living male striped mice following three different reproductive tactics: (i) paternal group-living breeders, (ii) alloparental philopatric group-living males, and (iii) roaming non-paternal solitary males. Prolactin levels of breeding males were significantly higher than that of roamers. Alloparental philopatric males had low prolactin levels, which concur with studies of cooperatively breeding mammals, but contrasts with studies of cooperatively breeding birds. Both breeding males and females showed a decrease in prolactin levels after the breeding season, but not alloparental philopatric males. Prolactin levels were correlated with neither corticosterone levels nor age. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that prolactin is one proximate mechanism of male reproductive tactics, possibly regulating differences in male parental care.
Segmental duplications and evolutionary plasticity at tumor chromosome break-prone regions
Authors: Darai-Ramqvist Eva , Sandlund Agneta , Müller Stefan , Klein George , Imreh Stefan , Kost-Alimova Maria
Published: January 2008

We have previously found that the borders of evolutionarily conserved chromosomal regions often coincide with tumor-associated deletion breakpoints within human 3p12-p22. Moreover, a detailed analysis of a frequently deleted region at 3p21.3 (CER1) showed associations between tumor breaks and gene duplications. We now report on the analysis of 54 chromosome 3 breaks by multipoint FISH (mpFISH) in 10 carcinoma-derived cell lines. The centromeric region was broken in five lines. In lines with highly complex karyotypes, breaks were clustered near known fragile sites, FRA3B, FRA3C, and FRA3D (three lines), and in two other regions: 3p12.3-p13 (∼75 Mb position) and 3q21.3-q22.1 (∼130 Mb position) (six lines). All locations are shown based on NCBI Build 36.1 human genome sequence. The last two regions participated in three of four chromosome 3 inversions during primate evolution. Regions at 75, 127, and 131 Mb positions carry a large (∼250 kb) segmental duplication (tumor break-prone segmental duplication [TBSD]). TBSD homologous sequences were found at 15 sites on different chromosomes. They were located within bands frequently involved in carcinoma-associated breaks. Thirteen of them have been involved in inversions during primate evolution; 10 were reused by breaks during mammalian evolution; 14 showed copy number polymorphism in man. TBSD sites showed an increase in satellite repeats, retrotransposed sequences, and other segmental duplications. We propose that the instability of these sites stems from specific organization of the chromosomal region, associated with location at a boundary between different CG-content isochores and with the presence of TBSDs and “instability elements,” including satellite repeats and retroviral sequences.
Genome structure and emerging evidence of an incipient sex chromosome in Populus
Authors: Yin Tongming , DiFazio Stephen P. , Gunter Lee E. , Zhang Xinye , Sewell Michell M. , Woolbright Scott A. , Allan Gery J. , Kelleher Collin T. , Douglas Carl J. , Wang Mingxiu , Tuskan Gerald A.
Published: February 2008

The genus Populus consists of dioecious woody species with largely unknown genetic mechanisms for gender determination. We have discovered genetic and genomic features in the peritelomeric region of chromosome XIX that suggest this region of the Populus genome is in the process of developing characteristics of a sex chromosome. We have identified a gender-associated locus that consistently maps to this region. Furthermore, comparison of genetic maps across multiple Populus families reveals consistently distorted segregation within this region. We have intensively characterized this region using an F1 interspecific cross involving the female genotype that was used for genome sequencing. This region shows suppressed recombination and high divergence between the alternate haplotypes, as revealed by dense map-based genome assembly using microsatellite markers. The suppressed recombination, distorted segregation, and haplotype divergence were observed only for the maternal parent in this cross. Furthermore, the progeny of this cross showed a strongly male-biased sex ratio, in agreement with Haldane’s rule that postulates that the heterogametic sex is more likely to be absent, rare, or sterile in interspecific crosses. Together, these results support the role of chromosome XIX in sex determination and suggest that sex determination in Populus occurs through a ZW system in which the female is the heterogametic gender.
Mouse inter-subspecific consomic strains for genetic dissection of quantitative complex traits
Authors: Takada Toyoyuki , Mita Akihiko , Maeno Akiteru , Sakai Takahiro , Shitara Hiroshi , Kikkawa Yoshiaki , Moriwaki Kazuo , Yonekawa Hiromichi , Shiroishi Toshihiko
Published: February 2008

Consomic strains, also known as chromosome substitution strains, are powerful tools for assigning polygenes that control quantitative complex traits to specific chromosomes. Here, we report generation of a full set of mouse consomic strains, in which each chromosome of the common laboratory strain C57BL/6J (B6) is replaced by its counterpart from the inbred strain MSM/Ms, which is derived from Japanese wild mouse, Mus musculus molossinus. The genome sequence of MSM/Ms is divergent from that of B6, whose genome is predominantly derived from Western European wild mouse, Mus musculus domesticus. MSM/Ms exhibits a number of quantitative complex traits markedly different from those of B6. We systematically determined phenotypes of these inter-subspecific consomic strains, focusing on complex traits related to reproduction, growth, and energy metabolism. We successfully detected more than 200 statistically significant QTLs affecting 26 traits. Furthermore, phenotyping of the consomic strains revealed that the measured values for quantitative complex traits often far exceed the range between B6 host and MSM/Ms donor strains; this may result from segregation of alleles or nonadditive interactions among multiple genes derived from the two mouse subspecies (that is, epistasis). Taken together, the results suggest that the inter-subspecific consomic strains will be very useful for identification of latent genetic components underlying quantitative complex traits.
Role of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex in mediating behavioral control-induced reduction of later conditioned fear
Authors: Baratta Michael V. , Lucero Thomas R. , Amat Jose , Watkins Linda R. , Maier Steven F.
Published: January 2008

A prior experience of behavioral control over a stressor interferes with subsequent Pavlovian fear conditioning, and this effect is dependent on the activation of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFCv) at the time of the initial experience with control. It is unknown whether mPFCv activity is necessary during fear learning and/or testing for this interference to occur. One week following controllable stress, the infralimbic cortex (IL) was temporarily inactivated either before fear learning or later testing. Inactivation of the IL before the test for conditioned fear, but not before conditioning, blocked the fear reducing effects of prior controllable stress. This suggests that the experience with control interferes with the expression of fear behavior and not the learning of the association, and that the mPFCv is needed to regulate conditioned fear behavior.
THE REPORT OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON DRUG ADDICTION*
Authors: BRAIN SIR RUSSELL
Published: February 2008

The Report is still not published. I have every hope that it will be published by the end of this month. In the meantime, I have got the permission of the Minister to give you this preview, but we would appreciate it if you would, as I am sure you will, regard it as a communication particularly to this Society and not beyond.
GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH ALCOHOLICS*
Authors: ESSER P. H.
Published: February 2008

While the more complex aspects of the alcoholic's difficulties should be dealt with in individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy can be of great help as a means of altering behaviour. The members of a group may have their own particular problems, nevertheless they do have one major problem in common, the alcohol problem. This similarity of pathology makes them suitable for group psychotherapy, and accelerates the therapeutic process. The experience of one applies to others and therefore “evokes responses and memories in all” (Slavson).
Complications of Alcoholism in the Social Sphere*
Authors: GLATT M. M.
Published: February 2008

Une plus grande emphase que précédemment dans l'instruction d‘étudiant en médecine sur la constatation que l'alcoolisme mine habituellement le bonheur familial, l'efficacité au travail et la capacité de se confier aux autres, plus communément et longtemps avant de détruire les systèmes alimentaires et nerveux et longtemps avant que l'alcoolique n'ait atteint le “fin fond” devrait contribuer considérablement aux buts d'un diagnostic préliminaire.

Grösserer Nachdruck als bisher bei der Schulung von Medizin‐studenten betreffend Befunde gelegt wurde, dass Alkoholismus gewöhnlich ein harmonisches Familienleben, die Leistungsfähigkeit bei der Arbeit sowie auch die Aufrechterhaltung guter Beziehungen zu anderen unterminiert und zwar häufiger und lange ehe er das Verdauungs‐ und Nervensystem zerstört und lange ehe dieser Zustand sein letztes Stadium. erreicht hat, sollte wesentlich dazu beitragen, eina Frühdiagnose zu erzielen.
Impressions of the Drinking Habits and Alcoholic Problem in Modern Greece
Authors: KARAYANNIS ALEXANDER D. , KELEPOURIS MICHAEL B.
Published: February 2008

The aim of this short article is not to give a complete picture and analysis of the alcoholic problem in Greece.
Marriage Counseling with Alcoholics and Their Spouses—I. A Critique of the Methodology of a Follow‐up Study
Authors: BURTON GENEVIEVE , KAPLAN HOWARD M. , HUDD EMILY H.
Published: February 2008

We have described the project on which this follow‐up is based. We have indicated some of the problems we have had to overcome in implementing a single follow‐up for the several distinct phases of 10 years of counseling alcoholics and their non‐alcoholic spouses. We have described the procedures, results and problems of our follow‐up attempts. In critically evaluating the problems we met and the ways in which we have coped with them, we have also indicated directions others might take to minimize such difficulties.
IgM myeloma: a rare entity characterized by a CD20−CD56−CD117− immunophenotype and the t(11;14)
Authors: Feyler Sylvia , O’Connor Sheila J. M. , Rawstron Andy C. , Subash Chezhian , Ross Fiona M. , Pratt Guy , Drayson Mark T. , Ashcroft John , Cook Gordon , Owen Roger G.
Published: February 2008

IgM myeloma is a very rare and poorly defined entity. In a detailed assessment of 10 cases, it was demonstrated that 70% had an aberrant phenotype based on the expression of CD19, CD45, CD27 and Cyclin D1 but all cases lacked CD56 and CD117. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated deletion 13 in 50% while 5/8 cases assessed had a t(11;14). Despite the high incidence of the t(11;14), CD20 was only expressed in one of nine cases. We conclude that IgM myeloma is a distinctive subset characterized by a CD20−CD56−CD117− phenotype and the t(11;14).
Inactivity is a risk factor for low bone mineral density among haemophilic children
Authors: Tlacuilo‐Parra Alberto , Morales‐Zambrano Ramses , Tostado‐Rabago Nadia , Esparza‐Flores Maria Amparo , Lopez‐Guido Beatriz , Orozco‐Alcala Javier
Published: February 2008

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in childhood is a risk factor for osteoporosis in later life. This case–control study determined the prevalence of low BMD, calcium intake and physical activity in 62 haemophilic children and 62 sex‐, race‐ and age‐matched healthy boys as controls. Lumbar spine (L2‐L4) BMD was determined by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry; BMD was considered to be low when Z‐score ≥2. Physical activity was assessed using a validated questionnaire and calcium intake with a standardized quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Twenty‐four patients (38%) had low BMD, whereas this was found in only 10 (16%) controls [odds ratio (OR) 2·86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·17–7·41; P = 0·014]. Lumbar BMD was significantly lower in the haemophilia patients than the controls (−1·6 ± 1·0 vs. −0·9 ± 0·9 respectively; P = 0·0004). Sedentary and low‐grade exercise predominated in haemophilia (77%) versus control (50%) (OR 3·2, 95% CI 1·36–7·79; P = 0·003). There were no differences between groups with regard to calcium intake. Our results suggest that low‐physical activity is a risk factor for reduced lumbar bone mass in the haemophilic group. This factor must be monitored to avoid a significant reduction in BMD that might contribute to further skeletal fragility.
Common risk factors for both arterial and venous thrombosis
Authors: Lowe Gordon D. O.
Published: February 2008

Arterial and venous thromboses have traditionally been viewed as distinct conditions, with differences in risk factors, pathology and treatment. However, recent epidemiological studies have suggested associations between venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism (myocardial infarction and stroke) and atherosclerosis. While several biological mechanisms might contribute to these associations, common risk factors for both arterial and venous thrombosis probably play the major role. This article summarizes the evidence for shared risk factors (clinical, biochemical and haematological) that supports this conclusion. At a practical level, it is suggested that following routine treatment of venous thromboembolism with a course of anticoagulant drugs, patients should be routinely assessed not only for risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism but also for risk of arterial thromboembolism. Appropriate lifestyle advice and medication (including aspirin) should then be considered.
Copper distribution and acid‐base mobilization in vineyard soils and sediments from Galicia (NW Spain)
Authors: Fernández‐Calviño D. , Pateiro‐Moure M. , López‐Periago E. , Arias‐Estévez M. , Nóvoa‐Muñoz J. C.
Published: January 2008

In northern Spain and elsewhere in the world, many vineyards are located on steep slopes and are susceptible to accelerated soil erosion. Contaminants, notably Cu, originating from repeated application of copper‐based fungicides to the vines to prevent mildew, are transported and stored in the sediments deposited close to valley bottoms. In this study, the contents and distribution of Cu in 17 soil samples and 21 sediment samples collected from vineyard stands were determined. In addition, the effect of pH on Cu release from vineyard soils and sediments was quantified. The total Cu content (CuT) in the soils varied between 96 and 583 mg kg−1, and was between 1.2 and 5.6 times greater in sediment samples. The mean concentration of potentially bioavailable Cu (CuEDTA) in the sediments was 199 mg kg−1 (46% of CuT), and was 80 mg kg−1 (36% of CuT) in the soils. Copper bound to soil organic matter (CuOM) was the dominant fraction in the soils (on average, 53% of the CuT), while in sediment samples CuOM values varied between 37 and 712 mg kg−1 and were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than in the soils. Copper associated with non‐crystalline inorganic components (CuIA) was the second most important fraction in the sediments, in which it was 3.4 times greater than in the soils. Release of Cu due to changes in the pH followed a U‐shaped pattern in soils and sediments. The release of Cu increased when the pH decreased below 5.5 due to the increased solubility of the metal at this pH. When the pH increased above 7.5, Cu and organic matter were released simultaneously.
Soil organic carbon in density fractions of tropical soils under forest – pasture – secondary forest land use changes
Authors: Paul S. , Veldkamp E. , FLESSA H.
Published: January 2008

Our knowledge of effects of land use changes and soil types on the storage and stability of different soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions in the tropics is limited. We analysed the effect of land use (natural forest, pasture, secondary forest) on SOC storage (depth 0–0.1 m) in density fractions of soils developed on marine Tertiary sediments and on volcanic ashes in the humid tropics of northwest Ecuador. The origin of organic carbon stored in free light (< 1.6 g cm−3) fractions, and in two light fractions (LF) occluded within aggregates of different stability, was determined by means of δ13C natural abundance. Light occluded organic matter was isolated in a first step after aggregate disruption by shaking aggregates with glass pearls (occluded I LF) and in a subsequent step by manual destruction of the most stable microaggregates that survived the first step (occluded II LF). SOC storage in LFs was greater in volcanic ash soils (7.6 ± 0.6 Mg C ha−1) than in sedimentary soils (4.3 ± 0.3 Mg C ha−1). The contribution of the LFs to SOC storage was greater in natural forest (19.2 ± 1.2%) and secondary forest (16.6 ± 1.0%) than in pasture soils (12.8 ± 1.0%), independent of soil parent material. The amount of SOC stored in the occluded I LF material increased with increasing silt + clay content (sedimentary soils, r = 0.73; volcanic ash soils, r = 0.58) and aggregation (sedimentary soils, r = 0.52; volcanic ash soils, r = 0.45). SOC associated with occluded I LF, had the smallest proportion of new, pasture‐derived carbon, indicating the stabilizing effect of aggregation. Fast turnover of the occluded II LF material, which was separated from highly stable microaggregates, strongly suggested that this fraction is important in the initial process of aggregate formation. No pasture‐derived carbon could be detected in any density fractions of volcanic ash soils under secondary forest, indicating fast turnover of these fractions in tropical volcanic ash soils.
Temporal patterns in the stability, persistence and condition of stream macroinvertebrate communities: relationships with catchment land‐use and regional climate
Authors: COLLIER KEVIN J.
Published: January 2008

1. A spatially‐extensive data set of stream macroinvertebrate communities from 49 northern New Zealand sites sampled over a 10‐year period was analysed to assess relationships between the environment (catchment land‐cover, landscape position and regional‐scale weather patterns), and (i) community persistence and stability based on the constancy of species occurrence (presence–absence) and abundance (per cent composition), respectively and (ii) the temporal variability of various community condition metrics.

2. No significant relationship was evident between community stability or persistence within sites and a gradient of increasing land‐use stress (LUS) based on types of upstream land‐cover, with interannual mean similarities at all sites falling within the standard deviations recorded at long‐term reference sites. In contrast, condition metrics were inversely related to LUS. Land‐use appeared to be a key factor influencing community composition among sites whereas climate influenced stability and persistence within sites.

3. Three response trajectories of community variability to increasing LUS were distinguished based on the coefficient of variation of mean interannual similarities, such that (i) persistence and stability appeared to be more variable at developed sites with low LUS and at sites with high stress relative to the variability experienced naturally, but similar to the natural range at intermediate levels of stress (‘sinusoidal response’); (ii) variability in Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera metrics increased at low‐to‐moderate stress and then accelerated rapidly at highly developed sites (‘stepped‐exponential response’) and (iii) variability in a pollution tolerance metric increased rapidly and then maintained a similar level of variability along the remaining stress gradient (‘plateau response’).

4. The results of this study have implications for biomonitoring approaches that assume high temporal persistence and stability of communities to define site impairment. Misclassifications caused by interannual variability could lead to misinterpretation of site condition, if conclusions are based on single annual surveys. Temporal variability in stability and persistence may help distinguish low levels of impairment where a predominantly healthy fauna experiences increased environmental fluctuations.
Negative regulation by SHPS‐1 of Toll‐like receptor‐dependent proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages
Authors: Miyake Atsuko , Murata Yoji , Okazawa Hideki , Ikeda Hiroshi , Niwayama Yuriko , Ohnishi Hiroshi , Hirata Yukio , Matozaki Takashi
Published: January 2008

SHPS‐1 is a transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in macrophages. The possible role of SHPS‐1 in regulation of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐dependent production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages has remained unknown, however. We now show that expression either of a mutant version of mouse SHPS‐1 (SHPS‐1–4F) in which the four tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the cytoplasmic region are replaced by phenylalanine or of a chimeric protein comprising the extracellular and transmembrane regions of human CD8 fused to the cytoplasmic region of SHPS‐1–4F (CD8–4F) markedly promoted the production of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid [poly(I : C)] in RAW264.7 macrophages. In contrast, expression of a mutant form of SHPS‐1 that lacks most of the cytoplasmic region did not promote such responses. Expression of SHPS‐1–4F promoted the LPS‐ or poly(I : C)‐induced activation of NF‐κB. LPS and poly(I : C) each induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS‐1 through a Src family kinase and the association of SHPS‐1 with SHP‐1 and SHP‐2. These results suggest that LPS or poly(I : C) induces tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS‐1 and the association of SHPS‐1 with SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 in a manner dependent on a Src family kinase. SHPS‐1 then negatively regulates TLR4‐ or TLR3‐dependent cytokine production through inhibition of NF‐κB‐dependent signaling.
Military geology of Antietam battlefield, Maryland, USA—geology, terrain, and casualties
Authors: Ehlen Judy , Whisonant R.C.
Published: January 2008

The geology of a battlefield, or that which underlies the area in which a military campaign occurs, rarely truly affects the outcome of battle. Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Maryland campaign and the Battle of Antietam fought against Union General George B. McClellan in 1862 during the American Civil War, are however, major exceptions to this rule. Lee used the geology and structure of the area in choosing the invasion route, in a major delaying tactic prior to the battle, and in the battle itself. In this article, we show the affects of geology on the battle by using standard morphometric measures to quantify terrain variables and relate these data to the numbers of killed and wounded during the battle. We also include a field guide to various locations on the battlefield where the relations between geology, terrain, and casualties can easily be seen.
Carbon balance assessment of a Belgian winter wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: MOUREAUX CHRISTINE , DEBACQ ALAIN , HOYAUX JULIEN , SULEAU MARIE , TOURNEUR DENIS , VANCUTSEM FRANÇOISE , BODSON BERNARD , AUBINET MARC
Published: February 2008

The carbon balance of a winter wheat crop in Lonzée, Belgium, was assessed from measurements carried out at different spatial and temporal scales between November 2004 and August 2005. From eddy covariance measurements, the net ecosystem exchange was found to be −0.63 kg C m−2 and resulted from the difference between gross primary productivity (GPP) (−1.58 kg C m−2) and total ecosystem respiration (TER) (0.95 kg C m−2). The impact of the u* threshold value on these fluxes was assessed and found to be very small. GPP assessment was partially validated by comparison with an estimation scaled up from leaf scale assimilation measurements. Soil respiration (SR), extrapolated from chamber measurements, was 0.52 kg C m−2. Net primary productivity, assessed from crop sampling, was −0.83 kg C m−2. By combining these fluxes, the autotrophic and heterotrophic components of respiration were deduced. Autotrophic respiration dominated both TER and SR. The evolution of these fluxes was analysed in relation to wheat development.
Individual Variation in the Expression of Maternal Behaviour: A Review of the Neuroendocrine Mechanisms in the Sheep
Authors: Dwyer C. M.
Published: February 2008

Individual variation in the expression of maternal behaviour can affect offspring development and survival. Ewes showing a poorer quality of maternal behaviour (low levels of licking and grooming, infrequent low‐pitched bleating, inconsistent udder acceptance) at parturition and throughout lactation (large ewe‐lamb distance, low vigilance) form a weaker bond with their lambs, and have higher lamb mortality, than ewes which show high levels of grooming and low‐pitched bleating, close ewe‐lamb distances and high levels of vigilance. Using two models of variation in maternal behaviour in the sheep (differences between ewes of two breeds, and differences between primiparous and multiparous ewes), the neuroendocrine mechanisms that underpin these differences are explored. In both cases, significant variation in oestrogen priming is observed, with breed differences in circulating concentrations of oestrogen in late gestation, and parity effects on receptor density but not circulating concentrations. The consequences of these differences for central oxytocin release and binding are discussed. In addition, preliminary data suggest that opioid modulation, in both breed and parity models, may also play a role in mediating individual variation in maternal behaviour in the sheep.
The Placenta and Intrauterine Programming
Authors: Fowden A. L. , Forhead A. J. , Coan P. M. , Burton G. J.
Published: February 2008

Intrauterine programming is the process by which the structure and function of tissues are altered permanently by insults acting during early development.In mammals, the placenta controls intrauterine development by supplying oxygen and nutrients, and by regulating the bioavailability of specific hormones involved in foetal growth and development. Consequently, the placenta is likely to have a key role in mediating the programming effects of suboptimal conditions during development. This review examines placental phenotype in different environmental conditions and places particular emphasis on regulation of placental nutrient transfer capacity and endocrine function by insults known to cause intrauterine programming.More specifically, it examines the effects of a range of environmental challenges on the size, morphology, blood flow and transporter abundance of the placenta and on its rate of consumption and production of nutrients. In addition, it considers the role of hormone synthesis and metabolism by the placenta in matching intrauterine development to the prevailing environmental conditions. The adaptive responses that the placenta can make to compensate for suboptimal conditionsin uteroare also assessed in relation to the strategies adopted to maximise foetal growth and viability at birth. Environmentally‐induced changes in placental phenotype may provide a mechanism for transmitting the memory of early events to the foetus later in gestation, which leads to intrauterine programming of tissue development long after the original insult.
Whose quality of care is it anyway? Methodological issues in evaluating residential care for the mentally ill
Authors: FORREST S.
Published: February 2008

The paper reports on issues of methodology regarding the evaluation of residential care for mentally ill people. A literature review examines the development of research approaches to studying residential care practices, from qualitative descriptive studies to quantitative comparative studies. The difficulty of definition and measurement in high‐quality residential care is discussed. Findings are presented from an ethnographic study of care structure and process, and the experience of staff and clients, conducted in two residential care settings. Anomalies are reported in the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods. There is a discussion of methodological issues that arise from anomalous findings.
Working in partnership: a collaborative approach to care. The review of mental health nursing
Authors: BUTTERWORTH T.
Published: February 2008

The first major review of psychiatric mental health nursing in England since 1968 is now complete. The review was announced in 1992 by the Department of Health, at the Royal College of Nursing Annual Congress. A steering group was convened to conduct a review and its report was published in 1994. At the outset, the multidisciplinary group aimed to identify requirements for skilled nursing responsive to patient need, into the next century. The chairman of the review summarizes in this paper the main issues that characterize its findings. The 42 recommendations are abstracted at the end of this paper, by subject headings from the published report.
Assessment of the sexuality needs of individuals with psychiatric disability
Authors: DORSAY J. PARK. , FORCHUK C.
Published: February 2008

Individuals with psychiatric disorders are at risk of experiencing a variety of difficulties related to their sexuality. The objective of the study described here was examination of nursing staff attitudes, assessment of issues related to the sexuality of clients, and assessment of clients' perceptions of their own sexuality needs. The descriptive design included staff survey, client interviews and chart (in‐patient record) audits. The setting was a tertiary care provincial psychiatric hospital in Ontario, Canada. One hundred in‐patient records were randomly selected for a concurrent chart audit, followed by client interviews. Staff surveys included 68 nurses. Clients were found to be at increased risk for sexual aggression and sexually transmitted diseases. Clients identified learning needs regarding contraception and safe sexual practices. The nurses who completed the staff survey reported high levels of comfort related to clients' sexuality, yet infrequent teaching related to safe sexual practices. Individuals with psychiatric disorders are at increased risk for a number of problems related to sexuality and identify several learning needs. There is also a risk that these needs go unrecognized by nursing staff.
Nurses' satisfaction with nursing care and work at three care units for severely demented people
Authors: HANSSON U. WELANDER , HALLBERG I. R. , AXELSSON K.
Published: February 2008

Nurses' Satisfaction with nursing care and work at three care units for severely demented people.

The aim of this study is to investigate the degree of job satisfaction, burnout and strain among nurses (n=134) working in three care units for demented people in southern Sweden. Three questionnaires were used: the Maslach burnout inventory (MBI), the work‐related strain inventory (WRSI), and a recently developed measure for assessing job satisfaction. Based on principal component analysis, an eight‐factor job satisfaction scale was chosen. Nurses in general were found to be satisfied, with registered nurses (RNs) being most satisfied with their work and the nursing care provided. The nurses in one of the care units were more satisfied than the nurses on the other two. The MBI and WRSI results showed a low degree of burnout and work‐related strain and there was little difference between the care units or the categories of nurses. Job satisfaction scores were relatively independent from the MBI and WRSI scores. However, scores from these two inventories of burnout and strain at work were positively correlated. The results of the questionnaires seem to indicate that positive work experience and negative experience are not opposites. This particular method of evaluating job satisfaction needs further development. However, it seems important to include one specific measure for job satisfaction when action is taken in connection with the working situation of nurses.
Stress and the community mental health nurse: the development of a measure
Authors: BROWN D. , LEARY J. , CARSON J. , Psychol C. , BARTLETT H. , FAGIN L.
Published: February 2008

BROWN D., LEARY J., CARSON J., BARTLETT H. & FAGIN L. (1995) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2, 9–12: Stress and the community mental health nurse: the development of a measure.: The issue of stress amongst health care professionals is currently a major concern within the British National Health Service. It is important for researchers to develop both reliable and valid psychometric measures to assess occupational stress. This paper outlines the development and piloting of a measure of professional stress for community mental health nurses, the CPN Stress Questionnaire (Revised). Data on the reliability and validity of this new measure are presented. It is concluded that this measure has good psychometric properties. A range of possible research applications is outlined.
A brief mental health outcome scale: relationships between scale scores and diagnostic/sociodemographic variables in the long‐term mentally ill
Authors: COFFEY M. , JONES S. H. , THORNICROFT G.
Published: February 2008

A brief mental health outcomes scale: relationships between scale scores and diagnostic/sociodemographic variables in the long‐term mentally ill

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale is a quick and simple measure of overall psychological disturbance. A recent study by our group reported the reliability and validity of the scale in a population of severely mentally ill people. The current study extends the analysis of this population to consider a number of questions, i.e. what are the associations for this group between variations in GAF scores and sociodemographic variables? Are lower scores associated with particular diagnoses for the group assessed? What are the characteristics of those patients whose scores were most variable? What were the completion rates for use of the scale? No associations were observed between GAF score and the sociodemographic variables used in this study. Lower GAF scores were associated with psychotic diagnoses. Those with most varying scores were, in the main, white European nonimmigrant males with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Completion rates for the study were reasonable at 73.8%. This study involved the repeated assessment of a large number of clients by a changing multidisciplinary team. Inspite of the extended nature of the study, completion rates remained reasonable, suggesting that the scale was acceptable for routine clinical use. The GAF in itself, however, appears to be unsuitable for making individual treatment decisions but could be used as a first step before using more sophisticated scales.
Humoral immune response in IL‐12 and IFN‐γ deficient mice after infection with Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: JAKOBI V. , PETRY F.
Published: January 2008

Infection with Cryptosporidium spp. causes diarrhoeal disease and has become an important medical and veterinary problem especially in the immunocompromised host. The importance of the adaptive immune response, with CD4+ T‐lymphocytes being the major players, has been clearly demonstrated. The requirement of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ identifies this response as a Th1‐dominated reaction. IFN‐γ is also important in the early phase of the host–parasite interaction. We analysed the outcome of infection in IL‐12p40 (IL‐12KO) and IFN‐γ (GKO) deficient C57BL/6 mice after primary and secondary challenge with the parasite and, for the first time, we demonstrate the resulting Ig response in sera and vaginal lavages. Although showing differences in the extent and the time course both strains of mice were able to clear infection and developed an almost complete resistance to re‐infection. While GKO mice mounted prolonged parasite‐specific IgG and IgA responses after primary infection, in IL‐12KO mice IgG and IgA titres dropped over time. Re‐challenge of mice 5 weeks after primary infection led to a booster effect in Ig response despite the absence of oocyst shedding. The data from infection and re‐challenge experiments suggest that in IL‐12‐ or IFN‐γ‐deficient mice the development of resistance involves other protective immune responses.
The influence of glutathione modulators on the course of Leishmania major infection in susceptible and resistant mice
Authors: CRUZ K. K. , FONSECA S. G. , MONTEIRO M. C. , SILVA O. S. , ANDRADE V. M. , CUNHA F. Q. , ROMÃO P. R. T.
Published: January 2008

Glutathione (GSH) has an important dual role in parasite–host relationship in Leishmania major infection. Our previous studies showed that both antioxidant systems, glutathione and trypanothione/trypanothione reductase, participate in the protection of Leishmania against the toxic effect of nitrogen‐derived reactive species. On the other hand, GSH also is very important to the modulation of the effective immune response, inducting NO production and leishmanicidal activity of macrophages. In the present study, we investigated the role of host GSH during the course of L. major infection, analysing the size of footpad lesions and parasite load from mice treated with two GSH modulators, N‐acethyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) and buthionine sulphoximine (BSO). Resistant mice treated with BSO, which depletes GSH develop exacerbated lesions, but only harbour higher parasite load in their lesions 2 weeks post‐infection. Although the NAC treatment does not affect the footpad lesions development in susceptible BALB/c mice, it significantly reduced the tissue parasitism in the lesions throughout the course of infection. Interestingly, the treatment with BSO did not change the course of L. major infection on susceptible mice when compared with nontreated mice. These results suggest that GSH is an important antioxidant modulator during anti‐Leishmania immune response in vivo.
Cytokine gene expression and NF‐κB activation following infection of intestinal epithelial cells with Eimeria bovis or Eimeria alabamensis in vitro
Authors: ALCALA‐CANTO Y. , IBARRA‐VELARDE F.
Published: January 2008

In cattle, Eimeria produces clinical disease with different degrees of severity, depending on the dominant species. Eimeria bovis triggers severe intestinal damage, while E. alabamensis causes minimal damage. Cytokines and other factors derived from epithelial cells play important roles in inflammatory and immune responses in intestinal tissue. This study aimed to obtain a detailed view of IFN‐γ and IL‐4 mRNA expression as well as of activation of NF‐κB p50 and p65 subunits induced by E. bovis or E. alabamensis in intestinal epithelial cells by means of a RT‐PCR assay and a NF‐κB p50/p65 ELISA‐based kit, respectively. Our results demonstrate that infection by both Eimeria species enhances IL‐4 mRNA expression in intestinal cells. However, IL‐4 was expressed more intensely in cells incubated with E. bovis whereas IFN‐γ levels were higher and detected at an earlier time in cells infected with E. alabamensis. NF‐κB was activated in infected cells irrespective of species, yet the activity of the p50 subunit was significantly higher in cells incubated with E. bovis. Our results suggest that the intensity of host‐cell responses triggered by these two Eimeria species could be considered as potential determinants of pathogenicity.
Metabolite annotations based on the integration of mass spectral information
Authors: Iijima Yoko , Nakamura Yukiko , Ogata Yoshiyuki , Tanaka Ken’ichi , Sakurai Nozomu , Suda Kunihiro , Suzuki Tatsuya , Suzuki Hideyuki , Okazaki Koei , Kitayama Masahiko , Kanaya Shigehiko , Aoki Koh , Shibata Daisuke
Published: February 2008

A large number of metabolites are found in each plant, most of which have not yet been identified. Development of a methodology is required to deal systematically with unknown metabolites, and to elucidate their biological roles in an integrated ‘omics’ framework. Here we report the development of a ‘metabolite annotation’ procedure. The metabolite annotation is a process by which structures and functions are inferred for metabolites. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro‐Tom) was used as a model for this study using LC‐FTICR‐MS. Collected mass spectral features, together with predicted molecular formulae and putative structures, were provided as metabolite annotations for 869 metabolites. Comparison with public databases suggests that 494 metabolites are novel. A grading system was introduced to describe the evidence supporting the annotations. Based on the comprehensive characterization of tomato fruit metabolites, we identified chemical building blocks that are frequently found in tomato fruit tissues, and predicted novel metabolic pathways for flavonoids and glycoalkaloids. These results demonstrate that metabolite annotation facilitates the systematic analysis of unknown metabolites and biological interpretation of their relationships, which provide a basis for integrating metabolite information into the system‐level study of plant biology.
Isolation of Aspergillus udagawae from a fatal case of feline orbital aspergillosis
Authors: Kano Rui , Itamoto Kazuhito , Okuda Masaru , Inokuma Hisashi , Hasegawa Atsuhiko , Balajee S. Arunmozhi
Published: January 2008

Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant etiological agent of sino‐orbital aspergillosis in humans and animals. Here we report for the first time A. udagawae, a previously recognised but rare opportunistic pathogen causing fatal orbital aspergillosis in a cat. Identification of this isolate was secured by comparative sequence based analyses of the ITS and the β tubulin region. Antifungal susceptibility testing results revealed that this isolate had high in vitro MIC to amphotericin B (AMB) that correlated with in vivo failure of therapy with AMB.
NCS‐1 differentially regulates growth cone and somata calcium channels in Lymnaea neurons
Authors: Hui Kwokyin , Feng Zhong‐Ping
Published: February 2008

Local voltage‐gated calcium channels, which regulate intracellular Ca2+ levels by allowing Ca2+ influx, play an important role in guiding and shaping growth cones, and in regulating the outgrowth and branching of neurites. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms that regulate the biophysical properties of whole‐cell calcium currents in the growth cones and somata of growing neurons is important to improving our understanding of neuronal development and regeneration. In this study, taking advantage of the large size of the pedal A (PeA) neurons in Lymnaea stagnalis, we compared the biophysical properties of somata and growth cone whole‐cell calcium channel currents using Ba2+ and Ca2+ as current carriers. We found that somata and growth cone currents exhibit similar high‐voltage activation properties. However, Ba2+ and Ca2+ currents in growth cones and somata are differentially affected by a dominant‐negative peptide containing the C‐terminal amino acid sequence of neuronal calcium sensor‐1 (NCS‐1). The peptide selectively reduces the peak and sustained components of current densities and the slope conductance in growth cones, and shifts the reversal potential of the growth cone currents to more hyperpolarized voltages. In contrast, the peptide had no significant effect on the somata calcium channels. Thus, we conclude that NCS‐1 differentially modulates Ca2+ currents in the somata and growth cones of regenerating neurons, and may serve as a key regulator to facilitate the growth cone calcium channel activity.