bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First record of Chilomycterus reticulatus (Osteichthyes: Diodontidae) in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Follesa M. C. , Mulas A. , Porcu C. , Cau A.
Published: April 2009

The spotfin burrfish Chilomycterus reticulatus (405 mm standard length) is recorded for the first time on the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea. The adult specimen was found dried on a beach near the south Sardinian Sea (S. Antioco’s Island). Photographs and morphometrics of the specimen are given.
How normal is abnormal? Discrimination between deformations and natural variation in gonad morphology of European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus
Authors: Bittner D. , Bernet D. , Wahli T. , Segner H. , Küng C. , Largiadèr C. R.
Published: April 2009

The gonad morphology of whitefish Coregonus lavaretus collected in Lake Thun, Switzerland, and two neighbouring lakes was assessed in order to differentiate between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ character states of gonad morphology, which had been previously described in C. lavaretus from Lake Thun (constrictions, asymmetries, aplasia, compartmentations, fusions and hermaphroditism). In total, 4668 fish were collected and analysed using two complementary sampling schemes: (1) monthly samples of catches by the commercial fishermen and (2) samples of ripe spawners of all known 33 spawning sites of the three lakes. Considerable variation in gonad morphology in C. lavaretus populations of all lakes was found. Notably, all deviation types were observed in fish of all three lakes. Asymmetries and constrictions were frequent in all three lakes and showed systematic differences in frequency between the two sampling strategies. This indicates that asymmetries and constrictions represent to a large extent natural variation in gonad morphology of C. lavaretus and are also prone to considerable measurement error. In contrast, aplasia, fusions, compartmentations and hermaphroditism occurred predominantly in one C. lavaretus form of Lake Thun and in particular in populations spawning at great depths. This suggests that these deviation types are probably reliable indicators for gonad deformations and supports the interpretation that Lake Thun harbours a unique case of deformed gonads in C. lavaretus of yet unknown origin.
Phylogeny of snout butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Libytheinae): combining evidence from the morphology of extant, fossil, and recently extinct taxa
Authors: Kawahara Akito Y.
Published: April 2009

Snout butterflies (Nymphalidae: Libytheinae) are morphologically one of the most unusual groups of Lepidoptera. Relationships among libytheines remain uncertain, especially in the placement of the recently extinct Libythea cinyras and two fossils, L. florissanti, and L. vagabunda. The aim of this study is to present the first phylogenetic hypothesis of Libytheinae utilizing all available morphological data from extant and extinct species. Forty‐three parsimony‐informative characters were coded, and the all‐taxa analysis resulted in six most parsimonious trees (length 92 steps, CI = 0.66, RI = 0.82). The subfamily was resolved as monophyletic and was split into Old World and New World clades. Inclusion of extinct species with considerable missing data had little effect on relationships of extant taxa, although Bremer support values and jackknife frequencies generally decreased if extinct species were included. In order to preserve the monophyly of extant genera, two fossils are assigned to Libytheana for the first time (L. florissanti comb. n. and L. vagabunda comb. n.). This study demonstrates the value of morphological data in phylogenetic analysis, and highlights the contribution that can be made by scoring extinct taxa and including them directly into the analysis.
The Development of Trainee Auditors' Skills in Tertiary Education
Authors: Helliar Christine V. , Monk Elizabeth A. , Stevenson Lorna A.
Published: April 2009

This research examines the skills that practitioners, academics and students think are important for trainee auditors to possess for a successful auditing career. The research is based on the educational theories of experiential learning and information‐processing. These theories suggest that graduates expecting to go into the auditing profession should have: (i) some concrete experience upon which to base an understanding of the techniques that they will be expected to learn once they begin audit work; and (ii) an understanding of basic constructs upon which new learning can be applied and built to then be able to critically examine and question the evidence that is presented to them on an audit. This study investigates the teaching methods that are used at UK universities on accounting degree programmes and assesses whether these two objectives are being met.
Perceived Audit Quality, Modified Audit Opinions and the Likelihood of Liquidating Bankruptcy among Financially Weak Firms
Authors: Sundgren Stefan
Published: April 2009

The paper examines the relationship between audit quality, modified audit opinions and the likelihood of liquidating bankruptcy among financially weak firms. The sample consists of 27,999 Finnish companies. It is argued that the choice of a high‐quality auditor signals managers' credibility and that creditors would be more inclined to prefer liquidating bankruptcy as the resolution of financial difficulties if the firm is audited by a low‐quality auditor. The results show that liquidating bankruptcy is less common among Big 4 audited firms. A positive association between the likelihood of bankruptcy and different types of modified audit opinions, including opinions with remarks related to the quality and presentation of financial statements, is also found.
Quantification of mouse pulmonary cancer models by microcomputed tomography imaging
Authors: Fushiki Hiroshi , Kanoh‐Azuma Tomoko , Katoh Masahiro , Kawabata Ken , Jiang Jian , Tsuchiya Nozomi , Satow Akio , Tamai Yoshitaka , Hayakawa Yoshihiro
Published: April 2009

The advances in preclinical cancer models, including orthotopic implantation models or genetically engineered mouse models of cancer, enable pursuing the molecular mechanism of cancer disease that might mimic genetic and biological processes in humans. Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer deaths; therefore, the treatment and prevention of lung cancer are expected to be improved by a better understanding of the complex mechanism of disease. In this study, we have examined the quantification of two distinct mouse lung cancer models by utilizing imaging modalities for monitoring tumor progression and drug efficacy evaluation. The utility of microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) for real‐time/non‐invasive monitoring of lung cancer progression has been confirmed by combining bioluminescent imaging and histopathological analyses. Further, we have developed a more clinically relevant lung cancer model by utilizing K‐rasLSL–G12D/p53LSL–R270H mutant mice. Using micro‐CT imaging, we monitored the development and progression of solitary lung tumor in K‐rasLSL–G12D/p53LSL–R270H mutant mouse, and further demonstrated tumor growth inhibition by anticancer drug treatment. These results clearly indicate that imaging‐guided evaluation of more clinically relevant tumor models would improve the process of new drug discovery and increase the probability of success in subsequent clinical studies. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Vaccination with multiple peptides derived from novel cancer‐testis antigens can induce specific T‐cell responses and clinical responses in advanced esophageal cancer
Authors: Kono Koji , Mizukami Yoshiki , Daigo Yataro , Takano Atsushi , Masuda Ken , Yoshida Koji , Tsunoda Takuya , Kawaguchi Yoshihiko , Nakamura Yusuke , Fujii Hideki
Published: April 2009

We previously identified three novel HLA‐A24‐restricted epitope peptides, which were derived from three cancer‐testis antigens, TTK protein kinase (TTK), lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K (LY6K), and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐II mRNA binding protein 3 (IMP‐3), as targets for cancer vaccination against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). To examine the safety, immunogenicity, and antitumor effect of vaccine treatment using a combination of these three peptides, 10 HLA‐A2402‐positive advanced ESCC patients who failed to standard therapy were enrolled in a phase I clinical trial. Each of the three peptides (1 mg each) was intradermally administered with 1 mL of incomplete Freund's adjuvant to the neck in three separate regions weekly for 5 weeks. The cancer vaccination therapy was well tolerated without any treatment‐associated adverse events of grade 3 or 4. The TTK‐, LY6K‐, and/or IMP‐3‐specific T‐cell immune responses were observed by enzyme‐linked immunospot assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from nine of the 10 ESCC patients after their vaccination. The median survival time after the vaccination was 6.6 months. The vaccination could induce good clinical responses in 50% of the 10 patients. One patient experienced a complete response in hepatic metastasis lasting 7 months, one showed objective responses in all lung metastasis lesions, and three patients revealed a stable disease condition for at least 2.5 months. The cancer vaccine therapy using these three peptides demonstrated satisfactory safety and good immunogenicity as well as promising disease control rate, and therefore warrants further clinical studies. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Local and systemic production of nitric oxide in tomato responses to powdery mildew infection
Authors: PITERKOVÁ JANA , PETŘIVALSKÝ MAREK , LUHOVÁ LENKA , MIESLEROVÁ BARBORA , SEDLÁŘOVÁ MICHAELA , LEBEDA ALEŠ
Published: April 2009

Various genetic and physiological aspects of resistance of Lycopersicon spp. to Oidium neolycopersici have been reported, but limited information is available on the molecular background of the plant–pathogen interaction. This article reports the changes in nitric oxide (NO) production in three Lycopersicon spp. genotypes which show different levels of resistance to tomato powdery mildew. NO production was determined in plant leaf extracts of L. esculentum cv. Amateur (susceptible), L. chmielewskii (moderately resistant) and L. hirsutum f. glabratum (highly resistant) by the oxyhaemoglobin method during 216 h post‐inoculation. A specific, two‐phase increase in NO production was observed in the extracts of infected leaves of moderately and highly resistant genotypes. Moreover, transmission of a systemic response throughout the plant was observed as an increase in NO production within tissues of uninoculated leaves. The results suggest that arginine‐dependent enzyme activity was probably the main source of NO in tomato tissues, which was inhibited by competitive reversible and irreversible inhibitors of animal NO synthase, but not by a plant nitrate reductase inhibitor. In resistant tomato genotypes, increased NO production was localized in infected tissues by confocal laser scanning microscopy using the fluorescent probe 4‐amino‐5‐methylamino‐2′,7′‐difluorofluorescein diacetate. NO production observed in the extracts from pathogen conidia, together with elevated NO production localized in developing pathogen hyphae, demonstrates a complex role of NO in plant–pathogen interactions. Our results are discussed with regard to a possible role of increased NO production in pathogens during pathogenesis, as well as local and systemic plant defence mechanisms.
Association analysis between canine behavioural traits and genetic polymorphisms in the Shiba Inu breed
Authors: Takeuchi Y. , Kaneko F. , Hashizume C. , Masuda K. , Ogata N. , Maki T. , Inoue‐Murayama M. , Hart B. L. , Mori Y.
Published: April 2009

The relationships between behavioural trait data and the genotype of 15 polymorphisms in eight neurotransmitter‐related genes were analysed in 77 dogs of the Shiba Inu breed, an indigenous Japanese dog. The data were obtained from a 26‐item questionnaire on the dog’s behaviour, distributed to the dog’s owners, through veterinary hospitals and the Shiba Inu breed magazine. A factor analysis of the questionnaire items extracted eight factors accounting for 66.8% of the variance. An association analysis between these factors and genetic polymorphisms indicated that the polymorphism of c.471T>C in the solute carrier family 1 (neuronal/epithelial high‐affinity glutamate transporter) member 2 (SLC1A2) gene was significantly associated with Factor 1, referred to as ‘aggression to strangers’. This association remained stable in separate analyses of data from surveys obtained from the hospitals and those obtained from the magazine. The results suggest that the c.471T>C polymorphism is associated with some types of aggressive behaviour in the Shiba Inu. Further studies using other dog breeds are necessary to extend these findings to dogs in general.
Strong links between teleconnections and ecosystem exchange found at a Pacific Northwest old‐growth forest from flux tower and MODIS EVI data
Authors: WHARTON SONIA , CHASMER LAURA , FALK MATTHIAS , PAW U KYAW THA
Published: April 2009

Variability in three Pacific teleconnection patterns are examined to see if net carbon exchange at a low‐elevation, old‐growth forest is affected by climatic changes associated with these periodicities. Examined are the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Pacific/North American Oscillation (PNA) and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We use 9 years of eddy covariance CO2, H2O and energy fluxes measured at the Wind River AmeriFlux site, Washington, USA and 8 years of tower‐pixel remote sensing data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to address this question. We compute a new Composite Climate Index (CCI) based on the three Pacific Oscillations to divide the measurement period into positive‐ (2003 and 2005), negative‐ (1999 and 2000) and neutral‐phase climate years (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007). The forest transitioned from an annual net carbon sink (NEP=+217 g C m−2 yr−1, 1999) to a source (NEP=−100 g C m−2 yr−1, 2003) during two dominant teleconnection patterns. Net ecosystem productivity (NEP), water use efficiency (WUE) and light use efficiency (LUE) were significantly different (P<0.01) during positive (NEP=−0.27 g C m−2 day−1, WUE=4.1 mg C g−1 H2O, LUE=0.94 g C MJ−1) and negative (NEP=+0.37 g C m−2 day−1, WUE=3.4 mg C g−1 H2O, LUE=0.83 g C MJ−1) climate phases. The CCI was linked to variability in the MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) but not to MODIS Fraction of absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR). EVI was highest during negative climate phases (1999 and 2000) and was positively correlated with NEP and showed potential for using MODIS to estimate teleconnection‐driven anomalies in ecosystem CO2 exchange in old‐growth forests. This work suggests that any increase in the strength or frequency of ENSO coinciding with in‐phase, low frequency Pacific oscillations (PDO and PNA) will likely increase CO2 uptake variability in Pacific Northwest conifer forests.
Pedogenesis, permafrost, and soil moisture as controlling factors for soil nitrogen and carbon contents across the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: BAUMANN FRANK , HE JIN‐SHENG , SCHMIDT KARSTEN , KÜHN PETER , SCHOLTEN THOMAS
Published: April 2009

We investigated the main parameters [e.g. mean annual air temperature , mean annual soil temperature, mean annual precipitation, soil moisture (SM), soil chemistry, and physics] influencing soil organic carbon (Corg), soil total nitrogen (Nt) as well as plant available nitrogen (Nmin) at 47 sites along a 1200 km transect across the high‐altitude and low‐latitude permafrost region of the central‐eastern Tibetan Plateau. This large‐scale survey allows testing the hypothesis that beside commonly used ecological variables, diversity of pedogenesis is another major component for assessing carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. The aim of the presented research was to evaluate consequences of permafrost degradation for C and N stocks and hence nutrient supply for plants, as the transect covers all types of permafrost including heavily degraded areas and regions without permafrost. Our results show that SM is the dominant parameter explaining 64% of Corg and 60% of N variation. The extent of the effect of SM is determined by permafrost, current aeolian sedimentation occurring mostly on degraded sites, and pedogenesis. Thus, the explanatory power for C and N concentrations is significantly improved by adding CaCO3 content (P=0.012 for Corg; P=0.006 for Nt) and soil texture (P=0.077 for Corg; P=0.015 for Nt) to the model. For soil temperature, no correlations were detected indicating that in high‐altitude grassland ecosystems influenced by permafrost, SM overrides soil temperature as the main driving parameter at landscape scale. It was concluded from the current study that degradation of permafrost and corresponding changes in soil hydrology combined with a shift from mature stages of pedogenesis to initial stages, have severe impact on soil C and plant available N. This may alter biodiversity patterns as well as the development and functioning of the ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau.
Vegetation type determines heterotrophic respiration in subalpine Australian ecosystems
Authors: JENKINS MEAGHAN , ADAMS MARK A.
Published: April 2009

Soils are the largest store of carbon in the biosphere and cool‐cold climate ecosystems are notable for their carbon‐rich soils. Characterizing effects of future climates on soil‐stored C is critical to elucidating feedbacks to changes in the atmospheric pool of CO2. Subalpine vegetation in south‐eastern Australia is characterized by changes over short distances (scales of tens to hundreds of metres) in community phenotype (woodland, shrubland, grassland) and in species composition. Despite common geology and only slight changes in landscape position, we measured striking differences in a range of soil properties and rates of respiration among three of the most common vegetation communities in subalpine Australian ecosystems. Rates of heterotrophic respiration in bulk soil were fastest in the woodland community with a shrub understorey, slowest in the grassland, and intermediate in woodland with grass understorey. Respiration rates in surface soils were 2.3 times those at depth in soils from woodland with shrub understorey. Surface soil respiration in woodlands with grass understorey and in grasslands was about 3.5 times that at greater depth. Both Arrhenius and simple exponential models fitted the data well. Temperature sensitivity (Q10) varied and depended on the model used as well as community type and soil depth – highlighting difficulties associated with calculating and interpreting Q10. Distributions of communities in these subalpine areas are dynamic and respond over relatively short time‐frames (decades) to changes in fire regime and, possibly, to changes in climate. Shifts in boundaries among communities and possible changes in species composition as a result of both direct and indirect (e.g. via fire regime) climatic effects will significantly alter rates of respiration through plant‐mediated changes in soil chemistry. Models of future carbon cycles need to take into account changes in soil chemistry and rates of respiration driven by changes in vegetation as well as those that are temperature‐ and moisture‐driven.
Effects of CD14, TLR2, TLR4, LPB, and IL‐6 Gene Polymorphisms on Chlamydia pneumoniae Growth in Human Macrophages In Vitro
Authors: Poikonen K. , Lajunen T. , Silvennoinen‐Kassinen S. , Leinonen M. , Saikku P.
Published: April 2009

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular gram‐negative bacterium, which causes respiratory infections in humans. It can infect various cell types, e.g. vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and monocyte‐derived macrophages in vitro. The susceptibility of macrophages from healthy individuals to C. pneumoniae infection is highly variable. In this study, we evaluated the effects of innate immunity genes CD14 −260 C>T, TLR2 Arg753Gln, TLR4 Asp299Gly, LBP Phe436Leu and IL6 −174 G>C polymorphisms on C. pneumoniae growth in human macrophages in vitro. The growth of C. pneumoniae was highest in CD14 −260 C>T TT genotype cells and the difference to CC and CT genotypes was statistically significant (P = 0.032 and 0.022 respectively). The G‐allele of the IL6 −174 G>C polymorphism had a positive influence on chlamydial growth; the difference was statistically significant only between CC and GC genotypes (P = 0.018). TLR2 Arg 753Gln, TLR4 Asp299Gly, LBP Phe436Leu polymorphisms showed no effect on chlamydial growth.
Development of an Effective Method for Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy of Mouse Melanoma
Authors: Lee T.‐H. , Cho H. K. , Cho Y. H. , Lee M.‐G.
Published: April 2009

Dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy is a strong candidate for the treatment of incurable cancers especially malignant melanoma. Nevertheless, the proper guideline of DC immunotherapy does not exist. The absence of the guideline is also an obstacle to clinical trials of DC immunotherapy. So we conducted this study in order to develop an effective DC preparation method for immunotherapy in mouse malignant melanoma. Mouse bone marrow‐derived DC were stimulated with tumour antigen alone or tumour antigen plus a cocktail (anti‐CD40 antibody +TNF‐α+ IL‐1β) for 8, 24 or 48 h and the characteristics of these DC, such as surface molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86, MHC class II, CCR7), cytokines(IL‐12, IFN‐γ, and IL‐10), DC‐induced T cell proliferation in vitro, and the production of IFN‐γ by those cells, were evaluated. Mice with melanoma were then treated with DC stimulated with tumour antigen alone and tumour antigen plus cocktail for 8 or 48 h. The tumour size and survival rate of these mice were then evaluated. (1) Beneficial clinical effects such as a reduction of tumour size and an increased survival rate were best observed in the group treated with DC stimulated for 8 h with tumour antigen plus cocktail. (2) The single prominent characteristic of DC stimulated for 8 h with tumour antigen plus cocktail was an elevated IL‐12 secretion. The cytokine IL‐12 was not secreted by other DC. Consequently, proper production of IL‐12 was found to be an important requirement for DC used in immunotherapy of mouse melanoma.
Antibodies against a Class II HLA–Peptide Complex Raised by Active Immunization of Mice with Antigen Mimicking Peptides
Authors: Dam‐Tuxen R. , Riise E.
Published: April 2009

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease linked to the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes DRB1*1501, DRB5*0101 and DQB1*0602. T cells reactive towards the DRB1*1501 in complex with various peptides derived from myelin basic protein (MBP), which is the major component of myelin, have been found in the peripheral blood of MS patients. These autoreactive T cells are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. In this article, antibodies against the HLA complex DR2b (DRA1*0101/DRB1*1501) in complex with the MBP‐derived peptide MBP85‐99 have been generated by immunization of NMRI mice with three different antigen mimicking peptides displayed on M13 bacteriophages. The peptides mimick the epitope of a monoclonal antibody specific for the DR2b–MBP85‐99 complex. The mice developed IgG antibodies not only against the peptides injected, but they also developed antibodies against the DR2b complex and specific antibodies against the DR2b–MBP85‐99 complex. These data open up the possibility of designing antigen mimicking peptides for vaccination against MS.
Novel lycopene epsilon cyclase activities in maize revealed through perturbation of carotenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Bai Ling , Kim Eun‐Ha , DellaPenna Dean , Brutnell Thomas P.
Published: April 2009

In maize, human selection for yellow endosperm has led to diversification of grain carotenoid content and composition. This variation has remained largely untapped in modern breeding programs that have focused nearly exclusively on yield gains. In this paper, we show that carotenoid accumulation patterns differ in maize embryo and endosperm tissues, and that this tissue‐specific accumulation is largely mediated through differential expression of genes encoding lycopene β‐cyclase and lycopene ε‐cyclase (LcyB and LcyE). In the absence of LCYB function, LCYE produces a number of unusual carotenes, including δ‐carotene, ε‐carotene and lactucaxanthin (ε,ε‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol), in endosperm tissue. A similar carotene cyclization profile is seen when LcyE is introduced into lycopene‐accumulating Escherichia coli cells, suggesting that the carotenoid profile in the endosperm tissue of the lcyB mutant is largely due to the activity of LCYE in the absence of LCYB. Using site‐directed mutagenesis of LcyE, critical amino acids were defined that regulate the product specificity of the enzyme. Finally, we show that several genes encoding enzymes in isoprenoid and carotenoid biosynthesis are probably subject to negative transcriptional regulation, mediated by a carotenoid or a molecule derived from a carotenoid. The implications of these findings with respect to breeding for carotenoid composition in maize grain are discussed.
A combined subtractive suppression hybridization and expression profiling strategy to identify novel desiccation response transcripts from Tortula ruralis gametophytes
Authors: Oliver Melvin J. , Hudgeons Jeremy , Dowd Scot E. , Payton Paxton R.
Published: April 2009

Vegetative desiccation tolerance of the bryophyte Tortula ruralis is characterized by two components: constitutive cellular protection and an inducible cellular recovery program activated upon rehydration. The inducible cellular recovery program is characterized by the increased translation of a number of proteins, termed rehydrins. Rehydins are postulated to be important in cellular repair and thus central to the mechanism of desiccation tolerance. However, as of yet, their identities are largely unknown. We used an EST/expression profiling strategy to identify rehydrins of low abundance and novel to the desiccated or rehydration transcriptomes. We constructed two subtractive suppression hybridization libraries; one to enrich for differentially expressed transcripts sequestered in slow‐dried gametophytes and the other to enrich for transcripts differentially translated following rehydration. Collections of cDNAs from each library were sequenced and used to generate a small cDNA microarray. A total of 614 unique contigs were generated from a collection of 768 cDNAs. Half of the ESTs (298) are not represented within a much larger collection (Oliver et al. 2004) and are thus novel. Expression analysis supports the notion that transcripts sequestered during slow drying are a reflection of the need for a rapid recovery of metabolism and those recruited for translation upon rehydration following rapid drying reflect the more stressful nature of this treatment. Expression analysis revealed several new components to the desiccation tolerance mechanism: jasmonic acid signaling, proteosomal activation and alternative splicing. These are novel findings and have relevance to our understanding of the evolution of desiccation tolerance in the land plants.
Suboptimal temperature favors reserve formation in biennial carrot (Daucus carota) plants
Authors: González María V. , Sadras Victor O. , Equiza María A. , Tognetti Jorge A.
Published: April 2009

In response to suboptimal temperatures, temperate annual plants often increase root:shoot ratios, build‐up carbohydrates and display typical morphological and anatomical changes. We know less about the responses of biennials such as carrot. As a model plant, carrot has the additional feature of two functionally and morphologically distinct root parts: the taproot, which stores carbohydrate and other compounds, and the fibrous root system involved in acquisition of water and nutrients. Here, we analyze the effects of temperature (12 vs 25°C) on growth, carbohydrate accumulation and whole‐plant morphology in two carrot cultivars. Our working hypothesis is that suboptimal temperature favors active formation of reserve structures, rather than passive accumulation of storage carbohydrates. In comparison with plants grown at 25°C, plants grown at 12°C had: (1) higher fibrous root:shoot ratio (13%) , (2) thicker (10–15%) and smaller (up to two‐ to three‐fold) leaves, (3) lower leaf cuticular permeance (two‐ to four‐fold), (4) higher taproot:shoot ratio (two‐fold), (5) higher phloem:xylem ratios in taproot (two‐ to six‐fold), (6) unchanged percentage dry matter content (%DMC) in leaves, petioles or fibrous roots and (7) higher %DMC in taproot (20%). However, %DMC of individual taproot tissues (phloem and xylem) was unaffected by temperatures and was consistently higher in the phloem (up to 30%). Therefore, the higher %DMC of whole taproots at 12°C was attributed solely to the increased development of phloem tissue. Carrot, therefore, shares many of the most conspicuous elements of temperate plant responses to low temperatures. Consistently with our hypothesis, however, carrots grown at suboptimal temperature promoted reserve structures, rather than the increase in carbohydrate concentration typical of most temperate annual species and woody perennials.
Influence of hypobaric hypoxia on bispectral index and spectral entropy in volunteers
Authors: IKEDA T. , YAMADA S. , IMADA T. , MATSUDA H. , KAZAMA T.
Published: April 2009

Background: Hypoxia has been shown to change electroencephalogram parameters including frequency and amplitude, and may thus change bispectral index (BIS) and spectral entropy values. If hypoxia per se changes BIS and spectral entropy values, BIS and spectral entropy values may not correctly reflect the depth of anaesthesia during hypoxia. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in BIS and spectral entropy values during hypobaric hypoxia in volunteers.

Methods: The study was conducted in a high‐altitude chamber with 11 volunteers. After the subjects breathed 100% oxygen for 15 min at the ground level, the simulated altitude increased gradually to the 7620 m (25,000 ft) level while the subjects continued to breathe oxygen. Then, the subjects discontinued to breath oxygen and breathed room air at the 7620 m level for up to 5 min until they requested to stop hypoxic exposure. Oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, 95% spectral edge frequency (SEF), BIS, response entropy (RE), and state entropy (SE) of spectral entropy were recorded throughout the study period.

Results: Of the 11 subjects, seven subjects who underwent hypoxic exposure for 4 min were analysed. SpO2 decreased to 69% at the 7620 m level without oxygen. However, SEF, BIS, RE, and SE before and during hypoxic exposure were almost identical.

Conclusion: These data suggest that hypoxia of oxygen saturation around 70% does not have a strong effect on BIS and spectral entropy.
Extremely prolonged neuromuscular blockade after rocuronium: a case report
Authors: MORALES MARTÍN A. C. , VAQUERO RONCERO L. M. , MURIEL VILLORIA C.
Published: April 2009

It is known that the duration of rocuronium action can be prolonged in elderly patients and that such action shows important interindividual variability. We report a case of prolonged neuromuscular block lasting 11 h, in a woman subjected to kidney transplantation. The possible causes of such prolonged action, inherent to the drug, or related to external factors, are commented.
Soft tissue landmark for ultrasound identification of the sciatic nerve in the infragluteal region: the tendon of the long head of the biceps femoris muscle
Authors: BRUHN J. , MOAYERI N. , GROEN G. J. , VAN VEENENDAAL A. , GIELEN M. J. , SCHEFFER G. J. , VAN GEFFEN G.‐J.
Published: April 2009

Background and objectives: The sciatic nerve block represents one of the more difficult ultrasound‐guided nerve blocks. Easy and reliable internal ultrasound landmarks would be helpful for localization of the sciatic nerve. Earlier, during ultrasound‐guided posterior approaches to the infragluteal sciatic nerve, the authors recognized a hyperechoic structure at the medial border of the long head of biceps femoris muscle (BFL). The present study was performed to determine whether this is a potential internal landmark to identify the infragluteal sciatic nerve.

Methods: The depth and the thickness of this hyperechoic structure, its relationship with the sciatic nerve and the ultrasound visibility of both were recorded in the proximal upper leg of 21 adult volunteers using a linear ultrasound probe in the range of 7–13 MHz. The findings were verified by an anatomical study in two cadavers.

Results: The hyperechoic structure at the medial border of the BFL extended in a dorsoventral direction between 1.4±0.6 cm (mean±SD) and 2.8±0.8 cm deep from the surface, with a width of 2.2±0.9 mm. Between 2.6±0.9 and 10.0±1.5 cm distal to the subgluteal fold, the sciatic nerve was consistently identified directly at the ventral end of the hyperechoic structure in all volunteers. The anatomical study revealed that this hyperechoic structure corresponds to tendinous fibres inside and at the medial border of the BFL.

Conclusion: The hyperechoic BFL tendon might be a reliable soft tissue landmark for ultrasound localization of the infragluteal sciatic nerve.
Pathogen reduction technology (Mirasol®) treated single‐donor platelets resuspended in a mixture of autologous plasma and PAS
Authors: Janetzko K. , Hinz K. , Marschner S. , Goodrich R. , Klüter H.
Published: April 2009

Background and Objectives  Mirasol® pathogen reduction technology (PRT) for platelet concentrates uses riboflavin and ultraviolet light. Previously, we described increased metabolism and activation for PRT platelets stored in 100% plasma. To improve platelet quality, we resuspended platelets in a mixture of plasma and platelet additive solution (PAS).

Materials and Methods  Single‐donor platelets were resuspended in plasma and split into an untreated control and a PRT‐treated single product. One hundred and fifty millilitre PAS (SSP+) was added to both. Over 7 days, we assayed pH, glucose consumption‐, lactate production rate and CD62p with and without TRAP.

Results  On day 5, PRT units showed a significantly lower pH (7·087 ± 0·105 vs. 7·288 ± 0·200) accompanied by a higher lactate production (0·104 ± 0014 vs. 0·063 ± 0·017 mmol/1012/h) and glucose consumption rate (0·039 ± 0005 vs. 0·028 ± 0·009 mmol/1012 platelets/h). CD62p expression was higher in treated units (44·5 ± 13·0 vs. 16·5 ± 7·6%).

Conclusion  In comparison to PRT platelets resuspended in 100% plasma, a mixture of plasma and PAS improves pH and platelet metabolism but not platelet activation. Prolonged shelf‐life for up to 7 days may be possible.
Biocontrol of decay in seasoning utility poles. I. Growth rate and colonizing ability of bluestain and decay fungi in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Brown A. V. , Webber J. F.
Published: April 2009

Seasoning (air drying) of utility poles for 6–12 months is essential before preservative treatment can be achieved. However, during seasoning, pine sapwood is often colonized by decay fungi, thereby compromising the performance and service life of the poles. This study investigated the potential of bluestain fungi to act as short‐term biocontrol agents against decay during seasoning. An important attribute for biocontrol is rapid growth, so growth rates of common bluestain (Ceratocystis coerulescens, Ophiostoma minus, Ophiostoma piceae, Ophiostoma piliferum, Sphaeropsis sapinea) and decay fungi (Heterobasidion annosum, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Stereum sanguinolentum) were compared on agar medium and pine in logs at various temperatures. On agar, the growth temperature optimum of most bluestain fungi and all the decay fungi was ∼25°C, with little growth at ≤5°C or above 32.5°C. Overall, the fastest growing were S. sapinea and O. minus. In logs, the most effective colonizers were S. sapinea and O. minus with pathogenic abilities that made them well fitted to colonize the sapwood of freshly felled pine. Within these species, certain isolates produced much larger lesions in phloem and the sapwood tangential plane than all the decay fungi. Notably, there was significant variation in colonizing ability between different isolates within a species, emphasizing the need for testing a range of isolates when selecting a potential biocontrol agent.
Genetic diversity and differentiation of Chinese wild soybean germplasm (G. soja Sieb. & Zucc.) in geographical scale revealed by SSR markers
Authors: Li X. H. , Wang K. J. , Jia J. Z.
Published: April 2009

Wild soybean (Glycine soja), as the progenitor of soybeans (G. max), is widely distributed in China and has been collected as a supplementary germplasm pool of soybeans. In this study, 375 wild soybean accessions from a set of genebank core collection were analysed for genetic diversity by using 42 simple sequence repeat primer pairs. The mean allele number per locus was 19.62. Ten‐percent unique alleles involving 35 or 83.33% loci differentiated among the geographical regions. The mean gene diversity (h) per locus was 0.89. A very low mean coefficient of gene differentiation (GST = 0.08) for geographical regions and a high mean within‐region gene diversity (HS = 0.81) were observed, indicating that most genetic diversity existed within the regions. There was an obvious relationship between genetic distance and geographical distance. The results showed multiple centers of genetic diversity for Chinese wild soybean in North China, the Huanghe River Valley, and Central China as well as the Changjiang River Valley, implicating multiple site origins of soybeans within China.
Effects of sodium valproate on synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability in rat hippocampus
Authors: Yong Wu , Zhang Min‐Min , Wang Shu , Ruan Di‐Yun
Published: April 2009

Valproate (VPA) has long been used in the treatment of both generalized and partial seizures. However, its cellular mechanisms of action remain unclear.

 In the present study, the effects of VPA on synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability were examined in the hippocampal CA1 region using whole‐cell patch clamp recordings.

 Perfusion with VPA, at therapeutically attainable concentrations (i.e. 0.3 and 0.6 mmol/L), significantly increased the frequency (112 ± 2 and 133 ± 2% of control, respectively;n = 5; bothP < 0.05), but not the average amplitude, of miniature inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (mIPSCs). Perfusion with VPA had no effect on either the amplitude or the frequency of miniature excitatory post‐synaptic currents (mEPSCs).

 In acutely dissociated CA1 pyramidal neurons, VPA had no effect on 10 µmol/L GABA‐induced currents. Furthermore, following the administration of 0.3 and 0.6 mmol/L VPA, the frequency of action potential firing was significantly reduced from 18.0 ± 1.1 to 15.3 ± 0.9 and from 18.6 ± 0.9 to 12.6 ± 0.6, respectively (n = 8; bothP < 0.05). In contrast, 0.3 and 0.6 mmol/L VPA significantly increased spike frequency adaptation from 4.02 ± 0.47 to 4.72 ± 0.55 and from 3.47 ± 0.41 to 4.48 ± 0.58, respectively (n = 8;P < 0.05).

 The results of the present study suggest that VPA presynaptically increases inhibitory synaptic activity without modifying excitatory synaptic transmission and reduces neuronal excitability. Any or all of these effects may contribute to its anticonvulsant action.
Ascorbic acid decreases the antifungal effect of fluconazole in the treatment of candidiasis
Authors: Wang Yan , Jia Xin‐Ming , Jia Jian‐Hui , Li Ming‐Bang , Cao Ying‐Ying , Gao Ping‐Hui , Liao Wan‐Qing , Cao Yong‐Bing , Jiang Yuan‐Ying
Published: April 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on the antifungal activity of fluconazole (FCZ) in a systemic murine candidiasis model as well as in vitro.

The murine model was established by infusion of Candida albicans via the tail vein. Control mice received no further treatment. Other groups of mice were injected with FCZ (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and then treated or not with 50 or 500 mg/kg AA intragastrically (i.g.) or i.p. In all groups, FCZ was administered i.p. 2 h after fungal inoculation, whereas AA was administered 6 h after fungal inoculation. Survival rate, kidney fungal burden and renal pathological changes were evaluated.

The in vitro effects of AA (5, 1 and 0.2 mmol/L) on the growth of various Candida strains in the presence of FCZ (0.125–64 µg/mL) were also investigated. The in vitro effects of two anti‐oxidants, namely N‐acetylcysteine (NAC; 5, 1 and 0.2 mmol/L) and reduced glutathione (GSH; 5, 1 and 0.2 mmol/L), on FCZ activity were evaluated to determine the mechanism of action of AA.

Intragastric administration of AA (50 or 500 mg/kg) significantly decreased the antifungal effect of 0.5 mg/kg FCZ. Although i.p. administration of AA (50 or 500 mg/kg) had no significant effect on the survival of mice, it dose‐dependently inhibited the activity of FCZ, with significant inhibition observed with 500 mg/kg AA.

In vitro, AA decreased the activity of FCZ against various Candida strains. Both NAC and GSH dose‐dependently decreased the activity of FCZ.

The results of the present study indicate that AA inhibits the antifungal activity of FCZ, suggesting that the two should not be used together clinically for the treatment of candidiasis.
Oral nitrate therapy does not affect glucose metabolism in healthy men
Authors: Henstridge Darren C , Duffy Stephen J , Formosa Melissa F , Ahimastos Anna A , Thompson Bruce R , Kingwell Bronwyn A
Published: April 2009

Previously, we demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) may be an important mediator of peripheral glucose disposal. The aim of the present study was to determine whether acute oral nitrate therapy improves glucose metabolism in healthy individuals.

Healthy men (n = 10), aged between 19 and 46 years, participated in a randomized cross‐over placebo‐controlled study. During Visit 1, participants received a dose‐graded intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; titrated from a dose of 0.5 μg/kg per min to a maximum of 2 μg/kg per min and delivered at a rate of 2 mL/min over 30 min). On Visits 2, 3 and 4, participants received oral extended‐release isosorbide mononitrate (120 mg), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (160 mg) and placebo in a randomized Latin square design (one treatment per visit). The main outcome measures were plasma glucose and insulin levels and glucose tolerance determined by an oral glucose tolerance test following the SNP infusion and 3 h after nitrate/placebo administration. Exhaled NO, cGMP and pulmonary blood flow were also measured for 3 h after administration of nitrate/placebo and after SNP infusion.

None of the nitrate interventions influenced measures of glucose metabolism. Following SNP infusion, there was no change in plasma glucose (P = 0.42) or insulin (P = 0.25) levels, and the response to a glucose load did not different from baseline (P = 0.46). Similarly, neither of the oral nitrates altered plasma glucose (P = 0.24) or insulin levels (P = 0.90) or glucose tolerance (P = 0.56) compared with placebo.

In conclusion, these results indicate that acute oral nitrate therapy does not influence glucose metabolism. Studies using NO donors in a chronic setting are required to clarify the role of NO in mediating peripheral glucose uptake.
In Vitroelectrophysiological activity of nerispirdine, a novel 4‐aminopyridine derivative
Authors: Smith Craig , Kongsamut Sathapana , Wang Hongge , Ji Junzhi , Kang Jiesheng , Rampe David
Published: April 2009

The non‐selective K+channel blocker 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) has shown clinical efficacy in the treatment of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. The clinical usefulness of 4‐AP is hampered by its ability to produce seizures. Nerispirdine, an analogue of 4‐AP, is currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In contrast with 4‐AP, nerispirdine is not proconvulsant, suggesting mechanistic differences between the two drugs.

Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp electrophysiology, we compared the effects of 4‐AP and nerispirdine on the cloned human K+channels Kv1.1 and Kv1.2, expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and on voltage‐dependent Na+channels recorded from human SH‐SY5Y cells.

Nerispirdine inhibited Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 with IC50values of 3.6 and 3.7 μmol/L, respectively. 4‐Aminopyridine was approximately 50‐fold less potent at blocking these channels. Nerispirdine also inhibited voltage‐dependent Na+channel currents recorded from human SH‐SY5Y cells with an IC50of 11.9 μmol/L when measured from a –70 mV holding potential. In contrast, 4‐AP had no effect on Na+channel currents.

The results demonstrate that nerispirdine, like 4‐AP, can inhibit axonal K+channels and that this mechanism may underlie the ability of the drug to enhance neuronal conduction. Unlike 4‐AP, nerispirdine can also inhibit neuronal Na+channels, a mechanism that may explain why nerispirdine lacks proconvulsant activity.
Do changes in the coupling between respiratory and sympathetic activities contribute to neurogenic hypertension?
Authors: Zoccal Daniel B , Paton Julian FR , Machado Benedito H
Published: April 2009

It is well known that respiration markedly modulates the sympathetic nervous system. Interactions between pontine and medullary neurons involved in the control of sympathetic and respiratory functions are the main mechanism underlying the respiratory related oscillations in sympathetic nerve activity.

Recently, in rats treated with chronic intermittent hypoxia, we demonstrated that alterations in respiratory pattern may drive increased sympathetic outflow and hence the development of systemic hypertension. These experiments, performed in the in situ working heart–brain stem preparation, raise the possibility that enhanced central coupling between respiratory and sympathetic activities could be a potential mechanism underpinning the development and/or the maintenance of neurogenic hypertension.

In the present review, we discuss the neural basis of the enhanced entrainment between respiratory and sympathetic neurons in the brain stem that can be induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia and the possible implications of these mechanisms in the genesis of sympathetic overactivity and, consequently, hypertension.
EFFECTS OF 1400W AND/OR NITROGLYCERIN ON RENAL OXYGENATION AND KIDNEY FUNCTION DURING ENDOTOXAEMIA IN ANAESTHETIZED RATS
Authors: Johannes Tanja , Mik Egbert G , Klingel Karin , Goedhart Peter T , Zanke Christof , Nohé Boris , Dieterich Hans‐Jürgen , Unertl Klaus E , Ince Can
Published: April 2009

The pathogenesis of acute renal failure (ARF) in sepsis is multifactorial. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in septic ARF has been a source of controversy. We hypothesized that endotoxaemia‐induced exacerbation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)‐related NO release impairs renal oxygenation and contributes to ARF in anaesthetized rats.

In the present study, rats received lipopolysaccharide (2.5 mg/kg) for 30 min. Two hours later, fluid resuscitation was started (HES130; 5 mL/kg per h after a 5 mL/kg bolus) supplemented either by the NO donor nitroglycerin (NTG; 0.5 µg/kg per min after a 2 µg/kg bolus), the selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W (3 mg/kg per h after a 3 mg/kg bolus) or both. Systemic haemodynamics and renal microvascularPo2(µPo2) were recorded continuously. Furthermore, creatinine clearance, plasma NOx(nitrate + nitrite + S‐nitrosothiols) levels and the expression of iNOS mRNA were measured.

Endotoxaemia reduced renal blood flow, decreased mean arterial pressure, resulted in anuria and was associated with an increase in plasma NOxlevels and renal iNOS expression. Renal µPo2deteriorated gradually during endotoxaemia and there was a significant decrease in renal O2delivery and consumption. Manipulation of NO levels had no beneficial effect on systemic haemodynamics, renal µPo2or creatinine clearance over standard fluid resuscitation. The application of 1400W+NTG significantly reduced plasma NOxlevels compared with fluid resuscitation and NTG alone.

Neither iNOS inhibition, NO donation nor a combination of both showed beneficial effects on systemic haemodynamics, renal oxygenation and renal function compared with fluid resuscitation alone. Our results question the proposed key role of NO in the pathogenesis of septic ARF in rats.